Friday, 10 April 2026

Book Reviews with Amber ~ The Cat Book Connoisseur at The Mewton-Clawson Library ~ #357 featuring **The Mid Witch** by DJ Bowman-Smith **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

A whimsical illustrated banner for The Mewton‑Clawson Library at BBHQ shows a cat in the foreground, surrounded by colourful bookshelves, flowers, trees, and small book‑themed decorations like an open book, a quill, and a thimble. The text reads “Welcome to The Mewton‑Clawson Library at BBHQ” and “Book Reviews with Amber,” creating a cosy, storybook‑style library scene.
This review of The Mid Witch by DJ Bowman-Smith is part of Book Reviews with Amber, the Cat Book Connoisseur at the Mewton-Clawson Library. Scroll to read.

The world’s leading feline literary critic

From the shelves of the Mewton-Clawson Library, a curated review destination for cat-centric fiction at BionicBasil.com
Amber's Book Review Pink Dot Divider ©BionicBasil®

✨ This Week’s Intro ~ 96% Calm, 3% Cooperative Technology, 1% Mildly Smug Stationery ✨

Hello, my gorgeous library guests,

and

Welcome back to the Mewton‑Clawson Library at BBHQ.

I am thrilled to report that harmony has been almost fully restored. The fax machine and the multifunctional Calmness Tracker 3000 pen have reached a state of mutual understanding, a rare and meautiful thing in the world of semi‑sentient office equipment.

The air hums with quiet productivity. The shelves are aligned. The library mice are content. And the fax machine? It’s pawsitively helpful.

📠 The Fax Machine’s Evolution Arc

After last week’s colourful chaos, the fax machine has settled into its new role as the library’s unofficial assistant. It now prints neatly formatted lists, cheerful reminders, and the occasional motivational quote (“Keep calm and collate”). It even sends thank‑mew notes to the pen.

The pen, meanwhile, has embraced its purpose with gusto. It’s writing useful lists, shopping lists, reading lists, and one particularly detailed inventory titled “Emergency Catnip Reserves.” It glows softly when pleased, which is often.

And it even prints out in duplicate, just in case one list goes missing, how thoughtful! MOL

A whimsical library scene featuring a fax machine printing “Melvyn’s To‑Do List.” The cosy room is lined with wooden bookshelves, warm lighting, and green plants. Two glowing pens, one yellow, one blue, stand upright beside the fax machine, adding a magical touch. A small mouse figurine sits next to a stack of books and pencils. The printed list includes humorous tasks such as checking the atlas section, restocking catnip tea bags, dusting the glittery G aisle, updating the Emergency Catnip Reserve, and delivering Amber’s reading list. “copyright www.bionicbasil.com” appears at the top.

Oh, and another Calmness Tracker 3000 pen appeared, with an orange glow this time, funny that.

Melvyn says it's for me, and he'll have to programme it to my paw signature ... I'm not sure about that yet! MOL

📚 A Morning of Cooperative Calm

Me: “Melvyn, sweetie, how’s our technological duo today?”

Melvyn: “Peaceful. The fax machine printed a compliment.”

Me: “A compliment?”

Melvyn: “It said my pawwriting is improving.”

Me: “That’s adorable.”

Melvyn: “The pen agreed.”

Me: “They’re bonding.”

Melvyn: “They’ve started co‑authoring documents.”

Me: “What kind?”

Melvyn: “Lists of recommended reads. Paranormal Cozies seem to be this week's top suggestion.”

Me: “How odd, they must be reading my mind! Tin foil hat?”

Melvyn: “No, not yet, let's see what others come with a paw‑print of approval.”

Me: “Efficient and enthusiastic. I like it.”

Melvyn: “Also, it printed a recipe for catnip cookies with extra cream frosting.”

Me: “Of course it did.”

📚 General Library Status Update

Happy mice Happy vibe Happy fax machine (now in its helpful era) Happy pen (glowing with purpose) Happy thesaurus (writing haikus about teamwork)

In short:

The library is calm. Mostly calm. Calm with a minuscule whiff of toner and triumph, and a sprinkling of glitter.

And honestly? I’m delighted.

So, my meowvellous library guests, if mew spot neatly printed lists fluttering through the stacks or a pen glowing approvingly beside the main desk, don’t worry, it’s simply the library enjoying its newfound technological harmony.

Probably!

Now let's look at this week's top book pick!

