My Whisker Wisdom Caterview series concludes with Blanco, the endearing three-legged, pure-white, long-haired feline you met in Convincing Emily. He’s been a fixture at the Baga Shores Veterinary Clinic for as long as anyone can remember. Still, as nosy as he is about everyone else’s business, he keeps his personal life story quiet.

Except for Alika, whose age is anyone’s guess, Blanco is the oldest cat in the Baga Shores Romance series. He might also be the oldest in town. But how would anyone know?

We agreed to meet in the pavilion behind the clinic. I see he’s already waiting on a bench. Let’s see what he has to tell us.

***

Me: It’s been a while, Blanco. Thank you for meeting me and agreeing to speak in human English. I know you’re selective about who you talk to. I hope you’ve been well.

Blanco: My life is “purrrfect.”

Me: Clever.

Blanco gives a little throaty chirp: How’s that for standard cat humor? I’m having a great life. It’s a mutual relationship. Dr. Davis and now Dr. Carter, let me help calm down animals who don’t understand what’s happening. I get top-notch meals and go anywhere I want around the clinic. I come outside occasionally, but nowadays, I’m mostly inside.

Me:  If the memories aren’t too painful, take us back to when you arrived here. How long ago was that, anyway?

B:  In cat years or human?

Me: Let’s stick with human.

B: About twelve or thirteen human years.

Me: Seriously? That’s a long time for a cat to l—.  Oh, geez. That didn’t come out the way I intended.

B rolls his beautiful teal blue eyes and continues: Not to worry. You’re right. It’s a fact. There’s a chart inside. Dr. Davis thought I was about a year old when I was brought here. That means I’m pushing 68.

Me: My gosh, Blanco. You look wonderful.

B gives a head nod: Thank you. You asked about my arrival. I don’t remember a whole lot about that day. I know now it started on the road to the beach.

Me: The Causeway, right?

B: I believe that’s what you call it. Anyway, I remember being in something I’m told was a box. It was dark inside it. I bounced around a lot. Then, the bouncing stopped. There was shuffling. I was dumped out. It was raining. I was wet. Then there was pain. And I don’t remember much until I woke up here.

Me: I know a little more. May I share it?

B: Go ahead.

Me: A human saw the whole thing. Somebody dumped you out on the road, and within a minute, you were hit by a car. The human wrapped you up in a towel and brought you here. Dr. Heather Davis immediately took you into surgery, but the damage was bad, and she had to amputate your back leg to save your life.

B: She was a miracle worker. You know she’s a fox shifter.

Me: Uh, Blanco, I wrote that story, remember?

B: Ah, of course. Anyway, she has a magical way of understanding animals. I guess because she is one. After I got better, she decided to keep me around. I’m glad she did. I bonded with her adopted son, Liam, as much as anybody. Poor kid was having a rough time. He doesn’t make friends easily. He could talk to me better than to humans.

Me:  Did you actually speak to him?

B: Not in words like us right now. I mostly listened—a lot. Shifters have the worst adjustment. They sometimes don’t know what world they belong in. He was a coyote pup when he shifted to human. When I met him, he was a teenager. Shifter and teenage human? And adopted? It was a rough time around here. Dr. Davis was a fantastic mom to him, and with her patience, he came around. You should see him!

Me: Blanco, I wrote—

B: You wrote his story. I keep forgetting.

Me: The new vet’s been here about three years now. How’s she working out?

B: It took a while. Emily Carter’s a stubborn Ordinary. At first, I didn’t know if she’d fit in here. I thought she was too logical and too skeptical to live in a town that’s half full of magicals. But she did. And she and Liam are a perfect couple.

Me: I agree. But I’ve always wondered about how you’ve done so well here. Besides selective conversations with humans, you’re not magical but still fit in.

B: I’m not magical? Are you kidding? I am a cat! We’re all magical. So I’m not like Alika—and do I have stories about him, even some you don’t know! And I’m not like any other cats around here, either. But who saw the fae enter the room before she materialized in front of Emily?

