The Baroness’ Choices of New Books Publishing This Week
2023, Week 34’s New Books
My choices for this week include Cozy Culinary Mystery, Sweet Cowboy Romances, Cozy Mysteries, Historical Private Investigator Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery, Cozy Holiday Crafts and Hobbies Mystery, Sweet Romances, and Cozy Culinary Paranormal Mystery.
Who’s ready for some fall? I am! I can’t wait for next month so we can cool off down here. Yes, I know I wanted summer, but now I am ready for a real fall. Do you think I will get it?
I read one book in this group so far this year. So many new books are coming out, and I can’t wait to read some of them! Have I forgotten any that you thought I should have put in?
Here are my choices for New Books Publishing Week 34 of 2023!
Catch Me If You Candy by Ellie Alexander
Bakeshop Mystery #17
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
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Things are getting spooky in Catch Me If You Candy, the next delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series from author Ellie Alexander, set in Ashland, Oregon!
Halloween has arrived in picturesque Ashland, Oregon, and all of the ghouls and goblins have descended on Main Street for the annual parade. It’s a giant street party and Torte is right in the mix.
Jules Capshaw and her team have been baking up autumn delights and trick-or-Torte bags filled with sugar cookie cutouts, spiced cider, and mummy munch. It’s the end of the season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which means that the costumes for the parade are going to be out of this world. The elaborate guises even extend to pets. The grand marshal of this year’s parade is no other than a regal pug aptly named King George. Jules is delighted to get to share the experience with Carlos and Ramiro, but things take a dark turn when she discovers a dragon slumped in front of the bakeshop.
Jules is distraught when she realizes the dragon is dead. She’s also shaken because a few days before the parade, her mother’s Mahjong partner Helen discovered a warning note about a dragon in an antique game set. Jules hopes it’s just a random coincidence, but as the clues begin to unfold it becomes evident that there’s been a murder on All Hallow’s Eve. Can Juliet sift out the truth before the killer comes after her?
Her Hometown Cowboy by LeAnne Bristow
Coronado, Arizona #2
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Sweet Cowboy Romance
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Can a city girl…
Solve this rancher’s dilemma?
Noah Sterling is on the brink of losing his family’s ranch. Determined to keep it afloat, he’s working any job he can get. Abbie Houghton seems just as desperate to stay in Coronado and find her biological sister, so Noah hires the city girl at the Whispering Pines stables. Trusting Abbie isn’t easy and loving her would be even worse…but it’s exactly what they both need!
From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
Mugshots of Manhattan by Christin Brecher
Snapshot of NYC Mystery #2
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
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With biting wit, a young lens, and satisfying sleuthing that’s “right in focus (Kirkus),” Christin Brecher’s refreshingly fun Snapshot of NYC mysteries has rising star photographer Liv Spyers living the dream in New York City when she lands an assignment with an award-winning pop star–until a murder means Liv must focus her camera’s lens into sleuth mode…
Liv Spyers hits the big time when she lands a photography assignment with Grammy Award-winning pop star, the one and only Bisa. A huge fan, Liv is extra thrilled that her new boyfriend, Harry, will join her at the glamorous premiere of Bisa’s debut movie. But when the music icon’s estranged sister, Anna, threatens to turn photo ops into PR disasters during Bisa’s parties and pop-up concerts, Liv finds that the star-studded world she’s joined is filled with images she’d rather delete—especially when Anna winds up dead . . .
Bisa’s inner circle has secrets Liv must expose before she can bring the right mugshot to the police. And while Harry has a mystery of his own to solve, the two must navigate glossy stories that can be cancelled in a snap —before the killer strikes again . . .
Murder at a Cape Bookstore by Maddie Day
Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery #5
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
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In Agatha Award and Macavity Award-winning author Maddie Day’s fifth cozy Capers Book Club Mystery, it’s mud season in Cape Cod, and when an ill wind blows in a murder with a twist in the tale, bicycle shop owner Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida and her crime-solving book group are ready to leaf through the clues . . .
Everyone loves a festival, though Mac has a few concerns about the Spring equinox event organized by the new Chamber of Commerce director, Wagner Lavoie. After all, March weather is unpredictable. Still, there’s plenty to enjoy, between flower-shaped candies at Salty Taffy’s, spring rolls at the Rusty Anchor, and a parade of decorated bicycles. But the festivities soon take a stormy turn . . .
Mac glimpses conflict between Wagner and other locals during the festival, but it’s a shock when he’s found dead in the Book Nook, pinned beneath a toppled bookshelf. It’s an irresistible case for Mac’s book group. She and the rest of the Cozy Capers will have to use all their sleuthing skills to bring the killer’s story to an end . . .
Murder at the Elms by Alyssa Maxwell
Gilded Newport Mystery #11
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Historical Private Investigator Mystery
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For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, the glorious mansions of Newport house many mysteries—murder, theft, scandal—and no one is more adept at solving them than reporter Emma Andrews . . .
1901: Back from their honeymoon in Italy, Emma and Derrick are adapting to married life as they return to their duties at their jointly owned newspaper, the Newport Messenger. The Elms, coal baron Edward Berwind’s newly completed Bellevue Avenue estate, is newsworthy for two reasons: A modern mansion for the new century, it is one of the first homes in America to be wired for electricity with no backup power system, generated by coal from Berwind’s own mines. And their servants—with a single exception—have all gone on strike to protest their working conditions. Summarily dismissing and replacing his staff with cool and callous efficiency, Berwind throws a grand party to showcase the marvels of his new “cottage.”
