Lisa Plumley's Blog

Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they’re irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix…

It’s beginning to look like a merry Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal’s highly-touted holiday musical. But when the show’s producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santas for finding the killer—especially since this time, Travis is the one asking for her help…

Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle…

“Chocoholics and food cozy fans rejoice! With prose as smooth and delicious as its theme, this quality debut cozy by an anonymous best-selling novelist introduces a smart protagonist with an unusual and tasty profession.” —Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they’re irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix…

On a trip to the culinary paradise of France’s Brittany region, Hayden Mundy Moore is all set to reunite with her chocolate-making mentor. The lovable old man is the head of a long-established business that’s about to merge with one of its cacao competitors—united by a marriage between the two rival families. That is, until he’s murdered during a nighttime festival in the picturesque locale . . .

Was it a case of literal corporate backstabbing? Is there some connection to the Paris film crew that’s invaded the victim’s chateau to shoot a music video? It could take forever to find out, considering the relaxed pace of the rural police. But with the unexpected arrival of her financial advisor, Travis, Hayden is determined to investigate, with only occasional breaks for salted butter caramels and Breton buckwheat galettes. It’s time to unwrap a killer—and get to the deep, dark center of a bitter crime . . .

“Chocoholics and food cozy fans rejoice! With prose as smooth and delicious as its theme, this quality debut cozy by an anonymous best-selling novelist introduces a smart protagonist with an unusual and tasty profession.” —Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they’re irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix…

As an authority on all things chocolate, Hayden Mundy Moore is traveling across the pond to lend her expertise to the owner of a posh London chocolaterie-pâtisserie. From coconut truffles to chocolate flapjacks, Hayden’s mouthwatering creations quickly impress her client. But her knowledge doesn’t end there. The detective constable is taken by surprise when she identifies an exotic murder weapon: a stone metlapil, used to grind cacao beans—and apparently to bludgeon someone to death—in Hayden’s own lodgings, no less…

The victim is a sexy celebrity chef who just happens to be the ex-husband of Hayden’s client. Now, amid the terraced town houses and local pubs, a killer is lurking—and the police have an assortment of suspects: a culinary rival, an ambitious agent, a recently-sacked assistant, and unfortunately, Hayden herself. The talented chocolate whisperer will have to find out what sort of nutter clobbered the famous cook—or her career may come to a bitter end…

“The Semi-Sweet Hereafter is another terrific and original mystery from the pen of Colette London, a writer who has become a master of the mystery/suspense genre.” —Midwest Book Review

“This mystery, centered around yummy treats and high crime, was a spooky-cute lead up to Halloween. I was hooked from the start, and afterward I was craving a chocolate truffle!” —Lauren Gatcombe, assistant editor, FIRST For Women magazine

Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they’re irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix…

Chocolate whisperer Hayden Mundy Moore has just arrived in Portland, Oregon, where she’s about to scarf soufflés and sip cacao-based cocktails at her friend’s engagement party. Fresh from nabbing her first candy-covered killer, the last thing Hayden wants to do is mix her love of chocolate with criminal mischief again. But then the groom-to-be turns up dead before beginning his renowned Chocolate-After-Dark tour…

Hayden’s friends insist that Declan’s death was a freak accident, but she knows there’s no mistaking the bitter aftertaste of homicide. In the midst of habañero hot chocolate and mocha-chunk gelato, a choco-crazed killer waits to strike again. Hayden will need to use more than her extraordinarily gifted taste buds to bring this murderer to justice, but she just might have bitten off more than she can chew in the process…

“Chocoholics and food cozy fans rejoice! With prose as smooth and delicious as its theme, this quality debut cozy by an anonymous best-selling novelist introduces a smart protagonist with an unusual and tasty profession.” —Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

December 2015 • Harlequin Historical

Dylan Coyle was all man. Tall. Handsome. Not to be trusted……

Dancing girl Marielle Miller makes sure no cowboy steps his spurred boots out of line. But then one night, she tumbles from the stage into the arms of Dylan Coyle……

Marielle doesn’t need a man in her life-especially a wandering gunslinger unwilling to put down roots. Except as Morrow Creek’s new stand-in lawman, Dylan will be around to vex her for a while yet. And when she becomes embroiled in his latest case, Marielle starts to hope this particular drifter will stick around for good!

March 2015 • Harlequin Historical

A year ago, Rosamond Dancy never dreamed she’d find herself in Morrow Creek. After being removed from her job as a Boston housemaid, sold into marriage, and widowed in quick succession, she’s now determined to take back the reins of her life.

But then the past she’s determined to forget shows up on her doorstep in the form of Miles Callaway—and everything changes in an instant. Could Miles be the one to convince this runaway to hang up her shoes and stay by his side…forever?

“Plumley’s Morrow Creek series continues to delight! The latest entry is a tale of love lost and found. It’s funny, charming and full of sexual tension, complete with a fabulous cast of characters fans will love.“ —Romantic Times (4 stars)

October 2014 • Zebra Books

Mixing the coziness of Susan Mallery with the sexiness of Jill Shalvis, the newest in USA Today bestselling author Lisa Plumley’s Kismet Christmas contemporary romances blurs the line between naughty and nice with a fun story full of small-town charm, Christmas spirit, warmth, and of course heat!

In Kismet, Michigan, Christmas is special: big fluffy snowflakes, sleigh bells, carolers singing. It’s a picture-perfect holiday—you just have to choose who’s in the frame…

Jason Hamilton is on thin ice with the board of his toy company. The young CEO may be a kid at heart, but his party boy reputation requires damage control. So Jason’s off to Kismet to inspect a model store, stay on Santa’s Nice list, and stick to business—no goofing around. Which is too bad, because the store manager, Danielle Sharpe, is the definition of what makes Naughty fun…

Danielle is thrilled to show off her thriving little toy store—especially if it’s her ticket out of Kismet. The single mom is tired of manufacturing cheer solo while her ex-husband has all the fun. But if she’d known Jason was this hot, she wouldn’t have offered to host him. With Jason in her house, Danielle is getting warmer than spiked cider. She’s supposed to impress him with her expertise, not daydream about catching him under the mistletoe. Now whatever she does, she can’t get swept up in the magic…

“In the charming fourth contemporary set in Kismet, Mich., (after Together for Christmas), a charismatic CEO falls unexpectedly for a store manager. Jason and Danielle have incredible chemistry—and very different ambitions that might drive them apart. Plumley paints a beautiful portrait of a town where the holiday spirit is felt all year round and gives readers warm glimpses of the couples from previous stories.” —Publishers Weekly

May 2014 • Harlequin Historical

Infamous Boston businessman Griffin Turner may have a reputation for being thoroughly ruthless, but underneath it all he hides a painful past. He manages to keep the world at bay until he comes up against the smart, sassy Olivia Mouton.

Morrow Creek’s resident beauty Olivia is determined to stand up to Griffin—no matter how notorious the stories that precede him! But when he reveals a side that no one else has seen before, she has to reconsider everything she’s ever heard….

“Plumley returns with a new novel in her Morrow Creek series: a western version of Beauty and the Beast. Opposites attract in this funny, loving battle of the sexes with strong characters and lots of witty banter. Readers are in for a sizzling treat.“ —Romantic Times (4 stars)

December 2013 • Zebra Books

A hard-headed, hard-bodied businessman falls for the gorgeous restaurateur he’s been hired to ruin in USA Today bestselling author Lisa Plumley’s unforgettable new novel.

In her new humorous and sensuous contemporary romance, USA Today bestselling author Lisa Plumley delves into the past of a character from Together for Christmas for his own love story—set in a family-owned pizzeria!

Tantalizing. Hot. Mouthwateringly delicious. The pizzas at the Portland restaurant chain Shane Maresca is secretly priming for takeover are all that and more. Unfortunately for him, so is Gabriella Grimani, the business owner’s daughter. He had no idea who she was when they had their first X-rated one night stand. Now she’s all he can think about. For someone whose career hinges on ruthlessness, that’s a slice of disaster.

Tough, take-charge Gabby intends to put her family’s restaurants back in the black, and that means no distractions. But somehow Shane keeps getting to the part of her that no one else sees—enticing her to lean on him. To trust him. That could be the biggest mistake Gabby and her business ever made…or a recipe for something truly spectacular.

“Plumley’s lovably flawed protagonists are charmers, and their story will win hearts.”— Publishers Weekly

Note: So Irresistible is a prequel to Together for Christmas, but is not part of the Kismet Christmas series.

Have you already read Together for Christmas? Did you wonder what Shane Maresca was up to before he showed up in Kismet? Now you can find out about Shane’s adventures in So Irresistible!

June 2013 • Harlequin Historicals

Plain preacher’s daughter Violet Benson is always the wallflower—until charismatic gambler Cade Foster takes her under his wing. Suddenly, the men of Morrow Creek start looking at her with new eyes—and the women with envy—but Violet is interested in only one man: Cade.

Agreeing to be his “lucky charm,” Violet becomes embroiled in the gambler’s thrilling world. With her newfound confidence, Violet is determined to uncover the secret sorrow behind the eyes that smolder beneath Cade’s Stetson and prove to this fascinating man that he can take the biggest gamble of all…with his heart.

“Welcome to Morrow Creek, Plumley’s little slice of the West and a romance with heart and grit. Lively storytelling and a cast of engaging, delightful characters—from a rapscallion little boy to a conniving reverend to a hardened gambler and a preacher’s daughter—are simply perfect for this tale. Love and redemption are the soul of this heart-tugging charmer.“—Romantic Times (4 stars!)

✔ K.I.S.S. hero: “The Honor-Bound Gambler might sound like an oxymoron but Cade Foster, created by Lisa Plumley, is just the type of bad boy you’ll adore.” —Romantic Times