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Dark Ones
Cupid Cats
From New York Times bestselling authors Katie Macalister, Vicki Lewis Thompson and National bestselling author Connie
Stories full of magic, love-and cats.
This one-of-a-kind-all-original anthology features stories by three bestselling superstar authors starring the mysterious, mischievous, and magical matchmaking felines of the Cupid Cats Animal Shelter, who assist their owners in finding romance and true love.
Stories full of magic, love-and cats.
This one-of-a-kind-all-original anthology features stories by three bestselling superstar authors starring the mysterious, mischievous, and magical matchmaking felines of the Cupid Cats Animal Shelter, who assist their owners in finding romance and true love.
391 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
14 people are currently reading
1244 people want to read
About the author
Katie MacAlister
119 books5,963 followersFor as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
July 2, 2010
Cupid Cats: Unleashed by Katie MacAlister
A Cat’s Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway
Paranormal Romance – July 6, 2010
4 Stars
Cupid Cats is a collection of three stories from three different writers, but as the title suggests, they all have magical cats in common. Or specifically, cats from Cupid Cats Shelter, whose tagline is “bring a little magic and love into your life - adopt a cat.” These cats are supposedly magical and will indeed bring romance into the life of the ladies who adopted them.
In Unleashed by MacAlister, the plot revolves around a Morovian, were-jaguar (who was found in Cupid Cats shelter) and a wildlife officer. So even though, it’s not strictly about a normal kitty from the shelter, there’s still a cat involved, albeit a big one. MacAlister is a zany writer. She’s not exactly my cup of tea, but I can’t help but be amused by the characters that keep popping up. First, a vampire were-jaguar, next an elf. Before you know it, the whole story becomes a circus with wild and crazy things happening. If you like goofiness and vampires, you will like Unleashed.
A Cat’s Game by Thompson has a whole different vibe to it. Superstar actor Jon goes off to Bisbee, a remote town, for a much needed getaway only to meet up with his ex-high school girlfriend. Needless to say, she comes with a cat that she got from Cupid Cats Shelter. Through funny and cute circumstances, the magical kitty works his charm to bring the lovers together. A sweet and really cute story, this will make readers go ‘aww. I do like the kitty, but I think the secret star of this story is Esmeralda, the unabashedly hippy and weird shelter lady. Her character is so cheesy and clichéd that I bet the author must be having a blast each time she has to write scenes with Esmeralda in it.
But my favorite story out of these three has to be Cat Scratch Fever by Brockway. The father of a little girl, who is dead set in adopting this mysterious elderly cat, falls in love with the eccentric lady who manages the shelter. Edith is a shy woman who does not know how to socialize with others. But somehow, Jim Curran fell in love with her. Of course, there’s a kitty involved. Her name is Ishy-Pixie, the cat that the little girl firmly believes belongs to her dead mother but disappeared on the night her mother died. Using these three main characters, Brockway concocts a marvelous, heart wrenching love story that had me tearing up! Brockway has a gift for creating life-like characters with quirks and flaws. For example, when Edith gets nervous, she starts using words with at least five syllables. Its little things like these that make her story stand out. I really enjoyed Cat Scratch Fever and will definitely re-read it again...with my own kitty next to me.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
A Cat’s Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway
Paranormal Romance – July 6, 2010
4 Stars
Cupid Cats is a collection of three stories from three different writers, but as the title suggests, they all have magical cats in common. Or specifically, cats from Cupid Cats Shelter, whose tagline is “bring a little magic and love into your life - adopt a cat.” These cats are supposedly magical and will indeed bring romance into the life of the ladies who adopted them.
In Unleashed by MacAlister, the plot revolves around a Morovian, were-jaguar (who was found in Cupid Cats shelter) and a wildlife officer. So even though, it’s not strictly about a normal kitty from the shelter, there’s still a cat involved, albeit a big one. MacAlister is a zany writer. She’s not exactly my cup of tea, but I can’t help but be amused by the characters that keep popping up. First, a vampire were-jaguar, next an elf. Before you know it, the whole story becomes a circus with wild and crazy things happening. If you like goofiness and vampires, you will like Unleashed.
A Cat’s Game by Thompson has a whole different vibe to it. Superstar actor Jon goes off to Bisbee, a remote town, for a much needed getaway only to meet up with his ex-high school girlfriend. Needless to say, she comes with a cat that she got from Cupid Cats Shelter. Through funny and cute circumstances, the magical kitty works his charm to bring the lovers together. A sweet and really cute story, this will make readers go ‘aww. I do like the kitty, but I think the secret star of this story is Esmeralda, the unabashedly hippy and weird shelter lady. Her character is so cheesy and clichéd that I bet the author must be having a blast each time she has to write scenes with Esmeralda in it.
But my favorite story out of these three has to be Cat Scratch Fever by Brockway. The father of a little girl, who is dead set in adopting this mysterious elderly cat, falls in love with the eccentric lady who manages the shelter. Edith is a shy woman who does not know how to socialize with others. But somehow, Jim Curran fell in love with her. Of course, there’s a kitty involved. Her name is Ishy-Pixie, the cat that the little girl firmly believes belongs to her dead mother but disappeared on the night her mother died. Using these three main characters, Brockway concocts a marvelous, heart wrenching love story that had me tearing up! Brockway has a gift for creating life-like characters with quirks and flaws. For example, when Edith gets nervous, she starts using words with at least five syllables. Its little things like these that make her story stand out. I really enjoyed Cat Scratch Fever and will definitely re-read it again...with my own kitty next to me.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
December 31, 2010
Katie MacAlister's story was okay. It's a paranormal romance story set in a pre-existing universe.
My favorite was easily Connie Brockway's. The love interest is a literal genius with limited social skills but she has a good heart and tries very hard to follow social cues. I have to give credit to Brockway. I really liked this story even though it involved a single parent. I have almost zero interest in reading about children.
Finally there was Vicki Lewis Thompson's story. I hated this story. A lot. I know Jon is supposed to be (endearingly?)arrogant and supposedly he's (still?) in love with her. The problem is that he clearly doesn't respect her. When she's angry his thought process is basically "oh, she's upset. Isn't that just the cutest thing?" As opposed to, you know, actually respecting her feelings. I realize the ruined pan (to take one example) may on the surface be a silly thing to argue about, the thing was, they were also arguing about philosophical differences. When he has something that is ruined/broken etc. he just buys another one because hey, he's rich, why not? Kate, on the other hand, tries to salvage what she can first. And, of course, he thinks that's just silly.
Jon thinks several times about the fact that Kate doesn't like to be bossed around and has to keep reminding himself not to do it. But I don't get the sense he's doing it respectfully. It was more that he was just indulging her foolishness.
But what bothered me the most was that the relationship "works" in the end because Kate decides to become a completely different person. So I guess the message is you too can have a great relationship if you just stop being who you are. She comes from a family that was in the spotlight when she was younger and she's clearly an introvert. And her sister and Jon both think it's great that she's now willing to talk to his fans, give up her privacy, and basically be "on" all the time. For an introvert, that kind of life is miserable. Extroverts get charged up by dealing with crowds and strangers. Introverts find it immensely draining. I'm not saying introverts and extroverts can't have happy relationships but that involves compromise on the part of both parties. This is clearly Jon giving up exactly nothing while Kate thinks she can radically change who she is to please Jon.
My favorite was easily Connie Brockway's. The love interest is a literal genius with limited social skills but she has a good heart and tries very hard to follow social cues. I have to give credit to Brockway. I really liked this story even though it involved a single parent. I have almost zero interest in reading about children.
Finally there was Vicki Lewis Thompson's story. I hated this story. A lot. I know Jon is supposed to be (endearingly?)arrogant and supposedly he's (still?) in love with her. The problem is that he clearly doesn't respect her. When she's angry his thought process is basically "oh, she's upset. Isn't that just the cutest thing?" As opposed to, you know, actually respecting her feelings. I realize the ruined pan (to take one example) may on the surface be a silly thing to argue about, the thing was, they were also arguing about philosophical differences. When he has something that is ruined/broken etc. he just buys another one because hey, he's rich, why not? Kate, on the other hand, tries to salvage what she can first. And, of course, he thinks that's just silly.
Jon thinks several times about the fact that Kate doesn't like to be bossed around and has to keep reminding himself not to do it. But I don't get the sense he's doing it respectfully. It was more that he was just indulging her foolishness.
But what bothered me the most was that the relationship "works" in the end because Kate decides to become a completely different person. So I guess the message is you too can have a great relationship if you just stop being who you are. She comes from a family that was in the spotlight when she was younger and she's clearly an introvert. And her sister and Jon both think it's great that she's now willing to talk to his fans, give up her privacy, and basically be "on" all the time. For an introvert, that kind of life is miserable. Extroverts get charged up by dealing with crowds and strangers. Introverts find it immensely draining. I'm not saying introverts and extroverts can't have happy relationships but that involves compromise on the part of both parties. This is clearly Jon giving up exactly nothing while Kate thinks she can radically change who she is to please Jon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2010
"CUPID CATS SHELTER: Bring a little magic and love into your life. Adopt a cat" goes the opening page of the Cupid Cats anthology. This book did bring a little love and magic into my life for two out of the three stories. Since this book was an anthology I’m going to review each story individually. It only seems fair that way. One thing to note though is that the shelter “Cupid Cats” is not the same “Cupid Cats” in every single story. They’re different shelters, run by different people, and in different states. I’m going to start with the opening story which is Unleashed by Katie MacAlister.
