The holiday season is a time for reflection, celebration, AND—let’s be honest—comfort. While the lights sparkle AND the scent of pine fills the air, there’s something about this time of year that makes you want to slow down and embrace the simple joys of life. AND what could be more wonderful than enjoying a quiet moment with your furry pet pal, a steaming cup of hot cocoa, AND a cozy book to keep you company?
Furry Friends and Holiday Snuggles
There’s no better companion during the holidays than your pet. Whether it’s your cat curling up in your lap as you read, your dog gently resting their head on your feet by the fire, or the sound of purring filling the quiet of a chilly night, pets add a layer of warmth AND comfort to the season. They’re always there to share in the moments of peace AND joy that make Christmas so magical. Their presence turns any moment into a special one—whether you’re wrapping gifts, watching holiday movies, or simply taking in the holiday cheer.
The Magic of Cozy Books
For me, one of the most magical parts of the holiday season is curling up with a good book. There’s something about wintery nights AND holiday mornings that make reading extra cozy. Picture this: You’re tucked under a blanket, your pet cuddled up nearby, AND you’re lost in the pages of a festive novel or heartwarming story. It’s the ultimate relaxation, AND there’s no better time of year to dive into your favorite holiday reads. From classic Christmas tales to cozy mysteries set against snowy backdrops, books bring a special kind of magic that’s perfect for the season.
The Simple Joys of the Season
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays—shopping, cooking, parties, AND planning—but sometimes the best moments are the quiet ones. This year, let’s focus on those simple joys: the purr of a content cat, the warmth of a faithful dog by your side, AND the satisfaction of finishing a great book by the glow of Christmas lights. These moments are what make the holidays truly unforgettable.
So, here’s to enjoying the good times, embracing the cozy companionship of our pets, AND finding magic in every page we turn. After all, when you have your furry friends, a good book, AND a warm, festive atmosphere, it really is the most wonderful time of the year.
When people think of CHRISTMAS, their minds usually go to shopping, gifts, movies, snow, hot chocolate, cookies, and festive gatherings. As a reader and a writer, this time of year also fills me with the desire to immerse myself fully in the season by reading or re reading holiday stories.
Romance is such a joyful genre and for me, this includes a romantic cozy mystery. The only thing that can make falling for someone on the page better, is if it’s all happening during this merry season.
Since Christmas is about sharing and magic, I wanted to offer a few of my favorite reads and tell you all what I’m putting on my holiday TBR pile for this year.
Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell
This very short, very sweet story walks us through the friendship of two people who met at a New Year’s Eve party in high school. Noel is coming back from his first semester in college and Mags can’t wait to see him. They’ve missed each other terribly and not just as friends.
Simply Irresistibleby Jill Shalvis
When Maddie heads back to Lucky Harbor to a somewhat crumbling inn she’ll share with her sisters, she doesn’t expect to fall in love. This was my Jill Shalvis gateway book and I will forever remember the three sisters drunkenly sharing underneath the Christmas tree. It was delightful.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
This is the sweetest novel that reminds a longtime married couple what matters most, especially at the holidays. When Georgie finds a rotary phone in her childhood bedroom, it brings her back to the past when she met her now husband, Neal, and makes her rethink her choice to spend the holiday working.
Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
This book (and television series adaptation) is adorable and so enjoyable. Exchanging dares and secrets in a notebook, both Dash and Lily learn about themselves and how far they’re willing to go to be their authentic selves and find a person worth sharing that self with.
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
This collection of interwoven stories also has a great movie adaptation and what I love most about it is the overlapping stories that let you see the events from a variety of view points.
My to-read list for this year includes The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore and All I Want for Christmas by Falon Ballard.
Time seems to fly past at a quicker speed as I get older and I find myself needing to find ways to ground myself in the moment, the day, or the season. These reads will be what reminds me to sit by my tree with some hot chocolate and yummy cookies and get lost in the joy and magic of the season.
Jody Holford writes sweet romance and cozy mysteries with sweet romance in them. She’s published several books including the cozies in The Britton Bay Series. She’s unintentionally funny and rarely on time for anything. If she’s not writing, she’s reading, hanging out with her family, or doodling. She also writes romcoms under the pen name, Sophie Sullivan.
The new year is less than a month away, but don’t worry, because here at Tule we have plenty of new releases to look forward to in the coming year!
Retired nuns solving crimes, whimsical weddings, art that’s to die for, and so much more—you won’t want to miss it!
Check out these seven Tule cozy mysteries below, filled with cozy settings, eccentric sleuths, magical adventures, and lighthearted humor, coming to you in 2025!
Did the professor get what he deserved, or is murder on the prowl in small-town California?
