The Diva Hosts a Murderer - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Cyril Chevalier to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Cyril on the pages of THE DIVA HOSTS A MURDERER by Krista Davis. This book is the nineteenth in the Domestic Diva Mystery series and was released last week.

Cyril Chevalier: 

You might know Sophie Winston. She was kind enough to include me when she invited her family to stay with her over the Fourth of July. I’m honored to be thought of as a member of the family.

I went to high school with her dad, Paul, his sister Melly, and Sophie’s mom, Inga. We had a grand time growing up together! We went our separate ways in our college years. I became a professor of engineering, a job to which I was married. I took it very seriously and was always there for my students. I was all in when it came to special events on campus. I was the dependable go-to guy whenever anyone needed help.

But now that I’m retired, I’m really sorry that I didn’t think about a social life outside of my job. So many of my friends, like Paul and Inga, have each other now. Someone to share fun times with, to travel with, even just to sit on the porch and rock with on a warm summer evening.

I told Sophie that I feel like the song On Top Of Old Smoky was written about me because I courted too slow. Or, in my case, not at all. Now, I don’t want you thinking I never met the right woman. I did! But she married someone else.

I wonder sometimes if it’s wrong to tell an engaged woman that you’re in love with her. I backed away and watched as she married and went on with her life. But what if I hadn’t? What if I had told her the truth about how I felt? It would have been her choice then. Him or me? Maybe she would have chosen him, but at least I would have tried. I would have known that she didn’t feel the same way about me.

So, I went about my life for decades, seeking someone else. But she held my heart the whole time. It wasn’t easy watching her with her husband. But that was my lot. And it was all my fault because I never let her know how I felt.

Her husband passed away about a year or so ago. I was in a quandary because I knew she needed time to heal. Time to come to grips with the loss of her husband. I certainly didn’t want to make a move too fast. That would have been most distasteful! So, once again, I carried on, waiting, waiting, waiting for the right time to ask her out on a date.

But wouldn’t you just know that she went on a vacation to Las Vegas with a man who was new to town, and they came back married! Once again, I missed the timing. And now I’m back to watching her with another man.

I have a bad feeling that he’s a worm. But I can’t just walk up to her and say that! Can I? 

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Review

THE DIVA HOSTS A MURDERER by Krista Davis
The Nineteenth Domestic Diva Mystery 

Sophie Winston is planning a big Fourth of July celebration and has opened her home to a variety of family and friends. Although she's happy to spend time with her parents and Aunt Melly, she not quite sure about Melly's new husband, Gus. In the days before the holiday Sophie has arranged plenty of tours for the group. For the most part everyone seems to be having a good time, but it all changes when the tour guide is found dead and Sophie's dad becomes the prime suspect. In addition to being a superlative hostess, Sophie will have to revisit her role as a cunning detective in order to keep her family safe and find a killer!

With the nineteenth Domestic Diva Mystery I find myself once again envying Sophie's casual style and ease of entertaining, effortlessly whipping up scrumptious dishes while putting everyone at ease. That being said, she can keep her houseload of guests! One of the things I enjoy most about the Domestic Diva Mystery series is how the author seamlessly weaves together great food, household tips and crime solving with ordinary daily life. All while having an active social life and working! In addition this book also provides a warning for women, especially older women.

I enjoyed the variety of characters in THE DIVA HOSTS A MURDERER. The majority have secrets, but just which secrets are dangerous? I really liked Dollie and hope we see more of her in future books. Natasha is her usual obnoxious self and I'm glad she was primarily just brief comic relief in this outing. I love how Sophie and her core crew work together and I really appreciated the two final surprises...ok, three final surprises.

This Independence Day fireworks are exploding all over Old Town Alexandria in THE DIVA HOSTS A MURDERER with volatile relationships, suspicious behavior, and murder!

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 The Diva Hosts a Murderer (A Domestic Diva Mystery) by Krista Davis

About The Diva Hosts a Murderer

The Diva Hosts a Murderer (A Domestic Diva Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 19th in Series
Setting - Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia
Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication Date: ‎ May 26, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 336 pages

Old Town Virginia’s entertaining guru and occasional sleuth Sophie Winston – a young Martha Stewart in the making – juggles Fourth of July fireworks, a houseful of guests, and homicide in the latest Domestic Diva culinary mystery from New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis.

