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.