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JOY AT MOONGLOW is the eighth book in the Moonglow Christmas series by Deborah Garner. Each year her Christmas novella ushers in the beginning of the holiday season, and I wait, with great anticipation, for the opportunity to snuggle in to read the new release. Not only does each book imbue the spirit of the season but it leaves me with a feeling of peacefulness thanks to the gentle, almost magical, character of the protagonist, Mist. With the charming setting of the Timberton Hotel in Montana, the strong descriptive voice of the author brings the story to life. I felt like I was there, enjoying the scrumptious dishes, the roaring fire, and yuletide carols while spending time with friends, both new and old. While this can easily be read as a standalone, it’s been a joy to watch the characters grow and experience change over the course of the series. This newest book also brings the delight of a long-awaited wedding set on Christmas Eve. The joy of the holiday season and the nuptials exhibited on the pages brought great pleasure in the reading and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in this sweet series! Joy at Moonglow is the perfect short holiday read to cozy up beneath a comforting quilt, sipping on eggnog or hot cocoa, and immerse yourself for a couple of hours in pure Christmas bliss!

One of the Christmas traditions at the Timberton Hotel is the annual cookie exchange for townsfolk and guests alike. Each year Ms. Garner invites readers to submit their favorite cookie recipe to include in the book, and each year I look forward to providing one of my own cookie recipes for the cookie exchange recipe section. This year I created Christmas Hugs & Kisses Cookies for Joy at Moonglow and I’m happy to share the recipe with you today. Chocolate cookies, with a hint of peppermint, are rolled in colorful holiday jimmies and sprinkles before baking. Upon taking them out of the oven, a Hershey’s Hug or Kiss is nestled into the center for an extra bite of chocolate. These festive and delicious cookies will make Santa linger hearthside to finish the plate of these yummy cookies!

Amazon Synopsis

Each holiday season is unique in the small Montana town of Timberton. New and returning guests bring their dreams, cares, and worries, and always leave with lighter hearts and renewed hope for the future. But no season has ever been as special as this one. Because, to everyone’s delight, wedding bells will be ringing.

With a community basket project occupying much of the time, it’s a wonder the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, Betty’s annual cookie exchange, and a winter wedding can all take place. But there’s always a touch of holiday magic floating around Timberton, much due to resident artist and chef, Mist. Thanks to the heartfelt efforts of many and no shortage of sweet romance, this year will be the most joyful of all.

A special thanks to Deborah Garner for providing a print copy of JOY AT MOONGLOW! Contest ends December 11, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

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Christmas Hugs & Kisses Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 3/4 cup holiday-themed nonpareils and jimmies (use a mixture)
• 24 Hershey's Hugs or Kisses candies, unwrapped (or a combination of the two)

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy.

3. Add in the sugar and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.

4. Beat in the egg and the peppermint extract until thoroughly combined.

5. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

7. Place the sprinkles in a shallow dish. Shape the dough into balls about the size of a small walnut and roll in the sprinkles. Place on baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.

8. Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, for 10 - 11 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and lightly press a Hugs or Kiss candy into the center of each cookie while they are warm.

9. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool before eating.

10. Allow Hugs and/or Kisses to firm up before storing in an airtight container for up to one week.

Tip:

1. Use different colored sprinkles for other holidays and special occasions.

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I’m delighted to be participating in the  Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours today with a review and a decadent recipe! With the inviting setting of a luxury camping resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a plucky protagonist, and a twisty murder to solve, FILM CREWS AND RENDEZVOUS has all the ingredients that appeal to cozy mystery readers. This second book in the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries by Heather Weidner features Jules Keene, who remains calm and resourceful in the face of calamities that seem to crop up in her Fern Valley camping resort. The Hollywood crew for the hit Fatal Impressions has descended upon the resort. They bring all sorts of mayhem, including murder. I really enjoyed the themed tiny houses and the clever use involving the victim… you can just envision the scene of the L. Frank Baum tiny house with the victim sticking out beneath, wearing the trademark red soles of Louboutin shoes. The author does a marvelous job bringing the scenes to life with her strong descriptive voice. The bevy of characters—both admirable and irritating—are well-developed. With the large cast needed for the film crew, they each have their own individual personalities, which made it easy to follow.