With a big crowd descending on her Northern Virginia home, it’s a good thing event planner Sophie Winston is an expert at entertaining. Whipping up patriotic pastries is as easy as pie for her, though meeting the man her widowed Aunt Melly just impulsively married in Las Vegas is a little more awkward. Especially when Melly’s longtime, now-heartbroken secret admirer is there too, which could lead to some fireworks.

But the house party really gets explosive when Sophie’s favorite tour guide falls victim to a killer—and evidence points to Sophie’s own father. Will DNA really incriminate her dad? And what’s the real story with her new uncle-by-marriage and the mysterious pal he’s brought along with him? Some of the secrets Sophie’s discovering are raising flags—and while the police department casts suspicion on her father, she has to declare her independence as a detective to find the real culprit, and serve justice along with her red, white, and blue cupcakes . . .

Includes delicious recipes, fabulous decorating tips, and easy entertaining hacks!

About Krista Davis

New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mystery series. Krista lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with two cats and a brood of dogs. Her friends and family complain about being guinea pigs for her recipes, but she notices they keep coming back.

Author Links: 

Website www.KristaDavis.com 

Instagram www.instagram.com/kristadavisauthor  

Facebook www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor  

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1555579.Krista_Davis  

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/KristaDavisAuthor/  

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/krista-davis  

Delicious Mysteries https://www.facebook.com/groups/1573601592919093  

Purchase Links Amazon Apple Barnes & Noble Books A Million Bookshop Hudson Booksellers Indigo Rakuten Kobo Tantor Audio Target Walmart

A Poisonous Pour - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release. A Poisonous Pour by Maddie Day is the third book in the Cece Barton Mystery series and was released this week!

 

Blurb:

It’s Memorial Day weekend and Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley is buzzing with activity. For Cece, business at Vino y Vida is going great, as is her romance with new beau, Benjamin. Meanwhile, Cece’s neighbor, Richard Flora, is stirring up controversy with his newest article, an exposé of Regan Greene, power-hungry director of a valley district organization. Also in the mix is the town’s big classic car show, paired with wine tastings . . .

At the show, Cece spots Regan, who is displaying her restored green ’72 Thunderbird convertible. As Cece pours tastes, she witnesses several heated discussions with Regan—including an argument with wine afficionado and new Colinas hardware store owner Greg Jardis. Otherwise, all goes smoothly—until Sunday brings shocking news. Regan has been murdered . . .

Rumors fly that Richard may have orchestrated the homicide—or even committed it. But Cece knows that’s absurd. And others in Cece’s orbit seem to have discomfiting connections to Regan, from Cece’s employee, Dane, to her winemaking teacher’s sister, Yolanda, to Colinas Mayor Guittierez. And after Yolanda visits the wine bar, Benjamin says he recognizes her from a road race.

Determined to clear Richard’s name, and failing to extract any clues from detectives, Cece once again enlists her twin, Allie, as her partner-in-sleuthing. But they’ll have to act quickly, before the trail goes
sour . . .

Death for Sale - A Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

 Review

DEATH FOR SALE by Erik S. Meyers
The Third Sally Witherspoon Mystery 

Thanksgiving is Sally Witherspoon's favorite holiday and she's excited to spend the day with the majority of  Berry Springs, Arkansas at the Grand Hotel. With Joanna catering the dinner the buffet is jammed packed with delicious food - roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, the works! Sally and her crew, along with some temporary bartenders, are serving the drinks while also enjoying the scrumptious spread. After the satisfying event Sally is woken in the early morning hours by a phone call from Sergeant Soder. Several party goers seem to have gotten food poisoning and some have even been hospitalized. Was there something wrong with the food? Could the fruit in some of her cocktails have been tainted? When one person dies and the police consider the death suspicious Sally once again gets out her pen and notebook determined to help solve another murder. 

Who would be cruel enough to kill, not only taking a life, but taking the joy of the holiday season from the whole community? With motive murky at best Sally has her work cut out for her in the third Sally Witherspoon Mystery. One of the things I like best is that the mystery isn't solved in a matter of days. Generally speaking, murder investigations take time and time is given here. The book starts just before Thanksgiving and goes through Christmas and New Year's Eve and Day, sadly with more deaths as time goes by. I enjoyed reading about the festivities and appreciated how everyone tried to celebrate even as the number of deaths increased.

DEATH FOR SALE is the best Sally Witherspoon Mystery yet. The mystery was perplexing, the characters developed, and the emotions real. The story flowed naturally and kept me interested and engaged.

With a puzzling crime and a holiday season turned horrible DEATH FOR SALE is a compelling mystery you won't want to miss.

