Sally’s Decadent Blondies

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THE FRAGRANCE OF DEATH is the long anticipated fifth book in the Sally Solari Mysteries by Leslie Karst. With compelling characters, an alluring setting, drool-worthy dishes, and a thorny murder to solve, the book is a sensory treat for readers! I’ve enjoyed the theme of each sense throughout the series and in this newest release, the sense of smell is effectively used. The protagonist, restaurant owner Sally Solari, has lost her sense of smell, which affects her ability to taste. It’s quite the disaster for a chef! I liked how the author also uses her loss of smell to enhance the dangers she might experience. Set in coastal Santa Cruz, California, Ms. Karst brings the setting alive with vivid descriptions and a reminder that there’s more to California than freeways and concrete jungles. Instead, the reader is shown the farms, particularly the artichoke farms, and the rugged natural beauty that the state offers. A longtime fan of artichokes, I was pleased to see the vegetable spotlighted at the annual Artichoke Cook-Off, which served as the backdrop for the mystery.

When Sally’s acquaintance and fellow competitor is found murdered at the festival, she can’t help but get involved. Especially when her friend—and potentially more—Detective Vargas asks that she keep her ears open for any gossip about the deceased. Sally is a bit pushy with her investigating and finds out more than she bargained for. As she delves deeper into the secrets long hidden, plenty of suspects become apparent. I made several guesses as Sally pieced together the clues, but the author managed to throw in twists and turns to fool me. And, as the story came to a close, all the threads of the main plot and subplots were woven together into a highly entertaining story!

With Sally being a chef, you can practically smell, taste, and see the multitude of dishes served on the pages. There are several recipes included at the back of the book (and, of course, one featuring artichokes) from cocktails, soup, salad, main course, and dessert. Naturally I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share Sally’s Decadent Blondies, which are melt-in-your mouth deliciousness! A generous portion of macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips are encased in a brown sugar-based cookie. These bar cookies are chewy and rich, and nearly impossible to limit yourself to just one or two. Thankfully, the recipe makes a large pan so you can share these tempting treats with family and friends.

 

Sally’s Decadent Blondies are melt-in-your mouth deliciousness with a generous portion of macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips encased in a brown sugar-based cookie. Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Karst, author of THE FRAGRANCE OF DEATH.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Restaurateur Sally Solari is a champion, both in the kitchen and on the case, but after getting mixed up in one too many murders, she’s noticed her nonna‘s friends have now taken to crossing themselves when they see her in the street. Adding to her woes, a sinus infection has knocked out her sense of smell, making cooking on the hot line difficult, indeed. Nevertheless, Sally is determined to stay out of trouble and focus on her work.

But then her old acquaintance Neil Lerici is murdered at the annual Santa Cruz Artichoke Cook-Off, and her powers of investigation are called into action once more. Could Neil have been killed by the local restaurant owner who took his winning spot at the competition? Or maybe by one of his siblings, who were desperate to sell the family farm to a real estate developer?

Sally plunges headfirst into the case, risking alienating everyone she knows – including the dapper Detective Vargas, who finds her sleuthing both infuriating and endearing. And soon it’s not only her restaurant and tentative new relationship that are on the line – it’s her life . . .

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Leslie Karst for providing a print copy of THE FRAGRANCE OF MURDER. Contest ends August 14, 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sally’s Decadent Blondies are melt-in-your mouth deliciousness with a generous portion of macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips encased in a brown sugar-based cookie. Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Karst, author of THE FRAGRANCE OF DEATH.

 

Print
Sally's Decadent Blondies

(Makes one 9" x 13" pan)

These blondies are extremely rich. So rich that only one 3" x 3" piece is likely all you'll want to eat in one sitting.

Or not. Because the combination of the chew bar, crunchy nuts, sweet chips, and salt is pretty darn addicting. So go ahead; just try to limit yourself to one square.

Ingredients
  • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for greasing pan
Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees (F).

  2. In a large bowl, use a mixer to combine the melted butter and brown sugar, blending until the sugar has completely dissolved.

  3. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.

  4. Switching to a wooden spoon (because the batter will become too stiff for a mixer), add the salt and flour and stir until no streaks remain.

