Great new holiday cozies by two well-loved authors THREE... fun full-length whodunits that will make you want to ignore the frost and snow outdoors and snuggle in with a thick blanket and a cup of sweet cocoa! A Little Taste of Murder-–First in the NEW Brightwater Bay series-- A dead car, a vacation that’s really all about running away, and a guy face down on the steps to her rented cottage make Claire crave home. Even the promise of hopping a ferry for the beautiful San Juan Islands seems like an impossibility when everyone is trying to point fingers at each other. Right in the middle of it all, Miranda has to convince the tight-knit town that she’s not the murderer, even if the clues tell another, horrible story.Cookies and Catastrophe--The 2nd Chance Diner is ready for Christmas! Rose has taken up knitting and has produced scarfs enough for half the town. The windows are painted with fake snow, the menu has added pumpkin and peppermint in all their forms. They’re even having a Christmas cookie bake-off. Things take a sinister turn when one of the bakers turns up dead. Was it the competition run amok? Was it some secret crime underbelly of Silver Falls? Maybe the gossip is off, and it was just a terrible accident? Rose decides that she won’t have another event at her diner ruined and decides to investigate. With the snarky Zee in tow, the two of them gossip their way through the murder while trying to avoid Rose’s budding romance—the detective who wants neither of them involved. Winter Storms and Deadly Thorns--The year is 1901, and Katherine, a wealthy scion of a powerful Boston family has just buried her father. She is distraught, but her terror is only beginning when she learns that he was killed by those she thought she could trust. Now, she must wrest her life back from the brink of destruction with only the help from her failing grandfather and an orphaned houseboy. Will they succeed, or will her family’s legacy be irrevocably cast into shadow. Set within the Red Pine Falls cozy mystery series, this prequel explains the origin of the Morgan Family Treasure and the legend of Kat Morgan herself.

    The town was settled 1820 by the original Winter Texan, Santa Claus. He kissed the snowy North Pole goodbye and moved his whole operation to the sunny Texas Hill Country where there are never blizzard warnings and the only thing icy is his iced tea. When Lana Green crashes her car into the Welcome-to-Christmas-Texas-you’re-not-lost-you’re-exactly-where-you’re-supposed-to-be, sign she doesn’t necessarily agree with the town slogan. She was on her way to Fredericksburg for a business meeting when she got lost in a thunderstorm. Since she has no intention of sleeping in her car during a thunderstorm and she has zero cell reception, she pulls her suitcase out of the trunk and marches toward town. When it comes to hating Christmas, she could give Ebenezer Scrooge a run for his money so visiting Christmas, Texas the week before Christmas is bound to be a lesson in torture. Sheriff Nick Van De Berg is out on patrol when he runs across a Lexus wrapped around the Welcome sign. But the car’s empty. Surely the driver didn’t walk to town through the thunderstorm. As the storm gathers in intensity, so does his fear that something bad has happened to the driver. After checking the fast-swelling river, lower water crossings, and every single road in town, he stops by the Christmas Tree Inn where he finds Lana Green, his college sweetheart and the one that got away, sipping a mug of hot chocolate. His Christmas wish every year since they broke up has been a second chance with Lana. Now his wish has finally come true. Can he convince Lana to take a chance on him and on Christmas, Texas?

     TV journalist Elizabeth “E. M.” Danniher will tell you she committed two sins — she didn’t stay young, and she made an enemy of a powerful news executive — her ex. She used to break national news. Now her top story as the “Helping Out!” reporter at dinky KWMT-TV in Sherman,Wyoming is getting a refund for a defective toaster. Tough, funny and determined, Elizabeth wrestles with isolation, keeping a professional edge, and an evolving self-image. Is Wyoming — the land of cattle, cowboys, tumbleweeds, and fewer than six people per square mile — her new home or a road to permanent obscurity? Soon she’s in a battle of wills with ex-football player turned journalist Mike Paycik, who sees her as a handy rung on his career ladder. And there’s the matter of a deputy sheriff—missing or murdered? Elizabeth finds herself investigating at the insistence of a girl who’s set on proving her father’s innocence. Not that enigmatic rancher Thomas David Burrell makes investigating easy. But Elizabeth won’t fade to black without a fight, no matter how final some might want to make her SIGN OFF. Don’t miss any of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn:Sign OffLeft HangingShoot FirstLast DitchLook LiveBack StoryCold OpenHot Roll

