Thursday, July 2, 2015

Book Review/Giveaway: Home with Henry by Anne Kaier


From the publisher: When copywriter Anne Kaier stops traffic to rescue a stray cat, neither she nor the cat knows what lies in store ... You'll lose yourself in this witty, true-life story of how Anne hopes a beguiling cat called Henry can help her as a single woman in the amped-up city. But first, how will she lure Henry out from under the bed-when not even her ten-year-old nephew can get him to stir?


I was so honored to be asked to be part of the blog tour for Anne Kaier's new book, Home with Henry. Just looking at the cover I knew it was going to be a very special book, and I was right.

This book is written in journal form as the author chronicles the first year of her life with Henry, as well as starting a new life herself in her very first home. Rejecting the old-fashioned notion that a woman should wait until she's married to buy a house and create a traditional life, they live on their own terms and build a rich and meaningful life together. It's a scary time for both human and cat, but with great patience and love they prove that home and family is what you make it.

Another star of this book is an aging calico, Lucille. In a couple difference passages Anne writes how she can't help but view Henry as a "spare". She knows she won't have Lucille forever and fears being alone when the dreaded time comes. As someone who has always had just one cat at a time, I've often wondered if the heartbreak of losing a pet is any duller when you have another there for comfort.

Watching Anne and Henry's bond deepen with each turn of the page was such a heartwarming experience, especially since many people don't believe a feral cat can be domesticated. It became obvious that Henry had found his forever home when the opportunity arose for him to escape over the walled garden in Anne's yard, and he chose to stay. What a beautiful moment.

If you're anything like me and believe that cats are synonymous with home, this little book will touch your heart and warm your soul.

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Wednesday, July 8th for your chance to win a paperback copy of Home with Henry. (US entries only, please.)

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About the author: Anne Kaier's essays and poetry have been published in venues such as The Gettysburg Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, The Kenyon Review, Referential and Beauty is a Verb: An Anthology of Poetry, Poetics, and Disability which is on the American Library Association Notable Books list for 2012.

Holding a Ph.D. from Harvard University, she teaches creative writing and literature at Arcadia University and Rosemont College. She serves on the Fulbright Creative Writing Student Screening Committee. Anne lives in Center City, Philadelphia.

Anne's blog tour will continue through July 9. Look for her tomorrow at The Conscious Cat.





32 comments:

Angel Prancer Pie said...

What a sweet sounding read! Our Mommy agrees about the cover. It's adorable!
Thanks for the review, Truffles.
XOXO

Karen B said...

Sounds wonderful!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Jeanetta said...

The books sounds delightful. Thank you for the chance to win.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

susanalbert said...

Thanks for letting us know about this book--sounds like it hits home for many of us!

Unknown said...

Home with Henry is a book right up my alley. Rescuing an animal is an award in itself. Being allowed to follow this journey will be a fun read. robeader53@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

What a beautiful book:) Love and kindness a win win for me. Pennymarks@frontier.com

Maryannwrites said...

What a lovely blog, Melissa. I am so glad to connect via this blog tour, and I agree that Home With Henry is a delightful book.

traveler said...

A delightful book and wonderful post. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

Thanks for this lovely giveaway which would be a treasure. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the feature.

Anne

Unknown said...

Hi Angel Prancer Pie,

Good to hear from you!

Unknown said...

Hope you'll enjoy it!
Anne

Unknown said...

Glad you agree that rescuing an animal is a treat!
Anne

Unknown said...

You're welcome!
Anne

Unknown said...

Thanks for your comment.

Anne

Unknown said...

Too true! Love wins.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much, Maryann!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for your comment.

Anne

Lola The Rescued Cat said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! We're entering!

Anonymous said...

Gweat posty Truffles. And by da way weez luv yous new wheels. Have a gweat day.

Luv ya'

Dezi and Lexi

Mama Cat said...

This sounds so good - thank you for the opportunity to win it! Oh, I believe that feral cats can mean home! All of our cats are strays - some that may have been abandoned, or the offspring of ferals - but we have a happy home of kitties. Would enjoy reading this. jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

Daniel Scott said...

I would love to win these books for my wife's classroom. She integrates learning with caring for all creatures.

Unknown said...

Hi Lola!

Unknown said...

Wyight! Hi Dezi and Lexi

Unknown said...

Hi Jeanie,

So glad you too have strays, now loved!

Unknown said...

What grade does your wife teach? I too love classrooms!

dogmompatty said...

Thanks for having the contest.
pattymarsh31@gmail.com

pilch92 said...

Sounds like an amazing book. I love non-fiction cat stories the best.

Unknown said...

So do I!
All the best,

Anne

Unknown said...

You're welcome!

Anne

Unknown said...

what an engaging trailer, Anne! and clearly a subject that resonates for many.

Daniel Scott said...

She has K-5th graders. She teaches provides intervention and enrichment to students that need it. She loves her job.