Showing posts with label Love To Read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love To Read. Show all posts

Friday, 10 January 2025

**FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #304 featuring **Paws and Effect ~ Magical Cats Book 8** by Sofie Kelly **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

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Hello gorgeous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

And thank you for joining me in the stacks today. 

It's been a relatively sedate start to the New Year in the library. Though Oswald, The Head Library Mouse (aka T.H.L.M.) came to me with a rather interesting proposal, and it didn't start off too well! MOL 

Oswald said. "Amber, I need to tell mew something."

"Oh, OK," I replied, thinking to myself, Oh, My Cod! The Library mice are quitting! Quick, order more cheese!

"Me and the other mice have been talking," he continued.

I nodded, trying to keep my expression as neutral as pawsible. But inside, I was screaming, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

"So, we've decided, and that's if it's ok with mew?" he said.

At this point I could barely hear a thing as my internal voice had taken over the rant in my brain. And this is precisely what was being said, sorry, shouted in the privacy of my own mind.

THEY'RE LEAVING; WHAT ARE MEW GOING TO DO NOW? 

THERE'S NOPAWDY WHO WANTS A JOB, LET ALONE ONE IN A TINY VILLAGE IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE, WITH NO CONVENIENCES NEARBY? 

MEW ARE FLUFFED!  EPICALLY FLUFFED! MORE FLUFFED THAN MEW'VE EVER BEEN!

THE LIBRARY IS FINISHED!

MEW ARE ALL WASHED UP!

OH COD, WHY ME?

I TOLD MEW THAT MEW SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THEM THAT REALLY BIG LUXURY CHEESE HAMPER AT CATMAS!

WHO'S GOING TO MAKE THE CATNIP COFFEE NOW?

AND BAKE THE CATNIP COOKIES WITH THE EXTRA-SPECIAL FROSTING ON?

Etc... etc... etc... and on repeat.

Oswald must have seen the look of abject panic settle across my face as I tried to reign the mental diatribe that was bolting across the fields towards Fuskerton at unprecedented speeds.

And he duly hit the panic alarm to summon Parsley and then very thoughtfully gave me a paper bag to breathe into. 

Parsley hurtled into the library, saw me having a bit of a panic attack, snatched the bag and promptly sprayed me with catnip spray.  Nothing diffuses panic like a blast of extra primo catnip up the nose! MOL

Anyhoo, a minute later, after I calmed down, Oswald said. "Can we spend one day a week with Horice on Level Eight of the bunker, like a spa day?"

Well, mew could have dipped me in a catnip swimming pool, given me a lilo to cruise around on, and one of those zingy fluoro cocktails with an umbrella in, and I couldn't have been more surprised! MOL

"Of course," I said. "If it's a spa day, I'll take one too!" 

And this is me after my first spa day... jumpin' juniper berries, I'm looking well rested!

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Well, after all that, I'm sure mew want to see this week's top pick, so let's get to it!


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Today the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1. I will keep my old _________________________ over a new one any day.
2. My theme song for the year is __________________.  (Sorry, I know I already did a focus word, but I needed more motivation).
3. _________ is the most relaxing part of my day.
4. _________ is the most stressful part of my day.

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

1. I will keep my old car over a new one any day. Working in the industry for decades, I will say that new cars aren't always what they are cracked up to be. I see many almost new pricey cars come through our business; the things that go wrong are unbelievable, and how expensive parts have become since 2020. Some parts are on permanent backorder, so customers can't get their vehicles fixed for a while. And the ever increasingly complicated builds of said vehicles can make repairs very long-winded because of ill-thought-out access to certain areas in the engine bay or throughout the vehicle. And another thing is electric cars, we do work on those too, but until I'm literally forced with no other choice than to have one, no chance. The thought of someone or an A.I. counterpart in a building somewhere having control over my car with the touch of a button not fluffing likely. At that point, I think I will revert to the 1943 Willys Jeep without a hardtop - I know for sure that's unhackable! LOL

2. My theme song for the year is __________________.  (Sorry, I know I already did a focus word, but I needed more motivation). I don't have a theme song. Sorry! But I do have a playlist I listen to all the time, but no one song springs to mind.

3. _________ is the most relaxing part of my day. This all depends on what day, but mainly from 6pm, it chills out.

4. _________ is the most stressful part of my day. Most of it, pre 6pm. I try to avoid drama, but sometimes it still happens; such is life, keep calm and carry on. And if that doesn't work, go home, pick up the nearest B Team Memfur, and have a cuddle; it's all okay then! LOL

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Let's see what pawesome book I've got to share with mew this week.

Amber's Book Reviews #304 ©BionicBasil® Paws and Effect - Magical Cats Book 8 by Sofie Kelly
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Paws and Effect


Magical Cats Book 8


by 

Sofie Kelly


       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

Resourceful librarian Kathleen Paulson needs the help of her magical cats, Owen and Hercules, to clear the name of someone close to her heart in this mystery in the New York Times bestselling series...
 
Kathleen is excited to meet three old pals of her beau, Detective Marcus Gordon, while they visit charming Mayville Heights on business. But the reunion is cut short when one of the friends is killed—and the evidence points toward Marcus as the murderer.

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Mew may remember earlier last year, I rediscovered this pawesome series, and I was on a mission to review the entire Magical Cats Mystery series before the end of 2024 - NOPE, that didn't happen! MOL  I'm now going to say that by the end of the current review season in July 2025, that should give me plenty of time! MOL

Here are my previous reviews:










If mew’re in the mood for a cozy cat mystery that’s filled with charm, a dash of magic, and a sprinkle of feline mischief, then Paws and Effect is the purrfect read for mew! We are once again whisked away to the delightful world of Mayville Heights with the epic duo, Owen and Hercules, the magical cats who steal every scene they’re in. In this eighth instalment of the Magical Cats series, we find our resourceful librarian protagonist, Kathleen Paulson, tangled in a web of intrigue when a reunion with Detective Marcus Gordon’s old friends takes a deadly turn. Talk about a gathering gone wrong! Just when Kathleen is ready to enjoy a pleasant visit, one of Marcus’s friends is murdered, and, of course, all clues point to our dashing detective. Can mew imagine the shock? Kathleen’s unwavering faith in Marcus sets the stage for a twisty and rather turny mystery that will keep mew flipping pages faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer. She’s determined to clear his name and with a bit of help from her feline companions, she dives headfirst into unravelling a series of secrets that seem tangled tighter than yarn on a cat tree. The chemistry between Kathleen and her magical cats is delightful—Owen and Hercules aren’t just adorable; they bring genuine enchantment to the investigation. Their antics and intuition add an extra layer of fun, making them characters mew can’t help but adore, I love these two; they are, as I said earlier, EPIC! And their magical powers are just the right touch to spice things up and keep mew guessing. The story shines with clever twists and memorable moments that remind us why we fell in love with this series in the first place. Whether mew’re an avid cat lover or just someone who enjoys a good whodunit, book eight will leave mew with a warm heart and a few chuckles. In a literary world where cozy mysteries can sometimes tread familiar ground, Sofie Kelly manages to keep her stories fresh and engaging. With captivating characters, a setting that feels like home, and enough suspense to keep mew guessing until the very last page, this book is a delightful addition to the Magical Cats series. So grab a cup of catnip tea, settle in with your furry friends (if mew have any), and get ready for a charming ride filled with mystery and magic—because, as Kathleen would say, when in doubt, call the cats!

Another Totally Top Paw Read ~ I Love This Series!

A truly furbulous addition to this wonderpurr series. That's nine down and seven to go - I'm over the halfway mark - woooo hooooo! MOL

Paperback: 331 pages
Audio: 8 hours 23 minutes
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My Rating Scale

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Ratings of:
 

Paws and Effect


Overall Enjoyment

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I'm off to read next week's books, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time! 

Don't forget, if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix. 

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

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Friday, 19 November 2021

Love To Read? Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #179 featuring **The Cat and The City** by Nick Bradley PLUS Friendly Fill-Ins

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Hello gorgeous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and mew know I have to say I really do look forward to my post every week to spend time with my fellow bibliophiles.