  5. Stir in the macadamia nuts and chocolate chips.

  6. Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan with vegetable oil. Dump the batter into the pan, smooth flat, and bake until the edges start to brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean (25 - 30 minutes).

  7. Let cool, then cut into squares.

 

Sally’s Decadent Blondies are melt-in-your mouth deliciousness with a generous portion of macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips encased in a brown sugar-based cookie. Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Karst, author of THE FRAGRANCE OF DEATH.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

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Sally’s Decadent Blondies are melt-in-your mouth deliciousness with a generous portion of macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips encased in a brown sugar-based cookie. Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Karst, author of THE FRAGRANCE OF DEATH.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Sally’s Decadent Blondies are melt-in-your mouth deliciousness with a generous portion of macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips encased in a brown sugar-based cookie. Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Karst, author of THE FRAGRANCE OF DEATH.

 

 

 

 

Gramma’s Easy Oreo Ice Cream

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DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER is the fifteenth book in the Hayley Powell Mysteries by Lee Hollis. With humorous repartee, memorable characters—both human and animal alike, and a fast-moving plot, it’s no wonder this has been an enduring and endearing series. Just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better, the brother-sister author duo strikes again and has hit this newest release out of the ballpark. Protagonist Hayley Powell is juggling her new restaurant while maintaining her food and cocktails column for the local newspaper. When her son, Dustin, arrives in town for vacation, a major bombshell hits the family and leaves Hayley reeling. And her BFFs, Mona and Liddy, have begun feuding…over a man, of all things. Of course, ice cream is a great comfort food, especially during the summer, and Hayley can’t get enough of Bar Harbor Ice Cream’s gourmet frozen concoctions to ease the upheaval in her life. It also helps that the ice cream shop’s owner, Lynette Partridge, has become a good friend and a respite from everything else going on. That is until Lynette and Hayley find the body of a young woman in the ice cream freezer truck.

When the murder occurs, the book’s pace swings into high gear and it was nearly impossible to put it down. Hayley is a seasoned amateur sleuth and knows how to pry information out of people. However, she sometimes steps on toes and goes over the line of common courtesy… but, she solves cases and even her chief of police brother-in-law accepts her meddling. There were plenty of suspects revolving around unrequited love, social media influencers, and college-aged kids determined to party hard over the summer. Besides the main murder mystery plot, there were several subplots taking place throughout. The author does an admirable job of keeping the momentum going and as the story winds down—with a heartwarming event—all questions are answered.

Another thing I enjoy about the Hayley Powell Mystery series is Hayley’s newspaper food and cocktails column. Here she “chats” about fond memories of her family and friends and ties it in with food. It’s such a wonderful way to get some backstory of Hayley’s life. And, of course, Hayley shares loads of recipes for both food and cocktails that tie in with the theme of the book. In Death of an Ice Cream Scooper the theme is, obviously, ice cream and I couldn’t be happier. The author provides so many flavors, some requiring an ice cream maker and others requiring nothing more than an electric mixer and a freezer. The frosty cocktails are sure to be a hit during hot summer months, but it was Gramma’s Easy Oreo Ice Cream that caught my eye and I made it for our 4th of July celebration dessert. Using only four simple ingredients and an electric mixer, this frozen treat surpassed all my expectations! I also tried it using a dairy-free heavy whipping cream (Silk brand) along with non-dairy sweetened condensed milk and gluten-free Oreos to cater to those with dietary restrictions, and it was also quite delicious! Taking a cue from another ice cream recipe I’ve made in the past, I used chocolate cookie crumbs to form a pie base, then spread the Oreo ice cream over the pie crust then sprinkled crumbled Oreos over the top. No matter how I served it, this turned out to be one of our favorite ice cream flavors and the fact that it’s so easy means I’ll be making it again and again.

 

Gramma's Easy Oreo Ice Cream uses only four simple ingredients and an electric mixer. Once frozen, the resulting concoction is pure deliciousness! Recipe shared with permission granted by Lee Hollis, author of DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell doesn’t know what to believe when Lynette Partridge, the put-together owner of gourmet Bar Harbor Ice Cream, suddenly reveals fears that her husband may be having an affair. There’s no other way to explain why Jamie, a respected professor, was spotted in a remote part of town with a much younger woman. But instead of learning the truth about the secret meeting, Lynette opens her freezer truck to find another surprise—the dead body of a summer employee . . .

