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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

COZY WEDNESDAY - With Author Krista Davis (Giveaway too!!)

I love Cozy Wednesdays and hope you do too.  Today my special guest, Krista Davis, author of The Domestic Diva Mysteries. is here and I am really excited.  The latest book in the series, The Diva Haunts the House  is the perfect fall read because "This Halloween A Murderer Is Up To Mischief".

With yesterday being New Release Tuesday and Krista's book coming out you know she has been extremely busy getting ready for her big day.  I am so happy she is here today to spend some time with us!

Welcome Krista!!!

Thank you for inviting me!

We’re Watching You!
A dear friend gave me a T-shirt that says Careful, or you’ll end up in my novel. I love that shirt. There’s a little bit of truth in that saying. People often ask writers where we get our ideas. We get them from you!

People are fascinating, and writers are people-watchers. We observe the argument between boyfriend and girlfriend at a bar. We notice the adoring smile of a grandmother in the park with her grandchild. We watch the harried mom on her cell phone in the grocery store who doesn’t realize that her three young children are tossing their favorite candies into her shopping cart.

Even animals draw our attention. A baby snake made its way into my house recently. I’m not a snake person, and this little guy was moving fast. I tossed the closest thing, a dog dish, over top of it so it wouldn’t disappear. Ugh. What’s worse than a snake in the house under a dog dish? A snake on the loose in the house! A normal person eventually forgets about that little snake. A writer uses it in a book.

The Diva Haunts the House (A Domestic Diva Mystery)When I was writing THE DIVA HAUNTS THE HOUSE, I came to a part where I needed something spooky to happen. An event that couldn’t be explained, yet, Sophie, my protagonist, had to be able to figure out how it happened. While I was mulling over the possibilities, I heard a creepy voice in my house. I figured out where it came from right away, but no one else was home. What set it off? I won’t spoil the fun -- you’ll recognize the event toward the end of the book. It’s something that really happened to me.

The Diva Cooks a Goose (A Domestic Diva Mystery)Of course, we also draw information from the news. In THE DIVA COOKS A GOOSE, Christmas gifts are stolen right out from under the tree. Two days before the book was released, a local man was arrested for stealing wrapped Christmas gifts from someone’s house. They identified him because he dropped his cell phone! Now seriously, aside from the just plain meanness of stealing Christmas gifts, who would steal a wrapped gift? It could be socks or underwear or a talking fish. He was willing to risk jail time for that?

Then there are the fun characters. Do you have some of these in your life? The relative who puts his foot in his mouth every holiday? The co-worker who thinks she’s always right? The boss whose secretary runs the show while he takes the credit? The distant relative who only turns up when he needs a favor? The mom who thinks her angelic child can do nothing wrong, even when the chocolate evidence is smeared all over his mouth?

People are funny, and mean, and deceptive, and clueless, and kind. And since no one is perfect (in spite of the fact that some people think they are perfect), most of us are all of those things at one time or another. Writers are always thinking about what makes people tick because they make life, and mysteries, interesting.

~Krista

Be careful, writers are watching!!! I Love It!!!
Thank you so much Krista for sharing how authors get their ideas.  If you have a friend that is an author you could end up in their book and it will probably be for something you don't even know they observed until you read it in a book and you say, "hmmmm, that same thing happened to me once." and then realize OMG, they are writing about me!!!  

Cover Illustration
by Teresa Fasolino
Cover Design
by Diana Kolsky
5th in the series
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
Published by The Penguin Group

Domestic Divas Sophie Winston and Natasha Smith are trying to outdo each other with their Halloween plans.  Sophie is in charge of the community haunted house while Natasha is planning a huge Halloween Bash at her home. Sophie is worried the fake haunted house is really haunted and Natasha has costumes and caters on her mind. 

Sophie was not really planning to attend Natasha's party but she ends up there to try to solve a small problem.  When she arrives she discovers a much bigger problem, one a Natasha's guests, part of an elaborate Halloween display in the front yard, is not just playing dead,  he is actually, really, very dead and he has two puncture marks on his neck!

