Donut shop owner Suzanne Hart knows how to treat her customers. But sometimes life can get a bit sticky. When a spat she has with a local blacksmith—one that could have been solved with a handshake and a mixed dozen—ends with his murder, Suzanne is caught dead in her tracks. Suddenly everyone in April Springs has their eyes on her. And they’re hungry with suspicion.
Left with little choice but to catch the killer herself, Suzanne starts lining up suspects. But her case is full of holes. How did the killer strike in the middle of the day without a single witness to the crime? Who knew that the humble blacksmith was actually an heir to a family fortune? The heat is on as Suzanne tries to solve the case and save her business. Can she have her cake-donut and eat it too?
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A delight. Suzanne Hart is a lovable amateur sleuth who has a hilariously protective mother and great donut recipes! Readers will have a blast with this book.” ―Diane Mott Davidson, New York Times bestselling author of Fatally Flaky, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“A tribute to comfort food and to the comfort of small town life. With great donut recipes!” ―JoAnna Carl, author of The Chocolate Cupid Killings, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“If you like donuts–and who doesn’t?–you’ll love this mystery. It’s like a trip to your favorite coffee shop, but without the calories!” ―Leslie Meier, author of the Lucy Stone mysteries New Year’s Eve Murder and Wedding Day Murder, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“The perfect comfort read: a delicious murder, a likeable heroine, quirky Southern characters–and donut recipes!” ―Rhys Bowen, Agatha and Anthony award–winning author of the Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness mysteries, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“A yummy new treat in the culinary mystery genre. Skillfully weaving donut recipes throughout a well-plotted story, the author proves that life after divorce can be sweet; all you need are good friends, your own business, and comfort food. Delicious!” ―Tamar Myers, author of Death of a Rug Lord and The Cane Mutiny, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“A sugary concoction that provides readers a glimpse through the donut hole of living in a small town.” ―Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“Along with the hilarious plot, author Jessica Beck treats the readers to a few recipes strategically placed within the novel. Sinister Sprinkles will keep you guessing until the very end.” ―The Mystery Librarian
From the Back Cover
WELCOME BACK TO DONUT HEARTS― where the coffee is hot, the donuts are fresh, and the pastries aren’t the only thing getting iced…
Donut shop owner Suzanne Hart knows how to treat her customers. But sometimes life can get a bit sticky. When a spat she has with a local blacksmith―one that could have been solved with a handshake and a mixed dozen―ends with his murder, Suzanne is caught dead in her tracks. Suddenly everyone in April Springs has their eyes on her. And they’re hungry with suspicion.
“A delight. Suzanne Hart is a lovable amateur sleuth.” ―Diane Mott Davidson
Left with little choice but to catch the killer herself, Suzanne starts lining up suspects. But her case is full of holes. How did the killer strike in the middle of the day without a single witness to the crime? Who knew that the humble blacksmith was actually an heir to a family fortune? The heat is on as Suzanne tries to solve the case and save her business. Can she have her cake-donut and eat it too?
“The perfect comfort read [with] a likeable heroine, quirky Southern characters―and donut recipes!” ―Rhys Bowen
Nixon’s White House counsel discusses the Bush-Cheney administration in thisNew York Timesbestseller: “Powerful . . . a riveting book.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review
Former White House counsel John Dean, with the unique viewpoint and expertise born of working for Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, here looks critically at the administration of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, arguing that its worldview—and its tendency toward secrecy and deception—set America back decades, and may ultimately do more damage to the nation than Nixon at his worst.
“He has become a discerning connoisseur of presidential venality.” —The New York Times
“Few critics have as effectively put the disparate pieces together.” —Publishers Weekly
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The most facile presidential comparison one could make for George W. Bush would be his father, who presided over a war in Iraq and a struggling economy. Some “neocons” reject the parallel and compare Bush to his father’s predecessor, Ronald Reagan, citing a plainspoken quality and a belief in deep tax cuts. But John Dean goes further back, seeing in Bush all the secrecy and scandal of Dean’s former boss, the notorious Richard Nixon. The difference, as the title of Dean’s book indicates, is that Bush is a heck of a lot worse. While the book provides insightful snippets of the way Nixon used to do business, it offers them to shed light on the practices of Bush. In Dean’s estimation, the secrecy with which Bush and Dick Cheney govern is not merely a preferred system of management but an obsessive strategy meant to conceal a deeply troubling agenda of corporate favoritism and a dramatic growth in unchecked power for the executive branch that put at risk the lives of American citizens, civil liberties, and the Constitution. Dean sets out to make his point by drawing attention to several areas about which Bush and Cheney have been tight-lipped: the revealing by a “senior White House official” of the identity of an undercover CIA operative whose husband questioned the administration, the health of Cheney, the identity of Cheney’s energy task force, the information requested by the bi-partisan 9/11 commission, Bush’s business dealings early in his career, the creation of a “shadow government”, wartime prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, and scores more. He theorizes that the truth about these and many other situations, including the decision to go to war in Iraq, will eventually surface and that Bush and Cheney’s secrecy is a thus far effective means of keep a lid on a rapidly multiplying set of lies and scandals that far outstrip the misdeeds that led directly to Dean’s former employer resigning in disgrace. Dean’s charges are impassioned and more severe than many of Bush’s most persistent critics. But those charges are realized only after careful reasoning and steady logic by a man who knows his way around scandal and corruption. –John Moe
From the Publisher
Former White House counsel and New York Times bestselling author John Dean reveals how the Bush White House has set America back decades-employing a worldview and tactics of deception that will do more damage to the nation than Nixon at his worst.
