What do you think?
Rate this book
Winter Witches of Holiday Haven #10
Solstice Spirits
Have yourself a very Merry Witchmas in July in Holiday Haven, where the magic and mystery of Christmas is snow joke!
Rudie Hollybrook, here! I love my quaint, magical town of Holiday Haven. It’s basically like living in a snow globe.
I’m killing it (oops) directing my family’s funeral home where I work with my two zany sisters and am head over heels for my boyfriend, the editor of the local paper. It’s all going swimmingly until the annual Summer Solstice pool party...when it all goes down in an avalanche of trouble.
Suddenly, I’m not the only witch in town who can see ghosts! My arch nemesis, Hayley Swift, is being haunted by the spirit of a dead beauty queen who died sixty years ago amid rumors of murder.
Even worse? The ghost seems to be warning Hayley that she’s in for the same, tragic fate!
Now, I’ve got to team up with my least favorite grinch to solve the decades old cold case and keep her out of trouble (even though Hayley seems to go looking for it). And to complicate matters, I overhear something that makes me fear I’ll soon have to pick between my beloved hometown and the man who has my heart!
Can I melt the mystery around the beauty queen’s death in time to save Hayley? And how will I make an impossible choice?
Solstice Spirits is the stand-alone sequel to Cocoa Curses. It’s a clean, cozy mystery with no gore or profanity. “If you love paranormal cozy mysteries, with witches, magic and small town drama you will love this book.”
Curl up with a cup of iced cocoa and get comfy on your beach towel for an escape to a charming town full of lovable, memorable characters, imaginative details, clever mysteries and jolly jokes that’ll have you in the holiday spirit, any time of year.
And be sure to read the other magical mysteries in the Winter Witches of Holiday Haven series!
Rudie Hollybrook, here! I love my quaint, magical town of Holiday Haven. It’s basically like living in a snow globe.
I’m killing it (oops) directing my family’s funeral home where I work with my two zany sisters and am head over heels for my boyfriend, the editor of the local paper. It’s all going swimmingly until the annual Summer Solstice pool party...when it all goes down in an avalanche of trouble.
Suddenly, I’m not the only witch in town who can see ghosts! My arch nemesis, Hayley Swift, is being haunted by the spirit of a dead beauty queen who died sixty years ago amid rumors of murder.
Even worse? The ghost seems to be warning Hayley that she’s in for the same, tragic fate!
Now, I’ve got to team up with my least favorite grinch to solve the decades old cold case and keep her out of trouble (even though Hayley seems to go looking for it). And to complicate matters, I overhear something that makes me fear I’ll soon have to pick between my beloved hometown and the man who has my heart!
Can I melt the mystery around the beauty queen’s death in time to save Hayley? And how will I make an impossible choice?
Solstice Spirits is the stand-alone sequel to Cocoa Curses. It’s a clean, cozy mystery with no gore or profanity. “If you love paranormal cozy mysteries, with witches, magic and small town drama you will love this book.”
Curl up with a cup of iced cocoa and get comfy on your beach towel for an escape to a charming town full of lovable, memorable characters, imaginative details, clever mysteries and jolly jokes that’ll have you in the holiday spirit, any time of year.
And be sure to read the other magical mysteries in the Winter Witches of Holiday Haven series!
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
91 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Erin Johnson
90 books718 followersA native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh.
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 19, 2021
This is the second book I've read in this charming series by Erin Johnson. Rudie Hollybrook is the only witch that can see ghosts in her hometown of Holiday Haven near North Pole and her abilities help her solve many mysteries. The setting is so charming and full of Christmas spirit and Erin Johnson's writing is funny and engaging. I loved curling up with these books and always read them with a smile on my face.
December 16, 2022
In this next story of the Winter Witches set in Holiday Haven, Rudie Hollybrook has to help her nemesis, Hayley Swift, with a ghost of her ancestor, Holly Swift. It's an interesting twist on Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol but entertaining as I got to know Rudie a little better and got a glimpse of Hayley's world (which wasn't perfect).
December 18, 2024
Erin Johnson can write the f*ck out of a cozy mystery book.
4.5 ⭐️
4.5 ⭐️
December 3, 2021
A great cozy Christmas mystery with a hint of the scrooge theme involved and how a spoiled rich selfish young woman has to change her ways or follow in her dead great aunts footsteps.. Her dead great aunts ghost haunts her and tries to show her whats in her future if she continues to be selfish and greedy and treating people poorly.
Great story just in time for the holidays, to remind all of us to have a giving heart and spirit and treat everyone with kindness, compassion and respect throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
Great story just in time for the holidays, to remind all of us to have a giving heart and spirit and treat everyone with kindness, compassion and respect throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
July 8, 2021
This was everything I'd hoped for and more! I love to hear from holiday haven, rudie and her family are lovely characters and so much fun.
I enjoyed seeing a different side of hayley and hope it continues and that we hear more from here in the future.
It's impossible to read this without wanting hot cocoa ! Such a lovely festive read.
I enjoyed seeing a different side of hayley and hope it continues and that we hear more from here in the future.
It's impossible to read this without wanting hot cocoa ! Such a lovely festive read.
March 2, 2022
book 10 Ruddie and her sisters are back. They own the funeral home that their family had owned. Ruddie saw the ghosts of the deceased to everyone's chargin. But she has got a stand in Holiday Haven. She is in a volunteer group for events to raise money. Halley her nemesis had a problem though so she came to Ruddie' s graveyard house and was very upset. And Ruddy was wanting to know why. Well Halley admitted she saw a ghost of her her Great Aunt Holly and wanted Russia's help to find out if her aunt was murdered or just foul play. And Archer Russia's boyfriend have a surprise for her. These are Awesome series. I recommend these books. If you like fantasy and magic. These are the only books I have read with like a fantasy storyline with. I love all the characters in these series like The Easter Bunny , fairies, elves, snowmen, Mrs Clause and other fun loving charactes from my childhood. They have different stories and different Authors in these Cool books
July 8, 2021
So heartwarming!
This story could melt the heart of a snowman! Such a heartwarming book, full of all the Christmassy feels of love, hope, and fun! There’s a mighty lesson in this book (don’t worry, it’s in a warm and lighthearted way!) and it was a bit Dickens-like. I loved it!!! A modern Christmas Carol! Rudie is such a kind and caring person and I LOVE that about her! Real richness lies in kindness, caring, love. Love is the message and this story filled me with hope and joy.
A 60 year-old case. A cold case, North-Pole-winter-cold! A warning from the past… Sorry Rudie, but I loved the visions, I know you didn’t like them but it was great to read about! The story doesn’t go how I thought it would go, very surprising! What a warm book, what an amazing cozy!!!
This story could melt the heart of a snowman! Such a heartwarming book, full of all the Christmassy feels of love, hope, and fun! There’s a mighty lesson in this book (don’t worry, it’s in a warm and lighthearted way!) and it was a bit Dickens-like. I loved it!!! A modern Christmas Carol! Rudie is such a kind and caring person and I LOVE that about her! Real richness lies in kindness, caring, love. Love is the message and this story filled me with hope and joy.
A 60 year-old case. A cold case, North-Pole-winter-cold! A warning from the past… Sorry Rudie, but I loved the visions, I know you didn’t like them but it was great to read about! The story doesn’t go how I thought it would go, very surprising! What a warm book, what an amazing cozy!!!
July 15, 2021
Great series
So fun visiting Rudie again, love her Character and the fun with the rest of the characters.She gets to sleigh again when a ghost starts to haunt the rich brat of town, Rudie and Hailey must figure out why the haunting has started. Feel good ending reminds of a very well known Christmas Classic with a twist .
So fun visiting Rudie again, love her Character and the fun with the rest of the characters.She gets to sleigh again when a ghost starts to haunt the rich brat of town, Rudie and Hailey must figure out why the haunting has started. Feel good ending reminds of a very well known Christmas Classic with a twist .
November 29, 2023
A nice tweak on a Christmas Carol based cozy mystery
July 25, 2021
I tell you, I am not one for Christmas, or Christmas themed anything but man does Erin write an adorable Christmas themed story.
