A Game of Deceit Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome K.A. Davis to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Her novel, A GAME OF DECEIT, will be released tomorrow!

Kathy: In A GAME OF DECEIT Kathryn Landry's husband vanishes, just like her father did years before. What makes a disappearance more intriguing than a death?

KAD: Death brings finality and closure to the family. A disappearance, in my opinion, is crueler. A family is left always hoping for being reunited but as time passes the unknown can be torturous. Plus there is the mystery surrounding the disappearance: did the person leave of their own accord or was foul play involved? I think the unknown, the unexplained, adds a layer of darkness to an already horrible situation.


Kathy: Kathryn's mother took a secret with her to the grave. Does your family have any secrets or mysteries that you're aware of?

KAD: Definitely, but don’t most families? When I was a young girl my mother mentioned something about my father’s brother. I was intrigued because all I knew of were my two aunts… I had never heard of an uncle. When I questioned my father he was quite curt and said we were never going to talk about it and to never bring it up again. I couldn’t even find out my uncle’s name but eventually wheedled out of my mother that he had died. Last year I finally found out his name from one of his surviving sisters but I still don’t know the mystery surrounding him to this day… it’s a secret both of my parents took to their graves.

Then on my mother’s side of the family I heard mention that one of my great-great uncles (or something of that nature) was a horse thief. It was another instance where, as a young girl, I overheard adults talking and once I started asking questions was completely ignored and told to go play with my cousins. Maybe that’s why I have always enjoyed writing… I could make up stories and create answers to mysteries!


Kathy: Kathryn is the owner of a successful interior designer business in Newport Beach, California. Have you ever been interested in interior design. Do you enjoy decorating your own home?

KAD: Yes, I had wanted to be an interior designer in my younger years. Unfortunately the man I was married to at the time transferred with his job once a year so anytime I enrolled in classes I ended up having to drop out to move with him. However, I was in the happy position of building a new home from the dirt on up with my Mr. Right a few years ago. I LOVED being able to design every aspect of our home and especially had fun with my granddaughters’ bedrooms. I shadowed our interior designer quite a bit and picked up bits and pieces about her job too.


Kathy: What first drew you to novels of suspense?

KAD: I have always loved mysteries from the time I started reading chapter books through now. There are so many ways to classify suspense but I would describe it as a darker mystery with action. While I enjoy (and very frequently read) cozy and traditional mysteries, sometimes I like more of an edge to the story. That said, while A Game of Deceit is a suspense I did put a bit of cozy twist in it via the protagonist’s assistant, Marianne Patton.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KAD: While mysteries are my first love, my granddaughter convinced me that I needed to write a book for her. She is not a mystery fan (sob!) but instead loves fantasy. We plotted together one summer and I now have a completed early middle-grade manuscript that I’m looking to publish.

I’m also writing a cozy mystery series and am about 30% of the way through my first draft.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

KAD: Well this is my very first book so I don’t have a series yet… I had planned on A Game of Deceit being a standalone but somehow I think Kathryn’s story isn’t quite finished yet. She still needs some closure on a few things she discovered while looking for her husband.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

KAD: When I started writing my novel over 17 years ago Kathryn was in my age bracket and I related more closely to her. But as I’ve aged and matured I find I have much more in common with her assistant, Marianne. Of course each time I did a rewrite I probably made Marianne’s traits a bit more like mine over the years!


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

KAD: I did! When I was eighteen-years-old and visiting home for the first time in three months after moving away, I arrived home to find my mother crying. My dad decided to pack up all his belongings that very day and leave without telling my mom or giving her any warning. He didn’t even bother leaving her a note either. When I decided to start writing a novel that scenario was in the back of my mind and I started thinking “what if” it was something more sinister than another woman?


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KAD: I would say I’m a shy person so I didn’t tell anyone, except immediate family, that I was writing. But after doing my 10 or so rewrites decided to start letting other people read it. I received such positive comments and eventually I was able to secure an agent. She received great feedback from several publishers but no takers. After putting the manuscript away for a few years I brought it back out and did another rewrite and decided to self-publish. Through writing my blog I’ve connected with so many wonderful authors who have given me encouragement and practical advice on how to take the plunge… and here I am!


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

KAD: Oh my… so hard to narrow the list down! I love to laugh, especially at parties, so I would have to invite Jenn McKinlay for her wicked sense of humor along with Carl Hiaasen. Between those two, the party would not lack for entertainment! Marla Cooper because, not only would she keep us laughing, but she could play her ukulele for us, and Nadine Nettmann because she would make sure we had excellent wine to drink. But in all seriousness, if I had a dinner party I would have to invite at least 100 of my favorite authors!


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

KAD: Linda Fairstein’s new release, DEADFALL.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

KAD: When my first granddaughter was born over 15 years ago, I discovered cake and cookie decorating. I never realized I had a creative, artistic streak, but that medium has allowed me to expand my skills. One of the reasons I enjoy decorating edible items is that you never have to find a place to store them, like you do paintings or sculptures. Of course there’s the unintended “goes straight to the thighs” storage with my art, but I don’t get any complaints from my recipients.

I also love creating for my blog because it combines several hobbies all in one: reading, writing, baking, and photography. It’s allowed me to stretch and expand my skills, although it takes up more time than I would sometimes like.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

KAD: I always have some type of dark chocolate on hand; definitely cheese, often 3 or 4 varieties; a chilled half bottle of champagne (because life is too short to not drink champagne so I celebrate champagne Fridays every week); peanut butter and homemade blackberry jam – okay that’s 2 items but you need both for pb & j sandwiches.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

KAD: I’m currently writing a culinary cozy mystery. I’m not a very focused writer and am SO easily distracted but hopefully it won’t take me more than a year to finish this manuscript as opposed to the 17+ years it took for me to get A Game of Deceit to print. Depending on what happens with my children’s fantasy chapter book, there’s definitely a sequel waiting to be written… although my granddaughter reminds me I shouldn’t be waiting for it to publish and should be writing the next one already. Smart girl! I’ll get on that right after I…


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

KAD: I think my favorite thing is connecting to so many people I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet, either in person or online. I’ve also found that the mystery community, whether authors or fans, is incredible supportive both with advice and encouragement! I feel so very fortunate to be a part of that!

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