Have you ever moved to a place where you knew you were meant to be? At the moment, I’m energized and content and happier than I probably deserve. I just gave up city life for the Sugar Maple Inn on Wagtail Mountain. The inn has been in my family for decades. My grandmother, whom I call Oma (German for grandma) offered to make me a partner in the inn, and I’ve taken her up on it.
I started my first day by stepping onto the balcony outside my bedroom to look out over the town of Wagtail. Once a resort where people came for the mineral water (supposedly even Thomas Jefferson and family visited!) Wagtail had to reinvent itself when mineral springs lost popularity. Now it’s the premier vacation spot for people who want to travel with their dogs and cats. The entire town caters to them with specialty shops and activities for people and their pets. Restaurants even have dog and cat menus!
The mountain air is crisp and clear. Nothing is beeping or revving or honking, except the geese, because Wagtail is an electric golf cart community. There’s a broad pedestrian zone with a park-like area in the middle of town that’s bordered by stores. Some of the coffee shops and bakeries are already open. Early risers are running and walking with dogs and cats. And in the distance, over the tops of the roofs, the mountains shimmer in sunlight like an undulating quilt of oranges, reds, and golds.
I’m trying hard to ignore the fact that the rest of my apartment on the top of the inn is cluttered with moving boxes. I’ll get to them eventually but I’m eager to jump into my new job. I don’t want Oma to think I’m a slacker! After feeding my calico kitten, Twinkletoes, and letting Trixie, my Jack Russell Terrier, out, I join Oma in the dining room for breakfast. Talk about luxury – a gourmet breakfast every morning and no dishes to wash!
The special this morning is spiced pumpkin waffles. I eye the syrup and whipped cream that comes with it. They even have a doggie version! Trixie watches me hopefully, wagging her little tail. I know I should eat something healthy but it’s my first day here. I should celebrate, right? I cave in and order the waffles with a bowl of fresh fruit salad to make me feel better about it. That will counteract the whipped cream and syrup, won’t it? Trixie is having the little doggie version for her breakfast.
Oma tells me that the Apparition Apprehender ghost hunters are arriving today. She has to go to a meeting, so it will fall to me to make sure everything goes smoothly. No problem. I don’t believe in ghosts but it seems like everyone else in Wagtail does. I guess that’s not surprising in a town as old as Wagtail. There’s even a creepy legend about a murder at the abandoned Wagtail Springs Hotel on the other side of town. I might not believe in ghosts but I’ve learned not to spoil everyone else’s fun. After all, it’s not as though the ghost hunters could actually conjure up some old ghosts. Could they?
You can read more about Holly in The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer, the second book in the “Paws and Claws” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Murder, She Barked.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on November 27 for the chance to win a copy of THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Like her characters, Krista Davis has a soft spot for cats, dogs, and cupcakes. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with three dogs and two cats. The Ghost and Mrs Mewer is the second book in her Paws and Claws Mystery series. Three of those books have been nominated for Agatha awards and three have made the New York Times Bestseller list.
Visit Krista at Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen | Twitter | Killer Characters
Sounds like I need to take my pampered Pug to Wagtail Mountain!
Loved the first one. Does Wagtail have a group rate?
Would love to read your books ..looking forward to your giveaway
Ktista Davis is a new author to me, but, I would love to read this book. It sounds like a great read. Thank you for this giveaway, Dru.
This sounds really cute. These cozy’s are fun.
What an awesome cute cover….I love, love, love Krista’s first book in this awesome series and can’t wait to read this one! Looks like a really cool book! Thank you for the opportunity to win a free book by this great and talented author!
Can’t wait to read this one!
Time for me to play catch-up 🙂
I’d love to start reading this series! Thank you!
This looks very cute, will put it on my TRL
I would love to visit Wagtail! Anyplace with dogs and cats is the place for me. I read the first book in this series and loved it. I can’t wait to read the second book.
How delightful! Kista Davis is always fun and I love the start of a new series.
Love cozy mysteries, and this one sounds like one to get my tail wagging!
Liked the first one in this series so I am looking forward to this one.
I read the 1st one, would like to read the 2nd!
Thank you for the chance to win this fun book
Thanks for the chance to win. Would love to read this book.
Sounds like an exciting read, and I’ll have to find the first one and catch up!
What an awesome title. It would be amazing to win this book. Heres hoping
Thanks for the chance
Would love to win this!
Really looking forward to this book!
Wagtail Mountain sounds like it would be the perfect place for me, my 2 dogs, and 2 cats to live. I’d love to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
i would appreciate winning this book , thankyou for the opportunity.