As a late-summer heat wave scorches the sleepy town of Citrus Grove, the suspicious death of a notoriously unpopular professor puts Rebecca and her talking cat, Aneksi, hot on the trail of another cursed artifact and a killer.
Police Detective Nick Devon, her dashing new flame, is following the rulebook in his investigation, but the Cuthbert Exotic Antiques manager is trusting her instincts as she follows the clues. With her grandfather distracted by an unexpected visitor—who may not be what he seems—and Aneksi rekindling a bond with a long-lost sibling, Rebecca knows she’s on her own to search for the ancient scepter that may hold the key to the dead professor’s medical miracle…and the reason behind his demise.
In this twisty tale of hidden motives, intensifying danger, and a dash of magic, Rebecca must rely on her wits—and, hopefully, Aneksi’s sharp claws—to solve the case before she becomes the cunning murderer’s next victim.
DeAnna Drake’s newest release delivers a magical murder-mystery adventure with Rebecca Cuthbert, her new crime-solving beau, and her ever-loyal fluffy sidekick, Aneksi. Pre-order Crime and Cat-astrophes TODAY!
Join the Shepherd sisters in solving a mystery…before it’s too late! This artful cozy mystery is perfect for fans of Krista Davis and Joanne Fluke.
Savanna Shepherd is a former art authenticator―someone who can tell a forgery from the real thing. She’s got a talent for spotting secrets hiding in plain sight.
After being fired and dumped in the same terrible day, Savanna moves back to her idyllic hometown on the banks of Lake Michigan. At least she’s close to her sisters again, and she’s enjoying her new job as a grade school art teacher.
Savanna even rediscovers her creative soul when an old family friend hires her to paint a mural. But when a cozy book club meeting ends with a possible murder, and then dangerous incidents occur in and around the friend’s mansion, Savanna’s sharp eye is put to the test. With a little help from her sisters―and from Aidan, the intriguing town doctor―will she be able to figure out what’s wrong with this picture?
This February 2025 release combines the keen-eyed, artistically-inclined protagonist of White Collar with the idyllic small-town of A Chain of Pearls.Pre-order HERE!
She just wants to share her delicious sweets. But a sticky surprise has this amateur detective dusting off her snooping skills.
Bakery owner Ava Decker is determined to put being dumped at the altar behind her. But her ambitions turn sour when her chocolatey cupcakes end up beside a beauty pageant contestant’s lifeless body. And when her good friend is accused of the crime, Ava throws herself into the mix to clear both their names.
With a dash of help from her cute kitten sidekick, the pastry-chef-turned-sleuth dives into the beauty queen scene to find out why a weight-loss-fanatic would be found dead next to sugary goodness. But with few clues and her hands messy with a full lineup of suspects, she struggles to follow the trail of crumbs to the real tiara-obsessed killer.
Can Ava crown the culprit before the plate of evidence is wiped clean?
This second installment in Lisa Siefert’s Frosted Misfortunes Mysteries is a perfect heartwarming and humorous addition to your bookshelves. Pre-order Fudge and Felonies HERE!
Detective Adam Waltz and I are finally tying the knot. And since this is my second marriage, I don’t want a big wedding, just something uncomplicated that reflects small-town Texas and definitely includes all of our dogs. So a meeting with the police department’s chaplain to discuss the I dos will be easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Instead, we find our officiant dead in his cheesy—dip, that is.
But was the nice old man the real target of a murderer? Or is someone trying to stop Adam and me from finally getting our happily ever after? Now it’s going to take the whole town—plus a pup or two or six—to help us plan this wedding and find out who is after us, before we end up drowning face down in the queso ourselves.
Add M. Alfano’s sixth cozy mystery in her series to your TBR today, and don’t miss out on its whimsical wedding fun!
When retired nun and teacher Sister Bernadette returns with her fellow residents to The Abbey: Senior Living, she is the first to discover the body sprawled in the hallway of the converted school where she once taught English and now lives. Instead of freezing with horror, Sister Bernie has questions. Lots of them. Why does Toni Travi, the bedazzled and bejeweled resident from apartment 218, have so much chest hair? Did anyone at The Abbey know Toni was a man? Was Toni’s death related to allegations that she cheated at cards? Where’s the murder weapon? Who had a motive? And did someone kill Toni, or the man hiding beneath the Revlon foundation and blonde wig?
Detective AJ Lewis is in charge of the investigation though Sister Bernie acts as if he is still her student. With unholy stubbornness, she dogs his every step, eavesdrops, sneaks beyond the police tape and offers unsolicited conjecture and clues. He wants to keep her safe, but she’s determined to lend a helping hand—it’s her habit, after all!
This charming new series combines the retirement-home setting of The Thursday Murder Club series with the eccentric, out-of-control protagonist of Sister Act for a lighthearted, fast-paced murder mystery that will keep you on your toes. Pre-order TODAY!
Revenge is red. Berries are blue. When murder comes to the festival, Will it be one victim or two?
Misty Harbor’s annual Blueberry Festival gets off to a rollicking start with pancakes, scones, muffins, coffee cake, and so much more. Unfortunately, Dani Mackenzie trips over a body behind the blueberry bushes, and a big hullabaloo begins.
She doesn’t recognize the victim, but spilled vinegar leads Dani and her Jack Russell terrier, Pip, to a vendor selling specialty blueberry balsamic vinegar. The problem is, that vendor is Dani’s employee, Christy Golden. Christy reveals that the victim had been harassing her while serving him at the Little Dog Diner, so Dani comes up with a plan to keep her out of the paws of the police, who suspect Christy of revenge.
With scads of people at the festival, Dani is desperate for clues to uncover the killer and throw the scent onto a different trail. Pip scours the scene and digs up details the police overlooked.
Can she save her employee before someone else—perhaps even Dani—is buried under the blueberries?
Emmie Lyn’s Rolling Up Revenge is perfect for readers who love small-town, cozy diner settings, fruit-themed festivals, and a thrilling murder mystery to solve! Add its April 2025 release date to your calendars TODAY!
Wild animal removal specialist Elmo Simpson needs to act fast before the good people of Paradise Springs decide to remove him!
Halloween has arrived, and all is well in Elmo Simpson’s life until his beloved cat Oscar wanders off and doesn’t return. While searching for Oscar, Elmo discovers a body in a ditch. A body that turns out to be Elmo’s former arch-nemesis, a man who Elmo believes stole intellectual property from him worth millions.
When word gets out who the victim is, the town becomes convinced Elmo is the murderer, intent on taking revenge. With nowhere to turn and the reputation of his recently purchased Sea Breeze Resort on the line, Elmo takes it upon himself to figure out who the real killer is. All the while, trying to assemble the threads that connect a dark time in his past with the equally perilous present.
Ditch the to-do list and add J.C. Kenney’s newest Elmo Simpson Mysteries release to your TBR TODAY!
These seven heartwarming and intriguing cozy mysteries are coming to your shelves in the new year, so don’t forget to mark your calendars and stay up to date with all of Tule’s cozy mystery new releases, blog posts, and newsletters!
When the holiday season rolls in, I always find myself reflecting on the beauty of being surrounded by family—both the family we’re born into and the family we find along the way. If you’ve read my Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series, you know the heart of Rebecca Cuthbert’s world isn’t just her talking cat, Aneksi, or the quirky mysteries she solves. It’s also the people she shares her life with—her grandfather and her friends in the small town of Citrus Grove, which have become her extended “found family.”
For Rebecca, the holidays are about sitting around her grandfather’s cluttered antique shop, sipping something warm, and swapping stories about the strange and wonderful treasures they’ve come across. It’s about laughter, good food, and making new memories—things we can all relate to, especially as the winter nights grow longer and colder.
One of my favorite ways to bring everyone together is by sharing something warm and comforting. I especially love to make a big batch of mulled cider—something that fills the house with the scent of cinnamon, cloves, and cranberries. It’s the perfect drink to sip while gathered around the fire, or in Rebecca’s case, while unraveling another mystery in Citrus Grove.
If you’re looking for a festive recipe to enjoy with your family, here’s my delicious MERRY Berry Mulled Cider recipe, which is perfect for this festive season. You can make it in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, and the best part? It smells as wonderful as it tastes!
Merry Berry Mulled Cider
INGREDIENTS
1 gallon of apple cider
1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, if fresh aren’t available)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, sliced
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon allspice berries
1/4 cup brown sugar (optional, depending on your sweetness preference)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
Slow Cooker Method:
Pour the apple cider into your slow cooker.
Add the cranberries, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves, allspice, and brown sugar.
Set the slow cooker to low and let it simmer for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add the vanilla extract just before serving.
Strain out the spices and fruit, if desired, or leave them in for a rustic look.
Stovetop Method:
In a large pot, combine the apple cider, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves, allspice, and brown sugar.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer on low for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the vanilla extract just before serving.
Strain, if desired, or serve as-is for a rustic feel.
This mulled cider is a cozy, crowd-pleasing drink that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. I hope this recipe warms your home as much as it does mine.
Happy holidays, from my family to yours! 🐾🎄P.S. Keep an eye out for Crime and Cat-astrophes—the fourth book in the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series—coming in February!
DeAnna Drake is an award-winning author who writes witty and whimsical cozy mysteries filled with magical animals and feisty heroines who are always striving to balance the scales of justice in an offbeat world.
Under different names, DeAnna writes young-adult fantasy fiction, contemporary romances, and historical novels set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
When she isn’t plotting new adventures for her characters, she’s a craft addict, drinks too much tea, binge watches crime dramas, and escapes to Disneyland whenever she can.
She lives in Southern California with her family, which includes her two favorite people and one ridiculously pampered border collie.
Thanks for joining me for day six of TULE’s 12 days of Christmas Blog Tour!
This is an exciting—and busy—time of year. To keep stress to a minimum, I have a few tried-and-true short cut dessert ideas on hand for those days when I’m running low on energy or I’m short on time.
Trust me. Short cut doesn’t mean deliciousness is short-changed.
So … ta da … my Cheesecake in a Jar is the perfect answer for any last-minute dessert needs. It’s festive, easy, and oh so delightful!
And, it’s a new offering on the menu at the Little Dog Diner!
Here you go with my recipe for Cheesecake in a Jar
Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs or any crumbled cookie of your choice
1 cup cold heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt at room temperature
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoonvanilla
Toppings & garnishes. The only rule is, be creative! Strawberries, blueberries, lemon curd, nuts, hot fudge or a combination are a few of my favorites. Add a pretty cookie and you’re done.
Instructions
I like to use 10 – 6 oz canning jars but any glass container glass container will do.
Add about 1 ½ TB crumbs to each 6 – oz jar.
Whip the cold heavy cream into stiff peaks. Set aside.
In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. No lumps left!
Slowly fold the whipped cream into the cheesecake filling until combined.
Layer a couple large spoonfuls of filling on top of the crumbs in the jars. Use about 3 Tablespoons, more or less, into the 6 oz jars. Leave room for the topping.
Cover and chill for a half hour before adding your topping choice.
Now, the fun part. Add topping and garnishes, then serve.
Leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for a few days.
One last thing. I always try one before serving to guests. I want to be sure it tastes delicious, right?
Take it from me, before your house is full of company, grab your favorite book, a cheesecake in a jar, a drink, and give yourself a much needed break!
Happy TULE Holiday Season everyone!
About the Author
Emmie Lyn grew up in a small town in New England, much like the towns where her female characters live—scenic, quaint and filled with colorful characters. She loves to create mysteries with twists and unexpected turns that draw readers in and capture their imagination.
Emmie lives in rural Massachusetts with her husband, a rescue terrier, and a black cat with a bad attitude. She shares twelve acres with a wide variety of wildlife including deer, bunnies, turkeys, and many songbirds. When she’s not busy thinking of ways to kill off a character (for a book, of course!) she enjoys a cup of tea and chocolate in her flower garden, hiking, or spending time near the ocean.
Hi, I’m M, here AT Tule I’m your resident dog cozy mystery author and crazy dog lady in general.
I’m also a lot like Leslie Knope in that gift-giving is like a sport for me. I love the thrill of finding the perfect gift for everyone.
And, yes, this includes my dogs.
So, I wanted to help out my fellow dog parents with some holiday gift suggestions for their fur babies!
For a little something special – Gourmet Dog Treats – We’ve special ordered ours from local bakeries, used Chewy, and even ordered from Amazon. If you’re going to a friend’s house and know they are a dog lover, they’re the perfect gift to bring for the host. (Fun fact, this is also what I suggested to my mom to give as a gift for a dog wedding. YEP the dog wedding that inspired A Poodle Perplexity.) https://amzn.to/48h72bi
For your playful dog, or one you need to keep distracted – The Nylon Treat Pod- Every single one of my dogs, family dogs, and foster dogs has loved this thing. You can put treats inside of the little nylon pods and they have to really lick and chew to get them out. They even love this bone without treats in it (as soon in pictures) https://amzn.to/4dY8osL
For those who want a new tradition – Books- A few years back we started getting matching family pajamas and books every year on Christmas Eve. And who am I to leave the dogs out? Luckily they have dog toy books that you can stuff with treats! Perfect to go with those matching pajamas! https://amzn.to/40aMwHv
For the sentimental bunch – Matching pajamas for you and your dog – Now my dogs, personally hated this, but to be fair, one is a rescue and is scared of everything. Even the matching pajamas my mom got us for Christmas. But I have to admit, they’re adorable. https://amzn.to/3NDbTdy
For the pampered pooch – A new dog bed – We’ve gone through a lot of dog beds in the Alfano house, mainly because we’ve had puppies, fosters, and just furry dogs! So what better way to spoil your dog than a new bed for them to camp out in, while you read in your comfy chair? (One with a removable cover is also great) https://amzn.to/3NDcrA8
M. Alfano is a crazy dog lady from a small town in Texas. When not writing cozy mysteries you can find her as the substitute elementary school music teacher or writing contemporary romance under Magan Vernon.