    It's not her fault trouble seems to follow her around. Okay, it is her fault, but why quibble over details? When Brandy (a puff piece reporter for a local Los Angeles TV news station) returns to her hometown, after a four year absence, she is thrilled to be reunited with friends and family. But her joy is short-lived when her best friend, John, becomes the victim of a tragic accident. Brandy is alone in thinking that the death is no "accident," and as she sets out to prove her theory, she stumbles upon a political scandal of major proportions. Things begin to heat up when it appears that her former boyfriend, police detective Robert Anthony DiCarlo, is involved in sabotaging the investigation. The one thing Brandy knows for sure is that people keep turning up dead, and if she doesn't get some answers, fast, she could end up on the short list. As Brandy searches out the truth, she gains some unexpected allies, including sexy, dangerous, street-savvy Nicholas Santiago, and the now-married Bobby, who still holds a torch for his former girlfriend. With humor, guts and determination Brandy tackles each challenge, be it dodging a bullet or resisting that box of Tastykakes in the cupboard. Murder, mayhem and romance abound in Shelly Fredman's novel, proving there really is No Such Thing as a Secret.

     Her Fiance, David, is a former minor-league pitcher turned stockbroker who is surprised to discover that there are things he didn't know about Lauren. With the help of his 91 year old grandfather, & his friend Jack, the assistant sheriff, he searches for the truth.

    After all, she’s barely had time to relax since she’s solved her mother's cold case.When Christie heads out to visit Griselda, her bestie, hankering for a delicious Bacon Burger, she walks into a crime scene instead. The newest restaurateur in town is dead… poisoned, and he just so happens to be Griselda’s biggest burger competition.Chris’ best friend is the prime suspect. She has to solve the mystery or see Grizzy take the fall for a crime she didn’t commit. Not on her watch!Sleepy Creek’s favorite characters return in this follow-up series to the Burger Bar Mysteries. Grab your copy today.

    However, the discovery of a dead body was anything but typical for Jaycee. Then when the new detective in town, Mike Connors, demands Jaycee keep her nose out of the investigation, she decides she has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. After all, her sister’s baking reputation is on the line and the killer is still on the loose. With the help of Gramps, a retired Army colonel, her mom, and Tillie, a former trapeze artist and contortionist, Jaycee is on a mission to snag the killer before her sister’s reputation is forever tainted.

    Hell on WheelsEx-Marine Nate Weller is an expert at keeping his cool, which is how he keeps his feelings for Ali Morgan in check. Sweet, sexy Ali is his best friend's sister...and totally off limits. Ali's never seen anything sexier than Nate straddling his custom Harley-or the flash in his eyes when she tells him she's in trouble. With Nate, her life is in his capable hands--but her heart is another story.2. In Rides TroubleTrouble tends to find Becky Reichert. Like the day ex-SEAL Frank Knight showed up, wanting to use her shop as a cover for his special ops team. Becky prides herself on being able to weld and shoot just as well as the big boys. But while munitions and mayhem are Frank's way of life, the last thing he needs is Becky in the way. Yet it's just his luck when she ends up in a hostage situation. Come hell or high water, he will get her back...3.Rev It UpEx-SEAL Jake "the Snake" Sommers was known for striking quickly, quietly, and lethally. That's also how he broke Michelle Carter's heart. It was the only way to keep her safe-from himself. Four years later, Jake wants another chance, but Michelle has never forgiven him. But when her brother ticks off a mobster, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in Jake's hands. And once she does, he'll never let her go...