Loved this mystery so much, it was much more than discovering who planned to murder Hayley, or who did murder Holly. But a self discovery journey for the scroogest of characters.
The story does a wonderful job at displaying the disparities of those that work for Hayley, and how the town feels about them as a family. I loved the attention to detail through out the story, tying in the entire cast we met in the previous book. Rubie does great sleuthing work, brings the tragedies of the past to light with a kind heart, even though she'd rather tell Hayley where to put her lack of Christmas spirit.
This was a fantastic reimaging of the beloved tale, A Christmas Carol, and with the feel good, heartwarming ending. I hope we get to see more of Rudie and her family in the future.
If you love paranormal cozies with an uplifting message you'll love this book.
Loved this mystery so much, it was much more than discovering who planned to murder Hayley, or who did murder Holly. But a self discovery journey for the scroogest of characters.
The story does a wonderful job at displaying the disparities of those that work for Hayley, and how the town feels about them as a family. I loved the attention to detail through out the story, tying in the entire cast we met in the previous book. Rubie does great sleuthing work, brings the tragedies of the past to light with a kind heart, even though she'd rather tell Hayley where to put her lack of Christmas spirit.
This was a fantastic reimaging of the beloved tale, A Christmas Carol, and with the feel good, heartwarming ending. I hope we get to see more of Rudie and her family in the future.
If you love paranormal cozies with an uplifting message you'll love this book.
July 8, 2021
The second book in this series by Erin Johnson. This series is written by five authors with each of them having their own story lines in the area of Holiday Haven, a suburb of the North Pole .
Solstice Spirits is the second standalone sequel to Cocoa Curses in the Witches of Holiday Haven series.
Rudie Hollybrook is the director of the family funeral home business which she runs with her two sisters. They and others in Holiday Haven attend the Summer Solstice pool party. Rudie sees a ghost but so does Haley Swift, a not so nice young lady. This is unusual as in the past the only one in town that has been able to see ghost has been Rudie.
Haley Swift is the lonely rich girl in town. Her parents are always away. The staff has been underpaid for years and will be losing their home in the near future when it’s area is redone as a pool house.
So, who is the ghost, was she murdered, and if so who did it? This is like Dicken’s a Christmas Carol.
So, up until the reveal I wasn’t sure if Holly, the ghost, had been murdered or not. I liked the twists, turns, and not liking Haley Swift.
And if dealing with demanding and not so pleasant Haley isn’t enough, Rudie is concerned that her boyfriend, the local newspaper editor may be leaving town for a better job.
This is cleverly written and plotted. There is a surprise ending but I won’t spoil it. So join Haley and her sisters and friends as they get to the bottom of Holly’s ghosts returning sixty years after her death and what the consequences are. I thoroughly enjoy Erin Johnson’s imagination and this series.
I was given an advanced reader’s copy and am not required to leave a positive review. I chose to do so.
Solstice Spirits is the second standalone sequel to Cocoa Curses in the Witches of Holiday Haven series.
Rudie Hollybrook is the director of the family funeral home business which she runs with her two sisters. They and others in Holiday Haven attend the Summer Solstice pool party. Rudie sees a ghost but so does Haley Swift, a not so nice young lady. This is unusual as in the past the only one in town that has been able to see ghost has been Rudie.
Haley Swift is the lonely rich girl in town. Her parents are always away. The staff has been underpaid for years and will be losing their home in the near future when it’s area is redone as a pool house.
So, who is the ghost, was she murdered, and if so who did it? This is like Dicken’s a Christmas Carol.
So, up until the reveal I wasn’t sure if Holly, the ghost, had been murdered or not. I liked the twists, turns, and not liking Haley Swift.
And if dealing with demanding and not so pleasant Haley isn’t enough, Rudie is concerned that her boyfriend, the local newspaper editor may be leaving town for a better job.
This is cleverly written and plotted. There is a surprise ending but I won’t spoil it. So join Haley and her sisters and friends as they get to the bottom of Holly’s ghosts returning sixty years after her death and what the consequences are. I thoroughly enjoy Erin Johnson’s imagination and this series.
