Review: Cattitude - Edie Ramer

Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 170
Published: August 2010
Reviewed by Lis

It's all in the Cattitude...After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one. But she doesn't count on falling in love with her former owner. Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better.

When B asked me to review this book and read the blurb I was already mentally shaking my head and saying: ‘Nooooooooooooooooo way!’ A cat that changes bodies with her ‘assailant’ and falls in love with her owner and a mysterie to boot? Nuh uh. I might read a lot, but this is not my cup of tea.

Of course, B. can be very persistent and she sent me the book anyway, just so I could take a look and of course, I could not resist.

Edie Ramer’s Cattitude is a typical case where you don’t judge the book by its blurb. Cattitude pleasantly surprised me from the first page. Belle is a fiery character, both as a cat and as a person. All secondary characters are solid, three-dimensional characters and they make for a funny, attention-grabbing story.

My thoughts

Ms. Ramer definitely knows her cats, because her portrayal of Belle is reminiscent of any cat I know. Cats got attitude and Belle’s got ‘tude enough. Her views of humans are hilarious (and definitely true from a cat’s point of view) and it is fun to see how she adjusts to being human just as Sorcha adjust to being a cat.

I also liked the introduction of Sorcha. Just as I was wrong about the book, I was also wrong about this character. I thought she might be a third wheel in the story and yes, in a way she is, but a very good third wheel. I liked how “her” story ends. It was surprising. Sorcha carried just as much story as Max & Belle did.

The mystery part of the story was a hoot. It was both serious and comical and very fitting in the story.

Conclusion

Cattitude is a surprising book that I can definitely recommend. It’s a refreshing read with an original, funny and suspenseful plot, complete with a host of witty and funny characters. It is a well written story that has you on the edge of your seat and rolling on the floor in front of it and maybe pinking a way a stray tear as well. 

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Let me introduce you all to the new girl, Lis, who was kind enough to review Cattitude for me :) Thanks again, you rock! Hopefully I can tempt her to come back too.

Hi my name is Lis, an incredibly chaotic, sword wielding cowgirl from Holland  who lives and breathes books of the supernatural & paranormal variety stirred with some romantic, erotic and mystery and or historic ingredients. Hell, who am I kidding. I'll read anything if it's interesting enough. A very long time ago (think centuries) I read the great works from Homer to Shakespeare. Nowadays it ranges from Katie MacAlister to M.L. Rhodes from Lilith St. Crow to Stephani Hecht. Ocassionally I even review the books I read, just so long as it doesn't take me away from them for too long!

Interview: Edie Ramer, and Cattitude Contest (open to all)

Today I have Edie Ramer, over, the author of Cattitude.

At the end of the interview there is a contest for the book. And it's open to everyone one the planet.

And as always don't be shy to ask Edie questions.

Hi Edie, and welcome to my blog :)

Since I only know you recently from Lori Brighton’s blog, could you tell me something about yourself?

I live in southeastern Wisconsin with my husband, two dogs, and one important cat, where I write paranormal romance and women's fiction.  My short stories have been published in national print magazines.  I'm also published in non-fiction articles and greeting card verses. Because of the latter, I possess a drawer filled with cards for any occasion.

I’m also a huge reader, but you probably guessed that. I volunteer too much and need to say no more often.  I’m the co-founder of an inspirational site for writers, WriteAttitude.net, and of a group blog, Magical Musings (magicalmusing.com).  We recently added bloggers and changed our focus from writers to readers.  We often have giveaways.

Your newest book is called Cattitude; can you tell me what it is about?

It’s all in the Cattitude . . .

After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with her former owner. Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better.

If you could change body with an animal, which one would you choose? 

A bird.  I’d love to fly.

How come you chose the road of self-publishing? 

My dream was always to sell my books in print.  I seemed to be on the right road.  My short stories were published in numerous print magazines in the 90s.  I’ve won RWA (Romance Writers of America) contests with my books.  I was an American Title V finalist, and I’ve come close to selling many times.  But my books don’t fit well into slots, and when I try to write for the market, it doesn’t work. 

