Holiday books filled with mystery and suspense

Tis the season to treat yourself and the book lover on your holiday shopping list, and what better way than with a book set during the holidays? Stop by frequently this month, because I'll be sharing books for the whole family.

Today's books are filled with mystery and suspense, plus each author answered a round of This or That.

Happy browsing!

Snow Kiss Cookies to Die For
Series: Christmas Cookies
by Wendy Kendall
Genre: Romance suspense during Christmas holiday

Blurb:

First grade teacher Desiree Tucker is on the brink of winter holidays with her new, romantic boyfriend when danger encroaches on her joy. Ominous, untraceable texts buzz on her cell phone. Terrifying secret Santa gifts show up for her in the classroom. As the stalker moves closer to the prey, Desiree doesn't know who she can trust. Her charming new man is a prime suspect. Is he a deadly stalker? If not him, who? What can she learn from her grandmother's legend of the snow kiss cookie? Just when she's starting to believe in magic again, she finds herself fighting for her life.

This or that with Wendy Kendall

Snow angle or Snowman? Snow Angel

Hot chocolate or Mulled wine? Mulled wine

Sweats or Sweater? Sweater

Cozy night in or Out on the town? Out on the town

Peppermint or Cinnamon? Cinnamon

Songs or movies? Movies

Read it today

Gingerbread Dead

Series: Christmas Cookies
by Lori L Robinett
Genre: mystery

Blurb:

While the rest of the neighborhood is preparing for the holidays, Jess Barker is determined to stop a murderer.

This or that with Lori L. Robinett

Snow angle or Snowman? Snowman

Hot chocolate or Mulled wine? Mulled wine

Sweats or Sweater? Sweats

Cozy night in or Out on the town? Cozy night in

Peppermint or Cinnamon? Peppermint

Songs or movies? Movies

Read it today

Scarlet at Crystal River

Series: The Haunted Shores Mysteries
by Randy Overbeck
Genre: mystery/ghost story

Blurb:

All Darrell Henshaw wanted was to enjoy his honeymoon with his beautiful wife, Erin, in the charming town of Crystal River on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida over the Christmas holidays. Only a pair of ghosts decide to intrude on their celebration. And not just any ghosts, the spirits of two young Latino children. Unwilling at first to derail the honeymoon for yet another ghost hunt, Darrell finally concedes when a painting of the kids comes alive, weeping and pleading for his help.

This or that with Randy Overbeck

Snow angle or Snowman? Snowman

Hot chocolate or Mulled wine? Hot chocalate

Sweats or Sweater? Sweater

Cozy night in or Out on the town? Cozy night in

Peppermint or Cinnamon? Peppermint

Songs or movies? Songs

Read it today

Did any of these books pique your interest? Have you started your holiday shopping yet? 

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and reflection. I'm so very grateful for the many friends I've made since starting this blog back in 2011. Regardless of where you live, may today and always be filled with love and friendship. Thank you for visiting today and throughout the year. I hope to continue to bring to you new books to discover. If you're an author and would like to be a guest on my blog, please click here. You'll be redirected to my author contact page.

To my US friends, have a safe and happy holiday.

All my best,

Cherie

Giving thanks and remembering a dear friend

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's about giving thanks. I'm so very thankful for the people I've had the honor of meeting over the years, for close friends, and for close family. I'm thankful for the roof over my head and the job that keeps it there. For my publisher and editors who believe in my books, for the readers who find my books, and for the reviewers who share their thoughts. Thank you!

I started to think about the books I've read that include Thanksgiving, and the list is short. For whatever reason, I haven't read many. So if you have a recommendation, please drop it in the comments!

The first book to pop into my mind was The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving from A to Z, a picture book by Laura Crawford. Thinking of Laura brings back fond memories of strolling down Rodeo Drive and the movie Pretty Woman. Laura was an amazing writer, friend, aunt, sister, daughter, teacher, and all-around person, She was kind, caring, funny, and smart.

Pictured from left to right: Trina Sotira, Jenny Wagh, Laura Crawford, Kym Brunner, Katie Sparks, and me, Cherie Colyer on Rodeo Drive, Baby!

With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be fun to re-post an interview I did with Laura back in 2011. Laura wasn’t just an amazing author, she was a good friend and a wonderful person who is missed dearly. 

From 2011, tweaked just a little...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I love that Laura found a way to make learning about the Pilgrims’ journey from England to Massachusetts fun. For instance, did you know there were 102 pilgrims who made the journey on the Mayflower or that the women baked a weekly supply of bread in a large community oven? Thanks to Laura, I do.

With loving memories, meet Laura...

Cherie: Where did you get the idea for your book?

Laura: I was inspired to write The Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving From A to Z when I was teaching 2^nd grade. We were doing a Thanksgiving unit and I needed to teach the history of the holiday. When I went to the library, I found that the books were all way too easy or way too difficult for 7 year-olds. Since I couldn’t find what I wanted, I wrote my own. It was finished by the following year, so I printed it out and had my students illustrate it.

