Kim, Author at Cinnamon and Sugar

Christmas Crackles

I’m very excited to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour presenting DEATH ON LILY POND LANE by Carrie Doyle! I’m happy to say that I actually had the chance to read DEATH ON WINDMILL WAY, the first book in her Hamptons Murder Mystery series before starting this second book, and while not necessary to read in order, it’s nice when it works out that way. Be sure to check out the very generous giveaway the author is providing: a print set of BOTH books!!!

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While I enjoyed the first book in this series I felt like Carrie Doyle found her stride with DEATH ON LILY POND LANE. This mystery starts out quickly at the beginning of the book and pulls you in. She has included secondary mysteries that build the suspense and kept me turning pages until the reveal, which had it’s own heart-stopping action. Antonia Bingham, the owner and chef at Windmill Inn, is an interesting protagonist. Recovering from an abusive marriage to a policeman, she has a deeply ingrained distrust of the “law”. Yet as she gets pulled into the murder mysteries, she must grow and learn to trust even if it’s only a bit. She also shows more confidence from book one to book two and it’s a delight to see Antonia find her stride and find out what she’s capable of. While there’s some romance in the book, it’s not an overwhelming component of the story and I found it to be a more realistic depiction of the real world.

As an innkeeper and chef, Antonia keeps a strong food theme running through the book…be prepared to become hungry while reading! While there aren’t any recipes included with the book, Carrie Doyle has graciously provided a recipe for Christmas Crackle. According to Carrie, “When I went to boarding school my roommate’s mother would send us “Christmas Crackles” and now I make them for my boys. They actually sell out at their school bake sale very quickly.” Using only three simple ingredients and no baking, Christmas Crackles are a cross between cookies and candy. Once I made them I remembered that my mother used to make these when we were young but we called them “Haystacks”…I like Christmas Crackles much better but no matter the name, these are oh so yummy!

Amazon Synopsis

Death on Lily Pond Lane

Springtime in the Hamptons comes late, but it’s worth it! Brisk walks on the bright chilly beach, cinnamon buns at tea time, blooming forsythia and….murder? Innkeeper Antonia Bingham has hit her stride as the proprietor of East Hampton’s Windmill Inn. After solving a series of murders, Antonia has taken on more work as an estate manager, giving her entree her into some of the area’s most glamorous homes. Once inside, Antonia checks the heat, looks for leaks or damage, and finds the occasional dead body. As the police can’t be trusted, it’s up to Antonia—a modern day Miss Marple, with an overly enthusiastic adoration of carbs and a kamikaze love-life—to put her skills of deduction to use. Nestle in with a steaming mug of your favorite tea and get ready to peek behind the gates of the mansions of the Hamptons, as Antonia Bingham solves another shocking and devastating murder.

Death on Windmill Way

The Hamptons are known for beautiful beaches, luxurious living, millionaire mansions, and now…murder! Antonia Bingham, a renowned chef and the new owner of East Hampton’s Windmill Inn, escaped to the Hamptons to get away from a harrowing past. Yet now she finds herself in more danger than ever when she discovers the inn’s previous owners may have been victims of murder. Will her overly inquisitive personality be her downfall as she digs up secrets in her attempt to solve the crime?
In the first book of the “Hamptons Murder Mystery” series, bestselling author Carrie Doyle Karasyov (The Right Address; Wolves in Chic Clothing) brings readers behind the scenes for an exclusive glimpse of life within one of the most spectacular playgrounds of the rich and famous. Antonia’s investigation weaves through the lives of the celebrities, year-round locals and the wealthy summer residents who all call the Hamptons home in her quest to reveal a dangerous killer.

A huge thank you to Carrie Doyle for providing one winner a print copy of BOTH the books in her Hampton’s Murder Mystery series, DEATH ON WINDMILL WAY and DEATH ON LILY POND LANE. Some of the other tour participants are also giving away sets of books so check them out for additional chances to win. I’ve provided the links to their pages at the bottom.) Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)

Christmas Crackles

Ingredients

One package of semi-sweet chocolate morsels (approx. 12 oz.)
One package of butterscotch morsels (approx. 11 oz.)
One can canister (approx. 5 oz.) of La Choy Chow Mein Noodles

Instructions

In a medium-sized pan, melt the chocolate and butterscotch together over low heat until entirely melted.
Stir in the chow mien noodles until they are completely coated with the chocolate mixture.
On a tray lined with wax or parchment paper, use a tea spoon to scoop the mixture and arrange into little clusters.
Freeze until hard.*
Let thaw 15 minutes before eating (to save your teeth.)

