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Sweet Masterpiece

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 242 pages

File Size : 30,13 MB

Release : 2010-09-08

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 145241419X

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Book Description

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her most delightful cozy mystery series yet—with a little romance, a little magic and a whole lot of chocolate! With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, see what the fuss is all about! Samantha Sweet breaks into houses for a living. But when she encounters a dying woman in one such house and a backyard grave at another, handsome deputy Beau Cardwell shows up and—well, things get complicated. A small mural painted inside a closet in the abandoned house provides clues and Sam is caught up in Beau’s investigation. A fortune in artwork, a bogus will, and a wooden box that seems to give Sam powers she never dreamed she possessed— it all adds up to a dynamic paranormal romantic mystery. Then, there is all that chocolate! Sam's real goal in life is to use her elegant baking skills to open her own pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets. She's gaining quite the reputation as a baker with a magical touch, but a few obstacles stand in her way. Her grown daughter shows up on her doorstep—jobless and homeless; her bank account is at an all-time low; and trying to work from the tiny cramped kitchen in her home is becoming impossible. Somehow, Sam copes and she finds that her dreams might just have a chance of coming true. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. Praise for Connie Shelton's mysteries: “Wow, this was an incredible book!”—5 stars on Amazon "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review "Shelton, a major success for Intrigue, can only expand her fan base with this solid effort." -- Publisher's Weekly "Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships." --Booklist "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life." -- Albuquerque Journal "Connie Shelton has another winner!" -- The Book Report Search words: free, freebie, first in series, mystery, mystery series, romantic suspense, paranormal, paranormal romance, cozy mystery, female protagonist, female sleuth, culinary mystery, mystery books cozy, mystery books cooking, bestselling mystery books free, mystery books in series, free and bargain first book in series, female sleuth cozy mystery, books set in New Mexico, paranormal romantic mystery series



Tricky Sweet

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 209 pages

File Size : 34,17 MB

Release : 2022-10-20

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1649141076

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Book Description

It’s Spring Break and a trio of California college kids head out, not to the beach but to the mountains of New Mexico, where they plan on a week of snowboarding, beer, and fun. But the instructions to reach their vacation rental are less than precise and it’s late and snowy when they arrive at Taos Ski Valley. They’re surprised to find an older couple in the cabin they believed to be theirs but hey, Casey Hardwick, the ringleader of the group, is not known for reading directions or getting all the facts. Maybe the place is actually a B&B. They troop inside and are shown to a bedroom. Days later, Casey’s sister is calling the only friend she knows in Taos—Kelly Sweet—hoping to get word to her brother that their mother’s condition has worsened and she doesn’t have long to live. No one has heard from Casey, and she urgently needs to reach him. Samantha and Kelly are together when the call comes, and the mystery only deepens once they talk to Sheriff Evan Richards. Yes, the family reported the missing boys and he investigated. He found no evidence that they’d ever arrived. His theory is that the boys changed their plans at the last minute and are living it up somewhere else. But Sam has a bad feeling about it. Without the help of law enforcement, will she and Kelly figure out how the boys disappeared? And can they find the boys and get Casey home before it’s too late to see his mother again? Their only clues seem to come from the mysterious book of runes. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. ~ ~ ~ Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “The best yet!! Not only was Sweet Magic fantastic, it left me dying to see where life is headed for Samantha and her family! Heart-gripping, fast-paced, and amazing.” – J.J. 5-stars, online review “LOVE, LOVE these books!” —5 stars, online review “Fantastic! Impossible to put down!” – 5 stars, Amazon reader “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review



Sticky Sweet

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 285 pages

File Size : 12,78 MB

Release : 2018-06-10

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1945422483

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Book Description

It’s here -- USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton’s newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 60 countries, find out what the fuss is all about! Breaking into another house, creating chocolates worth $200 a box, and helping her sheriff husband solve a traffic accident-turned-murder … Samantha Sweet has her hands more than a little full as the new year begins. “Love Connie Shelton’s work. She usually has me at the first word.”—5 stars, Terry Brown It's the beginning of a new year at Sweet's Sweets pastry shop and chocolate factory, and Samantha Sweet finds herself busy as ever, especially when her top client comes in with a new idea. His travel firm is selling a new Travel the World itinerary for the jet-set, and Sam is to come up with special chocolates to make the spectacular trip even more memorable for his wealthy clientele. At $200 a box, she can't exactly say no. Things get a little sticky when a friend calls with a problem, which involves Sam going back to her old job (temporarily, at least) of breaking into houses. How she manages to juggle it all ... well, it just might involve a little magic. Meanwhile, Beau answers the call to a traffic fatality that turns way more complex when he realizes he has a murder to solve. The couple's paths cross less frequently than they would like, but as luck would have it, Sam ends up providing some of the critical clues in Beau's case and the answers come as a surprise to both of them. “I get started reading and find myself not wanting to stop”—5 stars, online review “I love this series. This is one that is hard to put down when you start to read it.”—5 stars, Goodreads “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review



