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Lily's Homecoming Under Fire Calla Lily Mystery #1 (Calla Lily Mystery Series) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,011 ratings

When Lily Callahan's aunt dies, she leaves everything to Lily. However, someone wants Lily dead and tries to kill her as soon as she returns home. Deputy U.S. Marshall Austin Jennings is determined to keep Lily safe and find the culprit. Money, fame, and love all come into play as motives when Lily and Austin try to discover who wants Lily dead. Life in small-town California wine country is a tangled vine of mystery, suspense, and intrigue.

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Anna Celeste Burke, brings you a fast-paced mystery with twists and turns, romance, and a dash of humor.

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5*****”WOW!! This story starts with a bang and never lets up. There is plenty of action, lots of twists and turns, and a romance to top it all off! Anna Celeste Burke has written an exciting story to start off the Calla Lily Mystery series.”

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Excerpt from Chick Lit Cafe's review: Lily's Homecoming Under Fire Calla Lily Mystery #1 by best-selling author Anna Celeste Burke takes readers on a roller coaster ride of murder, suspense, mystery and romance - all set in the beautiful California wine country.

Chick Lit Café highly recommends by best-selling author Anna Celeste Burke to all cozy mystery readers and those who want to escape to the extravagant, lush and distinguished setting of the California wine country.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07ML6FHLX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (January 12, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 12, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1318 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,011 ratings

About the author

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Anna Celeste Burke
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Anna Celeste Burke is an award-winning, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author!

Welcome! Join me to get a free eBook--just copy & paste the link: http://www.desertcitiesmystery.com

Life is an extravaganza! figuring out how to hang tough and make the most of the wild ride is the challenge.

On my way to Oahu to join the rock musician and high school drop-out I had met in San Diego and married in Tijuana, I was nabbed by the police as a runaway. When the police let me go and the rock band broke up, my husband and I had to find another way to survive. Our next stop: Disney World where we trained to be chefs, courtesy of the Walt Disney World University. A GED for my husband and many more years of education landed us in academia at The Ohio State University. Retired now from my role as a professor in social work and behavioral science, I have picked up a long-time interest in writing fiction. I'm still married to the same sweet guy and live with him in the Palm Springs area. In addition to reading and writing fiction, I enjoy painting, hiking, hanging out with my handsome husband and tending to my Siamese kitties.

An award-winning and bestselling author I enjoy snooping into life's mysteries with fun, fiction, & food—California style! I write books in five series: The Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery series set in the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs, the Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery series set on California’s Central Coast, The Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery series set in Orange County, California, The Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery Series set on the American Riviera, just north of Santa Barbara, and The Calla Lily Mystery series set in Northern California's wine country.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,011 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the storyline engaging with unexpected twists and turns. They describe the book as an enjoyable read that keeps them hooked until the end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with a parallel to soap opera characters. Readers appreciate the fast-paced action and writing quality. Overall, it's a great start to a new series by an author they enjoy reading.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

65 customers mention "Suspenseful plot"65 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful plot with unexpected twists and events. They find the story engaging, keeping them turning the pages with action and adventure. Readers appreciate the interesting characters and how the series continues in future books.

"...this idea and gives it a fresh and interesting flow made this story wonderful to read. The author also really knows how to bring a story to life...." Read more

"This was a very good storyline. What made it interesting was all the characters...." Read more

"...Life in small-town California wine country is a tangled vine of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. *..." Read more

"...This story had a lot of twists and turns! Suspense, attempted murder (assassination attempt) horrid family. I will be sure to continue this series!..." Read more

64 customers mention "Readability"64 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an enjoyable, engaging story with lots of action and murders. The book is a must-read for cozy mystery fans. Readers appreciate the airy language, which makes it a great read for the beach or on a plane. Overall, they describe the book as clean and wholesome.

"...Actually it was fun to read and hard to put down." Read more

"...are engaging, and story is delivered fast, fast, fast I enjoyed this read. California wine country is a bonus" Read more

"It is a good read crazy family and all. Hard keeping everyone sorted out. Didn’t like the fact the marshal was not professional at all...." Read more

"...and turns and a little romance thrown in, this book was a thoroughly enjoyable read--so much so I read it in one sitting." Read more

44 customers mention "Character development"41 positive3 negative

Customers like the engaging characters and well-written story. They appreciate the parallel with the heroine's soap opera character and the tongue-in-cheek references to soap operas. The villains and Lilly's "posse" are also mentioned as fun aspects of the book.

"...The details in the characters, the places and the thoughts really made this story seem like a documentary retelling rather than a fictional story...." Read more

"This was a very good storyline. What made it interesting was all the characters...." Read more

"Characters are engaging, and story is delivered fast, fast, fast I enjoyed this read. California wine country is a bonus" Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. Lots of characters and details. Kept me guessing to almost the end. A fun ride with romance, mystery and action." Read more

28 customers mention "Pacing"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find the story steady with constant twists that keep them turning the pages. The action starts from the first page and keeps readers hooked until the end.

