Cozy New Releases

 

Slay, Bells, Ring 

 by Joanne Campbell Slan 

This Christmas, shop owner Kiki Lowenstein has more than holiday crafts on her mind. As she juggles family responsibilities, her thriving business, and preparations for her famous Holiday Crafting Extravaganza, a series of mysterious burglaries plagues their quiet town of Webster Groves, a St. Louis suburb. Kiki soon finds herself drawn into a sinister plot that goes far beyond stolen jewelry. 

Fa-La-La-La-Lola by Melissa Bourbon 

Christmas is a time for giving, but Lola Cruz never expected her holiday spirit to include solving a murder. When PI-in-training Lola Cruz agrees to help Jack Callaghan’s cousin, Margo–with her baby in tow–she quickly finds herself in the middle of a holiday caper like no other. Just when Lola thinks she’s found Margo a safe haven, a man is found dead—and the police want answers. 

Cozy Up to Mystery

 by Colin Conway 

Asher Reed is about to have the worst day since he started working at Coastal Haven, the oldest hotel in Marlowe Bay, Georgia. A flu outbreak has sent most of the staff home, leaving only a skeleton crew to keep the current guests happy. Unfortunately, the hotel is also hosting the annual Mystery Readers of America conference, so things are about to get busier for the only porter on duty. The weekend becomes even more complicated after a couple of figures from Asher’s past unexpectedly arrive. 

Good Lieutenant

 by E.J. Copperman 

While settling into her new home in Los Angeles together with her boyfriend and TV star Patrick McNabb, attorney Sandy Moss receives a phone call from the LA Men’s Detention Center. It’s a new client accused of murder: the near-stoic Lt. K.C. Trench! 

A Killer Hold

 by Leah Dobrinska 

Spring has sprung, and with it, a full line-up of programming at Larkspur Community Library. Director Greta Plank is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference—and dreading the arrival of her ex-boyfriend—while also helping a local treasure-hunting club coordinate a showcase highlighting Northern Wisconsin’s gangster trail and the nearby hideouts of the notorious criminals of the early twentieth  

Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder

 by S.A. Kazlo 

Christmas is coming and children’s book author, Samantha Davies, and her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, are caught up in the holiday festivities in beautiful upstate New York. Sam’s parents, Chuck and Barbara, who have been enjoying their retired life in sunny Florida, have flown into Wings Falls to spend the holidays with Sam and meet her new boyfriend, Detective Hank Johnson. Sam is also busy hosting this year’s Christmas party for the Loopy Ladies, Sam’s rug hooking group  

Scotzilla 

 by Catriona McPherson 

Lexy Campbell is about to put her bridezilla tendencies to one side to tie the knot with her beau Taylor in Cuento. The Last Ditch crew and Lexy’s mum and dad are all in attendance. But just as the couple are about to exchange vows, wedding celebrant Sister Sunshine is discovered dead, strangled with the fairy light decorations 

Caroling Chaos 

by D.B. McNoil

Roger Thornton has been in charge of the music in Holiday Corner for more years than most could remember. But when Ada Starr, a retired professional singer, moves to town some folks feel she is better suited to conduct the church choir and Christmas carolers. 

Frosty Fugitives

 by Sharon Michaels 

As word spreads through the small town, twin sisters, Alexa and Aria, become the unwitting suspects. Several eyewitnesses claim they saw two figures, one resembling Alexa and the other Aria, running from the town square minutes before the body was discovered.

Holiday Heist

 by leana Muñoz Renfroe 

Set in the charming town of Holiday Corner, Vermont. The story revolves around Celeste and Edwin, who are eagerly preparing for their wedding. However, their celebration takes on a deeper meaning when they decide to host a fundraiser in conjunction with their nuptials to support the Sutton family, who have fallen on hard times.  

Murder at the Bee Farm

 by Sue Hollowell
Welcome to Honeyridge Falls, where the sweet scent of honey masks dark secrets. Moxie Rayburn returns to her grandmother’s cozy B&B seeking a fresh start, but her plans are derailed when a shocking tragedy strikes at Sweet Buzz Farms. To her dismay, a person from her past becomes a prime suspect. Despite their complicated history, Moxie can’t shake the feeling that he might be innocent. Torn between lingering resentment and a sense of justice, she reluctantly decides to help uncover the truth. 

The Peanut Butter Murders 

by Corinne Holt Sawyer 
The dead man was a mere fifty, too young to have much in common with the well-heeled oldsters at the beautiful Camden-sur-Mer retirement community in southern California. His death looks like an accident, but when those ever-alert senior sleuths Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate discover that he was courting one of their neighbours, they can’t help hoping they’ll luck into a nice murder investigation. 

Malicious Intent 

by Hannah Ellis 
After successfully catching a killer, Lily Larkin has gained herself a reputation on the quaint Cornish island of St Mary’s. But her plans to open an ice cream shop mean she doesn’t have time for solving mysteries. At least until a teenager turns up on her doorstep claiming he’s in danger and begging for her help. When the boy disappears, he’s already given Lily a list of likely suspects. 

Cozy New Rèleases

 

A Killer Christmas by Rosie A. Point (
When down-on-her-luck librarian Libby arrives in Snowy Oaks, Wisconsin, for Christmas, she’s excited to spend time with her eccentric grandmother, wrap gifts, and forget the past. After her no-good husband cheated on her, Libby has nowhere to call home, and her fussy cat, Bob, isn’t making this holiday season any easier. On an ill-fated quest for cat toys in the dead of the night, Libby finds a corpse. 

Blame The Beignets

 by Ginger Bolton 
With mouthwatering treats selling fast in October, Emily is delighted to welcome her assistant’s younger sister, Hannah, to help at the donut shop while taking a semester off from college. But Hannah’s talent for dishing powdered pastries without dropping a crumb attracts some unusual customers, as two admirers with opposite personalities begin to show up during her shifts—much to her older sister’s disappointment . . . 

Planes, Candy Canes, and Hearses by Catherine Bruns 
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for Sally Muccio. The part-time sleuth and full-time baker is up to her elbows in sugar and a puzzling mystery that threatens to ruin her jolly holiday…As Sal and her good friend Josie prepare to close their bakery to enjoy Christmas Eve, as well as Sal’s daughter’s birthday, a last-minute sojourn to the airport interferes. Sal mistakenly thinks this will be a quick outing to pick up her father from a business trip. But with the weather outside frightful, and her delightful father nowhere to be found, her fears quickly begin to escalate. 

Deadly Crush

by Maddie Day 
After a mostly stress-free Christmas with her college-age daughter, and despite enjoying a current budding romance with fellow newcomer, Benjamin Cohen, it’s time for Cece to focus on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. Electrical work and an outdoor security camera are needed, and she’s hired local electrician Karl Meier to do the job, along with the help of his nephew Ian. But she regrets her choice when she witnesses Karl needlessy berating Ian in her presence. On top of that, Karl leers at her, then presents her with an inflated bill before the work is complete. Still, she’s shocked when she gets a call from Karl’s ex-wife, Josie, that she’s found Karl . . . crushed to death beneath the lift in her automotive shop.  

Death By Caramel Macchiato

 by Alex Erickson 

The unique weekend-long event—a combination of a live-action role playing game and a theatrical production—draws competitors from all the neighboring towns, including Pine Hills’ own Krissy and Rita. Although the actors, clues, and performances are spread across the community, somehow Krissy’s team lands at the one location with an actual body. . 

Cutting Remarks

 by Christine Falcone 

Melanie Bass is slated to be maid of honor at her good friend Lynn Duncan’s wedding to Dermatologist Alex Drover. When Lynn askes her to join her at a pre wedding get to know you brunch at her wealthy future mother-in-law’s house Melanie is curious to see if the woman is the Dragon Lady she has heard about. She soon learns that Mrs. Drover has a razor sharp tongue and that she isn’t thrilled about her son marrying Lynn. The troubled relationship between Mrs. Drover and Lynn becomes (an issue) when Mrs. Drover is found stabbed to death and Lynn becomes the prime suspect. Melanie must help her friend prove her innocence by investigating the multitude of people who also had reason to want Mrs. Drover dead, before she’d found dead herself. 

The Herrington Harbor Mystery 

by Sally Goldenbaum 

The Yarn Studio’s Seaside Knitters have their hands full designing new classes for vacationers, as well as testing each other’s originality by creating a single blanket together. Birdie’s teenage granddaughter is also visiting for the season, and soon has plans with her friend Daisy to start a dog-walking business. Meanwhile, the Lazy Lobster and Soup Café’s local fare is gaining newfound attention with the addition of a well-known Boston chef. It’s sure to be another beautiful, busy time in their tightknit town . . . 

Murder At The Lemonberry Tea

 by Darci Hannah 

Lindsey’s patrons have a new outdoor patio where they can eat their treats in the glorious summer weather. But even more exciting is that the Beacon Bakeshop is going to host British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry—and what could be a more appropriate event than a tea party? 

A Trinket For The Taking

 by Victoria Laurie 

Dovey Van Dalen has a gorgeous day planned for her 200th birthday: driving her new Porsche, admiring the cherry blossoms abloom in her adopted city of Washington, D.C., and a little pampering. But her boss has other ideas. A powerful artifact has been stolen, and he fears it’s causing chaos in the unmagical world . . .  

A Trinket For The Taking 

by Victoria Gilbert

Dovey Van Dalen has a gorgeous day planned for her 200th birthday: driving her new Porsche, admiring the cherry blossoms abloom in her adopted city of Washington, D.C., and a little pampering. But her boss has other ideas. A powerful artifact has been stolen, and he fears it’s causing chaos in the unmagical world . . 

Mint Flavored Trouble 

by Tyora Moody

After completing the previous season of her true crime podcast, barista Joss Miller is ready to hang up her microphone for good. But when she meets Lily Hartman, the widow of a renowned choir director found dead last Christmas Eve, Joss’s sense of justice won’t let her walk away. 

