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Davis, K. A.

WORK TITLE: The Game of Deceit
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Davis, Kim
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY:
STATE: CA
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:

RESEARCHER NOTES:

PERSONAL

Married; has stepchildren.

ADDRESS

  • Home - CA.
  • Office - Cinnamon & Sugar Press, 926 Kauai Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

CAREER

Writer.

AVOCATIONS:

Reading, baking, photography, spending time with granddaughters.

MEMBER:

Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime.

WRITINGS

  • A Game of Deceit, Cinnamon & Sugar Press (Costa Mesa, CA), 2017

Author of the blog Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder. Contributor of articles to publications, including Cricket, Skipping Stones, Nature Friends, and Seed of Truth.

SIDELIGHTS

K.A. Davis, also known as Kim Davis, is a writer based in California. She maintains a blog and writes articles in children’s magazines.

In 2017 Davis released her first novel, A Game of Deceit. In it, she tells the story of Kathryn Landry, an interior designer experiencing marital troubles. Neil, her husband, has made Kathryn’s life difficult in recent years and keeps a tight grip on the family finances and those for her design firm. When Neil goes missing, Mike Williams, a detective, is put on the case. Mike and Kathryn have a history, as Mike was the detective in charge of finding her father, who disappeared decades ago. John, an entrepreneur with a security firm, also helps in the search for Neil. Readers learn that Neil had a mistress and had planned to leave Kathryn penniless. Meanwhile, Kathryn deals with attractions to Mike and John, bonds with her business partner, and learns more about her family and her past.

Davis discussed the book’s origins in an interview with Kathleen Costa, contributor to the Kings River Life website. Davis stated: “A Game of Deceit started with a ‘what if’ based on a true story: when I was eighteen and visiting home for the first time in three months, I walked into the house and found that my dad had moved out with all his belongings that day without saying anything to my mom. Nor did he leave a note, but instead of murder it was the case of another woman. However, that inspired me to start writing.” Davis continued: “You might say it’s been a bit cathartic. Both of my parents passed away numerous years ago so I feel free to share the story of how the basis of my book came about.” In the same interview with Costa, Davis commented on the genre of her book, stating: “I know my book is kind of caught between two genres! I actually labeled it a suspense novel with cozy elements to it since some cozy readers might be put off by the darker edge. I don’t want to mislead them. I think starting out writing my book I had some angst that needed to be expressed, thus the darker feel; surprisingly, my characters strongly led to some of that darkness. I tried fighting them, but in the end they were insistent that their story needed to be told.” Discussing her protagonist’s line of work, Davis told Costa: “I chose Kathryn to be an interior designer because I always wanted to be one. I never followed through to getting into that profession because my previous marriage never allowed me to settle down long enough to get a degree, since we transferred almost every year to a new location. However, a few years ago my husband (Mr. Right!) and I purchased property and designed our home from the ground up. I had an absolute blast creating the house and loved working with our designer.” In an interview with Shannon Muir, writer on the Pulp and Mystery Shelf website, Davis shared the message of her book. She stated: “Life is never easy but I think we can surprise ourselves at how we find the strength and courage within to keep going, to do our best to excel at whatever we put our minds to.”

Reviews of A Game of Deceit were favorable. A Kirkus Reviews critic suggested: “Davis has created a fast-paced narrative.” The same critic added: “Davis deftly keeps readers as up in the air as Kathryn throughout this well-crafted tale” and called the volume “an impressive thriller by an author worth following.” Writing on the Reader’s Favorite website, Susan Sewell commented: “A Game of Deceit by K.A. Davis is a thrilling suspense novel. It is a fantastic book with interesting characters, a convoluted plot, and a captivating story line that builds to a surprise ending.”

BIOCRIT

PERIODICALS

  • Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2017, review of A Game of Deceit.

ONLINE

  • Kim Davis Website, http://kimdavisauthor.com (May 27, 2018).

  • Kings River Life, http://kingsriverlife.com/ (August 26, 2017), Kathleen Costa, author interview and review of A Game of Deceit.

  • Pulp and Mystery Shelf, http://mysteryshelf.com/ (August 8, 2017), Shannon Muir, author interview.

  • Reader’s Favorite, https://readersfavorite.com/ (August 8, 2017), Susan Sewell, review of A Game of Deceit.

