4 out of 4 stars
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A Very Furry Christmas: Holiday Cat Tales by John D. Ottini is a collection of short stories about cats and Christmastime; I assume you figured that part out already. It contains four tales and is categorized in the Other Fiction genre. Set during the Christmas season, there is a common thread of the intense connection between cats and people. In “Slipper’s Last Breath,” a sad widower is overwhelmed by his cat’s illness and impending death on Christmas Eve. “The Unwrapped Gift” showcases a newly divorced woman and her dog picking out a tree and finding a new friend or two. A feral kitten copes with changing circumstances in “A Charcoal Christmas” and a priest has a crisis of faith in “Christmas Mourning.” When you mix the power of love and Christmas together, there are sure to be surprises, hope, and maybe even a miracle.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although all of the stories were absorbing, my favorite was “A Charcoal Christmas” about a grey kitten who is part of a litter abandoned in a box outside a grocery store. The store’s owner had been feeding the cats and keeping them warm, but a stranger comes along with an idea to give his girlfriend a birthday gift. Do you want to guess who is abducted? This is one of those stories that just becomes better and better with a few surprise zigs and zags. The characters and situations are realistically drawn and the storyline packs an emotional punch.
The author writes in an impressive, casual style. There is a natural flow to the writing that borders on lyrical. However, there are a few noticeable errors of homophones, namely where/were, who’s/whose, and accept/except. I found these errors surprising and a bit annoying. These are commonly used words that you wouldn’t expect a published author to use incorrectly.
There are nice touches of friendship, animal love, romance, and the magic of Christmas. Each plot is meaty without being too long or laden with minor details. I liked the variety and took a break between stories to appreciate each one.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The incorrect use of homophones merits taking away a half star. However, the rating system doesn’t allow for half stars, so I am rounding up to 4 stars. Since I liked the book so much, the highest rating is deserved. I recommend this collection to cat lovers (no surprise there) and anyone who enjoys interesting tales with a Christmas theme. Since the stories include mature themes (no spoilers), the book is more appropriate for adults. While the collection can easily be read in one day, I advise taking the time to savor each story. Hot cocoa is recommended to enhance the heartwarming experience.
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A Very Furry Christmas: Holiday Cat Tales
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