Thursday, June 11, 2015

Truffles Interviews: Noe-Noe from Elaine Faber's Black Cat Mystery Series (w/Review & Giveaway)


Hey everybody, it's Truffles! Today I am very excited to be interviewing Noe-Noe, the lady love of Thumper from Elaine Faber's Black Cat mystery series. Last summer I interviewed Thumper and reviewed the first book in the series, Black Cat's Legacy. Following today's interview we'll be reviewing book 3, the just released Black Cat & the Accidental Angel.

Please leave a comment below with your email address for the chance to win an ebook copy of book 2, Black Cat & the Lethal Lawyer, the book where Noe-Noe first meets Thumper. (Ends at noon eastern on Wednesday, June 17th.)




Truffles: Welcome, Noe-Noe. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to meet your great love, Thumper?

Noe-Noe: Thumper was already paw-deep in solving mysteries and getting to the bottom of cold case murders in Black Cat’s Legacy. But, that was long before we met. Then destiny brought him and his family to Grandmother’s Texas horse ranch where I lived. When we met, he was completely smitten by my “eyes the color of mustard and stripes the color of marigolds.” It was love at first bite…er...sight! And, what a whirlwind romance it was… (Sigh)

You can read all about it in Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer. The title refers to Wilbur, Grandmother’s attorney. Grandmother gave him boo-koo money for his charitable Children’s Society. Turns out, Thumper’s person, Kimberlee, discovered that Wilbur’s charity was a big scam! That’s when Wilbur decided he had to kill Grandmother before she disinherited the charity and left her estate to her granddaughter. Thumper and I joined forces against a killer to protect Grandma.

Does your name Noe-Noe have any special meaning? It's very unusual.

Grandmother named me Noe-Noe because I was always getting into things I shouldn’t and she’d yell, “No! No!” Guess the name just stuck and she decided to pretty it up a little by adding an ‘E’ on the end. She told Kimberlee about me while sharing how her stable master, Harold, came to the ranch. Seems that Kimberlee felt all day-ja-vooey when she first saw him. She thought he might be the man suspected of killing her father twenty-five years ago. Could he be living there on Grandma’s ranch under an assumed identity? Something to worry about! More important thing to worry about…Thumper was leaving Texas in a few days. I might never see my Ro-Meow again.

  Amber and Boots, the inspiration for Thumper & Noe-Noe

In your new book, Black Cat & the Accidental Angel, you are known as Angel...why is that?

On the way home from Texas, our persons had an MVA. Our carrier was left behind and we were on our own. Thumper was hurt and had amnesia, and I…well, I had my reasons for calling myself Angel. Thumper couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t tell him his real name or share our past, but as the story progressed, it became clear.

You and Thumper have quite the adventure in this book, and you in particular go through a great deal. Anything you would like to tease readers with about what they'll find when they start reading?

We were taken in by John and his daughter, Cindy, who changed Thumper’s name to Black Cat. (Go figure...) Increasingly dangerous pranks endangered Cindy’s safety. Even though we became quit fond of John and Cindy, Thumper wanted to go home but I felt we should, protect Cindy and help John solve his problems. I was only there here to help Thumper regain his memory and then… Well, suffice it to say that it’s a real page-turner as Black Cat encounters thrill after thrill on our latest adventure.

Any clues as to what's next for you and Thumper?

Black Cat and the Accidental Angel is our last adventure. Mom Elaine is working on a new series with a new character, elderly, eccentric Mrs. Odboddy, set during WWII. Never fear, our cat-lover friends will still get their kitty-fix with Ling-Ling, her cross-eyed Siamese cat. As for another Black Cat book? Mom has another story in her head, but no immediate plans to write it. She’s waiting to see how the first three books fare.

About the author: Elaine Faber’s short stories are published in magazines and multiple anthologies. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Inspire Christian Writers and Cat Writers Association.

Elaine authors the Black Cat Mysteries involving Thumper, the cat who solves mysteries with the aid of his ancestors’ memories: Black Cat’s Legacy, Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer, and Black Cat and the Accidental Angel.

Elaine lives in Elk Grove with her husband of 53 years. (That’s a marriage of 53 years, not a husband of 53 years). They share their home with four house cats, the inspiration for her Black Cat Mysteries. A portion of book sales goes to animal rescue programs.


