Book Review/Give-Away: Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts by Janet DeLee

Throughout the month of January, I will be featuring a few books that for a myriad of reasons, I didn't have time to review by the end of 2015. Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts by Janet DeLee is one of them.

Also, while there are two cats, (Minnie and Sally),  who make an appearance in the book, they are not core characters. Normally I wouldn't agree to review a book on this blog where a cat (or cats), aren't the main characters, but in this case, I made an exception because the subject matter greatly interested me. I am GLAD that I made an exception because I thoroughly enjoyed this book!


  As luck would have it, the times I had to change the date of the review turned out to be beneficial, because this delightful and and engrossing mystery  that has a clear message that with planning and faith and by taking action, what you hope to attain in your life CAN come to fruition, turned out to be perfectly suited for ringing in the New Year. It also was perfectly suited for ME, and may prove to be the kick in the butt that I need to make some much-needed changes in 2016!

ABOUT TAKING LEAPS AND FINDING GHOSTS by Janet DeLee:

Dreams aren’t just for the young, and baby boomer Ginny Lawther

is happy to prove that she can still brave a leap of faith…she just

needs a little prodding from like-minded individuals. Step one: place

an ad in the local newspaper inviting other dreamers to form an

Ideal Life Club. Step two: see if anyone shows up.

When Ginny meets four hopeful strangers at the first club meeting,

she thinks they’re off to a great start. Now it's only a matter of time

before the sixty-something widow Hilda, turns her crafting into a

full-time career; the twenty-something Jerry becomes a professional

musician; and the thirty-something housewife Lydia publishes her

cookbook. That is, until the rugged divorcée, Lee, sets a goal to solve

his ghost problem—and upends all their lives!

Suddenly the support group isn’t just trying to navigate the ups and

downs of pursuing their dreams; they’re also wrestling with a strange

cast of spirits who keep interrupting their endeavors. What do these

apparitions want? And why have they latched on to the Ideal Lifers?

 Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts is a part of a new genre, (Ghost Mysteries),  that I normally would never think I would enjoy reading, but I found it to be a thoroughly engrossing read. Just as can be found in traditional mysteries there are "clues and red herrings", but unlike traditional mysteries, the perpetrator in Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts is NOT a murderer, but instead is a GHOST!

 I found the idea of the "Ideal Lifers" club to be innovative and brilliant, so much so that I am thinking of applying what I have learned from reading this book  to my OWN life and I would LOVE to be a member of a group such as this!

Each of the members of the "Ideal Lifers" club  are believable and easy to relate to. I loved that they were all at different stages of their lives, which makes this book perfect for those who are young (20s) and those who are more "seasoned", like me!

 "Hair-raising, hilarious, inspiring and always surprising, Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts by Janet DeLee follows the visionary quintet as they struggle to maintain their resolve, support one another, and solve the mystery behind these strange specters before they derail the group's efforts.

But can their hopes and dreams possibly survive all the unexpected challenges they will face?"

You will have to read it to find out!

Available on Amazon

Author Janet DeLee

About The Author:

"Janet DeLee is a self-appointed, self-actualization guinea pig who firmly believes in leaps of faith and is committed to creating an ideal life for herself.

The Texas author, who lives in the Dallas area, was inspired to write ghost stories after experiencing unsettling events during stays at several bed-and-breakfasts, as well as an old New Orleans hotel.

In addition to having a hint of mystery, DeLee’s novels also tend to follow characters struggling to pursue their dreams."
http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Leaps-Finding-Ghosts-Novel/dp/1511656220/

DeLee's first book titled, "Creating an Ideal Life"
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Ideal-Life-Janet-DeLee/dp/1452570183/

 Author Janet DeLee is generously offering a give-away to my readers!!! ONE winner located anywhere in the world will win a kindle copy of Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts and ONE winner located in the U.S. will win a signed paper-back copy (An approximate $14 value)!  Entering is easy! Simply enter on the rafflecopter below! Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review/give-away. I was sent a copy of Taking Leaps and Finding Ghosts by Janet DeLee in exchange for my always honest review.