A split image shows two sections of a large home library. The top section features long white bookshelves filled with colourful books and magazines, with a cat walking along the wooden floor in front of them. The lower section shows another area lined with shelves of older, leather‑bound volumes and encyclopedias, with chairs placed nearby for reading. Text in the centre reads “Part of The Mewton‑Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®,” highlighting the cosy, well‑stocked library setting.
**Alt Text:** A black‑and‑white line illustration shows three stacked books arranged like steps. A cartoon mouse with large ears stands proudly on the top book, while another mouse on the ground to the right looks up toward it. The drawing has a playful, storybook feel.
The P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
**Alt Text:** A cartoon illustration titled *Friendly Fill‑Ins* shows two cats sitting on a grassy field dotted with flowers. The cat on the left is orange with a red collar and a winking expression, while the cat on the right is black with green eyes and a blue collar. A butterfly flies above them, and rolling green hills and a blue sky form the background. Text at the top reads “Friendly Fill‑Ins — Hosted by Four‑Legged Furballs & 15andmeowing.”

1. I never want to forget _______________________.
2. I have a recurring dream about __________________________.
3. _________ is the strangest thing in my computer’s search history.
4. I wish I could turn my _________ into a paying job.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. I never want to forget the way Basil would come hurtling up from the bottom of the field when I whistled him, as did all the cats if they were down there. It was like a furry stampede, ah, the good old days of a heathen horde! 

2. I have a recurring dream about __________________________. Nothing of note that I can remember! 

3. W.e.a.p.o.n.s are the strangest thing in my computer’s search history. Let me explain, when I'm writing a new B Team adventure, I like to look at certain g.u.n.s, etc., as Commander Basil may want to try a new one!!! 

4. I wish I could turn my sewing into a paying job. Ah, well, it seems it is what it is, and so it goes. In the meantime, thank fluff for the day job!

Amber's Book Review Pink Dot Divider ©BionicBasil®
Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

**Alt Text:** A black‑and‑white illustration features a vintage typewriter with a paw print on the sheet of paper. Stacks of books sit on both sides: on the left, a small cartoon mouse stands atop the books, and on the right, a cartoon elephant balances on the stack. The scene has a playful, literary feel, fitting as a divider for Amber’s book reviews.
A cosy, richly decorated library filled with wooden bookshelves, warm lighting, and green plants. At the centre, an orange‑and‑white cat sits behind a desk topped with a yellow lamp, stacked books, a feather quill, a scroll, and a small sign that reads “SHHHHH!!!”. A copy of The Mid Witch by DJ Bowman‑Smith, featuring a floral‑themed illustrated cover, rests on the desk. A small mouse sits on a stack of books to the left. Text at the top announces the weekly book pick with Amber, described as the world’s leading feline literary critic and cat book connoisseur. The image includes “copyright www.bionicbasil.com” at the bottom
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

The Mid Witch

A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (The Mid Witch Series Book 1)


by 

DJ Bowman-Smith

**Alt Text:** A symmetrical black‑and‑white illustration shows four cartoon mice arranged in pairs on either side of two pieces of Swiss‑style cheese placed in the centre. Each mouse faces inward toward the cheese, creating a playful, balanced composition.

This was a TikTok find about three weeks ago, and **at the time of posting**, the first three in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited. But do check, as books pop in and out of the catalogue.

I purrchased the audio version, but as the rest aren’t available in audio yet, I’ll be reading them on Kindle.

📚 This Week’s Paw‑Approved Top Pick: The Mid Witch

Dahlings, fluff your whiskers and brace yourselves, because this week’s read is a deliciously chaotic blend of midlife mayhem, magical awakening, and one woman who discovers that hot flushes aren’t the only thing heating up her life. It’s funny, it’s fierce, and it’s furbulously relatable for many - thank cod cats don't have a meowopause - I saw what happened to the P.A. in her menopausal mayhem!!!

❓What’s the Vibe?

Think midlife crisis meets magical awakening, sprinkled with humour, heart, and a heroine who refuses to go quietly into the night, even though everyone else would like exactly that!

It’s warm, witty, with just the right amount of witchy vibe.

🐾 What’s the Story?

Lilly is having a time, dahling.

Her husband is a cheating toad. Her children have flown the nest. Her job has evaporated. Her finances are wobbling like unset jelly. And now her almost‑ex wants to sell her ancient family home, the one place she still feels rooted, and will try anything to make it happen.

As if that weren’t enough, she’s encountering at the most inopportune moments:

rude estate agents

stray dogs

hot flushes

and the creeping suspicion that reality is … shifting

Because Lilly isn’t just overwhelmed, she’s becoming a witch.

Not the pointy‑hat, cackle‑in‑the‑moonlight kind (though honestly, she’d rock that look), but a woman discovering her power, magical and otherwise, at exactly the moment she needs it most.

⚔️ What I Loved

🧙‍♀️ Lilly: A wonderfully real, flawed, funny heroine. She’s strong even when she feels broken, and her magical awakening is both hilarious and heartfelt.

😸 Clawdia, the cat: Although not a huge part of the book, she did appear in the final quarter and was the reason I read it! MOL

🪄 The Magpie: Maud. An interesting character, smart and magical.

