It is said that the best movies of the year are released in December, to top off all other movies of the previous eleven months. Well the same can be said of books. I had the privilege to read and write a review before the official release of The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey.

In today's gloomy world beset by a beleaguered economy, one is uplifted through the dark clouds to the radiant sun by the ordinary. Deborah Barnes is an extra-ordinary person, well almost. She's not a Nobel winning scientist, a war hero, or a reality-series celebrity. Deb is a divorced mother of two sons, in her fifties, who like many of us, lost her job but unlike many, she fought her way back thanks to the lessons of her furry children-- her two, three, seven cats!

She is like many unknown, unsung heroes, everyday people,  who clawed her way back to the top.  By leveraging her knowledge, her hard work ethic and an inner strength, Deb regained steady footing and reached her long-ago dream--becoming an author.  What I admire most about Deb is that during her darkest moments, she did not despair, thanks to her cats.  In this rough economy, some pet owners first relinquish their pets, anything to lessen a financial burden. Deb Barnes instead watched and learned from her cats, pets that were content with a little food and affection. Their world was complete and happy.

This is a valuable lesson that we can learn from others less fortunate and that we should give what we need.

Deb inspires me. In reading her book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey, I felt we were kindred spirits. Committed cat ladies with a greater cause--to overturn the misperceptions of cats through education. Deb accomplished this with her book. But it's the journey to her goal that makes her a heroine in my eyes. I love stories of ordinary people who are really extraordinary.

This holiday season and New Year, if you're looking for a good book to read, one that combines real life challenges and uplifting humor and hope with a happy ending, then here it is! Thank you for supporting a budding author!

Merry Christmas & Happy, Blessed New Year
Christine