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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 Not only is she talented in discovering minute details that have been buried in historical documents and family lore, but she’s quite adept at hunting down clues to unveil a killer.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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LITTLE BLACK BOOK, is the fifteenth book in the Bibliophile Mystery series by Kate Carlisle. With a mystery surrounding a rare first edition of Rebecca, which shows up unexpectedly at their home in San Francisco, protagonist Brooklyn Wainright and her husband, ex-M6 Derek Stone, take the reader off on another adventure. Non-stop action, along with globe-trotting, made it difficult for this reader to put the book down and attend to responsibilities. The fast paced plot, alongside long-enjoyed characters, contributes to a page-turning read! I’ve so adored the development of Brooklyn and Derek’s relationship and now marriage. They exhibit chemistry on the pages, while maintaining respect and admiration for each other’s skills. In turn, they treat their family, neighbors, friends, and acquaintances with courtesy and respect, and as a result have a wide circle of people to rally behind whatever endeavors they take on. In this newest release, weapons expert Claire, a former character from a previous book, makes an appearance. The author does an admirable job of weaving in her past appearance with the current book.

There are several intertwining mysteries in this book from the disappearance of Claire’s Scottish aunt, to the mysterious Rebecca edition, to the two Scottish men murdered by antique weapons. The author takes the opportunity to insert intriguing facts about the weaponry along with Brooklyn’s bookbinding expertise without slowing down the plot. I’ve always enjoyed the ability to learn something in this series while still being entertained. It’s the mark of a great storyteller and Ms. Carlisle hits the mark in this newest release. At the conclusion, the strands of the plot come together in an edge-of-your-seat reveal and has me looking forward to reading the next adventure featuring Brooklyn and Derek!

Brooklyn, her friends, and her family all have an enjoyable appreciation for all types of food. With many mouthwatering mentions on the pages, it was a treat to see that there are several delicious recipes at the back of the book. One of the recipes included is Savory Cheese Scones, a delectable combination of flaky pastry, two kinds of cheese, and chives. Perfect to serve with a warming bowl of soup or even split and used as sandwich bread for lunch or a light supper.

Amazon Synopsis

Brooklyn and her hunky husband, security expert Derek Stone, have just returned from a delightful trip to Dharma, where the construction of their new home away from home is well underway, when a little black book arrives in the mail from Scotland. The book is a rare British first edition of Rebecca, and there’s no return address on the package. The day after the book arrives, Claire Quinn shows up at Brooklyn and Derek’s home. Brooklyn met Claire when the two women worked as expert appraisers on the television show This Old Attic. Brooklyn appraised books on the show and Claire’s expertise was in antique British weaponry, but they bonded over their shared love of gothic novels.

Claire reveals that during a recent trip to Scotland she discovered her beloved aunt was missing and her home had been ransacked. Among her aunt’s belongings, Claire found the receipt for the package that wound up with Brooklyn and Derek. Claire believes both her own life and her aunt’s are in danger and worries that her past may be coming back to haunt her.

But just as Brooklyn and Derek begin to investigate, a man who Claire thinks was following her is found murdered, stabbed with a priceless jeweled dagger. With a death on their doorstep, Brooklyn and Derek page through the little black book, where they discover clues that will take them to the shadows of a medieval Scottish castle on the shores of Loch Ness. Under the watchful gaze of a mysterious laird and the irascible villagers who are suspicious of the strangers in their midst, Brooklyn and Derek must decode the secrets in Rebecca to keep their friend’s past from destroying their future….

For giveaway information, be sure to follow Kate Carlisle at:

https://www.facebook.com/KateCarlisleBooks

Twitter: @katecarlisle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katecarlislebooks/

Website: https://katecarlisle.com/

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Savory Cheese Scones

These savory scones are terrific with any of the soup recipes included in Little Black Book - or on their own with a lovely cup of tea.

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
• 1 egg
• 8 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 - 3 tablespoons cold milk, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives

Instructions

1. Whisk or sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and egg, then put in the fridge until you're ready for it.

3. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles wet sand. Stir in the cold yogurt/egg mixture. The dough is meant to be crumbly, but if it won't come together at all, sprinkle with one tablespoon of cold milk and stir again. If it still won't come together, sprinkle with one more tablespoon of cold milk.

4. Fold in half the grated Parmesan, all of the cheddar, and all of the chives. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and form into a ball of dough, and then into a round disk, about 3/4-inch thick by 9 inches in diameter.

5. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least two hours.

6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (F) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

7. Cut the disk into 12 wedges. Put 1 tablespoon cold milk in a small dish and brush top of each scone with milk. Then sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.

8. Bake about two inches apart until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

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A GLIMMER OF A CLUE, the second book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber, is an enchanting cozy mystery that is so sweet, you almost forget that murder is the theme! Starting each chapter is a literary quote that involves fairies, which adds a nice touch. Ms. Gerber’s use of fairies to both lighten the overall feel of the book and to assist the protagonist, Courtney Kelly, in solving the crime, adds to the appeal. As owner of the delightful shop, Open Your Imagination, Courtney creates an inviting spot for locals and tourists alike to while their time away in a charming atmosphere. I greatly enjoy the addition of Courtney teaching her customers how to create their own fairy gardens and, with plenty of details included, the reader should be able to create a fairy garden at home. With memorable characters, humans, pets, and fairies alike, I found myself immersed in the detailed magic of the story and couldn’t put the book down.

