My oldest son is the most confident person I know. He can start a conversation with anyone and talk to you like he’s known you for years. He’s a deputy sheriff in Nebraska having just moved there with his family in December. Before that he was a LEO in Frederick, Maryland and Hagerstown, MD. He was a deputy sheriff and detective in Maryland. He’s the father of twin two year old boys . He’s a loving husband and always there for his family. Nothing seems to faze him.
No particular meaning to the sign I just liked it.
The perfect new cozy-up-with-a-pumpkin-spice-latte read that’s meant for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Rebecca Raisin!
Professional pastry chef Blaire Reese is blindsided when her beloved Aunt Rachel dies, leaving her the Sugar and Spice Pastry Cafe in Willow Grove. Returning to her hometown, Blaire discovers her beloved family business is in trouble, and—to make things worse—its most-cherished recipe is missing.
Her first love and former summer crush, Evan Hadley, is also back in town, having traded a corporate career to help manage his family’s Heath Acre Farm, famous for its autumn Hay Daze corn maze. Grown up – and with rugged good looks – he’s only charming when he wants to be. Like when he’s not tangling with someone over business matters, the way he is with Blaire after she cancels a large order for organic pumpkins.
Her sunshine is disappearing under his grumpy storm clouds, until he accidentally learns the truth about her situation. Now, he offers to help save her aunt’s legacy and her family’s pastry cafe. As they work together in secret, the ingredients for a very different recipe develop— one simmering with romance—but an unexpected turn of events melts their growing attraction into a mess.
Will Blaire save the beloved cafe and find the lost recipe that means so much to the pastry café’s customers? And can she save this last chance at love with the first boy she ever kissed?
Sugar and Spice at the Pumpkin Corner Café invites readers to dive into its cozy autumn escape this fall—for fans of grumpy x sunshine, small town romance, Gilmore Girls, pumpkin lattes, sugar and spice and everything else that’s nice about this magical season!
I cannot even tell you how much I enjoyed this book. This is my first read by the author but they are on my radar now. Taking place during Autumn, a time period I love to read about it has all the warm fuzzy cozy vibes and then some. Blaire Reese is a busy young woman, dreaming of becoming a professional pastry chef, she’s well on her way. She has lovely memories of her Aunt Rachel, helping her bake at her sweet cafe and holiday visits. She really needs to visit more often especially now that her aunt is so sick, but time just seems to get away from her. Then the news comes, her aunt has passed away and not only that left her business, the Sugar and Spice Pastry Cafe in Willow Grove to her. I absolutely loved the characters such a warm small-town feel and such well-developed characters. I’ll admit this was a tear jerker along with being a heartwarming tale as well. I loved seeing how the community rallied around Blaire and the cafe, expecting Blaire in a way to show the same kindness Rachel has. Everyone adored her. I felt sad when something vital to running the cafe turns up missing as it will really affect how the cafe is run. Cozy Fall vibes and the drinks sounding so delicious. The lead up to the parade, everyone’s support of the cafe, holiday baking. A possible second chance at love and Blaire needing to make some very important business decisions. I’m all in and looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller ‘A Wedding in Cornwall’. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.
We all deal with negativity from time to time. Depending on the situation, we may deal with in different ways. As for myself sometimes I will just ignore it and go about my day. Other times I’ll pray, read, listen to music, walk in nature, spend time with my pets or eat comfort foods.
336 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date February 17, 2026
ABOUT THE BOOK
When passion for justice conflicts with the heart, which will prevail?
Noreen O’Sullivan is an enthusiastic member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and believes herself called to defend the cause of prohibition. When she’s invited to join the Secret Society of Spinsters, Noreen jumps at the chance to rally others to her movement and shut down the local saloon for good. However, her passionate campaigning often puts her at odds with the men around her–including the local deputy.
Deputy James Paxton believes in preserving the peace, but Miss O’Sullivan has been disturbing his peace for months. If James wants to be elected sheriff, he can’t afford to be seen as her ally. But when Noreen ropes him into helping her plan a temperance march, their growing closeness sparks unexpected feelings. Then tensions escalate at the saloon and accusations fly. James must choose between upholding his badge and protecting the woman who’s captured his heart–knowing either choice could cost him everything.
Karen Witemeyer presents a swoony Western romance with a determined heroine, cowboys, prohibition, and the rivals-to-lovers and duty vs. desire tropes. Fans of Mary Connealy and frontier romances set in the Old West will savor this clean, historical read.
MY THOUGHTS
This was a greatly anticipated title for me and as always, it did not disappoint. The way the author crafts a wonderful and entertaining story that even though I have the flu I had trouble putting it down. Well-developed characters, I especially like Noreen and how she stood up for her beliefs despite the back lash she got from others and their actions. I also learned a few things historically and I love how well researched this is. The author can really bring out the emotions in a reader, and this author does a great job of it. At times I was laughing out loud and at other times I was mad at the treatment Noreen was getting for her beliefs. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Secret Society of Spinsters series and read about her “sisters” and their strong beliefs. Recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she’s on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at http://www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Have a super day. I’m grateful for your presence here.
320 pages Publisher Forever Publication date October 7, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree.
Everyone has a story to tell. And for Mallory Blue, her grandmother Nan’s community theater and annual Christmas play has been a beloved tradition for as long as she can remember. But this year is different. With Nan losing her memories to dementia, Mallory has taken on more than she can handle—including directing this year’s show.
Two things are keeping Mallory going: A journal that tells the story behind each handmade ornament on Nan’s tree. And Hollis, who volunteers to play Santa to spend time with Mallory and prove he’s no longer the rebellious boy she knew growing up.
As Mallory reads through Nan’s entries, she realizes there’s so much she never knew about her grandmother. And when Mallory has big decisions to make in both her personal and professional life, it’s Nan’s wise advice and Hollis’s steadfast support that will hold the key to this year’s holiday magic.
