Samantha Sweet

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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

"Connie Shelton has another winner," --The Book ReportSamantha 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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

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 ReportIn 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* * *Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen books in her Charlie Parker mysteries and the Samantha Sweet mystery series. She has taught writing, is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend™ writing course, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She lives with her husband and two dogs in northern New Mexico. There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

Praise for Connie Shelton's previous mysteries:"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -The Midwest Book ReviewShelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life." -Albuquerque JournalUSA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton throws a twist into this sixth episode in her most popular cozy mystery series. Samantha Sweet and Beau Cardwell are getting ready for their September wedding in Taos, with the whole Sweet clan about to show up for the celebration. Dealing with her mother may turn out to be the least of Sam's problems when an unwelcome visitor walks into her pastry shop-Sam's old heart-throb, the charmer, Jake Calendar. Jake wants money for a Hollywood get-rich-quick scheme and he wants Sam to finance the deal. Can Sam convince him that the answer is 'no' or will he sabotage the plans for her wedding?"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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

Praise for USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton's previous mysteries:"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." –The Midwest Book Review"Once again Connie Shelton has given "us readers" another great book. Both of Connie's series are a must read." -online reviewer, 5 stars"Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships." --BooklistIn this seventh book in Connie Shelton's bestselling cozy mystery series, Samantha Sweet learns that an Irish great-uncle left her an inheritance, so she and Beau change their honeymoon plans and go to the Emerald Isle. Will the gift be something lavish and wonderful, or is there no pot of gold waiting for Sam?Meanwhile, before Sam fully has the answers to her questions, a new mystery presents itself when a local charter boat is found adrift near the rocky Irish coast, its occupants missing. The family of the captain wants answers and when it looks like a group of Americans might be implicated, the Galway homicide detective in charge of the case enlists Beau's help. With all the extra excitement, the honeymooners begin to wonder if they will ever find some romantic time alone."Love this new series. Can't wait for the next!" --5 stars, SmashwordsAbout the author:Connie Shelton is the author of the USA Today bestselling Charlie Parker mysteries and the Samantha Sweet mystery series, along with several award-winning short stories and essays, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She has taught writing-both fiction and nonfiction-and is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend™ writing course. She and her husband and two dogs live in northern New Mexico. There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

Praise for USA Today bestseller, Connie Shelton:"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book ReviewRevenge 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* * *About the Author:USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton writes two bestselling mystery series and has had several award-winning short stories and essays. She formerly taught both fiction and non-fiction writing courses, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She and her husband and two dogs live in New Mexico. Visit her website at connieshelton.com There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

"Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life." -Albuquerque JournalUSA 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* * *About the Author:Connie Shelton writes two bestselling mystery series and has had several award-winning short stories and essays. She formerly taught both fiction and non-fiction writing courses, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She and her husband and two dogs live in New Mexico. Visit her website at connieshelton.com There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

When a woman walks into Samantha Sweet's pastry shop, claiming to have amnesia, it's a puzzle that seems to have nothing to do with Sam's new commission for a fantastic one-of-a-kind order of chocolates, although "Jane Doe" seems to know a lot about that. Sam calls Sheriff Beau to solve the mystery of who this stranger is and where she belongs.But Beau's attention is occupied by other things: nearly his entire force is out sick with some kind of flu bug, and now a murder far from Taos requires his full attention.Nothing is fitting together, until suddenly it does. "Jane's" forgotten memories become vitally important as Beau and Sam work to piece the puzzle together in this latest installment in Shelton's internationally bestselling series."Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."-The Midwest Book Review"I'm addicted to this series!" --Mollie D. Williams, 5 star review online"Great series. Holds your interest and leaves you wanting more." --Paula Kroencke, 5 stars,* * *USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton is the author of two bestselling mystery series featuring Charlie Parker and Samantha Sweet. She's known for a light touch when it comes to sex and violence in her stories, but is much more lavish with food and chocolate. She and her husband and two dogs live in northern New Mexico. Visit her website at connieshelton.com There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

