Born into a family of business people, I started the Dutch publishingcompany Film Agenda, then became a successful entrepreneurin real estate development. Later, facing rough timesfrom a divorce and almost going bankrupt, I began to understandthere is more to life than what money can buy. I realizedthat, particularly in a crisis, a connection with people who loveand care is essential. In this fresh new mindset, I wrote my firstnovel, Cats of Amsterdam, based on my life. I have tried to recreateevents, locales and conversations from my memories ofthem.We are social animals that need each other. We need warmth, love, and affection,and loneliness is perhaps the greatest punishment ofanyone on Earth.It is easy to say that money does not make you happy. That isan age-old motto and why we remain fascinated by characterswho question the pursuit of riches above all. Money is necessary,and abundance is wonderful, but when we go to sleepat night and wake up in the morning, life is about somethingmuch warmer and enduring, and that is love.