Shakespeare, Spandex and Romance Delight Readers In Novel About Forgiveness  

Free on Kindle Thru March 7

Ann Arbor, MI -- Author and inspirational speaker Pamela Gossiaux's novel Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar is a cozy romantic mystery that entertains as well as inspires. Threaded through the fun and romance is the timeless story of forgiveness and how sometimes the person we need to forgive the most is ourselves.

Free on Amazon thru midnight March 7: Amazon, http://bit.ly/Cat-Burglar

Abigail Chartwell, university librarian of ancient maps and documents, gave up on love the icy winter night that she lost her husband. For the past six years, Abigail has been hiding behind thick glasses and the wedding ring he gave her. She had her one true love, and lost him. She isn't about to experience that hurt again.

But then sizzling hot Tony the Cat Burglar drops into her life on a rope from the library skylight one night, when he comes to steal one of her maps—a map he claims can lead him to the "lost painting" of famous Italian artist Antonio Russo. Quoting Shakespeare, clad in black spandex, and armed with his charming smile, Tony and his story are hard to resist. Intrigued, Abigail gets caught up in the hunt, not realizing that the thief's real target may be her heart.

Gossiaux's first novel, the highly acclaimed Good Enough, propelled this nonfiction author into the world of inspirational fiction last year with praise from top reviewers. She doesn't disappoint with Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar. Already gaining 17 mostly five-star reviews, this book jumps right into the action when Tony slides down his rope, surprised to find Abigail working at the library late one night alone.

        He was dressed in black—some sort of tight outfit that looked like something a runner would wear. It covered his entire body, including his face, she noticed with a bit of fright. Only his eyes were showing.

        He froze when he saw her. There was a long black rope hanging just above his head, threading its way up the three floors to the dome above them.

        Abigail was about to scream when the man put his finger to his lips. Something about his movement stopped her.                 

        "Good evening, ma'am," he said, and gave her a sweeping bow.

What girl can resist a handsome thief quoting Shakespeare? Abigail can, it seems. Or so she thinks. But as she struggles to keep her heart closed to Tony, old fears resurface and threaten to overwhelm her. They pulled her down into a darkness once before. She doesn't want to go there again.

And who can love a thief anyway? It appears that Christ can. Abigail's faith comes into play as she struggles with the theme of forgiveness and redemption.

While building romance and tackling faith issues, Gossiaux adds a touch of cozy mystery fun to her story, as the two main characters search for a valuable painting.

                    "My great-great grandmother was rumored to have had an affair with Russo, and I am the descendant of that event. He couldn't marry her—because as you know from history, he was already married—but he painted a portrait of her and signed it with a heart next to his name. He called the painting 'Laurel,' after my great-grandmother. It was a nickname he had for her. Nobody knew who she was because back in that day to be pregnant out of wedlock was to be shamed."

                    "Nobody has ever proved that painting exists," Abigail said.

                    "Ahhh…but it does."

Among the numerous five-star reviews the book has already received, Grady Harp, Amazon Hall of Fame Top 50 Reviewer adds: "Having proved her ability to write cogent adult romantic comedy, Pamela expands her purview in creating a mystery/suspense novel that works on every level. Not only does she write about technically advanced thievery but also she simultaneously introduces her romantic pairing subtly and builds that element into as fine a courtship and romance as she resolves a theft."

This inspirational, fresh book is a must-read that will leave you feeling that redemption is possible, even when it seems you are at your worst, and that forgiveness is often at the root of change.

Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar (ISBN 978-09976387-5-2 paperback, $14.95 or ISBN 978-0-9976387-2-1 ebook, $3.99, 2017, Tri-Cat Publishing, 248 pages, available on Amazon, http://bit.ly/Cat-Burglar

About Pamela Gossiaux Pamela Gossiaux is a humorist, inspirational speaker, and the author of the books Good Enough, Why Is There a Lemon in My Fruit Salad? How to Stay Sweet When Life Turns Sour, and A Kid at Heart: Becoming a Child of Our Heavenly Father, as well as the highly anticipated inspirational romance, Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar.  

Pamela has been writing and working with writers for several decades. She has a dual BA degree from the University of Michigan in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature, and over 20 years of journalism writing experience. She teaches writing workshops and has been the editor for published books in a wide variety of genres, both fiction and non-fiction, including best sellers. She has self-published a book on writing called Six Steps to Successful Publication.

An avid horse enthusiast, she enjoys being outdoors and working in her garden. She also loves chocolate, and prefers to curl up with a good book in her downtime. Pamela lives in Michigan with her husband, two sons, and three cats. Visit her website at PamelaGossiaux.com.

Media Contact: For a review copy of Mrs. Chartwell and the Cat Burglar or to arrange an interview with Pamela Gossiaux, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist