Book Review: It Takes a Coven (A Witch City Mystery) by Carol J. Perry

There’s a new witch-hunt in Salem, Massachusetts . . .

When Lee Barrett joins a former student’s bridal party as maid of honor, she expects cake tastings and dress fittings. But wedding planning becomes more peculiar than Lee’s scrying talents could ever predict. There’s a magical baker, a best man with a checkered past, and a talking crow named Poe as the ring bearer. There’s also a kindly old man dead under his apple tree—one of a series of unexplained deaths hanging over the Wiccan community . . .

With witches dropping dead before they even come out of the proverbial broom closet, Lee’s best friend, River, fears she might have somehow unleashed a terrible curse on the city. Now, aided by Poe and her clairvoyant cat, Lee sets out to investigate. Are lives being claimed by vengeful supernatural forces—or by something more shocking? She soon discovers, casting light on the wicked truth can be one killer commitment . . .

Lee Barrett is the widow of a NASCAR driver who has made her home in Salem, Massachusetts with her beloved Aunt Ibby and their cat O'Ryan. This sixth book in the series is set against the wedding of two of her former TV production students. Since I'm typically not of fan of wedding-based cozies I worried that I wouldn't love this book as much as the others in the series, but that wasn't the case at all.

As the book begins three witches have recently died - one was over 105 years old, but the other two cause a bit of suspicion and her best friend River fears she's the cause. At the same time thousands of crows have mysteriously descended on Salem, which Lee decides to investigate as part of her summer internship as investigate reporter for WICH-TV. When yet another witch is shot at and Lee starts having her "visions", she can't help but wonder if all the goings-on in Salem are somehow connected. There are loads of twists and turns and while I correctly pinpointed the killer, the simple motive never even crossed my mind. The weapon used (and how the killer came up with the idea) I found to be especially unique and grotesque!

For Salem Witch Trial fanatics like myself, the ghost witch of Bridget Bishop (the first "witch" executed in 1692) is an important factor in this book as she aims to retrieve the book of spells that survived a terrible fire in Aunt Ibby's attic. O'Ryan the cat, the former familiar of a murdered witch, is front and center as he enjoys watching the invading crows. He even makes a new friend in the form of a black cat wearing a red collar. The final paragraph in the book which concludes their story brought a lump to my throat.

The next book in the series is a Christmas story and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Salem is at the top of my bucket list of places to visit and the Witch City mysteries make me feel like I'm already there!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank!

Mudpie's Guilty Face #SundaySelfie

Hmmm...now just what do you think my purrfect little angel could be feeling guilty about?

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Gemstone Gemma #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie!

This week I used the Gem effect in Painnt, not even realizing the significance of my choice until after we downloaded the results. Careful readers of our blog might remember that when I was at the shelter before I met Mommy and became her little Mudpie, my name was Gemma!

Do you ever wonder how shelters choose names for kitties? After all, they have to name so many, and I'm sure they know that most get changed anyways. Mommy liked the name Gemma, but she just didn't think it was right for me. I would have to agree. I was definitely meant to be a Mudpie ;)

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader...

Mommy's answers:

1. Hummus is one of my favorite foods. When I sit down at night to read or watch TV with a bag of tortilla chips and hummus, it takes all my self control to not eat the entire container. I suppose I could be addicted to unhealthier snacks!

2. I have a hard time saying "no" to anything Mudpie wants.

Mudpie's answers:

3. I love to nap on top of a pile of stuffies. Luckily there's no shortage in our house!

4. Being irresistible and adorable is easy for me.

The Purrfect 10: Siamese Cats in Pop Culture

We love reading and researching anything and everything about cats, and wanted to find a fun and unique way to share the interesting facts we learn with you! Since top 10 lists are very popular in the blogosphere, we created The Purrfect 10 as a way to present 10 educational or fascinating tidbits about a wide variety of cat-related topics, everything from health issues to cat breeds to famous felines.

Thanks to their distinctive looks and unique personality, Siamese cats have long been a fixture in popular culture. Since today is National Siamese Cat Day, we're shining a light on some of our favorite meezers in movies and books.

1) Si & Am in Lady & the Tramp: Probably the most famous Siamese cats on the silver screen, the devious duo wrecks havoc throughout Lady's home and then manages to lay the blame completely on her, all the while singing The Siamese Cat Song. (We are Siamese if you pl-ee-ee-se...)

2) DC (Darn Cat) in That Darn Cat!: When the irrepressible and always hungry D.C. (Darn Cat) turns up with a wristwatch for a collar, it becomes a tip-off to an unsolved robbery and kidnapping. The fur flies when an FBI agent who is allergic to cats is assigned the task of following D.C. to uncover the robbers' hideout. Syn the Siamese won a PATSY Award (Picture Animal Top Star of the Year) in 1966 for his role in the film!

3) Tao in The Incredible Journey: Syn was also the feline star of this 1963 film based on the novel The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford, following the adventure of three pets, Luath the Labrador Retriever, Bodger the Bull Terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat (Syn), as they journey through the Canadian wilderness to return to their home.

