I’m very happy to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour introducing VANGIE VALE AND THE MURDERED MACARON. To be honest, the author, R.L. Syme, had me at the mention of macaron and her cover made me eager to dive into the book and try her cookie recipe! Aside from finding a delectable macaron cookie recipe that I couldn’t stop eating (more about that later) I found a story that left me salivating for more! Ms. Syme creates a refreshing, unique protagonist in Vangie Vale and sets up situations that allows both the character and the plot to shine. I love that not only is Vangie a part-time baker, she is a matchbaker AND the part-time pastor of the town’s community church. The matchbaking business was dreamt up by her sister as a marketing tool, but Vangie has a knack for matching up a patron to a drink, pastry, or a sandwich. She claims she’s not psychic but some might disagree. Being the pastor gives Vangie the inside track on the residents and because of her compassionate nature, people open up to her which helps in her investigation when brutal murders rocks her town.

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As the reader delves into the book, the layers of complexity in both Vangie’s personal life and the plot are slowly revealed with intricate twists and turns that kept me turning pages. In addition to a suspenseful plot, I found the dialog and interaction between Vangie and the characters highly entertaining. Ms. Syme comes up with some delightful sentences that are spot on, such as “So much L.A. in one little package,” to describe an actress. And her perfectly delectable descriptions of the shop’s macarons are drool worthy and made me want to visit the town of St. Agnes, Montana for a taste testing!

The recipe at the back of the book, The Murdered Macaron Recipe is a Matcha green tea macaron with ginger buttercream filling. Yes, it is a unique flavor combination but I loved the earthy, delicate green tea flavor that melded with the spiciness of both fresh and crystallized ginger. The flavors were even more enhanced the day after making them and I had a hard time sharing the batch with a variety of people… I wanted them all for myself! Naturally gluten-free, these delectable cookies rely on egg-whites whipped into a meringue and sweetened with both confectioners’ sugar and granulated sugar. Instead of wheat flour, fine ground almond flour is used. The ginger buttercream filling was amazing and I’m already dreaming of other ways to use it! 

Amazon Synopsis

Small towns and gossip go together like flaky crust and sweet pastry cream. Between the police scanners, the coffee ladies, and the senior center, no secret is safe for long. But Vangie Vale wants nothing more than to stay under the radar…especially the police radar. So when her new bakery is linked to a murder investigation, nothing will stop the gossip mill from connecting her to the dead body. Can’t have that. In order to clear her good name and keep her face off the front page, this bakery owner becomes extra nosy…with a little side of breaking-and-entering… But when she comes face-to-face with the Sheriff, Vangie can’t ignore the fact that one of her macarons was involved in a murder. She has to find the real murderer.

A special thank you to R. L. Syme for providing some yummy macaron treats for the giveaway! 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 August 14, 2017 and is limited to U.S. residents only. Winner 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!)

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Matcha Green Tea Macarons with Ginger Buttercream Filling

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 142 grams confectioner's sugar
• 115 grams fine almond flour
• 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
• 89 grams room temperature egg whites
• 71 grams granulated sugar
• pinch cream of tartar

For the filling:

• 3 ounces softened butter
• 1-1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 2 ounces sour cream
• 1-1/2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

Instructions

For the cookies:

1. Make sure you weigh all the ingredients (even the egg whites), instead of using cups and teaspoons as measurement. Those are less precise than weight measurements, and precision is super important with these cookies.

2. In a food processor, combine the almond flour, confectioner's sugar, and matcha powder. Grind together until it's a fine, incorporated powder. 

3. Sift into a large bowl (if there's a lot of material left, then grind again, and keep sifting).

4. In a silver mixing bowl, begin whipping the egg whites and cream of tartar, starting on low speed and gradually increasing. 

5. Slowly pour in the granulated sugar, allowing them to incorporate together.

6. If you'd like your macarons to be more green than they will be with matcha only, put a couple drops of green gel food coloring in the mix (not liquid coloring -- gel only). I like the light green color, so it's up to you.

