Pantheons

Pantheons

By: EJ Dabel

ISBN:  9780983613176

Published January 5, 2012 by Sea Lion Books

Available Format:  ebook

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Goodreads' Synopsis:  On the streets, they call fifteen year old orphan Isaiah Marshall the “Indestructible Diamond”. Isaiah is the leader of the “Redrovers”, a group of teenage misfits consisting of his friends Jeremy, Monty, and Pipsqueak, but when they trespass into “Kaliber Academy” to get even with the arrogant Jason Ollopa, they are in way over their heads.

Principal Webb enrolls them into the High School and Isaiah soon learns about the existence of the gods of the Ancient World. Because the gods have refused to fight the last War for fear of the Mysterious Dark, the Powers-that-Be have stripped them of their spiritual bodies and given them mortal, teenage forms.

Isaiah discovers he's not only a god, but that he's the child of the Greek goddess Metis, the son destined to overthrow his cruel and sadistic father Zeus, the Darkener of the Sky, and become the greatest god in all the Pantheons.

Isaiah is thrown into a world where the democratic Olympians, war-mongering Norse, Gothic Celts, firstborn Egyptians, the enlightened Hindu, the animal-like Aztecs, the martial artist Asians, the intelligent Babylonians, the great spirits of the Native American Indians, and the fierce Finnish will war against one another for the greatest of all prizes: the Dominion.

I truly loved the basis of this story—all the different gods from all the different pantheons forced to live in present times in the bodies of teenagers. Talk about some punishment! I'm a big fan of mythology, although I don't know nearly as much as I wish I did. I was able to recognize many of the characters in this novel, and I even learned a thing or two as well. 

I appreciate how Isaiah was able to overcome his 'disability' and kind of begin to grow into his own toward the end of the story. I think there was a little conflict in that he was this tough kid living on the streets, thrown into this crazy new world, yet he has such a difficult time manning up to face the gods. Maybe that was just his true nature, however; many tough guys aren't really so tough deep down inside. And it is obvious that Isaiah has a tremendous amount of adversity to go through, before and during this story.

I did receive an advanced copy of this manuscript for review, so I am assuming that is why I picked up on so many errors—mechanical, grammatical and content-wise. Honestly, it was a bit distracting at times. It's always hard for me to take my editorial cap off anyway. But, I really tried to pull out the story for what it was rather than focusing on all the surface issues. At any rate, it did not fail to entertain me, and I certainly want to know how Isaiah fares as the story continues.

EJ is one of the nicest guys I have corresponded with, and he obviously has a truly creative mind. I am definitely a fan (of Sea Lion as well), and I can't wait to check out all his work in the future!

Ann's Amazing Adventure

Ann's Amazing Adventure

By:  Jeanetta Brancaccio

Illustrated by:  Sara Petrous

ISBN:  9780692006

Published 2010 by Tretina Printing

Available Format:  Paperback

My Rating:  ★★★★★

Goodreads' Synopsis:  This delightful, heartwarming story shows us that it’s what we do on the journey that counts. Change happens in an instant. Ann looks on the bright side of life and never gives up! She learns that something good is always right around the corner. Join Ann and carry her in your heart on your own adventure.

Ann’s Amazing Adventure is best suited for children ages 8-12, all the way up to age 99! This special book is perfect for children’s reading groups, makes a great gift, and should be a mainstay on any bookshelf to be read over and over.

This is a beautifully illustrated, charmingly told little story about a doll that finds her home once again.  The story is told from Ann's point of view as she is lost, moved, donated, and found once again.  It portrays an amazing message of perseverance and positive thought. Ann is able to adapt to the changes of her life with an optimistic outlook and is rewarded with a happy ending.

One thing I really loved about this book is how it was based loosely on a true story. The author includes lots of photos from her own life, plus the story of the doll that had been given to her daughter one Christmas, which inspired this heartwarming little tale. 

I definitely recommend this one, especially for young girls.

Learn more about Ann's adventure:  http://www.annsamazingadventure.com

Feature: "In Whom You Trust" Blog Hop Preview the Champion of the Sidhe series!

Today, we're doing something a bit fun! I have Mr. Archer here, who was my guest in January, and we're getting a little prequel to the Champion of the Sidhe series.  Be sure to leave a comment after this part of the story to enter to win the entire Champion series.  You must visit each participating blog and leave a comment on each post to qualify!  My review of the first of the Champion series, End of the World, will be posted next Monday, February 6th, so I expect to see all your gorgeous faces then!

