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Glue Diligence: A cozy romantic mystery full of crafts, charm, and small-town secrets
Crafting can be murder… especially when the glue gun points to you.
After trading courtroom chaos for hot glue and hand lettering, former lawyer Jenna Blake is ready for a fresh start in Harland County, Texas. Her new DIY craft shop is just the creative reboot she and her sister Kimmie need—especially after a year that left them grieving, restless, and completely over big-city life.
But small-town quiet? Not so much.
When a shady developer drops dead behind their building—strangled with the cord from Jenna’s broken glue gun—suspicion lands squarely on her glitter-covered shoulders. Now she’s stuck in the middle of a murder investigation, and someone clearly wants to pin the whole mess on her.
Enter Josh Harland’s new DA investigator, Jenna’s childhood crush, and the one man she hoped to avoid while rebuilding her life.
With help from her tech-savvy sister, a few nosy locals, and an emotional support gnome named Detective Flipper, Jenna’s determined to clear her name. But in Harland County, secrets don’t stay buried—and the truth is messier than a glitter spill.
If you Crafty sleuths and slow-burn romanceSmall-town charm and sisterly banterCowboys who might just steal your heart…or your alibiMurder with a splash of Mod Podge…You’ll love Glue Diligence!
Book 1 in the Harland County Mystery Series — full of humor, heart, cowboys, and one crafty heroine who’s not afraid to dig for the truth.
After trading courtroom chaos for hot glue and hand lettering, former lawyer Jenna Blake is ready for a fresh start in Harland County, Texas. Her new DIY craft shop is just the creative reboot she and her sister Kimmie need—especially after a year that left them grieving, restless, and completely over big-city life.
But small-town quiet? Not so much.
When a shady developer drops dead behind their building—strangled with the cord from Jenna’s broken glue gun—suspicion lands squarely on her glitter-covered shoulders. Now she’s stuck in the middle of a murder investigation, and someone clearly wants to pin the whole mess on her.
Enter Josh Harland’s new DA investigator, Jenna’s childhood crush, and the one man she hoped to avoid while rebuilding her life.
With help from her tech-savvy sister, a few nosy locals, and an emotional support gnome named Detective Flipper, Jenna’s determined to clear her name. But in Harland County, secrets don’t stay buried—and the truth is messier than a glitter spill.
If you Crafty sleuths and slow-burn romanceSmall-town charm and sisterly banterCowboys who might just steal your heart…or your alibiMurder with a splash of Mod Podge…You’ll love Glue Diligence!
Book 1 in the Harland County Mystery Series — full of humor, heart, cowboys, and one crafty heroine who’s not afraid to dig for the truth.
- GenresCozy Mystery
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
9 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Donna Michaels
85 books548 followersHi there. Thank you for checking out my profile.
It’s all my mother’s fault. She read to me when I was little and sparked my imagination. Now, my mind is the limit, and believe me, there’s no limit to my mind.
Hello, I’m Donna Michaels, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Award winning author of Romaginative fiction. I write romance through the H’s—Hot, Humorous, Heartwarming, with strong alpha cowboys and military men who are equally matched by their heroines.
With a husband retired from the military and now working at a brewery, four children, 2 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, several rescued cats, and my parents living with us, I never run out of material. From short to epic, my books entertain readers across a variety of sub-genres, and one has even been hand drawn into a Japanese Translation. Now, if only I could read it…
It’s all my mother’s fault. She read to me when I was little and sparked my imagination. Now, my mind is the limit, and believe me, there’s no limit to my mind.
Hello, I’m Donna Michaels, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Award winning author of Romaginative fiction. I write romance through the H’s—Hot, Humorous, Heartwarming, with strong alpha cowboys and military men who are equally matched by their heroines.
