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Terry Ambrose

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Behind the story of Mission Impawsible with Krista Davis

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Mission Impawsible by Krista DavisAccording to her bio, Krista Davis lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Her fascination with mysteries was fueled by Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie. She has two different mystery series, one of which is the Paws and Claws Mysteries. For this interview, she discussed the story behind her latest release, Mission Impawsible.

Love at first sight

Like many cozy mystery writers, Davis doesn’t feel she’s addressing an issue in Mission Impawsible. However, she did say, “It involves a matchmaking event. I started wondering what attracts people to each other. Turns out some very interesting things happen when we meet a potential mate—we’re not talking one-night-stands here. For instance, most people know in seconds whether a person is right for them, which certainly gives credence to love at first sight.”

How can a life-changing decision be made in an almost mindless manner? Davis said it’s not. “Although it seems like such a quick assessment must be based on appearance, it’s far more complicated than that. While we don’t sniff each other like our dogs do, we’re also making judgements based on the scent of the other person! I had fun incorporating some of the details about the science of attraction.”

A matchmaking festival?

“There’s an annual matchmaking festival in Ireland,” Davis said. “It seemed like the kind of thing that might take place in Wagtail, except with dogs and cats. After all, if your fluffy friend is important to you, you’ll want to find a partner who feels the same way. They eliminate the need for a sleazy come-on line because everyone likes to talk about Fido and Fluffy. It’s a much more natural way to meet people.

“Apparently, I was on the right track when I thought dogs and cats would help break the ice. There’s actually an app, Kloof.com, to help you meet at the dog park! They did a survey to find out which breeds attract men and women.”

The scent of attraction

Can we really be so shallow as to be attracted to a potential mate based on the type of dog they own? Apparently so, because Davis found the proof. “Men are most attracted by women with Golden Retrievers. Women are most attracted by men with German Shepherds.”

Besides researching human mating behaviors, Twisty Kristy (as her editor calls her due to her love of a complex plot), Davis once went to a haunted sanatorium to perform research. Alas, she had no great stories to share about the trip, but she had another comparison of human and dog behavior. She said, “Women are attracted to men who smell like their fathers. Also, women are attracted, by scent, to men who have different immune systems than their own! Who knew we were so smart?”

Who’s the boss?

Davis said she’s bossed around by three dogs and two cats. She likes to watch their antics and incorporate the behavior into her books. She said the following story may make it into a book someday.

“On several occasions, my Golden Retriever has come into the family room to find her favorite love seat occupied by another dog. She stops and stares. I can almost hear the wheels turning in her brain. She runs to the door and barks. Invariably, the dog in the love seat jumps up and joins her. When I open the door, that dog runs outside to see what’s going on. My sneaky Golden turns back and settles comfortably in the vacated love seat.

“It’s a little bit diabolical for a sweet Golden Retriever, but she clearly has to think that through. No one ever trained her to trick the other dogs!”

Learn more about Krista Davis and Mission Impawsible at kristadavis.com. If you love recipes, also check her out at mysteryloverskitchen.com.

Book & a Latte Contest

What: This month, Krista is giving away two soft cover copies of “Mission Impawsible” and I’m adding two $5.00 Starbucks gift cards. Two random entries will be chosen as winners. Each winner will receive a book and a gift card.

How to enter: Choose one or more of the options below. Each option gives you an additional chance to win.

Who can enter: This contest is only open to continental US residents over 18 years of age.

Winners: Selected winners must claim prizes within 72 hours of notification. Verification of entries: All winning entries are subject to verification.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Terry

I started out as a skip tracer. Just in case you don’t know, that’s the guy who finds the people who don’t want to be found. It was the little things—getting paid to lie—that made skip tracing the fun part of the job.

Those years of chasing deadbeats taught me many valuable life lessons, such as liars come from all walks of life, and always keep your car in the garage.

Find me on: Amazon Bookbub Instagram Facebook

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Mary Holshouser says

    Love stories with animals in them.
    The title is such fun – mission impawsible
    Great play on words.
    thanks

  4. Sandy Todd says

    Hi Terry! Krista Davis is one of my favorite authors. Thanks for a chance at the give-a-way!

  6. Nancy Luebke says

    I enjoy cozies a lot and I love the humor. Just reading the author’s review, you get a taste of their style of humor. Both books look quite good. Thanks for this opportunity.

  7. sacredcatstudio says

    What fun! This just may make me start reading Mysteries. Love the story about her Golden Retriever. Smart dog.

  9. Margaret Appel says

    Love the cover with the dog & cat, so cute! Love cozy mysteries & this one sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review/interview 🙂

  10. Barbara Hackel says

    I love Krista’s books-both the Diva series and the Paws and Claws series. I would love to work at the Inn and be around all the wonderful pets. Dogs are especially my favorites because they are so personable and even extra personable through Krista’s words!

  19. robeader says

    Krista Davis always promises her readers a great story to read and this series is a real winner. Fingers are crossed I might get the luck of winning this one.

  20. Amanda Leonardi says

    Thanks for the great post and awesome giveaway! I loved the story of Krista’s Golden luring the other dog out of her seat. Genius!

  21. free53544 says

    Very interesting subject. Post. Definitely want to read this book. Have read the synopsis on her other books as well they are on my TBR list. But I have yet to read her. I do hope this will be a beginning.

  22. Marihelen Ligon says

    I love the Krista Davis series and I can’t wait to read “Mission Impawsible”. Very funny story about the sneaky golden retriever!!

  28. Shannon Molloy says

    Thanks for the giveaway! I love both of Krista’s series although I do need to catch up. I’m looking forward to reading them all!

  29. Cynthia Bayer Blain says

    I have read a couple of Krista’s books; but do need to catch up. There are so many great authors and just not enough time to read every cozy authors series, so I have had to just read all of about 7 favorite authors, and then one from all of the other authors that I follow until I can get my cataract surgery done as it is much too straining on my eyes to do all the reading I want to do. I still do as much as I can and now have been getting a lot more MP3 CD’s or books on CD but they are pricey and you do have to limit how many each month. I would love to win Krista’s book however and get that read and reviewed. Thank you for the chance.

    Cynthia B.

  30. Peej says

    I absolutely LOVE this series. It’s one of the few that really captures the area. I remember after reading the first book in the series, I found my mind drifting off to Wagtail… I wished it was a real place! I would love to have a house there!

  43. Betty W says

    Interesting interview! I live in West Virginia and have traveled The Blue Ridge Parkway~The Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular, Krista.

  54. vicky says

    What a great plot twist. I realized not long ago that I’m disinclined to befriend someone who doesn’t have or want a pet. I’ve got a 13 y.o. bully girl rescue. She’s wonderful and fills my life with joy. I love how dogs and cats logic out and manipulate others. So sneaky.

  55. Kathleen Costa says

    I am a Krista Davis fan…I love the Mission Impossible reference and look forward to this literary journey.

  57. vickie dailey says

    Really interesting concept – I too loved the Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie – and I also have family in Virginia – (and West Virginia) – love dogs and am really interested in reading Mission Impawsible

  61. conniefischer says

    I absolutely adore cats and dogs. Currently, we have three kitties and years ago, we had a Golden Retriever named, Sarah. When she crossed the Rainbow Bridge, she took my heart with her. Thanks so much for this lovely giveaway!

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