Tip

*You can also refrigerate these if you're going to consume within a few days but for long term storage it's best to freeze.

https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/christmas-crackles/

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December 12 – A Holland Reads
December 12 – A Blue Million Books
December 13 – Community Bookstop
December 14 – Melina’s Book Blog
December 14 – Island Confidential
December 15 – The Power of Words
December 15 – StoreyBook Reviews
December 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy
December 16 – Deal Sharing Aunt
December 17 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder
December 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
December 18 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!

Cranberry Orange Cookies

As Christmas draws closer I enjoy reading inspirational themed stories in addition to cozy mysteries. SILVER BELLS AT MOONGLOW, by Deborah Garner, is a sweet Christmas themed treat which weaves a beautiful mosaic of Christmas sights, sounds, and smells and introduces us to memorable characters. The protagonist, Mist, has a calming magical influence on those she comes in contact with and I’ll be the first to admit, her magic worked on me as I read this story during this most hectic season of the year. I so enjoyed sitting down with a hot cup of honey-sweetened tea, wrapping myself in a cozy comforter, and losing myself in the world of Timberton Hotel in snowy Montana. Deborah has a gift of transporting the reader through eloquent descriptions be it of the delicious baking, the Christmas ornaments, or Mist’s miniature paintings. I was left with the comforting feeling that this really is the most wonderful season of all!

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The Timberton Hotel hosts an annual cookie exchange and Deborah has included 22 recipes in her book! I am very excited that she used THREE of my own recipes, but I’m anxious to try them all! So many cookies…so little time… I’m sharing my recipe for Cranberry Orange Cookies since they add a very colorful and festive look to cookie platters and dessert tables. But don’t worry, not only are they pretty they are deliciously flavorful too! Jewel-toned dried cranberries and orange juice add holiday flavors to this cake-like cookie which has been rolled in sparkling white and red sugars, adding another level of texture and visual appeal. They mix up quickly using a food processor and the dough can be kept refrigerated (or frozen) until you are ready to bake. I hope you enjoy these as much as my friends and family have!

Amazon Synopsis

Christmas at the Timberton Hotel arrives each year with a unique set of guests, some returning, some new. When this holiday brings a celebrity seeking reprieve, sisters who are distant yet closer to each other than they think, a widow approaching a new horizon, and an eclectic smattering of local townsfolk and visiting relatives, the season is certain to be eventful. Add in a hint of romance and there’s more than snow in the air around the small Montana town.

Elegant decor and exquisite cuisine from resident artist and chef, Mist, form a backdrop to much needed camaraderie, bringing strangers and friends together. When the last note of Christmas carols has faded away, the soft whisper of silver bells from the front door’s wreath will usher guests and townsfolk alike back into the world with hope for the coming year.

A huge thank you to Deborah Garner for providing winner’s choice of either an e-book or print copy of SILVER BELLS AT MOONGLOW for one lucky winner! Print copy limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Monday, December 19, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup (4.7 ounces) dried cranberries
3/4 cup (5.3 ounces) granulated sugar
2 cups (9 ounces) all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (4 ounces) cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring (optional)
Red and white coarse sugar, for rolling

Instructions

Using a food processor, pulse the dried cranberries and sugar together until the cranberries are finely chopped, about 20 pulses.
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pulse to combine.
Add the cold butter pieces and pulse to incorporate, until the mixture is the size of small peas. This can take about 20 pulses.
Whisk the orange juice, egg, orange extract, and food coloring (if using) in a small bowl.
Drizzle the orange juice mixture over the flour mixture in the food processor and pulse until a dough forms.
Place the dough in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
Place 1/4 cup red coarse sugar and 1/4 cup white coarse sugar in a shallow bowl and mix. Set aside.
Scoop the cookie dough into 1-inch to 1-1/2-inch balls, then roll in the coarse sugar mixture.
Place the sugar-coated dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 12 cookies to each sheet.
Bake 11 to 14 minutes or until the tops of the cookies are just set and the bottom of the cookies are barely golden.
Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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Serafina’s Pizzelles (Italian Christmas Waffle Cookies)

When I started seeing reviews this past September for CHEDDAR OFF DEAD, the second book in the Undercover Dish Mystery series by Julia Buckley, I knew I needed to add it to my reading list. And when I found out it was centered around Christmas I moved it up in my pile of books so I’d have it at the ready in early December to start reading. CHEDDAR OFF DEAD lived up to and even exceeded my expectations both for a riveting, well written plot and for the holiday setting!

