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Calla Lily Mystery #1
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire
In California’s wine country, someone wants Lily dead.
When Lily Callahan returns home to California’s wine country, sparks fly amid a hail of bullets as she and U.S. Marshall Austin Jennings take cover.
Money, fame, and love all come into play as motives when Lily and Austin try to find out who sent hired guns to kill Lily. The trouble begins soon after her beloved Aunt Lettie dies and leaves her estate to Lily—is it about the money?
Or, is life imitating art? Lily’s trouble-making character in a long-running TV soap was recently killed by a paid hitman. Is a crazed fan trying to end Lily’s life as well as her acting career? Did her agent borrow a page from the script after Lily dismissed him?
Lily’s surprised to find an old flame waiting for her when she returns home. Has he reached the point that if he can’t have her, nobody can? If it’s about an old love that’s become dangerous, the new one that propels Lily and Austin into each other’s arms won’t help.
Life in small-town California wine country is a tangled vine of mystery, suspense, and intrigue.
Grab your copy of the first book in the Calla Lily Mystery Series by USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Anna Celeste Burke to find out what happens to Lily and Austin.
When Lily Callahan returns home to California’s wine country, sparks fly amid a hail of bullets as she and U.S. Marshall Austin Jennings take cover.
Money, fame, and love all come into play as motives when Lily and Austin try to find out who sent hired guns to kill Lily. The trouble begins soon after her beloved Aunt Lettie dies and leaves her estate to Lily—is it about the money?
Or, is life imitating art? Lily’s trouble-making character in a long-running TV soap was recently killed by a paid hitman. Is a crazed fan trying to end Lily’s life as well as her acting career? Did her agent borrow a page from the script after Lily dismissed him?
Lily’s surprised to find an old flame waiting for her when she returns home. Has he reached the point that if he can’t have her, nobody can? If it’s about an old love that’s become dangerous, the new one that propels Lily and Austin into each other’s arms won’t help.
Life in small-town California wine country is a tangled vine of mystery, suspense, and intrigue.
Grab your copy of the first book in the Calla Lily Mystery Series by USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Anna Celeste Burke to find out what happens to Lily and Austin.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2019
587 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Anna Celeste Burke
52 books1,169 followersAnna Celeste Burke is an awarding-winning, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author!
Welcome! Join me, snooping into life's mysteries with fun, fiction, and food--California style!
Life is an extravaganza and so unpredictable! Figuring out how to hang tough and make the most of the wild ride is the challenge.
On my way to Oahu to join the rock musician and high school drop-out I married in Tijuana, I was nabbed by the police as a runaway. When the police let me go and the rock band broke up, my husband and I had to find another way to survive. Our next stop: Disney World where we trained to be chefs, courtesy of the Walt Disney World University.
A GED for my husband, and many more years of education eventually landed us in academia—with Ph.D.s from the University of Michigan we took professor jobs with U of M’s longstanding football rival, The Ohio State University.
Retired now from my role as a professor in social work and behavioral science, I have picked up a long-time interest in writing fiction. In my professional career I wrote and published widely as a scholar, with more than forty manuscripts of varying lengths on my vita. I also carried out hundreds of training, consulting and speaking engagements on a number of gloriously nerdy topics.
So what on earth does a research scientist have in common with a mystery writer? As avid fans of the mystery genre will tell you at the core of any good mystery is a passionate search for the truth. Discovering the truth involves finding and assembling pieces of complex puzzles in order to solve seemingly intractable problems—scientist and sleuth are cut from the same cloth!
Still married to the same sweet guy, I live with my husband in one of the seven desert resort cities in the Palm Springs area. In addition to reading and writing mysteries I enjoy painting, hiking, hanging out with my handsome husband and tending to my Siamese cats.
The Sonoran Desert is a beautiful setting to ponder life’s mysteries, by the surrounding mountains and the bountiful delights of the desert resort communities. I hope you enjoy reading the books in my three cozy mystery series: The Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series, The Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery Series, and the Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series. Cheers! Anna
Welcome! Join me, snooping into life's mysteries with fun, fiction, and food--California style!
Life is an extravaganza and so unpredictable! Figuring out how to hang tough and make the most of the wild ride is the challenge.
On my way to Oahu to join the rock musician and high school drop-out I married in Tijuana, I was nabbed by the police as a runaway. When the police let me go and the rock band broke up, my husband and I had to find another way to survive. Our next stop: Disney World where we trained to be chefs, courtesy of the Walt Disney World University.
A GED for my husband, and many more years of education eventually landed us in academia—with Ph.D.s from the University of Michigan we took professor jobs with U of M’s longstanding football rival, The Ohio State University.
Retired now from my role as a professor in social work and behavioral science, I have picked up a long-time interest in writing fiction. In my professional career I wrote and published widely as a scholar, with more than forty manuscripts of varying lengths on my vita. I also carried out hundreds of training, consulting and speaking engagements on a number of gloriously nerdy topics.
So what on earth does a research scientist have in common with a mystery writer? As avid fans of the mystery genre will tell you at the core of any good mystery is a passionate search for the truth. Discovering the truth involves finding and assembling pieces of complex puzzles in order to solve seemingly intractable problems—scientist and sleuth are cut from the same cloth!
Still married to the same sweet guy, I live with my husband in one of the seven desert resort cities in the Palm Springs area. In addition to reading and writing mysteries I enjoy painting, hiking, hanging out with my handsome husband and tending to my Siamese cats.
The Sonoran Desert is a beautiful setting to ponder life’s mysteries, by the surrounding mountains and the bountiful delights of the desert resort communities. I hope you enjoy reading the books in my three cozy mystery series: The Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series, The Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery Series, and the Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series. Cheers! Anna
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 14, 2019
A California winery inheritance mixes with murder.
A suspense, dynamic and intriguing read!!
An interesting array of multifaceted, well defined
and creative characters set in the lush area
of vineyards which will take the reader and the
main character to a style of life she has to
readjust to living after the glamour and users in
the movie business.
The description is so well defined the reader will
feel as if they are in the same danger that Lily
Callahan, the actress who just inherited Aunt
Lettie’s estate experiences.
Bullets fly as Lily returns with her Miniature Pinscher,
Marlowe to bury her Aunt Lettie and meet with
the estate’s lawyer. A hitman is after her!!!
Thanks to the law, they are safe but others around
her are dying.
Marlowe adds his fur baby personality throughout
the story.
A uniquely plotted, complex plot in an action packed
story.
A Highly Recommended Read.
I volunteered to read Lily’s Homecoming Under Fire.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity. My opinion
is my own.
A suspense, dynamic and intriguing read!!
An interesting array of multifaceted, well defined
and creative characters set in the lush area
of vineyards which will take the reader and the
main character to a style of life she has to
readjust to living after the glamour and users in
the movie business.
The description is so well defined the reader will
feel as if they are in the same danger that Lily
Callahan, the actress who just inherited Aunt
Lettie’s estate experiences.
Bullets fly as Lily returns with her Miniature Pinscher,
Marlowe to bury her Aunt Lettie and meet with
the estate’s lawyer. A hitman is after her!!!
Thanks to the law, they are safe but others around
her are dying.
Marlowe adds his fur baby personality throughout
the story.
A uniquely plotted, complex plot in an action packed
story.
A Highly Recommended Read.
I volunteered to read Lily’s Homecoming Under Fire.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity. My opinion
is my own.
November 13, 2018
WOW!! This story starts with a bang and never lets up. There is plenty of action, lots of twists and turns, and a romance to top it all off! Anna Celeste Burke has written an exciting story to start off the Calla Lily Mystery series. I look forward to seeing the relationship between Lily and Austin develop as the series continues. I'm also looking forward to learning more about Judy and Jesse, as well as Lily's posse. I urge you to read all books written by this talented author.
January 12, 2019
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire by Anna Celeste Burke grabbed me from the first page and I didn't put it down until I was finished.
Ms. Burke's descriptive writing of the setting and the characters made me feel right at home. I loved Lily's independence, intelligence and heart as the story reveals more of her aunt's life that she missed while in Hollywood. The action was almost non-stop from the beginning and the reveal was both nail-biting and shocking. The fun seems to just be beginning for Lily since her gal pals, Melody, Zelda, Carrie and Julie from Hollywood showed up and I'm eager to read more about them. It's probably a good thing that Lily's Aunt Lettie had remodeled the home to be a bed and breakfast. The plot was tightly woven with just enough twists to keep me guessing. I can't wait to know more about Lily, Austin, Judy and Jesse as this series progresses.
I originally read this book as part of the Love Under Fire boxed set. Readers familiar with Anna Celeste Burke's books will love it. New readers to this author will want to read more by this author.
Ms. Burke's descriptive writing of the setting and the characters made me feel right at home. I loved Lily's independence, intelligence and heart as the story reveals more of her aunt's life that she missed while in Hollywood. The action was almost non-stop from the beginning and the reveal was both nail-biting and shocking. The fun seems to just be beginning for Lily since her gal pals, Melody, Zelda, Carrie and Julie from Hollywood showed up and I'm eager to read more about them. It's probably a good thing that Lily's Aunt Lettie had remodeled the home to be a bed and breakfast. The plot was tightly woven with just enough twists to keep me guessing. I can't wait to know more about Lily, Austin, Judy and Jesse as this series progresses.