About Black Cat and the Accidental Angel: When the family SUV flips and Kimberlee is rushed to the hospital, Black Cat (Thumper) and his soul-mate are left behind. Black Cat loses all memory of his former life and the identity of the lovely feline companion by his side. “Call me Angel. I’m here to take care of you.” Her words set them on a long journey toward home, and life brings them face to face with episodes of joy and sorrow.

The two cats are taken in by John and his young daughter, Cindy, facing foreclosure of the family vineyard and emu farm. In addition, someone is playing increasingly dangerous pranks that threaten Cindy’s safety. Angel makes it her mission to help their new family. John’s prayers are answered in unexpected ways, but not until Angel puts her life at risk to protect the child, and Black Cat finds there are more important things in life than knowing your real name.


Even though I’ve been a cat lady since the day I was born, as a little girl one of my favorite television shows was The Littlest Hobo. Do you remember the stray German Shepherd who roamed from town to town befriending and helping people in need?

Each family would attempt to adopt him, but at the end of every episode he hit the road again for his next adventure. My mother has often reminded me how I was left in tears every single week when he ended up on his own once again (apparently I didn’t quite understand the concept of the show). Then there was Lassie…something was always happening that would separate her from Timmy, and oh the adventures she would find with the people she met on her way home to him.

I recently read a wonderful mystery that reminded me of these special shows from my childhood: Black Cat and the Accidental Angel by Elaine Faber, the third book in her delightful Black Cat mystery series.

Told mainly from the cats’ point of view, I found myself caring deeply about the humans in the story too, and my heart was touched by the bond that Black Cat, Angel, John and Cindy formed in such a short period of time. More than once I teared up at the thought that by the end of the book they would have to say good-bye, but it was done in a way that left me with happy tears at the turn of the last page.

Even if you haven’t read the first two books in the series, this one stands on its own as a very special story with important life lessons, a beautiful feline romance, and a cast of characters that you will find hard to forget.

Links and Purchase sites:

Elaine.Faber@mindcandymysteries email

www.mindcandymysteries.com Website

http://facebook.elainefaber2 Facebook

http://tinyurl.com/lrvevgm Black Cat’s Legacy - Amazon

http://tinyurl.com/lg7yvgq Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer - Amazon

http://tinyurl.com/nczzkd6 Black Cat and the Accidental Angel - Amazon

39 comments:

Jeanetta said...

Thank you for introducing me to a new author! Your interview with the lovely Noe-Noe was great. I am looking forward to reading the book.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

skkorman said...

I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

The Island Cats said...

The mom hasn't heard of this book series. She needs to check it out. Thanks for the review.

pilch92 said...

Amber and Boots are adorable. Great interview Truffles. My hubby remembered watching The Littlest Hobo as a child so a couple years ago I got the dvds from Netflix and we both enjoyed them.

Fur Everywhere said...

Sounds like a great book! Cats are such helpers and healers. :)

Elaine Faber said...

Hope you'll check us out. Just $3.99 for e-book on Amazon. I promise you won't be disappointed, and you'll love me and my mi'amour. Noe-Noe

Elaine Faber said...

Good luck. If you don't win, hope you'll still buy the book and share our exciting adventure.
Noe-Noe

Elaine Faber said...

What? You don't know me? You're missing a great series. Hope to meet you in the pages.
(Thumper! Can't let the little woman get all the glory, here.)

Elaine Faber said...

What a nice thing to do for your hubby. Yes, we are adorable... and very humble...(ahem). Hope to see you in one of my books.
Thumper and Noe-Noe (nee... Boots and Amber)

Elaine Faber said...

You have no idea. Thumper learns a lot of life lessons in Accidental Angel... Lessons that humans should learn but sometimes don't, until it's too late. Come and share our adventure. You'll be glad you did.
Noe-Noe and MOM ELAINE

Elaine Faber said...

Thanks Tuffles and Melissa for sharing our stories today. It is a wonderful review. I hope we will meet a number of your fans and their kitties as well.
Elaine Faber, Thumper and Angel

Unknown said...

Aw, "Thumper", how sweet; would love to read it :)
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I know the love of a black cat. My Romeo Luigi is all black with Siamese heritage somewhere along the genetic path. The minute I am out of his sight, he sings me a tune until he finds me. Just got to love that cat. robeader53@yahoo.com

wildcatwoods said...

