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OF MASQUES AND MURDER, the fourth book in the Rita Calabrese Mysteries by Maureen Klover, is the best in the series so far! From the opening pages to the last sentence, the author captured my imagination and kept me entertained. The protagonist, Rita Calabrese, is a sixty-something Italian matriarch and instead of relaxing and resting on her laurels, she’s still going strong. From running (or ruining as her daughter might say) her family’s lives, to cooking massive amounts of Italian food, to investigative reporting for the local newspaper, Rita lives life to the fullest. Ms. Klover sets up internal conflict nicely by Rita’s daughter goading her into giving up “meddling” for Lent. What’s a devout woman to do when there’s blackmail, murder, and failed romances that need her attention? This lends itself to plenty of humorous situations and witty dialog that kept me chuckling.

In addition to superbly developed characters, who have grown with each new book, the author captures the unique setting of Rita’s world. From the smells and tastes of her delectable Italian specialties to the grandeur of the Carnevale masked ball with the sumptuous costumes to the fog-laden cemetery, I felt like I was there, experiencing it alongside Rita. The murder itself was well-plotted with a quick pace that kept me turning pages to find out what happens next. Lots of suspects kept me guessing and once the Agatha Christie-style reveal came, I’ll admit the killer wasn’t even on my radar. This well-crafted mystery left me wishing there was another one in this delightful series to pick up and start reading right away!

With Rita spending loads of time in the kitchen, you’ll be drooling over all the food descriptions. Ms. Klover has included several recipes at the back of the book, from decadent traditional desserts, to Easter dishes, to Lenten fare. While I was sorely tempted by her decadent dessert recipe, with weather turning cooler I was drawn to the recipe for Curried Sweet Potato Soup. Maybe it was the warming spice or the comforting flavors or the need to have something nourishing in the midst of this pandemic that called to me. No matter what drew me, in the end, I loved this soup and enjoyed every last drop of the tantalizing blend. The beautiful, rich-colored hue added to the enjoyment and mimicked the colors of the season. I’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again when I want a nourishing and comforting bowl of soup!

Amazon Synopsis

In the Italian-American community of Acorn Hollow, it’s Carnevale. The townspeople are reveling in masked balls and lively processions—and overindulging in meaty lasagnas and rich desserts like sanguinaccio and bomboloni.

For once, though, the town’s most ardent Italophile, matriarch-turned-reporter Rita Calabrese, is not in the holiday spirit. With no crime to solve, nothing to write about, and the clock ticking down towards her hasty and ill-advised Lenten resolution to stop interfering in (or, as she would say, “improving”) the lives of others, she’s staring down forty days of sheer boredom.

But that’s before her twin sister is blackmailed for a scandalous indiscretion and the world’s most uncouth, boorish houseguest shows up and refuses to leave until Rita gives him a crash course in feminism and romance, all to woo back his estranged wife.

Rita tries to adhere to her Lenten resolution, but fate has other plans. When a friend’s wine is poisoned at a masquerade ball and a local vintner’s glamorous fiancée is murdered, Rita bows to the inevitable and dives into an investigation rife with suspects and riven by romantic entanglements and family drama.

A special thanks to Maureen Klovers for providing one lucky winner with their choice of print or ebook copy of OF MASQUES AND MURDER. Print is limited to U.S. residents and ends Sunday, November 22, 2020 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!)

Curried Sweet Potato Soup

This soup is perfect for Meatless Mondays or simple Lenten soup suppers - but to make it truly vegetarian, you will need to substitute vegetarian stock for the chicken stock (although I think it tastes better with chicken stock).

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 yellow onions, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
6 cups chicken stock
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 bunch cilantro
1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a big soup pot. Add onions, salt, and pepper, stirring until onions are translucent.
Stir in the curry powder, coriander, and garlic, and stir for 1 minute.
Add stock, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Cover and bring to a boil until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork (about 25 minutes).
Purée the soup with a stick blender and stir in the fresh lime juice. Garnish with chopped cilantro and pumpkin seeds.

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

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51 thoughts on “Curried Sweet Potato Soup”

I prefer a print copy! I love the cover on the book and will add this to my series “To-Be-Read” list. Thank you for the recipe and the give-away. Please stay healthy.
madamhawk at gmail dot com

It sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing the book and the recipe !

The book sounds like something I need to read and the soup looks amazing.

I would like a print copy please! There’s just something about holding a book in your hands. It’s a huge comfort! Thank you for the opportunity!

This book sounds really good. I think I would choose a print copy. Love the cover.

Print, please.

Print please.

Thank you for the Curried Sweet Potato Soup recipe. Love sweet potatoes but have never had them in a soup before.

Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “OF MASQUES AND MURDER” by Maureen Klover.

If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love a print copy please.

Sounds like a great book. I read a previous book in the series and enjoyed it. Would love to win a print copy.

I prefer the print copy please. Thanks for the chance! I so want to try something Curry! I am afraid I won’t like it!

Adding curry to sweet potato soup definitely sounds intriguing and delicious – thanks for the recipe. I’d prefer an ebook ~

I’d prefer a print copy but I would happily accept an e-book! Thanks for the chance to win!!!

The soup sounds delicious and I will try it
I WOULD LIKE AN EBOOK IF I WIN.

I enjoy the conscience of a e book but I still enjoy a paper book in hand.

I would prefer a print copy. Thank you!

This sounds like such a great read! The cover is so pretty! And that soup sounds delicious! I would prefer a print copy.

I prefer print copies. There is nothing better than having a physical book in hand!! But would happily accept an E-book. Thank you for the chance!!

I usually read ebooks.

This soup recipe looks delicious!! Thank you for the opportunity

I tried the kindle and hated it, maybe its my age and I can’t figure it out, so print is my choice

I prefer a print copy.

print copy. I like the cover and that it is a series. It sounds good. Thanks for the chance.

I prefer e-books.

I prefer the print.

I prefer a print copy of books that I read.

I read both, but prefer print.

I would love a print copy, I love the cover. Thanks for your great generosity.

I would pick a print copy. Thank you for the chance.

Print, please.

I’m a print person – just love the feel of a book in my hands.

I prefer a print copy.

I prefer print.

This recipe sounds delicious! I would prefer print, please!
Thanks so much for the chance!

I like print but also read the ebooks. This recipe sounds great. thanks for the chance.

I love print books. Thank you for the recipe and this chance to win!

I prefer a print copy.

I like both print and ebook but would prefer print so I could share it with my daughters.

I prefer a print copy of Of Masques And Murder. Thank you for a chance to win it.

I would love to read a print copy as battling a disease RSD and also will review on a few sites!

Print would be great, thanks for the recipe!

I prefer print please.

Thank you for the giveaway! Thank you for the recipe! The book sounds good and love the book cover. I would love to win the print book.?

I would love a print copy of the book. Thank you.

Print, please

I prefer a print book!

I prefer reading a print copy. Although I do have some ebooks, I find it much easier on my eyes to read the printed page. So, if I’m lucky enough to be the winner of this delightful book, I’d like a printed book, please.
Thank you.

Print copy, please.
Just had potato soup on Friday.
Haven’t had sweet potato soup.
Must try it. thanks.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

Print would be awesome! Thank you for the recipe and I’m looking forward to reading MASQUES AND MURDER. konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

I am trying to buy more books on CD if they are available and offered at a reasonable price but otherwise I do love print books but an ebook still works for me too! Not too fussy about either way as I find ways to counter my vision problems with great lighting and magnifying devices! Thank you so much!

Thank you for replying to my email! I am in the right place at last.;) I do want to try this soup! I like ebooks, because I can enlarge the print.

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