Showing posts with label cozy romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cozy romance. Show all posts

Friday, 25 October 2024

**FELINE FICTION FIX ~ HALLOWEEN EDITION** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #294 featuring The Witching Place: A Fatal Folio by Sophie Love **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins + Photo Fails Blog Hop

Amber's Book Reviews Halloween Banner ©BionicBasil®

Hello meautiful library guests  

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today, and OH MY COD, thank mew all so much for coming to my 22nd birthday pawty yesterday 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 snooze before I jump back into the celebrations...

Amber's Book Reviews #294 ©BionicBasil® Amber Taking A Quick Snooze Before Retuning To The Pawty

Well, I am 22 and can't pawty like it's 2010 anymore! MOL 

Anyhoo, take a look at this week's top book pick while I just catnap for a few more minutes.

Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®
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 plans for Halloween include __________________________.
2. I enjoy making ____________________.
3. I look forward to _________ every Halloween season.
4. _________ is the scariest fictional character I’ve come across.

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

1. My plans for Halloween include posting the first chapter of the brand new B Team adventure, The Purrminator, and maybe making a pizza or two and watching something like Practical Magic, as I haven't seen that in years.

2. I enjoy making everything!!! LOL From baking to sewing to crafting to painting and drawing, decorating to furniture restoration, jewellery making to fashion upcycling, I could just keep going on and on. Making stuff is what I love, I've been creating stuff since I was about three years old and got my first set of crayons, and as I've got older, the hobbies just keep on coming! LOL It'll be a bad day at Black Rock when I stop making stuff.

3. I look forward to fun decorations every Halloween season. Not that it's a big thing where BBHQ is located. The most anyone does is put a pumpkin or two out for the half a dozen trick-or-treaters that wander around Mewton-Clawson for ten minutes. But in other areas, some of the decor is amazing.

4. _________ is the scariest fictional character I’ve come across. I know this probably means fictional, as in books, but I don't read that genre, so I'll use fictional movie characters instead! Oh Lord, there are so many; way back in the early 80s, as a young teen, I watched Nightmare on Elm Street. Freddie Krugar was something to behold and utterly terrifying back then, I've never watched it again but I can still see that face in my mind - horrific! Poltergeist, The Shining's Jack Nicholson, the first Aliens movie, The Exorcist, cor that was scary. Yep, not a fan of anything like that; my brain doesn't like those kinds of images burned permanently into its psyche. 

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


So do drop by the marvellous Mudpie's blog at www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com to join in.

Way back in June 2018, there I was minding my own business in the library, just rearranging a few shelves and emptying new books from a delivery when Smooch appeared.

 Smooch, Step Away From The Bookcase

Amber's Book Reviews #294 ©BionicBasil® Smooch, Step Away From The Bookcase

He was trying to tell me how to organise my bookcases and have a look at the new arrivals, and then...

 Smooch, Step Away From My Fur!

Amber's Book Reviews #294 ©BionicBasil® Smooch, Step Away From My fur

He came and sniffed me! Yes, he actually sniffed my fur!

As mew can see, I was not impressed! MOL

And just in case mew think there's a little too much of me today, here's Parsley and Fudge in a funny fail from way, way back.

Just Look At The Size of That!!!

Amber's Book Reviews #294 ©BionicBasil® Photo Fails - Parsley Examining Fudge's Supurr Floof

Just look at the size of that!!!

 Parsley Examining Fudge's Supurr Floof and often exploding tail! MOL

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

This week's top book pick is...

Amber's Book Reviews #294 ©BionicBasil®The Witching Place - A Fatal Folio by Sophie Love
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

The Witching Place: A Fatal Folio 

A Curious Bookstore Cozy Mystery—Book 1


by 

Sophie Love

       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

THE WITCHING PLACE: A FATAL FOLIO is the debut novel in a charming new cozy mystery series by bestselling author Sophie Love, author of The Inn at Sunset Harbor series, a #1 Bestseller with over 200 five-star reviews.

When Alexis Blair, 29, is fired from her book publishing job and breaks up with her boyfriend on the same day, she wonders if life is urging her to make a fresh start. She decides it’s time to pursue her lifelong dream of opening a bookstore of her own—even if that means leaving Boston and accepting a job in a curious bookstore in a small seaside town an hour away.

But the odd shop, Alexis soon learns, is from more than just a rare, occult bookstore. Something strange is going on in the shop’s secret back room, with its eccentric owner, and in the small town itself.

And when a dead body appears, Alexis, with her beloved newfound cat, may find herself right in the middle of it all.

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!

The Witching Place: A Fatal Folio is an enchanting and captivating cozy mystery that had me hooked from the very first page. Sophie Love weaves a spellbinding tale filled with mystery, intrigue, and a touch of the supurr-natural. Our protagonist, Alexis Blair, is a relatable and endearing character who embarks on a new chapter in her life after facing a double whammy of being fired from her job and breaking up with her boyfriend. Her decision to pursue her dream of opening a bookstore leads her to a quaint seaside town and a peculiar bookstore with more secrets than mew could shake your tail at. The combination of the occult, eccentric characters and a dash of romance makes this book an absolute delight to read. As the mysterious events unfold, mew'll find yourself rapidly turning the pages, wanting to unravel the myriad of secrets hidden within the small town and the enigmatic bookstore. And mew know the story wouldn't be complete without a furbulous feline! The addition of a cat called Hecate, who is as mysterious as her name, adds a further layer of charm to the plot, and mew can't help but cheer Alexis on as she finds herself entangled in the midst of a puzzling murder mystery. This is a pawesome cozy mystery that will keep mew entertained and engaged, and purrsonally, I can't wait to delve into the next book of this fun series. If mew're looking for a book that combines the appeal of the supurr-natural with a smattering of humour and heart, then look no further than than this. Get ready to be enchanted!

A really good start to a brand-new book series for me; it was published in 2020, and I already have book two waiting in the wings for a future review. Well, mew know what I'm like! MOL

A Totally Top Paw Read!


Paperback: 183 pages

Audio: 8 hours 11 mins
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My Rating Scale
Amber's Rating Scale Orange ©BionicBasil®

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Ratings of:

The Witching Place

Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Rating Scale ©BionicBasil® 5 Paws

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today



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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...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 










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Follow us at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

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

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Friday, 4 October 2024

**GUESS WHO'S BACK?** **FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #291 featuring **The Pumpkin Spice Café** by Laurie Gilmore **TIKTOK MADE ME BUY IT!!!** **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

Amber's Book Reviews Banner ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Hello meautiful library guests 

and 

Welcome back to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ for the brand-new review season.

GUESS WHO'S BACK? 

Firstly, I need to know... 

DID MEW MISS ME?

I missed mew all terribly, and mew don't know how happy I am to be back! 

Oh, and if mew remember in my very last review in July, I mentioned that I'd read The Fourth Wing. 

Well, I enjoyed it so much that I read the second book, Iron Flame, but I'm digressing, and yes, I will review both as part of my new non-cat genre posts, but I'm digressing again... fluff me, this old age thing is no fun... anyhoo, I created a little video of myself in a bit of a Fourth Wing scene, and if mew've read the book, mew'll recognise it immediately. 

Here's a still shot, but I added many effects in the video, which I thought looked purretty nifty for an old gal like me! MOL

Amber's Book Reviews #291 ©BionicBasil® Amber the Lightning Wielder from The Fourth Wing by Rebecaa Yarros

To be honest, I did think it was an utterly fluffing brilliant video, not just because I'd created it, but because it was actually fluffing brilliant. 

The heinously sad part is, it was so fluffing clever that all the algorithms went on a rampage to stop me from going viral, and my utterly brilliant video sadly fell as flat as a dragon rider who can't keep their seat...

Check it out on your favourite social media channel, and let me know what mew think:




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

Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®
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 would love to find an easier way to _______________________________.
2. My October list includes ________________, _______________ and ___________________.
3. I know better than to _________.
4. _________ should be illegal.

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

1. I would love to find an easier way to get all the B Team adventures written! LOL

2. My October list includes planting spring bulbs, moving some pots/troughs, and using a new leaf blower, which Cat Dad bought for me last week.

3. I know better than to start reading an exciting new book at bedtime! LOL

4. Animal cruelty on any level should be illegal everywhere in the world. Sadly, there are those who think this practice is acceptable, and the most disgusting ones are those who film themselves and share on social media, supposedly rescuing poor cats and dogs which have been bound or tied and thrown into water. When in actual fact, most are staged for likes and follows, and those poor animals are at the mercy of those sickos. There's a very special place in hell for those people.
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

This week's top book pick is...

Amber's Book Reviews #291 ©BionicBasil®  The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

The Pumpkin Spice Café

Dream Harbor, Book 1


by 

Laurie Gilmore

       Here's a little snippet of the book blurb:      

A spicy small-town romance and TikTok phenomenon, perfect for fans of Hannah Grace and Stephanie Archer.

When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

Amber's Book Review Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®

I just read The Pumpkin Spice Cafe after seeing it on #booktok and noticing that it had a cat on the cover, I thought I'd give it a whirl, and it would be a purrfect book to start my new review season, thinking it was a new cozy cat mystery series!


**SPOILER ALERT**


It's a bit spicy, so if that's not your cup of tea, mew might want to skip the spiciness pages and just keep reading! MOL


It's a delightful small-town romance, a departure from my usual Cozy Mystery vibe. Stepping into a new genre was surprisingly fun! I'll be honest romance and spice have never been my thing; I'm more of a guns and ammo type of gal! MOL


The story revolves around Jeanie, who inherits the charming Pumpkin Spice Café in Dream Harbor, and Logan, a local farmer with a grumpy disposition. A lively dynamic between Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude and Logan's grumpiness makes for an entertaining and heartwarming read.


And then, there's a surprise element; a cute kitty called Casper, who was thought to be a ghost. But I'll leave it at that, no spoilers here! MOL


The charming descriptions of the small-town setting in Dream Harbor truly transport mew there, infusing the narrative with a sense of warmth and cosiness. The interesting community of Dream Harbor, with its many side characters, adds another fun dimension to the plot.


The author's vivid and sensory descriptions of the Pumpkin Spice Café and its scrumptious offerings evoke a sense of nostalgia, making readers wish they could experience the cosy ambience and aromatic delights first-paw.


The book effortlessly captures the essence of a spicy romance as Jeanie and Logan navigate their budding relationship. If mew're a fan of Hannah Grace and Stephanie Archer, this book is a must-read for mew.


The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is a feel-good book that guarantees a happily ever after. I recommend it to anypawdy looking for a charming, spicy, romantic escape!


If mew are subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, it is available within their catalogue to read as part of your subscription.


A Pawsome Read!


Paperback: 374 pages 
Audio: 7 hours 3 mins
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
My Rating Scale
Amber's Rating Scale Orange ©BionicBasil®
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Ratings of:

The Pumpkin Spice Café


Overall Enjoyment

Amber's 4 Paw Rating  ©BionicBasil®

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today


Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

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 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 









Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023

Follow me at @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 
Amber's Book Reviews Divider ©BionicBasil® October 2023
 Graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com ~ Dragon image created with AI Arta