I originally read this book as part of the Love Under Fire boxed set. Readers familiar with Anna Celeste Burke's books will love it. New readers to this author will want to read more by this author.
March 22, 2019
Anna Celeste Burke is a great mystery author and I loved reading this. I felt for Lily when she was dealing with her Aunt's death. Especially because Lilly was so close to her aunt. I think that's part of why I liked reading as Lily pursued the mystery of her Aunt's death. Lily had so much tied up in the case, I was invested in the outcome.
This was a quick read, with a nice bit of romance too. I'm going to keep reading the series. Another great from ACB!
This was a quick read, with a nice bit of romance too. I'm going to keep reading the series. Another great from ACB!
February 1, 2019
Good read, although a lot of characters, its full of intrigue as well as romance.
January 11, 2019
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire is the first book Anna Celeste Burke’s Calla Lily Mystery series. This book is a quick and easy read. The storyline is well plotted, the characters are well developed, and the mystery is intriguing. The characters in this fast-paced book are well developed and three-dimensional. Twists and turns, and red herrings and are abundant, and there’s no shortage of potential suspects to keep the reader engaged and guessing until the reveal. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series and seeing how the characters and their relationships grow and develop.
Lillian “Lily” Callahan is an actress whose acting career took a nosedive, so when her aunt, Letitia “Lettie” Morgan, passes away she packs her bags and returns home to California’s wine country with Marlowe, her obedient and protective Miniature Pinscher. Lily went to live with her aunt when she was twelve-years-old and nicknamed her Calla Lily. Aunt Lettie’s attorney, Franklin Everett, arranged for Lily to stay in a local resort’s private cottage in the woods, but is moved to one of their hotel suites after hired hitmen try to kill her. Deputy U.S. Marshal Austin Jennings had been tracking one of the men, and while the cottage is a disaster, he manages to save her life. One of the responding officers is Denny Saunders, who was Lily’s first serious boyfriend. At the reading of Aunt Lettie’s Last Will and Testament, Lily learned that she not only inherited Aunt Lettie’s home, but also the majority of her estate, including the land the house was built on, her personal property, and the vineyards and her shares of the Calla Lily Vineyards and Winery, LLC. Her mother and three half-siblings weren’t thrilled, but her stepfather, Edward Callahan, and a non-family member, Alexander Davidson, who oversees the vineyards and winery’s financial matters, were more than a little discontent. There’s an instant and mutual attraction and chemistry between Lily and Austin, and they work well together trying to figure out who put a hit on her and why.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Lillian “Lily” Callahan is an actress whose acting career took a nosedive, so when her aunt, Letitia “Lettie” Morgan, passes away she packs her bags and returns home to California’s wine country with Marlowe, her obedient and protective Miniature Pinscher. Lily went to live with her aunt when she was twelve-years-old and nicknamed her Calla Lily. Aunt Lettie’s attorney, Franklin Everett, arranged for Lily to stay in a local resort’s private cottage in the woods, but is moved to one of their hotel suites after hired hitmen try to kill her. Deputy U.S. Marshal Austin Jennings had been tracking one of the men, and while the cottage is a disaster, he manages to save her life. One of the responding officers is Denny Saunders, who was Lily’s first serious boyfriend. At the reading of Aunt Lettie’s Last Will and Testament, Lily learned that she not only inherited Aunt Lettie’s home, but also the majority of her estate, including the land the house was built on, her personal property, and the vineyards and her shares of the Calla Lily Vineyards and Winery, LLC. Her mother and three half-siblings weren’t thrilled, but her stepfather, Edward Callahan, and a non-family member, Alexander Davidson, who oversees the vineyards and winery’s financial matters, were more than a little discontent. There’s an instant and mutual attraction and chemistry between Lily and Austin, and they work well together trying to figure out who put a hit on her and why.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 12, 2019
Review Outstanding
June 1, 2019
I loved this new series that Anna has started. Once I started this book I found it very hard to put down and do other things. This was an exciting book to read and hope she continues to write in this series. Anna has hit a grand slam with this #1 book in the Cala Lili Mystery!
I received this book from the author to read and review with an honest review which I have done and always do with every book that I read.
I received this book from the author to read and review with an honest review which I have done and always do with every book that I read.
September 24, 2019
Wow. This is an action packed suspenseful book. This would make a great movie.