Madrigals and Mayhem

 by Elizabeth Penney 

Molly is eager to experience her first English Christmas with family and friends now that she’s adjusted to her move to Cambridge and her restoration of her family’s ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe—Manuscripts and Folios. When local toyshop Pemberly’s Emporium reopens, Molly is excited to meet the new owner, Charlotte Pemberly, who is determined to make the toy store a success after unexpectedly becoming her grandfather Arthur’s sole heir

Cozy New Releases

 All titles Available on Amazon

NOVEMBER 18

Knight Brew by Heather Day Gilbert (Cozy Mystery)

The Barks & Beans booth at the Renaissance Faire is hopping, since Macy managed to talk her muscled redhead brother into donning a kilt for the occasion. Even better, Macy’s boyfriend Titan has come for a visit, so she can’t wait to peruse the shops and watch the shows with him. Format: Digital (Print to follow)

NOVEMBER 19

The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose (Private Investigator Mystery)

Private Eye Jade Cavendish thought she was just attending another somber funeral, paying respects to the late Benji Thompson. But when an elegant woman named Hilda Bauer urgently pulls her aside, Jade’s day takes an unexpected turn. Hilda’s mother’s brooch, a family heirloom, was lost during World War II. Her only lead is a cryptogram left by the deceased along with a message that Jade could solve it. 

Murder at the Painted Wings Café by Ruth J. Hartman (Cozy Mystery)

Seneca James’ cousin, Evie, ends up in hot water, when she’s accused of stealing a wallet from an angry customer in the Painted Wings Café. The customer also happens to be the local bank manager, who Evie pleads with for a much-needed loan, resulting in a public spectacle as the bank manager refuses, and ridicules Evie. When the manager later turns up dead inside the cafe, and Evie is the most likely suspect, it will take all of Seneca’s sleuthing and help from her best friend, Sheriff Cody Bales, and her cat, Winifred, to get Evie out of trouble. 

by Gin Jones (Cozy Mystery)

Jess Walker is spending Christmas with her sisters for the first time in years, but it’s a working holiday at the Three Sisters B&B in the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country. Jess, Em, and CJ are expecting a guest who has long dreamed of running her own B&B, so she’ll be playing hostess while her extended family will join her as additional guests.  

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly (Cozy Mystery)

Christmas in the close-knit community of Balsam Dell promises to be especially festive for Carly Hale this year when a prominent theater company comes to town to stage A Christmas Carol. But it turns out that Scrooge is not the most ill-tempered character in the production, as blowhard actor Prescott Lennon proves when he begins berating everyone else in the cast for their poor theatrics. When his arrogant behavior threatens the production, someone decides to resolve matters with a fatal solution—and frames Carly’s friend Gina for the murder. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Dominoes, Danzón, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes (Cozy Mystery)

It’s been three years since food anthropologist and cooking show star Miriam Quiñones-Smith had her last brush with death. Her Spanglish culinary show, Abuela Approved, is topping the charts. Her parents are back in Miami and living with her in Coral Shores. And her kids are great. But when bones start popping up in unexpected places, Miriam’s idyllic life is threatened. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

The Tell-Tale Homicide by Daphne Silver (Cozy Mystery)

Rare books librarian Juniper Blume lands her dream job: creating a new museum in her Chesapeake Bay town of Rose Mallow, Maryland. But on her very first day, she makes a shocking discovery—a dead man clutching a book by Edgar Allan Poe, stolen from the collections! As Juniper gets closer to cracking the coded message hidden inside the book, she realizes someone is desperate to keep its literary secrets buried…even if that means burying her, too.  

NOVEMBER 20

A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander (Cozy Mystery)

As whispers of foul play swirl like snowflakes, Annie soon finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, small-town rivalry, and long-buried mysteries. With pub-owner and new love Liam by her side and the help of her loyal bookstore colleagues, Annie sets out to solve Redwood Grove’s latest murder mystery. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more she discovers that the baking community isn’t as sweet as it seems…

Mistletoe Missfits New Release

 

It's here! ✨ Mistletoe Misfires is officially LIVE and ready to bring some holiday cheer (and maybe a little chaos 😉) into your life. Snuggle up with this heartwarming romance for just 99¢ for a limited time or FREE with #KindleUnlimited! Get your copy now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJZQZ6P4

 #HolidayRomance #NewRelease #RomanceReads

Monday feat...Valerie Burns Baker Street Mysteries #3

 

#SantaPlease

#TheList

#NewishRelease

Valerie Burns won me over to audio books with book 1. . 

My fav is print copies I can add to my shelf Santa Please!

Copied from Authors FB and Shared...🐕

🧁Thanks to Maddy’s social media savvy, Baby Cakes Bakery is becoming a huge success—so much so that she’s attracted the attention of her former nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Brandy Denton.

https://www.amazon.com/Flour-Pinch-Death-Street-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CLZ49T1M

#valerieburns #bakerstreetmystery3 #cozymystery #cozycharacterofcolor

New Release Feature Hunted For The Holidays by Deena Alexander

 

About the book 

Keeping out of sight

is the only way to stay alive.

When Shae Evans spots a familiar face at a Christmas pageant, she knows her witness-protection cover has been blown. Six years ago, her testimony put a crime boss away for life, but his vengeful son never stopped looking for her. Fleeing with her daughter, Shae accepts protection from former FBI agent Mason Payne—her child’s secret father. Now they’re only seconds ahead of the ruthless crime family who want Shae silenced forever. With threats everywhere, will they live to see the New Year?  

Buy the book 

Available on Amazon 

Kindle

Mass Market print 

Click Here

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

New Releases

 

All titles are available on Amazon 

The Pirate’s Secret

 by LynDee Walker and Bruce Robert Coffin 

This title is described as an Adventure Mystery

Carter Mosley is thrust into an unexpected adventure when his childhood friend and former dive partner, Jeff Shelton, leaves him a cryptic message. Carter is hesitant given his friend’s shadowy past, but loyalty draws him in. Joined by Avery Turner, he heads to England to follow the trail. The quest turns deadly when Jeff is murdered and a link to Captain Ace Mullins, a legendary pirate whose tale conceals a priceless treasure, is unveiled. 

NOVEMBER 1

Drop Dead Sisters by Amelia Diane Coombs  

This title is a Traditional Mystery and a brand new  series

Remi Finch has spent the better part of her adult life avoiding family—especially her sisters. They just don’t click. Besides, her unconventional upbringing and major anxiety have convinced Remi that she can’t build a relationship with anyone. Period. When her parents plan a family reunion camping trip to celebrate their anniversary, Remi’s willing to reconnect, if only because she doesn’t have a choice. But then a dead body turns up at their campsite, and their sisterly bonding kicks into high gear. 

A Deadly Match by Karen A. Phillips 

This title is a Cozy Mystery

Twin sisters Rocky and Bridget soon find themselves facing another shocking mystery when Hollywood visits the Sierra Foothills. Their aunt and uncle, both famous movie stars they haven’t seen since their mother’s funeral, are in town to film a movie. Forced into family togetherness, Rocky takes them on a tour of her boxing gym, which wasn’t supposed to include a dead body. 

Dressing Up A Corpse by Sheri Richey 

This title is a Cozy Mystery

When a hunting expedition doesn’t go as expected and family comes for a holiday visit, having good aim is important. With the grandest event Mayor Cora Mae Bingham has ever coordinated is nearing launch, two of her trusty volunteers are used as target practice while hunting in the woods! 

Fiance Finale by Angela Ruth Strong My Review

 

About the book 

"A meaningful journey of second chances and restored hope." mdashNicole Deese, Christy Award winning author

Charlie Newberg is sure about one thing: Nicole Lemaire is the woman God wants him to marry. There's a slight problem, thoughmdashhe's already left her once. The day before their wedding. To make a documentary.

But he's got a plan. The marketing firm she works for is the ideal choice for promoting his new film. Collaborating will give him the perfect chance to propose again, so he conspires with her boss to make sure she runs the campaign for the same kind of documentary Charlie left hermdashbasically at the altarmdashfor.

Despite Nicole's resistance, the two work well together. But Charlie's going to need more than teamwork to convince the jilted bride to give him a second chance. In fact, he might need to fall in love in a way he's never really understood.

"Angela Ruth Strong is a master at weaving God's truth into the rom-com genre.

And I thought 

I have had the pleasure of read all three books in the series. 

Thanks to the author and publisher I have been able to hold each one in my hands and enjoy the 'real" feeling of turning the pages. 

All three titles have a place on my shelf in my permanent library. 

That is how much I love the series.

I was pleased that the author brought each of the main characters couples on through into each of the following installments.  

It is always great to have a Happy Ending.  But a little sad for characters you've come to love ride off into the sunset so to speak!  

The characters in Fiance Finale are enduring. 

Each in they each in thier own way kinda worm their way into your heart.  

I almist wanted to not like Charlie after all he chose his career and basicaly left Nicole at the alter. 

But Nicole chose not marry Charlie and follow him on his new career adventure. 

But God had other plans in that they get thier second chance.   

I found myself giggling and laughing. 

I found myself wanting to throttle Charlie but he is endearing.  

As the two are thrown together they litterally have to learn to work together even though Nicole is on the fence about trusting Charlie.  

As one of my favorite authors I like the way Angela Ruth Strong weaves a fun and funnu story together with God's principles.  Making a positive up lifting read. 

The series 

Buy the book 

Available on Amazon 

Click Here

Crochet Pumpkin

 

Instructions:

Bobble Stitch: [yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 4 times, you will now have 5 loops on the hook, yarn over, pull through all loops 

Each pumpkin is made by first crocheting a long rectangle, then folding in half and seaming the short sides. Next you will cinch up the top and bottom and stuff to create the pumpkin shape. You can change up the dimensions of your pumpkin by changing the number of your starting chain (more chains will give you a taller pumpkin, less a shorter pumpkin), as well as changing up the number of rows you work (more rows for a fatter pumpkin, less rows for a skinnier pumpkin). Since the pattern is the same, just a different number of stitches I am only writing it out once, but will share how many starting chains and rows I used for the two different sizes I made. 

Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and each stitch across

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in first stitch, [bobble in next stitch, sc in next] repeat to end 

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st 

Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in each st

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st

Repeat rows 2-5 until you have the size you want, ending with a row 4, you should have 2 single crochet rows at the end and 1 at the beginning and when they are stitched together you will have the 3 rows of single crochet that are in between the bobble rows.  

ACFW Romance New Releases

 

General Contemporary

I’ll Be Home 

by Darlene L. Turner, by Sara Davison, Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson —

 With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Chokecherry Valley Collection

 by Jean Rezab — 

One accident. Two devastated families. Paul Richmond’s life changed in an instant when his wife and seven-year-old daughter die in a car accident. He struggles to move forward with this huge change. As his two-year sobriety anniversary approaches, he knows he’s on the edge of a relapse. He takes a sabbatical from his work as a doctor and works on his in-law’s farm to get perspective and try to come to terms with his new life. What if Paul could have the one thing he desires most? To see and speak to his daughter again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)  

Contemporary Romance

A Match Made at Christmas

 by Amy R. Anguish, Sarah Anne Crouch, Lori DeJong, Heather Greer — 

A mischievous little boy, an interfering friend, a committee of Christmas planners, and a quartet of teenage elves play matchmakers in this fun collection of Christmas romances. (Contemporary Romance, Scrivenings Press)

The Warrior’s B&B

 by Jennie Atkins — 

Is it possible for a man to fall in love with two different women and never suspect they are the same person? (Contemporary Romance from Amazon)

The Dream of a Cowboy 

by Elsie Davis — 

Cowboys who deserve a second chance at love and happiness and the women strong enough to show them the way…Texas style! (Contemporary Romance from Sweet Romance Publishing)

One Special Christmas

 by Amanda Cabot  

 It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn’t it? (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)

One Starry Christmas

 by Mary A. Felkins 

A pastor with a past faces his greatest challenge. Redemption. (Contemporary Romance from Gardenia Press)

A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado

 by Kq l. L .1athleen Denly 

Her entire life, Eleanore Wainright has been molded to fit the ideal society wife in the glittering world of New York’s elite. Her father’s aspirations for her are clear: marry a man of wealth and status and secure their family’s future. But when she arrives at the Hotel del Coronado with intentions to do just that, Eleanore’s carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when she comes face to face with Thomas Harding, the man who shattered her heart and disappeared without a trace. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

 

Beyond Shattered Dreams

 by Cynthia Roemer

After months in a Confederate prison camp, Private Will Everett boards the Sultana eager to return home and leave behind the horrors of war. One day into the voyage, the overcrowded steamboat explodes, rendering Will injured and unable to recall his identity. With only a pocket watch and the name Will E. etched inside to guide him, Will begins a relentless quest to find his forgotten past. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Healing Hearts 

by Sherida Stewart  

Two wounded hearts. His shattered by grief, hers burdened by guilt. Will these two hurting hearts be healed by love and faith? A frontier “Beauty and the Beast” tale set in New Mexico Territory. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

New Releases

 

Death At The Dinner Party

 by Ellie Alexander 

When her friend Penny confesses she’s struggling to finance the restoration of the historic Wentworth farmhouse, Annie is instantly inspired. The beautiful property has stood empty since the 1970s, but rumors still swirl about the eccentric Wentworth family and their hidden fortune. It’s the perfect setting for a spooky, immersive dinner party, and the evening is a roaring success – until neighboring landowner Curtis Wright drops dead at the dining table… 

Murder Under A Cold Moon by Abigail Keam (Historical Mystery 1930s)

Mona Moon and her new husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth are on their honeymoon at last. They are invited to a weekend party by an old friend of Robert’s family—Lady Eustacia. Mona and Robert arrive in a substantial downpour to find several other couples awaiting the appearance of their hostess. When Lady Eustacia fails to come downstairs, Mona and Robert search the manor house only to find the lady missing. It is then they discover the telephone wires have been cut and none of the cars are able to drive into town due to the storm. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Reel Trouble

 by Karen MacInerney 

Innkeeper Natalie Barnes has her hands full helping her niece Gwen adjust to her new baby girl–and managing the arrival of her opinionated sister Bridget–when a star-studded film crew descends on the Gray Whale Inn to film a historical murder mystery. Between her troublesome sister and an inn full of demanding guests, Natalie feels like she’s barely treading water. Then she finds a nosy crewmember floating belly-up behind the inn, and Natalie realizes that the film’s fictional murder plot isn’t the only one afoot. 

Take a Book for Murder

 by Millie Mack 

Carrie and Charles Faraday are all smiles at a book party celebrating Carrie’s long-awaited mystery—at least until Carrie witnesses a nasty quarrel between two of the guests. When one of the quarrelers turns up dead the next morning, and the party hostess becomes a suspect, Carrie and Charles feel a responsibility to find the real murderer.  

Brew Unto Others

 by Sandra Balzo 

The Kingston family has always been at odds, but Maggy Thorsen hopes that the passing of Edna Mayes Kingston, mother of Sarah Kingston, her Uncommon Grounds coffeehouse partner, might unite them. Alas, few tears are shed over the self-righteous Edna, and the wake is barely over when Edna’s body is shuffled off unceremoniously for burial and Sarah’s sister Ruth is found unconscious in the family home. 

The Ghost Therapists 

by Kathy Daley 

Tess and Tony are asked to chair the annual Halloween event, which once again, will feature televised therapy sessions conducted by paranormal psychologists Tim Rivers and Tom Masters. While participating in the ghost therapy sessions is always a hoot, Tess is feeling overwhelmed and distracted this year with all the changes in her life and she wonders if she’ll be able to handle everything that is coming down the pike as efficiently as she hoped she would. 

A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer

 by Maxie Dara 

It’s not like it used to be. Modern-day grim reapers wear business casual, not black cloaks, and they don’t carry scythes, they work for S. C. Y. T. H. E. (Secure Collection, Yielding, and Transportation of Human Essences), where the Department of Natural Causes is the least exciting gig. And that’s how Kathy Valence likes it: boring and predictable. She has enough stress in her personal life; she’s mid-divorce, pregnant, and terrified she doesn’t have what it takes to be a good mom

Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge 

by Kjersti Herland Johnsen 

After a traumatic climbing accident, well-known Alpinist Ingrid Berg has returned to the small Norwegian village that her family has called home for generations to take over the management of the Glitter Peak Lodge from her aging grandmother, who’s no longer up to the task. With Christmas rapidly approaching, the Glitter Peak Lodge staff are busy baking kransekake and saffron buns, decorating an enormous tree with tinsel, and enlisting guests to participate in their Santa Lucia celebration.  

The Alchemist of Brushstrokes and Brimstone

 by Gigi Pandian 

Zoe’s hard-won peaceful life is shattered when a devious thief targets her most prized possession—a vibrant portrait that’s her last connection to her long-dead brother. It’s a painting that also holds the secrets of a forgotten artist who created recipes for the most breathtaking colors ever seen. 

The Alchemist of Brushstrokes and Brimstone by Gigi Pandian (Cozy Mystery)
Zoe’s hard-won peaceful life is shattered when a devious thief targets her most prized possession—a vibrant portrait that’s her last connection to her long-dead brother. It’s a painting that also holds the secrets of a forgotten artist who created recipes for the most breathtaking colors ever seen.   

Moo River by Mollie Cox Bryan (Cozy Mystery)

Fall is always busy in the village of Shenandoah Springs, Virginia, and this year is no exception. Brynn McAlister is juggling the grand opening of a new local business and preparations for the big Harvest Festival. But when expensive koi fish vanish from Sally’s Pond Plants & Supplies, and Brynn’s mischievous bull calf, along with a close friend, are accused of the crime, she vows to find the real thief—no matter what the local police say. And if that one officer happens to have just asked her to the police ball? Well, that only complicates things.

Convincing Derrick by Sara Blackard My Review

 

About the book 

An ex-Army operator defining a new life by rescuing abused horses. A socialite striving to escape her devious family. Will the evil that threatens them rip them apart?

Derrick Nicholson’s last fifteen years have been spent living the life his older brother never got to have.
After a tragic accident took his brother, Derrick has become obsessed with perfection. Everything has to be triple checked. He’ll never allow his lack of attention to cause disaster again. Too bad Kiki Payne, his friend and housemate, is a distraction he can’t seem to ignore.

Kiki Payne’s life has always been one of status and leisure. But the veneer shatters when she uncovers her parents’ plot to steal a child from her mother.
Now, every move Kiki makes is to separate herself from her dishonorable parents. While her friends and housemates at Stryker Security bleed honor and truth, she wonders if the corruption of her family will always taint her. Yet, the acceptance of the team gives her hope for a better future.

When a case of mistaken identity has Derrick, Kiki, and her niece abducted, will they be able to overcome insurmountable obstacles to find freedom?

If you like page-turning adventure, fascinating characters, and engaging stories of triumph, you'll love Sara Blackard's riveting inspirational security romance series.

And I thought 

There's a lot that I liked about book 6 in the Stryker Security Force series.

I had the chance to read book 1 and fell in love with these characters.

Each of the books is written as a standalone.

If this series is new to you don't worry about stepping in at any point.

The characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in Convincing Derrick

Always stepping in and making sure there is a happy ending.

There is much to like about this one. I have a soft spot for animals especially Horses and so does Derrick.

Kiki's introduction by Derrick to two abused and neglected mares spoke to me.

Seeing Author Sara Blackard's spot on discripton in the scenes in living the horses told me that her writing is spot on.

There is alot of Camando in this book. The challenges that Derrick faced when he, Kiki and little Eva are kidnapped reminded me of Rambo.

And for this reader that is a good thing.

Author Sara Blackard not only gives the reader a Suspense filled story but her characters trust in God and pray themselves through the Drama, fear and near death experiences they encounter.

I truly not only liked Convincing Derrick I loved it.

I am looking forward to the chance to read the books I've missed at #7 when it releases.

I am glad I was introduced to Sara Blackard and the Stryker Force Series.

My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.

I received a complimentary copy.

Buy the book 

Available on Amazon click Here 

The Series 

New Author/Book Feature

 Today I am introducing a New Author.  

About the book 

Johnny Reason notices a woman with a long red braid swaying in the middle of her back as she steps from the train before him in St. Joseph, Missouri, where his life as a Pony Express Rider will begin. But as he settles into his new life, Erin, a bold young woman seeking a husband, sets her sights on him. He soon wonders which is more dangerous--riding for the Pony Express or being pursued by Erin Byrne.

And why do thoughts of the young lady with the long red braid continue to invade his mind?

Since her mother's death, Maggie Carter has struggled to get out from under her oldest sister's thumb to live her own life. Sparks of romance stir within her from the first moment she sees the handsome Pony Express rider, Johnny, but her overbearing sister has determined that Maggie needs to find someone more fitting for her social standing.

Will Maggie win Johnny's heart, or will her sister put an end to the relationship before it starts?

And a few readers are saying . . . 

Dedra Hart review on Amazon

Love by Pony Express is well-written with a fantastic storyline that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. The book is a great combination of fact and fiction, adventure and romance. What’s next for Johnny and Maggie? I loved this book and eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. 

A Kindle Customer said 

Really enjoyed this book. I would recommend to everyone. A clean action packed love story no matter your age or gender. 

Mrs. B. Amazon customer 

I am a fan of history, and a former elementary school teacher. Over the years, I taught several units on the Pony Express, so it was fun to read a novel that put flesh and bones on the facts and figures of that time. Well researched, the novel moves quickly, as did the Pony Express. Through one man's experience, Johnny Reason, you get a sense for the challenges the riders faced and how rapidly towns emerged and changed during this turbulent time. The characters are enjoyable and you'll find yourself cheering on Johnny, getting annoyed with Erin, Janie, and Charles, and worrying with Maggie.

Overall, Love by Pony Express is a nice ride!

Learn more about the author click Here

New Releases

 

A few covers need to be added but I wasnted get these posted for those wanting to shop on Sunday

 All titles available on Amazon. 

High Style and Homicide

 by Kathleen Bridge 

Never in her wildest dreams did interior decorator Meg Barrett think she’d get the chance to team up with the iconic Jessica Sterling. A do-it-yourself dynamo, Jessica’s Dahlia Lane Farms brand has swept the country, and Meg is thrilled to discover she’s just as charming and gracious in person as she is on TV. But tragedy strikes when her beloved brother is killed in a hit-and-run, and when the evidence points to foul play, Meg vows to help Jessica by investigating. 

Six Stunning Sirens

 by Lynn Cahoon 

In a triumph for Mia’s catering business and cooking school, Mia’s Morsels is chosen to host a fall festival event in their Idaho mountain town—which means managing a bunch of stage moms and their social-media obsessed daughters as they get ready for the big beauty contest. There’s a lot riding on the results of the Harvest Moon Festival—it’s where the local coven leader is chosen for the following year. 

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco 

by Michelle Chouinard 

The chill of a San Francisco summer can be deadly. No one knows this better than Capri Sanzio, who makes her living giving serial killer tours of the city. Capri has been interested in the topic since she was a kid, when she discovered she’s the granddaughter of serial killer William ‘Overkill Bill’ Sanzio. She’s always believed in his innocence, though she’s never taken the leap to fully dive into the case. 

Grounds for Murder

 by Betty Ternier Daniels 

Jeannie is in trouble. After the loss of her husband, everyone around her is pressuring her to leave her precious farm, including an incredibly persistent realtor who won’t name her client. But when that realtor ends up dead, killed by mistake when she borrows Jeannie’s car, it becomes clear that her client won’t take no for an answer. Who wants Jeannie’s land so badly that they are willing to kill her for it? And why her farm when there are plenty around her for sale? To find the answer, Jeannie joins forces with off-duty cop Derek and finds refuge with the young back-to-the-land tenants who rent a section of her farm.  

A Slay Ride Together With You

 by Vicki Delany 

Rudolph, New York, shop owner Merry Wilkinson’s best friend Vicky Casey is newly engaged to Chef Mark Grosse and is moving into the historic Cole House–a home surrounded by drama, intrigue, and a possible haunting that is in desperate need of renovation. The wedding is just three weeks away, but all is not bliss for the newly engaged couple as estranged relatives of the late owner fight over her will. Then, late one night, Vicky and Merry come across a dead body in the garden of Cole House–and Mark is the one standing over the corpse. 

Murder In An Italian Café

 by Michael Falco 

Though she still misses her late husband, Carlo, Bria couldn’t be happier that their dream bed and breakfast, Bella Bella, is humming along nicely. Of course, even on the stunning Amalfi Coast, things seldom run smoothly. Like Bria’s mother and mother-in-law dueling over a suitable communion site for Bria’s eight-year-old son Marco. Bria’s also juggling the demands of the famous Chef Lugo, his producer, Massimo, and Pippa, a member of the production crew who is staying at Bella Bella for a nice, long-term stay . . .

A Killer Clue 

by Victoria Gilbert 

When Eloise Anderson, the owner of an antiquarian bookshop, arrives at the grand Aircroft estate to ask retired librarian Jane Hunter and eccentric collector Cameron Clewe for help, Jane and Cam expect a bookish inquiry. But the bookseller has a different sort of assistance in mind—clearing her mother’s name of a murder Eloise is convinced she didn’t commit. 

Murder at a Scottish Christmas 

by Traci Hall 

All Paislee wants for Christmas is for her new home to be finished, but it looks like she’ll have to wait for New Year’s Day. Whether the paint on the walls has dried or not, she’ll host a feast for her twelve-year-old son Brody, Grandpa, their black Scottish terrier Wallace, and friends—including police station receptionist Amelia Henry and her brother McCormac, whose black locks can fulfill the Scottish first-footer tradition that a tall, dark-haired man should be the first person to enter your home on New Year’s to bring good luck. 