The shock continues as photographic evidence proves Jamie was spending time off campus with the victim, one of his students. Now, Lynette desperately needs Hayley to discover if Jamie really is a cheater—and, worse, a ruthless killer. With her own complicated family issues to address, can Hayley make sense of a popular college girl’s love life and out the true culprit before the case, or another person, goes cold?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Lee Hollis for providing two print copies of DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER to two lucky winners! Contest ends August 10, 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gramma's Easy Oreo Ice Cream uses only four simple ingredients and an electric mixer. Once frozen, the resulting concoction is pure deliciousness! Recipe shared with permission granted by Lee Hollis, author of DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER.

 

Print
Gramma's Easy Oreo Ice Cream
Ingredients
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package Oreo cookies
Instructions

  1. Break and crumble your Oreo cookies into smaller pieces and set aside.

  2. In a stand mixer, add your heavy whipping cream and whisk until stiff peaks have formed.

  3. Fold the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and 3/4 of the crumbled cookies into the whipped cream and mix well.

  4. Pour mixture into a container and add rest of the crumbled cookies over the top. Cover and place into the freezer for at least 8 hours.

  5. When ready, remove, scoop into bowls, and enjoy!

 

Gramma's Easy Oreo Ice Cream uses only four simple ingredients and an electric mixer. Once frozen, the resulting concoction is pure deliciousness! Recipe shared with permission granted by Lee Hollis, author of DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

Gramma's Easy Oreo Ice Cream uses only four simple ingredients and an electric mixer. Once frozen, the resulting concoction is pure deliciousness! Recipe shared with permission granted by Lee Hollis, author of DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Gramma's Easy Oreo Ice Cream uses only four simple ingredients and an electric mixer. Once frozen, the resulting concoction is pure deliciousness! Recipe shared with permission granted by Lee Hollis, author of DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Giveaway and Buttercream Betrayal Cover Reveal

 

I’m celebrating the upcoming release of

BUTTERCREAM BETRAYAL

the fifth book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series with a giveaway!

Click on the Rafflecopter link below to enter for a chance to win your choice of one of the first four books in the series, then scroll down to see the new cover! 

 


Print limited to U.S. residents only. All others will be awarded an ebook copy.
Contest ends 8/09/2022

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

And I’m excited to share my new cover!

A huge shoutout to my fabulous cover designer, Karen Phillips!
Didn’t she create an adorable cover?

 

 

 

 

Buttercream Betrayal

Intent on getting their two mischievous dogs under control, Emory Martinez and her half sister, Vannie, join a group dog training program led by Shawn Parker. With a graduation certificate just within grasp and a party to celebrate their hard-won achievements, what could go wrong? For starters, their two dogs have decided to wreak havoc during the party and tempers flare. It turns out not everyone is pleased with the dog trainer and his mother, the condo association president. Whispers of the mother and son’s misbehavior, or worse, fly amongst the barks, whines, and growls of the canines.

When Emory finds the body of Mrs. Parker amidst an explosive situation, it becomes apparent there might be more truth to the whispers instead of just gossip. Could one of the canine-loving participants be responsible? Or was it an outsider who hated her heavy-handed rule over the condo homeowners? Emory, Vannie, and octogenarian Tillie must sift through the clues to find out who has been betrayed and who has decided to take justice into their own hands.

Recipes included!

Preorder Now

 

 

Print and Kindle Unlimited will be available on release day.

 

 

 

Don’t miss out on the special preorder sale price of only $0.99!
Preorder Now

 

 

 

If you’d like more ways to win one of my books, please consider signing up for my author newsletter. I occasionally have newsletter subscriber contests and there’s one coming on 8/4/22!
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Alvin’s Panko Perfection Grilled Cheese

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NO PARM, NO FOUL is the second book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly. With the delectable setting of the Grilled Cheese Eatery during Halloween, the reader’s senses are in for a treat! Scrumptious food—check. Close-knit friends—check. A Scary-Licious food competition—check. A dead competitor that bodes ill for protagonist, Carly, and her friends—check. A missing vampire cape that might be a clue—check. Ms. Reilly weaves together a tale worthy of Halloween with characters and clues alike lending spirit to the holiday.