Book Review/Give-Away:" Plan Bea" by Hilary Grossman

Back in October we celebrated the release of the latest book by author Hilary Grossman:

At that time I hadn't read Plan Bea but after having read and reviewed Hilary's first book, (Dangled Carat), I was full of anticipation about Plan Bea. Let's suffice it to say that at that time I had NO IDEA just how crazy I would be about this book! 

I contacted Hilary on Facebook when I just had a few pages left to read, because I could hardly contain my excitement/delight with this book, here is my EXACT message:

OMG I am almost done...just a few more pages...I know the two concepts are totally different (the first book and the second), I loved them both, BUT...I am INSANELY in love with this one! OMG!!! I could NOT put it down!!!!! I read it the past two nights and just have a few more pages to go. I LOVE IT!! You are soooooooo talented! heart emoticon heart emoticon heart emoticon

It is rare for me to write to an author when I have finished a book to tell them how much I loved it, but with Plan Bea, I felt a huge compulsion to do so!


ABOUT PLAN BEA: FROM AMAZON:

Could falling in love allow a cold, stubborn, and selfish woman to open her heart back up to her family? 

Beatrice Buchanan has spent more years than she can remember distancing herself from everyone close to her. She has no relationship with her grandchildren and the only time she speaks to her daughter is during her weekly fifteen-minute commute to the nail salon. When Bea meets Walter on a cruise she realizes there may be more to life than designer clothes and impressing the ladies at her country club. 

We live our entire lives thinking we know those closest to us. But do we ever really? 

On the outside, Annabel O'Conner has it all - the perfect husband, two adorable children, and an amazing job. The only thing missing is her mother's love. When Bea begs her daughter to help plan her wedding, Annabel reluctantly agrees. Little does she know the impact of her decision or the surprise that is in store for her! 

This emotional and honest women's contemporary fiction novel will tug at your heartstrings and the twist ending will shock you. 

When I first agreed to review Plan Bea, I must confess my first thought was "oh great. I have virtually no relationship with my mother and I have to review a book about mother/daughter relationships. How will I ever pull this one off?"

You know the saying "art imitates life?" well, in reference to Plan Bea (except for the fact that my mother never frequented country clubs), it couldn't be more true. I spent my entire life from childhood until a few weeks ago, feeling as if I was not ever loved by my mother.

Let's just suffice it to say that my relationship with my mother, (for me AND my siblings), has been "challenging" to put it mildly. There have been multiple estrangements. Just before I was scheduled to read and review Plan Bea my mother reached out to me, (something she has NEVER, EVER done), and we have since been working on our relationship and things are going quite well.

When I sat down to begin reading Plan Bea I found myself saying "Oh My God" multiple times throughout this book, because there are  so many things about Beatrice Buchanan, that are like my mother.

The feelings that Annabel has about her mother that Hilary conveyed brilliantly, rang true with me, and will resonate with many who have a  mother/daughter relationship that is less than stellar.

Hilary Grossman has a keen understanding of people and what makes them tick. She has a particularly good take on women. Her attention to detail in both the conversations that the characters have, and their nuances is superb. Even simple descriptions like someone twirling their hair around their finger while they are thinking, or clutching a pillow and blankets to their chest, or the annoyance that Annabel feels when she speaks to her mother,  are described in such a way that makes her characters leap from the pages, full of life. The characters that Hilary has so skillfully crafted are believable. They seem so real, so honest, so approachable. They are all characters that we can relate to. It doesn't surprise me, because  Hilary is as honest, real and approachable as the characters she has painstakingly created. Hilary is one of maybe a handful of authors that I actually know, but had never had the honor of meeting in person, until I met her a few weeks ago. She is even more delightful in person than I imagined her as being.


The "Twist":
Let me tell you, I NEVER saw it coming!! I pride myself on being one of those annoying readers who THINKS they can predict an ending to a book (and is often correct). In reference to Plan Bea? I had NO CLUE. Let's just say that the title Plan B is a BRILLIANTLY CLEVER play on words!


There Are Lessons To Be Learned:
When you read Plan Bea.
I learned about myself AND my mother. Sometimes we are so wrapped-up and immersed in our OWN "reality", that we have no idea as to what is truly REAL.  How those we may find it difficult to love often need the most love, how people have reasons for things that they have done. How our parents are flawed, as we are.

When I read Plan Bea I laughed, I cried, I was angry, I looked closer into myself and my relationship with my own mother, I ran the gamut of emotions. I did NOT want to put this book down, and I have a feeling that even if your own relationship with your mother is "perfect" (Newsflash, NO mother/daughter relationship is!!), you will be as immersed and in love with Plan Bea as I was.

TO PURCHASE:

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble 
Goodreads 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hilary Grossman loves to find humor in everyday life. She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep as many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. When she isn't writing, blogging, or shoe shopping she is the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer. She lives on the beach in Long Island. 

FOLLOW HILARY!!!

Facebook

Twitter

 Instagram


ENTER TO WIN!!! Hilary has generously offered ONE OF OUR READERS WHO IS 18 AND OVER AND WHO RESIDES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD the chance to win Plan Bea in ebook format. Entering is easy, simply enter on the rafflecopter below. Good luck!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway







In full disclosure:I was not compensated for sharing this info. I received a copy of the manuscript for Plan Bea in exchange for my always honest review. I normally ONLY review books on this blog that feature cats and that still holds true. Hilary Grossman is also a blogger who has a CAT. The fact that I am blessed to know Hilary had no influence on my opinion of Plan Bea whatsoever. 

Book Review/Give-Away: CATS ON THE JOB By Lisa Rogak

50 Fabulous Felines who Purr, Mouse, and Even

Sing for Their Supper

Hi every furry! It's Cody and today I decided to steal this book from Mom, help Mom with this review, because I needed to get this book away from her before she gets any ideas love this book!

Well, MOM is the one who LOVES this book, I don't understand why Mom agreed to review it. After all, I am a kitty with a job. I BLOG, isn't that a job? What does Mom need with a book that features 50 other kitties that have jobs? Isn't MY job good enough? From how Mom was smiling when she read this book, apparently, I need to send out my resume and find new work!

FROM LISA ROGAK:
"It's impossible to force a cat to do anything; an old saying is that you have to make the cat think it's his own idea, whereas a dog is typically so eager to please that he'll do your bidding regardless of the task. Simply put, cats are more discriminating about where they choose to spend their energies." 


FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Around the world, there are cats earning their keep. Some are mousers, like Princess, a black cat who works at Mill Ridge Farm’s stables. Some are circus performers, like Tuna and her furry friends in The Amazing Acro-Cats. And some are even politicians, like Mayor Stubbs, an orange tabby who holds office in Talkeetna, Alaska."

"In Lisa Rogak’s Cats on the Job, we meet these and other whiskered workers who keep their human colleagues company from 9 to 5-with the occasional break for a nap or a belly rub-and make every day at the office better."

While Mom and I were familiar with a number of kitties featured in this book, (we get around ya know!), there were a number of cats we were not familiar with that had an impact on us, and it is some of those kitties that we want to share with you today!

Crossing Guard Cat Sable
Photo: Monti Franckowiak

Crossing Guard Cat- a black cat named Sable was a crossing guard cat and took his duties protecting children coming to and fro from school quite seriously! "Safety patrol students regarded Sable as part of the team, and unlike some of his two-legged coworkers, he always showed up on time for his job."

Diabetic Alert Cat
Photo: Lauren Campbell/Caters News Agency

Diabetic Alert Cat-Pippa who was able to detect when Mia's blood sugar dropped to dangerous levels and alerted Mia's parents.(More than once!!)

Writer's Muse Cat
Photo: Eleanor Garvey

Writer's Muse Cat-"Writers and cats have long been associated with each other, serving as companion and inspiration. Writers both famous and obscure have worked with cats on their shoulders and laps." (Just like my blogging pals!)

Computer Ketzel
Photo: Sivan Cotel

Composer Cat-Ketzel which Mom featured on the blog a few days ago.

Roommate 2
Photo: Tokyo Cat Guardian

MY FAVORITE STORY OF ALL:

Roommate Cat-"Japanese culture highly reveres cats, but many landlords prohibit renters from keeping a cat on the premises, which means that many cats languish in shelters and are left without a job to do. Tokyo Cat Guardian is a Japanese rescue group that's addressing both problems by contracting a number of its feline residents out to live as roommates in apartments throughout the city. In other words, rent an apartment and automatically get a cat as a roommate! The plan accomplishes two objectives:It helps landlords to rent their apartments faster, and tenants don't have to buy anything special for their new feline roommate, since everything is already included." Mom and I particularly LOVE this idea!