Me: You did. That reminds me that the fae in human form is Mila, the vet tech. Is she still here?

B: Absolutely. She’s amazing. You know how old she is, don’t you?

Me: Actually, I don’t.

B: If you think I’m getting up there in years, you should interview her. She’s had some crazy stuff happen in her life. Thank goodness for her. She became Emily’s confidante and mentor in everything magical here.

Me: Ummm. Maybe I should catch up with her. She might have a story to tell.

B: I’ve met almost every Magical in the county. None take their pets anywhere else. Most times, it pays to be quiet and listen. You learn a lot more that way. Everybody has a story.

Blanco shifted his hips around and gave a big yawn.

B: It’s about my nap time. I could go on forever, but I’m tired.

Me: I understand entirely. If you don’t mind, I’d like to schedule another time to visit. This was great.

B: That’s a deal. But promise me you won’t tell anyone we talked out here.

Me: I understand. I wouldn’t want to blow your cover! You have my promise.

***

Blanco is right! Everybody has a story. I need to line up more interviews. Perhaps the Caterviews are done, but others around town would be great candidates. I’m certainly intrigued by his hints about Mila.

While chatting with Blanco, I realized you might have joined my newsletter by downloading the sample chapter from BEWITCHING ANDIE or the short story GLIMMER (prequel to CONVINCING EMILY). In any case, maybe you haven’t downloaded CONVINCING EMILY yet.

Or you downloaded Emily’s story and haven’t had time to read it.

Time to remedy this!

Jump into your eReader and take a look at CONVINCING EMILY today! It’s a short read and won’t take long, but the story will stay with you forever! You’ll be hooked and ready to read the whole series!

Once you’ve started them them, please hop over to my CANDACE COLT READER’S SALON on Facebook and share!

PS: Please promise you won’t tell anyone that Blanco talks, ok?

This month, I’m sharing my Whisker Wisdom Caterview with Tau, one of the newest members of the Baga Shores feline family. After Alika, the contrarian, eloquent, who-knows-how-old black cat, and Rhea’s familiar left, the Tanner household felt a void that even Brett Austin’s loveable golden retriever, Rex, couldn’t fill.

In the series, Rex is Brett’s loyal sidekick, running mate, and confidante. Robbie’s son Sam loves Rex, for sure. But he missed Alika fiercely.

Enter Tau the tabby!

We meet Tau in CHARMING SABRINA (Book 2 in the series). He makes a brief appearance in ENCHANTING ROBBI (Book 3). But we don’t know much about him other than he’s young. Maybe six months or so old. And he goes out of his way to butt into people’s business.

The Caterview is an excellent way to learn more about him.

I’m expecting him to show up any minute. He’s famous for appearing in odd places at strange times. He’s also very private, so coaxing answers from him might be difficult. I might be the only human who knows he can speak at all.

Today, I’m waiting for him in Mimi Tanner’s herb garden behind her multi-story Pepto-Bismol pink beach home.

Did you hear that? I swear it was a cat’s soft meow coming from a spot between the Cuban oregano and the rosemary.

There, I heard it again.

***

ME:  Tau, is that you?

TAU:   I’ve been here listening.

ME: Well, come on out and meet our friends. Let’s sit on the bench near the shady side of the house.

Tau tentatively emerges from his hiding place, joins me on the bench, and jumps into my lap. His marmalade orange-striped fur begs petting and I comply.

M: Thank you for agreeing to this.

TAU: (Purring loudly) I prefer to observe. Watching is so much fun. You humans get yourselves into the biggest messes.

M:  Truth. In Sabrina’s story, I recall Colton James finding you in the beach grass over a mile from your home. Can you explain that?

TAU:  He was heading into trouble. Somebody needed to distract him from disaster. So I tracked him down. I’m not crazy about laying in the sand; those grass blades drive me crazy. But I did it for him.