Despite the murder mystery genre, the author creates kind and caring core characters, particularly Carly. She’s one of those people you’d love to count as a friend with her trusting nature and her loyalty to those she cares about. Despite the short time that she’s been in Balsam Dell, Vermont, following the death of her husband, she’s managed to fit right in and her grilled cheese restaurant has developed quite the following amongst the young and the old alike. And, of course, who can resist her little Morkie, aptly named Havarti? The sweet dog has such a delightful personality that complements Carly’s character.

With clues surrounding the murder pointing to Carly’s love interest, Ari, being the culprit, Carly can’t help but get involved trying to figure out who wanted her restaurant’s competitor dead. I loved how the author uses one of Carly’s elderly regulars as a source for clues via the former teacher’s unique poetry. As someone who loves to learn, I appreciated the inclusion of the poetry and was even more impressed with the author’s skill at writing it to fit the needs of the mystery. As the pressure mounts to clear Ari’s name, there are many suspects who pop up. I was kept guessing as the clues unfolded and at the surprising reveal the pieces fell into place with a highly satisfying conclusion.

With a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches being served throughout the story, I’d suggest having one on hand every time you pick up the book. Ms. Reilly includes a couple of recipes at the back of the book and they sound fantastic. I was particularly drawn to Alvin’s Panko Perfection with its sun-ripened tomatoes, the crunch of the panko, the tang of Parmesan, and oozing, melted cheese. The recipe calls for sharp cheddar, but as Carly always says—use whatever cheese tickles your palate. The sandwich didn’t disappoint, and the panko crumbs kept the tomatoes from causing the bread to become soggy. This is a delicious way to use up the bountiful crop of summer garden tomatoes, and, if you’re not lucky enough to have a garden, the combination of the ingredients will elevate any grocery store tomato to pure deliciousness!

 

Alvin’s Panko Perfection grilled cheese sandwich features sun-ripened tomatoes coated with crunchy panko, tangy Parmesan, and oozing, melted sharp cheddar cheese. Recipe shared with permission granted by Linda Reilly, author of NO PARM NO FOUL.

 

Amazon Synopsis

After a long hot summer in Balsam Dell, Carly Hale is ready for crisp Vermont weather and gourmet grilled cheeses at her Grilled Cheese Eatery. And the upcoming Halloween food competition is the perfect way to impress the locals.

But Ferris Menard, the owner of Sub-a-Dub-Sub, is nursing a serious grudge against Carly. Two days before the competition, one of Carly’s employees quit his part-time gig at Menard’s sub shop, sending Menard into a serious snit. In a confrontation at the Eatery, Menard accused Carly of sabotage and vowed to bring her down.

That’s when Menard’s body is found in his kitchen the morning after the competition, a steak knife sticking out of his heart. But Menard had a slew of enemies, and if Carly doesn’t figure out which one is the culprit, she might find herself—or someone she cares about—serving grilled cheese sandwiches under lock and brie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Linda Reilly for providing a print copy of NO PARM NO FOUL. Contest ends August 7, 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alvin’s Panko Perfection grilled cheese sandwich features sun-ripened tomatoes coated with crunchy panko, tangy Parmesan, and oozing, melted sharp cheddar cheese. Recipe shared with permission granted by Linda Reilly, author of NO PARM NO FOUL.

 

Print
Alvin's Panko Perfection

Carly was surprised and delighted when Alvin Robinson wanted to try his hand at creating his own grilled cheese recipe. Using panko crumbs to coat the tomato slices was creative and fun, and result was a sandwich so delicious that Carly added it to her menu. Alvin used sharp cheddar, but as Carly always says--use whatever cheese tickles your palate! Havarti, Gouda, and Swiss all make fabulous substitutions.

Recipe is for one sandwich, so simply multiply the ingredients by the number of people you're serving.

Ingredients
  • 4 - 6 thickly sliced rounds (about 1/2-inch wide) of a firm, ripe Roma or plum tomato (depending on the size of your bread)
  • Salt
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup panko crumbs (approx.) Carly uses plain, but you can also use seasoned panko.
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (approx.)
  • Vegetable or canola oil for frying
  • 2 large slices of coarse white bread
  • Salted butter, softened
  • 4 thick slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions

  1. Place the tomato slices on a plate, and then lightly salt both sides.

  2. Place the beaten egg/water mixture and the flour in separate bowls.

  3. Mix the panko crumbs with the Parmesan cheese and place in a shallow dish.

  4. Dip each tomato slice into the flour, coating both sides, and shaking off any excess. Dip into the beaten egg mixture. Dredge each slice through the panko/Parmesan mixture until each side is thoroughly coated.

