**FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #317 featuring **Hooked on a Feline ~ Magical Cats Book 13** by Sofie Kelly **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello furbulous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and I've been enjoying the warmth in the catservatory. I can't wait until summer comes and it's totally tropical in there! MOL

Anyhoo, I know mew are all on the edges of your seats waiting to hear the next Prudence installment. And if mew missed the last post, click here to catch up, and mew'll find the links to all the other updates too.

OK then, so here's the latest.

A week last Wednesday, I asked Smooch to drive me to Gribbers-Puddling as I needed to go to the stationary shop called Paws and Paper because I needed to pick up a few supplies which I'd ordered earlier in the week, and I always try to buy local if possible to support the shop keepers. And luckily, Smooch needed to go to Big Fluff's Supurr Tyre Shop, as he's been drifting in his Red Peril aka sports car and gets through tyres faster than an F1 driver.

So he dropped me off outside Paws and Paper, a lovely little place that seems to stock everything I want. Upon entering, the little brass bell tinkled above the door, and I was greeted by Erasure Klimpt, a lovely lady cat and third-generation keeper of Paws and Paper, who was behind the highly polished mahogany counter.  

"Morning, Amber," Erasure said sweetly. "It's a lovely day outside."

"Hello, Erasure. It is indeed," I replied. "How have mew keen keeping, well I hope?"

"Oh yes, I can't complain," Erasure said. "And I must say the local gossip mill is pawsitively electrifying at the moment, so that keeps me rather spritely!"

"Really?" I asked, keeping my expression as neutral as pawsible. "Do tell me more."

"Oh, mew must have heard about Prudence Snozrazzle and her great escape to Oz?"

"Funnily enough, I did hear something last week," I replied. "But mew know, I try not to get involved in things."

"Oh, of course," Erasure agreed. "But I've just got to tell mew this bit, and it's straight from Clawdia Von Meowson, so I know it's the real deal."

I placed my basket on the counter and leaned closer to add a bit of a conspiratorial feel to the atmosphere. "Do tell," I smiled.

"Well, Prudence is on a cruise around the South Specific Islands, and Clawdia says she's met someone!"

"No!" I gasped in shock, schooling my features to portray just the right amount of astonishment.

"Yes, and then Melody Fluffton added that they were going to be married onboard the ship, by the Captain no less!" 

My heart did a little somersault with delight as I replied. "Well, she didn't waste any time, did she?"

Erasure lowered her voice just a fraction. "Apparently, she's on the rebound as some Ozzie mancat, studmuffin, not my words, that's what Clawdia said. He broke her heart and left her in the Outback."

"No!" I gasped in horror. "How awful!" 

"Her sister, Willhumeenia, is getting on a plane tomorrow to attend the wedding," Erasure said. "But Clawdia thinks she's only going to get the groom to sign a pre-nup, so the family fortune is protected."

"Well, that makes sense," I nodded. "And who is the groom, the lucky mancat who gets to whisk Prudence off her paws?"

"Clawdia said he's much younger and is the gym instructor on the cruise, and it was love at first sight," Erasure grimaced. "His name is Muskulls Mufton, and he's, in the Ozzie slang that Melody used, pretty ripped!"

"Oh my!" I replied as my eyebrows almost reached my ears. "I bet Willie isn't too pleased."

"No, she's spitting brimstone and fluff, according to Clawdia," Erasure said. "Melody added that Willie is so fed up with Prudence's antics and constantly chasing mancats."

"Hmmmm," I replied wistfully, thinking thank cod Melvyn's escaped that looney tune. "I'm sure Willie will suss out the new love interest and put the blockers in place if necessary."

"Knowing Prudence, though, she'll probably try and push Willie overboard if any blockers stop her from getting married," Erasure mused.

"Good gravy!" I replied. "I hope not. Willie's a lovely purrson, and fluff knows what she did in a previous life to end up with Prudence as a sister."

"We'll just watch this space, and I'm sure the bush radio will be rife with gossip in the coming days," she said.

I heard tyres screeching outside the shop, and then an air horn sounded. "Oh, fluff me, Smooch is back already," I said. "Do mew have my order?"

 Erasure passed my order, which I placed in my basket, and paid with cash. "Don't forget to stop by the Library on Friday; it's Book Club, and we have a lovely buffet planned too."

"I'll be there," she smiled.

The little brass bell tinkled as I opened the door. "See mew Friday!"

Smooch was glaring at me and tapping the steering wheel with much agitation. "Amber, I need to go. Come on. Chop-chop."

I looked at him, my eyes narrowed. I very slowly got in the Red Peril, and then I cuffed him around the ear. 

"Ouch!" he said. "What was that for?"

"Don't chop-chop me, Smooch. I'll tell Basil, and there'll be no more credit account at Big Fluff's, comprende?"

