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MURDER AT THE LOBSTAH SHACK is the third book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series by Maddie Day. You can always count on this author to start her books off with a bang and this newest release is no different. Up front, you know you’re in for an exciting read with plenty of colorful characters, red herrings, and suspects galore. Mac Almeida, owner of the Cape Cod town’s bicycle shop, is an appealing protagonist. She’s kind, thoughtful, and cares deeply for her family, friends, and community. I appreciate that Ms. Day shows Mac actually working and interacting with her customers, instead of relying completely on her brother (a single dad) to run the shop. Another strength of this series is the tender family dynamic that is the central theme of the story and I love how close-knit Mac is to her brother, niece, father, mother, grandmother, and boyfriend, Tim. Their interaction allows their inner character to shine. But by far, my favorite character has to be Belle, Mac’s adorable African Gray Parrot. She steals each scene she’s in while providing many chuckles to lighten the book.

When a body is found in Mac’s friend’s Lobstah Shack, Mac utilizes her friends in her cozy book club to help solve the mystery. I adore how Ms. Day mentions and quotes from other popular cozy mystery books (in this case Fogged Inn by Barbara Ross) and draws parallels to their own investigation. And did I mention they meet at a lighthouse where Mac’s brother lives? Talk about an intriguing location! The plot was well paced and there were enough suspects to keep me guessing as I turned the pages. As the story wound up, I was impressed at the research the author must have had to do to come up with such a unique method for the death. The cohesive conclusion answered all my questions and brought the story to a close with a satisfying ending and new changes to look forward to in Mac’s life.

Mac is fortunate to be surrounded by people who love to cook and bake. Her boyfriend owns a bakery and her mother loves to serve wholesome, delicious dishes. There are several recipes at the back of the book and I decided to try the recipe for Apple Spice Muffins. Using 100% whole wheat flour, I worried they might be on the heavy side even though I loved the idea of a healthier, whole grain, breakfast option. My fears were for naught and these muffins proved to be a hit. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg provides warming flavors and the apples provided a nice moistness to complement the whole wheat flour. These aren’t overly sweet and while Ms. Day suggests serving with butter, peanut butter, or cream cheese, I think a drizzle of honey makes a fine accompaniment as well.

Amazon Synopsis

When murder turns out to be the special of the day at her friend’s seafood restaurant, bicycle shop owner Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida and her fellow book club sleuths have to net a killer . . .

From clam chowdahs to oysters on the half-shell, Tulia Peters’ Lobstah Shack offers locals and tourists in Westham, Massachusetts, some of Cape Cod’s most amazing cuisine. But when the body of Annette DiCicero is discovered in the kitchen’s walk-in freezer—with a custom-made claw-handled lobster pick lodged in her neck—spoiled appetites are the least of Tulia’s worries.

After a heated public argument with Annette, Tulia is a person of interest in the police’s homicide investigation. To clear Tulia’s name, Mac and the Cozy Capers Book Group snoop into Annette’s personal life. Between her temperamental husband, his shady business partner, and two women tied to Annette’s past life as “Miss New Bedford”, there are now several suspects and multiple motives. And they’re getting crabby about Mac intruding on their affairs. . .

A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing a winner with a print copy of MURDER AT THE LOBSTAH SHACK.  Contest ends Sunday, December 5, 2021 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!)

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Apple Spice Muffins

Astra bakes these easy fall muffins as a Sunday morning treat.

Makes 12.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups chopped apples (about 3 small apples)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F) and grease a standard muffin pan.

2. Combine eggs, sugar, milk, apples, and vanilla and mix well.

3. Separately combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices, and walnuts (omit nuts if allergies are an issue).

4. Stir dry ingredients into wet with a fork until just mixed. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan.

5. Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until brown on top. Run a knife around each muffin and cool in the pan on a rack.