I have to say before I read Unleashed I had never read a Katie MacAlister book. After finishing this story I wondered why I haven't because I loved it! This story was easily my favorite of the three and one I really wished Katie had made into a full novel.
The story stars Jacintha aka Jas Ferreira, who is known as the “kitty whisper” from her work with big cats at the Fish and Wildlife Department in Washington state. One day she gets a call from the “Cupid Cats” shelter saying that there is a large cat lounging in their lobby. Jas along with her visiting sister Cora make way to the shelter. There Jas discovers a large jaguar drugged on the floor. Jas at first believes it is a runaway from someone’s private, but illegal collection. That is until the large cat starts talking to her in her mind….
Avery Scott is having a hellish day. He was sent by his brother Paen to investigate why rare animals keep showing up on a game reserve in Scotland. His brother believes that a group called the “Leshy” is responsible and so he infiltrates the group. Unfortunately the leader’s daughter wants him to marry her and she does not take kindly to his refusal. Avery wakes up to find a strange woman talking to him and calling him a jaguar. Something Avery knows isn’t right because he’s a Moravian. Moravian’s don’t turn into jaguars that’s because they’re what mortals call vampires.
As I stated earlier, this story was my favorite out of the three. Something that people who know me might find odd since I’m not a fan of the “I love you after one day of knowing you” and this story literally takes place in one day. I overcame this aversion because the story was just so funny and witty. You could just feel the chemistry flowing off of Avery and Jas. Another plus was that Katie takes digs at the “Twilight” series many times. I am not a fan of the series and therefore every time a dig was made, I would crack up. The story came off brilliantly and it’s a real testament to the author that I want to read more of her work. Something I believe is one of the main points of anthologies. So final scores are:
Rating: 5 (Excellent) J’adored it and recommend it to everyone.
The next story in the anthology is Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway. This was easily my least favorite story in the anthology. In fact I found it hard to finish.
The story revolves around Jim Curran, his five year old daughter Chloe, and Dr. Edith Handelman. Chole wants a cat so Jim decides to take her to the Cupid Cats shelter. There Chole becomes absolutely convinced that his old cat, Ishy, is the one her dead mother used to own. During the first visit, Jim is there with Chloe and his sister Melissa. Edie comes into mop the floor and thus the story begins.
IIf the summary sounds dull that’s because the story was as dull as rocks to me and aggravating. Edie is supposed to be this super genius that works at Jim’s company and is also the director of that particular cupid cats. She speaks like a droid. Think Data from Star Trek without a personality. There, you have Edie. She was so dull, monotone, and talked so high ended that I couldn’t stand her. Jim only seems to be looking for a mother to Chloe and a person to be with since he's lonely as a single parent.
The author wants us to believe they like each like each other and are compatible. Instead I found myself with the same opinion as my namesake in the book, and that is to say they’re all wrong for each other. Edie deserved a super genius that could talk about why love is only a combination of pheromones, chemicals, and appeasing scents. Jim deserved someone with a personality.
Rating: 3
The last story in the anthology is A Cat’s Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson and is where the delightful opener came from. Having read a book by Vicki before, I can say I was not the least disappointed in this story and it was up to her usual standard. In fact this book was having a duel with Kate’s story over which was my favorite. Kate’s story won over all because I was not too fond of the end of this one.
The story revolves around Kate Archer who agrees to watch over her sister’s Maggie Bed and Breakfast while she is gone for a week on a cruise. The job sounds easy enough until Kate finds out her ex-boyfriend and current Hollywood leading man Jon Ramsey has rented out the whole place for the week. This does not sit well with Kate since Kate hates Hollywood and everything to do with it. Her Hollywood star parents' marriage troubles and subsequent divorce haunted her childhood and her very public breakup with Jon in high school made things worse. She agrees believing that she is over Jon and because she feels that her sister truly deserves a break. Helping her sister out to her car she discovers a flier for “The Cupid Cats” shelter and decides to take a visit. Due to the nature of her job as a primatologist, Kate has never been able to get a cat. Yet something is compelling her to visit the shelter and look around. She goes and meets Esmeralda a very kind, yet strange woman. At the shelter she meets gorgeous silver and black tabby named Darwin that has black squirrels and a heart shape on its back. Kate falls in love and immediately agrees to take him. Thus the story begins for Kate…
Jon Ramsey is a Hollywood superstar and just recently missed winning the Oscar. He decides to go to his favorite getaway for a vacation. He learns from the owner that she not be there, but instead her sister/ his ex-girlfriend will be. Jon believes he is fine with this. The problem is that moment he lays eyes on Kate carrying a cat to the Inn he realizes he’s never truly gotten over her and still loves her. Thus the story begins for him as well. As I mentioned earlier I really liked A Cat’s Game and thought it was just as good as Unleashed. I really liked how Vicki gave Kate and Jon a history and their romance seemed less rushed because of it. The story was perfect for the anthology format and might have suffered if it had been any longer. The side characters were great and Darwin really fit the bill for “That Darn Cat”.
Rating: 5 I wasn’t that fond of the ending, but it was still wonderful.
~ Melissa
I have to say before I read Unleashed I had never read a Katie MacAlister book. After finishing this story I wondered why I haven't because I loved it! This story was easily my favorite of the three and one I really wished Katie had made into a full novel.
The story stars Jacintha aka Jas Ferreira, who is known as the “kitty whisper” from her work with big cats at the Fish and Wildlife Department in Washington state. One day she gets a call from the “Cupid Cats” shelter saying that there is a large cat lounging in their lobby. Jas along with her visiting sister Cora make way to the shelter. There Jas discovers a large jaguar drugged on the floor. Jas at first believes it is a runaway from someone’s private, but illegal collection. That is until the large cat starts talking to her in her mind….
Avery Scott is having a hellish day. He was sent by his brother Paen to investigate why rare animals keep showing up on a game reserve in Scotland. His brother believes that a group called the “Leshy” is responsible and so he infiltrates the group. Unfortunately the leader’s daughter wants him to marry her and she does not take kindly to his refusal. Avery wakes up to find a strange woman talking to him and calling him a jaguar. Something Avery knows isn’t right because he’s a Moravian. Moravian’s don’t turn into jaguars that’s because they’re what mortals call vampires.
As I stated earlier, this story was my favorite out of the three. Something that people who know me might find odd since I’m not a fan of the “I love you after one day of knowing you” and this story literally takes place in one day. I overcame this aversion because the story was just so funny and witty. You could just feel the chemistry flowing off of Avery and Jas. Another plus was that Katie takes digs at the “Twilight” series many times. I am not a fan of the series and therefore every time a dig was made, I would crack up. The story came off brilliantly and it’s a real testament to the author that I want to read more of her work. Something I believe is one of the main points of anthologies. So final scores are:
Rating: 5 (Excellent) J’adored it and recommend it to everyone.
The next story in the anthology is Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway. This was easily my least favorite story in the anthology. In fact I found it hard to finish.
The story revolves around Jim Curran, his five year old daughter Chloe, and Dr. Edith Handelman. Chole wants a cat so Jim decides to take her to the Cupid Cats shelter. There Chole becomes absolutely convinced that his old cat, Ishy, is the one her dead mother used to own. During the first visit, Jim is there with Chloe and his sister Melissa. Edie comes into mop the floor and thus the story begins.
IIf the summary sounds dull that’s because the story was as dull as rocks to me and aggravating. Edie is supposed to be this super genius that works at Jim’s company and is also the director of that particular cupid cats. She speaks like a droid. Think Data from Star Trek without a personality. There, you have Edie. She was so dull, monotone, and talked so high ended that I couldn’t stand her. Jim only seems to be looking for a mother to Chloe and a person to be with since he's lonely as a single parent.
The author wants us to believe they like each like each other and are compatible. Instead I found myself with the same opinion as my namesake in the book, and that is to say they’re all wrong for each other. Edie deserved a super genius that could talk about why love is only a combination of pheromones, chemicals, and appeasing scents. Jim deserved someone with a personality.
Rating: 3
The last story in the anthology is A Cat’s Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson and is where the delightful opener came from. Having read a book by Vicki before, I can say I was not the least disappointed in this story and it was up to her usual standard. In fact this book was having a duel with Kate’s story over which was my favorite. Kate’s story won over all because I was not too fond of the end of this one.