7. Once the egg whites form stiff peaks, put the dry ingredients in and fold them, until they are just incorporated, and there are no streaks left. But don't over-fold. It's a delicate balance.

8. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe out little 1/2-inch circles (with about an inch between them) either on parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.*

9. Once they're all piped out, smack the cookie sheet onto your counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles in the cookies, then leave the cookies out on the counter for about 20 minutes, until the cookies have a bit of a crust.**

10. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). ***

11. Once cookies have formed their crust, cook for 10 - 12 minutes, watching not to over-bake. (Be careful of altitude--if you're at higher altitude, the air is thinner, so that affects your baking time.) Take out the cookies and let them cool. Do not fill before they're completely cool. 

For the filling:

1. Whip the butter in a standing mixer until it's creamy.

2. Add the confectioner's sugar slowly, until it's thick, then add the sour cream.

3. Add the grated ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. Mix until incorporated.

4. Stir in the crystallized ginger.

5. Pipe the filling into the center of the cookies and sandwich them together, check for size fit with each cookie.

6. Eat and enjoy! 

Tips

1. *I like a variety of sizes so made large (up to 1-1/2"), medium, and small-sized cookies. For the larger cookies I added 1 - 2 minutes extra baking time.
   

2. **If you live in a humid environment, it may take longer for the cookie to develop a crust. I've had it take close to an hour with other recipes on hot summer days, but be patient. The "crust" is what keeps the cookie top from cracking during baking. If the crust has developed properly, the cookie should not feel sticky when touched.

3. ***You don't want these cookies to brown, so I would recommend baking at 325 degrees (F). 

4. After the cookies have baked, remove the parchment paper (with the cookies still attached) to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.

5. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I thought the cookies were still very good the following day, after the flavors had melded together. 

My Note:

1. I took the liberty of adapting the author's ginger buttercream recipe by only making half the original but adding additional confectioners' sugar to make it thicker. The filling recipe above is the one that I made and proved to be sufficient to generously fill the macarons. 

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 Tour Participants:

August 1 – Blogger Nicole Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 1 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW
August 2 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
August 2 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
August 3 – Bibliophile Reviews –  REVIEW, GUEST POST
August 3 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW
August 4 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
August 5 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW  
August 5 – My Funny View of Life – REVIEW
August 6 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
August 6 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
August 7 – Sleuth Cafe – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
August 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 8 – Teresa Trent Author Site – INTERVIEW
August 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
August 9 – The Power of Words – SPOTLIGHT
August 9 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW
August 10 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW
August 10 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT
August 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
August 11 – Book Babble – REVIEW
August 12 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
August 12 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
August 13 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW
August 13 – Girl with Book Lungs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 14 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
August 14 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, GUEST POST

 I was provided a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

From the moment I heard that Jenn McKinlay was writing a romantic comedy, in addition to her cozy mysteries, I knew I just had to read it. ABOUT A DOG, the first in the Bluff Point Romance series, did not disappoint! I found it to be the ultimate beach read: entertaining, humorous dialog; an easy read; characters you can love and characters you can hate; an adorable puppy; and romance with just the right amount of zing. The protagonist, MacKenzie “Mac” Harris, wants the world to see her as self-confident and someone who has figured out her life, but inside she’s still trying to get over being left at the alter in her small hometown, Bluff Point. After fleeing to Chicago to pick up the pieces, she’s done nothing but insulate herself from love and instead, has immersed herself in her career. Returning home, after being gone seven years, for her best friend’s wedding Mac’s plan is to get in and out of the town just as quickly as she can. The scenario sets the stage for the lively banter between the best friends along with humorous scenes that keeps the reader entertained and turning pages. Jenn McKinlay is wickedly witty and it translates to a fun book! I read with a grin on my face just about the entire book… except when it was appropriate to hate a character or worry about the lovable puppy.

