by J.R. Ripley

Here’s the set-up:

New from bestselling author JR Ripley!

Anthony Mulish believes he’s the world’s greatest author. Unfortunately, the world and his long-suffering agent disagree. Out of frustration, he’s written a cozy mystery novel under a pen name. To everyone’s surprise (especially his agent’s) and his chagrin, it’s a bestseller.

Now Anthony is being toasted as the special guest of honor at a mystery conference. Anthony being Anthony, he rubs everyone the wrong way, especially the other authors – anyone of whom would probably love to see him dead. Then one of the attendees is brutally murdered. Anthony vows to find the killer. He’s already successfully solved a murder mystery in a bestselling novel so how hard can it be?

AUTHOR INTRO:
Death Gets Cozy is an affectionate spoof/satire/sendup? of mysteries in general and cozies in particular. I wrote a novel many years ago called SKULLS OF SEDONA of which Library Journal wrote: Readers who enjoyed Sharon McCrumb’s Bimbos of the Death Sun will also get a kick out of this.

The second thing happened at a recent Malice Domestic banquet whereat one of my tablemates brought up Sharon’s book. This got the old gears turning. I had not yet read the Bimbos book and made it a point to do so when I returned home.
I decided to write this story, the story of the most pompous, annoying, blowhard, takes-himself-too-seriously author that I could devise. Okay, maybe I just looked in the mirror and wrote what I saw…I’ll let you, the readers, decide. Remember, I am a cozy writer too. That fun I’m poking, I’m poking at myself.

A sense of humor, especially directed at oneself, I believe is essential. In fact, I also believe Amazon Essentials has them for sale at only $2.99/yard. So, if you haven’t decided to bolt (there’s a bad pun in here somewhere—dig around, you’ll find it), read on!

by Blue Spruell

4.2 stars – 18 reviews

Text-to-Speech and Lending: Enabled

Here’s the set-up:

Tarō is the heroic tale of Japan’s legendary boy samurai. Author Blue Spruell reimagines traditional Japanese folklore in an historical fantasy adventure filled with samurai swords, martial arts, and mythical creatures from old Japan.

Lost in the mists of Mount Fuji . . . But no one can escape destiny.

The year is 1596, when samurai warlords fight for control of the Imperial throne. Tarō does not want to be a samurai like his father, but fate takes a hand when a witch enchants the boy. Gaining supernatural powers, and befriending the magical forest animals of Mount Fuji, Tarō saves a powerful warlord’s life and discovers his destiny—as he hurdles headlong into the total war for ultimate control of Japan.

by Rosalind James

4.7 stars – 364 reviews

Text-to-Speech and Lending: Enabled

Here’s the set-up:

What happens in Fiji stays in Fiji … except when it doesn’t.
Nic Wilkinson is a responsible, organized, disciplined rugby player for the New Zealand All Blacks, and a man at the top of his game. Emma Martens is a sometimes-scattered, often-emotional, and always-broke would-be designer with a big chip on her shoulder where Nic’s concerned.They have no history together, except one perfect week. Nothing in common anymore, except the most important thing of all.

Getting together again would be messy. Complicated. Scary. And, just maybe, worth every risk.

Note: This STAND-ALONE romance, like New Zealand, contains a fair bit of steam. If that isn’t your cuppa, you may want to visit a different country … er, book.

by Danielle Stewart

4.5 stars – 3,275 reviews

Text-to-Speech and Lending: Enabled

Here’s the set-up:

In the 1960s, Edenville, North Carolina is full of rules. Sagging under the weight of racism and segregation the small community finds itself at a dangerous tipping point.

Eleven-year-old Betty Grafton believes the world is fair. She knows there are worse places to live than Edenville. Unaware of the wars waging around her, she spends her days patting horses in the field and running errands for her mother. The world she doesn’t see, full of turmoil and unrest, is hiding just below the surface. One day, she has no choice but to see what’s been right in front of her all along.

Alma knows where to walk. She knows who to talk to and which fountain she can drink out of. Her mother, Winnie, spares no opportunity to remind her how dangerous it is to be a little black girl in the South.

When a chance encounter puts Betty face to face with the peril that exists in her own hometown, everything she knows turns upside down. The world isn’t as fair or safe as she’d imagined. Her family is the Klan. Her friends are the enemy. And nothing makes sense anymore.

Although the world demands they stay apart, Alma and Betty forge a secret friendship. One that could cost them their lives.

by Posey Parks

4.5 stars – 112 reviews

Text-to-Speech and Lending: Enabled

Here’s the set-up:

I’m staking my claim on the hot southern goddess.

Women were always in abundance.
Zoey is the only woman who can make the other women disappear.
One problem. She’s not looking for a man.
Zoey is sassy, hot and has curves that never stop.
One touch of those soft lips and I knew I had to claim every inch of her.
I have one night. I’ll prove to her that I’m the only man who can satisfy her.
She’ll be clutching the sheets and seeing stars when I’m done with her.
I don’t care about her dark past.
I’m her future.
Whoever caused this mocha beauty sadness will witness my wrath.