Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Thursday, December 14, 2017

#Felines Sleep in Heavenly Peace--#Cats This week by Karen Rose Smith


The other day when I was listening to Silent Night, one of my favorite Christmas carols, some of the words made me think of my furry family.

All is calm...
Sleep in heavenly peace...

When I watch the felines sleep, a sense of peace and contentment fills me that helps me escape the stresses of everyday life and appreciate the simple things that overshadow the complexities of the outside world. I truly appreciate that I can find that peace, not just at the holiday season, but throughout the year. My Christmas wish for you is that you will be filled with much love and an abundance of peace each and every day of the new year.     

Below are photos of the Smith family felines sleeping calmly and dreaming of Greenies and Little Friskees!

Halo has always been a beautiful sleeper.
 
Miss Paddington prefers to find a quiet
spot to herself for an afternoon nap.

Paddy always rests best in the
arms of Halo, her mama.
 
Zoie prefers her special pad next to my pillow.

Freya is totally at peace in both of these photos.

Zander varies his napping positions.
 

London spends most of her senior days napping.

Bonnie and Clyde seek the warmth of the sunshine
on sunny days when the temperatures are slightly warmer.

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Coming December 26
A new cozy mystery series
Daisy's Tea Garden Mysteries

MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES
Book 1


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




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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 Zander

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

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Thursday, November 9, 2017

Dreams Do Come True--My Book Is A Movie by Karen Rose Smith




I couldn't be more excited.  When my editor at Harlequin told me that Brain Power producers had bought His Country Cinderella to make into a movie, A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS, I couldn't believe it.  This was a dream come true.  During my entire twenty-five year career, I have dreamed of seeing my hero and heroine on the screen.  At first we didn't know if the project would go forward.  But then I received the script.

When a book is made into a movie, it's not exactly the same.  My hero and heroine have the same qualities they did in the book--compassion, integrity, and the ability to fall in love.  Jeannette, who is a single mom, has a little girl instead of a little boy.  (I think girls play better!)  Zane is still a country singer.  Several scenes are similar to the book's scenes.  However, this wasn't a holiday book and now it is.  And I love that because Christmas stories have that extra sparkle.








Of course, I googled the actors and actresses and found they had many credits. Greyston Holt is a Canadian actor, known for his role as Ray Prager Jr. in the TV series Durham County, as Emerson Hauser in the Fox series Alcatraz, and as Clayton Danvers in Space series Bitten.  He began playing the guitar in high school.







 Bea Santos is Jeannette, a single mom who acted in Murdoch Mysteries (2008) and Coconut Hero (2015), as well as Stockholm (2018).


Greg Vaughan who plays Billy, Zane's agent, was born in Texas.  He has acted in Malibu Shores, and Beverly Hills 90210.  He has played Dan Gordon on Charmed, as well as Diego on The Young and the Restless, the role of Lucky Spencer on General Hospital, and guest roles on Will and Grace.

Michelle Morgan who plays Zane's agent in the movie, is a favorite actress of mine best known from the Heartland series.

Deanna Carter is a country singer.  She plays Jolene, a good friend to Zane and Jeannette. Her voice brings Christmas magic to the movie.




The movie was shot in beautiful Alberta where the weather even cooperated and snowed at the proper time!



Dreams do come true!!!


Trailer for A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

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NOW AVAILABLE!

Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery #7

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially now that Caprice De Luca has wrapped up her holiday-themed staging gig at a stunning historic home in downtown Kismet, Pennsylvania. Behind all the red ribbon and glowing string lights, homeowners Chris and Sara Merriweather have it all. But Chris, a Vietnam vet who plays Santa every year at the community park, has been displaying strange behavior after a recent trip to Washington, D.C.

The joy of the season vanishes entirely when Chris is found murdered on Santa Lane, leaving behind his loyal malamute and lots of unfinished business. As Caprice uncovers hidden secrets in Santa's workshop, the pressure is on to catch the candy cane-wielding culprit--before she's next on a killer's deadly wish list . . .

SLAY BELLS RING on Amazon

SLAY BELLS RING 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 Zander

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

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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Release Day--SLAY BELLS RING by Karen Rose Smith



Hi, readers! I'm so excited to announce my new release to you. SLAY BELLS RING, my seventh Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery is a holiday cozy. It is available in print and ebook. I hope I have captured the warmth of the holidays and multi-faceted characters, as well as sentiments of the season.

The Santa cabin in SLAY BELLS RING is based on the cabin in Hanover, PA where both my husband and son visited Santa when they were children.










The Merriweather's house that Caprice stages looks something like this! 











The dog is SLAY BELLS RING plays an important role. His name is BLITZ and he's a white Malamute.










Join me for my Facebook launch party on October 31 from 7 to 9 P.M. EDT.  There will be chat, prizes and details about SLAY BELLS RING.  Click on this link  Karen Rose Smith's FB Author Page to attend the party!!!



Preview of SLAY BELLS RING

Christopher and Sara Merriweather have the perfect life.  They are selling their beautiful historic home that Caprice De Luca stages with the theme Christmas Delight. They plan to downsize.  Their grown children are in the vicinity and their craft shop is doing well.  Blitz, the white Malamute Chris rescued, is always by his side.  A Vietnam veteran, Chris has come to terms with his PTSD and even plays Santa Claus.  When he is murdered at the sleigh on Santa Lane not far from Santa's cabin, everyone is shocked.  (Blitz may have seen the murderer.)  As Caprice delves into the Merriweathers' lives, she discovers more than one secret. 

Click on the link below to read an additional blog entry by Karen
every Thursday on the 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
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Thursday, December 29, 2016

#Felines Wrapped in #Holiday Spirit--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith


One of the fun aspects of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is the opening of presents. And, needless to say, the Smith felines were in the middle of the activity. As the wrapped packages arrived in the living room, Halo and Paddy made prompt appearances to check them out, probably hoping to detect the scent of fresh catnip among the wrappings. Halo gave them a quick smell test and then went on her way, unimpressed with the beautiful wrappings.

Paddy, on the other hand was not so easily convinced there was nothing there to interest her.  She was enamored by the unwrapped gifts and distracted by the mountains of unfamiliar items surrounding her. She was particularly taken by hubby's new garden tool stool. I'm not sure Zoie will be as curious about my new Victrola once music starts streaming from the speakers.

Unlike previous years, the wrapping paper and ribbons didn't seem to grab their attention this year. We were very careful to quickly discard the wired ribbons and foil papers to avoid any unnecessary emergency vet visits. But even the tissue paper didn't hold their attention like the brown packing paper that had been in so many of the mailing boxes with gifts that had been ordered online. They loved jumping into that stiffer brown paper and skidding across the floor onto the paper as they chased the laser light.

Although Paddy remained in the midst of the commotion while the last of the gifts were unwrapped, Halo and Zoie quickly tired of the change in routine and settled down for long winter's naps  Their peace and quiet will be disrupted again by the arrival of friends we will be welcoming on New Year's Eve. 

  I wish you all health, joy and peace in the new year.



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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. Her 97th novel will be released in 2017.
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. 




©2016 Karen Rose Smith

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

A #Feline Christmas Wish--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith


As I prepared for the arrival of Christmas this year, I was, of course, "helped" by all my furry babies. In the busyness of all the preparations, it is so easy to become perturbed and irritated by all the "help." But as I stepped back and watched the feline antics, I soon realized that if I, like my pets, live in the moment, I would enjoy the season much more. 

 So this year I attempted to enjoy all the little things...the beautiful decorations that brought back memories of Christmases past, the wonderful smells of holiday baking, the joy in the eyes of someone opening a package that I had wrapped...and ignore the list of everything that needed to be done before December 25. I snapped some photos as the cats and I enjoyed preparing for the holiday festivities.     

"I like the new Christmas throw. I hope
you weren't planning to use it!" (Zoie)

"But these bells are going to jingle
every time the door opens. I hope you
 don't plan to interrupt my nap! (Zoie)

"This garland is all tangled up. I'll help
untangle it!"  (Paddy) 

I thought Santa  Claus came down
the chimney, not the stairs!"  (Paddy)

"Did Santa lose his cap going down
the chimney?" (Paddy)

"You know I don't like hats. How long is
this photo session going to last?" (Halo)
 
"How did Santa fit in this bag?" (Paddy)
So Christmas may come and go and everything that I had done in previous years may not be a part of this year's celebration, but, thanks to a lesson from my furry family, I have enjoyed the little things that make the holiday special. My wish for everyone is that you have the opportunity to enjoy the little things in your life, because, in the big picture, they are the things that truly matter. 

"Don't bother waking me if Santa comes.
I'll open my presents when I wake up." (Halo) 
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NOW AVAILABLE!






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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 97th novel will be released in 2017.
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. 



©2016 Karen Rose Smith

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