Guest Post & Giveaway – Essentials of Homicide by Kim Davis
Essentials of Homicide (The Aromatherapy Apothecary Series)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher : Harbor Lane Books, LLC.
Publication date : September 8, 2026
Print length : 284 pages
Synopsis
Hollywood has descended on Oak Creek Valley to film a murder mystery. Carissa Carmichael, owner of the Aromatherapy Apothecary, has a front-row seat to the bad-boy leading man’s escapades as she works with the production to bring soothing essential elements to the stressed-out crew.
When the movie set becomes a true crime scene, Carissa’s best friend becomes the star suspect. Instead of enjoying the thrills of lights, camera, and action, she’s thrust into untangling the secrets of the glamorous actors who all seem to hide something. While working behind the scenes to sniff out clues and clear her best friend’s name, Carissa must apply pressure and find the killer before someone else is written out for good.
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Guest Post
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Leslie! I appreciate the opportunity to introduce Essentials of Homicide and my character, Carissa Carmichael, to readers! Carissa has had quite a night, so I’ll let her tell you what happened…
I can hardly stop shaking and sit still long enough to share what just went down at my BFF Ashley’s house tonight. You see, a Hollywood studio paid her a whole lot of money to move out of her house for a few months so that they could take over and film on her and her mom’s property. To kick off the filming, they planned a tropical-themed party and contracted Ashley and me to provide some aromatherapy and reflexology for the movie crew and actors.
It was a sweet deal—who knew a studio would throw around money so freely—and I was impressed by the attention to detail that went into turning Ashley’s backyard into a tropical paradise. A tiki hut, flaming torches, tropical flowers and palms to decorate every corner, and of course, free-flowing cocktails. It should have been a perfect night… until the leading man, Nigel Hollister, decided it would be okay to put his hands on my sweet Ashley. Apparently she must’ve been the first woman to tell him ‘no’ when he asked her out earlier, and he decided to try to convince her to change her mind. What Nigel didn’t know is that Ashley is dating a local police officer who has been training her in self-defense, so there went Nigel, head-over-heels into the swimming pool!
Needless to say, the movie studio had Ashley and me escorted from the property and threatened us both with legal action. Not to worry though, there were enough female attendees who caught the entire episode on their cellphones and offered to text us the video clips. Those women seemed quite happy to see Nigel take a header into the pool, and I have a feeling they’ll be clamoring for his downfall.
I’m worried though. If something happens to Nigel, everyone will immediately think Ashley had something to do with it. Ridiculous, of course, but I can’t help but worry. I’m supposed to help my boyfriend, Jasper, deliver pastries to the movie set tomorrow. We’ll see if the studio allows me back onto the property or if they’ll ban me for the duration of the filming. Jasper tells me that whatever happens, he’s got my back and won’t let them bully me or Ashley.
Well, I suppose I should take my puppy, Pixie, out for one last walk and then try to get some sleep. Jasper and I have to deliver the coffee and pastries before sunrise, and after tonight, I have no idea what will be waiting for us at Ashley’s house.
Wish me luck!
Good luck Kim! And always happy to have you here!
About the Author
Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series, the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series, along with The Board Game Chronicles, a middle-grade fantasy series. She is also one of the bloggers at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, where she indulges her passion for food and creating unique cupcake flavors. She lives in Southern California with her husband and very rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines… that is, when Missy lets her sit down to write. Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
