–Amateur Sleuth and Home Stager Extraordinaire!
When I awoke this morning, my to-do list was a mile long! From her bed on the floor, the pregnant stray cocker spaniel I found hiding in my mom’s tomato plants gazes at me with soulful eyes. I reassure her again, telling her I’ll take care of her and her pups. After they are born, I’ll find them great homes. I named her Shasta, because she’s the color of the Shasta daisies growing in my back yard.
My long haired calico cat Sophia–named after my nana’s favorite actress Sophia Loren–stares at me from the pillow beside me. At first she wasn’t thrilled to have a new four-pawed companion, but they’re getting along and even nap together sometimes. They chase each other through my 1950’s style Cape Cod house, but it’s all in good fun.
The humans around me are a lot more complicated. My sister Bella and her husband Joe are suspects in a murder investigation! I’m worried their marriage won’t hold up through this crisis. Feeling unloved, Bella accepted a coffee date with an old high school flame who I often hired to help paint the houses I stage. The problem is– Bella was supposed to meet him at the community center and found him murdered! The police believe both she and her husband Joe have a motive. Somehow I have to figure out who the killer is and clear them.
My most recent client has a penchant for purple! The theme of her home staging, Baroque Bedazzle, brought in prospective buyers from outside of Kismet, Pennsylvania. My sister Nikki, the best caterer on the planet, helped make the open house a success.
Then there’s my romantic involvement with Dr. Seth Randolph, which seems to be getting more serious. However, he seems to be holding back and I don’t know what’s wrong. Grant Weatherford, my brother’s law partner still warns me to be careful with my snooping and seems to be watching over me more than a friend should. Are we just friends? My mom thinks we’re more than friends. My dad and my brother Vince sit at our once a month family get-togethers watching and keeping a close eye on me. Nana offers the best advice which I always take to heart.
Breakfast is calling. Maybe I’ll warm up that blueberry bread I baked using my neighbor’s fresh blueberries!
You can read more about Caprice, her family and her penchant for solving murders in the Caprice De Luca Mystery series—Staged To Death – December 2013, Deadly Décor – June 2014, and Gilt By Association – February 2015, all published by Kensington.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by 6pm EST on June 5, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of STAGED TO DEATH. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Award winning and best-selling author, Karen Rose Smith’s plots are all about emotion. She began writing in her early teens when she listened to music and created stories to accompany the songs. An only child, she spent a lot of time in her imagination and with books–Nancy Drew, Zane Gray, The Black Stallion and Anne of Green Gables. She dreamed of brothers and sisters and a big family like her mother and father came from. This is the root of her plotlines that include small communities and family relationships as part of everyday living. Residing in Pennsylvania with her husband and three cats, she welcomes interaction with readers on Facebook, Twitter and through email at her website.
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Sounds fun, and I LOVE the cover.
Lauigl [ at] Carolina [dot] rr [ dot] com
I enjoyed the first one and I look foreword to reading the new one. Love Nana
Looks like fun and a lot seems to be happening in this story. Thanks for the offer.
Sounds like a fun read. I love animals mixed in the cozies
I enjoyed the preview of the book, but also loved the blurb about the author! I love “plots filled with emotion” and “plot lines that include small communities and family relationships. . .”. This one sounds like it is right up my alley, fingers crossed!
I too dreamed of a big family, so I had one! I loved this Day in the Life.
I would love to win this book.
a definite add for me!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
Lovely cover – thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Colorful cover; thank you for the chance to win 🙂
Love the cover, it would make a great jigsaw puzzle. I was a great fan of Nancy Drew when I was very young too. Can’t wait to read it. Thank you for the chance.
This sounds like a really good book that I will love.
I’ve heard good things about this series. I have the first book on the kindle waiting to get to it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Great cover art and any book with a calico cat must be a terrific book.
Wow!!! So glad to see you all here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’m a definite cat lover. When I started writing about Caprice, more came! Have a great day and thanks to Dru for having me here.
This is a new author for me. Love when there are animals involved in the story, along with the humans
It has some great characters, and I love how the pets get along. It all makes for a great read. Thanks for this chance to win it.
I still don’t think I would like everything purple – even if it is decluttered 🙂
I enjoyed Staged To Death. It has an interesting mystery. I’m looking forward to book two, Deadly Decor!
House stager – that’s a new read for me. Fun cover. Have to check it out.
There seems to be a lot going on in Caprice DeLuca’s life. Cannot wait to read.
Interesting events
I just spent “lunch” with the new stray who is coming to our outside pet feeder. She’s taking her afternoon nap under the gnarled redbud bush that’s like a tent hiding her. BTW, my artists at Kensington have done a terrific job with my covers. Just luv them.
This sounds like a book I really need, thanks for the intro
A penchant for purple and blueberry Bread? Yes, that sounds just about right.
Sounds like this is definitely a book I would just dive into headfirst.
Sounds like a great read.
I sure would like to win that first book in the series. Thanks for the contest. All those animals in the stories just have me hooked.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
This sounds like my kind of book and a great series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I want one!
Sounds like a great read that I would love!
Looks to be interesting!
Home staging sounds like a great theme for cozies, I look forward to checking out Caprice and her adventures!
Caprice and her family have my heart. I just love writing her books. I hope you like them as much.
Great cover, I’m going to put it on my TBR list.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Love the cover so want the book and I need the other 2.
Book 3 will be out in February 2015–Gilt By Association.
I had heard someone mention about this series and how good the first book was, so after reading your review, Dru Ann, I guess it is time for me to order the first book. Thank you so much.
Cynthia
Wow, what a fun post! This is a new to me series, thanks for the intro and chance to win!
I can’t wait to read this book!!
I loved the first book. Looking forward to the rest in the series. elisanabby at gmail dot com
i loved Love In Bloom and Staged to Death, looking to more from karen
Marcy–writing romance and mystery are very different but I’m having fun incorporating a little romance into solving the puzzle.
sounds like I need this person at my house!! Need to get this series.
I want to thank Dru again for having me here.
Mysteries are always interesting.
Love the colorful cover. I enjoy decorating so this perks my interest. Sign me up for the giveaway, please.
Enjoyed Staged to Death! Looking forward to Deadly Decor with anticipation!
This sounds like a super-fun cozy series! I miss my dear departed cocker mix’s soulful eyes; the only animal currently in my life is a semi-feral cat who seems to have adopted my family. Pets like Sophia and Shasta add a lot of flavor to a mystery story. I’m curious to learn how Caprice helps resolve Bella and Joe’s dilemma.
Thanks Karen for introducing us to Caprice.
Contest is closed.