Spotlight - A NUTCRACKER NIGHTMARE (A Killer Chocolate Mystery) by Christina Romeril

A Nutcracker Nightmare (A Killer Chocolate Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 

Setting – Montana 

Crooked Lane Books 

Pulbished October 17, 2023  ‎ 

320 pages  

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs, when twin sisters Hanna and Alex help out at the local high school reunion, volunteering takes a turn when they find a former classmate’s dead body. 

About the Book

Hanna and Alex, owners of the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop, are busy preparing for the Harriston High School’s reunion weekend. Neighbors will connect with old friends and perhaps try to avoid old foes. One person no one can avoid is Kyle, the former star quarterback, who is busy using his entire playbook to try and score with Hanna, even threatening her if she doesn’t play nice. 

At the reunion, Alex glimpses more drama than nostalgia as insults are flung around like a football at a Friday night game. The party is put on hold when Alex finds the dead body of none other than Kyle himself, bludgeoned to death by a nutcracker that the sisters admired earlier in the night. 

Hanna quickly becomes the prime suspect—someone saw her slap Kyle in the face at the reunion dance. She’ll need her sister, their sleuthing canine, Watson, and their old friends and colleagues to help break this case wide open. While looking through old yearbooks and taking a stroll down memory lane, Alex uncovers a few secrets about Kyle, now, it seems like everyone had a motive to kill him. 

But when the suspects start becoming the victims, Alex and Hanna know that they can’t melt under the pressure—they must find the killer before they become just another yearbook memory. 

Purchase Links 

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org

About the Author 

Christina Romeril is the author of the Killer Chocolate Mystery series. The series is set in Montana at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, one of her favourite places to visit. She and her husband live a few hours away in a small village in Southern Alberta. 

When Christina isn’t writing she loves to hike in Waterton Lakes National Park, or just hang out there eating gourmet hot dogs and ice cream. When the former banker isn’t enjoying nature, she loves to create and consume chocolate confections. Not necessarily in that order. 

Webpage ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter  

Instagram ~  GoodReads 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - PLATFORM SHOES A Steve Daniels Mystery Series Book 1 by Linda Watkins

Something different... A noir crime/historical mystery

ABOUT THE BOOK

The year was 1943. He was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, on loan to the British, flying a reconnaissance mission over occupied France. Shot down, he had to make his way back to England with what could prove to be a very important reel of film taped to his chest.

Wounded, he was grounded and sent back to the States to the Air Cadet Base in San Antonio, Texas to teach. Plagued by nightmares stemming from his wartime experiences, he was easy pickings for a woman like her … She was his commander’s wife – beautiful, restless, and the wrong kind of woman for him. 

What would happen when they got together would be nothing less than murder... 

REVIEW 

Although Steve Daniels is a hero, due to his injuries sustained as a pilot, he's to teach pilots instead of being one. His nightmares and his disappointment at not being able to continue his dream career? Well, he's not always thinking clearly. 

Then there's Kathy. She's married to Steve's commanding officer and she wants out of the marriage. Steve falls for her and she frames him for her husband's murder, then disappears. His attorney and the assistant appeal his guilty verdict, get the charges erased. You'd think he would take the good fortune and run (with the assistant now officially a lawyer). Anyone could predict the trouble he would find searching for Kathy.

Watkins depicts what was happening in the early 40s, the tension, and the effects of war before PTSD was even recognized. I'm partial to happy endings and Steve blows his HEA. At the same time, there's part of me that understands his wanting to confront Kathy, and the consequences be damned. 

I don't usually read noir crime, however, I do read historical fiction, especially the WWII era.The book is well-written, kept my interest, with twists and turns, and more action just when I thought it would end. It is as advertised - noir crime and historical fiction. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from Amazon)

USA Today bestselling author, Linda Watkins is the author of the multi-award-winning MATEGUAS ISLAND SERIES. She currently resides in Sedona, Arizona and, in another life, was a Senior Clinical Financial Analyst at Stanford University School of Medicine. 

In 2006, she packed her belongings and, along with her four rescue dogs, took the plunge and moved to a remote island off the coast of Maine where she started the MATEGUAS ISLAND SERIES. 

