Cover Image: FESTIVITIES & FELINES - A HOLIDAY ANTHOLOGY

FESTIVITIES & FELINES - A HOLIDAY ANTHOLOGY

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Member Reviews

Cat"s Paw Cove is a magical place with some very special townsfolk and cats. These short stories take place very far into the Cat's Paw series, the reading of which will make this more enjoyable, but are not necessary. These are three very sweet holiday stories for those looking for their HEA in a very compact story.

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A fun and whimsical set of stores there were fun to read! Cat's Paw Cove holds secrets and magic that will keep you entertained. If you like paranormal holiday romance stories this just might be what you are looking for.

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Another excellent addition to Cat's Paw Cove world.
I loved these stories and found them festive and entertaining.
Good characters and plot development.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Princess Fuzzypants here: I am really fond of the Cats Paw Cove stories with the combination of magic, mystery, kitties and romance. They are always light and frothy reading, a good antidote to the problems of the world. This anthology of three stories provides a nice break from COVID.

I do confess I liked the first two stories better than the third. They had a bit more magic and whimsy than the final one. In each, the human protagonists would have been in deep trouble but for the intervention of the Sherwood Cats, the descendants of the kitties who first inhabited the town after a shipwreck. They all have varying magical powers that come in very handy in guiding their human charges to find love and happiness. If you are looking for something heavy and thought provoking, this is not your book. But if you want a few hours of escape, set in the coastal Florida town, pick it up and enjoy.

Five purrs and two paws up.

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Multiple Blessings by Candace Colt

Does their love stand a ghost of a chance?

In 1943, a World War II bomber on a training mission crashed in a marsh near Cat's Paw Cove. According to local legend, on every Winter Solstice, mysterious lights appear near the crash site. If budding photojournalist Casey Blessing can dig a story out of this myth, it could be the career boost she needs. But she can't do it alone. She partners with Thomas Hudson who claims to be an aviation historian. Casey is attracted to the enigmatic stranger, but his uncanny knowledge of the crash can't be just coincidence. Could she be falling in love with a ghost?

Good story. College professor Thomas Hudson came to Cat's Paw Cove looking for the truth about his grandfather's death. His grandmother insists that he was shot down, while the army says it was a training accident. Complicating matters, Thomas has vivid nightmares about his grandfather's last flight. He meets Casey, whose sister Theo (Familiar Blessings) helps ghosts with their problems. Theo asks Casey to help Thomas.

Thomas was woefully unprepared for a place like Cat's Paw Cove. I had to laugh when he freaked out over Theo's comment that she talked to his grandfather, then discovered that he was talking to a ghost, too. Casey isn't magical herself, but she knows enough to be able to work with him. Though initially reluctant to get involved, once she hears why Thomas is there, Casey is determined to help him. I enjoyed the journey of discovery as they talked to people who witnessed the crash and discovered discrepancies in the explanations of what happened. I ached for Thomas over the bad news he received from home and loved how Casey challenged him to finish what he started. The ending was fantastic and emotional and a testament to lasting love.

Neither Thomas nor Casey expected the sparks that flared between them. They both fought it for a while, believing that nothing could come of it. I liked how Thomas helped Casey with her photo project, encouraging her to think outside the box. Meanwhile, I liked how Casey supported Thomas's dream and guided him to believe in the magical. The scene on Guinevere Island was great. I ached for them as they prepared to part ways until they received some surprising advice from a very unexpected source.

A Fae's Wishmas by Kira Nyte

All it takes is one wish.

Niera has a special Fae power that has dubbed her the Mystical Matchmaker, but despite helping others find their happily-ever-after, she lacks hope of ever finding her own. Until she arrives in a small town, is adopted by a magical cat, and dares to make a holiday wish

Good story about opposites who turn out to be the perfect match for each other. Niera is a woodland fae who has the magical ability to identify an ideal match. But she has been so busy helping others that she hasn't found a match for herself. She just found out that there is a time limit for facilitating one hundred matches, and she is about to run out of time. She has two days to find her last match or be cursed with being alone forever. She heads for Cat's Paw Cove to confirm her best friend's match and is forced to face her greatest fear. Being near the ocean drains her magic and threatens her life. She doesn't expect to meet her perfect match and have him be a man of the sea. How could they ever be together?