6. Serve warm or at room temperature with butter, peanut butter, or cream cheese.

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

I’m delighted to be a part of this delicious cookbook anthology, featuring recipes from 16 authors! Compiled and edited by our very talented literary agent, Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, and published by Level Best Books, print and ebook versions are now available for purchase on Amazon!

Be sure to scroll below for a sneak peek at one of my recipes included in the book and enter for a chance to win a copy of your own.

The Secret Ingredient: The Mystery Writers’ Cookbook

What’s cozier than a cup of tea, a warm fire, and drooling over the mouth-watering food featured in your favorite mystery novels?

Some of today’s most exciting mystery writers invite you to take a behind the scenes peek into their characters’ kitchens where, among the stashed poisons, the sharpened knives, and the recipes for murder, the secret ingredients for their killer recipes are all spelled out.

I’m pleased to offer one winner their choice of print copy or an ebook copy of The Secret Ingredient: The Mystery Writers’ Cookbook. Contest ends Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST and print 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!)

Here’s a sneak peek of one of the many delicious recipes included in the cookbook. Tropical Pineapple Muffins are moist and flavorful thanks to the generous amount of pineapple. These muffins will have you dreaming of sunny days and tropical isles on chilly winter mornings!

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Tropical Pineapple Muffins

Makes 16 muffins

Being responsible for cooking meals for Tillie, her octogenarian employer, Emory likes to serve muffins for an easy breakfast. She often makes a variety of batches ahead of time and then, once completely cooled, wraps individual muffins in plastic wrap and stores them in the freezer. This gives Emory and Tillie more time to linger over coffee, with an extra muffin, as they solve murders or come up with crazy cocktail-flavored cupcakes recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes, divided
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup non-dairy coconut milk beverage
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice from drained pineapple
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°. Line muffin tins with paper cupcake liners and set aside.

2. Drain the crushed pineapple well and reserve ¼ cup juice. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar then stir in ½ cup coconut flakes. Set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, coconut milk, melted coconut oil, pineapple, reserved pineapple juice, and vanilla. To melt coconut oil, place coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat heating as necessary until melted, before adding to bowl.

5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients then pour the wet ingredients in and stir together until combined.

6. Fill the muffin tin cups ¾ full then divide remaining ¼ cup coconut flakes and sprinkle over the top of the batter.

7. Bake 18–20 minutes. The tops should turn golden and the muffins spring back when lightly pressed.

8. Remove from oven and cool in the cupcake tin for 5 minutes. Remove the muffins from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

9. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To store longer, wrap cooled muffins individually in plastic wrap then place in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled then store in the freezer. Allow plastic-wrapped muffins to defrost at room temperature for a few hours, or overnight.

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Sometimes you come across a new book that has you smiling from the very start. BURDEN OF POOF, the first book in the brand-new Bonnie & Clyde Mystery series by Julie Anne Lindsey, had that effect on me. From the downhome Southern charm of protagonist, Bonnie Balfour, to her adorable rescue cat, Clyde, to the witty and humorous dialog, Ms. Lindsey pens an entertaining tale. I loved the premise of Bonnie’s new shop, Bless Her Heart, a second chance dress shop and boutique. It seemed to be a fitting metaphor for a great deal that went into the development of the charming story and the characters. Another thing that I admire is that there is so much kindness and caring between Bonnie, her parents, and her friends, new and old. It left me with a comforting, warm feeling of wanting to spend time with Bonnie and the community of Bliss.

However, someone in the community had it in for the only curmudgeon in town, and Bonnie is the unfortunate one to find the victim. Too many clues point to Bonnie being the viable suspect and the new detective has set his sight on her. I like that she’s a “soft” investigator who gets information by being pleasant and getting clues by chatting and asking gentle questions, instead of in-your-face interrogating. Despite this gentle style, the book is fast-paced and kept me turning pages to find out what happens next. The reveal left me well-satisfied as the clues clicked into place and has me yearning for another trip back to Bliss!