"Existing apartments are renovated to make them more habitable for the feline roommate, adding elevated catwalks and built-in cat trees and towers."

"If the human roommate decides to leave the apartment at the end of the lease, she or he has the option of leaving the feline roommate behind in the apartment or adopting and bringing him along to a new residence, in which case, another cat from Tokyo Cat Guardian moves in to take on the job of roommate."

How brilliant is THAT?

If you loved the above examples of kitties that are featured in Cats on the Job you will LOVE this book as Mom and I did! Simply put, Cats on the Job,  is PURRFECT! From the photographs, to the compilation of cats with jobs that are entertaining, informative and in many cases, touching, this is a book you will want to keep out on the coffee table to read whenever you want a smile! It's also a stupendous book to purchase for your cat loving friends!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Rogak is author of The Dogs of War, Dogs of Courage, One Big Happy Family, and the New York Times bestselling Angry Optimist:The Life and Times of Jon Stewart, and is editor of the New York Times bestselling Barack Obama in His Own Words. She lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

TO PURCHASE:

7.52 x 9.07 inches, 208 pages

Includes 115 color photographs throughout

ISBN:9781250072375

Ebook ISBN: 9781466883994

AVAILABLE ON:

Overstock

Walmart

Powells

BooksaMillion

IndieBound

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

ENTER TO WIN!!!! Lisa has generously offered a give-away to my readers who are 18 and over and who reside in the U.S. TWO lucky people (or kitties!) will each win a copy! (An approx. $17 value) Winning is easy! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below! GOOD LUCK!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review/give-away (not even with kibble!) Mom was sent a copy of Cats on the Job (which I stole), in exchange for my ALWAYS honest review!

CATIFY TO SATISFY: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home by Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin, Enter to Win!

"Design Your Way to Feline Bliss!!"

FROM THE PUBLISHER:Animal Planet host JACKSON GALAXY, and cat design wizard KATE BENJAMIN, of Hauspanther.com, , with their #1 New York Times bestseller Catification, showed cat lovers across the nation that it's possible to create cat-friendly but also chic homes! The DIY projects and design ideas from the book inspired a community-what Galaxy and Benjamin have dubbed the Catification Nation.

Ideas and inspiration

for creating

the ultimate

cat-centric pad!!

Now, melding the inspired ideas from that community together with Galaxy and Benjamin's expertise CATIFY TO SATISFY:Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home (Tarcher Perigee paperback; on sale Nov 17, 2015) offers 20+ new projects and more design tricks to help cat guardians address everyday cat care issues.  Whether you have a feline friend who likes to pee everywhere BUT his litter box, a cat who wants to cocoon in the most inconvenient places, or you just want to create an attractive as well as safe outdoor space for your kitty, CATIFY TO SATISFY walks you through the basics with gorgeous full-color photographs, how-tos from Benjamin and the Catification Nation, and insights from Galaxy on decoding your furry friends!

FROM JACKSON GALAXY AND KATE BENJAMIN: One thing that makes us giddy is seeing projects that were directly inspired by ideas in the first book, which you'll find throughout the chapters. 

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: My initial impression of Catify to Satisfy is that I am LOVING that there is a heavy focus on cat behavior, the "whys" behind what cats do.  "Jackson takes you deeper into the world of thinking, feeling and living like a cat, more than ever before." These tips are in the "Jackson Talks About" sections found in each chapter.

Also in each chapter you will find "Kate's Pro Tips"  that will help you as you start planning your projects, "as well as tips and tricks from cat guardians whose Catification trials, errors and ultimate successes can help get you to the feline promised land with less frustration."

Excerpted from CATIFY TO SATISFY: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly

Home by Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin, with the permission of Tarcher

Perigee/Penguin, a division of Penguin Random House. Copyright Jackson Galaxy

and Kate Benjamin © 2015. Photo credit (Jeff Newton)

For Peter Cohen in the photo above, "animals are family."  In 1995, when he first started catifying his home in Goleta, California, he never imagined that twenty years later he'd still be adding catwalks and passageways-and more cats."

