Book: "Real Men Love Cats" by Nic Tatano

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and what better way to kick it off than by reading "Real Men Love Cats" which is the fourth of a series of books written by Nic Tatano.

  

If you are looking for a romantic comedy, it is also a "chick-lit" book (that just happens to be written by a man) that  is a quick read, ( 210 pages,  it took me a mere three hours to read this book on a snowy Saturday night), that is fun, as well as funny, replete with cats, then  this is your book.  "Real Men Love Cats" is loaded with witty banter, and did I mention it has a heavy dose of cat love thrown in?

FROM "REAL MEN LOVE CATS":

Advertising copywriter Rory Callahan is very picky. She thinks Mister Right should check off some important boxes. But if “love me, love my cat” isn’t one of them, that’s a deal-breaker. Unfortunately, the men she’s been dating lately want nothing to do with her playful six-toed tabby, Hemingway. Or any cat, for that matter. Can this classic girl-next-door find a real man who loves cats? Romance moves to the back burner when a terrific business opportunity that seems perfect for her falls in her lap. The CEO of a national cat food company is looking for a new ad agency, and Rory is desperate for the huge account. The one guy standing in her way? A modern day advertising whiz named Will Prescott who seems to be right out of the Mad Men era as far as women are concerned. Or is she reading him wrong? After all, the guy does like cats. How bad could he be? After a horrible first meeting and a series of bizarre misunderstandings she’s keeping him at arms’ length. But when Will and Hemingway cross paths, she begins to see him in a different light. Can her cat show her the way?

Having spent 26 years of my life in advertising (ok, it was newspaper advertising and the main characters in the book  own ad agencies),  it doesn't matter, advertising is advertising.  I was instantly lured in. The competition, the sexual stereotypes. I found myself transported back to my former life. My life as an advertising pro who for MANY of those years, lived alone, with a cat. I lived with a cat who was a wonderful judge of a man's character (sadly, many times I ignored his good judgement). Will Rory Callahan do the same? You will have to read the book to find out!

"Real Men Love Cats"  teaches you that you  can't always believe what you see, what you THINK you see, what you THINK you know,  might not be what is actually taking place. It shows you that if you are in the market for "Mr or Ms. Right" they are sometimes right in front of your face. 

 "Real Men Love Cats"  has romance, humor, misunderstandings, coincidences, interesting lead characters, advertising,  and cats (what's not to like???), I couldn't put this book down. Having been single MUCH longer than most (I didn't marry the first time until I was 40), I also dated my fair share of jerks. MORE than my fair share. When I read the line "love me, love my cat",  I KNEW that this was a book that cat lovers like myself could relate to.

If the above aren't reasons enough to get yourself a copy of "Real Men Love Cats" by Nic Tatano, the book dedication nearly had me in tears:

For Gypsy:

You were a wonderful cat and are greatly missed.

You were my sunshine.

See you at the Rainbow Bridge someday.

Friends, remember, the above dedication was written by a MAN. Hoping that Nic Tatano doesn't think I am a narrow minded female sexist  pig, but a dedication like that in and of itself makes it clear to me that author Tatano truly IS A REAL MAN WHO LOVES CATS.


SIDE NOTE: after communicating with quthor Nic Tatano via email just a few times, I also think that he was writing about himself when he created , Will Prescott (one of the main characters).  Wondering if Nic will admit that to me? He doesn't have to, I know I am right. Personality similarities were glaring in his email communication with me. But it's all good!!!! Nic LOVES cats, and you will LOVE "Real Men Love Cats", written by a REAL MAN who LOVES CATS!!

I give Real Men Love Cats FOUR PAWS UP!! 

Available on Amazon.

In full disclosure: I received a free copy of "Real Men Love Cats" by Nic Tatano in exchange for my always honest review. 

Book Review: "Plan Cee" by Hilary Grossman is "Chick Lit" at It's Finest!

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: I have the pleasure of knowing author Hilary Grossman through her blog, Feeling Beachie,  and I have had the HONOR of meeting Hilary in person.  Hilary's personality is warm, welcoming, funny, quirky, and many of those characteristics are evident in a number of her characters in her books. I am sure you will love her as much as so many of us do!

Would you abandon your present for a second chance at your past?

Cecelia Reynolds has spent most of her life trying to forget the commitment-phobic man who broke her heart. It wasn’t easy, but eventually she did it, or so she thought…

As Cecelia and her husband gather for a friend’s wedding, her perfect world is thrown into complete turmoil. Even though it’s been twenty years since she last laid eyes on Keith Emerson, all it takes is one glance for her to feel emotions she thought were long gone. When Keith ends up officiating the ceremony, she quickly realizes his message of love is directed at her, not the happy couple. But can she believe him?

We live our entire lives thinking we know ourselves. But do we ever really?

As secrets and lies cause Cecelia’s world to spin completely out of control, she is forced to seek advice from the most unlikely ally. In the process, she must confront the demons of her past and the events that shaped her into the woman she is now. Will she finally learn the real meaning of love, friendship, and family?

INTRIGUED?

OF COURSE YOU ARE!!

The first full day of Spring is today and it is time to start thinking about the books you will put into your beach bag, or take along on vacation to read on the plane or poolside. Not vacationing? Don't have a pool or a beach? Neither do I, but I bet you have a comfy chair or sofa and some goodies you can munch on while you kick back, probably with a cat (or two or three) by your side, and enter Cecelia's world. Hang on my friends, it's going to be a wild ride!!

I found myself saying "Noooo!!!" OUT LOUD NO LESS, at the mess Cecelia had gotten herself into. Because I have the pleasure of knowing Hilary Grossman in real life, I messaged her on Facebook, literally screaming.  I can't say why I was screaming or I will give everything away!!

I had the distinct honor/pleasure of reviewing both of author Hilary Grossman's previous books, (the most recent of which was Plan Bea. if you haven't read either of Hilary's previous books,  you MUST!!)  Hilary's writing is like chatting with a dear friend, or being nosy and peeking into their lives! 

"CHICK LIT" AT IT'S FINEST!!

 Plan Cee, as well as Hilary Grossman's previous books, have all of the necessary components of books that are classified as "Chick Lit." 

*****The really good chick lit books are by authors who haven't forgotten that lit stands for literature, and they manage to create complex stories with subtle characters and universal themes. And - here's the truly difficult part - they do so while employing the conventions that chick lit readers have come to love and expect.

Intriguing characters who are believable, and easy to relate to, plot twists and turns (that will have ANYONE who has had a past relationship thinking of THEIR past and what would happen should that individual re-enter the scene), Plan Cee is CHICK LIT AT IT'S FINEST.  Have you ever read a book that you started to read more slowly because you did NOT want it to end? For me, this was one of those books. I did NOT want it to end, and when it did, I reached out to Hilary and told her there HAS to be more.........

Fingers crossed there will be!!

While this book is a sequel to Plan Bea, it also reads as a standalone.

ORDER "PLAN CEE" BY HILARY GROSSMAN HERE

About Hilary:

By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her "characters." She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She's been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on Long Island. 

Facebook page 

Twitter 

Instagram 


*****quoted from Chick Lit, Which Comes First, the Chick or the Lit?"