Showing posts with label book reviewer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book reviewer. Show all posts

Friday, 31 October 2025

**HALLOWEEN FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #337 featuring **Purranormal Cativity** by Sarah May Bird **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins **AND** Photo Fails Blog Hops

A cozy, Halloween-themed promotional image for "Book Reviews with Amber" at The Mewton-Clawson Library, BBHQ. A cat wearing a purple witch's hat sits in front of a bookshelf filled with books. The background features festive Halloween decorations including jack-o'-lanterns, a cartoon spider in a web, and autumnal borders. The text reads: "Welcome to The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ" and "Book Reviews with Amber." The overall vibe is warm, whimsical, and perfect for spooky season reading, at www.bionicbasil.com

Hello, spooky library guests  

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Happy Halloween Banner in purple and orange ©BionicBasil®

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and OH MY COD, thank mew all so much for coming to my 23rd birthday pawty on Caturday, and don't worry if mew're a little late; it's still raging, although we have moved it into the bunker as it's a bit warmer in there.

I'm just having a quick catnap before I jump back into the celebrations, and I wanted to share my next diary entry from my summer jolly. And as promised, here's Valley of the Kings.

Amber the orange and white tabby cat stands confidently at the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, wearing a red sunhat, turquoise sunglasses, and a turquoise bead necklace. She holds a rolled scroll in her paw, posed in front of a tomb entrance carved into golden limestone cliffs. The desert landscape glows under a clear blue sky, with a wooden railing leading to the tomb and rocky terrain surrounding her. The scene blends feline charm with ancient Egyptian grandeur from the epic Egypt travelogue at www.bionicbasil.com

🪔 My Egyptian Adventure #4: Scrolls, Tombs & Timeless Sass 🐾

Location: Valley of the Kings, Luxor

Time: Late afternoon, with the shadows long and the secrets longer

Dahlings, today I descended into the heart of ancient majesty, the Valley of the Kings. This sacred stretch of desert, carved into the Theban cliffs, holds the tombs of Egypt’s most legendary pharaohs: Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Seti I … and now, I, Amber the Magnificent, have purrchased a small 'sand globe' pyramid as a reminder of how epic times were, and maybe will be again! MOL

The valley was quiet, save for the occasional whisper of wind and the distant click of a tourist’s camera. I wore my red hat and my pawesome blue sunglasses, which matched the sky, because even underground, one must always look epic.

I stood at the entrance of a tomb, scroll in paw, ready to take notes for my next memoir chapter: Amber and the Afterlife. The hieroglyphs danced across the walls like ancient poetry, and I swear one of them winked at me.

   My satchel was packed with essentials:

 A torch (for dramatic lighting, obviously)

  A paw-sized notebook filled with tomb trivia and my dictaphone for taking notes as I walked

  A flask of chilled catnip tea, with some light bites, should the urge to snack strike

  Plus an additional snack pouch of smoked sardines, because archaeology is hungry work

Inside the tomb, the air was cool and reverent. I paused beside a sarcophagus and whispered, “Amber, mew are eternal.” And in that moment, I was.

The Valley of the Kings may be a place of endings, but today it felt like a beginning, a new chapter in my legacy of luxury, curiosity, and unapologetic grandeur.

Mood: Mystical, majestic, and mildly dusty

Quote of the day: “Some explore history. Others become it.”


Next week, I’m off to the Temple of Isis at Philae. Expect enchantment, elegance, and maybe a few magical mewsings. 😸📜🪔 

Anyhoo, let's look at this week's top book pick.

A split-view image showcasing the elegant and expansive Mewton-Clawson Library. Tall white bookshelves line the walls, filled with a vibrant mix of hardcover and paperback books, some with decorative spines and framed pictures nestled among them. A wooden chair sits invitingly in the aisle, suggesting a cozy reading nook. The center of the image features the library’s name, “The Mewton-Clawson Library,” along with the handle “@BionicBasil®.” The overall atmosphere is warm, organized, and book-lover bliss, at www.bionicbasil.com
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
Today the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
1. I like pumpkin ________________.
2. My favorite movie to watch around Halloween is ___________________________.
3. If I could meet any Halloween creature, I’d choose _________.
4. I’d like a Halloween treat basket filled with _________.

