Seasons Greetings! I’m dreaming of a Christmas kindle, stuffed with stories of Christmas love, Christmas hope, Christmas mishaps, Christmas parties and cookies and festivities! Let’s have a holly jolly reading Christmas. Santa’s helper suggests…

Mayhem and Mistletoe 

by Veronica Cline Barton

A family’s legacy, a mother’s anguish, deadly revenge, and bridezilla wannabes are set to rendezvous around the Christmas tree this Yuletide season.

JENA’S REVIEW

Mistletoe and Mayhem: Yuletide at Castlewood Manor by Veronica Cline Barton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series by Veronica Cline Barton makes me think of the Patty Duke Show, popular many years ago. (Remember the “they walk alike, they talk alike” theme song?) In the show, Patty Duke played herself, a lively American teen, as well as her identical cousin Cathy, a serious and proper young British teen. We Americans are still entranced with the Brits, and the mix of the two cultures works just as well in this clever and creative book series, subtitled “My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series.”

On to our book, (and what gorgeous cover!) and the cousins of Castlewood Manor! The series showcases a lovely British country estate, the ancestral home of the Lancaster family. In the first book of the series, Gemma a “howl at the moon” kinda gal from Malibu, albeit with a Ph.D., headed to England at the behest of her cousin Evan, eighth Marquess of Kentshire. He needed her to help win a fabulous contest- the chance to have his manor featured in a new TV series, similar to Downton Abbey. At the time, Gemma was at loose ends in her personal and professional life, and so she accepted the challenge from her cousin.

The first three books show us how capable Gemma proved to be as she and her English family and home go from one triumph to another. Not only does Gemma modernize the appeal of the family estate, she falls in love and begins to establish a solid new life for herself. And that brings us to the current book. The Castlewood Manor show continues, a new movie is in the works, the estate businesses are all doing well, and it’s the Christmas season.

But in addition to the joy and mistletoe, there is of course, mayhem and many changes on the horizon. Like the first 3 books, devious and dastardly evil is lurking. This book features particularly nasty crimes, that make for an exciting read. In addition to the mystery, Gemma is again at a crossroads in her life as she is asked to take on a new and amazing responsibility. An injury to Lord Evan has had devastating consequences. On the positive side, Gemma continues to be blessed with the love of her boyfriend, estate manager Kent and the closeness of her family and friends, including royal friends. The ending of this book is truly wonderful. And great-great-Aunt Pippa continues to watch over this invincible family.

Readers of the first three books in the series will again be delighted with the many details of Gemma’s life. Her clothes, jewels, cocktails, meals and menus, and activities are well-described and will draw you into a special world. The Christmas decorations, parties and activities are spectacularly presented. You will wish you could sip champagne or the house whiskey and “ooh and ahh” at the twenty-foot Christmas tree in the grand hall decorated with heirloom ornaments, and the garlands and the lighting in the conservatory.

Speaking only for myself, at times the daily details of clothes, meal, schedules, interrupt the flow of the story, and the large cast of characters is a bit much. But other readers may love to savor and visualize the latest fashions and accessories. And, by the end of the book, you will truly feel that you are living like the almost-royals at the family home. The story moves along and is vivid, entertaining and interesting and let me say again that the ending is truly a “wow!”.

Don’t fret if you haven’t read the first books in the series. The author includes a recap at the beginning of the book and any needed backstory is covered well throughout the book. A curtsey to the author for a delicious read! Many thanks to the author for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

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Meet the Author- Veronica Cline Barton

Veronica Cline Barton has always held a passion for British murder mysteries, which inspired her to start the My American Almost-Royal Cousin series. The Crown for Castlewood Manor is the first book in the series followed by Cast, Crew, & Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor and Deadly Receptions: the Debut of Castlewood Manor. Coming soon, Mistletoe and Mayhem, Yuletide at Castlewood Manor–just in time for the holidays!

Veronica received her masters and doctorate degrees in engineering and business and had successful careers in the software and technology industries. She now lives in California with her husband, Bruce, and their two cats, Daisy and Ebbie.