  • A Game of Deceit - 2017 Cinnamon & Sugar Press, https://smile.amazon.com/Game-Deceit-K-Davis/dp/0999068814/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524368775&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Game+of+Deceit+Davis%2C+K.+A.
  • Amazon - https://smile.amazon.com/Game-Deceit-K-Davis/dp/0999068814/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524368775&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Game+of+Deceit+Davis%2C+K.+A.

    K. A. Davis lives in Southern California with her husband, near wildfire country. During the Portola Hills fire in October 2007, she had to evacuate her two young granddaughters, one of whom has Rett Syndrome, as a wall of flames crept towards their home. Thankfully, due to the brave efforts of firefighters, their neighborhood was spared and no loss of life or property occurred. She was inspired by this ordeal to create a suspenseful scene in her debut novel. She writes the Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder blog and has had several children's articles published in Cricket, Nature Friend, Skipping Stones, and the Seed of Truth magazines.

  • Kim Davis - http://kimdavisauthor.com/about/

    About Kim Davis

    I’m a full-time hobbyist… sticking my fingers in a little bit of this and a little bit of that. One of my life long hobbies has been reading murder mysteries. It all started when I was eight years old and picked up a Nancy Drew book. I was hooked from then on.

    My favorite “hobby” is spending time with my two granddaughters, Jaidyn and Emory, ages 15 and 13 Technically they are my step-granddaughters, or as our family calls it “bonus-granddaughters”, but that certainly has not diminished the fact that I am their grandmother! Emory is a typical thirteen-year-old, loves to dance and has more energy than I know how to keep up with. Jaidyn was born with Rett Syndrome and received the diagnosis when she was three years old. She is a beautiful, happy girl who loves spending time with me…and I with her, along with regular excursions to Disneyland and weekly horse riding with friends.

    From the moment of their birth I have been involved in Jaidyn and Emory’s lives and from that involvement I’ve discovered new hobby opportunities. Cake and cookie baking and decorating, sewing, writing and scrapbooking to name a few. But by far my favorite hobby, aside from my granddaughters, is time spent in the kitchen with the sweet smell of sugar and spicy cinnamon floating through the air. That enjoyment is the catalyst for launching my blog, Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder. I've been blogging for close to three years and have enjoyed the connection to the authors that I showcase along with readers.

    In addition to publishing my suspense novel, A GAME OF DECEIT, and writing the Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder blog, I've had several children’s articles published in a variety of magazines. When not busy with my granddaughters, I can be found writing my next mystery, blogging, baking, or working on my photography skills.

    I am a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
    What is Rett Syndrome?

    Rett syndrome is a rare non-inherited genetic postnatal neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily. The hallmark of Rett syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements while awake. Cognitive assessment in children with Rett syndrome is complicated, but we know that they understand far more than they can communicate to us, evidenced by their bright and attentive eyes, and their ability to express a wide spectrum of moods and emotions. While there is no cure for Rett Syndrome, there is hope! Two clinical trials are underway and through the tireless efforts of researchers, we have faith that a cure will be found in Jaidyn’s lifetime. If you’d like more information, please visit http://www.rettsyndrome.org/
    More information

  • Pulp and Mystery Shelf - http://mysteryshelf.com/blog-tour-a-game-of-deceit/

    QUOTED: "Life is never easy but I think we can surprise ourselves at how we find the strength and courage within to keep going, to do our best to excel at whatever we put our minds to."

    Shannon Muir
    August 8, 2017

    THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF!

    DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF by Great Escapes Book Tours. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.

    A Game of Deceit
    by K. A. Davis

    Genre: Suspense
    Date of Release: August 1, 2017
    Number in Series: Stand-alone
    Publisher: Cinnamon & Sugar Press
    Number of page: 287

    Synopsis:

    A father’s disappearance never solved, a mother’s secret taken to the grave, a daughter deceived…

    Kathryn Landry thinks her life is just about perfect. She is the owner of a successful interior designer business in Newport Beach, California, and she has an attentive, supportive husband. But her world comes crashing down when her husband, Neil Landry, vanishes without a trace… in a situation almost identical to the disappearance of her father twenty years before.
    With her father’s disappearance still a mystery, Kathryn is skeptical that the detective assigned to her case will be able to find her husband. Determined to uncover the truth, Kathryn is plunged into a world of politics, high-priced call girls and wealth. As she begins to search for her husband, a decades-old secret her mother took to the grave threatens to destroy all she holds dear. Caught up in a web of betrayals and deceit, and not knowing who to trust, Kathryn must find a way to survive as she discovers the past has a way of repeating itself.

    Does the book contain: only mild language and no graphic sex

    Interview With The Author

    What initially got you interested in writing?

    I’ve always enjoyed writing and am probably the only person in college I know who would turn in a 2o page essay when only 5 pages were needed.

    What genres do you write in?

    Suspense, cozy mysteries, children’s fantasy.

    What drew you to writing these specific genres?

    I’ve always loved reading mysteries and suspense so that’s what I mostly write. When I discovered cozy mysteries several years ago I knew I’d want to write one as well. However, a few years ago my granddaughter, Emory, asked me to write a fantasy book for her so I did. It’s not published… yet… I found I really enjoyed making up worlds in my mind and bringing it to life on paper and Emory has asked me to write a sequel.

    How did you break into the field?

    I started out by just writing, then realized I needed to learn how to do it better. I took a couple writing courses, and attended conferences and retreats on writing craft. Along the way I’ve met so many wonderful people who have given me both practical advice and encouragement to keep at it.

    What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
    Life is never easy but I think we can surprise ourselves at how we find the strength and courage within to keep going, to do our best to excel at whatever we put our minds to.

    What do you find most rewarding about writing?
    Seeing my characters and setting come to life on paper and then having the ability to share it with others.

    What do you find most challenging about writing?
    Actually writing! I am so easily distracted… Plus when I find time to write I end up reading what I’ve already written and then start editing instead of writing. I’m trying hard to break myself of that habit.

    What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

    Keep at it and don’t give up! Plus, find ways to improve your writing skills whether online or by reading books on the writing craft, or attending seminars.

    What type of books do you enjoy reading?
    Mysteries and suspense are at the top of my favorites. After that I love historical fiction, specifically from the 1200’s to the 1700’s. I also have been known to read a variety of cookbooks from cover to cover.

    Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

    A little over 2-1/2 years ago I launched my blog, Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder. It started out as a way to share my own recipes along with the cakes and cookies that I love to decorate, plus a blurb on what mystery I happened to be reading at the time. It didn’t take long for me to discover the multitude of culinary cozy mysteries out there. I was hooked so I changed my blog’s focus to being more of a review site along with sharing recipes from the books I review. I still love to decorate cakes and cookies but now that my granddaughters are older, don’t have need to do as much as I once did.

    What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

    Website: http://kimdavisauthor.com/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Davis-Author-1532277473479031
    Twitter: @Kookiesandbooks
    Blog: https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cinnamon-Sugar-and-a-Little-Bit-of-Murder-187400864778608

    About The Author
    Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband, near wildfire country. During the Portola Hills fire in October 2007, she had to evacuate her two young granddaughters, one of whom has Rett Syndrome, as a wall of one hundred foot flames crept towards their home. Thankfully, due to the brave efforts of firefighters, their neighborhood was spared and no loss of life or property occurred. She was able to use that experience to write a harrowing scene in A Game of Deceit.

    She writes the Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder blog and has had several children’s articles published in Cricket, Nature Friend, Skipping Stones, and the Seed of Truth magazines. Kim Davis is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

QUOTED: "Davis has created a fast-paced narrative."
"Davis deftly keeps readers as up in the air as Kathryn throughout this well-crafted tale. An impressive thriller by an author worth following."

Davis, Kim: A GAME OF DECEIT
Kirkus Reviews.
(Aug. 1, 2017): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Davis, Kim A GAME OF DECEIT Cinnamon & Sugar Press (Indie Fiction) $11.99 6, 19 ISBN: 978-0-9990688-1-6
Falling for the wrong man could prove life-threatening for an interior designer in this debut novel. Davis' unlikely protagonist is Kathryn Landry, whose life has gotten complicated quickly. Her cold, overbearing husband, Neil, has suddenly vanished. While the couple drifted apart, Neil tightly controlled their finances, including handling the transactions for Kathryn's design firm. Assigned to Neil's case is Detective Mike Williams, who failed to find Kathryn's missing father 25 years earlier. Also offering to help is John Selton, a client of Kathryn's who also runs a security firm and constantly flirts with her. Despite the search for her husband, Kathryn finds herself romantically drawn to both Mike and John, who can't stand each other. Then her apartment and office get broken into, with the target a flash drive that only the two men know about, so one isn't on the up-and-up. In addition, she discovers Neil had made plans to leave the country imminently with all their money and his mistress. Fortunately, Kathryn is supported, emotionally and financially, by her assistant-turned-partner, Marianne Patton, and her husband, Richard, who take in Kathryn. They help her sort out the chaos that surrounds her as she tries to decipher what Neil did that caused his disappearance and put her life in danger. She also meets her dying uncle, who fills in some of the holes in her history. With a novel heavy on dialogue, Davis has created a fast-paced narrative. She effectively uses her native Southern California as a backdrop, especially the ever present wildfires. Kathryn does seem to move on from her absent husband rather quickly, content to waffle between two intriguing new suitors. But considering how badly Neil treated her, that's certainly understandable. In addition, all the mysteries in the heroine's life improbably get tied up a little too neatly by the book's end. Still, Davis deftly keeps readers as up in the air as Kathryn throughout this well-crafted tale. An impressive thriller by an author worth following.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Davis, Kim: A GAME OF DECEIT." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2017. Book Review Index Plus,
1 of 2 4/21/18, 10:49 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A499572585/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=7ab00410. Accessed 21 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A499572585
2 of 2 4/21/18, 10:49 PM

"Davis, Kim: A GAME OF DECEIT." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2017. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A499572585/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=7ab00410. Accessed 21 Apr. 2018.
  • Kings River Life
    http://kingsriverlife.com/08/26/a-game-of-deceit-by-k-a-davis/

    Word count: 3435

    QUOTED: "A Game of Deceit started with a “what if” based on a true story: when I was 18 and visiting home for the first time in 3 months, I walked in to the house and found that my dad had moved out with all his belongings that day without saying anything to my mom. Nor did he leave a note, but instead of murder it was the case of another woman. However, that inspired me to start writing."
    "You might say it’s been a bit cathartic. Both of my parents passed away numerous years ago so I feel free to share the story of how the basis of my book came about."
    "I know my book is kind of caught between two genres! I actually labeled it a suspense with cozy elements to it since some cozy readers might be put off by the darker edge. I don’t want to mislead them. I think starting out writing my book I had some angst that needed to be expressed, thus the darker feel, surprisingly, my characters strongly led to some of that darkness. I tried fighting them, but in the end they were insistent that their story needed to be told."
    "I chose Kathryn to be an interior designer because I always wanted to be one. I never followed through to getting into that profession because my previous marriage never allowed me to settle down long enough to get a degree, since we transferred almost every year to a new location. However, a few years ago my husband (Mr. Right!) and I purchased property and designed our home from the ground up. I had an absolute blast creating the house and loved working with our designer."

    A Game of Deceit By K.A. Davis: Review/Giveaway/Interview

    IN THE August 26 ISSUE

    FROM THE 2017 Articles,
    andKathleen Costa,
    andMysteryrat's Maze SECTIONS

    by Kathleen Costa

    This week we have a review of A Game of Deceit, and an interesting interview with author K.A. Davis. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win either an ebook or print copy of this book, and a link to purchase it from Amazon and an independent bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

    A Game of Deceit By K.A. Davis
    Review by Kathleen Costa

    Kathryn Landry, of Landry Designs, worries about making Saturday arrangements to finalize work with John Selton, owner of the Selton Investigating Firm. She was contracted to redecorate the offices as well as his residence, but Neil, her husband of eleven years, is extremely controlling of her time, her habits, her life. When she returns home to find him and all of his belongs gone, horrible memories bubble to the surface about the time when her father took a runner when she was fourteen.

