Advent of A Mystery by Marilyn Leach

For mystery fans who like their intrigue with a decidedly English twist, Marilyn Leach's holiday offering "Advent of a Mystery" will be just their cup of tea!

Berdie and Hugh Elliot are starting a new chapter of their lives. As the new vicar in the small town of Aidan Kirkwood, Hugh is determined that Berdie's investigative journalist days are over. Both retired, they are ready for the simple, quiet life of an English village. But it is not to be.

A Christmas party, with the wrong mixture of guests, sets the stage for a horrific crime, and then a possible miscarriage of justice, with the wrong person arrested for the crime in jail. Berdie is determined, she has to get to the bottom of this mystery, Hugh is just as determined that she needs to stay out of it. Who killed the "lavender lady" Miss Livingstone? And what does an advent wreath have to do with the mystery? A sudden odd visit with a dark stranger causes Miss Livingstone's funeral to abruptly cancelled, and with the mystery growing deeper by the day, Hugh changes his mind about having Berdie see what she can dig up, but he is overtly cautious, and does not want Berdie to endanger herself in anyway.

Our gal Berdie, along with a little help from her best friend Lillie, dives into the sluething with vigor and soon uncovers a bevy of secrets that would shake Aidan Kirkwood up but good before it is all said and done. And the identity of the killer will be a shock to everyone in the village.

"Advent of A Mystery" is a delightfully charming story that, while set during Christmas-time, would be a joy to read any day of the year. Author Marilyn Leach lends her fasciantion with any and everything English to give the British "air" to this intriguing mystery, and I, for one, would love to see more stories about Berdie and Hugh and all their friends.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, Barbour Publishing. I was not compensated for my opinion.

A Woodlands Christmas and A Riverwalk Christmas

I'm proud to be a Texas gal, and was excited to see two Christmas story collections set in the Lone Star State!  Hope you enjoy learning about them too!

First up is a historical collection of holiday stories in "A Woodlands Christmas," featuring four stories set in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

About The Book:

Experience a nostalgic Christmas in the Piney Woods of East Texas where a traveling wood-carver dispenses wisdom that brings four couples to realize the gift of love. Can Bridget show Seth how to forgive? Will Mary see Joseph live up to his promise? Can Seth steer Emma away from the need for vengeance? Will R. C. help Gabriella find her grandfather? (from Barbour Publishing)

My Thoughts - I loved how each story featured the old wood-carver Gabe Noell and his sawdust sermons and tied together nicely in the ending story. I was, distressed, that of the four authors who contributed to this collection, not one of them were from Texas!  But the stories are sweet, romantic and have happy endings - just right for this time of year!

Next up, Christmas takes a trip to San Antonio, Texas with the story collection "A Riverwalk Christmas." The Riverwalk is a famous tourist attraction in downtown San Antoinio and is featured prominently in the four delightful stories found here.

About The Book:

A vivid setting, rich in cultural history, Christmastime along the San Antonio Riverwalk is a delightful setting for four modern romances. Ecko finally meets the right kind of guy, but can he trust her motives? Valerie hires an old flame to revive her business, but will he stick around? Gabriela has a chance to forgive and find love, but can she? Sienna’s job brings her the chance of a lifetime, but will her rowdy family spoil it? (from Barbour Publishing)

My Thoughts - This contemporary collection was very appealing to me as I spent many years in and out of San Antonio as a child. I was delighted to recognize many attractions mentioned in these stories, and was so pleased to see that each of the authors had a Texas connection!  Romance with a bit of Texas spice and a lot of Christmas cheer is found in "A Riverwalk Christmas!"
Add at little bit of Texas to your Christmas with these two collections!  And Happy Reading, Ya'll!

My thanks to Barbour Publishing for the review copies of these two books. I was not compensated for my opinions.