Meet the Author

J M Martlew – Memoirist, Cat Rescuer, and Proud Author

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J M Martlew has spent a lifetime helping those in need—both human and feline. From her early days rescuing street cats as a child to being an NHS nurse working in a children’s burns unit in Scotland, compassion has always been at the core of who she is.

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Her debut memoir, Frank from Funchal meets Dancer, is a deeply personal story and a celebration of resilience—hers, and that of the animals who have found their way into her heart. The book tells the true account of Frank, a starving street cat from the island of Funchal, who is flown to the UK in search of safety. There he meets Dancer, a traumatised cat who was lost on the streets of London, both emaciated and barely clinging to life when found.

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Now safe in their forever home in Sussex, Frank and Dancer share an uneasy truce—if Dancer had her way, she’d happily send Frank straight back on the next plane! 🐾 But together, they represent something much larger: the idea that even those from very different places, with pasts full of hardship, can heal—and even coexist.

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J M Martlew believes that cats choose their people, not the other way around. And the ones who choose you? They know you’re meant to be the one to help them find safety and love.

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This self-published memoir is more than just a tale of two cats. It’s a heartfelt exploration of breaking down barriers, beating the odds, and learning that wherever you come from—whether it’s the streets of Funchal or London—you can still find your place, and your people.