ALERT!!!!! This is part 4 of a 6 part story. “In Whom You Trust” is a prequel to the Champion of the Sidhe series, an urban fantasy adventure. This prequel is free for you to enjoy and has been posted on 6 websites as part of a blog hop to promote the series. Begin your journey at http://feycast.blogspot.com/2012/02/in-whom-you-trust-prequel-to-champion.html for part 1. Follow the links at the bottom of each section to go to the next part of the story. Check out the details posted with part 1 of the story to find out how to register for an awesome giveaway prize package.

Much against his desires, he allowed her to venture ahead of him. Lugh trailed her, giving enough distance as to not clearly be associated with her at a casual glance, certainly not among the throng of people gathering in a wide circle around the stones and the stage with the tent roof raised above it. Lugh was tall, even for the Sidhe, which made keeping an eye on Kaitlin easier as she wandered not toward the stage but toward a spot closer to the stones.

Lugh watched for subtle clues, to determine if any of the assembled were of fey linage. For a span between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five, fine-boned and fair-faced humans could nearly be mistaken for one of the races of lesser fey. It was how the fey were able to move so easily among the humans, because of this resemblance. The Sidhe usually had to dull their appearance to pass for an attractive human, otherwise their beauty garnered an excess of attention. Had Kaitlin not advised against the Glamour, Lugh would have used it now.

Spotting a wizard among other humans was more difficult. Some wore clothing with embroidered magical symbols, or oddly loose suits that harkened back to the robes of their forebears. But many selected clothing to blend into the crowd.

So far all appeared innocent enough, save the choice of locations in wizard country. Kaitlin should have restricted her voyages to the surface to Ireland. Or even America. Anywhere but England.

As the noon sun peaked overhead, the crowd began chanting for Riley, and soon was rewarded with the presence of a man upon the stage who greeted them with upraised hands and the bright smile of one who adored attention. He wore a tunic and loose breeches fashioned from homespun wool and belted with a bright red sash. To Lugh’s memories he resembled a farmer in freshly made clothes more than the druids he’d known. At least there were no overt wizard markings on the clothing. Lugh only partially noted what Riley proclaimed to his followers about the magical energies of the earth and of sacred places such as Stonehenge where the ley lines of power were said to cross. Most of what Riley spoke was rhetoric and what truth he might have brushed upon was uttered without understanding. At last, he was going to demonstrate his command of the magic of Stonehenge by making the stones ‘sing.’

With grave disappointment, Lugh watched Kaitlin. From the stage Riley started babbling nonsense in Gaelic, his hand rising slowly over his head. And seemingly true to his word, music began to emanate from the stones. It was, of course, both intensely beautiful and haunting. The music of the fey, most especially the Sidhe, carried a melody that moved the soul and a harmony that transcended the ages. They had inspired the traditional music of the Celts, who mimicked but could never capture the purity nor the essence of the magic.

And magic this was, for just as the sun was Lugh’s aspect of magic, music was Kaitlin’s. To witness her, a Sidhe princess, lowering herself to the status of accessory to a charlatan’s deception disheartened him.  That Kaitlin would even allow him to witness this shame, knowing what he would say, baffled Lugh. Nothing he’d seen so far had even slightly approached the issues she’d claimed concerned her, and spurred her to risk life and magic to venture to this place.

After the demonstration, and an indeterminable amount of time of waiting for Riley to fawn over the attentions of his followers, at last the man turned toward Kaitlin. From across the crowd, Lugh had watched her waiting for the summoning. She joined Riley and the pair of them strolled toward the center of the circle of stones. Lugh made his way silently around the other side of the circle. The stones gave him ample cover to move within earshot of their conversation.

“Have you given any more thought to what we talked about?” Riley asked.

“I helped you as you asked,” Kaitlin replied. “You said you knew where she was being kept. It’s vitally important that you tell me now. Things are… things are going to get bad, if I don’t bring Aoife home.”

Riley slipped a hand around her shoulder. “You’ve been amazing. Your talent is unparalleled, but we can’t free her with your music, Baby. I can tap into the ley lines and bring forth a little power, but not like you can. Not like the Sidhe. Not unless you bless me.”

Lugh forced himself not to growl at the mention of it. He knew what the ‘druid’ was asking for, even if the man didn’t know the consequences of his request. Or did he? Had he been ‘blessed’ before?

