Mckenna Wright was a defense attorney that public servants feared, and accused criminals--with enough money--wanted on their side. She was a workaholic who seldom, if ever, came home at a normal hour or without extra work in her briefcase. The only time Mckenna spent away from her work was one day a week when she took her cat, Titi, to the hospital as a therapy cat. Mckenna was discriminating to the point of snobbishness in her choice of clothes, restaurants, and men. Unfortunately, Mckenna Wright couldn't recall a single one of those things after a car accident robbed her of her memory. However, that was the least of her worries when she woke up. Apparently she was going crazy. After all, now her cat was talking to her. Really talking. And everyone knew cats couldn't speak. Could they?

Tom Markham worked for the county attorney's office. Once a rodeo cowboy, Tom now was a phenomenal prosecutor. The only attorney he worried about going against was Mckenna. Awhile back, Tom had worked at the same law firm with Mckenna. He had even asked her out, only to be shot down. So why the fear when he heard about her accident? When he came to check on her, the enthusiastic greeting she gave him convinced him, as nothing else would, that she had no idea who he was. For Tom, it was a godsend. Now Mckenna could get to know him, without all of her preconceived, snooty lawyer ideas directing her. He just needed to convince her that "old" Mckenna and "new" Mckenna together were perfect for him.

As Tom and Mckenna worked to regain Mckenna's memory, Tom became convinced her car accident had been no accident. The high profile case Mckenna had been defending, the same one Tom was prosecuting, was constantly teasing her mind with a small missing part. What was it? When her house was searched, and again when Mckenna herself was attacked, Tom was certain she was in danger. Mckenna would only be safe if she remembered everything. That included the incredible attraction between them. They both believed they were perfect together, until Mckenna's boyfriend showed up. How could she have forgotten sexy, brilliant, perfect Adam? He was everything "old" Mckenna wanted in a man. The problem was, with the edges between "old" and "new" Mckenna now blurred, she didn't know what to do. And every suggestion Titi gave her included lying in the sun! The cat wasn't helping at all! Why was she still talking anyway? Damn it--Mckenna wanted her memory back!

I haven't laughed so much in a long time! THE CAT'S MEOW was written with the comedy, suspense, and romance all flowing together perfectly! Titi's "cat-itude" captured the essence of what everyone can see in their own cats! Mckenna's conversations with Titi will strike a familiar chord with pet owners everywhere. And really, who wouldn't want a hunky cowboy-turned-lawyer willing to forgive and forget, and love you to distraction?

THE CAT'S MEOW is a superb example of what Emily Carmichael has to offer the reading public! She is definitely going on my "must-read" author list!

Reviewed by Tracy Atencio
© September 2004