by Philip Eliot | Dec 18, 2025 | Cozy Mystery |
Pantomime season has arrived in the brand new hilarious cozy murder mystery from Fiona Leitch. ‘Murder and mayhem are rarely this enjoyable. Another fantastic entry in this brilliant series that solidifies Leitch as one of the very best and funniest writers around’ Jonathan Whitelaw‘A wonderful seasonal romp’ Ian MooreIt’s Christmas in Penstowan, and local amateur dramatics group the Penstowan Players are putting on their annual pantomime. This year it’s ‘Aladdin’, and half the town have been drafted in to help, including Shirley Parker, who only has a small part in the chorus but will no doubt upstage everybody, and Tony Penhaligon, who’s treading the boards as the baddie, Abanazar. Ex-Metropolitan police officer turned caterer Jodie Parker has managed to get away with not appearing, but only if she agrees to cater the opening night party.But it’s not just terrible jokes, quick costume changes and backstage chaos that wait in the wings… When the Widow Twankey (otherwise known as Tim, the mayor’s husband) trips over a corpse lying next to Aladdin’s bloodstained magic lamp, it’s time for Jodie and her partner, DCI Nathan Withers, to find the killer.Was it the genie of the lamp or an overly harsh theatre critic? Or does someone in the Penstowan Players have a dark secret they will do anything to protect?‘Funnier than panto, more warming than a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie and completely gripping. Fun, festive and full of red herrings and clever clues, it’s the perfect Christmas treat’ Andreina Cordani, author of The Twelve Days of Murder‘A fun read to curl up with by the fireside this Christmas’ Debbie Young, author of Death at the Village Christmas FairPraise for Fiona Leitch‘A cosy, clever mystery wrapped in tinsel and topped with a generous helping of humour’ ?????‘Highly entertaining cosy murder mystery to add to a fantastic series’ ?????‘The perfect combination of festiveness and crime’ ?????’The cozy small-town setting, quirky characters, and theatrical chaos made it the perfect read for Christmas’ ?????‘A fun and cozy read for the Christmas season’ ?????‘An absolute joy to read… I read it in a day and highly recommend’ ?????‘I really love this cozy mystery series’ ?????‘Love the humour in this… this whole series is a pleasure to read’ ?????’Another brilliant adventure in this always excellent series’ ?????’Leitch crafts a Cornwall that I want to live in – vibrant, funny and dripping with mystery and mayhem. Brilliant’ Jonathan Whitelaw, author of The Bingo Hall Detectives‘A terrific summer read… a thumping good whodunnit; this is a murder mystery that wears a flower in its hair and invites us to kick off our shoes’ J.M. Hall‘The book equivalent of catching up with your favourite old friends over a glass of wine or three… the observational humour is spot on’ Jo Middleton‘[A] fun, feel-good factor and an intriguing mystery to be solved. And pies. I loved it’ Stephanie Austin, author of the Devon Mysteries series
by Philip Eliot | Dec 18, 2025 | Cozy Mystery |
In this small Colorado mountain town, the tea is hot, the books are old, and the ghosts have stories that are dying to be told.In the quaint, mountain-shadowed town of Estes Park, Colorado, investigative journalist Ellie Read inherits a peculiar legacy: Spines & Steeps, a book and tea shop brimming with secrets and ghostly whispers.Expecting to sell the quirky store and return to her life in Manhattan, Ellie is unwittingly drawn into a web of murder, mystery, and ghostly goings-on. When a celebrity spiritualist’s body is found on a hiking trail clutching Ellie’s business card, it makes her the prime suspect, forcing her to trade deadlines for detective work in a town where everyone knows her name, and the books have a mind of their own.With a cast of eccentric locals, a mischievous cat named Hobbes, and a shop that at times is more haunted than charming, Ellie uncovers a family history steeped in the unknown.From cryptic tea blends to shelves that rearrange themselves, Spines & Steeps holds clues that could clear her name… or steep her in danger.Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, Steeped in Mystery serves up a tantalizing blend of humor, heart, and spine-chilling suspense that will leave readers desperate to turn the page and join Ellie’s unforgettable adventure.
by Philip Eliot | Dec 18, 2025 | Contemporary Romance |
Mamma Mia meets The Bachelorette after a romance author’s viral dating confession sets off a holiday showdown when three exes crash her Christmas retreat, determined to win her back. From Karen Schaler, a Christmas romance bestselling author and the Emmy Award-winning writer of Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime holiday movies.“A wonderful festive setting…The cast is charming and the atmosphere’s enchanting.” – Publishers WeeklyBestselling romance author Riley Reynolds built her brand on love, but lately she’s single, out of inspiration, and her latest books are falling flat. When her agent pushes her to host a holiday fan retreat at Christmas Lake Lodge, Riley’s forced to fake festive cheer.When a live TV interview backs her into a corner about how she can write about love when she hasn’t found “the one,” Riley blurts out that her past relationships inspired her books. The host twists her words into her having one great love. The clip goes viral, and suddenly the internet’s obsessed with finding the mystery man.Riley’s three exes each think it’s them. They all crash her retreat, determined to win her back, sparking a full-blown Bachelorette-style competition, with outrageous Christmas dates and a blizzard of unresolved feelings.How can she choose? Every date feels like déjà vu, every kiss a question mark. For once, Riley can’t write her way to the perfect ending. This Christmas she has to live it, changing everything she believes about second chances.BONUS CONTENT: Christmas Ever After includes an exclusive excerpt from Schaler’s royal rom-com, A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale, along with delicious exclusive Christmas recipes and holiday activities.Full of humor, heart, and hope, Christmas Ever After is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Jenny Hale, Susan Mallery, RaeAnne Thayne, and Sarah Morgan.READERS LOVE KAREN SCHALER’S FEEL-GOOD CHRISTMAS ROMANCE CHRISTMAS EVER AFTER!“Karen Schaler writes stories that are bursting with Christmas charm!” —Jenny Hale, USA Today bestselling author“This is potentially the best Christmas book that I have ever read. It is a Hallmark movie meets the Bachelorette. It has an amazing cast of characters, a sweet romance, a beautiful small town and Christmas magic. I would love to see this as a movie, it is sure to be a fan favorite.” – Denise, NetGalley“Get ready for an explosion of Christmas cheer! Christmas Ever After is an abundantly fun and heartwarming Christmas romance! I loved reading about all the special Christmas activities. Kudos to Comet, the dog who was always there to save the day. I loved this story!” – Margie, NetGalley“I could not have loved this book more. Seriously, go buy this right now if you love Christmas and romance! The characters were amazing, the feel-good Christmas spirit was everywhere!” –BreeAnn, NetGalley“Well this is definitely a 5-star Christmas themed read…It would make a perfect Christmas movie!” –Claire, NetGalley“Christmas Ever After is a funny, uplifting, and heartfelt Christmas romance about finding your Christmas spirit, possible second chances in love, and finding a love “spark”, that proves that anything is possible at Christmas.” Stacy, NetGalley“This book was perfect. The setting was magical. A real love story. I loved the traditions, the recipes, and the crazy sweaters. Need a lift? This might help.” – Mary Ann, NetGalley
by Philip Eliot | Dec 18, 2025 | Cozy Mystery |
Get Up and GhostUSA TODAY Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson introduces another midlife psychic medium into her book portfolio with newbie medium, Chantilly Adair. In this first installment, a trip down a flight of stairs and a bump on the head give Chantillythe gift. Now she’s seeing spirits hanging from rafters and rushing home to make her son dinner.Pour yourself a cup of tea and sit tight, because I’ve got a crazy ghost story for you. Truth is, it’s not a story. It’s reality. My reality.I’ve got a secret – I can see ghosts. It’s been that way ever since I took a fall down a flight of stairs and hit my head on the fancy marble floor of the Castleberry Historical Society. Since then, these apparitions just keep showing up, and they’ve got some hefty demands.One ghost in particular haunts the local BBQ joint in our quant small-town, which, in her defense, used to be her house. She’s been dangling from a rafter ever since her father found her there over one hundred years before. Nobody but me seems to see her, and figuring out what she wants is no easy task. But when the restaurant owner is found dead, and I was the last person with him, I need my ghostly ally to help me track down the real killer. The only way to do that is to uncover the truth about her own untimely demise.These days, my life is a juggling act between raising my tween son alone (while his father cozies up with the woman who wrecked my life), my new job managing the historical society, and the ghosts that haunt me twenty-four-seven. Talk about a sudden midlife change! At least there’s a charming detective who gets my heart racing every time I see him. But I’ve got a job to do, and I won’t let any distractions get in the way. (Maybe) And I’m not doing it alone. My new friends, a crowd of eccentric Southern ladies (one who only wears Dolly Parton wigs), help me solve these ghostly crimes while gathering at the town’s gossip hub, the Community Café.I’m Chantilly Adair, and I’m your connection to the dead.If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a touch of the paranormal, and middle aged amateur sleuths, then the first book in my series, the Midlife in Castleberry Cozy Mystery, is right up your alley.Ghosts are People tooWelcome to Castleberry, Georgia where the tea is sweet, and ghosts are everywhere.There’s nothing like a surprise reunion with your best friend!But the bag full of cash she brings along, as well as her husband’s corpse sure put a damper on the celebration.Now I’m stuck solving a murder for which said bestie’s been accused. I know she’s innocent, but I need to prove it without letting my detective love interest discover my secret.I see dead people.If you like Southern paranormal cozy mysteries, you’ll love the Chantilly Adair series!Praying for PeaceTalking to ghosts can be killer.Castleberry, Georgia is a small Southern town with a ton of history, and that history includes a lot of ghosts. How do I know? Because I can see them.And trust me, that’s not always a good thing.As the city’s historical society manager, I spend a lot of time in old buildings, and old buildings are filled with dead people. Take the Baptist church on the outskirts of town. I’m in the process of certifying it as a historical building.And not only is it full of ghosts, but…surprise!…there’s a body in the basement. And I’m the one who found it. Now I’ve got to pick through the history of a long ago fire and decipher the clues I’m getting from some very stubborn spirits, all while dodging someone – dead or alive – who wants me to mind my own business…And will do whatever’s necessary to keep me quiet.If you like southern paranormal cozy mysteries, you’ll love this stand-alone story!
by Philip Eliot | Dec 18, 2025 | General Nonfiction |
Dan Broderick was one of California’s most successful attorneys; his wife, Betty, a beautiful socialite. But when Betty discovered Dan’s hidden life, the façade of LaJolla’s golden couple was shattered. What followed was a vicious five-year battle that finally ended in a shocking double-murder.A Harvard Law School graduate, Dan manipulated the law to strip Betty of everything she loved: her home, her friends–even her children. When she frantically tried to fight back, he had her committed to a mental hospital. His new wife, Linda, even sent the once-beautiful Betty wrinkle cream ads and weight loss pamphlets.Consumed by hatred and thoughts of revenge, Betty’s rage exploded on the night of November 5, 1989. Before the sun rose the next day, Dan Broderick and his gorgeous new wife were dead–their bullet-riddled bodies wrapped in the blood-soaked sheets of their bed.Hell Hath No Fury is a shocking story of wealth, passion, revenge, and a woman driven to murder.