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I enjoyed the development of the characters and the close friendship Mac has with her two best friends. But it’s Mac’s two elderly aunts along with the rescue puppy, Tulip, the who steal each scene that they’re in! They each provide a nice subplot to go along with the main romantic theme between Mac and Gavin, without detracting from the story. The small town setting is quaint where everyone knows everyone’s business and as Mac finds out, no one forgets anything that happened in the past. Jenn creates great chemistry between Mac and Gavin, carefully building the tension until the conclusion. There is also a teaser chapter for the next book, BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE, which made me sorry it wasn’t available right then and there! 

While the book doesn’t contain recipes, one of Mac’s best friends owns a Whoopie Pie shop. Honestly, I’ve never tried whoopie pies so when I read through Jenn’s recipe I realized they’re like mini cakes with the frosting sandwiched between two halves. It’s hard to classify them: are they cookie, cake, or cupcakes? It doesn’t really matter… they’re just yummy! Jenn shared her recipe at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen (click on link to see her recipe) a while ago and she filled her chocolate whoopie pies with a more traditional marshmallow buttercream filling. I deviated and went with more chocolate and mixed up a Nutella buttercream filling, flavoring it with Frangelico for the adults. Either way, I’m happy to have discovered this East Coast treat! 

 Amazon Synopsis

Mackenzie “Mac” Harris fled her hometown of Bluff Point, Maine, after being left at the altar—and seeking solace in the arms of her best friend’s off-limits brother. Now, seven years later, she’s back to attend her best friend’s wedding—safe, or so she thinks, from the mistakes of her youth.

But Gavin Tolliver has never forgotten the woman who has always held his heart. And when Mac rescues a stray puppy named Tulip, only Gavin, the town’s veterinarian, can help. With a little assistance from Tulip, Gavin vows to make Mac realize that their feelings are more than just puppy love…

 A huge thank you to Jenn McKinlay for providing a print copy of ABOUT A DOG plus a bag tote for one lucky winner! Contest ends Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. 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!)

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Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Nutella Buttercream Filling

Ingredients

The Cookies:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk, well shaken

The Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup Nutella
• 3-4 tablespoons Frangelico liqueur (or sub milk)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). 

The Cookies:

1. Mix together dry ingredients – flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. 
   

2. Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl at medium speed until fluffy. 
   

3. Add egg and vanilla. 
   

4. Alternately mix in dry ingredients and buttermilk until smooth. 
   

5. Spoon ¼ cup mounds of batter about two inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. 
   

6. Bake 11 to 13 minutes until top is puffed and springs back when touched. 
   

7. Cook completely on a wire rack before filling.

The Filling:

1. Beat together the butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and nutella until smooth.

2. Add in 3 tablespoons of Frangelico liqueur (or milk) and beat filling until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes on medium speed. If filling appears too stiff, add additional liquid, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. 

Putting it together:

1. Spread a heaping tablespoon of the filling onto the flat side of one cookie and top with another. Easy Peasy!
   

Tip

1. If you cook 2 baking sheets at a time, be sure to rotate them front to back and swap the sheets from top to bottom half way through baking time. This will help them bake more evenly. 

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 I was provided a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Author Laura Bradford writes a variety of series but I was completely smitten with her Tobi Tobias Mystery series and was thrilled when 30 SECOND DEATH, the second book in the series, became available! From the opening page to the very end I was struck again and again at how creatively funny this author is! Writing humor is a gift and Laura is gifted in spades. The protagonist, Tobi Tobias, is a proud chocoholic, addicted to Cocoa Puffs, and owns a fledgling advertising agency. The agency allows the author another avenue for developing punny sayings and slogans along with creating interesting companies for Tobi to work on… I’d actually like to frequent some of the companies she mentions 🙂

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The characters surrounding Tobi are varied and just as developed and entertaining on their own as the main protagonist. Tobi’s upstairs neighbor and friend, Carter McDade, is the focal point of 30 SECOND DEATH. He tends to be a drama queen but still has a smile and kind word for everyone. That is until he is a murder suspect in the death of his nemesis and the theater manager’s niece, Fiona. As Carter’s world comes crashing down, Tobi steps in and starts trying to figure out who the real killer is, despite her problems going on with her sweetheart, Andy. Laura Bradford expertly juggles a variety of story-lines and plots between Tobi and the characters and weaves them together in one entertaining story that will keep you guessing “whodunit”! 