Is there a vampire loose in Old Town?  As people stock up on garlic, Sophie is going to figure out who is responsible for all this mischief and murder!! 


This entire series has been terrific, but The Diva Haunts the House is so much fun. You could say it's "SPOOKTACULAR"!  I caught myself laughing out loud several times.  All the kids involved in the haunted house brought back some wonderful memories from way back when.

The constant neediness of Natasha to independent Sophie is such a great contrast.  How could the same man have fallen in love with both these women? The dialogue between any of the two or all three together is perfectly written whether serious or hilarious. The mystery my have you laying in a supply of garlic.

I like that this book is being released well in advance of Halloween. There are wonderful tips, recipes and ideas for your own Halloween party, without the dead body in the front yard of course.

Please take a moment to check out Krista's Web Page. There is even a cool map there of Sophie's neighborhood!


Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 




Are you ready for a giveaway!!!
Krista has sent some special things to include!!
There will be three winners!
The first winner chosen will receive an autographed copy of
The Diva Haunts the House
and fabulous swag!
The second and third winners will receive
a copy of The Diva Haunts the House
and some fabulous swag as well!!!


U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
Followers will receive 2 bonus entries for their
favorite way to follow Dollycas's Thoughts!!
Leave a comment for Krista and you 
will receive 13 Bonus Entries
Winner will be chosen using Random.org
Contest will end September 21 at 11:59 p.m. CST


42 comments:

The Happy Booker said...

Great post! The outrageous "character" in my life is my mother. She is mad as a hatter and says all manner of crazy things. Most recently she told me "Donna you have to understand, I have a cowlick under my lip that makes it hard to pronounce certain sounds" Yep, she's out of her mind and has the paperwork to prove it. Her living with me and my husband has been an adventure.
I can't wait to read these, they sound absolutely wonderful!

Donna @ The Happy Booker
ahappybooker at gmail dot com

LuAnn said...

I think it's hilarious that the townspeople are "stocking up on garlic."

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

DarcyO said...

Who doesn't like a little haunting? I'm looking forward to reading Krista's book. Thanks for the great post!

Michele said...

I can't wait to read your books, Krista! I love Halloween.
I think my family and I are the characters in our loved ones lives (it's taking courage to admit this)...I'm sure one day my in-laws will move and forget to leave a forwarding address! There is always some craziness going on at The Funny Farm (that's what we've named our property).
rlawrence110@yahoo.com

Liz V. said...

Best wishes for success of The Diva Haunts the House.

Love to check out your recipes on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen.

The tee shirt sounds great.

Book of Secrets said...

I enjoyed the post, Krista! I love that your protagonist's name is Sophie. She shares a name with my little girl. :)

A "fun" character I know in real life is the mom of one of my daughter's playmates. This woman thinks she's an expert at any topic you bring up. She knows it all, and don't you dare question her! LOL. At first it was annoying, but now I just find it entertaining.

I'm looking forward to reading your Diva series!

Diana @ Book of Secrets
bookofsecrets(at)yahoo(dot)com

Krista said...

I love all your interesting friends and family members! All of you should be writing books. The in-laws move away without leaving a forwarding address? LOL! Donna, your mom is a hoot! Diana, that mom is a Natasha, for sure!

Liz, thanks for plugging Mystery Lover's Kitchen. I'm always happy to see you there!

LuAnn and Darcy, I hope you'll enjoy the book. Get your garlic now while stores still have it in stock! ; )

~ Krista

Kelley said...

I am so excited for you Krista! I have really enjoyed this series and love the fact you are doing so well!

Willow Rose said...

I have the Thanksgiving one ready to read this fall but Gotta have this one for Halloween. Nothing better than a good mystery book for Halloween!!

S W said...

Can't wait to read your new book!

Anonymous said...

Krista, this book looks like so much fun! I love Autumn and from what I've read, this book will bring back happy memories :) Rae bestobooks@gmail.com

MaryA said...

This was great! Anytime I can hear from Krista Davis is a good day! I follow her on Facebook and on her web page. I have all her books and absolutely love the characters! Thank you Krista for all the happy reading!!

Becky said...

