Christmas Spirit

A Holiday Mystery Novella
Stranded by in a snow storm, Eve and her mother seek shelter at a nearby manor, little knowing a murderer has struck once and lies in wait for the next victim.

A dead body in a room locked from the inside, a blizzard cutting off all assistance, and a pair of stranded ladies with their maid. Christmas at Folkestone manor looks like it will be a little more exciting than Giles had hoped when he and his father accepted Eric Lane’s invitation. But now Lane is dead, and the tiny group of guests fears that nothing can stop a murderer who can pass through locked doors without a sound.

The Christmas Spirit has been up to no good, and Eric can only hope they survive the holiday season.

This is a  wonderful, atmospheric novella set in the Regency era. A locked door murder in a desolate manor house, a blizzard, rumors of a ghost, even a little romance. Perfect holiday escape!

A Superstitious Christmas

Maggie Greenlee can’t wait for the Greenlee traditions to start, especially the annual ornament exchange.
Only things don’t go as planned once Maggie announces to the Greenlee clan that she’s engaged to Grady Cohen, one of the wealthiest bachelors in New York City.
There are two problems. One, Hazel Greenlee, Maggie’s granny and Grandberry Falls’ local matchmaker, has already determined that Maggie is going to marry Mayor Mitch Dozier. And two, Grady thinks the superstitious beliefs that have ruled Maggie’s life, are child like.
With Grady deliberately breaking every superstitious tradition, and Granny Hazel pushing Maggie in the arms of Mitch Dozier, Maggie isn’t sure she’s going to survive Christmas in Grandberry Falls.

ACK Tonya!!! What a cliffhanger!!! Maggie has some serious decision making to do, and I hope she makes the right one! Can't wait to see what happens next in Never Tell Your Dreams Before Breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed my latest visit with all my friends in Grandberry Falls :)

Murder Trims the Tree

When Gertie and her cohorts decide to do their court-ordered community service at the local assisted living home during the Christmas season, they get more than they (plea) bargained for.
Yet another novella introducing me to wonderful new characters from a series I've haven't read yet, and what fun I had hanging out with Gertie, Grandma, Cora Mae, and Kitty. Who knew how dangerous it could be spending time at an assisted living facility? And I won't get into the "chocolate bombs". You'll have to read all about that for yourselves LOL.

'Twas the Chihuahua Before Christmas

Charlotte Baskerville, designer of small dog clothing, is asked if her Russian dog trainer will play Santa at the last minute. As she struggles to get him ready, an elf costume and other Chihuahua couture disappear from her workshop. This is a stand-alone story that features characters from the full-length mystery, 'Chihuahua of the Baskervilles,' published by St. Martin's Press. 

Super cute Christmas short story. I love the author bio at the end that says Esri writes chihuahua mysteries because her cat won't let her get one...my Tara is the same way, won't let me get a dachshund LOL.

Slay Bells and Satchels

The Summer Santa Sale at Holt’s Department Store becomes a Christmas nightmare when sales clerk Haley Randolph finds a murdered elf in the store’s giant toy bag. Haley, a crazed fashionista obsessed with designer handbags, could find herself “bagged” if she doesn’t untangle this mystery quicker than Saint Nick can slide down a chimney. But Haley has another problem: Can working with hot private detective Jack Bishop put her on Santa’s “naughty” list?

A fun novella that was a great introduction (for me) to the world of hysterical Haley and her obsession with designer bags. I must admit I share her love of purses, although I have maybe 2 designer bags to my name. The rest are all knock-offs! Haley actually reminds me of Becky in the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. I am having a blast this Christmas season with all of the new ebook exclusive stories from some of my favorite cozy series!

A Lawman's Christmas

The sudden death of the town marshal leaves Blue River, Texas, without a lawman…and twentyfiveyearold Dara Rose Nolan without a husband. As winter approaches and her meager seamstress income dwindles, she has three options. Yet she won't give up her two young daughters, refuses to join the fallen women of the Bitter Gulch Saloon and can't fathom condemning herself to another loveless marriage. Unfortunately she must decide—soon—because there's a new marshal in town, and she's living under his roof.

With the heart of a cowboy, Clay McKettrick plans to start a ranch and finally settle down. He isn't interested in uprooting Dara Rose and her children, but he is interested in giving her protection, friendship—and passion. And when they say "I do" to a marriage of convenience, the temporary lawman's Christmas wish is to make Dara Rose his permanent wife….

Linda Lael Miller doesn't write nearly enough historicals anymore, so a Christmas release made this even more exciting. A classic marriage of convenience story with protagonists I found myself rooting for. I could tell from the beginning there was something in Dara Rose's past, so I was curious to discover what she was hiding. And her 2 daughters were adorable, wise beyond their years as a result of their difficult situation. Wonderful Christmas historical!!!

Trouble Under the Tree

When landscape designer Nina Quinn agreed to deck the halls of Christmastowne, an indoor Christmas village, little did she know how dirty the job would be.

Christmastowne has been plagued by mishaps. Someone’s stealing toy donations, cutting lines to the security system, starting fires, and poisoning the poinsettias. Worst of all, Nina’s neighbor, Fairlee McCorkle (aka Mrs. Claus) is found murdered under Christmastowne’s enormous decorated tree.

The deeper Nina digs for clues to unwrap a killer, the more she discovers that some secrets are best left buried in the past.

 A huge fan of Heather Webber's Lucy Valentine series, I must admit this is my first Nina Quinn book, even though they are all in my ridiculously huge TBR pile. Those books are moving up in the pile because I just adore Nina! She is an absolute hoot and had me laughing out loud several times. The setting of this book is just divine...I would love to visit a place such as Christmastown (especially The Gingerbread Oven!) Nina's crazy family is so much fun, and little Gracie the incontinent chihuahua just stole my heart. And as I finished this up last night, I had a mug of Swiss Miss with peppermint marshmallows...just like Nina!