One Last Shot at Christmas by Heidi McCahan

 One Last Shot at Christmas

Book Summary

When old loves face off,

A holiday wish will break the ice.

When Jenna Sharpe unexpectedly finds herself the guardian of her five-year-old nephew, her plan is to pack his things, return to Tulsa for her long-awaited promotion and leave Opportunity, Alaska, for good. Her plan is certainly not to get involved with former professional hockey player Wyatt Morgan—the man whose heart she broke. But when the town—and little Henry—pressure Jenna to take over the traditional Christmas lights festival, Wyatt jumps in to help. With feelings reigniting and her job on the line, Jenna will be forced to ask herself where her home—and her heart—really belong.

Opportunity, Alaska

Book 1: Her Alaskan Family

Book 2:  Lost Alaskan Memories

Book 3:  One Last Shot at Christmas

My Thoughts

Grab a mug of cocoa and settle in—One Last Shot at Christmas by Heidi McCahan delivers a delightful second-chance romance wrapped in heart, hope, and holiday cheer. The author’s warm writing style makes it easy to feel at home in Opportunity, Alaska, where the residents and Wyatt Morgan’s family welcome Jenna Sharpe when she arrives to take guardianship of her five-year-old nephew, Henry. The neighbors’ willingness to lend a hand adds to the story’s cozy small-town charm, while Jenna and Wyatt’s interactions bring warmth and tenderness to the pages. As a fan of second-chance romances, I especially enjoyed watching their story unfold. 

My heart went out to Jenna as she struggled to choose between staying in Opportunity and returning to the career opportunity, she had worked so hard to earn—partly in hopes of finally gaining her father’s approval. The picturesque snowy setting, twinkling Christmas lights, and festive activities create a lovely seasonal backdrop for a story about learning to trust again after heartbreak. With themes of healing, forgiveness, and family, the novel offers plenty of uplifting moments. Although One Last Shot at Christmas is the third book in the Opportunity, Alaska series, it can easily be read as a standalone. This cozy holiday tale will have you humming Christmas carols, reaching for the cocoa, and feeling ready to deck the halls!

Grab your coziest reading spot—Christmas romance and a playful kitty are ready to brighten the season! One Last Shot at Christmas arrives October 27 and is available for preorder from Amazon. While you wait, you can catch up on the first two books in the Opportunity, Alaska series, Her Alaskan Family and Lost Alaskan Memories. Heidi also has His Alaskan Comeback, part of the K-9 Companion series, coming January 26. I’m tickled pink that we’re finally enjoying a smidgeon of fall weather in Florida! It’s not quite cool enough to trade my shorts for capris, but at least I no longer start sweating the moment I step outside. My eighteen-year-old cat, Dickens, seems to approve of the change, too—she’s acting like a kitten, zooming through the house and discovering all sorts of places to explore. I’ll return on Tuesday, October 27, with A K-9 Christmas Blessing by Tina Radcliffe, so get ready to curl up with another paws-itively delightful holiday read!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

A Bookshop for Christmas by Heidi Chiavaroli

 A Bookshop for Christmas

Book Summary

Seven estranged cousins. One ambitious project. A hundred ways it could all go very wrong.

When Brooke’s beloved grandparents die unexpectedly, their final wish brings her scattered family back to Hope Creek, including Jeremiah, the boy she once loved—the same boy who abandoned them when the Chilton clan disintegrated years ago. Despite the long-held grudges and awkward secrets that kept them all apart, Brooke and Jeremiah convince the Chilton cousins to help honor their grandparents’ last request: to take the old church they saved from destruction and turn it into a bookshop that will serve their beloved community.

And to do it all before Christmas.

But repurposing the church building may be easier than healing the deep wounds that tore their family apart. Secrets, both old and new, threaten to destroy Brooke and Jeremiah’s hope that this project could be a new beginning for all of them. With the bookstore’s opening day fast approaching and everyone’s lives upended, each cousin must discover for themselves that the greatest inheritance their grandparents left behind wasn’t a building—it was the gift of forgiveness, the power of second chances, and the enduring hope of Christmas.

