A spooky mystery, a promising romance, and a secret society of scheming women…
Michelle owns the Salon, Shear Genius, on Sugar Mountain Main Street, a favorite with the tourists and locals alike. Lately she’s being plagued by eerie and unexplained goings-on. Is it a sign from beyond that she should rethink her life choices?
Matt Hopkins moved to Sugar Mountain after losing his business, but thanks to the lovely and talented Michelle, he is now building an amphitheater in town. It looks like things are finally going his way until the Mayor’s involvement spells trouble for the project. Will Matt be able to complete the Amphitheater and hang onto Michelle, or will things with her fall apart as well?
Facing puzzling complications at every turn, The Sugar Mountain Ladies Historical Society go undercover to figure out who is threatening Michelle and the new amphitheater. If they’re not careful, the society may fall apart and Michelle and Matt might end a promising romance. Come along for the ride on this zany, enchanting, romantic cozy mystery!
Kirsten is a writer with a love of art and design. She worked in the engineering field, taught college, and consulted free lance. Due to health problems, she retired in 2012 to travel with her husband. They live and work full time in a 40' travel trailer with their little dog Bingo. Besides writing romance novels, she enjoys selling art on Etsy and spoiling their four grandchildren.
As a writer, Kirsten's goal is to create strong female characters who face challenging, painful, and sometimes comical situations. She believes that the best way to deal with struggle is through friendship and women helping women. She knows good stories are based on interesting and relatable characters.
‘I’m a developer. I came to invest in Sugar Mountain’ – another cozy mystery unfurls!
Author Kirsten Fullmer has worked in the field of engineering, has been a teacher at the college level, was a freelance consultant, and has an affinity for art. Now retired, she has published ten novels including her six part HOMETOWN SERIES, LOVE ON THE LINE, and her SUGAR MOUNTAIN series of which SHADOWS IN THE SALON is Book 3.
One kindred spirit in Kirsten’s romance novels is the presence of strong female characters and how they cope with love, life and relationships. Stepping away from her previous Hometown Girl locale of Smithville, this story takes place in a very ‘special’ town – Sugar Mountain, North Carolina – and the unique aspect of this setting is introduced in the Prologue _ “Thanks to its secluded location and unprecedented mountain beauty, the little town of Sugar Mountain, North Carolina is an established tourist destination. Locals and visitors alike enjoy it scenic byways, charming shops, changing seasons, and abundant wildlife. Being the county seat and the only town of any size for miles around, Sugar Mountain is also the hub of local commerce and essential services. Many travelers and historians have mentioned the charming village in their writings. But unbeknownst to those writers, Sugar Mountain harbors a secret society of women. The ladies mean no harm, quite the opposite. They love their sleepy town. The secret organization, known as The Sugar Mountain Ladies Historical Society, was founded in 1917…’ And with this considerate reminder of the core of this series, the story presses forward.
Kirsten’s summary outlines the plot: ‘Michelle owns the Salon, Shear Genius, on Sugar Mountain Main Street, a favorite with the tourists and locals alike. Lately she’s being plagued by eerie and unexplained goings-on. Is it a sign from beyond that she should rethink her life choices? Matt Hopkins moved to Sugar Mountain after losing his business, but thanks to the lovely and talented Michelle, he is now building an amphitheater in town. It looks like things are finally going his way until the Mayor’s involvement spells trouble for the project. Will Matt be able to complete the Amphitheater and hang onto Michelle, or will things with her fall apart as well? Facing puzzling complications at every turn, The Sugar Mountain Ladies Historical Society go undercover to figure out who is threatening Michelle and the new amphitheater. If they’re not careful, the society may fall apart and Michelle and Matt might end a promising romance.’
A cozy mystery, a small town romance, and in Kirsten Fullmer’s hands this novel comes alive with vigor - a terrific continuation of her popular Sugar Mountain series. Recommended on many levels.
This is my 3rd Fullmer book (I read a bit of her Hometown Girl series). Kirsten Fullmer. This particular book is the 3rd in her Sugar Mountain series, and it definitely fits the Fullmer M.O. (strong female leads, romantic, and well-developed characters). I will say that this book is written with a different style…there's a mystery here and even a secret(ish) society. I do feel like I may have missed something not reading the first two, not necessarily in regard to Michelle’s story, but in regard to the established universe.
The story follows Michelle and jumps in pretty close to the beginning of some oddness. She soon finds stress in odd things going on around her and the story progresses with the conflict and back and forth of her determination and faltering confidence. It’s a realistic combination, but not one we get see so honestly in stories like this. In her journey, as with any Fullmer story I’ve read, she finds love…which happens to just add to the mix of things on Michelle’s plate.
I’m not terribly into romance stories, but I love a good mystery. This is a well-written and solid story, and though it has romantic elements that can be a bit cliché, Fullmer still manages to keep my attention with her writing skills. I wasn’t disappointed in reading this, and I think you wouldn’t be, either. Pick it up, enjoy the read.
Michelle owns a salon on Main St. The town is Sugar Mountain a quaint small town in the mountains. But she is having all kinds of trouble with weird things happening in her apartment and salon. Furniture has been moved, lights are not working right, weird writing on the mirror in the bathroom. She is at first thinking she is getting haunted by ghosts. But then it looks like something else is at work. Meanwhile, the mayor is up to his typical shady dealings. Matt Hopkins is a real estate developer that has just moved into town for a fresh start. His partner was stealing and ruined their company's reputation. Matt is starting a project to build an outdoor theatre in Sugar Mountain. Meanwhile, the ladies of the Sugar Mountain Historical society are investigating what is happening with Michell's situation and the dirty dealings of the mayor. They have their hands full.
Hilarious and mysterious as the ladies work to solve another mystery
The ladies of Sugar Mountain Historical Society embark on another mysterious occurrence as Michelle thinks her apt. is being haunted. Turns out they find the suspect and continue on to celebrate Christmas in the haphazard way they celebrate everything else. Wonder what's next.
Shadows in the Saloon by Kirsten Fullmer is a cross between romance, thriller and comedy. Matt Hopkins is looking for a new project to invest in. While settling into the quiet town of Sugar Mountain, Matt faced with the oddities of a small community. Everyone knows everyone’s business, yet no one observes the threats to Matt and Michelle. The Sugar Mountain Ladies Historical Society steps up to their meddlesome reputation to see if they can uncover the mysterious happenings.
If you have read any of Kirsten Fullmer’s novels you will know she has your stomach in knots one moment and laughing hilariously the next. Shadows in the Saloon does not disappoint. The plot takes you from one point to the next, but it is the ride that makes it so fun. Overall, I enjoyed this novel. The author brings her characters alive; you feel you have met them before; maybe she has met your neighbor, aunt, or beautician. You will definitely be entertained.
Hysterical I mean historical society never quit, especially when one of their own is involved. Another nice guy moves to town and finds you don’t just love to a small town, one arrives
How absolutely thrilling! I loved the Secret society of Women playing sleauths to Save Michelle from being a victim of a haunting. The best part of the book is about the identity of the culprit and how Michelle discovers him. Superb.
Not sure what to make of this book. It's #3 in the series, and I admit to not having read the prior two books. Perhaps I would know more about what these people in this town are all about.
Michelle owns her own business, a salon, and appears to be business savvy and a decent stylist. She tells us repeatedly in the story that she 'comes from money'. Been married 3 times already (not sure of her age but definitely not middle aged). She falls in love with a newcomer, right after she meets him, but might have to stop the relationship because she finds out he is bankrupt.
Why does she automatically think ghosts and spirits are responsible for things going wrong in her apartment? Is that from a prior book? And what is this society of women all about, running about with walkie-talkies and cameras?
The mystery was just about why Michelle was being 'haunted'. I guess it was plausible enough, but the characters were superficial and I just couldn't care. Won't be going earlier, or later, in the series.
