THE WEDDING PROMISE by Karen Rose Smith, Women's Fiction/#Romance #Release Day

This book has been a long time coming!  Reader email led me to write this novel.  My readers wanted a continuation of the Thaddeus family's saga.  I don't want to give too much away.  But THE WEDDING PROMISE is a woman's fiction/romance novel about the power of love--couple love and friendship love. 

Throughout my SEARCH FOR LOVE series, there has been a light paranormal theme.  That is continued in THE WEDDING PROMISE. 

I hope you enjoy reading about independent women, couples who find true love and friendship that can last a lifetime.

Best,
Karen

PREVIEW of THE WEDDING PROMISE

Beth Crandall has known trauma. Kidnapped from her birth family when she was three, abandoned at a mall by her kidnapper a few months later, traumatic amnesia has prevented memories from plaguing her as she was adopted and ushered into a "normal" life. But a twist of fate reunited her with her birth family recently and now she's attempting to move forward in a way she couldn't before.

As a teenager, Beth's face was scarred in an attack at a group home where her best friend lived. Now Beth is seeing a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Benedict, so he can removed the scar. Sam volunteers his time to the foundation Kids Cause which sends doctors all over the world to help children. Sam, who came from an abusive home, feels children need to be listened to and fixed. He and Beth connect on a deep level from the first moment they meet.

Beth has believed a romantic relationship is impossible for her given her background. But during integration into her birth family and throughout a search for her teenage best friend, Sam remains by her side. He helps to heal more than the scar on her face. Neither of them realize that Beth's search for her friend with the help of psychic Gillian Bradley (continuing character from other SEARCH FOR LOVE books) will land them in a fight for their lives.

 THE WEDDING PROMISE on Amazon

Sequel to HER SISTER

Release Date:  June 1, 2016

Facebook Launch Party: June 1, 2016

 on Karen's Facebook Author Page

THE WEDDING PROMISE will also be available in print and audio book formats

after its June 1 launch.  Watch for details.

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

Karen and Paddy

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 95th novel will be released in 2016.

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. 

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

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

©2016 Karen Rose Smith

What #Memorial Day Is About For Me by Karen Rose Smith

Memorial Day is just that--a day full of memories. It's a holiday that brings back pictures and vivid recollections.

My Dad

For my first few years, my parents and I lived in my grandfather's house with him and my aunt. In the living room  on a side table sat the induction photos of my dad and his brothers who were in the service. My uncle Johnny died in World War II. I remember studying those photos, not only when I lived there, but after my parents built a house next door and I ran in and out of my grandfather's house often. The sanctity of keeping those pictures on that table is something I will never forget.


These photos of my dad and my father-in-law hang on the wall in our house now.

My Father-In-Law

Another vivid memory is cutting irises and peonies with my mom and arranging them in Mason jars to take to the cemetery. My dad had a Country Squire station wagon and we would load up the back of it with the flowers. My aunt and grandmother accompanied us. The cemetery then was in an out-of-the-way location and I remember all the memorial stones were quite elaborate--from angels to five-foot-high tablets with inscriptions. After we arranged the flowers at each grave of a loved one who passed, we would say a prayer. Sacred times and sacred memories.

Memories of the Vietnam conflict are strong too. I lost classmates in that "war" and I'll never forget the lottery as my husband and I waited for the news of his number and whether or not we'd be able to marry sooner rather than later. One of my most moving moments was to visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. when I was writing a book that contained some of our personal story. That Memorial is like a church and always brings tears.

Memorial Day also brings back memories of family get-togethers around the dining room table or in the backyard, weather permitting. The holiday was a family time. This Memorial Day weekend we will be hosting my BFF and her daughter and enjoying talk, laughs and cat stories with them.

Memories can be bittersweet but also filled with rich, deep meaning that's like a shield around my heart, reminding me always what's important, what's lasting and what matters most--the love of family and appreciation of the values I hold dear.

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

HER SISTER on sale on Amazon

HER SISTER on sale on Barnes and Noble

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

Karen and Paddy

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 95th novel will be released in 2016.

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. 

