Visiting Our Grand #Kitties--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

We have just returned from a trip half way across the country to visit our son and our grand kitties. While it is tough to leave our own feline crew behind, we were fortune to have a wonderful house sitters, my bff and her daughter, who tried to keep Paddy, Halo, Zoie and London on their regular schedules. Our felines seemed to have enjoyed the extra attention they received, although it didn't take Halo and Zoie long to reclaim their spots next to me on the bed when we returned.

Willow

Our son's felines, also rescues, seemed glad to see us.  Since they are home alone when our son is at work, Joey and Willow enjoyed the extra activity and soon settled for their afternoon naps despite the interruption to their schedule.  Willow is the social one and quickly settled next to my husband or I for a massage. My cozy mystery sleuth Caprice De Luca's cat Sophia is modeled after Willow. She is a beautiful long-haired calico and is every bit as lovable in real life as Sophia is in my mystery series. She loved our shoes and followed me around the house, even into the shower! 

Joey

Fifteen-year-old Joey, on the other hand, is much more independent. As soon as I settled on the living room recliner, she jumped on my lap for a quick appraisal and a short massage. Then she was off to her special chair for to watch the proceedings on her terms. 

Joey has had a lot of medical problems this past year, but seems to be doing well. She is our son's soulmate and a simple meow will signal him to vacate the chair he is sitting on for her to settle for her afternoon nap. She was glad for our company but preferred the passive role of observer rather than actively engaging us for attention. She did immediately take to the catnip turtle I had tucked in my suitcase for her. 

Willow inspected our bag before we left! But I don't think she was considering coming along. She likes her life with her sister and cat dad.  Cats might like company and some extra attention.  But they also enjoy, like humans, getting back to their regular routine.

May all your travels be happy ones!

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

You can read about Caprice, her pets, 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

Caprice De Luca Home Staging

 Mysteries on Amazon

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

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

Fran's Yummy Baked #Apple #Recipe from DRAPE EXPECTATIONS by Karen Rose Smith

In the fall, the foods I cook and bake start changing from those I make in the summer.  I try new soup and casserole recipes in main courses and turn to spices I love best for baking.  One of my favorite spices is cinnamon.  I use it in this apple casserole. This casserole can be served as a side dish with dinner or for dessert.  I developed this recipe for my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery DRAPE EXPECTATIONS.  My sleuth and her family like to cook as much as I do.  There are recipes included in each novel.  Enjoy Fran's Yummy Baked Cinnamon Apples! 

Fran's Yummy Baked Cinnamon Apples       

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

6 cups sliced apples (I use Granny Smith!)

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp flour

2 tbsp butter

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup water

Slice apples and measure into a large bowl. Pour 1/4 cup water into 2 quart casserole.  I use one with a lid. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon and flour in a small dish, then pour over the sliced apples and coat them.  Blend in walnuts.  Pour all into the casserole. Slice the butter into thin pats on top. Cover the casserole.

Bake at 350 degrees about 45-50 minutes until apples are tender and can be pierced easily with a fork. Stir the apples before serving to coat more evenly in the cinnamon syrup.

Makes 4-6 servings, depending on how much your guests like apples!  And for dessert, you can top the apples with whipped cream or ice cream. YUM.

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

DRAPE EXPECTATIONS, Book 4

Caprice De Luca's former client and now friend Ace Richland--an 80's rock star--asks her for a favor.  Can she quickly stage his girlfriend's house to sell?  Widow Alanna Goodwin, a transplanted Southern beauty, will be moving in with him!  Immediately Caprice realizes Alanna's southern charm can be turned on and off at will.  Caprice agrees to stage Alanna's Kismet antebellum-styled mansion for Ace's sake.  But she soon learns Alanna doesn't have a genuine love for her cat Mirabelle and also uncovers a plot her new client is hatching to sabotage Ace's comeback.  However, before she can tell Ace, Alanna is murdered and Ace is the prime suspect.  

As Caprice investigates, she learns Alanna had more secrets than pie safes.  With her Cocker Spaniel Lady by her side, she tracks down clues and adopts Alanna's cat.  In the midst of some of her own family upheaval--her uncle has moved in with her parents--she finds herself with a dilemma.  Grant Weatherford, her brother's law partner, advises Ace and reveals more of his past to her.  Seth Randolph, the doctor she dates, wants her to meet his family.  She must choose between them.

Danger stalks Caprice.  Will her refresher self-defense course save her life?  Only if she keeps her wits about her and Lady by her side.

DRAPE EXPECTATIONS on Amazon

DRAPE EXPECTATIONS 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. 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. 

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 



Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

©2015 Karen Rose Smith

Celebrate #Teachers on World Teachers' Day by Karen Rose Smith

Did you have a teacher who led you in the right direction? Who inspired you? Who pulled the best from you?  October 5 is World Teachers' Day and a time to celebrate those teachers who meant something to us.

I went to a Catholic high school. My English teacher, Sister Grace Agnes, pulled me into dramatics club, taught me the value of vocabulary lessons, and gave me a love of language that I've always carried with me. She challenged me and encouraged the skills that I now use every day of my life to write, to edit, and to plot my novels. 

I became an English teacher. I taught ninth and tenth grade as well as second and sixth. Later in my career, I especially enjoyed working as a lay editor with another English teacher to encourage creative writing skills in high school students. My mother was an inner city elementary school teacher for 25 years. My husband was a librarian and teacher for 40 years. I know how hard teachers work and how much they care.

October 5 is a day to celebrate this worthy profession and say "Thank you," for lessons learned, characters built, and careers realized.

Who was your favorite teacher? Who gave you life skills you are using now?  Feel free to share in the COMMENTS. 




Graphic from Grammarly.com

Be sure to check out Grammarly's Plagarism Checker by clicking HERE 

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

In my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series, my sleuth mother is a high school English teacher...just another way I incorporated my family background into my mysteries!

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

NOW AVAILABLE--DRAPE EXPECTATIONS, book 4

Caprice De Luca's former client and now friend Ace Richland--an 80's rock star--asks her for a favor.  Can she quickly stage his girlfriend's house to sell?  Widow Alanna Goodwin, a transplanted Southern beauty, will be moving in with him!  Immediately Caprice realizes Alanna's southern charm can be turned on and off at will.  Caprice agrees to stage Alanna's Kismet antebellum-styled mansion for Ace's sake.  But she soon learns Alanna doesn't have a genuine love for her cat Mirabelle and also uncovers a plot her new client is hatching to sabotage Ace's comeback.  However, before she can tell Ace, Alanna is murdered and Ace is the prime suspect.  

As Caprice investigates, she learns Alanna had more secrets than pie safes.  With her Cocker Spaniel Lady by her side, she tracks down clues and adopts Alanna's cat.  In the midst of some of her own family upheaval--her uncle has moved in with her parents--she finds herself with a dilemma.  Grant Weatherford, her brother's law partner, advises Ace and reveals more of his past to her.  Seth Randolph, the doctor she dates, wants her to meet his family.  She must choose between them.

Danger stalks Caprice.  Will her refresher self-defense course save her life?  Only if she keeps her wits about her and Lady by her side.

DRAPE EXPECTATIONS on Amazon

DRAPE EXPECTATIONS on Barnes and Noble

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

STAGED TO DEATH, book 1

Caprice De Luca  stages houses for high-end clients. When she discovers a body in the castle-mansion she staged to sell and starts asking questions, she finds herself in danger. On the way to solving the murder, Caprice's large Italian family helps and hinders. She also finds romance with Dr. Seth Randolph. But does her brother's partner, attorney Grant Weatherford, care about her, too? Or is he just worried she'll get herself killed and her family will blame him?

Enjoy solving the mystery with Caprice, cook along with her, see her find homes for the stray animals she protects, be a part of the De Luca family...in STAGED TO DEATH.

STAGED TO DEATH on Amazon

STAGED TO DEATH on Barnes and Noble

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

DEADLY DECOR, book 2

Quiet Kismet, Pennsylvania, may look like any other small town, but as a home stager, Caprice De Luca can see behind closed doors--and it seems someone has designs on murder. . .Life is a full house for Caprice these days. She's dating, she's rescuing adorable cocker spaniels, and she's decorating the roomy interiors of Kismet's most well-heeled residents with fun fantasy themes. But she's worried about her pregnant sister. Bella's marriage is coming apart like a bad wallpaper job, and to make matters worse, she's decided to meet up with a former flame Bob Preston, a house painter Caprice frequently employs. When he's found dead in a pool of green paint swirling with blood, it's time for Caprice to stage an investigation. With all eyes trained on Bella's husband, Caprice shifts her attention from finding the perfect curtains to finding the perfect culprit. . .

DEADLY DECOR on Amazon

DEADLY DECOR Barnes & Noble

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

GILT BY ASSOCIATION, book 3

Caprice De Luca's latest house staging is all about hearts, flowers, lace and chintz since Valentine's Day is around the corner.  She never expects her client to be murdered in the greenhouse the day of the open house.

With her six-month-old pup Lady by her side and her own love life in disarray, Caprice ferrets out clues from the victim's best friend, Caprice's mother, the housekeeper and a special male friend who insists his relationship with the victim was platonic.  However, as Caprice digs deeper, she finds the victim's past is filled with secrets that she kept from her husband for thirty years.

The past isn't merely history.  The present isn't always what it seems.  When hearts are involved, passion and even murder aren't far behind.

GILT BY ASSOCIATION on Amazon

GILT BY ASSOCIATION 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. 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.

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 



Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

©2015 Karen Rose Smith

#Cats This Week--Posing by Karen Rose Smith

I have picked up my watercolor paint brush again to find a relaxing pastime away from social media and writing. It's "me" time and what better subjects to use than the family furry crew? This week I finished a portrait of Paddy and Halo doing what they do best...snuggling together. It seems word got around and now all the felines are posing to be the subject of my next project.  

Paddy in one of her more "adult" moments.

Halo poses in one of her few "awake" moments.

London poses in a "contemplative" moment.

Zoie unknowingly poses during her afternoon nap. 

Sunnybud poses in a "protective of my space" moment. 

Of course, Paddy was her usual curious self, always ready to explore anything "new."  She loves deliveries from UPS, high places and for some reason, this week, the kitchen counter.  I think she was watching the fruit bowl carefully to warn us of fruit flies that sometimes appear.  As you can see below, she did take time to "smell the roses"...or was she just trying to figure a path to escape with the bloom when no one was looking?

Zoie and Paddy were intrigued watching hubby through the living room as he was working in the front gardens.

Zoie also tried to disprove the theory that a square peg can't fit in a round hole! Despite her size, she still loves to sack out in small spaces.

And, of course, Halo slept through most of it!

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

FINDING MR. RIGHT BOXED SET 1
 on Amazon

FINDING MR. RIGHT BOXED SET 2
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. 

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 



Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

©2015 Karen Rose Smith

#Cats This Week--#Family by Karen Rose Smith

Life was disrupted in the Smith household this week...but in a good way.  Our son traveled from across the country to spend the Labor Day weekend with us. We don't realize how regimented our life is by daily routines until the routines are changed. More feet on the floor, strange sounds from electronic devices, late night football on TV, guests for a cookout, all affected sleeping, napping and eating schedules for the cats. 

But good things happened too. London appeared from her usual upstairs rendezvous to observe the downstairs activities and was more sociable. She seemed to like being in the same room with the other cats and our son.  Zoie retreated to the closet when she needed "space" but was her usual affectionate self with everyone.  Paddy seemed the most affected by sounds and sights she had never experienced. But she adjusted to sounds of football coming from the TV as well as another set of feet in my office.  Halo was least affected and ate and slept as usual.  As soon as the house returned to "normal" after our son's departure, the felines also slowly returned to their daily routines...Paddy to her antics, London to her upstairs retreat, Zoie to her favorite chair and Halo to her morning (and afternoon...and evening) naps.                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                          

Paddy plays among my
slippers and caftan
which she pulled from a chair.

Caught in the act, Paddy "eyes" a rose bud on top
of the wall curio cabinet.

Paddy watches for Halo to walk by before she
heeds the "lunch" call and later becomes alert
when she hears the buzz of an uninvited fly.  

London makes a rare downstairs appearance
to observe the weekend activities.

Zoie retreats to my bedroom closet to find some "space".

Despite all the disruption of routines over the holiday weekend, Sunnybud and Halo both found moments of quiet solitude. Observing their peaceful countenance can be both inspirational and comforting...and a lesson for us all that we too need those moments of quiet and peace in our lives.    

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NATHAN'S VOW on Amazon

NATHAN'S VOW on Barnes and Noble

Also now on sale at $.99 for a limited time on Amazon!

KIT AND KISSES on Amazon

KIT AND KISSES in Audiobook format

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

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. 

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 



Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

©2015 Karen Rose Smith