Pupper-Mint Candy Cane Twists

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A MIDWINTER’S TAIL, the fourth book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series by Bethany Blake has an adorable cover that invites the reader in and with the very first pages, the holiday spirit continues with the festive atmosphere and special foods. But don’t be lulled into a comfortable sense of wellbeing because murder is right around the corner. Tender-hearted petsitter and pet bakery owner, Daphne Templeton, finds herself in the middle of another mystery and it’s up to her to prove her best friend, Moxie’s innocence. Daphne is such a well-developed character that brings humor to each scene. She is incredibly intelligent, having earned a PhD in Philosophy, yet the craziest incidents seem to always happen to her that had me laughing out loud. I also adore the characters of the animals that surround Daphne. They are every bit as developed as the human characters… each pet displays individual mannerisms, attitudes, and expressions that captured my imagination. I’ll have to admit that Daphne’s Basset hound, Socrates, is my favorite and steals most of the scenes he’s in… but his little Chihuahua pal, Artie, is a close second.

The town of Sylvan Creek revolves around pets and I greatly enjoyed all the pet-themed store names and events that the author creates, such as the Bark the Halls Ball. Ms. Blake weaves a tight plot with the town’s holiday festivities as the backdrop. With numerous people disliking Daphne and Moxie’s high school nemesis (both from years before and currently) there are plenty of viable suspects when the woman is murdered. There are also heart-warming subplots that add to the holiday good cheer and leaves the reader with a delightful feeling of satisfaction.

Daphne bakes up all sorts of treats for her pets to sell in her shop Flour Power and luckily for the pets of readers, Ms. Blake provides several recipes at the back of the book. With the Christmas season as the setting for the book, I was drawn to trying out Ms. Blake’s recipe for Pupper-Mint Candy Cane Twists… and my grand-pup loved them! I used beet powder to create the red hue for part of the dough and the green specks of mint adds a festive touch. This would be a fun project for little kids to make for their furry friends over the holidays and since the batch makes quite a lot, these would also make a nice gift for neighborhood dogs!

Amazon Synopsis

Professional pet sitter Daphne Templeton loves the holidays in Sylvan Creek, Pennsylvania. And nothing gets her into the spirit more than the town’s annual Bark the Halls Ball. The whole community will be there to wag their tails, especially this year’s special guest—Celeste “CeeCee” French, founder of a national chain of pet care franchises, who’s returning home to announce plans for a bright new flagship store.

But not everyone’s celebrating CeeCee’s homecoming. Daphne’s friend Moxie Bloom, owner of Spa and Paw, a unique salon for people and their pets, has plenty to growl about. So when CeeCee is found face down under Sylvan Creek’s town Christmas tree, stabbed with a distinctive pair of professional-grade pet shears, suspicion lands squarely on Moxie. Despite Daphne’s promises to Detective Jonathan Black, she quickly reprises her role as amateur sleuth. Ably assisted by her basset hound sidekick, Socrates, she must hurry to prove her friend’s innocence before a killer barks again . . .

A special thanks to Bethany Blake for providing a winner with a print copy of A MIDWINTER’S TAIL. Contest ends Wednesday, December 5, 2018 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!)

Pupper-Mint Candy Cane Twists

These treats are not only fun for the holidays, but the fresh mint can also freshen up your pup's breath, so he or she is ready to mingle at the season's many social gatherings. NOTE: Just be sure to use fresh mint leaves. Extracts and oils can be too strong for pets.

Ingredients

3 cups flour, best suited to your dog's diet: whole wheat, barley, rice, sorghum... whatever suits your pup best. Feel free to use a mix. I find that actually works best.
1/2 cup nonfat powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1 cup chicken broth
4 - 5 mint leaves
2 teaspoons pet-friendly food coloring (see below for tips)
1 large egg, for a wash