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DEATH FOR SALE

by Erik S. Meyers

April 13 - May 8, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A Sally Witherspoon Mystery

 

It's holiday time in Berry Springs, where many come together to enjoy good food, drink, and the company of friends. Unfortunately, death is among the mix as people get mysteriously ill at the town's Thanksgiving dinner. Deaths follow, and Sally must race to discover the truth before more people die off.

Coupled with worry for her aging parents, she is overwhelmed with the pressure and emotions, but she'll push through to solve the crimes and restore peace to the town.

Praise for Death For Sale:

"It’s always a delight to accompany amateur sleuth Sally Witherspoon as she takes time from her bar-owner job to bring murderers to justice. You’ve got to love a spunky middle-aged single woman who runs a biker bar and does a side hustle helping the local law enforcement solve serious crimes. The holiday setting of this third book in the series brings a touch of charm and festivity to the sadness the small town of Berry Springs experiences as some of their older citizens succumb to what appears to be intentional poisoning. Leave it to Sally to get answers in this difficult-to-solve murder case.
If you’re looking for a fun, holiday-themed cozy mystery, Death for Sale fits the bill perfectly. You’ll love spending time with lovable Sally Witherspoon as she restores peace and calm to her beloved town of Berry Springs. "
~ Ivanka Fear, author of the Blue Water Mysteries and Jake and Mallory Thrillers

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery with Grit
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Number of Pages: 244
ISBN: 979-8898201258
Series: Sally Witherspoon Mystery Series, Book 3 || Amazon, Goodreads, Level Best Books
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Mystery Series

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt from DEATH FOR SALE:

 

 

Author Bio:

Originally from Connecticut, I am an American abroad who has lived or worked in six countries on three continents, currently living in Vienna.

The author of the Sally Witherspoon murder mystery series, an award-winning adult LGBTQ Jewish historical fiction novel "Caged Time," a short story anthology "Connections," and a business book "The Accidental Change Agent." I also have written several short stories and a thriller/horror script.

I am represented by Cindy Bullard at Birch Literary.

Oh and I survive on coffee and hiking.

Catch Up With Erik S Meyers:

www.ErikMey.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @erikmey
BookBub
Instagram - @erikmeyauthor
Facebook - @ErikSMeyersAuthor

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Order Up: Danger, Secrets, and DEATH FOR SALE

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Erik S. Meyers. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

DEATH FOR SALE by Erik S. Meyers | Gift Cards

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Death for Sale by Erik S. Meyers. This is the third book in the Sally Witherspoon Mystery series and was released earlier this year.

Thanksgiving is Sally Witherspoon's favorite holiday and she's excited to spend the day with the majority of  Berry Springs, Arkansas at the Grand Hotel. With Joanna catering the dinner the buffet is jammed packed with delicious food - roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, the works! Sally and her crew, along with some temporary bartenders, are serving the drinks while also enjoying the scrumptious spread. After the satisfying event Sally is woken in the early morning hours by a phone call from Sergeant Soder. Several party goers seem to have gotten food poisoning and some have even been hospitalized. Was there something wrong with the food? Could the fruit in some of her cocktails have been tainted? When one person dies and the police consider the death suspicious Sally once again gets out her pen and notebook determined to help solve another murder.

A Poetic Pox - A Review

 Review

A POETIC POX by Samantha Larsen
The Third Lady Librarian Mystery 

Loathe to leave her family, especially during the holidays, Tiffany Lathrop nonetheless agrees to accompany her friend and employer, Catherine, the Duchess of Beaufort on an overnight trip to visit an old friend. The Marquess of Harwood requested Catherine visit with her young son as he had just returned after years abroad and was dying. Upon their arrival staff tried to barr their entry, but they were no match for a determined duchess! Tiffany is stunned to find the abbey in disrepair, the valet dead, and the Marquess near death himself, both men seemingly poisoned. Though loving her role as a new mother, Tiffany is excited leave dirty nappies for a bit and solve another murder. Who wants to kill the Marquess? Does it have something to do with the smallpox epidemic that ravaged the town twenty years prior? Does a baseborn son believe he's entitled to an inheritance? With untrustworthy servants and a town filled with secrets Tiffany will have to rely on her wits and the support of her friends and their own staff to outsmart a villain! 

