Children's Book Review - The Tales of Sidney and JoJo: Adventures in Thailand by Lauren Isaacson; illustrated by Megan Heller

The Tales of Sidney and JoJo: Adventures in Thailand by Lauren Isaacson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Colorful, informative, and entertaining about two cats and their journey to their new home in Thailand.

The Tales of Sidney and Jojo: Adventures in Thailand is a colorful, informative, and very entertaining new children’s picture book by author Lauren Isaacson. It is the story of two cats, Sidney and JoJo, and their long journey overseas by air to Thailand to reunite with their owner, whom they call “Mama.”

Sidney, a black and white tuxedo cat, and JoJo, a brown and gray tabby, are at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house when they are crated and begin their adventure. Although the exact location of their starting point is left unsaid, the journey the two felines embark on is one of many long hours in the air, with a layover where they are let out of their crate to exercise, eat, and drink. Sidney is the bolder of the two, and JoJo relies heavily on her for comfort. Both cats are naturally curious, and that curiosity tends to distract JoJo from his fears.

The story follows the cats as they make their trip to a new-to-them country and, along with the helpful input from a dog also crated and on his way to parts unknown, reveals the processes they encounter to enter Thailand. For example, they are examined by a vet soon after landing in-country and spend a night in quarantine before finally being safely delivered to Mama’s house.

The story is enhanced by artist Megan Heller’s colorful illustrations, which bring to life Sidney’s and JoJo’s experiences on their way to “The Land of Smiles.” Young children will enjoy the cats’ expressions and reactions to their adventures, as well as the introduction to some simple Thai phrases.

I recommend THE TALES OF SIDNEY AND JOJO: ADVENTURES IN THAILAND to young readers and listeners who like stories featuring cats, air travel, and seeing new and exotic locations and their people.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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Book Review: Critters and Crimes (Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club, #11) by Elizabeth Pantley

Critters and Crimes by Elizabeth Pantley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mystery and unrequited love mix signals in this latest adventure.

Mystery and unrequited love mingle in Critters and Crimes, the eleventh book in author Elizabeth Pantley's Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club series, and readers get a deeper, closer look at the book club members while they crack their latest case. But don't worry if you haven't read any of the previous novels; this one stands well on its own.

This book club meeting lands the group in the small town of Rivershade, where they find themselves attending yet another book club meeting at the home of Lillian Henderson, a hostess with the mostest and the reins of her club firmly in hand. But the following day, when they discover a dead body, they are back on the track of a killer, and are soon surprised when their first and best leads come from the deceased's pets.

The Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club series continues to entertain, and each new book offers a unique adventure, and Critters and Crimes maintains that vibe. In this tale, each member gets a significant role in the investigation and a moment to shine, and we learn even more about each character than we did before. Paige and Atticus are getting close, but she has reservations about taking their friendship to the next level, worried about the consequences if things don't work out. It was nice seeing Atticus through Paige's eyes and the revelation of what a genuinely kind man he is.

The plot takes quite some time to evolve from mystery to murder, as the death isn't clearly a homicide from the start, and the club members had to do a lot of repetitive work each day at the victim's home, as they took care of the house, garden, businesses, and pets. The talking pets were fun, and each lent something new to the investigation, with an INCHWORM playing a major role. I enjoyed how the folks from the Snapdragon Inn were already woven into the chosen cozy's setting and were recognized by the book's characters as familiar faces rather than strangers, unlike in the previous books in the series. It was a giggle watching them try to figure out how the Rivershade residents knew them and what their prior interactions might have been. However, I was surprised they didn't think the deceased's partner's departure from the home immediately after the death was extremely odd, though perhaps in their desire to have the possible murder scene to themselves, they were just that glad for the opportunity that presented. Also, not one person in the town showed up with a dish? Or, is that just a Southern thing?

