I am thrilled to have Krista Davis visit today!
Both her Paws & Claws Mystery Series and
her Domestic Diva Mystery Series are wonderful!
Training Cats By Krista
There are people who believe that cats cannot be trained. Those of us who love cats tend to believe otherwise. The sad truth is that while we might think we’re training our cats, they’re really training us. It’s true. If you are owned by a cat, or two, or more, you might recognize some of these lessons straight from the Feline Manual of Proper Decorum.
1. Cats should be fed first. Should your person have forgotten to feed you, jump on the table and a) look indignant, or b) eat from your person’s plate. They will soon learn not to eat unless you have been served.
2. When the house is too cold, one of the following maneuvers usually conveys your displeasure with the setting of the thermostat. When your person has nestled down to sleep, drape yourself over the person’s neck. Be sure to purr loudly. An alternative position is on the chest as close to the chin as possible. You will know you are in the correct position when you are raised and lowered each time your person breathes. If said person does not respond quickly, try a few gentle nips on the chin.
3. Closing the bathroom door is a most irritating human habit, and one that is hard to break. Try to open the door by inserting an upside-down paw under the door, extending claws, and pulling. If this technique fails, yowl at the top of your lungs. If that fails, practice shooting ahead of the person when you see him or her heading for the bathroom. Sit quietly to teach your person not to be afraid. With time, he or she may leave the door open a bit for you.
4. Getting your person’s attention. By far the easiest method is the sit and stare. In a matter of minutes, your person should take note that you want something. If this fails and the person has any papers in front of him or her, sprawl across the papers. If the person is typing in front of a screen, walk across the keyboard or sit on it. This generally rouses people from their concentration on unimportant matters.
5. Keep your people in shape. Darting around their feet when they walk, especially when they walk down stairs, will keep your people nimble and able to continue to do your bidding.
~Krista
About Krista Davis
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, will be in bookstores on December 2nd. She also writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries. Her 8th Domestic Diva Mystery is The Diva Wraps It Up, a Christmas mystery 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.
Author Links:
kristadavis.com
www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor
pinterest.com/kristadavisbook
mysteryloverskitchen.com
twitter.com/kristadavis
killercharacters.com
The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer
(A Paws and Claws Mystery)
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (December 2, 2014)
Published by The Penguin Group
Cover Illustration by Mary Ann Lasher
Cover Design by Diana Kolsky
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425262566
E-Book File Size: 2633 KB
ASIN: B00JJXHKZM
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 . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
“Howloween” in Wagtail, so much fun especially with Apparition Apprehenders tracking ghosts all about the town from the old hotel to Holly’s Aunt Birdie’s house. The town has a legend going way back to a murder mystery at the hotel and is a known site for paranormal activity. The haunting at Birdie’s house may be figments of her imagination, wishful thinking or just a way to get a bit of attention.
Holly has her hands full with Aunt Birdie’s antics while trying to take on a more active role at the Sugar Maple Inn so he grandmother can relax a bit. While out after answering one of Birdie’s calls she finds a a dead woman floating in about 2 feet of water. She doesn’t believe it was an accidental drowning for a minute. So now she has to add finding a murderer to her to-do-list and she has to do it quick before another spirit starts haunting Wagtail.
Wagtail is a fabulous, pet friendly destination and I would love to live there. The Sugar Maple Inn has a cat wing and a dog wing and all the rooms have names of things pets love to do like “Hike” and “Swim”. Holly’s own pets Trixie and Twinkletoes are like pet ambassadors for the 4 legged friends staying at the inn. Twinkletoes gets into a bit of mischief and Trixie tries to eat the other dogs food but they are still in training.
The human characters are fun too, even a guest who shows up very unexpectedly and catches Holly off guard. Birdie is something else but does remind of one of my own aunts so I could sympathize with Holly and everyone else that has to deal with the lady. I love Oma, Holly’s grandmother. She had a fantastic idea for her inn and I am thrilled that Holly is there to help her see it through now with its new addition.
There are some strange happenings at the inn and around Wagtail that all tie into the mystery plot. Some are pretty eerie and even gave me a shiver or two. The web the author spun was very interesting and entertaining to follow.
