Friday, June 23, 2017

Karen Rose Smith Hosts Sweet #Southern Hearts by Susan Schild




My friend, author Susan Schild, asks this good question: Why should the twenty and thirty-year-old heroines get to have all the romance and adventures in novels?

In her latest heartwarming novel, Sweet Southern Hearts, you’ll meet forty-year-old new bride Linny as she adjusts to married life with her hunky veterinarian husband, her standoffish stepchild, and their seven dogs. When Linny reluctantly agrees to join her mother and two sassy senior girlfriends on a free-wheeling RV adventure to Dollywood and Graceland, you’ll not believe how much trouble  - and fun - women “of a certain age” can find.

Join Linny and the “girls” for a heartwarming story about love, adventures and happily ever afters at any age. 

Share your thoughts.  What age heroines do you like to read about?  






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

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!




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

Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen  
every Thursday on the 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, June 15, 2017

#Feline Daddy Watching--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith


I've always had pets, both in my childhood home and on the farm that my parents owned with my uncle. My husband, on the other hand, did not grow up with furry pets in his childhood home...only a parakeet. So when we married, he was open to the idea of having a cat. He even added a second cat to the mix shortly after when a fellow teacher brought some long-haired strays to school. Those two furry friends were with us well into their late teens. But, since hubby was gone most of the day at work, the cats were mostly my companions.

We had other felines after that but it wasn't until we had moved to a more rural area that my husband's attitude toward our furry family began to change. We had adopted two cats (half-sisters) from a friend's farm. Since I was at home all day (writing), I particularly bonded with one of the adoptees. The other seemed to sense our bond and sought my husband's attention to compensate. However, he was still working and had limited time to spend with the cats.

As he neared retirement, we found Zoie Joy in an outdoor shrub and there was no doubt she would be added to our furry family. There was something about rescuing a 1 1/2 pound kitten and nursing it to health and then adopting it that seemed to touch hubby's heart. Zoie Joy would often jump on his lap at night when he was working at the computer and they developed a special bond.

But after hubby retired and we rescued a pregnant stray who conveniently appeared in our backyard, witnessing the birth of her kittens touched us both in a special way. He now had more time to devote to raising the furry family and now they, along with two sibling strays that are daily visitors, occupy much of our time and attention. We still have the farm rescue who had "adopted" him and they take a daily nap together. Often when he leaves to run errands or is just working in the yard, the cats are at loose ends and watch carefully until he returns.  And in the case of Bonnie and Clyde, they often wait outside the door until they hear him in the basement and they jump through the cat door to greet him. This week's photos capture some of those special moments.




So, although our son is half of a country away, there are plenty of furry felines who are ready to wish their human daddy Happy Father's Day.  

       
********************

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!




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

Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen  
every Thursday on the 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, June 8, 2017

#Felines Rule!--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith


Recently we bought a new sofa for my office. The old one was over twenty years old and had seen its share of cats scratching at the corners until the fabric was hanging in shreds. Needless to say, I was very protective of the new sofa, doing everything I could to protect it from cat claws and cat fur. I added a throw over the seat and propped the cushions I had kept from the old sofa in front of the new one to detract feline claws.


The cats are doing pretty well, using their familiar scratching pole that I positioned next to the new sofa rather than scratching on the new fabric. The throw somewhat served its purpose until one afternoon my husband was going to sack out on the recliner portion of the sofa, only to find Halo and Paddy conveniently positioned right where he planned to sit. The cats and I have him trained well because he decided, rather than disturb the peace, he would settle on the chair next to the sofa to watch TV.

Hubby has learned that no seat in the house is "his" seat. Although we have provided condos and sleeping mats for the furry members of our family, they often seem to prefer the comfort of people furniture. And if a feline is sleeping in my husband's favorite chair, the look they offer in appeasement almost always decides who will keep their resting spot. Hubby has even been known to kneel in front of the computer because Paddy has settled on his desk chair. She does often reach out her paw as he types to touch him and offer her thanks.


This week's photos all capture felines in people furniture. It made me chuckle to imagine the photos that a cat would post of their masters sleeping on their feline furniture! 


Hubby's intention was to change the kitchen
light bulb!

Hubby was about to prop up his feet on the ottoman!

Paddy got to try out the new patio rocker first.

Even Bonnie and Clyde occasionally choose our
patio furniture over the cool grass.
 

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

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!




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

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, June 1, 2017

#Felines on the Patio--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith



After a long patch of cool wet weather, we finally had a few sunny days this week. Much of the gardening had come to a standstill as we waited for the ground to dry so we could get into the gardens to prepare them for this year's planting. 

We took advantage of the wet and cool snap by preparing the patio pots and transplanting the seedlings I had started in our basement into larger pots so they would be ready to be planted outdoors when the weather cooperated. As soon as the sun reappeared this week, my husband began work on the vegetable garden, tilling it and adding new soil. The tomatoes will be planted by the end of the week and then the flower gardens will get some much needed attention.

Bonnie and Clyde, our outside sibling felines, have also been waiting patiently for the arrival of warmer weather. Throughout the recent cooler and wetter days, they have continued their winter schedules, usually arriving around 5:00 p.m. for their evening meal and then staying the night in the basement. 

They did enjoy the patio whenever we had a peak of sun or a slightly warmer day. But this week, they shifted into their summer routine. They started to lie in the shade of the willow tree and sun themselves on the patio. Clyde was spotted napping comfortably on top of the hay bales surrounding the igloo shelter. Last evening, after enjoying the 80 degree temperatures, they ignored our evening feeding calls and continued to laze around the yard until the sun had relinquished its hold and darkness was setting in. They came in for a late feeding and stayed the night. 



We are creatures of habit and had developed a daily schedule around Bonnie and Clyde, but now we have to adjust our that schedule to fit the whims of the felines' warmer weather preferences. I'm just glad to know that they still want to come to a safe place to spend the night after an adventure-filled day of hunting, exploring, sunbathing and napping in the shade.
         

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

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!




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

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