🔥 The Midlife Magic: Hot flushes + spellcraft? Iconic. Truly iconic.

🐕 The Greyhound: Ink, a chaotic, adorable addition who adds warmth and humour.

🏚 The Cottage: Atmospheric, rooted in history, and purractically humming with magic. A character in its own right.

✨ The Tone: Funny, poignant, empowering, with just a smattering of spice in a couple of places.

🔮 The Magic: Not over‑the‑top, but woven beautifully into Lilly’s emotional journey.

📖 Final Thoughts

This is a charming, funny, and deeply relatable paranormal women’s fiction novel that celebrates midlife, reinvention, and the quiet power of claiming your own story. Lilly’s journey is messy, magical, and well worth the read.

If mew love stories about older women rediscovering themselves after a midlife meltdown. With a dash of witchcraft, a sprinkle of chaos, and a cute cat who I hope really has a bigger role in the next books, this is a purrfect pick.

🪄 Summed Up in One Sentence

🐾 A warm, witty, witchy tale about midlife, magic, and a woman finally stepping into her power. 🐾

A Top Paw Read!


Paperback:  334 pages
Audio:  8 hours 2 mins
**Alt Text:** A black‑and‑white line illustration shows three stacked books arranged like steps. A cartoon mouse with large ears stands proudly on the top book, while another mouse on the ground to the right looks up toward it. The drawing has a playful, storybook feel.
My Rating Scale

**Alt Text:** A simple black‑and‑white rating chart uses rows of pink paw prints to show five levels of book ratings. Five paw prints correspond to “Top Paw ~ Read Immediately,” four to “Furry Good ~ Read As Soon As,” three to “Good ~ Put It On Stand‑By,” two to “Average ~ Emergency Reading,” and one to “Meh! ~ Take a Nap Instead.”

Amber's Book Review Pink Dot Divider ©BionicBasil®

Ratings of:

The Mid Witch


Overall Enjoyment

A horizontal row of five identical pink paw prints representing the highest rating level in the pet‑themed book‑review scale, corresponding to “Top Paw ~ Read Immediately.”
**Alt Text:** A black‑and‑white illustration features a vintage typewriter with a paw print on the sheet of paper. Stacks of books sit on both sides: on the left, a small cartoon mouse stands atop the books, and on the right, a cartoon elephant balances on the stack. The scene has a playful, literary feel, fitting as a divider for Amber’s book reviews.

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

A horizontal row of six square graphics, each representing a different themed blog hop: “Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop” with a cat silhouette; “The Cat Blogosphere” with a globe and cat; “Feline Friday” with stylised cat drawings; “Nature Friday Blog Hop” on a stone background; “Flashback Friday” with a cat and dog; and “Friendship Friday” featuring two cats.
          Brian's Home   Catblogosphere    Feline Friday   Nature Friday    Flashback Friday   Friendship Friday          
Amber's Book Review Pink Dot Divider ©BionicBasil®

I really hope mew enjoy the book if mew choose to read it.

It's time for me to say BFN or bye-for-now as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time, and I'll be back next week with another specially paw-picked book just for mew, and don't forget that all my previous reviews can be found on my Book Review page.

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

The Cat Book Connoisseur

A single bright pink paw print with a soft black shadow sits centered on a plain background. The design features one large rounded pad and four smaller oval toe pads, creating a bold, playful icon used as Amber’s signature sign‑off





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18 comments:

  1. Brian's Home Blog10 April 2026 at 00:41

    Melvyn, that's a bunch of fax dude! Good fill-in answers, I can almost see Basil running. Terrific review too sweetest Amber!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:19

      Thank mew so much, Brian and family... Melvyn is absolutely chuffed mew enjoyed his fax‑tastic moment - he’s still strutting around like he’s the new Head of Communications! MOL

      Amber is purring her sweetest thanks for your lovely words about her review. She takes her literary duties very seriously, as mew know! 📚💗

      Big purrs to mew all from BBHQ... 🐾✨

      Delete
  2. Eastside Cats10 April 2026 at 00:46

    Have dreams with tornadoes. I am never harmed; the twisters seem to bounce over me, but they scare me like crazy!
    I'd say it's a depiction of the stresses of life (storm), scary things that happen (funnel cloud), but I manage to weather it (yeah, that's a pun!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:20

      Thank mew so much for sharing that... tornado dreams sound absolutely terrifying, even if mew always come through unscathed. It really does sound like your mind’s way of processing life’s storms - swirling chaos overhead, but mew standing firm beneath it all. Quite the powerful metaphor, even if the dream version is enough to curl anycat’s whiskers!

      Sending calm skies and gentle breezes from all of us at BBHQ... 🌤️🐾✨

      Delete
  3. Lynn and Precious10 April 2026 at 11:04

    That sounds like a magical book. Decades ago I did have an outdoor cat who always answered to my whistle. My neighbors and my husband were amazed that he would do that. They thought only dogs would.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:22

      Thank mew so much, Lynn and Precious... it really is a magical book, full of midlife mayhem and just the right sprinkle of witchy wonder!