  5. Fry the coated sliced in a skillet with about 1/2 inch of very hot oil for about 2 minutes or until the bottom side forms a golden crust. Flip them carefully and do the other side. When done, they should be golden and crispy. Blot them lightly on a paper towel.

  6. To prepared your sandwich, butter one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of one slice, stack half the cheddar, then add the coated tomato slices side by side so that they cover the entire sandwich. Add the remaining cheddar and top with the remaining slice of bread, butter side up.

  7. Grill over medium heat for about 3 minutes. As you grill, press lightly with a spatula or grill press, and then flip over and grill the other side for about approximately 3 minutes. Grilling slowly will ensure that the cheese is thoroughly melted and the bread is golden brown.

  8. Slice in half and serve with chips, pickles, tomato soup, or whatever else gladdens your taste buds. For tomato lovers, this is a dream come true!

Carly's tips:

  1. After experimenting, Carly found that a skillet or frying pan works a bit better than grilling for frying the tomato slices.

  2. To avoid accidental burns, always be super careful when frying in hot oil. Kids and pets should be kept a safe distance away from the stove to avoid injury.

 

Alvin’s Panko Perfection grilled cheese sandwich features sun-ripened tomatoes coated with crunchy panko, tangy Parmesan, and oozing, melted sharp cheddar cheese. Recipe shared with permission granted by Linda Reilly, author of NO PARM NO FOUL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

Alvin’s Panko Perfection grilled cheese sandwich features sun-ripened tomatoes coated with crunchy panko, tangy Parmesan, and oozing, melted sharp cheddar cheese. Recipe shared with permission granted by Linda Reilly, author of NO PARM NO FOUL.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Alvin’s Panko Perfection grilled cheese sandwich features sun-ripened tomatoes coated with crunchy panko, tangy Parmesan, and oozing, melted sharp cheddar cheese. Recipe shared with permission granted by Linda Reilly, author of NO PARM NO FOUL.

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry Lemon Bread

Click on book to visit Amazon

MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL is the third book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah. I think this series just gets better and better with each book and this newest release captivated me. Throw in a lighthouse bakery, a blueberry festival being derailed by pranksters, a mysterious Viking boat containing a dead Viking, and a bedazzled “unicorn” goat, named Clara… stir it up, and you’re left with an entertaining, laugh-out-loud escapade that has protagonist Lindsey Bakewell up to her eyeballs in shenanigans. With witty dialog, the humor highlights the characters’ personalities, both human and animal alike. I especially enjoyed Clara, along with Lindsey’s Newfoundland dog, Wellington. They both stole each scene they were featured in. Another bonus is the close, caring relationships the core characters have with each other. And now that Lindsey’s parents are living in town, there’s another avenue to getting to know her and her family even better.

Of course, this is a murder mystery, although it takes place much later in the book than typical cozy mystery fashion. However, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story since there was so much going on to keep me entertained. Once the body is found and Lindsey begins investigating (after law enforcement states they’re not sure it’s murder or not), the plot kicks into high gear. There were enough suspects to keep me guessing and several twists that touched on an all too familiar heart wrenching reality for so many families. Ms. Hannah uses a sensitive touch with the inclusion in the story and with an ending I didn’t see coming, leaves the reader with thoughtful reflections.

Running a bakeshop plus being involved in the blueberry festival means there are SO many scrumptious mentions of food throughout the story. Luckily for the blueberry-loving reader, there are several recipes at the back of the book to try at home. I couldn’t wait to try the author’s recipe for Blueberry Lemon Bread with lemon glaze. I appreciated the author’s tip for keeping all the blueberries from sinking onto the bottom of the loaf pan when cooking. The lemon provides a refreshing contrast to the sweet bread and the plump juicy blueberries studded throughout keeps the bread tender and moist. This delectable bread is a summery treat for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert!

