Books published by Gumnut Press

Never in my lifetime did I think I'd spend New Year's Eve knee-deep in mischief, magic, and murder!When my high-school nemesis, Prudence McAvoy, chooses The Melting Pot Café to host her New Year's party, I know I'm courting trouble by accepting her booking. The trouble begins with Prudence turning up dead, face down in a pond, and the finger for her murder is pointed directly at my shape-shifting best friend, Jordi.Determined to clear Jordi's name and bring the real killer to justice, I pool resources with Harriet, Tyler, and my cheeky familiar, Miss Saffron, to find out what happened to Prudence. As the clock counts down to midnight, time is running out in more ways than one.Can we find the killer before another body drops? Or will Jordi's new year begin in the pokey?If you like witty witches, talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then you'll love Polly Holmes' light-hearted Melting Pot Café series.

When an important case goes horribly wrong, a canine unit officer learns love and heartbreak are all in the line of duty.Betrayed by her lover and left for dead, Senior Constable Ellie Marsden and her canine patrol dog leave Perth and move to the small coastal town of Trinket Bay. Time heals Ellie's wounds, but not her heart.When thieves break in and steal drugs from the local doctor's surgery, she realises it's similar to her last case back in the city. If her ex-lover is in her town; can she close the case and arrest the man who almost destroyed her?Brennan Cole has been on the run for almost three years, leaving behind everything he's ever known and everyone he's ever loved. He's never forgiven himself for betraying Ellie, but he's in too deep to stop now.Trinket Bay is another perfect target. The police force isn't as prominent here, the drugs they need are easy to acquire, and its tourists provide a ready market. It's a simple in and out before they move on to the next town. But then he glimpses the woman he still loves.Can he escape detection before it's too late? Or will they learn cases of the heart never grow cold?A Nose for Trouble is a contemporary romantic suspense novella set in the fictional town of Trinket Bay in South Western Australia.Book one in the Trinket Bay Series.

Witches, cats, pumpkin pies and murder! I'm Evelyn Grayson and if you'd told me by the time I was 23, I'd have lost both my parents in a mysterious accident, moved in with the coolest Aunt ever, lived in a magical town, and I was a witch, I would have said you were crazy. Funny thing is, you'd be right. Camille Stenson, the grumpiest woman in Saltwater Cove is set on making this year's Halloween celebrations difficult for everyone, but when she turns up dead and my best friend is on the suspect list, I have no choice but to find out whodunit and clear her name. Amongst the pumpkin carving, abandoned houses, and apple bobbing, it soon becomes apparent dark magic is at play and I must use all my newfound witches' abilities to find the killer before another spell is cast. Step into Evelyn Grayson's magical world in the first book of the Melting Pot Café series, a fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is just beginning. If you like witty witches, cheeky talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then you'll love Polly Holmes' light-hearted Melting Pot Café series.

A warm-hearted, fun filled rom-com novella laden with love, music...and cats. When his ringing doorbell wakes Devlin Jones from a post birthday party hangover, he finds a beautiful singing telegram dressed as a kitten on the other side. She leaves him intrigued and confused in equal measures. His mysterious songstress has the voice of an angel and the devil's own temper to match. Katherine 'Kat' Grant has one dream, and that's singing. To achieve it, she needs admission to the exclusive Perdies College of Music. Kat's adolescent years were difficult, being dependant on the charity of others left her with a fierce independent streak and a loathing of special treatment. She'll succeed on her own merits without anyone's help, especially the cheeky, alluring Devlin who seems to have squeezed himself into every aspect of her life. Devlin knows he has the power to make all of Kat's dreams come true. But wielding that power means he could lose her forever. Can a charismatic cat loving hero and his sassy stubborn singer find their own love song?

A cozy mystery prequel about family ties, friendship and juicy town gossip. Who will attempt murder to protect their idyllic way of life?Armed with an over-zealous love for her town and unlimited tenacity, Betty Brookson takes no prisoners when she openly challenges a construction tycoon at an emergency town meeting. No-one wants to see the nursing home turned into high-rise apartments in the name of progress, least of all Betty.The arrival of her broken-hearted granddaughter peps her up. Charlotte McCorrson, an award-winning master baker and passionate soul was just like her grandmother. But she arrives amid the cops questioning her grandmother. And she doesn't like what they were saying.When Derek Pantell is found floating unconscious in the nursing home pool with a horrific head injury, all evidence points to Betty. She soon becomes the number one suspect.Betty's stellar reputation is on the line and with the help of her trustworthy granddaughter, they set out to uncover the truth. Will they find the person responsible, or will they become the next victims in their master plan?Cupcakes and Conspiracy is the exciting prequel to The Cupcake Capers Series by Polly Holmes.