Last but not least I loved the title. I can remember watching The Ghost and Mrs. Muir late nights with my mother back when our television only received 3 or 4 channels. Brought back a nice memory.
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Following the new Google+ Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book Fan Page will earn you 3 Bonus Entries.
Leave a comment for Krista for 5 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End January 1, 2015 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I think this is such a cute Title…I would love to win this one.
Sounds like another great series from Ms. Davis
I adore Krista Davis’ books! I have the The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer on my wish list, and I am so happy to discover the contest. I started reading the Diva series about 2 years ago and was thrilled with the Paws and Claws Mystery series came out. 🙂
Number 5 is the one big reasons that older people don’t have cats…we don’t need any broken hips 🙂
I just have to tell you dearest Krista how very very much I enjoyed reading “The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer.” I just finished it and loved, loved, loved it. I also enjoy all of your Diva series as well. I have a few of them yet to read and have them sitting on my nightstand to read. Please keep writing your awesome books! I love the names Trixie and Twinkletoes! Your books are soooooo fun and entertaining. God bless you Krista! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
Love this series
I think our cat, Blackstone, has read Krista’s Feline Manual. She knows several of those decorum items. Her own special one is jumping on our computer tower and “accidentally” hitting the off button.
I am well trained…all have worked at my house! 🙂
No need to enter me in the drawing, but I absolutely love Krista’s books and the new series sounds terrific. And I enjoyed her post on cats training people, absolutely true. Wonderful blog and review!
Cats are just as bad as toddlers, I can’t close my bathroom door. I have three cats and they’ve stopped the claws under the door trick and just try sheer force by throwing their bodies at the door. They’re all boys and you can tell. They have no problem sharing litter box time with me. The female cats I had in the past all wanted privacy (for themselves, not me).
Sounds like a great read.
This book is a delightful escape.
It will be nice to visit the Sugar Maple Inn again!
LOVE this new series and want new ones out 2x/year!
Sounds like a great book. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance.
I love that this includes both dog and cat! And love those 5 lessons. Not only are they funny, but they are all true!
Sounds like every cat I know!
Love the sound of this book
So THAT’S why I used to wake up with one of my cats sleeping on my chest staring me down! *ROFL* Our dogs have trained our cats – if there’s something the dogs can gnaw on, it also makes a wonderful scratching post – or maybe the cats gleaned that little bit of info by themselves from careful observation of dog behavior. ^U^
Number 3 had me laughing, while changing clothes you have to be careful if they hit the floor because that little paw has snatched and tried to drag it under the door. LOL
I loved the first of the series and I can’t wait to read this one.
I am a big fan of Krista Davis. Write on!
Cats definitely train us lol. That is so funny! We went to Sea World and watched the pet show…I cannot believe that those cats actually do what the trainers tell them to do. My kitties certainly don’t listen to me!
Cute book cover. Sounds like a good book.
Sue B
Cats are very interesting and can really get their point across. Now I m more into dogs though. Don’t tell my son’s cat.
Sounds like a fun book
Sounds like the purr-fect book to read while snuggled on the couch.
Love the write-up on cat training. All of it and my cats are masters at it! I’ve eliminated the cat on the keyboard by using a mini netbook or iPad exclusively. I still have a cat in my lap; but I can move the iPad above the cat. In fact, Webster sprawls across my lap and allows me to rest the iPad on his tummy. Can’t wait to read this one! Love the cover because the cat looks like my Maggie (even the stare).
I’m looking forward to reading this series.
Krista, I love both of your series. Unfortunately, per our daughter’s, since I am extremely allergic to cats we can’t have one. Curiously our dogs share some of the train your cat comments!
My 2 cats and 2 dogs all want to move to Wagtail. I wish it was real so we could move there, too..
I’m currently reading the first book in this series and love it! =)
This book sounds great!
This sounds like it will be fun.
The name of the book captured my attention before I even read the excerpt. I LOVED the tv show The Ghost and Mrs Muir. Ah..
Sounds like a great read.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
I’ve read most of the Diva series. I’m looking forward to starting this series!
I really look forward to this one Krista.
I love all the series by Krista and her COZY pal writers
You wrote this about my cats, didn’t you? Too funny.