In this beautifully written tale of her life with the curious and beloved feline members of her family, including one in particular, BrambleBerry Rose, the author recounts her fond memories and experiences in a heartfelt, engaged voice that invites the reader to sit down and drink a tall glass of iced tea on the front porch with her while she tells you all about them.
The story is charming, from start to finish. It highlights with appreciation the wisdom and values that her beloved cats share with the author during, and even after, one cat’s lifetime. The author, an artist and animal lover, has adopted more than thirty lost cats and cared for them as members of her family for decades, but she formed the closest bonds with Earth, her first kitten, and BrambleBerry Rose, the cat she describes as “my soul, my heart,” who was her constant feline companion for more than fourteen years, and whose relationship with the author is the central theme of the book.
This lovely and worthwhile work follows BrambleBerry Rose from her rescue as a thrown-away one-day-old kitten to glorious adulthood, in a close-knit family whose lives center on the animals’ activities and well-being. The author’s ménage consists of the author, the author’s husband and life partner, Christopher, and three older “brothers and sisters” — the protective, all-black male cat Navar Star, the lovable, easy-going male cat Huckleberry Moon, the quiet, mysterious female cat Girl Grey, and, later, the spirited, baby-of-the-family female cat Hayleigh SkyWalker, the only member of the family who does not get along with BrambleBerry Rose.
The author is a keen observer of the animals’ personalities, favorite activities, and quirks; lovers of animals of all kinds will find common ground in descriptions that convey their inner and outer beauty. The author comes to learn that she and BrambleBerry Rose have a connection that transcends a single lifetime — she senses unearthly similarities between Earth and BrambleBerry Rose, for example. After her beloved cat’s death, which plunged the author into deep sadness and heartache, the author is surprised to receive loving and comforting thought-communication from BrambleBerry Rose. The author describes this communication, among other signs, as vital to coping with the loss of BrambleBerry Rose and as strengthening her conviction that she and her beloved cat will be reunited in this world or the next. The author hopes her story will, in turn, comfort and help others who have suffered similarly painful losses.
This is a heartwarming and inspiring story that booklovers and friends of animals will love to read.
—Review by editor at Simon & Schuster
“I don’t particularly like cats (although my history of several of them ‘owning me’ makes that a lie). I’m not particularly fond of tearjerkers (although this lovely book more rationally qualifies as a ‘spiritual anti-tearjerker’). Feel-good books are something else again—and who can resist one that is so obviously the perfect gift for someone who does like cats, who has lost a loved-one (two-legged or four-legged), and who simply has (or needs) the courage to keep breathing and take one step at a time into whatever the future may hold? Amber Archangel’s poetic writing, renders MyCat Told Me a mini-gem, a deserving and endearing addition on a friend’s—or even on your—reading list.”
—Hugo N. Gerstl, international best-selling author of Scribe,
Assassin, Against All Odds, and The Wrecking Crew
“If you have ever loved an animal—whether your first puppy, a parrot who insulted you, a mouse who climbed all over you, or a kitty who practically lived on your lap—then you will love Amber Archangel’s book.
Animals are bundles of love who really do communicate with us and they love us no matter what.
Thank you, Amber Archangel, for a heartfelt read which is simple and profound at the same time. Would that we all could have a love like BrambleBerry Rose!”
“Perhaps the greatest words of wisdom ever spoken were by that famous anonymous guru, TuGunn, who said from his aerie, ‘It is only when you have known the love of an animal that you’ve lived a fulfilling life.’ This was someone who, when he came down to Earth, got his groceries driving around in a golf cart with a bumpersticker that read. Human and Cat Missing. Reward for Cat. Yes, he was serious about felines. And so is Amber Archangel, joyously so. Much of her life has been spent learning from one of the smartest species on the planet. She shares their enlightened thoughts and heartfeltness in My Cat Told Me, a delicious book that will brighten your days.”
journalist and author of The Francie LeVillard Mysteries
My Proofreading friends write:
“What a lovely story! It is very special, and so well written that the reader is simply “there” with this gifted author. It is a touching and meaningful tale that takes place in a beautiful environment that
is replete with nature and endless thoughtfulness. Thank you SO much for sharing it with all of us!”
“This is such a beautiful story and a labor of love. Your voice is so recognizable in it. It’s well done and your story for sure. Thank you for sharing it. Lots of love.”
“So glad you made this effort for all of us! Thanks so much – and what a lovely tribute to BrambleBerry Rose!”
You can leave a nice comment on my Facebook or Instagram page or messenger. THANKS
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