SKU: 70550320442

Midnight "Don't Judge Me" Ruiz

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Midnight "Don't Judge Me" RuizNow Available for Presale! Midnight Dont Judge Me Ruiz This graphic novel tells the true story of Midnight, an abandoned pit bull type dog, who wound up at Philadelphias crowded open intake animal shelter in 2019. Due to a minor nip after being adopted, Midnight is returned to the shelter and becomes at risk for euthanasia. Through Rocky like grit, hard work, and a lot of help from his friends, Midnight goes the distance with his demons and learns to

Now Available for Presale!

Midnight “Don’t Judge Me” Ruiz

This graphic novel tells the true story of Midnight, an abandoned pit bull-type dog, who wound up at Philadelphia’s crowded open-intake animal shelter in 2019. Due to a minor nip after being adopted, Midnight is returned to the shelter and becomes at-risk for euthanasia. Through Rocky-like grit, hard work, and a lot of help from his friends, Midnight goes the distance with his demons and learns to love again.  
 
Written and illustrated by animal advocates S. J. Russell and Anne Koszalka, this graphic novel features the gruff, endearing Philadelphia dialect spoken by the two central dog characters, Midnight and Mister. 
 
Anne Koszalka is a Philadelphia potter and artist. (Believe it or not, each of the hundreds of illustrations in the book began as a ceramic tile: each tile was shaped, etched, painted, and then fired in a kiln before being photographed and incorporated into the design.) 
 
Midnight “Don’t Judge Me” Ruiz is a modern-day Rocky story—and highlights the struggle of underdogs labeled "pit bulls," who enter municipal shelters in droves. These dogs are too often unfairly judged based on their looks, and not on their unique personalities. The underlying message conveyed through a couple of witty pure Phillybreds, is that all dogs, like people, are individuals. 
 
Through humor and unvarnished realism, this graphic novel lends authentic insight into the challenges faced by open-admission shelters in cities across the nation. It also shows that everyone plays a role in saving the lives of these worthy animals by making adoption a first option. Above all, this is a story about hope. 

Early Praise for Midnight "Don't Judge Me" Ruiz

"The hundreds of illustrations (which all began as etched ceramic tiles) give the work a unique, decidedly organic feel—[Anne] Koszalka does an impressive job of conveying a wide scope of emotions (fear, anger, despair, joy) through her art. But the real power here is the narrative, which pulls no punches and is based on a true story. . . .

Exploring a serious issue with compassion and humor, this story should appeal to both animal lovers and Philly residents."

— KIRKUS REVIEWS

“An equally funny, yet heart-wrenching graphic novel that captures the fear, trauma, heartbreak, and love that comes with the work of trying to save at-risk dogs living in open-access shelters. The beguiling words and illustrations also capture the City of Brotherly Love perfectly. It's impossible to read Russell's book without falling in love with Midnight and pitbulls like him everywhere. In a word, Midnight 'Don't Judge Me' Ruiz is jawn.” 

—Ellen Lebrecque, New York Times Bestselling Author

"I loved it so much. I was laughing one minute and crying the next. Midnight 'Don’t Judge Me' Ruiz" is such a unique and creative way of storytelling for such a serious subject as the challenges and realities facing homeless pets and those who care for them in animal shelters. Author, Susan Russell, and artist, Anne Koszalka, have teamed up with help from their talented friends to bring Midnight’s Philly-flavored story to the pages of this beautifully crafted book. We have to keep telling the stories and making the voices of the voiceless heard if something is going to change. Their lives matter and their special someone is out there waiting to hear their stories. Together we can make the changes necessary to save their lives.
 
—Captain Tawny Hammond, Director of No-Kill Advancement at Best Friends Animal Society

"A heartwarming story about a dog's journey to find love
Midnight 'Don't Judge Me' Ruiz is such a touching story told from the perspective of Midnight, a pit bull who's trying to understand why he keeps getting overlooked at the shelter. The way it captures his confusion and frustration as other dogs get adopted so easily while he waits, simply because he's a pit bull, really pulls at your heartstrings. The ups and downs of his journey—getting adopted and then returned because he's too excited over a new toy—feel so real and are highly emotional. By the end, when he finally finds the right home, I had tears in my eyes. This book does an amazing job showing how much every dog just wants love and a happy life, no matter what breed they are. It's a beautiful reminder to give every dog a fair chance.
 
—Anne E. Beall, PhD, Award-Winning Author of Community Cats, Heartfelt Connections, and Heroic, Helpful & Caring Cats

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SKU: 70550320442

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4.0 ★★★★★
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Carmen Alicea
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Stepbrothers, Secrets, and Sizzling Heat
Format: Kindle
Twisted Lies by Roxy Collins is a wild ride through family secrets, amnesia, and a steamy stepbrother romance. When Kelly discovers her life is built on lies, she ends up tangled with three alpha stepbrothers and an assassin who once helped her through a heat. The tension? Off the charts! The heat is real, and the complications are messy in the best way. Full of twists, secrets, and fated mates? You'll be hooked from page one! Love omegaverse drama with a dash of taboo? This one's for you!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
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Ashley
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 3
Good read
Format: Kindle
The book has some good twists and turns, but truthfully I was so confused on some things. It didn't have a good flow for me personally. Not sure if it's due to typos or using him/her wrongly, but I thought Kelly was both a guy and a girl. Actually I still don't know, and it made me incredibly frustrated. It would refer to Kelley as him or he, and then again in another part of the story as her she and sister. On to the next book, I hope there is some clarity and a smoother flow. This is a slow burn, and I just don't know how much I care for the Alphas yet. Idk if I recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2023
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75_SweetestBook
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
the lies
Format: Kindle
This is amazing fast pace read that is full of plot twists and lies that keep getting bad. This is a story we’re a omega has been lied to by her mother and finds out that someone is slowing dieing. 3 alpha take the omega and feed her more lies so they can use her against her father so they can find their mate Kelly. This is a dark read and ends in a cliffhanger and so good.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2023
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trinityknt7
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Hot twists
Format: Kindle
This will keep you on your toes toes in a hot twisty mess. You want to love, hate and root for whom is the big question. I’m quickly getting the next book because it ends on a cliffhanger and damn, it’s got me ready to tear into it!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2026
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LanaB
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Ends in a cliffhanger
Format: Kindle
Thankfully, the next book is already available. Roxy Collins is the queen of omegaverse slow burn. This particular series is omegaverse with wolf shifters. Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Lots of suspense and trying to figure out what is true and what's really going on. I loved it! Pretty spicy once the action starts. Heats are pretty much always spicy. There is a little bit of male interaction, but not full-on shmex. Definitely recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2025

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