Trapped in a decaying mansion with murderer and a possible ghost A POETIC POX is a delightfully creepy mystery. The servants of Rosedean Abbey are as unwelcoming and unpleasant as the Abbey itself. Small hints are periodically left that Tiffany and the astute reader are able to catch to reveal the secrets hidden both in the Abbey and the town itself. I appreciate how Tiffany simultaneously cared for her baby and searched for clues to catch a killer. I also enjoyed how one after another layers of secrets kept for decades were slowly revealed.

Twists and turns in an decaying abbey make A POETIC POX a superb mystery. I love this series and can't wait to see what happens next!

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Poetic Pox by Samantha Larsen. This book is the third in the Lady Librarian Mystery series and was released last month. 

Loathe to leave her family, especially during the holidays, Tiffany Lathrop nonetheless agrees to accompany her friend and employer, Catherine, the Duchess of Beaufort on an overnight trip to visit an old friend. The Marquess of Harwood requested Catherine visit with her young son as he had just returned after years abroad and was dying. Upon their arrival staff tried to barr their entry, but they were no match for a determined duchess! Tiffany is stunned to find the manor in disrepair, the valet dead, and the Marquess near death himself, both men seemingly poisoned. Though loving her role as a new mother, Tiffany is excited leave dirty nappies for a bit and solve another murder. Who wants to kill the Marquess? Does it have something to do with the smallpox epidemic that ravaged the town twenty years prior? Does a baseborn son believe he's entitled to an inheritance? With untrustworthy servants and a town filled with secrets Tiffany will have to rely on her wits and the support of her friends and their own staff to outsmart a villain!

A Poetic Pox - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book that has it's digital release today! A Poetic Pox by Samantha Larsen is the third book in the Lady Librarian Mystery series. You may have read Samantha's guest post for the release of the audio version of this book back in July and I hope you'll read my review which will be coming in March! 

 

Blurb:

1786, England. It is the twelve days of Christmas and Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop is happily juggling her duties as a new mother and a librarian to Catharine, the Duchess of Beaufort. Her employer receives a mysterious letter from an old paramour, the Marquess of Harwood, who is the biological father of Catharine’s son. He promises to leave his estate and fortune to Beau if he can see the boy before he dies.

Her elder son Thomas Montague has a terrible cold, so Catharine asks Tiffany to accompany her and Beau. When they arrive at the dilapidated abbey, they discover a dead body—only it isn’t the marquess, but his valet! Lord Harwood is alive, but unconscious with suspicious looking pox marks on his hands. Tiffany wonders if the marquess is really dying, or if it is all poetic revenge? Especially when she discovers the secrets that haunt Rosedean Abbey.

Between breastfeeding and dirty diapers, Tiffany must discover who killed the valet and attempted to murder the marquess before anyone else dies.

Sticks and Bones - A Spotlight

With the new year just a few days away, I thought I'd shine a spotlight on a book set during this holiday. Sticks and Stones by Carolyn Haines is the seventeenth book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series. If you're unfamiliar with this great series Them Bones is the first, published in 1999. Doggone Bones is the most recent book in the series, the twenty-ninth, and was published back in May. Ode to the Bones will be the next book in the series and will be published in May 2026! 

Blurb:

Private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney and her friends are celebrating New Year’s Eve at the party of the year, a smashing Winter Garden party at the Prince Albert Hotel. It’s a dazzling success…until Frangelica “Sister” McFee walks through the door. Sarah Booth knew Sister in college, before Sister became a bestselling author and moved to New York, and fame and fortune don’t seem to have tempered her arrogance and cruelty.

Sister’s latest book is a memoir about the death of her mother and brother many years ago. Now, a film about the book is in the works, and a film crew has descended upon Zinnia, Mississippi, to tell the complete tale. The film crew soon realizes there may be more to the story than meets the eye—or is told in Sister’s memoir—and they hire Sarah Booth to discover the absolute truth about those deaths so many years ago. But Sarah Booth quickly realizes that someone is desperate to keep the truth hidden and will go to any lengths necessary to protect a long-held secret.

A Mysterious Christmas Collection - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome both Charlie Kingsley and Emily Hildebrandt to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Charlie in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series and Emily in the Redemption Detective Agency Mystery series, both penned by Michele Pariza Wacek. Sometimes they each appear in each other's mysteries and such is the case in A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. 

Charlie Kingsley: I’m so glad we can sit down together. Would you like some tea? Oh, wait, you’re more of a coffee gal, aren’t you?

Emily Hildebrandt: I definitely prefer coffee over tea. No offense as I know you make a lot of teas.

CK: None taken. I prefer tea but I drink coffee as well, especially when I’m in the middle of a case and haven’t had much sleep.

EH: Nothing beats coffee then.

CK: Exactly. So, we’re finally in a mystery together.

EH: Yes, and it’s about time. As you can imagine, I’ve heard so much about you.

CK: I hope it was good.

EH: Are you serious? You’re everyone’s inspiration! All I hear is good things!

CK: Well…err…look, I’m sure it’s not like that. It’s just because The Redemption Detective Agency is a spin off from the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries, that’s all.

EH: I think there’s more than that going on. But yes, I’m sure Mildred and Aunt Tilde both appearing in one of your earlier Charlie Kingsley Mysteries definitely had something to do with it. How was it working with both of them?

CK: It was…interesting. Mildred was sure her next door neighbor was a vampire. I was a little worried she was going to show up on his doorstep with a stake.

EH: What, you mean she didn’t do that?

CK: It was touch and go for awhile. And Tilde is definitely very enthusiastic at the idea of being a detective. I know Pat isn’t exactly sold on the idea of Tilde owning a detective agency, but I don’t think it’s such a bad idea. There are an awful lot of unsolved cases in Redemption, it’s probably a good thing to have someone willing to look at them.

EH: Well, I suspect we’re not going to have the same touch you do with our cases, but hopefully we’ll still make you proud.

CK: Don’t be silly. You already make me proud. I’m just thrilled Michele finally started listening to me and went down the cozy mystery path, otherwise all this would have been missed!

Check out not one but TWO Christmas cozy mysteries in A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, one from Charlie Kingsley Mysteries (Secret Santa Murder) and one from The Redemption Detective Agency (The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf).

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Review

A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION by Michele Pariza Wacek
Short Stories from 
The Charlie Kingsley Mystery Series and The Redemption Detective Agency Mystery Series 

A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is comprised of two short stories, Secret Santa Murder and The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf. The former is part of the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series while the latter is from the Redemption Detective Agency series, but both have their characters crossing over.

In Secret Santa Murder Charlie is invited to a Christmas pot luck and Secret Santa exchange-except the majority pf people invited had to cancel at the last minute and Pat, the hostess, has filled the party with people not normally invited to parties. When one of the guests drops dead it's up to Officer Brandon Wyle to start the investigation, with Charlie's help, of course.

The Redemption Detective Agency has a new case in The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf. Although an adult, Mindy is scared of Santa.When she was a little girl an elf dropped dead in front of the crowd while she was seeing Santa. Since then she can't bear the thought of visiting Santa, but doesn't want to deprive her own daughter of that joy. Though officials declared the death an accident, rumors persist that it was murder. Will Emily and the gang be able to solve this cold case and bring back holiday joy? 

I really enjoyed both of these quick reads, while I'm up to date in the Redemption Detective Agency series I haven't read any of the Charlie Kingsley mysteries. Even with no prior knowledge I was able to jump right in and appreciate everything going on-so feel free to start here even if you are unfamiliar with these series! I now intend to go back and read Charlie's stories. I was already a huge fan of the Redemption Detective Agency and this short story cemented that love. Though short, there's depth to both of these stories and with humor and a hint of romance, a fine mystery in each.

You get two for one with A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, two delightful short mysteries bringing characters from two series together in a great holiday collection.

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A Mysterious Christmas Collection: A Charlie Kingsley/Redemption Detective Agency Crossover Christmas Cozy Mystery Anthology by Michele Pariza Wacek

About A Mysterious Christmas Collection

A Mysterious Christmas Collection: A Charlie Kingsley/Redemption Detective Agency Crossover Christmas Cozy Mystery Anthology
Cozy Mysteries
Setting - Wisconsin
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ November 19, 2025

Number of Pages: 150

In this charming Christmas cozy mystery collection, you get not one but TWO Christmas mysteries--one from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series (Secret Santa Murder) and one from The Redemption Detective Agency (The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf).

Even better, the characters in both series will make a crossover appearance in the other mystery.

Here's a peek of each story:

Secret Santa Murder: A Secret Santa party goes off the rails when a guest is murdered after opening their gift. Can Charlie get to the bottom of who did it in this locked door mystery?

The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf: Emily and the gang take on a case to help a young mother get over her childhood Christmas trauma. Can they go back in time and solve the mystery of a dead elf to save Christmas before it's too late?

Includes TWO Christmas cookie family recipes!

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is funny, clean & twisty cozy series takes place in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin. They're perfect if you enjoy small town cozy mysteries with quirky characters, pets, tea, culinary, a touch of romance, 1990s nostalgia and loads of fun. If you like books by Agatha Christie, Louise Penny and Maddie Day, you'll love these books.

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is a continuing series with books that are standalone and can be read in any order.

The Redemption Detective Agency

A spin off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series. This cozy romcom mystery series also takes place in the 1990s and features a fish out of water amateur sleuth, pet detectives, a cast of silver sleuths (some you'll recognize from the main series), cold cases and a hefty dose of romance. Think The Thursday Murder Club meets Bridget Jones's Diary, but in small town Wisconsin. Also great for fans for The Golden Girls (if they started solving mysteries), Only Murders in the Building (without a podcast and takes place in Wisconsin) and Murder She Wrote.

All the books are clean, twisty and funny. They can be read in any order but to get the best experience, I would recommend starting with Book 1, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive.

About Michele Pariza Wacek

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Author Links:  

Website https://MPWNovels.com  

Facebook https://Facebook.com/michelepwauthor 

Instagram https://instagram.com/themichelepw

Purchase Link - Amazon 

The Latke in the Library & Other Mystery Stories for Chanukah

In honor of Hanukkah I thought I'd shine a spotlight on The Latke in the Library & Other Mystery Stories for Chanukah by Libi Astaire. This is a compilation of four short stories written with a nod to Agatha Christie.

 Oy vey! When elderly mystery writer Agatha Krinsky falls for the fifth time, her nephew Sheldon insists she move into an assisted living facility. True to form, on her first day in her new home Agatha discovers a body in the library. But the staff won’t take her seriously, and even her elderly luncheon companions — Herschel Perlow, Miss Eppel, and Ronny and Rubles Bernfeld — are more interested in talking about bodies they encountered in their earlier careers than helping Agatha solve her mystery.

Included in this humorous Chanukah-themed homage to Dame Agatha Christie are these four short mystery stories: The Latke in the Library, Evil Under the Wick, And Then There Were Gornisht, and The Olive Cracked.

Holidays and Homicides - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Lena Gregory back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Lena writes several series including the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series. Lena has a short story with the characters from this series in the HOLIDAYS AND HOMICIDES anthology which was released last week.

Christmas Through the Years 
By Lena Gregory 

When I was young, Christmas was a magical time. I remember my mother bundling us all into the car with hot cocoa and driving around the neighborhood to look at all the decorations. My father baked tons of cookies with us each year. Every store we went into had Christmas music playing. And on the best years, it snowed! On Christmas Eve, my parents hosted a big party for all of our extended family, and we’d spend hours watching out the window to see who could spot Rudolph’s nose first. Then, when the house quieted down, I’d lay in bed listening for the sound of sleigh bells or Santa’s jolly laugh until I inevitably fell asleep before he arrived. Christmas morning would have me waking at the crack of dawn, or before, and listening for any sign that someone else was up, then throwing the covers back and bounding out of bed to run for the Christmas tree to see what Santa had brought and to pass out the trinkets I’d bought everyone at the school fair. Then, after all the presents were opened and the wrapping paper cleaned up, we’d sit down to a big family breakfast. Those memories have always stayed with me, and I’ve tried to recreate some of them for my own children.

Eventually, all four of us kids got married and had children of our own. And it was my turn to bundle my kids up and drive around town looking at decorations while Christmas music blared on the radio, though the hot cocoa mostly came from a McDonalds or Starbucks drive-thru rather than being homemade. On years that time allowed, I’d bake cookies with my kids and take them out to all the stores to shop, and Christmas tunes still filled the aisles (sometimes as early as Halloween) while we shopped for the party I’d taken over hosting. On Christmas Eve, all of our family would come over, and they’d bring friends, loved ones, often people I’d never met. And on the best years, it still snowed! I remember one year, all of us gathering outside as the snow fell, then entire neighborhood deserted, quiet, peaceful. Until my daughter and her friends came out, then not so much. But I loved every minute of it! On Christmas morning, my father would drop off a breakfast pie for us early, so once we finished opening gifts, we could all sit down and enjoy it together. And then we’d have a big Christmas dinner with family.

Since we moved to Florida, Christmas is quieter. Although last year we did have our Christmas Eve party, since we had family visiting from New York. And we still stick to some of our old traditions, like baking cookies and driving around admiring the Christmas decorations. My husband, my kids, and I all spend a special night decorating the tree with a big meal, usually pasta, and gingerbread cookies for dessert. We watch the same old Christmas movies—Year Without a Santa Claus is still my favorite! Christmas Eve is still a special night, which we all spend together, and Christmas morning is still met with anticipation and joy. Although, snow is off the table. Even though some things have changed over the years, many traditions have still passed down from one generation to the next. Now, though, the full meaning of Christmas is with me as I celebrate each year, and it’s even more joyful!


