Gita Appleyard – författare

Small Town Puppy Love kicks off the cozy mysteries at Belbrook, where a small-town dog groomer learns to trust her pooches' instincts. Originally a short story, readers clamored for more! Are young Detective Aidan Walsh and his police dog, Zeus, too charming to catch a drug dealer?Jacinta embraces the thrill of teaching at Bellbrook High and cuddling adorable pups at her mom's salon—but she didn't sign up for the electrifying connection she feels with Aidan or the challenges of managing her headstrong mother. In the enchanting Australian town of Bellbrook, picturesque landscapes and quirky characters set the stage for a whirlwind of mystery, romance, and danger.Jacinta, a kind-hearted teacher turned dog groomer, relies on her instincts and deep bond with animals. When a captivating Doberman raises her suspicions, her world is turned upside down, leading her on an unexpected journey.Meanwhile, Aidan, a dedicated police officer, patrols Bellbrook with his loyal K9 partner.  Though the village may not need a highly trained unit, Aidan's bond with Zeus is the backbone of his efforts.As fate intertwines their lives, Jacinta and Aidan are drawn together by their shared commitment to uncover the truth. Amidst the close-knit community, they must navigate danger, hidden secrets, and their own blossoming feelings. Sparks fly and hearts race as they discover that love can thrive even in uncertainty.

These Gita Appleyard Mysteries are cozy mystery with a nod to the golden age of female sleuth, amateur detective, 'who dun it', fiction.Catherine Everwood, a librarian with a nose for uncovering hidden secrets, finds herself plunged into a world of intrigue when her friend and colleague is found murdered in the Grand City library.As Catherine delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a web of deception that stretches far beyond the library's hallowed halls. A trail of whispered rumors and hushed conversations leads her to a shocking truth: the library's very foundation is built on a secret that could bring down the city's elite. Can Catherine unravel the mystery before another life is lost?Gita Appleyard's, cozy, soft-boiled, mysteries series featuring women amateur sleuths. You may read the books in any order.   Read it now!

In the heart of a Californian blazing wildfire, where courage meets chaos, Firestorm tells the story of Chloe, a fearless wildfire fighter and team leader grappling with her own internal battles.  Together, they navigate the fiery trials of their profession, battling raging flames while igniting a spark that could change their lives forever. In a world where duty clashes with desire, will Chloe and Ethan find the courage to face their fears and nurture the love brewing in the firestorm? Join them on a journey filled with action, adventure, and heart as they learn that sometimes, the most profound connections are forged in the heat of chaos.

In the picturesque small town of Willow Creek, tech-savvy city girl Emma is on a quest to rediscover herself after a messy breakup. Signing up for a "e;digital detox"e; retreat feels like the perfect escape—until she meets rugged outdoorsman Jake, whose no-nonsense approach to life challenges everything she thought she knew. As they navigate the ups and downs of unplugging from technology, their witty banter turns into unexpected sparks. Will Emma learn to embrace the beauty of living in the moment, or will their contrasting worlds keep them apart? Dive into this charming romantic comedy filled with heartfelt connections, and discover whether love can truly be the greatest adventure of all.

After a heart-wrenching breakup, city girl Emma seeks refuge in her small hometown, hoping for peace and solitude. But fate has other plans when she crosses paths with Jake, the rugged firefighter whose brave heart once saved her childhood home. With his smoldering gaze and irresistible charm, Jake ignites a fire within Emma that she never expected.As she navigates the charming quirks of small-town life, Emma finds herself irresistibly drawn to this man of the flames. Their chemistry crackles against the backdrop of rural simplicity, but just as passion blossoms, Emma's past lurks in the shadows. When her ex returns, promising the comfort of familiarity, Emma must grapple with her heart's desires.With a devastating fire threatening the town—and Jake's very life on the line—Emma is forced to confront her feelings. Will she risk it all for a love that feels as wild and consuming as the flames themselves?

DATING DISASTERS: When a young matchmaker's newest client turns out to be her mother, and her mom's new love arrives with his son as chaperone then wedding organizer, professional boundaries collapse into romantic chaos. The perfect summer rom-com that proves sometimes Cupid needs a taste of his own medicine!

