ABOUT LEANN

Leann Sweeney was born and raised in Niagara Falls and educated at St. Joseph's Hospital and Lemoyne College in Syracuse, NY. She also has a degree from the University of Houston in behavioral science and worked for many years in psychiatry and as a school nurse; she has retired to write full-time.

She began writing in 1980, fulfilling her lifelong dream. After perfecting her writing skills with classes and a small fortune in writing books, she joined MWA and Sisters in Crime. Now she's in love with both her NAL/Obsidian mystery series: The Yellow Rose Mysteries and the Cats in Trouble Mysteries, and it shows--The Cat, The Quilt and The Corpse was the #1 bestseller on the Independent Mystery Bookseller's List when it debuted and made several top twenty lists for 2009 at bookstores across the country.

Leann is married with two fabulous grown children, a wonderful son-in-law and a beautiful daughter-in-law--not to mention grandaughter Maddison Grace (Maddie). She has lived in Texas since 1974 and resides in Friendswood, Texas with husband Mike, her three cats, and Rosie--the smart, retrieving, golf-ball chasing, busy-busy-busy mini-labradoodle.

THE KITTIES!

Leann's Cats:

Indigo is a sable point Himalayan, the top cat in the Sweeney household. Indigo is a brilliant kitty who loves quilts and gets so excited whenever the sewing stuff comes out. Her favorite toy is a measuring tape. She was born in '95.

Agatha Christie is a tortie exotic shorthair, a former show kitty who asked to come home with Leann. She is a sweet, sweet lap kitty, now of delicate health, who stays close to Leann. Agatha was born in '96

Archie Goodwin is a tuxedo cat--a starving grocery store foundling. Now he's big and gorgeous and quite the comedian. Archie was born in '98.

The Cats in Trouble Cast--all Katrina rescues:

Merlot is a red tabby Maine coon cat who weighs twenty pounds: Ninja protector cat!

Syrah is a sorrel (with chocolate ticking) Abyssinian: Jillian Hart's top cat--quiet, smart, and can even open doors.

Chablis is a sable point Himalayan with crystal blue eyes: Loving and a little clueless, but a great mouser; always wants to be on Jillian's lap.