“Riley, you said you’d lead me to Aoife if I came here and I helped you. If I don’t bring her home now, there may not be a home to go back to.” Kaitlin pulled a folded map from her pocket and spread it open on one of the fallen stones. “Look, you said it was close to Stonehenge. A place where the ley lines would disguise her magic. Now, I read your books and I don’t see any place other than Stonehenge that meets the criteria you mentioned.”

Riley covered her hand with his. “First the blessing.”

She twisted free of his grasp. “You don’t need the blessing. I have someone else who can help me with the rescue. All I need from you is the location.”

Emotion strained his plea, “If I tell you, then what becomes of me? Of us? Have I not done all this to serve you? Look at the worshippers I have inspired. Think of what that could mean. How you could be a goddess to them. I can make them do anything! Lead them anywhere. Have them kneel before you. That’s what a druid does. Brings the faithful to the Sidhe deities. All you have to do is bless me and I will serve you willingly in all ways. Please, Kaitlin.”

Before you move on to the next part of the story, make sure to place a comment below to enter into the giveaway! You have to comment on all 6 parts to be eligible to win. The next part of the story can be found here:  http://www.ufreviews.com/2012/02/in-whom-you-trust-blog-hop.html    And THANK YOU for joining us on this blog hop!

Here's where you can find Archer:

http://www.sidhetouch.com/

http://feycast.blogspot.com/ (fun stuff blog)

http://sidhetouch.blogspot.com/ (free fiction blog)

https://twitter.com/#!/The_Sidhe

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5304934.S_A_Archer

http://www.facebook.com/SidheTouch 

Support for the Navy SEALs - February 2012

Support for the Navy SEALs

In August of 2011, the Navy SEAL community suffered its worst single day loss of life in its more than 50-year history when a team of SEALs aboard a special operations helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. Like everyone with ties to the Naval Special Warfare, writer Jeffrey Wilson was deeply affected by this event. Everyone in the community is connected in some way to the families devastated by this tragedy.

Together with JournalStone Publisher Christopher C. Payne, Jeffrey has set out to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides direct support for wounded SEALs and others from the Special Warfare community, and provides support and comfort for the families left behind when SEALs are killed in the line of duty.

For the entire month of February, Jeffrey Wilson will donate 100% of his royalties from his novel THE TRAITEUR'S RING to the Navy SEAL foundation. In an incredible show of generosity and support, Chris Payne at JournalStone has agreed to not only match this donation, but in fact donate 100% of JournalStones’ February profits from this book during February.

Jeffrey Wilson, a vascular and trauma surgeon, was deployed multiple times supporting the Navy SEALs as a combat surgeon. Although he left active duty in late 2007, he remains an active reserve member. Still assigned to the SEALs, Wilson runs a training program for SEAL medics.

In Wilson’s novel, Americans confront terrorism; injured soldiers regain their health; sacrifice is rewarded; flashbacks and terrifying childhood memories serve the greater good; ancient (and infallible) wisdom is available to true seekers; and emotional connection binds people together for an eternity. Wilson is currently available for interviews. His publisher, Chris Payne, is also granting interviews. Please let me know if you’d like additional information. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Author Bio: Jeffrey Wilson

Jeffrey Wilson, the son of a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who later joined Pan Am as a pilot, spent much of his childhood in Berlin, Germany at the height of the Cold War (1970 - 1975).  He has worked as a musician (fife and drum corp) and actor; a firefighter/paramedic; and pilot and flight instructor. That was before he completed his residency in general Surgery and rejoined the Navy. He was a featured physician while the chief resident on trauma in an episode of "Trauma: Life and Death in the ER" on The Learning Channel during this time.

Wilson did a Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at USF from 2002-2004. He reported for duty as a Vascular Surgeon to Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in July 2004. There he was the Director of Vascular Surgery research and director of the Non-invasive vascular Lab. In January 2005, he deployed as a Combat surgeon assigned to a FRSS team (the so-called "Devil Docs" who set up battle field surgical support with the Marines). They were in the Al Anbar province of Iraq for 6 months.

Upon his return, he was recruited by Naval Special Warfare to provide surgical support as a combat surgeon with the Navy SEALs. He left active duty in Late 2007 but remains in the reserves, still assigned to the SEALs where he runs a training program for SEAL medics. He works as a Vascular Surgeon at the VA and as a Trauma Surgeon at Tampa General Hospital with the University of South Florida.

