Two people are about to discover that when it comes to finding love, sometimes Christmas magic isn’t enough…sometimes it takes a...
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reviews
Dec 19, 2011
Gail
rated it: 
I just started reading it this morning and I am having a hard time putting it down. It is a very funny and fast paced read so far. I can't wait to see what happens next. Ambrose the cat is amazing or Tom which he is called now...He is on his last life which almost ended but he made a promise he now has to keep....This is my second book by this author. I recently read The Snow Globe which I really enjoyed...
Finally found the time to finish reading it. It is an awesome book. I enjoyed ev More...
Finally found the time to finish reading it. It is an awesome book. I enjoyed ev More...
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Dec 14, 2011
Lesa
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Sheila Roberts’ latest Christmas story is a romantic treat for cat lovers. It takes a cat to bring together two people in The Nine Lives of Christmas.
Ambrose was in trouble. Treed by a big black dog, he was willing to bargain with his Creator for his ninth life. He was willing to do anything in order to live a nice long life. When he was rescued by a good-lucking buff man, he saw it as the answer to his prayers. Now, he just had to find a way to return the favor. But, when Ambrose show More...
Ambrose was in trouble. Treed by a big black dog, he was willing to bargain with his Creator for his ninth life. He was willing to do anything in order to live a nice long life. When he was rescued by a good-lucking buff man, he saw it as the answer to his prayers. Now, he just had to find a way to return the favor. But, when Ambrose show More...
Nov 21, 2011
Sheila Roberts' latest book 'The Nine Lives of Christmas' is a feel-good romance story taking place at Christmas time. After Zachary takes in a stray cat, he casually meets Merilee, a cat lover and former veterinary student who helps him with his needs as a new cat owner. Though Zach is a strong and confident firefighter, his heart is not open to a loving commitment. But miracles can happen, whether we anticipate them or not, at Christmas time.
The fun here is that the story is told t More...
The fun here is that the story is told t More...
Nov 19, 2011
Romancing the
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Review by Valerie: It’s getting cooler outside and the holiday spirits are stirring. What better time to sit down and read a book that will get you in the holiday spirit? This one is a winner for cat or pet lovers, especially. The story opens with Ambrose cornered in a tree bargaining for his life – he is on his last one, after all. When the dog is chased away by a nice stranger, Ambrose knows he doesn’t want to do anything nice for a dog so it must be the fireman he has to help out to fulfill h
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Nov 13, 2011
Virginia
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"The Nine Lives of Christmas" is a perfect little holiday present for lovers of poignant and funny romance, ornery and endearing pets, and finding the spirit of the season in unexpected places. Author Sheila Roberts gifts her readers with a terrific, touching tale of a tabby cat named Ambrose down to his ninth, and last, chance of finding a happy home for keeps. About to go down for the final count in the jaws and paws of a determined dog, Ambrose makes a last plea for mercy to the pow
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Nov 13, 2011
April
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The Nine Lives of Christmas is the absolute perfect way to begin the holiday season! I have been in love with Sheila Roberts' work since reading Angel Lane. Each of her stories are unique, heartwarming and incredible. For me, the holiday season doesn't begin until I have gifted myself with one of Ms. Roberts' holiday reads and The Nine Lives of Christmas is the most excellent kick off for this year!
With this story, Sheila Roberts takes the view of Ambrose, the mangy kitty on his nin More...
With this story, Sheila Roberts takes the view of Ambrose, the mangy kitty on his nin More...
Nov 09, 2011
Kat
rated it:
When a guy is in trouble, he starts making deals with his Creator…and Ambrose the cat is no exception. In danger of losing his ninth and final life, Ambrose makes a desperate plea. He’ll do anything—anything!—if he can just survive and enjoy a nice long, final life. His prayer is answered when a stranger comes along and saves him, and now it looks like he has to hold up his end of the bargain.
The stranger turns out to be a fire fighter named Zach, the quintessential commitment- phobe w More...
The stranger turns out to be a fire fighter named Zach, the quintessential commitment- phobe w More...
Nov 08, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
It is said that a cat has 9 lives, and Ambrose the orange cat has already used up 8 of them!
Rescued from the possibility of a mongrel dog taking his 9th life, Ambrose promises that he will be a good cat and help others.. starting with the man that saved his 9th life.
