Heywood Herbalist Cozy Mysteries Series

5 stars, Liz Konkel of Readers' Favorite: The story has an upbeat tone that is typical of the cozy genre though Winter adds a unique quality to it through the use of herbs. The characters are charming and help establish the endearing aesthetic of the town while also giving a long list of suspects. A delightful start to a new series, this book blends a cozy mystery with herbalism and second chances.   From Hollywood, California, to Heywood, Arizona, trouble follows her… After her husband's brutal killing and her fall from the Hollywood elite, the disgraced Samantha Rathbone moves to Heywood hoping to forget her past and live a quiet life of anonymity as Sam Jones. When she takes a job at the local herbal shop, Sage Advice, and the owner is found murdered, Sam is pushed back into the unwanted spotlight when she becomes the number one suspect. As she wades through  ugly family drama, the questionable business practices of others, and the lies embroiled in a small town, she searches for the true killer, hoping to save herself. Will Samantha be able to find the murderer before she's put away for a crime she didn't commit?   5 stars, Liz Konkel of Readers' Favorite: The story has an upbeat tone that is typical of the cozy genre though Winter adds a unique quality to it through the use of herbs. The characters are charming and help establish the endearing aesthetic of the town while also giving a long list of suspects. A delightful start to a new series, this book blends a cozy mystery with herbalism and second chances.

Hiding her true identity is difficult… but not as hard as catching a killer.   As Samantha Jones, a former daytime television star, tries to assimilate into the small community of Heywood, her life is upended when her friend, Gina, is arrested for murdering her abusive ex-husband. Even though every shred of evidence points at Gina being the true killer, Sam can't believe her friend would murder one of the most hated men in town. As her search for the real killer eventually peters out and Sam's ready to declare Gina guilty, a turn of events leads her down an unexpected path. But will this path lead Sam to the real killer, or will an innocent person rot in prison for the rest of her life?

Disgraced soap opera star, Samantha Rathbone desperately flees the lights and glamour of Hollywood, California for Heywood, Arizona, an idyllic small town with some big secrets. She longs for a quiet life free of the drama, crime, and the dead husband she's left behind. Murder, mayhem and mischief have other plans for her. Join Sam as she tries to navigate her new life in a small town with the help of her quirky friends… and one cute cop.   Herbs and Homicide After her husband's brutal killing and her fall from the Hollywood elite, the disgraced Samantha Rathbone moves to Heywood hoping to forget her past and live a quiet life of anonymity as Sam Jones. When her boss ends up dead, Sam is the number one suspect. Will Samantha be able to find the murderer before she's put away for a crime she didn't commit?   Lavender and Lies As Samantha Jones, a former daytime television star, tries to assimilate into the small community of Heywood, her life is upended when her friend, Gina, is arrested for murdering her abusive ex-husband. Even though every shred of evidence points at Gina being the true killer, Sam can't believe her friend would murder one of the most hated men in town. A turn of events leads her down an unexpected path, but will this path lead Sam to the real killer, or will an innocent person rot in prison for the rest of her life?   Mint and Murder Deputy Jordan Branson is accused of murder in order to cover up a departmental investigation into his questionable behavior. He asks former Hollywood starlet, Sam Jones, to help him find the real killer. The problem? Sam isn't sure she believes in his innocence. To prove to herself she's not a horrible judge of character, Sam dives into the case. But will she uncover the truth before the real killer gets to her next?

Deck the Halls… with a dead body?   When Mrs. Claus is found murdered days before the Annual Heywood Christmas Festival, Sheriff Mallory Richards cancels the beloved event. As the flu takes out the whole sheriff's department—except for Deputy Jordan Branson—he begs Sam to help him find the killer. She and Annabelle set out to catch the murderer but land themselves in a tangled web of deception and danger. Will they be able to find the killer and save the Christmas Festival, or will Sam and Annabelle get too close to the truth and end up silenced? Enjoy this Christmas cozy mystery!

A dancer is found dead. The killer will go to great lengths to avoid apprehension. Deputy Jordan Branson is accused of murder in order to cover up a departmental investigation into his questionable behavior. He asks former Hollywood starlet, Sam Jones, to help him find the real killer. The problem? Sam isn't sure she believes in his innocence. She dives into the case anyway, but unfortunately, all clues lead directly back to Jordan. Once Jordan's arrested and proclaims his innocence once again, Sam's determined to catch the real killer and continues to prod and question the rest of the suspects. But will she uncover the truth before the real killer gets to her next?

Her past has caught up with her… will a killer do the same? When Mrs. Mason, the owner of Knit Wit, finds her husband murdered, Sam Jones steps in to console her despite her own troubled life filled with uncertainty and loneliness.  As their friendship blossoms, Sam confronts her past and the mistakes she's made. But will it be enough for the local deputy, Jordan Branson, to forgive her? While the police hunt for clues as to who the killer is, Sam also worries for her own life. Will the murderer be revealed before Sam becomes the next victim?

  When the town doctor dies at the Farmers Market, it is quickly discovered he was poisoned. The gossip vine turns its sites on Sam because she was one of the last people to see the man alive, and if anyone wanted him dead, it was her. As Sam fights to maintain her reputation as well as find the real killer, she discovers that once again, her future is going to be deeply affected by her past. Will Sam find the murderer before her life is left in tatters?

In books 4-6 of this cozy mystery box set, disgraced soap opera star and amateur sleuth, Samantha Rathbone, continues to navigate her new life in a small town and solve the pesky murders that keep happening with the help of her quirky friends… and one cute cop. Mistletoe and Mayhem Deck the Halls… with a dead body? When Mrs. Claus is found murdered days before the Annual Heywood Christmas Festival, Sheriff Mallory Richards cancels the beloved event. As the flu takes out the whole sheriff's department—except for Deputy Jordan Branson—he begs Sam to help him find the killer. She and Annabelle set out to catch the murderer but land themselves in a tangled web of deception and danger. Will they be able to find the killer and save the Christmas Festival, or will Sam and Annabelle get too close to the truth and end up silenced?   Thyme and Trouble Her past has caught up with her… will a killer do the same? When Mrs. Mason, the owner of Knit Wit, finds her husband murdered, Sam Jones steps in to console her despite her own troubled life filled with uncertainty and loneliness. As their friendship blossoms, Sam confronts her past and the mistakes she's made. But will it be enough for the local deputy, Jordan Branson, to forgive her? While the police hunt for clues as to who the killer is, Sam also worries for her own life. Will the murderer be revealed before Sam becomes the next victim?   Chamomile and Chaos When the town doctor dies at the Farmers Market, it is quickly discovered he was poisoned. The gossip vine turns its sights on Sam because she was one of the last people to see the man alive, and if anyone wanted him dead, it was her. As Sam fights to maintain her reputation as well as find the real killer, she discovers that once again, her future is going to be deeply affected by her past. Will Sam find the murderer before her life is left in tatters?