Author Deborah Garner’s books are known for memorable characters; some quirky, some fun, some mystical. I was intrigued when her very fun, very flamboyant character from CRANBERRY BLUFF, spun off into another series and I was charmed when I read A FLAIR FOR DRAMA! Sadie Kramer is an “older” sixty-plus woman, which is a refreshing change from the usual late twenties to thirty-something protagonists who populate most cozy mysteries (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). It’s my experience, and Sadie Kramer certainly exhibits this, is that by the time we get to a certain age we really don’t care what people think. As long as we do what pleases ourselves and what we know is the right thing to do, then all social peer pressure vanishes. It can be quite liberating! As a result, Sadie says and does things that entertains the reader, making us chuckle a bit, and admire her pluck.
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Sadie’s sidekick, Coco, is an adorable Yorkie. This precocious, pampered pet literally and figuratively steals both the scenes and the show when she is on stage. Coco provides a nice supporting role to Sadie’s sleuthing trying to find out who killed the leading lady in her friend’s stage production. There are plenty of suspects and leads to keep the reader guessing, while the plot has several twists and turns to keep it entertaining. This coziest of cozies is a fun book to while the afternoon away curled up on the couch or enjoy as a beach read on vacation.
Be prepared, though, to be thoroughly craving chocolate while you read this book! Sadie discovers Chocolate Lava Cakes while visiting her friend in Monterey Bay… and she eats them often. I was honored when Deborah Garner asked if I would create the recipe for Individual Chocolate Lava Cakes for the book! Decadent chocolate truffles create a delectable, gooey center for the rich chocolate cakes. Served with whipped cream and raspberries, these are an elegant dessert that will be having your family and guests oohing and ahhing!
Amazon Synopsis
When a former schoolmate invites flamboyant senior sleuth Sadie Kramer to a theatre production, she jumps at the excuse to visit the Monterey Bay area for a weekend. With quaint Carmel shops a short drive away and luxurious linens in her hotel accommodations, the excursion promises to be both entertaining and relaxing.
Plenty of action is expected on stage, but when the show’s leading lady turns up dead, Sadie finds herself faced with more than one drama to follow. With both cast members and production crew as potential suspects, will Sadie and her sidekick Yorkie, Coco, be able to solve the case?
A huge thank you to Deborah Garner for providing a winner with the choice of either print or an e-book copy of A FLAIR FOR DRAMA! Contest ends Monday, June 19, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents for a print copy. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe 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!)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (around 60% cacao), chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (around 60% cacao), chopped
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter
- 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cake flour
- Whipped cream
- Raspberries
Instructions
- Heat the heavy cream in a small sauce pan just until bubbles start to form around the edges, then remove from heat. Do not boil.
- Place 2 ounces of bittersweet chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl and pour the hot cream over. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. (No need to wash the sauce pan, you’ll need it for the cake.)
- Refrigerate the chocolate mixture for 2 hours or until firm, then divide into 6 balls. Return to refrigerator until needed.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (F).
- Spray 6 4-ounce ramekins with non-stick cooking spray.
- Melt the butter in a small sauce pan then remove from heat.
- Add the 4 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate to the pan and whisk until melted and smooth. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer, add the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla. Beat on medium high speed for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is thick and light colored.
- Gently fold in the melted chocolate and butter mixture.
- Add the flour and stir just until combined.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins and place a chilled chocolate ball into the center of each one.
- Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until cake is firm to the touch.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Run a knife around the inside of ramekin, place a small dessert plate over top, then flip over and remove the ramekin. Repeat with each one.
- Garnish with fresh whipped cream and raspberries.
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ooh, a new series to read and a new recipe to try! Wonderful!
I would prefer a print copy—-and one of those little lava cakes on the side.
Chocolate yum and a print copy of one of your books! Thank you for sharing.
I enjoy both! As long as I get to read ?