January 16, 2019
kindle unlimited but one of the writers buy everything they have coming out, long list of series at bottom for for now just adding in few notes such as if wearing the coat that would have gotten bloody would answer any questions {seeing the coat} why didn't Lily just show the coat, and way in the beginning almost didn't catch it {editor or whoever makes sure no typos etc} there was chapter 4 at beginning part "I said, using Aunt Lettie's voice again, *pu* and wagging my finger at myself in the mirror." so not sure what meant, putting out was probably what was meant, just that writer has not 1 but 2 people/editors that catch these things so totally unusual that anything is messed up, well ok barring amazon messing up formatting or whatever, that's happened before.
In California's wine country, someone wants Lily dead. When Lily Callahan returns home to California's wine country, sparks fly amid a hail of bullets as she and U.S. Marshall Austin Jennings take cover. Money, fame, and love all come into play as motives when Lily and Austin try to find out who sent hired guns to kill Lily. The trouble begins soon after her beloved Aunt Lettie dies and leaves her estate to Lily--is it about the money? Or, is life imitating art? Lily's trouble-making character in a long-running TV soap was recently killed by a paid hitman. Is a crazed fan trying to end Lily's life as well as her acting career? Did her agent borrow a page from the script after Lily dismissed him?
Lily's surprised to find an old flame waiting for her when she returns home. Has he reached the point that if he can't have her, nobody can? If it's about an old love that's become dangerous, the new one that propels Lily and Austin into each other's arms won't help. Life in small-town California wine country is a tangled vine of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. *This was originally in a collection to benefit Vets, think it was called Under Fire, don't think it's available any more, didn't like it except for this one, either.*
Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series
Murder at Catmmando Mountain #1 Love Notes in the Key of Sea #2 All Hallows' Eve Heist #3 A Merry Christmas Wedding Mystery
Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series: Novellas 1-3
#4 Murder at Sea of Passenger X #5 Murder of the Maestro #6 A Tango Before Dying #7 {out 2019} A Canary in the Canal #8 {2019}
Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery
Love a Foot Above the Ground 0 A Dead Husband 1 A Dead Sister 2 A Dead Daughter 3 A Dead Mother 4 A Dead Cousin 5
Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series (Books 1-5)
A Dead Nephew 6 {2019}
Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery
Cowabunga Christmas #1 Gnarly New Year #2
Heinous Habits (Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery, #3) {in summer collection only first}
Radical Regatta Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery #4 {2019}
Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery
A Body at Fitzgerald’s Bluff 1 {was in Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: 12 Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer which between typos and WTH stuff actually cancelled, just waited for this separately}
The Murder of Shakespeare's Ghost 2 {out March 2019}
Grave Expectations on Dickens' #3 {2019}
The CALLA LILY MYSTERY Series
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire #1
{currently only in collection Love Under Fire collection and she may be adding just a bit because of the ending/people}
Tangled Vines, Buried Secrets #2 {2019}
see goodreads/amazon for full listing of books, in various collections
In California's wine country, someone wants Lily dead. When Lily Callahan returns home to California's wine country, sparks fly amid a hail of bullets as she and U.S. Marshall Austin Jennings take cover. Money, fame, and love all come into play as motives when Lily and Austin try to find out who sent hired guns to kill Lily. The trouble begins soon after her beloved Aunt Lettie dies and leaves her estate to Lily--is it about the money? Or, is life imitating art? Lily's trouble-making character in a long-running TV soap was recently killed by a paid hitman. Is a crazed fan trying to end Lily's life as well as her acting career? Did her agent borrow a page from the script after Lily dismissed him?
Lily's surprised to find an old flame waiting for her when she returns home. Has he reached the point that if he can't have her, nobody can? If it's about an old love that's become dangerous, the new one that propels Lily and Austin into each other's arms won't help. Life in small-town California wine country is a tangled vine of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. *This was originally in a collection to benefit Vets, think it was called Under Fire, don't think it's available any more, didn't like it except for this one, either.*
Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series
Murder at Catmmando Mountain #1 Love Notes in the Key of Sea #2 All Hallows' Eve Heist #3 A Merry Christmas Wedding Mystery
Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series: Novellas 1-3
#4 Murder at Sea of Passenger X #5 Murder of the Maestro #6 A Tango Before Dying #7 {out 2019} A Canary in the Canal #8 {2019}
Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery
Love a Foot Above the Ground 0 A Dead Husband 1 A Dead Sister 2 A Dead Daughter 3 A Dead Mother 4 A Dead Cousin 5
Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series (Books 1-5)
A Dead Nephew 6 {2019}
Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery
Cowabunga Christmas #1 Gnarly New Year #2
Heinous Habits (Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery, #3) {in summer collection only first}
Radical Regatta Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery #4 {2019}
Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery
A Body at Fitzgerald’s Bluff 1 {was in Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: 12 Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer which between typos and WTH stuff actually cancelled, just waited for this separately}
The Murder of Shakespeare's Ghost 2 {out March 2019}
Grave Expectations on Dickens' #3 {2019}
The CALLA LILY MYSTERY Series
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire #1
{currently only in collection Love Under Fire collection and she may be adding just a bit because of the ending/people}
Tangled Vines, Buried Secrets #2 {2019}
see goodreads/amazon for full listing of books, in various collections
January 11, 2019
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire is the first book Anna Celeste Burke’s Calla Lily Mystery series. This book is a quick and easy read. The storyline is well plotted, the characters are well developed, and the mystery is intriguing. The characters in this fast-paced book are well developed and three-dimensional. Twists and turns, and red herrings and are abundant, and there’s no shortage of potential suspects to keep the reader engaged and guessing until the reveal. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series and seeing how the characters and their relationships grow and develop.