Zach takes in Ambrose until ‘he finds a good home for him’. While collecting supplies for his temporary guest, Zach meets Merilee at Pet Palace. Elflike in appearance, red headed Merilee loves animals but struggles to ta More...
Rescued from the possibility of a mongrel dog taking his 9th life, Ambrose promises that he will be a good cat and help others.. starting with the man that saved his 9th life.
Zach takes in Ambrose until ‘he finds a good home for him’. While collecting supplies for his temporary guest, Zach meets Merilee at Pet Palace. Elflike in appearance, red headed Merilee loves animals but struggles to ta More...
Nov 13, 2011
Lisa
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Ambrose the cat has a problem. He is on his ninth life and a big dog is about to have him for dinner. He starts to make bargain with his maker when he is saved by a jogger. Of course, he is a cat and thinks that he will walk away with business as usual when a little voice inside his head reminds him of his promise to be a better cat. So, he follows the jogger home and decides that he will live with him and help him out.
It's hard to claim squatters rights when the owner of the ho More...
It's hard to claim squatters rights when the owner of the ho More...
Dec 08, 2011
Shannon
rated it: 
I don't normally read books like this, but when I read the synopsis I thought it sounded like a really cute Lifetime movie (not that I've seen one of those since I don't know when). And it turned out it was like a cute Lifetime movie. I enjoyed it and finished it in a few hours. I loved Ambrose the cat. He was adorable. The basic premise is that Ambrose has been given one last chance to live in exchange for doing some good. He sets out to set-up his new master with a nice girl (unlike his
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Nov 23, 2011
Michelle/
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Give me a book with a cat and Christmas in it and it's a surefire bet that I'm going to like it. The Nine Lives of Christmas is a lovely Christmas tale told partially from a cat's point of view. The cat is named Ambrose and he is a yellow tabby who is on his last life. Ambrose is so engaging. Sheila really captured what most of us cat lovers know about cats...little lovers with attitude. I enjoyed the parts featuring Ambrose best, with his inner monologue all focused on how he is going to a
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Oct 28, 2011
LORI
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This story features Ambrose, the matchmaking cat, who finds himself facing his ninth life, you know the final one. He will do anything – ANYTHING – to be able to live it out happily.
When it looks like his fate has been sealed by an enormous dog, he pleads for help. His savior arrives in the form of a big, strong, firefighter named Zach. A firefighter who is very surprised that his good deed not only included scaring away the dog but giving Ambrose a new home.
Ambrose soon sees More...
When it looks like his fate has been sealed by an enormous dog, he pleads for help. His savior arrives in the form of a big, strong, firefighter named Zach. A firefighter who is very surprised that his good deed not only included scaring away the dog but giving Ambrose a new home.
Ambrose soon sees More...
Dec 22, 2011
Katie
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Sweeter than your average Christmas candy, and a treat that is sure to make cat lovers laugh out loud, The Nine Lives of Christmas is truly a spirit-of-the-season type read. I usually don't read much romance, but I couldn't resist the allure of a matchmaking orange tom cat with one torn little ear who finds a home for himself and a love for the guy he's decided to adopt by Christmastime.
It's amazing what one little furball can do when he puts his mind to it. Ambrose the cat is by More...
It's amazing what one little furball can do when he puts his mind to it. Ambrose the cat is by More...