Cherie: I love that you decided to write the book you needed. And what a fun project for your students! The Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving From A to Z has a lot of great information about the pilgrims’ voyage to America. What type of research did you do before writing the book?

Laura: It took a long time to research this book. I read Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, one of Pilgrim leaders. It was by far one of the most challenging books I have ever read in my life! Not fun. I also contacted the museums in Massachusetts and they sent me information. Most of my research was done through the internet and by checking books from the library. Since I only need the most basic information, it was not too hard to find…except for K, Q and X. They are officially my LEAST favorite letters of the alphabet. Every time I do an ABC book, they are the most challenging.

Cherie: You know, I hated having to find examples of words with those letters when I was in school, so I can sympathize. Can you tell us a little about your writing process?

Laura: I usually have an idea….and then do nothing about it for a long time! Then I start reading and watching videos. Since I do a lot of history books, I watch the History Channel and the Biography Channel. It seems like an idea percolates in my head for a long time, and when I actually start typing, it goes pretty fast. Then I let it sit for awhile before my writing groups get to see it…several times!

Cherie: Percolating ideas: I love it! What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

Laura: Oh that’s easy…..mashed potatoes!  Haha. 

As far as the book goes, I’d say Squanto.  I foresee a Squanto book in my future.

Cherie: Funny that you could answer that so easily. I’m still trying to figure out my favorite part of the holiday. It might be the turkey, I like nibbling on it for days. Or maybe the yams. Definitely the desserts. Now I’m making myself hungry.

Young children say the darnedest things and I’ve read many of your Facebook posts that reflect this. Have you read your story to children? Can you share with us some of their comments about the book?

Laura: I’ve read the book to many children, but I can’t remember anything funny they’ve said to me, but I always tell them about the mistake in my book. On the page with C is for Clothing, you will read that the Pilgrims did not wear buckles.  When Pelican Publishing sent me the galleys to approve, there was a huge buckle on the page with R is for Plymouth Rock.  Well, I called them and freaked out. They took the giant buckle off the shoe…but nobody else (including me) noticed that there are buckles on 3 other pages.  So spread the word…the Pilgrims did NOT have buckles!  And the moral of the story: take your time and look closely at ALL illustrations before approving them.

Cherie: Oh, that is a great story. I remember reading that the Pilgrims didn’t have buckles, and I didn’t notice that some of the pictures included them. What a great tip for writers.

When I was young, we used to play pilgrim or the Indian? I was always an Indian. How about you, when you were young, were you a Pilgrim or an Indian?

Laura: Not really….I wanted to be Wonder Woman when I was young! Haha

Cherie: Can you imagine Wonder Woman sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner with the Pilgrims and Indians? ** pauses to imagine how that would go ** You have a few picture books out. Which was the most fun to write?  Which was the most difficult to write? 

Laura: Hmmm….that is a hard question!  I think the Postcard series was the most fun to write because the main character is so cute and spunky (and based on my niece).  I did have fun doing In Arctic Waters because I love cumulative tales and animals, although I’m not a very good rhymer.  I think the most challenging was The Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving From A to Z because I had to make the alphabet fit the chronological order of events. I bet I rearranged my letters for that book about 20 times (and I’m not exaggerating!)

Thank you so much for interviewing me!!  Happy Thanksgiving to you….

Cherie: Thanks for stopping by! And a Happy Gobble Gobble Day to you too!

The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving from A to Z

by Laura Crawford

From Amazon:

In this alphabet picture book, author Laura Crawford brings the Pilgrims' story to light by balancing classic Thanksgiving themes with clever lessons about the Pilgrims' trials and triumphs. Noting American ideals like "F is for freedom" alongside the realities of Pilgrim life, such as "H is for hardship," as well as teaching geography ("A is for Atlantic Ocean"), cultural facts ("W is for Wampanoag tribe"), and historical names ("M is for Miles Standish"), this book is a wonderful vocabulary builder and a fun way to pass the Pilgrims' story on to another generation.

Get the book

Check out some of Laura's other books

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, what is your favorite thing about the holiday? If not, what is your favorite thing about autumn?

Book Tour and Giveaway!

 

I'm delighted to announce that ATTICUS EVERHEART, FIFTH GRADE TUTOR AND MONSTER HUNTER? is touring the blogosphere. Thank you, Goddess Fish Book Tours for organizing this wonderful event! 

The tour kicked off at Gina Rae Mitchell's with a list of my favorite scenes, then continues at Long and Short Reviews with a lovely 5-star review that will have me smiling all week. Next week I'm over at All the Ups and Downs. There are even more stops in the weeks to come. Check out the posts and be sure to enter the giveaway!

Tour Schedule (Links will be updated weekly!)

November 14: Gina Rae Mitchell - Guest Posts: Favorite Scenes

November 14: Long and Short Review - Review

November 21: All the Ups and Downs - Guest Post: Inspiration Behind the Book

November 28: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews - Interview

December 5: Sandra's Book Club 

December 5: Westveil Publishing - and Guest Post: What's Under the Bed

December 12: Kit 'N Kabookle - Review & Book Playlist

December 26: It's Raining Books - Interview

January 2: Literary Gold - Interview

January 9: Fabulous and Brunette - Guest Post; About the Cover

January 16: Read Your Writes Book Reviews - Meet Atticus Everheart

January 23: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love - Interview

January 30: Jazzy Book Reviews - Interview

February 6: Long and Short Reviews - Guest Post: My Ideal Writing Space

Happy reading and if you entered the giveaway, good luck!

Book Tour: ABC Book of Latin America by Momma Llama

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Momma Llama & Friends will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Momma Llama's ABC Book of Latin America is both fun and educational. This multicultural adventure includes people, places, and things from Central and South America - from Mexico to Argentina. The charming illustrations will make you and your child smile. Additionally, each page names the country or region of the subject; parents might learn something too.

My thoughts:

ABC Book of Latin America is sure to entertain kids with its bright and colorful illustrations and fun examples from different Latin American countries. Each letter shares a new word and a description of where it can be found. My favorite two are B and X. 

About the Author:

Momma Llama envisions a world in which Mom becomes the star and the hero of each fun-filled adventure, giving a new perspective to the way children learn and play.

Each story showcases Momma Llama, a hard-working independent, and adventurous mother, promoting ideas such as teamwork, determination, respect, and the idea that Moms give more than we realize.

Momma Llama aspires to unify the diverse cultures of the Americas by promoting multiculturalism in a fresh new way.

There’s always something new in Momma Llama’s magical world, so join us for more adventures.

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Book Tour: Twin Sisters Livingston and the Mystery at the Madame Molineaux's by Mary Knight

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the TWIN SISTERS LIVINGSTON AND THE MYSTERY AT MADAME MOLINEAUX'S by Mary Knight Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: TWIN SISTERS LIVINGSTON AND THE MYSTERY AT MADAME MOLINEAUX'S

Author: Mary Knight

Pub. Date: September 27, 2022

Publisher: Living Lantern Media Group, LLC

Formats:  Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 428

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

Twin sisters Maddie and Jo Livingston have spent their lives traveling the world with their famous archaeologist parents. But when the Livingstons’ work takes them on a mysterious year-long excavation in Siberia, much too dangerous for two twelve-year-old girls, Maddie and Jo are whisked off to a castle in Switzerland, where they find themselves piecing together a mystery of their own.

Madame Molineaux’s School for Girls is filled with interesting students and professors from all over Europe. But it doesn’t take long for the girls to figure out that this is no ordinary boarding school: bizarre animals, hidden tapestries, secret tunnels, and a long list of unanswered questions keep Maddie, Jo, and their new friends searching for clues around every corner. Where is that snotty Rosemary Byron going when she sneaks out of her dormitory at night? What secret is their beloved headmistress trying to protect? Who is concealing treasures in the unlikeliest of hiding places? The girls must put all these strange pieces together to discover the staggering truth, and to save their school before Madame Molineaux’s closes its doors—for good!

Mary Knight’s Favorite Childhood Movies

The Parent Trap

Goonies

All of the Disney Classics!

Star Wars Trilogy

Indiana Jones Trilogy

Anne of Green Gables

Harry Potter (ok, I was an adult =) but I felt like a child watching these!)

 

About the Twin Sisters Livingston Team:

We fuel self-discovery, sisterhood and adventure.

Twin Sisters Livingston is devoted to delivering smart, sophisticated media that empowers tween girls. Anchored by a 24-book series, our brand enchants young readers though the adventurous tales of American twin sisters Maddie and Jo, who solve mysteries within the walls of a fabulously diverse Swiss boarding school. The fictional universe is expanded to include e-books and audiobooks, subscription boxes full of rich edu-tainment, gaming apps and more.

Subscribe to the Newsletter and read the fist 6 chapters for FREE! (scroll down)

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of TWIN SISTERS LIVINGSTON AND THE MYSTERY AT MADAME MOLINEAUX'S, US Only.

2 winners will win an eBook of TWIN SISTERS LIVINGSTON AND THE MYSTERY AT MADAME MOLINEAUX'S, International.

Ends November 15^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/31/2022	Mythical Books	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
10/31/2022	Kait Plus Books	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
11/1/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
11/1/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
11/2/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
11/2/2022	The Momma Spot	Review
11/3/2022	Fall Between the Pages	TikTok Review/IG Post
11/3/2022	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Review
11/4/2022	YA Books Central	Interview/IG Post
11/4/2022	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

11/7/2022	Log Cabin Library	Review
11/7/2022	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
11/8/2022	Blog Write. Read. Live	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
11/8/2022	@froggyreadteach	IG Review/Read Aloud
11/9/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
11/9/2022	Jeff_of_allmedia	IG Review
11/10/2022	The Page Ladies @jacleomik33	IG Review
11/10/2022	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review
11/11/2022	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
11/11/2022	The Real World According To Sam	Review/IG Post