Gathered in one volume for the very first time, here are three yuletide tales of mystery, murder, and romance, featuring your favorite sleuths . . . THE TWELVE DESSERTS OF CHRISTMAS by JOANNE FLUKE It’s the perfect mix of naughty and nice when two lovestruck boarding school teachers watch six kids over Christmas break. But when someone wants the cozy couple’s romance to burn out faster than a … cozy couple’s romance to burn out faster than a scorched fruitcake, it’s Hannah Swensen to the rescue, armed with her sleuthing
skills—and twelve deliciously festive recipes . . .
NIGHTMARE ON ELF STREET by LAURA LEVINE
Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa’s elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she’s teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he’s found murdered on the job—and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer . . .
THE CHRISTMAS THIEF by LESLIE MEIER
Elizabeth Stone is ready for a white Christmas in Tinker’s Cove, Maine—until a fancy Yule ball at the Florida hotel where she works dumps snow on her plans. The sponsor’s jewels have gone missing and the police are asking about her ties to a cute mystery guest. Good thing Elizabeth’s mother, Lucy Stone, flew down to surprise her. ʼTis the season for a little investigating . . .
Includes Luscious Holiday Recipes!
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Christmas Sweets has three entertaining cozy mysteries. You will find yourself laughing frequently while reading them. While these stories had been published previously, I have not read them. I have read A Hannah Swensen Mystery series as well as A Lucy Stone Mystery series. This was my first A Jaine Austen Mystery, but I had no problem reading Nightmare on Elf Street. I was amazed at the trouble Jaine and her cat, Prozac could cause. Each story is well-written and easy to read. They are novella length so each story can be finished in one sitting. I enjoyed spending time with Elizabeth Stone in The Christmas Thief, and I like that Lucy brought along Miss Tilley to help. I appreciated the note from Leslie Meier at the end of the novella. The Twelve Desserts of Christmas contains recipes for each item that Hannah created. The mysteries are not complicated but I did not mind. They were fun mysteries that suited each story. I found each short story to be delightful, and I look forward to reading more books by these authors. Christmas Sweets contains three humorous cozy mysteries with a shameful Santa, a frustrating feline, spectacular sweets, a blingy ball, starry eyed schoolteachers, and an unwise wager.
I read the second cozy novella by Laura Levine, Nightmare on Elf Street. It is absolutely hilarious with protagonist Jaine Austen and her cat, Prozac! When a mean mall Santa is murdered, the last person I’d suspect was the killer! An enjoyable short read! The other two novellas are from popular cozy series and; hopefully, just as delightful to read.
I won a copy of this book via a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you.
When I requested a Netgalley copy of this book, I had not realized that it contained previously released stories repackaged together into this anthology. It still contains enjoyable to read holiday tales, though I had already read Joanne Fluke’s contribution. I had not read the Jaine Austen and Elizabeth Stone entries and I enjoyed them as well. I much preferred the focus of Leslie Meier’s story being Elizabeth instead of Lucy because the Lucy character did really grab me in the stories I’ve read of hers. And Jaine’s Prozac was incorrigible as ever. So while I was a bit disappointed about not getting three new (or at least new-to-me) stories, these are still three great reads to get us into the spirit as we head towards the holiday season.
This book was a good solid read. I’d totally try another future book by this author!
You can check out my booktube video review at https://youtu.be/OeC3c7zZ748
or read my review on my blog at https://lisasiefert.com/cozy-escape-book-club-chat-christmas-sweets-anthology-from-kensington-by-joanne-fluke-laura-levine-and-leslie-meier/
Some twists and turns but a good read
Too much restaurant eating and recipes. More excitement and drama is what I like.
I’ve read all of the Joanne Fluke holiday anthologies mainly because I am a fan of both the Hannah Swensen and the Lucy Stone books by Leslie Meier. I am not a fan of Laura Levine so I always skip over her story.
The Twelve Desserts of Christmas by Joanne Fluke didn’t contain any mystery at all. Events centered on two teachers who were babysitting 6 students who are left behind at a private academy during the Christmas break. Romance between the male and female teachers is the focus of the story.
While The Christmas Thief by Leslie Meier does contain a mystery, it was Elizabeth Stone and Miss Tilley who end up solving the jewel theft. Lucy is happy to stay in her daughter’s Florida apartment and decorate Christmas.
These are always fun feel good books. I look forward to these multi authored Christmas stories every year.
This book is just fun. If you need a break from your deeper reads this series is my guilty pleasure. I enjoy the recipes.
I enjoy all the books of the series and the recipes are delish and fun to try.
Loved the first story more then the other two.
Not very good.
This was a light reading kind of book, great seasonal, but good any time of year.
Very good read
Three adorable books
I am a huge fan of the Hannah Swensen series and had not read The Twelve Desserts of Christmas. A cute novella that makes you love Hannah even more. Of course, it is filled with plenty of yummy recipes!
I fell in love with Jaine and Prozac (yes that really is her cat’s name). I have added this series to the TBR list that is already full but I laughed my way through Nightmare on Elf Street. Just imagine a cat running through the mall with a corn dog in her mouth all the whole wearing antlers.
The Christmas Thief was my first Leslie Meier book and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it but by the end I did. Very interested in this series now.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
fun mix of holiday stories . I don’t believe they are new, but I’ve never read them so they were new to me. The Christmas Thief by Leslie Meier was my favorite: Elizabeth must clear her name when she is accused of theft. 4 Stars overall for this boxset.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
I enjoy these holiday themed anthologies, each one full of small bites of holiday homicide. As we ramp up to Thanksgiving and Christmas with all of the energy it takes to get things done, having these three mystery shorts waiting for me is great. I carve out some time to sit down with a mug of tea and watch some of my favorite authors deal with homicidal holidays.
To ask me which of the three I liked the best – nope, not happening. I enjoyed them equally and took the time to savor each one. All of them are funny but Laura Levine is the funniest – retail at Christmas is a nightmare to end all nightmares. Been there, done that so I could relate.
Joanne Fluke leaves out bodies but gives us a sweet story with recipes to enjoy. Leslie Meier takes her holiday short on the road with Lucy Stone ending up in Florida helping Elizabeth Stone out of a sticky situation involving some very high priced missing jewelry.
So, if you are having a hard time finding some ME time to settle down for a good read pick up this book of sweet treats and take some time to recharge your batteries.
The Twelve Desserts of Christmas (Hannah Swensen #8.5) by Joanne Fluke
This is a sweet little romance with innocent mischief that reminded me a little of FATHER GOOSE… do you remember that wonderful old movie? These children may not be orphaned, but they are being chaperoned far from home by two people slowly falling in love and being blocked by the little sweethearts!
This was the story that sold me on picking up the anthology. I love Joanne Fluke and have long been drawn to her Hannah Swensen series. I was not disappointed. I would gladly pick up another. Of course, the recipes are included, and I would love to try a few of them as well.
Nightmare on Elf Street (Jaine Austen #11.5) by Laura Levine
I’ve worked in a mall at Christmas time. Thank God, I was never in Santa land. Just the thought makes me need Prozac (and not just a cat named Prozac). This story, on the other hand, makes just such a situation an adventure in Wonderland… until the obnoxious Satan… ummm Santa ends up dead and Jaine is one of the suspects. Well, could you blame her? Beelzebub and all that…
In all seriousness, in was a fun and funny cozy mystery and it makes me want to read more of the series. I’ll be looking this author up!
The Christmas Thief (Lucy Stone #18.5) by Leslie Meier
This is another story where the main character becomes a suspect in the crime; it was fun to tag along as Elizabeth learned to love more about Florida (my home) and clear her name.
All together: these are three innocent and sweet cozy mysteries suitable for the holiday season. Pull up a comfy chair, start some soft music, pour a cup of your favorite cheer, and indulge in a few hours of relaxing reading.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: CHRISTMAS SWEETS
The Twelve Desserts of Christmas (Hannah Swensen #8.5) by Joanne Fluke
Nightmare on Elf Street (Jaine Austen #11.5) by Laura Levine
The Christmas Thief (Lucy Stone #18.5) by Leslie Meier
Category /Genre: Cozy Mysteries, Christmas
Recommended for: 14+ due to romance, mystery, murder
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC
Received from: Kensington Publishing
Christmas Sweets by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine, and Leslie Meier is a delightful book of three easy to read novellas.. One is a story with mischievous children, one has a mall Santa being taken out by an ornament, and one involves a theft of jewels.
All have a touch of romance, humor. friendship. and twists have you guessing until the end. The novella by Fluke is peppered with yummy sounding recipes.
Overall this is a great read to curl up with a hot chocolate and get in the holiday sprit.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion.