Guest-Krista Davis

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Jessie: In New Hampshire where the forecast is above freezing all week!

I met Krista Davis for the first time several years ago at my very first Malice Domestic. We were both waiting in the lobby for a group of authors scheduled to have dinner with our shared publisher. I was in awe of her. No only was she one of the authors whose careers I admired, she was gracious, friendly and very kind to a neewbie like me. It is my very great privilege to welcome her to the Wickeds today!

Congratulations Sandy Gidden and Faith Creech! You are the winners of Krista’s ARCs! Jessie will email you to arrange to send your prizes.

How Can You Help Your Favorite Authors?

I get this question a lot. To be honest, before I was published, I had no idea what went on in the background. I just knew that I liked to read. I was one of those people who would read a great mystery and return to the store to buy the entire series. What’s more fun than binge reading? Right?

            But that can get pricy. Most authors aren’t reeling in John Grisham type income and we love to read, so we can relate to that. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to give authors a boost. Even better, some of these things can be done online, from the comfort of your favorite cushy chair. And some only require the click of a button!

  1. Don’t ever feel guilty for borrowing our books from a library. After all, the library bought the book, and that counts as a sale. If your library doesn’t carry your favorite author’s books, ask if they can buy one. Most libraries are very pleased to order books that their patrons request. And hopefully, someone else will notice the book and read it, too. In addition, if you’re an audio addict, a lot of libraries carry audio editions. It’s an inexpensive way for you to enjoy audio books and libraries are happy to carry them.
  2. Are you on Goodreads? Here’s something that doesn’t cost a cent and can be done from your sofa! Add a book to your want-to-read list. I love this because it lets other readers know about a book. People who belong to Goodreads want to hear what’s out there. How many times have you looked around for something new that other people are itching to read? Or did you miss a release by a favorite author? It’s such an easy way to spread the word about a book. And by adding a book to your want-to-read list, you’re doing the author a big favor. You don’t have to write a review or rate the book. You’re just telling people that you want to read it. So easy!
  3. While we’re talking about Goodreads, here’s another easy thing you can do from your sofa—enter a giveaway. No kidding. All you have to do is enter a Goodreads Giveaway. Your Goodreads friends will be notified, which is actually a favor to them because they’ll find out about the giveaway and the upcoming book. Best of all, you might win the book!
  4. Write a review. I think a lot of people are intimidated by writing a review. It doesn’t have to be long or super sophisticated. It can be even be one or two sentences. Admittedly, it does take a little bit more effort on your part, but it can be very helpful to the author. Did you know that the Amazon algorithm treats a book differently when it has fifty or more reviews? It will start popping up as a suggested read to other people who are interested in similar books. Wow! That’s like free advertising. Most people know about Amazon, but you can also post reviews at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and a host of other places!

What do you like to do to help spread the word about your favorite books?

Readers: Krista will give away an advance reader copy of The Diva Sweetens the Pie to two people who leave comments today. US mailing addresses only, please.

Krista Davis writes three mystery series. The Diva Sweetens the Pie is the 12thbook in the Domestic Diva mystery series about a group of friends in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Krista also writes the Pen & Ink Mysteries, featuring Florrie Fox, who manages a bookstore by day and draws coloring books at night. 

If dogs and cats are your thing, you might enjoy Krista’s Paws & Claws Mysteries with Trixie the Jack Russell with a nose for trouble (or more precisely—dead people) and Twinkletoes, the long-haired calico cat. The animals don’t speak in Krista’s books, but they do know how to follow the scent of murder.

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Published by Jessie Crockett

Jessie Crockett wears a lot of hats, both literally and literarily. As Jessie Crockett she is the Daphne Award winning author of Live Free or Die and the nationally bestselling Sugar Grove series. As Jessica Ellicott she has received starred reivews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal for her historical mystery Murder in an English Village. As Jessica Estevao she writes the Agatha Award nominated Change of Fortune Mysteries. She loves the beach, fountain pens, Mini Coopers and throwing parties. She lives in northern New England where she obsessively knits wool socks and enthusiastically speaks Portuguese with a shocking disregard for the rules of grammar.

79 Thoughts

  1. Welcome to.the blog Krista. Love that the 12th Diva is coming out. It’s one of my favorite series. Congratulations! Also, thanks for the great tips!

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  2. I enjoy Krista’s stories very much! A group of friends and I have been on good reads for almost 12 years. It is a great way to keep in touch about the great things we are reading. I always write a review, I find it helpful for me too. Thanks!

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    1. I’m relying so much on reviews these days. And not just about books. I love to hear what other people thought about a product.

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  5. Hi, Krista. Great to see you here. Thanks for the tips. I would like to add that readers shouldn’t feel intimidated about leaving a review of a book. A simple comment about liking the book is enough. For some reason most reviewers feel they need to recap the story. If they think in terms of leaving a brief comment instead of a review, they might be more inclined to do so.

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  7. Hi Krista,

    I’m always requesting books that I want to read and my library doesn’t have. They are pretty good about ordering them. I also leave reviews on Goodreads if I liked the book. Reviews on Amazon are trickier if you didn’t buy the book from them because they get funny about those after a while.

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    1. Thank you for supporting your writer friends, Sandy! Amazon does get funny about things.

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  8. Hi Krista (beautiful photo!)! I love each of your series — they are wonderful, entertaining and ones that I find myself re-reading. I follow all of the suggestions you’ve given and make sure to write and post reviews of books I’ve read just about everywhere I can. I’m really looking forward to The Diva Sweetens the Pie, and I can’t wait for a great new “taste” of Sophie and Natasha ~

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    1. Thanks, Celia. I’m not used to seeing myself quite so large! LOL! Thank you for saying such lovely things about my books. I think you’ll be amused by Natasha in this one!

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. Libraries are wonderful. But I think a lot of people feel guilty about not buying the book. It’s okay!

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  12. The Diva series is one of the series that got me hooked on cozies! Looking forward to the new one. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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  13. All great ways to help an author.

    I must confess I don’t tend to search for books I want to read and add them to my Goodread shelves. I don’t have the time for that. But maybe I should start.

    I get several audio books from the library, rotating a few authors I would never have the time to actually read. I’m really enjoying it and thankful to the library for the chance to do it for the cost of gas to get there to pick them up. And since one of the libraries I use is just over half a mile from my front door, even that is cheap.

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    1. Hi Mark! You review so many books! You’re already doing more than your fair share. We appreciate it!

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  15. Hi Krista,

    I’ve been a great fan of yours since Through a Glass Darkly was published. I always look forward to a new Diva book (and I’m sorry to say that we all have run into someone like Natasha), but I must admit I’m especially attached to your Paws and Claws books. Oh how I wish Wagtail really existed and I could visit with my own Jack Russell mix, Ellie. I must admit that you completely had me when, in Murder She Barked, you had your dog psychic tell Holly that her Jack Russell told her that her name was “Bad Dog.”

    Your tips are great, but I’d add that one of the greatest things about libraries is librarians. If you’re trying to research something, there’s no more wonderful and eager resource than asking a librarian.

    And you’ve made me resolve to be much more diligent in doing full Amazon reviews for any book I read that I really like (and yours always fit that category). Unfortunately Kindle makes it all to easy to just give out some stars without really doing a review.

    I’m really looking forward to hearing about how Sophie copes with Natasha’s latest outrageous behavior. I’ll see you at Malice.

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    1. Hi Leesauer! You are too kind. I wish Wagtail existed, too. I’d move there immediately. You’re so right about librarians! Thank you for mentioning them.

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  16. Krista’s books are the only mysteries that I never donate when I’m done reading them. They are so good I keep them for comfort re-reading.

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    1. Oh my! I’m so flattered! I’m delighted that you enjoy my books. Thank you, Janice.

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  21. What is it about love stories when you got some action in it, that’s what I tend to love.

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  22. I love the Diva series and the Paws and Claws ones. I can’t wait for the new ones to come out. I do have to get them from the library (and usually have to wait awhile .) Thanks for a chance .

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  23. Love your books, Krista! I’m pretty good about adding books to Goodreads. Sometimes I forget to leave reviews, though. I should do more with that!

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  25. The Diva Nails It! Although I’m delighted to say I’ve known Krista for years (and years and years, via SinC’s Guppies chapter) and while she is absolutely NOT a diva in the usual sense of the word! But when I’m reading about Sophie, I always picture Krista — especially the food!

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  26. I’m glad to hear that authors don’t mind if a review is just a couple sentences. I’ve always been afraid to leave one for fear that it wasn’t well-written enough.

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  28. I love getting books & audios from the library, BUT, I also love buying from my local retailers! I follow/reccomend Authors on Goodreads & add their books to my ‘Want to read’ list. I like to review my books on Goodreads also (& share them on FB). I’m looking forward to the newest installment Krista!
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  30. I just started leaving reviews on goodreads for one. I think I was nervous to but I did it! Your books are awesome. Especially like Trixie! The series is great fun to read. Thank you for writing them. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

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  32. I do the want to read on Goodreads. I request the library buys books all the time. I just requested four of Jenny Kales series and they bought all four! I was so excited.

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  34. As I don’t want to pay more than $7.99 for a paperback, I do get a lot of books from the library. I requested Edith Maxwell’s Quaker book as I was waiting so long for it. I did get that one and now have an E.J. Copperman that I missed on request. I enjoy all of your series.

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  35. Thanks for the great tips for readers and sharing about your new book. Looking forward to reading!

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  37. This was a great post. I lived what you said abput libraries.
    I read and review books and try hard to promote. You gave some great tips I had not thought of. I would love to get chance to read your books!

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  39. I’m actually reading a Diva book right now! I leave reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Bookbub, Pinterest, and my FB page. Congratulations on the new book!

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  40. Krista, you are one of my favorite authors! Can’t wait to read “The Diva Sweetens the Pie”. I really enjoyed your post, interesting to know there are so many different ways to support authors. Congratulations on your new release.

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  41. Thanks for the tips! Great way for readers to help our favorite authors! Love your books! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  42. Love your Diva series and always on lists I give to friends. Always waiting for the next one. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  44. I’ve read each book in this series. It’s one of my favorites. I’m sorry it’s going to hardback like others. Less books can be bought. I’ll check my library.

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  46. These are great tips. I work at a library and haven’t sent them turn down a request to order a book.

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  47. Krista, I enjoy your Diva series tremendously and I’m looking forward to the next installment! I like your Pen & Ink Mysteries, too.
    Dm_richards (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  50. Hi Krista!
    I am so excited about the Pen & Ink Mystery Series! I am an avid reader, as well as an adult who loves to color! I can’t wait to color the covers!

    I cannot forget your Domestic Diva Series! They are absolutely awesome reads. They combine mystery and fun! They always put a smile on my face!

    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful books with us!

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