Sunday, January 30, 2011

Meet Killer the Cat, proud owner of author Cara Marsi



















Say hello to Killer the Cat, proud owner of romantic suspense/paranormal romance author Cara Marsi. Killer shares with us what it's like living with Cara and also spills the beans on her latest books. Don't forget to connect with Killer's mom on Twitter!


Hey, Killer. What's up? How did you end up in Cara's household?


Cara's son Joey bought me as a Christmas gift in 2003 for Cara and her husband, my dad Joe. They'd recently lost their beloved 16 year old cat Happy. Mom and Joey went cat shopping together and found me at the shelter. I was 18 months old and had spent my whole life ithere. I guess no one wanted a beautiful black cat. Because I was at the shelter so long I developed the herpes virus and now have chronic upper respiratory disease. If Mom hadn't brought me home, I don't think anyone would have adopted me. But she couldn't let me stay there, knowing I might never be adopted. You can see why I love her, and also Joe and Joey. Of course, they are very lucky to have such a special cat as me.

Do you think you're beautiful?

But of course. My fur is thicker than most cats and very shiny and soft and black, with a dark brown undercoat. My tail is about half the length of other cats' tails, which makes me unique. The vet says I'm overweight, but I say I'm not overweight, I'm just large boned.

What's she like as a pet owner?

She smothers me with love, always petting me, and kissing my head. And she feeds me good food. She wishes I were a lap cat, but I'm not. But I do follow her all around the house, like a shadow. I sleep next to my mom every night, snuggled against her in bed. I don't know what she would do without me.

What about as a writer?

She works really hard at writing. Sometimes I go into her office and bother her until she stops writing and pets me. She has sold lots of short stories lately to the confession magazines, and this makes her happy. She loves to make up stories about passionate people who find love and happiness, even if they have to fight for what they want. I don't get it, but mom thinks romance novels are the best and she craves books with happy endings. She says she writes the books she wants to read. She has lots of books she doesn't have time to read and this makes her sad sometimes.

I love the title of her mystery novella, 'Murder, Mi Amore'--very evocative. What's it about?

Here's the blurb (as my mom calls it):

Lexie Cortese is in Rome to forget. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy Interpol agent who suspects her of being part of a terrorist plot involving a stolen diamond. Suddenly thrust into a world of murders, muggings, and kidnappings, Lexie doesn’t know what to think—or who to believe.

Dominic Brioni’s assignment is simple. Befriend the American and bring her to justice. Only Lexie seems like the most unlikely terrorist Dominic has ever met. Sweet, determined, and direct, she faces life with courage and fire, a fire that sparks his protective instincts and a longing for something more—something he allowed himself to hope for only once before.

But that woman betrayed him, and his boss isn’t about to let him forget it. With his career on the line and Lexie in danger, will Dominic learn to trust his heart before they both get killed?

Most of the story is set in Rome where Mom and Dad visited in 2006. They left me home with Joey. I missed them. Mom even included a chapter set in her grandparent's hometown of Ripa Teatina. Mom says her heroine Lexie is feisty and learns to be even stronger during the story. And Mom is in love with the hero, Dominic. She hopes lots of people will read her story and enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it.

What inspires your writer mom?

She loves happy endings and heroes and heroines who fight for what they want. It doesn't hurt to throw in some mystery and a murder or two, as long as the hero and heroine find love. Mom says there's too much bad stuff in the world, and so she writes life affirming stories of love and commitment, all with happy endings, of course.

What's she working on now?

A really scary story about werewolves and demons and a kick-ass werewolf hunter.

Are you in the book?

I'm not in the book, although she's had cats in some of her other books, but they weren't black. She doesn't like to put me in books that are scary because she doesn't want her readers worrying about me. She has put me in her short stories. The first story she sold to a confession magazine was about a smart black cat, much like me, who brings two lonely people together. She also wrote another short story from the cat's point of view, a black cat. My mom is in love with me and thinks I'm the most beautiful cat in the world, even if I am a little plump. I tend to agree with her.

Why did she name you Killer?

