A family’s legacy, a mother’s anguish, deadly revenge, and bridezilla wannabes are set to rendezvous around the Christmas tree this Yuletide season. Rumor has it a feature film is in the works for the hit period drama series, Castlewood Manor, as the PR plans go into overdrive. History is about to be righted by royal decree, which may have a devastating impact not only to the British/American … family relations in the Lancaster household, but might also jeopardize the future of the Castlewood Manor production on the estate. American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, PhD, is facing a unique crossroads in her life–marrying the man she loves and becoming the first American marchioness in British nobility as she teeters on the edge of accepting the family peerage and title from her cousin, Evan. Father Christmas has his hands full as tragedy, royal drama, conniving foes, and meddling friends and family threaten to bring this ‘Tis the Season’ to a fiery and disastrous end.
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‘Tis the season for Merry Olde!
Mistletoe & Mayhem, Yuletide at Castlewood Manor is the crown jewel of Veronica Cline Barton’s amazing My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series! I’ve been a huge fan since book one, The Crown for Castlewood Manor, and each time I read a new ‘Gemma book,’ I am convinced Cline Barton can’t possibly top the story just read. But she does! Every time. Mistletoe and Mayhem is the perfect holiday read – as a stand-alone title or if you’re reading along with the series, which I hope you are. Veronica’s writing is addictive and I’d dare anyone to read one page and not fall in love with heroine, Gemma, all the other characters, including ghostly Pippa who haunts Cherrywood Hall aka Castlewood Manor of the popular British TV series.
Other reviewers have detailed the plot and so I am just going to praise the story for the pleasure of a terrific read. Mistletoe & Mayhem delivers everything I love in British-set cozies. Characters so real you’ll quickly view them as friends, a setting painted so well that your own surroundings vanish and you’re swept right into the story world, swoon-worthy romance and a dashing hero, mystery and danger to keep you up well into the night, a plot that surprises, offering twists you never saw coming, and so much more. Attention to detail that adds so much depth to the story, the richness and layers giving dimension that too many books lack these days. There’s even an adorable wee dog – Patch – who stole this animal-lover’s heart from the first moment he appeared.
There are other touches and twists I won’t elaborate on because I don’t want to add spoilers. I will say that the way Cline Barton opens the story is incredibly clever and original. I loved it and knew from the first line that she would again prove herself a master wordsmith. (not that I had any doubt) The way she ends the story sent happy tears streaming down my face. The whole Christmas theme, wowser setting, and what happens, just took my breath. I’ll be re-reading the book at Christmas, it’s that special.
Bottom line: Treat yourself this season and join Gemma and her friends for Christmastime in England! Highly recommended.
I was looking for something a bit special and festive based to read this Christmas day / Boxing day and ‘Mistletoe and Mayhem: Yuletide at Castlewood Manor’ was highly recommended. Having read it, I can see why. Frankly, I struggled to put it down without wondering what was going to happen next.
From the very first page I was drawn into the world author Veronica Cline Barton has created for her well defined and very relatable characters, in her cosy murder mystery. The scenes are exquisitely defined and I found my mind’s eye running an ‘on screen’ version as I read her wonderful passages.
There are many different strands within the book which lends to the pace but it stays true to its central theme of a contemporary cosy murder mystery.
When I’d finished reading the last sentence, I found myself sitting with a smile of contentment from ear to ear. What more could one ask for?
This is the first book I’ve read by Veronica Cline Barton, it will not be the last. And while this book may be centered around Christmas time, it will be, I am certain, a very satisfying book to read at any time of year.
A movie, a marchioness of Kentshire, a marriage, a Christmas miracle and of course, murder…
It’s Christmas at Cherrywood Hall, aka Castlewood Manor, and the stakes have been raised even higher in this book. There’s poachers, accidents, a rescue, intrigue, drama, larceny, deception… and new information (and evidence) that was a total game changer.
Who doesn’t wanna spend Christmas in a beautiful English manor like Cherrywood Hall with Gemma, Kyle, and the rest of the gang? But all isn’t as it seems this Christmas…a traitor is afoot and stealing heirloom ornaments, destroying antique furniture, causing mayhem, and sabotaging the festivities. Scandal and secrets abound.
As always, murder is in the cards for an unlucky guest at Cherrywood Hall and the crew is floundering during what should be a fun-filled holiday with friends and family. But unexpected guests arrive with surprising news and of course there are twists, turns, and shocking goings-ons that will leave you eager to read more.
Once again, Ms. Barton has delivered a suspenseful murder mystery novel worthy of the title of glamorous to cozy into this holiday season. Decadent meals, fabulous jewels and gowns, romance, and the unexpected await you in book 4 of this wonderful series. So grab your copy and get ready to be kept on the edge of your seat.
Mistletoe and Mayhem: Yuletide at Castlewood Manor (My American Almost Royal Cousin Series Book 4) by Veronica Cline Barton was a delight to read. I’ve enjoyed reading the entire series and this book doesn’t disappoint, as we once more join Gemma Lancaster PhD and her wonderful and handsome fiancée Lord Kyle at the family estate in the English countryside just before the Christmas holidays.
Enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and famous, the gourmet food, gallons of sherry and champagne consumed by all, while the future of a TV series and the intrigue of the upper echelon comes to life.
Chef Karl a gourmand and gentleman, Mama the Hollywood legend and many other characters I’ve come to know and love are challenged by real-life issues and yet another mystery surrounding the festive, holiday season where the reader enjoys all the richness of spending Christmas in a manor house in the U.K.
The scenes with the tree and Santa made me laugh out loud and the magical, Christmas Eve night pulled at my heartstrings. I’ve always been a sucker for “Christmas Magic” and the delicious idea that for one night a year anything is possible… if you just believe.
As with all of the books in this cozy mystery series, there is someone lurking about with ill intentions and murder on their mind. Who is it this time? And will the lovely Gemma ever make it to the altar?
The romantic scenes get a little steamier with Gemma and Kyle, but never go too far, which is much appreciated by this reader in a world that over shares and undervalues a little mystery…
The final scene was a feather in anyone’s cap and even if most of us can only dream of such a brilliant, unforgettable day, for a moment we got to enjoy the fantasy of being an important part of a royal family.
Aunt Pippa would certainly approve! If you enjoy women’s fiction or cozy mysteries you will love this series.