How about you? Do you have any special Christmas traditions? Have they changed over the years or do they stay the same?

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Review

HOLIDAYS & HOMICIDES
A Short Story Collection

 

Need a break amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Looking for a quick read to get you in the holiday spirit? This new anthology by Gemma Halliday Publishing is just the ticket. While the book itself is long, the stories contained are short and most can easily be read in a sitting or two. There's a nice variety of authors, some familiar to me and some not. I was especially thrilled to see that Lena Gregory had a story featuring the characters from her Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series, one of my favorites and probably my favorite story in the anthology. I was also pleased to see a Catherine Bruns tale and that Christine Knapp had a modern midwife story. I also discovered new to me authors whose books I need to check out, particularly Rosalie Spielman and Kelly Rey. I must admit I did skip reading one story. I can't abide present tense and could only manage a paragraph of that particular story. It should be noted that while the title of the anthology is HOLIDAYS & HOMICIDES not all of the stories included are murder mysteries. There are plenty of other crimes that provide good puzzles and several stories show that.

 

HOLIDAYS & HOMICIDES is a delightful collection of holiday mysteries to help you wind down and relax during this hectic time of year while bringing Yuletide cheer during any season!

 

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 Holidays & Homicides: A Short Story Collection by Rosalie Spielman, Catherine Bruns, Gin Jones, Annie McEwen, Lena Gregory, Jennifer Fischetto, Anne Marie Stoddard, Kelly Rey, Misty Simon, Christine Knapp, Jamie L. Adams, Erica Wynters

About Holidays & Homicides

Holidays & Homicides: A Short Story Collection
Holiday Cozy Mysteries
Publisher: ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ December 2, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 419 pages

From twelve USA Today bestselling and award winning authors, comes a short story collection stuffed full of mirthful mysteries, clever criminals, and holiday cheer! These short holiday bites are perfect for enjoying between rounds of wrapping or binge-reading over a cup of cocoa!

Stories include: A Hometown Christmas Caper (Hometown Mysteries) by Rosalie Spielman Gossip, Guilt & Gingerbread (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory Larceny & Twinkle Lights (Jamie Winters Mysteries) by Kelly Rey Holidays & Heists (Aloha Lagoon Mysteries) by Anne Marie Stoddard Ornaments, Surprise & Dead Guys (Gianna Mancini Mysteries) by Jennifer Fischetto It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Mischief (Northwoods Mysteries) by Annie McEwen You Can't see the Forest for the Christmas Trees (Modern Midwife Mysteries) by Christine Knapp Jingle Bell Rocker (Sunny Side Up Mysteries) by Misty Simon Holly, Handcuffs, and Hearsay (Camelot Flowers Mysteries) by Erica Wynters Search for the Silent Santa (Ghost Town Mysteries) by Jamie L. Adams Nothing But Truffle (Cookies & Chance Mysteries) by Catherine Bruns A Heartland Homicide (Bourbon B&B Mysteries) by Gin Jones

About the Authors

Catherine Bruns is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. Catherine has a B.A. in English and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She also writes the Italian Chef mysteries, Cindy York real estate and Carrie Jorgenson (Aloha Lagoon) culinary series. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the 2019 Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.

Get a free ebook when you sign up for Catherine's newsletter at https://www.catherinebruns.net/contact Please feel free to connect with her on social media as well: facebook.com/Catherine-Bruns- 

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

To learn more about Lena and her latest writing endeavors, visit her Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/

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Rosalie Spielman is a mother, veteran, and retired military spouse. She was thrilled to discover that she could make other people laugh with her writing and finds joy in giving people a humorous escape from the real world. Her cozy mystery novels are set in locales that have chickens—such as sunny Kauai and rural Idaho—writing for the multi-author Aloha Lagoon mystery series and her own Hometown Mystery series.

She currently lives in Maryland with her husband in a rapidly emptying nest. For more information on her books or to subscribe to her newsletter, go to www.rosalie-spielman-author.com, follow her Facebook page (Rosalie Spielman author), or join her Facebook group (You Know The Spiel). Rosalie strives to provide you a cozy escape...one page at a time.