4) Shun Gon in The Aristocats: A member of Scat Cat's Alley Cats jazz band, Shun Gon plays the piano (sometimes with chopsticks) and a set of drums made mostly from pots and pans.

5) Cameo in The Wizard of Oz: This kitty's scene is brief, but pivotal! Dorothy is finally headed back home via hot air balloon when Toto spots the Siamese cat and chases after her. Dorothy goes after her beloved dog and the balloon takes off without her, leaving her stranded in Oz once again.

6) Koko and Yum Yum in The Cat Who... series: One of the most famous long-running cozy mystery series starring cats (and likely the first, beginning in 1966), The Cat Who... is a series of twenty-nine mystery novels and three related collections by Lilian Jackson Braun, featuring a former crime reporter named Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats, Kao K'o-Kung (Koko for short) and Yum Yum. Koko has a “sixth sense,” which enables him to assist Qwill in solving mysteries.

7) Pyewacket in Bell, Book & Candle: This Siamese is a central character (and scene stealer) in the movie, as he is the feline familiar of Gillian the witch. The cat's real name is unknown, but he won a PATSY award in 1959, and reportedly stole the heart of actress Kim Novak, going home with her upon completion of the picture.

8) Bucky in Get Fuzzy: It's impossible not to fall in love with the cynical Siamese star of Darby Conley's Get Fuzzy who shares an apartment in Boston with a dog named Satchel and their owner, Rob. Ears flat on his head and missing an upper canine tooth, Bucky lives in a dresser in the hall closet of Rob's apartment because he refuses to share a room with Satchel and rides around town in a strap-on "Bundle-O-Joy" baby carrier. He gets his kicks from insulting Satchel (even though these insults typically go over the poor pup's head), but we also get to see his soft side when it comes to his beloved teddy bear Smacky.

9) Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat: How did Siamese cats get their unique coloring? In this magical fable by Amy Tan a Siamese cat tells her children about their "great ancestor, Sagwa of China," a mischievous, pearl-white kitten who lived with her parents in the house of a greedy, autocratic magistrate. Her penchant for trouble lands her in a pot of ink, which stains her paws, nose, ears, and tail. The accident starts a chain of events that leads to the magistrate's tearful reformation, as well as to generations of cats that look Siamese but are actually Chinese. The book went on to be the basis of an animated television series, 40 episodes about a royal family of cats who have the ability to write with their tails.

10) Skippyjon Jones: Created by author and illustrator Judy Schachner, this beloved character is known as one of the most famous Siamese cats in children's literature. Now the star of a series of books, Skippyjon's story begins when his mother sends him to his room to think about what it means to be a Siamese because he's acting like anything but a cat. While jumping on the bed he looks in the mirror and imagines himself as a chihuahua, then steps into the closet which sends him on a series of adventures.

Do you have a favorite Siamese in pop culture? 

Have we missed any?

Tell us in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links.

The Toy That Slithered Into Mudpie's Heart

Meows from Mudpie!

Yesterday we told you about the goodies inside our March CatLadyBox and we promised you some video of me playing with the catnip snake that stole my heart.

This first video was taken right after we opened the box. I hopped in, picked up the snake, and just started licking and biting it. I still do that every day, and Mommy says I'm going to lick a bald spot on him!

Mudpie can't get enough of the #catnip snake from her new @catladybox 😻#mudpiethetortie #mochasmysteriesmeows #catladybox #tortiesofinstagram #fridaynightboxpawty

A post shared by Melissa & Mudpie (@mochasmysteriesmeows) on Mar 2, 2018 at 12:20pm PST

This second video was taken one night while I was napping in my KatKabin. Mommy started to dangle it outside the door and I just had to start grabbing for it. What do you think of the paw action?

When you wanna take a nap in your @katkabin but you kinda wanna play too 😹#mudpiethetortie #mochasmysteriesmeows #catblogger #tortiesofinstagram #rescuedcatsofinstagram #tortiedust #catladybox @catladybox

A post shared by Melissa & Mudpie (@mochasmysteriesmeows) on Mar 7, 2018 at 3:13pm PST

We've seen other kitties on Instagram playing with their snake and noticed that it came in various colors. I love that I got the green snake because my Gotcha Day is in August, and the color resembles the peridot, August's birthstone.

Would your kitty like a catnip snake of their very own? There are still some available in the CatLadyBox shop!

Unboxing March's CatLadyBox

The theme of March's CatLadyBox was "Hello Spring!"...this is what was inside!

Featured Cat Lady Artist: "Cat Holding Flowers" by Sonja Kemp

Cat Wall Hook Set: Keys, purses, jewelry...the possibilities of things to hang with these cute hooks are endless! I love that they're designed with the Pantone Spring 2018 colors...so chic!

"Live Your Most Purrfect Life" Shirt: I'm crazy about the colors on this shirt, and as for the quote...any life is purrfect when it's shared with cats!

Cat Kitchen Sponge Set: These are so cute I just can't bear to use them. 

Cat Strand Bracelet: A simple, everyday way to show your cat love. And it's purple!

Sunny Snail Catnip Toy: Our snail is missing! Mudpie may know where she stashed him...but her lips are sealed!

Colorful Catnip Snake: Mudpie is completely nuts over this snake, and has been ever since she pulled it out of the box. Tomorrow we'll be sharing a couple videos of her with her "snakey"!

Not a subscriber yet? Visit CatLadyBox today!

Interested in purchasing individual items from past boxes? You can do that too!

Disclosure: I receive a discount on my CatLadyBox subscription as a thank you for my monthly review. Regardless of compensation received, we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.

Tortie Shorties Book Reviews: The Gift Edition

Meows from Mudpie!

Easter is now in our rear view mirror and Mother's Day is a short 6 weeks ago! Today we're reviewing 3 books that we think would make pawsome gifts for the special cat mom in your life.

We hope you enjoy our choices!

The Cats of Butterwick Sands by Gabriella Thomas

From the publisher: The Cats of the Butterwick Sands is a children’s book following the various adventures of cats in a small run down seaside town called Butterwick Sands, a place that has seen better days; the hero being one special cat named Percy. He is a very clever and dignified cat and he is at the centre of all the adventures, stories and intrigues that the cats and other animals have. The other cats within the book are strays from across England and beyond – they come together to restore the funfair and caravan park, breathing life back into Butterwick and thus ensuring its survival.

Tortie Shorties Review: Whether you're 9 or 90, Butterwick Sands is a place no animal lover will ever want to leave. The town's story is told in a series of vignettes from the viewpoint of some of the more prominent feline citizens, all strays from around the UK who have sought refuge at the former fairgrounds. My favorite characters include the lovely Lala, tossed out of her mansion after her owner passed away and finds love with Milo, Hamish the Scottish Fold who lives at the fish and chips shop, ancient Hester from the general store, who spends her time napping on a top shelf at the store and no one can understand how she gets up and down, and Fergus who lives in a caravan with Old Mags. I also really liked Mr. Peabody, sort of a Scrooge-like character who intensely dislikes cats until they save his life one snowy night when he falls and injures himself. The illustrations depicting various scenes are darling and the cat characters are each written with unique personalities that will remind you of the cats in your own life. My hope is that this is just the first in a series because these cats have so many more stories to tell!

I'm Not Sorry: Poems by Cats by Rosa Silva

From the publisher: These cats have destroyed curtains, scratched couches, bitten hands, shredded toilet paper… and they are not sorry. Now they decided to celebrate their achievements in these insightful and funny poems written by themselves. With titles like “It’s 6 a.m., time to wake up”, “I hate the vet”, “Oops, I did it again”, “Let me in”, and “Red dot, red dot”, this collection of laugh-out-loud poems offers a cat's view on common wacky and exasperating feline behavior. It’s the perfect gift for crazy cat lovers who appreciate hilarious insights into the feline nature.

Tortie Shorties Review: It goes without saying that every cat parent reading this poetry collection is going to see their precious little fur balls between the pages. Rosa Silva, the voice behind the Cat Lady Confidential blog, knows cats and this humorous look at their antics written by the kitties themselves as they delight in their mischief, is sure to put a smile on the face of every cat lover. My favorite has to be the very last poem in the book as a cat celebrates doing his business by running and jumping around. Mudpie herself could have written that one because she always has the zoomies before and after going potty! Fantastically funny and insightful.

How to Think Like a Cat by Stephane Garnier

From the publisher: A fun present for cat lovers everywhere: a light-hearted self-help guide to help you live more like your cat LET YOUR CAT BE YOUR LIFE COACH. Do cats worry about their pension? Nope. Do cats take on work they don't want to do? As if! Do cats rush around hectically when they'd rather be licking their paws and looking out of the window? Please. Cats are free. They are calm, observant, wise, elegant, charismatic and proud. In fact, cats have found nothing less than the secret of how we should all live, whatever species we are! And in this book, Stéphane Garnier will show you what he's learned over fifteen years of closely observing his cat, and teach you all the ways in which you too can apply the secrets of cats to your own life - at work, at home and with your friends. Unplug your laptop. Throw away your alarm clock. It's time to live like your cat!

Tortie Shorties Review: How many times have you been headed out the door to work, a social function, or some random errand, only to look back at your cat sleeping on the bed, not a care in the world, and felt a twinge of jealousy at their carefree lives? This clever little book teaches us that we have the power to make positive changes in our lives that will allow us to live more like our feline friends. There's nothing wrong with putting your own health and happiness first - cutting off toxic people, saying "no" to the constant demands on your time, getting extra sleep when you need it, rejecting the daily rat race. I loved the Cat Secrets sections written by the author's cat Ziggy, and Your Cat's Day presented in diary format. Self-help with a feline twist...you can't go wrong with that!

Disclaimer: I received free copies of these books from the authors and publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review. As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank!