Welcome Back Krista Davis, and a #Giveaway!

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By Liz, excited to welcome the lovely and talented Krista Davis back to the blog! She’s talking about one of the best parts about writing books – dedicating them to someone. Take it away, Krista!

Dedicated to You!

I joke a lot about the glamorous writing life of an author. The truth is that I’m not jetting around the world or drinking martinis in chic bars surrounded by clever celebrities. In fact, I have never done any of those things. Hmm . . . I must be doing something wrong.

But there is one fun thing authors get to do. We can dedicate our books to the special people in our lives. I think most authors dedicate books to close family first. After all, they’re the ones who put up with our years of moaning and groaning about our books.

Sometimes, a special family member deserves a dedication. I dedicated Murder, She Barked to my maternal grandmother because the series features Oma, a German grandmother. She’s not exactly modeled after my grandmother, but my Oma loved to read and would be flipping out about her granddaughter, the author.

Also in the Paws & Claws Mysteries, I dedicated Big, Little Spies to Buttercup, the dog who inspired the character of Trixie. Now, it might seem odd to dedicate a book to a dog, but I don’t think the series would have existed without her. Buttercup was a Jack Russell terrier, full of energy, and one of the smartest animals I have ever known. She was dumped on my street along with eight puppies that did not belong to her. She’d been abused but it didn’t take her long to realize that life was good at my house. I’m not joking when I say that I never had to scold her. She knew when she was doing something rascally. It was like she could read my mind. My sweet Buttercup lived a long life. These days, I love having her come alive again in my Paws & Claws Mysteries.

The Diva Says Cheesecake, which is my latest Domestic Diva Mystery, is dedicated to a family friend who knew me when I was three years old. She recently told me that when I figured out how the latch worked on her kitchen door, I would run to her house, open the door, and then close and lock it to hide from my mother! My parents never mentioned this terrible behavior. What a pain I must have been. But it says a lot that at age three, it was her house I ran to. That’s certainly deserving of a dedication.

I have two more books coming up this year. One of them is A Colorful Scheme in my Pen & Ink Mysteries. It’s dedicated to a dear friend from my twenties. We worked together in a huge convention hotel, and we had a ball. Thanks to Facebook, we’re in touch again. I think a dedication is a nice way to let her know how much she means to me.

Just for a moment, put yourself in my shoes (expensive glamorous glittering stilettos), and tell us to whom you would dedicate a book.

And now I’ll get back (in flat comfortable sandals) to the reality of a fresh mug of hot tea (milk and sugar, please), seat in chair, fingers on keyboard, and a host of characters whose lives are far more interesting than mine.

Readers, who would you dedicate a book to? Leave a comment for a chance to win an ARC of The Diva Says Cheesecake! or A Colorful Scheme!

New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mystery series, the Paws & Claws Mystery series, and The Pen & Ink Mysteries, which have covers that can be colored. Look for the fifteenth Domestic Diva Mystery THE DIVA SAYS CHEESECAKE! on May 31st; the fourth Pen & Ink Mystery, A COLORFUL SCHEME, on August 30th; and the eighth book in the Paws & Claws Mysteries, A GOOD DOG’S GUIDE TO MURDER on September 6th. Krista lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with two dogs, two cats, and a depleted stash of chocolate. You can find her at www.KristaDavis.com, www.instagram.com/kristadavisauthor, www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor, pinterest.com/kristadavisbook , and twitter.com/kristadavis.

Published by Cate Conte / Liz Mugavero

Cate Conte writes the Cat Cafe Mysteries and the Full Moon Mysteries. As Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, the first of which was an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. She lives in the Boston area with her rescue pals.

80 Thoughts

  2. I would dedicate a book in my Mom’s memory as she was the one that I got my love of reading from. We would go to the library together when I was a teen and get a nice haul and swap books. She gave me the love of mysteries starting gothics and then I eventually discovered cozies and haven’t looked back. Thank you for this chance at your giveaway! pgenest57 at aol dot com

  4. Welcome back Krista! I love writing dedications. I recently dedicated a book to Nancy Drew – the gateway author for so many of us.

  5. I would dedicate my book to my long-time bestie. We’ve been friends for almost 50 years and got into so many things when we were younger. Life would have been a lot more boring without her in mine.

  6. Looking forward to your new books! I would dedicate to my parents, the ones who cheer you on.

  8. Dedicating books is so much fun! One of my favorites was to my cats (past and present) who encouraged and inspired me by letting me know that just when I thought I’d seen everything, there was new mischief in the offing.

  9. To my parents, and maybe one to my cat. She’s very “helpful.”

  12. Think dedications are an awesome way to acknowledge those important in your life. And that doesn’t mean it has to be just two legged characters. Love the dedication to the dog that just shows you were both such an important part in each other’s lives. For me, I’d have to write a whole host of books to acknowledge all those that need recognition. Hopefully, that means you do too so we will be blessed with many more books. <3

    I was very fortunate to be given the privilege of reading an ARC copy so I know that whoever wins is in for a fabulous treat. As for me, I can't wait for the chance to read the next book – and then the book after that and so on.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    1. Thank you, Kay! I’m just winding up writing The Diva Delivers on a Promise. You are so very lucky to have had many wonderful people in your life. I hope there will be many more!

  13. To my two special kitties who were right with me with their unconditional love through some tough times, Prince and Sheba! I miss them awfu!!

    1. Oh, Kathy! I know how you feel. My Baron (dog) went through some tough times with me. You are lucky to have had them. KATHY! You have already won an ARC of The Diva Says Cheesecake! But I need your mailing address. Please contact me!

  14. The mythical book that I hope to write someday would be dedicated to my parents, who were the ones that fueled my lifelong love of reading. There is no other option for that first book, period.

  15. My friend, Rose, who has always been there for me.

  16. Hello Krista! I have not read your fascinating books, but will try to correct that pronto! I once wrote a short children’s book about my cat Osiris, and dedicated it to him. That was a flop, but I did meet my goal of ‘writing a book’, which had nothing to do with its quality or about publishing it 😉 If I were to dedicate a book today, I would dedicate it to my loving wife of 53 years for putting up with me all these years, and for being my rock of support and encouragement in everything…including writing a book. Thank you for sharing your writing talents with us eager readers. Happy Memorial Day! luis at ole dot travel

  18. If I ever write a book, I would like to dedicate it to all my English teachers growing up and all the Librarians I have ever known. My English teachers taught me about literature and writing and the Librarians taught me how to share my love of reading with others. Listing all of the authors who fueled my love of reading would be a book in itself, but I would have to mention Madeleine L’Engle by name.

  19. I would have to dedicate a book to my mom. She was a reader, the house was filled with books – mostly mysteries and science fiction. Through her I developed my love for reading and we enjoyed discussing our latest finds. Her last recommendation was Louise Penny’s Three Pines series, unfortunately I never got a chance to talk about them with her before she died.

  20. Welcome back, Krista! It is so great to have you visiting the Wickeds. I have dedicated books to my parents, my spouse, my children and grandchildren and special groups of friends, like my writers group and the Wickeds!

  21. I’m not a writer, but if I ever had a book of any sort published, it would be dedicated to my dear daddy. He supported me through a lot of strife, and I still feel his presence after 48 years. And know he would be proud of me.

    1. If I were a writer, I would dedicate a book to my cousin, Gail. She is a couple of years older than me, and I cannot remember a time when I did not know her. Nobody understands our families better than our cousins do. I have many wonderful cousins, but Gail is the one who shares a love of reading with me. She has been a source of encouragement to me.

  22. I would dedicate a book to my mom, who fostered my love of reading by taking me to the library weekly, and to my dad, who set the reading example by reading anything he could get his hands on. Thanks for the chance!

  23. I would dedicate a book to my mom, who fostered my love of reading by taking me to the library once a week, and to my dad, who was my reading example. He would read anything he could get his hands on. Thanks for the chance!

  24. Congratulations on the new book and the one coming. I love your writing and my looking forward to the publication dates! I would dedicate a book to my sister, who always had and has a book at hand. I never have to take books to her house, as she always has books for me to read!

  25. I would dedicate it to my cat, Lucky who will be 22 years old in August. He has been my constant companion. He endured diabetes and is now in remission. He has gone into a coma twice and fought his way back to me while I ugly cried and begged him not to leave me. He is tuned into my emotions more than any other furbaby has ever been. He has a bond and love for me that is strong and it will never be broken. He is an inspiration.

  26. I would dedicate the book to my sister who is also my best friend and makes me a better person!!

  27. I always enjoy reading the dedications and seeing who the authors choose. I would definitely start with my family.

    (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

  28. To my best friend Cyndra, who has been there for over 40 years, and who knows me better than I know myself.

  29. To my Mom, who always had books in the house and encouraged us to read. She spent many hours taking us to the library and helping us pick out books.

  30. I love your running to your neighbor’s house, sweet little rascal . . . and it reminds me that the young ones in my condo neighborhood would find their way to my door if something was troubling them. <3
    I'd dedicate a book my father, who told us stories, and my mother, who listened our stories out of us. 😉
    . . . now wishing I had some cheesecake in the house . . .

  31. If I had a book to dedicate it would be to my beautiful Mom who passed away in November 1999 missing the year 2000 that she had hoped to live to!
    She was a very hard worker raising three daughters and teaching us all good manners, how to cook and bake and do most everything else domestic She taught us the love of animals and birds and flowers and fruit and planting just about everything possible. She read to us all until we could read to her and she never missed a night to do that!

    I’m currently writing about my life to be printed for my grandchildren and that is where I hope to tell them about how I learned to love doing things with my family so much that your heart aches when you don’t get to see them or talk to them and to know how much grandparents love their grandchildren so deeply! 💕❤️

  32. I would dedicate a book to my last Cat Tigger. She had a very, very bad kittyhood and I had just lost a cat so I rescued Tigger as a senior cat and she spent many years with my family and I. I’m so glad she spent many, many loving years with me and she made the best too. I miss her so much and still love her.
    Hope I Win

    1. My veterinarian says animals find the people they need. It sounds like Tigger waited for you to come along. She was very lucky to have such a loving family and experience a good life with you.

  33. I would dedicate a book to my parents and my husband. Happy book birthday. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

  34. Dedicated to my Mom and dad who lead me to books. Helen and Gene Albright

  36. To my father who at a very young age instilled the importance of reading.

  37. I would dedicate my book to my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Campbell because if not for her I wouldn’t have become a reader.

  38. Welcome back, Krista! I thought yesterday was Sunday and missed this! I dedicate all my books to my husband. In the Chloe Jackson books I also dedicate them to a dear friend who helped research the series and died unexpectedly before the first book came out.

  39. I am a fan of this author and her books!! I would dedicate a book to my mom who has always been there for me!

  40. I would dedicate a book to my sweet grandmother who has ways been there when I needed her!

    Thank you for the chance! Love your books!

  41. Hmm. I might dedicate a book to my long-suffering mother.

    Great to see a post about this series! Welcome back! I especially *love* the cover for “Big Little Spies”!

  42. I would dedicate it to my twin sister who is my greatest support.

  43. To all the hardworking teachers with only one or two students in a room of thirty who really WANT to learn.

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