I would love to win. I just your giveaways
Would love to win a copy about Wagtail Mountain. My Koda is sitting right by me as I work on my computer.
I’d be happy to win this book !! Thank you for the giveaway.
sounds like a fun read. Will have to add to my TBR list
Love the sound of the book.
Cannot wait to read this one!
Sounds like a great series 🙂 Do places like these really exist? If not it would be a great enterprise to start considering how many bookworms would vacation at places they read about in their favorite books…
Just downloaded the first one and can’t wait to get started!
I’d love to read this book! The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is one of my favorite classics, and I’m eager to read this one!
I love your giveaways! I would love to win this book
I can already imagine some of the things that are going to happen.
Sounds like a fun read that I’ll enjoy
Sounds like an interesting book. Going to add to my TBR pile.
I would SO like to visit Wagtail.
I can’t wait to read all of your books, so great !
This book sounds enjoyable and intriguing. Thanks.
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love it. Cute cover!
I love Krista. This sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds like a fun book. Thank you for the chance to win!
Love you book before this one. Hope this o e is as good. Looking forward to reading.
Thanks Dru for sharing this book. I hope this is a lucky time for me to win this book.
I would love to read your books. Animals & mysteries are my favorite! Thank you!
Spending this holiday in the mountains. With nature. I hope to find a new home soon myself, every though packing boxes are pretty scary and plentiful. 😛
Thanks, Dru and Holly/Krista. I can hardly wait for “The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer”!
I love this! If I don’t win the book, I’ll be buying it!
Sounds wonderful; hope to get a chance to read it 🙂
Would love to read this.
would love to win this. Thanks for having the contest.
Oh I would love a chance to read. Thank you for giving everyone a chance.
Sounds awesome! Good luck yo all. Thanks for the chance!
I have to be honest I am new to this style of writing so I would love a chance to read this. Still need to read the first one
Thanks for the chance.
I love Krista Davis’ books! The first book was a delight to read. I can’t wait to read the second one. Please enter me in the contest. Thank you.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you
I have read all of the Diva Books by Krista Davis and can’t wait to read The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer. I am also an animal lover with 2 cats and 1 dog.
I read the first one and thought what a great place it would be to live! Can’t wait to read the second and revisit Wagtail!
I loved the first book in this series. I would love to live in Wagtail. Been looking forward to reading the second book all year.
Love Krista Davis! I only wish she wrote faster. 😉
Can’t wait to read. Thanks for the give away.
Loved the first book, cant wait to read this one.
I loooved “Murder She Barked” and can’t wait for “The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer” to come out…my Christmas gift to myself will be curling up with my new book and a cup of pumpkin spice coffee….oh I can’t wait!
I just finished Murder She Barked the first in this series – wonderful! I can’t wait to read the Ghost and Mrs.Mewer!
I love cozy mysteries involving animals. This is going on my Amazon wish list.
This sounds like something I would really enjoy reading. My birthday is the 28th this would make a great gift.
I enjoyed Murder She Barked and would love to win a prize in this contest.
Sounds like a fun series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Enjoyed meeting Holly and learning about a new series. Thanks for the chance to win!
Awesome title and one of my favorite old TV shows! Loved the movie too. Would love to win!
Thank you for this awesome giveaway!
Sounds like a fun book. Love the title. Here’s hoping to be a winner!
Love your books. But winter cuddle reading time is coming. So would love to win.
I want to read this book. I love mysteries with cats.
I adore mysteries with cats and dogs. looks like I will be taking a trip with my furbabies!
Would love to read this book. Thanks for a chance.
My mother and I really enjoyed the first book in the series and are looking forward to reading the second. Hope we win!
Looking forward to reading this!
Would love to get the chance to discover a new author I may like 🙂
Sounds like something I would enjoy 🙂
Sounds like a fun read!!!
Sounds good. I love cozy mysteries with animals.
Love the plot…I love cozy mysteries…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Love this series!!
Would love to read this!
What a great write up for this book. I would love to get the chance to read it!
Looking forward to reading this series.
Thx for giveaway!!
I love love love this new series. Can’t wait to read this new book.
I would love to win this book.
Happy Thanksgiving and looking forward to the book.
Love this series. Looking forward to reading this one.
Can’t wait to read the new book, Fred sits by me when I read.
Love Krista Davis’ books. 🙂
Sounds like a great book! Thank you for the giveaway and Happy Thanksgiving! I recently traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway–stunning!
Looking forward to reading your books!!
Love your books
Sounds like a great read😂
I want t/o start this series.
Now I want waffles.
I moved house two years ago. Am I REALLY supposed to be unpacked? That seems unrealistic.
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
contest is closed.