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October 12, 2016

Krista Davis - Cozy Mystery Author Spotlight, Interview and Giveaway


I am going to be hosting a number of cozy mystery authors on my blog for the next two months. If you have not had the pleasure of enjoying a cozy mystery I encourage you to do so. The cozy mystery industry as a whole is in danger of being lost as the publishers are ending a number of series. Please note that not all series I will be sharing are in danger. There are many that will be continuting on as normal. I just wanted to do my part to make everyone aware of this genre as a whole. 

Today I will be showcasing Krista Davis

Paws and Claws Series

About this author:
Krista Davis lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She lived in Northern Virginia for many years and resided for a time in Old Town Alexandria where her Domestic Diva Mysteries take place.

Krista also writes the Paws and Claws Mysteries, which debuted with MURDER, SHE BARKED. They are set in a resort town that caters to people who want to vacation with their dogs and cats. Alas, charming Wagtail Mountain, Virginia, where dogs and cats are welcome everywhere is fictional.

She likes to cook and bake (okay, what she really likes is eating) so it was only natural for her to include recipes in her mysteries.

Her three dogs and two cats have inspired the animal characters in her books.

Domestic Diva Series 1-5

Where to follow this author:


Interview:
When did your love of writing begin?
Definitely in grade school. I was crazy about Nancy Drew and started writing my own stories and plays. I was very lucky to have teachers who encouraged me.

What made you chose this genre?
Is there another genre? Just kidding. I read all kinds of books but I always come back to mysteries. They're so intriguing.

Do you have a scheduled writing time, place and/or routine?

Only in my dreams. I keep trying to adhere to a schedule but life likes to interrupt me. I usually write at a desk, but sometimes I snuggle up on the sofa to write on my iPad. The primary constant is that I must have my mug of hot tea by my side.

What do you do to get over writer's block?I walk away from the computer. That sounds counterintuitive but it works for me. When I'm stuck, it means I need to work something out in my head. I usually do something mindless, like laundry or cleaning a drawer, and the solution often comes to me. The other thing I do is write out the problem as though I were explaining it to a friend. It's amazing how often I know the answer before I finish writing the explanation.

What was it like to get your first publishing contract?
Unfortunately, I received the happy news from my agent on the day of the massacre at Virginia Tech. I live in Tech territory, so everyone had been glued to the TV. The news got worse and worse, and in the middle of all that horror, I got the good news that my series had sold.

It was awful. How could I be happy when so many innocent people had just been killed?
It was so surreal that my mother called me the next morning and asked if I had really told her that I sold a book!

How has the publishing/writing world changed since you first started writing?
Oh, wow. When I started, there was no self publishing! People can hardly remember those days now. There are so many more options available to authors today.

You write about strong female characters. Are they modeled after anyone?

I am delighted to hear you say that they're strong female characters. More than anything, I think they're modeled after the kind of women I know. Not specific people, but the women who surround me in my life.

When you are not writing what do you like to do?
I haven't been able to travel much in recent years but I love seeing new places, trying local food, and experiencing different ways of life.

I'm also very fond of swimming, boating and water fun. And of course, I dote on my dogs and cats.

Do you have any advice for beginning authors?
I do. Join an online group that focuses on the genre you write. You will learn so much. There's no point in struggling with basics when you can ask people who know the answers. Don’t be afraid to ask. No one was born knowing these things. I remember when I didn’t know which font I should be using in a manuscript.

If you write mysteries, check out Sisters in Crime, especially their Guppies Chapter for unpublished writers. If it's romance that you write, Romance Writers of America will provide tons of information.

Do you have a favorite author or book you would like to recommend to your readers?

LOL! I never answer this question. I have so many author friends that I would surely get into all kinds of trouble by accidentally omitting someone. How about Agatha Christie? I don't think anyone can complain about that and her books are wonderful!

Please tell us five random things about yourself
1. I used to work in hotels, which was so much fun!
2. I'm not a fan of Thai food.
3. I'm terrified of snakes.
4. I can’t stand cilantro. In my own defense, I understand some of us are born with a gene that makes cilantro taste bad.
5. I once won $1,000 on a scratch-off lottery card!

What I learned about this author:
I learned that she does not have a specific writing routine she writes when and where she can. When Krista is not writing she likes to spend time on the water swimming and boating. Her advice to new writers is to join an online group. What did you learn?

Giveaway:
This giveaway is for the US only. The winner will be drawn randomly via rafflecopter. Once the winner has been drawn they will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond. If you do not respond a new winner will be chosen. It is mandatory that you leave a comment on this post. This will be verfied and if you do not leave a comment then your entry will be thrown out. Thank you and good luck.


Stay tuned for the next author. 


62 comments:

  1. My favorite cozy series ever was The Cat Who... series. I wish it never would have ended.

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  2. I like both series, but, really enjoy paws and claws!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Donamae! I'm thrilled that you like them!

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  3. One of my all time favorites is the Mrs. Pollifax series!

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  4. I love Krista's writing and adore the Wagtail books. If only it was a real place my life would be complete. Thanks for the interview

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    1. Thank you, Kay! I'm packing my bags and coming with you to Wagtail!

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  5. There are so many, they all become my favorites. My current favorite is the Book Collector Mystery series by Victoria Abbott.

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  6. Love the covers and titles of these books. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway.

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    1. Thanks, Janel! I've been wrestling with the title for the Christmas book. What do you like better? A Creature Was Stirring or Not a Creature Was Purring?

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  7. I don't have just one favorite. I've got so many author friends and I love all their books My bank account...not so much. :)

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    1. LOL! I know that feeling. Thank goodness for libraries.

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  8. I have started the series Murder of a by Denise Swanson

    pwtish171@gmail.com

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  9. I have to many favorites to name here!

