The Sketchy Christmas Tree by Lucy Carol ~ Blog Tour with Book Review & Giveaway

 

Out on a limb for a killer!

In the whimsical small town of Bisque, filled with fur babies and friendly faces, the unthinkable can still happen, and somewhere a body drops. But also in Bisque, Sir Percival, a dapper cat detective with a gentleman’s code, stands sentinel.

One fateful night, amid Christmas lights and glittering snowflakes, Sir Percival’s vigilant gaze spots an intruder in dark shadows, silently stalking the home of a neighbor where a spirited little dog resides. But following the intruder leads to a shocking discovery—a dead body.

To protect their humans, Sir Percival and the little dog, Fidget, will have to unravel clues that lead them through a web of betrayal, eccentric neighbors, and buried secrets!

Purchase Link

This charming holiday story made it feel like Christmas in the middle of spring!

Sir Percival is excited to help his devoted humans put up their tree, but after all the work has been done and everyone has retired for the night, he witnesses some strange goings on across the street. Fancying himself a cat detective, he slips out of the house and makes a shocking discovery. Teaming up with neighboring pup Fidget, Sir Percival has his paws full trying to keep those he loves safe while hot on the trail of a killer.

This is a short read filled with mystery, suspense, adventure, even a bit of romance! Sir Percival proves himself to be an ace cat detective, and I look forward to his future cases.

About the Author:

Lucy Carol’s top priority is to entertain you, and keep you turning pages. She writes mysteries for those who like it fun, fast, and don’t mind losing a little sleep. Living and writing in the Pacific Northwest, she loves martinis, flowers, dancing, a good lipstick, and cake.

Author Links:

Website https://lucycarol.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lucycarolauthor/

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Bell, Book and Corpses by T.C. LoTempio ~ Blog Tour with Book Review & Giveaway

It’s Halloween trick-or-treachery when murder pays a visit to a cursed mansion in the new Nick and Nora mystery . . .

Waincroft Manor has long been tied to rumors of witchcraft and fatal curses, and to Nora Charles, that makes it the perfect place for a Halloween fundraiser. But her first trip to the deserted old mansion turns out to be truly ghoulish when she discovers a dead body. What’s more, the corpse is laid out in a coffin—with two bite marks on its neck. Then the autopsy comes back showing that the body was drained of blood, and there’s no stopping the local gossips from whispering the word vampire to anyone who will listen.

Determined to dispel the rumors and save the fundraiser, Nora sets out to prove the murderer was quite human after all. Sifting through the clues, she learns of a bitter family rivalry that spans generations, and a more recent conflict that may point to the motive for the murder. And when Nick spells out a clue that proves to be the missing piece of the puzzle, Nora knows she’ll have to watch her back—because there’s a killer out there who wants to keep some secrets buried, and they’ll happily bury Nora right along with them . . .

Purchase Link

Looking for the purrfect cozy to get into the Halloween spirit? Look no further than Bell, Book and Corpses. This 7th book in the Nick & Nora mystery series has it all - a creepy old mansion, rumors of witchcraft, curses, paranormal investigators, a dead body in a coffin, and vampires! 

This story can easily be read as a standalone, but for newcomers to the series, Nick and Nora are a crime-solving team to be reckoned with. Nora runs the family sandwich shop, Hot Bread, while also working part-time for the online magazine Noir, where she writes about unsolved mysteries. Nick, a shining star among feline detectives, reveals key clues to Nora with the help of his favorite toy, Scrabble tiles.

Bell, Book and Corpses is chock full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. And the final reveal of what Nick was trying to tell Nora with his beloved Scrabble tiles put the biggest smile on my face! He is one brilliant, unique kitty (and could he be any more adorable on the cover?) Four paws up! 

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About the Author:

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She and her cat pen the Nick and Nora mystery series originally from Berkley Prime Crime and now with Beyond the Page Publishing. They also write the Cat Rescue series from Crooked Lane and the Pet Shop series, originally published by Midnight Ink and rebranded last year as “Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries.” Book six in the Nick and Nora mysteries, A PURR BEFORE DYING, is released this February from Beyond the Page. There is also a new series, Tiffany Austin Food Blogger, coming out in April.

You can cat-ch up with them at ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or her website, www.tclotempio.net

Author Links:

Webpage: http://www.tclotempio.net

Blog: http://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5

Twitter/X: @RoccoBlogger

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Book Review: The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats by Anita Kelsey

Discover the captivating world of fabulous felines in The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats. Join Anita Kelsey on a journey through fifteen remarkable tales celebrating the courage, resilience, and affection of our beloved feline companions, from pioneering space traveller Félicette to therapy cat London Meow. Whether you’re a cat lover or seeking heart-warming stories of human-animal connections, this book is a must-read.