I was given an advanced reader’s copy and am not required to leave a positive review. I chose to do so.
July 8, 2021
Rudie is the only witch in Holiday Haven who can see ghosts.....Until she's not. When snobby Hayley Swift shows up in the dead of night claiming she can see ghosts, of course it’s when Rudie is sleeping. Hayley's long-dead aunt seeks Hayley out with a warning. Apparently, she’s going to die in the same fashion as the former-beauty queen. Hayley demands Rudie help her figure out what is going on since Rudie, too, can see ghosts. What ensues is the informal investigation into the death and some serious revelations that left not only the characters, but me, reeling.
Rudie is a fun, caring, and interesting character. Her low self-esteem prevents her from standing up for herself. She does do a bit better in regard to Hayley's demands but still has a long way to go. I love the relationship Rudie has with her sisters Donna and Vix. When Archer enters the scene, Rudie lights up and I enjoyed her interactions with him. I enjoyed Rudie's scenes with Archer, with her sisters, and will everyone in a group.
I really enjoyed Solstice Spirits and found the setting, characters, and story interesting and exciting. I was totally engaged in the story. There were some twists and turns in the quest to find out what happened to Hayley's aunt. There are multiple threads woven through the book, keeping the story fresh and interesting. The book was fast paced and easy to follow. I have yet to read an unlikable book by Erin Johnson. Her paranormal cozies are fun, include quirky but loveable characters, and an intriguing mystery.
Rudie is a fun, caring, and interesting character. Her low self-esteem prevents her from standing up for herself. She does do a bit better in regard to Hayley's demands but still has a long way to go. I love the relationship Rudie has with her sisters Donna and Vix. When Archer enters the scene, Rudie lights up and I enjoyed her interactions with him. I enjoyed Rudie's scenes with Archer, with her sisters, and will everyone in a group.
I really enjoyed Solstice Spirits and found the setting, characters, and story interesting and exciting. I was totally engaged in the story. There were some twists and turns in the quest to find out what happened to Hayley's aunt. There are multiple threads woven through the book, keeping the story fresh and interesting. The book was fast paced and easy to follow. I have yet to read an unlikable book by Erin Johnson. Her paranormal cozies are fun, include quirky but loveable characters, and an intriguing mystery.
December 14, 2022
While Holiday Haven is really close to the North Pole, they still, with the help of magic, celebrate the Summer Solstice with a beach pool party. Complete with sand and hot weather, and a wave pool.
It's in the middle of this town wide event that Rudie sees what she thinks is Hayley her nemesis, in the water wearing a glittering dress, tiara and a sash holding a bouquet of dead roses. She's more than a little startled when Hayley calls her name from directly behind her very much alive.
When Rudie looks back the specter is gone. Unfortunately, not for good. It's the middle of the night when Hayley comes pounding on her door, hysterical over the appearance of a ghost.
Investigation a cold case isn't easy however, surprisingly Hayley is cooperative. Archer is very helpful with this, well at least in finding newspaper articles about Hayley's great aunt, but he's been acting strangely toward Rudie lately.
It's clear right from the start that Hayley has no clue as to how to treat employees. She seems to just take what her father's always said as the way things are supposed to be.
The Pettigrews go back generations in service with Leona the one currently working in the house barely making ends meet as she cares for both Hayley and her granddaughter Penelope. Her daughter has gone to the North Pole for work to supplement the finances.
I love the way this plays out, with the ghost of Holly Swift leading the way to Hayley's redemption.
I do love these creative retellings of the classics. There's suspense, laughter, tears, romance and so much more in this book.
It's in the middle of this town wide event that Rudie sees what she thinks is Hayley her nemesis, in the water wearing a glittering dress, tiara and a sash holding a bouquet of dead roses. She's more than a little startled when Hayley calls her name from directly behind her very much alive.
When Rudie looks back the specter is gone. Unfortunately, not for good. It's the middle of the night when Hayley comes pounding on her door, hysterical over the appearance of a ghost.
Investigation a cold case isn't easy however, surprisingly Hayley is cooperative. Archer is very helpful with this, well at least in finding newspaper articles about Hayley's great aunt, but he's been acting strangely toward Rudie lately.
It's clear right from the start that Hayley has no clue as to how to treat employees. She seems to just take what her father's always said as the way things are supposed to be.
The Pettigrews go back generations in service with Leona the one currently working in the house barely making ends meet as she cares for both Hayley and her granddaughter Penelope. Her daughter has gone to the North Pole for work to supplement the finances.
I love the way this plays out, with the ghost of Holly Swift leading the way to Hayley's redemption.
I do love these creative retellings of the classics. There's suspense, laughter, tears, romance and so much more in this book.
July 8, 2021
How about a little winter chill in the middle of July? Oddly enough, the Summer Solstice is the one day in Holiday Haven when they have a magically manufactured summer!
This story picks up a several months after Cocoa Curses. Ruddie and Archer are happily together and their life is going pretty great. An upheaval appears in the form of a ghost who passed decades ago and Ruddie gets pulled into another cold case.
Hayley Swift is not Ruddie’s favourite person, in fact she’s pretty low on the list. Hayley’s self-centred ways and oblivious arrogance hardly inspires friendship. This is precisely why the ghost of her great aunt appears.
Holly Swift died under mysterious circumstances and now Ruddie must help Hayley figure out the how and why. As they get into their investigation several viable suspects pop up and the intrigue builds. Heart strings are also pulled when the sweetest of the suspects has the biggest motive and the perfect opportunity. The clues drop a good pace and the build up to the final scene is brilliant.
There are some echoes of a favourite Christmas story in this one. See which bits you can pick out! It was fun to read and make comparisons.
A most enjoyable element of this story is Ruddie’s family. What a crazy, lovable bunch. The interaction between the sisters, their partners and honorary ‘dad’ is loving and humorous. They all step in to help out one another when necessary, and if that comes with some good natured teasing, so be it.
I quite enjoyed this wintery respite in Holiday Haven, the land of all year winter and Christmas prep. The mystery is enticing and the company enchanting
This story picks up a several months after Cocoa Curses. Ruddie and Archer are happily together and their life is going pretty great. An upheaval appears in the form of a ghost who passed decades ago and Ruddie gets pulled into another cold case.
Hayley Swift is not Ruddie’s favourite person, in fact she’s pretty low on the list. Hayley’s self-centred ways and oblivious arrogance hardly inspires friendship. This is precisely why the ghost of her great aunt appears.
Holly Swift died under mysterious circumstances and now Ruddie must help Hayley figure out the how and why. As they get into their investigation several viable suspects pop up and the intrigue builds. Heart strings are also pulled when the sweetest of the suspects has the biggest motive and the perfect opportunity. The clues drop a good pace and the build up to the final scene is brilliant.
There are some echoes of a favourite Christmas story in this one. See which bits you can pick out! It was fun to read and make comparisons.
A most enjoyable element of this story is Ruddie’s family. What a crazy, lovable bunch. The interaction between the sisters, their partners and honorary ‘dad’ is loving and humorous. They all step in to help out one another when necessary, and if that comes with some good natured teasing, so be it.
I quite enjoyed this wintery respite in Holiday Haven, the land of all year winter and Christmas prep. The mystery is enticing and the company enchanting
July 18, 2021
No Rest for the Clueless
The Winter Witches of Holiday Haven have created one of the the best & intriguing versions of life at the North Pole. Although Santa & Mrs. Claus are the main citizens, these stories focus on five different residents of Holiday Haven. Each story is a stand alone book written by five well known paranormal cosy author. The common themes are the town, the magic & the holidays. On this 2nd outing for the group, it's the Summer Soltice. Check out all the uplifting books in the series.
Rudie Hollybrook owns the town's funeral home along with her two sisters. Not a morbid place but a place to find comfort in grief & celebrate a peaceful transition. When rich mean girl & Rudie's nemesis, Haley, disrupts Rudie's sleep with tales of seeing a ghostly vision of Haley's murdered great aunt Holly, she fears she's next.
