A Maple Cookie Homecoming

 A Maple Cookie Homecoming

by Judy Ann Davis

Can you ever go home again? Julien Franklin is recently discharged from the Army and headed back to his hometown of Linden, Vermont with a new puppy he's named Mozart. He's planning to stay "for a while" and remodel his adopted parents' home. He's unprepared to see Natalie Pinkett again. She's the one he regretted had got away. Now, years later lots of life has happened to them both, changed them both. Is there any possibility they can rekindle their friendship, or even their star-crossed romance? What surprises are in store with the house remodel? Plans to stay a while be extended, or shortened as his heart will dictate.

The former high school sweethearts begin to get reacquainted over coffee and their forever favorite treat, maple cookies. Natalie is running her bookstore, and renting the rooms above it for extra money. She's returned home herself after becoming a widow. She wants to raise her daughter in her own home town. Julien is looking for a place to stay, and moves into this apartment. The pair will remain in close contact, especially since Natalie's daughter and Mozart become fast friends.

Judy Ann Davis, the author of this charming story sets a vivid scene of a small town and the details that make it unique. It's easy to see why it's a magnet for those characters who grew up there. The author creates intriguing characters and introduces the reader to them, then slowly peels away the layers and reveals more and more about their backgrounds, desires, dreams, and buried secrets. As the plot moves forward, the ripple effects of one person's life on others' lives is beautifully shown and quite thought provoking. It's such an engaging story, and it surfaces an interesting debate about possibilities, and exploring the idea of how idyllic is it if you ever go home again?

Merry Little Wishing Spritz Holiday Read

Merry Little Wishing Spritz

by Cherie Colyer

Cassie is about to lose everything. Big change threatens her present and her plans for her future. The home and the job she loves are facing a large yellow construction crane and demolition blueprints according to a prescient vision disclosed by her friend. Lakeside Books is a charming store and living above it suits Cassie just right in the idyllic town of Mystic Creek. She had a beloved history with this bookstore and Bea, the current owner. On the brink of a heartbreak, her thoughts turn dark toward the anonymous buyer. Wrath in a witch such as Cassie can be a worry, except she's bound by the magic rules, or can those rules be stretched?

Cassie and her friend just happen to have baked a batch of special cookies used to cast a wish-come-true spell. Deciding it's worth a try, Cassie casts enthusiastically and with only the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong? Just like Cassie, you'll be surprised at the answer to that.

The first surprise is the handsome new visitor to town who has a great interest in the bookstore as well. Cassie's attraction to this man grows stronger as she gets to know him better. She has her own rules to apply in this aspect of her life too. This dear witch has vowed not to date mortals. In this case, it's a tough decision to stick to, romance has a magic all its own.

It's not long before Cassie has her hands full smoothing the wrinkles caused by her good natured spell. Some of the affects are unexpected and don't seem to occur due to her actions alone. Is someone else dabbling in magic?

Author Cherie Colyer writes a delightful, winsome romance that amuses from page to page as the reader frolics through this charming witch Cassie's story. You'll want to linger over every page with its vivid descriptions, sweet humor, and characters that you'll wish were friends living in your own hometown. Spend the holidays with them in this merry little read. 

Death By Sample Size

 

Death by Sample Size

By Susie Black

How about a liberal dose of laugh out loud humor with your intriguing mystery? Here's an amateur sleuth who is wise-cracking, irreverent, and becomes determined to follow all clues and find a cunning killer. The victim was certainly no friend to Holly Schlivnik. In fact Bunny Frank really had no friends, leaving a long line of suspects in her wake. It's when Holly's friend Sonia is charged with the murder that this swimwear sales executive gets into action to help her friend. How can the police get it all so wrong? But, Holly hasn't investigated a crime before. Can she really be any help? When she rolls up her sleeves, which suspects will stand out to her? Can she convince authorities with the clues she finds? The police are not happy with an amateur on the case, and the situation could become desperate for poor Sonia behind bars.

Unlike the murdered Bunny Frank, Holly Schlivnik has lots of friends. She meets up with many of them often at The Java Jolt as they take begin their work day in the garment industry, or taking a break. They talk about the business, and about the people in the business. Holly is able to recruit some help from them, especially from Queenie Levine who, along with Holly keeps the reader laughing out loud while they dig up irresistible clues. There's plenty of opportunity for readers to analyze the clues along with the swimwear sales exec and narrow down suspects.

Miguel Martinez is the detective challenged by this amateur sleuth and her friends. There appears there's a romantic spark between the two of them, at least when confrontational sparks aren't flying between them over the case.

The details in the case about the the setting of Los Angeles, and especially about the fashion industry matches the excitement of the suspect chase and hunt for the killer. It's very interesting to learn about this business, and the unique characters enhance the plot. The author's story telling style flows beautifully through this delightful fast paced mystery.

Born in the Big Apple, Susie Black calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries. You can also hear directly from the author herself on YouTube's podcast, A Novel Talk with Susie Black