Monday, September 16, 2013

Designed to Death Book Tour: Locating a Cat-Approved Lamp, by Christina Freeburn




My desk serves two functions, work and play. I write at my large U-shaped desk and it’s also where I use my Cricut (electronic die-cutter for crafts). I had, yes had, the perfect lamp. It fit in the small space between my machine and my filing box. Also, low enough to the surface it worked great for editing and detail work for diecuts. I love my little lamp. It worked well. Then one morning I went downstairs to work and it was destroyed. Pieces of blue glass from the shatter-proof shade coated the desk, floor, and my chair.

I knew it was the cat, Ariel. I based my suspicion on the fact that for once she wasn’t in my office. I had tried to make my office a “Cat Free Zone”. Ariel refused to accept that a place in the house wasn’t available for her use. I adore our cat. The reason I wanted her out of the office was she liked to attack things in my office. She loathes the decorative flowers in my office. Hates the curtain cords.

Now, Ariel and the lamp got along. I’m sure Ariel didn’t intentionally mean to knock it over, shattering it into pieces. I knew she felt remorseful as she stayed out of the office for two days after the mishap. The issue was her expanding girth and the window sill that couldn’t keep with it. My guess is she went into a deep sleep, and not able to right herself in time, toppled over. And the lamp became a casualty of the nighttime nap on the window sill. 

This weekend, I went shopping for a new lamp and came home empty handed. I never realized how hard it would be to find a cat-approved lamp. I wanted a lamp hefty enough she couldn’t easily knock it over. Something with a fixture close enough to desk surface it gave enough light when I needed to do embellishing work on die-cuts. Fit in the small area where I kept the old lamp and didn’t interfere with Ariel’s path to the window sill. And most importantly, wouldn’t annoy Ariel and become a new item she disliked in my office. I’m quite certain if Ariel and the lamp can’t get along, the new lamp is a goner.

*****

The Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series brings together Christina Freeburn’s love of mysteries, scrapbooking, and West Virginia. When not writing or reading, she can be found in her scrapbook room or at a crop. Alas, none of the real-life crops have had a sexy male prosecutor or a handsome police officer attending.

Christina served in the JAG Corps of the US Army and also worked as a paralegal, librarian, and church secretary. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, a dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines. www.christinafreeburn.com www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com

DesignedToDeath COVER 2

Book Details
Genre: Cozy Mystery – 2nd in Series
Published by: Henery Press
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Number of Pages: 288

Synopsis
Faith Hunter planned the perfect event at her grandmother’s shop, Scrap This, featuring local scrapbooker and Life Artist Diva, Belinda Watson. But the extravaganza goes up in a cloud glitter when Belinda and her cousin, Darlene, brawl over scraplifted designs. Faith attempts to break it up, but only makes things worse. Then when Belinda turns up dead behind the Scrap This store, Faith’s involvement goes viral.

As accusations against her turn vicious, Faith sets out to prove her nemesis, Darlene, committed the crime, only to realize they are both innocent. Now they must team up or the murderer’s plan will come together seamlessly with the frenemies sharing a jail cell—or worse, a funeral.

About Christine Freeman
The Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series brings together Christina Freeburn’s love of mysteries, scrapbooking, and West Virginia. When not writing or reading, she can be found in her scrapbook room or at a crop. Alas, none of the real-life crops have had a sexy male prosecutor or a handsome police officer attending.

Christina served in the JAG Corps of the US Army and also worked as a paralegal, librarian, and church secretary. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, a dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines.

5 comments:

Katreader said...

Poor Ariel. My cats are in awe of my printer and love to watch it in action!

Gram said...

This sounds like an interesting start to a new series....Dee

katsrus said...

Aww she was trying to say she was sorry. Cat always no if they did something wrong don't they? It is hard to find cat proofed items like lamps. Pretty book cover. Your book sounds really good.
Sue B

Hilary said...

Looks like something I would like - i will have to check it out!

Unknown said...

Thanks, katsrus! I'm still searching for a lamp that will not tempt the cat. I'm starting to think I might either have to up the budget, or else consider rearranging the desk (making sure I keep the jumping spot clear).