Sally J. Smith

Add an exquisite flourish of design to your beloved green space or garden by adding tiny fairy homes inter-woven with nature. Fairy Houses gives you the instruction and inspiration you need to start! Have you ever seen a real fairy house? Not the ceramic ones at cavernous home improvement stores, but a real fairy house made from natural elements? Well, now you can build your own miniature magical abode - the perfect addition to your garden. Step-by-step instructions for constructing exquisite fairy houses are revealed in Fairy Houses, explained by master fairy house architect Sally Smith. Smith has been creating one-of-a-kind DIY fairy houses out of natural artifacts for years, now she passes her miniature construction knowledge to you. Imagine, a fairy garden with homes that have butterfly wings as stained-glass windows, twigs for window frames, birch bark for walls, dried mushrooms for shingles; it's all possible with a little instruction and inspiration from Fairy Houses. Begin by flipping through an inspiration gallery, find which elements appeal to you, and how they fit together. From there, you’ll learn about building materials (found and natural), on-site fairy house construction, and how to light a fairy house.

How to Create Whimsical Homes for Fairy Folk

Fairy Houses

Learn how to craft breathtaking fairy homes exclusively from elements found in nature, step by step, from master fairy house architect Sally J. Smith—photos of dozens of her magical miniature creations provide abundant inspiration for crafters and fantasy fanciers interested in a creative challenge. Imagine a fairy home that has dragonfly wings as stained-glass windows, twigs for window frames, birch bark for walls, and dried mushrooms for shingles—with Fairy Houses, you can create one in your own garden. Browse gorgeous photographs of fairy houses in nature, then: Design your home following the outlined steps Gather tools and materials Create magical fairy house components, including intricately detailed doors and windows Put it all together to create your own unique fairy house Add lighting and interiors Add finishing touches, like a bark roof covering or a stone pathway The final chapter gives step-by-step photo instructions on how to construct two different fairy homes. Both an inspiring gallery of art and a practical how-to guide, Fairy Houses will open new doors of creativity for you as you are transported to the magical realm where fairies live.

Jean Steffens

From USA Today bestselling authors Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens comes a ho-ho-hilarious Mystic Isle Mystery... 'Tis the season at The Mansion on Mystic Isle, and Melanie Hamilton, resident tattoo artist at the resort renown for its supernatural atmosphere, can feel the holiday spirit everywhere in the Louisiana bayou. The festive mood runs deeper than just the tinsel, mistletoe, and twinkling lights, as the milk of human kindness is flowing with gift giving, good cheer, and donations. But when Papa Noël turns up as dead as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and all the bounty from a recent charity drive is stolen, Melanie turns to Jack Stockton, the resort's handsome general manager, to help her find the killer and get it all back. Who wanted Papa Noël dead and why? Was it the bag of loot they were after, and Papa just got in the way? Or was it a more personal attack on the jolly man in the red suit? Not only does Mel find herself in a fight to prove one of her co-workers innocent, but she's also in a race against a ticking clock to save the life of a sick child. Before long, she closes in on the killer—or maybe it's the killer closing in on Mel! Mystic Isle Mysteries: Mystic Mayhem (book #1) Mystic Mojo (shorts story in the Killer Beach Reads collection) Mystic Mistletoe Murder (book #2) Mystic Mischief (book #3) Mystic Deception (book #4) What critics are saying about Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens: "Charming, cunning and clever, MYSTIC MAYHEM is a smartly paced murder mystery." —Romance Junkies "Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens bring the beauty of the bayou alive with this cozy murder mystery. If you like flirting and fun with your dose of fear this is a must-read." —Night Owl Reviews

Mystic Isle Mysteries book #2

Mystic Mistletoe Murder

From USA Today bestselling authors Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens comes another Mystic Isle Mystery that will leave you yo-ho-ho-ing with laughter... Just when Melanie Hamilton thought things couldn't get stranger at The Mansion at Mystic Isle, she finds herself in the middle of a true pirate treasure hunt! Fortune hunters have arrived Indiana Jones-style at the New Orleans resort where she and boyfriend Jack Stockton work, with their eyes on the prize of a long-lost and priceless letter stolen from the famous pirate Jean Lafitte. Two archeologists, a Hollywood camera crew, and a marauding gator suddenly have Melanie so busy she almost doesn't even have time to quarrel with Jack over the arrival of his ex-girlfriend... Almost. But her romantic issues take a back seat when a dead body shows up at the home of the resort's owner. Now it’s up to Mel and the rest of the odd crew at Mystic Isle to bring order back to the bayou and solve the murder. But if someone would kill once for a piece of parchment, would they kill twice? And could Mel wind up at the bottom of Davy Jones’ Locker? Mystic Isle Mysteries: Mystic Mayhem (book #1) Mystic Mojo (shorts story in the Killer Beach Reads collection) Mystic Mistletoe Murder (book #2) Mystic Mischief (book #3) Mystic Deception (book #4) What critics are saying about Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens: "Charming, cunning and clever, MYSTIC MAYHEM is a smartly paced murder mystery." —Romance Junkies "Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens bring the beauty of the bayou alive with this cozy murder mystery. If you like flirting and fun with your dose of fear this is a must-read." —Night Owl Reviews