It's Halloween, one of the busiest seasons of the year for Samantha Sweet and the crew at her pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets. After baking a zillion pumpkin cookies, ghostly cupcakes, and an all-black cake for a young witch's wedding, the gang is looking forward to a gala costume party at the neighborhood bookshop. But when one of the guests is murdered and a rare book vanishes-practically in front of their eyes-the evening takes a whole different turn and Sam finds herself in the midst of another mystery.BONUS: Includes 10 recipes from the author's personal collection."This was my first time reading Connie Shelton, but it will not be the last. I love her writing style and love her main character, Samantha Sweet, whose series I will be buying. This was a real whodunit in the classic sense, with actors, a bakery, an antique book store, and witches to enliven the story."- Riverlizzie, 5 stars online"Connie Shelton's Spellbound Sweets novella is delightful. Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats.... makes me crave another book in this series." –Joanne K, 5 stars"Spellbound Sweets"- Delectable yet witchy storyline that never wavered from the bakery aroma for too long! 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

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.* * * * *Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton and her mystery books:"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) There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

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 BrownIt'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, Amazon 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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

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!Samantha Sweet's life is a little crazy right now, beginning with her daughter's wedding, which coincides with Sam's receiving a huge new contract for her chocolate factory. The day after the wedding someone takes a shot at Sam and she discovers the bad guys are back. OSM's henchman, Marcus Fitch, who showed up in Taos once before, is more determined than ever to get his hands on the carved box that gives Sam her unusual powers. But as the sheriff's department investigates the shooting, it seems Fitch has an airtight alibi.Meanwhile, Sam's daughter is honeymooning in England where she and her new husband discover some interesting clues that connect to home. As Kelly learns of her mother's secrets, she is pulled into the world of the magical artifacts in ways no one could have foreseen. And Sam discovers that her own world is about to change-forever.~ ~ ~Praise for Connie Shelton's previous mysteries:"Ms. Shelton continues to perfect her craft with every book." -5 stars, Kindle reader"LOVE, LOVE these books!" -5 stars, online review"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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, find out what the fuss is all about!Samantha Sweet is back at Sweet's Sweets, her bakery with a magical flair, while husband Beau is now a full-time rancher. When he hires a young cowboy to help out, no one suspects that Danny Flores comes with a lot of baggage until Lila, the girl he left behind, shows up. She says she has romance on her mind, but Danny finds her manipulative and domineering. He changed his number and moved out of state, but she has managed to track him down. Beau and Sam wish Danny all the best, but there isn't a lot they can do. But then Lila is murdered and the most damning clue, the words Sweet Dreams, point to Danny.Sam doesn't want a mystery to solve-she's ready for cozy time with her young granddaughter. Plus, she and Kelly have been cooking up some new mischief, discovering that the strange book with the rune-like writing actually contains something magical. As Danny's situation gets worse, Sam realizes no one else, except maybe Eliza the calico cat, is going to help her solve the murder. Plus, Sam is more than a little involved, since it might have been a potion she and Kelly brewed up from the magic book that got Danny into this jam in the first place.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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, find out what the fuss is all about!Samantha Sweet is back at Sweet's Sweets, turning out her amazing cakes and pastries for the busy holiday season, when Emily Plankhurst, the new young librarian in town, stops in. Emily tells Sam a strange story involving a hidden niche in the library revealed to her in a vision, supposedly, by her dead grandmother. Would anyone believe this farfetched story? Possibly not anyone but Sam, who has had more than a few unexplained occurrences in her own life.It turns out the hidden space contains a rare painting, The Ghost of Christmas, which was believed to have been destroyed in a fire twenty-five years ago at the luxury home of a hedge fund billionaire. A young man died in the fire and the insurance company paid the claim for the valuable painting. But now that the painting has turned up, how can Emily prove that her own grandfather wasn't the one behind the arson?It's a sticky situation when she approaches Sam with the case. If she turns the painting over to the authorities they will almost certainly believe that her grandfather was involved in the theft of the piece and most likely complicit in insurance fraud as well. Would the police actually take him out of the Alzheimer care facility where he now resides and throw him in jail? Emily's only chance of saving her grandfather's life, and the reputation of the family-founded library, is to investigate the old crime and find out who really stole The Ghost of Christmas. And Samantha is the only person she can trust to help her, one of the few who remembers when the fire started and the insurance claim was paid. It's a Christmas mystery with a lot of twists and turns!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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