Nov 07, 2011
FABR Steph
rated it:
The Nine Lives of Christmas is a fun read that is perfect for getting the reader into the holiday spirit. I have been a Sheila Roberts fan for a long time and this latest novel is now one of my favorites. Narration is shared by three very different but equally likable characters, a firefighter who is in search for love (although he doesn’t always acknowledge it), a sweet heroine, and Ambrose the cat who takes on the most important role of all, the matchmaker. I was a fan of The Nine Lives of
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Dec 15, 2011
Paul
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Ambrose the cat is on life #9 & in order for him to have a healthy, happy final life some things need to change. Thus becomes the premise for a rather cute love story by Sheila Roberts. Ambrose (eventually Tom) is early on rescued from a tree by a firefighter named Zach Stone who takes him in on the condition that eventually he'll take him to the pound. With no real idea as to how to take care of a cat or what to feed him (since Tom rejects a bowl of milk), he goes to Pet Palace & meets Merilee
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Nov 10, 2011
Jamie
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A cute story and a pleasant, entertaining read for the holidays, but I had a big problem with the hero. One expects heroes in a romance novel to be a little cliche, but Zach was more a caricature of "manliness" than a real character -- talking about "chicks" (far too often), contemplating women's "racks" (ugh!), using the word "dude" every other sentence as if he were a college student, subsisting on a diet of beer and pizza, being easily manipulated by a
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Dec 17, 2011
Amanda
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I won this book off of the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and couldn't be happier. This book definitely takes a different approach at the world of romance in which a cat must bring two people together for him to live out a long and happy 9th life. It is refreshing to read a romance book that doesn't focus on the physical aspects of romance, but rather this book focuses on the mental and emotional side of romance that seems to get left out of many other novels. To be honest, I found myself lau
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Jan 26, 2012
Jenn
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It was interesting to read this book AFTER christmas. I didn't have the christmas magic surrounding me and I began to wonder what this would have been like if it was set around Valentine's Day or, say the 4th of July. It would be an interesting switch up.
If you are a cat lover, then this would be a great book. If however, you just tolerate cats (like I do) then you begin to imagine if the book had a dog instead. Personally, I think I would like that version.
I did like More...
If you are a cat lover, then this would be a great book. If however, you just tolerate cats (like I do) then you begin to imagine if the book had a dog instead. Personally, I think I would like that version.
I did like More...
Oct 29, 2011
Patricia
rated it:
If you like Christmas, romance, and pets with personality, "The Nine Lives of Christmas" is for you! I’ve been a fan of Sheila Roberts for a long time and her latest book is another wonderful read. Her latest story involves a firefighter whose heart needs mending, a sweet and relatable heroine, and a matchmaking cat (how awesome is that?), all set against the backdrop of the holidays. I was glued to this book from the very first page, and could hardly put it down! Reading "The
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Oct 12, 2011
Krystal
rated it:
This was an incredibly sweet novel that is perfect for Christmas. Ambrose is a cat. He is a cat who needs to earn his ninth life. He sees his chance in Zach, a man in need of help with relationships. Merilee is Ambrose's choice for Zach, the reader will likely approve of this choice as well. The book really takes off from there.
The reader will be entertained. Ambrose is funny and slightly remniscent of Garfield. Zach is likable and Merilee does seem to be the perfect gi More...
The reader will be entertained. Ambrose is funny and slightly remniscent of Garfield. Zach is likable and Merilee does seem to be the perfect gi More...
Dec 02, 2011
Stephanie
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It's that time of year again...cheesy Christmas romance book time! When I read the synopsis and saw this one also featured a cat, well...what can I say. I like cheese in my Christmas season.
Nine Lives was a cute, predictable, more-sweet-than-sexy story about a kitty down on his luck and on his ninth life, who vows to help earn his last life's comfort by helping his rescuer - a firefighter human named Zach. Of course, this means that Zach is in need of a good woman.
This More...
Nine Lives was a cute, predictable, more-sweet-than-sexy story about a kitty down on his luck and on his ninth life, who vows to help earn his last life's comfort by helping his rescuer - a firefighter human named Zach. Of course, this means that Zach is in need of a good woman.
This More...
Nov 19, 2011
Jackie
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This cute little story is about a fireman named Zach who took a chance on love with Merilee, and a stray cat named Ambrose, who brought them together . Merilee loved cats and wanted to be a veterinarian . Zach, being a nice guy that he was found himself helping both of them even when he didn't want either of them . Cute story and it had me in tears a couple times .
It made me think of my own siamese cat I once had, Fonzie (yes after Henry Winkler the fonz) . I don't think that cat lik More...
It made me think of my own siamese cat I once had, Fonzie (yes after Henry Winkler the fonz) . I don't think that cat lik More...
Jan 02, 2012
Regina
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Ambrose is a ragtag cat on his ninth life, especially when a big black beast trees him right before Christmas. When he makes a plea to the universe for a miracle, a sturdy fireman comes along and saves the day. Following him home, Ambrose is bent on returning the favor.