When Bonnie gets stressed, she turns to baking to calm herself down. There are lots of mentions of delectable desserts and dishes in the book to keep the reader hungry. While there aren’t any recipes in the book, Ms. Lindsey has kindly provided her own recipe for Spoonbread for this blog post. A southern side dish, I’ve never had it before and I found it to be a cross between cornbread and polenta, but with a lightened texture thanks to the whipped egg whites. I probably should have browsed Pinterest before making and photographing the recipe because I found out it’s named Spoonbread because you’re supposed to serve it with a spoon from the dish. Instead, I cut it into squares as I would have done for cornbread. But no matter how you decide to serve it, it’s a delicious change to the usual side dish staples!

Amazon Synopsis 

An amateur sleuth named Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde, with names like those, what could possibly go wrong? 

Life hasn’t sparkled too brightly for Bonnie Balfour over the past few years, but a heart-breaking divorce has brought her back to her small rural hometown of Bliss, Georgia, and things are starting to shape up.

The proud new owner of Bless Her Heart—a second chance dress shop and boutique on the town square—Bonnie thinks thirty-eight might not be too late for a fresh start in life after all.

Until a grouchy old widow turns up dead in a pile of donations meant for Bonnie’s shop, and the town’s new detective pins her to the top of his suspect list!

To save her shop, dream and reputation, Bonnie must coordinate clues and stitch together the truth about her innocence, but the unreasonably handsome detective and prying eyes of the local gossip mill are fast fraying her nerves.

When a series of anonymous attacks begin to hem her in, Bonnie fears the real killer is fixing to make her his next victim. Can this amateur sleuth measure up?

A special thanks to Julie Anne Lindsey for providing one lucky winner with a Kitty Prize Package. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends September 24, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!) Contest is administered by Great Escapes Book Tour.

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Spoonbread

From the author, Julia Anne Lindsey: I hope you’ll enjoy this recipe. It’s pretty simple, but I really loved the idea of this one. The fact it has long-been, and continues to be, a staple in southern households, and that there are apparently evidences of similar recipes going back to the 1700s,makes me automatically intrigued. And a version of this recipe was printed in Sarah Rutledge’s, The Carolina Housewife, 1847! I’m a huge sucker for history, and anytime a recipe sticks around this long, I’ve got to think there’s something right and worthy about it.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup ground cornmeal
• 2-1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

2. Prepare 8-inch square or 1-1/2 quart baking dish with butter or spray.

3. Combine milk and salt in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.

4. Whisk in the cornmeal, gradually, whisking out all clumps. Whisk 6-8 minutes, or until thick.

5. Remove from heat and blend in the butter.

6. Add egg yolks and blend until smooth.

7. Beat egg whites until medium stiff peaks form, then fold into mixture.

8. Move mixture to prepared baking dish and bake 35-45 minutes, until golden brown and puffed. *A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

9. Serve warm

Other suggestions:

1. Spoonbread is a sweet treat when served with a pat of butter and drizzle of honey, or made more savory by adding shredded cheese or diced onion to the mixture before baking.

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

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NO GRATER CRIME is the nineth book in the Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day. Set in Indiana, the author captures the essence of the Midwest with the mannerisms and vernacular of the small-town residents. Her strong descriptive voice brings the area to life and allows the reader to feel like they’re living right alongside Robbie Jordan, owner of the Pans ‘N Pancakes. Robbie is busy running her successful café and shop, plus planning her wedding to Abe and getting to know her future step-son. Ms. Day has allowed the characters to grow and evolve over the course of the series, and as a result, I feel invested in what happens to them. I love how they are kind and supportive of each other. Even when facing unsavory characters or delving into investigations, Robbie manages to exude a sense of kindness.

