Edie Ramer–Anthology Mastermind, Cattitude & A Galaxy Giveaway! Back to Blog
Thanks for the wonderful comments!!! The winner of CATTITUDE is…Stephanie (dragonstar). The winner of GALAXY GIRLS is… Marley Delarose. Congrats!!
I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the ENTANGLED anthology. When I found out all of the proceeds were going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, I couldn’t wait to sign up! But there is one author that I just have to thank for my involvement in ENTANGLED–Edie Ramer. She (and the great Misty Evans) worked tirelessly on this anthology. Edie invited me to participate, she organized the donation material–she got all of the authors busy! So, Edie, thank you…and welcome to the blog party!
***
Characters with Attitude
by Edie Ramer
Thanks so much to Cynthia for inviting me to her release day party. I’m so happy that she’s part of the anthology. Her story rocks!
One of the best things about being an indie author is I get to write about what interests me – ghosts, aliens, dragons, cats, witches. All of them with attitude. My short story in ENTANGLED has two of these, and a hint of a new one. You can tell by the title that The Fat Cat has a cat in it. The heroine is a witch, and though a goddess is mentioned in a minor way, she helps do major goddess damage.
The witch heroine was a secondary character in CATTITUDE, my fist self-published book. Other characters from CATTITUDE appear in The Fat Cat. I still love that book. Though I’ve published four other books since, counting ENTANGLED, I thought it would be fun to post an excerpt from it. The heroine from The Fat Cat doesn’t appear, but she’s mentioned. Here goes:
***
Belle’s brain ached from talking. Meowing was so much easier. Humans made everything difficult, even communication. So few words, so many meanings.
“You want to tell me about yourself?” Max asked.
She put a hand on the bruise on her forehead, just like Annette in today’s TV show. “Amnesia.” She’d practiced saying it while watching the show, the mmm sound easier than the nnn. “I have amnesia.”
“Amnesia?” He looked at her with disbelief. “The only people I’ve heard of with amnesia are actors in bad TV shows. If you’re afraid of someone, tell me. I’ll protect you.” His gaze shifted to her ring. “No matter what. You have my promise.”
She nodded. Of course he’d protect her. She’d never thought anything different.
“Do you want to tell me?” He moved closer, bending, the same concentration in his blue eyes as when he was reading one of his travel books.
“Pretty eyes,” she said.
He snapped back. “You don’t need to flirt with me. I already told you I’ll protect you.”
“You have pretty eyes,” she repeated. He also had a pretty face and body, but she decided not to say that.
What had she done wrong? Max told her all the time how pretty she was. “Pretty Belle.” “Beautiful Belle.” “Pretty kitty.” She always liked it. Didn’t humans like to be called nice things?
“Well, thanks.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and backed up. “I’ll order the pizza. You like garlic bread?”
She shook her head. She liked meat. Lots of meat.
“We’ll probably eat in about a half hour.” One corner of his mouth flicked up. “Don’t go anywhere.”
She shook her head. Where would she go? This was her home.
As soon as he left, she stretched, holding the position for a long moment. Then she rubbed her cheek against the pillow. It was soft and smelled of Max. Now her smells mingled with his, her cat body and her human body.
A knock rattled the door. A mewl came out of her mouth, the unfamiliar words forgotten for a second. The door opened before she remembered how to purse her lips and where to stick her tongue to tell whoever it was to come in. Unless it was Caroline. Her she would tell not to come in.
“You’re decent? Too bad.” Ted strolled inside, clothes draped over his arm. “Max said you’re eating with us tonight. I thought you’d like a change of clothes.” He tossed his armload of garments on the foot of the bed. “They’re my sister’s exercise clothes. They should stretch or shrink to fit you. Tory won’t mind if you wear them.”
Belle nodded. Tory liked her. Tory had wanted to take her to New York, but of course Belle couldn’t go. This was her home. Why would she want to live anywhere else?
“I’ll leave now.” Ted glanced at his watch. “You have enough time to take a quick bath or a shower and change.”
Watching him leave, Belle felt sick inside her stomach.
Bath? Shower?
No, no and no!
She wasn’t going to do it. She refused to do it.
