Guest Amanda Flower

Edith here, writing away north of Boston. I’m delighted to welcome prolific and talented author pal Amanda Flower to the blog today, with a new mystery out in her Amish Candy Shop series – Lethal Licorice! Take it away, Amanda.

A Tale of Two Feline Editors

Cats and cozy mysteries have been walking paw and page since the genre appeared, and that’s no different for any of my books. All of my cozies have had a cat supporting character to bring some humor and comfort to my fictional characters’ lives. I am also lucky enough to have two felines in my real life to help me write my books. I call them the editors, and my readers who follow me on social media know them well. They are Editors Cheeps and Tummy Flower. Now, Cheeps and Tummy are their nicknames. They are both named after Chronicles of Narnia characters, Reepicheep and Mr. Tumnus, respectively.

These two are my constant companions while I write. In fact, they are sitting with me right now as I write this post. What my readers might not know is, just like the cats in my books, Cheeps and Tummy have two very distinctive personalities. Cheeps is my Velcro cat. He wants to be on my lap or arm or leg constantly. While, Tummy much rather sit near me, but he wants his own space. Cheeps is my gray and white tuxedo cat and the older of the two and is much more timid that Tummy. He doesn’t like strangers and takes some time to warm up to people. However when he decides you are his friend, he’s loyal forever.

Tummy, my black and white tuxedo cat, on the other paw, loves everyone from the moment he sees them. He has been known to make up with plumbers, electricians, and other handymen, who might be only in my house for an hour or two to fix something. Finally, Cheeps loves to go outside and walk in my garden. He loves to roll in the grass and smell the flowers. Oddly, Tummy, the more outgoing of the two, is afraid to go outdoors.

Even though they are both tuxedo cats living in the same home, they are very different from each other. Seeing my own cats’ behaviors and personalities is why I love reading and writing about cats in mysteries so much. Just like all the best amateur detectives each cat is unique. I have a cat in every book I write, including Lethal Licorice, the second novel in the Amish Candy Shop Mysteries, releasing at the end of this month.

Follow Editors Cheeps and Tummy on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/amandaflowerauthor/

Amanda Flower, a national bestselling and Agatha Award winning mystery author. She also writes mysteries as USA Today bestselling author Isabella Alan. In addition to being an author, Amanda is librarian in Northeast Ohio. Follow Amanda on Social Media at: Facebook Twitter Instagram

Readers: Which animal buddies help you in your work? Tell us about animal personalities you know and love.