Clues to the identity of the killer and who was involved are sprinkled throughout the story, and sharp-eyed armchair detectives may be able to successfully guess the truth about the death and what's going on in Rivershade before the final reveal. When all is said and done, I can report that there were good red herrings and plenty of surprises and twists to make this a genuine page-turner. I recommend CRITTERS AND CRIMES to cozy mystery readers, especially fans of the previous books in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Critters and Crimes (Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club, #11) by Elizabeth Pantley

Critters and Crimes

Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club

by

Elizabeth Pantley

About Critters & Crimes

Critters and Crimes: Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
11th in Series
Better Beginnings, Inc. (February 15, 2026)
Print length: 336 pages
ASIN: B0FLX616P2

A quaint riverside town holds many secrets ... and the only ones who’ve seen it all are the critters.

This book club dives (literally!) into the pages of a cozy mystery. The quirky group must solve the mystery to get out of the book. It’s so much fun - you’ll wish you had a book club like this!

In this journey, they choose a book set in a lovely riverside town. They land in a charming neighborhood and find they are part of a local book club. They are having a great time – and then a dead body shows up. (Of course it does!)

The clues to what happened come to them in a unique way – via the critters in the house.

As usual, the club finds plenty of time to enjoy the unique setting of their journey, as they solve the mystery – one critter at a time.

Click to Purchase!

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About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth writes well-loved cozy mysteries in two series: The Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club series.

Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest and Arizona, two very different places. Both are rich, gorgeous, natural places, and inspire the settings in many of her books.

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February 4 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

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February 6 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

February 6 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW

February 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT

February 12 – @review_thick_and_thin – REVIEW

February 13 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

February 14 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW

February 15 – Sarandipity's – SPOTLIGHT

February 15 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

February 16 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

February 17 – Ruff Drafts -REVIEW

February 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

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Book Review: Trapped and Tested (DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery, #2) by Sharon Marchisello

Trapped and Tested by Sharon Marchisello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great follow-up to the first book in the series!

Trapped and Tested is the second book in author Sharon Marchisello’s intriguing and informative DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery series and is a great follow-up to the debut novel, Trap, Neuter, Die. The suspense gets going right away with DeeLo’s niece, Demi, getting notice of a DNA relative match and the pair’s late-night discovery of an assault victim near the site of DeeLo’s current TNVR (Trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return) project.

Demi Myer, the daughter of DeeLo’s older sister, Desiree, has long been curious about the identity of her birth father, a question her mother has steadfastly refused to answer. When she matches with a previously unknown half-brother, Kwintone Johnson, on a genealogical site, she includes DeeLo in her efforts to get to know him. He, too, is searching for his birth father, and may have found the answer for them both. But there’s something about Kwintone that doesn’t sit well with DeeLo; his secretive behavior, evasive answers, and too-smooth personality make her suspect his intentions, and when he signs up to do community service with her TNVR program, arriving far too late to help and leaving early, her opinion of him doesn’t improve. Leaving the site for the night, DeeLo finds his car abandoned on a nearby road, his cellphone inside, and no sign of Kwintone. Alarmed when he doesn’t soon return, she and Demi search the nearby area only to find a badly wounded man instead, whose cellphone shows Kwintone’s number as his last caller.

In the meantime, DeeLo is struggling with her relationship with Barry, who is spending an inordinate amount of time and effort assisting his devious and unpleasant ex-wife, Victoria, with her campaign for an empty seat on the county’s board of commissioners. Victoria is no fan of DeeLo’s, and the feeling is mutual. But Barry suddenly seems blind to Victoria’s nastiness and may be a little too willing to lend his support.

I love that DeeLo has really settled into her new life in Pecan Point, with her newly adopted cat, Manny, her volunteer work, and spending time with her mother, who is in memory care. She has taken charge of and champions the TNVR program every chance she gets and hasn’t given up on her mission to update the county’s outdated laws regarding the care and processes involving stray animals. She sees some light at the end of the tunnel in a rival candidate for commissioner, Zach Kirkpatrick, a seemingly perfect counterpoint to Victoria, and jumps at the chance to volunteer on his campaign, putting an additional strain on her personal relationship with Barry. Barry, on the other hand, is walking a treacherous path if he wants to do right by her.

While Demi is only a year’s difference in age, she almost seems to come from a much younger generation. Both she and Kwintone are reluctant to share needed information with DeeLo, while expecting a lot in return from her. Their repeated avoidance of giving a straight answer is frustrating not only to DeeLo but to me as well!

