I try not to use this blog to promo my books but I’m really excited about this one and I want to tell you about it since it publishes on Sunday.
As the name would hint at, The Cat of Christmas Past is sort of a takeoff of A Christmas Carol. The plot doesn’t actually follow the plot of A Christmas Carol, but you will see a similarity in the names used and the overall theme. I took a bit of a chance with this book since it does not actually feature a murder and I know there are mystery purists out there who will insist that you have to have a murder.
The book features a miserly old man named Balthazar Pottage who has issued eviction notices to the 12 families living in one of the apartment buildings he owns just weeks before Christmas. Cait makes it her mission to save the apartment building but Balthazar is known for being the meanest, most miserly, man in the area. Getting him to change his mind won’t be easy. In fact, she considers the task to be close to impossible, until a cat named Ebenezer comes calling and Cait knows that she has just received the Christmas miracle she is going to need.
Cait attempts to befriend the man in the hope of talking him into sparing the building, but the man, unfortunately isn’t all that interested in friendship. There is one thing however, that the old man is willing to trade for the apartments. The problem is that the thing that the man wants is most likely impossible to deliver.
This is an excerpt from the book:
“You’re asking me to do this huge thing for the tenants of that building, yet what have any of them ever done for me? What has anyone ever done for me?”
I frowned. “How about if I continue to read to you? I can come back every Monday.”
“I would enjoy that, but we’re talking about more than a hundred thousand dollars,” Pottage pointed out.
I guess the man had a point.
“Although, there is something else you can do for me that might be worth that amount of money.”
I smiled. “What? I’ll do anything.”
“You can help me find out what became of my son.”
I hesitated. Find his son? Was he kidding? He had a serious look on his face, so I had to assume he was serious in making his request.
“You want me to find your son?” I asked. “He’s been missing for a very long time. How am I supposed to find him?”
“I have no idea, but Ebenezer seems to think you’re the one to help us. In fact, he’s quite insistent on it. Will you do it?”
I looked at the cat and hesitated. It did seem that we were linked in some way, and cats had helped me solve mysteries equally as impossible as this in the past. “If I help you figure out what happened to your son you’ll let the tenants stay?”
To find out the answer to that question you will have to read the book.
Now for the giveaway. I am going to give away a Cat of Christmas Past Tote this week. To be entered to win simply comment below. I will pick a winner on Sunday. The winner will be announced my main Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks
Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
Looking forward to reading this book! Just started this series.
Looking forward to reading this book! Sounds wonderful! Thanks for another great read!
I think it is great you have changed things up and the storyline doesn’t feature a murder. The book sounds great!
I have my Sunday cleared so I can spend it reading this!
Can’t wait to read this
Well your little tease from the book sure made me want to read more, love the take from the original story. Can’t wait to see how Cait, solves the mystery, even though there is no murder
Looking forward to this release.
Skipper is helping my type this. She hopes she wins the tote – a good place to keep all her kitty treats
Sounds good. I like A Christmas Carol and have two movie versions of it.
I love this series!
Thanks for another great giveaway – looking forward to reading the book as always!
I look forward to each one of your books come out. I am saving to read the new ones on a cruise I’m taking at Christmas.
I love this series! I want to go to Madrona Island, volunteer at the cat sanctuary, and hang out at Coffee Cat Books!
I cannot wait to read this! And thanks for the chance to win the tote!
What a great sounding book! I love the way you incorporate animals in your novels.
I look forward to reading this book. The tote is quite cute.
Except for the history of murders, I’d love to meet Cait and friends. Sounds like the perfect addition to this seies.
I am really looking forward to ready The Cat of Christmas Past . Beautiful cover . I also love this bag and woukd live to win it . I collect bags . Thanks for the chance .
Can’t wait to read.
Starting my reading of this book first thing in the morning. Can’t wait!
Looking forward to reading!! Great bag. Thanks for the chance.
I can’t wait to read this book!
So looking forward to reading this one! Loving all of your books!
I look forward to all of your books. Sounds good.
I love mysteries & care not that the mystery does not involve a murder. I just love your work period. I’m liking this take on Ebenezer!
I am really looking forward to reading this book. I know it will be magical and perfect holiday company.
The purrfect Christmas read!!! I love it already just reading the bit of the story! Thanks!!
I go see A Christmas Carol every year, Cats are one of my favorite animals and this sounds like a must read. Can’t wait. Going to B & N tomorrow to put in an order.
Thank you so much for the great reads.
This sounds like another good one, and it will be great even without a murder. And holiday themed stories are just the best!
Looking forward to another great page turner!!! Would love the tote to carry your books and my kindle !!
I am looking forward to reading your new book.
Looking forward to reading this book. Thankyou for the opportunity!
I am working on a deadline this weekend so I’m not going to respond to each comment as I usually like to do. I have however read all the comments. Thank you all for sharing my enthusiasm for the book. The winner of the tote is Andra. I don’t have a last name but I will respond to her comment. Congrats!
Sleuthy cat and a long-missing son make for a perfect cozy book, which I’ll read through without a “paws”.
I really love this series and can’t wait to read The Cat of Christmas Past!! 🙂
Can’t wait to read this one.
Kathi, you are such a generous person not just through your giveaways but also through the books you write. They are such a joy to kick back and devour. robeader53@yahoo.com
I’d love to read that book. I think that it is possible to have mystery without murder.
I can’t wait to read this one! It sounds perfect for this holiday season.
I’m also looking forward to the new Zoe Donavan book in December.
Thanks for all the giveaways you do. Also, thanks for writing great books I love to read.
Totally enjoyed “The Cat of Christmas Past”. Thank you! I seem to migrate towards books with cats featured in the storyline.