When Emily Plankhurst is visited by the ghost of Gabriel Graystone, and learns he was murdered, she knows she must find justice for him. The only problem is, Gabriel was killed a hundred years ago, shortly after he broke off his engagement to the daughter of a prominent Taos family.Emily, who runs a private research library-a place that's known to harbor its own share of ghosts-teams up with Samantha Sweet and her daughter to investigate. As they delve into the case they discover that the story goes much deeper than a broken engagement or an old feud. There are hidden places in Taos that no one knows about, and plenty of ghostly old secrets. With danger lurking in the shadows, can they uncover the truth before those secrets catch up with them?If you enjoyed the cozy Aunt Dimity mystery series, you'll love this suspenseful story of a librarian, a baker, and their search for justice.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 hardworking, 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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

It's spring, Easter is fast approaching, and Samantha Sweet has been so busy at the bakery that she hadn't quite realized that a lot of the yards in Taos are looking a little ragged. It isn't until she overhears the gossip in Sweet's Sweets that she realizes the popular neighborhood gardener and handyman, Victor Martinez, has not come around to do his annual spring cleanup and no one has seen or been able to reach him in months.Sam's next step is to ask her sheriff husband to look into it. But after a quick check, Beau says there's no missing persons report on file and, although calls to Victor don't connect, there's really no evidence that he didn't simply move away without telling his customers.Sam has an uneasy feeling about this and begins to ask around on her own. Rumors run rampant, as some people think Victor has moved away. Others believe he has met with a bad fate. As Sam starts to find clues, theories abound and a number of people can be considered suspects, including a business competitor and Victor's conniving ex-wife.The more questions she asks, the more convoluted the stories become, and Sam wonders if she'll figure out this one at all.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 There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton

On a summer day in 13th century Ireland, a simple Celtic woodworker takes a walk past a half-dead alder tree. Lightning strikes, nearly killing him. With the shattered tree lying all around, John Carver pulls himself up and decides to make the best of it-he takes the usable pieces to his workshop. From the shards of that dead tree John creates three boxes. Then the unexplained happens-shortly after handling one of them, John's touch brings his young son back from the brink of death.When the second box demonstrates an opposite tendency, toward the dark side, Carver is terrified that witch-hunters will learn of the events. Eager to rid himself of the artifacts and desperate for money, he sells the three boxes. As they are each taken by very different buyers-a common Englishman, a worldly merchant, and a bishop-John feels a foreboding about the future.Through the centuries, the boxes travel the world, eventually drawing the attention of two rival organizations, each with very different motives and methods for gaining what they want. Reminiscent of The Red Violin in scope, this historical novel follows the three boxes to the 21st century and a deadly confrontation between the two factions.The Woodcarver's Secret is the prequel and companion novel to Connie Shelton's Samantha Sweet paranormal cozy mystery series (USA Today bestselling author). The Midwest Book Review says: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."Praise for Connie's previous books:"... delightfully complex mystery." -Romantic Times"... always a good read..." -Southwest Book Views"The characters themselves are amazingly real. Bits of history are woven throughout the book. I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as the Samantha Sweet series, but to my mind it is even better. It transcends the series and becomes a remarkable book in its own right." –MossRose, 5 star review"I'm addicted to this series!" --Mollie W. 5 star review"Great series. Holds your interest and leaves you wanting more." --Paula K. 5 stars"If you enjoy well-crafted, well researched and well written historical fiction, 'The Woodcarver's Secret' will capture your imagination." –Skywriter, 5 star online review"… the more I read, the more eager I was to finish the book and learn as much as I could about Samantha's box. The book adds depth to the mystery of the box and its healing powers throughout the series. Each person who handled the box seemed to be a real person in the past. The intensity of the book left me slightly stunned--as though I witnessed all that happened first hand. Ms Shelton has out done herself with this book. I can only recommend that you read it for yourself and be swept away in this creative history lesson."-Illinois reader, 5 stars, online review* * *About the Author:Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, including two international bestselling mystery series. She has also written several award-winning essays and was a contributor to Chicken Soup For the Writer's Soul. She and her husband live in New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at connieshelton.com There's a little romance, a little magic and a lot of mystery in this cozy series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton