Official Character Complaint Form - Guest Post & Giveaway

OFFICIAL CHARACTER COMPLAINT FORM FOR KATHI DALEY BOOKS

Date of initial complaint: June 16, 2017

Subject of complaint: Romance

Briefly describe your complaint:

Dear Ms. Daley,

While I have enjoyed working with you these past three years, I feel that when it comes to the area of happily ever after I have been slighted. Zoe and I began working with you within just a few weeks of one another, and while she is happily married to a wonderful man with a baby on the way, I am being asked to endure yet another heartache. I know that it is not your intent to treat any of your characters unfairly, but all I can say is; what’s up with that? I know you are really busy but if you could find it within your heart to find me the perfect match, I would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely, Tj

June 20, 2017

Dear Tj,

I hear what you are saying and I do feel your pain. It does seem that you have had the hardest time out of any of my characters when it comes to love and romance. I cannot predict the future since in the end it is the characters who write the stories, but my instinct is that love is right around the corner if you are willing to go all in and take a leap of faith.

Hugs, Kathi

July 1, 2017

Dear Ms. Daley,

Wow, when you said take a leap of faith I wasn’t aware that you meant a literal leap but I did as you suggested and I have to say that in spite of everything else that is suddenly wrong in my life I finally believe that love is real and happily ever after may in fact be an actual reality. I will admit to being scared and unsure but I am also hopeful, and most of all, happy.

Thank you, Tj

July 4, 2017

Dear Tj,

You are welcome. I’ve got things started, it is up to you to make them work. You are a brave young woman who is willing to take chances in most areas in your life. Don’t let fear be your guide, because in the end, the only real answer is to open your heart and let love in.

Hugs, Kathi

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First Case - Review

Review

FIRST CASE by Kathi Daley

The First Writer's Retreat Mystery

Moving to Gull Island after her brother's stroke Jill Hanford surrounds herself with writers of various genres as she transforms his resort into a writer's retreat. But when a suspicious death occurs, Jill puts her own journalistic abilities into action, taking on a freelance assignment to write a human interest story about the woman. For this is no random woman, rather one of the few survivors of the Friday the 13th Massacre that occurred 11 years previously. Aided by the writers at the retreat and a unique parrot named Blackbeard, Jill tries to uncover the truth of that tragedy and its relation, if there is one, to this latest death. When Jill starts to receive threats she has to wonder if some mysteries are better left unsolved.

 

FIRST CASE is a great start to a new series! Daley provides us with an island of well developed intriguing characters. She also takes a stereotypical teen slasher film premise and turns it into a historical event, a mystery to be solved, and the possible motive behind a new crime. While many cozy mysteries involve cats and dogs, FIRST CASE takes a different approach to pets with the inclusion of a bird. Blackbeard is a parrot able to provide clues in a most unique manner. 

 

This first Writer's Retreat Mystery is a well developed story with heart. Daley brings life into her characters making me want to spend time with them and get to know them better. I enjoyed the dynamics between these people (and bird) and look forward to reading about their continued interactions.

Snowmen in Paradise - Spotlight & Giveaway

Kathi Daley's Tj Jensen Mystery series is being released by Henery Press and the second book in the series, SNOWMEN IN PARADISE, is on sale through February 4, 2017.

Synopsis: 

 

Winter Carnival comes to Serenity, and with it Tj finds her schedule busier than ever. Not only is her ski and snowboard team heavily involved in demonstrations and local competitions, but her ragtag choir is about to debut in their first live performance. To make matters even more complicated, someone has killed Travis Davidson, a town favorite son, world-class snowboarder, and Olympic hopeful. Tj is determined not to get involved in the subsequent investigation until she learns the prime suspect is Chelsea Hanson, her high school boyfriend Hunter Hanson’s sister. Although there’s no shortage of Sereninites with a grudge against the hometown hero, even Tj has to admit there’s good cause to suspect Chelsea of the murder. Balancing bridesmaid duties, Winter Carnival obligations, show choir duty, and after-hours investigation, Tj sets out to prove Chelsea innocent.

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Snowmen-Paradise-Jensen-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B01GQQEJQW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1483469382&sr=1-1&keywords=snowmen+in+paradise

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snowmen-in-paradise-kathi-daley/1123889343?ean=2940158191817

Ibooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/snowmen-in-paradise/id1122152500?mt=11

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/snowmen-in-paradise


Kathi is graciously sponsoring a giveaway. The prize is a copy of SNOWMEN IN PARADISE - Kindle or Paperback - NON US Kindle only. Simply leave a comment on this blog post no later than 11:59pm EDT Wednesday, February 1, 2017. Be sure to leave an e-mail address so that I may contact you, should you be the lucky winner!
 

Spotlight & Giveaway - The Tj Jensen Cozy Mysteries

I'd like to shine a spotlight today on a whole series. The Tj Jensen Cozy Mysteries by Kathi Daley were originally self published.  Now the first 6 books in the series are being re-released by Henery Press on September 6th.

Books in the Tj Jensen Mystery Series: • PUMPKINS IN PARADISE (#1) • SNOWMEN IN PARADISE (#2) • BIKINIS IN PARADISE (#3) • CHRISTMAS IN PARADISE (#4) • PUPPIES IN PARADISE (#5) • HALLOWEEN IN PARADISE (#6) • TREASURE IN PARADISE (#7)

The Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series is set in Serenity, Nevada, a small alpine town which borders the fictional Paradise Lake. There is an emphasis on the relationships between the characters and lots of animal involvement, not to mention food. The books include recipes! 

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Bio: Kathi Daley lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and Bernese mountain dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t writing, she likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese), and garden (planting and planning, not weeding). She also enjoys spending time in the water, hiking, biking, and snowshoeing. Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her five cozy mystery series: Zoe Donovan, Whales and Tails Island, Tj Jensen, Sand and Sea Hawaiian, and Seacliff High Teen.

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Kathi is graciously sponsoring a giveaway. The prize is the winner's choice of any of the 6 Tj books - Kindle or Paperback - NON US Kindle only. Simply leave a comment on this blog post no later than 11:59pm EDT Re-Release Day, September 6th, 20016. Be sure to leave an e-mail address so that I may contact you, should you be the lucky winner!

 

Spotlight and Giveaway - Costume Catastrophe

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on Costume Catastrophe by Kathi Daley. This book is the 21st book in the Zoe Donovan Mystery series and was released this past Friday. I don't know about you, but with all this heat I'm looking forward to the fall. Thanks Kathi for bringing it early!

It's Halloween in Ashton Falls and that means Haunted Hamlet and the annual haunted house. Zoe is determined not to have her plans for this annual event ruined this year especially since it is also the weekend of the big game and a lot of old friends are in town. Things look as if they are on track for a spooktacular good time, until Zoe receives a message from an anonymous source predicting a death. At first Zoe and the gang think the note is a prank until one of the friends Zoe went to high school with actually turns up dead. Once Zoe realizes the note might not be a prank, she sets out on a race against time before someone else dies.

Recipes Included.

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Kathi is giving away a copy of  Costume Catastrophe to one lucky reader. US readers may choose between a Kindle or Paperback copy while NON US readers will receive a Kindle copy. Simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us your thoughts on Halloween haunted houses no later than 11:59 pm Monday, August 15, 2016. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so that I may contact you , should you be the winner. Good luck!

A Dolphin Bay Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kathi Daley back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Kathi has a brand new series which was just released this past week!

Kathy: Murder at Dolphin Bay is the first in a new series for you. Was there a specific inspiration for this series?

KD: I love Hawaii and I love writing about the area. I first wrote about the area in Maui Madness, A Zoe, and it was one of my most popular books in the series. I wrote Maui Madness while on location while I wrote Murder at Dolphin Bay during a snowstorm in Tahoe, but it was so nice to mentally take myself out of the storm and onto the beach.


Kathy: Have you spent any time in Hawaii?

KD: Yes. My husband and I love Hawaii and have been many times. Living on the west coast it is actually closer than going to eastern locals such as Florida. We usually stay on Maui but have also visited the big island and Oahu as well. We are going in April and plan to spend time on both Maui and Oahu.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite locale?

KD: We always stay in the same condo which is located north of Lahaina. It is located right on the beach and the view of Molokai in the distance is spectacular and there are a lot of fantastic restaurants in the area.


Kathy: What's your favorite way to pass the time in Hawaii?

KD: I really just like to relax when I go to Hawaii. I’ve been often enough that I don’t feel the need to sightsee so we usually just lie on the beach and read. I do plan to do some writing while I’m there. I love sitting on the lanai sipping my coffee while I create stories about life on the islands. It should work out that I can work on Book #2 in the Sand and Sea series while I am there. I find that these trips help me to describe the ‘feel’ of island life in more vivid detail.