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Even though I have not read the first book in the series (it’s been sitting on my Kindle since its release and I somehow overlooked reading it!) CHEDDAR OFF DEAD was easy to jump in and get to know the characters. I loved the protagonist, Lilah Drake, and her very clever side job of providing clandestine dishes to those in town who don’t want anyone to know that they’re awful cooks or are too busy to cook themselves. It sets the stage for some humorous situations. There’s a strong undercurrent of romance between Lilah and Detective Jay Parker and I liked how Lilah remained feisty and true to herself when it appeared things weren’t going to work out. Plus she is very funny when she accidentally runs into him at the market and I found myself chuckling out loud. There’s a strong cast of supporting characters and each adds a nice element to the story and enhances Lilah’s character.

With so many delicious dishes mentioned in the book making me hungry, I was happy to find that the author includes some recipes at the back of the book. When I saw Julia’s recipe for Serafina’s Pizzelles (Italian Christmas Waffle Cookies) I knew I had to try them….not that I owned a pizzelle maker….but I’ve been wanting one and this was the perfect excuse…err, opportunity. The batter-like dough whips up super fast using a blender and the cookies cook incredibly quick in the pizzelle maker. The cookies have a delicate flavor and are beautifully lacy looking with the addition of a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for serving to guests or dressing up a platter of holiday treats for sharing!

Amazon Synopsis

Caterer and cook Lilah Drake is up to her elbows in deadly trouble in the latest mystery from the author of The Big Chili…

The Christmas holidays are one of Lilah’s favorite times of the year, filled with friends, family, and, of course, tons of food orders for her covered dish clients. But Lilah’s Yuletide cheer ends when she sees a most Grinch-like crime: the murder of a Santa in a school parking lot.

It turns out the deceased Kris Kringle was a complicated tangle of naughty and nice, with a long list of people who might have wanted him dead. And whoever did the deed wants to make sure that Lilah keeps quiet. Now, Lilah will have to team up with her former fling, Detective Jay Parker, to unwrap the mysteries of a deadly Christmas killer and stay alive long enough to ring in the New Year…

I am happy to be able to provide a print copy of CHEDDAR OFF DEAD for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)

Serafina’s Pizzelles (Italian Christmas Waffle Cookies)

Ingredients

Author's Note: For this recipe, you need a pizzelle baker, similar to a waffle iron, which imprints a beautiful, snowflake-like design on each cookie. The dough takes only minutes to prepare, and the cookies themselves can be hot on your table in less than half an hour. My sister-in-law, Serafina Bellini Drake, assures me that these cookies, when made with love and just the right amount of butter, taste like Christmas itself, whatever that means.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla (or almond extract, if you prefer)
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

First, preheat your pizzelle baker.
Mix flour and baking soda and set aside.
Melt butter and mix with eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a blender until smooth.
Add the flour mixture until you have a sticky dough.
Check to see that your baker is ready; spray the inside lightly with baking spray to avoid sticking.
Place a rounded teaspoonful of dough on each of the pizzelle pattern grids.
Lower the lid and hold for 30 - 40 seconds (you may have to experiment with timing).
Lift and genly pry up the cookies with a fork tine or thin knife, then set cookies on a baking rack to cool.
When cookies are finished, sift powdered sugar over them to create a lacy, holiday effect.
Your finished pizzelles will be thin, delicate, snowflake-like cookies that are sweet and addictive.

Tip

Place batter just slightly behind the center of each pattern to help center the cookie as it cooks.
Don't try to multi-task as these cookies cook very quickly.

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Candy Cane Snowball Cookies

I know most people envision Christmas morning with newly fallen snow outside while the family inside are curled up in front of a warm, cozy fire opening gifts and enjoying holiday treats. After all, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas is a very popular Christmas carol! However, having been born and raised in Southern California, I’ve only experienced a white Christmas once…and that was enough to last me a lifetime. I’ll take warm weather any time, no matter how picture postcard perfect snowy landscapes may be. So when I started reading MURDER AT CHRISTMAS, the fourth book in the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series by Kathi Daley, I was right at home with the Hawaiian tropical setting!

