I'm pleased to share an article from the Rocky Mountain Happenings Gazette at Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can read more about Clear Creek in the Clear Creek Mystery series by Rebecca McKinnon. JOY TO THE WOOL is the fourth book in the series and will be released this week!
(an article featured in the Rocky Mountain Happenings Gazette)
The holidays are traditionally a time of kindness and charity, where young and old find ways to help their neighbors. But this year, the residents of Clear Creek are taking the “Spirit of the Season” to another level.
We’re all familiar with the town that has reinvented itself as a shopping destination in order to avoid extinction (aka forced ghost town status due to rising taxes when the nearby resort moved in). For the Christmas season, they’re temporarily reinventing themselves again. This time, they’re becoming a real-life Christmas Village.
While those of us at Rocky Mountain Happenings Gazette believe the holiday village vibe makes a trip to this community worth your time throughout December, the season will culminate in a Christmas Festival you won’t want to miss.
“We were happy as a tick on a fat dog to be selected to host such a wonderful charity event,” said Emmilene, the owner of Elevated Events and the woman behind the holiday transformation, when we spoke with her last week. “We’re going to make such a wonderful difference to nearby homeless shelters, women’s shelters, and food banks.”
According to Emmilene, the three-day festival will provide financial contributions to help those less fortunate, as well as offer much-needed cold-weather gear to those who find themselves in shelters this winter. “The Cozy Tree will be run by our local yarn shop, Black Sheep Yarns & Woolies. Hats and scarves will be available for the public to purchase, but instead of taking those cozies home with you, y’all will be able to put them directly into the donation box. It’s such a great, tangible way to help others.”
The festival will include performances from local choirs and dance troupes, as well as a special concert we couldn’t get details on because Emmilene’s determined to keep it a surprise.
Besides the performances, you’ll be able to check Christmas shopping off your list when you stop at the market booths Emmilene has lined up for the event. Add to those booths the local shops, and you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list.
We highly encourage our readers to attend the entire event to avoid missing out. If you want to stay right in town, get your reservations made, because there aren’t a lot of rooms available and they’re sure to go fast.
It’s our hope the event is such that the residents and business owners of Clear Creek will make this an annual event!
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Review
The Fourth Clear Creek Mystery
Christmas is in the air with Clear Creek's Christmas Festival, an event raising funds for various charities. Jemma Wilkinson and her friends are an integral part with Jemma running the Cozy Tree where people can buy handmade hats and scarves to donate. Granny has bets going on when Jemma will find a dead body, but it's actually Granny who stumbles upon one. With Brandon wanting Jemma to stay out of the investigation, Matthew asking for her help, and Granny taking bets on who the murderer is, it's no wonder Jemma's stressed!
I really enjoyed being back in Clear Creek. Positivity oozes out as readers are immersed in the friendships found here. Not that there aren't problems, Jemma's relationship with her mother, shady characters invading the town, including a possible new boyfriend for Jemma, and definite problems between Jemma and Brandon bring some drama and tension to the story, in addition to the murder!
The murder itself is well crafted with a unique method and unknown motive. While Jemma tries to sit out this investigation, she can't completely get away from it, especially with Granny going gang busters trying to solve the murder. Granny's exuberance brings plenty of laughs. I'm still giggling about her adamance about dancing around the bonfire.
One overarching theme of this series is finding your place in the world.
Finding home and building a family, a family of your own making, not
necessarily one of blood. I really enjoy the camaraderie found here. These books give me a sense of belonging that is a wonderful feeling.
A warmhearted mystery full of laughs JOY TO THE WOOL is a delightful holiday read.
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About Joy to the Wool
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series
Independently Published (October 5, 2023)
Number of Pages: 254
All dressed up for the holidays, Clear Creek looks like it’s right out of a storybook. But the decorations aren’t just for fun. The tiny Rocky Mountain town is hosting a Christmas Festival sure to be used as a pattern for years.
While Jemma is busy with the Cozy Tree — a place visitors can buy hand-knitted hats and scarves to donate to people in need — Granny is busy taking bets on which day of the event Jemma will find a body. But to everyone’s surprise, this time Granny’s the one who makes the discovery!
Choosing to put her relationship with Brandon first, Jemma agrees to steer clear of the investigation. But Granny’s determination to solve the crime lands Jemma the impossible job of keeping the spunky old lady out of trouble, and breaking and entering is just the beginning of their adventure.
When the Cozy Tree is vandalized, it becomes obvious the pair is making someone nervous. Can Jemma and Granny knit up the investigation before Santa climbs in his sleigh?
About Rebecca McKinnon
Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.
Website/Social Media Links:
Website – https://rebeccamckinnon.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaMcKinnonAuthor
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamckinnon_author/?hl=en
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4993788.Rebecca_McKinnon
Purchase Link – Amazon
I'm so glad you enjoyed Joy to the Wool! Thank you for the wonderful review. I hope your readers enjoy it as much as you did!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteSounds good thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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