    The anger over Neil’s shocking departure turns more suspicious when Kathryn discovers he left behind his computer and his thyroid prescription…he’d never leave without these items. Making things worse, is the assignment of Detective Mike Williams to the case, the same detective that had been assigned to her father’s still unresolved disappearance. How can things get any worse? book

    This first suspense book from Kim Davis is a big hit with me. Starting off with a major hook, and then unfolding engaging, suspenseful and life-threatening events. From vandalized apartments, curious documents and hidden bank accounts to disturbing memories, suspicious law enforcement and amorous advances, I was never given the opportunity to put the book down. Kim did exceptionally well describing places, people, and fashion to clearly provide a marvelous picture in the reader’s mind’s eye which in turn also offered a few clues to consider. Dialog is realistic, adding to the suspense as well as defining connections and relationships.

    The characters are well developed for a first book, with which I am now invested and rooting for a second. My favorite character, of course, is Kathryn ? Kat, at a few points was used as a nickname…like me! She may be uncovering way too many secrets in her life, but portrays strength and resolve, not a ‘wimp’ or a ‘victim.’ She seems to be capable of accepting her own role in ‘not seeing what may have been right under her nose.’

    All this and recipes, too, but not just any recipes! Kim includes the recipes for comfort treats actually mentioned in the book. Marianne, Kathryn’s assistant and surrogate mother type, is said to be a great cook, so her best treats are included: Lemon Poppyseed Bundt Cake, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, and Dark Chocolate Grand Marnier Mousse. Just the thing to make one’s next book club delicious as well as exciting!

    I highly recommend this book, and am on watch for another adventure from Kim Davis!

    A Game of Deceit earns 5/5 Chanel Sunglasses to Mask Black Eyes!

    Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

    Interview with K.A. Davis:

    KRL: It is great to have with us a favorite blogger from the Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder who is now fast becoming a new favorite author. Drum roll, please! Kim Davis (penned as K.A. Davis) is celebrating the release of her first novel, A Game of Deceit. It must be so exciting to see your hard work actually in print. What inspired you to write a novel?

    Kim: I’ve always enjoyed writing and was one of those crazy students who looked forward to essay assignments. Once my husband retired, I found I needed a hobby to occupy some of my time and decided to start a novel. A Game of Deceit started with a “what if” based on a true story: when I was 18 and visiting home for the first time in 3 months, I walked in to the house and found that my dad had moved out with all his belongings that day without saying anything to my mom. Nor did he leave a note, but instead of murder it was the case of another woman. However, that inspired me to start writing. You might say it’s been a bit cathartic. Both of my parents passed away numerous years ago so I feel free to share the story of how the basis of my book came about.

    KRL: A Game of Deceit seems to be a cozy with an edge. Is there a reason you chose to write in the cozy genre? What is it about mysteries that interested you?

    Kim: I know my book is kind of caught between two genres! I actually labeled it a suspense with cozy elements to it since some cozy readers might be put off by the darker edge. I don’t want to mislead them. I think starting out writing my book I had some angst that needed to be expressed, thus the darker feel, surprisingly, my characters strongly led to some of that darkness. I tried fighting them, but in the end they were insistent that their story needed to be told.

    I remember telling my husband a few times while writing that, “I don’t want x,y, or z to happen to her!” I’d try to change the scene but it never worked and I’d go back to the original. After starting my blog, Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder, with my focus on cozy mysteries, I decided that my manuscript could remain true to the story but could also be toned down a bit. Plus I have a thing for food and recipes and wanted to work that in too, which I think adds a certain cozy feel to the book without detracting from the suspense.
    author

    Kim Davis

    I’ve been a huge fan of mysteries starting in elementary school and discovering Nancy Drew for the first time. Anything can happen in mysteries and I find that they present a challenge to me to solve the crime as I’m reading. I also greatly enjoy the mysteries that combine an aspect of learning something new while I’m being entertained.

    KRL: How did you go about getting published? Did you try self-publishing or a publishing house? Do you have any anecdotes to share about getting your work published?

    Kim: I gave the traditional publishing route a good shot and had a wonderful agent for a couple of years. While I had some great feedback from several publishing houses, unfortunately I didn’t have any takers for my manuscript. My blog has allowed me to connect with so many terrific authors, some traditionally published and some self-published, so I was able to get a feel for what worked for them. Once I decided to dust off my manuscript (again), I found that so many authors were willing to give me amazing advice on how to go the self-publishing route. So I decided to jump in and give it a try.