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

1. I like pumpkin cheesecake with a ginger snap crust. (Click the link for the recipe).

2. My favorite movie to watch around Halloween is “Hocus Pocus” it never gets old.

3. If I could meet any Halloween creature, I’d choose a wise old witch with a library of enchanted books. Oh, wait, that's me!!! LOL Just kidding!!! LOL

4. I’d like a Halloween treat basket filled with dark chocolate truffles, caramel popcorn, and gummy bats, with an orange Toblerone on the side.

The B Team's Midweek News Halloween Divider @BionicBasil®

Today, as it's the last Friday of the month, we're also joining in the furrbulous...


Do drop by Mudpie's marvellous blog at www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com to join in.

Upside Down Floof with Pandora 

Pandora, a fluffy brindle torti cat, lying on her back on a paved stone surface in a relaxed pose. Her thick fur and bushy tail contrast against the neatly arranged patio stones, with a small green bush visible in the corner. The scene captures a peaceful outdoor moment, highlighting Pandora’s laid-back personality and luxurious coat. Ideal for SEO keywords such as black fluffy cat, relaxed cat on patio, outdoor cat photography, torti cat lifestyle, and creative pet content from www.bionicbasil.com

Today, Pandora is sharing her photo fail from under the gazebo, oh she does make us laugh! MOL

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

A festive Halloween-themed book review graphic featuring a cozy library scene. A cat wearing a purple witch's hat sits beside a book titled Purranormal Cativity by Sarah May Bird, labeled as "A Cat's Whisker Café Story." The background includes bookshelves, pumpkins, spider webs, and a "SHHHHHH!!" sign, evoking a quiet, magical atmosphere. A Halloween candy bucket and desk lamp add to the seasonal charm. The top of the image reads "THIS WEEK'S TOP BOOK PICK!" with the website "www.bionicbasil.com" also displayed. The overall vibe is whimsical, spooky, and cat-centric
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Purranormal Cativity

A Cat's Whisker Café Halloween Short Story


by 

Sarah May Bird 

       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

Autumn is here and Loki, the loveable yet mischievous ghost cat, is living his best afterlife hanging out at the cat café and generally causing chaos everywhere he goes.

But when cats start going missing the police are powerless to find them. And a dark energy is clouding the skies, an ominous warning of a terrible fate for the stolen cats.

Fortunately for the catnapped kitties, Loki is on the case. Can he convince the other ghost cats to fight rather than run away? And can a cat named after the Norse god of trickery ever truly do something good?

Amber's Book Review Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®

As it's my once-a-year Halloween review, I picked something rather fitting, so I hope mew like it!

Also, I reviewed another book in the series last Christmas, click here to read.

📚 This Week’s Paw-Picked Read:- Purranormal Cativity
Snuggle up with a slice of pumpkin ginger snap cheesecake and a cup of hot catnip cocoa and prepare for a ghostly gambol through fur-tastically feline frights, because this week’s read is a whisker-raising whisker-twitcher of spectral sass and supurr-natural sleuthing!

Purranormal Cativity is a cozy-meets-creepy Halloween treat that blends ghost cats, café chaos, and a mystery that’ll have mew pawing through pages faster than Fudge chasing a laser pointer.
🐾 What’s the Story?
Meet Loki: ghost, trickster, and unapologetic chaos gremlin. He’s haunting the Cat’s Whisker Café with flair, floating through life, and espresso steam like he owns the place. But when cats start vanishing and the skies turn ominously murky, a terrible forboding of what's about to happen, Loki’s afterlife of mischief takes a serious turn.
With the police baffled and a dark energy slinking through the city like a shadow with claws, Loki must rally the other ghost cats to face their fears and fight back. But convincing a bunch of spectral scaredy-cats to take action? Easier said than hissed.
😻 What I Loved:-
👻 Loki’s purranormal antics are both hilarious and heartwarming. He’s the kind of cat who’d knock over your mug one second and, in the next, solve a murder. 🎃 The Halloween vibes are purrfectly atmospheric, fog, mystery, and just enough spook to make your tail twitch, well, in Fudge's case, explode! MOL. 🐾 The ghost cat squad? A supurr mix of purrsonalities, from dramatic diva to reluctant hero, each with their own quirks and claws. 🕵️‍♂️ The mystery is gripping, with a plot that sneaks up on mew like a cat on silent paws.
📖 My Final Thoughts:-
This is a bewitching blend of purranormal purrfection and cozy cat café charm. It’s a story with a big heart, a dash of darkness, and a whole lot of feline flair. I devoured it in one sitting, curled up with Reginald (who insists he saw a ghost mouse in the hallway, but the jury’s still out, and the BBHQ security cameras didn't detect a thing).
A Spooktacular Tail of Ghosts, Grit, and Catnip Courage!