While there aren’t any recipes in 30 SECOND DEATH, Tobi Tobias is a dedicated chocoholic. She frequents a bakery every day after work and some of the treats that she purchases and shares with one of her suspects are White Chocolate Brownies. Quick to mix up, these bake up into a truffle-like consistency. Rich, soft and chewy with a delicate white chocolate flavor, these bars make a nice after-dinner dessert or a mid-afternoon treat or even sharing with a suspect you need to interrogate. 

Amazon Synopsis

To help an old friend, Tobi Tobias gets a third-rate thespian a part in a commercial, and learns that in the advertising business, bad acting can lead to murder . . .

When Tobi Tobias opened her own advertising agency, Carter McDade was there for her every step of the way. A brilliant hairdresser, Carter has just landed his dream project: doing hair and makeup for a theatrical production of Rapunzel. But the dream turns into a nightmare when he runs into Fiona Renoir, a cruel, talentless starlet who won’t let Carter touch a hair on her head.

To get Fiona out of Carter’s hair, Tobi hires the difficult actress for a bit part in her latest commercial. But true to character, Fiona is a terror on set, and Tobi is starting to think she’s made the biggest mistake of her life. But things get even worse when Fiona drops dead in the hairdresser’s chair, and the only suspect is the man left holding the tainted hair dye, Carter McDade. And unless Tobi can prove his innocence, he’ll never do hair in this town again.

Thank you to Lisa Kelley of Lisa K’s Book Reviews for organizing a mini blog tour for 30 SECOND DEATH and a huge thank you to Laura Bradford for providing 3 e-book copies of her new release for 3 lucky winners! Contest ends Sunday, July 16, 2017 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!)

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White Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 cup white chocolate chips (use premium like Ghiradelli)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Topping - Optional

• 1/3 cup semi-sweet or white chocolate chips
• 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter with the white chocolate on 70% power for 30 seconds. Stir the mixture and repeat as necessary until mixture is melted. Use caution and avoid overheating. Set aside to cool while you collect the remaining ingredients.

3. Line an 8" x 8"x baking dish with foil and spritz with non-stick cooking spray. Leave an overhang on the sides so you can easily remove the cooled brownies to cut into squares.

4. Once the chocolate mixture is lukewarm, stir in the sugar and mix until smooth.

5. Add the eggs, one at a time, and stir until fully incorporated. Be sure the chocolate mixture isn't hot otherwise the eggs could start to cook.

6. Stir in the vanilla.

7. Mix in the flour and salt, stirring until the batter is smooth, then spread into the prepared pan. Batter will be thick.

8. Bake for 23 - 26 minutes. The top should look set and the sides should be starting to pull away from the sides. A wooden skewer inserted into the center should come out mostly clean. (A few moist crumbs are okay.)

9. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the foil and place on a cutting board.

10. Cut into desired-sized squares.

Topping

1. Place the semi-sweet (or white) chocolate chips and the vegetable oil into a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 70% power for 30 seconds then stir. Heat in 10 - 15 second increments until fully melted, but don't overheat.

2. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the tops of the cut brownies. 

3. Place the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow chocolate topping to set before serving.

4. Store leftover brownies in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

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 Visit these pages for more fun information about 30 SECOND DEATH!