Especially since Haley is her spitting image. Rudie's never known anyone else who could see ghosts. The demanding, self-centered Haley insists Rudie investigate Holly's murder to save Haley from the same fate. Haley certainly has enough people in town that despise her .Rudie is determined to uncover the truth but can Haley accept what they find?
The Winter Witches of Holiday Haven have created one of the the best & intriguing versions of life at the North Pole. Although Santa & Mrs. Claus are the main citizens, these stories focus on five different residents of Holiday Haven. Each story is a stand alone book written by five well known paranormal cosy author. The common themes are the town, the magic & the holidays. On this 2nd outing for the group, it's the Summer Soltice. Check out all the uplifting books in the series.
Rudie Hollybrook owns the town's funeral home along with her two sisters. Not a morbid place but a place to find comfort in grief & celebrate a peaceful transition. When rich mean girl & Rudie's nemesis, Haley, disrupts Rudie's sleep with tales of seeing a ghostly vision of Haley's murdered great aunt Holly, she fears she's next.
Especially since Haley is her spitting image. Rudie's never known anyone else who could see ghosts. The demanding, self-centered Haley insists Rudie investigate Holly's murder to save Haley from the same fate. Haley certainly has enough people in town that despise her .Rudie is determined to uncover the truth but can Haley accept what they find?
July 7, 2021
I was so hoping for a sequel to Cocoa Curses and Yay! We got it. Winter Witches is a series of novellas written by several authors in their created town of Holiday Haven. I loved Erin's first book. It was so inventive, cute and delightful even with murder. Three witchy sisters run a funeral home in a small town not far from the busy city of the North Pole. Rudie Hollybrook is the main character who deals with issues in her small town including murder, nosy neighbors, romance, mean girls and prejudice. You see, along with working at a funeral home, Rudie sees ghosts and has been made fun of most of her life. Even when the rich mean girl, Hayley, sees a ghost for the first time and asks for help, she can't keep her mean comments to herself. Rudie, being a kind person, still tries to help Hayley. It appears Hayley's great aunt is haunting her and they think they need to solve her possible murder, but there's more to learn. This was a cute take on the Christmas Carol including an adorable little girl who's sick. I love this one and hope we'll see more in the future.
July 5, 2021
This is one of the novels in the Holiday Haven summer series. The books in this new series follow up on each of the characters from the five previous Holiday Haven books. Each book is about a different person and storyline in the Haven. I loved reading more about Rudie and her family and friends. Rudie sees a ghost at the Summer Solstice pool party that looks just like her least favorite female in the town. Rudie doesn't really want to help figure out what the ghost wants but she's kind-hearted and agrees to help her not-a-friend. There's also a couple of subplots going on at the same time. I've read all of Erin Johnson other series and enjoyed each one. I also plan on reading the other four books in this cozy, paranormal series by the other four authors.
July 8, 2021
Rudie is going to help Hayley with her ghost problem. Rudie and Hayley will try to figure out what happened to the ghost and what it has to do with Hayley. Rudie has a glimpse of a different Hayley, but she learns to much about the way the family is. Rudie and Hayley will have to work together the clues from the past. Rudie will help Hayley see what happened in the past and she too could suffer the consquences too.
This was a really good read. You will enjoy Rudie and all the characters in Holiday Haven. You will be transported to for a little while while reading this story. I didn't really want to give to much of the story away, as I want the readers to discover the magic of the story. I do highly recommend reading.
This was a really good read. You will enjoy Rudie and all the characters in Holiday Haven. You will be transported to for a little while while reading this story. I didn't really want to give to much of the story away, as I want the readers to discover the magic of the story. I do highly recommend reading.
July 8, 2021
Rudie Holbroke who can see and communicate with the dead. Along with her sisters, she runs the funeral home in Winter Haven, a lovely town near the north pole that celebrates Christmas all through the year. Rudie has been bullied most of her life for her "odd" talent, when suddenly, the biggest bully in town needs her help because she is being visited by an ancestral spirit. Mystery surrounds the death of the spirit that is attempting to warn Haley (bully) the same fate awaits her. Erin Johnson has created interesting characters that are fun to watch grow as she navigates the world built collaboratively with 4 other paranormal cozy mystery authors. A quick and fun read. Looking forward to more of Rudie's adventures.
