Year Of The Cat (The Book)

Year Of The Cat is perhaps the most unusual of my published works thus far. First of all, the story takes place in San Felipe, Mexico. I use a lot of Spanish in this book, but not too much where it will drive you crazy. One of things readers have mentioned to me is that they appreciated the translation. I think often times when a writer goes to telling a story using multiple languages, they don't translate very well for the reader. I do this by way of the characters. Mostly through Lancaster Parks because he himself doesn't speak Spanish so there are parts throughout the book he keeps looking to somebody to translate for him. It almost becomes somewhat comical.

Originally, I thought to have the story take place in Paris, France. That idea went by the wayside when, through one of my Mexican friends at the time, I was reminded of the deep historical value of Mexicans when it comes to religion and superstitions. This is the main focal point of the story so having that tradition behind their culture really made a huge difference. And with the help of a few Mexican friends, I was able to better write and translate the language.

I have also been thanked by my Mexican (and Spanish speaking) readers for properly writing their language. I think too often, especially in todays everything access via internet world, some writers depend too much on translation sources. Sure, it was a big help to me too, however, being able to have friends who speak Spanish was what made this process so much easier. I used a few of my Mexican friends to help me with corrections when the story was completed.

The idea for the book rested in my head for about three years before I decided to write it. When I made the last minute change from France to Mexico, I had to quickly come up with some names. As for the mystery woman in the book, I fell back on a friend at that time and pretty much used her name(s), seeing how just as with my female character, my old friend also had a personality conflict. (If I may say it in that manner)

Much of the female character in this book was taken from that friend.

As for the main character, Lancaster Parks, I fell back on a guy I knew in the miliatary. I drew from him to create my asshole detective. One of my favorite things to do is to make my main characters unlikeable in the beginning then get the reader to actually start liking them. I do this by cleverly placing an even worse asshole in the story. Of course, in the beginning, many do not realize who the biggest asshole is until the end. 

As with most of my books, I like to add many different elements into the story. Many different characters that are needed to carry this out. Comedy, drama, suspense, mystery, romance, or in this case, mild erotica. I also like for my main character(s) to change. To be different somewhat at the end than what they were in the beginning. I also provide reasons for these changes. Often times, those reasons are nothing more than just the evolution of life. Everything around us is changing. That's just the way life is. it is constantly changing and we need to change ourselves just a little if we are going to keep up. I make sure my characters go through this too. It makes everything a little more realistic. 

One of the elements I decided to use in this story was the paranormal. I think it adds a little something/something to the whole story. It helps to keep the mystery going along. And in this case, it helps Lancaster to solve his case.

Police corruption is in full force in this story through the character of Hernando Felix. The history of man is filled with abuse of power. Not one person has ever NOT abused what power they were given. It's humanly impossible. Even I have abused my powers from time to time. Even my father. Abuse of power doesn't always mean somehting horrible. In my father's case, he had the power of hire and fire of employees. He had given a friend a job a time or two who had no experience over people who did have it. That's a form of abuse. In this case, with Hernando, he is no different. he does what we all do to try and survive in the society we were born into. That's all. Granted, his abuse extends into the realm of horrendous, but still, even his intentions are somewhat fairly good. (I think)

People seem to really like Gomez. He is the "comic relief" in an otherwise very dramatic situation. many readers feel that he is smarter than what he lets on. (And perhaps he his) But without Gomez, I don't think this book would be as interesting. Still, through it all, most readers have confessed to being blown away by the ending. (Just a little) And certainly not what they were expecting. But I tell them, in reallife, not all justice is served. Some inncoent people get locked away and or die while some guilty people go free. It's not a perfect world. I wanted that imperfection in this story.


Check out Year Of The Cat - available for all major E-Readers.

Amazon Kindle - Barnes and Noble Nook - Kobo - E-Book Pie - Copia - Sony Reader The Reader Store

Also available @ Apple Store Dot Com for ipad users.