But if she didn’t, they’d smell her. Cats groomed themselves all the time, but they didn’t wash away their scents. Any animal knew scents were good. Water was for drinking. Inside the body, not outside.
Her mouth set. She threw back the covers, rolled out of bed, marched into the bathroom, knelt by the bathtub and turned on the faucets the way she’d seen Max do so often. Anything a human could do, a cat could do—no matter how disgusting and unnatural.
But she’d better find Sorcha and get her body back. Fast.
How many more indignities could she stand?
***
I have two giveaways! Two commenters will win either an e-copy of CATTITUDE or my latest book, GALAXY GIRLS, which is my homage to the Gilmore Girls – if they came from another planet and used pheromones as weapons. To enter the giveaway, just answer this question:
If you can be an animal, what kind would you be?
Thanks!
i would be a bear 🙂
meandi09@yahoo.com
Jennifer, I’m replying twice. I missed the “reply” button the first time. I never thought of being a bear. But I’m in Wisconsin, and we have cold winters. It’s not a bad idea to sleep through the winter.
I would love to be a dragon it would so cool to be able to fly and breathe fire.
mythic021@gmail.com
Vanessa, I’d love to fly, too. Breathing fire sounds sexy, but I wonder if it feels like indigestion.
I would be a big cat…lioness, leopard, jaguar. Something along those lines. Which is strange since I don’t really like small cats. But I think the big ones are gorgeous!
mmafsmith at gmail dot com
Maria, big cats are gorgeous. Sorry that you don’t like small cats. Mine is really cute. I can’t resist her.
A Cheetah, lithe, beautiful and fast (to satisfy my need for speed). Your cat books sound wonderful. So glad you put an excerpt up.
Marley, cheetahs are gorgeous, too. I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt from Cattitude. Thanks!
I would love to be a panther but given ny personality I would be a wolf or a bear
Hilleary, another big cat lover. Wolves are kind of cool, too. I’ve surprised you’re the first to mention a wolf. And the second to mention a bear. I think there might be a market for bear shifters. Interesting.
Edie, thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of the Entangled anthology. You’re the best, lady!!
Cynthia, Misty and I were both squealing when you accepted! I’m thrilled to have so many awesome writers in it. And your story rocks!
I would be a house cat. They have a pretty easy life just laying around and have their owners doing everything for them.
Khelsey, me, too! My cat is grooming herself now. Most of the day she slept. Occasionally she woke up and jumped on my lap for a massage. Life is good.
Hi Edie! Fun excerpt! I would love to fly high in the sky like an eagle!
Patty, my husband would choose an eagle, too. I’d love to fly that high, but I can see myself as a friendlier bird. Not a songbird, the way I sing. But I can see myself as a goose, flying in a V-formation with friends and family.
I’m so glad you enjoyed my excerpt.
Cattitude sounds really cool!! I need to read it just cuz I want to know how she became human..it’s gonna drive me crazy.
What kind of animal..hmmm. Probably either a cat or a dog….def a domestic pet. No roughing it for me..I’m a bit spoiled. But so are my dogs…so I guess I want to be one of MY dogs. Actually, I know a lady who takes in and loves and cares for ANY animals that needs it. She feeds a farm full of cats that live about 10 miles from her, cuz she found out the farmer didn’t feed them, and they are too wild to catch. I’m not sure how many animals she has right now, but I know she even has 2 snapping turtles! She used to work with me, and everyone at my job says in our next life, we want to be an animal she takes in, and we don’t care what kind.
Betty, too funny about being a domestic pet. I feel the same way. I don’t even like camping. And your friend sounds like she has a big heart.
I’m glad you think Cattitude sounds really cool. I had fun writing it.
I’d want to be a white tiger, I just think the are beautiful and majestic.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! =)
Valerie, you’re so right about white tigers being beautiful and majestic. I can picture one in my mind right now.
And it’s my pleasure to be on Cynthia’s blog with my giveaways. Thanks for commenting!
Jennifer, being a bear is different. I never thought of that. You’d be able to sleep all winter. Since I live in a cold state, that doesn’t sound too bad.
