Carissa Carmichael is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Essentials of Death, the latest novel in the Aromatherapy Apothecary mystery series.

Welcome, Carissa. Let’s get started, shall we?

Tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

Hi, I’m Carissa Carmichael, owner of the Aromatherapy Apothecary in Oak Creek Valley, California. My newest misadventure involves me finding my nemesis murdered, not long after we had a public argument. Some say I even threatened her. The detectives think I had something to do with her death, and they’re doing everything they can to make the evidence support their theory. My dad is the town’s chief of police, but given our relationship, he can’t get involved. Instead, he’s been tasked with taking care of the hordes of tourists who have descended upon our town for the annual playwright conference and festival. If I don’t want to be carted away in handcuffs (again, I might add), I’m going to have to find out who killed my frenemy. My story takes place in Essentials of Death, the second book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary Mysteries.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

I definitely have a voice in telling her what I want to do and what I think should happen. Sometimes all I have to do is whisper my suggestion, and other times I have to shout to get her to follow my instructions.

How did you evolve as the main character?

When my writer started thinking about writing a new series, I was very insistent I be cast as the primary star. There are plenty of chief of police characters (like my dad) starring in their own books, and plenty of bakery/patisserie owners (like my special friend, Jasper) getting to play main characters in other books. It was time for an aromatherapist—someone like me—to take center stage!

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?

I have a wonderful group of friends who share the page with me, besides my dad. There’s my best friend, Ashley. She’s a single mom and not only works at my shop, but helps me make sense of the clues I stumble across. Then there’s Jasper. He owns the patisserie a couple of doors down from my shop. His coffee and pastries keep me going during my investigations, and his shop is a great place to pick up gossip too. Oh, did I mention how adorably handsome he is? There just might be something developing between us, but I won’t spill the beans.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?

Oak Creek Valley is a small touristy town set in a valley ringed by the Topa Topa mountains in Southern California. It’s about 85 miles north of Los Angeles, so we get hordes of weekend tourists coming through. (Don’t tell them, though, that they might become victims in a murder mystery!) Plus, because of the location and the beauty of the rugged mountains, Hollywood studios film a lot of on-location movies and shows as well. There are artist enclaves, new age retreats, spas, golf, horseback riding, plus vineyards and wineries, olive, tangerine, avocado orchards, and even lavender fields. We have something for just about everyone, including shopping and great restaurants. It’s proven to be the perfect place to open my Aromatherapy Apothecary!

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?

Thanks so much for inviting us to your blog, Dianne! I appreciate the opportunity to tell your readers about myself and about my latest misadventure in Essentials of Death!

Thank you for answering my questions, Carissa, and good luck to you and your author, Kim Davis, with Essentials of Death, the latest book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Carissa and her author, Kim Davis by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, Pinterest and Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen pages. You can also follow her on Bluesky.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon  Other Online Retailers

About Kim Davis: Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series and the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines. When she’s not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing Missy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder as well as Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, or baking up yummy treats to share.

Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.