Valentine's Day Vendetta

Holiday Cozy Mystery #13

by Tonya Kappes

Celebrate Good Crimes

Valentine’s Day in Holiday Junction means pink lights, chocolate hearts, and the annual Sweetheart Ball. 

When influential town benefactor Lily Fairmont is found dead during final preparations for the Valentine celebration, the festive seaside community is thrown into suspicion. What should have been a holiday of romance quickly becomes a closed-circle investigation.

Journalist and amateur sleuth Violet Rhinehammer is covering the holiday events when she begins uncovering a pattern of resentment tied to grants, social influence, and private rivalries. In a town where reputation matters and gossip spreads fast, more than one suspect had reason to see Lily removed from the spotlight.

As the Sweetheart Ball approaches, Violet navigates layered motives and secrets buried beneath Valentine decorations. With tensions rising and the community watching, she must uncover the truth before holiday celebration turns into lasting scandal.

Genres: Mystery

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

About the author

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.

Visit Tonya:
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Reviews

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Junction is getting the town ready for Valentine’s Day. Volunteers are working on decorating the Leisure Center for the Sweetheart Ball. But things take a darker turn when Lily is found dead in the office. So anyone there at the time is a possible murderer. Violet was there to help out and take pictures for the Junction so she puts on her sleuthing hat to find out who was responsible. They need to figure it out so the Ball can go on and the center’s name isn’t tainted. Can Violet and her journalistic instinct figure it out? This was another enjoyable tale of a town and its colorful characters that celebrates holidays in a big way along with a murder thrown in. Looking forward to future books in this Holiday Cozy Mystery series.

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

It's Valentine's day and love is in the air but so is a murder. When one of the towns richest residents dies during preparation for a Valentine's day ball Violet is drawn in to figure out what happened. Tonya continues to bring the reader into the story. On to the next one.

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read.

The characters like aways were awesome and I love to read about who's the bad guy in the story.

This book was well written and I was entertained from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book.

[Mary Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars

Even if this is a murder mystery it is hilarious. I had forgotten how funny Tonya Kappes' books are! The plots is different from slot of the typical Cupcake Mystery books and flowed seamlessly. I definitely enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.

[Nana Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentine's Day Vendetta

Great characters and as they prepare for the Valentine's Day dance a death occurs.. The mystery has many moving parts and surprises.

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story in this cozy series! Love how the relationship between Violet and Darren is progressing...and how Violet is always in the middle of any and all mysteries, along with her mama...

[Joanne Bandfield-Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

Another interesting mystery with Violet. I thought for sure there was going to be a proposal. They are definitely getting close to it.

[Diana Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocked

I sure didn't see that coming. Spoiler alert: Maribel is the killer. All through the story you never thought she did it.

[Carol Filipow Pigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read from this author. Glad to see a slow romantic relationship.
Lots of suspects. I knew who it wasn’t, but not who was.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Loved this romance mystery filled with potential perps and red herrings. Can’t wait for Violet and Darren to make a commitment. Already pre-ordered next book.

[Janice Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love going to Holiday Junction. It’s full of fun and surprises.