The story revolves around Kate Archer who agrees to watch over her sister’s Maggie Bed and Breakfast while she is gone for a week on a cruise. The job sounds easy enough until Kate finds out her ex-boyfriend and current Hollywood leading man Jon Ramsey has rented out the whole place for the week. This does not sit well with Kate since Kate hates Hollywood and everything to do with it. Her Hollywood star parents' marriage troubles and subsequent divorce haunted her childhood and her very public breakup with Jon in high school made things worse. She agrees believing that she is over Jon and because she feels that her sister truly deserves a break. Helping her sister out to her car she discovers a flier for “The Cupid Cats” shelter and decides to take a visit. Due to the nature of her job as a primatologist, Kate has never been able to get a cat. Yet something is compelling her to visit the shelter and look around. She goes and meets Esmeralda a very kind, yet strange woman. At the shelter she meets gorgeous silver and black tabby named Darwin that has black squirrels and a heart shape on its back. Kate falls in love and immediately agrees to take him. Thus the story begins for Kate…
Jon Ramsey is a Hollywood superstar and just recently missed winning the Oscar. He decides to go to his favorite getaway for a vacation. He learns from the owner that she not be there, but instead her sister/ his ex-girlfriend will be. Jon believes he is fine with this. The problem is that moment he lays eyes on Kate carrying a cat to the Inn he realizes he’s never truly gotten over her and still loves her. Thus the story begins for him as well. As I mentioned earlier I really liked A Cat’s Game and thought it was just as good as Unleashed. I really liked how Vicki gave Kate and Jon a history and their romance seemed less rushed because of it. The story was perfect for the anthology format and might have suffered if it had been any longer. The side characters were great and Darwin really fit the bill for “That Darn Cat”.
Rating: 5 I wasn’t that fond of the ending, but it was still wonderful.
~ Melissa
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2014
This was one of the first multi-story books I have read that I enjoyed all three of them.
Katie MacAlister's story, "Unleashed," was interesting and funny. I liked how there were characters that I recognized from another book of her's I have read and how even though they were there I didn't feel like if I hadn't read that book I would have been lost. I also like the twist on the word cat in the story.
In Connie Brockway's story, "Cat Scratch Fever," we are brought back down to earth and introduced to character's that live in the real world rather than the paranormal like MacAlister's. The emotions were strong and there was a connection between the characters. The story is not free of paranormal activity, but still exists within the realm of reality. This is the first thing I've ever read by Brockway and I intend to read more.
In Vicki Lewis Thompson's story, "A Cat's Game," we come back with slightly more paranormal activity based more in the real world environment. The characters have a history that they embrace and share and even use to help push the story along. It was well written and beautiful. I liked it.
Although each author took their own take on the idea of a shelter named "Cupid Cats," each story was unique, bright, and honest and was very interesting.
Katie MacAlister's story, "Unleashed," was interesting and funny. I liked how there were characters that I recognized from another book of her's I have read and how even though they were there I didn't feel like if I hadn't read that book I would have been lost. I also like the twist on the word cat in the story.
In Connie Brockway's story, "Cat Scratch Fever," we are brought back down to earth and introduced to character's that live in the real world rather than the paranormal like MacAlister's. The emotions were strong and there was a connection between the characters. The story is not free of paranormal activity, but still exists within the realm of reality. This is the first thing I've ever read by Brockway and I intend to read more.
In Vicki Lewis Thompson's story, "A Cat's Game," we come back with slightly more paranormal activity based more in the real world environment. The characters have a history that they embrace and share and even use to help push the story along. It was well written and beautiful. I liked it.
Although each author took their own take on the idea of a shelter named "Cupid Cats," each story was unique, bright, and honest and was very interesting.
September 2, 2010
Wish I could get back the brain cells I used to read these stories! I just wanted something light and fluffy to help me get through some bad sleepless nights. What I got? NOT CUTE FLUFFY CATS!!!
Instead of cats, the book gives you: vampires, werewolves, "Moravian Dark One", "Beloveds", shape-changers, "theorians", "Leshies", Russian Mafia, were-jaguars. And that's in one chapter. How the hell is that "cupid cats"? *NOTHING* on the cover or back blurb indicated this was a stupid vampire story.
Also, KITTY SNUFF STORY. Main character cats are killed off FOR NO GOOD REASON. Ye gods, and it wasn't even subtle leading up to it - so this "romance" you're supposed to be getting into is just one big long downer, as you know what's going to happen to that cat in the end.
AVOID THIS BOOK. Wish I could get my money back from the publisher, it was so bad.
Instead of cats, the book gives you: vampires, werewolves, "Moravian Dark One", "Beloveds", shape-changers, "theorians", "Leshies", Russian Mafia, were-jaguars. And that's in one chapter. How the hell is that "cupid cats"? *NOTHING* on the cover or back blurb indicated this was a stupid vampire story.
Also, KITTY SNUFF STORY. Main character cats are killed off FOR NO GOOD REASON. Ye gods, and it wasn't even subtle leading up to it - so this "romance" you're supposed to be getting into is just one big long downer, as you know what's going to happen to that cat in the end.
AVOID THIS BOOK. Wish I could get my money back from the publisher, it was so bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2012
Cupid Cats is a collection of three short stories, unrelated to each other but each featuring cat shelters called Cupid Cats.
"Unleashed" by Katie MacAlister
Wildlife officer Jas is about to be called out to the shelter to retrieve a cat someone left overnight. A very BIG cat. But this is no ordinary jaguar, as Jas discovers when she arrives to find that she can hear the jag in her mind, and he's telling her that he's no jag at all but a vampire-esque creature who has been changed against his will.
Ugh. This is the least impressive of the three. The writing and plot are both sophomoric and slapdash, the characters aren't very likable and it's frequently silly in a stupid way when it's trying to be funny and witty. This is a story that seems to enjoy itself a lot but doesn't do much for the reader.
"Cat Scratch Fever" by Connie Brockway
Widower Jim Curran couldn't be more surprised when he takes his daughter to browse a cat shelter and finds his co-worker Dr. Edith Handelman there mopping the floors. Edith is an odd - though brilliant - duck with a distinct lack of social skills, but Jim is finding himself increasingly fascinated by and attracted to her.
A so-so story that was moderately enjoyable, Fever could have been a lot better than it was. The writing was decent enough, but nothing spectacular. Ditto Jim. So much attention was paid to Edith's lack of social skills and basic human comprehension (possibly undiagnosed Asperger's) that those aspects became almost her whole persona and it was difficult to see why Jim was attracted to her in the first place. I could see her as an older, homely woman with thick glasses and crazy hair, but I couldn't picture her as a sexy heroine. The daughter's character was cookie-cutter-kid, and the paranormal aspect of the story was unnecessary and poorly developed.
This was my first taste of Brockway and while I wasn't enormously impressed I could see enough promise to check out some of her other work.
"A Cat's Game" by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Kate Archer is about to spend the week running her sister's inn while she's on vacation. It should be easy - after all, there's only one guest. The problem is, the guest is Hollywood leading man Jon Ramsey... her old high school flame. Complicating things is her new cat Darwin, whom she just impulsively adopted from a very strange shelter.
This story is actually the reason I picked the book up as Thompson is an author I often enjoy, although she's one of the more uneven of my favorites. A Cat's Game, while somewhat enjoyable, is not her best work. The writing is nothing special. Thompson usually shoots for a light, witty, fun tone, but she doesn't always reach it, and this is one of those times (see "While he used his tongue to suggest how they might employ themselves later on, he pulled her in so tight that a thief wielding a credit card wouldn't have been able to slide it between them." Meh, not horrible, but not very good either.) I also was far from enamored with the main characters, especially Jon, who was hard to get a good picture of beyond your typical Hollywood hottie - his personality was just not conveyed very well. It was also a bit jolting to watch them come together. First she thinks no way. Then suddenly she decides she's a mature adult and can indulge in an affair and they're quickly hot and heavy. Then she changes her mind and is shocked he would think they'd have sex so soon. Then suddenly they're boning. Yep, this one felt a bit sloppy. If you want to read a better paranormal effort involving a cat, try her novel Blonde with a Wand.
"Unleashed" by Katie MacAlister
Wildlife officer Jas is about to be called out to the shelter to retrieve a cat someone left overnight. A very BIG cat. But this is no ordinary jaguar, as Jas discovers when she arrives to find that she can hear the jag in her mind, and he's telling her that he's no jag at all but a vampire-esque creature who has been changed against his will.
Ugh. This is the least impressive of the three. The writing and plot are both sophomoric and slapdash, the characters aren't very likable and it's frequently silly in a stupid way when it's trying to be funny and witty. This is a story that seems to enjoy itself a lot but doesn't do much for the reader.
"Cat Scratch Fever" by Connie Brockway
Widower Jim Curran couldn't be more surprised when he takes his daughter to browse a cat shelter and finds his co-worker Dr. Edith Handelman there mopping the floors. Edith is an odd - though brilliant - duck with a distinct lack of social skills, but Jim is finding himself increasingly fascinated by and attracted to her.
