Showing results by author "Karen Smith" in All Categories

Dear Bob and Sue is the story of our (Matt and Karen Smith's) journey to all 59 US National Parks. We wrote the book as a series of emails to our friends, Bob and Sue, in which we share our humorous and quirky observations. It is at times irreverent, unpredictable, and sarcastic, all in the spirit of humor. We describe a few of our experiences in each park but do not provide an exhaustive overview of each experience or park.

Restaurant critic Derek Schumaker, notorious for his bitter reviews, is about to visit Daisy's Tea Garden, and Daisy and Aunt Iris are simmering with anxiety. A bad word from the culinary curmudgeon could really hurt their business. But how can he resist her cucumber sandwiches with pimento spread - not to mention the cheesy cauliflower soup and strawberry walnut salad? Schumaker takes a to-go order when the afternoon tea service is done, which Daisy hopes is a good sign. But when he perishes from a seizure, it looks like his food was dosed with something deadly.

As local merchants unite to attract tourists for a much anticipated weekend quilting event, business is sure to spill over into eateries like Daisy's Tea Garden. Gorgeous craftwork is hanging everywhere - but among the quilts, potholders, and placemats, one gallery owner is wrapped up in some dangerous affairs....Reese Masemer had been dating one of Daisy's employees, Tessa, an artist, though their last interaction was as strained as a cup of loose leaf tea. Now Reese has been found dead near a covered bridge where Tessa's been practicing her sketches.

Matt and Karen experienced the trip of a lifetime with 14 friends and a crew of 10 while traveling in wooden dories down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Dories, Ho! is a story of their adventure and discovery. While not intended to be a traditional guidebook, anyone contemplating a river trip through the Grand Canyon will benefit from this firsthand account. Listeners will feel as if they've traveled with the authors on their journey to and through Grand Canyon National Park.

Daisy's orange pekoe is flowing at a fundraiser - and she's also made a new friend, Piper, a young woman whose hopes for motherhood were dashed by a foul-up at a fertility clinic. But before they can settle into a long conversation, the event is disrupted by masked protestors who object to building a shelter in Willow Creek. Among the angry crowd is Eli - who left his Amish community some time ago, with help from a lawyer named Hiram.

Daisy's worried one of her employees at Daisy's Tea Garden may be in a spot of trouble. Lately Karina's been loading up on soup and second-day baked goods at the end of her shift - and while the shop's scrumptious treats may be hard to resist, Daisy suspects there's more going on, especially since Karina has been seen hanging out in a rundown part of Willow Creek. Planning her own daughter's wedding is enough to keep her busy, but Daisy can't help feeling a protective maternal instinct - and an instinct to investigate.

Season 2 is the follow-up to Dear Bob and Sue, a charming and sometimes irreverent chronicle of a middle-aged couple as they visit each of the country's 59 national parks, testing their mettle and stretching their endurance. In their second audiobook of the series, follow Matt and Karen as they work their way around the Western US discovering some of our most beautiful public lands, hidden gems, and revisiting a few of their favorite national parks.

As local merchants unite to attract tourists for a much anticipated weekend quilting event, business is sure to spill over into eateries like Daisy's Tea Garden. Reese Masemer had been dating one of Daisy's employees, Tessa, an artist, though their last interaction was as strained as a cup of loose leaf tea. Now Reese has been found dead near a covered bridge where Tessa's been practicing her sketches.

Restaurant critic Derek Schumaker, notorious for his bitter reviews, is about to visit Daisy's Tea Garden, and Daisy and Aunt Iris are simmering with anxiety. A bad word from the culinary curmudgeon could really hurt their business, but Daisy tries to stay confident. After all, how can he resist her cucumber sandwiches with pimento spread—not to mention the cheesy cauliflower soup and strawberry walnut salad?

