A Day In The Life of Caprice De Luca by Karen Rose Smith

–Amateur Sleuth and Home Stager Extraordinaire!

When I awoke this morning, my to-do list was a mile long! From her bed on the floor, the pregnant stray cocker spaniel I found hiding in my mom’s tomato plants gazes at me with soulful eyes. I reassure her again, telling her I’ll take care of her and her pups. After they are born, I’ll find them great homes. I named her Shasta, because she’s the color of the Shasta daisies growing in my back yard.

My long haired calico cat Sophia–named after my nana’s favorite actress Sophia Loren–stares at me from the pillow beside me. At first she wasn’t thrilled to have a new four-pawed companion, but they’re getting along and even nap together sometimes. They chase each other through my 1950’s style Cape Cod house, but it’s all in good fun.

The humans around me are a lot more complicated. My sister Bella and her husband Joe are suspects in a murder investigation! I’m worried their marriage won’t hold up through this crisis. Feeling unloved, Bella accepted a coffee date with an old high school flame who I often hired to help paint the houses I stage. The problem is– Bella was supposed to meet him at the community center and found him murdered! The police believe both she and her husband Joe have a motive. Somehow I have to figure out who the killer is and clear them.

My most recent client has a penchant for purple! The theme of her home staging, Baroque Bedazzle, brought in prospective buyers from outside of Kismet, Pennsylvania. My sister Nikki, the best caterer on the planet, helped make the open house a success.

Then there’s my romantic involvement with Dr. Seth Randolph, which seems to be getting more serious. However, he seems to be holding back and I don’t know what’s wrong. Grant Weatherford, my brother’s law partner still warns me to be careful with my snooping and seems to be watching over me more than a friend should. Are we just friends? My mom thinks we’re more than friends. My dad and my brother Vince sit at our once a month family get-togethers watching and keeping a close eye on me. Nana offers the best advice which I always take to heart.

Breakfast is calling. Maybe I’ll warm up that blueberry bread I baked using my neighbor’s fresh blueberries!

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You can read more about Caprice, her family and her penchant for solving murders in the Caprice De Luca Mystery series—Staged To Death – December 2013, Deadly Décor – June 2014, and Gilt By Association – February 2015, all published by Kensington.

GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by 6pm EST on June 5, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of STAGED TO DEATH. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.

Meet 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 three cats, she welcomes interaction with readers on Facebook, Twitter and through email at her website.

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