Snickerdoodle Snowmen Tells A Sweet Story

Snickerdoodle Snowmen

by Sarita Leone 

It's the busiest time of the year in North Pole, Alaska. Baker Kris Kringles is certainly feeling the deadline pressures as she bakes, packages and sends snickerdoodles all across the globe. Keeping busy means she can fulfill the wishes of all those people waiting for their sweets, and she can bury her secret regrets in her work. She certainly doesn't want to share with anyone the secret she hides, and she doesn't want to talk about it with her sometimes meddling sister. After all, what help is a sister who believes in magic and happy endings?

Big time New York reporter Santos Kloss makes no secret of his feelings about Christmas - bah humbug! It's his last assignment before he moves on and of all the bad luck, he's sent to North Pole to report on a certain baker's world renowned Snickerdoodle Snowmen. He's not happy, but he will fulfill his final obligations.

The flour flies when these two strong-willed characters meet on the snowy grounds of North Pole. It is the time of miracles, in the clear, frozen, tundra. Will a miracle bring peace between these two? Do they have something to offer each other that they didn't even realize they might be missing? How could that possibly happen between two strangers, both so set in their ways? It is North Pole after all.

This author skillfully interjects delightful humor into a sweet, romantic book. The setting is crafted so vividly, you'll want a steaming mug of hot chocolate nearby as you enthusiastically devour each page. The characters will steal your heart, including a mischievous sister who only means well. This dear story is absolutely a stocking stuffer must, but you don't have to wait, you can get it now.

Krampus and the Kolaches Holiday Reading

Krampus and the Kolaches

by JD Douwes

Now this is anything but a harmonious caroling expedition, but these characters sure know how to show a reader a good time. It was so fun to join Khalie and her quirky group of friends on their way to the Figgy Pudding event and singing competition. They're all seasonally excited, and I am too as I read about their antics in this vibrant and witty story. 

One of the friends, Dina has brought along her son Fred. He is a mischievous imp, and Dina is in denial about his pranks. That's when the action turns wild. Who shows up as the sparks fly? Krampus appears. Of course, that's the costume that Khalie's boyfriend Harry planned to wear for the caroling event. His furry appearance scares Fred who runs away. Krampus helps Santa by scaring the naughty.

The hunt for Fred begins, and reveals such a crazy adventure all over the holiday event. Everyone wants a taste of Khalie's delicious kolaches too, but she needs to deliver them to the event's bake sale intact. That turns out to be easier said than done. Along the way, Khalie notices some curious peculiarities about Harry in the Krampus costume. What has got into him? What indeed? It's very unnerving, but some changes are actually endearing. With all the crowds and commotion, will they find Fred? What naughtiness will he have instigated? 

At the end of this rollicking chase, you'll have exercised your funny bone. The mystery of the Krampus will be revealed and it will warm your heart. This author has created a delightful holiday story filled with entertaining characters. A nice gift for the season.

Murder In The Past Tense

 

Murder In The Past Tense

By Lynn Bohart

There's a gruesome discovery lying in wait. Decades go by. People move on with their own lives in Southern California. Then one day, one very routine, regular work day, that body is discovered. At first no one knows who it is, but there are clues. Detective Giorgio Salvatori is called to investigate. History has not been buried forever. History has secrets to show, heartbreak to revisit, and sinister acts to finally bring to justice. This death was not natural. No, this death was a violent act. Giorgio will not stop until he uncovers the whole truth, as dirty as it may be. Although many have forgotten those days way back then, this investigation will finally revive the memories of the innocent that were wronged. But how will Giorgio do that, when someone is throwing obstacles in his path, and threatening him and his family? Is there a paranormal force that may also help Giorgio?

The second book in the Giorgio Salvatori mysteries, this detective moved from the New York police department to a small town in Southern California to bring his family away from the crime of that large city. Now he's confronting a murder mystery that touches his heart. It's a brutal murder. As if he's not motivated enough to solve the mystery, he's also haunted by an image that seems unrelated yet is pushing him to uncover clues. It's a mystery within a mystery.

The Southern California setting is so vividly described in this story. The characters are dynamic. Giorgio's family life with his wife and children is brilliantly depicted and contrasted with his job. His brother also assists in this case, and the ties that bind despite some frayed threads. Their partnership is fascinating. It's compelling to watch a police detective who is driven by facts and where the clues lead him also steered by a paranormal force that appears directly to him. Giorgio is more comfortable with facts, but cannot turn away from anything that can help him deliver justice and solve this mystery. The picture of the victim, and the way the author artfully tells this character's story allows the reader to fully get to know them.

After a more than 35 year career as a nonprofit executive, author Lynn Bohart now owns a freelance writing company called Lil Dog Communications, by the way she's a big dog lover too, and she writes for nonprofits and businesses all over the world. With a Master's degree in Theatre, she loves diving into a good story whether she's writing it, reading it, watching it, or bringing it to the stage. She loves a mystery, with the intriguing characters and danger lurking around every corner and is author of 3 series and ten books. Her website is lynnbohart-author.com For more information about the author and her books. You can also hear directly from the author herself on YouTube's podcast, A Novel Talk with Lynn Bohart