Showing results by author "Stella Bixby" in All Categories

Prepare to be spellbound as you step into a world where chaos, enchantment, and a mischievous pet pig collide in a magical cozy mystery like no other. Ellie Vanderwick's life may not be conventional, but it's far from ordinary. With her faithful pet pig, Penelope, and trusty VW Microbus, Mona, by her side, she's ready for anything. Well, almost anything.

Hollywood has come to Cliff Haven, and with it, a whole new cast of characters and drama. The annual Christmas play is in full swing, but this year, someone won't be taking their final bow. Ellie Vanderwick has only one line in the play, but even that proves to be a challenge when she finds herself struggling to speak it. With her magical mane causing chaos and a visitor who claims to know about her family, Ellie's got a lot on her plate.

Ellie's detective days may have seemed like a gutter ball, but she's about to knock down some serious pins. Whether she likes it or not. Just when she thinks she can take a break from sleuthing, a new murder mystery rolls her way. Ellie must strike fast to bring the killer to justice. But that's not all she's got on her plate. She's also teaching a lively group of bachelorette ladies to belly dance, dealing with her magical mane acting up, and training for the local Trot-n-Tater race.

Ellie Vanderwick has hair-raising problems, and we're not just talking about her unruly locks! Yoga may ease the tension, but when it comes to dead bodies, she needs more than just downward dog. Her life may seem imperfect without friends, family, or a stable job, but she's got her trusty VW Microbus named Mona and her loyal piggy companion, Penelope. Unfortunately, her hair is a different story. It's like magic, but not the kind she likes! Her hair can go berserk at any moment, transforming into curls, bright purple, or even limp strands.

It seems like an easy enough job. Go to work, check some fishing licenses, and do everything she can to move on from her cheating ex. But when bodies start popping up, Rylie gets a rude awakening.

If Rylie had a checklist for her life it would look like this: Full-time job . . . check. Serious boyfriend . . . check. No dead bodies in months . . . check. On paper it looked good. Fantastic even. But in reality, she still lives in her parents' basement, doesn't feel like part of the ranger team, and knows a body is bound to show up at any moment. When she discovers a teenage boy with severe hypothermia, Rylie has to work with one of her biggest rivals to figure out what happened.

There had been two men in that boat. Two. Rylie is positive . . . ish. Living with her parents may be driving her crazy, but not crazy enough to start conjuring up men in her mind—regardless of how long it had been since she’d had a date. As an urban park ranger, Rylie is practically surrounded by men all day, every day. Making up more in her head would only complicate her life further. When she confronts the one man remaining in the boat, he’s more eager to discuss her online dating profile than any possible wrongdoing.

Rylie hadn’t grown up wanting to be a park ranger (or move back home in disgrace) and she wasn’t sure what it involved, but she had to start somewhere. Rebuilding a life after being lied to, cheated on, and evicted, isn’t an exact science. She thought her first day on the job would be all fresh air and nature walks.

Amidst the pre-wedding whirlwind—scenic horseback rides, beachside dinners, poignant rehearsal toasts—Shayla savors the moments, even as she grapples with leaving her old life behind. When a famous harpist hired to play at Shayla's wedding is murdered, Shayla can't resist diving into the mystery. Luckily, Shayla's crew is ready to help. Park ranger Rylie, ex-police officer Amelia, and tech whiz Telly team up, even as suspicions arise within their own ranks.

Shayla Murphy can't believe her luck when her boyfriend, Seamus O'Malley, proposes and invites her to move to Ireland. She's ready to start her new life with Seamus and his warm, welcoming family in the charming town of Ballywick. But on the heels of her engagement, a tragedy strikes—Seamus' mother Gráinne's best friend, Sophie, is murdered. Everyone believes Sophie was trampled by a spooked horse, but Shayla suspects foul play.

In the idyllic Irish village of Ballywick, Shayla Murphy is living her dream. With her charming fiancé Seamus by her side, she's just a week away from the grand opening of the Eyerloch Castle Hotel—a high-class haven she's been tasked with managing. Just when the finishing touches are being made, unexpected visitors in the form of the richest family in Australia descend upon the not-yet-open hotel, seeking luxurious accommodations. When a member of the visiting family turns up dead, the grand opening is the least of Shayla's worries.

Shayla's wedding planning is nearly complete—the decorations are on order, playlists are set in stone, and the perfect wedding venue has been reserved. Everyone in Seamus' family has been married at the Ballywick Castle, and a June wedding in Ireland will be breathtakingly beautiful. Until they find out that their date has been double-booked.

Seamus, a down-to-earth park ranger, has always been modest about his background. Living with three roommates and driving a trusty old pickup truck, he never gave Shayla any reason to suspect he was anything but ordinary. Until they land in Ireland, and Shayla discovers he's practically Irish royalty. A holiday that was meant to be filled with festive family fun now carries the weight of public scrutiny. The getting-to-know-you dinner party sets the stage for a complicated holiday. But the celebration takes a dark turn when a guest ends up dead.