Thursday, June 11, 2015

#Feline Friday--Karen Rose Smith's #Cats This Week 6/12


This week seemed to be a week of the Smith felines (mostly Miss Paddington!) getting "into" things. Paddy's curiosity is neverending.  She has more energy than her mother and housemates. At times it seems contagious as Halo, Zoie Joy and Paddy partake in lively jaunts throughout the house. London mostly tolerates the activity, but at times has even been pulled into the "fun."  

Miss Paddington gets "into" a good book or my Ipad!

Paddy decides to get "into" the new litter box
before it is filled with litter.
Paddy and Halo discuss who will be
the first to try out the new litter box.


Paddy loves to cuddle "into" my caftan.





















Paddy gets "into" a rather contorted,
but comfortable sleeping position.
Zoie sits atop the gas-burning stove,
deciding what to get "into" next. 
 Fortunately it's summer!
Zoie Joy rests "in" a new bed
that has been sitting vacant
for months, waiting for
someone to discover it. 
Paddy and Zoie get "into" the cat grass.
Zoie lays first claim.

London is ready to dig into her lunch...served,
of course, on the bed!  We're trying to encourage her to eat more.

Arthur rests, looking at if he has laid claim
to the entire yard.

Sunnybud slips "into" the sun
porch as he waits for breakfast.


And, of course, Halo rests peacefully "in" her
favorite spot...with Paddy close by her side.

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In my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series, my sleuth Caprice takes in stray cats and dogs and finds them forever loving homes!












GILT BY ASSOCIATION on Amazon

GILT BY ASSOCIATION on Barnes and Noble


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



Karen's Search For Love Series Website





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. 


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©2015 Karen Rose Smith



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Monday, June 8, 2015

What Can A Cover Reveal? Clues! DRAPE EXPECTATIONS, Cozy #Mystery by Karen Rose Smith




Receiving the cover of my next cozy mystery release is always exciting.  The fun is looking for the clues on the cover that reveal some of the happenings in the novel.  Here are five clues leading to the plot of  DRAPE EXPECTATIONS!  It's amazing what clues a cover can reveal.


Southern flavor on this cover.
The house that Caprice stages in DRAPE EXPECTATIONS is owned by Alanna Goodwin. Alanna has been dating rock star legend Ace Richland for a few months but now their bonds are becoming serious. So Alanna is going to sell her plantation-style mansion that her deceased husband built for her and move in with Ace. Alanna is a Mississippi-bred mint julep with bite. Maybe Ace will discover that fact the hard way.

A white Persian cat
Alanna's cat, a beautiful white Persian named Mirabelle, plays a role in this mystery. She is more than just another stray for Caprice to mother.

Lilies around felines?
See those lilies on the table? As feline pet owners know, lilies can be lethal to cats. Why does Alanna have them in her house? Maybe she "owns" a cat but doesn't really care for her.

Draperies and murder!
When Caprice stages Alanna's mansion, she wants to eliminate the heavy draperies. However, Alanna doesn't agree. That could be a huge mistake. Isn't one of the tiebacks missing?

Season of the year
The scene outside the window with hydrangeas blooming expresses the summer landscape. This is the mystery where Caprice makes a romantic choice that can change her life.

Can you find any more clues?  There is one more that has to do with the name of Alanna's estate.

I hope you have a fun and emotional time reading my latest cozy!

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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 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. 


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©2015 Karen Rose Smith

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

#Feline Friday--Karen Rose Smith's #Cats This Week 6/5


The first week in June has been a relatively quiet feline time in the Smith household. Aside from Miss Paddington's obsession with plastic bags--she will grab one right out of our hands, regardless of its contents and take off through the house with it--there have been no new crises or needed interventions this week. Although it is becoming apparent that the feline population is not respecting the "for humans only" rule regarding kitchen surfaces. Could some feline behavioral therapy be needed to remedy the problem?  

London sneaks a counter-top snack
when Paddy is otherwise distracted.
Zoie watches from the kitchen counter as
Paddington and Halo race through the kitchen.






Paddy decides she likes my serving tray before
I can find a place to store it in the kitchen.

Paddy's favorite spot--on top of the refrigerator--gives
her a panoramic view of the kitchen.

Paddy takes a rare moment from one of her energetic
escapades to quietly reflect...probably on which
of her furry sisters she wants to bother next.

Sunny stops in the vegetable garden to see if any
of the tomatoes have blossoms yet before he heads
out for the evening.

Sunnybud enjoys some of the garden
scenery while he waits for his
morning meal.



And Halo sleeps quietly...dreaming of how lucky she is
to have finally found a forever home.

Until next week...

Karen
******************
In my Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series, my sleuth Caprice takes in stray cats and dogs and finds them forever loving homes!












GILT BY ASSOCIATION on Amazon

GILT BY ASSOCIATION on Barnes and Noble


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



Karen's Search For Love Series Website






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. 