Purchase Link

This sweet little book is a must read for any and all cat lovers. The cover alone is as adorable as can be, and the stories inside are just as delightful. Some are humorous, others are heartbreaking, but each one shows how truly extraordinary our feline friends are.

Some kitties in the book have social media pages that I went on to follow. Others I was familiar with, such as Scarlett who saved her kittens from a fire (I actually remember this very well from when it happened), and Felicette who was sent to space. The tragic fate of some cats in the book serve as an important reminder of why they need to be kept inside. I enjoyed reading the Honorable Mentions at the end of each chapter too.

If you adore cats this book needs a spot on your bookshelf!

The Book of 5 Mews by M.G. Rorai - Blog Tour & Book Review

 

A heartwarming story about cats, cheese, Catness, cat-tastrophies, and why cats are basically running your life. Did I mention cats?

 

Title: The Book of 5 Meows

Author: M.G. Rorai

Publication Date: February 8, 2024

Pages: 134

Genre: Cats/Pets 

Shhhh – don’t tell the humans. This is a cat’s guide to world domination; learn how to win hearts and get cheese with your kitty charm.

Meet Marble, a cat on a mission to rule the world with cuteness and get cheese. Marble is not your ordinary cat. She is a philosopher, a strategist, and a master of Catness. She knows the secrets to manipulate humans and get what she wants. Thus, Catness wisdom and insights are littered throughout this hilarious and insightful book, written mostly from a feline point of view (as the way it should be).

But Marble’s plan is not without challenges. She must win over a dog-loving human and keep up an endless supply of Colby-Jack cheese.

The Book of 5 Mews is a book for cat lovers, dog lovers, and anyone who enjoys a good laugh mixed in with a heartwarming story. It is a book that celebrates the bond between humans and animals, and the power of love and healing. It is a book that will make you rethink your relationship with your cat, and maybe even inspire you to join a quest for world domination. Not that you’d be welcome, unless you’re a feline.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | BooksAMillion | Apple | Smashwords | Everand

Book Excerpt:

Introduction

I have spent many lives training in the Way of Catness; Humans might liken the Way to strategy. It is a gifted set of guidelines most felines stumble across during at least one of their nine lives—and, subsequently, become obsessed with mastering. Catness is water to the soul, yoga for the mind, and grooming for the world. 

Yet there will always be trials mixed with reward. Peaks and valleys merge to create the landscape—Catness is the pathway for past friends becoming feral; love becoming loss; treat bowls becoming empty. The Way of Catness is like a Cat’s mew: it can be the loveliest sound or the sharpest shriek, when needed.

There are different thoughts on Catness, but I live to no particular paw path; my prints are my own, defined by my experiences. True, I have taken some from other paths, as have most cats, though at the core each cat’s walk, their Catness, is defined by self, circumstances, and survival. But it can be shredded down to Five Mews: Paw, Slink, Roar, Tail, and Clarity. 

I will explain Catness in writing for the first time. 

Harper’s Commentary: Day 0

It’s hard starting over. New job, new town, new perspectives. So hard. Isolating. My plants are only so much company, and at the urging of text messages from family I decided to seek out volunteer work. 

My new career in technology blessed me with all the people drain I needed, so I went with the animal persuasion. I’m a dog person at heart. Grew up with mostly dogs and some cats but had more connection with the canines. Plus, the last feline I had contact with was my cousin’s girlfriend’s cat who pissed in the same corner all the time, despite having three litter boxes. 

So yeah, dogs were better. Cats okay. 

Wispy Paws seemed like a good fit…

If you're looking for some insight into what makes your cat tick, this is the book for you!

Following a personal tragedy, Harper is starting a new life in a new town. With only her plants for company she decides to volunteer at the animal shelter. She considers herself a dog person, but on her very first day she ends up bringing home a foster cat she names Marble. As Marble beings wrapping her new human around her paw, she teaches readers about Catness - the methods cats use in their quest for world domination, or at least domination over their own little world.

Cat slaves are sure to recognize all the tricks Marble has in her arsenal, and have likely even witnessed them firsthand! This book is adorable, funny, and heartwarming. I can't think of a more purrfect Mother's Day gift for the cat mom in your life! 