    First, she had to cover a story on a barricaded gunman who likes to dance naked in his window. Second, she's receiving death threats with her morning newspaper. Lastly, and most importantly, her mom keeps vetoing her outfit choices.It's all in a day's work for this hardworking, if easily distracted, reporter.Avery Shaw is hot on the trail of the story, even if it means tangling with her hot ex-boyfriend -- the county sheriff -- and the equally hot, if slightly shadier pawnshop owner down the street.Getting the story is going to be totally worth it -- that is if Avery can survive the week.

    But waking up gaunt, hangry, and undead makes for a very bad day. Mallory's killer better hide, because she's just discovered blood, meat, and dairy don't agree with her, and a future with no cheese is grim indeed. She's out to find her killer... and maybe a vegan cheese that doesn't melt her nose hairs.

    Celebrities and collectors form a crowd that is keeping Maisie and the rest of staff busy, even as Maisie faces a crossroads for her manuscript. But when the diamonds are stolen and Sidney is accused by the authorities, Maisie's dilemma as a writer is pushed aside out of fear that his future in Port Hewer is in jeopardy. Desperation to prove that someone else is behind the theft will lead Maisie to uncover a very different secret outside of jewel thieves and village rumors ... one that could change her life and her future forever. Can Maisie deal with the latest secrets exposed — including those that paint Sidney's past in a questionable light? And as summer's dawn alters her idyllic life in Cornwall, will Maisie's feelings for Sidney change as well?

    She knows first-hand that funerals are family events that bring out the worst in people.Now Audrey is just six weeks away from a joyful family event--her wedding. The band has been hired, the invitations mailed.Wedded bliss is right around the corner.Then a thief strikes and destroys Audrey's happiness. As she narrows the list of possible culprits,her suspicion falls on the family she's about to join.Will catching the thief ruin Audrey's shot at the ideal family she's always dreamed of?When the crime is solved with one final twist, Audrey learns a lesson about the bonds that tie families together and the expectations that can drive them apart.A note from the author: In the chronology of Audrey's life, this short mystery novella fits between the events in This Bitter Treasure (which ended with Audrey's engagement) and Treasure in Exile (which begins with Audrey already married).Loyal readers let me know that they wanted to see Audrey's wedding. So I wrote Treasure Borrowed and Blue because I want to keep my readers happy! Nothing ever goes quite as planned for our Audrey, so the tale of her wedding takes quite a few twists and turns (but no murders!).

    A move that brings her back into the tempting arms of Frankie Falcone, the ex that never fails to make her heart sit up and beg.When Lucie parlays her temporary dog-walking gig into a career making fancy dog accessories, Frankie becomes her number one supporter. Life starts to look like a walk in the park…until three of her bling-wearing clients are dogjacked. Despite help from the on-again, off-again Mr. Fix-It in her life, Lucie is thrown into an investigation that’s more Goodfellas than good doggie. One that could shatter her new life and her second chance at love.

    And ghosts.All the logic and reason in the world can’t protect her from the truth—she can see and communicate with spirits. But Akira is sure that her ability is just a genetic quirk and the ghosts she encounters simply leftover electromagnetic energy. Dangerous electromagnetic energy.Zane Latimer believes in telepathy, precognition, auras, and that playing Halo with your employees is an excellent management technique. He also thinks that maybe, just maybe, Akira Malone can help his family get in touch with their lost loved ones.But will Akira ever be able to face her fears and accept her gift? Or will Zane’s relatives be trapped between life and death forever?

    At least, that's what her cards tell her and they've never been wrong. She's evicted from her apartment, loses her job and is banned from Beverly Hills. So when the tarot cards predict her imminent demise, she uses a little magic to make her world right.Suddenly, an aunt she's never met dies, leaving Mara as her sole heir. But when Mara moves into her inherited home, she discovers Aunt Tillie never moved out. She's still one pissed-off old lady, even post-mortem, and she blames Mara's magical meddling for her death.When Mara accidentally releases a demon and awakens the spirit of the most powerful witch in history, Tillie's ready to kill her -- literally. It's the only way she can think of to save the girl from herself. The witch and the demon, however, have other plans for Mara's body.