The Baroness’ Choices of New Books Publishing This Week
2026, Week 5’s New Books
My choices for this week include Sweet Holiday Romance, Cozy Paranormal Culinary Mysteries, Sweet Romantic Comedy, Cozy Animal Culinary Mystery, Sweet Cowboy Romance, Legal Thriller, Cozy Animal Mystery, Sweet Romances, Romantic Comedies, and Private Investigator Mystery.
Can you believe that next Sunday will be the beginning of February? One whole month complete! Have you put a dent in your challenges for this year?
My list for this week is long. I tried to get something for everyone. Jen and I have some of these books on our lists.
Here are my choices for New Books Publishing Week 5 of 2026!
A Family for Valentine’s by Janice Carter
Home to Maple Glen #1
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Sweet Holiday Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
Could a Valentine surprise…
Lead to a lifetime of sweetness?Widowed mom of two Leni Costa knows that returning to her hometown of Maple Glen, Vermont, means there’s a chance of running into her long-ago crush. Army veteran Will Bower has returned, too—and is living next door. Will is determined to restart his family’s maple-syrup production and rebuild the Bower legacy in the Glen. But that means figuring out how to work with Leni and trying to ignore the old feelings rising between them. As Valentine’s approaches, Leni has a chance to turn it into a holiday she and her kids won’t forget…but is Will ready for an instant family by spring?
A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah
Food and Spirits Mystery #2
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Cozy Paranormal Culinary Mystery
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
When chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride got a role on the reality show Food & Spirits, she thought “spirits” meant cocktails. Instead, she’s cooking up dinners meant to tempt the departed to appear. And to her surprise, she’s discovered abilities to connect with the beyond—and crack murder cases . . .
Now that Bunny’s entrées come with a side of the Other Side, it comes in handy to have a grandma who’s friendly with the elderly owners of a haunted Scottish castle. During Bunny’s childhood she heard all about Dundoon’s bloody history and the “ghostly piper” who roamed the grounds—and soon she’ll be visiting the ancient place with her ghost hunter and psychic co-stars. The annual bagpipe competition in the late piper’s honor will make for some good footage as well.
After Bunny serves a feast fit for a 17th century king, including lamb chops with plenty of fresh herbs, she heads outdoors for the ghost hunt. But in the dark, dense fog, someone fatally plunges from the clifftop over the loch. The sound that follows is a mournful, otherworldly bagpipe . . . and once the body of another perished piper is retrieved, Bunny is determined to solve this Highlands homicide—and prevent a killer from getting off scot-free . . .
Includes Delicious Recipes!
Babysitting the Grumpy Billionaire by Holly Kerr
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy
He never meant to hit her with his car… but he just might fall for her.
If there’s one thing billionaire Ashton Carrington knows, it’s how to handle speed. He’s a race car pro — but icy roads (and his sister Fenella’s car) aren’t exactly in his wheelhouse.
So when he accidentally hits Sophie Laz — he swears he wasn’t going that fast — he’s horrified. Now he’s stuck in Laandia until his court date, with the royal family furious and his father offering the world’s worst advice: “Make her fall for you so she’ll forget the lawsuit.”
But the more time Ashton spends with Sophie, the less it feels like a punishment. She’s funny, grounded, and somehow taking care of him instead of the other way around. And the real danger? It isn’t the courtroom — it’s how fast he’s falling for her.
Still, winter in Laandia has its perks: snowball fights, twinkling markets, and fireside nights that make it hard to resist a little romance.
Can Ashton charm Sophie into forgiveness before the ice between them freezes solid?
Babysitting the Grumpy Billionaire is a sweet, closed-door romcom filled with frosty beginnings, festive charm, and one very unlucky meet-cute.
Death by Irish Coffee by Alex Erickson
Bookstore Cafe Mystery #15
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Cozy Animal Culinary Mystery
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
In Pine Hills, Ohio, the bars are hopping—and bodies are dropping—as bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock gets drawn into a deadly St. Patrick’s Day mystery . . .
Krissy is ready to provide one of the essential ingredients for Irish coffee this St. Patrick’s Day—though without a liquor license, she’ll have to team up with a local bar owner to complete the recipe. It’s a perfect chance to distract herself from her upcoming wedding . . . and her worries about how her beloved cat will get along with his new canine stepsiblings.
As she doles out some much-needed caffeine the day after the festivities, she learns that the town is dealing with something worse than a hangover: homicide. Like many a reveler before him, the bar owner ended up green around the gills, but after he passed out, he never woke up. Now, between brewing, bookselling, and house-hunting, Krissy is reviewing a whole parade of suspects . . .