    KRL: Can you give us some background into A Game of Deceit? Is there a story behind choosing to have your main character as an interior decorator?

    Kim: I chose Kathryn to be an interior designer because I always wanted to be one. I never followed through to getting into that profession because my previous marriage never allowed me to settle down long enough to get a degree, since we transferred almost every year to a new location. However, a few years ago my husband (Mr. Right!) and I purchased property and designed our home from the ground up. I had an absolute blast creating the house and loved working with our designer.

    KRL: Are any of your characters based on real people…friends or family? Names changed to protect the innocent, so to speak? Of course, I enjoyed Kathryn Landry. Are you like Kathryn in some way? Is there a character with whom you identify?

    Kim: When I started writing this book I was in my late thirties so I identified with Kathryn and gave her a few of my own quirks. But, after it being SO many years later that this is finally published, I have to admit I am much more like Kathryn’s grandmotherly assistant, Marianne. I realize now that over the course of several rewrites, I added things to Marianne’s character in keeping with my own maturing. Along with basing Marianne loosely on myself, her husband is loosely based on my own husband. Other than that, the characters are figments of my own imagination… that’s my story and I’m sticking to it…

    KRL: Writing is often a very personalized activity. How do you go about writing? What is Kim Davis’ process? Do you outline, keep notes, just start typing? Do you have a writing team or editors that are part of the process?

    Kim: I’ll admit… my writing practice is horrible!!! The only thing that got me to this point is stubborness… err, I mean determination! I binge write for hours at a time and then can forget about the book for months at a time. I try to jot down ideas for scenes when they come to me so I have a few ideas when I sit down at my laptop. I am a total ‘pantser’ (write by the seat of my pants)… I just start typing and see where the story takes me and then try to work in some of my ideas that I jotted down. I really am trying to break myself from this horrible habit and write a bit every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. But I haven’t been terribly successful. But there’s always hope! My husband is an engineer, and my writing practice drives him crazy. He’s all about needing outlines and knowing where you’re going. Despite that, he has read my manuscript a half dozen times and gives me a logical perspective that my creative self sometimes overlooks.

    Once my manuscript was completed, I had several beta readers who gave me some good insight and recommendations. My agent was instrumental in getting me to do a major rewrite which tightened the plot and made it a stronger story. When I decided to self-publish, I put together a team to polish my book, based on recommendations from other authors.

    I have a wonderful editor, Chandler Groover, who probably would love to rip the comma key from my keyboard. The talented Karen Phillips created my book cover, which captures my book perfectly. Honestly I hated every single title I thought of and that other people had suggested, but as soon as Karen put the title on the perfect cover I knew I’d found the right one. I’m also working with Sheridan Stancliff of SheridanINK. She’s been instrumental in formatting my book for all the different platforms and developing my author website.

    KRL: What about research? Did you do anything special…travel, classes, using experts?

    Kim: When I first starting writing my book I quickly realized I didn’t know how to write a book. I took a couple of writing courses including one of a children’s writing course and I’ve had several children’s nature articles published in kids’ magazines, from The Institute of Writing. I’ve also taken several writing classes and retreats organized by Writing Pad in L.A. The instructors know how to push you to expand your skills, and I always find invaluable help from their talented mentors.

    I am a firm believer that you can find anything and everything on Google (and YouTube) and used them often to get a better perspective to describe certain scenes and scenarios. Since I based my book in the area I live, it was easy to describe the setting. I did drive around a few times looking at various locations from the eyes of a reader to enhance my descriptions.

    KRL: What can we expect from you in the future?

    Kim: 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. Like A Game of Deceit, I’ll give the traditional publishing route a good chance, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll self-publish.

    I’m also 30% of the way to completing a culinary cozy mystery. I’ve had so much fun creating and testing recipes but need to discipline myself to actually finish the book now. I can see the cozy mystery as a series. I had originally planned on A Game of Deceit being a stand-alone, but something tells me Kathryn isn’t quite done with her story yet. I have a title that I really love (yay!) and several scenes sketched out and two chapters written. But, we’ll see…

    KRL: You definitely have provided a great deal of entertainment for your fans, but is there something more you want the readers to take away from your work?

    Kim: I don’t think it’s ever too late to follow your dreams no matter how long it might take!