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk together the flour(s), powdered milk, and baking powder. Then whisk the eggs into the chicken broth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stir until combined, and knead into a dough. You may want to add extra flour, a teaspoon at a time, if the dough is too sticky. Divide the dough into two parts and let it rest for a moment while you complete the next steps.
Make a paste with the mint by chopping it, adding a bit of water, and muddling it with a mortar and pestle. If you don't have a mortar-pestle set handy, use a small metal bowl and the back of a spoon. The amount is so tiny that it doesn't really make sense to use a food processor. And it doesn't have to be a perfect paste. Even finely chopped mint is great.
Knead the mint into one of the dough balls.
Add the pet-safe food coloring to the other ball. NOTE: Pet-friendly dyes are readily available online, but you can also use a touch of beet juice. Think about how beets, which are actually good for dogs, stain your hands!
Roll out your two doughs separately, forming rectangles of approximately the same size. Cut both doughs into strips, and roll the strips into "snakes." Form candy canes by twisting two snakes together and shaping into the traditional form. Beat the remaining egg in a bowl and use a pastry brush to apply egg wash to each cookie.
Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes. You'll want to watch them because cooking time will depend upon thickness. Cool thoroughly before serving to your pet.

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Pupper-Mint Candy Cane Twists are a whimsical treat to spoil your dog for the holidays while the mint will freshen your pup's breath for social gatherings!

Piper singing for her treat

Salted Chocolate Brownies

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THE COLORING CROOK is the second book in the Pen & Ink Mystery series by Krista Davis. I greatly enjoyed examining the cover, which is meant to be used as a coloring page. The details of the line drawings includes clues and pieces of the story… kind of like a “Find the Picture” type of layout, which brought back fond memories of solving those types of puzzles and coloring with my granddaughter. I wish I had a few spare moments to join the coloring hobby for relaxation but, unfortunately, I already have more hobbies than I know what to do with, lol! For those who do like to color, this is a great addition to the book.

Once the reader opens the book, Ms. Davis provides some intriguing historical information in the acknowledgements about a famous adult coloring book that was created in the 1700’s! Then the reader is introduced to the protagonist, Florrie Fox. Florrie is a very sweet, slightly old-fashioned, young woman whom I find charming. In her free time she designs and publishes adult coloring books. She also manages the Color Me Read bookstore. With the author’s strong descriptive voice, Color Me Read is a place I can see in my mind and a place that I would dearly love to hang out at.

Tragically one of the elderly ladies who has joined the book store’s coloring club, Hues, Brews, and Clues, is murdered. Florrie then discovers a mysterious skeleton that has been hidden behind a walled in bookcase in the murdered woman’s attic. The plot is fast-paced once the murder takes place and there is a slew of characters and suspects. I appreciated the list of “Cast of Characters” at the front of the book which helped keep them straight. The wrap-up holds a satisfying reveal but felt a bit rushed. Overall THE COLORING CROOK is an entertaining read with a delightfully artistic protagonist!

Florrie and her friends enjoy several yummy treats in the book and Ms. Davis includes several recipes at the back of the book to indulge any sweet tooth. I was drawn to her recipe for Salted Chocolate Brownies because, well… chocolate! I’ve also noticed that salt really brings out the flavor of chocolate and enhances the enjoyment. I love that these brownies don’t use a lot of flour and instead are more fudgy than cake-y, which is the type of brownie my family prefers. The richness of each bite will melt in your mouth and honestly, these are the perfect bars to serve as the base for a brownie sundae!

Amazon Synopsis

Life is looking rosy for Florrie Fox, manager of the Color Me Read bookstore in Georgetown, Washington D.C. She’s working on an adult coloring book of gardens, her romance with Sergeant Eric Jonquille has entered a new chapter, and the bookstore’s weekly coloring club is a source of friendship and entertainment. No member is more vibrant than Dolly Cavanaugh. Dolly likes to say she was blessed with beauty and cursed with lousy husbands, but at least she has a grown daughter and a stunning brownstone to show for it!

When Dolly’s love of garage sales results in her showing up at Color Me Read with a rare book in hand, Florrie is astounded. The Florist, the earliest known coloring book, was first published in 1760. An original copy would be worth a fortune—and someone else knows it. That same evening, Florrie finds Dolly dead on the floor of her apartment, a corner of a coloring book page clutched in her hand. As Florrie delves into Dolly’s past and her personal effects, she discovers a skeleton in the closet—literally—and a whole lot of shady suspects. One of them is an expert in the fine art of murder, but can Florrie draw the right conclusion?

A special thanks to Krista Davis for providing a winner with a print copy of THE COLORING CROOK. Contest ends Monday, December 3, 2018 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!)

Salted Chocolate Brownies

(makes 20 brownies)

Ingredients

1 8-by-8-inch baking pan
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing pan
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour, plus extra for greasing pan
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Flaked sea salt like Maldon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour the baking pan.
Melt the butter. (Krista does this in a glass Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave.) When melted, add the chocolate chips and stir until they melt. Set aside.
Beat the eggs with the sugar until thick and cream-colored. Beat at least 2 to 3 minutes.
While they are beating, mix together in a separate bowl the flour, the 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, and the baking powder. Set aside.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and the butter mixture to the eggs. (Hint: After adding flour, beat at low speed.) When they are incorporated, add the vanilla. Beat well.
Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with two pinches of flaked sea salt. Holding a knife tilted at an angle, gently swirl the salt into the batter. Bake 25 minutes. The edges should look firm. The middle should be firm enough not to quiver when gently shaken. Place on baking rack to cool. (Hint: It's easier to cut them while they are still slightly warm.)
Serve warm or cold. These freeze well. Those with midnight cravings might even find them quite delicious frozen.

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Strawberry Cake as served in Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room

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A SCANDAL IN SCARLET, the fourth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany, is probably my favorite in the series so far! I’ve enjoyed watching the protagonist, Gemma Doyle, grow over the course of the stories and with this new release, she seems to have come into her own. She is still overly observant, but has learned to tone down her abruptness which makes her more relatable. Ms. Delany captures the spirit of Sherlock Holmes by developing Gemma’s orderly sense of intellect in noticing clues and helping to solve murders. I especially enjoyed the Sherlockian vibes portrayed with her foray into disguising herself in this book. I hope to see more of the disguises in future books, whether or not it helps Gemma find clues.

Not only is Gemma a terrific character but the author has also developed good supporting characters, such as Gemma’s best friend, Jayne Wilson. They have a great friendship and work relationship since Jayne is part owner in Mrs. Hudson’s Tearoom. I love how Jayne is willing to drop everything in order to protect and help Gemma out to solve the mystery while providing a bit of comic sidekick humor. Detective Ryan Ashburton is another welcome addition to the story, helping to bring out a tender side of Gemma. I’ve enjoyed watching their relationship blossom in a sweet manner while he’s learned to be more accepting of Gemma’s intellect and deducing skills. Ms. Delany intertwines a long ago, unsolved crime and a current day murder with great skill. She provides plenty of suspects for the crimes which kept me guessing. She also provides plenty of action with good pacing, keeping the reader engaged and turning pages. The exciting conclusion wrapped up the threads of the story and has me waiting impatiently for the next installment!

Ms. Delany has created two inviting settings with this series: Gemma’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and Jayne’s Mrs. Hudson’s Tearoom. I adore how Gemma offers Sherlock-themed book title recommendations to her customers and I’ve started reading some of those suggestions. It’s always fun to find new authors and new series! While A SCANDAL IN SCARLET does not have recipes, Jaynes serves all sorts of delectable goodies at Mrs. Hudson’s Tearoom, such as Strawberry Cake. Ms. Delany has graciously developed a recipe for this delightful cake for me to share. Tender, moist vanilla cake is topped with loads of fresh strawberries. Cut into wedges, this strawberry cake is as delicious as it is beautiful without having to rely on frosting. It’s the perfect treat to serve with a cup of hot tea or coffee any time of the day!

Amazon Synopsis

Gemma and Jayne donate their time to raise money for the rebuilding of a burned out museum―but a killer wants a piece of the auction.

Walking her dog Violet late one night, Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop, acts quickly when she smells smoke outside the West London Museum. Fortunately no one is inside, but it’s too late to save the museum’s priceless collection of furniture, and damage to the historic house is extensive. Baker Street’s shop owners come together to hold an afternoon auction tea to raise funds to rebuild, and Great Uncle Arthur Doyle offers a signed first edition of The Valley of Fear.

