A Day in the Life with Caitlin Hart by Kathi Daley

Mar 21, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Grimms Furry TailI wake to the sound of rain hitting the roof of the seaside cabin I call home. I slowly open my eyes and lean onto one elbow as I assess my situation. My kitten Emily is sleeping under the covers with her head leaning against my thigh, while my dog Max is asleep atop the covers. Both animals begin to stir as they sense my wakefulness.

I glance out the window next to my bed. The sky is dark and the sea, which on a clear day is visible from my current vantage point, is masked in a shroud of clouds and fog. I uncurl myself from the tangled mass of limbs and pull back the covers. I roll out of bed and begin my morning routine.

I let Max out the side door, toss a match on the fire, and start a pot of coffee. I fill Emily’s food and water dishes and, once the coffee is done, I fill my favorite Garfield mug. Emily follows me to the sofa, where I curl up with my coffee and the quilt Aunt Maggie made for my birthday. I find that at times life is hectic and unpredictable. My morning routine, however, is comfortably habitual to the point of being static. I find that it is these small rituals that keep me grounded when everything else in my life is spinning out of control.

I sip my coffee and close my eyes. I feel a sense of contentment as the warm liquid slides down my throat and warms me from the inside. I listen to the predictable rhythm of the waves as Emily begins to purr in synchronicity. Max, who has wandered back in through the side door, curls up at my feet, and I allow myself a few peaceful moments before the hectic day begins.

I can remember my dad telling me that as long as you begin and end each day with a moment of quiet reflection, you will be able to deal with everything that comes your way. My usual routine is to quietly drink my coffee in front of the fire on cold days or on the front deck overlooking the ocean during the warmer summer months. Once I am fully awake, I take Max for a run on the beach so that we can both receive the fresh air and exercise we need.

At the other end of the day, as the sun sets over the horizon, I watch the whales breaching in the distance and thank God that I have been blessed with my own piece of paradise. I love living on Madrona Island, with its white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. I love Coffee Cat Books, the bookstore/coffee bar I own with my best friend Tara. And I love Harthaven Cat Sanctuary, the rescue operation my aunt and I founded to shelter the feral cats who live on the island. But most of all I love that I share my life with others who are tethered to the island with roots planted as deeply as my own. Life on Madrona Island is much like a continuum. Generations flow one into the next, creating a community of friends who are family, and family who are friends.

You can read more about Caitlin in Grimm’s Furry Tail, the third book in the “Whales and Tails” mystery series, published by Kathi Daley Books. The first two books in the series are Romeow and Juliet and The Mad Catter.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 27 for the chance to win a paperback or Kindle copy of Grimm’s Furry Tail–winner’s choice. The print giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The kindle copy is open to everyone. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.

About the author
Kathi Daley lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and Bernese mountain dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she Kathiisn’t writing, she likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese), and garden (planting and planning, not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she’s not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.

Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Stay up to date with her newsletter, The Daley Weekly. There’s a link to sign up on both her Facebook page and her website, or you can access the sign-in sheet.

Visit Kathi on her Webpage

Facebook at Kathi Daley Books / Kathi Daley Teen / Kathi Daley Books Group Page / Kathi Daley Books Birthday Club (get a book on your birthday) / Kathi Daley Recipe Exchange

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60 Comments

  1. Mary Jane Hopper
    Mary Jane Hopper on March 21, 2015 at 1:13 am

    Wow, I’d better get to reading so I’m ready for book 3 in this series. I haven’t even started Romeow and Juliet!

  2. MaryB
    MaryB on March 21, 2015 at 1:19 am

    Love this series! Looking forward to reading this new addition to the series. Thanks for the chance to win.

  3. Joan V.
    Joan V. on March 21, 2015 at 1:49 am

    I love this series. I need to finish reading so I can get to this one. It’s already on my wish list.