With everything going on the last thing Robbie needed or wanted was for someone to die in her restaurant after eating her omelet containing poisonous mushrooms. With the café temporarily closed, Robbie feels obligated to find out how the mushrooms ended up in her kitchen, and who might have wanted the man dead. Or, is someone trying to frame Robbie and put her out of business? Ms. Day sets the mystery up and then delivers a pitch perfect investigation. While it seems kind of obvious from the onset who might be responsible for the crime, there are twists and turns to follow alongside Robbie. I waffled back and forth multiple times as I followed the clues until the final reveal. Wrapping up the story is a heartwarming end that will leave a smile on the reader’s face and the desire to find out what is in the future for Robbie.

Running a café gives Robbie the opportunity to showcase her culinary skills. Be prepared to be hungry from all the mouthwatering descriptions mentioned on the pages, and be sure to check out all the recipes included at the back of the book. With an overabundance of rosemary in our herb garden, I couldn’t wait to try out the recipe for Ms. Day’s Lemon Rosemary Scones. While rosemary can be overpowering, the scones contained just the right amount while the lemon complemented and tempered the flavor. Flaky and rich, these scones are delightful with or without the glaze included in the recipe. I chose to go the easy route of just a sprinkle of sugar on the tops before baking. Perfection with a cup of fragrant tea!

Amazon Synopsis

Ever since meeting the wary owners of an antique shop opening across the street, Robbie has been scrambling to manage weird incidences plaguing her café and country store. Pricey items vanish from shelves without explanation, a fully equipped breakfast food truck starts lingering around the area each morning, and loyal diners mysteriously fall ill. When an elderly man dies after devouring an omelet packed with poisonous mushrooms, Robbie must temporarily close down Pans ’N Pancakes and search for the killer with a real zest for running her out of business—or else.

A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of NO GRATER CRIME. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, September 1 , 2021 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!)

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Lemon Rosemary Scones

Ingredients

• 2 cups unbleached white flour, sifted
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons sugar, plus more for sprinkling
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 tablespoon rosemary, finely minced
• Zest of one lemon
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons milk

Optional Glaze

• Zest of half a lemon
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon rosemary, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 cup icing sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 410 degrees (F). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a food processor, add the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Pulse until combined.

3. Spread the butter on top of the dry ingredients. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

4. Add the rosemary and lemon zest and pulse until combined. Transfer to a large bowl.

5. Add the buttermilk and egg over the flour mixture and stir, using a rubber spatula, until just combined.

6. Flour a work surface and transfer the dough on it. Knead for 1 minute.

7. Using your hands, pat the dough into a circle and cut into wedges. Arrange scones in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet.

8. Brush tops with milk, then sprinkle with sugar.

9. Bake until tops are golden brown, for 12 - 15 minutes. Let scones cool completely.

Optional Glaze

1. Omit brushing the tops with milk and sprinkling with sugar.

2. Whisk together lemon zest and juice, rosemary and milk. Gradually add the icing sugar until the desired consistency is reached.

3. Drizzle the glaze on the completely cooled scones and serve.

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

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A SCONE OF CONTENTION is the eleventh book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series by Lucy Burdette. This newest installment finds newlywed Hayley Snow heading off to Scotland for her honeymoon. But instead of only her groom, Nathan, at her side, octogenarian Miss Gloria and Hayley’s new mother-in-law, also join them then they meet up with Nathan’s sister and husband. While it has nothing explicit with regards to honeymoon (no mention of feeldoe or anything erotic), it does give the reader opportunity to get to know more about Nathan’s family since they’ve been absent from the pages up until the previous book. I also enjoyed that the setting is in Scotland and it was a treat to sit back and enjoy the various sites Hayley and crew visit. The author’s strong descriptive voice makes the reader feel like they’re experiencing the sights, sounds, and especially tastes that Hayley is experiencing on the page. At times it felt a bit like a travelogue and food book instead of a mystery. However, once the murder takes place, the pacing picks up.

Hayley is quick to forge into the thick of things to solve the crime, despite not being on her home turf. With her new husband conscripted into a golf tournament, she, along with Miss Gloria, are on their own in trying to find answers. Maybe because Hayley was out of her usual element, her investigation seemed a bit more forceful than usual and she lacked her usual finesse. The subplot of finding out what happened to Hayley’s new sister-in-law, Vera, years before, and the current maelstrom surrounding Vera’s Scotland book project, adds another layer of intrigue. The heart stopping reveal came as a surprise to me and in the end, the various subplots are wrapped up nicely. While it’s fun to travel, it’s always wonderful to return home and I look forward to visiting with Hayley and the gang back in Key West in the next book!

Hayley is determined to eat her way through Scotland and does an admirable job in consuming a variety of local dishes. Of course, scones are at the top of the list with several varieties offered. Ms. Burdette has included recipes at the back of the book to tempt the hungry reader. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try her recipe for Banana Date Scones. I liked that, instead of using a lot of sugar, the scones rely on a banana and dates for extra sweetness. This rich and flaky pastry only needs a pat of creamy butter and a cup of tea for a delicious breakfast or snack!

Amazon Synopsis

Key Zest food critic Hayley Snow and her groom, police detective Nathan Bransford, chose Scotland for their long-delayed honeymoon, hoping to sightsee and enjoy some prize-winning scones. But their romantic duo swells to a crowd when they’re joined by Nathan’s family as well as octogenarian Miss Gloria.

Nathan’s sister Vera takes the women on a whirlwind tour of some of Scotland’s iconic mystic places as research for a looming book project. But the trip takes a deadly tartan turn when a dinner party guest falls ill and claims she was poisoned. And then the group watches in horror as a mysterious tourist tumbles to his death from the famous Falkirk Wheel, high above the Forth & Clyde canal.

Vera and her friends deny knowing the dead man, but after observing their reactions to the fall, Hayley is not convinced. With one person dead, a second possibly poisoned, and the tension among Vera’s friends as thick as farmhouse cheese, Hayley fears her long-awaited honeymoon might end with another murder.

Far away from home, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, eccentric characters, and a forbiddingly gorgeous setting, Hayley must call on all her savvy to keep a killer from striking again and then escaping Scot free.

A special thanks to Lucy Burdette for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of A SCONE OF CONTENTION! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, August 15 , 2021 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!)

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Banana Date Scones

From Lucy Burdette: On one of our first days during our trip to Scotland, John and I got separated for a bit in the little town of Melrose And he came back with an incredible banana date scone that he'd found in a small bakery. Actually, it was only part of a small scone because he'd eaten the other half. I've been craving another ever since. I've tried to re-create them for you here. Halyley made these for Miss Gloria before they left on their trip.

Ingredients

• 1-5/8 cup flour
• 1/6 cup brown sugar (= 2 tbls + 2 tsp)
• 2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup sour cream (can also use whole milk plain yogurt)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup chopped dates

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F).

2. Mix all the dry ingredients (up through the salt) together well.

3. Cut in the cold butter until it's the size of small peas.

4. Mash the banana well, and stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Mix well. Add the dates and stir in.

5. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

6. Knead the dough briefly, and shape it into a circle on a floured surface. Flatten the circle and cut it into 6 pieces.

7. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10 - 12 minutes.

8. Serve with butter and jam if you like.

Tip

1. Before chopping the dates, spritz the knife with non-stick cooking spray. Reapply as necessary.

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

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FATAL FAMILY TIES by S.C. Perkins is another tantalizing addition to the Ancestry Detective Mystery series. From the very first page, the author weaves a fascinating tale containing a current day murder, a hunt for missing historical art, a civil war deserter, and a descendant intent on saving her family’s reputation. At the center is the delightful protagonist and expert genealogist, Lucy Lancaster. With southern charm, witty repartee, and a strong determination for finding the truth, Lucy draws the reader in and holds their attention with each passing page. Ms. Perkins descriptive voice brings the setting of Austin and Houston to life, along with the aspects of tracing genealogy and historical art restoration. I appreciate that there are enough details woven into the story which makes it obvious the author has done extensive research, yet those details are written in an effective manner without slowing the pace down.

I loved that her new boyfriend, special agent Ben Turner, is featured alongside Lucy this time. They make a great team and even though this is Lucy’s story to tell, Ben is there to provide assistance while he admires and respects her investigation skills. Not only is she talented in discovering minute details that have been buried in historical documents and family lore, but she’s quite adept at hunting down clues to unveil a killer. There were enough suspects to keep me guessing and several misdirects that I fell for, so when the big reveal came, I was left speechless… in a good way. The story wrapped up in a highly satisfying conclusion and left me waiting on pins and needles for the next installment in this intriguing series!

While there aren’t any recipes included in the book, Ms. Perkins certainly knows how to whet the readers’ appetites with delectable mentions of regional delicacies. She has kindly allowed me to share her mom’s melt-in-your-mouth recipe for Sour Cream Pecan Coffee Cake Muffins, which she has Lucy’s mom make in Fatal Family Ties. I know when a recipe is a winner when I catch my granddaughter eating not one, but two muffins, and wanting a third. This is one where she wanted to keep the entire batch (and it makes plenty) instead of sharing with other friends and neighbors. Rich and tender, thanks to a generous amount of sour cream, the addition of brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans layered in the center of the muffins make these extra delicious. A confectioners’ sugar glaze with additional pecans make these not only a tempting treat for breakfast, but suitable for dessert!

Amazon Synopsis

Lucy is just about to tuck into a plate of tacos at her favorite Austin joint, Big Flaco’s, when she gets an unexpected visit from her former—and least-favorite—co-worker. Camilla Braithwaite hasn’t gotten much friendlier since the last time Lucy saw her, but that doesn’t stop her from asking a favor. In her hand is a newspaper feature on an ancestor, a civil war corporal—and a liar, according to the article. Charles Braithwaite is depicted as a phony and a deserter, and Camilla wants Lucy’s help clearing his name.

Lucy would prefer to spend her free time with her new beau, special agent Ben Turner, but takes the case, making no promises that Camilla will like the outcome of her investigation. Camilla leads Lucy to the Texas History Museum, where their first clue is a triptych painting, passed down in the Braithwaite family for generations, one panel of which has disappeared. But before Lucy can get much further, a member of the Braithwaite family is murdered in his own bed, and another panel of the painting found missing.

There are no shortage of suspects among the Braithwaite clan—including Camilla herself. This case will take Lucy to Houston and back again as she works to find the truth, and catch an elusive killer.

A special thanks to S.C. Perkins for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of FATAL FAMILY TIES! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, July 28 , 2021 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!)

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Sour Cream Pecan Coffee Cake Muffins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pint sour cream
• 3/4 cup dark-brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup pecans coarsely chopped (walnuts also work well)

Powdered sugar glaze

• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup Pecans – either chopped or a half pecan for each muffin*

Instructions

1. Line muffin with cupcake liners. This makes 18–24 coffee cake “muffins”.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Combine butter and sugar and cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each egg. Stir in vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

5. To the butter/sugar mixture, alternate adding flour mixture and sour cream. Mix well each time.

6. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans and mix well.

7. Spoon one rounded tablespoon of batter into each cupcake liner. Then add 1 rounded tablespoon of the brown-sugar/cinnamon/chopped pecans mixture. Add another rounded tablespoon of batter on top.

8. Bake for 20 minutes, checking occasionally for doneness.
9. Make glaze, mixing ingredients well. Drizzle glaze over each muffin while still warm.

10. *Note about glaze: You can either mix 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans into glaze and then spoon over each muffin. Or omit chopped pecans from glaze and place a pecan half on top of each muffin and then drizzle with plain glaze.

Note:

1. These muffins freeze and thaw well. Can be easily reheated in microwave. Start with 15 seconds. Add more time if needed.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Note:

1. I had some leftover brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecan mixture so I sprinkled it over the tops of some of the muffin batter just prior to baking, then omitted the glaze once baked.

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