She also published a new stand-alone novel, SUMMER GIRL, and a novella, SARAH & ZOEY, A STORY ABOUT THE POWER OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, both of which are award-winners. In November, 2018, she published the first of the THE KATE POMEROY MYSTERIES, STORM ISLAND. She also has a novella (The Witches of Storm Island, Book I: The Turning) in the USA Today bestselling boxset, LOVE UNDER FIRE. 

Serious about dog welfare and rescue, all net proceeds from sales of THE MATEGUAS ISLAND SERIES are donated to Linda's charitable trust, The Raison d'Etre Fund for Dogs, Dedicated to Rescue and Research. Linda is a member of the Horror Writers Association, The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers, The International Association of Crime Writers (N.A.), and the Authors Guild. 

To take a look at her other works or communicate with her, please visit her website, her blog where she posts book reviews and other features and/or her novel website, dedicated to the Mateguas Island Series. 

October new releases - SECRETS AND STORMS, ANOTHER MURDER (Sheridan Hendley #8) and RISKY BUSINESS, ANOTHER MURDER (Sheridan Hendley #9) by Christa Nardi

SECRETS AND STORMS, ANOTHER MURDER

Sheridan Hendley Mysteries #8

Released October 10, 2023

A Cozy Mystery Novella

Available in digital, print, and audiobook

Never a good time for family secrets in the past to become the present.

Sheridan Hendley, an amateur sleuth, never imagined a tranquil morning following a stormy night would turn into a crime scene at the local high school soccer field. As news of the murder spreads, the community is gripped with a sense of unease. The victim's son shows up at Sheridan’s door confused and seeking answers. 

Delving into the victim’s recent activities and background leads to a disgruntled customer and family secrets. As Sheridan digs deeper, she finds herself gradually connecting the dots. Only the killer watches on as Sheridan becomes more determined to help the son and find the killer. Sheridan may become the next victim.

Available through AMAZON

RISKY BUSINESS, ANOTHER MURDER

Sheridan Hendley Mysteries #9

Releases 10/20/2023

Cozy Mystery

Available in digital and print formats

Audiobook coming soon!

When a man engages in risky business, it’s not surprising he’s dead.

When Donald Woodlawn, an investment advisor from Lynchburg, is shot dead in their quiet town, Sheridan Hendley can’t help but wonder why. As the secrets of his questionable financial dealings with investment clients unravel, she discovers that a dangerous combination of gambling debts and alcohol drove him to target rich and powerful men.  

Multiple layers of risk and Sheridan’s quick thinking leads to many suspects. Danger lurks around every corner. As the threats and accidents mount, Sheridan's determined to peel back the layers of deception to uncover the killer.  

Available at AMAZON

THE SHERIDAN HENDLEY MYSTERY SERIES

A New Place, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #1) 

Dogs and More Dogs, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #2) 

Old Friends and New, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #3) 

Holly and Holidays, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #4) 

Wine and Dead, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #5) 

Love and Money, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #6) 

Music and Memories, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #7) 

Secrets and Storms, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #8)

Risky Business, Another Murder (Sheridan Hendley #9)

Sheridan Hendley Fan Page on Facebook

About Christa Nardi

Christa Nardi is an avid reader with her love of mysteries beginning with Nancy Drew and other teen mysteries. She especially enjoys cozy mysteries with less gore and no graphic violence. 

Christa has been a longtime writer from poetry and short stories to mystery series. She received a Readers Favorite 2023 Finalist Award in the Sleuth category. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime. 

She's the author of the Cold Creek Cozy Mysteries (where Sheridan started sleuthing), the Sheridan Hendley Mysteries, the Stacie Maroni Mysteries, and the Izzie Di Sante Mysteries. She co-authors the Hannah and Tamar Mysteries with Cassidy Salem.

Christa supports animal rescue and efforts to help others. When not reading or writing, Christa enjoys travel, playing with her dog, and spending time with her three granddaughters.

Connect with Christa here:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ BookBub ~ Pinterest

RAFFLECOPTER - October Giveaway! (ends 10/22)