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





©2015 Karen Rose Smith

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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Karen Rose Smith Hosts Heidi Hormel and her first #romance for Harlequin American--THE SURGEON AND THE COWGIRL



Heidi Hormel and I have known each other for years.  It just so happens we are both animal (especially cat) lovers.  I'm so happy to invite her to my blog today to talk about her first published romance for Harlequin American Romance.  Heidi, take it away!


How a pony took over my story

I am a cat person (a.k.a. minion to feline overlords). That’s not a secret so why isn’t there one danged cat in my debut novel The Surgeon and The Cowgirl? Dunno. But there is an overly cute pony named Molly who somehow went from one scene to multiple scenes to showing up in my second connected book, The Convenient Cowboy (out Aug. 4).

The real-life Molly: This pony, who lives
at Shining Stars Therapeutic Ministeries 
in Gettysburg (the inspiration for Hope's 
Ranch), is just how I pictured Molly.
Molly, however, does have some cat-like attributes—her disdain for obeying the human in her life and a diva-like expectation of adoration. While I never had a pony growing up—despite my constant begging—I did get to ride and interact with an irascible pony on my aunt and uncle’s farm. His name was King and he had attitude to burn.

The trouble was that when King first came to the farm, he was ridden quite a bit but as time moved on and we all started growing up, King did not get the work outs he needed. As a result, he decided that carting us around was not on his to-do list. He would buck us off, bite, kick, do whatever necessary for
us to leave him in the field.

Molly is much nicer in the book than King was but her sassy temperament is all him.

That’s the other reason that Molly is the cat of the pony world—that sass! My cats have always been lap cats with just a dash of diva attitude (or maybe divo attitude for the boys?).

Along with Molly in my second book, there’s also a javelina (something like a wild pig) named Petunia and a deaf puppy who needs a home. Of course, there are also a couple of horses with a lot of personality.

Ho Ho Betsi: Betsi,
my very own feline overlord,
is not shy about sharing her
opinion on cats wearing hats.
I guess I let the animals take over because isn’t that what they do in our lives. Not that I would admit this to many people, but the arrangement of furniture and various window treatments are for the feline overlord’s pleasure.

What about you? Do you sleep on only a sliver of the bed so your fur-kids are comfortable? Or maybe you turn on the A/C extra early in the season to keep them at the perfect temperature? Let me know. I’m always looking for four-legged inspirations!

Heidi Hormel has been a writer for … well, a long time. Before embarking on a career of living in a suburban garret with a recliner and a computer, she was a reporter (covering the story of the rampaging elephants Debbie and Tina) and a PR flunky (staying calm in the face of cookie gate). Her first two (published) novels are from Harlequin American Romance: THE SURGEON AND THE COWGIRL (available now) and THE CONVENIENT COWBOY (out Aug. 1). Visit her online: HeidiHormel.net; Facebook, Heidi Hormel, Author; Twitter, @HeidiHormel; and Pinterest, HHormel.






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THE SURGEON AND THE COWGIRL on Amazon

THE SURGEON AND THE COWGIRL 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. 


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





©2015 Karen Rose Smith

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Sunday, May 31, 2015

Cream Puff Cake Sundae #Recipe by Karen Rose Smith




I've been making this dessert for years because it's a favorite and friends ask for it (particularly their kids) again and again.  It's especially good for picnics but delicious any time of year. With a homemade puff pastry base, peanut butter, cream cheese pudding and chocolate fudge topping, how can you go wrong?  I hope your family enjoys it too.

CREAM PUFF CAKE SUNDAE

1 cup water
1 stick margarine (1/2 cup)
1 cup flour
4 eggs

Bring the water and margarine to a low boil. Stir in the flour until it forms a ball. Remove from the heat.

COOL SLIGHTLY--about 10 minutes. If you don't let this mixture cool, your eggs will scramble in the dough!

Stir in the eggs one at a time after the batter mixture is slightly cool.

Slightly grease a 9 x 13 inch cake pan and spread the batter over it.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, then at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

COOL COMPLETELY.


FILLING
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (melted in microwave--I do it 30 seconds at 1100 watts)

 After base pastry is baked and COOLED, then dribble melted peanut butter over it and refrigerate while you make the rest of the filling.


2 (3.4 oz. boxes) vanilla instant pudding
3 cups whole milk  (If you use whole milk, the dessert shouldn't get watery if you serve it the next day.)
1 (8 oz.) package softened cream cheese
8 oz. Cool Whip
Hot fudge topping--I use Smuckers. (1/4-1/2 cup melted in microwave for 20-30 seconds--1100 watts--so it's easy to dribble.)

In a large mixer bowl, combine the pudding mix and milk until thickened.  Add the softened cream cheese until smooth. (If the cream cheese isn't soft enough, you might get little lumps. But it's still good!) Spread this over the COOLED puff pastry with the peanut butter layer. Top it all with 8 oz. of Cool Whip and refrigerate.  Melt hot fudge topping and drizzle it over the Cool Whip before serving! Feeds a bunch. 





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. 


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





©2015 Karen Rose Smith



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