by Carol M. Upton

A door is a door is a door, unless you’re a cat, then it’s so much more. For our cats, the very essence of “ordinary to extraordinary” is no more clearly defined than in that statement. ~ Deborah Barnes

If you treat yourself to one special book this year, make it The Chronicles of Zee and Zoey, a remarkable first work by Deborah Barnes. In it, Barnes describes the essence of her cats in fascinating detail and shares her own personal journey alongside them to the ‘unlimited possibility of the extraordinary.’

Zee and Zoey are the charismatic stars of The Chronicles, but Barnes also introduces readers to the evolving cast of characters of an entire feline community. Her writing inspires a profound and dynamic connection with each and every one of them.

Playful, quirky, loving, yet cunning, determined and pushy, cats are treasured family members who share emotions just as their human counterparts. I was quickly immersed in the richness of their lively stories, and the laughter and tears that are part of sharing our lives with these sensitive creatures. Barnes exquisitely captures how they give us so much in exchange for so little.

The stories are graced by stunning photographs and custom artwork, and are backlit by the life lessons that cats share by just being cats. We are gently encouraged to wake up and enjoy each day, not as we might wish it to be, but as it is – full of mystery, beauty, and the opportunity to welcome whatever we have before us.

Each page will gift the reader with something to remember. This book may be the most inspired and rewarding read of the year for anyone who has ever known or loved an animal.

Deborah Barnes currently resides in South Florida and after an unexpected life-changing event, she decided to follow her dreams of becoming an author, using the relationship of her cats as inspiration for her first book. She is also the author of the popular blog, Zee & Zoey’s Chronicle Connection. Visit Deborah at: http://www.zeezoey.com