Monday, January 26, 2015

Book Review & Giveaway: Romeow & Juliet by Kathi Daley


Blurb: Romeow and Juliet is the first in a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt's oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn't working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.

In the first installment to the series Cait and her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council dead in the back room of the old fish cannery. As Cait delves into the murder she finds herself with an unlikely sleuthing partner that might just lead to a relationship of a more personal kind.

Meanwhile, Romeo, as stray cat that followed Cait home, is causing all sorts of problems for Cait as, in spite of dire warnings from the neighbor next door, he refuses to stay away from her very expensive show cat, Juliet. Could Romeo really be trying to tell Cait something about the neighbor that she initially refuses to see?

Tortie Shorties
Book reviews that are short and sweet...just like Truffles!

Coffee. Cats. Books. Need I say more? Kathi Daley's new Whales and Tails Mystery series simply could not be more perfect for me. When Kathi first discussed the premise of the series I almost couldn't believe what I was reading...it's like these books were written just for little ol' me!

Cait lives in a cabin on her Aunt Maggie's property and helps her to run a cat sanctuary. She is also making plans to open Coffee Cat Books with her best friend Tara, a place where people can go to socialize, read, and hopefully adopt one of the cats housed there. While visiting the old fish cannery they plan to convert into their shop, Cait and her her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council. An upcoming vote on the fate of a huge new condo project has everyone taking sides, and Cait begins to wonder if it has become a motive for murder. Is it pure coincidence that her Aunt Maggie has taken sick while running for the open seat, and that another council member is being bribed to vacate his seat early? As Cait fights her conflicting feelings for the banker she is relying on to fund Coffee Cat Books, she can't help but wonder if he could be the killer.

Another complication to Cait's life is the arrival of a trouble-making stray named Romeo, who cannot stay away from her neighbor's purebred white Persian, Juliet. The adorable cover of Romeow and Juliet is a scene straight from the book. Will these two star-crossed lovers get their happy ending?

Cait is such a wonderful new character. I really enjoyed her impulsive nature which makes her prone to some pretty hilarious situations. The characters all come off as extremely realistic, and the island setting is just dreamy. As someone whose dream is to run a cat sanctuary this book just took me to such a happy place. Book 2, The Mad Catter, can't come fast enough.

Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Friday, January 30th for your chance to win a copy of Romeow and Juliet. US - Choice of Print or Kindle copy; Canada - Kindle copy only.

32 comments:

Unknown said...

I really think this mystery sounds great and can't wait to check it out. Thanks for the giveaway.

FrangiePani said...

Looks great and I hope to get a chance to read it :)
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

skkorman said...

I love cozy mysteries in which cats play a major role—can't wait to read this book!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Ingrid King said...

This sounds like a wonderful new series.

Fur Everywhere said...

Truffles, does your mom read you all of these cool books? :)

It sounds like a good book, and I love the title!

petite said...

Love the setting and cozy. thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This series sounds delightful and unique. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

cupcake58 said...

Love mysteries with animals. We have 2 cats so this looks like a fun read.

cupcake58 said...

Forgot email: scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com

Becky Prazak said...

This sounds like a really fun book.

rjprazak6@gmail.com

Rumeur said...

Reading any of Kathi Daley's books is like enjoying a piece of cake, or eating your favorite comfort food meal. I get excited because I know, whichever series, it'll be THAT good 😊

Gram said...

This is on my 2br list. grammyd01@comcast.net print please if I win.

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

I would la la LOVE to win and read this!
heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

CATachresis said...

Thanks for the review! have just downloaded onto kindle for 99p in the UK :)

Unknown said...

Sounds like an excellent series ! I'd llove to read it. Honeybunny195863@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Melissa, you had me hooked with "Coffee. Cats. Books". Then, you said cat sanctuary and I was "double hooked"! I would love to win a copy of "Romeow and Juliet"! patucker54 at aol dot com

Sue said...

I want to see how the romance progresses between the 2 cats. This should be a fun mystery.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Carol M said...

Great cover! I'd love to start reading this series. It sounds really good! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love Kathi Daley's books and this sounds like another winner. Thank you for this awesome giveaway.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Melissa, for the great review. Kathi has Don it again with another winner!

Kuzlin said...

I love Zoe and Zack so I can't wait to try this series. Thanks for the giveaway!

Candace knight said...

I can't wait to read this book. It sounds awesome.
Candace7399@aol.com

pilch92 said...

Sounds like a good book :)

Jamie Rasmussen said...

I really want to read this book. I love mystery books with cats in them.
My email: norbert8bubba@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Just so long as the cats don't end up like Romeo and Juliet did!
libbydodd at comcast dot net

Renee G said...

Cats and my home state of Washington --- sounds like a winner to me.

abookaddict said...

This book sounds meowvalous! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy! Linda

Mariodacat said...

A cat in a mystery book - what better combination could we possibly have. It's a "winner."

Unknown said...

I just discovered this site thanks to Bailey Cates in time to have a chance to win a copy of a great sounding series. Especially since Nook readers will have to wait till March to get it. Thanks so much! Tina (alternate email: calico419@sbcglobal.net)

Carol N Wong said...

This sounds like a very cute cozy. Thank you for the chance!

cyn209 said...

love this title & already an add to my Wish List!!

cyn209 at juno dot com

Marty the Manx said...

Oh this sounds like a good one! Can I please be entered for a kindle version of the give-away?