This book event is through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
Essentials of Death book tour includes an author interview and a giveaway. Meet the author, comment, share, subscribe, shop Sarandipity’s.
Book Details
Essentials of Death: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher : Harbor Lane Books, LLC.
Publication date : September 23, 2025
Print length : 299 pages
Digital ASIN : B0FMS643F7
After a scandalous arrest in San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael has moved back to her small
Southern California hometown to start over as she opens her Aromatherapy Apothecary shop and
reflexology services. A tourist destination, Oak Creek Valley, seems the perfect place to put the
past behind her, but it seems no one will let her forget, especially her high school nemesis, Lacie.
When Carissa finds her frenemy murdered after having a public altercation at the town’s
playwright conference and festival, she becomes the primary suspect. It doesn’t help that the tarot
cards she drew earlier in the day foretold the nature of the murder weapon. Despite her father’s
position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, the detective assigned to the case assumes she’s
guilty.
When tarot death cards begin turning up to taunt her, Carissa not only has to prove her innocence
to keep her freedom, she has to make sure death doesn’t come calling for her or those she loves.
With the suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply
pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.
Includes essential oil and reflexology tips.
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.
Author Links
Website: http://kimdavisauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Davis-Author-1532277473479031/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kimdavisauthor.bsky.social
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20202599.Kim_Davis
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kim-davis-899e51b0-5661-401c-98b1-
ec4c2973d58a
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimdavishb/
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen: https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/
Purchase Links:
Amazon
Other online book retailers: https://books2read.com/u/38wjka
Author Interview
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
When Carissa, owner of the Aromatherapy Apothecary, returns to her shop after being questioned by the police about the murder of her nemesis, she finds her business in utter upheaval. Busloads of senior tourists have descended upon the town and her shop, and ambushed her into taking selfies with each one of them. And the photos all have to be in front of her store’s logo. Madcap chaos follows in the wake of the seniors who have no filters.
I had so much fun writing this scene where overbearing grandmotherly types take charge and no one dares tell them no! While the chaotic scene may seem random to Carissa and to the reader, it becomes a part of the plot later on. Since I write as a pantser—that is, I write by the seat of my pants without really knowing where my story is headed—it took me some time to figure out why this fun scene happened and how to make it fit into the plotline.
If you could spend time with a character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Spending time with Jasper, the delicious owner and baker at the patisserie just down the street from Carissa’s shop, would be at the top of my list. I’d want to hang out for the local gossip while sipping coffee and nibbling on one of Jasper’s delectable desserts. I might even be tempted to learn how
to bake one of his specialties.
What books/authors have most inspired you?
That’s a tough question to answer since so many cozy mystery authors have given me encouragement and advice on my writing journey! And I’ve loved reading all their books as well, which not only entertained me but gave me insight on how to tell a good story. One of the wonderful things
about the mystery community is that the authors support each other and cheer on each other’s successes.
But to name a couple of authors, Daryl Wood Gerber (who writes the Literary Dining Mysteries, Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mystery Series, and a lot more), graciously took a lot of time answering
specific questions I had about writing a cozy mystery and then how to go about getting it published. Daryl is truly amazing when it comes to thinking up clever titles! She’s helped me several times when I’ve felt stumped, and has been generous with her talents. The second author is H.Y. Hanna (who writes the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries, The English Cottage Garden Mysteries, and Bewitched by Chocolate Mysteries) and she gave me valuable information on how to go about the self-publishing route.
Are your characters based on real people, or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
They’re completely from my imagination to the best of my knowledge.
There may be elements from a person(s) I know, such as I like the style of their hair or the color of their eyes, but the rest of the character development is from imagination.
What made you want to become a writer?
I’ve always been an avid reader, particularly of mysteries. In school, I always enjoyed writing stories and essays, and I gravitated toward classes that allowed me to do so. But it wasn’t until my husband took an early retirement that I did as well. With too much time on my hands (you can only golf so much before it gets boring) I decided I needed a “hobby”. So, I started dabbling in writing, took some writing courses, had children’s articles published in magazines, then started writing novels—mysteries of course. I was 56 when my first book was published, which is a good reminder that you’re never too old to learn something new!
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Sara! I appreciate introducing the readers of Sarandipity to Essentials of Death!
**It was a pleasure to host you! Can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for letting Sarandipity’s help promote your read.
ESSENCE OF DEATH TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
September 22 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT
September 23 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
September 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 23 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
September 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 24 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – RECIPE
September 25 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
September 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
September 26 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
September 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
September 27 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
September 27 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 28 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 28 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 29 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
September 29 – My Books and Crafts – SPOTLIGHT
September 30 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 30 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 1 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
October 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
Giveaway
$25 Amazon gift card limited to U.S. only
Thank you so much for hosting me and providing a thoughtful interview! I so appreciate the opportunity to introduce Essentials of Death to your readers!