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

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

©2016 Karen Rose Smith

A Play Date With #Stray #Felines Bonnie And Clyde--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

Stray cats Bonnie and Clyde are ready for summer! Already they're enjoying the gardens that are rich with catmint.

As "summer" rapidly approaches, finally Pennsylvania has been treated to warm weather. It seems that we instantly jumped from winter to summer, with temperatures boomeranging from 50 and wet to 80 and sunny in a day. The mad rush is on to plant the vegetable and flower gardens. We grilled our supper last night on the patio and can finally spend some time relaxing there. Hopefully our outside feline stray duo, Bonnie and Clyde, will start to join us there other than at feeding times. Clyde is a watcher and will sit at a distance and observe my husband working in the garden. Bonnie is more of an explorer and needs to be sure her environment is in order. Neither have allowed us to touch or pet them yet, but they certainly enjoy their camaraderie with each other. When we feed them, we can get within about 3 feet if we stay still and just watch.

One day this week, Bonnie and Clyde caught my attention as they played in the yard and under our corkscrew willow tree. I just kept snapping pictures of their recreation time and thought I would share the sequence of photos with you this week.   

I hope your summer is filled with many playful and fun moments shared with those you love!

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THE WEDDING PROMISE

Book 8, SEARCH FOR LOVE Series

Sequel to HER SISTER

Release Date:  June 1, 2016

Facebook Launch Party: June 1, 2016

 on Karen's Facebook Author Page

Beth Crandall has known trauma. Kidnapped from her birth family when she was three, abandoned at a mall by her kidnapper a few months later, traumatic amnesia has prevented memories from plaguing her as she was adopted and ushered into a "normal" life. But a twist of fate reunited her with her birth family recently and now she's attempting to move forward in a way she couldn't before.

As a teenager, Beth's face was scarred in an attack at a group home where her best friend lived. Now Beth is seeing a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Benedict, so he can remove the scar. Sam volunteers his time to the foundation Kids Cause which sends doctors all over the world to help children. Sam, who came from an abusive home, feels children need to be listened to and fixed. He and Beth connect on a deep level from the first moment they meet.

Beth has believed a romantic relationship is impossible for her given her background. But during integration into her birth family and throughout a search for her teenage best friend, Sam remains by her side. He helps to heal more than the scar on her face. Neither of them realize that Beth's search for her friend with the help of psychic Gillian Bradley (continuing character from other SEARCH FOR LOVE books) will land them in a fight for their lives.

Pre-order THE WEDDING PROMISE on Amazon

THE WEDDING PROMISE will also be available in print and audio book formats

after its June 1 launch.  Watch for details.

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

Karen and Paddy

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 95th novel will be released in 2016.

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. 

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

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

©2016 Karen Rose Smith

A #Spring #Garden in Pennsylvania by Karen Rose Smith

Spring has been slow coming to Pennsylvania this year. I can count on my hands the number of days with sunshine instead of rain! Still plants will grow and the landscape has turned unbelievably green. 

Irises like this weather!

Blooming in spite of the weather in this wet Spring are the irises. The pink with purple are my favorites.

I started geraniums and impatiens from seeds in January and heirloom tomatoes from seed in March. Inside on a heat pad and under a grow light they grew hardy. 

The impatiens are blooming. Now the problem is needing to place them in the patio sunroom and on the porch. But with nights still going down into the 30's until last week, they have stayed in the basement, especially at night, where they are safe. 

Columbine, Forget-Me-Nots and Pansies like the cool and wet Spring. The variegated sage has grown hardy too. I placed a few pots I planted on the patio with hope they can survive the rain. For the few nights in the low 30's, I covered them.

My hubby gifted me with this bird feeder that is fashioned of old glassware. I couldn't wait to put it in the ground. We planted a few snapdragons around it because we knew they'd be hardy in this type of Spring.

A Weigela and bird bath made from old glassware

After the next few days of more rain, we're supposed to have sun and 70 degrees for 3 or 4 days. Yes, I've turned into a weather buff this year. I'm hoping by Memorial Day the gardens will be awash with sunshine and flowers, plants and herbs will be adding color and scent to all of the gardens.