Emma and Derrick are invited to the fete, which culminates not only in a fabulous musicale but an unforeseen tragedy—a chambermaid is found dead in the coal tunnel. In short order, it is also discovered that a guest’s diamond necklace is missing and a laborer has disappeared.
Detective Jesse Whyte entreats Emma and Derrick to help with the investigation and determine whether the murdered maid and stolen necklace are connected. As the dark deeds cast a shadow over the blazing mansion, it’s up to Emma to shine a light on the culprit . . .
Nine Lives and Alibis by Cate Conte
Cat Cafe Mystery #7
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Cozy Animal Mystery
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In Nine Lives and Alibis, the seventh in Cate Conte’s Cat Café beloved cozy mystery series, Daybreak Island is gearing up for Halloween―but this year it seems like it’ll be all tricks and no treats.
It’s October in Daybreak Harbor, which means everything Halloween. The town is going all out for the holiday, hoping to one-up the festivities in neighboring Salem, Massachusetts, and Maddie James is delighted to be part of the planning for the annual happenings.
But trouble brews when Maddie’s youngest sister, Sam, books a famous medium, Balfour Dempsey, to come to town for the celebrations and stay in the local haunted inn―along with his equally famous black cat. The town busybody books a secret reading with Balfour and doesn’t want anyone to know why. Maddie’s best friend Becky is hell-bent on getting Balfour to help her solve two 40-year-old mysteries―a murder and a missing maid. And the psychic has a stalker who’s followed him here to the island, demanding he connect with her dead husband.
When Balfour is pushed off the cliffs behind the inn to his death and his beloved cat goes missing, it throws the whole town into a frenzy. And Maddie and her family find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery straight out of a Halloween movie.
Scared Off by Barbara Ross
Maine Clambake Mysteries #11.5
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Cozy Holiday Crafts and Hobbies Mystery
Barbara Ross returns to glorious Maine with a spooky but fun Julia Snowden mystery set during Halloween season.
Three teenage girls having a sleepover on Halloween night get spooked when high schoolers crash the house for a party. But no one expected to find a crasher like Mrs. Zelisko, the elderly third floor tenant, dead in the backyard—dressed in a sheet like a ghost. With her niece traumatized, Julia Snowden must uncover who among the uninvited guests was responsible for devising such a murderous trick . . .
[Originally published in Halloween Party Murder]
The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell
Crescent Cove Mystery #1
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
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In this queer cozy series debut perfect for fans of Ellen Byron and Ellery Adams, Luke Tremblay is about to discover that Crescent Cove has more than its fair share of secrets…and some might be deadlier than others.
Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt’s sudden death, he’s inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can…but Crescent Cove isn’t done with him just yet.
When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke’s aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he’s lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.
There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever.
To Trust a Hero by Alexis Morgan
Heroes of Dunbar Mountain #2
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Sweet Romance
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A place to stay…
Or a new start?
Max Volkov recently helped solve a mystery in the small town of Dunbar, Washington, and now he’s going to stay at Rikki Bruce’s bed-and-breakfast to write the story. Against her better judgment, Rikki finds Max becoming more involved with the life she has built for herself and her son. He’s handsome, charming and has a writer’s curiosity, all of which puts both her heart and her secrets at risk.
From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
When Love Comes Calling by Syndi Powell
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Sweet Romance
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Could love at first sight…
Change her fate?
Vivian Carmack is unlucky, or so she believes. Every seven years, disaster strikes…and she’s just had six good years. So her New Year’s Eve dance floor collision with handsome stranger Brian Redmond is a nonstarter, no matter how charming he is. But Brian won’t be turned away so easily and working together on a community project brings them closer. Love is calling, but is she brave enough to answer?
From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
Winning Over the Rancher by Viv Royce
Heroes of the Rockies #1
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Sweet Cowboy Romance
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A storm brings them together…
But can he get her to stay?
After a storm ravages his orchards, Colorado rancher Cade Williams reluctantly accepts help from big-city marketing expert Lily Richards. But it’ll take more than working together to revive his town’s summer Apple Fest for them to find common ground. When his roots and her dreams collide, will Lily and Cade take a chance on love?
From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
My Big Fat Cursed Wedding by Maggie March
Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective #9
Publication Date: August 24, 2023
Genre: Cozy Culinary Paranormal Mystery
Lucy is a human lie detector. Her little rescue dog Paco is a ghost whisperer. Together, they solve crime in this laugh-out-loud cozy mystery series!
Plans for Lucy McGuffin’s big day are circling the drain. Her mother has turned into a momzilla, her wedding dress is two sizes too small, and the rival baker in town is scheming to upstage Lucy with her own wedding cake.
But things quickly go from bad to worse when Lucy discovers her wedding planner stabbed to death and her fiance Travis is the prime suspect.
With just a few days left before the wedding, Lucy and her little rescue dog Paco must race against the clock to catch the killer.
Can Lucy solve the murder in time to say “I do” or will her wedding day turn out to be a big fat cursed disaster?
Filled with humor, intrigue, and a ghostly twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat, My Big Fat Cursed Wedding is the perfect cozy mystery for anyone who loves a good laugh and a good whodunit!
Well, that’s it for the New Books Releasing Week 34 of 2023
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!
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