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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!)
- 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
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
- 1-1/2 cups cold milk
- 1/2 cup Cool Whip
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
- 2 - 4 tablespoons milk
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Place water, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a standing mixture and allow to sit until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
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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.
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Once the flour is incorporated, knead on low speed for 3 minutes then cover and let rise until doubled, about one hour.
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Once doubled, punch down the dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle (about 12-inches x 8-inches).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Spread over the filled donuts and serve.
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Best served right away. You may store leftover donuts in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
We do! It is fun to dream and get ideas of what could be possible!
It is! And also fun to see how many people have ideas that we would NEVER use. LOL
I love watching those shows.
I don’t have cable tv, so no.
No, I don’t watch home renovation shows on TV.
Sometimes I watch them.
I do enjoy watching the home renovation shows on tv. However, I don’t always agree with their design choices. 🙂
The recipe for Cream-Filled Maple Bars sounds wonderful. My mouth is watering just reading it.
Love Kate Carlisle’s book! I’m in the process of reading A WRENCH IN THE WORKS and it’s just as amazing as I knew it would be.
Thanks for the chance to win a gift card!
I know what you mean, Kay. I remember one show where the host found a piece of fence in the ditch on the side of the road, and she hung it on the wall in the homeowners’ living rooms. I thought… no.
Thank you so much for your kind words about A WRENCH IN THE WORKS! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. <3
I do watch them sometimes, but I love cooking shows more!
I’ve watched a couple times but I’m not an enthusiast. I kinda prefer a good mystery 😉 (like on the Hallmark channel hehe) Now my 5 year old great-nephew loves watching renovation shows. He was spouting all kinds of construction and house detail words along with suggestions for renovating their own house– and I heard my nephew just looked at him and thought wow, he’s really learning something watching those shows lol
Really???? That’s hysterical! Hold onto that story for when he’s an adult. It’ll be so interesting to see whether he goes into the home contracting field. Kids surprise you!
I did watch them for awhile, but not any more.
I love to watch the HGTV shows! That’s about the only TV I watch these days.
I really don’t watch much tv, I read during my free time! But I do like Fixer Upper and The Good Bones.
I love watching HGTV, especially the flipping shows.
I watch them every once in a while. We compare them to what properties would sell for remodeled similar where I live.
I watch them whenever I am at the doctor’s offices. It seems that is the only channel they show no matter where you go. I’m not really a fan. I much rather read mysteries that include home improvement.. Thank you for this chance.
No I don’t watch them. My son loves the shows, tho.
It depends on the home renovation show.
I enjoy watching home renovation shows — especially Fixer Upper ~
Both my husband and I watch the home renovation shows and when I say “0h, why don’t we do this or that project” my husband picks up his curtent book and says “maybe, we’ll see”, and it’s never discussed again. 0h well.
It’s fun to dream about it though.
Thank you for the recipe. I’d fill them with maple whipped cream and homemade pudding as I can’t have any coconut products etc which is in Cool Whip and possible pudding mix. Then I could not only make them, but eat them too. ?
That would be key–to be able to eat what you make! 🙂 I’m not generally much of a baker, but these are most definitely tempting me to give them a try. Maybe for the holidays.
When we had regular TV I watched those shows all the time. But we’ve cut back and try to keep the TV off most of the time so I don’t anymore. But they sure are addicting.
Not any more. I used to watch This Old house and another program which featured and a male and female host, but I forget the name.
Some but I prefer other H.G.T.V. shows such as House Hunters and other shows of that type.
House Hunters is fun, Michelle. But whenever I watch and there’s a young couple in their twenties with a budget of $800,000, I think, “How is that possible?!”
I watch the home renovation shows sometimes, if they’re doing something I’m really interested in.
“Do you watch the home renovation shows on tv?” Not for a long time, but I very much enjoyed that show where people built or renovated their crazy dream houses when that was on. These days I guess I do see some UK shows where they renovate historic buildings–the fancier and more historic the building, the more I enjoy the show!
Yes! I feel the same way about Antiques Roadshow. I mean, I enjoy the US version very much. But the British version is even more fun because the antiques are much, much older.
Nice idea, but you lost at “Cool Whip”.
I don’t watch TV renovation shows. But I love to see the finished product in magazines! Thanks for the chance to win this book.
I don’t watch the home renovation shows. Thank you for a chance to win a $10 bookstore Gift Card.
I used to love watching them but now I don’t have cable tv. just amazon, hulu, netflix
Thank you for this opportunity
I don’t watch the home renovation shows. I do like to read Kate’s books that have some in it. Thank you for the chance. Good luck everyone.
Yes, I like watching the home renovation shows on TV. I like to see the latest decorating trends.
Yes I watch revolution show. My favorite are Fixer Upper, Good Bones, and Home Town. ????
no.
I have watched it, and have enjoyed it.
No, I don’t watch home renovation shows on TV. Not sure what channels they’re on or if we get them. I like to go to the home and garden shows when they’re in town.
I love this recipe & I’m a big Fan of HGTV shows, I DVR them & watch them later without commercials. The book looks amazing, Thanks for your amazing generosity.
I enjoy watching some of the renovation shows.
I love watching those shows! We have been remodeling for years so always find inspiration!
I like watching home renovation shows. They come up with such great solutions to some awful situations. I love this series, and the recipe looks and sounds delicious! Thank you for this chance!
Not really. On rare occasions I do but not often.
When I visit my parents, I see those shows. But I haven’t had my tv plugged in for years in my home. There are too many books to read so I just don’t have time to watch tv.
Don`t have cable, so no.
We used to watch the renovation shows, but their budgets seem so extravagant.
And, I love anything maple flavored, so those bars look really appealing!
Oh absolutely! And I love them.
I used to watch Fixer Upper.
I’m a sucker for a good home improvement show! I was raised on This Old House and Hometime.
I love the DIY channel and watch it all the time.
I love watching home improvement shows!! Property Brothers is my favorite!
I used to watch them all the time but I haven’t watched them in awhile…honestly I haven’t watched too much else in awhile either, LOL.
I watch them sometimes. I used to love Flipping Out on Bravo.
I watch them sometimes to get ideas from.
I watch some, but not all. Love Property Brothers and Fixer Upper.
I do enjoy watching renovation shows on H.G.T.V. especially House Hunters, Desert Flip and Love it or List it.
I sometimes watch home renovation shows.
No I don’t watch them. I LOVE to bake/cook so I’m in to watching cooking shows more. Thank you for the chance!
I’m an HGTV junkie. Beachfront Bargain Hunt, Love it or List it, Tiny house Hunters, Lottery Dream Home, Flea Market Flip, Good Bones, Brother vs Brother,…you get the idea.
I only watch them when I am waiting at the doctor’s office.
We used to watch home renovation shows on TV, but know we’re more into cooking programs.
I used to watch them all the time but just don’t have the time to anymore.
Yes! I love home improvement shows! I DVR Property Brothers every Wednesday! It’s my favorite!
Yes! I live watching Home Improvement Shows! I DVR Property Brothers every Wednesday! It is my favorite!
Yes! I do
Yes! I do watch a few.