The story unfolds quickly, and I became invested in DeeLo’s life, struggles, and efforts to get answers right away. The little Town of Pecan Point gained more and more personality in this story as the locals debated their choices for the empty commissioner’s spot and all the proposed improvements for the future of their community. The author tackles the topic of animal testing head-on and offers a thought-provoking update on the current advancements that are making this horrible practice a thing of the past. There are several viable suspects to consider as DeeLo (and readers) work toward the final resolution of this latest case.

I recommend TRAPPED AND TESTED to readers of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy stories featuring cats, feral cat colonies, and TNVR programs.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Trapped and Tested (DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery, #2) by Sharon Marchisello

 

Trapped and Tested

A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery

by

Sharon Marchisello

About Trapped and Tested

 

Trapped and Tested
A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in the Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher: Level Best Books
Publication Date: December 16, 2025
274 Pages
Paperback ISBN: 979-8-89820-057-2 / Digital ISBN: 979-8-89820-058-9

When DeeLo’s niece, Demi Myer, tries to find her father on an ancestry site, she meets Kwintone, a half-brother with a few secrets. After getting a speeding ticket, Kwintone is assigned to community service in the Pecan Point Humane Society’s Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return program—trapping cats with DeeLo on the new Oakwood Studios lot. The disinterested trainee leaves abruptly on his first night, and later DeeLo finds his car abandoned beside the road, phone on the seat.

Where is Kwintone, and is he connected to the stabbing of the CEO of Neuroscience Laboratories—a medical research facility that tests its products on cats?

DeeLo is still determined to change the county’s animal ordinance to support TNVR, but is the newcomer candidate she backs for the open commissioner slot involved in a murder?

Click to Purchase!

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About Sharon Marchisello

 

Sharon Marchisello is the author of the DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery series, which began with Trap, Neuter, Die. She is a long-time volunteer and cat foster for the Fayette Humane Society (FHS) with a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. She also published three mysteries with Sunbury Press—Going Home (2014), Secrets of the Galapagos (2019), and Murder at Leisure Dreams - Galapagos (2025). Sharon has written short stories, a nonfiction book about personal finance, training manuals, screenplays, a blog, and book reviews. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Hometown Novel Writers Association. Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she now lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, and serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Peachtree City Library.

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Tour Participants

January 12- Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

January 12- Guatemala Paula Loves to Read - SPOTLIGHT

January 13 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

January 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

January 15 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

January 16 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

January 17 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 17 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

January 18 - Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

January 19 – Sarandipity's – SPOTLIGHT

January 19 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

January 20 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

January 20 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

January 21 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

January 22 – The Editing Pen – SPOTLIGHT

January 23 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

January 24 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT

January 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

January 25 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Cold Case Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery, #12) by Mollie Hunt

 

Cold Case Cat

A Crazy Cat Lady Mystery

by

Mollie Hunt

About Cold Case Cat

 

Cold Case Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
12th in Series
Setting - Oregon
Independently Published
Publication date: October 29, 2025
Number of Pages - 237
Digital ASIN: B0FSTGWQ3R

An injustice done, a murder unpunished.

It’s Pride Month in Portland Oregon, but instead of hanging rainbow flags and streamers, Lynley finds herself obsessed with a cold case murder. Starting work at the Cat Park, a sanctuary for senior and hospice cats, is challenging enough for Lynley, but then she learns the founder of the Park was murdered and the murder never solved. Lynley's cat-like curiosity won't let her leave the case alone.

But why is the Park's new owner so fiercely opposed to Lynley's sleuthing? What's making the Director of Philanthropy grumpy all the time? Who is sneaking around listening at doors? The dead woman’s ancient cat Silver has a twinkle in her eye, but she isn't telling. As Lynley’s granddaughter and her beau make plans for their upcoming wedding, Lynley has other things on her mind. Something is going on at the Park. Is there more to her new job than playing with cats?

Click to Purchase!