MY THOUGHTS
Heartwarming small-town romantic read. This is a lovely story, an emotional read. This is Mallory Blue’s grandmother’s story, Nan. Nan is the driving force behind the annual Christmas play that the community looks forward to and loves. Mallory is having a hard time going on this Christmas season because Nan has developed dementia. It’s tough reading about this subject though because a family member of mine went through it. It’s hard for the granddaughter. She wants to things to be the same as in past years with the holiday play, but things will never be the same with Nan. Her memory has faltered and she thinks Mallory is her caretaker at the memory living home. Nan has a journal that she has written about her favorite handmade Christmas ornaments with the ornaments correlating with different times of importance in her life. We get to see flashbacks of Nan’s life as a young woman and the hardships she has endured but also, she perseveres and has many happy moments like the building that has housed her theater that she’s had a lifelong interest in. Sweet and emotional well written story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Annie Rains is a bestselling author of contemporary fiction, full of hope and heart. After years of dreaming about becoming an author, Annie published her first book in 2015 and has been chasing “plot bunnies” and deadlines ever since. When she isn’t writing, Annie is spending time with her family, caring for her numerous pets, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.
This is my girl, Annie. She is a twelve month old merle Chihuahua that I’ve had since October of last year. I could say one activity I really enjoy is taking her for a walk as it’s peaceful and it gives me a lot of thinking time while we’re walking.
Of course my other activity I really can get lost in is reading. Wonderful, wonderful. I couldn’t even imagine myself without books.
Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in and sharing a smile today .
What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?
I’m not a huge movie or tv person at all. Give me an enjoyable book and I’ll be happy but right now my son and I are watching reruns of Unsolved mysteries hosted by Robert Stack and boy does it look dated . It’s an interesting show though.
304 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date February 21, 2023
ABOUT THE BOOK
After a long streak of avoiding murder investigations, Dublin limo driver Megan Malone thought her life had finally settled . . . but even her Irish luck can’t keep her out of trouble forever in Catie Murphy’s fourth Ireland-set cozy mystery…
It’s been over a year since Megan found herself entangled in a murder—much to everyone’s relief, including her girlfriend Jelena and Detective Paul Bourke. So when a body of a young woman quite literally lands in her lap at her favorite Dublin café, Megan tries to do the right thing and leave the crime-solving to the police so she can enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. After all, she has no connection to the victim. Or does she?
Megan’s latest client, world-renowned romance novelist Claire Woodward, is fascinated by Megan’s own history of catching killers. Claire also just happens to be the murder victim’s literary mentor. So maybe Megan can just sort of stay on the periphery of the case while trying to help out? Just a wee bit without causing too much fuss? Even Detective Bourke would approve since he has personal reasons not to trust Claire. The investigation leads Megan to the victim’s writing group, who think that Claire has plagiarized the poor young lady’s work. And when another member of the group is found dead, Megan will have to step up her sleuthing before the killer decides to write her off for good.
MY THOUGHTS
Death in Irish Accents is the fourth book in The Dublin Driver Mysteries series. There was really a lot going on in this book. Set in Ireland, Megan Malone, a limo driver is involved in sleuthing yet another murder mystery and her girlfriend, Jalena doesn’t want her involved in yet another mystery which causes quite a bit of friction between them. There’s the plagiarizing author and a list of suspects that just seems to keep getting added to. When a body literally falls out of the closet onto Megan’s lap, she has no choice but to get involved in this mystery. I did enjoy the location of the book but not the dynamics between Megan and Jalena, it really felt like a bullying relationship with her not being able to be herself and constantly needing to apologize for who she was and enjoying sleuthing.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
CE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
336 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date August 23, 2022
ABOUT THE BOOK
Salem, Massachusetts, B&B owner Charlene Morris will need the luck of the Irish—and the help of a ghost—to unveil a hooded killer . . .
Charlene has hired a van to ferry her B&B guests to an all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage dinner hosted by Salem’s Irish community at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club—but she should have booked a hearse. It’s never a good sign when the family black sheep drunkenly crashes a party by punching the guy dressed as a leprechaun. But things go from troublesome to fatal when Charlene stumbles upon a second brawl in an upper room—and this fight Connor Gallagher loses, his anonymous assailant rushing past Charlene, hidden by a hoodie.
Now Detective Sam Holden has another homicide on his hands, with Charlene as the only eyewitness. Even if she can’t give the police sketch artist much to go on, Charlene is determined to ID the murderer, with the help of Dr. Jack Strathmore, the charming ghost who haunts her B&B. The answer lies in the motive, and to uncover that sleuth and spook will need to shine a light on Connor’s shady past—before the killer pulls another Irish goodbye . . .
MY THOUGHTS
This is the sixth book in the Salem B&B mystery series. Each book is a standalone so no need to read it in order. The mystery was fast paced and kept my attention. The characters were well developed, and I enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Morris and her cat. A special St. Patrick’s Day dinner hosted by Salem’s Irish community at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club turns out to not be so great when her guests can’t even enjoy their dinner when a murder takes place there. The hooded murderer is seen running away. Helping to solve the case with his input is B & B resident, Jack, a ghost. This paranormal cozy mystery is full of St. Patrick’s Day events and yummy sound traditional Irish foods. A mistaken identity lets the murderer get away with well, murder, almost. The real question is, is there really hidden gold to be found, or is just an afterthought at the end of the rainbow? Great series that I’ll be looking into further.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Traci Wilton is a pseudonym of Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. Patrice Wilton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty books, some indie-published and some published by Amazon/Montlake. Traci Hall is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 books, published independently as well as by Medallion Press and Samhain Publishing. Visit them online at PatriceWilton.com.
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