Guest: Author Elaine Faber

 

Author Elaine Faber and Boots, her inspiration

My guest, Elaine Faber, writes the Black Cat mystery series, but the stories are also romantic, not only for her human main character, Kimberlee, but for Thumper, the Black Cat. In fact, his relationship with his new-found love, Noe-Noe, is the true romance of the books!

Let’s learn more about the stories and the woman who creates them.
Welcome, Elaine!

When I asked you to be a guest, I hadn’t realized that my last guest was also the writer of cat books. (You are my third cat-book guest here!) You belong to the Cat Writers Association. Did you realize just how many cat books were out there when you started your stories? That well seems pretty deep!

Thank you for having me on your blog today. ‘Cat-stories’ have always been my favorite, thus, my choice for a writing genre. I’m told I do my best work when I’m writing from ‘Thumper’s POV.’ Thumper is a masterful and determined sleuth, but with a gentle, loving side when he deals with his soul mate, Noe-Noe, and his need to protect his family, all very human attributes.

Are there any particular cats that have been the inspiration for Thumper and Noe-Noe?

Boots, my black and white tuxedo cat is the muse for Thumper. Amber, my cream tabby is the muse for Noe-Noe. Both have multiple toes (polydactyl) like my cats. Their personalities are a composite of all the cats I’ve owned with a bit of ‘me’ tossed into the mix. Thumper is very bold and caring and Noe-Noe can be a bit snitty when she gets her back up.

Do you think that a supernatural angle is necessary for a cat-based mystery? How did you decide on the ancestral memories idea and the cats speaking among themselves?

Aren’t all cats a bit mysterious? Or is that just me? This touch of mysticism is in most cat mysteries, more so than in stories where dogs are featured. Thumper and Noe-Noe are not magical. We clearly identify what some call ‘instinct,’ as ‘the ancestors’ memories.’ Even a wee kit licks his paw and pulls it over his ears. Memories! Thumper and Noe-Noe have the ability to speak to each other, like many other cat mysteries.

Elaine Faber’s Black Cat Mystery Series

Do you foresee having the humans realizing the cats are playing a real role in solving the mysteries and that there is more going on with them than meets the eye?

Oh, no! According to Thumper, ‘humans can’t see a clue even when he puts it in front of their inferior noses.’ In Black Cat’s Legacy, Kimberlee and Brett have a conversation, wondering if Thumper knew what he was doing when he discovered certain clues. They decide it was pure chance. LOL

I read in your bio notes that you have also written poetry and had short stories published. I usually ask if my guests delve into other genres. I know you have other irons in the fire, can you give us a preview?

How much time do we have???? The third cat mystery, Black Cat and the Accidental Angel will be published later this spring. In the fall, I’ll publish The Obstreperous Mrs. Odboddy, a humorous mystery set during WWII. Mrs. Odboddy, an eccentric older woman, mistakenly sees conspiracies and ‘Nazi spies’ at every turn, until she actually stumbles onto a real mystery. The sequel is scheduled for spring, 2016 and involves a secret government mission with Mrs. Roosevelt! My short stories are in eight anthologies.

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Married 53 years, two kids, and four grandkids. I am the editor for the Inspire Christian Writer’s annual anthology. I volunteer at the Elk Grove Library and handle the books sales through Amazon. Also volunteer at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. As a ‘staff-member’ to four housecats and three ferals, I live and breathe cat fur and hairballs, or so it seems.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?

If you are a previous cat mystery lover, and looking for a new cat mystery adventure, I guarantee you will love Black Cat’s Legacy and Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer. Available at Amazon in print and e-book.

You can find out more and reach Elaine at these sites:

Elaine.Faber@mindcandymysteries.com
www.mindcandymysteries.com
http://tinyurl.com/lmoxlr3   (Amazon Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer)
http://tinyurl.com/lrvevgm   (Amazon Black Cat’s Legacy)