Love’s A Mystery in Last Chance Iowa

This Love’s A Mystery 2-in-1 hardcover book features both a historical romantic mystery written by fellow Canadian Patricia Johns along with my contemporary romantic mystery. Both are set in Last Chance, Iowa, and have a family connection. 

In 1905…

When Anne York agrees to marry Ben Huntington, she understands that Ben’s heart will remain with his late wife. But she is grateful that God has provided her a child–his adorable little daughter. Ben knows his daughter needs a mother, and Anne’s parents need his help so he’s able to give the sweet, loving woman something in return. But when Ben’s workshop is set on fire the day of their wedding, the new couple must figure out who is working against them. While they intended their marriage as a practical solution, did God intend it as a match made in heaven? 

Today…

Bereft over the loss of the beloved hand-carved miniatures given to her by her father, Rachel Jones finds an unexpected ally in Curtis Shoemaker, the quiet colleague at her new job. When they discover an estranged branch of Rachel’s family tree, they find that they aren’t the only ones on the trail. Who is the other elusive collector who’ll stop at nothing to beat Rachel and Curtis to the prize? In unraveling the mysterious disappearance and exposing their adversary, they find something more precious than family heirlooms…a chance at forever. 

 

Note: This 2-in-1 set is book #11 in Guideposts’ ongoing Love’s a Mystery series. Click here to order directly from Guideposts once its available. Or subscribe now to the entire series and save 10%. 

about Love’s a Mystery series from Guideposts:

Escape into a timeless world of tender romance, puzzling mysteries and secrets, and of course happy endings with Guideposts’ exclusive Love’s a Mystery series. Each book contains two special stories–one past, one present–set in the same real town with a thought-provoking name. Enjoy the extra fun of discovering the unifying element, something passed down through the years that holds a special significance for both of our sweetly romantic couples. Every story will deliver on the Guideposts promise of uplifting content sure to nurture your faith…and remind you of the greatest give of all–love. 

Dangerous Prospects

October 2023

#5 in Hearts in Peril — A multi-author romantic suspense series from Annie’s Fiction

 

School teacher, Angie Caldwell, has been independent and resourceful her entire life. Abandoned to the foster care system at a young age, her only known remaining family is an estranged uncle. When the long-lost relative summons his niece to his hospital bedside out of the blue, Angie vows to do everything in her power to reach her uncle before it’s too late, hoping their reunion might lead to reconciliation. But at such late notice, flight choices are limited, and Angie isn’t too impressed with the only available option. Accepting the risk, she reluctantly boards a tiny, independent aircraft—which has clearly seen better days—only to have her worst fears come to life when the plane is shot down over the Northern Ontario wilderness. 

Unknown to Angie, professional engineer, Gabe Blake, has been hired to provide expert testimony in a case against her uncle’s small mining operation in the wake of an industrial catastrophe.

Years ago, Gabe’s brother died in a hunting accident because Gabe didn’t follow his gut. When their plane goes down, Gabe is determined not to repeat his past mistake, especially when he’s certain the crash was no accident, and the perpetrator will reach the site to finish off the passengers long before rescuers arrive. Angie is equally adamant that the best course of action is to remain with the plane, and the life of a teenage girl with a serious medical condition hangs in the balance.

Lost in the treacherous wilderness, Angie, Gabe, and their temporary charge fight the elements, those sent to track them down, and rapidly dwindling resources. With time running out, they must work together in order to survive.

 

Explore the new Hearts in Peril Book Club series from Annie’s Fiction here: https://www.anniesfiction.com/products/hearts-in-peril

Hidden Threats (#11 Sweet Intrigue)

Released November 2021

After suffering more than her share of tragic losses, widow Rachel Sound vows to make a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position at a charter school and moves to Martha’s Vineyard with her young son, Jimmy. As they settle into their new cottage, Rachel discovers solace on the peaceful island.

But the peace is shattered when Rachel becomes the victim of pranks at school. Even worse, the pranks follow her home, and Jimmy receives terrifying threats. Is someone trying to scare them away?