Joey named me Killer because he's into irony. My people think I'm really sweet and timid and afraid of everything which is why Joey named me Killer. Irony, you see. But I'm not so innocent as they think. You don't spend your formative years in a shelter with 80 other cats and not learn a few things. Get my drift? But I allow my people to believe I'm sweet and scared and shy. It gets me more attention and petting. And after all, isn't that what a cat's life is all about? This has been fun, but it's time for my nap. Later.

Thanks! Woof!

32 comments:

  1. Hi, Mayra, this is Killer here. Thanks for having me today. I am quite beautiful, aren't I? My mom wants everyone to know that her scary werewolf story is also available now. It's called Cursed Mates and it's available from Noble Romance Publishing. She's very happy she can share two books with readers. Anyway, thanks for featuring me. Now I really do have to go take that nap.

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  2. I'll have to check that one out. So nice to meet you, Killer. You look just like my cat, Heather!

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  3. Killer, you're totally awesome. I love black cats...and white ones and yellow ones... Well, you get the idea. Thanks for dishing about your life and your mom today.

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  4. Killer, my cat gypsy says meow. I think that is hello.

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  5. From all those toys scattered around, I can see how much your Mom loves you Killer. I don't blame her. You are one beautiful kitty.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

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  6. Oh my goodness, we have a Killer too. He's also named that because he is so timid and sweet. I love black kitties, so I am glad you found a home, Killer. Your owners sound like a nice family.

    Cheryl

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  7. Hi, this is Killer. I've just woken from my nap and I've been fed. Life is good. Thank you for posting, Ellen. Tell your Heather I said hello. Francesca, thanks to you too. Yes, we kitties of all colors are wonderful. Mary, meow to your Gypsy too. Thank you, Morgan. I have to agree. I am a beautiful kitty. Hi, Cheryl, another Killer. How cool. My shelter name was Ebony, but Joey thought that was so not creative. My mom liked the name Ebony but she let Joey name me. Now she likes the name Killer.

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  8. Killer, I think I love you too. What a great interview. I really enjoyed learning more about your mom and her work.

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  9. Killer - that was such a fun interview! I'm so glad your mom loves you. Thank you for sharing her books and writing.

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  10. Killer meet Skinny, a not so skinny calico kitty. She's a priss. And Nibby, youngster German Shepherd says hey, can I chase you?
    By the way your mom is okay!!!And one heckofa writer too!

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  11. Killer, you are the most adorable cat I have ever met. I am giving you a virtual pat and kitty squeeze! Your mom's work sounds fabulous and I am going to be checking out her books very soon!

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  12. Killer--You've got some pretty intimidating looking toys and fluffy stuffed animals as sidekicks!

    Best--Adele

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  13. Hey, man, I really dug your interview. Had some cool stuff goin' on there. Ooops, gotta split. Mom's shakin' the snack bag. Later.
    Jazzie Miles Davis,
    the hippest tabby cat in Lynchburg, VA

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  14. Everyone is so nice to comment on my interview. Thank you, Autumn. What's not to love about me? You're welcome, Noreen. Mary, say hello to Skinny for me. Her name is ironic too, no? No, Nibby cannot chase me. I don't run very fast because I'm large boned. My mom thanks you for what you said about her writing. Your words made her feel good. April, thanks for saying I'm adorable. Of course, I knew that. Thanks for the virtual pat and kitty squeeze.

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  15. Killer, you're so cute! I bet you're not really a killer, right? You should come have a play date with our cat/owner, Shadow. No one would be able to tell the two of you apart. :) You're right, Cara's a sweetheart for taking you home from the shelter and giving you a loving, warm place to live. Talented and kind! That's our Cara! Go give her a big purr for me!

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  16. Killer, my name is Tiger. Your mom knows my mom. I hear they lunch together sometimes too, although Mom never brings me any leftovers. I had no idea you'd spent such a long time in the animal shelter before finding your forever home! What great people Joey and Cara are to give you such a loving family. Writers do seem to make great pets, don't they?

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  17. Killer, You and your people are truly wonderful ... a black cat, a writer, what's not to like? My name is Max and we look like brothers. Of course, I'm a couple years younger and less substantial, but, hey, that's how it goes.

