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HAVE YOURSELF A BEARY LITTLE MURDER by Meg Macy is the third book in the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series. Any book with a tag line of shamelessly adorable and a most darling book cover will grab my attention. Ms. Macy stays true to that promise by penning an adorable cozy mystery. The stage is set at the family owned Silver Bear Shop and Factory at Christmas time. The protagonist, Sasha Silverman, and her family are actively involved in the Silver Hollow annual tree light and Festival of Lights Parade. This highly popular village event gives the author plenty of opportunities to make the reader feel the spirit of the Christmas holiday with the various festivities, costumes, food, and fun, which I greatly enjoyed. The only downside, for me, is that too many characters were introduced because of the festival, and I had a hard time keeping track of who was who for a time. However, once Sasha got involved in trying to figure out who would want to murder the polar Santa-bear-costume-wearing mayor, the pace picked up and got back on track.
While on the surface the mayor seemed to be beloved by all, Sasha digs deeper and finds he had another side that was hidden from his constituents. This opens her investigation to many suspects, prompted, for once, by her own mother to find the villain. There were clues planted throughout which kept me guessing and turning pages until the heartwarming ending. I greatly enjoy how Sasha has a close relationship with her entire family and they work together to support and encourage each other. This, along with (need I say it again?) the adorable teddy bear shop brings a delightful cheer to an endearing holiday cozy read.
One of the events Sasha and her family are hosting during the festivities is a cookie competition. One of the entries is a Cranberry Walnut Cookie Balls and Ms. Macy was kind enough to provide the recipe for me to share. I loved the crunch of the walnuts in the cookie along with the tart sweetness of the cranberries. Easy to mix up and festive with the red cranberries dotting the shortbread-style cookie rolled in fluffy mounds of powdered sugar, this will be sure to add holiday cheer to any cookie platter!
Amazon Synopsis
This holiday season, teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman must solve the slaying of Santa Bear . . .
Sasha and her sister Maddie are thrilled that the Silver Bear Shop and Factory has won the Teddy Bear Keepsake Contest, which means they get to produce a holiday specialty toy, a wizard bear named “Beary Potter.” Promising to be just as magical is Silver Hollow’s annual tree-lighting ceremony and village parade. Only one hitch: the parade’s mascot, Santa Bear—played by Mayor Cal Bloom—is missing.
After a frantic search among the floats, Bloom is found dead. When the outfit is removed, it’s clear the mayor’s been electrocuted. Who zapped hizzoner and then stuffed him into his Santa Bear suit? While the police investigate the grisly crime, Sasha attempts to track down the murderer herself, with some help from the Guilty Pleasures Gossip Club. Can they wrap up this case in time for Christmas—or will Sasha meet her own shocking end?
A special thanks to Meg Macy for providing one winner with a copy of HAVE YOURSELF A BEARY LITTLE MURDER. Contest ends Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)
- 1 cup butter softened
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F).
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Beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract.
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Gradually add the flour and salt and mix just until blended.
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Stir in walnuts and dried cranberries.
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Using a small cookie scoop, roll dough into 1" balls and place on ungreased baking sheet, or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Keep at least 1 inch space between cookie balls.
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Bake for 15-18 minutes. The bottoms should be lightly browned.
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While cookies are baking, pour confectioners' sugar into a shallow bowl or pie plate.
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Roll 4-5 hot cookie balls at a time into the confectioners' sugar until each cookie is well coated.
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Place the coated cookies onto a wire rack to cool completely.
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I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There is a holiday parade downtown, but we haven’t made a tradition of going.
We used to have a holiday parade here in downtown Portland the day after Thanksgiving. I’ve never been able to attend due to work. Thank you so much for the yummy recipe and the giveaway!
I definitely will be making these cookies! I could walk up the street to see all our town’s parades but have never made it to one yet! Would love to read Meg’s book! Thanks for the chance!
I haven’t been to a holiday parade, but I love to watch them on TV ~
When I was in high school, I marched in many holiday parades, I remember one we marched in Sarnia .. it was snowing.. we were soooo cold. We had to hold our hands on the mouthpiece of our flutes to keept hem warm. (Or as warm as we could be them) Now my daughter is in her high school marching band, she is part of the color guard. It is fun to go to parades again and cheer on the band as they March by ??
I’ve never participated in a holiday parade, but I enjoy watching them.
I don’t usually go to holiday parades but I don’t mind watching them on TV. And I can’t wait to read the new book!
I don’t usually attend them but I did go to our towns small parade last year.
I live right by Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas. They have a light parade and Instead of a tree lying they light up the whole main street. There is also the ICE at the Gaylord.
Our small town has a holiday parade with the middle and high school bands and other local groups. It ends in the park with a tree lighting and hot chocolate and cookies.
There are none nearby me, but I do watch the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving!
No, I’ve only seen them on TV.
Thanks for the contest and I am going to make those cookies! I have watched holiday parades, I have not participated in one!
I attend holiday parades. In past years, I have participated in them. My favorite parades are small town ones and the 4th of July one. Thanks for the chance!
Holidays are so fun…food and family! What could be better?
I don’t usually go
I love holiday parades!! Last year, we went and walked through all of the Rose Parade floats after the parade was over! Amazing!
I haven’t been to or watched a parade for over 30 years.
Yes I love a Holiday Parade and it comes within a half block of where I live…I haven’t read anything by Meg Mims but she is a favorite Author of a friend of mine so thank you for the chance.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
We don’t have a holiday parade here, but I like to watch them on tv.
Love this series!
No holiday parades in my area.
I have went to several holiday parades and participated in parades as well.
We attend a holiday parade every year & have since our children were small
I sure do! My family always has a huge party! Lots of food, fun and games!!
I used to go to the Memorial Day parade in town when growing up.
I have in the past and they are a lot of fun – thanks for the great recipes and contests.
I usually go to the Christmas parade at Walt Disney World that they have during the Christmas party event nights.
My town has a wonderful holiday parade. It is so much fun to watch.
this cookie looks like Christmas
I enjoy seeing my Granddaughter in their hometown Christmas Parades here in Texas! And, once I attended the Kings Day Parade in Zaragoza, Spain while visiting our daughter’s family (2 grandsons) who live in Zaragoza! I enjoy small town parades.
As a former band member, I marched in way too many parades. I prefer watching them on TV now. And these cookies sound amazing. Thank ou.
I know there are parades here, but by the time I find out about them it’s too late to go see it.
We used to attend parades when our kids used to be in them. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of Have Yourself A Beary Little Murder.
I love Christmas parades. They bring vack childhood memories.
I have never been in a parade but I do love watching them, either in person or at home. Thanks for the chance.
When the boys were little we watched the city’s parade every year. Then when they were in the boy scouts, we participated in the parade. It was a lot of fun!
I attend holiday parades now but, when I was younger, I participated all the time. I won a “Little Miss” contest when I was young and rode on the back of a convertible that year. I was also in the pep club, a majorette and rode on lots of church floats. So much fun! Thank you for the chance!
We have a Christmas parade in our town every year that we usually try to attend.
No holiday parades in my area.
When I was in HS, I always marched in parades with the band. And I took my kids to any parade possible as they were growing up. Now I’m a grandmother and my son takes his kids to all the parades. I’m disabled with MS, so I stay home these days.
I have done holiday parades with my dogs.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been to a Christmas parade. Usually too cold for me!
I do not participate in holiday parades since my arthritis cannot handle the weather.
I haven’t been to a holiday parade in years. I do like watching them on TV.
I don’t go now, but I did when my son was growing up.
went for the first time last November to Chicago’s Lighted Christmas parade, it was wonderful and really got me in the mood for the holidays, my dream is to make Macy’s Parade with reserved seating.
In my younger days, I did participate in Christmas parades from time to time. Now I go to them and enjoy them from the sidelines. Both ways a tons of fun! I enjoy both the parade itself and then seeing Christmas through the eyes of children brings me great joy.
I go to the Christmas parade in my community every year. I love it. This recipe looks great!
My daughter and I were in holiday parades together.
My daughter. And I were in holiday parades together.
Used to take my kids when they were younger.
I love holiday parades! They’re so much fun!
We sometimes go to see them but don’t participate in them. When I was younger and played in the band I did.
We have a parade downtown but seldom attend
We attend the city parade and then end it by seeing the tree lighting ceremony.
No, I don’t attend or participate in holiday parades.
These cookies sound amazing and so does the book!
I’ve been to a few parades in Chicago where I live, it’s amazing. I love this recipe and the book looks terrific. Thanks for this amazing chance.
I try to go to them. Enjoy a good parade
No I have not
Not many parades in the small town where I live.
I vaguely recall a Memorial Day parade that I saw as a child (small town, very small parade) ……other than that, I don’t think I have been to any.