A #Feline New Year--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

This time of year we look forward to New Year's Eve. Our son flies home and friends gather at our home for an evening of conversation and games. We're not sure how the fur babies will react to a house full of guests. So far during the holidays, Halo is usually serene, sleeping or sitting close by. Zoie is the most sociable. To our surprise Paddy has been hiding for a while until she gets used to the idea of more people in the house. London stays upstairs. Tonight we'll safeguard Zoie, Paddy and Halo by settling them in my office until everyone arrives and eats. Then we'll open the office door and let the kitties decide if they'd like to join us. 

Hoping you and yours have a healthy, happy new year! 

London says, "I hope this party isn't going to
interfere with my nap and meal times!

Halo says, "I'm going to try to stay awake
 until midnight!

Zoie watches as the guests arrive!

 

Paddy wonders why everybody is wearing those
funny hats and making all that noise.

Sunnybud makes his
grand arrival at the party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Smith Felines!

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NATHAN'S VOW on Amazon

NATHAN'S VOW 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 91st 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. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

New Year's Eve, A #Celebration With #Tradition by Karen Rose Smith

I look forward to New Year's Eve as much as I do Christmas. 

New Year's Eve tradition began the first year after I married.  That year was filled with so many firsts--a committed life together, the possibility of a pregnancy, holidays different from before. For that first New Year's Eve my husband and I celebrated with my college roommate and her boyfriend. We toasted midnight in our shabbily fixer upped apartment with affordable rent that was near my husband's relatives. It was an evening of college remembrances and good times and hope.  For a couple of years we celebrated with my husband's family...or alone with a new baby. Then my former college roommate found her life partner and an unbreakable tradition began. Every year for the past forty years (except one or two because of ice and snow), we have spent New Year's Eve in each others' homes. 

 For about the past twenty, the celebration has been at our home because our son flies in from wherever he is and friends of his in our area reunite with him. Another college friend of ours usually joins us and recently our new neighbors do too. Children are welcome. Along with conversation we play games like Scattegories and Mancala. We provide main courses for the buffet table but everyone contributes food and there is always plenty.

Before we watch the ball drop on Times Square, we talk about lessons learned in the year gone by and hopes for the new year. We laugh, we share, we learn how we are changing as we grow older.  We discuss our fears, our plans, the dreams we still want to fulfill.  That's what New Year's Eve is all about for us--togetherness, camaraderie, past memories and a toast with hope for the year to come. 

I love having my husband at my side, my son at home and friends nearby.  This is the reason I look forward to New Year's Eve every year as much as I do Christmas. 

Do you have a New Year's Eve tradition?

 Feel free to share it in the comments. 

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 91st 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. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store


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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter