Purrseverance

What do cats do when faced with adversity? They persevere. "Purrseverance" contains 16 accounts of how our feline friends triumphed over life's challenges: from the cat who learned to trust after surviving a hoarding situation, to the cat who conquered a life-threatening illness, to the cats who persisted and eventually found their loving forever homes. Each account is told through the eyes of the cat. These tales show that even seemingly hopeless situations can turn around. These stories will inspire you to keep going and persevere when facing adversities in your own life. "Purrseverance" was compiled by award-winning cat writer and enthusiast, Sierra M. Koester.

Available at BookBaby, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Twenty-five percent of sales proceeds go to Colorado Feline Foster Rescue.

About the Contributors

Sierra M. Koester
Lazarus Cat, Carmine Fulfills His Purpose, and From Thailand to Freedom

Sierra M. Koester is an award-winning freelance writer and professional blogger. Sierra is a Professional Member of the Cat Writers’ Association and the Content Manager at The Cat Blogosphere, a place for all pets and pet bloggers. She also writes Fur Everywhere, an educational and entertaining blog about cats. In her free time, Sierra enjoys reading and spending time with her two cats, Tylan and Giovanni.

Find Sierra, Tylan, and Giovanni on their blog, Fur Everywhere, at: fureverywhere.net. The Cat Blogosphere: blog.catblogosphere.com.

Robin Bisha
Constellation Brie Cheese

Robin Bisha lives at Cheshire’s Legacy in Kingsbury, Texas, with birds, butterflies, moths, dragonflies, lizards, toads, snakes, armadillos, skunks, deer, a baker’s dozen cats, three donkeys, one miniature horse, and a mule. She practices equine-facilitated learning, teaches communication at Texas Lutheran University, and is writing a book about living responsibly with nature and all the animals.

Janet Buickerood Blue
Sawyer: The Lucky Cat

Janet Buickerood Blue currently shares her home with nine cats, of which Sawyer is one, and her husband of 49 years, Tom. After having both grown up in California, they’ve made their home in Roanoke, Virginia for the past 46 years. Blue is a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and an award-winning author of the blog The Cat on My Head. The blog’s regular series, “The Adventures of Periwinkle and Stinky,” has received several CWA Certificates of Excellence. Blue’s favorite form of writing is poetry, which can be found on her blog and published in literary journals. She has a BA in English/Cultural Anthropology from the University of California in Santa Barbara. Her blog can be found at: TheCatonMyHead.com.

Belinda Brady
A Warm Place

A bookworm since childhood, Belinda Brady is passionate about stories and, more often than not, can be found with her head buried in her latest paperback companion. When she’s not reading stories, she’s writing them, her love of supernatural/thriller themes often competing for her attention. As a result, Belinda has had several stories published in a variety of publications, both online and in anthologies. Belinda lives in Australia with her family and has been known to enjoy the company of cats over people.

Marjorie Dawson
Harvey's View from the Bridge

Marjorie Dawson is a motorbike-riding blogger and award-winning cat photographer who believes that everyone can take amazing photos. Her blog is packed with cat photo tips and tricks. Marjorie is proud to be a Professional Member of the Cat Writers’ Association, winner of the Kuykendall Image Award, and published newspaper photographer. She wrangles a house full of cats, so she is glad working from home is a “thing” at last so she can keep her kitty models happy! You can visit Marjorie’s website at: DashKitten.com. 

Debbie De Louise
Black Cats Do Get Adopted: Harry's Story

Debbie De Louise is a reference librarian at a public library. She’s the author of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series featuring Sneaky, the library cat, and the new Buttercup Bend cozy mysteries featuring the owner of a pet cemetery and rescue center. Debbie’s other books include standalone mysteries, a paranormal romance, a time-travel novel, and a collection of cat poems. She also writes for Catster.com, is a member of the Cat Writers’ Association, and lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and two cats. Learn more about her books by visiting: debbiedelouise.com.

Terry Frum
Brian is Home

Terry Frum is a long-time blogger and animal advocate from South Carolina. Terry is the blogger behind Brian’s Home Blog and is the Editor of The Cat Blogosphere, a daily hub for sharing the adventures of pets and pet bloggers from across the globe. He enjoys spending time with his wife and his kitties: Simon, Seal, Kiki, Macy, and Maxwell. Terry is also active with Community Cats, caring for a clowder of 15+ ferals on a daily basis. You can find Terry’s blog, Brian’s Home, at brianshomeblog.com. You can also find Terry at The Cat Blogosphere: blog.catblogosphere.com.

Linda Kay Hardie

The Blind Cat's View from Above

Linda Kay Hardie writes horror, crime, and fantasy stories, essays (often about cats), and poetry as well as fiction for children. She also writes recipes and is the reigning Spam champion for Nevada (yes, the tasty canned mystery meat). Her writing has won awards dating back to a fifth grade essay on fire safety. Linda has a master’s degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno where she teaches required courses to unwilling students.

JaneA Kelley
Tara Finds Her Purr

JaneA Kelley is an award-winning author and one of the earliest cat bloggers with their cat advice blog, Paws and Effect. In addition to being a cat blogger, JaneA is a public speaker and mental health advocate. Their memoir, Still Alive, Still Smiling, is due out in 2023. Follow JaneA at: janeakelley.com.

Katherine Kern
Ellie Mae: Where I Belong

Katherine Kern is a Professional Member of the Cat Writers’ Association and an award-winning writer/blogger, influencer, and cat enthusiast. You may read more about Ellie Mae and living abundantly with cats at: MommaKatandHerBearCat.com. Living abundantly with cats includes celebrating the power of the human-feline bond, improving the lives of our cats, and valuing the unique essence of life with cats.

Laurie Miller
Who Rescued Who?

Laurie Miller lives in California with her husband and their three-legged rescue cat, Ruby. She is the proud mom of her son, Shawn, and her “daughter-in-love,” Caitlin. She is grandma to her four-legged grandson, Indiana Jones Miller. She recently retired after a successful 30-year career as a development director and grant writer, raising millions of dollars for college access, foster child advocacy, arts and educational non-profits. Laurie believes every pet deserves the gift of in-home compassionate euthanasia and is establishing The Darby Fund to provide grants to seniors, low-income families, and others facing personal hardships.

Lorianne Miller
My Name is Not Scooter

Lorianne Miller has been an animal lover since before she could walk or talk. Over the years, she has shared her life and home with cats, dogs, birds, fish, and even frogs. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in animal sciences from the University of Illinois in 2011, and she has worked with animals in a variety of settings. Her passions in life include not only animals and their welfare, but also art and writing, into which she often incorporates her love for animals. Lorianne is currently owned by four feisty cats and a rather awkward dog. You can find Lorianne’s blog at: fourleggedfurballs.blogspot.com.

Terilynn Mitchell
Beyond Fear

Terilynn Mitchell is a registered veterinary nurse who has cared for unadoptable animals for thirty years. She currently works as the surgical nurse for an organization that spays and neuters stray and community cats. She lives in Northern California, where she is finishing a collection of rescue and hospice stories. She is published in numerous journals and three Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Julia lliams
Wren: A Caged Kitty Can't Purr

Julia Williams knew from early childhood that cats and writing were destined to be her two primary passions. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Cal State Hayward, she paid her dues in Corporate America for ten years before turning to freelancing. At last, she was free to spend her days writing about what she loved most of all...cats! She shares her tiny home in the forest with her two beloved felines, Anya and Wren.