The Baroness’ Choices of New Books Publishing This Week
2026, Week 1’s New Books
My choices for this week include Cozy Culinary Mystery, Cozy Culinary Paranormal Animal Mystery, Sweet Romances, Sweet Cowboy Romances, and Psychological Thriller.
Can you believe that the New Year is almost here? I can’t. It’s on Thursday. My biggest resolution is to hit my reading goals and stay on top of the blog’s business.
This week’s list consists of a little bit of something for everyone. Well, except for the middle graders. Jen has one book on her list, and I have two.
Here are my choices for New Books Publishing Week 1 of 2026!
Crime Rangoon by Vivien Chien
Noodle Shop Mysteries #12
Publication Date: December 30, 2025
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
It’s stranger than fiction when Lana Lee investigates a murder that mimics the plot of a bestselling mystery, working together with her detective boyfriend for the first time ever.
Cindy Kwan, owner of Asia Village’s bookshop, The Modern Scroll, is privileged to host best-selling author, Charlene Chan for a signing in honor of the writer’s latest book, The Mystery of General Tso.Lana Lee is equally excited for the appearance of her favorite author and even more so when Cindy asks her to be Charlene’s “handler” for the event. Taking her duties very seriously, Lana stays by the side of the prominent author to assist in anything that she might need.
With a line out the door and stretched through the plaza, Cindy is overjoyed at what a success this is for her shop. But, unfortunately for Cindy, her success comes with a price: the author is found dead in the mystery aisle, clutching a copy of her own book. Coincidentally the book’s plot matches the details of the murder.
Lana’s boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, is charged with leading the case investigation, but finds himself overwhelmed when he realizes just how much of the book series is mimicked in reality. For the first time in their relationship, Adam calls on Lana to partner up with him to help solve the case. The couple must work through the novel to outwit the murderer, stay one step ahead, and beat the die-hard fan to the last chapter.
Fatal Fare by Maggie March
Lucy McGuffin Psychic Amateur Detective #11
Publication Date: December 30, 2025
Genre: Cozy Culinary Paranormal Animal Mystery
Newlywed Lucy McGuffin thought returning from her honeymoon would mean domestic bliss with police chief husband Travis. She should have known better.
When mysterious food blogger “The Fussy Foodie” arrives to film a star-studded baking competition, Lucy’s excitement turns to dread. The elite event was supposed to put Whispering Bay on the map—until the Foodie turns up dead, and Lucy’s longtime frenemy Heidi becomes the prime suspect.
With her psychic lie-detector abilities and Paco’s ghost-whispering talents, Lucy knows there’s more to this recipe for murder. But investigating means dodging Travis’s warnings, camera crews, and temperamental chefs hiding deadly secrets.
Can she unmask the real killer before an innocent woman gets whisked away, or will Lucy discover that some people really would kill for the perfect recipe?
Perfect for fans of humorous cozy mysteries who love:
- Psychic bakers who can’t stay out of trouble
- Food bloggers who finally get their just desserts
- Baking competitions deadlier than Kitchen Nightmares
- Husbands who just want to watch Netflix together
- Whodunits that make you laugh harder than they make you think
His Surprise Secret Twins by Anna J. Stewart
Hawaiian Reunions #6
Publication Date: December 30, 2025
Genre: Sweet Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
A Hawaiian reunion…
Brings him an instant family!
Resort owner Mano Iokepa can surf any wave the wild Pacific sends his way. Staying afloat in his personal life is a bigger challenge. For five years he’s tried to fill the gaping void of his ex-wife’s absence. Now the only woman he ever loved is back, and she has a secret that shocks him to his core. He’s the father of twins! Getting to know his children and reconnecting with Emilia make him long to be the husband and father they need. Can he prove he deserves a second chance to make them his top priority?
Her Texas Two-Step Cowboy by Sasha Summers
Cowboys of Garrison, Texas #6
Publication Date: December 30, 2025
Genre: Sweet Cowboy Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
He’s bonding with her son…
But can he win her heart?Single mom Gretta Williams has her hands full keeping her rebellious son, Levi, on track while running her dance-studio business. When Levi steals from Rusty Woodard’s family store, the charming Texas cowboy offers a solution—Levi can work off his debt instead of facing the police. Rusty is more surprised than anyone in Garrison that he voluntarily gets involved! As his admiration of Gretta grows, their connection deepens in ways neither of them expected. They begin to wonder if their lonely lives could change forever—and be filled with love and family.
Rescuing Her Firefighter by Carol Ross
Flame, Texas #1
Publication Date: December 30, 2025
Genre: Sweet Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
Not every hero…
Wears a uniformBrooke Lawson refuses to let her troubled past stop her from making her mark in Flame, Texas. The close-knit community is exactly the fresh start she needs. Great new job, caring new friends—her only problem is the series of mortifying scrapes she finds herself in. Being frequently rescued by Michael Barnes, the small town’s handsomest firefighter, does have its upside. His warmth and humor set him apart from every man she’s ever met. But when his large, ready-made family starts interfering, will she be the one to rescue him? And will their special spark continue to shine?
The Cowboy’s Claim by Lisa Childs
Bachelor Cowboys Romance #2
Publication Date: December 30, 2025
Genre: Sweet Cowboy Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
Her fight for his ranch home…
Could cost them their futureNew lawyer Maci Bluff is under a lot of pressure to win a lawsuit for the Lemmon brothers so they can stay on their beloved ranch. Only, as the legal battle escalates, so do her feelings for cowboy Blake Lemmon—a definite conflict of interest! Blake has only ever wanted to be a rancher. But he also can’t seem to stay away from Maci. He knows he’s playing with fire, and that soon he must choose between his home, his brothers and Maci. And there can only be one choice…
The Water Lies by Amy Meyerson
Publication Date: January 1, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
Internationally bestselling author Amy Meyerson takes readers on a harrowing journey where two mothers―one of a woman who drowned and the other of a toddler who might know what happened to her―are the only ones searching for the truth.
Heavily pregnant with her second child, Tessa Irons has enough on her mind without her toddler throwing tantrums at the local coffee shop. The boy is inconsolable, shouting “Gigi!” to a woman Tessa’s never seen before―and never will again. The next morning, the woman’s body is dredged up from the canal outside the Ironses’ posh Venice Beach home, and Tessa’s gut tells her it’s no coincidence.
Barb Geller refuses to believe that her daughter’s death was just some drunken accident. She heads to California for answers, where she crosses paths with Tessa. Together they hunt for the truth, certain they’ll find a connection between their children.
But the police don’t believe them. Tessa’s husband dismisses her worries as pregnancy jitters, and even though people are always watching along the canals, no one saw a thing. Tessa and Barb only have each other, their intuition, and the creeping sense of danger that grows with every shocking revelation.
Well, that’s it for the New Books Releasing Week 1 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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