July 6 – Sheryl Hagan-Booth – Booth Talks Books – Interview
boothtalksbooks.wordpress.com

July 7 – Karen M. Owen – A Cup Of Tea And A Cozy Mystery – Interview
acupofteaandacozymystery.blogspot.com

July 8 & 9 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – series spotlight
lisaksbookthoughts.blogspot.com

July 10 – Linda Langford – Chatting About Cozies –Spotlight
www.facebook.com/chatcozy

July 11 – Mary Brown – MJBReviewers – Interview
mjbreviewers.wordpress.com

July 12 – Kim Davis  – Cinnamon Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – Review and recipecinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com

July 13 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Interview
lisaksbookthoughts.blogspot.com

July 14 – Mary Brown – MJBReviewers – Review
mjbreviewers.wordpress.com

July 15 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review
lisaksbookthoughts.blogspot.com

I was provided a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Since I’ve started this blog, the majority of my reading has been culinary cozy mysteries. I’ve been astounded at the amount of authors and books I’ve come to know and enjoy, including Edith Maxwell aka Maddie Day with her two series, the Local Foods Mysteries and the Country Store Mysteries. I knew Edith also wrote a third series, the Quaker Midwife Mysteries and while I hadn’t read any (because of my huge blog reading pile) I was intrigued. Next to mysteries and suspense, historical fiction is my favorite. When I had the chance to meet Edith at the Malice Domestic conference in April, she was kind enough to gift me a copy of her newest release, CALLED TO JUSTICE. Once I finally had the chance to start reading it, I couldn’t put it down!

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The reader is transported to Amesbury, Massachusetts in 1888. Oh my, what an eye opening book this was and makes me realize how much we take every day conveniences and medical, technological, and social advances for granted!  The author brings the life of a midwife to full view in an era before technology, modern medicine and hospitals. The perils that can befall the newborn and new mothers alike are treated with compassion and grace. I found myself hoping for the best in each birth the protagonist, Rose Carroll, attended and my heart stopped when things didn’t go as expected. The author also gives the reader a charming peek into the Quaker’s lifestyle along with an uglier look at the bigotry and prejudices against other races and against women during that time period. I think it’s a good reminder, despite all the political and social upheaval our country is experiencing, that we have made great strides in becoming a better nation, a better people. 

Edith expertly weaves the historical details and social mindset of the late 1800’s into a good mystery that keeps a reader guessing about who would have wanted to kill the unwed, pregnant teen. Rose Carroll is a believable protagonist as she searches for justice, not only for the murdered girl but for the wrongly accused man. I enjoyed Rose’s character very much — she is a good role model not only for the 1800’s but for current day too! She isn’t afraid to defy conventional customs governing young ladies and instead focuses on doing what she knows to be the right thing to do. All in all, CALLED TO JUSTICE is a fascinating read with a satisfying mystery! 

While the book does not have recipes, Rose prepares several dishes including Sugar Cookies. Given the time period and the plainness of the Quaker faith, I have to assume that 1) there wasn’t room in their tiny icebox to chill cookie dough; 2) she would not have rolled out and cut the dough with cookie cutters and decorated them; 3) they would evoke a homey simpleness yet provide comfort to those who ate them. So, I developed a quick No-Chill Sugar Cookie recipe using vanilla with plenty of butter and plain sugar. They bake up soft and are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of hot tea or coffee. Of course my granddaughters are all about color: frosting and sprinkles make the cookie! I mixed up an easy glaze using confectioners’ sugar and just enough water to make the sugar spreadable, tinted part of it pink, and sprinkled the tops with colorful jimmies and nonpareils. It was the perfect way to celebrate the start of their summer!

 A huge thank you to Edith Maxwell for providing a copy of CALLED TO JUSTICE for one lucky winner! Contest ends Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and due to shipping, is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)

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No-Chill Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups (12 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes at medium speed. Or use a hand-held electric mixer on high. 

4. Add in the egg and beat until well combined.
5. Add in the vanilla extract and mix well.
6. With the mixer running on the lowest speed, carefully add the flour mixture and stir just until it is incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
7. Place the extra granulated sugar into a shallow bowl.

8. Using a tablespoon scoop, form dough into 1 to 1-1/2 inch balls and then roll in the granulated sugar.

9. Place on baking sheet, about 2" apart. Bake for 9 -11 minutes, or until cookies have started to crinkle and dough looks set.

10. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Notes

You can make a simple glaze mixing confectioners' sugar with a bit of water, until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Add food coloring as desired and top with your favorite sprinkles. 

Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.

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I had the privilege of meeting author AND Certified Sommelier Nadine Nettmann at Left Coast Crime earlier this year. After hearing her talk about her debut novel, DECANTING A MURDER, I immediately went to the bookstore and bought it. It didn’t take me long to devour the book, all the while wishing I had several of the lovely wines she mentions. I love how she starts each chapter with a “wine pairing” which adds enjoyment to the book… and a run to Total Wine and More to seek out her suggestions. I met up with Nadine again at the Malice Domestic conference in April (and then again just this last weekend in L.A. at CA Crime Writers Conference) and was excited to find out that she was releasing UNCORKING A LIE in May… which I downloaded to my Kindle just as soon as I possibly could. Congrats are also in order for Nadine – DECANTING A MURDER has been nominated for an Anthony Award! 

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Click on book to visit Amazon

Back when I was in my twenties, I had the opportunity to live in Napa for a couple of years (bliss!). Nadine definitely captures both the valley and Sonoma settings, bringing them to life and making the reader feel like they are right there with Katie, the protagonist. It’s obvious the author has a passion for wine and the Napa region and she creatively applies that expertise, allowing Katie to use her wine deducing knowledge to unearth clues and figure out the murderer. There are a variety of suspects to keep the reader guessing while intriguing subplots round out the stories. Another interesting aspect is the way the author describes the characters using the characteristics of different wine varietals. 

The protagonist, Katie, is struggling with a bad relationship with her father, after she failed to follow in his footsteps and flunked out of the police academy. She also has suffered a failed relationship and finds herself driven to pass the levels of sommelier testing, leaving no time for friends. The author provides some fascinating insight into the rigorous studying and training involved required to pass the exams. In fact, there is a 60% failure rate! It resonated with me when Katie muses that “maybe damage gives us all a little character,” in regards to people and to grapes when developing wine. And I think that is excellent insight into human nature and the author does a beautiful job weaving it into her delightful books. The Sommelier Mystery series whets your palate with a read that has a lovely bouquet and a full-bodied finish! 

While the book doesn’t include recipes there is plenty of food mentioned. Katie enjoys some Madeleine cookies in the first book, so I developed a recipe for Lemon Glazed Madeleines. According to Nadine, the best wine to pair with these light, cake-like lemon cookies is bubbly Prosecco.  If you don’t imbibe, according to my granddaughter whose favorite flavor is lemon, milk is pretty good too… and I would suggest a hot cup of tea. No matter what beverage you pair with these cookies, they do make for a delectable treat! 

Amazon Synsopsis – Decanting a Murder

Katie Stillwell focuses on two things in her life: work and practicing for Sommelier Certification with her blind tasting group. The exam was supposed to be the hardest part of her week, but that was before a body was found at an exclusive Napa Valley winery party.
When all the evidence points to Katie’s best friend, the outspoken and independent Tessa, Katie drops everything to clear Tessa’s name. Using her deductive wine skills, she tries to track down the real killer. But when repeated attempts are made on her life, Katie discovers that everyone’s secrets must be uncovered–including her own.

Amazon Synopsis – Uncorking a Lie

It was the kind of invitation sommelier Katie Stillwell had only dreamed about: a dinner party at the Sonoma mansion of famed wine collector Paul Rafferty to celebrate a rare bottle. Everyone enjoys drinking the $19,000 wine, but Katie realizes it’s not the vintage listed on the label.

When she confides in Mr. Rafferty, he asks her to investigate, and she soon discovers the deception goes beyond money—it includes an accidental death that might just be murder. As Katie falls deeper into the world of counterfeit wine, she learns everything is at stake… even her life.