FROM CHAPTER 4:CAT SUPERHIGHWAYS:

NAVIGATING THE VERTICAL WORLD

Excerpted from CATIFY TO SATISFY: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly

Home by Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin, with the permission of Tarcher

Perigee/Penguin, a division of Penguin Random House. Copyright Jackson Galaxy

and Kate Benjamin © 2015. Photo credit (Maggie Swanson)

FROM CHAPTER TWO:SCRATCHING SOLUTIONS

Excerpted from CATIFY TO SATISFY: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly

Home by Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin, with the permission of Tarcher

Perigee/Penguin, a division of Penguin Random House. Copyright Jackson Galaxy

and Kate Benjamin © 2015. Photo credit (Lisanne Bouwman)

This Chapter focuses on topics such as:

• The mark of ownership
• Why Does My Cat Scratch on the Sofa?
• Scratching and YOUR Cat
• Materials for Cat Scratchers
• The Angle YOUR Cat prefers to scratch
• Step-by-step instructions on how to make your own Scratchers

There is even a chapter titled "Let's talk about litter boxes" and in this chapter you will find info such as where to put the litterbox, how many boxes you should have, types of litter boxes and I was thrilled to read that like me, Jackson DOES NOT LIKE AUTOMATIC SELF-CLEANING LITTER BOXES. Why? because "monitoring your cat's waste is a crucial part of parenting." You will not be alerted to a possible health problem with an automatic self-cleaning box. I agree with Jackson when he says "on a more personal, pet peeve level-I don't like them because they are just a symbol of lazy guardianship. Spend a few minutes a day and SCOOP THE BOX."

Kate's Pro Tip in this chapter :Easy Litter Catcher----she suggests using perforated decking tiles that can be bought from flooring supply stores or online, and they come in a wide variety of colors. All you have to do is vacuum up the litter that falls under the tiles, and if necessary wash in the sink or with a hose. Brilliant!!

Catify to Satisfy is Superb!!!

I didn't think it would be possible but Catify To Satisfy has surpassed by leaps and cat superhighways the first book, Catification. Catify to Satisfy has information that is beneficial to every type of cat owner from the owner who just acquired his/her first cat, to the life-long cat owner who has had multiple cats for years. It is 240-something pages long and is printed on high quality paper. It is just gorgeous!

The photos are incredible, there is so much information that I must sit down and read it again and again. It is the kind of resource that won't be left on a shelf collecting dust, this should be kept out so that you can make periodic checks of your environment and make adjustments when necessary/needed or just to be creative!

IMPORTANT!  Cody and I want to make sure everyone knows that they need BOTH books!

The second book doesn't replace the first. All of the important concepts are introduced in the first book, and then are expanded and built upon in the second!! Think of it as your own "Catification" resource center!! Right at the tip of your paws!!

FROM JACKSON AND KATE: We've been honored to help guide you deeper into your home to uncover the treasures that were waiting for both you and your cats. Keep checking back at www.catificationnation.com for what comes next. As for the larger world of cats, and making that world better for all of them, go to www.jacksongalaxyfoundation.org. Compassion begins at home; it should never end there. 

Until we catify again, here's to you and your cats!

Jackson and Kate

THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!!!!

Catify to Satisfy would make the purrfect gift for your cat loving friends and family who are looking to design their way to feline bliss!! "Catify to Satisfy shows how a little creativity can go a long way in keeping your home stylish and your cats happy and healthy!!"

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jackson Galaxy is a cat behaviorist and the host of Animal Planet's hit show My Cat from Hell. He is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Catification, and another of Jackson's books that we had the honor of reviewing: Cat Daddy:What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean.

Recently, Jackson established The Jackson Galaxy Foundation. The Foundation focuses on programs that drive innovation in care and housing of sheltered animals, promotes improved shelter design and construction, and provides "Elevation through Education"-increased knowledge that inspires and empowers animal advocates to effect real change and raise the status of rescued animals.

Kate Benjamin is the founder of the popular cat design website Hauspanther.com and the co-author of Catification. She makes frequent guest appearances on My Cat from Hell, helping Jackson Galaxy create stylish cat-friendly environments.

