“We know of them,” I admitted. “Here. Try this.” I handed her a clipping of fake mistletoe complete with little plastic berries.
She glared at it. “Like there’s anyone here to kiss.” She sighed as she tacked up the sprig. “Tell me. Get it over with.”
I laughed at her tone of martyrdom. “Petula LeMar and Venus Alton.”
She blinked, nearly dropping the box of clips on my head. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m not.”
“But those two hate each other.”
“I know. Apparently, the mayor missed the memo.” It was hard not to be amused by the whole thing.
“Hoo-boy. Does Charlie know what he’s getting into?”
I laughed. “I have a feeling he doesn’t.”
The mayor had proudly informed me he had invited two of the most successful romance authors in America and that they’d accepted. I’d been surprised, thinking he’d invited someone like Nora Roberts. When he’d told me the names I’d nearly died. Surely he’d had no idea he was inviting erotica romance authors. Not that there was anything wrong with that, in my opinion, but I was pretty sure the mayor would pass out from the shock if he knew.
“How do you suppose he came up with those names?” Cheryl asked as she descended the ladder and started rooting through the tree ornaments.
“I’m pretty sure he cruised the best seller lists and then called around until he convinced somebody to play along.” I shook my head. “I can hardly wait until he finds out.”
Cheryl giggled as she started piling silver balls onto a nearby chair. “Can you imagine?”
“Yes. Yes, I can. And it’s glorious.”
Once the Christmas tree was finally delivered, I left Cheryl in charge of decorating it while I disappeared into the kitchen, my sneakers squeaking on the freshly mopped tile floor. Three large pots sat empty on the counter, ready to be filled with water. I hadn’t been able to find a pudding mold big enough to serve everyone from a single pudding, so I’d gone with three large ones and hoped it would be enough.
I carefully placed each batter filled mold into a pot, filled it partway with water, and set the pots on the stove. I had just enough time to get home and change for the party. By the time I got pack, the puddings would be ready to remove from the pots and cool. During the party I’d put the puddings on fancy serving dishes, surrounded by holly just as the mayor ordered. I could only hope nothing went wrong.
The Poison in the Pudding is available NOW in ebook, audiobook, and paperback.
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About Shéa MacLeod
Shéa MacLeod is the author of Lady Rample Mysteries, the popular historical cozy mystery series set in 1930s London. She’s also written paranormal romance, paranormal mysteries, urban fantasy, and contemporary romances with a splash of humor. She resides in the leafy green hills outside Portland, Oregon where she indulges in her fondness for strong coffee, Ancient Aliens reruns, lemon curd, and dragons.
Because everything's better with dragons.
Other Cozy Mysteries by Shéa MacLeod
Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries
The Corpse in the Cabana
The Stiff in the Study
The Poison in the Pudding
The Body in the Bathtub
The Venom in the Valentine
The Remains in the Rectory
The Death in the Drink
The Victim in the Vineyard
The Ghost in the Graveyard
Lady Rample Mysteries
Lady Rample Steps Out
Lady Rample Spies a Clue
Lady Rample and the Silver Screen
Lady Rample Sits In
Lady Rample and the Ghost of Christmas Past
Lady Rample and Cupid’s Kiss
Lady Rample and the Mysterious Mr. Singh
Lady Rample and the Haunted Manor
Lady Rample and the Parisian Affair
Lady Rample and the Yuletide Caper (Coming Dec 2020)
Sugar Martin Vintage Cozy Mysteries
A Death in Devon
A Grave Gala
A Christmas Caper
Deepwood Witches Mysteries
Potions, Poisons, and Peril
Wisteria, Witchery, and Woe
Magic, Moonlight, and Murder
Dreams, Divination, and Danger
Non-Cozy Mysteries by Shéa MacLeod
Intergalactic Investigations (SciFi Mysteries)
Infinite Justice
A Rage of Angels
Other Books by Shéa MacLeod
Dream Factory
(Co-Authored with Linda Mercury)
Dream Factory
The Café of Hopes and Dreams (Coming 2021)
Notting Hill Diaries
To Kiss a Prince
The Art of Kissing Frogs
Kiss Me, Chloe
Kiss Me, Stupid
Kissing Mr. Darcy
Cupcake Goddess
Be Careful What You Wish For
Nothing Tastes As Good
Soulfully Sweet
A Stich in Time
Sunwalker Saga
Kissed by Blood
Kissed by Darkness
Kissed by Fire
Kissed by Smoke
Kissed by Moonlight
Kissed by Ice
Kissed by Eternity
Kissed by Destiny
Sunwalker Saga: Soulshifter Trilogy
Fearless
Haunted
Soulshifter
Dragon Wars
Dragon Warrior
Dragon Lord
Dragon Goddess
Green Witch
Dragon Corps
Dragon’s Angel
Dragon Mage
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Also by Shéa MacLeod
Cupcake Goddess
Be Careful What You Wish For
Nothing Tastes As Good
Soulfully Sweet
A Stitch In Time (A Cupcake Goddess Novelette)
Dragon Wars Boxed Sets
Dragon Wars - Three Complete Novels Boxed Set
Intergalactic Investigations
Infinite Justice
A Rage of Angels
Lady Rample Mysteries
Lady Rample Steps Out
Lady Rample Spies A Clue
Lady Rample and the Silver Screen
Lady Rample Sits In
Lady Rample and the Ghost of Christmas Past
Lady Rample and Cupid's Kiss
Lady Rample and the Mysterious Mr. Singh
Lady Rample and the Haunted Manor
Lady Rample and the Parisian Affair
Lady Rample Box Set One
Notting Hill Diaries
To Kiss A Prince
Kissing Frogs
Kiss Me, Chloe
Kiss Me, Stupid
Kissing Mr. Darcy
Sugar Martin Vintage Cozy Mystery
A Death in Devon
A Grave Gala
A Christmas Caper
Sunwalker Saga
Kissed by Blood
Kissed by Destiny
Sunwalker Saga: Soulshifter Trilogy
Haunted
Soulshifter
Fearless
Sunwalker Saga: Witchblood
Mistwalker
Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries
The Corpse in the Cabana
The Stiff in the Study (Coming Soon)
The Poison in the Pudding (Coming Soon)
The Body in the Bathtub
The Venom in the Valentine
The Remains in the Rectory
The Ghost in the Graveyard
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