I have a new recipe in the oven–Chocolate-Coffee Loaf. It’s going to be yummy. With cocoa and coffee, how can it not be? Easy too with one bowl mix-up. While that’s baking, I’m planning the finishing touches to my next house staging.
I’ve never staged a house with a HEARTS AND FLOWERS theme before but it seems fitting with Valentine’s Day right around the corner. Louise Downing and her husband have been married over thirty years, almost as long as my own parents. Louise and Chet have one of those Cinderella and Prince Charming romances. She was his secretary at The Pretzel Factory, the company he owned. They fell in love and he swept her into his lifestyle. I know all this because my mom and Louise have been best friends ever since Louise arrived in Kismet and they met at St. Francis of Assisi Church. There does seem to be a little tension between Louise and Chet now since he’s selling The Pretzel Factory and retiring. But they’re going to travel and live happily-ever-after, right?
I don’t think in terms of happily-ever-after. But I wonder if Grant Weatherford, my brother’s law partner, will be attending the Valentine’s Day dance. We seem to be establishing a deeper friendship ever since we delivered a litter of cocker spaniel pups together. The fact that he adopted one could mean he’s ready to move on from the tragedy in his past and care again. We could sit together for dinner at the dance. Kismet’s Give-from-the-heart Day includes a clothing and food drive as well as the community dance. My sister Nikki and I will be helping to decorate. Mom and Nana are helping with the clothing drive. Nikki is catering the dance and I’ve already gotten a glimpse of her heart-shaped cookies. I wonder if I’ll hear from Seth for the holiday. His fellowship in Trauma Medicine at Johns Hopkins is keeping him almost too busy to email. . .and I miss him.
I should call Bella to see if she’s getting any more sleep. With two kids and now a new infant son, she and Joe have both been sleep deprived. But they love little Benedict to bits. And their marriage seems to be back on track too. As soon as I can, I’ll take Megan and Timmy ice skating and give Bella and Joe some time alone with Benny.
Lady is nosing my foot because she wants to play. At seven months old, my cocker spaniel pays attention when we go through training in the back yard. She’s learned the “heel” command and hardly ever pulls on her leash. She and my long haired calico Sophia get along really well. They even exercise with a friendly chase most mornings. Oops! There they go now.
Time to take the Chocolate Coffee Loaf from the oven and have a taste!
You can read more about Caprice in Gilt by Association, the third book in the “Caprice De Luca” mystery series, published by Kensington. The first book in the series is Staged to Death.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on February 13 for the chance to win a digital copy of STAGED TO DEATH as well as a $10 Amazon gift card. The giveaway is open to everyone. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes.
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.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flower 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. 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.
Sounds great! Now I want some chocolate coffee loaf. Lol. Thanks for the chance!
This books sounds great and I love the cover! Such a great review of the book and really interesting background information about the author, It’s pretty amazing that she has published 87 books! Very impressive. Thank you so much for the review and contest!
I have enjoyed the first two in this series. Congrats on the third.
This story has all the perfect ingredients: chocolate and yummy baked treats, romance, children, more house staging, and the perfect time for this story – Valentine’s Day. And of course murder. Can’t wait to read it.
Gilt by Association sounds delightful. Now I am craving a slice from the Chocolate-Coffee Loaf. Thank you fro the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Maybe it’s time to start this series.
Oh this book does sound delicious, Chocolate Coffee Loaf Yummm
Can’t wait to read this
Thanks for letting me share Caprice with you!
I can’t wait to read this series. Working in a library, I was only familiar with your romance titles. I love the ‘gilt’ pun. Thanks for the chance to read the book. Kh38668(at)yahoo(dot)com
Fun series, thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Okay, any chat that begins with a coffee and chocolate combination is a winner! Seriously though, good teasers. I want to know what will happen.
I really like this series. Can’t wait to read this one. Thank you
What a fun sounding book, thanks for sharing. I would love to win this.
This sounds great. I love puppies, dogs, hearts, and everything involved. Thanks for the chance.
This sounds great!
Thank you for the chance yo win.
Caprice Deluca has quite an eventful life. Each of the books are page turners. Thanks for the opportunity to win one. robeader53@yahoo.com
You had me hooked as soon as I read chocolate coffee loaf. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Thank you, Dru and Caprice/Karen. I love Caprice De Luca and this series! I already have “Gilt by Association”, so please don’t include me in the giveaway. Congratulations, Karen!
Great cover and the story sounds very good. Thank you for the chance.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like you have the ingredients to a perfect story. thanks for sharing.
I can’t wait to read Gilt by Association. I love Caprice and think her job sounds fun! Thanks for the giveaway.
