It’s a fun day here at Thoughts in Progress as I welcome author Krista Davis back to talk about her latest release, THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER, the second installment in her Paws and Claws Mystery series.
To celebrate this release, thanks to Krista and the lovely Danielle at the Penguin Group, I have a copy of this delightful cozy murder mystery to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for additional giveaway details.
Here’s a synopsis of THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER:
Wagtail, Virginia, the top pet-friendly getaway in the United States, is gearing up for a howling good Halloween—until a spooky murder shakes the town to its core . . .
Holly Miller doesn’t believe in spirits, but the Sugar Maple Inn is filled with guests who do. The TV series in development, Apparition Apprehenders, has descended on Wagtail’s annual Halloween festivities to investigate supernatural local legends, and Holly has her hands full showing the ghost hunters a scary-fun time.
But the frights turn real when Holly’s Jack Russell, Trixie, and kitten, Twinkletoes, find a young woman drowned in the Wagtail Springs Hotel’s bathhouse—the spot of the town’s most infamous haunting. The crime scene is eerily similar to the creepy legend, convincing Holly that the death wasn’t just accidental. Now she’ll have to race to catch a flesh-and-blood killer—before someone else in town gives up the ghost . . .
Now please join me in giving Krista a warm welcome as she talks about …… ‘Ghosts.’ Welcome, Krista.
I am fascinated by ghosts. Not so much the dark, scary ones depicted in movies. It’s the general concept that interests me. Are they real or not?
So many people have seen ghosts and had experiences with them, yet a lot of people think it’s all nonsense. Apparently, almost three-fourths of Americans believe in something paranormal. That figure includes belief in extrasensory perception, haunted houses, and reincarnation as well as ghosts. That’s pretty impressive. It’s hard to dismiss something that so many people believe is real.
I also find it intriguing that ghosts aren’t limited to any particular group. People of all nationalities around the world tell ghost stories and believe in ghosts. Doesn’t it mean something that ghosts are such a widespread phenomena?
For THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER, I thoroughly enjoyed researching the issue from both sides. One of the characters is a ghost debunker. It’s her job to provide the rational explanation for ghostly sightings and events. On the other hand, a whole bunch of ghost hunters have arrived in town, and they have a different perspective. They spend their nights in search of ghosts, trying to prove that they’re real.
While the non-believers have quite a few theories about ghost sightings and events, many of their theories are almost as hard to prove as the existence of ghosts. So what did I conclude after all my research? That there’s a lot we don’t know about this world, or the next!
Krista, thanks for joining us today and sharing this insight into your ghost research. You are so right, there is a lot we don’t know about our world or the next.
Let me share a bit of background on Krista for those who aren’t familiar with her.
New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Paws & Claws Mysteries for animal lovers that debuted in December with MURDER, SHE BARKED. The sequel, THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER, arrived in bookstores on December 2nd.
Krista also writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries. Her 8th Domestic Diva Mystery is THE DIVA WRAPS IT UP, a Christmas mystery, and is in bookstores now.
Like her characters, Krista has a soft spot for cats, dogs, and sweets. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with three dogs and two cats.
For more on Krista and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. You can also find her blogging at Mystery Lovers Kitchen and Killer Characters.
Now for my thoughts on this entertaining cozy.
Animal lovers will appreciate the concept of a pet-friendly inn and mystery lovers will enjoy the suspense and intrigue in THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER by Krista Davis.
In this second installment of the Paws & Claws Mystery series, developers for a TV series, Apparition Apprehenders, are in town to investigate rumors of paranormal activity. They’re all staying at the Sugar Maple Inn and Holly Miller has her hands full as she tries to help the owner (who is also her grandmother) makes sure they have a pleasant stay. But what could go wrong when the inn caters to human and pets alike?
When ghost debunker Eva Chevalier arrives, Holly likes her and her cat, Mrs. Mewer and hopes there won’t be any trouble. But when a member of the Apprehenders team is found murdered near the haunted Wagtail Springs Hotel, Eva becomes a suspect.
Holly, along with her dog, Trixie, and her cat, Twinkletoes, are determined to clear Eva’s name and find the real killer. With the help of a few other friends, Eva is on the scent of a dangerous killer.
Davis blends the love of pets with the suspense of a murder mystery for an entertaining read. She places them in a town that has character all on its own. With the events taking place near Halloween, the setting is more enthralling.
The characters are quirky, fun-loving and likable. The story moves at a good pace holding your attention from beginning to end. Davis complements the story with a dose of humor and a touch of romance for a well-balance adventure.
THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER can be read as a standalone. An added bonus are numerous recipes for both humans and pets included at the end.
Readers don’t have to be pet owners (or pet lovers) to appreciate this captivating mystery.
The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis, Paws and Claws Mystery Book #2, Berkley Prime Crime, @2014, ISBN: 978-0425262566, Paperback, 320 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
This giveaway is for one print copy of THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient. The winner from this giveaway will have 72 hours to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. The email will have ‘Thoughts in Progress Krista Davis’ Tour’ in the subject line, just so you know what to watch for (in case it goes into your spam folder).
Thanks so much for stopping by today. What are your thoughts on ghosts? Have you ever had an experience involving a ghost? If you could see a ghost, who would you want to see?
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Pets make a huge difference in our lives. For that reason, it’s a pleasure to welcome author Paul Magrs to Thoughts today to highlight his heartwarming book, THE STORY OF FESTER CAT.
This is a book that will have you laughing and crying. It’s about Fester, the extraordinary little cat whose gentle charm and trusting soul turned two young men into a family. In the vein of the huge New York Times bestseller A Streetcat Named Bob and Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, THE STORY OF FESTER CAT is a charming read in time for the holiday season.
From when he first ambled into Paul’s yard—skin and bones, covered in flea bites, and missing most of his teeth—Fester knew that he found his family. And so over the course of seven years, the feisty feline turned the Manchester house into a loving home. Through sheer force of will and spirit, Fester taught Paul and Jeremy how to listen, appreciate the joys of simply sitting and most importantly, how to find joy and contentment in life, especially when dealing with hardship.
THE STORY OF FESTER CAT is an inspirational memoir that reminds us that true family is created by those we choose, or in Paul and Jeremy’s case, those who choose us. Fester stole the hearts of many through Paul’s chronicle of adventures on his blog and Facebook, and his death on March 30, 2013 touched many fans. Now readers can read a firsthand account (from Fester himself!) of his mission to help Paul and Jeremy.
Paul is sharing an excerpt from the chapter titled ‘Tree’ in THE STORY OF FESTER CAT.
I peered cautiously at the next branch down. It seemed a very long way away. I loosened the grip of one paw and extended it, airily, downwards. Swipe. Swipe. Nope, it wouldn’t reach. I was going to have to jump to the next branch and just make sure I didn’t miss.
But I think I’ll stay here a few moments and gather my concentration and all my energy.
Oh. It’s spitting on to rain. And the wind is picking up. Great.
Ungow!
At least that daft Korky and Aunty Bessy aren’t here to see my ignoble failure. Oh, why did I go climbing?
When I was younger this kind of height and these sorts of jumps wouldn’t have bothered me. They’d be nothing. But it’s like something has slipped and changed. It isn’t that I’ve lost my nerve exactly. I’ve just got to be more careful with myself. I’m skinnier, less fit. This outdoor life has taken its toll.
There’s a noise then and I jerk my head round, making the branch sway violently. It’s the crack of a wooden back door, springing open.
It’s Paul. In a dressing gown, with wet hair and that foam on his face still. He’s hurrying down the steps, across the patio, and down the scrubby grass of their lawn.
What does he think he’s going to do? Climb up after me?
I can’t have this. I can’t have anyone watching me while I’m paralysed with fear. I have to stop being scared. I have to take proper action.
I paw the air again, sweeping my claws about, looking for something I can jump onto.
“It’s okay,” the human shouts from the ground. “Don’t panic! I’ll . . . er . . . Um.”
He’s got his mobile phone out, and I wonder if he’s going to phone the fire brigade. That happens, doesn’t it? I’ve seen that happening before. Old ladies call out the firemen when their cats get stuck up trees. In the past, me and my pals have gathered round at a safe distance, laughing our backs off at these kinds of dramas. Well, maybe this is karma. He isn’t phoning anyone. He’s taking a picture of me! Trapped up the bloomin’ tree! What does he want a picture for?
I grip on, furious. And it’s the mocking laughter of the squirrels that makes me take decisive action. I can’t hang about like this all day.
I lift up my front paws and leap out onto the air.
Ungow!
It’s a wonderfully free feeling for a moment. I’m flying like those squirrels seem to think they can, when they go leaping from branch to branch. Yeah, well, Fester Cat can do it too, squirrels. Even at the age of twelve.
It’s a miracle. I make it to the next branch down. I grip hard on to it and give an involuntary cry: “Ungow!” It sounds more like panic than triumph.
Paul takes a step closer. “Fester!”
And at that moment I don’t even wonder how he has guessed my name.
The next branch down is closer. It’s more substantial too. And it’s only a couple of feet higher than the back fence. I can do it. I’ve almost done it. The wind is crashing about more boisterously now, and I realise that I don’t have time to dither up here.
Paul is standing on top of their compost heap. “Jump, Fester!”
So I jump.
One more branch. An awkward twist. A little shriek from me. And a magnificent wriggle in midair. I lash out with my claws and seize hold of the fence at the bottom of the garden. Got it!
And I’m over. I launch myself along the fence, and away. I’m diving into the anonymity of the garden of the burned house beyond. I’m fleeing into that wilderness. I dash away, full of excitement and shame at the same time. My heart is thudding crazily like it hasn’t in a long time and what I really need to do is go and lie under a patch of leggy rhubarb I’ve been hiding out in recently. I’ll shelter from the hardening rain under its cool leaves and I’ll get my composure back.
But I did it! I survived!
And I proved that I’ve still got it!
It was nice of that fella to come out to see I was okay. Even if he was no use really.
**Reprinted from The Story of Fester Cat by Paul Magrs by arrangement with Berkley, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, Copyright © 2014 by Paul Magrs.
Now a bit about Paul.
Paul Magrs (with a silent 'g' and pronounced 'Mars'), a British writer, writes fiction for adults, YAs and children in a variety of genres. He writes the Brenda and Effie Mystery series, a comic Gothic mystery adventures set in the town of Whitby on the North Eastern coast of England. In addition, he writes the Iris Wildthyme series and the tie-in Doctor Who audio adventures.
For more on Paul and his writing, visit his blog and connect with him on Twitter.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this excerpt has enticed you to check out this touching story of Fester.
SIDENOTE: A special thanks to the men and women of the armed forces who have served and are serving to keep us safe. HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY! Thank you for all you do!
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I also find it intriguing that ghosts aren’t limited to any particular group. People of all nationalities around the world tell ghost stories and believe in ghosts. Doesn’t it mean something that ghosts are such a widespread phenomena?
