Thursday, April 30, 2015

#Feline Friday--Karen Rose Smith's #Cats This Week




Each week is an interesting cat week.  Here are some of the photos and antics from the past seven days.

Miss Paddington has "come up" in the world this week.  She has taken to exploring higher places--on top of the kitchen door and on top of the refrigerator! Thank goodness we were around to rescue her from her escapades.





London and Zoie Joy wait in the living room each evening until my husband and I join them with the laser light for a session of who can catch the red dot. And, of course, Paddy is ready to join in the fun too!

Paddy has also begun to "enjoy" big cat things. She nibbles at the bowl of cat grass next to the water fountain and loves catnip. She knows exactly where the catnip is stored and one night she jumped up on the closet shelf and escaped with the whole bag of catnip. A chase ensued throughout the house with my husband in pursuit of the wayward feline and the open bag of catnip which left a trail through the living room, kitchen and into my office!















Sunnybud makes his morning and nightly visits for food and a good massage, then takes leave again. But now he often settles in the yard for a bath or a nap. Zoie and Paddy like to sit at the window to watch him snoozing.

Halo has become much more affectionate, often asking for attention. She spends most of the afternoon and evening napping on the bed and is slowly inching up from her napping spots at our feet to within arms reach so we can pet her.












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In my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series, my sleuth Caprice takes in stray cats and dogs and finds them forever loving homes!


















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Karen's Search For Love Series Website






USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 


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©2015 Karen Rose Smith

Sunday, April 26, 2015

WHEN MOM MEETS DAD, A Parent-Trap #Romance for Mother's Day by Karen Rose Smith






Do you remember the movie THE PARENT TRAP starring Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith?  It came to theaters in 1961.  It was one of those childhood movies that left an impression for many reasons.  I adored Hayley Mills.  I wanted to watch any movie she made.  Whether it was her perkiness, charm or sweetness, she attracted movie goers.  I admired Maureen O'Hara and though Brian Keith was hunky!  (Even if we didn't call it that back then.)  The storyline of little matchmakers bringing their parents together came to mind during my romance-writing career and I decided to do my own take on the idea.

WHEN MOM MEETS DAD is a parent-trap romance!

Alex Woodsides is a single dad who want the best for his daughter.  His nine-year-old daughter Kristy believes her father needs a wife and she needs a mom!  When Kristy lets her math grade drop, she suggests Amanda Carson--her best friend's mom who is a third grade teacher--tutor her over the summer.  She believes Mrs. Carson is the perfect mom and would make a wonderful wife for her dad.

Neither Alex nor Amanda suspect they're being pushed together by two nine-year-old matchmakers until it's too late.  Sparks fly when they meet and keep flying as they become involved in each other's lives.  But Amanda has been burnt in the past by a controlling husband, and Alex gained sole custody of his daughter because her mother walked away.  Will Amanda and Alex fall for each other and the parent trap their daughters have set?

Did I mention THE PARENT TRAP also focused my story writing attention on Happily-Ever-After?

WHEN MOM MEETS DAD is a perfect Mother''s Day romance.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.






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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 


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©2015 Karen Rose Smith

Friday, April 24, 2015

#FelineFriday Feature--Karen Rose Smith's #Cats This Week



Since I take lots of photos of our cats and post them on Facebook, it seemed to be a good idea to post a weekly blog about the cats around our house. I have four inside rescued cats.  London, our gray tabby, is our oldest at fourteen.  We rescued her from a friend's farm litter.

London



 We found Zoie Joy who is three in a bush in our backyard when she was around six weeks old, dehydrated, starved and scared. She's fourteen pounds now and my sweet cuddle buddy.


Zoie Joy



 Last summer, we adopted pregnant Halo who also found a home in our yard.  We kept her and her first born kitten Miss Paddington while finding Paddy's siblings forever, loving homes.

Miss Paddington
Halo




 We also have yard visitors from time to time who stay in the cat shelters.  Two of them are regulars.  We've dubbed the yellow tabby, Sunnybud and the grey and white huge fellow, Arthur. Throughout the winter, Sunny visited us both morning and evening and still usually does. He's afraid and spooked by enclosed spaces (we tried closing our basement door and he freaked). He's a sweetie but scares easily and doesn't stay.
Sunnybud
Arthur

















Here are some other photos from this week!

Halo and Miss Paddington

Zoie and Paddy are best buddies.  They play together at least twice a day, running, jumping and altogether moving around the rugs! I hope you enjoy this new feature on my blog.






In my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series, my sleuth Caprice takes in stray cats and dogs and finds them forever loving homes!



















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Karen's Search For Love Series Website






USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 


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©2015 Karen Rose Smith


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Karen Rose Smith's Mother's Day Rafflecopter Giveaway




The month of May brings flowers and Mother's Day and brand new beginnings. I wish all the moms a Happy Mother's Day and a year full of appreciation and love.

From May 1 to May 15, 2015 I'm having a Rafflecopter giveaway for my newsletter subscribers. The prize package includes a bracelet, towel, potholder and signed copy of WANTED: A REAL FAMILY. You can subscribe to my newsletter until May 1, 2015 on the home page of my mystery website (Click here to visit Karen's Mystery Website).  My Mother's Day newsletter will be e-mailed to all subscribers on May 1. Directions and a link to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway will be included in that newsletter.

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 


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©2015 Karen Rose Smith

Monday, April 20, 2015

Seven Ways to Pretty Up Your Outdoor Space by Karen Rose Smith




This is the time of year I appreciate most when winter fades into a growing season that brings color back to the gardens. Once a home decorator, I enjoy freshening up and decorating outside, too...to pretty up the patio and our outdoor space.  Here's how I go about it.

FLOWER POTS IN VARIOUS SIZES

From plastic pots that looks like ceramic to ceramic to clay, they all pretty up a patio when filled with greenery and flowers. I like colorful plastic that looks like ceramic (WalMart always has a selection) because I can find bright colors. They are also easier to handle because they are lighter. We have a store called "Ollie's" that gets in a truckload of pots every spring.
We have found some beautiful ceramic pots there for $10-15 in sizes from large to small. I prefer ceramic and plastic to clay because the clay pots don't hold water as well, especially as we move deep into summer. Make groupings as you would with wall decorations around your patio furniture.  You can also add hanging pots on ground hooks for a different and lush feel.




SOLAR LIGHTS

Solar lights and decorative items add enjoyment to your patio time. Not only do we enjoy the glow when we're sitting on the patio in the evenings, but even when I'm in the house and look out at the patio in the dark, those soft glowing lights are welcoming. This solar cat is a new addition to our patio this year and glows blue!




HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS


Each spring I look forward to hanging hummingbird feeders. It might take a little while for them to put you on their trail, but they'll find the feeders. Especially if you plant phlox, zinnias, coneflowers and hummingbird mint in your gardens. It's an amazing sight to be sitting on the patio and having the hummingbirds flit from flowers to feeders. They're beautiful, happy little essences of nature.

FLOWERS


Around the patio I try to plan gardens with blooming times in mind. I like to always have something blooming. In the spring, we go from daffodils and tulips to poppies and roses. Zinnias, marigolds and snapdragons see us through the summer.

FOUNTAINS



Fountains can give a peaceful feel to your patio. Again, I like to invest in the solar variety. We don't have our fountains on the patio itself, but close by in the garden where we can hear them. Fountains attract birds and hummingbirds.






ORNAMENTS

Come spring, I hang an ornament...just for the fun of it... in the garden or from an overhang. It usually involves a lot of sparkle with beads.


PATIO FURNITURE

Patio furniture can add pizzazz to your patio. But it doesn't have to be new or expensive. A can of spray paint can work wonders. Over 40 years ago, my dad gave my mom two patio chairs that are the most comfortable I've ever sat in.  Each year we refresh the color. For the past few years, this bright blue coordinates with the other blues on our patio. That chair gives me a sense of connection to the past.

Each year we refresh our patio with flowers as well as items we've collected over the years. My patio is a space for relaxation and peace and prettying it up is a joyous undertaking each spring. I hope you enjoy your outdoor space as much as we enjoy ours.




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NATHAN'S VOW, Book 1 Search For Love series romance/paranormal  (NATHAN'S VOW on Amazon)

JAKE'S BRIDE, Book 2 Search For Love series romance/marriage of convenience, secret baby  (JAKE'S BRIDE on Amazon)
ALWAYS DEVOTED, Book 3 Search For Love series romance/mystery  (ALWAYS DEVOTED on Amazon)
ALWAYS HER COWBOY, Book 4 Search For Love series contemporary ranch romance (ALWAYS HER COWBOY on Amazon)
HEARTFIRE, Book 5 Search For Love series, contemporary reunion/family romance (HEARTFIRE on Amazon)
CASSIDY'S COWBOY, Book 6 Search For Love series, women's fiction/romance novella (CASSIDY'S COWBOY on Amazon)
HER SISTER, Book 7 Search For Love series, women's fiction with romance and mystery! (HER SISTER on Amazon)




USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 


***************





©2015 Karen Rose Smith