The Samantha Sweet Mysteries Series

Praise for USA Today bestseller, Connie Shelton: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book Review Revenge is often a cold dish, but in the tiny northern New Mexico town of Sembramos emotions are running decidedly hot. When Lee Rodarte and Jessie Starkey, convicted of murdering a local girl, are released from prison after serving only a few years, their convictions overturned, the town’s old pain rises to the surface and tempers flare. Samantha Sweet has her hands full with Easter at her pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets, while her husband, Taos County Sheriff Beau Cardwell, is charged with keeping order among the two hundred residents of Sembramos. Topping it off, as part of her sideline job, Sam is assigned another house to break into and must drive to the huge abandoned mansion daily, right through the small war zone where payback seems to be on everyone’s mind. “Shelton, a major success for Intrigue, can only expand her fan base with this solid effort.” —Publisher’s Weekly “Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships.” —Booklist “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal * * * About the Author: USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton writes two bestselling mystery series and has had several award-winning short stories and essays. She formerly taught both fiction and non-fiction writing courses, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul. She and her husband and two dogs live in New Mexico. Visit her website at connieshelton.com

When a woman walks into Samantha Sweet’s pastry shop, claiming to have amnesia, it’s a puzzle that seems to have nothing to do with Sam’s new commission for a fantastic one-of-a-kind order of chocolates, although "Jane Doe" seems to know a lot about that. Sam calls Sheriff Beau to solve the mystery of who this stranger is and where she belongs. But Beau’s attention is occupied by other things: nearly his entire force is out sick with some kind of flu bug, and now a murder far from Taos requires his full attention. Nothing is fitting together, until suddenly it does. “Jane’s” forgotten memories become vitally important as Beau and Sam work to piece the puzzle together in this latest installment in Shelton’s internationally bestselling series. “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review “I’m addicted to this series!” --Mollie D. Williams, 5 star review online “Great series. Holds your interest and leaves you wanting more.” --Paula Kroencke, 5 stars, * * * USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton is the author of two bestselling mystery series featuring Charlie Parker and Samantha Sweet. She's known for a light touch when it comes to sex and violence in her stories, but is much more lavish with food and chocolate. She and her husband and two dogs live in northern New Mexico. Visit her website at connieshelton.com

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her most delightful cozy mystery series yet—with a little romance, a little magic and a whole lot of chocolate! With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, see what the fuss is all about! Samantha Sweet breaks into houses for a living. But when she encounters a dying woman in one such house and a backyard grave at another, handsome deputy Beau Cardwell shows up and—well, things get complicated. A small mural painted inside a closet in the abandoned house provides clues and Sam is caught up in Beau’s investigation. A fortune in artwork, a bogus will, and a wooden box that seems to give Sam powers she never dreamed she possessed— it all adds up to a dynamic paranormal romantic mystery. Then, there is all that chocolate! Sam's real goal in life is to use her elegant baking skills to open her own pastry shop, Sweet's Sweets. She's gaining quite the reputation as a baker with a magical touch, but a few obstacles stand in her way. Her grown daughter shows up on her doorstep—jobless and homeless; her bank account is at an all-time low; and trying to work from the tiny cramped kitchen in her home is becoming impossible. Somehow, Sam copes and she finds that her dreams might just have a chance of coming true. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. Praise for Connie Shelton's mysteries: “Wow, this was an incredible book!”—5 stars on Amazon "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review "Shelton, a major success for Intrigue, can only expand her fan base with this solid effort." -- Publisher's Weekly "Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships." --Booklist "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life." -- Albuquerque Journal "Connie Shelton has another winner!" -- The Book Report

Now that Samantha Sweet has a contract to provide her special handmade chocolates for the wealthy jet-set clients of Book It Travel, Sweet’s Sweets bakery is taking on a whole new dimension. Only problem, Sam isn’t ready. It’s almost Halloween, her pastry shop is bursting at the seams and she needs extra employees but there is no place to put them. Right before the witching day, she comes upon a large Victorian house she can adapt for the business, and it seems her problem is solved. But is it? The mysterious, spooky noises at night are way more than the normal creaks and groans of an old building. Something else is going on and Sam suspects it may be related to her husband’s newest case, investigating where an abandoned duffle bag crammed full of cash came from. Beau is dealing with a greedy reward-seeker, a robbery with no leads, and a waif who appears and vanishes. Sam’s mystery has her watching for ghosts and working almost around the clock. Is she relying on magic?—well, occasionally. * * * * * Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton and her mystery books: “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review “Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats.” Joanne K, 5-star review (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries) “The teamwork between Samantha and Beau was a main draw as well as attention to detail, down to the last frosted cookie.” – Janine Thiemann, 5 stars (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries)

