Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Need a #Fall #Romance to Read? Heartfire by Karen Rose Smith is #Free!


Fall is slow in coming this year.  Soon the leaves will be turning brilliant colors.  If you need a romance to read I have two you might enjoy that are set in this season.  And HEARTFIRE, a sweet romance, is FREE!  HEARTFIRE wraps up on Thanksgiving Day.  In my Wyoming-set romance ALWAYS HER COWBOY which is a contemporary sweetly sexy ranch romance, my hero and heroine begin their romance in fall and find their happily-ever-after on Christmas Day.


HEARTFIRE is Book 5 in Karen Rose Smith's Search For Love series. Contemporary, reunion romance with family themes.

"Ms. Smith is one of the best contemporary family drama authors." Harriet Klausner, Reviewer

Tessa Kahill, renowned journalist who traveled the world, is falling in love with her best friend's husband all over again! Tessa and Max Winthrop dated before he met Leslie. But then Tessa left with secrets and dreams to follow her career, and Max married her friend.  With a child and what he considered a "perfect" marriage, Max was devastated when he lost his wife, his son's mother, and Tessa's best friend. A rocky road, a man and woman who are searching for love and a little boy who holds his own secret. They could be a real family if they could all become vulnerable and honest with each other. A heartfire has been burning for years. Will it lead to everlasting love?




ALWAYS HER COWBOY, Search For Love series, Book 4

A sweetly sexy contemporary ranch romance with an old-fashioned flavor but a modern twist.

"For heartwarming, romantic tales of love about realistic people in true to life situations, you can always count on Karen Rose Smith." Jane Bowers, Reviewer Romance Reviews Today 

Once a doctor, Zack goes on the road with his Harley to leave the past behind and find a future. He lost his wife and unborn son. He couldn't save Kay and the powerlessness was as difficult to deal with as his grief. Growing up on a ranch that his parents later lost, Zack heads for a life that once brought him peace. After selling his practice in LA, he finds temporary jobs on western ranches until the work is finished. Then he moves on. Until he arrives at the Rising Star.

On the Rising Star, the McIntyre family accepts Zack into their fold. At first his heart is hard against emotions he doesn't want to feel. But Lucy McIntyre begins to change all that...she thaws his heart and leads him to love and emotional healing. Through this healing, Zack realizes exactly what future he wants. Accepting love in his heart helps him save Lucy's brother and find everlasting love.




Also watch for other contemporary novels, each with a different twist, in KAREN ROSE SMITH's Search For Love ebook, print and audiobook series.

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NATHAN'S VOW, Book 1 Search For Love series romance/paranormal
JAKE'S BRIDE, Book 2 Search For Love series romance/marriage of convenience, secret baby
ALWAYS DEVOTED, Book 3 Search For Love series romance/mystery
ALWAYS HER COWBOY, Book 4 Search For Love series, contemporary ranch romance
HEARTFIRE, Book 5 Search For Love series, contemporary reunion/family romance
CASSIDY'S COWBOY, Book 6 Search For Love series, women's fiction/romance
HER SISTER, Book 7 Search For Love series, women's fiction 
THE WEDDING PROMISE, Book 8 Search For Love series, sweet romance, romantic suspense
FOREVER IN HER EYES, Book 9 Search For Love series, paranormal contemporary sweet romance

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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 95th novel will be released in 2017.

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




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Monday, August 29, 2016

Readying Outside #Cat #Shelters by Karen Rose Smith





It's that time of year to think about shelters for outside stray cats.  We've been feeding a feral stray sibling pair since fall.  But they are still far from being socialized.  We dubbed these two--a tortoiseshell and a yellow tabby--Bonnie and Clyde. They will come into the basement to eat now but not that far in.  If I or my husband move a foot or arm too quickly, they're out the door.  We have cared for feral strays in the winter before. It's a challenging endeavor.  The best scenario this year would be to let Bonnie and Clyde stay in the basement on terrifically cold or bad weather nights.  But as you know, cats don't often cooperate with humans' intentions.  Bonnie and Clyde are spayed and neutered.  Their ears are clipped and I imagine they were caught up in a TNR program as babies. That's one of the reasons they are so scared of humans.  So what my husband and I are going to do is give them options.  Hopefully they'll choose one or two.



We have a patio sunroom that we keep open throughout the year. For winter, we put a shelter and a heated bed inside in one area, a heated pad in another. ExtremeWeatherHeatPad 
 I lay thermal heat pads on the furniture in the sunroom.  Outside over the years we've added different types of shelters.  Those closest to the house have low wattage heat pads inside.  Among them are an igloo and cedar shelters.  If you'd like to consider making a shelter yourself from a cooler, here is a link.  

DIY Shelter

FerralVillaShelter


Ally Cat Allies has pages of prebuilt and DIY shelters to examine, many with instructions. AlleyCatAlliesShelters



One caution about multi cat shelters. Feral and stray cats don't usually like to share.  Our sibling pair might be an exception.  But roaming loners like their own spot to stay safe, rather than sharing a shelter.  



Come fall, as soon as we can get hay/straw bales, we use them as buffers and protection for the shelters against the elements.  Since the flowers are gone and plants don't provide much cover, the bales are also useful on the patio to break the wind. 



Straw is the preferred bedding if the shelter doesn't have a heat pad. Hay, used as animal feed, gets soggy. Straw is sturdier than hay, usually a golden color.  Moisture rolls off of it rather than sinking in. Towels and carpet become damp and mildew.  Cats can nest in straw and it keeps them warm with their body heat. 

