Introducing Truffles the Tortie

Adopted August 20, 2013

Our Story Begins...

Tortie Mews in the News: Meet Refurb

As a tortie connoisseur of the highest order, I'm always on the lookout for news about my favorite colored kitties, and over the weekend this story in the Huffington Post was brought to my attention. Have you met Refurb?

Three-legged cat Refurb's Reddit photo was shared on imgur, a photo sharing site. Someone jokingly asked Refurb's owner for her "pawtograph" (a "Refurbograph") and her human agreed...provided the requestor provide proof of a $10 donation to an animal shelter or rescue group. Proof was sent and $1,000 later money is still coming in.

“I feel I should emphasize again how incredibly silly this whole thing was,” owner Akslfak wrote on Reddit on Tuesday. Midway through making prints of my cat’s paw to mail to complete strangers on the Internet, I stopped and said to myself ‘…what the hell am I doing?’ But it’s for a good cause, so hey!”

Those who would like to contribute to an animal shelter of your choice in exchange for a Refurbograph can reach out to Akslfak via Reddit.

Photo of Refurb from imgur.

Mews in the News: A Real Feline Detective

As a blogger who writes primarily about cats and mysteries, you can imagine my interest in this news story about a cat who assisted in catching a killer...his owner! Move over Sneaky Pie, KoKo and Yum-Yum, there's a new feline detective in town (who luckily also has a new owner...)

Cat DNA database created to help solve crimes (via AFP)

Forensic scientists are set to publish Britain's first database of cat DNA so that it can be used for solving crimes, the University of Leicester said on Wednesday. The database containing 152 samples was originally created to help in a murder investigation…

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Review: Woof at the Door by Laura Morrigan

Blurb: Animal behaviorist Grace Wilde keeps her ability to psychically communicate with furry and feathered critters under wraps. But when a Doberman turns out to be the only witness to a crime, Grace will have to let the cat out of the bag in order to catch a killer.

Grace Wilde’s job is anything but normal. When she’s not helping out at the zoo by comforting agitated lemurs, she’s listening to the woes of annoyed house pets. Grace’s life gets even more complicated, though, when the cops summon her to a crime scene to help deal with the murder victim’s terrified Doberman.

The pooch turns out to be the only one who saw what happened the night of the shooting—and only Grace can get the information out of him. The problem is, how will Grace tell the distractingly gorgeous Sergeant Kai Duncan that it’s the dog who’s giving her the intel without spilling her big secret or sounding crazy? Left on her own, Grace will have to follow the pup’s lead to track down the killer. But she’ll have to be careful—or curiosity may end up killing the cat whisperer.

My Review: Several years back there was a TV show on Animal Planet called Pet Psychic about an animal communicator. I remember watching every episode and thinking what a gift it would be to be able to "talk" to the animals. This is why I've been so excited to read the first Call of the Wilde Mystery with animal behaviorist Grace Wilde. Grace is a woman after my own heart; much more comfortable in the presence of animals, distrustful and insecure around humans.

Trouble begins for Grace when she's called to the murder scene of a Jacksonville Jaguars football player (and son of the Governor). His Doberman Jax is the only witness to the crime and the police are having a hard time getting him under control. Grace is instantly able to calm the dobie down and takes him home with her to recuperate. When Jax starts sharing information with Grace about what happened that terrible night, Grace doesn't know how she's going to clue in the police without revealing her secret psychic ability. She has no choice but to become involved when she discovers the main suspect is another football player that Grace knows well because she has helped to train his pet jaguar Charm.

A couple of the secondary characters stood out for me: Moss, Grace's part wolf companion, and her sister Emma the event planner. Grace and Emma couldn't be more different, but her shrewd insights into humans nicely compliment Grace's more pet-centric mindset.

This is a very enjoyable series debut with an exciting cast of 2-legged and 4-legged characters that I look forward to reading more about as the series progresses.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher with the request for a review.

The Sunday Post #55

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

* Last week I signed up to participate in three exciting upcoming events: Agatha Christie Week hosted by A Prairie Girl Reads, the Ho-Ho-Ho Read-a-thon hosted by the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Bawdy Book Blog, and the 4th Annual Spooktacular Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.

* This week I hope to have news on a little somethin' I've been working on...BIG news. BIG, BIG news. :)

 Last week on Mochas, Mysteries and More:

* Interview with Kaitlyn Dunnett, Author of the Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series

* Review: Cover Story by Erika Chase

* Wordless Wednesday: Tara Tummy

* Buzz Kill Book Tour with Teresa Trent: Character Interview with Betsy Livingston

* Celebrating Senior Pets

* Review: Miss Watson's First Scandal by Heather Boyd
* Black Cat Appreciation Day

Thank you, Berkley Prime Crime/Obsidian!
    

Netgalley:

    

Bought:

        

Black Cat Appreciation Day

August 17th is Black Cat Appreciation Day...a day set aside to raise awareness about the plight of black cats in shelters, the felines that are the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. People need to set aside their misconceptions and realize that these kitties are just as special as any other, and need our love and protection most of all! Check out this fun graphic I found featuring 13 Reasons to Adopt a Black Cat, and if you have time please go back and read Tara's interview with Hamlet from Ali Brandon's wonderful Black Cat Bookshop Mysteries.


(via Pets Unlimited)

Review: Miss Watson's First Scandal by Heather Boyd

Blurb: Overworked London banker David Hawke has two goals for his week in the seaside town of Brighton: one, demand repayment of a debt without losing a valued friendship and two, relax for the remaining holiday without further distractions—except he encounters his friend’s newly confident younger sister. Abigail Watson is flirty, bold, and determined David will agree to her bargain and save her brother from debtor’s prison. But is her game to prevent him from calling in the debt, or are her sweet kisses a sign she after a much greater prize instead?

My Review: I confess that I'm actually not a fan of the Regency period...the emphasis on class structure and social seasons I generally find quite boring. That being said, when the author asked if I'd be interested in reviewing her first Miss Mayhem Novella she drew me in with the promise of a stray puppy and I quickly said yes...I'm easy like that :) I'm so glad I did because it turned out to be a wonderfully light summer read.

Set in the seaside town of Brighton, this novella is the story of a banker, David Hawke, on holiday with plans to foreclose on the property of his next door neighbor and friend Peter who has a gambling addiction. The trouble is Peter's sister, Abigail Watson, has grown into quite the lovely young lady, and she has always had her eye on bachelor David. When she inadvertently learns what David is up to, she comes up with a plan: marry her brother off to a rich woman and attempt to win David for herself without ruining her reputation in the process. She is absolutely fearless and watching the situations Abigail gets herself into is pure delight.

One of my favorite secondary characters is Abigail's best friend Imogen who has quite a secret that I hope is further developed in her own novella one day.

Anyone looking for a fun and flirty historical romance can't go wrong choosing this one for the waning days of summer.

I received a copy of this book from the author with the request for a review.