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About Mollie Hunt

Cat Writer Mollie Hunt is the award-winning author of two cozy series: the Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries featuring a sixty-something cat shelter volunteer who finds more trouble than a cat in catnip, and the Tenth Life Paranormal Mysteries involving a ghost cat. Her Cat Seasons Sci-Fantasy Tetralogy presents extraordinary cats saving the world. She recently released a COVID memoir which she calls, "a tale of a plague and politics, of depression and inspiration, and an ode to the very real and healing presence of cats." In her spare time, she pens a bit of cat poetry.

Mollie is a member of the Oregon Writers’ Colony, Sisters in Crime, the Cat Writers’ Association, Willamette Writers, and Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and a varying number of cats. Like her cat lady character, she is a grateful shelter volunteer.

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Tour Participants

November 5 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 6 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

November 6 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 8 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

November 9 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 10 – FUONLYKNEW - TIPS FOR CAT OWNERS

November 10 – Sarandipity's – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 11 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

November 12 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW

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Children's Book Review: Gonzales The Street Cat (The Adventures of Gonzales, #1) by Kitty Mae Grucelska

Gonzales The Street Cat: A Feline Adventure for Travellers, Cat Lovers, and Fans of True Animal Stories by Kitty May Gruchelska
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gonzales’s first adventure in which he adopts his hoomans!

Gonzales The Street Cat by Kitty Mae Gruchelska, is the first book in a planned series for middle-grade readers, featuring the adventures of a feisty young male feline found living on the streets in Yasmin, named Gonzales by his humans. Gonzales and his fellow street cats spend their days napping in hidden nooks and crannies and their nights searching for enough scraps of food to stay alive. However, when a new couple moves onto their street and leaves food and water dishes outside their front door for the strays, Gonzales begins to consider adopting them as his own family to ensure food and shelter security. The decision is not an easy one for the young cat; he has been disappointed by humans before, and he must consider trading the life he knows for the unknown.

The story unfolds through the eyes of Gonzales, a fun white and orange alley cat, with an attitude you can easily accept coming from a cat. His inner dialogue is priceless, and the banter among the close-knit cat gang of Street 122 is brilliant.

While Gonzales is privy to his humans’ discussion of their plans and his future, much goes over his head, so he’s in for a surprise when they decide to move and take him with them. Of course, that decision leads to moments of pure chaos for Kitty and Jack, and confusion, fear, and discomfort for Gonzales, but eventually results in a happy ending and a lot of entertainment for readers.

I recommend GONZALES THE STREET CAT for middle-grade readers who like stories prominently featuring cats.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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Book Review: Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries, #1) by Nellie H. Steele

Murder Most Eastern by Nellie H. Steele
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun start to this new Maine-set cozy mystery series.

Murder Most Eastern is the debut book in author Nellie H. Steele’s new cozy mystery series set in Maine and aptly named Great Maine Mysteries. It introduces the main character and soon-to-be amateur sleuth, Emily Harper, and her unusually helpful and perceptive feline companion, Grayson. I enjoyed this fun cozy mystery from its vividly colorful cover art to its gothically atmospheric, rainy opening, all the way to its very final page.

Struggling artist Emily Harper moves to the Maine coast when her sister Becky dies suddenly in what appears to be a household fall, leaving her the sole beneficiary of her estate, which includes a renovated Victorian home, a considerable amount of money, and a precocious gray and white cat named Grayson. However, the inheritance comes with a clause: Emily must occupy the home for a full year before it all becomes hers.

Once installed in the house, Emily naturally wants to explore her new surroundings and, in particular, is drawn to the iconic West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. With Grayson, a very doglike cat, in tow, she visits the historic site where she meets Dr. Richard Bennett, a local historian who claims to have been collaborating with Emily’s sister on unraveling a legend of buried treasure out of the famed lighthouse’s past. According to Bennett, Becky had uncovered some new clues about the rumored treasure that indicated it was more than just a myth. But now someone unknown wanted that information and would stop at nothing to get it.

This cozy series debut is an intriguing and suspenseful blending of mystery and magic, featuring the regretful, brokenhearted Emily, an overly intuitive (and always hungry) cat, pirates’ treasure, and murder. I enjoyed the main character, who, not initially a cat person, comes to treat her new feline best friend like a human, and the reference to the Dark Shadows character in the cat’s naming. Something of a fish out of water, more comfortable in bustling Boston than rural Maine, I enjoyed reading about her getting to know her new home state: the scenery, the people, the food, and the famous sights. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, the site of much of the action and speculation in the book, is the easternmost point of the continental United States.

The action moves at a steady if not spritely pace, with Emily’s discovery of her sister’s cryptic, handwritten journal, noting her research into the rumored treasure, and her beautiful but mysterious silver and tourmaline bracelet that, when worn, gives Emily an odd electrical tingling and short, vivid visions of the near future. Becky’s attorney and friend, Bill Anderson, is helpful but suspicious, as he pops up at unexpected moments, but later becomes the sounding board Emily needs to process all that is going on, even as she continues to wonder if he’s a friend or foe.

I recommend MURDER MOST EASTERN to cozy mystery enthusiasts.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Book Review: Carousels and Characters (Magical Mystery Book Club, #9) by Elizabeth Pantley

Carousels and Characters by Elizabeth Pantley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Magical Mystery Book Club sleuths investigate strange goings on at an incredible theme park.

Carousels and Characters is the ninth book in author Elizabeth Pantley’s Magical Mystery Book Club series, and readers should be prepared for another imaginative journey into a cozy mystery. As the book club members delve into their latest book choice, they visit an amazing animal-themed theme park that has quite a few secrets to uncover.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, and this installment continued to entertain. The mysteries in the stories range from the traditional to the whimsical to the paranormal, and the recurring characters, the club members, have become friends and family long before now. This time, the story starts in a pensive mood as club leader Paige Erickson reflects on the changes to their membership since their last book club journey. As has happened in the past, a close, original member of Paige’s group chose to stay behind in the pages of their last book. But to top off the bittersweet morning, she receives an unexpected visit from her perpetually dissatisfied and emotionally distant mother. Her quick visit and hasty departure, however, led to the book club’s selection for their next adventure. When Paige discovers a cozy mystery set in a theme park and tells her friends that Disneyland represents the only happy memories she had of her mother from her childhood, the choice is clear.

The new mystery seamlessly incorporates the group into its storyline, and they learn that things have been going missing – props, costumes, and habitat pieces – from the primate’s Unipod at the Wonderland Universe, which the animals themselves now run, as the original creators of the concept have all passed away. However, as all the animals are chipped to keep them within their unique Unipod, the primates are unable to find out if other areas of the park are experiencing similar losses. The answer is for the book club members to investigate on their behalf under the guise of theme park inspectors.

This time around, the book club’s selected book had a robust paranormal element, so, for once, both Frank the Cat and Mollie the Ghost were able to participate in all their activities fully. Their investigation uncovers numerous cases of missing items and even animal disappearances, but identifies a couple of promising suspects, creating some viable red herrings. The team follows the clues and their instincts to eventually uncover the truth, learning many different things about the creatures that inhabit the Wonderland Universe. Yet, there’s still one more surprise for the group before the story comes to a close this time, which ties this book to the author’s other series.

I recommend CAROUSELS AND CHARACTERS to cozy mystery readers, especially fans of the series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Hairless Hassles (Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery, #3) by Ruth J. Hartman

 

Hairless Hassles

A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery

by

Ruth J. Hartman

About Hairless Hassles

 

Hairless Hassles (A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery)

Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting - Indiana
Level Best Books (April 22, 2025)
Number of Pages 280
Digital ASIN: B0F585MZ9Z

When two of Cat Groomer Molly Stewart’s pet parents are framed for murder, Molly will stop at nothing to keep her octogenarian friends out of jail. The fact that the body was discovered between Florence and Lottie’s houses doesn’t bode well for the ladies, or the fact that their Sphynx cats were way too interested in pawing at the body when it was discovered. Although Molly is ready to pounce on the real killer, will she be able to help them, or has the ladies’ continual gossip and spying on others finally landed them in hot water?

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

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About Ruth J. Hartman

Ruth J. Hartman loves a good mystery. That’s probably why she happily gave up a life of cleaning other people’s teeth to write books. With several cozy mysteries under her belt, her main problem is keeping the characters straight – sometimes they have a tendency to hop on over to a different series, just for laughs

Over forty books later, consisting of romances, a children’s book, women’s fiction, and now cozy mysteries, Ruth still enjoys the thrill of taking the thoughts and images of her characters from her imagination to her computer screen.

She lives in rural Indiana with her husband, Garry, and their family of spoiled cats. Because of Ruth’s love for felines, every one of her books has at least one cat in it. Her cats, who’ve deemed themselves her editors, act like they’re supervising her writing, even though they’re often loafing off or napping.

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Review

5 stars!

Mystery and murder return to Whitewater Valley! 

Hairless Hassles is the third book in author Ruth J. Hartman’s great Mobile Cat Groomer Mysteries, which features intrepid cat-mom Molly Stewart, and her feline family, Jasper and Percival. When elderly and very quirky clients, next-door neighbors Florence Makes and Lottie Campbell, become the main suspects in a murder, Molly can’t sit back and watch. She’s compelled to look deeper into the case and clear her friends’ names. 

Molly Stewart, cat groomer extraordinaire and successful amateur sleuth, is once again at the right place at the right time for her cats to find the body of the latest victim of murder in the small town of Whitewater Valley, Indiana. The plot gets down to business straight away with the discovery of the victim occurring in the very first chapter. As the body is found in between the two octogenarians’ homes, the sheriff soon narrows his investigation to these two elderly ladies. While a highly doubtful conclusion from the start, the victim, Carlotta Sykes, also has a reputation for being unpleasant and was involved in a couple of nasty altercations in the days leading up to her death, so there are a few more plausible suspects to consider besides. Also, Florence and Lottie have provided some wonderfully reliable comic relief in this series from the start, and it would have been a sad day for them to have been the culprits. I went back and forth on some others, though, and it took the suspenseful confrontation between Molly and the real perpetrator to reveal the actual murderer. 

As with the previous books, there is a plethora of locals dropping in and out of the story throughout, and there is nice teamwork between Molly and her friends to investigate and cross the red herrings off their list of possible suspects. There are plenty of cats to ooh and ahh over, including the Sphynx kitties, Eleanor and Helga, which are referenced in the book’s title. Readers new to the series should have no trouble jumping in on this story as each one reads as a standalone.

 With its engaging characters, both human and feline, and interesting and quickly evolving plot, I recommend HAIRLESS HASSLES to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy cat-themed stories.

Tour Participants

April 24 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

April 24 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

April 25 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

April 26 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 27 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 29 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 30 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

May 1 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 2 – Sneaky the Library Cat's blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT

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Book Review: Trap, Neuter, Die (DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery, #1) by Sharon Marchisello

Trap, Neuter, Die by Sharon Marchisello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fascinating debut to this well-done new cat rescue-themed mystery series!

Trap, Neuter, Die is the first book in author Sharon Marchisello's new DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery series, featuring realistic and serious details related to the TNR program method for dealing with feral and/or community cat populations. When DeeLo Myer and her cat rescue mentor Catherine "Cat" Foster discover the body of a local cat enthusiast and bookstore owner while on the victim's property setting cat traps, they naturally are included on the police's suspect list. But when Cat is arrested by the local beat cop who has a grudge against her, DeeLo knows this is no time to pussyfoot around and starts her own investigation into the woman's murder.

Divorcée DeeLo Myer (Delores Diane Myer-Johansson) is new in the small Georgia community of Pecan Point, having moved there from California to look after her aging mother suffering from Alzheimer's when she makes the mistake of driving after imbibing that second glass of wine and ending up with a DUI on her record and community service to fulfill. Choosing to work off her hours with the Pecan Point Humane Society, she meets Catherine Foster, or Cat as she is universally known, to help with the TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Return) program to cut down the population growth of abandoned, stray, feral, and community cats. On her first night out setting traps, not only do she and Cat discover a murder victim, but DeeLo learns that Cat is the target of a vindictive local cop who uses the county's outdated animal control laws to harass her and thwart her good deeds. Along with her amateur investigation of the murder, the goal of changing those antiquated laws becomes an important aspect of the story.