Also important in winter are heated water bowls. We notice the strays drink more water in winter than summer because it's harder to find a water supply.  Here is one option we use but many kinds and brands are available.
 Heated Bowl


Keeping these stray fur babies safe is a challenge. Hopefully they'll take advantage of the hospitality.




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Read about Caprice De Luca, her family
 and her penchant for solving murders in 
the Caprice De Luca Mystery series.

Staged To Death
Deadly Decor
Gilt By Association
Drape Expectations
Silence of the Lamps
Shades of Wrath--December 2016




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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 95th novel will be released in 2016.
Karen and Paddy

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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Thursday, August 25, 2016

#Feline #Shadows -- #Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith



This week I snapped a quick photo of Clyde at the basement door. When I looked at the photo, I saw my shadow against the door and thought it was rather unusual. In this case I was the shadow, but I began thinking about how many times during the day both the inside and outside cats shadow me. I look at a shadow as an image without words and while most shadows are devoid of color, my feline shadows are full of color and curiosity.

Bonnie and Clyde, the outside visitors are making slow strides toward wanting to be around us rather than just visiting for morning and evening feedings. They are spending more time on the patio and in the shade of the shrubbery. Now when they hear our voice and or see us on the patio, they come and position themselves where they can watch what we are doing. Bonnie will follow the sounds if we are in the sun room and sit, though at a distance, and watch. She responds to our voices with little meows. I feel she is slowly transitioning from a watcher ready to dash at the smallest unfamiliar movement to actually shadowing us because she is slowly beginning to trust us. 

Both Bonnie and Clyde had a little conversation with my husband as he crouched down to chat with them (of course with treats in his hand!).  


Paddy has always been a "shadower." Although she doesn't like to cuddle or be cuddled, she follows us around the house and likes to settle nearby...just to be with us and observe. She loves to sit by my side on my desk as I work at the computer.  She always seems to know when I am testing a new recipe for one of my mysteries and often wants to get her paws in the action. She likes when my husband does chores around the house and is always by his side. 

This week, the little shadow was instantly on the table in my office when I removed everything to clean and reorganize. Paddy and Halo both were by my husband's side in the bedroom as he flipped the mattress and changed the sheets. 

Zoie Joy decided she was going to help put away the newly purchased groceries and Paddy also offered to "help" hubby change the light bulb in the kitchen ceiling fixture by sitting on the chair when he stepped down to retrieve the new bulb.  

And, of course, Halo is my constant shadow as she spends much of her day nestled next to me on the bed or, when I am occupied elsewhere in the house or outside, at the foot of the bed waiting for my return. Her serenity is as quiet and peaceful as any shadow.    


 Sometimes in the midst of our daily routines it is comforting to look up and see two inquisitive little eyes staring at you. It is priceless to know that someone admires you enough to want to be at your side. Sometimes a gentle touch or caressing pat is all they want in return for the joy they give us. Unlike a real shadow, our furry friends are special little shadows that we can reach out and touch and are full of life and color.



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The Wedding Promise on Barnes and Noble

Nathan's Vow on Barnes and Noble

Her Sister on Amazon

Her Sister on Barnes and Noble

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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 95th novel will be released in 2016.
Karen and Paddy

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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Monday, August 22, 2016

Select Search For Love #Ebooks #99cents by Karen Rose Smith



My SEARCH FOR LOVE series is a combination of romance, women's fiction, a bit of mystery with a touch of the paranormal. The novels are connected by continuing characters--particularly Gillian Moore Bradley who has a gift for finding missing persons--friends, sweethearts, family members. The three SEARCH FOR LOVE selections below are 99 cents for a limited time so my readers can catch up with the story lines before the release of book 9, FOREVER IN HER EYES, which is available for pre-order now.  It's release date is September 12, 2016.  I hope you enjoy them all!


Search For Love series, Book 8 
Women's Fiction/Romance
99 cents!!!

 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.





Search For Love series, Book 1
Sweet Contemporary Paranormal romance
99 cents

When Nathan Bradley's ex-wife disappears with his daughters, he does everything in his power to find them. His private investigator hits a wall and suggests Nathan convince psychic Gillian Moore to help him.

At first, Gillian is reluctant. She'd come to L.A. from Indiana to get lost in the crowd...to escape her gift that sometimes seemed more like a burden. As a manicurist, she is learning to relax again and enjoy life.

But when Nathan makes his plea and shows her a picture of his girls, she knows she must help him.

However, the spark and sizzle between them becomes a fascinating impediment to her progress. Gillian, who was once burnt by a divorced dad, tries to keep her perspective.

But Nathan is a force to be reckoned with. Will her gift lead her to love or heartache once again?





Search For Love series, Book 7
Women's Fiction
99 cents

When Clare Thaddeus' sister was abducted, she was five and her family fell apart.  Now, twenty-seven years later, there's a chance Lynnie could still be alive! Divorced parents, a rebellious daughter, and a devoted sister find their lives in turmoil once again.  

This time, will crisis tear them apart or will forgotten love knit them together once more?

HER SISTER on Amazon




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A cornea transplant and memories from her donor haunt Melanie Carlotti.  A search for answers could bring her true love and a family...or heartache.  


Amazon--FOREVER IN HER EYES ebook @ $3.99


Join in my launch party for FOREVER IN HER EYES on September 12, 2016 at my Facebook Author page!!!



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.
Karen and Paddy

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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