About the Author

M.G. Rorai enjoys hanging with her cats and annoying her husband.

Author Links  Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

Sponsored By:

Book Review ~ Purrseverance: Inspiring Stories of Cat Resilience and Hope by Sierra M. Koester

 

What do cats do when faced with adversity? They persevere. "Purrseverance" contains 16 accounts of how our feline friends triumphed over life's challenges: from the cat who learned to trust after surviving a hoarding situation, to the cat who conquered a life-threatening illness, to the cats who persisted and eventually found their loving forever homes. Each account is told through the eyes of the cat. These tales show that even seemingly hopeless situations can turn around. These stories will inspire you to keep going and persevere when facing adversities in your own life. "Purrseverance" was compiled by award-winning cat writer and enthusiast, Sierra M. Koester.

Purchase Link

I've been looking forward to the release of this book since the call went out for submissions. I actually contemplated submitting a story myself, but thankfully none of the cats in my life faced the challenges the kitties in this anthology have had to deal with.

Many of the cats in Purrseverance I've had the privilege to "know" thanks to their blogs and social media presence - Evan, Carmine, Brian, Sawyer, Ellie Mae, Harvey (just to name a few), and I consider their owners as friends - but the beauty of this book is that each cat has written their own compelling story in their own unique voices. Some stories end happily, others with the inevitable, but each and every one showcases the strength and resilience of the feline spirit and the unbreakable bond they form with the humans in their lives.

There's no way I could pick out a "favorite" story, but one in particular affected me greatly. Whisper was a blind feral cat fostered by a lady dealing with the hospice care and eventual death of her mother. As both of them come to terms with their new normal, they help each other cope and heal. Then they're hit with another blow - Whisper is diagnosed with lymphoma.

This particular passage forced me to put the book down and have a good, therapeutic cry, "I had taught her a lot about getting beyond fear and loss. We had encouraged each other past panic and paralysis. Now I was showing her how to keep living in the small, precious moments we had left together."

We have so much to learn from these precious souls we share our lives with. The "tails" in Purrseverance are a lesson for all of us to live in the moment, to be brave in the face of adversity, and most importantly, to never give up.

Book Review: A Christmas Yowl by Sarah May Bird

Loki isn’t a bad ghost cat. Just mischievous. What did anyone expect when they named him after a mythical trickster god?

Christmas is the season to spread love, joy and pranks. And Loki intends to particularly focus on the latter this year.

But when he takes a joke too far, he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future with a stern warning that has him racing to save a life.

Will this Christmas end in tragedy for one cat and her unborn kittens? Or will Loki shed his namesake and do something good in the spirit of the season?

Grab a coffee and a mince pie and join Loki in this festive short story proving that even ghost cats have hearts.

This short story is a part of the Cat's Whisker Cafe mystery series, which I haven't read yet but certainly plan to! The stars of the series are Willow, owner of a cat cafe in a sleepy English village, and her ghost cats, Loki and Luna. Loki is quite a little troublemaker, and in this Christmas story he's forced to see the error of his ways after he meets a sweet little calico in the graveyard and puts her life in danger when he can't be bothered to help her find her way back home.

A Christmas Carol is my all-time favorite story, so I knew a cat version of the classic tale would be something extra special, and was I ever right! It made me laugh, it made me tear up, it is simply one of the sweetest "tails" I've ever read. My only complaint is that I wish it was a full length book instead of a short story! 

Purchase Link

Book Review: Murder on the Santa Claus Express by Mandy Morton

Hettie and Tilly are invited to host a Christmas Eve murder mystery aboard the Santa Claws Express. No sooner has the train left the station at Mogbury-on-the-Tilt than our two feline detectives are caught up in a murderous family feud between the Shuttles and the Stokers.

Is the ghost of Hornby Stoker haunting the line? Are there enough sausage rolls in the Biscuit Jar Buffet? Who will hit the buffers at Hissingford Holt? And will Hettie and Tilly’s Christmas be derailed?

Join our tabby heroes as they plough their way through red herrings, hot chestnuts and snowbound platforms in a hunt for a festive fiend who will stop at nothing.

While it goes without saying that my favorite mysteries are cat cozies, this series goes a step beyond that with the entire cast of characters comprised solely of cats. That's right...in this little world there are no people, just cats. Book me a one way flight, please!!!

This Christmas novella makes a purrfect respite from the chaos of the holiday season as readers are invited to join Hettie and Tilly on a holiday train ride for a charity murder mystery event. It doesn't take long before the real murders begin and it's up to the proprietors of The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency to catch a killer. The mystery is a delightful tribute to "Agatha Crispy," but it's the first chapter that depicts how the cats first met on a cold, snowy Christmas Eve, and the last chapter with a surprising twist, that really brought a lump to my throat.

While reading these brilliant little stories I find myself completely absorbed in Hettie and Tilly's cozy world; I only wish I could grab a mug of cocoa and join them in purrson. Each kitty has their own unique cat-like personality, resulting in books are unlike any cat cozy you've ever read, guaranteed!

Paw & Order by Chris Abernathy - Blog Tour with Character Guest Post and Giveaway

 

What’s better than a K-9 cop? A feline detective. Detective Whiskers is out to prove himself, and keep his human from being framed for murder, or worse. He'll need the help of his new animal friends and Sheila's group of female sleuths. This cozy mystery set in a small town in Old Florida is purrfect for cat lovers and anyone who enjoys a fun beach read.

Who is really catching killers in Paradise Cove? It’s not the local police. The Paradise Cove Murder Society is getting the job done, with more help than they realize from a furry detective named Whiskers.

Sheila and her cat Whiskers are starting a new life in the perfect little Florida beach town that managed to avoid the big crowds, condos and chain stores. But as soon as they arrive the town has its first ever murder. Good thing Whiskers is a trained detective! Fred, Sheila’s husband of forty years, was a police detective who recently passed away, right before they were supposed to retire to the beach. After forty years of devoting herself entirely to being a good wife and mother she’s now left to put her life back together, but what kind of life will it be? In a fresh setting, and with some quirky new friends, she slowly begins to remember all of the dreams she had as a young woman. She has a second chance to chase those dreams, if she can stay alive and out of prison. When her next door neighbor is killed and the evidence points to Sheila, it’s time for Whiskers to step up.

Whiskers was Fred’s loyal assistant and he’ll need to remember everything he learned from his mentor to keep Sheila safe as she rediscovers herself. With the help of some unexpected new friends of his own Detective Whiskers sets out to prove to the world, and himself, that he is worthy of the shiny badge on his collar. If you love humorous cozy mysteries where pets take the lead and eccentric friends come together to solve crimes with just the right amount of suspense then the Detective Whiskers Cozy Mystery Series is exactly what you’re looking for. Buy Paw and Order now and find out why the only thing better than a K-9 cop is a feline detective!

This book is an absolute joy from start to finish. I immediately fell hard for Whiskers, still grieving over his master's untimely death and the special connection they shared. He finds comfort in tummy rubs, sleeping on the detective's uniform, and is serious about his new job of protecting widow Sheila. The last thing they expect when beginning their new life in sleepy Paradise Cove is to become embroiled in a murder, but that's exactly what happens. It's a good thing Whiskers is a bit of a detective himself, and with the help of some new 2-legged and 4-legged friends, is able to save the day. 

Besides Whiskers himself, my favorite characters are Zappa the hippie kitty and Roddy the mouse. Absolutely adorable! This story gets four paws up, and I look forward to spending more time with these delightful characters in subsequent books.

Character Guest Post by Detective Whiskers

Hi! My name is Whiskers. Gotta say, this is a cool blog. Who doesn’t love mochas and mysteries? And meows — well, that goes without saying since I am a cat!

I am also a detective. Yes, a cat can be a detective — just look at my badge if you don’t believe me. It says Detective Whiskers.

My former partner and mentor, Fred, gave me the badge after I helped him solve a bunch of cases. It wasn’t easy. I can’t talk to humans so I had to find ways of getting his attention at the right time and showing him what he needed to see. Eventually he caught on and taught me everything he knew about being a detective. We spent hours every evening working on cases after he got home.

Unfortunately, Fred’s not with us anymore. Sheila, his wife, and I have relocated to the purrfect beach town in a part of Florida that has somehow avoided the big condos and crowds. It’s a quiet town. Or at least it was until we showed up. I don’t know why but all of a sudden people are getting killed left and right. Fortunately, I’m here to find out what happened and bring the killers to justice.

I won’t lie — it gets a little crazy. The local police chief thinks my badge is just some silly gimmick. His K-9 officer, Kojak, clues me in on some of their evidence but I’m not allowed to be part of the official investigation. So there are two investigations going on at the same time. Mine and theirs. Oh, three actually. Sheila has met some “unique” new friends and they call themselves the Paradise Cove Murder Society. The get together to solve murders and drink margaritas. Mostly drink margaritas (especially Tarrie Ann) but I have to admit they’re getting better at it. Anyway, yeah … three investigations going at the same time. It gets a little crazy. Not only am I trying to find a killer, I‘m trying to keep Sheila safe. I promised Fred I would. I didn’t realize at the time that she would be chasing after killers.

Sheila’s not the only one who has made new friends. I’ve met some pretty cool cats down here. And dogs. And a great blue heron. I’ve even made friends with a mouse, but don’t tell Sheila! She would not be happy if she knew I let them him with us at Sunset Cottage.

I already mentioned Kojak. He’s the K-9 officer at the local police department and he was not exactly my biggest fan at first. But he’s come around. It’s nice to have someone I can talk about cases with who understands. And without him it would be a lot harder for me to investigate.

Then there’s Zappa. Let tell you, he’s living the good life. A total beach bum. This cat lives in the sand dunes near our house. He just chills out all day and eats fresh seafood, courtesy of a fisherman named Jimmy. Jimmy fishes almost every day and shares with Zappa and Blue.

Blue is a great blue heron. She’s not much of a talker. She’s not much of anything really. She just glides in on those big, beautiful wings of hers and stands on the beach until Jimmy tosses her a fish. It takes a while to get to know her but it’s worth it. She is a great listener and I know that if I ever really need her, she’ll be there for me.

Oh, I almost forgot Roddy. He’s a mouse that lives in a wall at Sunset Cottage. I know, cats are supposed to keep mice away but he’s cool. We’ve worked out a deal. He stays hidden and only eats things that fall on the floor, stuff that Sheila will never notice. And I keep him safe in the Whiskers Protection Program.

So that’s a little bit about life in Paradise Cove, the neatest little town that nobody knows about in Florida. If you happen to find it, get a room at the Parrot Eyes Inn and stay for a while. I guarantee you’ll love it.

One more thing. You may have noticed that all of the books about my cases are named after TV shows and movies. That’s because Sheila and I love to watch TV together, especially the shows about other great detectives. People like Jessica Fletcher, Crockett and Tubbs, Thomas Magnum. Now that Fred isn’t with us anymore, these shows are a great way for me to continue learning about how to be a great detective. You can never know too much, right?

Did anybody else hear that? I think I just heard Roddy scratching around in the living room and Sheila’s not in bed yet. I’d better go check on him and make sure she doesn’t see him.

Be safe, everybody. And give your cats a little extra Fancy Feast for me, okay?

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About the Author:

Chris Abernathy has narrated more than 200 audiobooks and now he is writing his own stories. He has been a storyteller his entire life — around campfires at a summer camp as a counselor, on the radio for more than 30 years, as an actor with background roles on major motion pictures and TV series, as a producer of short films for social media and more. Chris is married with two sons and lives on the Gulf Coast in Alabama. He is a dual national with citizenship in the US and UK and visits family in the Scottish Highlands as often as possible.

Author Links:

Webpage – http://authorchrisabernathy.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorchrisabernathy/

Amazon author profile – https://www.amazon.com/stores/Chris-Abernathy/author/B07YLJPKNQ

Newsletter signup – https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/a7s6c0

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Mudpie Interviews...Percival & Jasper from Ruth J. Hartman's Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery Series

The life of a cat groomer isn’t just pampering purring felines, it's murder.

Mobile Cat Groomer Molly Stewart loves her job. Until she finds the dead body of one of her pet parents stabbed with a garden implement in his back yard. When Molly’s uncle Russ becomes the prime suspect in the murder and the sheriff won’t consider anyone else, Molly claws through obstacles as she prowls for clues.

With help from handsome veterinarian Hank Chenowith and Molly’s two cats, Percival and Jasper, will Molly succeed in proving her uncle’s innocence before the real murderer pounces on her?

Brushed Up On Murder introduces readers to cat groomer Molly Stewart, who divides her time between her very own salon and a mobile grooming van. She's built a successful business in the small town of Whitewater Valley with a steady stream of customers, so it comes as a complete shock when she brings one of her furry clients home, only to find their owner dead in the garden. Molly becomes the new owner of now orphaned Jasper, and has her hands full trying to get her own cat Percival to accept his new brother, but that's nothing compared to the detective work she's forced to take on when her beloved uncle becomes the main suspect.

I look forward to spending more time with this fun cast of characters, and especially watching Molly's relationship with hunky vet Hank evolve!

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Percival & Jasper, the feline stars of this series. We hope you enjoy learning more about them!

Welcome, Percival & Jasper! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourselves and how you each came to live with Molly? 

Hi, this is Percival! Molly has been my human for a long time now. We're so close, she even takes me to work with her!
And I'm Jasper! Molly rescued me from a bad situation where I might have ended up in a pet shelter. I'm so much happier with her!

What's a typical day like for you? 

Percival again. Sometimes, Molly sees clients - other cats whose humans bring them to her to be brushed and bathed. And other times she has a mobile grooming van where she goes to the humans' houses and sees the kitties there. I like those best since I get to go along for the ride!

Since your human is a mobile cat groomer, do you like it when she fusses with your fur or do you prefer taking care of those things yourselves? 

It's Jasper again. Before I came to live with Molly, my other human took me to see her so she could groom me, so I love it! She always makes me look so handsome. :)

In Brushed Up On Murder, the first book in the Mobile Cat Groomer mystery series, you two don't exactly see to eye. Are you getting along? 

Percival here. Jasper and I did have a rough start when Molly first brought him home. Even though I see lots of other cats at Molly's work it was the first time she'd ever brought one into our house. But Molly, with advice from her friend, Hank, helps us!

Do you lend a paw in helping Molly solve the mystery?

Percival again. Yes! Since she takes me to work with her, I got to be in on finding clues and checking out possible suspects. It was fun! And when Molly figured out who the killer was, Jasper helped too!

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not sleuthing? (Toys, treats, nap spots...)

Jasper again. I love naps. And treats. And catnip! Molly used some catnip for Percival and me when she was trying to get us to be friends. It smelled awesome!

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you? 

Percival again. Jasper and I are still so excited that we helped solve a murder! Along with Molly, we're ready to pounce on the next one that comes along!

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About the Author:
Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.

Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.

Author Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ruth.j.hartman

Website https://www.ruthjhartman.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/ruthjhartman

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3312900.Ruth_J_Hartman

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Aqua Paws by Patricia Allieri: Blog Tour with Book Review & Giveaway

 

Book Details:

Book Title: Aqua Paws by Patricia Allieri
Category: Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 39 pages
Genre: Children's Book
Publisher: Aqua Kids Books
Release date: Apr 4, 2023
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.

Book Description:

Splish! Splash! MEOW! Most cats hate water, but not Aqua Paws. He loves it! There’s just one problem: he’s terrified of crabs!

Then Aqua Paws finds himself in a sticky situation, and the only one around to help is a crab. Can Aqua Paws push his feelings aside before it’s too late? Full of whimsical sea creatures beautifully illustrated by Stella Maris, Aqua Paws also warns of the dangers of ocean pollution. A story that your child will fall in love with, that helps teach a valuable lesson at the same time.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ B&N

add to goodreads

This is truly one of the most adorable children's books I've ever read, with an important lesson for all ages.

Aqua Paws is a kitty who loves the water, except for one thing...crabs! He fears getting pinched and avoids them at all costs. One beautiful day he and his turtle friend Purple Beak go on an adventure in the ocean, collecting treasures and picking up trash. While exploring on his own Aqua Paws finds himself in a dangerous situation and must face his greatest fears when only a crab is available to help.

The illustrations in this book are utterly charming - I went back and studied each page at least three times! Aqua Paws is just darling decked out in his diving gear, and the little crab tucked into nearly every scene was a clever twist.

Most importantly, this story warns about the harm that can come to animals when humans litter. The book ends with a few tips to help Aqua Paws preserve the ocean, and a cute craft project showing how to build a crab using a toilet paper roll. 4 paws, 2 claws, and 8 legs up!

Meet the Author:

Patricia writes stories about the ocean, cats, and friendship. With beautiful illustrations and heartfelt characters, she aims to entertain and inspire readers to feel brave, adventurous, and appreciate the environment. Patricia’s memorable characters include Aqua Paws and Purple Beak with many more on the horizon. Her fiction picture book, AQUA PAWS, has subtle hints of pollution in our oceans and children can help by collecting the harmful trash. Patricia lives in Texas with her husband. She treasures time with her two grown daughters and her grand babies Tate (Tater-Tot) and Pierce. Her love of animals, the beach and the environment is undeniable.


connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram

Enter the Giveaway:

AQUA PAWS Book Tour Giveaway

Mudpie Interviews...Milton & Pearl from Ruth J. Hartman's Bookshop Kitties Mystery Series

 

When children’s book author, Christy Bailey, receives a call from her aunt Betty to help out at her bookshop, she drops everything to go. Christy packs up her two cats—Milton and Pearl, the stars of her children's mystery books—and leaves busy Philadelphia for tiny Green Meadow, Indiana. The timing of the call is perfect, as Christy’s letch of an ex-boyfriend has just cleaned out her savings, leaving Christy with a pile of unpaid bills and a desire to start over. And what better place to do that than a charming small town in Middle America?