Website: www.Rosalie-Spielman-author.com Bookshop storefront: https://bookshop.org/shop/YouKnowTheSpiel Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rosalie-Spielman/author/B09FP95WC8 Facebook author page: Rosalie Spielman author https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063501963689 Facebook readers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/YouKnowTheSpiel

 

From her first discovery of Nancy Drew, USA Today bestselling author Kelly Rey has had a lifelong love for mystery and tales of things that go bump in the night, especially those with a twist of humor. Through many years of working in the court reporting and closed captioning fields, writing has remained a constant. If she's not in front of a keyboard, she can be found reading, working out or avoiding housework. She's a member of Sisters in Crime and lives in the Northeast with her husband and a menagerie of very spoiled pets.

 

 

Gin Jones is a retired lawyer who specialized in ghost-writing for other lawyers. She prefers to write her own books, though, since she doesn't have to worry that her sense of humor might get her thrown into jail for contempt of court. In her spare time, Gin makes quilts, grows garlic, and advocates for patients with rare disorders.

Website: https://www.ginjones.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ginjones.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginjonesmysteries/

 

Jamie L. Adams fell in love with books at an early age. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott opened her imagination and sparked a dream to be a writer. She wrote her first book as a school project in 6th grade.

A graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature as well as member of American Christian Fiction Writers, The Writing Desk and several critique groups, she spends most of her time writing, reading or learning more about the craft near to her heart.

The parents of three very active children, she and her husband live in the Ozarks surrounded by forest and wildlife.

 

 

Erica Wynters started as most authors do - as an avid reader. Cozy mysteries and romantic suspense offered her just the escape she was looking for! The combination of great love and great danger keeps her turning pages late into the night.

Now they keep her writing pages late into the night. Her goal is always two-fold: help you fall in love with love all over again and take you on an adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Falling in love has never been so fun...or so dangerous!

 

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania, where she is hard at work on her next novel or three.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/misty.simon.18 Instagram: @mistysimonwrites Tiktok: @mistysimonwrites Website: http://www.mistysimon.com

 

Christine Knapp practiced as a nurse-midwife for many years. A writer of texts and journal articles, she is now thrilled to combine her love of midwifery and mysteries as a fiction author. Christine currently narrates books for the visually impaired. A dog lover, she lives near Boston. Visit thoughtfulmidwife.com

Website https://www.thoughtfulmidwife.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christine.w.knapp Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maevecw/ X https://x.com/chriswknapp Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/maevecwk.bsky.social  

Annie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, set amongst the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin where she spent vacations as a kid. Because of a sweet love story between her youngest sister and a local Wisconsin boy (storyline idea!), she’s still been able to keep on visiting the beautiful place that means so much to her. Annie and her husband are empty nesters—their son is married to his high school sweetheart, and their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies who just might make some special appearances in Annie's books. When Annie isn’t writing, playing with her grandsons, or tackling trash-to-treasure projects, she works as a radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones...you can’t hide much from her! Writing, though, is her first love.  

   

Jennifer Fischetto is the USA TODAY Bestselling author of the Gianna Mancini paranormal cozy mystery series, as well as a dozen other titles. She writes family-centric murder mysteries and things that go bump in the night. A lover of rainstorms and snow, she prefers fiction over reality and longs to live in a world where French fries grow on trees, chocolate appears whenever desired, and every day is October. She watches too much television and movies, which fuel her never-ending supply of plot ideas, and is a rabid fan of suspense, horror, and everything supernatural. You can learn about her next book by subscribing to her newsletter at https://jenniferfischetto.com/newsletter/ Visit Jennifer at: Website: http://jenniferfischetto.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jenniferfischetto.com 

 

 Anne Marie Stoddard is a USA TODAY bestselling author and former Amazon Mover & Shaker. She writes supernatural suspense and humorous cozy mysteries with an edge. Her Amelia Grace Mystery series, inspired by her years working in radio, and concert venues and music festivals across the U.S., has won several awards, including the 2012 AJC Decatur Book Festival Writing Contest, the 2013 Book Junkie's Choice Award for Best Debut Fiction Novel, and nominations for the 2014 & 2016 RONE Awards Best Mystery/Thriller Category. Aside from writing, Anne Marie loves her husband and their dog, college football, hula hoops, music, coffee, and anything pumpkin-flavored. For more details about Anne Marie's upcoming projects, giveaways, and more, visit her online and subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.amstoddardbooks.com/. Connect with Anne Marie on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmStoddardBooks Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMStoddardBooks Buy Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Kobo Smashwords