It’s here -- USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton’s newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 60 countries, find out what the fuss is all about! Breaking into another house, creating chocolates worth $200 a box, and helping her sheriff husband solve a traffic accident-turned-murder ... Samantha Sweet has her hands more than a little full as the new year begins. “Love Connie Shelton’s work. She usually has me at the first word.”—5 stars, Terry Brown It's the beginning of a new year at Sweet's Sweets pastry shop and chocolate factory, and Samantha Sweet finds herself busy as ever, especially when her top client comes in with a new idea. His travel firm is selling a new Travel the World itinerary for the jet-set, and Sam is to come up with special chocolates to make the spectacular trip even more memorable for his wealthy clientele. At $200 a box, she can't exactly say no. Things get a little sticky when a friend calls with a problem, which involves Sam going back to her old job (temporarily, at least) of breaking into houses. How she manages to juggle it all ... well, it just might involve a little magic. Meanwhile, Beau answers the call to a traffic fatality that turns way more complex when he realizes he has a murder to solve. The couple's paths cross less frequently than they would like, but as luck would have it, Sam ends up providing some of the critical clues in Beau's case and the answers come as a surprise to both of them. “I get started reading and find myself not wanting to stop”—5 stars, Amazon review “I love this series. This is one that is hard to put down when you start to read it.”—5 stars, Goodreads “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review

It’s here -- USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton’s newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 60 countries, find out what the fuss is all about! Samantha Sweet’s life is a little crazy right now, beginning with her daughter’s wedding, which coincides with Sam’s receiving a huge new contract for her chocolate factory. The day after the wedding someone takes a shot at Sam and she discovers the bad guys are back. OSM’s henchman, Marcus Fitch, who showed up in Taos once before, is more determined than ever to get his hands on the carved box that gives Sam her unusual powers. But as the sheriff’s department investigates the shooting, it seems Fitch has an airtight alibi. Meanwhile, Sam’s daughter is honeymooning in England where she and her new husband discover some interesting clues that connect to home. As Kelly learns of her mother’s secrets, she is pulled into the world of the magical artifacts in ways no one could have foreseen. And Sam discovers that her own world is about to change—forever. ~ ~ ~ Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “Ms. Shelton continues to perfect her craft with every book.” —5 stars, Kindle reader “LOVE, LOVE these books!” —5 stars, online review “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, find out what the fuss is all about! Samantha Sweet is back at Sweet’s Sweets, her bakery with a magical flair, while husband Beau is now a full-time rancher. When he hires a young cowboy to help out, no one suspects that Danny Flores comes with a lot of baggage until Lila, the girl he left behind, shows up. She says she has romance on her mind, but Danny finds her manipulative and domineering. He changed his number and moved out of state, but she has managed to track him down. Beau and Sam wish Danny all the best, but there isn’t a lot they can do. But then Lila is murdered and the most damning clue, the words Sweet Dreams, point to Danny. Sam doesn’t want a mystery to solve—she’s ready for cozy time with her young granddaughter. Plus, she and Kelly have been cooking up some new mischief, discovering that the strange book with the rune-like writing actually contains something magical. As Danny’s situation gets worse, Sam realizes no one else, except maybe Eliza the calico cat, is going to help her solve the murder. Plus, Sam is more than a little involved, since it might have been a potion she and Kelly brewed up from the magic book that got Danny into this jam in the first place. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. ~ ~ ~ Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “The best yet!! Not only was Sweet Magic fantastic, it left me dying to see where life is headed for Samantha and her family! Heart-gripping, fast-paced, and amazing.” – J.J. 5-stars, online review “LOVE, LOVE these books!” —5 stars, online review “Fantastic! Impossible to put down!” – 5 stars, Amazon reader “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal

On a summer day in 13th century Ireland, a simple Celtic woodworker takes a walk past a half-dead alder tree. Lightning strikes, nearly killing him. With the shattered tree lying all around, John Carver pulls himself up and decides to make the best of it—he takes the usable pieces to his workshop. From the shards of that dead tree John creates three boxes. Then the unexplained happens—shortly after handling one of them, John’s touch brings his young son back from the brink of death. When the second box demonstrates an opposite tendency, toward the dark side, Carver is terrified that witch-hunters will learn of the events. Eager to rid himself of the artifacts and desperate for money, he sells the three boxes. As they are each taken by very different buyers—a common Englishman, a worldly merchant, and a bishop—John feels a foreboding about the future. Through the centuries, the boxes travel the world, eventually drawing the attention of two rival organizations, each with very different motives and methods for gaining what they want. Reminiscent of The Red Violin in scope, this historical novel follows the three boxes to the 21st century and a deadly confrontation between the two factions. The Woodcarver’s Secret is the prequel and companion novel to Connie Shelton’s Samantha Sweet paranormal cozy mystery series (USA Today bestselling author). The Midwest Book Review says: “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” Praise for Connie’s previous books: “... delightfully complex mystery.” —Romantic Times “... always a good read...” —Southwest Book Views “The characters themselves are amazingly real. Bits of history are woven throughout the book. I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as the Samantha Sweet series, but to my mind it is even better. It transcends the series and becomes a remarkable book in its own right.” –MossRose, 5 star review “I’m addicted to this series!” --Mollie W. 5 star review “Great series. Holds your interest and leaves you wanting more.” --Paula K. 5 stars “If you enjoy well-crafted, well researched and well written historical fiction, ‘The Woodcarver’s Secret’ will capture your imagination.” –Skywriter, 5 star online review “... the more I read, the more eager I was to finish the book and learn as much as I could about Samantha's box. The book adds depth to the mystery of the box and its healing powers throughout the series. Each person who handled the box seemed to be a real person in the past. The intensity of the book left me slightly stunned--as though I witnessed all that happened first hand. Ms Shelton has out done herself with this book. I can only recommend that you read it for yourself and be swept away in this creative history lesson.”—Illinois reader, 5 stars, online review * * * About the Author: Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, including two international bestselling mystery series. She has also written several award-winning essays and was a contributor to Chicken Soup For the Writer’s Soul. She and her husband live in New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at connieshelton.com

USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her newest Samantha Sweet cozy mystery. With nearly 2 million books sold and downloaded in more than 110 countries, find out what the fuss is all about! Samantha Sweet is back at Sweet’s Sweets, turning out her amazing cakes and pastries for the busy holiday season, when Emily Plankhurst, the new young librarian in town, stops in. Emily tells Sam a strange story involving a hidden niche in the library revealed to her in a vision, supposedly, by her dead grandmother. Would anyone believe this farfetched story? Possibly not anyone but Sam, who has had more than a few unexplained occurrences in her own life. It turns out the hidden space contains a rare painting, The Ghost of Christmas, which was believed to have been destroyed in a fire twenty-five years ago at the luxury home of a hedge fund billionaire. A young man died in the fire and the insurance company paid the claim for the valuable painting. But now that the painting has turned up, how can Emily prove that her own grandfather wasn’t the one behind the arson? It's a sticky situation when she approaches Sam with the case. If she turns the painting over to the authorities they will almost certainly believe that her grandfather was involved in the theft of the piece and most likely complicit in insurance fraud as well. Would the police actually take him out of the Alzheimer care facility where he now resides and throw him in jail? Emily’s only chance of saving her grandfather’s life, and the reputation of the family-founded library, is to investigate the old crime and find out who really stole The Ghost of Christmas. And Samantha is the only person she can trust to help her, one of the few who remembers when the fire started and the insurance claim was paid. It’s a Christmas mystery with a lot of twists and turns! Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. ~ ~ ~ Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “The best yet!! Not only was Sweet Magic fantastic, it left me dying to see where life is headed for Samantha and her family! Heart-gripping, fast-paced, and amazing.” – J.J. 5-stars, online review “LOVE, LOVE these books!” —5 stars, online review “Fantastic! Impossible to put down!” – 5 stars, Amazon reader “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review

It’s Spring Break and a trio of California college kids head out, not to the beach but to the mountains of New Mexico, where they plan on a week of snowboarding, beer, and fun. But the instructions to reach their vacation rental are less than precise and it’s late and snowy when they arrive at Taos Ski Valley. They’re surprised to find an older couple in the cabin they believed to be theirs but hey, Casey Hardwick, the ringleader of the group, is not known for reading directions or getting all the facts. Maybe the place is actually a B&B. They troop inside and are shown to a bedroom. Days later, Casey’s sister is calling the only friend she knows in Taos—Kelly Sweet—hoping to get word to her brother that their mother’s condition has worsened and she doesn’t have long to live. No one has heard from Casey, and she urgently needs to reach him. Samantha and Kelly are together when the call comes, and the mystery only deepens once they talk to Sheriff Evan Richards. Yes, the family reported the missing boys and he investigated. He found no evidence that they’d ever arrived. His theory is that the boys changed their plans at the last minute and are living it up somewhere else. But Sam has a bad feeling about it. Without the help of law enforcement, will she and Kelly figure out how the boys disappeared? And can they find the boys and get Casey home before it’s too late to see his mother again? Their only clues seem to come from the mysterious book of runes. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard-working, the kind of person you feel you already know. ~ ~ ~ Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “The best yet!! Not only was Sweet Magic fantastic, it left me dying to see where life is headed for Samantha and her family! Heart-gripping, fast-paced, and amazing.” – J.J. 5-stars, online review “LOVE, LOVE these books!” —5 stars, online review “Fantastic! Impossible to put down!” – 5 stars, Amazon reader “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review

When Emily Plankhurst is visited by the ghost of Gabriel Graystone, and learns he was murdered, she knows she must find justice for him. The only problem is, Gabriel was killed a hundred years ago, shortly after he broke off his engagement to the daughter of a prominent Taos family. Emily, who runs a private research library—a place that’s known to harbor its own share of ghosts—teams up with Samantha Sweet and her daughter to investigate. As they delve into the case they discover that the story goes much deeper than a broken engagement or an old feud. There are hidden places in Taos that no one knows about, and plenty of ghostly old secrets. With danger lurking in the shadows, can they uncover the truth before those secrets catch up with them? If you enjoyed the cozy Aunt Dimity mystery series, you'll love this suspenseful story of a librarian, a baker, and their search for justice. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hardworking, the kind of person you feel you already know. ~ ~ ~ Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “The best yet!! Not only was Sweet Magic fantastic, it left me dying to see where life is headed for Samantha and her family! Heart-gripping, fast-paced, and amazing.” – J.J. 5-stars, online review “LOVE, LOVE these books!” —5 stars, online review “Fantastic! Impossible to put down!” – 5 stars, Amazon reader “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review