February 6, 2024
A Christmas Carol with witches and mermaids
💖 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚 Genre: Cozy mystery, urban fantasy
💕 Positives:
* Urban fantasy retelling of A Christmas Carol. It's like the classic story with witches.
* It has frost mermaids!!! I'm a sucker for any book with mermaids.
* Heartwarming ending in multiple ways.
🚫 Negatives: None
⚡Content Warning: None
🌟 Overall, I loved this book. The retelling of A Christmas Carol with witches was really creative. In the end, I actually started liking Hailey's character. It's nice that I know more of her backstory now. Her personality makes more sense. Speaking of the ending, all of the feels! Loved the last scene with Rudie's family. Looking forward to the next book, but I wish this series was longer.
💖 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚 Genre: Cozy mystery, urban fantasy
💕 Positives:
* Urban fantasy retelling of A Christmas Carol. It's like the classic story with witches.
* It has frost mermaids!!! I'm a sucker for any book with mermaids.
* Heartwarming ending in multiple ways.
🚫 Negatives: None
⚡Content Warning: None
🌟 Overall, I loved this book. The retelling of A Christmas Carol with witches was really creative. In the end, I actually started liking Hailey's character. It's nice that I know more of her backstory now. Her personality makes more sense. Speaking of the ending, all of the feels! Loved the last scene with Rudie's family. Looking forward to the next book, but I wish this series was longer.
April 6, 2025
Hauntings and secrets
Hayley is being haunted by her great aunt Holly and comes to Rudie for help. Holly is trying to warn Hayley of something but neither is sure of what. She keeps showing visions and as they learn more about Holly's life, Rudie realizes how alone Holly was. And Hayley is. When a vision shows them what the future could be, Hayley has a choice. To change or remain the same.
Meanwhile, Archer is acting weird. After overhearing that he was offered a job at the North Pole, Rudie worries he's going to leave her. But having to deal with Holly puts that all on the back burner. For now.
A great story. Had me in tears.
Hayley is being haunted by her great aunt Holly and comes to Rudie for help. Holly is trying to warn Hayley of something but neither is sure of what. She keeps showing visions and as they learn more about Holly's life, Rudie realizes how alone Holly was. And Hayley is. When a vision shows them what the future could be, Hayley has a choice. To change or remain the same.
Meanwhile, Archer is acting weird. After overhearing that he was offered a job at the North Pole, Rudie worries he's going to leave her. But having to deal with Holly puts that all on the back burner. For now.
A great story. Had me in tears.
Read
July 8, 2021When Rudie Hollybrook sees a ghost in the distance she has no idea who it is until her nemesis, Haley Swift, in a panic shows up at her doorstep at 4:00 am saying that a ghost is following her. Soon Rudie discovers the ghost’s history and relationship with Haley. When Rudie reluctantly promises to help Haley, she is shocked to discover why the ghost is haunting her. Will she be able to help her nemesis and help the ghost move on? This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.
July 10, 2021
Can a ghost save the day?
When uber-rich Scrooge Hayley Swift starts seeing the ghost of her great-aunt Holly, who mysteriously died 60 years earlier, she demands Rudie's assistance to figure out why. Meanwhile Rudie also obsesses over the prospect of her newspaper editor boyfriend Archer moving to the North Pole for better job prospects. In a Holiday Haven variation on A Christmas Carol, Erin Johnson has created a charming novella that offers the chance at both redemption and romance.
When uber-rich Scrooge Hayley Swift starts seeing the ghost of her great-aunt Holly, who mysteriously died 60 years earlier, she demands Rudie's assistance to figure out why. Meanwhile Rudie also obsesses over the prospect of her newspaper editor boyfriend Archer moving to the North Pole for better job prospects. In a Holiday Haven variation on A Christmas Carol, Erin Johnson has created a charming novella that offers the chance at both redemption and romance.
October 10, 2021
Sweet entertainment
I just love the Holiday Haven world that this quintet of talented authors has created! Rudie has been manipulated into helping entitled Hayley, and while the Dickensian bent is no surprise, it does add a bit of a twist to a VERY cold case. At least this distracts Rudie from her misgivings regarding Archer... This is a charming and predictable read that still manages to entertain, and I did enjoy catching "the wink" on names; too bad there are no brothers Dashiell and Cooper!
I just love the Holiday Haven world that this quintet of talented authors has created! Rudie has been manipulated into helping entitled Hayley, and while the Dickensian bent is no surprise, it does add a bit of a twist to a VERY cold case. At least this distracts Rudie from her misgivings regarding Archer... This is a charming and predictable read that still manages to entertain, and I did enjoy catching "the wink" on names; too bad there are no brothers Dashiell and Cooper!
December 13, 2023
A continuation of the first book, we once again follow Rudie as she ends up investigating a death. This time a cold case. The magic system reminds me very much of Harry Potter, but the themes of this story are very reminiscent of A Christmas Carol. I had a good time with this one. The writing is heart-warming, the story is perfect for this time of year. I think I enjoyed this one a little more than the first one. Honestly, these kind of easy-to-read books are perfect for a dank dark month like December and it does get you into the Christmas spirit for sure.
January 30, 2024
Rudie Hollybrook is the only person in Holiday Haven who sees dead people. It's been a point of contention between herself and her best frenemy Hayley Swift. Except now, Hayley is also seeing ghosts. Well, ghost. It's just one ghost. But it's still scaring the bejeebers out of her. So she calls Rudie, at ridiculous hours of the morning (seriously, the lady has no manners.)
But her life view may be about to change. It may not be three separate ghosts but this particular ghost is trying to tell her something.
Not a ton of depth but a good story.
But her life view may be about to change. It may not be three separate ghosts but this particular ghost is trying to tell her something.
Not a ton of depth but a good story.
July 8, 2021
Throughly enjoyed this book and Christmas in July are fun this time of year. Rudie gets involved with her Hayley when Hayley starts seeing a ghost. Rudie really didn't want to get involved with Hayley as they had never been friends but seeing that Rudie is the only other person in her town that sees ghosts, who else was going to help Hayley. It was a good book with a great lesson. Looking forward to reading more about Holiday Haven and what goes on in this very northern town.
July 8, 2021
Ghosts in July!
I love Rudie and the whole Christmas year round theme. It's a cute wholesome story about making the right choices but it's set into motion by a ghost. Little bits of a Christmas Carol mixed with an old mystery make for an exciting read. Oh, and what a mix up at the end.
I love Rudie and the whole Christmas year round theme. It's a cute wholesome story about making the right choices but it's set into motion by a ghost. Little bits of a Christmas Carol mixed with an old mystery make for an exciting read. Oh, and what a mix up at the end.
July 14, 2021
Christmas in July!
It’s summer in Holiday Haven with a
Dickens-esque twist! This is book 2 in Erin Johnson’s part of the Holiday Haven world. Definitely recommend reading book one, Cocoa Curses, first to get to know the characters but it’s not necessary. These books are fun and read like Hallmark movies. Light, cozy mysteries with a touch of romance.
Perfect for a day at the beach!
It’s summer in Holiday Haven with a
Dickens-esque twist! This is book 2 in Erin Johnson’s part of the Holiday Haven world. Definitely recommend reading book one, Cocoa Curses, first to get to know the characters but it’s not necessary. These books are fun and read like Hallmark movies. Light, cozy mysteries with a touch of romance.
Perfect for a day at the beach!
July 15, 2021
I Love Leona
What a heartwarming, lovely book. I am pleased as Wassail punch to recommend this Christmas story in July! All the characters come to life, making you feel the winter chill, as if you were standing next to them. Leona Pettigrew was my favorite ❤. Thank you Erin Johnson for warming my heart.
What a heartwarming, lovely book. I am pleased as Wassail punch to recommend this Christmas story in July! All the characters come to life, making you feel the winter chill, as if you were standing next to them. Leona Pettigrew was my favorite ❤. Thank you Erin Johnson for warming my heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews