Tuesday, October 29, 2019

CHRISTMAS SWEETS


Title:  CHRISTMAS SWEETS

The Twelve Desserts of Christmas (Hannah Swensen #8.5) by Joanne Fluke

Nightmare on Elf Street (Jaine Austen #11.5) by Laura Levine

The Christmas Thief (Lucy Stone #18.5) by Leslie Meier

Publisher:  Kensington Publishing

Publish Date:   10.29.2019

Category /Genre:  Cozy Mysteries, Christmas

Recommended for:  14+ due to romance, mystery, murder

Grammar/editing:  received as an unedited ARC

Received from:  Kensington Publishing

Goodreads link: Christmas Sweets

Date completed: 10.25.2019



Description from the publisher:

Gathered in one volume for the very first time, here are three yuletide tales of mystery, murder, and romance, featuring your favorite sleuths . . .

THE TWELVE DESSERTS OF CHRISTMAS by JOANNE FLUKE
It's the perfect mix of naughty and nice when two lovestruck boarding school teachers watch six kids over Christmas break. But when someone wants the cozy couple's romance to burn out faster than a scorched fruitcake, it's Hannah Swensen to the rescue, armed with her sleuthing
skills--and twelve deliciously festive recipes . . .

NIGHTMARE ON ELF STREET by LAURA LEVINE
Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa's elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she's teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he's found murdered on the job--and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer . . .

THE CHRISTMAS THIEF by LESLIE MEIER
Elizabeth Stone is ready for a white Christmas in Tinker's Cove, Maine--until a fancy Yule ball at the Florida hotel where she works dumps snow on her plans. The sponsor's jewels have gone missing and the police are asking about her ties to a cute mystery guest. Good thing Elizabeth's mother, Lucy Stone, flew down to surprise her. ʼTis the season for a little investigating . . .

Includes Luscious Holiday Recipes!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



The Twelve Desserts of Christmas (Hannah Swensen #8.5) by Joanne Fluke

This is a sweet little romance with innocent mischief that reminded me a little of FATHER GOOSE… do you remember that wonderful old movie?  These children may not be orphaned, but they are being chaperoned far from home by two people slowly falling in love and being blocked by the little sweethearts!



This was the story that sold me on picking up the anthology.  I love Joanne Fluke and have long been drawn to her Hannah Swensen series.  I was not disappointed.  I would gladly pick up another.  Of course, the recipes are included, and I would love to try a few of them as well.



Nightmare on Elf Street (Jaine Austen #11.5) by Laura Levine

I’ve worked in a mall at Christmas time.  Thank God, I was never in Santa land.  Just the thought makes me need Prozac (and not just a cat named Prozac).  This story, on the other hand, makes just such a situation an adventure in Wonderland… until the obnoxious Satan… ummm Santa ends up dead and Jaine is one of the suspects.  Well, could you blame her?  Beelzebub and all that… 



In all seriousness, in was a fun and funny cozy mystery and it makes me want to read more of the series.  I’ll be looking this author up!



The Christmas Thief (Lucy Stone #18.5) by Leslie Meier

This is another story where the main character becomes a suspect in the crime; it was fun to tag along as Elizabeth learned to love more about Florida (my home) and clear her name.



All together:  these are three innocent and sweet cozy mysteries suitable for the holiday season.  Pull up a comfy chair, start some soft music, pour a cup of your favorite cheer, and indulge in a few hours of relaxing reading.



Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.



Hannah Swensen series by Joanna Fluke:

1.      Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

1.5  Candy for Christmas

2.      Strawberry Shortcake Murder

3.      Blueberry Muffin Murder

4.      Lemon Meringue Pie Murder

5.      Fudge Cupcake Murder

6.      Sugar Cookie Murder

7.      Peach Cobbler Murder

8.      Cherry Cheesecake Murder

8.5  Sugar and Spice

9.      Key Lime Pie Murder

9.5  Candy Cane Murder

10.  Carrot Cake Murder

11.  Cream Puff Murder

12.  Plum Pudding Murder

13.  Apple Turnover Murder

13.5 Gingerbread Cookie Murder

14.  Devil’s Food Cake Murder

15.  Cinnamon Roll Murder

16.  Red Velvet Cupcake Murder

17.  Blackberry Pie Murder

18.  Double Fudge Brownie Murder

19.  Wedding Cake Murder

20.  Christmas Caramel Murder

21.  Banana Cream Pie Murder

22.  Raspberry Danish Murder

23.  Christmas Cake Murder

24.  Chocolate Cream Pie Murder

25.  Coconut Layer Cake Murder



Jaine Austen Series by Laura Levine:

1.      This Pen for Hire

2.      Last Writes

3.      Killer Blonde

4.      Shoes to Die For

5.      The PMS Murder

6.      Death by Pantyhose

6.5 The Dangers of Candy Canes

7.      Killing Bridezilla

8.      Killer Cruise

9.      Death of a Trophy Wife

9.5  The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies

10.  Pampered to Death

11.  Death of a Neighborhood Witch

11.5    Nightmare on Elf Street

12.  Killing Cupid

13.  Death by Tiara

14.  Murder Has Nine Lives

15.  Death of a Bachelorette

16.  Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge

17.  Death of a Gigolo



Lucy Stone Series by Leslie Meier:

1.      Mistletoe Murder

2.      Tippy Toe Murder

3.      Trick or Treat Murder

4.      Back to School Murder

5.      Valentine Murder

6.      Christmas Cookie Murder

7.      Turkey Day Murder

8.      Wedding Day Murder

9.      Birthday Party Murder

10.  Father’s Day Murder

11.  Star Spangled Murder

12.  New Year’s Eve Murder

13.  Bake Sale Murder

13.5  Candy Canes of Christmas Past

14.  St. Patrick’s Day Murder

15.  Mother’s Day Murder

16.  Wicked Witch Murder

16.5 Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots

17.  English Tea Murder

18.  Chocolate Covered Murder

18.5 The Christmas Thief

19.  Easter Bunny Murder

20.  Christmas Carol Murder

21.  French Pastry Murder

22.  Candy Corn Murder

23.  British Manor Murder

23.5  Eggnog Murder

24.  Turkey Trot Murder

25.  Silver Anniversary Murder

25.5 Yule Log Murder

25.7 Haunted House Murder

26.  Invitation Only Murder























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