With a husband retired from the military and now working at a brewery, four children, 2 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, several rescued cats, and my parents living with us, I never run out of material. From short to epic, my books entertain readers across a variety of sub-genres, and one has even been hand drawn into a Japanese Translation. Now, if only I could read it…
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 3, 2025
Glitter explosion
Two sisters with a way around a glue gun, and wizards with glitter, one a former lawyer with a photographic memory Jenna has a way with words, and Kimmie the wisecracking gnome loving tech guru making the move to Harland Texas for a fresh start, having friends close makes things easier, until it's death by glue gun, and who done it mystery begins, long lost crush's OMG it's even worse now that he's a full grow man, former Navy now small town DA investigator, nobody is who they say they are, secrets locked up tight,, fun loving, past meets present, same feelings intensified, gnome loving, finger flipping, Donna Michaels has made me laugh so hard reading this book, cry for what once was, and jump for joy and cheer for a happy ending, I can't wait for more glitter and gnomes, thank you, Dana Zamora
Two sisters with a way around a glue gun, and wizards with glitter, one a former lawyer with a photographic memory Jenna has a way with words, and Kimmie the wisecracking gnome loving tech guru making the move to Harland Texas for a fresh start, having friends close makes things easier, until it's death by glue gun, and who done it mystery begins, long lost crush's OMG it's even worse now that he's a full grow man, former Navy now small town DA investigator, nobody is who they say they are, secrets locked up tight,, fun loving, past meets present, same feelings intensified, gnome loving, finger flipping, Donna Michaels has made me laugh so hard reading this book, cry for what once was, and jump for joy and cheer for a happy ending, I can't wait for more glitter and gnomes, thank you, Dana Zamora
August 5, 2025
I'm always on the lookout for a new cozy mystery series, and the Harland County Series hits all the best points! With fun characters, a hint of romance, and an interesting mystery to untangle, all the perfect parts are here. Jenna is a great character to follow, with both her lawyer background to fall on for solving a mystery, and I've just never had the chance to read a series from a craft store owner before! Lots of eclectic jobs, but never that. I'm very much looking forward to more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2025
"Glue Diligence: A cozy romantic mystery full of crafts, charm, and small-town secrets" (Harland County Mystery Book 1) by Donna Michaels was terrific. I loved reading about Jenna and Kimmie. This story had entertaining characters, close friends, family, small-town life, mysteries, suspense, humor, romance, and more. I can't wait to read what happens next. This was a fabulous start to this new spin-off series. I highly recommend it to all fans of mystery, small-town life, family, friends, and series.
June 25, 2025
Loved this story
I have been reading Donna Michaels books for years and always think each one is the best. This book has them beat. The suspense of not knowing what will happen next or who the bad guy is starts it off. Then the humor and the snark of the characters, plus reuniting with past friends from other books makes this one so perfect. This is a clean romance that shows real caring, growing into love. I cannot wait for the next story.
I have been reading Donna Michaels books for years and always think each one is the best. This book has them beat. The suspense of not knowing what will happen next or who the bad guy is starts it off. Then the humor and the snark of the characters, plus reuniting with past friends from other books makes this one so perfect. This is a clean romance that shows real caring, growing into love. I cannot wait for the next story.
October 19, 2025
Absolutely hilarious but yet serious at the same time.
Jenna and Kimmie are finally in Harland to open their crafting story. A bigger surprise for Jenna is when Josh walks. She has had a crush on him for most of her life.
A murder has occurred behind their building and the murder weapon points to Jenna.
As the investigation proceeds, their is a picture and mention of Jenna and Kimmie's mom.
Can't wait to see where the next story leads too.
Jenna and Kimmie are finally in Harland to open their crafting story. A bigger surprise for Jenna is when Josh walks. She has had a crush on him for most of her life.
A murder has occurred behind their building and the murder weapon points to Jenna.
As the investigation proceeds, their is a picture and mention of Jenna and Kimmie's mom.
Can't wait to see where the next story leads too.
October 25, 2025
Quirky, zany characters, probably too many craft puns, a dash of romance and an excellently crafted mystery made this a must read!
I fell in love with Jenna and Kimmie but the twists and turns of the mystery is what kept me turning the pages.
I was hooked to the very end and am already eagerly looking forward to reading the next one.
A can't miss read for cozy fans!
I fell in love with Jenna and Kimmie but the twists and turns of the mystery is what kept me turning the pages.
I was hooked to the very end and am already eagerly looking forward to reading the next one.
A can't miss read for cozy fans!
July 15, 2025
FUN AND QUIRKY STORY!!!!
Sweet story with great characters and fun and witty dialogue. The Glitter girls sure had lots of excitement with their move to Harland County and looks like more adventures to follow.
Sweet story with great characters and fun and witty dialogue. The Glitter girls sure had lots of excitement with their move to Harland County and looks like more adventures to follow.
August 7, 2025
Glue Diligence
Wow! I can’t wait to see what happens in Donna Michaels new series “Harland County Mystery”. Glue Diligence, book 1, is a fantastic read! Her books never disappoint! Highly recommend!
Wow! I can’t wait to see what happens in Donna Michaels new series “Harland County Mystery”. Glue Diligence, book 1, is a fantastic read! Her books never disappoint! Highly recommend!
July 21, 2025
A murder and a mystery. New home and business. Quirky conversations. Old friends. New friends. All in the mix to give entertainment and hours of reading pleasure.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews