Thanks for the advance copy to review, Netgalley and Kensington! A solid four stars to this enjoyable seasonal romp.

This was a pleasant read; part of a series, so there were definite allusions to external stuff but it was still pretty self-inclusive, effective for a Christmas installment.

While I can't say I fully understand why the protagonist was allowed to hang around the actress/ prime suspect the whole book, it was entertaining and not as SILLY as some unpalatable cozies are. There was a nice balance in the plot, neither overbearing on the slice of life/silly cozy antics, nor too grim and heavy on the crime. Alas, the culprit was predictable, but I wasn't expecting an Agatha Christie masterclass, the mystery had plenty of twists.

I found the detailed worldbuilding really good, for what it could be in a seasonal cozy, that is. The bakery's scenes made me crave lattes and cookies. The colorful character roster, including POC and disabled characters, was impressive for being a cozy, as well. It helped it read as more realistic and relatable, rather than the too-perfect, snowglobe towns you see in this type of book.

It was really cute to include seasonal recipes at the end! That set it apart from other cozies for me. I give this book four solid stars.

As usual it was a delight to be back in the company of the bread shop ladies. This adventure has them involved with actors and actresses. A surprising back story for one of them. This cozy will keep you guessing.

Ivy's really happy to have been hired to photograph Eliza Fox's Christmas party which is being catered by Yeast of Eden. Eliza is the current It Girl and while she likes attention, she doesn't want intrusions in the party. She wasn't however the one who killed the tabloid reporter who ended up on the rocks. Luckily, Ivy's documented a lot of the goings on at the party and luckily too that her sister-in-law Em. the Sheriff. appreciates her insight. This latest in the series is perfectly enjoyable as a standalone. It's got good characters, a fun setting, and the mystery is just twisty enough to keep you guessing. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Far to cookie cutter for even the Christmas touches to redeem it. This is definitely a borrow not a buy.

3 stars
I like this series very much. Fans will adore this book. Winnie Archer has written another great book.

This is book 7 in the Ivy Culpepper mystery series. I have enjoyed this series from book one and was delighted to receive this ARC for review. Thank you to both the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful Christmas theme mystery and the perfect introduction to cozy holiday reading. I love the small coastal town set in California and the descriptions of all the decorations and holiday preparations in this next in series.

Freelance photographer and Yeast of Eden bakery assistant Ivy Culpepper is thrilled to be hired to shoot the Dickensian Xmas party thrown by a famous actress. Its billed as a Victorian party and Ivy will go in costume as requested. All the Dickens charcters are brought to life at the party and a good time is had by all until a murder occurs. The actress is suspected by the police and others at the party. Ivy is determined to prove her innocent and find the true suspect . With all her savvy at investigating prior murders Ivy starts to question everyone she can and soon clues abound and suspects may not be readily obvious.

I loved this Christmas theme murder mystery that read much as a Agatha Christie. The sleuth kept me reading to conclusion and I found it fascinating as well as very well crafted. Ivy is a likable protagonist and I enjoyed her savvy smart way of solving this murder. The supporting charcters are all wonderful and add to the story. I look forward to the next in series.

Ivy has a dream assignment. She's been hired to take pictures at a party an actress is putting on. It's Dickens theme and everyone is in costume. She listens to conversations as she takes pictures.
Kensington Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).It will be published November 30th.

Everyone is having fun at the party when suddenly someone screams. There's a dead man at the bottom of the cliff. They don't think it was suicide.

He was a journalist that only posted bad things about people. Someone shoved him off that cliff.

As Ivy goes through a list of suspects, she finds a woman actress was drowned in the middle of her investigation. Someone hit her in the head and dropped her in the pool. Is it another killer or the same one?

The killer surprised me. Ivy almost gets in trouble before she figures it out.

This was a very cute, cozy Christmas story. The setting definitely made me feel like it was the holiday season already.

A holiday murder, no there were two murders at two different parties. Are they connected, could it be the same killer? If you read A Murder Yule Regret by Winnie Archer these and many more questions will be answered. Ivy Culpepper a budding photographer and a bakery assistant at Yeast of Eden Bakery has landed her dream job. Taking photos for Hollywood star Eliza Fox. Even though she must dress up as a Dickens character, Ivy is on cloud nine in landing this job. Until Ivy must come off that cloud of joy to see who killed a new journalist who was a guest at the party. Ivy goes into full detective mode, since she is best friends with the town sheriff. Things go array from there because Ivy finds out that there are many secrets being kept by Miss Fox and her close associates.Many suspects pop up but no one concrete until another murder happens at another holiday party. Another Hollywood star is found dead. Could it be the same murderer? What secrets were Ms. Knight hiding and how was she connected to the murdered journalist?
This is book 7 in the Ivy Culpepper mystery, so I sometime found it hard to connect the characters. Yet I found myself not being able to put this book down. The book was fast paced with beautiful written characters. The backdrop of the Christmas holiday made it a very cozy story. I love holiday themed stories, mysteries more so. Winnie Archer is a new author for me which I enjoy reading someone new. The romantic ending for sure made me say I will be looking out for the next Ivy Culpepper mystery.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. You have introduced me to not only a new author, but another wonderful series.

Ivy Culpepper is a likable, sensible, smart woman with a down-to-earth approach to life and a dream of being a successful freelance photographer. But she's also curious, tender-hearted, and easily drawn into other people's problems. When she gets a gig photographing a Hollywood starlet's Christmas party, all these elements of her personality combine to get her involved in the actress's life -- and a tabloid journalist's death.

Her friends and family, including the Blackbird Ladies who congregate at the Yeast of Eden Bakery, a very important place in Ivy's life, support her in her sleuthing efforts, but that doesn't keep her out of danger.

The book is written with compassion for the wide variety of characters and plenty of local color and appreciation of the central California coast town where Ivy lives. There's a good balance of action and emotion, and you'll be rooting for Ivy

The perfect Christmas mystery! Ivy and the bread shop gang are back in action trying to keep up with all the holiday orders when they suddenly find themselves catering for a celebrity. Unfortunately that catering job puts them right in the middle of a murder and a tangled web of lies. Ivy needs to untangle the web quickly before she ends up as the next victim tangled into the web. A wonderful cast of diverse characters that have been skillfully brought to life wrapped within and intriguing plot that has many twists, turns and potential suspects! You will not want to miss this great addition to the series! I can't wait to see what the characters get into next!!!

Winner Archer's latest offering in her A Bread Shop Mystery series had me guessing until the surprising end. All of the characters in Santa Sofia are engaging and for the most part likeable. I am invested in Ivy, as well as those of her friends. Actress Eliza Fox has settled in Santa Sofia and Ivy is serving for the breads Yeast of Eden is providing for a Dicken's themed Christmas party at her home. When a suspicious death is deemed as a murder Eliza herself and a cast of characters surrounding her are all suspects. The danger is increased as another murder occurs and Ivy is right in the middle of solving it with her usual help from the Blackbird Ladies. The author paints a wonderful picture of life in this coastal California town and includes spectacular recipes. I particularly liked the ending of 'A Murder Yule Regret' and can't wait for more to follow.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A Murder Yule Regret was such a great fun read, I have to tell you that it's a must-read. If you enjoy reading cozy mysteries then this is the book for you.

We are presented with freelance photographer Ivy who puts on her amateur sleuthing cap and gets to work trying to figure out who killed the murder victim and did Eliza really do it?

Quite an enjoyable read!

I’ve been into cozy mysteries lately, and this year’s selection has been really great. One of my latest forays into it is Winnie Archer’s A Murder Yule Regret. Based on the title, I knew this was going to be a holiday themed whodunit, and I have to say that the story delivered on all fronts.

I really had a lot of fun with this story. While the setting was still small town-ish, it was set in California, so the winter scenery was far more moderate. No snow or anything like that—mostly gorgeous views of the ocean—but the descriptions of the decorations and baked goods (because this story has a strong baking theme with the bread shop), certainly allowed for a festive atmosphere.

The mystery was also another highlight. The way it started was handled really great actually. The story had such an even pace, and it just flowed smoothly from one scene to the next. The mystery surrounding Eliza, her past, and the connection to the victim made for a page turner of a story.

The characters were also very charming. The whole cast was great. But I especially loved Ivy’s baking, sleuthing, and her adorable pug, Agatha. Her day-to-day life was as interesting as the mystery portion of the story, and I enjoyed all the scenes she shared with her boyfriend, friends, and family. Eliza Fox, the actress, was also an endearing character. There was something so earnest about her, and I liked how much she was in the story.

Overall, A Murder Yule Regret is another great cozy mystery, and it’s right on time for the holiday season.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Kensington Books) via NetGalley for this review, thank you!

I enjoyed this book, although I found the pacing to be slow. I liked the characters and the story is interesting. I was definitely surprised by who the killer was. #AMurderYuleRegret #NetGalley

Bread, mystery, and it's Christmas time!! What a way to start in a series. I really liked the twists and turns of this story. Ivy has dealt with a lot but she also has a strong support system. The older group of ladies in the book are a group that I wish I had a chance to meet and bounce off things with. I am very excited for the next book



Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advance read.

Ivy Culpeper is working to build her photography business and to perfect her bread baking by helping out at the towns favorite bakery. When they are hired to cater an actress's Christmas party, death follows. A fast paced mystery filled with friends, family and food - perfect for the holidays.

Another charming visit to Santa Sofia and the Yeast of Eden bakery. With the holidays approaching, Ivy and the bakers and caters in town are all busy with celebrity parties. However, people keep getting killed at the parties. Ivy is on the case with her friends and dog Agatha. The mystery was difficult to solve and I loved that there is more action than just sleuthing. And I’m definitely making the Star Bread from the recipe at the end of the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Ivy Culpepper steps away from her role as baker at Yeast of Eden to be a celebrity photographer at a holiday extravaganza. Unfortunately someone winds up dead and the celebrity host is accused. When another celebrity decides to copy the party right down to the exact same appetizers, another death occurs. Could Ivy's photos hold the key to finding the killer. This series is very charming and always makes me want to eat fresh bread.

I love the sense of humor of the narrator, and I found her "diabolical" pup Agatha, with the bladder of iron, a hoot, too! I did get a bit tired of Ivy reminding herself that all the major players in this case are actors...and yet continuing to pretty much believe what they say, anyway. With that minor caveat, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the mystery--another satisfying entry in this series.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.