"...one that is not predictable, full of action and suspense and keeps me turning the pages. This story was all of that and more...." Read more

"Characters are engaging, and story is delivered fast, fast, fast I enjoyed this read. California wine country is a bonus" Read more

"...A fun ride with romance, mystery and action." Read more

"WOW!! This story starts with a bang and never lets up. There is plenty of action, lots of twists and turns, and a romance to top it all off!..." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing quality"18 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to read. They appreciate the author's storytelling style, which is engaging without being overly wordy. The light, airy language makes it a great beach or vacation read.

"...I thought overall the writing was ab easy reading style. And i also found a cuteness and sweetness that you don't always find in a book...." Read more

"...I urge you to read all books written by this talented author." Read more

"Loved the fast paced constant twists and easy reading. Thank you for a wonderful read Looking forward to the next book" Read more

"...So no surprise that I like this series. I love how Miss Burke writes, her stories have lots of twists and turns and unexpected things...." Read more

10 customers mention "Start"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the start of the book. They say it's a great series by an experienced author and that it highlights starting over after life throws unexpected twists.

"Loved book 1 in this series! It has all the elements. A good mystery, sparks from romance and a beautiful setting worthy of its own book...." Read more

"A nee series that highlight starting over after life throws a curve on your plans...." Read more

"Better than a later one in series I'd read before. However, I feel like it was overly and excessively convoluted." Read more

"What a great start for this series! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It is well-written and moves along quickly...." Read more

The twists and turns are many and varied--greed is a terrible thing and can cause havoc!!!
5 out of 5 stars
The twists and turns are many and varied--greed is a terrible thing and can cause havoc!!!
This is the first book in a brand new series by Anna Celeste Burke. I had to keep reading until the end--it kept me that interested in not only who the killers were but if Austin and Lily are able to get past the horrendous happenings and possibly get together as a couple.The twists and turns are many and varied--all I can say is greed is a terrible thing and can cause havoc!!!I really can not wait until the second book in this series is released!! There are some regional recipes at the end that will have you drooling!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2019
    I love a great mystery, especially one that is not predictable, full of action and suspense and keeps me turning the pages. This story was all of that and more. I loved the plot and the ending but the characters were also amazing to read about. I have never read this author before but this might be the beginning of a wonderful readership, LOL.

    The idea that there is a murder and it may be for inheritance is not a new idea, but the way the author spends this idea and gives it a fresh and interesting flow made this story wonderful to read. The author also really knows how to bring a story to life. The details in the characters, the places and the thoughts really made this story seem like a documentary retelling rather than a fictional story. I felt and could see each action or emotion and that just pulled me in.

    I really want to discuss this story with more details but I will not be responsible for spoilers (LOL) so, if you like mysteries, well developed plots and detailed characters this is a must read for you. 4.5 stars.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021
    This was a very good storyline. What made it interesting was all the characters. There were so many nut cases to blame things on you could have murder more and stole more money. If you stop and look back they would never been able to straighten everything out. Actually it was fun to read and hard to put down.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2024
    Characters are engaging, and story is delivered fast, fast, fast I enjoyed this read. California wine country is a bonus
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2019
    It is a good read crazy family and all. Hard keeping everyone sorted out. Didn’t like the fact the marshal was not professional at all. No one in the middle of a shoot out or crime scene is going to spend so much time discussing what is, or could happen. Especially a officer and a regular victim. Was not believe able. Not as enjoyable as it could’ve been.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2019
    kindle unlimited but one of the writers buy everything they have coming out, long list of series at bottom for for now just adding in few notes such as if wearing the coat that would have gotten bloody would answer any questions {seeing the coat} why didn't Lily just show the coat, and way in the beginning almost didn't catch it {editor or whoever makes sure no typos etc} there was chapter 4 at beginning part "I said, using Aunt Lettie's voice again, *pu* and wagging my finger at myself in the mirror." so not sure what meant, putting out was probably what was meant, just that writer has not 1 but 2 people/editors that catch these things so totally unusual that anything is messed up, well ok barring amazon messing up formatting or whatever, that's happened before.

    In California's wine country, someone wants Lily dead. When Lily Callahan returns home to California's wine country, sparks fly amid a hail of bullets as she and U.S. Marshall Austin Jennings take cover. Money, fame, and love all come into play as motives when Lily and Austin try to find out who sent hired guns to kill Lily. The trouble begins soon after her beloved Aunt Lettie dies and leaves her estate to Lily--is it about the money? Or, is life imitating art? Lily's trouble-making character in a long-running TV soap was recently killed by a paid hitman. Is a crazed fan trying to end Lily's life as well as her acting career? Did her agent borrow a page from the script after Lily dismissed him?

