Kirjahaku

Betrayal, murder and a stolen fortune bring Elise Baxter to Cedar Bend, Michigan, on a quest to solve a family mystery--and recover the missing treasure.Max Holt impulsively buys a crumbling Victorian mansion and fulfills his dream of restoring it as a restaurant and inn. Aware of its reputation for being haunted, he adds to the mystique by building a garden path of old tombstones, one of which belongs to the original owner of the house, Cyrus Mosby--the man whose legacy Elise has traced, and who allegedly stole her ancestral share of a Colorado silver mine over a century ago.Following clues gleaned from old diaries and a visit from the spirit of her great-great-grandmother, Elise seeks out Max and his inn. Not knowing if she can trust Max with her family secret, Elise pretends her interest is in researching Cyrus, whose own violent death remains a mystery.An intense attraction between Max and Elise leads him to believe she may be the girl of his dreams. But when he discovers her true interest in him and his inn, memories of a past betrayal threaten to end their passionate relationship. Elise, finding herself falling in love with Max, fears her deception may cost her more than she is willing to lose.Once persuaded the stolen silver is hidden somewhere in the inn, and captivated by the idea of a treasure hunt, Max and Elise begin the search together, aided by the resident ghosts, Cyrus and Virginia.The treasure hunt seems like a harmless adventure until someone tries to steal the diaries. Unknown to Max and Elise, there are others--including an evil presence--who are driven by greed and will stop at nothing to unlock the mystery of the Silver Crescent.

It's Mardi Gras time in New Orleans. Attending a masquerade ball, wealthy fashion designer Caterine Doucette, dressed as a shimmering ice princess, has her cool fa ade shattered when she encounters Bayou-born ex-cop Remi Michaud, disguised as the darkly handsome pirate Jean Lafitte. Their true identities hidden, the princess and the pirate come together in an explosion of passion and desire. But when fantasy turns to cold reality, Caterine panics and disappears into the night, unaware this man will soon be sent to rescue her from a killer and will capture her heart.Orphaned at a young age, Caterine grew up in the home of her beloved grandmother, Miss Dauphine Doucette. Despised by her Doucette relatives for the devotion she received from her grandm re, Caterine suffered years of envy and disdain. The young Caterine learned quickly how easily the love she had to give could be thrown back in her face.After Miss Dauphine turns over ownership of the century-old fashion house, Ma Ch rie, to Caterine, an attempt is made on her life, for there are those in the Doucette family who will stop at nothing to possess what they feel is their rightful inheritance.Not knowing whom to trust, Caterine goes into hiding. Miss Dauphine, convinced someone in her own family is behind the attack, hires Remi, now working for a private security company, to track her down and unmask her would-be assassin.Learning that the affluent Caterine Doucette is the beautiful princess he held in his arms at the ball, Remi is torn between his growing desire for her and painful memories of another rich socialite's betrayal. Caterine finds herself falling in love with Remi, but old embedded pain leaves her afraid to open her heart.Down in the Big Easy, Caterine and Remi must learn to trust one another if they are to survive in a world of family greed and ruthless revenge.

The restored historic town of Nookumsville, with its unique shops, quaint eateries and cozy inn is getting ready for their third annual Christmas tour. As a festive holiday mood engulfs the town's residents, greed, betrayal, blackmail and murder lie beneath the gentle mantel of new-fallen snow.Police chief Alex Mackenzie finds he has his hands full when his wife, Abigail, out for an early morning jog, discovers a dead body. He has the disagreeable task of interrogating his friends and neighbors in pursuit of the murderer. As the investigation unfolds, it is revealed that during the late hours of the previous night a number of Nookumsville's quirky citizens weren't home sleeping innocently in their beds.A dead body in a shop window isn't all that's in store for Alex. Carl Edwards, president of the Nookumsville's bank, is missing along with much of the bank's deposits.Hoping to get details of the murder and the investigation, G.H. Greeley, owner, editor, and star reporter of the Nookumsville News corners Alex. Giving the over-inquisitive reporter as little information as possible, Alex manages to slip away heading for the rambling home of Peggy and Bob O'Neal who own a retro-style service station. Bob had been at the Cork & Bottle the night before, intoxicated and threatening Kathleen. His whereabouts during the time of Kathleen's murder are uncorroborated.The murder investigation takes Alex to The Cork & Bottle, where the animosity between Kathleen and the owners, Ben and Sam, is well known.Charles and Agatha Butterfield, who have a fondness for vintage clothing, classic movies and murder mysteries, had also been out and about at the time of the murder, in their horse-drawn sleigh. When Alex questions them, they claim to have seen a shadowy figure outside the inn.Tom Scraper, owner of Two Bits barbershop and Yesteryears antiques, says his wife Judy had gone home to bed leaving him alone in the shop decorating the display window. He saw a dark snowy figure run past his window but could provide no more detailed description.While having a cup of coffee in Flap Jacks caf at the 'fifties-style counter, a persistent Alex finally convinces a reluctant Granny Jo, the owner, to admit that she saw a person who looked like Samantha Edwards rushing by Flap Jacks' front door during the night of Kathleen's murder.Alex's investigation takes him from the Cork & Bottle Inn, to Indulgence Salon, Flap Jacks Caf , Yesteryears Antiques, and Two Bits Barbershop before Santa in his big red sleigh arrives just in time to help Alex discover the murderer as the next victim is about to meet their fate.As a clear winter night settles upon Nookumsville, a record crowd of festive holiday tourists gather in anticipation as Alex, in his top hat and cloak, begins the tour of his once again idyllic peaceful little town.

When bookstore owner Suzanna Shay and writer Austen Kincade meet on a Who Done It mystery cruise, their instant attraction has them more interested in romance than searching for clues. But when the leading actress in the shipboard murder skit, Austen's publisher's wife, throws herself at Austen, she's furious when he rejects her advances and vows to have Austen no matter what it takes. After the ship docks, with plans for a future together, Suzanna and Austen part, unaware vindictive lies will soon test their newfound love and entangle them in a real mystery that proves deadly.