Thursday, May 25, 2017

#Writing and Working With #Felines In The Room--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith



When our cat Zoie Joy was a baby, she lived in my office for a while and then spent nights there. Zoie was only 1 1/2 pounds when we found her in our backyard and for the first three months, she was usually on my shoulder or lap wherever I was working. 

Zoie
Three years later, Paddy aka Miss Paddington was born in a storage bin under my desk that had been prepared for her mom Halo.  Halo had been living in my office for a month before Paddy and her siblings were born. So Halo already considered it home. For the next three months, Paddy and her littermates took over my office with their wonderful shenanigans. After I found homes for Tia and Mason, Paddy's siblings, we integrated Paddy and Halo into the rest of the house with our inside cats, Zoie and London.  But at night, we still put Halo and Paddy to bed in my office.  Over two years later, that's still where they spend the night.

Paddy

Halo and Paddy consider my office as "theirs." Paddy especially spends most of her time there. She often helps me with whatever task I'm about. I have to admit there are cat treats in my desk drawer and Paddy knows it. She can be awfully persuasive so I give her a few before I continue working.
After Paddy is satisfied I've given her enough attention, she settles close by, both on high perches and on the floor to watch whatever I check off my to-do list next. 

Halo isn't as energetic as Paddy about interrupting me.  She'll lay close by or as in this photo, check over my work or contracts!
HALO, Paddy's Mom
None of our cats like closed doors.  Zoie often waits outside my office in the morning until Halo and Paddy join her.

Our senior cat London used to spend time in my office too.  But now that's she's blind, she spends most of her time upstairs. When she's downstairs, we accompany her, using our voices to guide her. She and Zoie have a bond and they have the run of the house at night while Halo and Paddy are sequestered in  my office.

Paddy often guards the door to my office. If Zoie happens by, they play or chase each other.  Zoie seems to be able to get along well with anyone. 
So the big question is-- "Do I find the cats distracting to have them in my office with me?"  There are distractions and then there are distractions. These cats are my kids. Usually they are content to just be near me which I don't find a distraction at all.  When they do demand attention, it's often at a time when I need a break from the computer or editing...to stretch and remember that life is about comfort, joy and the friendship and unconditional love of cats.


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Coming in January 2018
(Now available for pre-order)

Daisy's Tea Garden Mysteries
A new series from Karen Rose Smith


Murder With Lemon Tea Cakes

In an old Victorian in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Daisy Swanson and her aunt Iris serve soups, scones, and soothing teas to tourists and locals—but a murder in their garden has them in hot water . . .
 
Daisy, a widowed mom of two teenagers, is used to feeling protective—so when Iris started dating the wealthy and not-quite-divorced Harvey Fitz, she worried . . . especially after his bitter ex stormed in and caused a scene at the party Daisy’s Tea Garden was catering. Then there was the gossip she overheard about Harvey’s grown children being cut out of his will. Daisy didn’t want her aunt to wind up with a broken heart—but she never expected Iris to wind up a suspect in Harvey’s murder.
 
Now the apple bread and orange pekoe is on the back burner while the cops treat the shop like a crime scene—and Daisy hopes that Jonas Groft, a former detective from Philadelphia, can help her clear her aunt’s name and bag the real killer before things boil over . . .
 
Includes delicious recipes for Iris’s Lemon Tea Cakes and more!




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Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen  
every Thursday on the Cozy Chicks blog



Cozy Chicks Blog


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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. This award-winning and bestselling author will have her 100th novel released in 2018.  At present she is working on two mystery series for Kensington Books--Caprice De Luca Home Staging cozies and Daisy's Tea Garden mysteries. From time to time, she also writes romance for Harlequin Special Edition.
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 and does watercolor paintings 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. 




©2017 Karen Rose Smith








Thursday, May 18, 2017

Our Senior Special Needs Cat--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith


London, our sixteen-year-old senior feline, is now a special needs kitty. We rescued London when a friend who lived on a farm told us that one of their barn cats had delivered a litter in their shed. She was the half-sister of Ebbie who we had also brought home from the same farm. Ebbie and I had made an instant connection when we were visiting our friend who lived on the farm. I knew I had to bring her home. So when the same mama cat delivered a second liter, I knew one of her kittens would be the perfect companion for Ebbie. We spent time with London in the shed until she was old enough to bring home. But Ebbie and London's personalities were definitely different and London sensed my special bond with Ebbie and she sought my husband's affection.

After Ebbie passed almost three years ago, London was the senior cat in the house. She and Zoie Joy, another rescued kitten we brought in the house after finding her in a bush in the backyard, always got along and respected each other's territories. But when Halo and the kittens were introduced into the mix, London became much more territorial and we chose to keep her separated during the day.  When Halo and Paddy retreat to my office at night, London has the run of the house with Zoie...a system which seems to work in everyone's best interest.

About two years ago, we noticed that London, always a robust cat, was losing weight. We had her
tested and her blood results revealed that she had stage two kidney disease. We changed her diet and she did well, maintaining her new weight over the next two years. Then a few weeks ago, she stopped coming down at night after Halo and Paddy went to my office. Her eyes always seemed to be fully dilated. Fearing blindness, we made an appointment with the vet who confirmed our suspicions. He did a blood pressure reading and blood work. Her blood pressure was high and her blood work showed stage three kidney disease. The vet suggested an ace-inhibitor which could help the blood pressure and stress on the kidneys.  

Never an easy cat to medicate, we were concerned about giving London daily meds, but the vet was able to find a compounding pharmacy that prepared her meds in a chicken-flavored oil suspension solution that required only a .2 ml oral dose. London has been on the meds for about two weeks. She has been an excellent patient and her numbers have minimally improved. She has adapted well to her blindness and we have made some changes in how we approach her and speak to her so as not to startle her.

Caring for a senior feline is much the same as caring for an aging loved one. I can only hope that some day if I require special needs attention that I will be as accepting as London.  Thank you London for the valuable life lesson!





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The stray cat that my sleuth, Caprice De Luca rescues in GILT BY ASSOCIATION, the third book in my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series, is based on London. Valentine is adopted by Caprice's Nana and also appears in later mysteries in the series.


Caprice De Luca Home Staging series, Book 3


Between training her new puppy, helping her sister with her baby, and searching for the perfect vintage dress for Kismet's Valentine's Day dance, home-stager Caprice De Luca has a lot on her to-do list. But she's never too busy to do a little staging, and she's looking forward to thawing February's frozen real estate market with her Hearts and Flowers Open House. Her client Louise Downing's romantically decorated home practically staged itself. But when Louise is found murdered, Caprice is forced to turn her attention from sweethearts to suspects. And as the truth comes out in stages, she discovers that Louise had more secrets than a box of chocolate truffles. . . 


GILT BY ASSOCIATION on Amazon

GILT BY ASSOCIATION on Barnes and Noble



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Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen  
every Thursday on the Cozy Chicks blog



Cozy Chicks Blog


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


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. This award-winning and bestselling author will have her 100th novel released in 2018.  At present she is working on two mystery series for Kensington Books--Caprice De Luca Home Staging cozies and Daisy's Tea Garden mysteries. From time to time, she also writes romance for Harlequin Special Edition.
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 and does watercolor paintings 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. 




©2017 Karen Rose Smith









Thursday, May 11, 2017

A Happy #Feline Mother's Day--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith



Once a mother...always a mother! Mother's Day made me think back over all of the beautiful moments and memories of Halo's pregnancy, the birthing of her kittens and her role as a mother. Witnessing her giving birth to three beautiful kittens and her devotion as a new mother was an experience I will always treasure. 


Even though Miss Paddington, her first-born kitten that we adopted along with Halo, has grown into a beautiful adult feline, they still share a special bond. The photos below celebrate that bond...one that I hope everyone can share with their own mothers...whether it be in person or through memories of times past.






















Happy Mother's Day!  










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Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen  
every Thursday on the Cozy Chicks blog



Cozy Chicks Blog

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

NOW AVAILABLE



Wendy Newcomb, director of the Kismet women's shelter Sunrise Tomorrow, is thrilled when the shelter receives a legacy.  She hires Caprice to decorate the mansion to serve women who need more than an overnight port in a storm. But in her drive against domestic violence, Wendy has made enemies and is murdered. Caprice finds herself in danger once more as she asks questions and even calls on St. Anthony for inspiration to solve this murder mystery.


SHADES OF WRATH 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. This award-winning and bestselling author will have her 100th novel released in 2018.  At present she is working on two mystery series for Kensington Books--Caprice De Luca Home Staging cozies and Daisy's Tea Garden mysteries. From time to time, she also writes romance for Harlequin Special Edition.
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 and does watercolor paintings 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. 




©2017 Karen Rose Smith








Thursday, May 4, 2017

I've Got Your #Feline Back--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith






Cats can assume some pretty contorted positions when sleeping. Most felines sleep on their sides, often on guard with their eyes slightly open. Some of my favorite cat photos are my furry babies sleeping on their backs. There are several theories as to why they choose to sleep in what seems an unnatural position for cats. The simplest reason is that they are comfortable. A cat in this position has also been referred to as "a cool cat" because they are simply cooling themselves. Another more medical explanation is that sleeping on the back helps a cat breathe better. That theory could hold some truth because both Halo and Zoie Joy have some respiratory/asthmatic issues and they are the two who most often sleep that way. I like to believe a cat in this position is exhibiting total trust and it is a comforting signal that I am the person to whom they are showing this special display of affection.

I looked back over my most recent feline snapshots and found some of my favorite "I've Got Your Back" photos.      









Having observed how skittish and mistrusting Bonnie and Clyde, our outside feline visitors, can be and how long it has taken to develop even the slightest bit of trust to allow us to touch them, I can certainly appreciate the special bond I share with my inside furry family--Halo, Paddington, Zoie and London. And I feel that sleeping on their back is their way of showing me that they appreciate all my patience and care.  

*****************
Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen  
every Thursday on the Cozy Chicks blog


Cozy Chicks Blog

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

NOW AVAILABLE


Wendy Newcomb, director of the Kismet women's shelter Sunrise Tomorrow, is thrilled when the shelter receives a legacy.  She hires Caprice to decorate the mansion to serve women who need more than an overnight port in a storm. But in her drive against domestic violence, Wendy has made enemies and is murdered. Caprice finds herself in danger once more as she asks questions and even calls on St. Anthony for inspiration to solve this murder mystery.


SHADES OF WRATH on Barnes and Noble


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

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. This award-winning and bestselling author will have her 100th novel released in 2018.  At present she is working on two mystery series for Kensington Books--Caprice De Luca Home Staging cozies and Daisy's Tea Garden mysteries. From time to time, she also writes romance for Harlequin Special Edition.
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 and does watercolor paintings 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. 




©2017 Karen Rose Smith