  4. kuzlin
    kuzlin on March 21, 2015 at 1:52 am

    I enjoy this series, as well as her other ones too! Thanks for the giveaway.

  5. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on March 21, 2015 at 2:19 am

    Thanks for the opportunity to win
    Grimm’s Furry Tail. Added to my to read
    List.

  6. candace knight
    candace knight on March 21, 2015 at 3:10 am

    I love this series. Can’t wait to read this one. Thank you for the chance

  7. Nancy Roessner
    Nancy Roessner on March 21, 2015 at 3:11 am

    This book is on my have-to-read list. Doesn’t island life sound lovely?

  8. Jen
    Jen on March 21, 2015 at 5:55 am

    I have been looking forward to reading Grimm’s Furry Tail, and the cover is cute! Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

  9. sallycootie
    sallycootie on March 21, 2015 at 6:12 am

    Another great series by Kathi. Love the characters and the location. Thanks.

  10. Gram
    Gram on March 21, 2015 at 6:39 am

    She writes so fast. I hope to catch up someday.

  11. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on March 21, 2015 at 7:30 am

    great book, thanks for the chance 🙂

  12. Cheryl Noem
    Cheryl Noem on March 21, 2015 at 7:50 am

    This really sounds good.

  13. Beverly Guy
    Beverly Guy on March 21, 2015 at 7:53 am

    What a cute cover on this book….love it….looking forward to reading this awesome book!!! Love Kathi Daley’s books. Thanks!

  14. Betty W
    Betty W on March 21, 2015 at 9:22 am

    Great review and contest! When I see Kathi Daley’s name on a book, I know it’s going to be a great book! Thank you!

  15. Debbie S
    Debbie S on March 21, 2015 at 9:35 am

    I have started this series and am loving it. Thanks for the chance to win.

  16. Patricia
    Patricia on March 21, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Thanks, Dru and Caitlin/Kathi! I love the title and cover! I need to get started, on this series.

  17. Robin Coxon
    Robin Coxon on March 21, 2015 at 10:07 am

    I am sure this book will be as great as the prior two in this series. Kathi Daley is a great author.

  18. Linda
    Linda on March 21, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Great series! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the newest book.

  19. Amy Gill
    Amy Gill on March 21, 2015 at 10:26 am

    I’m always up for a new Kathi Dailey read.

  20. marylouh
    marylouh on March 21, 2015 at 10:55 am

    ready for another Kathi Daley book – need it in print though.
    thanks

  21. Elaina
    Elaina on March 21, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Great series. Thanks for this giveaway.

  22. Sha
    Sha on March 21, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Thanks for the giveaway! I love this series!

  23. Sandy Duncan
    Sandy Duncan on March 21, 2015 at 11:15 am

    This is great.thanks

  24. Karen A
    Karen A on March 21, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Another awesome series by Kathi Daley!!!!!

  25. Rita Wray
    Rita Wray on March 21, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Sounds like a great read.

  26. Daniele K
    Daniele K on March 21, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Thanks for the giveaway. This whole series is in my TBR stack.

  27. Ruth Nixon
    Ruth Nixon on March 21, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    Would really enjoy adding this 3rd book in the series as I’ve become a big fan of Madrona Island and all the people that live on it..

  28. John Mazur
    John Mazur on March 21, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    I haven’t read any in the series yet, but I can start here and work backwards. Thank you, Dru and Kathi, for the chance to win this giveaway.

  29. Would love to have this one.
    Would love to have this one. on March 21, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    Would love to have this one!

  30. Laura
    Laura on March 21, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    Loved the first book in the series and would be great to win this one as well. Thanks for the chance.

  31. Libby Dodd
    Libby Dodd on March 21, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    This sounds delightful. I look forward to reading it.

  33. carlrscott
    carlrscott on March 21, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    Sounds like a great place to live. I’m sure we could all use a little of that. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Grimm’s Furry Tail.

  34. Barb Wiesmann
    Barb Wiesmann on March 21, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    Oooo, I’d love to win (paperback, please!)

  35. Barbara Dorsam
    Barbara Dorsam on March 21, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    I’d love to visit Madrona Island!

  36. Betsy Lewerenz
    Betsy Lewerenz on March 21, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Would love to win this – love the series. I’ve enjoyed reading all your books. Appreciate the giveaways that you offer.

  37. Sharon Braswell
    Sharon Braswell on March 21, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    What a “cozy” setting! I was instantly relaxed, from reading the excerpt! Love to win!

  38. Sharon Forrest
    Sharon Forrest on March 21, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    Can’t wait to read this!

  39. Betty Jo English
    Betty Jo English on March 21, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Even though I have been born and raised near the ocean, living in the mountains is my passion. Would love a book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Bettyjo.English@gmail.com

  40. Wanda downs
    Wanda downs on March 21, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    Love your books

  41. Cynthia E. Blain
    Cynthia E. Blain on March 21, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    I am in awe of the amount of books that Kathi is putting out since I have found her as one of my new favorite authors. Just started Romeow…and it is so cute/good. I would very much like to win this book, the third in this series. Thank you for entering me.

    Sincerely,
    Cynthia E. Blain

  42. Anita Yancey
    Anita Yancey on March 21, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    It sounds like a great series. I love the book cover, and would enjoy reading it. Thanks for having the giveaway.

  43. Taryn Lee
    Taryn Lee on March 21, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    This is a truly fun and wonderful series, love it.

  44. Sue C
    Sue C on March 21, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Love her books.

  45. Sandy Hemsher
    Sandy Hemsher on March 21, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Kathi is the most generous author. She not only offers her followers plenty of opportunities to win books and merchandise, but the monthly Kindle giveaway is fantastic. I. Have a few friends who cannot afford a tablet and have then reading Zoe and entering the contest. That is a kind thing to give a person. Love her other 2 series. Would love to runaway and live on an island!!! This series helps me dream it!!!

  46. conniepsaunders
    conniepsaunders on March 21, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    I enjoy cozy mysteries and I love this book cover. This sounds like a great read!
    Thanks for this review and giveaway,
    Connie

  47. blueeyedbat72
    blueeyedbat72 on March 21, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    This series looks like fun. I would love to read them.

  48. Patricia Allen
    Patricia Allen on March 21, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    Book looks great can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win.

  49. Victoria
    Victoria on March 21, 2015 at 11:52 pm

    I love Kathi Daley books! Haven’t started this series yet though.

  50. cyn209
    cyn209 on March 22, 2015 at 12:48 am

    A series I need to start….
    Thank you for the giveaway…..

  51. Rachel Mustain
    Rachel Mustain on March 22, 2015 at 2:59 am

    Sounds like a wonderful book. I am adding it to my to be read list.

  52. Kween Kim
    Kween Kim on March 22, 2015 at 3:16 am

    I would be very excited to read Grimm’s furry Tails. Right up my alley, LOL

  53. Melody Gonser
    Melody Gonser on March 22, 2015 at 3:31 am

    You write so many different books. Thank you for the giveaway

  54. Donna McCoy
    Donna McCoy on March 22, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    I hope to be a winner. Thanks for the giveaway.

  55. Maggie
    Maggie on March 22, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    Love how this book starts…I want MORE! Would love to win this! Thanks for the chance!

  56. bookwoman
    bookwoman on March 23, 2015 at 4:48 am

    I enjoy this author. Happy to see a new series.

  57. rochf
    rochf on March 23, 2015 at 11:25 am

    Nothing better than cats and coffee in a mystery.

  58. Judy
    Judy on March 24, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    Fairly recently I discovered Daley. I’m ready for my second book.

  59. Yifat C.
    Yifat C. on March 24, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    Would to win this. I just got the first two in this series and am really enjoying it. Thanks for the chance!

  60. Dru
    Dru on March 27, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    contest is closed.