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Synopsis

The week before Christmas, Lani Pope is working double shifts at the Dolphin Bay Resort which is packed with holiday visitors. With the flu taking out half the staff, she’s working as a lifeguard by day and as Santa’s Elf at night. The evening of the resort’s huge “Step Into Christmas” event, Lani is sent to look for Santa while all the guests eagerly await his arrival. Things go from bad to worse when Lani finds Santa dead in the alley behind the loading dock, murdered. Lani feels a certain responsibility since she’s the one who asked her senior citizen friend, Sam, to play Santa at the last moment.

When a group of Sam and Lani’s senior citizen friends decide to investigate, Lani knows she must jump in and find the killer before one of them gets hurt. With the help of her boyfriend, Luke Austin, they try to find clues, keep the ladies out of trouble, and plan a holiday party. Can Lani keep up with her double shifts, talk to suspects, and keep the ladies occupied and out of trouble? Will Luke decide he wants a white Christmas with his family in Texas or will he stay and celebrate Christmas with Lani in the tropics? Can they capture the murderer and find justice for Sam?

My Review

Kathi paints a vivid picture with her words, drawing you in. There is one scene in particular that stayed with me long after I finished the book, where Lani rescues a boy who almost drowns. A parent’s (or grandparent’s) worst nightmare and I appreciate the valuable lesson Kathi includes in her story. I enjoyed the easy friendship Lani also has with the senior citizens, including them in both her sleuthing and in her social life. It says a lot about a person when they are comfortable not only around their own age group but also with the elderly. There are moments of humor that her senior friends provide yet they also add wisdom and insight to help Lani solve the crime. The relationship she has with Luke is sweet as it blossoms and he is very supportive of Lani and the decisions she makes. One thing that strikes me with all of Kathi’s series is that the characters are such nice people and good role models both as friends and with their romantic relationships. Even though the book is fairly short, the mystery is well plotted with plenty of suspects and a nice conclusion. It held my attention and I knew I would stay up to finish the book to see how it ended.

Set at Christmas time, Kathi provides plenty of tropical holiday ambiance along with seasonal recipes at the back of the book. I was ecstatic when I found out that one of the many recipes included at the back of MURDER AT CHRISTMAS was my own recipe for Candy Cane Snowball Cookies! One of my granddaughter’s favorite cookies (okay, it’s probable that any cookie is her favorite depending on what she’s munching on at any given moment!) it’s just not Christmas until I make these Candy Cane Snowball Cookies. Starting with a buttery cookie base, either crushed candy canes or Andes Peppermint Crunch baking pieces (usually available in December) are mixed in creating a tasty holiday treat. When Emory was very young I would form the dough into small balls and let her roll them in granulated sugar and place them on the baking sheets for me. She enjoyed getting to help in the kitchen although I know a few cookies were always missing by the time I started baking them. I hope you enjoy our recipe as much as we have!

A huge thank you to Kathi Daley for providing winner’s choice of either an e-book or print copy of MURDER AT CHRISTMAS for one lucky winner! Print copy limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Monday, December 12, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)

Candy Cane Snowball Cookies

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1-1/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
1 egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes*
Granulated sugar for rolling cookies

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and sea salt together. Set aside.
In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the powdered sugar and butter together until creamy, about 2 minutes.
Add the egg and beat until well combined.
Add the peppermint extract and vanilla and stir to thoroughly combine.
Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until well blended on low speed.
Remove the bowl from the standing mixer and add the crushed peppermint candy, stirring into the cookie dough by hand.
Form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 12 cookies per sheet.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The bottoms of the cookies should just start to be showing golden color.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove and cool completely.
Makes approximately 5 dozen cookies, depending on size.

Tips

If the dough is too sticky when rolling into balls, refrigerate for 1 hour.
You can substitute Andes Peppermint Crunch baking pieces for the crushed candy canes, if desired.

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Suzanne’s Cherry Cake Bars

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I am very excited to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book tour for EGG DROP DEAD by Laura Childs! While I’ve been a long time fan of Laura’s Tea Shop Mystery series, I haven’t read any books in her Cackleberry Club Mysteries until now…and I found that I’ve been missing out on another fantastic series! Even though EGG DROP DEAD is the seventh book in the series, I had an easy time jumping into the book and getting to know its delightful characters. The story starts off with a bang in the very first chapter, pulling you in to see if Suzanne can find the killer who brutally murdered a well-respected, elderly dairy farmer. As she asks questions around town, she finds out there could be numerous people who had a motive for killing the farmer, which kept me guessing with each turn of the page. Along the way she rescues horses, befriends an autistic teen, and serves up delicious food at the Cackleberry Club Cafe she owns with her best friends, Toni and Petra.

Another aspect of EGG DROP DEAD, that I greatly enjoyed, is the close relationship Suzanne has with her friends and fiancé, Dr. Sam Hazelet, who all realize that Suzanne has a “devilishly curious mind”. There is plenty of sassy repartee to enliven the conversations that kept me entertained and chuckling at times. The author’s descriptive and colorful use of language effortlessly draws you in, making you feel like you’re experiencing what Suzanne is experiencing. Being a co-owner of a cafe also means there is lots of mouthwatering food being served and the author provides several recipes at the back of the book. Laura has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Suzanne’s Cherry Cake Bars with you. These amazing treats are part cake, part cookie and super easy to make starting with a boxed cake mix. The colorful and flavorful cherry pie filling will bring holiday cheer to your dessert table this Christmas season!

Amazon Synopsis

In Laura Childs’s New York Times bestselling mystery series, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni—co-owners of the Cackleberry Club café—are back to track down another bad egg…

Maintaining good personal relationships with their suppliers is one of the secrets of the Cackleberry Club café’s success, so Suzanne doesn’t mind going out to Mike Mullen’s dairy farm to pick up some wheels of cheese. She’s looking forward to a nice visit with the mild-mannered farmer before heading back to their hectic kitchen.

But when she arrives, Mike’s nowhere to be found. The moaning of his cows leads her to look in the barn, where she discovers a bloodcurdling sight—the farmer’s dead body. Apparently not everyone was as fond of Mike Mullen as the Cackleberry Club.

Churning with grief and outrage, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to find the farmer’s murderer—but as they get closer to the truth, the desperate killer gets whipped into a frenzy and plans to put the squeeze on them…

A very special thank you to Laura Childs for providing 2 hardcover copies of EGG DROP DEAD! This giveaway is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and you can use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends December 18, 2016 and is limited to U.S. residents only. Winners will be announced on this page and on Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours site, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Suzanne’s Cherry Cake Bars

Ingredients

I package white cake mix
8 tablespoons butter, softened (divided)
1-1/4 cup rolled oats (divided)
1 egg
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees (F).
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 6 tablespoons butter, and 1 cup oats. Mix until crumbly.
Reserve 1 cup of this dry mixture for topping.
To remaining dry mixture add 1 egg and mix well until blended.
Press mixture into greased 9" x 13" inch pan to form bottom crust.
Pour cherry pie filling over this crust.
With reserved dry mixture, add remaining 1/4 cup oats, 2 tablespoons butter, nuts, and brown sugar. Beat until thoroughly mixed.
Sprinkle carefully over cherry mixture.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
Allow to cool.
May be served with whipped cream or ice cream.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 4 – Varietats
December 5 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder
December 6 – Laura’s Interests
December 6 – Brooke Blogs
December 7 – MysteriesEtc
December 7 – Readeropolis
December 8 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews
December 8 – Queen of All She Reads
December 9 – Island Confidential
December 9 – Community Bookstop
December 10 – The Editing Pen
December 11 – The Book’s the Thing
December 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy
December 12 – The Power of Words
December 12 – StoreyBook Reviews
December 13 – Bibliophile Reviews
December 14 – Texas Book-aholic
December 14 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf
December 15 – Melina’s Book Blog
December 16 – A Holland Reads
December 17 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
December 18 – Booklady’s Booknotes

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Paximathia – Spiced Greek Biscotti

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Ever since Jenny Kales debuted her first cozy mystery, ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK, earlier this year I’ve been looking forward to the second installment in her Callie’s Kitchen Mystery series! Fortunately, Jenny didn’t disappoint and is celebrating the holidays with her new release SPICED AND ICED! First off, the cover is whimsically festive and invites a reader in for some Christmas cheer, cookies, and murder. Callie is an enjoyable protagonist and I would dearly love to spend some time with her in her kitchen baking up some of the delectable treats she serves at her restaurant. In addition to being a wonderful cook, Callie has a caring personality. She treats her employees, friends, and family with equal respect and love and is a good role model to her ten-year-old daughter. I so enjoy her relationship with her Greek father and especially her “Aunt” Sweetie, visiting from Greece. It provides an opportunity to learn some bits and pieces of Greek words, culture, and customs which adds character to a terrific story.

The murder mystery provided suspense and kept me turning pages wanting to find out what happens next, while there were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing. Callie’s Grandma Viv and Aunt Sweetie also join in the sleuthing with humorous results as does the scenes where Callie finds out about the woman her father may or may not be dating. Callie is dating Detective Sands, who is in charge of the investigation. They are in the early stages of their romance but the author gives them room to grow, to learn to trust each other. I look forward to what is in store for them in future books.

And then there are the recipes the author includes with her book…so many yummy ones! Jenny graciously allowed me to share her husband’s grandmother’s recipe for Paximathia, Spiced Greek Biscotti which has been passed down through the family! I so love knowing that this recipe is a family tradition which makes it even more special in the sharing. Biscotti are wonderful cookies for several reasons: they’re delicious and ideal for dunking into coffee, tea, or hot cocoa; they can be made several weeks ahead of time, which is perfect for gift giving around the hectic holiday season; they’re sturdy so they ship well. These Paximathia are flavored with the Greek liqueur, Ouzo (although you can use anise extract instead) which lends a delicate spicy flavor and scent. Not too sweet, they can be “decorated” by drizzling some melted white chocolate over them. With Christmas right around the corner I drizzled melted red candy melts over them, then immediately sprinkled with red sparkling sugar for a festive look. Either way, your family and friends will thank you for such a thoughtful treat!

Amazon Synopsis

The season is bright when Calliope “Callie” Costas agrees to contribute her Greek snowball cookies to a December bridal shower at The English Country Inn in the scenic waterfront town of Crystal Bay, WI. But when Callie finds a colleague dead, she’s sucked into another murder investigation — all while juggling her growing business and staggering holiday workload.

As she reluctantly agrees to help the Inn’s owner track the killer, Callie is soon up to her spiced Greek biscotti in difficulties. For one thing, the hotel staff is freezing her out as she tries to uncover information, helped by her feisty Grandma Viv and her sweet but nosy aunt who’s visiting from Greece. And then there’s her deepening relationship with the suave and mysterious Detective Sands, a British expat now living in Wisconsin, who seems to have a few secrets of his own.

The icing on the cake is a host of simultaneous family mayhem including her father’s surprising fixation on a real estate agent and her ex’s plans to move back to Crystal Bay. As the Inn’s annual Christmas Tea approaches, things are heating up in Callie’s Kitchen, but she’s on thin ice! Will Christmas be a festive celebration this year – or will it be murder?

A huge thank you to Jenny Kales for providing an e-book copy of SPICED AND ICED for one lucky winner! Contest ends Monday, December 5, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)

Paximathia - Spiced Greek Biscotti

Ingredients

1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)
2 ounces of ouzo (Greek liqueur) or 2 teaspoons pure anise extract
3 cups flour (if using 2 ounces of ouzo) OR 2-3/4 cup if using anise extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside.
Cream butter until light and fluffy and gradually beat in sugar.
Mix in the beaten eggs, oil and ouzo or anise extract. Add dry ingredients gradually until incorporated. The dough will be sticky, but should not be too loose. You should be able to form loaves with it.
Spray a large baking sheet with Pam spray or use baking parchment paper. You need one of your bigger baking sheets, as the dough spreads out during baking.
Pat dough into two loaves, about 1 inch high and 1-1/2 wide. Don’t place loaves too close together, or they will join together while baking.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove baking sheet from oven and allow the loaves to cool undisturbed for 15 minutes.
Using a sharp knife, slice each loaf diagonally into slices 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick.
Lower oven temperature to 250 degrees F.
Turn biscuits on their sides on the baking sheet and dry slowly in oven for an additional 50 minutes, turning biscuits over once.
Allow cookies to cool completely. They can be stored in airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 weeks.
Makes two dozen.

Tips

If dough is too sticky to work with, refrigerate for 30 minutes before forming loaves.
Spritz your hands with non-stick cooking spray before patting into loaves.
A serrated bread knife works well for slicing the loaves into cookies.
These are the perfect cookies for gifting during the holidays since they can be made several weeks in advance! Plus, they are sturdy enough for shipping.