Season's Readings! and 'Tis the Season

We are giving away a book a day in December! Perfect for stalking stuffers...Today, I'm giving away a signed Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of Arsenic and Old Books, the sixth book in the "Cat in the Stacks" series. The book will be out in hardcover on January 27, 2015. Remember to leave a comment and include your email. Press "comments" below. 

Diesel the Maine Coon cat from the "Cat in the Stacks" series by Miranda James

There is a big tree in what my human, Charlie, calls the living room. I would love to climb it, but it's covered with all kinds of shiny stuff, like balls hanging off the limbs and lights that twinkle on and off. The first time I saw one of these trees was when I first came to live with Charlie. I managed to climb up in that one before he added all the shiny things. He left the room, and I took one look at the tree and just couldn't resist temptation.

I guess I was too heavy for it, even then, because the tree came crashing down. Didn't hurt me, of course, because I jumped free and landed on my feet. I decided to hide under that sofa thing, though, just in case something else happened.

Charlie came running, and I watched from under the sofa while he picked up the tree. He seemed to think I was under it somewhere, but he should have know better. When he realized I wasn't there, he started looking for me. I stayed under the sofa for a bit before I crawled out.

Then of course I wished I hadn't. Charlie got that look on his face, the one that lets me know he's disappointed in me. Can't stand that look. Charlie is good to me, and I don't like feeling like I've let him down. He sat on the sofa and I crawled up into his lap. He talked for a while, and I tried to look sorry and not too guilty at the same time. He told me I should stay out of the tree, and I warbled to let him know I understood.

I understood even better when I saw all the stuff he put on the tree. I sure didn't want to get tangled up in all that stuff. So ever since then I've been happy to sit on the sofa and stare at the tree. I love the twinkly lights. Plus Charlie gives me treats for being good and not bothering the tree.

I wish the tree stayed there longer so I could get more treats. Oh, well, at least it's there for a while.