A Totally Top Paw Read That's Available on *Kindle Unlimited!*

(*correct info at the time of posting*)

Paperback: 101 pages
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
My Rating Scale
Amber's Paw Rating Scale Orange ©BionicBasil®

The B Team's Midweek News Halloween Divider @BionicBasil®
Ratings of:

Purranormal Cativity


Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Rating Scale ©BionicBasil® 5 Paws

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

     Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today



The B Team's Midweek News Halloween Divider @BionicBasil®

I'm off to prepare for next week's review - well, after my pawty finishes and I've had a few more catnaps - 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 week...

And don't forget to... Keep calm and read more books

Amber 










The B Team's Midweek News Halloween Divider @BionicBasil®

Follow us at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

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

The B Team's Midweek News Halloween Divider @BionicBasil®
 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com  

Friday, 24 October 2025

**FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #336 featuring **DOT SLASH MAGIC** by Liz Shipton **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

A whimsical autumn-themed illustration features Amber the cat seated in front of a bookshelf filled with books, surrounded by pumpkins, fall leaves, and flowers. The text reads “Welcome to The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ – Book Reviews with Amber,” setting a cozy and playful tone for feline-led literary adventures. Perfect for seasonal pet-themed content, book review blog graphics, and fantasy storytelling from www.bionicbasil.com

Hello, meautiful library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and I know I said we were going to Valley of the Kings last week, but I thought the Valley of the Queens should come first! MOL 

Amber the orange and white tabby cat dines in style at an ancient Egyptian temple carved into a rocky cliff. Wearing a diamond necklace, she sits at a table holding a fork with shrimp, surrounded by a gourmet seafood platter featuring lobster, oysters, and caviar. The backdrop includes towering statues and hieroglyph-covered columns, blending feline opulence with majestic historical architecture  at www.bionicbasil.com

🦞 My Egyptian Adventure #3:- Lobster Lunch with Royal Spirits 👑

Location: Valley of the Queens, Luxor

Time: Midday, with the sun casting golden halos over sacred stone

Dahlings, today, I dined where queens once dreamed, at the Valley of the Queens, a place so steeped in history, even my whiskers tingled with reverence. Nestled in the Theban hills, this sacred necropolis was the final resting place for royal women of the New Kingdom, including the famed Queen Nefertari, whose tomb is a masterpiece of colour and devotion. I felt her presence in the breeze, and I swear she approved of my ensemble.

I arrived in full regalia, a diamond necklace that sparkled like the desert sun, and a silk wrap in Nile blue that fluttered just so, until it blew away, lost to the sands of time. My table was set on a stone terrace overlooking the tomb entrances, each carved with hieroglyphs that whispered tales of love, legacy, and divine protection.

And what a feast it was:

A silver platter overflowing with lobster, shrimp, oysters, and caviar
  A chilled flute of Catnip Champagne, bubbles rising like ancient prayers
  A stack of books on Egyptian queens and feline mythology, because one must dine with dignity
  A scroll tucked beside my paw, filled with notes for my memoir, Amber of the Nile

I lifted a shrimp with my fork (yes, I do use cutlery when the mood strikes) as I gazed across the valley. The silence was profound, broken only by the soft rustle of wind through stone. I caught my reflection in the champagne bottle and whispered, “Amber, mew are history.” And in that moment, I was.

The tombs may be sealed, but today, they bear witness to a new kind of royalty: one with fur, flair, and a passion for seafood.

Mood: Reverent, radiant, and regally full

Quote of the day: “To dine among queens is to remember that elegance never fades, it simply evolves.”


