“TAIL’S FROM CYPRUS AS TOLD BY LIZA” BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

 

LizaIf you are a fan of our honorary brofur, Bailey’s blog, Bailey Boat Cat, or the blog Pacific Pursea, you are going to fall in love with Liza and her story.

Born under a dumpster and discovered on a dock in Larnaca, flea-covered, calico kitten, Liza, is adopted by a family (the Captain, his wife Emmy and daughter, Linz) traveling around the world on a 45-foot sailboat.

Liza tells the story of her life on the boat and then her life on land after traveling halfway around the world with her new family and Snowball, the cat already living onboard. Snowball is not at all happy to have another cat join the family, but eventually Snow and Liza share many “conversations.” Snow teaches Liza the ways of life aboard a boat as well as how to “read.”

Liza is thorough in describing ports visited, friends met along the way and the antics of Snowball, who enjoys jumping ship in most ports. (Emmy’s e-mails, sent daily from her ham radio during her five years at sea and saved by her father were instrumental in allowing Liza to do this).

The family’s around-the-world sailing adventure takes five years. Liza’s time on the boat lasts for just one year.

Crossing the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean was a challenge, but the next 12 years of Liza’s life on land saw her facing many trials and tribulations. Both cats and the three humans settle in Florida upon their return to the states. At this point in Liza’s story some things happen to her at the hands of her humans that I found quite upsetting. I won’t describe those here, but this should not stop you from reading this compelling story.

After a few years in Florida, Liza moves to Wisconsin to live with Linz during her last year at the University of Wisconsin. After graduation, she and Linz return to Florida. The Captain and Emmy divorce. Snowball remains with the Captain. Emmy, Linz and Liza move to the coast of North Carolina where they live in a variety of places. Eventually, Linz marries and moves to Richmond, VA, where Liza shares her home with another cat and a Rhodesian Ridgeback (AKA “Lion Hunter”).

Just when Liza thinks she has settled down in her forever home, Linz announces she is going to have a baby. It is then that Liza actually gets her dream of a forever home when she moves back to North Carolina to live with Emmy and her new husband, Kirk (Bertram).

Not a huge fan of Liza at first, Kirk eventually becomes her longed-for cat dad. It is he who encourages Liza to share her adventures and with his help, Liza’s story becomes, Tail’s from Cyprus as Told by Liza.

I found Liza’s life to be fascinating. She has a knack for telling readers about her interesting life. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys nautical literature, cat stories or is an animal lover. It will capture your attention immediately, and you won’t be sorry for setting aside the time to read it.

Tail’s from Cyprus as Told by Liza is available at Amazon.com in soft-cover and as an e-book.

The Cat on My Head is giving away a Kirk Bertram-signed copy. For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post prior to Sunday, December 7, at 8 p.m. The winner will be selected using Random.org.

[Disclaimer: The Cat on My Head received no remuneration for this review. I did receive two copies of this book, one for purposes of review and one to give away to a reader. All opinions expressed are mine alone.]