My option is to make my own slots.  A friend, Zoe Winters, is doing better with her digital novellas than some NY published friends do with their print books.  When J.A. Konrath blogged about Karen McQuestion (who wasn’t published before she put her e-books on Amazon) outselling him on Amazon, I knew it was time for me to put my books on Amazon and other digital markets.

Since I’ve published, I’ve felt empowered.  It’s an exciting time for me and for many writers.

You have an upcoming book called Dead People, could you tell about that? 

When Cassie Taylor talks, ghosts listen. She wants to heal their souls so they can leave earth. Brooding songwriter Luke Rivers wants to give his recently found daughter a normal home, but he discovers his new house in small town Wisconsin is haunted by a ghost with an attitude. His ghost whisperer has an attitude too — even before someone tries to kill her. So why does he have the hots for her? And why does she lust after him?

He wants conventional; she wants acceptance. No wonder she thinks men are hard and dead people are easy.

Thanks for asking! Dead People should be online in a few weeks.

I am sensing a cat theme when I looked at your blog. Aren’t cats just the best? ;) 

Yes!  It’s because I love my cat so much that I wrote a book about a cat who changes bodies with a woman. She’s the queen of the house, yet she’s a cuddler and a sweetheart.  When she wants to be sweet, of course.  Belle the cat in Cattitude has a lot of the character of the cat in my house.

I already mentioned my two dogs.  I plan on putting the 17-year-old beagle we inherited early this year in a future book.  She has arthritis, she’s flatulent, and she snores.  Yet she has the best personality, and she takes joy in life and any attention we give her.  Her character will be the loveable comic relief.

What kinds of books do you read? Any fav authors? 

I read across the genres and non-fiction, too.   Karin Tabke, aka Karin Harlow, Cynthia Eden, Lori Brighton, P.J. Alderman, Liz Kreger, Zoe Winters and Loretta Chase are some of my favorite writers.  And a new author: Michelle Diener.  She’s my critique partner.  Her debut book, Illuminations, a historical, will be out late spring 2011, published by Gallery (a Pocket Books imprint).  It’s brilliant, and so is she!  She’s going to be huge.   

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Trust your voice.  Put your energy in your writing; it shines through.  You’ll make mistakes, and that’s why it’s important to find a great critique partner.  Look for one who’s on the same level as you or higher.  You want to grow as a writer.  Write, write, write, and then write some more.

It’s not an easy road, but if it’s your passion and you believe in yourself and you aren’t a quitter, you can make it.  Everyone says it’s the worst time for publishing, but it can be the best time for authors.  We have more opportunities than ever before.

(B: Since I like to mix it up, here are some shorter ones).

Fav ice-cream flavor?

Mint chocolate chip.

(Blodeuedd: I love that, even had it yesterday ;)

Fav tv-show? 

Memphis Beat.  I love the main cop character Dwight.  He wants to fix everyone, even his mother, his lieutenant, his ex-wife.  Every episode ends at a blues club with him singing with the band.  It makes me want to swoon.

Name 3 things you would take to a desert island.  

Hugh Jackman.  A knife for cutting fish and slicing open coconuts.  KY jelly. 

Are there aliens out there? 

Absolutely.  To think we’re the only intelligent beings in this world is the height of arrogance.  And maybe our dogs and cats are aliens sent to see how we treat them.  That’s a scary thought, isn’t it? 

(B: Looks around, you mean my beloved cutie is an alien, scary, I must look him in the eye and ask him)

Thanks!

Thank you for inviting me to be your guest.  The questions were fun, and I love being here.

(B: And I enjoyed reading your answers.)

Like I said, if there is anything you want to ask Edie then go ahead :)

GIVEAWAY:

2 winners, 2 e-copies of Cattitude 

1. Open to all, hey, even aliens.

2. Ends October 7th

3. Please leave an email if it's not in your profile, if you do not want to leave it then email it to me.

4. Not a must, but it's always more fun if you write something about the book, author, interview or ask a question.

THE CONTEST PART IS NOW CLOSED