But when Christy reaches her aunt's bookshop, instead of small town hospitality she finds a dead body! Even worse, her aunt is passed out in the corner, hands covered in blood. The dead woman is an old frenemy of her Aunt Betty, and while Christy knows her aunt is innocent, the local detective isn't so sure. With Milton and Pearl prowling for clues, Christy is determined to find the real killer and clear her aunt's name... before her story ends in tragedy!

Minnie and Pearl steal the show in this debut of the Bookshop Kitties series, both as the stars of the mystery itself, and also of the children's book series their devoted human Christy writes.

When Christy returns to Great Meadow following a painful breakup to help Aunt Betty run her bookshop, she's hoping for a simpler life, not expecting to find herself smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery. The victim was hated by many people in town so there's no shortage of suspects, many of which are pretty unlikeable themselves. It's a good thing Christy's fearless, feisty felines are also on the case, eager to help sniff out clues and claw the bad guys.

A purrfect cat cozy that will leave readers meowing for more!  

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Milton & Pearl, the feline stars of this series. We hope you enjoy learning more about them!

Welcome, Milton & Pearl! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Christy?

Hi, this is Milton! My sister, Pearl, and I had been abandoned in a Philadelphia alley as tiny kittens before we went to live with Christy. We love her! Pearl and I are from the same litter, so we’ve always been close. But having Christy as our mom completed our family.

What's a typical day like for you?

Hello, this is Pearl! Milton and I love to hang out in Aunt Betty’s bookstore where we live now in Indiana. Lots of interesting customers come in, and give us plenty of attention, which we deserve! Sometimes when Christy isn’t working, she takes us for outdoor rides in our stroller or on leashes for a walk. We kind of like the stroller better though. Walking can be hard exercise for sleepy kitties.

In addition to being the feline stars of the new Bookshop Kitties mystery series, you're also the stars of children's books written by your human. Can you tell us more about these books, and if your soon-to-be adoring public might one day be able to read them?

Dial M for Meow is the first one the public gets to read! It’s coming out on January 10th and we’re so excited! We had so much fun helping Christy write the book. She values our opinions and says that we’re awesome furry editors too. In Dial M for Meow, the books we’re in are for children, but the ones our human writes are for big people.

Back to the Bookshop Kitties series, do you have a paw in helping Christy solve the mystery?

Hi, Milton again. Yes we do! Pearl and I work together to search for clues and help point Christy to possible suspects. I must say, we’re very good at our job. And Christy says she couldn’t do it without us.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not sleuthing? (Toys, treats, nap spots...)

Well, I have to admit, Pearl and I do nap quite a bit. Although as cats, that’s one of our main jobs. Christy and Aunt Betty are both really good about giving us treats, even though sometimes we wish they wouldn’t make us wait for them so long. When kitties get empty tummies, it doesn’t always go well, right? We also like to bat things around. Sometimes the object we’re playing with turns out to be a clue for Christy to use!

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you?

Hey, Pearl again. We’re ready to pounce on any and all clues in upcoming mysteries! We can’t wait for whatever our next adventure might be. Milton, Christy and I want to thank you for interviewing us!

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About the Author:

Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.

Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.

Author Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ruth.j.hartman

Website https://www.ruthjhartman.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/ruthjhartman

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3312900.Ruth_J_Hartman

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Sounds Like Love by Laura Ford: Blog Tour with Book Review & Giveaway

 

Wendy is a bright spark who wants to find love and travel the world, but she questions how her dreams can become a reality as her world changes around her.

When Wendy arrives at her beloved grandmother's house to collect a box of keepsakes, she picks up more than she bargained for - a green-eyed tabby cat with amazing qualities. This is just the start of a high-speed adventure, leading Wendy towards bright new horizons... if only she'll give the cat a chance...

This sweet book is geared towards young adults but all ages will appreciate its message. It tells the story of a young woman struggling with the loss of her beloved grandmother as well as a troublesome medical diagnosis of her own. She's not a cat person but has her grandmother's cat thrust upon her unexpectedly. Her parents have pedigree show cats and refuse to take the little tabby, and the local shelter is full, but Wendy soon learns her grandmother had her reasons for leaving the cat to her.