"Nobody messes with my friends and gets away with it." Shadows in the Saloon by Kirsten Fullmer is a romantic thriller comedy in a cozy setting. New arrival Matt Hopkins is looking for a new project to invest in the quiet town of Sugar Mountain, Matt faces the oddities of a small community where everyone knows everyone’s business, yet no one sees how one of their own's has to face the harassment alone. The Sugar Mountain Ladies Historical Society steps up to their meddlesome reputation to see if they can uncover the mysterious happenings. Armed with their new gadgets, these ladies infiltrated the mayor's office to uncover his latest mischief.
I borrowed this book from my sister to read on our less adventurous summer vacation and really liked it. It was actually the perfect book to take on a trip as while the story is exciting, fun and mysterious it's also straight forward and easy to read in one week. I liked the characters and the secret...ish society and I also liked the romance that gave the story a nice little extra.
Wonderfully sweet and charming these characters make you fall in love with them immediately. The small town cheerfully celebrating the holidays with their traditions. Friends who literally run to you to help in a crisis. Everyone has a task in the mission and does it well. These ladies are fierce, so watch out criminals! Romping good fun, all in all.
I am really enjoying the series of Sugar Mountain. The society ladies are funny, witty and smart. The story moves right along with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Stella is my favorite society lady - she is a hoot. Looking forward to book 4.
This series, four books, is hard to put down and thoroughly entertaining. I have raced through the first three and can't wait to read another. I also downloaded another of her series. A really good storyteller.
Michelle the hairdresser/salon owner seems to have a problem, or maybe more than one. She thinks maybe she has a ghost or a spirit warning her not to date Matt, the new man in town. But all the spooky things started a few hours before she first met Matt, so that couldn't be the problem. Could it? But Michelle's friends in the Sugar Mountain Ladies' Historical Society are on the job, trying to get to the bottom of it all and to make sure nothing bad happens to Michelle. And Matt? Even Judy, Michelle's mother, thinks he looks wonderful, and Judy is a notorious cougar. And, of course, Christmas is coming to Sugar Mountain, the most festive time of the year, and Michelle and Matt are all caught up in the conviviality. I really enjoyed reading this book. I got through it in just a few hours, I didn't get lost once, and I loved the ending.
This storyline was actually very good but I have to wonder if the author has an editor and test readers. I’m a test reader for a New York Times Best Selling Author and an USA Today Best Selling Author. There were so many grammatical and spelling mistakes in this book that I know I can never read this author again. If you are male the correct spelling of this hair color is blond. If you are female it’s blonde. Y’all is a contraction of you all. Ya’ll isn’t a contraction of anything. There was an instance where women was used instead of woman. Actually, there’s too many instances to mention. If those types of mistakes don’t bother you then go ahead and get the book. If you have a brain cell then this book will bug the crap out of you.
Book 3 centers on Michelle, the owner of the beauty salon. She is also a member of the ladies 'secret' society. But strange things are happening - flickering lights, falling blinds - and Michelle is convinced that it's a ghost trying to tell her something, and she's scared. When she meets the handsome new guy in town, Matt, she decides it is Matt that she's being warned about, because of her previous bad choices in men. But Matt is a mystery, so the society ladies of course have to solve it.
Great read. Loved the characters. The mystery goes on from the very beginning of the book until the end when you find out who the perpetrator is. I know I couldn't figure it out, but there weren't many, if any, clues. All in all, a very enjoyable book and one which I heartily recommend to one and all who like a mild, intriguing and mind challenging mystery. No murder, just mystery, which I found refreshing. I know I will be following this series and hope others will too. Try it, you'll like it.
Waaay too much description. Sadly, I found myself doing what I always do with a book like this. I skipped to the next to the last chapter to see how it ended.
Premise was cute. If you aren’t a grammar freak, and you like detailed descriptions, it might be just the thing for you.
This is a mystery blended with romance to bring smiles to the reader. The setting is a small town with characters typical of such who must solve unexplainable events. It is an enjoyable and fun read.
I began the sugar mountain books without any expectations. Was pleasantly surprised at how they grew on you. Each woman's character and behaviour if distinctive. This makes the book very interesting. There is mild humour and that sets the necessary spice!