When Olivia returns to care for her ailing father, the last person she expects to need is Ryan—her high school rival turned local firefighter with an infuriating hero complex. As he helps repair her father's home, their heated arguments spark something neither saw coming. With summer fading and her city life calling, Olivia must decide if the flames between them are worth the burn. Into the Flames is a clean, small-town romance where old rivalries and new beginnings prove that sometimes, love is worth fighting fire with fire.

Opposites Attract: A Small Town Clean and Cozy Romance.  When botanist Rowan Scout's dream garden project is suddenly shared with Felix Charmley, her infuriating high school rival turned successful landscape designer, sparks of all kinds begin to fly in the quaint village of Thistledown. These two stubborn experts with clashing visions are forced to collaborate, old rivalries reignite, and unexpected feelings bloom. But when disaster threatens everything they've built together, will their budding relationship wither or flourish?

In "e;Lipstick & Love,"e; Emily and Ryan's worlds collide in a whirlwind of romantic comedy, filled with witty banter, misunderstandings, and a shared love for all things vintage. As they navigate the chaotic wedding preparations and confront their own fears, they discover that sometimes, love can be found in the most unexpected places. With a perfect blend of humor, romance, and heart, this enchanting novel will leave you smiling long after the final page.

Three gardeners. Two embankments. One very particular garden lover.When another "e;accident"e; strikes in one of Elsbeth's prize‑winning gardens, most call it bad luck. Mavis of Wren Cottage calls it a pattern.Over tea and scones, she pieces together a history of pruning mistakes, wounded pride, and unstable ground — uncovering a truth that is more tragic than malicious.A warm, witty cozy mystery about camellias, secrets, and the danger of caring too much.

The Beeswax Candle(A Wren Cottage Short Story)On the night of the winter solstice dinner, Helen lights a beeswax candle she has been saving for years.It was meant for a particular occasion. A reconciliation that never happened. A conversation postponed until it was too late.In a house layered with camellias and quiet history, the steady honeyed flame draws old tensions to the surface — not in argument, but in the careful pauses between sentences.Outside, the mountain ash stands indifferent. Inside, the smallest act of lighting a wick becomes an act of choosing: to hold on to regret, or to release it.In Belbrook, where security is assumed and silence can say more than speech, even a single candle can alter the air.

There's a spark of romance in the air as Emma clashes with the handsome hardware store owner over a seemingly simple decision—why can't she paint Wren Cottage bright yellow? After all, who needs to listen to a man who talks to garden gnomes and insists on strictly adhering to heritage colors? Dive into this delightful small-town romance, where laughter and love bloom in unexpected ways, in a short and fun short story of 12,000-words perfect for a cozy read!

The Locket(Belbrook short story)When a small blue velvet pouch disappears, Margaret tells herself it doesn't matter. She hasn't opened the locket inside for forty years. Some things are better left closed.In the cool, fern‑filtered quiet of Belbrook, where exotic gardens meet native forest, the recovery of a small object becomes a reckoning with what has been avoided for decades.Some things are lost.
Some are taken.

Gita Appleyard's small-town, bus tour, romantic comedy brings together a grumpy-sunshine pair: a mid-life-crisis lady tourist and a permanently intense coach driver. Their snarky clashes quickly turn into something neither of them can joke their way out of—especially when very inconvenient chemistry starts blooming faster than either wants to admit. Could this Australian outback tour prove that it doesn't quite deliver the comforts promised in the glossy brochure—while offering the thrill of a second chance love that's sweet, silly, and just a little bit dangerous? A heartwarming, Happily Ever After, partly biographical, (real life is stranger and funnier than fiction,) love story.

When plants begin to die in the small hillside community outside Belbrook, suspicion spreads faster than rainwater.The strawberry farm faces ruin.
The nursery fights to save its camellias. Experts search for answers and find none.Mavis Tully has lived long enough to know that what was left behind does not always stay buried. When her daughter suggests turning an old copper preserves pan into a planter, Mavis refuses.Some things were made to hold.As the valley edges toward loss, one quiet older woman saves a community.Preserves, Pan, and Poison is part of the Wren Cottage Short Stories — rural tales of memory, consequence, and older women who are far from finished.

A holiday cottage rental series with romance and mystery.Seeking refuge from her bustling city life, artist Isla Beaumont arrives at Wren Cottage—where a working holiday is supposed to reignite her creativity.But the tranquil escape turns into a cozy mystery when local legends and hidden clues begin tugging at something buried… and the people in town—especially the ones who "e;just happen"e; to know too much—won't let her walk away from unravelling the truth.