When Rachel and Jimmy are terrorized, Tom Olson resolves to identify the culprit and keep his next-door neighbors safe. He takes his duties as a police officer seriously, but he can’t deny his growing feelings for Rachel. She’s the most courageous woman he’s ever met, and he hopes she’ll find the courage to take another chance on love.

The hidden threats escalate, putting the lives of Rachel and Jimmy at risk. Will Tom be able to protect his neighbors before someone gets rid of them permanently?

 

For more information on how to order the entire Sweet Intrigue lineup, visit: https://anniesfiction.com/products/annies-sweet-intrigue/hidden-threats 

Boughs of Folly

This Christmas Cozy Mystery

is part of a three-book set called Jingle Bell Mysteries

(with Klaus for Suspicion and Deck the Hearse)

After spending two decades of Christmas seasons in California, Jillian Green celebrates returning to her family’s antebellum mansion in Georgia by joyfully decking the halls for the upcoming Moss Hollow Merry Mansions Tour. However, Jillian’s holiday cheer takes a nosedive when she discovers her great aunt’s new friend Herbert dead at the base of a tree while he’s helping them string lights.

Although his death appears to be a tragic accident, her great aunt insistently blames foul play, and handsome local coroner Hunter Greyson confirms her suspicions. Needled into action by her aunt, Jillian quickly realizes this case is more tangled than a strand of twinkle lights, and lead after lead winds up in a dead end.

Stressed out by exploring limbs of the victim’s family tree, helping a Chocolate Shoppe Bakery customer track down his high school sweetheart, and worrying about her grandmother’s odd behavior, Jillian feels her holiday spirit slipping away. However, she knows the best way to restore her festive mood is to uncover the killer before someone else in Moss Hollow gets hurt—if she doesn’t, Herbert’s night might not be the only one silenced this Christmas.

 

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Dangerous at Heart (#4 Sweet Intrigue)

Released April 2021 

Placed 2nd in the 2022 National Excellence in Storytelling Contest

Subscribe to Annie’s Fiction Sweet Intrigue Book Club

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Laura Brennan has done her best to honor her father’s legacy. After his death, she took over his diner, keeping his memory alive while offering the townsfolk of Hopeton, Pennsylvania, delicious meals and a place to gather. She’s settled into a comfortable life where nothing much happens—until the day she witnesses a hit-and-run accident. The victim is the town’s beloved doctor, and she holds Doc in her arms while he dies.

Dr. Garrett Simons has seen tragedies of his own while honorably serving his country in the army. When his aunt asks him to take over his uncle’s medical practice, he can’t refuse. Where better to learn to manage his PTSD than a quiet village? What he doesn’t expect to find is a growing suspicion that his uncle’s death wasn’t a random accident—or that his beautiful, intriguing neighbor, who comforted the dying man, seems to have a target on her back.

When Laura is attacked in her own home and both the diner and the doctor’s office are ransacked, it becomes clear that crime has contaminated Hopeton, and it has something to do with Doc. Laura and Garrett begin to dig into the medical man’s last few weeks, piecing together his research and growing closer to each other in the process. But their budding relationship will have to wait. It will take all the skill, bravery, and determination they can muster to lay bare the truth—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Settling Auld Scores (#20 Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries)

Releases July 2021

As Bread on Arrival’s head baker, Laura Donovan is used to scoring touchdowns in the kitchen, especially when she teams up with her best friends and business partners, Molly Ferris and Carol MacCallan. However, when it comes to parenting, unmarried Laura is a true rookie. While her brother and his wife are out of the country, Laura has agreed to host her teenage nephew, Henry, an up-and-coming football star now playing for the Loch Mallaig High Loons. Laura suddenly finds herself on defense as the safety of Henry and his teammates is tested by a persistent prankster, and Laura worries that her nephew is the main target.

From vindictive rival coaches and jilted former players to lovelorn teens intent on revenge, Laura’s roster of suspects seems endless. And as the pranks become more dangerous at every turn, Laura fears that a truly deadly incident could be next. She must take the offensive prankster out of the game before the clock runs out—or else someone could face sudden death.