 

Blueberry Lemon Bread is a delectable tender and moist bread with plump juicy blueberries studded throughout and a sweet-tart lemony glaze. Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL.

 

Amazon Synopsis

After a career on Wall Street, Lindsey is making a different kind of dough in a pretty lakeside village, and the upcoming blueberry festival—including the pie-eating contest her bakery is hosting—is the highlight of the summer. But soon Beacon Harbor runs into a patch of trouble.

A local real estate agent gets pranked. A parade float gets pelted with water balloons. It’s all laughed off until the stunts start escalating—and looking more like sabotage. As the event turns into a debacle complete with rampaging goats, Lindsey’s sweetheart, a former SEAL, starts investigating. But the juicy mystery takes a bitter turn when a man—dressed up as a Viking—is found dead in a boat, and it’s no longer mischief but murder . . .

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Darci Hannah for providing a print copy of MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL. Contest ends August 3, 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry Lemon Bread is a delectable tender and moist bread with plump juicy blueberries studded throughout and a sweet-tart lemony glaze. Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL.

 

Print
Blueberry Lemon Bread

Makes one 9x5 loaf pan

Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for blueberries)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (for blueberries)
  • 1 tablespoon flour (for blueberries)
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional, but it does add a nice punch!)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
For the glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons (or more) lemon juice
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Prepare 9x5 loaf pan by either greasing and flouring it, or lining it with parchment, whichever you prefer.

  2. Put blueberries in a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon of each lemon juice, sugar, and flour. Give a good toss and set aside.

  3. In medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

  4. In large mixing bowl, whisk sugar, and eggs until blended. Gradually whisk in melted butter, followed by the lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract.

  5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix, alternating with the milk until well blended.

  6. Stir in half the blueberries to the batter and quickly pour into prepared loaf pan. Gently spread the rest of the blueberries on top of the batter (this will prevent them from sinking to the bottom) and place in the oven. Bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until done. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes.

For the glaze:

  1. Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, and lemon juice. Pour glaze over cooled loaf and let sit until the glaze is set. Enjoy!

 

Blueberry Lemon Bread is a delectable tender and moist bread with plump juicy blueberries studded throughout and a sweet-tart lemony glaze. Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

Blueberry Lemon Bread is a delectable tender and moist bread with plump juicy blueberries studded throughout and a sweet-tart lemony glaze. Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Blueberry Lemon Bread is a delectable tender and moist bread with plump juicy blueberries studded throughout and a sweet-tart lemony glaze. Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL.

 

 

 

 

Candy Cane Cookies

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PEPPERMINT BARKED is the long anticipated sixth book in the Spice Shop Mysteries by Leslie Budewitz. With its festive cover, the reader is enticed into settling in, with a mug of hot cocoa, and enjoying the spirit of the holidays. The tempting descriptions of protagonist Pepper Reece’s Spice Shop and the surrounding shops in Seattle’s Pike Place Market delighted my senses. The author makes each scene come alive as the market gears up for the themed “A Dickens of a Christmas” celebration from decorations to costumed carolers to gaily wrapped packages. I especially love Pepper’s shop, with the fragrance of spices and the friendly, close-knit employees. Ms. Budewitz has done an admirable job in creating characters a reader can connect with and care about. It’s been a pleasure watching them change and grow over the course of the series

Except, everything’s not all sugar and spice for Pepper and her employees when a neighboring shop assistant is brutally attacked and left for dead. You can always count on Ms. Budewitz to create intricate and well-plotted mysteries, and Peppermint Barked is no exception. Not only are there suspects galore, but the reader is left to guess—just like Pepper—if the young woman was even the intended victim. This adds another layer to peel back in the quest to find the truth. As Pepper makes her way through the market talking to shop owners and picking up gossip, half-truths and secrets are discovered. Fitting the clues together will test the armchair detective’s skills and, as I headed toward the suspenseful conclusion, I found myself turning pages faster and faster. With a tidy wrap up of the plot threads running through the story, there’s a hint of future changes to come… and I can’t wait to find out what’s next!

Running a spice shop, Pepper immerses herself in food throughout the book, so be prepared to be hungry for Christmas goodies while you read. And, as usual, you can count on Ms. Budewitz sharing several mouthwatering recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try out. It was difficult to pick out just one to try but, if you’ve followed my blog for long, you’ll know I love cookies… especially Christmas cookies. And nothing is more festive than peppermint-flavored Candy Cane Cookies! The colorful twists of the peppermint and red cookie will add a delicious and jolly look to your holiday cookie platter, or use them to decorate your organic Christmas tree!