April is keeping a secret from Gabe. When April's sister Vanessa was dying, she confessed to April that she'd been unfaithful to Gabe and... the little girl he believes is his daughter isn't his! Once in love with Gabe herself, April is torn by the promise she made her sister to never tell Gabe the truth. But now she's returned to her hometown. Should she be honest with Gabe about his daughter's parentage? Or should she remain silent about everything but her love for him?

In Dear Bob and Sue, authors Matt and Karen Smith share stories of their travels to all of the U.S. National Park as well as other spectacular public lands. From adventures gone awry to memorable moments and Q&As from readers, get to know the couple behind the books and get inspired to go on some adventures of your own.

Karen Rose Smith presents Book 10 in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery series.

The faculty of Willow Creek High School are having a get-together after the spring concert with refreshments provided, courtesy of Daisy's Tea Garden. Oolong tea and chocolate biscuits are just what the staff needs to help them unwind from Althea Higgins's demanding curriculum. Her lessons on such controversial subjects as school uniforms and under qualified substitute teachers are earning her an F from her colleagues. But a failing grade was preferable to Althea falling victim to foul play.

Alex Woodsides is a single dad who wants the best for his daughter. His daughter Kristy believes her father needs a wife and she needs a mom! When Kristy lets her math grade drop, she suggests Amanda Carson - her best friend's mom who is a third grade teacher - tutor her over the summer. She believes Mrs. Carson is the perfect mom and would make a wonderful wife for her dad. Neither Alex nor Amanda suspect they're being pushed together by two nine-year-old matchmakers until it's too late.

Joshua is attracted to Alexandra, his aunt's new "friend" and doesn't want to be. But pretty Lexa teases his libido until he realizes he could lose his heart to her. He's playing for keeps but is she? Lexa has a secret that could destroy their chance at happiness. Can she trust Josh enough to find everlasting love? True love is just a jingle bell away! Includes consummated love scenes.

In their third book of the series, follow Matt and Karen as they work their way around the western United States discovering some of our most beautiful public lands, hidden gems, and revisiting a few of their favorite national parks. Share their trials and tribulations as they hit the road in an RV for the first time in Arizona and hike the same trail the Klondike Gold Rush prospectors took in Alaska. Through a series of emails written to their friends, Bob and Sue, the couple brings the listener along on their adventures, sharing their experiences as they explore.

Even though spring in Lancaster County is still a bit far off, Daisy Swanson has much to look forward to: setting a date with her fiance Jonas, a whimsical Alice in Wonderland tea event, and an anniversary celebration for her parents at a farm-to-table restaurant in Willow Creek. But a grim discovery turns her thoughts to the troubled present. Meeting up for a hike with her friend, Daisy and her fiance's dog Felix find the woman dead on a trail, a victim of an apparent hit and run.

This "How-To" guide for advocacy at the United Nations helps position NGOs for success in the complex and turbulent international environment of the United Nations. Dr. Karen Judd Smith outlines this work against the backdrop of the three biggest mistakes that undermine so many of today's best ideas and noble work.

A tale as old as time itself. The classic story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy and girl start a pop culture podcast together 20 some odd years later. Welcome to the Pop Cult Ex-perience brought to you by Karen Giffin and Tyler Smith. Two former flames, once inseparable, now find themselves separated by 6000 miles and a couple of decades. Still friends, with a similar love for all things pop culture and a similar want to share our love of these things with y'all. We talk movies, TV, gaming, comics, books, music and any other manner of things that we fancy. Join us for our weekly ...

The road of life is full of twists, turns, ups, downs, and unforeseen detours. The horizon ahead is spectacular in it's possibilities...You can't see every step but you must take that first step in faith to unlock the future you know you are called too. The Brilliant Horizon is expansive and breathtaking. We take a moment to pause and reflect on the future ahead of us. We see it’s filled with infinite possibilities, and it does require us to take the first step of faith to move forward. The journey calls to an irresistible drawing of desire deep in your soul, beckoning you ever forward. We ...