Spooky Sweet

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 262 pages

File Size : 33,53 MB

Release : 2016-10-10

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1945422289

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Book Description

Now that Samantha Sweet has a contract to provide her special handmade chocolates for the wealthy jet-set clients of Book It Travel, Sweet’s Sweets bakery is taking on a whole new dimension. Only problem, Sam isn’t ready. It’s almost Halloween, her pastry shop is bursting at the seams and she needs extra employees but there is no place to put them. Right before the witching day, she comes upon a large Victorian house she can adapt for the business, and it seems her problem is solved. But is it? The mysterious, spooky noises at night are way more than the normal creaks and groans of an old building. Something else is going on and Sam suspects it may be related to her husband’s newest case, investigating where an abandoned duffle bag crammed full of cash came from. Beau is dealing with a greedy reward-seeker, a robbery with no leads, and a waif who appears and vanishes. Sam’s mystery has her watching for ghosts and working almost around the clock. Is she relying on magic?—well, occasionally. “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review “Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats.” Joanne K, 5-star review (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries) “The teamwork between Samantha and Beau was a main draw as well as attention to detail, down to the last frosted cookie.” – Janine Thiemann, 5 stars (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries)



Sweet's Sweets

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 264 pages

File Size : 36,33 MB

Release : 2011-01-21

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1452480761

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Book Description

"Connie Shelton has another winner," --The Book Report Samantha Sweet is about to realize her dream of opening her pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets, in picturesque Taos, New Mexico. Juggling the crazy amount of work to get her new business off the ground, with her old job of breaking into houses, she's got her hands full. When a blood-soaked garment is found among the discards at one of her properties, and a friend makes a shocking confession, Sam finds herself pulled into a pair of mysteries. The wooden box that came into her possession (in Sweet Masterpiece) is still working its magic, giving Sam the power to see inside people's secrets and figure out who the killer is. There's a little romance, a little magic and a whole lot of chocolate in this delightful cozy mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. Praise for Connie Shelton's previous mysteries: "Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships." --Booklist “Fans of Southwestern mysteries will find that Shelton's engaging story, likable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice.” – Library Journal Search words: mystery books, bestselling mystery series, cozy mystery, culinary mystery, paranormal mystery, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, series books, mystery books in series, female sleuth cozy mystery, books set in New Mexico, romance and mystery



Sweet Hearts

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 300 pages

File Size : 21,74 MB

Release : 2012-01-21

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1452412677

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Book Description

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton’s most delightful cozy mystery series yet—with a little romance, a little magic and a whole lot of chocolate! With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, see what the fuss is all about! Will there be Valentine wedding bells for Samantha Sweet and Beau Cardwell? (introduced in this mystery series opener Sweet Masterpiece) Sam's bakery, Sweet's Sweets is busier than ever this Valentine week, as she struggles to replicate the magical chocolate-making techniques of the enigmatic chocolatier who boosted her winter holiday sales into the stratosphere. However, candy classes take second place to a new mystery, when Sam meets a woman whose missing son's case seems to have been dropped by the authorities. Marla Fresques learns that she is dying and needs for her son to come home and raise the daughter he left behind. Sam agrees to help, hoping that Sheriff Beau's inside connections will bring about a quick and happy resolution. But what about Sam's and Beau's own wedding plans? They may be in jeopardy when an entirely new development appears in the form of Beau's ex-girlfriend who is determined to win him back. With the familiar mix of cozy mystery, romance and a touch of magic that has enchanted readers of this series, Sweet Hearts draws the reader even further into the captivating world of Samantha Sweet. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. * * * Praise for USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton's previous books: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life." --Albuquerque Journal "Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships." --Booklist USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton is the author of three ongoing mystery series. In the Samantha Sweet cozy mystery books, Connie draws upon her own love of baking (and eating) pastries to bring a sweet element to the business of solving crimes for her new female sleuth. Her original series features female accountant and part-time sleuth, Charlie Parker and her loyal sidekick dog, in a series that is now eighteen books strong. And her Heist Ladies series features a group of women friends who steal stuff … from the bad guys! Connie and her husband live in northern New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website at connieshelton.com Search Words: cozy mystery, paranormal mysteries, mysteries with magic, female sleuth, amateur sleuth, cozy mystery series, bestselling cozy mysteries