    Lily's surprised to find an old flame waiting for her when she returns home. Has he reached the point that if he can't have her, nobody can? If it's about an old love that's become dangerous, the new one that propels Lily and Austin into each other's arms won't help. Life in small-town California wine country is a tangled vine of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. *This was originally in a collection to benefit Vets, think it was called Under Fire, don't think it's available any more, didn't like it except for this one, either.*

    Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series
    Murder at Catmmando Mountain #1 Love Notes in the Key of Sea #2 All Hallows' Eve Heist #3 A Merry Christmas Wedding Mystery
    Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series: Novellas 1-3
    #4 Murder at Sea of Passenger X #5 Murder of the Maestro #6 A Tango Before Dying #7 {out 2019} A Canary in the Canal #8 {2019}

    Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery
    Love a Foot Above the Ground 0 A Dead Husband 1 A Dead Sister 2 A Dead Daughter 3 A Dead Mother 4 A Dead Cousin 5
    Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series (Books 1-5)
    A Dead Nephew 6 {2019}

    Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery
    Cowabunga Christmas #1 Gnarly New Year #2
    Heinous Habits (Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery, #3) {in summer collection only first}
    Radical Regatta Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery #4 {2019}

    Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery
    A Body at Fitzgerald’s Bluff 1 {was in Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: 12 Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer which between typos and WTH stuff actually cancelled, just waited for this separately}
    The Murder of Shakespeare's Ghost 2 {out March 2019}
    Grave Expectations on Dickens' #3 {2019}

    The CALLA LILY MYSTERY Series
    Lily's Homecoming Under Fire #1
    {currently only in collection Love Under Fire collection and she may be adding just a bit because of the ending/people}
    Tangled Vines, Buried Secrets #2 {2019}

    see goodreads/amazon for full listing of books, in various collections
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2019
    Author Anna Celeste Burke is a new author for me but I am sure she will become a favorite of mine and others to come!

    This story had a lot of twists and turns! Suspense, attempted murder (assassination attempt) horrid family. I will be sure to continue this series! I was so enthralled with how well she painted with her words!

    If you want a good read that will keep your interest then pick this one up and enjoy the ride your senses go on.

    Thank you to Anna Celeste Burke for all you do for your readers. Yes, you are new to me but we shall become old friends!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2019
    Lily's aunt who raised her dies and leaves her a very nice estate which adds up to about $50,000,000. She expected her estranged family, including her mother, to put up a fuss, but as paid assassins try to kill her and bodies start piling up, she begins to wonder if some of them are a little more upset than she thought! Or is it managers of the vineyard she now has controlling interest in? Or someone else entirely? With some great twists and turns and a little romance thrown in, this book was a thoroughly enjoyable read--so much so I read it in one sitting.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
    I really enjoyed this book. Lots of characters and details. Kept me guessing to almost the end. A fun ride with romance, mystery and action.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Betty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable book
    Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2020
    I enjoyed this book very much, and look forward to reading the other books in this series. It is full of interesting characters, with a good story line. I especially enjoy the setting, in the midst of wine country.
  • Gudy Terenzio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marvellous
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2019
    The book had me gripped from the first page. Lily comes home after she inherited the vineyard of her deceased aunt. But somebody thinks that Lily shouldn't be the one who gets the estate and tries to kill her the first night of her homecoming.
    Fast paced, some romance, lots of wacky characters and a good dose of humour. I loved it and wait impatiently for the next book.
  • Elisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Brilliant
    Reviewed in Australia on July 22, 2019
    Talk about descriptive writing that makes the book feel like I'm coming home... This was an amazing read just for the setting alone but then the author adds in a thrilling suspenseful plot and characters I just love and for me, the first Calla Lily mystery was just a wonderful read.
  • Margaret A.
    3.0 out of 5 stars fun read
    Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2020
    this was a great little cozy mystery. There was plenty of action and twists and turns, and I hope I get to read more about Lily and Marlowe real soon.
  • Julie
    4.0 out of 5 stars What a home coming it is
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2020
    Great start to a new series. The book starts off with a bang and keeps on running. I enjoyed this book but thought the main Character Lily didn't really do any investigating to solve the mystery she just reacted to the situations around her and everybody else brought her clues, so from that point of view the book was a little disappointing. The characters were fun and the plot complicated enough to stay interesting.without getting confusing, a lot of family members. I liked the unusual setting of the vineyard for a home and the author does a very good of describing it, so you have no problem picturing the story as it unfolds. I am off to start the next book so see what fun Lily and her friends find themselves in next.
    Lily's aunty has died and left her everything, as long as she lives long enough to hear the will reading. Her aunt owned a very profitable vineyard and this causes friction between the family, a family Lily is already estranged from. But could they really be the ones responsible for hiring the hitmen that attack her on her first night back? Lily's aunt had made some changes since Lily last came home and had big plans to expand the business but there was also something rotten in the company and she was trying to weed it out. Was Lily's aunts death a timely death for someone or was she helped along so she couldn't find out someone's secret? If Lily wants to stay a live she will gave to get to the bottom of who wants her dead and what really happened to her aunt. Then another body is found and everything leads back to the vineyard and Lily.

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