Well, that's this week's travelogue done. Next week, I’ll definitely be sharing the Valley of the Kings. Expect reverence, great dining, and dazzling accessories.

Before I forget, it's my 23rd Birthday today, but wait, the pawty is tomorrow because we have a rather special book review today.

Anyhoo, let's look at this week's top book pick.

A panoramic view of The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ showcases tall white bookshelves filled with colourful paperbacks, vintage leather-bound volumes, and decorative items like framed pictures and sculptures. A wooden chair sits along the aisle, inviting quiet reading and reflection. The cozy, well-organized space reflects a deep love of literature and feline-led storytelling. Perfect for book-themed blog content, cozy library aesthetics, and cat-centric literary adventures from www.bionicbasil.com
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1. My hometown is __________.
2. October is a good time to __________________.
3. If I saw the ghost of _________, I would _________.
4. You couldn’t pay me to wear a _________ costume.

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

1. My hometown is not the place it once was, you know, funny thing, I've always loved my home city, but since covid, it's unrecognisable and I don't like it at all anymore. 

2. October is a good time to begin a new B Team Adventure, and yes, it's being written right now, so you will be reading PAW'S OF DESTINY very soon!.

3. If I saw the ghost of Basil, I would say, "Dude, what took you so long?" LOL (Yep, I still miss him terribly!  And I've seen many spirits/ghosts throughout my life, but never him ... yet). 

4. You couldn’t pay me to wear a _________ costume. You couldn't pay me to wear any costume right now ... call it my bahumbug time of life! LOL

A symmetrical autumn-themed post divider featuring two large orange pumpkins with green stems, surrounded by fall leaves in shades of orange and brown, acorns, and soft pink flowers. The mirrored design adds seasonal charm and visual balance, making it ideal for Thanksgiving blog posts, cozy pet-themed content, and festive fall storytelling from www.bionicbasil.com

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

Amber the orange and white tabby cat sits upright at a desk in a whimsical library setting, surrounded by bookshelves, a desk lamp, a magnifying glass, a mouse figurine, and a “SHHHHH!!!” sign. Beside her is the featured book .dot/slash(magic) by liz_shipton, with a cover showing a black cat with glowing pink eyes on a dark, mystical background. A bold sign above reads “THIS WEEK’S TOP BOOK PICK!” in black letters with an orange border at www.bionicbasil.com
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Dot Slash Magic


by

Liz Shipton
      

Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

A deadbeat coder with a savage sense of humor, twenty-four-year-old Seven Jones has been bumming around Europe since high school, stringing together freelance web work. When a bad breakup derails her life, she’s forced to return to community college in San Diego to pull it back together. The last thing she expects to find there is an underground magic club.

Skeptical, Seven joins the motley crew of magic weirdos and discovers a complex hidden world, where magic is wielded by artists and athletes, and only the most committed and passionate succeed. Without an artistic or passionate bone in her body, Seven struggles to find her own power…until she figures out how to channel it through an artificially intelligent assistant.

Unfortunately, there is nothing the magical community hates more than AI, and when a student mysteriously turns up dead, blame falls on Seven. But Seven isn’t buying it. Is her “creepy artificial magic” really summoning monsters, like her peers claim? Or is someone trying to frame her?

Amber's Book Review Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®

FYI ~ I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review

📚 This Week’s Paw-Picked Read:- Dot Slash Magic

Hold onto your whiskers, reboot your wand and spellbooks because this week’s read had me meowing in binary and casting firewalls with flair! Dot Slash Magic is a tail-twitching techno-fantasy romp that blends sass, sorcery, and savage satire into one gloriously glitchy reality. Oh, and there's a small smattering of spicy romantic entanglements, so don't be surprised, I did warn mew.

🐾 What’s the Story?

Meet Seven Jones, a snarky, sleep-deprived coder with a suitcase full of sarcasm and zero patience for magical nonsense. After a breakup sends her spiralling back to community college in San Diego, she stumbles into a secret society of wand-wielding weirdos who treat magic like an Olympic sport meets interpretive dance. Seven’s got no rhythm, no passion, and definitely no wand; instead, she created an A.I. assistant with attitude, and that’s where the chaos begins.

When a student turns up mysteriously dead and fingers point to Seven’s “creepy artificial magic,” she’s forced to fight off mythological monsters, dodge magical purists, and question whether her A.I. is summoning more than just sass. With only Logan (a cinnamon roll with secrets) by her side, Seven must prove she’s not the villain … even if she’s not entirely sure herself.

Of course, we can't forget the cat, a sweet kitty with a huge secret. His name is Neo, and while he pops up periodically throughout the story, it's not until mew get to the final chapters that Neo is truly revealed.

#SHOCKER #DIDN'TSEETHATONECOMING

😻 What I Loved:-

💻 Seven’s voice is razor-sharp and hilariously funny. I spat my catnip tea out more than once.

🧙‍♀️ The magic club? A glorious mess of chaotic energy, egos and existential dread with more rules than a dictatorship.

🤖 The A.I. assistant Dot is a scene-stealer, equal parts helpful and hilariously unsettling.

🐉 The monsters? A mythological menagerie of nightmare fuel and legendary delight.

🎭 The parody bites hard, skewering tech culture, gatekeeping, and magical elitism with claws out.

📖 My Final Thoughts:-

Liz Shipton has conjured a spellbinding plot that’s as clever as it is comedic. The story is a genre-bending joyride through the tangled wires of true identity, creativity, and what it means to be truly human (or artificially magical). It's a thrilling page-turning, helter-skelter of a read with a magical system/world that's utterly exceptional, and I devoured it in two days, tail flicking with anticipation at every page.

(And this week, Reginald tried to optimise my spellcasting with his own recently procured A.I. familiar. It summoned a floating toaster offering shape-shifting, colour-coded waffles to match the Library Archive file tabs. We’re still negotiating its terms of existence.)

I also purrchased the audio version so I could relive this furbulously enjoyable adventure all over again with all its magical mayhem, and I have to say the narration is supurr, especially Dot!

DOT SLASH MAGIC

A Byte-Sized Masterpiece of Magical Mayhem!

Unputdownable, unfiltered, and utterly unforgettable.

I REALLY HOPE THERE'S A SEQUEL! (SOON!)



Paperback: 400 pages
Audio: 14 hours 41 mins
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
My Rating Scale
A whimsical paw print rating chart from The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ features five levels of book urgency, each represented by a triangular arrangement of paw prints. Ratings range from “TOP PAW ~ READ IMMEDIATELY” (five paws) to “MEH! ~ TAKE A NAP INSTEAD” (one paw), blending feline charm with literary flair. Perfect for cat-themed book reviews, cozy reading content, and playful blog visuals from www.bionicbasil.com
A symmetrical autumn-themed post divider featuring two large orange pumpkins with green stems, surrounded by fall leaves in shades of orange and brown, acorns, and soft pink flowers. The mirrored design adds seasonal charm and visual balance, making it ideal for Thanksgiving blog posts, cozy pet-themed content, and festive fall storytelling from www.bionicbasil.com

Ratings of:

Dot Slash Magic


Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Rating Scale ©BionicBasil® 5 Paws

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

 Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today


A symmetrical autumn-themed post divider featuring two large orange pumpkins with green stems, surrounded by fall leaves in shades of orange and brown, acorns, and soft pink flowers. The mirrored design adds seasonal charm and visual balance, making it ideal for Thanksgiving blog posts, cozy pet-themed content, and festive fall storytelling from www.bionicbasil.com

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

I always look forward to your company every Friday throughout the review season as I share a specially paw-picked book just for mew, my epic readers!

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 week...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 









A symmetrical autumn-themed post divider featuring two large orange pumpkins with green stems, surrounded by fall leaves in shades of orange and brown, acorns, and soft pink flowers. The mirrored design adds seasonal charm and visual balance, making it ideal for Thanksgiving blog posts, cozy pet-themed content, and festive fall storytelling from www.bionicbasil.com

Follow me at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 
A symmetrical autumn-themed post divider featuring two large orange pumpkins with green stems, surrounded by fall leaves in shades of orange and brown, acorns, and soft pink flowers. The mirrored design adds seasonal charm and visual balance, making it ideal for Thanksgiving blog posts, cozy pet-themed content, and festive fall storytelling from www.bionicbasil.com
 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com