This week's episode was by far one of the most difficult to record for several reasons. First, I recorded it during a terrible case of bronchitis. LOL, I actually felt like Steely dealing with her asthma. Lucky for y'all, I edited out (most of) my wheezing. The second reason is the scene is intense. It packs a punch, and it contains that moment when all seems doomed for Steely and Cuff. Will they prevail? Can they catch the bad guy? Who is the culprit? And lastly, this episode concludes the first season of the Cat Clayton Mysteries.Bringing How to Leash a Thief, book 1 of the Steuthin' in Boots series to The End is bittersweet. For those who've followed along, I applaud you. Thank you so much for listening and sticking with me as I navigated my way in creating my very first "podiobook." Most of the time, I felt like I stumbled my way through the story. But I'm humbled by the wonderful feedback I've received from my listeners. I can't wait to begin season two with How to Kennel a Killer, book 2 of the Sleuthin' in Boots series. Episode one will release on August 1st. Until then, be happy and sleuth on, my friends.  Once again, I'm appreciative of the super cool “Acoustic Blues” tune by Dark Horse Music. The swanky, sleuthy vibe fit perfectly with the story. If you're interested in checking out more music by Dark Horse Music, please visit their profile on Audio Jungle.  https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Thanks for tuning in! Prepare yourself for an intense episode this week!http://www.catclayton.com/ Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license. Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Welcome back! I'm so glad you've tuned in! This week we pick up after the oh-so-hot kiss between Steely and Jackson. Wowza!Without further ado, let's get to the story.http://www.catclayton.com/ Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license. Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

If you've been wishing Steely and Jackson get closer, well, you won't want to miss this episode!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

This week, we pick up after Steely is questioned by the FBI regarding the bank robbery and shooting. Gertie wants to come back to work. And Steely has a bit of trouble up at the police department. http://www.catclayton.com/ Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license. Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

In today's episode, Steely learns her sleuthing has gotten her into hot water with the FBI. She discovers interrogations are not fun. Gertie shows up while she's being questioned. Can you imagine how our elderly pack of dynamite reacts? Tune in and find out!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

In episode 17, you might notice I've made a few changes to the story. One big change is I've switched the name of the town from Buckleville to Pleasant Hills. As cute as the original town name was, it needed to change in order to coincide with rebranding the series. The slight changes from this episode on will not affect the actual story-telling. Sometimes, authors must make adjustments to their books in order to improve the reader's experience.The scene in today's installment is one of my favorites between Steely and Officer Jackson. When Jackson shows Steely his playful side, can she keep her barrier up? Or does her resistance shield come tumbling down? Let's find out!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

In episode 16, Steely has to put her search for murder suspects on hold while she attends the town's annual 4th of July celebration. We get to experience some southern hospitality in today's episode. But can Steely avoid a run-in with her ex, Nick?http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Welcome back to Cat Clayton Mysteries! Today’s episode features chapter 15. Steely and Gertie make a detour on their way to a 4th of July party. When they stop by the used car lot in town, Gertie’s sticky fingers help obtain information about the car that’s been following Steely. Let’s tune in!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Welcome back to Cat Clayton Mysteries! Today’s episode features chapter 14, where we get to know Steely’s grandmother, Gertrude Lamarr, up close and personal. With Steely’s father busy at the grocery store, Steely and Gertie do a bit of sleuthing at Mr. Peters’s hardware store. Does Gertie prove to be a good lookout? Let’s find out!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Welcome back to Cat Clayton Mysteries! Today’s episode will feature chapter 13. What happens when Daniel confronts Steely about her feelings for Officer Jackson? Will she share the truth with him or keep it to herself? Steely is faced with dealing with one of her fears. We also get to witness a softer side of Officer Jackson. Without further ado, here’s this week’s episode!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Welcome back to Cat Clayton Mysteries!Today’s episode is chapter 12. Spoiler alert: If you don’t already dislike Nick, the main scene in this chapter will do the trick. But I have to admit; creating a character readers love to hate is a lot of fun! Without further ado, here’s this week’s episode!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Welcome back to Cat Clayton Mysteries! At the end of chapter 10, Steely arrived home to find Nick furious with her over all the trouble he’d gotten in at work due to her meddling. He refused to listen to her reasoning, and told her to pack her things and leave. (I know! What a jerk!) In chapter 11, we learn where she goes after Nick kicks her to the curb. This chapter contains one of my favorite scenes between Steely and Officer Jackson. Without further ado, here’s this week’s episode!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

What happens when Chief Becker drops in on the Citizen's on the Watch meeting and tells the group they have to put their agenda on hold? After the meeting, Steely heads home to face Nick. Can you guess how that goes? Tune in to find out.http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

What happens when Steely meets with Caylee to apologize for ruining dinner? Does Caylee forgive her? And Steely's "colorful & insightful" words about Flora Schirmack's death at the Citizen's on the Watch meeting are epic!Without further ado, here’s this week’s episode!http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Confession time, listeners. It's been 2 weeks since my last episode. Last week, Texas experienced one of the worse arctic blasts we have ever seen. In my 48 years of being here, I've never known it to be 6 degrees, 0 with the wind chill factor, and 5.5 inches of snow. These conditions would've been doable if we didn't loose our electricity. Because Texas is, well, Texas, we are own our very own special power grid, yes, separate from the rest of the country. (Don't get me started o_O) We lost electricity--which powers our central heating system and our water well. For days, y'all. Before I sound like a whiner, the trickle down effects no power has on living conditions is sad. And miserable.(Side note: We weren't completely without electricity the entire week. For 3 days, we were on rolling (controlled) blackouts. We were allowed between 10-15 minutes of power each hour.)To pour some salt into my own wounds, I recorded this episode in so many different segments last week, and at different times, I wanted to choke myself editing. In the process of said edits, I somehow managed to screw up my set master CCM Podcast EQ levels. The recording switches back and forth between my master vocal levels and the program's default settings. But after hours of research on how to fix it, I accepted defeat. I decided not to re-record what might end up being my worst recorded chapter ever. But guess what? It's uploaded! And if you can excuse the sound variations, it's not too bad. Without further ado, here's chapter 8.http://www.catclayton.com/Black cat portrait artwork: Artist, Karen Arnold, *License info: This image falls under a Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Hang on to those sleuthing hats! This week's episode is a humdinger! Tune in to discover what happens when Steely and Cuff return to the shop to find the back door cracked open. O_Ohttp://www.catclayton.com/Artwork: Black cat portrait. *License info: Artist, Karen Arnold has released this image under Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Tune in to learn more about the handsome stranger to Buckleville, who shows up at Steely's shop with his shaggy Yorkie, requesting a walk-in appointment. Steely, Cuff, and Daniel also do a little sleuthing. Where do they go? What do they discover? Tune in to find out!http://www.catclayton.com/Artwork: Black cat (karen Arnold) cat portrait. *License info: Karen Arnold has released this “Vintage Black Cat Poster” image under Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

Welcome back to Cat Clayton Mysteries! This week, I’m reading chapter 5 of How to Leash a Thief. Yes, I’m a day late. Yesterday was my birthday, so I took the day off. Better late than never, right? Without further ado, here’s this week’s episode!http://www.catclayton.com/Artwork: Black cat (karen Arnold) cat portrait. *License info: Karen Arnold has released this “Vintage Black Cat Poster” image under Public Domain license.Music: “Acoustic Blues” by Dark Horse Music. https://audiojungle.net/user/darkhorsemusic/portfolio

After announcing the awful news about Samson's murder, Steely and Daniel head to Bea's Boutique for some retail therapy. Upon their return to the shop, a shocking event takes place. Tune in to find out what happens!Cat Clayton Mysteries Website: http://catclayton.comInstagram & Facebook: @catclaytonmysteriesMusic: "Acoustic Blues" by Dark Horse Music from Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net/darkhorsemusic/portfolioImage/Banner Art: Cat Clayton MysteriesBlack Cat Image: Artist Karen Arnold under Public Domain License