Is the weekend gone already? I had planned to get this out on Sunday, but here it is Monday… And the Winter Olympics are underway! Yes, I went down the rabbit hole all weekend! So here’s what else has been happening in the past two months.
New Cat in the House
In early December, I lost Jelickle, my 15-year-old black cat. She had developed a bowel condition that the vet couldn’t identify and she fought it for over a year. I suspect it was a form of cancer. The poor baby kept losing weight no matter how much she ate. On December 3rd, we called an end to her struggle and helped her to the Rainbow Bridge. She was a sweet loving feline and left a big hole in my heart.
While I usually wait a year or so to get another pet, I found the need to add a new cat to the household. I checked my local Humane Society website for potential cats and picked out one, but he was adopted before I could get there. Then a six-month old female kitten showed up and I connected with her immediately. I brought her home the next day and named her Vala, which means Chosen in Welsh. Or she could be that character on “Stargate.”
She is a calico girl with bunny-soft fur, a tiny meow, and a huge purr. She also seems to have the ragdoll trait of going limp when you pick her up. She was considered a feral kitty as her mama was a barn cat, so she has one clipped ear. But she’s a sweetheart, although I have a feeling she’s going to be a big girl.
As to getting along with my other two cats, it’s coming along. Emma is a short-haired calico and at nine isn’t too keen on having a youngster chasing her. My old man,seventeen-year-old Timmy tries his best to ignore her. He doesn’t have the patience for any shananigans.
We’ll see how it goes after a few more months.
Writing Status
One effect of cats who love attention is they want to be in your lap ALL the time. In turn, that cripples your writing time. I’m actually holding my keyboard over Timmy’s head and typing with one hand to write this. Despite the challenges, I am making headway on a new suspense romance book, so read on.
Cat Whisperer
He’s got a whopper of a secret that he’s kept from the whole town, but he’s much smarter than people think. Still, his parents’ bad reputation isn’t helping his case.
She’s training to be a veterinarian and is working with the local pet doc during the summer.
When she gives him a lift into town, her curiosity is piqued. He finds her attractive, but considers her off limits when he realizes who she is. Will the tiny spark between them grow to a flame or will his past block their future?
I just finished a semi-final edit on this exciting novel, and I’m sending it to beta readers now. My planned release date is April 15,2022. Want to be a beta reader? Contact me at RionaKelly.author@gmail.com
Here’s a partial cover reveal to tease you a bit. Look for the full reveal in March.
Next Up is a Cozy
So, what am I working on now? Tainted Truffles, my first book of what I plan to be a series of cozy mysteries, is up. Book one is written, and I’m starting the first edits on it. With book two about one-third done, I will be writing more on it over the next three months.
Here’s a introduction to my lead character .
Isla Frost is bright, talented, and the owner of a performance theatre she inherited from her great aunt, a once-famous actress. As the focal point for her small California town, the theater is a social hub, so Isla knows practically everyone. And, oh yeah, she’s a magnet for trouble.
Romance Anthology Exclusive to Amazon
We’ve gone exclusive with Amazon until the book leaves the market at the end of June. From now until February 15th, the e-book is only $0.99 to get eight novelettes by seven authors. The main credited author is GL Robinson. We also have stories by Cathryn Petit and Beth Fuller. And, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free there. Check it out.