Not only is this anthology a wonderful fundraiser, I’ve read and own Cattitude. Belle the cat is a great character and so is her human! Thanks for your generosity, ladies!
Donnell, you’re a sweetheart. Galaxy Girls has a similar tone to Cattitude. They both have lighter elements. I think that’s why they’re my two favorites.
Thanks for stopping by!
Edie, I’m a Leo, so I’d definitely be a lion. 🙂
But don’t enter me in the contest. I already own both stories (LOVED Cattitude & I’m LOVING Galaxy Girls as well!).
Donna, you’re a doll and you’re really making me feel good. I hope you enjoy Entangled as well. The stories in there are awesome!
A dog!
Elissapugh at gmail.com
Elissa, I’m sitting next to my dog on my loveseat right now, her butt against my side. 15 minutes ago, she and my other dog were watching me eat a piece of apple pie. And they didn’t get any. So, if I were a dog, I’d want to have opposable thumbs.
I’d probably be a dog with loving owners.
Mary, I’d be happy to have you as a dog. I’d be loving.
It’s so nice to meet you!! I love your excerpt and cover. Do unicorns count? They’re so beautiful! Otherwise I’d love to be a horse, they’re so majestic and beautiful. Or a dolphin 😀 Thanks for the contest!
DragonStar1974 )AT( aol.com
Stephanie, nice to meet you, too. Of course, unicorns count. It would be very cool to be a unicorn. Great idea!
When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a cat… nowadays a dragon would be my choice!
Colleen, a dragon has a lot in common with a cat. They both like to nap in sunny places. But dragons have the flying thing going for them. Cats can jump far and wide, but they can’t beat flying.
Edie, loved the excerpt as much this time as the first time I read it. Anything a human can do, a cat can do better. You nailed the attitude all right. LOL
I’d want to be a tiger, I Siberian one to be specific with that vibrant orange and black coat.
Trish, siberian tigers are magnificent. Great choice.
Belle that cat was a joy to writer with her cat attitude. Thanks!
Have always liked the big cats, especially snow leopards.
Enjoyed reading the excerpt.
skpetal at hotmail dot com
Jean, the big cats are the most popular. I can see why. They’re so gorgeous.
I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt!
I LOVE the Gilmore Girls! I literally cried when it ended 🙁
If I could be any animal I’d choose a cat. Not exciting, but I love them 🙂
Christie, I loved the Gilmore Girls, too. Some series should keep going and never end.
Cats don’t have to be exciting. They just have to be. That’s their appeal. And mine is so cute, too. That helps.
Everyone already took my answers. First, I thought tiger. Then I thought dolphin because they are friendly and seem relaxed. So yeah, I have to stick with one of those. I love the title “Galaxy Girls”.
Carly, I’d love to be a dolphin! Great answer. There’s a YouTube video of a dolphin and a cat playing together that I love. The best of both animals.
I love the Galaxy Girls title, too. Thanks!
Hi Edie,
How fun is this! An animal, well if I can’t be a vampire 🙂 a werewolf 🙂 or a dragon 🙂 Then I’d love to be one of my OWN cats – they are spoiled rotten.
Dale
Dale, you could easily be one of your own cats. Just remember to unlock your clones from the basement so they can spoil you while they continue to write all those books. 😈
I love Gilmore Girls! Galaxy Girls sounds great.
So what animal would I be, I think a big cat. Black panther sounds good.
beckerjo at verizon dot net
JoAnna, black panthers are very sexy. And dangerous. And beautiful. Good choice!
Thanks for your comments on Galaxy Girls!
If given the choice I would love to be a dog
Marianne, I was a dog lover before we had a cat. I wouldn’t be able to say which one I love more.
I would be a tiger. They are cooler than Lions!
Sherie, it’s odd but no one has said a lion. The big cats are the most popular. I think they’re sleeker. That’s very sexy.
Platypus…I like being something out of the norm.
Kathy, an interesting choice. Definitely out of the norm. I can see you don’t follow the crowd.
Edie,
I’d be a dog. I love dogs 🙂
Christy, now I’m wondering what kind of a dog. I can see you as something elegant but friendly.
if i could be an animal, it would be a wolf. im very partial to them. 🙂
shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com
Shadow, you must be a lover of shapeshifters with wolves in them. What I like about wolves is they mate for life. I think that’s cool.
If I could be any animal, I think I’d be a black panther – they’re powerful, sleek and very cool.
Barbara, that’s a great combination. Black panthers are gorgeous.
A wolf: strong, protective and very loving!
Diane, “strong, protective and very loving” goes a long way. Good reasons to like wolves.
I would love to be a Kangaroo…. cute, wild, strong and I could carry my baby around with me 🙂
Linda, awww. You gave me a great mental image. A kangaroo sounds terrific.
I would be a dragon. I would love to be able to fly and breathe fire. I love the mystical qualities that they have.
Stephanie, I’m with you. A dragon, a dolphin, or a cat are my choices. But the flying part is hard to beat. A dragon would probably be my final choice.
I would be a tiger.
Marlene, tigers are great, too. I see that I need big cats in a future book. They’re popular!
I would be some kind of big cat like a tiger or panther
Larena, it’s hard to choose. I felt the same way when we were deciding which dog to buy.
Hi Edie! I’m from Wisconsin too! If I could be any animal I would have to say tiger. I just have always felt this closeness with tigers. I just love them 🙂
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com
Ashley, happy to hear from another Wisconsinite! That’s very cool to have a closeness with a tiger. I think I feel closest to my cat.
I would probably want to be some sort of bird. I would love to experience flight.
Jane, flying has to be the best. I’d love to fly. I used to daydream about it as a girl. (I wasn’t a bird in my daydreams; I was like Super Girl.)
I loved Cattitude, and Dragon Blues also. Looking forward to reading Entangled also. If I had to choose an animal to be, I’d want to be a house cat. They are masters of the universe after all, and they have a great life – sleep, eat, chase things, and rule the household.
Jen, you just made me happy. Thanks! Entangled has so many great stories by all the authors, that I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
LOL I feel the same way about cats. Mine does almost all of that. Not so sure if she rules my husband, but she certainly rules me.
I’m a Leo and a tiger so I’d have to be a cat of some sort – maybe a Bengal Tiger :).
Viki, a Bengal Tiger is beautiful. Good choice!
I would want to be a fox. Sleek and intelligent. Small but not too small.
Na, I’m surprised you’re the first to say fox. I like them, too. We live in a rural area, and I’ve spotted a fox a few times in the area, and at least twice in the treeline of our back yard.
I would love to be a cat. I could watch my cats laze about for hours then come over for a back rub and go back to sleep. My absolute favourite though is the tiger. Beautiful, fluffy and deadly when provoked… or hungry! 😉
Michelle, our cats have it made. I never thought of a tiger as fluffy. Deadly when provoked, yes. Beautiful, for sure.
A cat most definitely! They have the greatest lives ever. eat, sleep , eat and more sleep! Ah the life of a cat 🙂
Carolyn, I know! And our cat did have kind of a jungle atmosphere in our living room – before she ate the leaves on most of the plants (which she later threw up). Plus, she gets to be a big hunter in the fall, when we usually get a mouse or tow. Life is good for her.
A cat… for sure… so privileged… 🙂
And I love Gilmore Girls… Loraelei and Rory kept me entertained for yrs… 🙂 Gotta get your latest book. 🙂
May, I miss Gilmore Girls. I wish one of the stations would put up another show with the same tone.
Thanks so much. I hope you enjoy Galaxy Girls.
I am a Leo so i guess I already I have lion blood in me already. I love to hear them roar. We went to the Buffalo Zoo the other day & the roar captured the crowd. I guess as a Leo we need to be center of attention. When I roar people better listen. LOL. —-Rachel
Rachel, you’re the second lion. I’m surprised there aren’t more. Too funny that people better listen to a Leo when she roars.
I’d have to say a wolf, I want to be beautiful yet scary 🙂 I would love to win Galaxy Girls, have Cattitude and really enjoyed it
J.A., another wolf admirer! Scary and beautiful is an interesting combination. I’m so glad you enjoyed Cattitude. Galaxy Girls has the same fun tone, though there are times when it’s deeper.
Good luck!