Alistair was banished from his ocean home by a vengeful sea fae when he inadvertently interfered with a fae and his cousin's match. He's been stuck on land and prevented from returning to the ocean and breaking the curse, thanks to some interfering cats. When he meets Niera, he is drawn to her, but getting involved with a land-bound fae is not an option.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Alistair and Niera. The attraction between them is powerful, and though they tried to resist, Niera's cat excels at pushing them together. As they get closer, the feelings between them grow stronger. I loved the discovery that they can help each other break their curses, but will something still come between them? The ending had some tense moments, but I loved how it turned out.

Chanukkah Melody for Two by Abigail Sharpe

Music can make magic!

Quiet and introverted Elayne Fico wants to surprise her mom with songs her Nana used to play for Chanukkah, so she enlists the help of local music teacher, Bartholomew Pelfrey. Elayne doesn't believe in Cat's Paw Cove's alleged magic, but there's something about her piano teacher that's conjuring some serious sparks.

Barly Pelfrey knows something big is going to happen when a Sherwood cat seeks him out. After his divorce and figuring out life with his two girls and an ex, he's ready for another chance at love. When he meets Elayne, he doesn't need Pascal to show him the way. But when Elayne reveals that romance isn't in the cards for her, he has to prove that love is its own special kind of magic.

Good story. Elayne is a woman with a practical, mathematical mind. She doesn't believe in magic at all. When a Sherwood cat adopts her, Elayne just sees a kitty. However, when she decides she needs a piano refresher before Chanukkah, Pascal leads her to Batholomew. Barly is a divorced father of two who is ready to open himself up to love again.

I loved the quick friendship between Elayne and Barly. She isn't a social person, but talking to him is easy. She never believed that love was in her future until she spent time with Barly. Under their solid friendship simmered sparks of attraction that eventually came to the surface. I enjoyed seeing the romance develop as Elayne and Barly grew closer. But a comment about Pascal's role in their romance stirred up Elayne's insecurities, and she pulled away. I ached for Barly as he wondered what happened and if she would be back. Once again, Pascal went to the rescue, though I'm still not sure if Elayne accepted the magic. I think she needed a dose of the magic elixir from Guinevere Island!

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Considering the book is called “Festivities and Felines” with two Christmas stories and one Chanukah story, I expected them to actually feel festive. Sadly there was no holiday magic in these stories.

Multiple Blessings by Candace Colt
★★★☆☆
Maybe 2.5 stars. I liked the overall story arc here, the characters were fun and there were some enjoyable funny bits, but the whole thing could have been cut down by half. But I would happily read more by this author because she does have the ability to tell a fun story.

A Fae’s Wishmas by Kira Nyte
★★★☆☆
Star-crossed lovers is always a fun trope. The cheeky cats were extra fun in this story.

Chanukkah Melody for Two by Abigal Sharpe
★★★☆☆
A fun and sweet romance. I liked the concept of a romance between a 40 year old female lead and a divorced dad of two little girls.

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Festivities & Felines is three enchanting tales from Cat's Paw Cove where love and magic rule the day.
MULTIPLE BLESSINGS by Candace Colt is a wondrous tale of lasting love and honor. This story made my heart want to fly. Thomas and Casey were sweet and so was their mission.
CHANUKKAH MELODY FOR TWO by Abigail Sharpe. I was thrilled to see a Chanukkah tale in this anthology. This is a classic tale of tech versus magic. Love wins. I really enjoyed this story.
A FAE’S WISHMAS by Kira Nyte is the most magical tale in this book and like the others love is the most magical power of all.
These three stories will leave you with a full heart and a smile on your face.

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With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This title is a fun, festive romance novel about three couples who are helped with their relationships by magically mischievous Sherwood cats. The combination of cute cat matchmakers, Christmas time and clueless individuals makes for easy, enjoyable reading... Christmas tales that are purr-fect for curling up and indulging in with your favourite beverage (mine’s tea) and snack.

Now all I want for Christmas is a Sherwood cat!

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