Falling for the Rodeo Cowgirl by Cari Lynn Webb
Three Springs, Texas Romance #2
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Sweet Cowboy Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
Honoring a family vow…
He never expected loveWhen veterinarian Hank Hopson returns to Three Springs, Texas, with his five-year-old son, he’s determined to honor his wife’s last wish to heal family wounds. Taking a job at the local animal hospital, he’s paired with Gwen Bayer, the spitfire cowgirl working as his vet tech. She plans to get back on the rodeo circuit once her horse’s injury heals, and he’s headed for the city. But as their friendship deepens, it becomes impossible to deny their growing connection. How will they decide between the lives they’ve worked for—and the love that could change everything?
Her Cold Justice by Robert Dugoni
Keera Duggan #3
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Legal Thriller
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon | Jen’s Book Review
To save a client accused of murder, defense attorney Keera Duggan must fight a complex web of corruption in a riveting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.
In a quiet South Seattle neighborhood, a suspected drug smuggler and his girlfriend are murdered in their home. When a young man named Michael Westbrook is accused of the brutal double homicide, his uncle JP Harrison turns to Keera Duggan to defend him. JP is Keera’s trusted investigator, and he desperately needs Keera to save his nephew against escalating odds.
The evidence is circumstantial―Michael worked with one of the victims, drugs were found in his possession, and he bolted from authorities. Ruthless star prosecutor Anh Tran has gotten convictions on much less. With the testimony of two prison informants, the case looks grave. But Keera never concedes defeat. To free her client, she must dig deep before Tran crushes both of them.
As the investigation gets more twisted with each new find, Keera is swept up in a mystery with far-reaching consequences. This case isn’t just murder. It’s looking like a conspiracy. And getting justice for Michael could be the most dangerous promise Keera has ever made.
Murder from A to Z by V.M. Burns
Mystery Bookshop #11
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Cozy Animal Mystery
Goodreads | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
When Michigan bookshop owner and mystery writer Samantha Washington and her sister, Jenna, agreed to host a class for seniors on estate planning, they didn’t plan on discovering shady doings at Shady Acres Retirement Village . . .
Nana Jo has volunteered her lawyer granddaughter, Jenna, to teach estate planning to retirees—with Sam providing her bookshop as the venue. But during the seminar, entitled Getting Your Ducks in Order, it quickly becomes clear someone’s up to Fowl Play. When elderly Alva Tarkington, accompanied by her niece, sits down for a consultation, Sam realizes the woman’s frequent blinking is actually Morse Code—S.O.S. The sisters get her alone, and Alva tells them she believes her life is in danger and must change her will . . .
Unfortunately, Alva is found dead the next day—seemingly from natural causes. But Nana Jo and the sisters suspect otherwise. In between penning her latest historical mystery, set in 1939 as England declares war on Germany and Lady Elizabeth Marsh pursues stolen paintings and a traitor, Sam teams up with the senior sleuths of Shady Acres to search for motives—beginning with Alva’s family. They soon learn not everyone is who they say they are, and someone is more than qualified to teach a class on cold-blooded murder . . .
Small Town Reunion by Tracy Kelleher
Return to Hopewell #1
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Sweet Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
From friends to enemies…
To happily-ever-after?Brewmaster Frank Pulaski can’t wait to open a brewpub in his hometown of Hopewell, Pennsylvania. Until Ricki Mason’s bombshell that she owns the very space—and plans to open a hardware store. A successful plumber, Ricki prides herself on her independence, but with a baby on the way and no partner in sight, she knows it’s time to put down roots and stand firm. Both are hard to do, since emotions are also involved. Ricki was Frank’s high school crush, so his olive branch for them to quit fighting and find a solution is intriguing. But can she trust that Frank, fun-loving and charming as ever, wants the best for all three of them?
Sunk in Love by Heather McBreen
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
A second chance at love sets sail when a couple on the verge of divorce pretends they’re still together for one last family trip, from the author of Wedding Dashers.
Roslyn and Liam met nine years ago and have been the perfect couple ever since. Through every up and down, every milestone—from Liam’s residency to the publication of Roslyn’s debut romance—they’ve been each other’s rock. Until now.
Pulled apart by the untimely death of Roslyn’s mom and the undertow of grief, they’re now navigating the final wave in their marriage: divorce.
