The Letter – Kitty’s Story

 (Life on the Moors #1) 

by Eliza J. Scott

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Trust me, if she was the last woman on earth, that’s all she’d be; I wouldn’t go anywhere near her. The human race would die out.

‘Don’t look at me as if I did it, you farty old bugger. It was your arse that shook the foundations, not mine, so take ownership, Humphrey Fairfax-Bennett.’ Humph’s ears twitched as he held James’s gaze. ‘What the hell have you been feeding him on, Kitty?’

She’s got the potential to eat you for breakfast, suck the meat of your very bones and spit them out by lunchtime.

I think it’s time we turned off the predictive text on Granny Aggie’s phone. It’s causing all sorts of rumours to fly around the village.’ Despite himself, Pip couldn’t help but laugh. Only last week his grandmother had sent a text to her equally antiquarian friend, Nellie, informing her that she’d seen her son, Mike, and Rev Nev in the village shop comparing penises. The communication had caused considerable outrage, followed by a flurry of hastily gathered explanations. The truth was harmless in contrast: she’d seen the pair in the village shop buying pens. There hadn’t been a penis in sight.

‘You’re thinking sex kitten, aren’t you?’ He placed a finger on his mouth and pouted. ‘More like a ropey old hooker with a bad case of trout-pout.’ Vi smirked.

And I’ve just had to have a word with Granny Aggie about a text she’d sent the vicar asking if he liked S and M cos she’d like to whip him. Poor man was terrified. Anyway, turns out she was telling him she’d bought some whipped cream from M and S for the scones she was making for the church coffee morning.’

Mind you, he hardly comes to bed dressed for a night of passion. The other night he excelled himself when he rocked up in a skin-tight tiger-print onesie the twins had bought for him for his birthday —as a joke I hasten to add, but Pip insists on wearing it. And you might imagine he couldn’t look any more ridiculous, but you’d be wrong. What he hadn’t realised was that there was a massive hole in the crotch area and his family jewels, in all their glory, were hanging loose and free. And I can promise you this, gravity has been no friend to Pip in that department.

My Review:

Although it started off with tense and stressful tones, this cleverly written this book was an unexpected delight. I never would have guessed from the first few tense chapters what a fun and witty tale it was actually going to be, as the character of Dan was thoroughly vile, on edge, and constantly belittling his family. He was also an arrogant and manipulative peacock who couldn’t keep his favorite toy in his pants. I instantly despised him although I initially didn’t hold much respect for the spineless and overly accommodating Kitty for allowing the heinous philanderer to verbally and emotionally abuse her and their children. Thankfully, the book soon evened out with juicy tidbits, insightful observations, and wry humor and I became more relaxed as Kitty began to gain awareness and locate her vertebrae.

The overall emotional tone tipped to the scales more heavily toward the comical than the tragic, with humorous anecdotes, cunning observations, and clever levity ruling the day. The engaging storylines were astoundingly well-constructed, shrewdly-paced, absorbing and highly eventful while jam-packed with a village full of colorful characters, hilarious antics, and riveting interactions. I was fully engaged throughout and enjoyed all the secondary characters, although I was more than a bit besotted with Kitty’s brother James.

Go without technology for a month. Give it up; live in simpler times. Think 1980 without the terrible hair and godawful shell suits.

Calm down… Jeez, did the North Koreans design your self-defence system?

The china cups were presented neatly on saucers. I didn’t think I owned a saucer. I didn’t even own matching cups, just random mugs I’d received as gifts over the years sporting classy slogans such as ‘Basic Bitch’.

I rummaged through my bag; I seemed to have everything but that card. Amanda cast a disapproving look at my collection of ancient tissues going through various stages of decomposition. ‘Don’t you ever clean out your handbag, you disgrace of a woman?’

… he thinks his wife has run off with another man. He’s wondering why, wondering what this man has got that he hasn’t – it turns out it’s boobs!

My Review:

This was a fun and pleasantly entertaining read – shot through with irreverent humor and clever levity that provided frequent snickers and smirks. Melissa was days away from marking her thirty-fifth birthday and feeling quite dissatisfied with her constantly single standing. Maternal pressure was mounting, online dating had tanked, and fix-ups had been an uncomfortable disaster. She had been focused on her career and party-girl lifestyle for nearly two decades but didn’t seem to be feeling the love for her previous pastimes. She was highly motivated to upgrade her relationship status, yet her most recent e-Harmony perfect match had resulted in a humiliating walk of shame with a torn dress, courtesy of her date’s dog as she snuck out of his doggie flap in the locked door. Oh yeah, Melissa was a hot mess.

Her heinous boss challenged Melissa to unplug and go without her phone or internet usage for a month as the basis of her next article, which caused major adjustments, considerable inconvenience, and humorous results. Although there were some benefits to be had as well. She thought she had scored big time after engaging with a handsome man in a coffee shop led to an oddly exciting date with a bewildering conclusion and continued complications. Although Melissa also found unplugging to be unexpectedly freeing and more enjoyable than she expected and was hesitant to reboot once the month was up. She was still a bit of a hot mess with or without technology, although the wily Ms. Cooke allowed her to find that highly desired HEA and everything she had been longing for.

 Something Worth Saving

by Sandi Ward

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU / B&N

 

 Paperback: 304 Pages

 Publisher: Kensington (December 18, 2018)

 

Sandi Ward’s shrewdly observed, funny, and wonderfully touching novel tells of a fractured family, a teenage boy, and a remarkable cat whose loyalty knows no bounds . . .