A so-so story that was moderately enjoyable, Fever could have been a lot better than it was. The writing was decent enough, but nothing spectacular. Ditto Jim. So much attention was paid to Edith's lack of social skills and basic human comprehension (possibly undiagnosed Asperger's) that those aspects became almost her whole persona and it was difficult to see why Jim was attracted to her in the first place. I could see her as an older, homely woman with thick glasses and crazy hair, but I couldn't picture her as a sexy heroine. The daughter's character was cookie-cutter-kid, and the paranormal aspect of the story was unnecessary and poorly developed.
This was my first taste of Brockway and while I wasn't enormously impressed I could see enough promise to check out some of her other work.
"A Cat's Game" by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Kate Archer is about to spend the week running her sister's inn while she's on vacation. It should be easy - after all, there's only one guest. The problem is, the guest is Hollywood leading man Jon Ramsey... her old high school flame. Complicating things is her new cat Darwin, whom she just impulsively adopted from a very strange shelter.
This story is actually the reason I picked the book up as Thompson is an author I often enjoy, although she's one of the more uneven of my favorites. A Cat's Game, while somewhat enjoyable, is not her best work. The writing is nothing special. Thompson usually shoots for a light, witty, fun tone, but she doesn't always reach it, and this is one of those times (see "While he used his tongue to suggest how they might employ themselves later on, he pulled her in so tight that a thief wielding a credit card wouldn't have been able to slide it between them." Meh, not horrible, but not very good either.) I also was far from enamored with the main characters, especially Jon, who was hard to get a good picture of beyond your typical Hollywood hottie - his personality was just not conveyed very well. It was also a bit jolting to watch them come together. First she thinks no way. Then suddenly she decides she's a mature adult and can indulge in an affair and they're quickly hot and heavy. Then she changes her mind and is shocked he would think they'd have sex so soon. Then suddenly they're boning. Yep, this one felt a bit sloppy. If you want to read a better paranormal effort involving a cat, try her novel Blonde with a Wand.
December 4, 2011
I enjoyed the first story Unleashed a lot, but I like the paranormal werewolves and shapeshifters generally in my paranormal romance novels. As crazy as the story seemed initially I was able to get into the story and the romance between the main characters. I love how her sister was a very annoying but loving. I admit it. I wanted to kick the sister. HARD! But that's family.
The second story, Cat Scratch Fever, I really liked because I have a soft place in my heart for the genius yet socially awkward. It's always nice to read a story where the hero sees past the heroine's walls. Seriously, the heroine is good people, but if I met someone like her in reality I would stare at her in awkward amazement or feel insulted by her analysis of me. But who doesn't love when geeky, nerdy people get together!
And the last story, A Cat's Game...ugh. I guess I am not into hollywood themed stories. I'm honestly not interested in the beautiful people of the world. I can see and hear their stories on tv all the time. So I had a difficult time getting into this story. The best part of it was the insight into the affect on fans and paparazzi on an actors personal life. I think that there should be rules about that.
The second story, Cat Scratch Fever, I really liked because I have a soft place in my heart for the genius yet socially awkward. It's always nice to read a story where the hero sees past the heroine's walls. Seriously, the heroine is good people, but if I met someone like her in reality I would stare at her in awkward amazement or feel insulted by her analysis of me. But who doesn't love when geeky, nerdy people get together!
And the last story, A Cat's Game...ugh. I guess I am not into hollywood themed stories. I'm honestly not interested in the beautiful people of the world. I can see and hear their stories on tv all the time. So I had a difficult time getting into this story. The best part of it was the insight into the affect on fans and paparazzi on an actors personal life. I think that there should be rules about that.
August 29, 2010
This anthology was a mixed bag for me, typical of my anthology experience. I loved Connie Brockway's "Cat Scratch Fever." I always fall in love with Brockway's characters, and the four in this story (counting the cat) are no exceptions. I know I will reread this one. "A Cat's Game" is exactly the kind of story that keeps me reading Vicki Lewis Thompson--a cute, fun read that leaves me feeling the author must have enjoyed writing the story as much as I enjoyed reading it. I'm just not a big paranormal fan, and "Unleashed" by Katie MacAlister was too paranormal for my taste, making it the weakest of the three stories.
September 29, 2015
caaaaaaats!
I thought that there would be one animal shelter that centered all the stories, but in fact it was three separate ones in three separate towns. My favorite was Cat Scratch Fever (Connie Brockaway), although it took me a while to relax into it because characters kept emphasizing the heroine had not been tested for Asperger's Syndrome. Like, take the lampshade down, you've hung it long enough. But after that, it was beautifully bittersweet.
I thought that there would be one animal shelter that centered all the stories, but in fact it was three separate ones in three separate towns. My favorite was Cat Scratch Fever (Connie Brockaway), although it took me a while to relax into it because characters kept emphasizing the heroine had not been tested for Asperger's Syndrome. Like, take the lampshade down, you've hung it long enough. But after that, it was beautifully bittersweet.
August 10, 2011
Three kind of cute stories, remembered why I don't like Katie McAlister. Only one story was really memorable, the one with the brilliant but awkward scientist and the widower father of a little girl.
July 13, 2010
This book wasn't what I expected. So I must say that while I was disapointed I still liked it, and read it all. Best story was Connie Brockway's "Cat Scratch Fever"
July 26, 2013
Unleashed - by Katie MacAlister
Jacintha Ferreira, Fish and Wildlife Department – cat whisperer (affinity with wild cats); called to Cupid Cat’s Shelter because of a big cat – and she finds a black jaguar passed out on the floor – and as it awakens, she is talking to it, asking questions, and he starts to answer her in her mind… Avery Scott, likes women, Morovian (vampire) but one with a soul as born to Joined parents -he - disoriented at first, and she – trying to track the voice… finally connect… and she finds out he was with the Leshies, and they made him a jaguar (later we find out dad (Albert) dropped him off at the shelter, to protect him from his daughter); she sits next to the jaguar, head on lap, and scratches his ears to relax him, and once relaxed he shifted back to human (or Morovian)… and as he can mind talk with her, he realizes she is his Beloved. Her sister Cora is a barrel of laughs, as she tries to protect her sister (shooting Avery with a tranq dart when he catches him kissing her sister – buying hose and shovels as rope and stakes in case he gets out of control) -
The attraction is strong… she takes things in stride, but wants time… they figure out that the daughter and son were magically making humans into animals, and sending them to Scotland to be hunted… dad works with jac and Avery to stop them… which they do… and in the end… he loves her (it took him 7 hours to come to that conclusion)… and she is fascinated with him… ahhh When they make love, given their beloved connection, they can feel the other’s sensations and emotions – and without conscious choice, she absorbs his darkness, giving him her light… and when confronting Danielle – who intends to turn them all animal and send them to be prey, jac is changed to lion – and Avery and Jac look forward to running together.
“That’s all you’ve been thinking about for the last ten minutes, and you can just stop because it’s not going to happen. And that. I’m allergic to cherries, anyway. Now, that one is just underhanded. Avery! Stop thinking smutty things at me! I can’t concentrate when you… Hoo, mama! Is that… No. I’m not listening to you anymore.” Jacintha, in response to the images in Avery’s mind that she can hear.
“ A marking, protection, fluids exchange, trust, a second exchange, and overcoming darkness. Dark Ones have a final step: an exchange of blood.” Avery explains to Jacintha
“I tried to growl at her, but it came out a purr. ‘Aww, isn’t that sweet? Big kitty is purring at me,” my obnoxious sister said, patting my head.” Cora and her sister therion/shapeshifted lion Jacintha.
Cat Scratch Fever - Connie Brockway
Setting: Cupid Cats Shelter, in Chicago; from New York; Genetic’s office building; international restaurants; Jim and Chloe’s home; his parent’s backyard;
Theme: falling in love again; raising a child; a bit of magic;
Characters:
Jim Curran: ‘talking’ head for a genetic research company; Chief visionary officer; married 8 happy years, but lost wife in child birth; moved from New York to Chicago so his daughter would be with family – parents, 3 sisters, cousins, etc; but as youngest, she was getting very spoiled – so he moves a few miles away; he loved and mourned his wife;
Chloe Curran: cute, smart, wonderful, loving, spoiled, full of temper, 5 year old daughter; she is convinced the older cat at the shelter is the same cat her mother had; and logically thinks that if she visits cat often enough, the cat will get used to her, and go home with her;
‘Steph’ Stephanie Curran: Jim’s first wife – bright, light, outgoing, full of temper, cussing, loving;
Melissa Bandetti: Jim’s older, controlling sister; indulges Chloe; sets Jim up with Steph kinda the sames; doesn’t like Edie;
Dr. Edith ‘Edie’ Handelman: research department head; empirical and rational, her life defined by order, cleanliness, and reason; she is socially inept (having gone into high school at 12, and college at 14 – 3 degrees); and takes things literal; had engaged to a scientist for 2 years, but when found out she couldn’t have children, he withdrew – as he felt his superior genes needed progeny; sheundle had looked forward to being a mom, and had read about it… and when confronted with Chloe she is an interesting bundle of responses – she talks to her like an adult, she walks out of the room if she has a tantrum, she listens to her and values what she says;
Pixie-Ishy / Ishy-Pixie: a subtly magic cat… brings Jim to the shelter after a date with a steph substitute, to a lonely Edie; at end, when Edie hiding out from jim, and Chloe sneaks out, cat brings her to shelter – and puts here to sleep on meet and greet couch, with a see through woman, who tells the cat that they are there for love, and place a kitten on Chloe’s lap;
Summary:
Jim and Edie – Edie has a crush on Jim, but can’t conceive that he would be attracted to her… and from day one, Jim has been fascinated with her… and the more time they spend together, the more he sees her charms… and it takes some doing to get her to join them for meals (but he does find her weakness for international foods)… and then one night, Chloe leaves her doll at the shelter (cats’s doing?), and Chloe is out with aunt… and Edie walks over, to return doll… and she and Jim end up kissing – and though interrupted – when Jim shows up in her office the next day, prepared to only accept a yes when he asks her out on a real date, she smiles at him, and says yes (she figures out he does like her that way)… and after charming meal and walk through park, a kiss at her door leads to a lot more … and a few weeks of great sex and being together (with Chloe too), he takes her to Chloe’s 6th birthday party at his parents, with 50 relatives… and she’s very uncomfortable… but most like her just fine… but then she overhears his sister Melissa gossiping about her, saying she is the anti-stephanie etc … she leaves, she avoids him for a week… and then Chloe ends up at the shelter (cat’s help)… Jim calls Edie – Edie finds Chloe asleep in her back room – he runs over – reassured she is okay – takes Edie in his arms, and wants to know what is happening… and they live happily ever after.
Memorable scenes:
When Chloe met Edith, Chloe thinks an older cat is her mother’s cat, Pixie; but Edith corrects her and says the cats name is Ishy; when Chloe claims it is a mean name, Edith tells her it is a diminutive for Moby Dick’s Ishmael… next time they get together, Chloe calls her Edie. And response?: “Edie?” Edith’s eyes rounded. No one had ever called her Edie. “It’s a fond dimmytive,” Chloe explained patiently. Edith felt herself flushing.
After turning down dinner again… and they are going home… “Chloe looked over her father’s shoulder and waved. Behind her, Ishy-Pixie yowled plaintively. Stupid cat. She wouldn’t go with them, so what right did she have to complain?” (stupid cat or stupid Edie?)
A Cat's Game - Vicki Lewis Thompson
Setting: Hummingbird Inn, B&B Bisbee, Arizona; Cupid Cat Shelter; Hollywood film set;
Theme: falling in love; making decisions today on truths of today, not feelings of childhood;
Characters:
Kate Archer: biologist; studying monkeys – spent 3 months in Brazil and discovered a new breed of monkey; covering for her sister; nervous about spending a week with the man she never forgot;
Maggie Archer: owns the B&B; gets a surprised week with a boyfriend on a cruise, and asks Kate to cover for her; Kate’s high school sweetheart, movie star, has rented all the rooms for a week (3rd year in a row he has done this);
Jon Ramsey: looking forward to decompressing at the B&B again; nominated (but did not win) emmy; trying not to be too excited about spending time with Kate – a woman he never forgot;
Summary:
In two days they fall in love again (the cat she picked up at the shelter seems to be helping – bringing them a condom, attracting attention and bringing the media in so Kate will have to confront her feeling about it… running out when he is about to leave… keeping them together longer…
He leaves early (she says though loves him, she can’t be in public eye)… both lonely… sister returns, they talk… she realizes she can handle the press – it would not be like when mom and dad’s dirty laundry was in the tabloids… she goes to his set… while waiting, she talks with press, and makes up with him publically… to convince him and herself that she can handle it… ahhhh
Memorable scenes:
6 years old – kids making fun of Kate – and her famous parents’ fight in tabloids… and Jon joined her in facing them off… today… he remembers: “She hadn’t cowered, though. She’d met their jeers with the same defiance he saw now. He’d waded in to help her, which was when he decided that someday they would get married. It had made sense to his first-grade self.”
Jacintha Ferreira, Fish and Wildlife Department – cat whisperer (affinity with wild cats); called to Cupid Cat’s Shelter because of a big cat – and she finds a black jaguar passed out on the floor – and as it awakens, she is talking to it, asking questions, and he starts to answer her in her mind… Avery Scott, likes women, Morovian (vampire) but one with a soul as born to Joined parents -he - disoriented at first, and she – trying to track the voice… finally connect… and she finds out he was with the Leshies, and they made him a jaguar (later we find out dad (Albert) dropped him off at the shelter, to protect him from his daughter); she sits next to the jaguar, head on lap, and scratches his ears to relax him, and once relaxed he shifted back to human (or Morovian)… and as he can mind talk with her, he realizes she is his Beloved. Her sister Cora is a barrel of laughs, as she tries to protect her sister (shooting Avery with a tranq dart when he catches him kissing her sister – buying hose and shovels as rope and stakes in case he gets out of control) -
The attraction is strong… she takes things in stride, but wants time… they figure out that the daughter and son were magically making humans into animals, and sending them to Scotland to be hunted… dad works with jac and Avery to stop them… which they do… and in the end… he loves her (it took him 7 hours to come to that conclusion)… and she is fascinated with him… ahhh When they make love, given their beloved connection, they can feel the other’s sensations and emotions – and without conscious choice, she absorbs his darkness, giving him her light… and when confronting Danielle – who intends to turn them all animal and send them to be prey, jac is changed to lion – and Avery and Jac look forward to running together.
“That’s all you’ve been thinking about for the last ten minutes, and you can just stop because it’s not going to happen. And that. I’m allergic to cherries, anyway. Now, that one is just underhanded. Avery! Stop thinking smutty things at me! I can’t concentrate when you… Hoo, mama! Is that… No. I’m not listening to you anymore.” Jacintha, in response to the images in Avery’s mind that she can hear.
“ A marking, protection, fluids exchange, trust, a second exchange, and overcoming darkness. Dark Ones have a final step: an exchange of blood.” Avery explains to Jacintha
“I tried to growl at her, but it came out a purr. ‘Aww, isn’t that sweet? Big kitty is purring at me,” my obnoxious sister said, patting my head.” Cora and her sister therion/shapeshifted lion Jacintha.
Cat Scratch Fever - Connie Brockway
Setting: Cupid Cats Shelter, in Chicago; from New York; Genetic’s office building; international restaurants; Jim and Chloe’s home; his parent’s backyard;
Theme: falling in love again; raising a child; a bit of magic;
Characters:
Jim Curran: ‘talking’ head for a genetic research company; Chief visionary officer; married 8 happy years, but lost wife in child birth; moved from New York to Chicago so his daughter would be with family – parents, 3 sisters, cousins, etc; but as youngest, she was getting very spoiled – so he moves a few miles away; he loved and mourned his wife;
Chloe Curran: cute, smart, wonderful, loving, spoiled, full of temper, 5 year old daughter; she is convinced the older cat at the shelter is the same cat her mother had; and logically thinks that if she visits cat often enough, the cat will get used to her, and go home with her;
‘Steph’ Stephanie Curran: Jim’s first wife – bright, light, outgoing, full of temper, cussing, loving;
Melissa Bandetti: Jim’s older, controlling sister; indulges Chloe; sets Jim up with Steph kinda the sames; doesn’t like Edie;
Dr. Edith ‘Edie’ Handelman: research department head; empirical and rational, her life defined by order, cleanliness, and reason; she is socially inept (having gone into high school at 12, and college at 14 – 3 degrees); and takes things literal; had engaged to a scientist for 2 years, but when found out she couldn’t have children, he withdrew – as he felt his superior genes needed progeny; sheundle had looked forward to being a mom, and had read about it… and when confronted with Chloe she is an interesting bundle of responses – she talks to her like an adult, she walks out of the room if she has a tantrum, she listens to her and values what she says;
Pixie-Ishy / Ishy-Pixie: a subtly magic cat… brings Jim to the shelter after a date with a steph substitute, to a lonely Edie; at end, when Edie hiding out from jim, and Chloe sneaks out, cat brings her to shelter – and puts here to sleep on meet and greet couch, with a see through woman, who tells the cat that they are there for love, and place a kitten on Chloe’s lap;
Summary:
Jim and Edie – Edie has a crush on Jim, but can’t conceive that he would be attracted to her… and from day one, Jim has been fascinated with her… and the more time they spend together, the more he sees her charms… and it takes some doing to get her to join them for meals (but he does find her weakness for international foods)… and then one night, Chloe leaves her doll at the shelter (cats’s doing?), and Chloe is out with aunt… and Edie walks over, to return doll… and she and Jim end up kissing – and though interrupted – when Jim shows up in her office the next day, prepared to only accept a yes when he asks her out on a real date, she smiles at him, and says yes (she figures out he does like her that way)… and after charming meal and walk through park, a kiss at her door leads to a lot more … and a few weeks of great sex and being together (with Chloe too), he takes her to Chloe’s 6th birthday party at his parents, with 50 relatives… and she’s very uncomfortable… but most like her just fine… but then she overhears his sister Melissa gossiping about her, saying she is the anti-stephanie etc … she leaves, she avoids him for a week… and then Chloe ends up at the shelter (cat’s help)… Jim calls Edie – Edie finds Chloe asleep in her back room – he runs over – reassured she is okay – takes Edie in his arms, and wants to know what is happening… and they live happily ever after.
Memorable scenes:
When Chloe met Edith, Chloe thinks an older cat is her mother’s cat, Pixie; but Edith corrects her and says the cats name is Ishy; when Chloe claims it is a mean name, Edith tells her it is a diminutive for Moby Dick’s Ishmael… next time they get together, Chloe calls her Edie. And response?: “Edie?” Edith’s eyes rounded. No one had ever called her Edie. “It’s a fond dimmytive,” Chloe explained patiently. Edith felt herself flushing.
After turning down dinner again… and they are going home… “Chloe looked over her father’s shoulder and waved. Behind her, Ishy-Pixie yowled plaintively. Stupid cat. She wouldn’t go with them, so what right did she have to complain?” (stupid cat or stupid Edie?)
A Cat's Game - Vicki Lewis Thompson
Setting: Hummingbird Inn, B&B Bisbee, Arizona; Cupid Cat Shelter; Hollywood film set;
Theme: falling in love; making decisions today on truths of today, not feelings of childhood;
Characters:
Kate Archer: biologist; studying monkeys – spent 3 months in Brazil and discovered a new breed of monkey; covering for her sister; nervous about spending a week with the man she never forgot;
Maggie Archer: owns the B&B; gets a surprised week with a boyfriend on a cruise, and asks Kate to cover for her; Kate’s high school sweetheart, movie star, has rented all the rooms for a week (3rd year in a row he has done this);
Jon Ramsey: looking forward to decompressing at the B&B again; nominated (but did not win) emmy; trying not to be too excited about spending time with Kate – a woman he never forgot;
Summary:
In two days they fall in love again (the cat she picked up at the shelter seems to be helping – bringing them a condom, attracting attention and bringing the media in so Kate will have to confront her feeling about it… running out when he is about to leave… keeping them together longer…
He leaves early (she says though loves him, she can’t be in public eye)… both lonely… sister returns, they talk… she realizes she can handle the press – it would not be like when mom and dad’s dirty laundry was in the tabloids… she goes to his set… while waiting, she talks with press, and makes up with him publically… to convince him and herself that she can handle it… ahhhh
Memorable scenes:
6 years old – kids making fun of Kate – and her famous parents’ fight in tabloids… and Jon joined her in facing them off… today… he remembers: “She hadn’t cowered, though. She’d met their jeers with the same defiance he saw now. He’d waded in to help her, which was when he decided that someday they would get married. It had made sense to his first-grade self.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2022
This is a collection of short stories. Based on cats and a Cupid Cats cat shelter.
The first is Unleashed by Katie MacAlister. It's okay. It's connected to a series. If you read the series, I'm sure you'll love it. You don't have to know the series to get it though. The MC's sister is just odd. It's probably supposed to be funny but for me it missed the mark. The love interest is the common romance trope of 'I'm a misogynist egotist but you gotta love me anyways.' But Jaguar so, interesting? Best part of story is interesting 'panther' references.
The second story is Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway. I *loved* this story. The characters are fantastic. The love story is cute. If you blink you might miss the supernatural cat. Good thing this is a book and you won't blink. It's one of the most elegantly written 'ghost stories' I've read.
The third I didn't finish. I really couldn't get into it. The 'romance' is two people that had ended a relationship years ago for what seems like excellent reasons. That according to the set up looks like nothing has changed. I'm sure the author has 'reasons' for a 'change of hearts' but nope, not interested.
The first is Unleashed by Katie MacAlister. It's okay. It's connected to a series. If you read the series, I'm sure you'll love it. You don't have to know the series to get it though. The MC's sister is just odd. It's probably supposed to be funny but for me it missed the mark. The love interest is the common romance trope of 'I'm a misogynist egotist but you gotta love me anyways.' But Jaguar so, interesting? Best part of story is interesting 'panther' references.
The second story is Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway. I *loved* this story. The characters are fantastic. The love story is cute. If you blink you might miss the supernatural cat. Good thing this is a book and you won't blink. It's one of the most elegantly written 'ghost stories' I've read.
The third I didn't finish. I really couldn't get into it. The 'romance' is two people that had ended a relationship years ago for what seems like excellent reasons. That according to the set up looks like nothing has changed. I'm sure the author has 'reasons' for a 'change of hearts' but nope, not interested.
May 14, 2020
Cupid Cats is a whimsical story, actually three stories, based on the Cupid Cats Shelters. Three authors with short romance, magical stories. A light and fun read between heavier books and clears the mind before delving into more sinister books.
Unleashed by Kate MacAlister was my favourite. Vampire and steamy romance with some good humour. It was fun, the characters were entertaining and put a smile on your face.
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway was nice. A shy, genius-minded woman and a hot, widowed man (with a child), trying to a adopt one cat. The story is very sentimental and sweet and nice.
The third is A Cat's Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson and my least favourite of the three. I found it rushed by everything happening so quickly and the story had to remain short but should have a much longer one.
Unleashed by Kate MacAlister was my favourite. Vampire and steamy romance with some good humour. It was fun, the characters were entertaining and put a smile on your face.
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway was nice. A shy, genius-minded woman and a hot, widowed man (with a child), trying to a adopt one cat. The story is very sentimental and sweet and nice.
The third is A Cat's Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson and my least favourite of the three. I found it rushed by everything happening so quickly and the story had to remain short but should have a much longer one.
April 27, 2020
This book would have been 3 ☆'s if it weren't for Vicki Lewis Thompson's awful story.
Ms. Macalister's short story fits right into her Dark Ones series with a Moravian and his beloved trying to get to the bottom of an illegal exotic animal smuggling sceme.
Ms. Brockway's story about an unusual woman and a widower with a young daughter was refreshing and heartwarming.
Ms. Thompson's story was an excercise in what NOT to write in a romance short story. It was inspid and trite. The only reason I finished it was to practice my eye-rolling and prove it ended as badly as it had begun. Seriously.
Ms. Macalister's short story fits right into her Dark Ones series with a Moravian and his beloved trying to get to the bottom of an illegal exotic animal smuggling sceme.
Ms. Brockway's story about an unusual woman and a widower with a young daughter was refreshing and heartwarming.
Ms. Thompson's story was an excercise in what NOT to write in a romance short story. It was inspid and trite. The only reason I finished it was to practice my eye-rolling and prove it ended as badly as it had begun. Seriously.
April 27, 2019
I think the first two books are cute and funny. But the last book is positively boring! I was looking forward to it pa naman. The second book was a surprise considering I didn’t like the only Connie Brockway book I’ve read thus far.
January 19, 2021
Three short stories, one of which is a Dark Ones story. Picked up two new authors to try out! Read the Dark Ones story, then paused to finish a couple of other books before going back to finish this one. Actually a short read.
February 10, 2018
I absolutely loved this this book but particularly Katie's! I love everything she writes and this did not disappoint.
November 3, 2018
3 short stories, fun and full of cats
Read
August 29, 2019A collection of stories bringing attention to Shelter Cats and the wonderful world of Animal Adoption/Rescue? Yes, please!!!! <3 <3 <3
August 12, 2020
The only one worth reading is "Cat Scratch Fever" by C. Brockway
Read
September 19, 2020Unleashed, MacAlister
Cat Scratch Fever, Brockway
A Cat's Game, Thompson
Cat Scratch Fever, Brockway
A Cat's Game, Thompson
February 16, 2021
Unleashed by Katie MacAlister 2/5 stars
Catch Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway 4/5 stars
A Cat’s Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson 3/5 stars
Catch Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway 4/5 stars
A Cat’s Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson 3/5 stars
September 26, 2022
The second story had some nice bits, but otherwise, bleh. Not enough cats here. Lol
February 21, 2012
Another anthology I loved each story in! I'm on a roll ;P Well, anything with cats in it I am inclined to love and this one sure did.
Katie MacAlister's story was 1st up[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[;] (Oooh, my kitty just stepped on my keyboard when I grabbed the phone!)
and if you are a fan of her Dark Ones, you'll love this short trip into her world when the Cupid Cats shelter workers arrive to see a sedated black panther in their cattery. But as the heroine, aka the cat whisperer, arrives in response to a call to her Parks & Wildlife department,she informs everyone (several times during this story)that it is really a jaguar as panthers do not exist. Regardless,she is shocked when said jag wakes up and turns into a gorgeous naked man! He is a Moravian Dark One (with a soul, he specifies)and she is his Beloved. A wonderful story and I want a MDO of my own. 4 STARS.
Connie Brockaway brings the 2nd story, a real tear jerker about a single father with a precocious 5 yr old daughter and the aged kitty she wants to adopt from the Cupid Cats shelter. She swears the little ginger is Pixie, her mommy's cat, which she knows because Pixie appears in the picture of her mom on her nightstand (Steph passed away during childbirth but family have kept her name alive for Chloe). Here dad, Jim, gently explains that Pixie would have passed away herself by now and they live 1500 miles from their old house so it just CAN'T be Pixie. The woman who runs CC happenes to be a genius scientist who works with Jim; she is so smart she never went to high school and got her doctorate before she was 20 and she is so uncomfortable around regular people because she never knows what to say and talks with words no one understands and she forgets to smile and ... so she'd rather be known as that crazy cat lady. As Chloe tries to convince everyone that Pixie, er, Ishie as she is called at the shelter, will go home with her if they just give her time (so far, Ishie won't leave the shelter with anyone; she yowls and scrambles back everytime potential owners try to take her home so she has been named the shelter's cat and is not for adoption), Jim begins to feel something for Edith ("Edie", as daughter Chloe renamed her)and so it goes. Be aware that this story will at least bring tears to your eyes, more if you've ever had a very old and well-loved cat. 5 STARS.
Finally comes Vicki Lewis Thompson's story of the magical cat, Darwin, adopted from Cupid Cats and who brings old flames back into a raging fire when mega-movie star Jon takes his annual secret vacation at the B&B of his high school girlfriend's sister. He reserves the entire place for privacy, he hikes, cooks (yes, he's a man that loves to cook!) and generally relaxes where no one knows he's at. This year, however, the sister is on a cruise and so sister Kate agrees to take over. Just before Jon arrives, Kate stumbles into CC and meets the eccentric, New Agey director who instantly knows that Darwin is just the right kitty; Kate is a primatologist and studies primates (she just discovered a new kind of monkey in the Amazon!)and she'd rather be alone all her life than faced with the spotlight that Jon easily lives with. But thanks to Darwin's antics, both begin to feel the flames that were never really put out and of couse love blooms hot again for them. 4 STARS.
A sweet read for anyone, and remember, ADOPT A CAT!
Katie MacAlister's story was 1st up[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[;] (Oooh, my kitty just stepped on my keyboard when I grabbed the phone!)
and if you are a fan of her Dark Ones, you'll love this short trip into her world when the Cupid Cats shelter workers arrive to see a sedated black panther in their cattery. But as the heroine, aka the cat whisperer, arrives in response to a call to her Parks & Wildlife department,she informs everyone (several times during this story)that it is really a jaguar as panthers do not exist. Regardless,she is shocked when said jag wakes up and turns into a gorgeous naked man! He is a Moravian Dark One (with a soul, he specifies)and she is his Beloved. A wonderful story and I want a MDO of my own. 4 STARS.
Connie Brockaway brings the 2nd story, a real tear jerker about a single father with a precocious 5 yr old daughter and the aged kitty she wants to adopt from the Cupid Cats shelter. She swears the little ginger is Pixie, her mommy's cat, which she knows because Pixie appears in the picture of her mom on her nightstand (Steph passed away during childbirth but family have kept her name alive for Chloe). Here dad, Jim, gently explains that Pixie would have passed away herself by now and they live 1500 miles from their old house so it just CAN'T be Pixie. The woman who runs CC happenes to be a genius scientist who works with Jim; she is so smart she never went to high school and got her doctorate before she was 20 and she is so uncomfortable around regular people because she never knows what to say and talks with words no one understands and she forgets to smile and ... so she'd rather be known as that crazy cat lady. As Chloe tries to convince everyone that Pixie, er, Ishie as she is called at the shelter, will go home with her if they just give her time (so far, Ishie won't leave the shelter with anyone; she yowls and scrambles back everytime potential owners try to take her home so she has been named the shelter's cat and is not for adoption), Jim begins to feel something for Edith ("Edie", as daughter Chloe renamed her)and so it goes. Be aware that this story will at least bring tears to your eyes, more if you've ever had a very old and well-loved cat. 5 STARS.
Finally comes Vicki Lewis Thompson's story of the magical cat, Darwin, adopted from Cupid Cats and who brings old flames back into a raging fire when mega-movie star Jon takes his annual secret vacation at the B&B of his high school girlfriend's sister. He reserves the entire place for privacy, he hikes, cooks (yes, he's a man that loves to cook!) and generally relaxes where no one knows he's at. This year, however, the sister is on a cruise and so sister Kate agrees to take over. Just before Jon arrives, Kate stumbles into CC and meets the eccentric, New Agey director who instantly knows that Darwin is just the right kitty; Kate is a primatologist and studies primates (she just discovered a new kind of monkey in the Amazon!)and she'd rather be alone all her life than faced with the spotlight that Jon easily lives with. But thanks to Darwin's antics, both begin to feel the flames that were never really put out and of couse love blooms hot again for them. 4 STARS.
A sweet read for anyone, and remember, ADOPT A CAT!
March 11, 2016
Im Buch sind 3 Kurzgeschichten. ("Unleashed von Katie MacAlister; A Cat’s Game von Vicki Lewis Thompson; Cat Scratch Fever vony Connie Brockway) Meine Rezension bezieht sich aber nur auf "Unleashed". Diese Kurzgeschichte gehört zu meiner so geliebten Dark Ones Reihe und ist dort der 7,5te Teil. Es macht Sinn ihn auch wirklich an dieser Stelle zu lesen, da die Handlung in den folgenden Bänden noch kurz erwähnt wird. Aber es ist für die Gesamtstory der Reihe auch nicht schlimm, wenn man die Story auslässt. Empfehlen würde ich das natürlich nicht, weil sie wahnsinnig gut war für eine Kurzgeschichte.
Wenn man wie ich die Story erst liest nachdem man die Hauptbände alle gelesen hat (10 Bände), dann kennt man hier bereits die Schwester (Cora ist nämlich die Hauptperson in Band 9 - Pärchen Alec/Cora) der Hauptperson Jacinda. Cora ist gerade zu Besuch bei Jacinda, die als eine Art Ranger arbeitet. Aufgrund dieses Berufes wird sie in eine Tierklinik gerufen, wo sich eine desorientierte Raubkatze befinden soll. Cora weicht ihr dabei nicht von der Seite was zu wahnsinnig komischen Dialogen und Szenen führt. Die Raubkatze ist ein Therion. Das ist ein Mensch, der in eine Tiergestalt wechseln kann. Ich bin mir nicht sicher in welchem Band der Reihe diese Spezies als erstes erwähnt wurde und weiß daher nicht ob man überrascht davon wäre, wenn man es in der richtigen Reihenfolge gelesen hätte. Ich kannte diese Spezies ja bereits.
Der elegante schwarze Jaguar in der Klinik ist niemand anderes als ein Dunkler, der gerade zu einem Therion verwandelt wurde. Wie und warum das geschieht verrate ich hier nicht. Es ist auf jeden Fall nicht freiwillig passiert und er hat nun ein Hühnchen mit jemandem zu rupfen. Schnell stellt sich heraus das Jacinda seine Gefährtin ist. Beide geraten dann in einige gefährliche Situationen, die sie aber immer mit der typischen Portion Humor der Autorin lösen. Super witzig wurde es durch Cora, die so gar nicht glücklich damit war, dass ihre Schwester mit einem Dunklen zusammen kommt. Da gibt es Szenen und Dialoge die mich laut zum lachen gebracht haben.
Man merkt der Story kaum an, dass es eine Kurzgeschichte ist. Sie war sehr spannend, weil hier doch etwas ziemlich übles gespielt wird und man erst nach und nach dahinter kommt. Es war wirklich nirgends langweilig.
Die Charaktere gefielen mir auch wieder alle super. Jacinda ist taff und weiß was sie will. Avery (der Dunkle) ist für Frau MacAlisters Verhältnisse gar nicht so besitzergreifend sondern eher locker. Anders hätte er zu Jacinda aber auch nicht gepasst. Das war wirklich perfekt. Na und zu Cora brauche ich wohl nichts mehr zu sagen. Das Mädel ist einfach klasse und ich fand es ehrlich gesagt schön, dass ich sie schon kannte.
So ganz schlüssig war mir am Ende nicht warum eine bestimmte Person so leicht davon kam, wenn er doch von der ganzen Sache wusste. Das hätte man vielleicht noch etwas ausbauen können.
Die Liebesbeziehung war klasse, nicht zu viel und nicht zu wenig und die Funken sprühten nur so.
Ich kann die Kurzgeschichte einfach jedem empfehlen - selbst Leuten die die Dark Ones Reihe gar nicht gelesen haben.
Wertung:
5 Sterne
Wenn man wie ich die Story erst liest nachdem man die Hauptbände alle gelesen hat (10 Bände), dann kennt man hier bereits die Schwester (Cora ist nämlich die Hauptperson in Band 9 - Pärchen Alec/Cora) der Hauptperson Jacinda. Cora ist gerade zu Besuch bei Jacinda, die als eine Art Ranger arbeitet. Aufgrund dieses Berufes wird sie in eine Tierklinik gerufen, wo sich eine desorientierte Raubkatze befinden soll. Cora weicht ihr dabei nicht von der Seite was zu wahnsinnig komischen Dialogen und Szenen führt. Die Raubkatze ist ein Therion. Das ist ein Mensch, der in eine Tiergestalt wechseln kann. Ich bin mir nicht sicher in welchem Band der Reihe diese Spezies als erstes erwähnt wurde und weiß daher nicht ob man überrascht davon wäre, wenn man es in der richtigen Reihenfolge gelesen hätte. Ich kannte diese Spezies ja bereits.
Der elegante schwarze Jaguar in der Klinik ist niemand anderes als ein Dunkler, der gerade zu einem Therion verwandelt wurde. Wie und warum das geschieht verrate ich hier nicht. Es ist auf jeden Fall nicht freiwillig passiert und er hat nun ein Hühnchen mit jemandem zu rupfen. Schnell stellt sich heraus das Jacinda seine Gefährtin ist. Beide geraten dann in einige gefährliche Situationen, die sie aber immer mit der typischen Portion Humor der Autorin lösen. Super witzig wurde es durch Cora, die so gar nicht glücklich damit war, dass ihre Schwester mit einem Dunklen zusammen kommt. Da gibt es Szenen und Dialoge die mich laut zum lachen gebracht haben.
Man merkt der Story kaum an, dass es eine Kurzgeschichte ist. Sie war sehr spannend, weil hier doch etwas ziemlich übles gespielt wird und man erst nach und nach dahinter kommt. Es war wirklich nirgends langweilig.
Die Charaktere gefielen mir auch wieder alle super. Jacinda ist taff und weiß was sie will. Avery (der Dunkle) ist für Frau MacAlisters Verhältnisse gar nicht so besitzergreifend sondern eher locker. Anders hätte er zu Jacinda aber auch nicht gepasst. Das war wirklich perfekt. Na und zu Cora brauche ich wohl nichts mehr zu sagen. Das Mädel ist einfach klasse und ich fand es ehrlich gesagt schön, dass ich sie schon kannte.
So ganz schlüssig war mir am Ende nicht warum eine bestimmte Person so leicht davon kam, wenn er doch von der ganzen Sache wusste. Das hätte man vielleicht noch etwas ausbauen können.
Die Liebesbeziehung war klasse, nicht zu viel und nicht zu wenig und die Funken sprühten nur so.
Ich kann die Kurzgeschichte einfach jedem empfehlen - selbst Leuten die die Dark Ones Reihe gar nicht gelesen haben.
Wertung:
5 Sterne
May 27, 2011
Posted at http://oh-my-books.blogspot.com/2011/...
I actually read Cupid Cats a long time ago, for Valentine's Day.
Cupid Cats is a collection of three stories from different writers. Every story has something in common, a magical cat from the Cupid Cats shelter.
Unleashed by Katie MacAlister is about a Morovian, a jaguar shape shifter, and a wildlife officer. If you like paranormal romance you will love this one, full of action and paranormal characters. Unleashed is a novella from her series Dark Ones.
A Cat's Game by Vicky Lewis Thompson is about a superstar and his ex-high school girlfriend, who found each other again. It's a cute and romantic story, and the magical kitty is always there trying to bring them together.
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway is the cutest story of all. A father goes to the shelter looking for a cat with his little daughter, and he found Edith, who works at his company and is a very shy woman. The magical cat, Ishy/Pixie, is the cat that his daughter wants, but she is very old and doesn't want to leave the shelter, giving the couple time to really meet each other.
All of the stories were well written and I enjoyed them. They were romantic and perfect to read them for Valentine's Day.
I actually read Cupid Cats a long time ago, for Valentine's Day.
Cupid Cats is a collection of three stories from different writers. Every story has something in common, a magical cat from the Cupid Cats shelter.
Unleashed by Katie MacAlister is about a Morovian, a jaguar shape shifter, and a wildlife officer. If you like paranormal romance you will love this one, full of action and paranormal characters. Unleashed is a novella from her series Dark Ones.
A Cat's Game by Vicky Lewis Thompson is about a superstar and his ex-high school girlfriend, who found each other again. It's a cute and romantic story, and the magical kitty is always there trying to bring them together.
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway is the cutest story of all. A father goes to the shelter looking for a cat with his little daughter, and he found Edith, who works at his company and is a very shy woman. The magical cat, Ishy/Pixie, is the cat that his daughter wants, but she is very old and doesn't want to leave the shelter, giving the couple time to really meet each other.
All of the stories were well written and I enjoyed them. They were romantic and perfect to read them for Valentine's Day.
December 25, 2015
I like cats. I like chick lit. I like romance with a little magic.
But this? MEH.
Sorry. I couldn't read all of it. I thought it would be about how the employees of the cat shelter helped their adoptees find human love via feline companions.
Story One: Cat whisperer meets...Shapeshifting Vampire. ??? Okaaaay....Twilight and Co. are so not my thing, but I tried, I really did. However soft porn is not my thing, either, so I skipped to
Story Two: Social Misfit meets Single Father.
It was practically a copy of the old film The Courtship of Eddy's Father, including the high fever thing, except instead of a nurse Edie (!) is a genetic scientist. That one I did finish. Verdict? "Mostly Harmless". If you don't mind recycled ideas or have never seen the film.
Story Three: Anthropologist Meets Old Flame (who just happens to be an almost-oscar winning actor). I know wish fulfillment fiction when I read it...but I couldn't read this. Especially since the people in the shelter in Stories One and Two suddenly vanished, there's a totally different setup, and...all the cats are magical, now?
Add to that the pizen-poor editing job (you're for your, and worse), and I just couldn't give the time to it. So many books out there that are better constructed...I'm off to find one.
But this? MEH.
Sorry. I couldn't read all of it. I thought it would be about how the employees of the cat shelter helped their adoptees find human love via feline companions.
Story One: Cat whisperer meets...Shapeshifting Vampire. ??? Okaaaay....Twilight and Co. are so not my thing, but I tried, I really did. However soft porn is not my thing, either, so I skipped to
Story Two: Social Misfit meets Single Father.
It was practically a copy of the old film The Courtship of Eddy's Father, including the high fever thing, except instead of a nurse Edie (!) is a genetic scientist. That one I did finish. Verdict? "Mostly Harmless". If you don't mind recycled ideas or have never seen the film.
Story Three: Anthropologist Meets Old Flame (who just happens to be an almost-oscar winning actor). I know wish fulfillment fiction when I read it...but I couldn't read this. Especially since the people in the shelter in Stories One and Two suddenly vanished, there's a totally different setup, and...all the cats are magical, now?
Add to that the pizen-poor editing job (you're for your, and worse), and I just couldn't give the time to it. So many books out there that are better constructed...I'm off to find one.
February 25, 2011
An ok anthology. Nothing I read stuck with me enough to make me want to keep this book. I was expecting them all to take place in the same area, but the cat shelter must be franchised or something.
Unleashed by Katie MacAlister - Paen's brother, Avery, is turned into a jaguar and dropped at a cat shelter. Jacintha, as a wildlife officer is called to help and discovers he is a Dark One who was changed and she is his Beloved. Her sister is along for the ride and provides some comic relief as they confront the group that turned him.
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway - Jim and his young daughter go to the shelter to adopt a cat and she falls for an older one that won't leave, but is determined that it belonged to her dead mother. Edie ended up running the shelter as well as working at the same company as Jim as a scientist and she has no filter (almost seems autistic).
A Cat's Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson - Kate agrees to run her sisters' B&B for a week when there is only 1 guest, movie star and high school boyfriend, Jon. She adopts a cat who causes a few disasters as they get closer, but due to her parents living in the limelight, Kate doesn't want a famous boyfriend.
Unleashed by Katie MacAlister - Paen's brother, Avery, is turned into a jaguar and dropped at a cat shelter. Jacintha, as a wildlife officer is called to help and discovers he is a Dark One who was changed and she is his Beloved. Her sister is along for the ride and provides some comic relief as they confront the group that turned him.
Cat Scratch Fever by Connie Brockway - Jim and his young daughter go to the shelter to adopt a cat and she falls for an older one that won't leave, but is determined that it belonged to her dead mother. Edie ended up running the shelter as well as working at the same company as Jim as a scientist and she has no filter (almost seems autistic).
A Cat's Game by Vicki Lewis Thompson - Kate agrees to run her sisters' B&B for a week when there is only 1 guest, movie star and high school boyfriend, Jon. She adopts a cat who causes a few disasters as they get closer, but due to her parents living in the limelight, Kate doesn't want a famous boyfriend.
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