This Crazy Cat Lady Reads Romance

I haven’t been in the mood to write about romance the last several weeks — first I was busy, then I was busy and grieving the untimely and unexpected demise of my cat Caramel.

She was a great cat… she may have even been in the running for best cat if her bathroom activities were a bit more demure. She lived on the streets for the first year of her life and, thanks to animal welfare programs, lived out her remaining years in complete, resplendent luxury as our spoiled little baby. She was the poster child for successful cat class mobility thanks to community investment in social programs.

She was definitely our favorite cat. (Sorry, Jake.)

I’m still not quite in the mood to write super deep thoughts about romance, so today I thought I would celebrate cats in romance. This one is for you, all you fellow crazy cat ladies.

First, here’s an original oil painting I bought exclusively because it featured a cat. The painting is by John Ennis.

Of course I got the book as well. It was published in 1992.

Have I read it? No

Do I feel bad about not reading it? No, I did it for the art

This 1999 Love Spell romance called Romeo & Julia seems to have some plot related to an animal shelter. I bought it for the cat on the cover.

Have I read it? No

Do I feel bad about not reading it? Nope — look at that title font!

I bought this at The Book Barn in Niantic, CT, a bookstore known for its love of cats (and in-house bookstore cats).

Rejar by Dara Joy also came out in 1999. What a year for cats! Rejar is an ageless shapeshifter being, a cat, and also Lord Byron.

Have I read it? I started it….

Do I feel bad about not finishing it? I do. I just need to get into the right whimsical headspace to enjoy it.

The Cat’s Fancy is another Love Spell, this one from 2000. It’s a paranormal where a little lady cat is granted the chance to make a man fall in love with her and turns into a sexy woman.

Have I read it? No, didn’t even look up the plot until just now.

Do I feel bad about not finishing it? I kind of do, now. It has intrigued me. Just checked Goodreads reviews and I may need to read it purely because of this review:

…I had a rough time with this one. On the one hand, I liked virtually everyone in the book. On the other hand, I was rather offended by the taint of beastiality (sic). I have a black cat. I don’t like thinking of her being sexy in anyone’s eyes.

If it hadn’t been for the beastiality (sic), I’d have given this five stars.

Despite the Norman Rockwell-esque cover art, this Harlequin was published in 1992, not 1962. This one seems to be a battle of the sexes, where the heroine inherits seven cats and is pitted against her new neighbor who has an abundance of dogs. Woof.

Have I read it? No

Do I feel bad about not reading it? Absolutely not. I just like that the cover is so focused on cats that it seems to have forgotten the couple completely. I think that’s a child, not the the adult heroine (although who can tell with early 1990s haircuts? A puzzling time).

This 1990 middle grade/young adult novel may not technically be a romance, but I actually like the romantic arc. Oliver (the black cat) jumps into an enchanted well with our teenaged protagonist and is turned into a human youth by some mischievous elves to becomes her adventure companion.

Have I read it? Hells yeah — as a youth and as an adult. One day I’ll even get my child to read it, but I may have to bribe her to do so. She doesn’t know what she’s missing.

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