About the Author
John W. Dean (b. 1938) served as White House counsel for President Richard Nixon from 1970 to 1973. During the Watergate scandal, his Senate testimony helped lead to Nixon’s resignation. Dean has written about Watergate in his New York Times bestsellers Blind Ambition and The Nixon Defense. Among his fourteen other books are the national bestsellers Worse Than Watergate, Conservatives Without Conscience, and Broken Government. A retired investment banker, Dean is now a columnist, commentator, and teacher in a continuing legal education program for attorneys, the Watergate CLE. Most recently, Dean held the Barry Goldwater Chair of American Institutions at Arizona State University. He is currently consulting on a Watergate television series under development for ABC Entertainment.
This “varied and polished” anthology of original noir fiction introduces a new wave of Czech authors to English-speaking audiences (Publishers Weekly).
It can be difficult to imagine noir fiction emerging in a city like Prague, where the profession of private detective didn’t even exist prior to 1990. Before the Velvet Revolution, the only serious criminal organization was the secret police. Yet, with its complex and often tragic history, the home of Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera offers a uniquely rich setting for stories of menace, danger, and secrecy; tales of individuals driven to break the law in the face of a desperate situation. In this “superior entry in Akashic’s noir series,” fourteen contemporary Czech authors introduce themselves—and their world—to an international audience (Publishers Weekly).Prague Noir includes brand-new stories by Martin Goffa, Štěpán Kopřiva, Miloš Urban, Jiří W. Procházka, Chaim Cigan, Ondřej Neff, Petr Stančík, Kateřina Tučková, Markéta Pilátová, Michal Sýkora, Michaela Klevisová, Petra Soukupová, Irena Hejdová, and Petr Šabach.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The collection includes some of the biggest names in Czech contemporary fiction and is full of surprises, offering us a Prague that lurches deliciously from the magical to the seedy, from a misty past to a hi-tech future.” ― Radio Praha in English, from an interview with editor Pavel Mandys
“Murder and mayhem erupt, even in fairy-tale Prague. Editor Mandys maintains that it may be hard to imagine dark doings taking place virtually in the shadow of Prague Castle, yet he manages to harvest 14 artful tales that speak directly to the contrary. Although there are few standard whodunits, Prague’s long history provides fertile ground for evildoers . . . Perhaps nowhere but Prague do vice and enchantment live at such close quarters, and Mandys’ collection captures both beautifully. A lovely addition to Akashic’s venerable series.” ― Kirkus Reviews
“The 14 crime stories set in Prague in this superior entry in Akashic’s noir series offer armored car robbery, kidnapping, murder masked as suicide, and more―not bad for a burg that, as the editor notes in his intro, didn’t even have ‘the profession of private detective’ until 1990 . . . In the varied and polished content of this volume, readers will find much to amuse.” ― Publishers Weekly
“The stories are strong and have heart. They don’t mince words or try to make themselves look better. This is the Czech Republic as it is.” ― Journey of a Bookseller
About the Author
Pavel Mandys is a Czech journalist, book critic, and organizer of the annual Czech book award Magnesia Litera. He is the author of Prague: City of Literature and currently lives in the Prague neighborhood of Smichov.
If You Were Mine A.S. Kelly Publication date: October 14th 2026 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
Levi Anderson has never felt more alone. Since saying goodbye to his husband, he has drifted between long shifts at the hospital and quiet, empty hours in his apartment, surrounded by boxes he can’t bring himself to unpack. He refuses to face the pain — or imagine a life without him.
Shay Miller has never been more furious. In one devastating moment, he lost the man he loved, his job, and the home they shared. He’s barely holding himself together. He’s tried to start over, but deep down, he knows he can’t move on until he lets go of the past — and stops hurting himself.
When fate brings Levi and Shay together, they immediately see how different they are and can’t imagine ever being drawn to one another. Levi is still learning how to live again, while Shay is learning how to forgive.
Yet, with this stranger who’s appeared out of nowhere, Levi slowly begins to open up and trust again. And with this man, terrified of letting himself go, Shay starts to long for someone he can protect and love.
For the first time, the future feels possible for both of them. But Levi doesn’t know Shay has lied about who he is — or that he’s hiding a secret capable of destroying everything, leaving Levi to hate the man he loves for the rest of his life.
After about half an hour, I’m standing outside the cafeteria, peering through the window to make sure he’s really inside, waiting for me. But when I see him, sitting at one of the tables, intent on reading the newspaper, the urge to turn around and run away almost gets the better of the strange, inexplicable desire to sit at that table with him.
He lifts his head from the newspaper and scans the room. Then his eyes land on me, watching him from the other side of the glass, as if he suddenly realises someone is there.
I wave at him like an idiot, take a deep breath, walk to the cafeteria door, pluck up courage, and push it open. I cross the space between us with his eyes still on me, and join him at the table. He folds the newspaper and sets it aside the moment my hand touches the back of the chair in front of him.
“You didn’t get anything.”
“I was waiting for you.”
I grip the back of the chair without thinking.
“Do you want to…?” He points to the same chair.
I’d like to, yes. To sit here with you. To talk, maybe even smile at you, to understand who you are and why you keep appearing in my life when I least expect anything to happen. And I wish I didn’t feel guilty towards those who are no longer here, just for thinking and wanting all these things.
“Everything okay?” he asks, after realising I’ve been standing in front of him, just staring.
“I don’t know,” I say honestly.
“And do you maybe want to find out?”
“I don’t know that either.”
He nods slowly, as if turning my words over in his mind.
“All I know is that I want to sit down.”
He sketches a half smile.
“With you.” I don’t know if I’m still breathing as I say it. “I want to sit here with you.”
Author Bio:
A. S. Kelly was born in Italy and now lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband, two children, two cats, and many plants.
She worked as a literary translator for several years before she began writing full-time. Today, her books are available in English, Italian, and Spanish.
A. S. Kelly writes emotional, heartfelt romantic fiction. Her most popular series are The O’Connor Brothers and From Connemara with Love.
She enjoys yoga, running, and swimming. She also loves gardening, photography, and reading mystery and crime novels.
Powdered Peril Jessica Beck It’s hard to keep a secret in April Springs—especially when it involves a no-good cheater like Peter Morgan. Donut shop owner Suzanne Hart has tried to be civil with the guy, since he’s dating her best friend Grace. But when Grace shows up at her doorstep—sobbing—Suzanne’s the first to admit she’s glad the relationship is over. She’s also the first to spot the footprints leading to Peter’s dead body… Instead of the usual morning donuts, the police are busy rounding up suspects and sifting through clues: Why did Peter splash yellow paint on Suzanne’s shop window before he was murdered? How angry was Grace when she learned that her boyfriend was two-timing (or three- or four-timing)? Suzanne is willing to bet dollars to donuts that her friend is innocent. Now she has to prove it—before the real killer takes a powder…
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A delight. Suzanne Hart is a lovable amateur sleuth who has a hilariously protective mother and great donut recipes! Readers will have a blast with this book.” ―Diane Mott Davidson, New York Times bestselling author of Fatally Flaky, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“A tribute to comfort food and to the comfort of small town life. With great donut recipes!” ―JoAnna Carl, author of The Chocolate Cupid Killings, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“If you like donuts–and who doesn’t?–you’ll love this mystery. It’s like a trip to your favorite coffee shop, but without the calories!” ―Leslie Meier, author of the Lucy Stone mysteries New Year’s Eve Murder and Wedding Day Murder, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“The perfect comfort read: a delicious murder, a likeable heroine, quirky Southern characters–and donut recipes!” ―Rhys Bowen, Agatha and Anthony award–winning author of the Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness mysteries, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“A yummy new treat in the culinary mystery genre. Skillfully weaving donut recipes throughout a well-plotted story, the author proves that life after divorce can be sweet; all you need are good friends, your own business, and comfort food. Delicious!” ―Tamar Myers, author of Death of a Rug Lord and The Cane Mutiny, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“A cleverly plotted cozy mystery with a wonderful small Southern town…Fatally Frosted is a great follow-up to Glazed Murder. Suzanne is a great heroine, Ms. Beck has a sure-fire winner!” ―Fresh Fiction
“A sugary concoction that provides readers a glimpse through the donut hole of living in a small town.” ―Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round Reviews, on the Donut Shop Mysteries
“Along with the hilarious plot, author Jessica Beck treats the readers to a few recipes strategically placed within the novel. Sinister Sprinkles will keep you guessing until the very end.” ―The Mystery Librarian
From the Back Cover
WELCOME BACK TO DONUT HEARTS― where the coffee is hot, the donuts are fresh, and justice is oh-so-sweet…
It’s hard to keep a secret in April Springs―especially when it involves a no-good cheater like Peter Morgan. Donut shop owner Suzanne Hart has tried to be civil with the guy, since he’s dating her best friend Grace. But when Grace shows up at her doorstep―sobbing―Suzanne’s the first to admit she’s glad the relationship is over. She’s also the first to spot the footprints leading to Peter’s dead body…
“A delight. Suzanne Hart is a lovable amateur sleuth.” ―Diane Mott Davidson
Instead of the usual morning donuts, the police are busy rounding up suspects and sifting through clues: Why did Peter splash yellow paint on Suzanne’s shop window before he was murdered? How angry was Grace when she learned that her boyfriend was two-timing (or three- or four-timing)? Suzanne is willing to bet dollars to donuts that her friend is innocent. Now she has to prove it―before the real killer takes a powder…
“The perfect comfort read [with] a likeable heroine, quirky Southern characters―and donut recipes!” ―Rhys Bowen
