He Gave Me Barn Cats
Author: Maria Santomass0-Hyde
Author: Maria Santomass0-Hyde
Published by: Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Publication Date: March 14, 2017
Genre: Christian Fiction / Christian Life-Death, Grief, Bereavement
Print ISBN: 978-1-939844-21-7
eBook ISBN: 978-1-939844-22-4
eBook ISBN: 978-1-939844-22-4
Book Description:
Inspired by true events...
Maria has cared for her very ill mother for many years. Her burdens are heavy, causing a sadness bordering on darkness. When she discovers her historic barn is now home to a mother cat and kittens, she feels lighter than she has in years. As the kittens grow, they teach her as only animals can do.
Then tragedy strikes. As Maria loses her family, the darkness envelopes her like the heavy fog that blankets her Blue Ridge Mountain home each morning. She creates a scorecard: God: 9, Maria: 0. Her questions turn into anger at God. She searches to find answers as to why her loving God would take away so much in such a short time.
How will she learn to trust again? Can the kittens in her barn help her heal?
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EXCERPT
Chapter 2
Lula, 5-25-09
Maria came here this morning to do my bath. Well, I can shower on my own, but we both feel safer if she’s here, in case I fall. I’m 86, so I’m not as graceful as I used to be. While I shower, she’s in the guest bathroom, putting on her makeup to get ready for her day at work. Then she comes to put the prescription creams on my sore places and a new ileostomy bag on my side. She is so precise, how she puts the tape around the bag. It’s like she’s framing a picture, and she wants it to be perfect. I appreciate that, because I do have to wear it on my body. I feel more secure when she does it. She is like her dad; when Tony used to do it, it was perfect like that. I can’t do it for myself anymore. I’ll end up making a mess of it, and then it won’t stay in place for long. I’m always afraid that the bag will come loose, and there’ll be a smelly mess. I’m afraid for good reason, too, because it has come loose many a time in the past―but it almost never comes loose now that Maria puts it on for me and tapes it up so perfect.
Maria was so excited when she got here. She’d found a cat with kittens in the barn. I don’t really care for animals, but I know how much she loves them. I don’t know where she gets that from. Maybe from my granmaw who raised me. She always had mangy ole dogs and cats hanging around the house. Maybe that’s why I don’t care for them now. They smell bad. Even though I have lots of allergies, I still have a good sniffer, and I just can’t stand the smell of animals. I sure won’t let one in my house!
Chapter 2
Lula, 5-25-09
Maria came here this morning to do my bath. Well, I can shower on my own, but we both feel safer if she’s here, in case I fall. I’m 86, so I’m not as graceful as I used to be. While I shower, she’s in the guest bathroom, putting on her makeup to get ready for her day at work. Then she comes to put the prescription creams on my sore places and a new ileostomy bag on my side. She is so precise, how she puts the tape around the bag. It’s like she’s framing a picture, and she wants it to be perfect. I appreciate that, because I do have to wear it on my body. I feel more secure when she does it. She is like her dad; when Tony used to do it, it was perfect like that. I can’t do it for myself anymore. I’ll end up making a mess of it, and then it won’t stay in place for long. I’m always afraid that the bag will come loose, and there’ll be a smelly mess. I’m afraid for good reason, too, because it has come loose many a time in the past―but it almost never comes loose now that Maria puts it on for me and tapes it up so perfect.
Maria was so excited when she got here. She’d found a cat with kittens in the barn. I don’t really care for animals, but I know how much she loves them. I don’t know where she gets that from. Maybe from my granmaw who raised me. She always had mangy ole dogs and cats hanging around the house. Maybe that’s why I don’t care for them now. They smell bad. Even though I have lots of allergies, I still have a good sniffer, and I just can’t stand the smell of animals. I sure won’t let one in my house!
About the Author
Formerly a newspaper reporter, Maria Santomasso-Hyde now owns Alta Vista Fine Art Gallery.
She lives in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, with her husband, Lee, and The Queen of the Universe (Roma, their Black Cat) … and other Black Cats who decide to move in.
Author Links:
TOUR SCHEDULE
March 7 - Joylene Nowell Butler, Suspense Author - Feature
March 8 - Rockin' Book Reviews - Guest Post
March 9 - Mello & June, It's a Book Thang! - Feature
March 10 - Defending The Pen - Excerpt
March 13 - Reviews by Crystal - Q&A
Alex J. Cavanaugh - Guest Post
Alex J. Cavanaugh - Guest Post
March 14 - Thoughts in Progress - Review
March 15 - Open
March 16 - A Bluestocking's Place - Excerpt
deal sharing aunt - Review
deal sharing aunt - Review
March 17 - Juneta @ Writer's Gambit - Q&A
March 20 - Reviews From the Heart - Review
The Story of a Writer - Feature
CBY Book Club - Excerpt
The Story of a Writer - Feature
CBY Book Club - Excerpt
March 21 - bookworm1102 - Excerpt
Storey Book Reviews - Excerpt
Celticlady's Reviews - Feature
Storey Book Reviews - Excerpt
Celticlady's Reviews - Feature
***GIVEAWAY***
This is a tour-wide giveaway for two (2) print copies (U.S only) and two (2) eBooks (international). To enter just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions.
This is a tour-wide giveaway for two (2) print copies (U.S only) and two (2) eBooks (international). To enter just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions.
Enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for being a part of Maria's tour.
ReplyDeleteMason
MC Book Tours
The book description and excerpt sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing. Love the cover too.
ReplyDeleteHi Solange! Glad you enjoyed the excerpt from my book and the cover too. If you read my book, please let me hear your comments on my website. Thanks again
DeleteIs title immediately reminded me of playing with cats in my grandfather's barn as a small child.
ReplyDeleteStacy -- I love your comment! You and I are so lucky to have experienced BARN CATS! If you read my book, please let me hear from you again!
DeleteSounds interesting can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteHi Jean! Thank you for your interest in HE GAVE ME BARN CATS. After you read it, please let me hear your thoughts, on my website.
DeleteThank you so much for featuring HE GAVE ME BARN CATS on your blog, which looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletemia2009(at)comcast(dot)net