Always good to find out about a new writer!

Cats of Wildcat Woods

Unknown said...

I'm intrigued. I'd like to know more about these cats (and humans).
libbydodd at comcast dot net

lorraines resources and rewards said...

thanks for the intro to the new to me author also love the fact someone writes from my neck of the woods I'm not far from elk grove that is so cool zen hugs all around have a great week

lorraines resources and rewards said...

thanks for the intro to the new to me author also love the fact someone writes from my neck of the woods I'm not far from elk grove that is so cool zen hugs all around have a great week

Anonymous said...

This sounds wonderful, Melissa! I had not heard of the author/books. Thank you! patucker54 (at aol dot com)

Mama Cat said...

Truffles, as always, a won-purr-ful interview! Noe-Noe, I certainly hope to read about you and Thumper in much more detail; thank you for the chance to win a copy of the mystery where the two of you meet! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

Deanna Stevens said...

What a cute story about Noe-Noe..
dkstevensne AToutlookDoTCo M

Anonymous said...

Gweat posty Truffles, and what gawjus fotos. Course they wuld have to be, lookit da bootyful subjects. Hpe yous have a pawsum day.

Luv ya'

Dezi and Lexi

Elaine Faber said...

Would love for you to become a new "THUMPER" fan. Hope you will join us.

Elaine Faber said...

My Amber (the muse for Noe-Noe, pictured above) is my little follower. Can't hardly move without a 'lump' on my chest (if lying down) or a lump on my knees (if working at the computer). Are they a joy? Elaine

Elaine Faber said...

Especially a 'cat mystery' writer, right? Would love to have a fan from Wildcat Woods. Sounds like a place I'd like to visit. I'll try to track down all the folks who visit today (if names or tags lead me to a website.)

Elaine Faber said...

Please check out my website for more about Thumper and my mysteries. You can also go to each one on Amazon and read the blurb about the plot. To know me is to love me...Oh! Did I say that out loud? Meow! Thumper

Kaye Killgore said...

Nice job Truffles. Sounds like a book I'd like to read.

kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net

Elaine Faber said...

Please contact me at Elaine.Faber@mindcandymysteries.com and let's connect since we live near. I belong to several great writers clubs. It's always great to meet a new friend. Elaine

Elaine Faber said...

HA HA! I'm not the kind of cat one soon forgets, if I do say so myself. At least that's what Thumper says. Hope to know you better. Noe-Noe (angel)

Elaine Faber said...

Good luck, Jeanie. If you don't win the free copy, our book is just $3.99 at Amazon. And if you don't like it, I'll give you your money back! See how confident I am? And handsome... and humble. Thumper

Elaine Faber said...

Cute is as cute does. To add to my magnanimous bod... did you notice my extra toe??? (See pix of Thumper and me above.) Now, that's cute, I want to tell you. Noe-Noe (Angel)

Elaine Faber said...

Dear Dezi and Lexi - Gotta' love a cat with a Z and a X in der' names. I'll bet you is bootyful too!
Thumper

Elaine Faber said...

Indeed you must if you like cat mysteries. We'll take on Rita May Brown or Lillian Braun any day. I'm very confident you will love my stories. Did you read up above how humble I am???? thumper

oneponychick66 said...

Cat series get me every time!!!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Just out of curiosity - were the DVDs of the color 1980s episodes? I also watched the show as a child and I know that my daughter would love it but the only DVDs I've come across are of the 1960s black and white version.

Katreader said...

I met a cat at a sanctuary named No No. He has a neurological condition that makes him shake his head no. Poor guy. I have 4 cats at home and look forward to reading about you.

cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com

Elaine Faber said...

What a great way to get 'got!' Hope yu'll check out our series and 'get got' one more time. Elaine

Elaine Faber said...

Your cats will love Thumper and Angel. Maybe you should read the book out loud to the cats! Elaine

cyn209 said...

how did I not know of this series?!?!?
would LOVE to start it!!

cyn209 at juno dot com

Elaine Faber said...

Easy-Peasy - Go to Amazon and purchase one of the e-books for $3.99. (Sorry for delay in answer. Didn't see this comment till today.) Happy to have you as a fan.