    KRL: We know you write, but what do you read? Is there another author who inspires you or one you might consider a professional or personal hero?

    Kim: I love mysteries and because of my blog, mostly read culinary cozy mysteries at this time. However, I do fit in some suspense novels from time to time, along with historical fiction set in the twelfth to eighteenth centuries. The authors who are my heroes are everyone who takes the chance to write and gets their book to market no matter what road they take!

    KRL: So many authors say writing is all encompassing, but do you have any special hobbies? Favorite movies you like to watch? Any television bingeing? What about music you enjoy or hobbies that take up what free time you may have?

    Kim: I’ll have to say my hobbies are all encompassing while my writing is something I try to fit in, lol! My granddaughters are my first and foremost love and I have had them twice a week since they were two weeks old! My oldest granddaughter has Rett Syndrome, so she is much more reliant on me. The younger one (close to being 13) is now a little too busy with school, dance and other activities to spend as much time with me.

    I also bake and decorate cookies once a month for my oldest granddaughter’s class along with providing treats for her teachers and aides on occasion. My blog has turned into a semi-full-time job, but I love the variety it offers: reading and writing my reviews, baking the yummy treats from the recipes in the books, expanding my food styling and photography skills. When I’m working either on my computer or in the kitchen, I listen to jazz or classical music. When I do have any free time, you’ll find me with a book in my hand instead of watching TV. The last movie I went to see was Finding Dory with my granddaughter, but I love the Disney movies so I’m glad they still like to go see them too.

    KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

    Kim: Despite all the yummy baking I do, I rarely get to indulge since I have severe allergies to gluten along with other foods.

    KRL: This has been fun. Is there anything you would like to add?

    Kim: Thanks so much for interviewing me, Kathleen! I feel honored to be hosted at Kings River Life Magazine and appreciate the opportunity to talk about my book and a little about me!

    KRL: Thank you, Kim, for joining us and sharing a little about yourselves and your new book.

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    To enter to win either a print or kindle copy of A Game of Deceit, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “deceit,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 9, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address. PLEASE STATE IN ENTRY WHETHER YOU WANT PRINT OR KINDLE.

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    Tagged as: A Game of Deceit, book, K.A. Davis, mystery, writing

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  • Reader's Favorite
    https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/a-game-of-deceit

    Word count: 408

    QUOTED: "A Game of Deceit by K.A. Davis is a thrilling suspense novel. It is a fantastic book with interesting characters, a convoluted plot, and a captivating storyline that builds to a surprise ending."

    A Game of Deceit
    A Game of Deceit
    by K. A. Davis
    Fiction - Suspense
    294 Pages
    Reviewed on 08/08/2017
    Buy on Amazon
    This author participates in our Review Exchange and Book Donation Program. Click here to learn more.

    Book Review

    Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

    Two disappearances decades apart haunt a young woman in the exciting thriller, A Game of Deceit by K.A. Davis. Kathryn Landry comes home from work to discover that Neil, her husband of eleven years, has cleaned out his closet and most of his belongings. But totally out of character for him, Neil left behind essential items that he would never have done without, like his medication and his personal computer. Unable to contact Neil, Kathryn is stunned and terrified. This isn't the first time that someone has left Kathryn in this manner. When she was fourteen, her father disappeared without a trace. The police believed that he had just abandoned their family, but Kathryn's mother insisted it was foul play. In another strange coincidence, the officer in charge of her father's case is also the one in charge of Neil's. Again the police officer is suggesting that Neil left of his own accord, and if he didn't, perhaps Kathryn had something to do with his absence. Frightened, Kathryn hires an investigator to find Neil. Did he leave her or was he coerced into leaving?

    A Game of Deceit by K.A. Davis is a thrilling suspense novel. It is a fantastic book with interesting characters, a convoluted plot, and a captivating storyline that builds to a surprise ending. With so many fascinating twists and turns in the plot, the reader becomes entangled in the threads of intrigue and is glued to the pages until the exciting finale. This is a well-written suspense novel that is sure to satisfy those who love a good mystery infused with intrigue and the elements of risk and danger. With only a smattering of mild language, this is an excellent book that anyone from young adults on up will love!
    Rate this book:
    ★★★★★★★★★★

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