He nodded and mumbled several unspeakables as he revved the engine, and we sped off towards Mewton-Clawson.

>^.^<

And that, lovely readers, is the latest Prudence gossip, but it doesn't end there. I saw Hissy Furrton at the library, and OH MY COD, mew'll never believe what happened next!

At this rate, I'll be writing my own book, The Mewton-Clawson Musings! MOL

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

1. Once in a while, I manage to ___________________________.

2. The weirdest thing in my home is _______________________.

3. I wish I had access to _________ so that I could _________.

4. It’s never too late to _________.

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

1. Once in a while, I manage to go to the local garden centre. I love those trips.

2. The weirdest thing in my home is _______________________. LOL LOL LOL!!! Where do I start? And how much time do you have? Probably the MOST weird thing in my home is my Crystal Henge, and we'll leave it at that today.

3. I wish I had access to a bucketload of Bitcoin so that I could retire very comfortably! LOL

4. It’s never too late to do anything, if you want to. And if you don't, then that's ok too. I'm all for going with the flow in the moment.

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

Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Hooked on a Feline

 Magical Cats Book 13

by

Sofie Kelly

       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

It's summer in Mayville Heights, and Kathleen Paulson and her detective boyfriend Marcus are eager to attend the closing concert of the local music festival. The concert is a success, but then one of the band members is discovered dead shortly after it. At first it's assumed the death is a robbery gone wrong, but Kathleen suspects foul play - and she's certain that she, along with her trusty side-cats, Owen and Hercules, can help solve the murder.

Mew may remember that earlier last year, I rediscovered this pawesome series. 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 and I'm almost there! MOL

Here are my previous reviews:

Curiosity Thrilled The Cat ~ Book 1

Sleight of Paw ~ Book 2 

Copycat Killing ~ Book 3

Cat Trick ~ Book 4

Final Catcall ~ Book 5

A Midwinter's Tail ~ Book 6

Faux Paw ~ Book 7

Paws and Effect ~ Book 8

A Tale of Two Kitties ~ Book 9

The Cats Came Back ~ Book 10

A Night's Tail ~ Book 11

A Case of Cat and Mouse ~ Book Twelve

Summer in Mayville Heights just got a whole lot more thrilling! Hooked on a Feline is another delightful cozy cat mystery that intertwines music, murder, and, of course, Kathleen Paulson’s charming feline sidekicks, Owen and Hercules. And mew know how much I love these two epic dudes! MOL The story kicks off with Kathleen and her detective boyfriend Marcus attending a highly anticipated concert. Purrfect summer vibes, right? But the festive atmosphere takes a dark turn when one of the band members is found dead shortly after the show. Firstly thought to be a robbery gone wrong, Kathleen’s keen instincts start raising red flags. With her trusty cats at her side, she dives into a world of family secrets and suspicious deaths that may very well be connected. What I particularly loved about this book is how Kelly mixes lighthearted moments with intense mystery. The chemistry between Kathleen and Marcus is refreshingly cute, providing a nice counterbalance to the darker themes of the investigation. And let's not forget the whimsical shenanigans of Owen and Hercules! Their antics add a delightful layer of humour and warmth that makes the pages turn faster than mew can say, 'I'll have a niptini, shaken not stirred!' As Kathleen digs deeper into the case, it’s not just about solving a murder but about unearthing truths that some would prefer to stay buried. The twisty genealogy subplot keeps readers guessing, and just when mew think mew have it all figured out, a curveball is lobbed into the fray that leaves mew on the edge of your seat. This book is purrfect for cat lovers and mystery enthusiasts alike and guarantees a fun and engaging read. So grab your favorite snacks, curl up in your coziest chair, and let Kathleen and her furry furiends lead mew through a tale that’s as entertaining as it is suspenseful. Just be careful – mew might find yourself hooked! MOL MOL

Another Totally Top Paw Read ~ I Just Love This Series!

A truly terrific addition to this wonderpurr series. That's thirteen down and three to go - I'm almost there - woooo hooooo! MOL

Paperback:  304 pages

Audio:  7 hours 21 mins

My Rating Scale

Ratings of:

Hooked on a Feline

Overall Enjoyment

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

          Brian's Home   Catblogosphere    Feline Friday   Nature Friday    Flashback Friday   Friendship Friday          

I really hope mew enjoy the book if mew decide to give it a whirl.

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 

Follow us @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 

 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com 

**FRIDAY FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #315 featuring **Onyx Storm** by Rebecca Yarros **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins + Photo Fails Blog Hop **Starring Parsley**

Hello furbulous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and just before mew dive into this week's post, just look what I found in the BBHQ Photo Archive. All the way from April 7th 2007, like eons ago, but don't I look so cute and utterly furbulous?

Anyhoo, I know that mew're all waiting for the next installment in the Prudence saga. If mew weren't here last week, click here to catch up on all the gossip.