Cape Cod’s cognoscenti files into Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room, owned by Gemma’s best friend, Jayne Wilson. Excitement fills the air (along with the aromas of Jayne’s delightful scones, of course). But the auction never happens. Before the gavel can fall, museum board chair Kathy Lamb is found dead in the back room. Wrapped tightly around her neck is a long rope of decorative knotted tea cups―a gift item that Jayne sells at Mrs. Hudson’s. Gemma’s boyfriend in blue, Ryan Ashburton, arrives on the scene with Detective Louise Estrada. But the suspect list is long, and the case far from elementary. Does Kathy’s killing have any relation to a mysterious death of seven years ago?

Gemma has no intention of getting involved in the investigation, but when fellow shopkeeper Maureen finds herself the prime suspect she begs Gemma for her help. Ryan knows Gemma’s methods and he isn’t happy when she gets entangled in another mystery. But with so many suspects and so few clues, her deductive prowess will prove invaluable in A Scandal in Scarlet.

A special thanks to Vicki Delany for providing a winner with a hardcover copy of A SCANDAL IN SCARLET. Contest ends Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. and Canadian 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!)

Strawberry cake as served in Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room

This makes a coffee-cake like cake. It’s un-iced, and cut into wedges to be served. It's perfect with coffee.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-inch pie plate.
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together into a medium bowl.
Mix butter and 1 cup sugar on medium-high speed in electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low; mix in egg, milk, and vanilla.
Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture. Transfer batter to buttered pie plate.
Arrange strawberries on top of batter, cut sides down and as close together as possible. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over berries.
Bake cake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake until cake is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 45 - 55 minutes. Let cool in pie plate on a wire rack.
Cut into wedges to serve.

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White Chocolate Crackle

WREATH BETWEEN THE LINES is the seventh book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber. The front cover of the book draws the reader in with its coziness and I love the Christmas feeling it imbues. The author effectively captures and continues the Christmas-y feeling throughout the entire book despite some of the residents of Crystal Cove acting more Scrooge than Santa. Protagonist Jenna Hart co-owns the bookstore and bakery, Cookbook Nook, with her Aunt Vera. The Cookbook Nook and their California coastal town are gearing up for a wreath-themed festival.

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I loved all the descriptions of the creative wreaths each business designed to go with the theme of their shops. It adds to the festive feel of good cheer throughout the town. Jenna is also pulling out all stops to decorate her bookstore and make sure there are plenty of Christmas cookbooks for her customers. I have a love/hate relationship with all the cookie and cake cookbooks Jenna mentions and stocks for the holiday… they all sound amazing and I found that I ended up purchasing more cookbooks than I really need so that I can read and drool over all the recipes and photos of seasonal goodies.

When Jenna’s father’s good friend is accused of murdering a drifter, I found it incredibly sweet that Jenna steps in to protect the elderly man since her father is out of the country. I greatly enjoyed the influence her father can assert with the investigating police, even when he’s off the pages, so that Jenna can investigate and keep him “in the loop”. Ms. Gerber weaves in a tight tale of estranged family, squabbling spouses, cranky neighbors, a cookie contest, and an A cappella competition to keep the reader engrossed and turning pages. With so many people hiding secrets, the naughty list of suspects kept me guessing who the culprit was. Even though there was a lot going on, the author expertly pulls the threads together and provides a satisfying conclusion, making every page a joy to read.

One of the fun things I love when reading Ms. Gerber’s books, is the amazing amount of recipes she provides at the back of the book. WREATH BETWEEN THE LINES is no exception and you’ll be drooling as you read over the holiday recipes she’s created. I love giving out gifts of delicious goodies during the Christmas season, so I was excited to see her recipe for White Christmas Crackle. It may seem odd to start with a base of saltine crackers but trust me, the crunch and the combination of sweet and salty is to die for. The festive touch of cranberries and pistachios on the layer of white chocolate will have your recipients begging for more! I also greatly appreciate that this recipe can be made up to two weeks ahead of time or stored in the freezer for even longer to free up those precious moments enjoying the season.

Amazon Synopsis

The holidays are Jenna Hart’s favorite time of year, but just as she’s decorating the Cookbook Nook for all the festive events, her imperious older sister makes a surprise visit, anxious that her husband’s been more naughty than nice. To make matters worse, her father’s good friend Jake shows up on her doorstep with a frantic report that his friend has been murdered—trussed with Christmas lights and impaled with a tree star.