Though mew know I do have one little grip this week, and that is some cats just don't know the pecking order. Smooch was on the P.A.'s lap when I decided that I would like some attention, so after scrambling onto the sofa I bulldozed Smooch to the side and took my rightful place, yet Smooch had the utter nerve to complain, can mew believe it?

He said, and I quote, "OY, I was sleeping and that was really rude to just push me over here, I was warm and snuggled and mew need to get some manners!"

Obviously I just ignored him and carried on, because at my time of life mew have to make the most of every moment.

Amber the Ginger Tabby is trying to push tripawed Smooch off the sofa and the P.A.

Do mew think I was wrong?

Because he did threaten me with a letter!

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Also, Episode 2 of Bite Sized Bird TV is now live, so if mew feel like watching what happens in the garden at BBHQ, check it out.


Mew could really nom on some of those right? Well, that's what Melvyn said! MOL
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Today the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
1. I am thankful for ______________, _____________________ and ________________________.
2. I look forward to eating ________________ on Thanksgiving.
3. I didn’t realize _________ until _________.
4. There’s no shame in _________.

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

1. I am thankful for my husband, my cats and all the lovely friends and readers who visit us at BBHQ. You guys have no idea how much I appreciate your visits and comments, you are epic!

2. I look forward to eating ______ on Thanksgiving. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK, though I will wish every one an epic time who is celebrating.

3. I didn’t realize that it was ok to say you're not feeling ok until I was in my 40's. See #4.

4. There’s no shame in asking for help. There's no shame in crying, in admitting that you find it difficult to do something, or that you're struggling with something. I was brought up to keep calm and carry on no matter what, but there are times when that's not possible, my point is, unless you say something others won't realise that you might not be coping or whatever. Speak up if you need to, and don't ever be afraid of what others may think, their opinion is non of your concern. Look after yourself, and know that you are loved and appreciated more than you think.

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

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This week's top book pick is...

Library Cat Amber, reviewing The Cat and The City by Nick Bradley
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

The Cat and The City

by
Nick Bradley

       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

In Tokyo - one of the world's largest megacities - a stray cat is wending her way through the back alleys. And, with each detour, she brushes up against the seemingly disparate lives of the city-dwellers, connecting them in unexpected ways.

But the city is changing. As it does, it pushes her to the margins where she chances upon a series of apparent strangers - from a homeless man squatting in an abandoned hotel, to a shut-in hermit afraid to leave his house, to a convenience store worker searching for love. The cat orbits Tokyo's denizens, drawing them ever closer.

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This is one of the books I got from my monthly subscription from Feline and Fiction, and it's been sitting in the to read pile for quite a while.

Okies, so what did I think to The Cat and The City? I liked that it was a collection of short stories, although some are a little X rated, which may not appeal to some and I'll be honest looking at the cover and the book blurb, it gave no indication that it was 18+.

So as I'm 19 now, I can read such books, and it was interesting in the fact that the stories are moderately intertwined, and all set against the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. There were many different characters and situations unfolding, though I think from my taste, this is not something I would have gone out and bought, but that's the beauty of a subscription box, mew never know what mew're going to get, and that's what I like about it, as I get to experience books that I would normally overlook.

This one I feel would be idea for taking away on a vacation, to read snippets in between other books. Like a mid-afternoon snack, a little at a time, and I'll be honest, it did take me a while to get through it.

My only criticism is, and it's nothing to to with the story. It's to do with the text that is so fluffing small and I needed a magnifying glass to read it! MOL 

I wonder if Spec Savers do glasses for cats?

If mew're looking for something completely different to read, this book definitely ticks that box. 


  • Publisher: ‎ Atlantic Books
  • Paperback: ‎ 304 pages
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My Ratings Scale

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Ratings of:

The Cat and The City


Overall Enjoyment

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Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

         Catblogosphere        Feline Friday        Nature Friday        Flashback Friday     Friendship Friday       

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I really hope mew enjoy the book as much as I did if mew decide to read it.

It's time fur me to say BFN or bye-fur-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 furget that all my previous reviews can be found on my Book Review page.

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 


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