Leakey's Bookshop in Inverness (church to bookshop)

My Thoughts

A Bookshop for Christmas by Heidi Chiavaroli wraps family, forgiveness, and hope in all the cozy charm of a small-town Christmas. The author’s warm, inviting style draws readers into a heartfelt story of reconciliation and second chances. The redemptive journey unfolds beautifully, while the gentle romance complements the family narrative without overshadowing it. Well-developed characters experience meaningful growth and emotional healing, and it is especially satisfying to see each piece fall into place by the end. Tender, uplifting, and full of heart, this is the kind of story that stays with you long after the final page.

Pour a cup of tea, claim your coziest chair, and get ready to unwrap the uplifting charm of A Bookshop for Christmas! Want a sneak peek before you settle in? Read a sample of A Bookshop for Christmas and enjoy a little early Christmas cheer!  On October 22, step into the seasonal sparkle of Christmas in Chestnut Crossing by Heidi Chiavaroli, Amy Clipston, Tia McCollors, and Shaen Layle. This delightful collection of four heartwarming novellas blends forgiveness, hope, faith, and small-town charm into one festive package. I’ll return on Thursday, October 22, with One Last Shot at Christmas by Heidi McCahan—because there’s always room under the tree for one more merry read!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian by Cleo Coyle

 The Ghost and the Dead Librarian 

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
1st in the Series - Spinoff of the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries
Setting - Rhode Island
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 29, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496749332
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496749338
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496749352
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GDS6KY2P
Audio CD
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8228951006
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0H55H66KS
Audiobook
ASIN B0H2NLG2YP

A LIBRARY JOURNAL "MYSTERY PICK OF THE MONTH" In an utterly charming new mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle, a small-town Rhode Island bookshop owner investigates the death of an eccentric librarian with the help of a wisecracking, 1940s gumshoe ghost.

As a young widow, Penelope moved back to her quaint Rhode Island town to give her young son a safer home and her aunt's dying bookshop new life. Using her late husband's insurance money, Pen polished the store into a local treasure. But her updates did more than attract new customers. They roused a dead private eye from his big sleep.

With Pen's affection for hardboiled detective stories, it's no surprise she's developed a fondness for the wisecracking yet oddly likeable spirit. Sure, Jack's cold spots are exasperating, along with his proclivity for putting noir fiction in the cozy section. But murder was Jack's business in life, and his PI skills come in awfully handy when the body of an eccentric librarian is found amid the bookshop's aisles.

For years, Dory jokingly called herself "The Dead Librarian" because of her hobby of collecting and writing local obituaries. Now, in death, she's discovered with her own eerily pre-written obit. Was it a suicide note? Jack and Pen say no and their certainty takes them from a ghost town's ancient cemetery to a posh Newport mansion. When another body drops, a mysterious stranger makes Pen a shocking offer, one that may change her life—and Jack's afterlife. But unless Jack can help Pen prove who "checked out" the librarian, a ruthless killer may close the book on her.

"This spin-off of Coyle's 'Haunted Bookshop' series blends cozy mystery, supernatural intrigue, and classic noir influences into a suspenseful small-town murder mystery....Combining humor, literary references, ghostly interventions, and layered community drama, the novel explores how hidden truths from the past continue to haunt the present." —Library Journal (*Starred Review)

About Cleo Coyle 

Cleo Coyle - Alice Alfonsi - Marc Cerasini

Cleo Coyle is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating more than 20 years in print, and the national bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. With more than one million books sold, their works have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, and Czech; received multiple Best of Year selection honors from reviewers; and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together, wrangle their rescue cats, drink a lot of java, and cook like crazy. Connect with Cleo at CleoCoyleBooks.com

Author Links

Webpage: https://www.cleocoylebooks.com/

Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleoCoyleAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleocoyle_author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cleocoyle.bsky.social

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle

My Thoughts

Step into this haunted bookshop and prepare for a mystery with plenty of ghostly charm! The Ghost and the Dead Librarian by Cleo Coyle is a warm, entertaining debut in A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery, a spinoff from A Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. Jack Shepherd, the gruff ghost private detective, and Penelope Thornton-McClure make an endearing sleuthing duo, surrounded by quirky secondary characters who add extra sparkle to the story. Coyle’s friendly writing style blends charm, wit, mystery, and just a smidgen of suspense into an engaging whodunit. Penelope is a smart cookie and watching her unravel clues with a little spectral assistance is a delight. The humor is nicely sprinkled throughout, and the paranormal element adds fun without overshadowing the mystery. With its satisfying mix of clever clues, lighthearted humor, and ghostly guidance, this cozy mystery is a spirited good time from start to finish!

Giveaway

The author is giving away two (2) autographed copies of The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery) by Cleo Coyle.  You can click here to enter,  enter via the form below, or click on the badge in the lower right hand corner of the screen.  Good Luck!

Calling all book lovers—The Ghost and the Dead Librarian is ready to haunt your TBR in the best possible way! Pick up your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Apple, or Bookshop.org. Be sure to follow Cleo Coyle on Amazon so you’ll receive a notification whenever a new book is released. You can also visit Cleo Coyle’s website to learn more about the books, find a handy series checklist in reading order, and sign up for the author’s newsletter. I’ll be back on Wednesday, October 21, with A Bookshop for Christmas by Heidi Chiavaroli. Before you dash off to your next great read, don’t forget to enter the giveaway—your bookish treat may be just a click away!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Tour Participants

October 19 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

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*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts

 Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown

Book Summary

Jordan Frost had to do it. Her family was simply too perfectly eccentric not to put in a novel. She was thrilled when she got an agent and then a publishing deal. For two books. Two! Then reality set in. The book about an oddball family's holiday adventures is coming out in November. Just in time for her trip home to Holly Bay, Washington, from the big city. Jordan is desperately hoping she can keep her pseudonym a secret so she can stay in her family's good graces. She wrote the book under a pen name and when it was time for an author picture, she wore a wig and glasses. No one will know it was her, right?

Great disguise!

Wrong. Charles Pine, her high school friend who always hoped for more, recognizes the woman he's never gotten over as soon as he unpacks her book to shelve at the bookstore where he works. He knows this is the perfect opportunity to get Jordan to see him in a new light and he makes sure to run into her when she arrives home. She never thought of him as anything more than a shoulder to cry on back then, but he's determined to make her see him as boyfriend material. Can he be her hero and help her get through the season with her secret intact? Or at least save her from a holiday meltdown?

When a series of minor family emergencies threatens to add even more chaos to Jordan's already hectic life, Charles tries to help her find the true meaning of the holiday. Maybe coming home wasn't a bad idea after all...

My Thoughts

Grab the cocoa and cue the twinkle lights—Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts is a cute holiday tale brimming with seasonal spirit! Wrapped in humor, merry mayhem, and heartfelt emotion, the story captures everything that makes the holiday season so wonderfully memorable. I especially enjoyed how Roberts balances festive joy with the wonderfully messy moments that make the characters feel relatable. The story unwraps Jordan Frost and Charles Pine’s history through glimpses across the years, revealing how they met and how their relationship blossomed. 

Jordan’s personal growth makes her heartwarming journey of self-discovery especially satisfying, while Charles—sweet, kind, and loyal—was easily my favorite character. Although the plot held few surprises and revisited some ideas more often than I would have preferred, its familiar rhythms also gave the story the cozy comfort of a favorite holiday tradition. The ending left me smiling. Pour the cocoa, settle in by the twinkle lights, and unwrap Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown—a cozy blend of romance, humor, relatable characters, and holiday cheer!

Can they fit another Christmas tree in there?

Let’s wrap up the week with cocoa, Christmas cheer, and a merry little meltdown! Grab a cozy cup and a copy of Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown, then settle in for plenty of laughter long after your mug is empty. I’ll return on Tuesday, October 20, with The Ghost and the Dead Librarian by Cleo Coyle—and there will be a giveaway! I hope you have a fabulous weekend. Mine will be a busy one with our community yard sale, but I’m ready for the fun. Until Tuesday, may your weekend be filled with wonderful finds, warm drinks, and plenty of page-turning delight!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.