Two of our regular strays

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

HER SISTER on sale on Amazon

HER SISTER on sale on Barnes and Noble

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

Karen and Paddy

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 95th novel will be released in 2016.

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. 

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

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

©2016 Karen Rose Smith

#Feline Thinking "In The Box"--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

A common catchphrase that is used often when we are encouraging somebody...or ourselves...to be creative and find an out-of-the-ordinary or unique solution to a problem is "think out of the box." Sometimes we become so entangled in our own thoughts and ideas that it is like being trapped in a sealed carton. We need to break through those seals and escape "the box." On the other hand, our feline friends seem to do some of their best work "in the box." 

Whenever a mail delivery arrives, our furry friends await at our feet to claim the box. Perhaps there is safety in the corrugated walls or comfort in the confined area, but they definitely prefer to be "in the box." Occasionally a tiff will occur when more than one cat wants possession of the newly arrived cardboard fortress. Then the wisest thing is simply to remove the carton altogether. I often wonder just what they are thinking as they settle into their new "digs." Paddy and London are the most persistent in claiming a new arrival. Then as persistent as they were, suddenly the box is empty and everyone loses interest.    

When I recently purchased corrugated scratching houses for our inside cats, they all had to try out the inside before catching on to the true purpose of the structure--scratching. London became possessive and I felt the only solution was to purchase another so the vacant spaces could be more easily shared. Ironically, Halo was the only one who thought about the outside of the box and has made the roof her daily scratching pad. London and Zoie prefer to sit in the box structure and Paddy is the outside onlooker and agitator.

Paddy strives for the box effect in other areas of the house.  She prefers the tent effect of the towel rack or under the carpeted cat stairs where she is safe but can observe all the goings-on. 

Even Bonnie has been thinking "in the box!" On a recent visit she sat next to the litter box in the basement which has remained untouched since she and Clyde have been visiting us each morning and evening. After pondering awhile she moved "in the box." Now if we could just teach her to use the box rather than sit in it! 

On the other hand, Bonnie has been thinking "out of the bowl" this past week. After she and Clyde step inside for the morning and evening meals on the placemat right inside the basement door, I have been setting a second dish halfway between me and the placemat. Bonnie has be venturing over to the second dish. I am waiting for the moment when she thinks "out of the dish" and into my hands for a gentle petting. Patience is so hard when they are so darn cute and I want to scoop them into my arms and hug them.   

And, even Halo enjoys an occasional respite in the confines of the base of the kitchen cat condo. It's obvious that our furry friends like to watch the outside world from "in the box." They will gladly let thinking out of the box to humans!  

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


THE WEDDING PROMISE

Book 8, SEARCH FOR LOVE Series

Sequel to HER SISTER

Release Date:  June 1, 2016

Beth Crandall has known trauma. Kidnapped from her birth family when she was three, abandoned at a mall by her kidnapper a few months later, traumatic amnesia has prevented memories from plaguing her as she was adopted and ushered into a "normal" life. But a twist of fate reunited her with her birth family recently and now she's attempting to move forward in a way she couldn't before.

As a teenager, Beth's face was scarred in an attack at a group home where her best friend lived. Now Beth is seeing a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Benedict, so he can remove the scar. Sam volunteers his time to the foundation Kids Cause which sends doctors all over the world to help children. Sam, who came from an abusive home, feels children need to be listened to and fixed. He and Beth connect on a deep level from the first moment they meet.

Beth has believed a romantic relationship is impossible for her given her background. But during integration into her birth family and throughout a search for her teenage best friend, Sam remains by her side. He helps to heal more than the scar on her face. Neither of them realize that Beth's search for her friend with the help of psychic Gillian Bradley (continuing character from other SEARCH FOR LOVE books) will land them in a fight for their lives.

Pre-order THE WEDDING PROMISE on Amazon

THE WEDDING PROMISE will also be available in print and audio book formats

after its June 1 launch.  Watch for details.

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

Karen and Paddy

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 95th novel will be released in 2016.

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. 

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

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

©2016 Karen Rose Smith