Worried that Jake was the intended victim, Jenna makes a list of suspects and checks it twice. Swapping her Santa’s hat for a sleuthing cap, she gets busy investigating Jake’s long-lost sister, his Grinch of a neighbor, and a stamp collector who covets Jake’s most treasured piece. When Jake himself is poisoned and nearly dies, Jenna knows she’ll have to do whatever it takes to corner the culprit before it’s lights out for Jake.

GIVEAWAY ALERT

A huge thank you to Daryl Wood Gerber for hosting 2 separate Rafflecopter giveaways — 1 via the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and 1 via this blog. See below for details.

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour Giveaway
A special thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing THREE awesome prizes, including winner’s choice of her books and Amazon gift cards! Contest ends November 20, 2018 at 11:59 pm and books are limited to U.S. residents while gift cards are open worldwide. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and the winner will be announced on this page as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

***

Cinnamon & Sugar Blog Giveaway
One winner will receive their choice of a print copy from the first six books in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series and is open to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Sunday, November 18, 2018.

White Chocolate Crackle

From Jenna: I remember having this crackle at a Christmas party when I worked at Taylor & Squibb. One of the assistants made it and gave me the recipe. Until now, I'd never felt comfortable making it, but I'm getting pretty good with candy recipes. I'm a demon with fudge. This doesn't require a candy thermometer, just good eyeballing to know when something is ready to go. Enjoy!

Ingredients

40 salted saltine crackers (or gluten-free matzo, if you need to eat gluten-free)
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 4-ounce bars white chocolate, chopped into bits
Toppings, including pistachio pieces and dried cranberries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread the crackers on the foil in a single layer and fold up the edges of the foil to contain the crackers.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir constantly. It will turn a nice brown toffee color. Pour the mixture over the crackers and spread to cover.
Bake the cracker and toffee mixture in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the chopped white chocolate over the toffee.
Let stand for 2 - 4 minutes until the white chocolate melts, then spread evenly over the toffee.
Top with chopped pistachio pieces and dried cranberries for a nice Christmas color.
Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. Peel away the foil and break the crackle into pieces.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. This may be frozen for 1 month if you like to prepare ahead. Makes great gifts wrapped in decorative cellophane bags.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 8 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, RECIPE GUEST POST
November 8 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT
November 9 – That’s What She’s Reading – SPOTLIGHT
November 9 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 10 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
November 11 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW
November 12 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
November 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – RECIPE GUEST POST
November 13 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW
November 13 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
November 14 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
November 14 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
November 15 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
November 16 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
November 16 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
November 17 – cherylbbookblog – REVIEW
November 18 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 18 – Varietats – SPOTLIGHT
November 18 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, RECIPE GUEST POST
November 19 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
November 19 – Carole’s Book Corner – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
November 20 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW, RECIPE GUEST POST
November 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cream-Filled Maple Bars

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A WRENCH IN THE WORKS, the sixth book in the Fixer-Upper Mysteries by Kate Carlisle, is an entertaining addition to a delightful series! Protagonist Shannon Hammer’s sister, Chloe, is the co-star of Make-Over Madness on the Home Builders Network. Chloe has brought the show to Lighthouse Cove for a feature on Victorian houses (something Lighthouse Cove is famous for) and has talked Shannon into being on the program renovating a decrepit home. I loved the “behind-the-scenes” tricks on the do-it-yourself home renovation television show and the author has cleverly woven her plot into the filming of the segments. The reader is also introduced to words and techniques used to restore the historical homes. I enjoyed learning about the various tools, Victorian styles, and repairs that are used without it detracting from the story.

The book has everything you might think a reality tv program might have from a tyrannical producer to jealousy over stardom to flirtations to comradery between the staff. When the producer is found murdered, Chloe is immediately a suspect since she had been fired and was heard loudly arguing with the victim. Shannon wants to help but finds her sister has been harboring a long-time secret. It doesn’t help that Chloe had been on the wrong side of the law in her youth and has a strong mistrust of authority. Ms. Carlisle weaves in family relationships and I loved seeing Shannon and her sister learn to overcome the past and the secrets that kept them apart. This subplot adds an emotional depth to the story. There are enough suspects to keep it interesting and the pace of the plot moves quickly, keeping the storyline flowing. I had a hard time putting the book down when it was time to tend to other responsibilities and I found myself trying to find time to squeeze in ‘just one more chapter’. I am counting down the days until the next installment in the Fixer-Upper Mystery series!

While this book doesn’t have recipes, Emily, the town’s caterer, provides many yummy treats for the television crew to munch on during the shoots. One of the goodies Emily provides is Cream-Filled Maple Bars. Shannon almost swoons from the ‘intoxicating blend of luscious creamy custard, fluffy doughy wonderfulness, and maple sugared yumminess!’ So I set about to develop my own recipe that would make Shannon and Emily proud to serve. While these are quite a bit of work, the results are oh so yummy! Sweet yeast dough is deep-fried until golden brown and then filled with a creamy vanilla filling. Pure maple syrup brings loads of flavor to the thick icing for the finishing touch. Whether you like coffee, tea, or a big glass of ice cold milk, these Cream-filled Maple Bars will make breakfast or break time delicious!

Amazon Synopsis

Contractor Shannon Hammer has to dig through murder suspects in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Eaves of Destruction and Once Upon a Spine.

Don’t miss the Hallmark Movies & Mystery Originals starring Jewel, based on the Fixer-Upper Mystery series!

Shannon Hammer’s younger sister Chloe left Lighthouse Cove after high school to make it big in Hollywood. And she did it! For several years now, Chloe has been the co-host of a popular home repair show on the Do-It-Yourself Network. Now, after ten years, Chloe returns to Lighthouse Cove with her crew and co-host to film several shows featuring her sister Shannon, along with some special mini-segments on Victorian style and design.

But Shannon realizes quickly that things are not exactly blissful in TV land. Her sister’s handsome co-host is being stalked by someone who turns out to be his estranged wife, Erica–who also happens to be the executive producer of the show. Erica’s got a knack for stirring up sticky situations and when she’s found dead, Chloe and the entire crew are under suspicion.

Shannon soon discovers the real reason why Chloe was so eager to move away from Lighthouse Cove all those years ago. Can Shannon figure out if that ten-year-old secret is connected to Erica’s death? And can she track down the real killer before her beloved sister becomes the next victim?

A special thanks to Kate Carlisle for providing a $10 bookstore gift card! Winner will receive a $10 gift card to the bookstore of their choice, as long as the gift card can be purchased online. Use it to buy A Wrench in the Works or, if you’ve already read it by then (hint, hint), you can use it to buy your next great read! Contest ends Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)

Cream-Filled Maple Bars

Ingredients

Donuts

4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup warm water (103 - 106 degrees F)
1 cup warm whole milk (103 - 106 degrees F)
1/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil

Cream Filling

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
1-1/2 cups cold milk
1/2 cup Cool Whip

Maple Glaze

3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
2 - 4 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Donuts

Place water, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a standing mixture and allow to sit until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
With a dough hook, mix in the butter, remaining sugar, salt and egg, then slowly pour in the warm milk. Add 3 cups of the flour. Once the flour has been incorporated, add in additional flour until the dough is tacky but not overly sticky.
Once the flour is incorporated, knead on low speed for 3 minutes then cover and let rise until doubled, about one hour.
Once doubled, punch down the dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle (about 12-inches x 8-inches).
Cut into small rectangles (3-inches x 1-inch). Place on parchment-lined baking sheets (6 donuts per sheet). Cover and let rise until double, around 30 minutes.
Pour vegetable oil, 3-inches deep, into a pot. Heat oil to 350 degrees (F) then place 3 donuts into the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Flip over and fry until browned. Remove and allow to cool on paper towel-lined wire racks. Repeat with remaining donuts. Cool completely before filling.

Cream Filling

While the dough is rising, place the instant pudding into a bowl and whisk the cold milk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Fold in the Cool Whip. Refrigerate until the donuts have cooled completely.
Place cream filling into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (or in a ziplock bag with the corner slightly snipped). Poke a hole in the short end of a donut and pipe the filling into the donut. Repeat with remaining donuts and filling.

Maple Glaze

Place the confectioners' sugar into a medium-sized bowl. Whisk the maple syrup into the sugar along with the maple extract. Stir in 2 tablespoons milk. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until glaze reaches desired consistency.
Spread over the filled donuts and serve.

Notes