I love the Domestic Diva series and just finished The Diva Paints the Town. I can't read to read Book 4 at Christmas and I'll looking forward to book 5. Thanks.

Stephanie C. said...

Krista - I love this series. Please keep it coming. I share these books with my 94 year old grandma and she really enjoys them too. It's so neat to have a series that we both enjoy!

Kristin said...

Great guest post, Krista...I love the Domestic Diva series and am so glad a new one is coming out. I do have a question, though - where do you get all the great tips/advice? The letters at the beginning of each chapter are my favorite part of the book and I love how they each give a hint as to what might happen in the chapter.

Keep these books coming!!!

Carol M said...

I enjoyed reading your post and I'm looking forward to reading this series. It sounds really good!

Christine A. said...

I love that garlic is involved in this story. I can't wait to read the book Krista.

your1chef at aol dot com

katsrus said...

Wonderful post. I don't really have any colorful family members but; I sure have met a few while working in the Assisted Living field. And they sure are fun. Love your book covers and your book sound really good.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

Katrina said...

I love this series and can not wait to see what happens next!

ann said...

Oh - garlic there must be a vampire in town. I must say I do have a few crazy relatives tho.

amhengst at verizon dot net

Anonymous said...

Krista, what a great sounding book and a great interview. I love learning all the different ways authors come up with ideas for either a whole book or just parts of.

Can't wait to all of your books, having only been fortunate enough to read one.

Keri said...

Love these books! One of my favorite series.

Judy said...

This was a great post, your books looks very good, I will defin itely check them out. Thanks for the great giveaway!!

Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

Krista said...

Thanks for all your good wishes. I can't wait to see who wins! Good luck to everyone!

~ Krista

Dru said...

Great post and I have my book and I can't wait to read it.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great giveaway. Your book sounds really good. Tore923@aol.com

dollycas aka Lori said...

Wow, Isn't Krista wonderful!! Her box of swag arrived today and these prizes will be awesome!

I am so happy she could be here today!!!!

Thank you all for stopping by to show her some love!!!

Leanna said...

These books sound great. I love it when I find a great new author. I am just starting to read mystery books again and am happy to have found some great recommendations.

leanna.hiner@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like fun. Most of my family is a bit strange. They probably think I am,too, but I think I am the sane one.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Terry P. said...

I find the whole story will be great. I love books written around Holidays. But there are'nt many for Halloween. Can't wait to read it.

Unknown said...

I have only read one of the Diva books, but I really enjoyed it (It was a Christmas one, it think it ws The Diva Cooks a Goose). I wish my library had more :) I will have to try to purchase a copy of this new one.

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

nayjf said...

Thank you for the giveaway Krista. I love the title of your series!

nayjf@yahoo.com

Stacie said...

I absolutely LOVE this series. Can't wait to read the newest release. Sophie & all of the characters are so fun & interesting.

scouts579@aol.com

cyn209 said...

Krista ~~

congrats & good luck on The Diva Haunts the House!!!!

continued success!!!!

Cynthia
cyn209

KristaH said...

I am really loving Diva Haunts the House! Love the fun Halloween tips!

holdenj said...

What a wonderful post! I certainly wish Krista all kinds of observant success! I have often shook my head at the news, wondering about some story or another. I'm glad she can sometimes use things like that as a springboard to an event in a book!
Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I have always loved Halloween parties so I know I will love this book. I do remember one when a toddler ran off with the doughnuts and toss them on the carpet for a path. Then she used them for stepping stones. My father was horrified as he was looking forward to the doughnuts so much. I wonder what the diva would have done.

Alison said...

This sounds like such a fun read. I can tell that I will be able to relate to many of the characters based on people in my every day life. I can't wait to read this :)

Anonymous said...

This book has been popping up in almost all of the blogs. Can't wait to read this new "Diva" book.

mamabunny13 said...

Krista, I'm going to read all of the Diva books! I can't wait to get started. I'm so grateful for the chane to win Diva Haunts the House here at Dollyca's Thoughts!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Rachelle21 said...

Book looks good, I will have to look for your books or order one from my favorite bookstore.

Kelly L said...

I love Krista and all of her books and can't wait to read the latest installment!