A hilarious, contemporary book, sometimes written from the viewpoint of Ambrose, the fireman by the name of Zach (who is determined to have fun and stay single), and a lonely, shy woman (lover of cats) named Merilee. As More...
A hilarious, contemporary book, sometimes written from the viewpoint of Ambrose, the fireman by the name of Zach (who is determined to have fun and stay single), and a lonely, shy woman (lover of cats) named Merilee. As More...
Dec 30, 2011
Erin
rated it: 
Ah, great. This is another cat story set at Christmas time. This is also a romance novel with cats and Christmas. As my friends know, I am not a fan of romances because I cannot suspend my disbelief that two people can fall in love that quickly. Lust maybe, but love? I don't think so. Especially with the main character having a girl friend, sleeping with said girlfriend, and then deciding to go after a store clerk. Um, yeah. Of course, all of this is arranged by a cat who has used up all nine li
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Dec 10, 2011
Carol
rated it:
I picked up this book because I wanted something holidayish, light, and I hoped it would make me smile. I got everything I wanted.
Ambrose the cat is trying to hang onto life number 9. He discovers what he must do to achieve said life. And despite his best efforts, well, humans can be tricky.
While I knew these people have to get together, I found myself wondering how Ambrose was going to pull this off. If you'd like a break from the holiday whirl, this is a delightful More...
Ambrose the cat is trying to hang onto life number 9. He discovers what he must do to achieve said life. And despite his best efforts, well, humans can be tricky.
While I knew these people have to get together, I found myself wondering how Ambrose was going to pull this off. If you'd like a break from the holiday whirl, this is a delightful More...
Nov 20, 2011
Brenda
rated it:
With death by dog fast approaching what's a guy (or in this case cat) to do?
Ambrose is on his 9th (and final) life so he begins making deals. Such as he'll do anything to live out his last life. Enter Zach, a fireman who rescues Ambrose and is in dire need of help in his love life. At least according to Ambrose he is.
Ambrose finally decides the only person who will do for his new human is Merilee, the very nice lady who works at an evil place called Pet Palace.
More...
Ambrose is on his 9th (and final) life so he begins making deals. Such as he'll do anything to live out his last life. Enter Zach, a fireman who rescues Ambrose and is in dire need of help in his love life. At least according to Ambrose he is.
Ambrose finally decides the only person who will do for his new human is Merilee, the very nice lady who works at an evil place called Pet Palace.
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Jan 26, 2012
Lori
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Ambrose is a cat on a mission to earn his ninth life. He meets Zach and follows him home. Zach will be his doorway to a happy ninth life, and from what Ambrose can tell Zach could use some help.
Zach is not the commitment kind of guy, at least that is what he keeps telling himself. His family history isn't the greatest and he doesn't want history to repeat itself. He meets Merilee in the grocery store and a feels a spark that his fireman instincts immediate attempt to put out. Bu More...
Zach is not the commitment kind of guy, at least that is what he keeps telling himself. His family history isn't the greatest and he doesn't want history to repeat itself. He meets Merilee in the grocery store and a feels a spark that his fireman instincts immediate attempt to put out. Bu More...
Dec 27, 2011
Joanne
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I've never really read seasonal type books before but since so many are available on Kindle I've been reading what I can. This one is a really cute story of Ambrose, a cat on his ninth life and determinded to make it his best one yet. It's a romance at it's base, but funny and with characters you'll care enough about to want to see how it ends - especially for Ambrose.
Feb 04, 2012
Ryan Zimmerman
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After the last too disappointing tomes it was a relief to listen to a book I actually enjoyed. It was light, well written, and fun. Sure the lead male is a bit of a dim bulb – but being male I know this is par for the course (we all tend to be a little dim). Sure its formula and schmaltzy (Handsome, rugged, and brave fireman and shy, beautiful woman in need of rescue), but sometimes that just what the doctor ordered.
Jan 24, 2012
Melanie
rated it:
The Nine Lives of Christmas is a warm read, perfect for the Christmas holiday season.
We follow Ambrose the cat as he tries to hang on to the last of his nine lives by bringing happiness to his new owner. Witty and charming, Sheila Robert's book made me laugh.
We follow Ambrose the cat as he tries to hang on to the last of his nine lives by bringing happiness to his new owner. Witty and charming, Sheila Robert's book made me laugh.