This cozy mystery hits the ground running with the discovery of the victim, which occurs almost immediately. The fallout from the three women's (Azmina, Cat, and Deelo) personal lives makes an impact on the story's trajectory. There are a couple of possibilities for the motive behind the murder to consider and a number of suspects to eliminate before the final reveal, but the author subtly lays out the clues for sharp armchair detectives to note. While the cat rescue theme is not completely unique to the cozy mystery genre, its handling here is more professional and serious than previous works I've seen. In fact, the entire tone of the book is a bit more serious and dark than many cozies, but I mean that in a good and satisfying way. The storyline of DeeLo's mother and her niece Demi also offers some very frustrating realities to the main character's backstory and complex life.

I recommend TRAP, NEUTER, DIE to cozy mystery readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Children's Book Review: Boo's Blue Poo and Goo by Toni Nelson, illustrated by Anniella Ragaza

Boo's Blue Poo and Goo by Toni Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun and comically disgusting enough to tinkle the funny bones of young readers.

Boo’s Blue Poo and Goo by Toni Nelson and illustrated by Anniella Ragaza features a sweet stray, uniquely blue kitty named Boo, who has the local cat catcher on her tail. Boo longs to live in the swanky Diamonte’s Dazzling Delights department store, and when her dream comes true, the stars also align to allow for karma to visit those who deserve it.

Vivid and informative illustrations set the stage for this fun children’s story about Boo, a blue kitty living on the streets of town, who is rescued by Diamonte de Dazzle, the owner of an amazing upscale department store, and her assistant, Daisy. While this solves her living situation, she remains a target of The Cat Catcher, Maurice Archibald Dunse, and puts Boo on a collision course with the vile, freeloading customers, Daffi Dill and Hy Deranger, two thorns in Diamonte’s normally generous and hospitable side. The circumstances leading to the cat catcher’s and the two nasty shoppers' comeuppance are simple and easy for young readers to follow and understand, and the resulting disaster proves to be a cloud with a silver lining. This book is more than pictures with a few lines of text; there is a full-blown story that will keep most young readers or listeners engaged for a substantial reading session.

I recommend BOO’S BLUE POO AND GOO for reading aloud with young children at home or other amenable settings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Children's Book Review: Santa Claws: A Christmas Tail for Cats by Denise Alicea; illustrated by Sadiqa Akhter

Santa Claws: A Christmas Tail for Cats by Denise Alicea
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This adorable Christmas story is about Apollo, the cat who becomes Santa Claws.

Santa Claws: A Christmas Tail for Cats by Denise Alicea is a cute and cozy story for the little ones besides the cats. With an adorable cat main character, a lovely tale arising from his wish for all his fellow cats who have not yet found their forever home, and vivid, realistic illustrations by Sadiqa Akhter, this book would be a perfect one to share in the days leading up to the big night.

Apollo, a former stray, has found his forever home, a loving family, and all the amenities his little kitty heart could desire. But when Santa Claus comes down the chimney on Apollo’s first Christmas at home, he’s amazed by what Santa will accomplish that night. His only wish is that all the cats still living on the streets could have their own home. However, Santa Claus has a plan.

The story is heartwarming, and there’s a lesson there for children and adults to explore. Apollo immediately thinks of others who need a “Santa” in their lives. The illustrations of Apollo with his large, yellow-green eyes will melt your heart, and each setting is perfectly depicted, whether it’s inside his warm and cozy home, a cold, dirty alleyway, or a snow-laden street scene. I think children will enjoy looking at the pictures alone or while the story is read aloud. There is a lot of detail to notice in the backgrounds of each beautiful picture. This is a book that will require more than one reading.

I recommend SANTA CLAWS to children from young to old, especially those who like cats.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Crafty Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery, #11) by Mollie Hunt

 

Crafty Cat

A Crazy Cat Lady Mystery

by

Mollie Hunt

About Crafty Cat

 

Crafty Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
11th in the Series
Setting - Oregon
Publisher: Independently Published (October 29, 2024)
Paperback: 265 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8340449023 / Digital ASIN: B0DJPYRLKH

Romance, death, and cat quilts. What does quilting have to do with murder? Lynley Cannon is about to find out.