    My people love black cats too, especially because we're the last ones to get adopted. In fact, my Mom (she's the writer) adopted a black-and-whiter, my sister Molly, because she'd been at the shelter for 20 months. No one wanted her because she was mostly black, old, and fat...talk about handicaps. I'm sure the name "Chyna Buffet" didn't help either!

    Dad and Molly love each other, which is kinda funny, cuz he was a bit skeptical of the old and fat parts, although he loves black cats AND dogs). Your mom is smart to keep you out of the scary books but you might want to suggest she include you in a book wearing a disguise ... like long, red fur!

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  18. Thank you, everyone, for posting. Adele, my mom says she can always count on you. And Jazzie Miles Davis, I bet you are the hippest tabby in Lynchburg. Carla, thank you. If my mom hadn't adopted me, I don't know what would have become of me. I like the name Shadow. My mom sometimes says she should have named me Shadlow because I follow her all around. Hi, Tiger. I heard about those lunches our moms have together. Linda, thank you. You're another great adoptive parent for taking in us hard to place kitties. Black cats are the last to be adopted, and when they've got medical issues, or they're older, it's almost impossible for them to find homes. Love the name Chyna Buffet. Long red fur? Not sure about that one.

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  19. This cat looks too cute to have the name of killer.

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  20. What a great interview - and you know I love pics of Killer. We gave our cats baths yesterday. Sam, the part Siamese, still isn't talking to us.

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  21. Rebecca and Patsy, thanks for posting. Rebecca, you are right. I am too cute. Even the techs at the vet's laugh about my name because I am so not a killer. Patsy, you give your cats baths? And you live to tell about it?

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  22. OMG I love Killer and loved his interview! Fabulous!

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  23. Killer sounds like my black and white cat Sebastian, who follows me around but isn't a lap cat. MURDER, MI AMORE sounds like a great read.

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  24. This is Killer here. Thanks, Michelle and Caroline, for reading my interview and posting. For the record, I'm a she, but everyone thinks I'm a he because of my name. Even the vet's techs get me mixed up sometimes. But I don't mind. I'm cool no matter what.

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  25. Hey, Amigo,

    Great interview. And I'm impressed that a dog can interview cats! But, Killer, maybe your name keeps dogs in check. Ya think?

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  26. HI, Suzanne, Yes I think my name might keep dogs in check. And I'm bigger than a lot of dogs too. Thanks for visiting.

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  27. Hi,Killer.

    It's Jolie and Mardi from Texas. We've taken over our mom's computer while she's reading. So good to see you here. Amigo does great interviews!

    What a lucky cat you are to have such a nice mom and dad. Our mom says your mom is a good writer. We hope she sells lots of books so you can keep getting that primo food and more toys.

    If you get tired of the cold weather up there, you can always come visit us down here in Texas. We're not like a lot of dogs--we like cats. Mardi's best friend at our last house was a neighborhood cat who loved for Mardi to drag him around by the tail.

    Jolie Blon and Mardi Gras (Cajun poodles)

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  28. Hi, Jolie and Mardi. I've taken over my mom's computer again. My mom says your mom is a good writer too. I'm strictly an indoor cat, but I like to see the sunshine coming through the windows. We haven't had much sunshine lately. My mom and I would love to move someplace warm if we could only persuade Dad Joe.

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  29. Killer would've been a good companion to my former owner, Fang who has, alas, departed years ago for that great cat box in the sky. Cara--I've bought your book Murder, Mi Amore, and am looking forward to reading it!

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  30. Judy, this is Killer. I would like to have met Fang. He and I would have been quite a pair-Killer and Fang. My mom says thanks for buying her book. She hopes you like it.

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  31. Cara, I think the people at the animal shelter chose the name Chnyna Buffet because the black and white kitty (sorry, no long red fur) was so corpulent. I suppose I should have appreciated the humor, but couldn't.

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  32. I just discovered your site and as a pet author myself, I just love this idea! I can't wait to keep coming back and discovering more great books and pets. Killer is one confident kitty. And I'm glad Killer's mom likes happy endings.

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