Lillian “Lily” Callahan is an actress whose acting career took a nosedive, so when her aunt, Letitia “Lettie” Morgan, passes away she packs her bags and returns home to California’s wine country with Marlowe, her obedient and protective Miniature Pinscher. Lily went to live with her aunt when she was twelve-years-old and nicknamed her Calla Lily. Aunt Lettie’s attorney, Franklin Everett, arranged for Lily to stay in a local resort’s private cottage in the woods, but is moved to one of their hotel suites after hired hitmen try to kill her. Deputy U.S. Marshal Austin Jennings had been tracking one of the men, and while the cottage is a disaster, he manages to save her life. One of the responding officers is Denny Saunders, who was Lily’s first serious boyfriend. At the reading of Aunt Lettie’s Last Will and Testament, Lily learned that she not only inherited Aunt Lettie’s home, but also the majority of her estate, including the land the house was built on, her personal property, and the vineyards and her shares of the Calla Lily Vineyards and Winery, LLC. Her mother and three half-siblings weren’t thrilled, but her stepfather, Edward Callahan, and a non-family member, Alexander Davidson, who oversees the vineyards and winery’s financial matters, were more than a little discontent. There’s an instant and mutual attraction and chemistry between Lily and Austin, and they work well together trying to figure out who put a hit on her and why.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Lillian “Lily” Callahan is an actress whose acting career took a nosedive, so when her aunt, Letitia “Lettie” Morgan, passes away she packs her bags and returns home to California’s wine country with Marlowe, her obedient and protective Miniature Pinscher. Lily went to live with her aunt when she was twelve-years-old and nicknamed her Calla Lily. Aunt Lettie’s attorney, Franklin Everett, arranged for Lily to stay in a local resort’s private cottage in the woods, but is moved to one of their hotel suites after hired hitmen try to kill her. Deputy U.S. Marshal Austin Jennings had been tracking one of the men, and while the cottage is a disaster, he manages to save her life. One of the responding officers is Denny Saunders, who was Lily’s first serious boyfriend. At the reading of Aunt Lettie’s Last Will and Testament, Lily learned that she not only inherited Aunt Lettie’s home, but also the majority of her estate, including the land the house was built on, her personal property, and the vineyards and her shares of the Calla Lily Vineyards and Winery, LLC. Her mother and three half-siblings weren’t thrilled, but her stepfather, Edward Callahan, and a non-family member, Alexander Davidson, who oversees the vineyards and winery’s financial matters, were more than a little discontent. There’s an instant and mutual attraction and chemistry between Lily and Austin, and they work well together trying to figure out who put a hit on her and why.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 31, 2019
Lily’s Homecoming Under Fire is the first book in the mystery series (Calla Lily) written by Anna Celeste Burke. In this book we are introduced to the newest sleuth Lily Callahan. It was originally offered as part of the Love Under Fire box set which is now available as a standalone book.
Lily is returning to the home of her Aunt Lettie, who has just passed away. Aunt Lettie raised Lily and was the only real family Lily had known and now she’s gone. But before Lily makes it home, she’s almost gunned down by a pair of men outside her hotel. She barely escapes with the help of a dashing young U.S. Marshall named Austin Jennings. When she finds out that it wasn’t a coincidence but that the men were sent to kill her, she is shocked!
Lily soon discovers that the gorgeous Marshall Jennings is tasked to be her bodyguard while they investigate who is behind the attempted hit. What a headache for Lily along with the heartache of loss while trying to figure out if there is more to Aunt Lettie’s death or not.
The setting is perfect for this book, the California wine county. Wonderfully fast cozy mystery to enjoy reading in an afternoon sipping a glass of wine or something stronger... The characters are fun and believable with a plot full of twists and turns. I am looking forward to reading the next installation of this series which is coming soon.