THE TRAITEUR'S RING is his first published novel, and is part of a three-book contract with his publisher. THE DONORS is due out next summer and FADE TO BLACK the following year. He is currently working on his fourth book.

Publisher Bio: Christopher C. Payne

Christopher C. Payne was born in DeSoto, Ill., in January 1967. He received his bachelor's degree in finance from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, graduating in 1990. Currently he lives in San Francisco, Calif. In his spare time, he enjoys biking and snowboarding with his wife and two daughters.

Holding down a corporate accounting/finance job, Payne embarked on a literary career, delving into the world of writing with no preconceived idea of what to expect. He wrote three novels and edited an anthology before realizing his calling was more in tune with publishing.

JournalStone was established in 2009, became a publishing company in late 2010 and published its first novel in the spring of 2011. Publishing over 10 novels in 2011 was quite an accomplishment for a budding small press but 2012 holds the promise of some enormous potential for JournalStone Publishing.

Book Information:

The Traiteur’s Ring

By Jeffrey Wilson, M.D.

JournalStone

ISBN: 978-1936564170

www.jeffreywilsonfiction.com

You can find my interview with Jeff and the link to my review of The Traiteur's Ring HERE.  Please grab yourself a copy (or copies) of this novel during the month of February and support this worthwhile cause!!!

Holding on to Heaven

Holding on to Heaven

By:  Keta Diablo

ISBN:  2940011264900

Published January 30, 2012

Available Format:  ebook

My Rating:  ★★★★★

Holding on to Heaven takes the reader back to the time just before the Civil War breaks out in the United States, when the Midwest was still "uncivilized" and the American Indians were being forced farther and farther out of their homelands. Lauren is a spitfire young woman from the south who travels to visit her aunt and uncle in Minnesota. Love finds her there, but it is far more complicated than boy meets girl. Pregnant with one man's child, she consents to marry his brother. One leaves for war; the other goes missing during an Indian skirmish. That's just the beginning of the turmoil that Lauren must face. Soon, her path will cross that of her twin sister that she did not even know was alive. Sage's life was very different from Lauren's, but she has her own burdens to bear, and she must somehow bring a new strength and love into Lauren's life just when she will need it the most.

There was a time that I would have said, "I don't read erotic fiction." I still might wade in with a little trepidation, but I think Holding on to Heaven was so far from what I imagine erotic fiction to be. Honestly, I wouldn't even label it erotic—just historical romance. There is such a well-written plot, a true deep story, within this novel. There is sex, there is romance, but it isn't the focus of the story at all. 

Keta does an amazing job developing the characters, introducing us to each of their storylines and then weaving all of those lines together in interesting and profound ways.  It is so much more than your run-of-the-mill love triangle. There is so much more complexity involved. Then, add in the fact that these sisters are about run across each other again after all these years, not knowing the other even existed. It is such a fantastic story!

I was honored to help Keta with preparing the manuscript prior to publication, and I have to say that sometimes it was difficult to do my job because I was so engrossed in what was happening!  I became completely emotionally invested in the lives of each of the characters. I cannot tell you how many times I started crying. I absolutely cannot wait to see where the story goes from here. 

Find Keta on her blog:  http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com

Buy Holding on to Heaven:  http://amzn.to/Ad5tnz

Pazuzu's Girl by Rachel Coles

Pazuzu's Girl

By: Rachel Coles

ISBN:  9781936564361

Expected Publication:  February 10, 2012 by JournalStone

Available format:  Hardcover, paperback, ebook

My Rating: ★★★★★

Publisher's Synopsis:  Morpho Wilson thought her life was difficult enough. Her father is Pazuzu, the Mesopotamian demon of plague and the Southwest wind. As a teenager Morpho struggles against her father, while trying to adjust to high school in a new neighborhood. The family is constantly moving in an attempt to elude Pazuzu’s murderous ex-wife, a demoness known for killing children.

Then something unique happens. A socially-impaired classmate becomes so intrigued by Morpho that he pursues her, despite the mystery surrounding her family and the danger that accompanies it.

But before their romance can grow the demoness tracks Morpho down, and now only needs an ancient artifact called the Tablet of Destiny to complete the destruction of the world. The tablet confers on its owner the ability to control the fate of everything and everyone on earth.