Sue stole the words right out of my mouth, dang it. The recipe looks good. The new read looks good. Hard copy is preferred.
I love my books in print. I love the feel of holding the book in my hands#
I prefer print but I do occasionally read ebooks. The book sounds interesting and the recipe looks wonderful!
I would prefer a print copy. Nothing is better than holding the actual book to me. 🙂
Can’t waif to try the recipe and read A FLAIR FOR DRAMA.
I would love a print book as can’t do ebook disabled and the recipe sounds so good that when hubby is in the desert making mood this is the one i am going to request. Thank you for offering a print or ebook so nice of you!
As much as I love print books, an e-book version would be fine with me. It saves the author the expense of mailing it and saves me a little bit of storage space 😉 What an amazing recipe! This would be fun to make in one of my Demarle molds! Can’t get too much chocolate ya know!
I would absolutely love a print copy!
Either book would be fine!!!! Gimme that law cake!!!!!#
I prefer e-books because I can change the font size.
OMG! That recipe looks amazing! I added it to my Pinterest page. I love this series and would love a book or E-book!
Prefer hard copy please. Thanks
Thank you for this lovely blog spotlight, Kim! I’m now craving chocolate lava cake and think a batch may be justified as fuel for writing the next book. My writing break today may need to be a run to the grocery store for ingredients 😉
You are very welcome, Deborah, it’s been my pleasure! It’s hard to see this pics and not crave chocolate lava cake… I may need to run to the store as well and pick up more ingredients 🙂
I prefer a print book. Would enjoy reading.
I really like a print book. Something about holding it in your hand is a treasure. I do also read books as well. Thanks for the chance.
I prefer a print copy. Love the feel of real books.
Print please. Thanks for the chance
I prefer a print copy of A Flair For Drama. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I love a print copy of the book. I haven’t quite come around to thinking that my kindle is the best way to read books.
I read both but prefer print. Yummy cakes!
I would love a print copy, thank you for the chance and the recipe. Yum!!!
I would prefer a print book.
I prefer a print book please, thanks for the giveaway!
I prefer print! Thank you!
I would love to win a print copy. Thanks for the decadent recipe.
I prefer print but do read e-books
I have never tried a lava cake, but I have always wanted to. I guess I don’t have an excuse now. 🙂
I do prefer a print book.
Thank you,
Yum…yum…all that chocolate! I prefer an ebook (faster) …although I do love print too.
Marilyn [email protected]
Print book, please. Both recipe and book sound delicious!
I prefer print. Thanks for the chance
I would love a print copy. Love to try the recipe. Thanks for your generosity.
Yummy!!! I just started a new diet so… I still might have to try it, dang it! New to me author, but it sounds like a fun read. I love print books, but would be happy with either. Thank you for the chance.
I read ebooks but I love print books. I just love the feel and smell of a real book.
Wonderful recipe. One of my favorite desserts.
The recipie and book look great!
Warm, melty chocolate! Fantastic!!!
I prefer print books, manage e books
I would prefer a print! The chocolate cakes look delicious!
What a great recipe and this book sounds awesome too. I really love print books as I adore seeing the covers. And with print books I share them with my daughter which I love to do.
Print
Lava cakes are some of my favorites! I hope your dog is prominent in the mystery; I look for canine cozies.
Coco is definitely prominent and not only steals the show but will steal your heart 🙂
Sounds like a fun series. Looking forward to a great read!
I prefer print but either one would be fine. I’d just like to read the story. Lol. I have wanted to try making a lava cake but am intimidated by it. Feel free to send one my way. Haha.
cristinaalaska(@)gmail(.)
I still prefer a print copy.
Print! I like the real thing.
Paula Jacobson
I haven’t had lava cake, but it looks delicious. I prefer a print copy. I haven’t gotten into the ebook stage yet
A print copy of your book and chocolate lava cake. Hmmm. What could be better?
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
This is going on my TBR list!!! Im gonna try the cake recipe on my family. I love ebooks