Drape Expectations by Karen Rose Smith - Interview and Spotlight

Published: July 28, 2015

Number of pages: 352

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: A Caprice Deluca Mystery #4

Synopsis:

Caprice De Luca’s former client and now friend Ace Richland–an 80’s rock star–asks her for a favor. Can she quickly stage his girlfriend’s house to sell? Widow Alanna Goodwin, a transplanted Southern beauty, will be moving in with him! Immediately Caprice realizes Alanna’s southern charm can be turned on and off at will. Caprice agrees to stage Alanna’s Kismet antebellum-styled mansion for Ace’s sake. But she soon learns Alanna doesn’t have a genuine love for her cat Mirabelle and also uncovers a plot her new client is hatching to sabotage Ace’s comeback. However, before she can tell Ace, Alanna is murdered and Ace is the prime suspect.

As Caprice investigates, she learns Alanna had more secrets than pie safes. With her Cocker Spaniel Lady by her side, she tracks down clues and adopts Alanna’s cat. In the midst of some of her own family upheaval–her uncle has moved in with her parents–she finds herself with a dilemma. Grant Weatherford, her brother’s law partner, advises Ace and reveals more of his past to her. Seth Randolph, the doctor she dates, wants her to meet his family. She must choose between them.

Danger stalks Caprice. Will her refresher self-defense course save her life? Only if she keeps her wits about her and Lady by her side.

Caprice Deluce Mystery Series

#1 Staged to Death

#2 Deadly Decor

#3 Gilt by Association

#4 Drape Expectations

#5 Silence of the Lamps - March 2016

About 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 four rescued cats, she welcomes interaction with readers on social media.

Author Links:
Webpage: http://karenrosesmithmysteries.com/

Blog: http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenRoseSmithBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenrosesmith

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21863.Karen_Rose_Smith

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/karosm/

Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N

Interview:

1.      Who or what inspired you to start writing? 

I read voraciously as a child.  I became an English teacher and often wrote poetry or essays and had even started a book in college.  When back pain and then surgery interrupted my lifestyle, I turned to writing for a creative and emotional outlet.

2.      What do you do to help you get over writer's block? 

I don't believe in writer's block per se as something that happens often.  I plot my books well, so I always have a road map.  Each day when I sit down to write, I know what I'm going to write and having a point-by-point synopsis leads me where I want to go, even if the muse isn't with me.  That said, I have gone through grief when loved ones passed.  I simply couldn't write for a few weeks.  I don't consider that writer's block.  That was time I needed to heal before my subconscious and conscious mind could mesh.  I knew when it was time to start writing again.  If I get stuck, that's because I need to change point of view or sequencing, and I pay attention to that inner editor.

3.      Do you have scheduled writing time or a certain amount of words you write each day? 

I have personal deadlines, as opposed to contract deadlines.  I know how much of the book I need to finish in a week, and I adjust my time schedules according to that.  If something comes up to interfere with my writing schedule, then I'm up late writing…or very early in the morning.

4.      Where do you get your ideas for your books? 

I pull ideas from everywhere—from news stories, TV programs, real life, childhood and personal interactions I overhear at McDonalds!

5.      When you are not writing what do you like to do? 

I have four rescued cats, as well as a stray or two, who keep me busy.  Cooking, gardening and photography are also pastimes.

6.      What one piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring writers? 

To become a better writer, you need to write.  The more often, the better.  Keeping a journal is a great tool.  Writing essays about what is important in your life is worthwhile as well as jotting down descriptions of anything you want to remember.  Learn to use your five senses and describe what you taste, see, touch, feel and smell.  Good writing often comes down to details and how well you can convey descriptions and emotions.  Persistence is the most important quality of all.

7.      Who is your favorite author or book that you would like to recommend to your readers? 

My favorite author by far is Harlan Coben.  I snatch up any of his books as soon as they are released.  His most recent novel, THE STRANGER, is one of my favorites.

8.      If you could meet any famous person dead or alive who would it be and why? 

I would love to meet Dean Koontz and listen to his views on quantum physics.

  

9.      If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you like to visit? 

My two favorite places on the planet are the Grand Canyon and Sedona.  If I could travel anyplace I haven't been, I would choose Florence and Tuscany.

1.   5 interesting facts about yourself: 

·         I was an only child who always longed for a sister.

·         Last summer my husband and I took in a stray pregnant cat and helped deliver her kittens.  I'm a crazy cat lady!

·         I attended the Beatles concert at Dodger Stadium.

·         I wrote for six years and finished 13 manuscripts before I sold two books in one week to two different publishers.

·         I love 60's fashion.

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July 24 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Interview

July 25 – Laura’s Interests – Review

July 26 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight

July 27 – Shelley’s Bookcase – Review

July 28 – Brooke Blogs – Interview

July 29 – readalot – Review

July 30 – Moonlight Rendezvous – Review

July 31 – Community Bookstop – Review

August 1 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review

August 2 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review

August 3 – Queen of All She Reads – Review

August 4 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review 

August 5 – Book Splurge