A stab at the competition.Since arriving in Ashton Point, Master Chef Margarete Becker has managed to turn the dilapidated, old Tea 4 Two Café into a thriving meeting place. She draws both locals and tourists with her mouth-watering treats. Her childhood dream is to own her own 5-star restaurant and with the success of the Tea 4 Two Café, that dream could become a reality sooner than she imagined.Margarete's chance to show she has what it takes to run not just a café, but a thriving restaurant arrives when she secures the contract to cater the McCorrson's 30th Wedding Anniversary dinner. With dessert taken care of, Margarete's has only the entrée and main course to perfect. A piece of cake….or so she thought. It proves a slice more difficult than expected when the body of a local chef, Margarete's competition, is found murdered.Evidence against Margarete is mounting and it's obvious someone is trying to frame her. She only has one option; enlist the help of the McCorrson sisters to help clear her name and find the real killer before time runs out and her dreams are shattered forever.This is Book 5 in The Cupcake Capers Series and may contain elements of humour, drama and danger. However, it will definitely not contain any of the following potentially lethal substances:Swearing or profanity.Gore or graphic scenes.Cliff-hangers or unsolved endings.

Mistletoe magic or the kiss of death?Alexandra Cohen is determined to show her boss she has what it takes to be manager of The Springs Café on the outskirts of Ashton Point. She's smart and with the addition of CC's Simply Cupcakes, sales have sky-rocketed. The town is in full holiday spirit and with the Christmas Fair fast approaching, Alex has to work twice as hard to keep her interfering ex-boyfriend, out of the picture before he destroys her life forever.After reluctantly agreeing to run the kissing booth at the fair, Alex has to deal with a continuous line of male customers, as well as an ex who has ignored her requests to leave her alone. But the day is really tarnished when Alex stumbles across a body on the ground of her kissing booth dressed as Santa.The evidence is gathering against her and Alex must decide if she should let the police do their job and pray they do it well or if she should take matters into her own hands. With the help of the McCorrson sisters, Alex must investigate so she doesn't become the town scapegoat and forced to spend Christmas behind bars.This is Book 4 in The Cupcake Capers Series and may contain elements of humour, drama and danger. However, it will definitely not contain any of the following potentially lethal substances:Swearing or profanity.Gore or graphic scenes.Cliff-hangers or unsolved endings.

Every picture tells a story, but this family secret could be deadly.For Melody Maddison, life hasn't been the same since her mother's passing. When she discovers a photo of her mother and a mysterious child, she'll stop at nothing to find the truth, even if the search makes her question everything she's ever known about the beloved woman.Noah St. Reeve has a soft spot for women in trouble. When he rescues Melody from an attempt on her life, he can't turn his back on the fierce and beautiful woman in front of him. Torn between duty and passion, it will be up to Noah to keep his charge safe from harm, no matter the cost.Melody's quest for answers leads her from one dangerous path to the next. When the first shot is fired, the handsome and steady Noah is there to keep her safe. She knows she should back down, but Melody owes it to her mother to get to the bottom of a history that will rock her family forever. Except, the photo isn't only a link to her mother's past. It's proof of a dangerous secret-a secret that someone is willing to kill to keep.

Two is good. Sometimes three is better.Returning home for Christmas and a new start, Eloise Waters settles on a small country cottage in a sleepy English village, despite the fact its previous owner was a recluse, the original owner was supposedly a witch, and it's now rumoured to be haunted!On the first night in her new home, sensual erotic dreams surprise and delight her. Only these aren't dreams. The rumours are true. Two handsome Regency ghosts inhabit the cottage, becoming corporeal at night, trapped by a curse, compelled to satisfy every desire of the new owner. Elly begins to fall in love with Anton and Phillipe, her charming ghostly lovers.But is there more? Can the curse be broken? Or does Elly risk her own soul? As Christmas approaches, and memories surface, how will Elly choose? How can she possibly leave behind the Ghosts of Grace Cottage?

In Whittaker Springs, Christmas is a magical time—and love is in the air. The tiny Vermont town is gearing up for the festive season ahead, but everything is not as perfect as it appears to be.After failing to make it big in London’s West End, Tessa Quinn returns to small-town life to care for her ailing mother. If only she could avoid Blake Bryant, the one who got away.It’s been six long years of failed romances and missed Christmases, but Tessa and Blake can’t deny the attraction between them. The past weaves into the present as hurt, betrayal, and lust sears through their minds and bodies. Will the secrets and lies that kept them apart triumph, or will they finally get the antidote for this Christmas Fever?

Ava Jenkins never imagined landing the dream role of Juliet in the Shakespearean classic Romeo and Juliet would turn her world upside down. She sacrificed everything to pursue her love of the stage, and she always thought she would return home, but that was before her career soared. Now she has a choice to make: return to Australia to help look after her ailing father, or play out the season with a new Romeo that makes her blood boil with desire.Callen Carwright has returned home to Portland to mend his broken heart. He's done with acting, but when he accidentally runs into Ava at the stage door, he knows she is no ordinary leading lady.A whirlwind attraction pulls them together, and coupled with Shakespeare's words, Ava and Callen can't deny the passion that rages between them, on or off the stage. Ava's heart skips a beat each time her lips lock with Callen's. His kisses, slow, sensual and hot as hell. Will she return home as promised, or take a chance on the one man that promises to fulfil her every desire?