Lily is returning to the home of her Aunt Lettie, who has just passed away. Aunt Lettie raised Lily and was the only real family Lily had known and now she’s gone. But before Lily makes it home, she’s almost gunned down by a pair of men outside her hotel. She barely escapes with the help of a dashing young U.S. Marshall named Austin Jennings. When she finds out that it wasn’t a coincidence but that the men were sent to kill her, she is shocked!
Lily soon discovers that the gorgeous Marshall Jennings is tasked to be her bodyguard while they investigate who is behind the attempted hit. What a headache for Lily along with the heartache of loss while trying to figure out if there is more to Aunt Lettie’s death or not.
The setting is perfect for this book, the California wine county. Wonderfully fast cozy mystery to enjoy reading in an afternoon sipping a glass of wine or something stronger... The characters are fun and believable with a plot full of twists and turns. I am looking forward to reading the next installation of this series which is coming soon.
January 18, 2019
Lily’s Homecoming Under Fire was originally offered as part of the Love Under Fire box set. It is now available as a standalone book. It is the first of a new series by author Anna Celeste Burke and introduces her newest sleuth Lily Callahan. In this first book, Lily is returning to the home of her Aunt Lettie, who has just passed away. Aunt Lettie raised Lily and was the only real family Lily had, and now she’s gone. But before Lily makes it home, she’s nearly gunned down by a pair of men outside her hotel. She barely escapes with the help of a dashing young U.S. Marshall named Austin Jennings. When she finds out that it wasn’t a coincidence but the men were sent to kill her, she is shocked! Then even more shocking- Marshall Jennings is tasked to be her bodyguard while they investigate who is behind the attempted hit. Just the beginning of a headache for Lily, as she confronts the heartache of loss while trying to figure out if there is more to Aunt Lettie’s death or not. This is a cozy mystery, meaning it’s written without any bloody, gory scenes. It’s safe for anyone to read and not gross out if that’s not your thing. The characters are fun and believable and the plot is full of twists and turns. Written against the backdrop of California’s wine country, I could almost imagine myself sitting in Aunt Lettie’s kitchen or walking through the vineyard. I look forward to the next installation of this series, releasing soon so be on the lookout!
November 27, 2018
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire is one of the books in the box set "Love Under Fire." I really enjoyed reading this new cozy mystery by Anna Celeste Burke. It's sad enough when you lose someone close to you, but it was even harder for Lily because Aunt Pettis was practically her mother! Aunt Lettie was such a wonderful woman, who helped everyone she could, but that all ended when she was found dead in her home! Of course, everyone thought she died of natural causes, but was that the truth. Lily had her doubts, but is she right? Could someone have murdered her Aunt? That's what makes this a great cozy! There is one more thing! The sparks are flying between her and Austin! Will they make it as a couple? I guess we have to wait for book #2 to find out more! This is an awesome book Anna! Thanks for sharing it with us!
July 20, 2019
Hold on to your hats because the mystery in Lily's Homecoming Under Fire by Anna Celeste Burke starts in the first chapter! This cozy mystery centers around Lily Callahan and her Miniature Pinscher, Marlowe. They have been living in Hollywood where Lily played Andra Weis on the soap--Not Another Day. Her character was killed off and new jobs have been hard to come by. When Lily's Aunt Lettie Morgan dies, she inherits her home and winery. But before she can even get her things delivered and settle in, someone is trying to kill her. Luckily, Deputy US Marshal Austin Jennings has her back! Shortly after the reading of Lettie's will, her attorney, Franklin Everett, is discovered murdered. What the heck is going on? If you like reading cozy mysteries, you'll enjoy this one. It is set in CA, has an interesting group of characters, and the hint at a future romance.
November 11, 2018
Anna Celeste Burke's book is wonderful, Lily Callahan, know as Cala Lily, has recently inherited a vineyard in CA from a her aunt, who was like a mother to her.
When Lily arrives at her new home in CA, she is met immediately with bullets being fired at her. What's going on is Lily's first thought, she just arrives home and she is being fired at, why?
At the reading of her Aunt's will, Lily finds out that the rest of the family members and board members of the winery are very upset with the way things have been distributed. This is the start of a mystery that is so interesting, I couldn't wait for it all to fall in place, and of course, as any good mystery, there is a murder or two!! A must read.
Emmy McCabe
When Lily arrives at her new home in CA, she is met immediately with bullets being fired at her. What's going on is Lily's first thought, she just arrives home and she is being fired at, why?
At the reading of her Aunt's will, Lily finds out that the rest of the family members and board members of the winery are very upset with the way things have been distributed. This is the start of a mystery that is so interesting, I couldn't wait for it all to fall in place, and of course, as any good mystery, there is a murder or two!! A must read.