Sounds Like Love is a fairly short read that really packs a punch. I was drawn in from the cover alone as the cat seemingly invites the reader in with a wave of her paw. Inside its pages is a story of optimism and acceptance, perseverance and love, but most importantly, it shows the impact a special cat can have on your life.

About the author:

Laura Ford writes novels, short stories, and poems across a wide range of human and animal experiences. As Laura is an avid cat lover, a number of special felines tend to find their way into Laura’s stories as well.

Laura graduated with an honours degree in British law while also writing fiction in parallel. Now based in California with her husband and two beguiling Siamese cats, Laura most enjoys using her imagination and memories to paint vivid stories. An avid traveler and seeker, Laura is always exploring new concepts for more stories to come.

Author Link – https://www.soundslikelovebook.com/

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Sunny and the Cats by Victoria Otto: Blog Tour with Book Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

 

Book Details:

Book Title: Sunny and the Cats by Victoria Otto
Category:  Children's Fictions (ages 3-7), 32 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  self-published
Release date:   June, 2022
Content Rating:  G - General Audiences. There is no violence, no bad language, no religious expletives, no sex scenes, and no drug use or underage drinking. 

 

Book Description:

Everyone in meow village and woof village lived happily if they followed one very important rule...

​Dogs were not welcomed in meow village and any cat that stepped into woof village would be chased up a tree! But a special puppy named Sunny wants to become friends with the cats, so he breaks that rule to see if the cats might like to play.

What happened when Sunny went to meow village? Pick up this book to find out!

I've long believed that animals are our greatest teachers. There's so much we can learn from them to help us become better humans, from loving unconditionally without judgment or discrimination to living in the moment to the importance of teamwork.

In Sunny and the Cats an adorable community of cats and dogs teach kids one of life's greatest lessons - the importance of living together in harmony without fear of anyone who may be perceived as "different". I thought it was adorable how the cats enjoy a life of peace and quiet while the dogs are loud and rambunctious, and the cats prefer cleanliness over playing in the dirt. Even so, Sunny the playful pup can't understand why in spite of their differences they can't be friends, so when he sees a cat in need, he doesn't hesitate and steps in to help. 

The illustrations by Teguh Sulistio of the cats and dogs, meow village and woof village, are delightful and bring the story to life. Children of all ages will walk away from this book with a new insight into friendship and acceptance. 

 

BUY THE BOOK:
(release date June 10, 2022)
AMAZON ~ B&N
BAM ~ Walmart
add to goodreads

 

Meet the Author:

Victoria Otto is a children's book author, born and raised in Metro-Detroit. She has a passion for children's literature and strives to create picture books that are engaging, educational, and lots of fun for both children and parents to read. Victoria loves to make author visits at schools and organizations. So far, she has been able to read her books to and visit eight hundred children across the United States.

​If you would like Victoria to make an author visit at your school or organization, please email her.

connect with the author: twitter ~ instagram 

Author Guest Post:

Hello everyone! I am Victoria Otto, a children's picture book author, and I am here today to share more about myself and my books. Thank you to the kind Melissa, at Mochas, Mysteries and Meows for having me do a guest post on her blog.

Talk about when you realized you wanted to be an author. Lifelong dream or happened late on?

When I was younger, I would write little silly stories and read them to my parents. They always thought that I would become an author, but storytelling was just a fun hobby and something to do in my free time. It wasn't until later in life when I thought about writing seriously or the possibility of becoming an author, but it still seemed so far-fetched since I have dyslexia. I was constantly worried that people wouldn't take my writing seriously or think it was "good," but that's when I realized writing is a very subjective and vulnerable career. Readers will either love or connect with what you wrote. Or they will dislike it and not see the purpose. I would have started writing picture books earlier if I wasn't shy or scared to put myself out there, but I believe everything happens at the right time, even when you think it doesn't. Taking my writing seriously and exploring my creative potential at the age of twenty was the best thing I ever did.

 

Tour Schedule:

May 23 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 23 - Kam's Place – book review / author interview 
May 24 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 25 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
May 26 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 26 - Fur Everywhere – book review / giveaway
May 27 – Faith And Books – book review / giveaway
May 27 - Library Lady's Kid Lit – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 31 – She Just Loves Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 1 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
June 3 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 6 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review / author interview / giveaway

 

Enter the Giveaway: 

Sunny and the Cats Book Tour Giveaway