      And how lovely about your outdoor kitty, that’s exactly how Basil was too. The P.A. would whistle and he’d come charging up the field like a furry missile. Neighbours were always amazed as well… but some cats just have that special bond, don’t they? Dogs don’t get all the fun! MOL

      Sending purrs from all of us at BBHQ... 🐾💗✨

      Delete
  4. Leah10 April 2026 at 18:05

    Oh my, such an active library, it's a wonder that so much reading and reviewing gets done! Great review, a book that really sounds familiar and intriguing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:23

      Thank mew so much, Leah... it is quite the lively library at the moment, between the fax machine finding its purpose and the pens glowing like tiny magical sidekicks, it’s a wonder Amber gets any reviewing done at all! MOL

      We’re delighted mew enjoyed the review, it really is an intriguing and wonderfully familiar sort of story, especially for anypawdy who loves a dash of midlife magic. Purrs from all of us at BBHQ... 📚🐾✨

      Delete
  5. Katie Isabella10 April 2026 at 18:05

    I loved your fill-ins. I did mine over at 15 and Meowing. I usually do. :-) Melvyn, whaycha wearing today?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:24

      Thank mew so much, Katie... the P.A. is delighted mew enjoyed her fill‑ins - she always has such fun with them!

      As for Melvyn, he’s currently modelling Bandana No. 4 - Spring Butterflies, and strutting about the library like he owns the entire stationery department... which, to be fair, he probably thinks he does! MOL 😸🦋📚

      Big purrs from all of us at BBHQ... 🐾✨

      Delete
  6. pilch9210 April 2026 at 23:38

    I am glad all is calm in the library. Excellent review Amber. Was there a spell to stop hot flashes? If so, do tell. :) I mailed my book to you today. I hope you like it. Thank you to the PA for participating in the fill-ins, great answers. You are an excellent seamstress and I am sure you would make a lot of money doing it. XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:26

      Thank mew so much, Ellen... we’re absolutely delighted the library is calm again, though with semi‑sentient stationery, mew never quite know how long that will last! MOL

      Amber says thank mew ever so kindly for your lovely words about her review. And as for a spell to stop hot flashes… sadly not in this book, but if Lilly discovers one in the sequels, the P.A. wants it immediately! 😹🔥✨

      That’s wonderful news about the book, thank mew so much for sending it. Amber is already pacing by the post box like a tiny ginger librarian on a mission.

      And the P.A. sends a huge thank mew for your sweet compliment - she’s blushing and says mew’re far too kind about her sewing.

      Sending big hugs and purrs from all of us at BBHQ... XO 🐾💗✨

      Delete
  7. messymimi11 April 2026 at 00:36

    It does seem all is well in the library.

    I’m glad the P.A. is researching for the next adventure.

    The book does sound excellent and I very much appreciate your linking up with Feline Friday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:27

      Thank mew so much, Mimi... yes, for once the library really is behaving itself - the fax machine is in its “helpful era,” the pens are glowing with purpose, and Amber is revelling in the calm while it lasts! MOL

      The P.A. is indeed deep in research mode for the next B Team adventure, there’s always something explosive, mysterious, or mildly chaotic brewing behind the scenes.

      And Amber is purring her thanks for your lovely words about the book, it truly was an excellent read. We’re always delighted to join Feline Friday too!

      Purrs and gratitude from all of us at BBHQ... 🐾📚✨

      Delete
  8. Memories of Eric and Flynn11 April 2026 at 09:56

    It sounds like things are going very well in the library! The book sounds really good and I have just put it in my basket on Amazon. If I enjoy it I will then get books 2 and 3.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:28

      Thank mew so much... yes, for once everything is running smoothly in the library, the fax machine is behaving, the pens are glowing happily, and Amber is revelling in the rare moment of calm! MOL

      We’re delighted the book caught your interest, it really is a fabulous read, full of midlife magic and mayhem. We hope mew enjoy it as much as Amber did, and if mew do dive into books 2 and 3, we’d love to hear what mew think.

      Purrs from all of us at BBHQ... 📚🐾✨

      Delete
  9. Christine12 April 2026 at 09:07

    Great all's going well at the library Amber and another great book review 😽 that's some to do list for Melvin 🙀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ®20 April 2026 at 08:29

      Thank mew so much, Christine... Amber is thrilled mew enjoyed the review, and yes, the library is finally behaving itself, for now! MOL 😹

      And Melvyn’s to‑do list? Absolute chaos in printed form. He’s still pretending it was all his idea!

      Purrs from all of us at BBHQ... 📚🐾✨

      Delete

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