FAN MAIL, by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer

A few days ago, I received a fan letter. I don’t get a lot of them, so I’m always excited when a reader takes the time to send me a note. I was eager to check it out when it arrived in my inbox, but in no way was I prepared for the words I read. 

As an author of cozy mysteries, I keep my stories light. I love the gentle genre that promises a few hours respite from the real world. But I also try to add a note of sincerity, of grace, and maybe a bit of optimism as well. Yes, like many of us, I want to save the world. 

I usually have no idea if any of these subtleties come through to my readers. Then this letter came: 

 

Dear Ms. Hunt,

 

I am in the middle of The Ghost Cat of Ocean Cove, and it’s such a perfect book for me I don’t want it to end. Camellia’s dream is my dream too, leaving the big city and moving to a cottage on the coast with my cats, so I am reading very slowly, especially since it’s the first book of the series! I can’t wait for the next one. 

 

The world feels like such a mess right now. Getting lost in a mystery with a cast like a Miss Marple Mystery, and a ghost cat (!!) helps me cope. You remind me that it might someday be possible to take a different path in life. 

 

Reading your book feels like sitting by the fireplace with my furry ones when it’s pouring rain outside, (my favorite thing to do) even while riding a city bus in Seattle. That’s quite an accomplishment!

 

Thank you for the comfort and joy you have given to me through your writing. It really is a blessing.

 

Jennifer

 

After I stopped smiling and crying, I wrote back to Jennifer, whom I’ve never met. I told her how much her letter meant to me. And do you know how she responded? She sent me pictures of her cats!

 

Have you ever received a fan letter that’s stopped you in your tracks? I hope so, because this one made my day year!

   

You can find Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer on her blogsite: https://molliehuntcatwriter.com/ 

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/MollieHuntCatWriter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molliehuntcatwriter/

Twitter: @MollieHuntCats

Sign up for Mollie’s Extremely Informal Newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/c0fOTn

Happy Halloween!

It’s that time of year again when Summer and Fall straddle the fence.  Some days are in the sweltering 90’s, only to switch to the comfortable 60’s or 70’s within 24 hours (at least out here in northern CA where I’m lucky to be living).  I’m never ready for the transition—change is hard for me—so I’m happy for the gradual adjustment.  Since time flies when you’re having fun, especially as you get older, we decided we should unpack the Halloween decorations this past weekend.  I found some old Halloween costumes that I might need to revive.

Me as Madonna and my friend, Ben, as Prince circa 2000 (??).

Once we get all the pumpkins bought and decorations in place, we might even have a small party this year in the back yard.  Last year was a bust due to the pandemic, although we were able to pass out candy in bags in the front yard.

This year, I might even bring back the wine and candy pairing—a popular activity for Halloween in wine country.  Last year, we went to a formal tasting with candy pairing at a winery.  

Although it was nice to have it done for us, I enjoy doing my own.  Here are a few favorites:

A combination of two of my favorites, although I understand candy corns are a polarizing treat in the Halloween world.  

Or for something a little more substantial—peanut butter and buttery Chardonnay.

And now for something red and fruity.

What’s your favorite wine and candy pairing?  Favorite Halloween candy?  Favorite Fall tradition?

 

Angela Crider Neary is an attorney by day and writer by night. She is an avid mystery reader and especially enjoys reading novels set in interesting locales. She was inspired to write her first mystery novella, Li'l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the Parrots Desaparecidos, by one of her favorite areas in San Francisco, Telegraph Hill.  Her second book, Li'l Tom and the Case of the New Year Dragon is now available.  To learn more, visit her on Facebook and Amazon.