Emmy McCabe
November 12, 2018
Review of LILY'S HOMECOMING UNDER FIRE
by Anna Celeste Burke
After ten years as a regular character in a Hollywood soap opera, Lily's character has been killed by a hit man and she leaves that show to return home to California wine country, where her Aunt Lettie, who raised her from age twelve, has recently passed away. While she is staying in a resort cottage, two hit men try to kill her! Her only protection is a very appealing (to Lily) US Marshal who is hunting for the two killers even before they attack her. Being thrown into danger together incites sparks between them neither is willing to let dry out. The book starts with an explosive reader's hook and keeps intrigue and suspense alive throughout (and romance).
by Anna Celeste Burke
After ten years as a regular character in a Hollywood soap opera, Lily's character has been killed by a hit man and she leaves that show to return home to California wine country, where her Aunt Lettie, who raised her from age twelve, has recently passed away. While she is staying in a resort cottage, two hit men try to kill her! Her only protection is a very appealing (to Lily) US Marshal who is hunting for the two killers even before they attack her. Being thrown into danger together incites sparks between them neither is willing to let dry out. The book starts with an explosive reader's hook and keeps intrigue and suspense alive throughout (and romance).
November 13, 2018
This story is part of a great series. The opening scenario will definitely start your heart beating. When Lily decides to leave Hollywood to take care of her aunts estate, she never knew how the quiet life she hoped for ,would be anything but.. Having a cute dog named Marlowe to hug helps , but it's the sexy U.S. Marshall that is trying to protect her that catches her attention. This story is filled with action, is fast paced and keeps you reading. I have also read a few other stories in this set as well. So far, I have not been disappointed with any of them. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
November 13, 2018
Non-Stop Action!
This is one busy novel! It is an action adventure with a strong romantic sub-plot. This story starts out with a bang and it never lets up until a very satisfying ending. It is the first of a series and will be sure to read each episode! This author always writes a great story, This is a clean story with some kissing, no graphic sex or violence, no swearing, and dogs! I received this ARC for free, but I have purchased the Love Under Fire anthology where this story will be published. This is my honest review.
This is one busy novel! It is an action adventure with a strong romantic sub-plot. This story starts out with a bang and it never lets up until a very satisfying ending. It is the first of a series and will be sure to read each episode! This author always writes a great story, This is a clean story with some kissing, no graphic sex or violence, no swearing, and dogs! I received this ARC for free, but I have purchased the Love Under Fire anthology where this story will be published. This is my honest review.
January 13, 2019
Which Wine Goes Best with Murder?
Author Anna Celeste Burke is starting a new series with this novel which was introduced as her contribution to the 21-book "Love Under Fire" box set put together as a seasonal fundraiser for Pets for Vets. That box is no longer available but this story is.
Lily is literally under fire from the first sentence of the book! The family dynamics of dysfunction play a major role as an actress returns home to claim her inheritance. Action-packed and lots of humor! Looking forward to book 2 =o]
Author Anna Celeste Burke is starting a new series with this novel which was introduced as her contribution to the 21-book "Love Under Fire" box set put together as a seasonal fundraiser for Pets for Vets. That box is no longer available but this story is.
Lily is literally under fire from the first sentence of the book! The family dynamics of dysfunction play a major role as an actress returns home to claim her inheritance. Action-packed and lots of humor! Looking forward to book 2 =o]
February 1, 2019
This review is for Lily’s Home Coming Under Fire which is the first book in Anna Celeste Burke’s Calla Lily Mystery Series. Right from the first chapter this book drew me in. It was an easy quick read with many twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. It was very fast paced with well-developed characters which are a little quirky. Maybe a hint of a romance to come. Anna kept me guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 21, 2018
Which Wine Goes Best with Murder?
Author Anna Celeste Burke is starting a new series in her contribution to the 21-book "Love Under Fire" box set put together as a seasonal fundraiser for Pets for Vets.
Lily is literally under fire from the first sentence of the book! The family dynamics of dysfunction play a major role as an actress returns home to claim her inheritance. Action-packed and lots of humor!
Author Anna Celeste Burke is starting a new series in her contribution to the 21-book "Love Under Fire" box set put together as a seasonal fundraiser for Pets for Vets.
Lily is literally under fire from the first sentence of the book! The family dynamics of dysfunction play a major role as an actress returns home to claim her inheritance. Action-packed and lots of humor!
January 1, 2019
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire by Anna Celeste Burke
This is a terrific, mystery/love story. I enjoyed everything about it. The characters are solid, and adorable, the story line is almost obvious, but totally mysterious, and the action is non stop. It has also created a world and a family of characters that will fit well together in a series. I am excited to read more.