Death of a Gingerbread Man

 by Lee Hollis 

With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder . . 

Shear Terror

 by Dorothy Howell 

Abbey’s life in Hideaway Grove is comfortable, and she’s grateful for her small sewing studio in the back room of her aunt’s bakery, but she’s feeling stuck. Her plan to expand her custom tote bag business by selling to a chain of gift shops has hit a snag. Making enough totes to distribute to all the stores requires large-scale production—which requires money Abbey doesn’t have. To make ends meet, she takes a part-time job at the town’s bustling Visitor Center 

 

Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year’s

 by Liz Ireland 

April Claus is looking forward to relaxing with her hubby, Nick (aka THE Santa Claus), in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. But just after Santa departs for his deliveries, an elf pulls into Santaland with three people he found lost in the frozen wilderness. The survivors of a scientific expedition are injured, but their presence endangers the future of Santaland. So, while the strangers recuperate at the infirmary, April convinces Christmastown to pull off its grandest, most impossible, most magical feat yet . . . pretend to be normal! 

Silent Nights Are Murder 

by Libby Klein (Cozy 

Ever since Thanksgiving, when an engagement ring in a velvet box—and no gift tag—was left behind, Poppy and her pals have been left with an unsolved mystery. But at least this mystery isn’t the kind that involves murder. That all changes when the body of a fish supplier is discovered in the kitchen of her ex’s restaurant—and he’s frozen, not fresh. 

Caught on Camera

 by Kara Lacey 

It’s been more than a year since the sudden death of her husband, and photographer Bobbie Brooks wants nothing more than to escape her grief. Fleeing her life in the city, she seeks a fresh start in the serenity of the Green Mountains. But Bobbie’s new beginning comes to a halt when she finds a member of her camera club dead beneath the village’s idyllic covered bridge. Tragic accident or something sinister? With a keen photographer’s eye, Bobbie suspects murder. 

Bell, Book and Corpses by T.C. LoTempio (Cozy Mystery)

Waincroft Manor has long been tied to rumors of witchcraft and fatal curses, and to Nora Charles, that makes it the perfect place for a Halloween fundraiser. But her first trip to the deserted old mansion turns out to be truly ghoulish when she discovers a dead body. What’s more, the corpse is laid out in a coffin—with two bite marks on its neck. Then the autopsy comes back showing that the body was drained of blood, and there’s no stopping the local gossip from whispering the word vampire to anyone who will listen.  

The Glass Bottom Hoax by Diane Vallere (Cozy Mystery)

Madison Night has a reputation for excellence in mid-century modern decorating, but when a covert opportunity to expose a crime ring on a cruise ship comes her way, she goes undercover. The job will test her acting skills as much as her investigative prowess: she’s booked as a Doris Day impersonator and police captain Tex Allen is posing as her manager husband. But roleplay and reality blur when the body of the entertainment director is found on the lido deck sometime between shuffleboard and sunset. Format: Print, Digital

Pretty Lentil Liars by Cathy Wiley (Cozy Mystery)

The quaint town of Holland, Washington, is all abuzz with excitement for its third annual lentil festival. Among the crowd is Jackie Norwood, a former celebrity chef turned food festival judge. Jackie’s palate is ready to be delighted by the town’s culinary offerings, but she quickly discovers that Holland’s lentil dishes come with a side of secrets and lies. 

Murder on the Court by Barbara Barrett (Cozy Mystery)

No good deed goes unpunished, as television star Marla Dane learns the hard way. The recently fired TV detective, trying to figure out her next move at her sister’s Minnesota condo, reluctantly agrees to sub as Water Girl at a weekend pickleball match. Which makes her the first suspect of many when the team captain turns up dead. Format: Digital (Print to follow)

Murder in the Hidden Cargo Hold by Denise Jaden (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*

Olivia Ocean’s dream job aboard the Moonlit Majesty turns into a nightmare when she witnesses an attempt to dispose of a helpless kitten at sea. Rescuing the kitty entails a chase, which leads her to discovering a dead body! Armed with her camera and newfound feline friend, Olivia must navigate the ship’s dark corners, pounce on the clues, assist the swoon-worthy security manager, and capture the killer before the ship reaches its final destination. Format: Digital

Panic in the Panhandle by J.C. Kenney (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*

In the sleepy panhandle of Florida, Benjamin “Elmo” Simpson has carved out a comfortable niche as the go-to wild animal removal specialist. Life is sweet until a peculiar service request takes him to a local condo and an unexpected scene. Retired lawyer Fran Cohen is missing and in his apartment is a well-fed alligator that appears to have enjoyed a nice breakfast with…or rather, of 

Moo River by Mollie Cox Bryan (Cozy Mystery)

Fall is always busy in the village of Shenandoah Springs, Virginia, and this year is no exception. Brynn McAlister is juggling the grand opening of a new local business and preparations for the big Harvest Festival. But when expensive koi fish vanish from Sally’s Pond Plants & Supplies, and Brynn’s mischievous bull calf, along with a close friend, are accused of the crime, she vows to find the real thief—no matter what the local police say. And if that one officer happens to have just asked her to the police ball? Well, that only complicates things.