Absolutely delighted to feature one of my favourite writers on the blog. Cat lovers and readers of timeslip and dual narrative books, you’re in for a treat! Over to you, Kate Ryder, tell us all about your Beastie Bestie!

Until recently, I owned a gorgeous Arab horse, and time spent in his presence would often provide me with inspiration and the answers to those pesky plot holes when all else had failed. Sadly, I lost him to colic and for a while I was horribly adrift and without direction but I had to pull myself together as deadlines loomed. Luckily, Bella, our beautiful half-Bengal cat, stepped up to the role and ensured that I kept to the editing schedule set by my publishers.

Just before lockdown 2020, we ‘rescued’ 9-month-old Bella from a life on one of Bristol’s busy roads. Her owner – realising it was far too dangerous to let her outside but aware that she needed to escape the confines of his flat – wisely decided to rehome her and advertised accordingly. I’m a true believer that animals find you, because at the time I’d just bade a sad farewell to two Abyssinian brothers that I’d bred 17 years before. Feeling incredibly raw, I believed I would never have another pet, as the hole left by their passing was too great. However, something about the advert resonated, and we arranged a hand-over at Temple Meads Station. So, one Saturday morning, my husband, Martin, and I drove to Bristol, and the moment we set eyes on Bella sitting calmly in the back of the car, curiously taking everything in, we knew that she was meant to be with us.

I thought it was wise to keep her in for a couple of weeks to get used to her new surroundings, but within days she’d mastered the cat flap and was out and about, exploring the surrounding countryside and befriending the neighbourhood feline population. One evening, as Martin and I had supper on our decking, we suddenly realised we were surrounded by three cats we didn’t know and Bella, all lounging around and luxuriating in the warmth emanating from the wood! But one cat in particular is her Best Buddie – Dylan, whose guardian also happens to be an author. Maybe they realise they have something in common…

Bella may be petite, but her character is huge, engaging and cheeky, and from the moment she arrived in our home she has brought us joy. The Bengal side of her breeding makes her intelligent, independent and adventurous, and there have been times when she’s had us up ladders, cajoling her down from heights we’d rather not experience(!) but also she’s provided us with a constant source of entertainment. One day, whilst busily planting out vegetable plugs, I had the strongest sense of being observed. However, when I looked around I couldn’t see who, or what, was keeping an eye on me… until I happened to glance at the bird table! She’s also keen on yoga and likes to do the Down Dog pose, which she combines with gymnastic pole workouts.

This charming little cat likes to keep me company when I write, and her favourite spot is sitting on the back of my chair and peering over my shoulder, checking the daily word count and generally keeping an eye on literary progress. At times, this proves exhausting for her and she retreats to the printer and takes a nap, but always with one eye ready to spring open to proofread whatever is printed off! Sometimes, even now, the kitten in her can’t help itself and she whacks the sheets of paper as they emerge from the machine… just so there’s no misunderstanding who’s boss around here!

I spent most of 2023 editing and polishing Echoes on a Cornish River in preparation for publication, and Bella wasn’t too impressed when she discovered the main animals featured in the book were a wolfhound, a raven and a couple of spaniels, with only a passing reference to farm cats. I carefully explained that as a novelist of fiction I write about imagined lives… especially if it’s timeslip! After assessing me for a long moment she decided not to make a fuss and simply sauntered off to find the catnip toy I’d recently bought her. Then, she proceeded to hurl it vigorously down the stairs. Phew… got away with that one, I think… although, if my next book features a feline or two, you’ll know who has exerted her influence!

Echoes on a Cornish River was released on 8 August and I was thrilled when on publication day it hit #1 bestseller on Amazon Australia in Time Travel Romance AND Medieval Historical Romance! Nine days later it followed suit on Amazon UK, and Bella and I decided we should celebrate – a glass (or two) of Prosecco for me while my entertaining little writing assistant enjoyed a bowl of tuna in spring water.

Please tell us more about this wonderful book. I’ve read it and loved it! One of my reads of the year!

Can a love like theirs stand the test of time?

Ellinor lived for adventure, always travelling from one place to the next – until tragedy struck and turned her world upside down. Needing to escape, she accepts an invitation to stay with relatives at their remote Cornish farmhouse.

As Ellinor settles on the outskirts of Calstock, it’s not long before the land and its history have her itching to explore once more. Her search takes her far and wide when an unexpected encounter with an enigmatic, handsome stranger stops her in her tracks.

From the moment they meet, Ellinor knows deep in her soul they share a connection like no other. It’s as if they’ve known each other forever. But no one else has heard of William… Is he all that he claims to be?

Could their love story be written in the stars? Or will past secrets threaten to alter the very future Ellinor has begun to let herself hope for?

A gorgeously heart-warming and romantic timeslip novel that will sweep you off your feet from bestselling author of Into a Cornish Wind. Perfect for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley and Nicola Cornick.

Available in eBook, paperback and audiobook – https://geni.us/EchoesonCornishRiver

And here’s a little about our guest and where you can find out more:

KATE RYDER is an international bestselling author of romantic suspense and timeslip. Represented by the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency and published by Embla Books and Aria Fiction, she is also a member of the RNA and the SoA.

To date, she has published six books, all with an otherworldly twist, many of which have become international Kindle bestsellers. Beneath Cornish Skies achieved #1 eBook on the whole Amazon Australia Kindle Store, peaked at #83 in the Amazon UK Kindle Store and was a finalist in the RNA Romantic Novel Awards 2022.

Originally from the South East of England, today Kate lives on the ‘jam-first’ Cornish side of the beautiful Tamar Valley with her husband and a rehomed Bengal-cross cat. When not writing she gravitates towards the coast, theatre, music and art, although the latter always makes her yearn to pick up a paintbrush. But – as there are only so many hours in the day – instead, she paints pictures with words!

Keep in touch with Kate:

Home

Tweets by KateRyder_Books

https://www.facebook.com/kateryder.author

https://www.instagram.com/kateryder_author

Thank you so much for coming on, Kate. Huge luck with the book and thank you for bringing little Bella along today!