The mystery itself was well-plotted and had a quick pace. There were certainly plenty of suspects to choose from. As I followed Jules’s investigation, I bounced from guess to guess… there were lots of people who hated the first victim. When another body shows up, the mystery becomes even more puzzling. There are clues for the armchair detective to follow but the with a surprising and crafty twist at the reveal, I think most will appreciate the clever resolution. While I haven’t read the first book in the series, this whet my appetite to catch up and read more from this author.

Jules enjoys spending time in the kitchen and the author includes several recipes at the end of the book for the home cook to make. I was honored that Ms. Weidner offered me a choice of recipes and the second I saw her recipe for Triple-Layer Peanut Butter Brownies, I was hooked. The base is a simple boxed brownie mix, but from there the decadence multiplies. A creamy peanut butter filling is spread over the brownies and is then topped with rich chocolate and sprinkled with peanuts. This swoon-worthy concoction makes a large amount to share, which is sure to earn you brownie points from your family and friends!

Amazon Synopsis

Hollywood has come to Fern Valley, and the one stoplight town may never be the same. Everyone wants to get in on the act.

The crew from the wildly popular, fan favorite, Fatal Impressions, takes over Jules Keene’s glamping resort, and they bring a lot of offscreen drama and baggage that doesn’t include the scads of costumes, props, and crowds that descend on the bucolic resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Added security, hundreds of calls from hopeful extras, and some demanding divas keep Jules’s team hopping.

When the show’s prickly head writer ends up dead under the L. Frank Baum tiny house in what looks like a staged murder scene with a kitschy homage to the Wizard of Oz, Jules has to figure out who would want the writer dead. Then while they are still reeling from the first murder, the popular publicist gets lost after a long night at the local honky-tonk and winds up strangled. Jules needs to solve both crimes before filming is canceled, and her business is ruined.

A special thanks to Heather Weidner for providing one winner with the first book (ebook version) in the series VINTAGE TRAILERS AND BLACKMAILERS. The ebook is open to anyone (international). Contest ends November 30, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. Contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour and the winner will be announced on this page and notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

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Triple-Layer Peanut Butter Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 package of brownie mix (20 ounces)
• 1 package of vanilla instant pudding
• 1 cup of cold milk
• 1 cup of creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
• 1-1/2 cups of Cool Whip
• 3 squares of semi-sweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup of dry roasted peanuts, chopped

Instructions

1. Bake brownies in 13x9-inch pan. Follow the package directions.
2. Beat milk and pudding mix with a whisk for 2 minutes. Add peanut butter and sugar. Mix well. Refrigerate until brownies are completely cooled.
3. Spread pudding mixture over brownies.
4. Microwave Cool Whip and chocolate on high for 1 minute. Stir every 30 seconds. Spread over pudding.
5. Sprinkle with nuts.
6. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 16 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
November 17 – Lady Hawkeye – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 17 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT
November 18 – Mythical Books – AUTHOR GUEST POST
November 18 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
November 19 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews– SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
November 22 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE
November 22 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 23 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
November 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 24 – THANKSGIVING
November 25 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
November 26 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW
November 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 27 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
November 28 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
November 29 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 30 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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CHRSTMAS SCARF MURDER is the novella trilogy by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart. With holiday cheer galore and a knotty mystery to solve in each story, this book is the perfect accompaniment to a glass of eggnog and a plateful of cookies in front of a roaring fire. Although each story is based on each author’s beloved series characters, you can easily read the book as a standalone. It’s a terrific way to catch up on the characters you love while waiting for the release of the next full-length book, or be introduced to new characters. While I’m quite familiar with, and fond of, Carlene O’Connor’s and Maddie Day’s series, I’ve not read anything by Peggy Ehrhart. I found it easy to jump into the story and follow the protagonist as she and her best friend solve the mystery. It also made me want to add her books to my TBR pile and catch up.

Each novella contains a mystery revolving around a Christmas scarf. The mysteries are well-plotted, despite the short length, and I have to give kudos to Maddie Day for the most creative use of the scarf as the murder weapon… no spoilers here! There are clues for the eggnog-sipping armchair detective to follow and several twists that kept me on my toes. Each mystery had a highly satisfactory conclusion, and despite the murder and mayhem involved, the stories exude the delight of the Christmas season.

I greatly enjoyed that there are recipes for the reader to make at home, and Peggy Ehrhart even included a cozy teddy bear knitting pattern! I’m not a knitter, so instead I headed to the kitchen and made up a batch (or three) of Maddie Day’s Turtle Cookies to share. In the story, Maddie’s protagonist, chef and owner of the Pans ‘N Pancakes, creates a holiday menu based on the Twelve Days of Christmas… thus Two Turtle Doves turns into Turtle Cookies. A rich chocolate cookie base, rolled in chopped pecans, and filled with creamy caramel is decadent enough to make Santa linger hearthside. My taste testers swooned over these yummy cookies and I have a feeling they’ll call me a grinch (behind my back) if I don’t make more to include with my holiday cookie gift platters.

Amazon Synopsis

CHRISTMAS SCARF MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR
When grinchy thefts steal the good cheer at a local nursing home, Siobhan O’Sullivan manages to identify one missing item before Kilbane, Ireland’s Christmas tractor parade—a hideous shamrock scarf wrapped around a very dead body. Now, with her holiday farmhouse bash approaching, Siobhan must dash to stop a deadly Secret Santa from gifting another unwanted surprise.

SCARFED DOWN by MADDIE DAY
It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas at Pans ‘N Pancakes, as twelve days of menu specials dazzle hungry locals. But the festivities go cold the instant a diner dies while knitting a brilliant green scarf. With Aunt Adele tied into a murder investigation, it’s all on Robbie Jordan to find out who’s really been naughty or nice in South Lick, Indiana.

DEATH BY CHRISTMAS SCARF by PEGGY EHRHART
Suspects pile up faster than New Jersey snow when frosty-tempered Carys Walnutt is found strangled by a handmade scarf auctioned at Arborville’s tree-lighting ceremony. Between a winning bidder hiding behind the alias “S. Claws” and a victim who deserved coal in her stocking, can Pamela Paterson and the crafty Knit and Nibble ladies freeze a killer’s merry murder plot?

A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing a print copy of CHRISTMAS SCARF MURDER! Contest ends November 20, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

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Turtle Cookies

Phil makes these, mimicking turtle candies, for dessert on the Two Turtle Doves day.

Makes about thirty.

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, separated
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup pecans finely chopped

For the caramel filling:

• 2/3 cup caramel chips or regular caramels, about 15
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Combine flour, cocoa and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg yolk, milk and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until just combined.

2. Chill dough in the refrigerator for one hour.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Whisk egg white in a shallow bowl until frothy. Place chopped pecans in another shallow bowl.

5. Remove dough from fridge. For each cookie, scoop out less than a tablespoon and roll into a small ball.

6. Roll each ball in the frothy egg whites, and then roll and press in the chopped pecans.

7. Place on a greased baking sheet (or a parchment-lined baking sheet).

8. Use the back of a small round measuring or soup spoon to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball or use your thumb.

9. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or just until set. Don't over bake, as cookies will harden as they cool.

10. As the cookies come out of the oven, gently re-press the indentations with a small round spoon. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. In a microwavable bowl mix the caramel bits and water. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until caramel is melted (1-2 minutes).