Sweet Holidays

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 280 pages

File Size : 29,66 MB

Release : 2011-10-16

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1452473390

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Book Description

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her most delightful cozy mystery series yet—with a little romance, a little magic and a whole lot of chocolate! In this third book in the Samantha Sweet cozy mystery series, it's Christmas and a quirky Romanian chocolatier shows up at Sweet's Sweets, offering to create a special line of hand-dipped chocolates for Samantha's customers. He says he will work for no pay, just to prove himself. But when she learns that he has connections to the wooden box which seems to give Sam her mystical powers, she discovers that certain evil people may do just about anything to take it away from her. With the same combination of mystery, romance and that touch of the paranormal for which the series has become known, Sweet Holidays carries the reader into the special and magical world of northern New Mexico at the holiday season. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. * * * Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton's previous mysteries: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -- Midwest Book Review "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life." -- Albuquerque Journal "Connie Shelton has another winner." --The Book Report USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton is the author of three ongoing mystery series. In the Samantha Sweet cozy mystery books, Connie draws upon her own love of baking (and eating) pastries to bring a sweet element to the business of solving crimes for her new female sleuth. Her original series features female accountant and part-time sleuth, Charlie Parker and her loyal sidekick dog, in a series that is now eighteen books strong. And her Heist Ladies series features a group of women friends who steal stuff … from the bad guys! Connie and her husband live in northern New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website at connieshelton.com Search words: mystery, mystery series, series books, holiday stories, Christmas mystery stories, bakery, culinary mystery, paranormal mystery, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, romance



Sweet Payback

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 296 pages

File Size : 34,99 MB

Release : 2014-02-14

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1310725802

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Book Description

Praise for USA Today bestseller, Connie Shelton: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book Review Revenge is often a cold dish, but in the tiny northern New Mexico town of Sembramos emotions are running decidedly hot. When Lee Rodarte and Jessie Starkey, convicted of murdering a local girl, are released from prison after serving only a few years, their convictions overturned, the town’s old pain rises to the surface and tempers flare. Samantha Sweet has her hands full with Easter at her pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets, while her husband, Taos County Sheriff Beau Cardwell, is charged with keeping order among the two hundred residents of Sembramos. Topping it off, as part of her sideline job, Sam is assigned another house to break into and must drive to the huge abandoned mansion daily, right through the small war zone where payback seems to be on everyone’s mind. “Shelton, a major success for Intrigue, can only expand her fan base with this solid effort.” —Publisher’s Weekly “Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships.” —Booklist “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal Search words: mystery, mystery series, crime fiction, series books, amateur sleuth, female sleuth, New Mexico fiction, Taos, romantic mystery, romantic suspense, paranormal mystery, paranormal romance



Bitter Sweet

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 278 pages

File Size : 21,81 MB

Release : 2012-09-05

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 145246426X

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Book Description

Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.”—Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton has another winner!” –The Book Report In this fifth installment in the Samantha Sweet mystery series, it’s the height of the wedding season at Sweet’s Sweets and Sam has all she can do to stay ahead of the rush of bakery orders. Plus, her side job—breaking into houses—isn’t allowing much summer time off either. Not to mention that her mother is pressuring Sam and Beau to set their wedding date. When Sam encounters two older women who then die suddenly, it appears that there may be a serial killer on the loose. Sam and Beau are shocked to consider that Beau’s own mother may have been an earlier victim of someone who operates by preying on the women’s trusting natures. As they begin to investigate, a number of suspects emerge and it looks like someone is out to keep Sam quiet. “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review Search words: mystery books, mystery series, series books, romantic suspense, romantic mysteries, chocolate shop mysteries, bakery mystery books, culinary mysteries, paranormal mystery and romance books, books set in New Mexico



Sweet Somethings

Author : Connie Shelton

Publisher : Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Page : 254 pages

File Size : 27,28 MB

Release : 2014-07-14

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1310711992

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Book Description

“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton brings a bit of magic and a whole lot of chocolate to the latest in her cozy Sweets series. Two things are weighing on Samantha Sweet’s mind this summer—organizing the Sweet Somethings chocolate festival in Taos and tracking down information on the mystical carved wooden box that came into her life nearly two years ago, changing her life forever. At last, she believes she has located the person who can give the answers. The festival is behind schedule, committee members are at each others’ throats, competitors are after the big prize money and hungry crowds will soon be gathering at the gates. A slew of conflicting personalities are going at each other, and Sam is holding her breath, certain that this will not turn out well. When someone does indeed turn up dead, the trick is to find out who among the many parties committed the dirty deed. Meanwhile, Sheriff Beau has his own set of problems trying to keep order at an encampment of free-spirited hippies who have moved into the area, so Sam is mostly on her own to keep the chocolate festival on track and find a killer. And the magic box? What Sam learns is that its powers are greater than she ever imagined, its history much more convoluted. “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review Search words: Paranormal mystery, mystery, mystery series, series books, crime fiction, culinary mystery, cozy mystery, chocolate, pastry shop, mystery books cozy, mystery books bakery and cooking, bestselling mystery books, mystery books in series, female sleuth cozy mystery, books set in New Mexico, romantic mystery