A Black Cat Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Elaine Faber to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Elaine writes the Black Cat Mystery series. Black Cat and the Accidental Angel is the most recent book in the series.

Kathy: I'm a firm believer that black cats are good luck and I currently share my home with 2 of them, Aleister and Licorice. Aside from the fictional Black Cat (Thumper), do you have a black cat in your life?

EF: At present, my cat, Boots, is the identical twin for Thumper (black with four white feet and a white bib). We used to raise red, black and tortoiseshell Persians in the early 1970’s.


Kathy: Is there a different process when writing from the point of view of a cat?

EF: In addition to his feline side, Thumper has a very human side. His sense of humor comes through in many of his insights and comments. He is probably a lot like me.


Kathy: I was so pleased to read that a portion of the sales proceeds goes to animal rescue programs. How did this decision come about? Would you like to tell us about a favorite local rescue organization?

EF: Caring for animals is very dear to my heart. In addition to local humane societies and animal rescue organizations, we donate to Cat House on the Kings – a central California no kill cat rescue facility that serves over 700 cats, provides neutering and spaying and places animal in new homes. http://www.cathouseonthekings.com/index.php


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

EF: Authors write the type of story they like to read. Cozy mysteries appeal to me. (no extreme violence, profanity or explicit sex). We see too much sex, violence and profanity in movies and on TV and certainly too much violence in real life. Cozy readers want to forget their troubles and spend time in a town where they would like to live, with people they would like to meet. Throw in a cat that helps solve mysteries and you have the ideal cozy mystery


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

EF: Not another genre, but another series (see below).


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

EF: Black Cat’s Legacy is a tale of intrigue and murder with a touch of whimsy. When Thumper, the tuxedo cat with six toes on each foot meets Kimberlee, he knows that with the aid of his ancestors’ memories, he must help her solve her father’s cold case murder.

Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer. Thumper accompanies the family to Texas where Kimberlee’s grandmother plans to choose a new beneficiary to her million dollar horse ranch. Kimberlee discovers a false charity and embezzling plot. Thumper uncovers the attorney’s plan to kill grandmother before she can change her will. Can he stop a killer? He has to try, even though he doesn’t like grandmother very much. She is family, after all.

Black Cat and the Accidental Angel. Left behind following an MVA, Thumper (Black Cat) loses his memory. He and his soulmate find refuge on an Emu ranch and vineyard. Progressively serious pranks plague the father, already fighting bankruptcy and endanger his daughter. Angel’s life hangs in the balance when she tries to save the child and Thumper realizes there are more important things than knowing your own name.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

EF: How can you have a favorite child? I love them all the same, but differently. Thumper is funny, with a strength that makes him a true hero. His soulmate, Noe-Noe (Angel) has a biting wit. Kimberlee has many weaknesses, and struggles to become whole following divorce. But, Mrs. Odboddy, bless her heart, has an opinion about anything and everything and isn’t afraid to share it. Her ill-conceived courage is often not well thought out, but oh, so funny. She’ll have you rolling in the aisles. (Published next spring). I guess I just love them all.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

EF: Only that I hoped folks would read and enjoy my stories.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

EF: Agatha Christie, John Steinbeck, Ellery Queen and Will Rogers. What a conversation that would be!


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

EF: Agatha Christie – an anthology of several of her books.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

EF: I volunteer at the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop where high end donated goods are sold and proceeds go to cancer research.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

EF: Milk, graham crackers, gummy bears and stewed tomatoes. (Not necessarily used in the same dish).


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

EF: I’m working on two stories set during WWII. Mrs. Odboddy – Home Town Patriot and Mrs. Odboddy – Cross Country Courier. Elderly Mrs. Odboddy not only sees herself as a warrior on the home front, but also the scourge of the underworld -- fighting conspiracies and spies both real and imaginary. It is a cozy adventure-mystery with a human protagonist this time. (Of course, there is a cat…but she doesn’t help solve the mysteries).


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

EF: I love to write. It is a great reward when people tell me how much they enjoy reading my stories


Black Cat’s Legacy http://tinyurl.com/lrvevgm

Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer http://tinyurylcom/q3qrgyu

Black Cat and the Accidental Angel http://tinyurl.com/p5d6qsq



a Rafflecopter giveaway