 

About The Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries:

Join former college roommates Molly Ferris, Laura Donovan, and Carol MacCallan as they reunite to open a bakery in bonny Loch Mallaig, Michigan, a place where the iconic sounds of Great Highland bagpipes fill the air, kilts never go out of fashion, and mysteries surface with curious regularity. Undaunted when they discover that the only retail space available in the charming Gaelic town is a former funeral parlor, party planner Molly, NYC chef Laura, and retired math teacher Carol bravely fire up the Scottish bakehouse of their dreams, Bread on Arrival, in the old Victorian mansion.

Powered by friendship, moxie, and plenty of tasty Scottish treats, the Bakehouse Three tackle every challenge that arises—including unsolved murder. From rekindling auld alliances and sparking new ones to chasing cryptic clues wherever they lead, the fiftysomething women prove that it’s never too late to embark on a fresh adventure. Pour a cup of tea, nibble on some shortbread, and get caught up in the mysteries of Loch Mallaig!

Click to learn more about the Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries Bookclub from Annie’s Fiction. 

Paying the Piper (#16 Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries)

Releases April 2021

 

Eager competitors are charging toward Loch Mallaig, Michigan, this summer for the upcoming Scottish Games Festival and Michigan Sugar Showcase, and Bread on Arrival bakehouse owners Molly Ferris, Carol MacCallan, and Laura Donovan are gearing up for the challenge of serving them. Although most of the participants are temporary visitors, aspiring chocolatier Lucy Drake made the move permanent to start over after suffering a recent tragedy, and her distant cousin, bakehouse employee Hamish Bruce, has welcomed her eagerly—but catastrophe strikes again when an unseen villain murders Lucy at the height of the town’s Fourth of July festivities.

Hoping to give the Bruces some closure, the Bakehouse Three team up to investigate the murder. However, between the toxic rivalry surrounding the upcoming baking competition and Lucy’s murky past, the potential motives are plentiful—and so are the suspects. Unfortunately, the Bruce family lands in the sights of the police, and Laura, Molly, and Carol must up their game to come to their friends’ defense.

Between their employee falling under suspicion and a series of increasingly sinister events befalling them as they prepare for the contest, the three best friends struggle to come out on top. Will they prevail over the unseen killer terrorizing Loch Mallaig—or will they be the ultimate losers in this cut-throat competition?

 

About The Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries:

Join former college roommates Molly Ferris, Laura Donovan, and Carol MacCallan as they reunite to open a bakery in bonny Loch Mallaig, Michigan, a place where the iconic sounds of Great Highland bagpipes fill the air, kilts never go out of fashion, and mysteries surface with curious regularity. Undaunted when they discover that the only retail space available in the charming Gaelic town is a former funeral parlor, party planner Molly, NYC chef Laura, and retired math teacher Carol bravely fire up the Scottish bakehouse of their dreams, Bread on Arrival, in the old Victorian mansion.

Powered by friendship, moxie, and plenty of tasty Scottish treats, the Bakehouse Three tackle every challenge that arises—including unsolved murder. From rekindling auld alliances and sparking new ones to chasing cryptic clues wherever they lead, the fiftysomething women prove that it’s never too late to embark on a fresh adventure. Pour a cup of tea, nibble on some shortbread, and get caught up in the mysteries of Loch Mallaig!

Click to learn more about the Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries Bookclub from Annie’s Fiction. 

Yule Be Sorry #9 Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries

Releases September 2020

On the first day of Christmas, Molly Ferris’s true love gave to her . . . one of many anonymous pranks leading up to Loch Mallaig’s upcoming Yule Festival, an annual tradition celebrating the Michigan town’s Scottish heritage. Initially, Molly and her best friends, Laura Donovan and Carol MacCallan, are charmed by the silly “Twelve Days of Christmas” gifts showing up at their Scottish bakehouse, Bread on Arrival. However, the fifth day presents ghastly tidings—the murder of local real estate agent Eric Wright, who’s found dead with five golden rings on his fingers.

Discovered by the bakehouse’s new delivery boy, whose girlfriend’s family was facing the loss of their home for the holidays, Wright’s homicide soon engulfs the entire village in suspicion and conjecture. With a history of shady deals, the murdered Scrooge had a seemingly endless naughty list of people who could have killed him—and perhaps it was someone Molly and her friends know and trust.