GIVE-AWAY!!! The publisher has generously agreed to a give-away!! If you are 18 and over and reside in the U.S., you can enter to win a copy of Catify to Satisfy:Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home by Jackson Galaxy and Kate Benjamin. (A $21,95 value!!) THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS! Entering is easy, simply enter on the rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not compensated for this review/give-away. I was sent a copy of Catify to Satisfy in exchange for my always honest review. I have also admired many of my blogging friends who weren't tongue-tied like me, when presented with a chance to interview Jackson Galaxy. I was afforded that chance a few years ago, along with a number of other bloggers. I am the ONLY one who didn't grab the opportunity because to me, Jackson has "rock star status", and for once, I was actually too shy! I HAVE had the pleasure numerous times of being in the company of the fabulous Kate Benjamin whom I also hold in high esteem. I consider Kate to be a friend, and her support of me numerous times in my blogging career has touched me more than she will ever know.

New Book Release, Sale & Give-Away!! Plan Bea by Hilary Grossman

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: I am winging my way to Austin, Texas, (read Dakota's blog for the details!Dad will be here with the "boys"), but I didn't want to leave without sharing with you that Plan Bea has been released and in honor of this momentous occasion, there is a NEW RELASE SALE AND GIVE-AWAY!  LOOK FOR OUR REVIEW OF PLAN BEA ON MONDAY,  NOVEMBER 30TH, but you can take part in the give-away and sale NOW!!!

ABOUT PLAN BEA:

How well do you really know the people in your life?  

Annabel O’Conner has the perfect husband, two adorable children, an amazing job, and the mother from hell! Annabel doesn’t like it but has come to terms with the fact that her relationship with her mother, Bea, deteriorated to the point of forced and strained communications. However, an unscheduled call from Bea turns her world around and makes Annabel question everything she believed about her life. 

Despite the fact secrets, lies, and misplaced blame have destroyed the women’s relationship; Annabel reluctantly agrees to help Bea plan her wedding. Little does Annabel know the impact of her decision. 

In this Women’s Contemporary Fiction novel, Hilary Grossman explores the complex relationship that exists between mothers and daughters in a light-hearted and relatable manner.

TO PURCHASE:

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble 

Goodreads 

BONUS OFFER!!!

DANGLED CARAT 
is on sale!
HURRY! Sale is now and ends SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FOR ONLY $0.99 ON KINDLE (U.S. ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hilary Grossman loves to find humor in everyday life. She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep as many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. When she isn't writing, blogging, or shoe shopping she is the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer. She lives on the beach in Long Island. 

FOLLOW HILARY!!!

Facebook

Twitter

 Instagram


We were not compensated for sharing this info. We will be happily reading and reviewing Plan Bea in exchange for our always honest review.

Book Feature/Give-Away: MEN & CATS by Marie-Eva Gatuingt and Alice Chaygneaud

Don't like Mondays? It's Cody at the keyboard today,  and if you LOVE CATS and LOVE MEN,  (or if you know someone who does!), gather 'round the computer (oh and bring a towel with you, that is MOM'S suggestion, NOT MINE), you will LOVE Mondays now. Mom was going to present this book to you, but she pretty much became indisposed after seeing some of these incredibly sexy shots. So, after I stepped over her when she fainted on the floor, I put paws to the keyboard and decided that TODAY, I proudly, (or if Mom were presenting this, she would be LUSTFULLY presenting to you):

When Mom received her copy of Men & Cats she said that THIS is what popped into her mind. (Our   apologies to Geri Halliwell for mixing up her lyrics)

It's raining men

Hallelujah

It's raining men

Amen

It's raining men

Hallelujah

It's raining men

Every specimen

Tall, blonde, dark and lean

Rough and tough and strong and mean

To those of you who aren't familiar with this book,  the cover doesn't even begin to do the book justice! On each and every page of Men & Cats by Marie-Eva Gatuingt and Alice Chaygneaud you will find photos of some of your favorite things, Men & Cats! 

Based on the chic French Tumblr Des Hommes et des Chatons,  Men & Cats presents an original collection of 50 pairs of sexy men and ADORABLE cats!

Each clever match-up shows a heartthrob posing alongside a cat in a similar pose with a similar expression.

Two of Mom's favorites are shown above, and another of her favorites includes, um...forget that....when I opened the book to tell you, and saw one of Mom's all time faves, I decided I better keep that to myself and let you see for yourself! After all I am ONLY 8 yrs old!!!

