Like a little cozy mystery with your Christmas Romance? Me too. Though I’m known more for my inspirational beach romances, I’ve also written a few cozy romantic mysteries that take place during the holidays.
I was thinking about this the other day when I noticed Christmas trees up at a local store (already!) This reminded me that, a long time ago, I penned a proposal for a Christmas romance set in the fictional coastal town of Cottage Grove and sent it to a publishing house. The editor wrote back and asked, “Would you send the rest?”
The Big Break that Wasn’t
Uh, yes! This would be my first foray into traditional publishing. I thought for sure they’d love my story, but alas, not so much. So I tucked it away and wrote five other novels for a couple of publishing houses.
But I never really forgot about Tasha and Marc from Cottage Grove–he wore a Stetson and she’d been dumped at the altar. They would be perfect for each other, but were too thick-headed to know it! LOL
When I dusted off their enemies-to-lovers story years later, I realized that it also lent itself to a mystery. So I called my mom—she inspired my interest in mysteries with her love of books by Agatha Christie and Mary Stewart—and asked her to brainstorm with me. And that’s how The Christmas Thief, a romantic cozy mystery novella, was born.
Eventually, I wrote two more Christmas novellas in the collection and each year about this time, the entire set, titled Cottage Grove Mysteries (books 1-3) finds new readers.
If you enjoy light mysteries with quirky characters and a sweet romance, I think you’ll love this series. In addition to a little crime solving, you’ll find an enemies-to-lovers romance, an engagement, and a wedding–all with plenty of boulders rolled in the hero and heroine’s way.
You can find the collection at most retailers via this link: Books2Read. Or please ask your library to stock it—I would be grateful for that!
One to Giveaway
*I’d like to gift one copy of the Cottage Grove Mysteries this weekend to one of our InspyRomance blog readers! Kind of like our own pre-Christmas celebration 🎄 😀.
Answer this question in the comments and your name will be entered into the drawing: What are you favorite holiday books and/or characters? Deadline to submit comment is this Sunday 10/23 at midnight.
*Book giveaway format will depend on whether winner is in the US (paper okay) or international (eBook).
JULIE CAROBINI writes inspirational beach romances. She is the author of two dozen novels known for spirited heroines, charming heroes, quirky friends, and the secrets they keep. Her bestselling titles include Walking on Sea Glass, Runaway Tide, Beach Sunrise, Reunion in Saltwater Beach, and more. She has won awards from The National League of American Pen Women and ACFW, and her books have received bestseller status many times. Julie is Mom to three young adults and lives on the California coast with her husband, Dan, and their rescue pup, Dancer. Grab a free eBook here: www.juliecarobini.com/free-book
I also love a mystery at Christmas (like your mom, I am a big Agatha Christie and Mary Stewart fan!). Around Christmas, I usually re-read my favourites – Poirot in ‘The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding’ and ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ and Miss Marple in ‘A Christmas Tragedy’. I have a couple of books of mystery short stories that I also love.
Your ‘Cottage Grove’ mysteries sound great, I will look out for them!
I’ve always enjoyed Debbie Macomber’s Holiday books.
Hi Julie from SW Michigan. This retiree always enjoys reading mysteries. The first story I read when I retired a decade ago was: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt. Each chapter was written by a different author. I reread around Christmas. I also have enjoyed the Ornamental Matchmaker Series by a variety of authors – some stories historical, some contemporary but with a common theme. Happy weekend.
I love The Clause in Christmas by Rachael Bloome and all the Hero’s of Freedom Ridge books!
Anything Christmas plus romance in a small town.
Thank you today for sharing this post. I have only been reading cozies for 2 years now. And I have not read a Christmas cozy yet. I started out with Amanda Flowers series The Amish Candy Shop
What are you favorite holiday books and/or characters?
I read over and over yearly: American Tail – The Polar Express – Mary Did You Know? – The Christmas Shoes. I do love to read Christmas stories all year long.
Love Miss Marple too! Thank you, Ruthie!
I love Debbie too! Had the opportunity to meet her at a conference years ago.
I like that you re-read them at Christmas, Renate. When I do that, I always think I’m going to remember the story, but then I find something new (or something I forgot, LOL).
Well, I enjoy the Eloise Christmas movie and have read the book even though it’s for children :-) I also read a super cute Christmas novella from Teri Wilson recently called A merry Royal Layover–fun characters had me cracking up. And every year we take a tear-jerker of a book about a carpenter out of our Christmas decor box and read that…I’m sorry I can’t recall the name but might stop back here and revise my answer when I do. Oh, and love Amanda, too … she actually endorsed the first of the Cottage Grove novellas: The Christmas Thief.
a Christmas Carol
That’s a GREAT one, bn.
I love novella collections. One of my favorites is Enchanted: A Christmas Collection by Melissa Tagg.
I love any clean, Christian romance novels or cozy mystery novels that are set during the Christmas season. I read them all year long; through winter, spring, fall, and winter! If I have books in a TBR pile, I will choose the one’s that are at Christmas time!
I can understand that, Terry. I listened to a lot of Christmas music in the summer while working on a new Christmas story. Needed to be in the right mood and I can’t tell you how much fun that was.
Anything Christmas, but bonus points if a book has the REAL Christmas story as part of it’s story, whether it’s that they go to a church play, the Christmas Eve service, or whatever.
I love cozy mysteries! I enjoy the Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swenson mysteries. They always have fabulous recipes as well as great holiday stories. I enjoy the happy endings. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Not sure I have favourite Christmas stories but I do love Melody Carlson’s Christmas novellas and try to get them every year. I also use to read the Barbour novellas (4 in a book one Historical and one Contemporary).
I do like cozy mystery and its one of my favourite genres this year. I loved Agatha Christie and I loved watching Murder she wrote and lots of the Hallmark mysteries.
I also notice often the Historical writers like Susan Page Davis often had a mystery in her barbour novellas
Hi Debra – Thank you! I read some of J Fluke’s stories a long while ago. Thanks for the reminder! Cottage Grove has a few recipes as well (but not as many as Joanna’s.)
I haven’t read many Christmas novels but with my mom we tend to gag on Hallmark Christmas movies every year lol I especially love the royal Christmas romance ones! You know the classic story of the girl who finds out she’s a princess around Christmas or falls in love with a prince around Christmas.
I read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens every December. I always find something new even though I’ve read it many times.
Hi Lilly – Last year I found myself watching more of those than ever! I think it was pandemic-fatigue that drew me in. Besides, who doesn’t love a good princess story any time of year? :-)
Have you seen the movie The Man Who Invented Christmas? Not sure if it’s in book form (I should check) but oh, what a good story!
Good morning! Kathy Blair is our winner of the copy of Cottage Grove Mysteries! I will be contacting you, Kathy. Thank you, all, for commenting.