Drape ExpectationsToday I met my sister Bella at the Koffee Klatch. As a mom of three, she’s juggling being a mom and working part time at our friend’s dress boutique. In addition Bella creates costumes and christening outfits for kids and sells them online. She and her husband Joe are thinking about selling their house and looking for a bigger one. Of course, I’ll stage theirs to sell if they decide to do that. For free. That’s what sisters do.

Seth Randolph, the doctor I’m sort of dating, hasn’t called or emailed for a while. His fellowship at Johns Hopkins in Maryland keeps him beyond busy. I miss his smile and the way we connect. But involved in a long distance relationship a long time ago, I know they’re hard to maintain. I haven’t seen Grant Weatherford, my brother Vince’s law partner, since Benny’s christening. Grant and I can have an electric relationship at times. We don’t always agree. But Grant has saved my life and I owe him for that.

My rock legend friend, Ace Richland, is planning his comeback tour. Since his daughter adopted my Cocker Spaniel’s sibling, whenever Trista’s in town at Ace’s estate, she calls me. Lady and Brindle love to play together. Ace and his daughter are getting along much better now. I don’t know what his ex-wife thinks about Ace dating someone new. I heard his new significant other is Southern and a widow. Maybe I’ll soon meet her.

Lady and Sophia are good buddies now, though Sophia still doesn’t appreciate having her naps interrupted. Valentine, the kitty I found in February, is happy, playful, curious and content with Nana. Nana needed a cuddle buddy. Even though she lives in a house addition my parents built for her, she’s independent and wants to do most things for herself. At 76 she’s spry and active.

I’m so pleased my good friend Roz and my brother Vince are dating. I don’t know if either of them are ready for a serious relationship, but I hope they’re just right for each other.

I’m perfecting my chicken cacciatore recipe for Easter and it’s in the oven now. It’s my take on an old recipe and smells mouth-watering. I hope it tastes as good as it smells. I’m off to sample it now!


You can read more about Caprice in Drape Expectations, the fourth book in the “Caprice De Luca” mystery series, published by Kensington. The first three books in the series are Staged To Death, Deadly Décor, and Gilt By Association.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on August 5 for the chance to win a print copy of Drape Expectation plus $10 Amazon e-gift card. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. 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.

About the author
USA Today best-selling author Karen Rose Smith will see her 87th novel published in 2015. An only child, Karen 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.

Karen Looks forward to interacting with readers. Her website is the portal to her latest news, releases and social media feeds at www.karenrosesmith.com. It’s like a treasure map with new surprises to reveal at each click. For day to day chatting, search on Facebook for KarenRoseSmithBooks. Tweet with Karen on Twitter @karenrosesmith. Her blog, Cats, Roses. . .and Books! discusses whatever is uppermost in her mind at karenrosesmith.blogspot.com. She hopes each and every one of her books brings you reading pleasure and warm feelings to surround your heart.