*I read this as part of the Love Under Fire Anthology
This is a terrific, mystery/love story. I enjoyed everything about it. The characters are solid, and adorable, the story line is almost obvious, but totally mysterious, and the action is non stop. It has also created a world and a family of characters that will fit well together in a series. I am excited to read more.
*I read this as part of the Love Under Fire Anthology
July 28, 2019
Keep your friends close, and your family closer!
Lily Callahan is finally coming home but it isn’t the happy time she envisioned. She is coming home for her Aunt Lettie’s funeral. Even though inheriting her Aunts estate will mean Lily is now a wealthy woman and partner in a winery, she would rather have her Aunt alive. She has barely arrived at the resort cabin reserved by Aunt Lettie’s lawyer when a gun battle erupts on her front porch. Then a man in a Stetson barrels in and wrestles her to the floor. As bullets crash into her cabin, her dog Marlowe tries to protect her but the cowboy seems intent on taking them hostage, even as sirens are approaching. When the shots finally stop, he introduces himself as Deputy U.S. Marshal Austin Jennings and asks her “Who wants you dead?”
Her days become non-stop chaos, especially when her dysfunctional family shows up for the reading of the will and people start dying. The only bright spots are her Aunts friend Judy who helps wherever and whenever she can, and Austin who is determined to watch over her until police find whoever paid the hitmen to kill her. His interest is not just professional and Lily is interested in him too. Now if her life will just settle down so they can get to know each other better!
This book is non-stop action from the opening paragraph! The characters were relatable and the relatives added some interesting insights and twists. There is death, mystery, romance and plot twists which make for a fun read. I would definitely recommend it!
Lily Callahan is finally coming home but it isn’t the happy time she envisioned. She is coming home for her Aunt Lettie’s funeral. Even though inheriting her Aunts estate will mean Lily is now a wealthy woman and partner in a winery, she would rather have her Aunt alive. She has barely arrived at the resort cabin reserved by Aunt Lettie’s lawyer when a gun battle erupts on her front porch. Then a man in a Stetson barrels in and wrestles her to the floor. As bullets crash into her cabin, her dog Marlowe tries to protect her but the cowboy seems intent on taking them hostage, even as sirens are approaching. When the shots finally stop, he introduces himself as Deputy U.S. Marshal Austin Jennings and asks her “Who wants you dead?”
Her days become non-stop chaos, especially when her dysfunctional family shows up for the reading of the will and people start dying. The only bright spots are her Aunts friend Judy who helps wherever and whenever she can, and Austin who is determined to watch over her until police find whoever paid the hitmen to kill her. His interest is not just professional and Lily is interested in him too. Now if her life will just settle down so they can get to know each other better!
This book is non-stop action from the opening paragraph! The characters were relatable and the relatives added some interesting insights and twists. There is death, mystery, romance and plot twists which make for a fun read. I would definitely recommend it!
January 13, 2019
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire Calla Lily Mystery #1 by Anna Celeste Burke is the first book in a new series. I cannot wait to read more about Lily, the B&B, her friends and Austin. The bullets fly from page one in this exciting tale. I found the characters very engaging as well. There are many plot twists to keep the reader guessing. This is an exciting start to a new series.
July 22, 2019
Talk about descriptive writing that makes the book feel like I'm coming home... This was an amazing read just for the setting alone but then the author adds in a thrilling suspenseful plot and characters I just love and for me, the first Calla Lily mystery was just a wonderful read.
August 12, 2019
Wine Country romantic mystery - Who wants Lily dead and it is because she inherited her aunt's estate?. Wonderful, developed characters in a beautiful setting and the rurmoil they face in trying to solve this mystery. First book in a series and I think we all we will be waiting fot the next one to be released. Yummy recipes included as a bonus.
April 28, 2019
Great read
Ok I love Calls Lily already and can't wait to see what happens next if you love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this one by Anna Celeste Burke is a must read
Ok I love Calls Lily already and can't wait to see what happens next if you love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this one by Anna Celeste Burke is a must read
August 6, 2019
I have yet to read Anna Celeste Burke story that I haven't liked and this one is no exception. Full of action, twist & turns, and romance kept me turning those pages as the intriguing characters' well written story unfolded. I became totally immersed in the story from the very beginning. I definitely recommend this one to all.
August 11, 2019
Loved it!
Totally entertaining, fast-paced mystery. If you haven't read any of Anna Celeste Burke's books, this is a great one to start with. It has a well-defined plot, solid characterization, and reads like you are on a rollercoaster ride. Enjoy!
Totally entertaining, fast-paced mystery. If you haven't read any of Anna Celeste Burke's books, this is a great one to start with. It has a well-defined plot, solid characterization, and reads like you are on a rollercoaster ride. Enjoy!
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