Tortie Shorties Book Reviews...Christmas Reading Has Begun!

Welcome to this week's Tortie Shorties book reviews! We're doing things a little differently today, with a children's book, a cozy mystery, and a contemporary romance...all cat-related, of course!

We hope you enjoy our choices.

The Christmas Kitten by Jessica Spawn

From the publisher: An orphaned kitten is rescued by Santa's Reindeer and his big-hearted wish saves ALL the kitties on Christmas!

This is a fresh twist on a Children's Christmas story that centers around belonging, hope, rescue, and how caring for others can change the world!

Tortie Shorties Review: Pure PURRfection. Christmas magic still exists and it can be found in the heart of a little kitten with a very special holiday wish. Regardless of your age this sweet book will touch your heart and become a part of your Christmas tradition for years to come. The illustrations are beyond adorable, the story is filled with the wonder of Christmas, and it's message is timeless.

Death by Eggnog (A Bookstore Cafe Mystery) by Alex Erickson

From the publisher: Krissy Hancock is staying in her adopted hometown of Pine Hills, Ohio, for Christmas this year—and she even has a whole week off from her combination bookstore-café. But a killer is about to dampen her spirits . . . 

Unfortunately, Krissy’s been roped into filling in for a sick elf in the local holiday musical extravaganza. With a demanding director, backstage gossip, and two men in fierce competition for the starring role, it isn’t all sweetness and Christmas lights. Then a murder puts a stop to the production, and Krissy is faced with a pageant of suspects.

Could her ex-boyfriend, a fellow elf, really be the culprit as the police are claiming? Or will the actor playing Santa be trading his red suit for an orange jumpsuit? When her behind-the-scenes investigation starts getting dangerous, the only thing Krissy really wants is to make it to Christmas dinner alive. But first she’ll have to finish wrapping up this case . . .

Tortie Shorties Review: When Krissy's plans to spend Christmas in California with her dad fall apart, she looks forward to spending the time with her busy doctor boyfriend Will. Then she gets roped into filling in for a sick elf in the local theater's Christmas musical production. She's surprised to discover that her ex Robert and his new girlfriend Trisha are also performing in the play as an elf and Mrs. Claus. When the actor playing Santa is found murdered shortly after hitting on Trisha, Robert becomes the main suspect, and Krissy finds herself in the unlikely position of trying to clear his name. As she comes to know each member of the cast and crew better she finds no shortage of suspects, even though she would much rather be at home with her cat Misfit watching Christmas movies on TV. (Who wouldn't?) Nothing makes me happier than a holiday-themed story in one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and this one is no exception...best accompanied by a mug of Death by Coffee's eggnog flavored brew!

Real Men Love Cats by Nic Tatano

From the publisher: Advertising copywriter Rory Callahan is very picky. She thinks Mister Right should check off some important boxes.But if “love me, love my cat” isn’t one of them, that’s a dealbreaker. Unfortunately, the men she’s been dating lately want nothing to do with her playful six-toed tabby, Hemingway. Or any cat, for that matter. Can this classic girl-next-door find a real man who loves cats?

Romance moves to the back burner when a terrific business opportunity that seems perfect for her falls in her lap. The CEO of a national cat food company is looking for a new ad agency, and Rory is desperate for the huge account. The one guy standing in her way? A modern day advertising whiz named Will Prescott who seems to be right out of the Mad Men era as far as women are concerned. Or is she reading him wrong? After all, the guy does like cats. How bad could he be?

After a horrible first meeting and a series of bizarre misunderstandings she’s keeping him at arms’ length. But when Will and Hemingway cross paths, she begins to see him in a different light.Can her cat show her the way?

Tortie Shorties Review: I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance, but when a cat features prominently in the "tail" it's a whole other story! This is the last book in a four book series that follows four young women (and their cats) on a quest for lasting love. I haven't read the first 3 (although I will be) and didn't feel that I was missing anything by jumping into the series on book 4. (The first one features a male tortie so you know that's at the top of my list!)

Real Men Love Cats stars a pair of advertising executives as they compete to create the new ad campaign for Fur Baby cat food. Though sparks instantly fly between them, a series of hysterical misunderstandings keeps them apart, but that all changes when Rory witnesses Will's soft spot for cats. More than once I found myself laughing out loud at how the most innocent comment gets twisted all out of proportion while rooting for these two to see just how purrfect they truly are for each other. This book would make such a fun romantic comedy on the big screen...Hollywood, take note!

Disclaimer: I received free copies of these books in exchange for a fair and honest review. As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank!