Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.Jayne Frost is a lot of things. Winter elf, Jack Frost’s daughter, Santa Claus’s niece, heir to the Winter Throne and now…private investigator. Sort of.But none of that matters at the moment, because Jayne is headed back to the North Pole to visit her family, and leaving everyone’s favorite werewolf, Birdie Caruthers, … werewolf, Birdie Caruthers, to watch her cat, Spider.
With the heartfelt promise that all will be well, Birdie follows Jayne’s instructions to the letter. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop Spider from getting into trouble.
It takes the help of a gentlemen friend (and a few others), for Birdie to make things right again. But not before her love life takes a very interesting turn…
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3 stars – I liked it
When Jayne decides to take a quick trip to the North Pole to visit her family, she asks Birdie Caruthers to watch her cat, Spider. Cat sitting is not as easy as Birdie expected it to be though.
This was a fun novella featuring Birdie, who is a hoot. This novella focused mostly on Birdie and Jack Van Zant. Jack and Birdie have been into each other for a while now but they both have baggage that is keeping them from committing to a relationship. I really enjoyed a different perspective in this series, especially since it was Birdie’s. I also enjoyed the little bit of Jack’s POV as well. Both were great characters and I really hope we see more of them in future books.
This novella just gives you a small glimpse of the mind of Birdie Caruthers and it wasn’t enough. I really want more Birdie stories now, especially since she is always finding trouble.
Can’t go wrong with Spider, Birdie, and Jack. Love it!
This book was so funny and cute.
I enjoy the Nocturne Falls series so much. The story lines are great and consistent with each and every book. The short stories tie in well and I love escaping into the series. I’ve reread each story a few times and love all the characters. They have so much personality!
ARC – I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
I love Birdie. She is such a firecracker.
It was fantastic that Birdie got her own story. ( and her groove on )
I am so hoping that we get to read more about her building romance w/ Jack.
Spider finally talk in front of another person besides Jayne.
Finally !
This was a very sweet short story.
More Birdie + Jack please!
Loved the characters + Loved the storytelling!
What a great little treat this novella is! Birdie Caruthers, our favorite Sheriff’s aunt and admin, is helping the Winter Princess out by looking after Jayne’s beloved cat, Spider. Of course some hijinks ensue….
It was refreshing to see Nocturne Falls through different, and very beloved, eyes! Birdie is such a mainstay in the Nocturne Falls books and with her friendship with Jayne, she is a great addition to the this spin-off series. I loved that Birdie not only got her own book, but a little love action as well! Although it could be read as a stand-alone, why would you do that? It enhances and advances the Jayne Frost series, so nab some of those stories to read as well. Well-written and fun read!
DELIGHTFULLY ENTERTAINING !!!
Title: When Birdie Babysat Spider
Series: Jayne Frost
Author: Kristen Painter
Designation: Book 4.5 of Series, A Jayne Frost Short, Standalone, NO Cliffhanger
My Rating: FIVE DELIGHTFULLY CUTE STARS*****
I love, love, love Kristen Painter and totally smitten with her Nocturne Falls spinoff series, Jayne Frost! I fell head over heels for Painter’s work several years ago after reading The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride, the first release of her Nocturne Falls Paranormal Romance Series and have been a diehard fan ever since. When I learned Painter was introducing a spinoff series which would be more supernatural cozy mystery rather than paranormal/supernatural romance, I could hardly wait to get it in my hot little hands and Painter did not disappoint. Don’t get me wrong, there is a little romance, but unlike the Nocturne Falls Series which features a different Nocturne Falls couple finding romance in each book, the Jayne Frost Series primarily features cozy mysteries and, well, Jayne Frost, winter elf extraordinaire, who happens to be Santa’s niece as well as Jack Frost’s daughter, making her the Winter Princess and heir to the Winter Throne. No, really… she’s actually the daughter of Jack Frost and niece of the fat man in the red suit – the real Santa Claus! She’s also the newest resident of Nocturne Falls now that she’s accepted the permanent position as manager of Santa’s Workshop Toy Store in Nocturne Falls, Georgia. Oh, and I forgot to mention she’s also an amateur sleuth…an investigator, of sorts. I’ve read every single book in the series and they all literally blew me away! (Get it? Blew me away as in winter storm? I know… terrible pun.) Most of the books are full-length novels but occasionally, like in her Nocturne Falls Series, Painter releases a short ‘in-between’ novelette featuring several characters from both series, as is the case with this book. When Birdie Babysat Spider is a fun, feel-good, fast-paced, easy-to-follow standalone short with NO cliffhanger. It’s not necessary to have read the other books of the series to enjoy this story however, I highly recommend reading them all. It’s also cute, original, imaginative, clever, and filled to the brim with a plethora of supernatural beings, snappy banter, delicious humor, a little mystery, and a sprinkle of sweet romance for one of everyone’s favorite characters, werewolf and receptionist/clerk for Nocturne Falls Sheriff Department Birdie Carruthers. The narrative is beautifully written in the third person with multiple perspectives. The dialogue is smart, witty and flows effortlessly. Painter is a gifted storyteller who excels at building vividly depicted worlds for her readers and populating them with a cast of endearing characters that literally explode from the pages of her books. They take on a life of their own and capture your imagination as well as your heart. Which brings me to another thing I truly enjoy about Painter’s books. Her characters cross over between the Nocturne Falls and Jayne Frost series. So, if you have a favorite character from Painter’s Nocturne Falls series, you’re more than likely to also find them in the Jayne Frost series. Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! Would I recommend it? You bet and I am, for all ages and anyone who loves a sweet little cozy mystery with a smidge of light romance! This book was very light on the mystery but heavy on the cuteness! Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Just as soon as she releases her next book! Was I entertained? Gloriously entertained! Sounds like a five star read to me!
Premise: For all you folks who haven’t heard of Nocturne Falls, it’s a fictional town in Georgia which celebrates Halloween 365 days a year and they celebrate it big time since it’s the town’s main source of income. Yup, tourists flock to Nocturne Falls where the streets are populated every single day with all manner of supernatural creatures dressed as gargoyles, vampires, witches, elves, genies, werewolves, valkyries, and anything else your mind can imagine. Except they aren’t just dressed as these creatures…..they actually are these creatures, and they’re hiding in plain sight of the entire world. Oh my! And they not only live in Nocturne Falls, they make their living by owning businesses which cater to the human tourists. But how could you not love it with haunts (sorry, another bad pun) like the I Scream Shop(ice cream shop), Hallowed Bean(coffee shop), Howlers Bar & Grill, The Poison Apple(pub), Illusions(jewelry story), Insomnia(nightclub), Ever After(bridal shop), Big Daddy Bones(barbecue & ribs joint), Mummy’s Diner, The Gingerbread Inn, Delaney’s Delectables, The Black Rose D & B (*snicker* a Dead and Breakfast rather than a Bed and Breakfast *giggle*), a newspaper called The Tombstone, Zombies Donuts, and Santa’s Workshop. Santa’s Workshop??? How did that one get into the Halloween themed Nocturne Falls? Well, every town needs a toy store, right? And this store is only one of many located around the world owned by none other than the fat man in the red suit. That’s right! The chain of toy stores is owned by Kris Kringle, aka Santa Claus, from the North Pole and is overseen by Santa’s right-hand man, the Winter King Jack Frost, who just happens to also be his brother-in-law. Yup, family business and all that. I don’t know about you, but I want to live in Nocturne Falls!
Now that the Christmas rush is over, Jayne Frost is off to the North Pole to visit her family for a few days, but she just can’t leave her furbaby all alone. Cats may be independent creatures but Spider is one spoiled, talking fat cat and needs lots of love and attention, which Jayne is more than happy to provide. Oh, so you did catch the part about the talking cat? Why yes, Spider does talk but only to Jayne, at least so far. That’s all a long story, one involving a wish gone wrong and is covered in another story, but right now she needs someone to look after Spider while she’s gone and guess who volunteers to stay at her apartment and babysit Spider? Did the title give it away? Yup, that’s right – our favorite resident Birdie Carruthers, the woman who has her finger on the pulse of Nocturne Falls and knows everything that goes on in town has been entrusted with the job. Birdie’s house is being painted, and she needs a place to stay for a few days, plus she and the Winter Princess are besties. Birdie can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak – have a free place to stay and help out a friend. It’s a win-win for everyone. She may be a werewolf, but how much trouble could it be to look after one sweet, little cat for a few days? Easy Peasy, right? We’ll see! But just between you and me, Birdie’s in for the surprise of her life, in more ways than one! Oh dear, I hope Jayne gets home soon!