With their business’s wellbeing threatened by their ties to the murder, the Bakehouse Three resolve to solve the mystery of who silenced Wright’s night. Soon, the three Scottish hens realize that not only is their livelihood at stake but their lives as well. They must uncover the murderer before the killer gets to them—otherwise, they might be three bakers-a-dying.

 

About The Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries:

Join former college roommates Molly Ferris, Laura Donovan, and Carol MacCallan as they reunite to open a bakery in bonny Loch Mallaig, Michigan, a place where the iconic sounds of Great Highland bagpipes fill the air, kilts never go out of fashion, and mysteries surface with curious regularity. Undaunted when they discover that the only retail space available in the charming Gaelic town is a former funeral parlor, party planner Molly, NYC chef Laura, and retired math teacher Carol bravely fire up the Scottish bakehouse of their dreams, Bread on Arrival, in the old Victorian mansion.

Powered by friendship, moxie, and plenty of tasty Scottish treats, the Bakehouse Three tackle every challenge that arises—including unsolved murder. From rekindling auld alliances and sparking new ones to chasing cryptic clues wherever they lead, the fiftysomething women prove that it’s never too late to embark on a fresh adventure. Pour a cup of tea, nibble on some shortbread, and get caught up in the mysteries of Loch Mallaig!

Click to learn more about the Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries Bookclub from Annie’s Fiction. 

Lass and Found – #4 in Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries

Releases April 2020

Tourists from near and far are exploring every corner of Loch Mallaig, Michigan, much to the delight of the Scottish-themed town’s many merchants—including bakehouse owners Carol MacCallan, Laura Donovan, and Molly Ferris, who no longer feel like babes in the woods now that Bread on Arrival is a community staple. In addition to out-of-towners, The Bakehouse Three also welcome plenty of regular local customers, such as outdoors enthusiast Jeanette Franklin, who loves taking their fresh baked oatcakes on her long hikes through the bonny Michigan wilderness.

Unfortunately, tourist season veers into unnerving territory when Jeanette’s daughter, Annemarie, discovers that she and her adorable springer spaniel, Scout, are missing. Nearly frantic with worry, Annemarie engages Carol, Laura, and Molly’s help in locating her mother. At first, the women encourage Annemarie not to panic—Jeanette probably just went farther afield than usual on her latest hiking expedition. However, they all quickly realize that the longer Jeanette is gone, the more likely it is that disaster has struck. 

Although it would be bad enough for Jeanette to have injured herself, evidence arises that her ties to a major business deal being brokered by her estranged husband could have made her a target for violence. Sensing the situation’s dire urgency, The Bakehouse Three map out a course of action that will hopefully bring Jeanette home safe. 

Navigating tricky social terrain, the women organize a search party to comb nearby hiking trails, conservation areas, and other remote locations. But if they don’t find Jeanette off the beaten path, can they unearth clues to her true whereabouts before time runs out? Or is tracking down Jeanette Franklin simply a lost cause?

 

About The Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries:

Join former college roommates Molly Ferris, Laura Donovan, and Carol MacCallan as they reunite to open a bakery in bonny Loch Mallaig, Michigan, a place where the iconic sounds of Great Highland bagpipes fill the air, kilts never go out of fashion, and mysteries surface with curious regularity. Undaunted when they discover that the only retail space available in the charming Gaelic town is a former funeral parlor, party planner Molly, NYC chef Laura, and retired math teacher Carol bravely fire up the Scottish bakehouse of their dreams, Bread on Arrival, in the old Victorian mansion.

Powered by friendship, moxie, and plenty of tasty Scottish treats, the Bakehouse Three tackle every challenge that arises—including unsolved murder. From rekindling auld alliances and sparking new ones to chasing cryptic clues wherever they lead, the fiftysomething women prove that it’s never too late to embark on a fresh adventure. Pour a cup of tea, nibble on some shortbread, and get caught up in the mysteries of Loch Mallaig!

Click to learn more about the Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries Bookclub from Annie’s Fiction.