The Novel: Mistle-Ho

The Author: Josie Watts (also Janice Whiteaker)

The Guest: Angela, creator of the Cozy Mystery Book Club

The Synopsis:
Gavin Wilkes is rugby’s biggest star and my older brother’s best friend. He’s tall, dark, handsome… and a notorious player—not just in the sportsball way.

For years he’s teased me—flirted with me as a joke—and I’m tired of it. So the night of my parents’ annual Christmas party, I call his bluff, never expecting him to take me up on it.

He does. Many times.

At my place. At his place. In my mom’s she shed and the back of a bar. Not once does it cross my mind that our little meet-ups might lead to more. That I might be the woman who makes Gavin want to settle down.

Especially since he’d have to risk everything to make me his. Maybe I’ll just make him mine.

Shownotes:

The 7th annual 12 Days of Boobsmas
Celebrate the 12 Days of Cozies December 1st-12th
The crossover between romance readers and cozy mystery readers
Introducing today's book pick, Mistle-Ho (00:14:30)
All I want for Christmas is some Swamp Cats swag...
A brief synopsis (00:18:08)
An uptick in rugby romance?
The "proper" way to watch Christmas movies
The misogyny in brother's best friend romances
"Pulling a Bill Clinton"
Supplemental Reading suggestions (00:45:20)
The 1st Day of Boobsmas jingle courtesy of Cooper Baldwin

Supplemental Reading/Watching/Listening Suggestions:
- Angela's story, Knew Your Were Mine, on the Read Me Romance podcast
- Kelly on the Cozy Mystery Book Club
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (2020)
- Snow Way Out (2021)
- Books Can Be Deceiving (2002)
- A Brush with Murder (2023)
- Dead and Gondola (2024)
- The Player by Claire Contreras
- Kelly's picks: Venice Actually by Kelly Reynolds, Taylor by Mary Warren
- Angela's picks: Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland, The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandria Benedict, A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril

Other News:
December 1st marks the start of The 12 Days of Boobsmas. Tune in for new podcast episodes, new giveaways, and more holiday romance recommendations, all month long!

Purchase my Holidays in L.A. series: Meet Me in Los Feliz and Venice Actually, and Santa Monica Baby

Links:
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Mistle-Ho (Boobsmas #1)