 

 

The colorful twists of the peppermint, and red Candy Cane cookies will add a delicious and jolly look to your holiday cookie platter! Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Budewitz, author of PEPPERMINT BARKED.

 

Amazon Synopsis

As the holiday season lights up Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market, Pepper Reece’s beloved Spice Shop is brimming with cinnamon, nutmeg, and shoppers eager to stuff their stockings. Add to the mix a tasty staff competition—a peppermint bark-off—along with Victorian costumes for this year’s Dickensian Christmas theme, and Pepper almost forgets to be nervous about meeting her fisherman boyfriend’s brother for the first time.

But when a young woman working in her friend Vinny’s wine shop is brutally assaulted, costumed revelers and holiday cheer are the last things on Pepper’s mind. Who would want to hurt Beth? Or were they looking for Vinny instead?

The vicious attack upsets everyone at Pike Place, but none more than Pepper’s own employee, Matt Kemp. At first, Pepper is baffled by his reaction, but his clandestine connection to Beth could hold the key to the assailant’s motive. Or perhaps it’s Vinny’s ex-wife who knows more than she’s letting on . . . and what about the mysterious top-hatted man with whom Pepper saw Beth arguing that morning?

As the secrets of the market come to light, long-held grudges, family ties, and hidden plans only further obscure the truth. Is it a ghost of the past rattling its chains, or a contemporary Scrooge with more earthly motives? As Pepper chases down a killer, someone is chasing her, and in the end, the storied market itself may hold the final, deadly clue.

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Leslie Budewitz for providing a print copy of PEPPERMINT BARKED. Contest ends July 27, 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colorful twists of the peppermint, and red Candy Cane cookies will add a delicious and jolly look to your holiday cookie platter! Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Budewitz, author of PEPPERMINT BARKED.

 

Print
Candy Cane Cookies

Food and memory are closely intertwined, especially at the holidays. Stoic Matt gets a little weepy as he remembers making these with his mother, who hung a few on the tree--and pretended to be surprised when they disappeared!

Makes 4 dozen.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
Peppermint Glaze (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons water
Instructions

  1. Using your mixer, beat the butter until softened. Add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.

  2. Add the egg, vanilla, and peppermint, and beat well.

  3. Add flour and salt and mix thoroughly.

  4. Divide dough in half and mix food coloring into one half. Shape each half into balls, cover, and chill about 30 minutes.

  5. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.

  6. Roll the plain dough, about a teaspoonful at a time, into a 4-inch rope. Repeat with the red dough. Place a plain and a red rope side by side and twist together, then pinch the ends to seal. Shape twisted ropes into canes and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

  7. Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until done; bottoms of the cookies will be lightly browned. Remove and cool and on a wire rack.

For the glaze:

  1. Mix the powdered sugar, peppermint, and enough water to make a think glaze; brush on cooled cookies.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes:

  1. Since I made these during the hot summer, I found the dough needed to be kept refrigerated and removed a bit at a time to work with. After forming the candy cane cookies and placing them on baking sheets, I chilled for ten minutes before baking as directed.

  2. I used scraps of the leftover cookie dough to marble together then formed candy cane cookies.

  3. The glaze adds another delicious layer of peppermint flavor, however it does partially cover up the vivid red color of the cookie. You can brush the underside of the cookies with the glaze and leave the tops intact, or pipe thickened glaze in decorative patterns on top of the cookie.

 

The colorful twists of the peppermint, and red Candy Cane cookies will add a delicious and jolly look to your holiday cookie platter! Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Budewitz, author of PEPPERMINT BARKED.

 

 

 

 

 

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The colorful twists of the peppermint, and red Candy Cane cookies will add a delicious and jolly look to your holiday cookie platter! Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Budewitz, author of PEPPERMINT BARKED.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

The colorful twists of the peppermint, and red Candy Cane cookies will add a delicious and jolly look to your holiday cookie platter! Recipe shared with permission granted by Leslie Budewitz, author of PEPPERMINT BARKED.

 

 

 

 

 

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