12. Pour small spoonfuls of caramel into the indented cookies. Let cool.

13. Melt chocolate and drizzle lines over cookies.

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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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A DOOMFUL OF SUGAR is the first book in the brand-new Maple Syrup Mysteries by Catherine Bruns. As with the author’s other series, the reader is in for a treat with memorable characters, a charming setting, mouthwatering food, and a well-plotted mystery that will keep armchair sleuths on their toes. In this newest release, protagonist Leila Khoury has just returned home to Vermont after her father was murdered. Needless to say, his death devastated his family. Leila has been hit especially hard because she’d been teaching in Florida despite knowing her father wanted her home to help run their maple syrup farm, Sappy Endings. When her father’s will bequeaths the farm to her with the stipulation she must stay and work for a year, Leila has no choice but to concede.

Ms. Bruns weaves an emotional level into the story as Leila navigates the conflicts within her own family: her mother and brother; and with the employees who work for their farm while navigating her own grief. She also provides plenty of descriptions about the maple farm along with the production and business side of things, The author writes with a deft hand so that the pacing doesn’t drag, but instead, the plot is enhanced by the relationships between the characters and the vivid descriptions.

When Leila finds out that her father’s death wasn’t the result of a random act of violence but that he was targeted, she turns her grief into action, determined to find the villain herself, especially when her brother is considered the prime suspect. She runs into some snafus, starting out, allowing her grief to trigger aggressive questioning with preconceived ideas on who the killer is. But as Leila learns to trust and accept help from the people around her, secrets are uncovered and her life might be in danger. I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t see the twists and turns coming as the story unfolded. I was quite shocked with the big reveal—in a good way! As the book concluded, there are hints at what’s coming for Leila, and I can’t wait to see if I’m right.

Not only are there many mentions of maple-based foods and treats throughout the book, but Leila’s Lebanese mother can often be found in the kitchen cooking up traditional dishes. I greatly enjoyed the descriptions of the dishes and my tastebuds were tantalized as I envisioned the food. While there may not be any Lebanese recipes provided, the author has included several maple-based recipes at the back of the book, which all sound amazing. I was honored when Catherine asked if I’d like to contribute a recipe and I’m delighted to share it here with you today: Maple Shortbread Cookies. These cookies are sweetened with maple sugar—which is basically maple syrup that has been boiled until all the liquid has evaporated—along with a bit of brown sugar. Rolled out, then cut into your favorite shapes—I love using fall leaves cutters with this recipe—all these cookies need for garnishing is another dusting of maple sugar before baking. Or, decorate with your favorite royal icing, or maple frosting, or colorful sprinkles. However you choose, I hope you enjoy these Maple Shortbread Cookies as much as my family has over the years!

Amazon Synopsis

There’s nothing sweet about murder…

Leila Khoury has always believed that everyone loved her father as much as they loved his artisanal maple syrup. But when he’s killed, and she returns to Sugar Ridge, Vermont to take over his business, she starts to realize how much of his life she’s left untapped.

With her brother under suspicion, her mother just barely holding it together, and police not producing any leads, Leila will have to investigate herself if she wants answers about her father’s sticky end. But the more she learns, the more she worries that there won’t be a sappy ending to the story.

A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing a print copy of A DOOMFUL OF MURDER! Contest ends November 2, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

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Maple Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup pure maple sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon maple extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Optional Topping:

• 3 tablespoons pure maple sugar

or Maple Icing:

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 4 - 5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• Optional sprinkles

or decorate with your favorite royal icing recipe

Instructions

Cookies:

1. Beat the butter until light and creamy then beat in the maple sugar, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, and maple flavoring until well combined.

2. Mix in the flour until dough no longer looks dry and crumbly.

3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F) and line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.

5. Lightly flour work surface and rolling pin. Divide dough in half and roll out each portion between 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick, depending on your preference.

6. Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes and place on prepared baking sheet(s). Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

7. If using maple sugar for topping, sprinkle the tops of the cutouts with the sugar.

8. Bake 9 - 11 minutes for thinner cookies and 11 - 13 minutes for thicker cookies. The edges should be lightly golden.

9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Maple Icing

1. If using maple icing instead of maple sugar topping, whisk the confectioners' sugar and 4 tablespoons maple syrup together. If needed, add additional maple syrup until the icing is spreadable and smooth. Spread over the completely cooled cookies. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.

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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.