Mystic Mischief

From the USA Today bestselling writing team of Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens comes a hilarious first book in a brand new mystery series that will keep you guessing until the end... Melanie Hamilton is not your average artist. She brings home the bacon by inking tattoos at New Orleans's Mansion at Mystic Isle, a resort in the middle of the bayou that caters to fans of the peculiar and paranormal, but her true passion comes alive when she volunteers restoring Katrina-ravaged landmarks. Between her day job, her restoration work, and selling her paintings in Jackson Square, Mel's life is more hectic than Bourbon Street on Fat Tuesday. But when a guest of the resort, a millionaire's widow, is poisoned, and Melanie's close friend is arrested for the murder, things go from hectic to downright dangerous. Mel joins forces with the resort's delish manager, Jack Stockton, to prove her friend's innocence. Soon they find themselves dealing with séances, secret passages, the ghost of the millionaire himself, gators, swamp rats, and a sinister killer who proves that not everything is what it seems in the Louisiana bayou. Come on along, and get your creep on. Mystic Isle Mysteries: Mystic Mayhem (book #1) Mystic Mojo (shorts story in the Killer Beach Reads collection) Mystic Mistletoe Murder (book #2) Mystic Mischief (book #3) Mystic Deception (book #4) What critics are saying about Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens: "A great series and smart plot told at breakneck pace...great characters, sexy, tough, intelligent, and witty....the perfect companion for the beach, planes, trains and everything else in between." —The New York Journal of Books "Smart and sassy. Classy with a twist of wry humor and just enough sentiment and romance to reel you in and keep you hanging until the end. Smith and Steffens, partners in crime, have struck gold. —Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of Johnnie Come Lately and The Final Salute "Stealing the Moon & Stars is an impossible book to put down. Jordan and Eddie are the best mystery solving duo since Nick and Nora. Is there a fire alarm ringing? Because their relationship is smokin’ hot!” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries and the Library Lover’s Mysteries "The action and sexual tension are as hot as an Arizona summer. The Shea Investigations team put their lives, and their hearts, on the line in this action-packed crime novel.” —Lesa's Book Critiques "This mystery unfolds with humorous zingers. Tingling with sexual tension, this is a satisfying read. I highly recommend it!" —Nancy Redd, author of The Canyon's Edge

A Mystic Isle Mystery

Mystic Mayhem

Gina LaManna

Catherine Bruns

Elizabeth Ashby

Leslie Langtry

Christina A. Burke

Mary Jo Burke

Gin Jones

Kelly Rey

USA Today bestselling summer themed short stories by bestselling mystery and romance authors! Enjoy mystery, romance, and lots of laughter under the sun with shorts from some of your favorite series. The perfect quick reads for vacation lounging or sipping frosty drinks poolside! **Recipes included!** Stories include: A Spot of Murder (Cookies & Chance Mysteries) by Catherine Bruns Queenie Baby: On Location (Queenie Baby Mysteries) by Christina A. Burke Done in the Sun by Mary Jo Burke A Killing in the Market (Danger Cove Mysteries) by Gin Jones & Elizabeth Ashby Fun to Fiasco (Misty Newman Mysteries) by Gina LaManna Scout Camp Murder (Merry Wrath Mysteries) by Leslie Langtry Motion for Misfits (Jamie Winters Mysteries) by Kelly Rey Mystic Mojo (Mystic Isle Mysteries) by Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens

short story collection

Killer Beach Reads

From USA Today bestselling authors Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens comes murder, magic, and laughter on the bayou... There’s magic in the air at The Mansion at Mystic Isle where Melanie Hamilton works—magic everywhere. The Federation of Magicians has contracted to hold their annual show at the resort on the bayou, and Melanie's excited to join in the fun—nothing like a little hocus pocus to liven things up, right? The winner’s own show and a huge cash prize guarantees stiff competition. And speaking of stiffs, when the contest frontrunner turns up dead, Mel, Jack Stockton, and the staff at the resort rally to chase down the culprit. Is one magician so desperate for fame and fortune they’d kill for it, or is there another reason to work some black magic? Mel conjures up several suspects, but the adept sleight of hand conceals the identity of the murderer. Will an abracadabra and the wave of a magic wand catch the killer, or will it be Mel who disappears? Mystic Isle Mysteries: Mystic Mayhem (book #1) Mystic Mojo (shorts story in the Killer Beach Reads collection) Mystic Mistletoe Murder (book #2) Mystic Mischief (book #3) Mystic Deception (book #4) "Writing team Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens, a top all-time favorite, have penned a well-written and exciting series with a Southern flair, combining cheeky characters, humorous foibles, and of course, a clever cozy murder mystery." —Kings River Life Magazine

Sally J. Smith

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