Once the tablet is discovered in the Middle East, the oldest and most powerful gods begin a battle for its possession, with the human population caught in the middle. Morpho, her family, and her new friend must decide, do they escape from the horrifying demoness or fight for their own destiny. How far will Pazuzu go to save his daughter from a hellish fate? Will his banishment from Heaven so many millennia ago end up being a curse...or a blessing?

I love working with JournalStone because I have been fortunate enough to get an early look at so many amazing novels. Pazuzu's Girl is definitely in those ranks!  It has such an interesting, unique plot and is so well written. I continue to be impressed by the caliber of writers who are being discovered or re-discovered by this company.

One thing that always snags me is when the seemingly bad characters, Pazuzu in this case, turn out to really be the good guys. Pazuzu is almost like any other normal, single father, trying to raise his rebellious teenage daughter right. Sure, he can dissipate into a swarm of locusts, and he's been known to spread a plague or two. A guy has to make a living, right? Deep down, Pazuzu has real heart, and the author does such an amazing job developing his character, keeping in his scary side and melding it with his humanity. We all have a scary side; admit it.

Another great thing about this novel is Morpho's character. We get to see her grow and come into herself, much like the butterfly she is named after.  We get to see her in the normal, angsty teenage life of an outcast. Our heartstrings are tugged as she finds love, and then we are crushed when her whole world comes apart around her. Morpho is able to find her strength, cling to her morality, and stand up to the evil that plagues her life and the world as a whole. 

There are so many familiar yet revamped ideas included in this novel along with a lot of great, new ideas. I love anything that has to do with gods and goddesses. Heck, you might even find a zombie or two in this one as well—or are those ghosts??  Hmmm…guess you'll have to read to find out!

GIR Blog Hop: Interview with Kiwi from Kiwi in Cat City by Vickie Johnstone!!

I have such a special treat for you all today.  You should know by now how much of a Kiwi fan I am based on my ramblings about Kiwi in Cat City as well as Kiwi and the Missing Magic.  I also previously interviewed author Vickie Johnstone.  


Today, I have non other than Ms. Kiwi herself as my super special guest!  Kiwi has graciously stopped by for a visit as part of the Great Indie Reads Blog Hop.


See details following the interview to get your name in the pot for your very own taste of Kiwi!

Character Interview

Kiwi of Kiwi in Cat City

By Vickie Johnstone

GL:  Please tell us a little about yourself.

Kiwi:  Well I’m just a cat. I’m about 4. I’m a bit small, black, fluffy and I’m not sure if I’m cute or not – that’s up to other cats to decide though Georgie is always buying me Mrs Ebenry’s special delights and winking at me. I live with Amy and James and their parents in the human world. But, at night time I like to visit my other home, Cat City, where I either spend time at the Cat Motel or at my mother Moggie’s place. But I like my independence! 

My best friends are Amy, James, Inspector Furrball and Kip. Siam is cool too. If I tell you a secret, do you promise not to tell, because otherwise everyone will want to meet me?! The secret is, I’m magical. You might notice a faint purple glow to my fur and eyes – look closely or you might miss it – that’s my magic glowing. I could take you to Cat City if you are very, very good and don’t tell a soul!

GL:  Do you have a “full” name or is it just Kiwi?

Kiwi:  I was called Kiwi by my ‘owners’ in the human world. It’s a bit weird being named after a fruit, but, hey, there are worse names. Maybe it suits me. And the children named me, so I like my name! I have a much longer name in Cat City, but I can’t tell you it. It’s a secret (if you’ve read book 3, you’ll know why).

GL:  I haven't read book three just yet, but I plan to do that ASAP!  I can't wait to find out...

GL:  Would you like to tell us how old you are (in cat years OR human years) or is it a secret?

Kiwi:  I’m four… I think that’s about 28 in your years. Yep, I’m adding on my claws… that’s 28.

GL:  We're almost the same age, though I'm a teensy bit older than you.  I'll be hitting the big 3-0 in a couple months...

GL:  Have you used up any of your nine lives yet?

Kiwi:  I think I used up all of them in the human world, but so far I think no harm can come to me there. I’m sure I’ve used up 11 or so. So far, so good. Crossed paws!!

GL:  I’ve heard a rumor—are cats really lactose intolerant?

Kiwi:  Yes that’s correct, alas – correct for me anyway. I’d be rushing to the cat litter tray! I love the milk in Cat City. It’s the best. We have alco-milk machines for adult kitties. And we have normal milk machines for young cats and general refreshment. We have so many flavours that you can add - strawberry, chocolate, lime, honey, grass, lemon, mouse, bird, fish… lots. However, I did tell Inspector Furrball that I’d invented chocolate. I guess that’s not exactly true.

GL:  How do you feel about dogs?  What about mice?

Kiwi:  Dogs? Dogs? Is there one here? Where? Oops I’m chasing my tail. Phew, no dogs. Phew. They give me the shivers. They smell. And the teeth… the teeth… Moving on. Mice are nice. I tend not to hunt much. I try not to, but it’s in the blood. Sometimes I get the urge. But I like mice. I’ve known some nice mice. For example, Whiskers (he’s the mouse in book 2). I like him. You can have a good conversation with him about architecture, engineering – he loves to build things, and he has so many ideas. I can’t wait to see his new inventions. So my answer is I try not to. But in Cat City, I’m rather partial to Mrs Ebenry’s famous delicacies… that’s mouse… but I only accept that as a present. I don’t buy them myself. You know what they say, a minute on the lips… a lifetime on the cat bum.

GL:  What brought about your career choice?  Is there another career you are also interested in?

Kiwi:  I’m really curious about things. I like solving puzzles and riddles. I love travelling – I get that from my father. I miss him a lot because he would take me to places. He took me to the human world, although Moggie didn’t approve. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have met Amy and James. One of my best friends is Inspector Furrball and I like to help my friends. One day he needed my help to solve a mystery and I volunteered. It was fun. So now he’s always asking! But I know that if ever I’m in trouble, he will come to the rescue. As it happens, this actually occurred in book 3, when I got in a bit of a pickle in an old house with an angry ghost – yikes, I shiver remembering! But I like solving crimes. I love watching Scooby-Doo with James. It’s the best thing on his TV. Also, my magic comes in handy. Any other career? Mmm. I wouldn’t mind something to do with travel. I could be a travel agent :-).

GL:  What has it been like working with your human partners, Amy and James?

Kiwi:  They’re fantastic. They are best friends of mine. James is younger, but now and then he comes up with some brilliant ideas. He’s obsessed with James Bond. I think he wants to be him. Of course, in book 1 of Kiwi, we would have been stuck without James. He notices details. I like the way he thinks. Amy… well she’s lovely. Intelligent, pretty and kind. She loves animals. She wants to work for Greenpeace… and she’s just great. It was a real shock to them when I started talking, but well… they’re no longer shocked. I think they’re learning a lot. I like to think that I’m teaching them some good things and widening their horizons. I just hope they never get bored of Cat City and me when they grow up.

GL:  I can't imagine that would ever happen!

GL:  What sorts of silly kitten mistakes do they often make?

Kiwi:  Aha! Well, James falls over his paws. He finds it hard to walk first of all when he changes. But he eventually gets the hang of it. Amy is quicker at adjusting and I think she has the best balance. James still gets a thrill from chasing his tail, which can be a bit embarrassing at times. Sometimes they mix their mews and purrs, and purr when they’re trying to speak. Scratching… it’s a cat thing, but I know they don’t like doing it. And washing, they don’t like spitting on their paw and washing… I guess they may get a bit smelly! That reminds me… James likes to try new things and sometimes it’s not good, such as grass milk, and it took him a while to learn how to lap milk without decorating us all!

GL:  Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Kiwi:  Ah, I can’t talk about that. It’s a sore subject.

GL:  I'm so sorry...

GL:  Have you ever considered settling down and raising kittens of your own?

Kiwi:  Maybe one day… if I meet the right Tom. But I don’t think I have yet. He would have to be an intelligent, manly cat with good balance, a nice smell, a sense of adventure and not mind me going off to solve crimes. In fact, if he enjoyed doing that, well maybe that would be the best partnership.

GL:  Why blue lightbulbs?  Why not pink or green or purple, etc.?  Do the lights in the human world bother you?

Kiwi:  Ah, blue is best for cats’ eyes. It’s purrfect. I don’t mind the white lights in the human world, but I can see better with the blue ones. It’s also soothing. It’s good for your cat mood. Do you know that in the human world, blue light is used for many things? Some types of therapy use the wavelengths of blue light to treat things such as sleep disorders, SAD and skin problems. In Cat City, you don’t see many depressed cats. It’s a happy place. Blue light helps.

GL:  Perhaps we should all use blue lights!  There are some pretty grumpy people here. 

GL:  Do you know the lady (Vickie) who writes about you?  What do you think about her?

Kiwi:  I know that she’s writing my adventures. There are three books at the moment and she’s just started number four. I think she writes fairly and puts everyone and every cat in the right light. I don’t know much about her except that she likes cats very very much! I hope she doesn’t get bored writing about my history :-).

GL:  I think she's pretty cool too.  I hope she doesn't get bored writing about you either, because I love reading about your adventures!

GL:  How many of your other adventures has she or will she write about?

Kiwi:  Ah, I don’t know. I have so many. Every day there’s something new. I know she’s working on the fourth and fifth adventures. I can’t tell you what they’re about though. You’ll just have to wait and see. But one does involve going underground and the other to a different world, and Inspector Furrball’s kitty wedding is coming up. That’s all I can say. Winks!

GL:  How exciting!

GL:  Do you have any favorite films or music?

Kiwi:  Oooh. Well I love Scooby-Doo and Top Cat. I also enjoyed watching Bruce Lee films with James’ hamster, Hammy. Music? Well, I like to listen to whale music! Amy was playing it once and it’s really soothing. She also likes a band called Lynyrd Skynyrd. I think it’s because her mum likes them. She’s always playing Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird. I like birds so I like that one.

GL:  Do you have a favorite toy?

Kiwi:  Me toys? I’m four! I’m too old for toys! Whispers – I like strokes and playing with Amy and James. My fave toy was a catnip one shaped like a fish.

GL:  What does everyone do in his or her free time in Cat City?

Kiwi:  Anything!  You can do anything. There’s the Catema – it shows a few different films every week. The owner is Mr Eastwood. At the moment Furrlight is on, along with For a few kitties more. Mr Eastwood is Cat City’s only director. He runs Stage Cats. Anyone can join and learn how to act. I’m not sure where he gets his film ideas from, but they’re amazing. Then there’s Meow Market. You can go there for food, clothes, anything really. There are many parks to visit there. Purrfect Mouse Burgers has amazing food. It’s very popular. Ladycats can get their fur and claws done at Kitty Parlour. Meow Café is nice – they make the most amazing grass cakes and flavoured milk that is the best in Cat City. We only have one hotel – the Cat Motel. It’s huge. We don’t need more than one though. If you want, you can have toys and a scratching post in your room. They also have room service. You can always just go for a walk down the street – the sun is so orangey there and the pavement sparkles with little blue mosaic cat heads. It’s lovely. I’m not sure about your streets here – they’re a bit grey and they sometimes have smelly stuff on! I once trod in something gooey and sticky too. Took ages to get it off my paw.

GL:  Do cats drive cars in Cat City?

Kiwi:  Yes! I’ve been on your buses and our cat cars are nothing like those. We have little cars that fit our size. Instead of wheels they have cat paws that turn round and round, really fast. We peddle our paws to make the cat paws turn and off we go. We don’t get rain very often so we don’t have roofs on the cars. Some younger cats have catboards and travel around on those. They’re fun. You can go quite fast. Just don’t tell Moggie that I used to whizz around Cat City on one.

GL:  Where do you go on holiday/vacation? 

Kiwi:  Ah, I go to the human world, of course. That’s my holiday time. I spend it with Amy and James. That’s the best holiday any cat could wish for. But now and then I get itchy paws for somewhere new. So cat knows where I’ll go next. Thanks for chatting. Have a kitty nice day!

GL:  Thanks so, so much for being our guest today Ms. Kiwi!  It was a joy having you, and I do hope you'll come again soon!

Here's where you can find Vickie and her work:

@vickiejohnstonevickiejohnstone.blogspot.com/

Author of:
Kaleidoscope, a book of poemshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/51234
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SY5VZ8

Kiwi in Cat Cityhttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55227
http://tinyurl.com/ckm6eeg

Kiwi and the missing Magic
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/71030
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005AL3D7Q


Kiwi and the living nightmarehttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95345http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UF4V6E


Travelling Light - a free preview book of poems
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61290
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0055U9PEW

A flash of Inspiration - A collection of very short stories by indie authors (anthology)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66603

Anyone interested in any of the Kiwi books, please leave your contact information in a comment below or email me at gatheringleavesreviews@gmail.com.  We are pooling together all entrants from this and our previous giveaway and Vickie will choose several winners to receive copies of one or more of the Kiwi series!!!