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    1. Good for you, Kim! It's wonderful that you have a lot of favorites.

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  10. I really enjoy several series so I couldn't choose just one. I know the Murder She Wrote series is not new, but I only recently read my first one and would love to read more. I read many series, including yours!

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  11. Hi Angela & Krista! Other than the Domestic Diva series, a few of my favorite cozy mystery series are: Maggie Sefton's Knitting mysteries, Julia Buckley's Mystery Apprentice series and Duffy Brown's Consignment Shop mysteries. Now that just 4 of my faves. I have so many! Thanks for a chance to win The Diva Serves High Tea.

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    1. More great series, Sandy! I'm glad you have too many to mention.

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  12. I have a lot!! Right now I'm reading an old favorite, A Peter Shandy mystery by Charlotte Macleod. There are just too few of her books, alas.

    Anne

    mysandycat (at) aol (dot) com

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  13. This sounds very good great review thanks Penney

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  14. I'm in the middle of reading the paws and claws series and love it!

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    1. I'm thrilled that you like the series! Thanks! Novelsallnight is so cute. I can relate to that!

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  15. Thanks for this opportunity. Loved all Krista's books.

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  16. It's too hard for me to pick a favorite Cozy mystery series. They each have unique setting and characters that make them fun to read.

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  17. I love them all thank you for the chance to win

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  18. I love them all thank you for the chance to win

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  19. Right now I am into Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mystery series.

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  20. Yeah! more new to me series. Haven't started the Paws & Claws series.

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  21. There are several I really enjoy. But the all time fave is The Charley Moon Series by James D. Doss. very unique. I have yet to read the Paws and Claws series. So I am hoping this will be a start
    Della at deepotter at peoplepc dot com

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  22. I love Krista's books. It would be so nice to win.

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  23. I love Krista's Paw and Claws mysteries because I'd love to live in Wagtail! Thanks!
    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  24. I love so many cozy series. The Paws and Claws, The Diva series, Jenn McKinley's Cupcake Bakery series, The Hannah Swensen series.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I love so many cozy series. The Paws and Claws, The Diva series, Jenn McKinley's Cupcake Bakery series, The Hannah Swensen series.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. I love both of these series, plus so many more.
    moonbay7399@gmail.com

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  27. I love both but Paws and Clawson is my favorite. Lisamil46@gmail.com

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  28. I love both but Paws and Clawson is my favorite. Lisamil46@gmail.com

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  29. I don't think anyone could choose just one!! I love the Greek to me series by Susannah Hardy, I love the Cycle path mysteries by Duffy Brown. Loved the Good Buy Girls series by Jenn McKinlay. And I am loving the Paws and Claws by the lovely Krista Davis. Can't wait to discuss later this month in virtual book group! There are about 40 others series that I can also say I love. Thanks for the chance!

    Bec
    Rlewis11797 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  30. I love paws and claws! I love the diva. I also love the PNW series from Kate Dyer-Seely.

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  31. I absolutely ADORE The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries by Alice Kimberly (Cleo Coyle). I'm in love with Jack! ;)
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. I absolutely ADORE The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries by Alice Kimberly (Cleo Coyle). I'm in love with Jack! ;)
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. I love so many cozy series. I really like Leann Sweeney's Cats In Trouble series, Kay Finch's Bad Luck Cat series, and Sophie Kelly/Ryan Secondhand Cat and Magical Cat series. The Paws and Claws series is on my Amazon wish list. ��

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  34. I have several cozy series which I love. Among them are Krista Davis's Domestic Diva and Paws & Claws, Jenn McKinlay's Library Lover's mystery and Cupcake Barkery, Donna Andrews, Tracy Weber's Downward Dog, Virginia Lowell's Cookie Cutters, and many more.

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  35. I don't have anyone favorite series love and read them all.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  36. I don't have anyone favorite series love and read them all.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  37. To choose a favorite is hard...I do love the krista Davis's Domestic Diva series, Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mystery, Tonya Kappes Ghostly Southern Mystery, Kathi Daley's Whales and Tails Mystery, H.Y. Hanna's Oxford Tearoom Mystery, and...and...and so many more!
    kat8762@aol.com

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  38. I just got into cozies not too long ago, so I can't say I have a favorite given that I haven't explored too many of them yet. I'm depending on my daughter (who has been a cozy fan for years) to kind of guide me through all the different series. She hasn't handed me any from Krista yet, but I know they are on the list somewhere. Looking forward to reading them now that I know more about the author.

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  39. I just got into cozies not too long ago, so I can't say I have a favorite given that I haven't explored too many of them yet. I'm depending on my daughter (who has been a cozy fan for years) to kind of guide me through all the different series. She hasn't handed me any from Krista yet, but I know they are on the list somewhere. Looking forward to reading them now that I know more about the author.

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  40. Oh wow what a loaded question I was reading The Fat Cat Series but then I heard that got cancelled but I have a lot of other also Ann H Gabhart and her Hidden Springs Series then Edith Maxwells and Kristas wow so many that I am following . I love it that you are giving print copies and I do appreciate that as am disabled and the print copy is the only way i can. So thank you so much. ptclayton2@aol.com

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  41. i love anything with cats/dogs/goats..and/or food!
    woofmew@aol.com

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  42. Cozies have always been my favorites and any with animals I am especially fond of. I love this series. Many thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

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  43. I haven't read many mystery stories. There was a paranormal series I liked called "Too Far Under."
    Dianna

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  44. I just started the Paws and Claws series. This is very exciting!

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  45. I have several favorite cozy series.
    I have enjoyed the books that I have read by Krista Davis! They are very entertaining and I'm looking forward to reading more of them.

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