Just believe me when I tell you that for each and every sexy pose and scenario of male eye-candy that graces the pages of this book, there is an equally sexy feline, in the exact same pose or with the exact facial expression to correspond with the accompanying photo. PURR GENIUS.........

A guy in a hat? There is a cat with a hat. Fancy a guy showing you his bedroom eyes? There is a cat doing the same. Like sexy guys in sexy cars? There is a cat in an equally sexy car. If there were a cat in the book that looked like ME doing THIS......

There would be an equally (or close to it, no human guy is as sexy as me), sexy guy in the exact same pose, (but he wouldn't be laying on a cat tree...or then again maybe he would)......but I digress...........you get the idea!

Men & Cats will remind you that your favorite things are even better when paired together

Available from Perigee, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

$15,00

978-0-399-17585-5

GIVE-AWAY:cause we like to spread the lust around, (yeah, we're nice like that), TWO LUCKY HUMANS who reside in the U.S. will each receive their own copy of Men & Cats to satisfy whatever it is that they might happen to be craving. Entering is easy! Just enter on the rafflecopter below. There is only ONE entry requirement, but it is MANDATORY! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In full disclosure: Mom and I received no compensation for this review/give-away. All Mom received was the book and the suggestion that she take a cold shower or corner Dad or something like that, but I didn't understand any of what they were telling her. What the heck do you expect from ME? I'm a CAT! 

Cat Lady, A Narrative Poem Book Dedicated to the Feral Cats of Rome by Author/Poet Mary M. Schmidt --Give-Away!

Cat Lady is a narrative poem about the pines, fountains and stray cats of Rome.

ABOUT CAT LADY:To the average tourist in Rome, Maria may be just an old lady, (gattara), who feeds the city's stray cats and thinks that she can talk to them, yet things are rarely as they seem. Her powers are incredible! She CAN talk to cats! And they talk back!! (It helps that the cats are enchanted too!),  and to those who truly love, and seek her assistance, the impossible is only an illusion.

A few will snort and call her geezer;

Friend, they say, to Julius Caesar.

Others turn way and mutter

"Strega," cross themselves and sputter.

Old Maria's heard it all,

Can't hear, or care, what names they call.

She has her work to do, and that's 

To feed the city's feral cats.

Cat Lady by Mary M. Schmidt Author/Poet, is dedicated to the feral cats of Rome and Friends of Roman Cats.

"Your family is a splendid scene,"

Maria tells the feline queen,

"How goes it on this day for you?"

Queen Bast then sighed, "If you but knew!

I feel as if I could just drop!

These kittens here? They never stop!

The Coliseum, in it's day, 

Did never see such a display!

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They have no concept of decorum, 

Running wild all through the Forum,

Through the Senate! Round the column!

Thanks to them, there's nothing solemn,

Earth the noble Caesars trod,

Is now home to a kitten squad!

They even pounce, with rapid spurts, 

Those tourists, in Hawaiian shirts!

A "PURR" Delight! The story is told in 44 pages and each page of the story is a poem consisting of eight lines. The cadence flows beautifully  and the sentiment will be deeply appreciated by those who dedicate their lives to helping feral cats. That being said, it is a narrative poem for ALL cat lovers. I hadn't known about the feral cat population in Rome prior to reading Mary's book and I thank her for the beautiful way she has honored  them. 

About the Author: Mary M. Schmidt was a student in Rome during the 60s and came to know of the many feral cat colonies in the Eternal City. She is an author of prose, poetry, and was a member of Poets Against the Iraq War. She currently lives outside of Washington DC with her cat, Graycie.

ISBN-13:

9781483436104

Publisher:

LuluPublishing Services

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

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GIVE-AWAY:TWO OF OUR READERS located anywhere in the world will each win a copy of Cat Lady by Mary M. Schmidt. (An approx $10 value). The give-away is open now and will end at 5pm EST on Thursday, October 1st. Winners will be announced on or around Saturday, October 3rd. 

TO ENTER:Just leave a comment stating that you would like to be entered to win a copy.

 Good luck!

In full disclosure:I was not compensated for this review/give-away. I was sent a copy of Cat Lady in exchange for my honest review.