Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar - Review by LAWonder10!

Gossiaux’s first novel, the highly acclaimed Good Enough, propelled this nonfiction author into the world of inspirational fiction last year with praise from top reviewers. ​

Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar hits the shelves as a cozy romantic mystery that entertains as well as inspires. Threaded through the fun and romance is the timeless story of forgiveness and how sometimes the person we need to forgive the most is ourselves.
Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar
(ISBN 978-09976387-5-2 paperback or ISBN 978-0-9976387-2-1 ebook, 
2017, Tri-Cat Publishing, 248 pages
​Synopsis:
Abigail Chartwell, university librarian of ancient maps and documents, gave up on love the icy winter night that she lost her husband. For the past six years, Abigail has been hiding behind thick glasses and the wedding ring he gave her. She had her one true love, and lost him. She isn’t about to experience that hurt again.
But then sizzling hot Tony the Cat Burglar drops into her life on a rope from the library skylight one night, when he comes to steal one of her maps—a map he claims can lead him to the “lost painting” of famous Italian artist Antonio Russo. Quoting Shakespeare, clad in black spandex, and armed with his charming smile, Tony and his story are hard to resist. Intrigued, Abigail gets caught up in the hunt, not realizing that the thief’s real target may be her heart.
~Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, iBooks, Kobo.

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MY REVIEW:
This was such a fun, captivating cozy mystery. It was another one of those, "I just couldn't put it down!" ones.
Abigail Chartwell, had no children and was only married a short while when her husband was killed in a car accident. She decided then, shewould become as unapproachable as possible and wrap herself in the comfort and security of her career. This had worked well until that fateful night the "Cat Burglar" arrived!
The reader will become so entwined in the characters of the story, he/she will feel like he/she is there! The scenes are so vividly described, they are easily visualized. 
This novel is a delightful reading pastime, from beginning to the  very end!
*I offer a Five Stars rating.
This was gifted me with no suggestion of a positive review. This is my honest review.

EXCERPTS:
He was dressed in black—some sort of tight outfit that looked like something a runner would wear. It covered his entire body, including his face, she noticed with a bit of fright. Only his eyes were showing.
            He froze when he saw her. There was a long black rope hanging just above his head, threading its way up the three floors to the dome above them.
            Abigail was about to scream when the man put his finger to his lips. Something about his movement stopped her.
            “Good evening, ma’am,” he said, and gave her a sweeping bow.
            Her eyes narrowed. “Is this a robbery?”
            “This is most certainly not a robbery,” he said, holding both hands up. “Robbers are armed. Thieves are not.”
 
            “There’s an old Russo painting hidden in the city, and there’s a map that leads there. I’m here to get that map.”
            “The portrait? That’s a legend,” she said. “It’s not true. Treasure hunters would have found it years ago.”
            “But they don’t have the information I have,” he said.

​​My grandmother’s dying. I need that map.”
            He was standing there, wearing jeans and a burgundy sweater, his hands gripping her desk.
            “That’s a terrible pick-up line,” she said.

​About Pamela Gossiaux, author of
Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar
 
Pamela Gossiaux is a humorist, inspirational speaker, and the author of the books Good Enough, Why Is There a Lemon in My Fruit Salad? How to Stay Sweet When Life Turns Sour, and A Kid at Heart: Becoming a Child of Our Heavenly Father, as well as the highly anticipated inspirational romance, Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar.  
 
Pamela has been writing and working with writers for several decades. She has a dual BA degree from the University of Michigan in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature, and over 20 years of journalism writing experience. She teaches writing workshops and has been the editor for published books in a wide variety of genres, both fiction and non-fiction, including best sellers. She has self-published a book on writing called Six Steps to Successful Publication.
An avid horse enthusiast, she enjoys being outdoors and working in her garden. She also loves chocolate, and prefers to curl up with a good book in her downtime. Pamela lives in Michigan with her husband, two sons, and three cats. Visit her website at PamelaGossiaux.com.

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