Tortie Shorties: Christmas Edition

There's still time to make yourself a mug of cocoa, stick a candy cane in it, and indulge in a festive Christmas read with a kitty (or three!) on your lap. We've been doing a lot of that lately and wanted to tell you about some of our favorites!

Oliver the Cat Who Saved Christmas: The Tale of a Little Cat with a Big Heart by Sheila Norton

From the publisher: A friend who brings light at the darkest of times...Oliver the cat is a timid little thing, and rarely ventures from his home in the Foresters' Arms. Then his life changes dramatically when a fire breaks out in the pub kitchen and he is left homeless and afraid. But, with the kindness of the humans around him, he soon learns to trust again. And in turn, in his own special way, he helps to heal those around him. However, it isn't until he meets a little girl in desperate need of a friend that he realises that this community needs a Christmas miracle.

Tortie Shorties: This book was only released in the UK this year, but I wanted it so much that I ordered it from The Book Depository! Not only is it my favorite Christmas book of the year, it's going on my list of favorite cat books this year too! The magical way Oliver touched every life that he came into contact with is what Christmas is all about.

The Cat of Christmas Past by Kathi Daley

From the publisher: It's Christmas on Madrona Island and Cait and friends have plans to embrace the magic of the season. The only dark spot on their celebration is the fact that a miserly old landlord is set on evicting Destiny's mother and sisters just days before Christmas. Cait looks into it and finds that he plans evict all the tenants so that he can convert the apartment building into condos. Cait is aided by a cat named Ebenezer as they try to convince the old man to change his mind. Things look hopeless after she realizes that an unsolved murder may be behind the man's gruff exterior, but Cait knows that miracles are real and anything can happen at Christmas.

Tortie Shorties: In each book in this wonderful series Cait is visited by a magical cat who helps her solve a mystery. In this sixth book her furry visitor is Ebenezer (note to self: name a cat Ebenezer someday!), the mystery is a cold case involving a miserly Scrooge-like man named Mr. Potter who suffered an unthinkable family tragedy many years ago. Christmas miracles abound in this delightful holiday tale. Cait and her crew feel like friends now so a visit with them during the holidays was particularly special.

A Picture-Purrfect Christmas by Patricia Fry

From the publisher: A spellbinding story of love, hope, and a child’s innocent Christmas dreams. When Savannah Ivey agrees to teach photography to a group of at-risk children, she doesn’t expect a sweet-spirited little crippled girl to steal her heart and become an important part of her family. Even Rags, the kleptomaniac cat, is captivated by the child named Marissa. When she goes missing, everyone, including Rags, experiences the pain of loss.

Detective Craig Sledge fears that Marissa’s unscrupulous, non-custodial father may be behind her disappearance and the search escalates into high gear. When even a pack of rescue dogs can’t find the child, the detective turns to Rags and everyone prays for a Christmas miracle. Can Rags succeed where the others have failed?

Tortie Shorties: In Rags' 13th adventure he comes to the aid of a young crippled girl named Marissa, who lives in a neglectful foster home and yearns for a loving family. The two feel an instant connection and when Marissa goes missing, he becomes her hero. This is a heartwarming story that embraces the true spirit of the season. The Christmas morning surprise will have you reaching for the tissues! 

Antiques St. Nicked by Barbara Allan

From the publisher: Baby, it’s cold outside at small-town Serenity’s annual Holiday Stroll festivities. But that doesn’t stop Brandy Borne and her theatrical mother, Vivian, from making merry. That is, until the two find something frosty in Santa’s workshop—the jolly man in red, dead as a doornail. And the goodies inside his donation bag have vanished like cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. It’s up to Brandy and Mother—with spirited shi tzu, Sushi, in tow—to take the reins and start checking off their naughty list. But the sleuthing duo might have to reckon with some ghosts of Christmas past before finally unwrapping the murderer…

Tortie Shorties: This is the third year in a row the popular Trash 'n' Treasures mystery series by Barbara Allan has featured the added bonus of a short Christmas story. Antiquers Brandy and Vivian are a mother/daughter team like no other, on meds for their various "issues" and constantly sniping back and forth at each other as they each give their recollection of events. This year's murder takes place during the annual Holiday Stroll when Santa is robbed and murdered. Fast paced and fun from start to finish.

All I Want for Christmas is Fudge by Nancy Coco

From the publisher: This Christmas, event planner Jenn Christensen has come back to the winter wonderland of Mackinac Island, Michigan, to race for charity in the Santa Fun Run, rekindle her love for CSI tech Shane Carpenter, and indulge in her BFF Allie McMurphy’s fabulous fudge. But there’s one event she didn’t plan—chasing down a killer. After finding a deceased Santa in a snowbank, she’s shocked to discover the police suspect her of murder. It’s up to Jenn, Allie, and a helpful golden retriever named Marley to catch the killer and find out who’s at the top of the naughty list.

Tortie Shorties: I was initially surprised that this book is told from the point of view of Jenn, Allie's friend. She's back in town to race in the Santa Fun Run and hopefully rekindle a romance, but her visit takes a bad turn when she finds Santa dead in a snowbank while on an early morning run. She's told not to leave town and teams up with Jenn and a sweet golden retriever named Marley to clear her name. An enjoyable afternoon read.

Toby's Tails - The Christmas Kittens by Susan Keefe

From the publisher: When Toby’s owners rescue three little kittens they quickly discover how rewarding, yet mischievous they can be. Follow the kittens’ progress as they have their first visit to the vets. Discover how they gain confidence, and explore their world, under the watchful eye of Toby the Border Collie. Then join the kittens, and Toby as they celebrate their first Christmas at Fantasy Farm, and discover the fun and games which take place when you have a kitten, or three in the house.

Tortie Shorties: Children and adults alike will adore this sweet story of three little kittens: Cleo, Neffi and Rammi. The illustrations that accompany the story are just adorable as Toby the Border Collie takes the babies under his wing and chronicles their many fun adventures. Fantasy Farm sounds like a magical place that would be a pure delight to visit any time of year. Plus, 10% of the profit of each book sold will be donated to Hélianthus, an animal charity based in Pre-en-Pail, France!

Have you read any great Christmas stories this year? Tell us about it in the comments...we're always looking to add to our reading list :)