A huge thank you to Nadine Nettmann for providing a signed copy of DECANTING A MURDER and UNCORKING A LIE! I will pick two winners and award one book to each of them. Contest ends Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)

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I met up with Nadine at California Crime Writers Conference in Los Angeles

I was provided an advanced copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s a delight to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour with the brand new release, BAD TO THE BONE, by Linda O. Johnston! The protagonist, Carrie Kennersley, is not only a vet technician but also owns a charming bakery, Barkery & Biscuits…actually 2 bakeries on the same premises: one for humans and one for pets. You’ll be drooling over the delightful treats Carrie and her employees bake and it’s probably a good thing your furry friends can’t read because they’d be begging for some special treats as well! 

Word has gotten out about Carrie’s special pet treats and a large pet food manufacturer, VimPets, is interested in buying some of her recipes. When one of the obnoxious sales reps for VimPets is found murdered, (with a pooper-scooper no less!) two of Carrie’s friends are suspects. One of them begs her to clear his name only she’s not so sure of his innocence. A large number of her friends, along with her brother, beg her to not get involved in the murder investigation this time but Carrie just can’t seem to help herself.

The premise of this storyline is cute. I loved all the pets and their owners who frequent Barkery & Biscuits and Carrie has endeared herself to the townspeople. The author brings to the forefront the need for people to adopt rescue animals and the plight that can befall these unfortunate creatures.  The location is in the mountains of Southern California, close to where I live, so I could completely envision the descriptions of the town and its surrounding areas…making me feel at home. Carrie’s romance with veterinarian, Reed, is progressing and is very sweet. I like seeing growth in characters in series, and the author provides that both with the main protagonist and with the close characters surrounding her. The reader will get a good feel for what it takes to run two bakeries and still work part time at the vet’s office. Carrie doesn’t shirk her duties yet manages to find the time to ask questions and try to find out who the murderer is. The grand finale caught me by surprise and wrapped up the plot and subplots in a satisfactory manner. 

Thankfully after you’ve finished drooling on the pages, Linda has provided a recipe for your dog along with a recipe for yourself! She has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies for People. I’ve tried a lot of snickerdoodles before along with pumpkin cookies, and my main complaint is that they’re too cake-like. Linda’s recipe manages to bypass the cake-y texture with this recipe. Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these cookies have a subtle pumpkin flavor while the cinnamon and sugar coating provides a burst of sweet spiciness in each bite! And in my own opinion, pumpkin isn’t just for autumn…it’s the perfect treat all year long! 

Amazon Synopsis

Veterinary technician Carrie Kennersly, owner of the Barkery & Biscuits bakery for dogs, is reluctant to sell her recipes to pet food manufacturer VimPets. Jack Loroco, a VimPets representative, assures Carrie that it would be a great opportunity to grow her business. His promising new relationship with Carrie’s friend Billi Matlock doesn’t hurt his cause.

But the budding romance takes a bad turn when Wanda Addler, another VimPets employee, sets her sights on Jack. After threatening to ruin Jack’s career if he doesn’t give her what she wants, Wanda is found dead. Jack and Billi are put at the top of the suspect list, and Carrie is doggone determined to rescue them from a life behind bars.

A very special thank you to Linda O. Johnston for providing 2 print copies of BAD TO THE BONE! 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 May 21, 2017 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!)

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Tour Participants

May 8 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder 
May 8 – T’s Stuff 
May 9 – My Journey Back 
May 9 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! 
May 10 – Rainy Day Reviews 
May 10 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews 
May 11 – Bookworm Mom
May 11 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers 
May 12 – Readeropolis 
May 13 – Brooke Blogs 
May 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book 
May 14 – Texas Book-aholic 
May 15 – Community Bookstop 
May 15 – Author Annette Drake’s blog 
May 16 – Celticlady’s Reviews 
May 16 – A Blue Million Books 
May 17 – Laura’s Interests 
May 17 – Books Direct 
May 18 – A Chick Who Reads 
May 18 – Island Confidential 
May 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy 
May 20 – Melina’s Book Blog 
May 21 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews 
May 21 – Bibliophile Reviews 

I was provided an advanced copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.