A boy and his cat. It’s an unconventional friendship, perhaps, but for Charlie and Lily, it works beautifully. It was Charlie who chose Lily from among all the cats in the shelter. He didn’t frown, the way other humans did, when he saw her injured back leg, the legacy of a cruel previous owner. Instead, Charlie insisted on rescuing her. Now Lily wants to do the same for Charlie.

She’s the only one who’s seen the bruises on Charlie’s body. If she knew who was hurting him, she’d scratch their eyes out. But she can’t fix this by herself. Lily needs to get the rest of the family to focus on Charlie—not easy when they’re wrapped up in their own problems. Charlie’s mother kicked his father out weeks ago and has a new boyfriend who seems charming, but is still a stranger. Oldest son Kevin misses his father desperately. Victoria, Charlie’s sister, also has someone new in her life, and Lily is decidedly suspicious. Even Charlie’s father, who Lily loves dearly, is behaving strangely.

Lily knows what it’s like to feel helpless. But she also knows that you don’t always have to be the biggest or the strongest to fight fiercely for the ones you love . . .

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

No creature should be mistreated. I did not deserve it, and neither does Charlie… I recall how humiliating it was to be too small to fight back. It makes my eyes sting and nose quiver when I think about it. Believe me, if I knew who was hurting Charlie, I would scratch his eyes out.

He is amused by how excited she is to realize this, that he’s never kissed a girl. And the look that he gives forces me to see it, to understand what she likes about him.   I don’t want her to like him.   He’s a thief and a sneak and a manipulative human. However.   What I see is this… The look he gives her is guarded, but it’s also: Warm. Inclusive. A little naughty. As if they have a secret together.

Their first kiss. And I am witness to it. When they part, Victoria is all glorious smiles. Triumphant. Aidan, to me, looks a bit dazed. I think I am witnessing him slowly coming into his own as a young man. He must also be realizing his weaknesses. He is going to have to submit to Victoria’s whims if he wants to keep her as his mate.  

I feel a little squeeze of satisfaction in my heart. I do love to see humans happy. Even bad creatures deserve love… How am I so easily swayed?   The humans confound me.

There is something worth saving in this family – a love that connects all of us and binds us together… Like raindrops plunking onto the river, causing overlapping circles of waves, each member of our family impacts the next.   If only Gretel and I could talk!   I won’t give up yet.

My Review:

Something Worth Saving was simply stellar and one of the most insightful, thoughtfully written and poignant books I have ever read. The writing quality was exceptional and captivating and possessed that tantalizing allure that continually rattled around my cranium even when forced to put my book down. Written from the first person perspective of Lily, the ever watchful and beloved family cat, I was immediately pulled in by Ms. Ward’s hypnotic and powerful word voodoo, and obsessively remained within Lily’s well-crafted and intriguing vortex. My thoughts were consumed with the characters, and even as I performed my obligatory adulting, I continued to contemplate and visualize the sweet and concerned tabby as she guarded over her beloved humans and pondered her confusing observations. She loved her family deeply, even the dog, yet she felt a fierce and possessive loyalty toward Charlie, the youngest family member and the one who personally had selected her from the shelter. Their bond was instant and infinite; Charlie was her sweet and gentle boy.

Lily was on high alert as lately, Charlie was often upset, and more disturbingly, bruised. Someone was hurting Charlie and no one else had noticed. Lily understood his feelings all too well as Lily herself had been an unfortunate victim of abuse as a kitten, suffering a damaged leg and forever odd walk. While a loving family with three teenaged children, the family unit was unraveling while no one in that household actually communicated about anything of substance for fear of bringing about the final crack that tore everything asunder.   The entire family was in mild to moderate distress, each with their own unique turmoil and reluctance to voice their apprehension and discomfort with the causes and effects of the recent parental separation. In addition, each member was also working through significant milestones, transitions, and coming of age and sexual identity issues. The storylines were relevant, topical, and well paced while the narrative was fascinating, emotive, and heart-squeezing. I am enamored with this jaw-droppingly talented author and besotted with her tale and the adorable Lily, who will undoubtedly continue to inhabit my gray matter for some time.

Street Cat Blues

by Alison O’Leary

 The Military Wife

by Laura Trentham

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“He’s been gone five years, sweetheart, and you haven’t gone on so much as a date.” “That’s not true. I went to lunch with Whit a few weeks ago.” “He was trying to sell you life insurance. Doesn’t count.”

He got out a pot and pulled down three cans. She moved close enough to see two were chili and one was dog food. She hoped she rated the chili.

Without thinking beyond the moment, she scooched closer and put her arm around him from behind. It was like hugging a gargoyle, and she half-expected him to shove her arm away as if comfort were a communicable disease.

Unable to unstick her gaze from him, she nodded, aware of him in ways that made parts of her tingle. Or was that the beginnings of frostbite?

His smile was like the sighting of a rare bird, and it filled her with the same kind of wonder.

And, in my mom’s eyes, you are officially the favorite of all my boyfriends. Although it’s not like the competition was steep. Not being a public nose picker put you in the lead.

I love bargaining. My husband says I can talk the devil down on buying a soul.

Time to push, Harper dear, but softly. We don’t want baby to squirt out and shoot across the room.

My Review:

This cleverly written book plumbed all the feels and insightfully covered several important and vexing societal issues with grace and finesse while bringing honor and recognition to some of the stressors bedeviling families that sacrifice to serve their country. The storylines were active and cleverly nuanced, highly relevant, emotive, evocative, and beautifully written with agility and artistry while well balanced with levity and witty quips. Ms. Trentham is a recent discovery for me with her delightfully appealing Cottonbloom series, and I have repeatedly noticed her special ninja-like talent for creating unique and complex characters who are unfailingly endearing yet extremely complicated, deeply flawed, and impossible not to love. Bennett and Harper included.