Lynley Cannon has a new hobby—making cat-themed quilt donations for the ShadowCat Rescue auction. The small quilting guild is run by three generations of women and two cats, but when the elder of the family is murdered, Lynley’s job shifts from crafting to sleuthing.

Who would want to kill such a dear old thing? The police think they know, but they don’t have all the facts.

As secrets come out and a romance is uncovered, the quilting project begins to fall to pieces. Lynley jumps in to help the family navigate the justice system, but when a neighbor is found dead and another of the quilt shop’s owners missing, even Lynley is at a loss. It takes a couple of crafty cats to get to the bottom of this stranger-than-fiction crime.

Click to Purchase!

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About Mollie Hunt

Cat Writer Mollie Hunt is the award-winning author of two cozy series: the Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries featuring a sixty-something cat shelter volunteer who finds more trouble than a cat in catnip, and the Tenth Life Paranormal Mysteries involving a ghost cat. Her Cat Seasons Sci-Fantasy Tetralogy presents extraordinary cats saving the world. She recently released a COVID memoir which she calls, "a tale of a plague and politics, of depression and inspiration, and an ode to the very real and healing presence of cats." In her spare time, she pens a bit of cat poetry.

Mollie is a member of the Oregon Writers’ Colony, Sisters in Crime, the Cat Writers’ Association, Willamette Writers, and Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and a varying number of cats. Like her cat lady character, she is a grateful shelter volunteer 

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Character Guest Post

CATS MEWELLA AND RIDLEY SPEAK OF MANY THINGS

Ridley and Mewella are the twin black cats who live with Paula, Pauleen, and Paulette Hart, the grandmother, mother, and daughter team who manage House of Quilts, where the Crafty Cat story begins. The kitty sister and brother, though not out solving murders, add their own furry dimension to the tale. Please welcome Mewella and Ridley to our blog today!

Mewella: Thank you so much, Guatemala Paula, for having us on your show! We don’t get many chances to voice our opinions.

Ridley: Yeah, we don’t even get to talk in our author’s book, Crafty Cat. (Ridley harrumphs into the microphone)

Mewella: (Mewella nudges her brother) None of the cats in Mollie Hunt’s Crazy Cat Lady cozy mysteries talk human. You know that.

(Ridley harrumphs again.)

Mewella: We voice our issues in other ways. Remember when you were catnapped? You were scared to death, and you screamed and screamed. Anyone would know you needed help without you actually saying it.

Ridley: I wasn’t scared—I just yowled so that you could find me.

Mewella: All right. But what about when you sat on the Grandmother’s lap and purred. You didn’t need human words to tell her how much you loved her.

Ridley: That’s true. I did love her. But then she was killed. Murdered. I don’t understand how humans can kill one of their own. Cats would never do such a thing.

Mewella: I know, brother. I know.

Ridley: We did help our human family cope with the loss, didn’t we? We were extra sweet and less demanding of our needs. Why, we even let them get away without giving snacks a few times.

Mewella: That was when they had their friend helping them out.

Ridley: The friend wasn’t exactly cat savvy, if you know what I mean.

Mewella: She was trying to do her best.

Ridley: (pointed stare) Was she, Mewella? Was she really?

Mewella: Oh, I don’t know. (Shakes her fur and kick-scratches her collar.) We only know our part of the story, the part that took place in our home. It’s a good thing the author wrote it all down. Maybe the Mom will read it to us someday.

Ridley: That would be nice. I’d like to know how it ended. Especially the part about where I saved the day.

Mewella: You? You were nowhere near when the final battle came down.

Ridley: I was there in spirit, sister. We cats are amazing.

Mewella: Now that’s something we can agree on, Ridley. Cats are amazing!

Tour Participants

December 10 – Christy's Cozy Corners - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 10 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books - REVIEW

December 11 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 –Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 13 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLGHT

December 13 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 14 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 15 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 16 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 16 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

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