Can’t wait to read! Also wish I had the recipe for the chocolate coffee loaf right now!
The chocolate coffee loaf recipe will be included in DRAPE EXPECTATIONS in August. However, you can find Triple Chocolate Divine cookies here. I always privide an extra recipe with each book on my blog. http://tinyurl.com/lhmztpz
I love this series, and I really appreciate the giveaway of a digital copy since my eyesight isn’t up to reading paperbacks anymore !
Great series!
I’ve heard such good things about this book—I can’t wait to read it!
Oooh I’d love to win this!
Sounds like fun, I’d love to win a copy. Please pass the Chocolate Coffee Loaf.
Good luck to everyone who enters!
Another MUST have!!!
Oh, what a tease! You tell us about the loaf, but don’t say how to make it.
This sounds like a great read.
This sounds great
I have not read this series but am adding to my list!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
Sounds like a great cozy.
Sounds like a good read, and I’d love a piece of that chocolate coffee loaf. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Reading Deadly Décor right now and love it!
I love this series, and that chocolate coffee loaf sounds yummy.
I have been wanting to start this series. This is a perfect giveaway for me since you are offering the first book in the series and the gift card. Thank you.
That recipe sounds absolutely delicious. This book is on my wish list!
What a wonderful sounding book. I will be ordering Gilt by Association soon. And now I cannot get pastry off my mind. Maybe I should have lunch. Thank you for the great blog posting, Dru Ann. Karen is one heck of an author. Reading book 1 now. <3
Cynthia
This is on my list!
Thank you Karen and Dru for sharing this exciting next book in the series. I am anxious to read it! I appreciate all the contests Dru and the opportunity to win such great books.
This sounds good. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve enjoyed this series so far—so I’m sure this one will also be a good read. I hope there is a recipe for the chocolate loaf. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thank you for all your comments! I’ll keep recipes coming.
I only knew of the romance titles in my library. Now that I see you write mysteries, I feel that we are kindred spirits. My favorite pet ever was my cocker spaniel Princess when I was a teen. Due to my fondness for the play on words in the title, I know this is the book for me. Please Karen Rose Smith, pick me for this book.
Sounds interesting. Mysteries, recipes and animals! 3 of my favorite things. Thanks for the chance.
Book sounds good this is a new author and series for me. Hope to win and thanks for the chance
sounds like a great series. Would love to win,thanks for the chance.
‘Gilt by Association’ sounds like a wonderful read, and I love the cover! Caprice’s Chocolate Coffee Loaf sounds Devine. I would love a huge hunk of it with my coffee right now. Thank you for the chance to win. Happy reading and writing.
stitchingfaery9@gmail.com
‘Gilt by Association’ sounds wonderful and oh, my goodness, Caprice’s Chocolate Coffee Loaf sounds Devine! I would so love a huge hunk of it now with my coffee. Thank you for the chance to win Dru Ann and Karen! I am adding this series to my TBR list and I can’t wait to read them! Lovely cover! ❤️
Happy reading and writing.
stitchingfaery9@gmail.com
Caprice is a fantastic character. I love this series. There is so much potential.
This looks like a fabulous series. I am really drawn to the many and varied characters. Adding a mystery just makes it better.
I haven’t read any of the books in the series yet, but if the other two are as ” delightful ” as this one sounds, then please count me in. Caprice’s love of family and her concern for each sibling and their families tugs at my heartstrings. And, my dream pet has always been a cocker spaniel. Your review was wonderful, Dru, and it really pulled me in to want to read Gilt By Association. Thank you, Dru, and Karen for the chance to win this giveaway.
So would love to start this series. Found I have a major fondness for mysteries back in Oct now I can not get enough.
Would love to read this series!
I haven’t read this series yet but I like the characters, especially the chocolate coffee loaf. Staging houses would be a cool occupation and I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for your giveaway.
Wow, another series I just have to read! Plus I need to make that Chocolate Coffee Loaf!
Wow! I’m not sure how I missed the first two in this series, but I’d love to get caught up! Thanks for the chance to win.
I can’t wait to read this new book in a terrific series.
would love to read this!!!
The Chocolate-Coffee Loaf sounds great. I like the cover and I’m glad there’s a cat in it. Haven’t read any of these.
Sounds like a great read; thanks for the
opportunity to win! Good luck to all.
sounds like a good book. Would love to read more!!
Sounds like a great read. I think this is a new series for me.
thanks.
I would love to read this Book. It sounds perfect for the Valentine month.
Marilyn Watson ewatvess@yahoo.com
Great sounding book. Would love it!
contest is closed.