Heartbroken and unsure how to tell her family she’s called it quits with everyone’s favorite son-in-law, Roslyn keeps the impending split to herself. But when Roslyn’s grandparents ask if Liam can officiate their vow renewal ceremony aboard a Hawaiian cruise during their annual vacation, Roslyn needs to tell the truth or figure out a way to keep her secret. A week trapped at sea with her ex isn’t ideal, but neither Roslyn nor Liam want to rock the boat, so they concoct a plan—they’ll fake it.
After five years of marriage, they can figure out how to pretend for jungle hikes and mai tais, right? But when reality and make believe starts to blur, and old feelings begin to resurface, Roslyn and Liam have to decide whether it’s sink or swim for their marriage.
Tell-Tale Treats by Jennifer J. Chow
Magical Fortune Cookie #3
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Cozy Paranormal Culinary Mystery
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon | Jen’s Book Review
Is Felicity to blame when a hotel guest drowns after eating her enchanted cookies? Felicity Jin returns in the third installment of the Magical Fortune Cookie series.
A group of high school alumnae reunite years later and reserve rooms at Pixie Inn for an extended retreat. As part of their pampering package, Felicity delivers a scrumptious assortment of enchanted pastries, including her new almond cookies.But the queen bee of the group is soon found dead in her bathroom, drowned in the tub, and she recently sampled the delicious baked goods. Could Felicity’s almond cookies have set off a fatal nut allergy? The enchanted pastries are supposed to bring joy, not sorrow―and certainly not death.
Boyfriend, Kelvin Love, is eager to assist, although odd things have been happening to his senses ever since he baked with Felicity. Will his extra sensitivity help or hinder the investigation? Plus, special bunny Whiskers lends a magical paw to the detecting since Felicity can’t and won’t relax until she restores both order and magic to her world.
The Single Mom’s Second Chance by Tara Randel
Golden, Georgia #2
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Sweet Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
A fresh start…
Then an unexpected curveballWhen Addie Lane returns to Golden, Georgia, to open her own fitness center, she’s surprised to find her late husband’s best friend, professional baseball player Nolan Travers, offering to invest. Recovering from an injury, Nolan finds solace in helping a friend—and coaching her son Jacob’s baseball team. As the summer continues, their close bond threatens to be undone by Nolan’s expected return to pro ball and Addie’s challenging relationships with her mother and sisters. Only time will tell if their separate paths will pull them apart—or if Addie and Nolan can hit their love out of the park together.
Trailbreaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare
Prairie Nightingale #2
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Private Investigator Mystery
Suspicions that a serial killer is terrorizing a pristine tourist spot draw a single mom and budding private investigator into a twisting and deepening mystery of secrets and murder.
Single mom and newly minted private investigator Prairie Nightingale has opened the doors of her Green Bay, Wisconsin, agency and is ready for work. She and her crew aren’t quite prepared for their first client, though: Bernie Dubicki, a notorious online journalist and not-altogether-reliable provocateur, who claims the idyllic vacation destination of nearby Door County is home to a serial killer.
She’s pinpointed four seemingly unrelated deaths that haven’t raised suspicions for anyone else. But when a college student vanishes, Bernie’s sizable retainer convinces Prairie to help connect the dots. And trusted, flirty FBI agent Foster Rosemare thinks Bernie might be onto something. Prairie never expected her first investigation to be so big―like Dateline big―but she does have an inquiring mind and a knack for seeing things no one else can.
In this case she’ll have to look deep―not only into the secrets of strangers, but into Door County’s woods―to solve a mystery decades in the making.
Wreck My Plans by Cindi Madsen
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Goodreads | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
Age isn’t a number.
It’s a state of chaos.When publicist Mia Andrews becomes the face of a viral disaster dubbed #PantyGate, her career implodes along with her reputation.
Now jobless and single, Mia lands in the last place she expected—her grandmother’s anything-but-quiet retirement community in Florida. It’s chaos. It’s hilarious. It’s exactly what she didn’t know she needed.
Even worse? The meddling retirees are determined to fix Mia’s love life. Somehow, they find time to play matchmaker—with not one but two bachelors under thirty-five.
But amid the mayhem, Mia’s learning that the best second chances come when—and where—you least expect them.
For fans of witty banter, lovable troublemakers, and slow-burn romance, this is the laugh-out-loud novel that proves love never gets old.
Well, that’s it for the New Books Releasing Week 5 of 2026
Drop a comment if you like one of the books above or if you have one to recommend.
Thank you for stopping by,
Happy Reading!
Baroness’ Book Trove is an Amazon affiliate, which means that if you click the link and make a purchase, this blog gets a tiny percentage back. Mainly, this helps cover the website costs and a few giveaways.
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