Kathy: What do you prefer, the sand or the sea?

KD: I think the sand. I am a certified scuba diver and I do enjoy getting into the water while I am in Hawaii, but I find that more often than not I am lazy and just want to lounge around during my free time.


Kathy: You start a new series with the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mysteries. How do you find time to write the many series you do?

KD: I write all the time wherever I am. I recently flew to Knoxville for Romancing the Smokies which required me to take a week away from my computer but I managed to write the first two chapters of the book I am currently working on while on the plane. I enjoy writing multiple series. I think I would become bored writing the same characters every time.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

KD: I am currently working on Kitten Kaboodle – a Zoe – which will publish in May. The first book in my new Southern Seashore Mystery series – Barkley’s Treasure - publishes in April, and The Great Catsby – A Whales and Tails – publishes in June. After that I will publish book 2 in the Sand and Sea series which does not as of yet have a title.

Here are five facts about me that may be true or may be false. I will share the answers as to which are true and which are false on my Facebook page tomorrow. www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks. In the meantime try to guess by giving your answers in the comments below.

1. I had a pig named Maxwell when I was a child.

2. I was a child model.

3. My middle name is Raquel after Raquel Welch.

4. I once stole an entire litter of kittens from my neighbor.

5. I am terrified of snakes.

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Kathi is giving away a Murder at Dolphin Bay Tote and a book - paperback or kindle winners choice. NON US winner gets a kindle copy of the book and a $15 Amazon gift card in lieu of tote and paperback.

I'll pick a winner from someone who comments with guesses to Kathi's 5 facts. Be sure to leave an e-mail address so that I may contact you, should you win. Please leave your comment no later than 11:59 om EST Saturday, April 2, 2016.

Spotlight & Giveaway - A Tale of Two Tabbies

Today I'm shining a spotlight on A Tale of Two Tabbies by Kathi Daley. This book is the 7th in the Whales and Tales Mystery series and was released February 29th.

From the author: 

Whales and Tails is a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt's oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn't working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.

In the 7th book in the series, Cait finds a cat locked in the confessional at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, which leads to the discovery of a body locked in the trunk of a car. Maggie has a secret, Cody is dealing with a life changing decision, and Finn has multiple crimes to deal with, so Cait enlists Tara's help to track down a killer.

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of A Tale of Two Tabbies simply leave a comment on this blog post no later than 11:59 pm EST Saturday, March 5, 2016. Please leave your e-mail address. US addresses may choose a paperback or kindle copy, if the winner is from another country, the prize will be the Kindle edition.

Spotlight - Much Ado About Felines & Giveaway

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on Much Ado about Felines by Kathi Daley. This book is the 4th in the Whales and Tails Mystery series and was released July 15th.

The Whales and Tails Mysteries is a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander, Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt's oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn't working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.

In the fourth installment in the series, the body of a long time island local is found buried in her own grave. Cait and the gang set out to investigate the strange occurrence and along the way they uncover the truth about the mysterious man who arrived on the ferry every week and is followed everywhere he goes by a black and white cat.

Kathi Daley is giving away a copy of Much Ado about Felines to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment on this blog post no later than 11:59 pm EDT on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so that I may contact you should yours be the lucky comment chosen by random.org!

Spotlight - Grimm's Furry Tail

Grimm's Furry Tail by Kathi Daley
The Third Whales and Tails Mystery
 

Caitlin’s friend Cody buys the old newspaper and discovers a previously unpublished edition that details a murder that occurred decades ago. The fact that the story was written but never published piques the curiosity of the friends, who decide to delve into a cold case that reaches back fifty years. When the truth is discovered they struggle with the ramifications of what they have uncovered. They know that revealing it will rock the small island community to its core. When they find the body of the only other person who knows the truth, they realize that the decades old mystery may be linked to a modern day plot with consequences too disturbing to even consider.

Join Cait, Cody, Max, and Emily (the tiny kitten Tansy has sent to help) as the weed through the evidence and search for an answer. 

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For a chance to win a copy of Grimm's Furry Tail tell us what cold case you'd like to solve. Leave your comment, along with your e-mail address, on this blog post no later than 11:59pm EST Friday, March 27, 2015 for a chance to win.

 

Spotlight - The Mad Catter & Giveaway

The Mad Catter by Kathi Daley
The Second book in the Whales and Tails Mystery series 

A Whales and Tails cozy mystery series is set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt's oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn't working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate Coffee Cat Books, a coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge.

Like all Kathi Daley Cozies, this series will include close friendships, a romance element, and recipes. This series differs from the others in that there is a ‘light’ paranormal element as Caitlin is helped in her investigation by Bella and Tansy, two very intuitive women who sell herbs and tell fortunes, and a series of extremely helpful cats who seem to show up and point her in the right direction at just the right time.

In book 2 of the series, a beautiful white cat named Alice comes into Caitlin’s life. Although Cait is expecting Alice’s arrival, she is unprepared for the fact that the fury feline is about to lead her down a rabbit hole in which nothing is quite what it seems. Not only does Cait find out that a very unlikely person is behind her Aunt Maggie’s illness, but when a body is found in the church, the only real suspect is someone Cait’s heart tells her couldn’t possibly be a killer. 

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I'm a huge Alice in Wonderland fan and have lots of Wonderland themed goodies. For a chance to win a copy of Kathi Daley's The Mad Catter leave a comment here telling us your favorite Alice in Wonderland moment or character. Be sure to include your e-mail address and leave your comment no later than 11:59 EST Sunday, March 15th.

Romeow and Juliet & Giveaway

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley. Kathi, author of the Zoe Donovan Mystery series and the Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series, is a prolific writer who is starting a brand new series, the Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery series.

Romeow and Juliet is the first in a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt's oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn't working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.

In the first installment to the series Cait and her dog Max find the body of a member of the island council dead in the back room of the old fish cannery. As Cait delves into the murder she finds herself with an unlikely sleuthing partner that might just lead to a relationship of a more personal kind.

Meanwhile, Romeo, as stray cat that followed Cait home, is causing all sorts of problems for Cait as, in spite of dire warnings from the neighbor next door, he refuses to stay away from her very expensive show cat, Juliet. Could Romeo really be trying to tell Cait something about the neighbor that she initially refuses to see?

Recipes included.


For a chance to win your own copy of Romeow and Juliet leave a comment on this blog post no later than 11:59 pm Sunday, January 25, 2015 EST. Let us know if you'd like to hang out at a "coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge". If the winner has a US address he/she can choose between a print or e-book version. If the winner's address is in another country the prize will be the e-version. Be sure to leave your e-mail address as well, so that I may contact you should you win.

Spotlight - Alaskan Alliance & Giveaway

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on Alaskan Alliance by Kathi Daley. This book is the 12th in the Zoe Donovan Mystery series.

Alaskan Alliance

Zak and Zoe travel to Alaska after Zoe is asked by her dog trainer friend Peter to fly to Moosehead Alaska to deliver a search and rescue dog to a team desperate for some canine help after their own dog is injured during a rescue. Within twelve hours of arriving in the isolated little town, Zoe stumbles onto a murder scene where everything must be questioned because nothing is exactly as it seems. When a second body is found and a five year old cold case is reexamined, things go from complicated to bizarre. Meanwhile Levi and Ellie are home in Ashton Falls dealing with complex emotions as they solve their own thorny mystery.

Recipes Included.


Kathi Daley is offering a copy of Alaskan Alliance to one of my readers! Simply comment on this blog post telling us if you've ever been to Alaska! Leave your comment sometime this year (EST)! Make sure you leave your e-mail address so that I may contact you should you win!

Spotlight - Christmas Cozy

It's Christmastime so I'd like to shine a spotlight in a Christmas mystery. Christmas Cozy by Kathi Daley is the 11th book in the Zoe Donovan Mystery series.

Christmas Cozy

Christmas in Ashton Falls is always a magical time of year. The first big snow has arrived, the tree in the town square has been decorated, the window displays completed, and Hometown Christmas is just around the corner. Zoe finds herself knee deep in holiday shopping and Children’s wishes as she and Zak play host to nine year old Scooter Sherwood and his friend Alex. Although a bit hectic, the magic of Christmas is in full bloom and things couldn’t be more perfect until Zoe finds the body of history teacher Holly Jolly in the Ashton Falls High School Christmas Tree lot. When best friend Levi Denton ends up as the primary suspect, Zoe is pulled into a dangerous holiday investigation.