So, last week, in a brief recap, Prudence headed off Down Under to go pursue a sheep farmer from Woolmaroo called Bonza. Now, Bonza has actually lured her there to save poor Melvyn from her rather evil mittens, and they are truly evil mittens, I'm not making it up.

Erin gave me an update the other night at our weekly Zoom Bridge Game, and apparently, Prudence arrived in OZ and hastily made her way to Woolmaroo by train, where, upon arriving, Bonza had gone off on a walkabout with a flock of sheep.

Thereby leaving Prudence at the empty sheep station with two of the farm hands, who are now placating her while she acclimatises to the inferno heat. They have given her a room above the wool shed, so she's being well looked after.

And then Hissy Furrton came into the library yesterday, and she'd just bumped into Clawdia Von Meowson and Melody Fluffworth at the Nip and Nom Tea Shoppe between Mewton-Clawson and Fuskerton.

"Mew'll never believe what I just heard!" Hissy said as she barged into the library, carrying two cups of lavender catnip tea and two rather large slices of Marjorie Tufts' epic chocolate brownies with catnip sprinkles.

"What?" I replied as I continued to stamp books.

"Is there anywhere a little more private," Hissy whispered conspiratorially. 

"Just give me a minute to process these returns, and we'll go to my private reading room," I said.

Hissy wandered off down the 'F' aisle, and I waved Oswald over to me. "Oswald sweetie, can mew take over the library desk for me while I go and have a quick word with Hissy?"

The chief library mouse nodded. "Sure thing, Amber. I'll get Chedds to come and help me, if that's ok?"

"Of course," I replied. " And don't forget to add a few extra cheese cubes to your wages for the day as my way of saying thank mew."

"Mew are the best boss ever!" Oswald beamed as he tapped his radio and said. "Chedds, please can mew come to the front desk."

I wandered off down aisle F and found Hissy holding a new book called Feline Furbulousness in Five Foolproof Steps by Furrlista Pawter ex-supurr-meowdel.

"Oh my, I think I'll have to borrow this later," Hissy grinned. "At my age, I need all the help I can get!"

I nodded, took the book from her, placed it in her basket and headed for my private reading room, closing the door once Hissy was inside.

"Now then," I smirked. "What's the gossip on the street?"

Hissy sat down on my plush velvet sofa and placed the drinks and brownies on the low table in front of us.

Passing me one of the drinks, I flipped the lid off and took a sip as Hissy gathered her rampaging thoughts, corralled them and put them in order. "Well, I couldn't believe my ears at the Nip and Nom just now," she began. "Clawdia and Melody are horrified!"

I broke a piece of the brownie off and popped the chocolaty deliciousness in my mouth, savouring the explosion of flavours.

"It seems that Prudence arrived at the sheep station and that hunky ozzie man cat had gone on a walkabout," Hissy said. "And the worse thing was, she'd only missed him by a day. Apparently, it's an annual thing and happens every year!"

"Oh dear," I replied. Obviously, I couldn't let on that Erin and I had come up with this rather devious plan.

"Yes, and the farm hands don't know how long he will be," Hissy added. "And when Prudence asked what the duration of the walkabout was, the reply she got from Buzz the chief shearer was. How long is a piece of string?"

"Oh my!" I feigned mock horror. "That's not good."

"No," Hissy said, taking a sip of her lavender catnip tea.

"What's Prudence going to do now?" I enquired, stuffing more brownie into my mouth.

"Well, Clawdia told Prudence to come home immediately."

"And?"

"Prudence said no, because she will look stupid chasing halfway around the world for love."

"Oh my!" I replied, trying to keep my face as neutral as possible.

"Then Melody said fluff what anypawdy thinks, just come home."

"And what happened next?" I asked, silently praying that she wasn't going to come back and make a play for young Melvyn again. His therapy bills were costing me a fortune!

"Clawdia then said that Prudence had seen a flyer on the train advertising a dating cruise for senior cats, called This Ship has Sailed, Last Chance Dating Extravaganza. Which is leaving Cairns in about a week, and Prudence has booked a ticket for the three-week dating pageant with the proviso that if mew don't meet your true love onboard, there's a full refund!"

"No way!" I breathed a sigh of relief as I reached down the side of the sofa and pulled my iPaw tablet out. Quickly typing in Mewgle's search engine, I discovered the cruise. It was at the top of the page and offered guaranteed true love to all those onboard.

"WOW! It says, Create cat-tastic connections in far-flung foreign climes, get lost in love and find your twin flame or your money back. That's how confident we are at Feline Forchoone Furbulously Flashy Vacations!" I chuckled as I clicked through the link and began to read. "It also says the ship is called Furr-tastic Flurrtations, and it looks pretty plush. It says here that all travellers need to have a full medical before boarding and that full travel insurance for the duration of the trip can be offered at an extra cost just in case of piracy, abductions or any other hostile event which may occur while they cruise around the seas. Oh, and further insurance is required in case of unforeseen weather anomalies, being washed overboard and subsequent retrieval by local authorities to get mew back onboard the ship. Or if they are out at sea, retrieval by onboard staff."

"That doesn't sound good," Hissy said, taking a bite of her brownie.

"Sounds fluffing dangerous to me," I replied, taking a sip of my tea. Then added. "But it sounds purrfect for Prudence; may she have the time of her life!"

Hissy and I clinked our cups together and toasted Prudence bon voyage, all the while I was thinking, I can't wait to tell Erin! MOL

So that's this week's update: Melvyn is still free, and I'm praying that Prudence finds true love on the cruise. I'll update mew more next week.

Anyhoo, let's dive into this week's post.

 

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

1. I like to pretend _____________________.

2. Why anyone wants to _________________ is beyond me?

3. I have a lot in common with _________.

4. I tend to be optimistic about _________ but pessimistic when it comes to _________.

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

1. I like to pretend the world I create at BBHQ is real when I'm writing the adventure stories. I see all the action and events unfolding in my mind's eye like a movie as I'm writing. It's great fun! LOL

2. Why anyone wants to participate in adrenanlin rush sports is beyond me? I'm more of a feet firmly on the ground type of person; the thoughts of bungy jumping and the like, fills my mind with visions of snapped bungy cords, failing parachutes and a very swift plummet to solid ground etc... each to their own, and if that is what floats your boat I'm thrilled for you, it's just not for me.

3. I have a lot in common with anyone who loves cats as much as I do, and I know many of you visit BBHQ very regularly, and I can't thank you enough! Have I told you lately how epically epic you all are? Yes, readers here at BBHQ are officially EPICALLY EPIC! 

4. I tend to be optimistic about life in general but pessimistic when it comes to reading about world events. I try to minimise and limit my exposure to bad news or news in general.

As it's the last Friday of the month, we're also joining in the furbulous...

Do stop by Mudpie's supurr meowvellous blog at www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com to join in.

Parsley couldn't take the pace way back in 2018 when we'd just harvested the catnip crop. 

This photo does make us laugh, and laugh and laugh!

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

Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Onyx Storm

Empyrean Book Three

by 

Rebecca Yarros

       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty.

Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.

Today, as it's Fiction on Friday, it's my NON-CAT book choice of the month.

Mew may remember back in November I reviewed Fourth Wing by Recca Yarros, and I must admit I was so smitten with it, so much so, that I got my own fluffing dragon, yep it's true. His name is Maximus Inferno the Sixth, but I just call him M.I.6. for short.

We make a great team! MOL

If mew want to see the epically epic video of my dragon riding and lightning wielding skills, I've got the proof! MOL

Check it out on your favourite social media channel:

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

I reviewed book two, Iron Flame, at the end of last month, so if mew missed it, click here to catch up.

Anhoo let's finish the series so far...

If mew're looking for a book that combines thrilling battles, heart-wrenching secrets, and a dash of dragon magic, then look no further than Onyx Storm! This third installment in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros is an absolute whirlwind, and believe me when I say, it will have mew gripping the edge of your seat from the very first page! Violet Sorrengail has come a long way from her days of struggling through lessons at Basgiath War College. With the battle horns blaring and enemies appearing from every shadow, our fierce heroine is thrust into a world where trust is a luxury and danger lurks in the most familiar faces. Talk about being thrown into the deep end! But Violet is no ordinary protagonist; she’s got strength, quick wit, and a determination that could rival the fiercest of dragons—quite literally, as she’s out to save her beloved dragons, family, and, of course, that certain someone special. As Violet sets off on her journey beyond the Aretian wards, the story spins an enchanting tale of courage and resilience. The vivid landscapes of unfamiliar lands bring an exciting freshness to the narrative, and the stakes literally increase with every wing beat. We’re treated to an array of new characters, each with their own secrets and motivations, and just when mew think mew have it all figured out, a curveball comes hurtling your way. Violet’s quest for allies isn’t just a physical journey; it’s also an emotional rollercoaster that challenges her beliefs and convictions. Plus, let’s not forget the pulsating magic that flows throughout the story, adding layers of intrigue and excitement! Onyx Storm is a must-read for anypawdy who loves a good fantasy filled with action, secrets, and enough heart-stopping moments to keep mew flipping pages long into the night.

A Totally Top Paw Read!

The only downside is that we've got a long wait for book four to arrive!

Paperback:  544 pages

Audio:  23 hours 52 minutes

My Rating Scale

Ratings of:

Onyx Storm

Overall Enjoyment

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

          Brian's Home   Catblogosphere    Feline Friday   Nature Friday    Flashback Friday   Friendship Friday          

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 

 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com