M:   Your ‘poor lost kitty’ act worked. You could have found your way home easily. And then you showed up on Sabrina’s doorstep. What was the reason for that?

TAU:   She was too savvy for her own good! She’d had so much bad luck in the past that she didn’t think she deserved happiness. She didn’t like opening up to people, but I knew she needed a good listener. Cats are good for that, you know.

M:   You have a gift for knowing what’s in a person’s heart. That will make you a valuable member of the Tanner household with all their quirks and personalities. How did you happen to end up in that family, anyway?

TAU:  I believe you spoke with Alika before. Didn’t he explain ‘assignments’?

M: Not really. I’m still unclear about who made the assignments and how a cat is matched with a human.

TAU: Ah, ha. I won’t be explaining that part, either. It’s not a human concern. I can tell you that we are matched based on what you call our gift and what the human will need. Alika is a rock star in our world. There was no other feline who could tackle an assignment to be Rhea’s familiar.

M: I’ll have to live with that. But you’re a young cat. I don’t think you’re a year old yet. Isn’t that unusual for an assignment? Yet you sound like an adult. And where did you come from?

TAU: I was left on the doorstep of the Baga Shores Veterinary Clinic. Nobody knew anything about me other than that I wore this collar with the blue stone. After a couple of weeks, and I got a clean bill of health from Dr. Emily, Mimi brought Sam to meet me. Love at first sight, of course. Just as planned.

M: I love the lapis lazuli stone on your collar. It’s appropriate for you since it’s the stone of wisdom and truth. But it seems odd that you sound so old for a young cat.

TAU: (I notice he slightly shakes his head and rolls his eyes.) Our age at the time of assignment is deliberately adjusted. This isn’t my first rodeo, lady.

M: Wait. What?

TAU: I’m at this age because it works best for my human. Sam is a young child who doesn’t speak. Isn’t it reasonable that he was matched with a non-verbal, young cat? So far, this assignment hasn’t required me to speak, but that could change.

M: I need a minute to process this.

TAU: (Turns cocks his head to meet my gaze.) You surprise me. Of all people, you should understand this.

M: (I manage is a slow headshake. Finally, I find words.) You’re a lot more complex than I first thought, Tau.

TAU: No surprise there. Mystery is required in my assignment. Being Sam’s familiar is only part of this job. Everybody in this town needs someone like me. For now, it’s on me. Do you honestly think that dog will be of any help?

M: Rex? He’s a sweetheart.

TAU: Yeah. Whatever. Everybody loves the Goldens. Loveable floppy dogs. Pffft!  While they are fetching balls on the beach, I’m helping humans save themselves from themselves.

M: I’m certainly glad you straightened that all out for us.

TAU: Now, now. Let the cats be the snarky ones, okay? Sam’s life is going to be challenging. And complicated. He’s non-verbal. He’s a brilliant artist. He’s a freaking Draiocht wizard. What a combination for a little kid. His family is supportive and loves him dearly. Mimi, his great-grandmother, is a respected witch and wants him to flourish. After a nasty divorce, his mother, Andie, is finally getting her life back together. Even though she’s a witch, too, she’s still having a hard time getting a grip on his magical gift. His grandmother? Everyone knows Rhea has a heart of gold and the flighty spirit of an old hippie.

M: You have your hands—I mean, paws, full. Alika evolved in his assignment. At first, he wasn’t excited to be with Rhea, but now they are inseparable. How about you so far?

TAU:   I’m okay with it. I’m the center of attention in Sam’s world. Except when that dog’s around! But, overall, I’m pleased.

M:  Good to hear! I’ll check back to see your progress with Sam. I’m sure there will be more stories ahead.

TAU: You can bet on it.

***

There hasn’t been one Caterview that went in a predictable direction. Tau’s right. As the author, I should have known about his past. But he arrived in Baga Shores with very little fanfare and no history. You heard more about him today than anyone else has, including me!

We’re coming to the end of the Caterviews. Next month, Blanco is our final star. Most of you met him in CONVINCING EMILY, the free read for signing up for this newsletter. If you have any questions you’d like me to ask him, email me, and I’ll work them in. If you need to catch up on the previous Caterviews, check my blog at https://candacecolt.com/a-blog-full-of-whimsical-thoughts/

My feline characters share one thing in common. It doesn’t matter a “lick” to them that my stories are sweet paranormal romances in which (magical) humans find their HEA.

Not one bit. No. No. Each story is all about them. This month, I’m with a cat-acter who brings a unique twist to my tales. Alika is a feline with a story that’s as intriguing as mysterious. Fortunately, I could snag this interview before his latest adventure—accompanying Rhea into space.

Readers of BEWITCHING ANDIE and RHEA’S CONUNDRUM have already met the handsome, ebony-colored male with an enigmatic background. He made his grand entrance in BEWITCHING ANDIE when he and Rhea appeared out of the ether in a swirl of light and sparkles.

But the fanfare of their dramatic arrival was lost on Rhea’s daughter, Andie. Andie had enough on her plate as a single mother raising her emerging wizard son without dealing with her flighty mother, an unconventional witch in her own right.

Alika, with his unique abilities, built a bridge between mother and daughter right before he and Rhea departed again. Let’s see what he says about all this, shall we? I should warn you he’s a selective mind reader, so guard your thoughts carefully.

Enjoy this Whisker Wisdom Caterview with Alika!

ME: Alika, tell us about yourself and how you met Rhea.

ALIKA (sitting back on his tall and stately haunches, he slightly nods): Indeed, I shall. I have been a part of your mother’s life for ages, for as you know, a day feels like a year with the dear woman. Before I was assigned to her–.

ME: Excuse the interruption, but you may want to explain the concept of an assignment.

A: Ah. Yes. Your readers are mortal Ordinaries. Many magicals are assigned to what Ordinaries might call a familiar. I believe you introduced Aloysius before me. He was assigned to a family and followed them for generations. Before I was matched with Rhea nearly four decades ago, I was assigned to a young woman in St Petersburg, where I am from.

ME (after the cat’s long pause): Are you comfortable telling us more?

A: I just needed a moment. I don’t share this story often. With her, I violated the rule of not becoming emotionally attached. It only leads to pain when the assignment ends. It was difficult in Russia, and being a gifted human was dangerous. My magical was imprisoned and later executed.

ME: I’m so sorry. I knew you were Russian but didn’t know the rest. It must have been horrible for both of you.

A: It was, and I refused a new assignment for a long time after that. But Rhea’s story was compelling. She’d had several familiars before me who had found her too challenging. Indeed, she is a very unusual assignment but never dull.

ME: Exactly what is your role as a familiar?

A: You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying, guide on the side. As a counselor or confidante of sorts, I hold no power over my assigned humans. They have free will to use their gifts as they wish. As you mentioned, I speak many languages and can read minds quite well. I can converse with magicals like Rhea and sympathetic humans like yourself.  I can also point out possible pitfalls to their plans. I also assist in getting them out of what you might term complicated situations.

ME: Rhea comes from a family of witches, right?

A: Yes. She is a witch but a highly unconventional one. No potions or eye of newt for her. Her power is transporting to other times through meditation. I must accompany her.

ME: She’s a time traveler as well, then?

A: In a sense. But it’s never deliberate or planned. And doesn’t happen every time she meditates.

ME: What’s been the most unusual?

A: There are so many. Yet ancient Egypt tops the list. Her unconventional appearance and free-form dancing bewitched the pharaoh king, and I lived a grand life. Remember, cats were considered gods by those wise humans. But suddenly, the pharaoh died, which I will always believe was the result of being poisoned by his son. Rhea was about to be sealed in a pyramid to spend eternity with him in the afterlife.

ME: How’d you get out of that one?

A: A group of my feline comrades created a caterwauling distraction. The humans thought the cat gods were angry and fell prostrate before them, begging for forgiveness. While they noisily pleaded for their lives, I caught up with Rhea. We found a crevice within the tomb where she could drop into her meditation session. And vooom. We were back.

ME: Oooo! Exciting. That sounds like Raiders of the Lost Ark stuff. Speaking of movies, I’m told you are fond of sci-fi and horror films. Is that true?

A: Absolutely true. One of my favorite films is the original 1951 version of The Day the Earth Stood Still. Though I appreciate Keanu Reeves’ performances, particularly his superb portrayal of John Wick, I do not believe his 2008 movie version was nearly as good. But I am what you might call a black-and-white movie snob. If you’d like, I can elaborate on all the cinematic iterations of Dracula.

ME: Uhhh. Alika, that might have to wait until another time.

A (nods in deference): I understand. Time constrains all forms of whisker wisdom.

ME (casting a wide eyeroll): Most certainly. But, having you as a guest for this Caterview has been a pleasure. As we conclude, do you have anything you’d like to add?

A (ponders a moment): I wish to compliment your portrayal of Rhea in your stories. She’s a complicated person; her past behavior has caused her to do a great deal of soul-searching. She’d never win awards for exemplary parenting skills, but I think her children have grown up to be fine humans despite Rhea’s, shall we say, eccentricities.

ME: Alika, thank you for that. She’s certainly flawed, but aren’t we all? I appreciate how you’ve been her constant companion all these years and helped her and Andie come closer. And we’re all excited to see how you and Rhea manage your next adventures. Promise you’ll check in when you can.

A (clearly smiling): Madam, it will be my pleasure.

***

You might wonder why I didn’t ask Alika who makes those assignments. Rest assured, I’ve tried asking. But he and all the cats in my stories seem bound by some code of silence. They dodge the question every time.

If you haven’t met Alika yet, start with BEWITCHING ANDIE. He and Rhea begin their space adventure in RHEA’S CONDUNDRUM. All my Baga Shores and Nocturne Falls Universe books are available from all vendors. Also, search your library’s catalog. Many have access to the ebook versions. If they don’t, please ask them to get it for you!

Next time, you’ll meet Tau, who’s just dipping his paw into life in Baga Shores. Blanco, the cat you met in CONVINCING EMILY, will conclude the Caterview series.

Meet Scarlett, the adorably friendly, nosy, gossipy klepto-kitty! 

This WHISKER WISDOM CATERVIEW is with Scarlett, an adorable klepto cat who briefly appeared at the end of FAMILIAR BLESSINGS, the first story I wrote for Cats’ Paw Cove Romance. Although my MAGICAL POTTER books are no longer available, the characters are, and they are moving to Baga Shores!

When Scarlett first appeared, we knew little about her. It wasn’t until the second story that we even knew her name. We trusted Wishes, the time traveler cat you met last month, made the right choice as his replacement.

Wishes’s retirement from time travel surprised me and his humans. 

He explained that the exhausting commute between the 21^st and 18^th centuries would be his last. He returned to the 1700s permanently, but before he left, he hand-picked Scarlett from a litter of abandoned kittens to oversee the Blessing family, especially Theo Blessing.

He had more faith than the family that he’d made the right choice. They thought maybe the adorable little kitten wasn’t magical at all until Scarlett spoke to them for the first time.

Scarlett is the most social of the cats in my stories. The little cuddle magnet is downright nosy. Arranging this Caterview was easy. Keeping her on track? Not so much.

The little tortie jumped into my lap and settled into a comfy position. Her purr button was going a mile a minute as we began.

ME: Scarlett, I think we should establish some ground rules. Everyone knows you as the gossip empress, so would you agree not to share things that might embarrass your humans?

SCARLETT (casting a slant-eyed stare up at me): Even if I change their names?

ME: Nope. Not even that.

S: This might be a short discussion, then.

ME: I think we’ll be fine. You came into the Blessing family after Wishes had been with every generation for centuries. What was the hardest thing for you as a newcomer?

S: Oh, my. Figuring out who was who. Wishes wanted me to be Theo’s familiar, but he didn’t stick around long enough to draw an organization chart. I’d just started to bond with Theo and Ethan when they went on their honeymoon. They left me with Theo’s cousin, Abby. She’s a real space qu—

ME: Scarlett!

S: (with an undeniable squinty frown) It’s not gossip when it’s eye-witness truth! Okay, she means well. Bless her heart. She’s certainly intelligent. But the commonsense fairy passed her by. She had this ridiculous idea that when she said “love,” all the power would go off—nonsensical coincidences. But if I hadn’t been there as the matchmaker, she and that hunky electrician would have never got together.

ME: You have to admit, those coincidences were remarkable. Anyway, Theo’s magical dolls played a part, too. You left that part out.

S: Those dolls! They are the craziest part of this household. Theo and her mother make and sell these funky match-making dolls in their pottery shop. The first time I heard a doll talk, I thought I was going crazy.

ME: Ah hum. You, the talking cat, were surprised that a doll speaks?

S: Helllloowww! I’m a cat, not a clay-headed, beady-eyed, buck-toothed doll!

ME: Excuse me all to pieces. As I understand it, you somehow convinced these two humans that they were destined to be together.

S: Magic was involved.

ME: No doubt. But there’s one thing I think our readers would like to know more about. Apparently, you’re a bit of a klepto-kitty.

S: (another squinty frown) I have a few flaws. Like you’re perfect?

ME: I’m far from perfect, Scarlett. But how on earth do you accumulate the things you do? I’ve heard about your stash of seashells, refrigerator magnets, restaurant menus, sports jerseys, a hairstylist’s special scissors, work gloves…

S: Okay. Okay. They get the idea. I prefer the title of eclectic collector. And I see you rolling your eyes! Look, it’s stressful living up to Wishes’ expectations. He had centuries on me. I need an outlet.

ME: Hunting vermin might be more helpful, as your humans wouldn’t have to worry about finding the owners of your collectibles. Remember when you took a little kid’s stuffed animal and how long it took to find the child who lost it?

S: (shudders) I found it in the park. For Pete’s sake, I didn’t steal it from a child! I’m a lot of things, but not a thief. And you’ve undoubtedly been nosing around yourself! Who told you all this?

ME: I have my sources. But back to the hair stylist’s scissors. I hear you took those off her work tray. Those aren’t cheap.

S: Exaggerations. She wasn’t using them at that particular moment. Anyway, I tried catching a mouse once. Killing living things is out, and I don’t like fur in my mouth. (he licks his shoulder.)

ME: Um, about that fur in the mouth thing?

S: (freezes his stare off into the distance) This is grooming. Minimal fur reaches the mouth.

ME: Seriously?

S: (spits out a wad of cat hair that barely missed my leg) I’m grooming. Anyway, we need to wrap this up. I’m feeling nature’s call if you know what I mean.

ME: I have just one more question. Theo’s gift is helping the dead who come forward to settle old issues. Wishes went back with her to the 1700s to save a young boy from the gallows. Just as Theo did, Wishes saw the boy’s ghost. Can you see the dead, too?

S: Seriously? (he huffed a kitty laugh) What cat cannot see the unseen? The answer is ‘yes.’

ME: Anybody around us now?

S: Would you really like the answer?

ME: Ah. Now that you ask, no.

S: Thought so! See you around Baga Shores! (jumps off my lap and trots off)

ME: We can’t wait!

***

Soon after Theo and Ethan became the proud parents of twins, they decided to relocate to Baga Shores. The reasons for this are long, and I’ll keep you posted.

Since the firstborn child in each Blessing generation inherits the gift, it’ll be interesting to see which twin is the lucky one. I’m sure Wishes, now happily settled in with his new family, will be front and center to help.

I’ll share the progress on the Blessing’s move to Baga Shores in this newsletter and my FB Readers Salon Group! 

Next month, the one and only Alika.