While the setting and characters are delightful, there is a murder mystery to solve and once again, Ms. Gerber proves she can craft a well-plotted whodunit! Courtney’s best friend’s mom (and Courtney’s father’s potential love interest) is arrested for murdering the town’s nasty newspaper columnist art critic during a fundraising gala. With plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing, it was a fun ride to follow along with Courtney and her fairy-in-training, Fiona, as they sussed out clues. With clever misdirection to trip up the armchair sleuth, I didn’t see the culprit until the reveal. The author neatly ties up the strands of the clues and left me feeling like I wanted to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea and meet Courtney and her friends in person!

Not only does Courtney serve a delicious tea with yummy treats at her fairy-themed garden shop, but several of her good friends in town own eating establishments. As a result, reader beware, you’ll be drooling while enjoying this book. Ms. Gerber includes several recipes for foods mentioned in the story at the back of the book. She includes sweet and savory along with gluten-free and regular alike. I couldn’t help but be drawn to her recipe for Cinnamon Swirl Scones. These melt-in-your-mouth flaky pastry triangles are chock full of flavor. It makes a large batch and I liked that the scones froze well for a quick on-the-go breakfast as needed, and which my granddaughters appreciated (and said they reminded her of cinnamon rolls!). Ms. Gerber also includes a tip for freezing the unbaked scones for future fresh-baked, out of the oven deliciousness.

Amazon Synopsis

Courtney Kelly has a shop full of delights, a cat named Pixie, a green thumb—and a magical touch when it comes to garden design. But in Carmel-by-the-Sea, things aren’t all sweetness and fairy lights . . .

When Courtney’s friend Wanda gets into a ponytail-pulling wrestling match in public with a nasty local art critic, Courtney stops the fight with the help of a garden hose. But Lana Lamar has a talent for escalating things and creating tension, which she succeeds in doing by threatening a lawsuit, getting into yet another scuffle—in the midst of an elegant fundraiser, no less—and lobbing insults around like pickleballs.

Next thing Courtney knows, Lana is on the floor, stabbed with a decorative letter opener from one of Courtney’s fairy gardens, and Wanda is standing by asking “What have I done?” But the answer may not be as obvious as it seems, since Wanda is prone to sleepwalking and appears to be in a daze. Could she have risen from her nap and committed murder while unconscious? Or is the guilty party someone else Lana’s ticked off, like her long-suffering husband? To find out, Courtney will have to dig up some dirt . . .

A special thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of A GLIMMER OF A CLUE! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, July 11, 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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Cinnamon Swirl Scones

From Yvanna: I adore cinnamon. My grandmother used it in everything. Soups. Casseroles. Cookies and cakes. Whenever I make these scones, I think of her. Make sure you use heavy cream. It adds a lush quality to the scone. Buen provecho or, as the French say, bon appétit.

Makes 16 scones.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
• 3 cups flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 whole egg, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F).

2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, butter, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to form soft crumbs; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs. Make a well in the center.

4. In a small bowl, combine the cream, egg, and vanilla. Pour the cream mixture into the well of the flour mixture and mix. The dough will become firm. Pour half of the brown sugar mixture into the dough and knead. There should be streaks of the brown sugar visible.

5. Lightly dust a cutting board with flour and turn the dough onto it. Knead and fold the dough a few more times. Sprinkle brown sugar crumbs into each fold.

6. Divide the dough in half and form each into a 1/2-inch-thick round. With a moist knife, cut each round into 8 wedges. Place wedges onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate about 10 minutes.

7. Bake for 11 - 15 minutes in preheated oven. The scones should be golden brown when you remove them from the oven. Cool on wire racks for 20 minutes.

8. If desired, you may also wrap the unbaked scones and freeze for up to three months. Remove from freezer and bake a few at a time. They may require a longer baking time.

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BEAUTY EXPOS ARE MURDER, the sixth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is the best so far! Actually, from the very first, Ms. Klein has penned laugh-out-loud cozy mysteries with memorable and endearing characters. With each new book released, the stories keep getting better and better and I’m definitely hooked. Book five ended with a non-mystery cliffhanger and I was relieved to find book six picks up right where it left off. The protagonist, Poppy, is back to juggling the B & B she runs with her zany Aunt Ginny, along with her baking business creating delicious paleo treats for her love interest’s shop, and providing baked goodies at the huge Beauty expo happening in their town. There is non-stop action and antics, especially when Aunt Ginny comes onto the scene and lucky for the reader, she frequents the pages. Poppy also has a tongue-in-cheek snarky humor which comes in handy when dealing with not only her aunt and her mischievous cat, Figaro, but those who would like to make her life difficult.

While the characters might be what draws me to this series, Ms. Klein pens a sharp plot that hits all the marks for creating a puzzling murder with subtle clues to keep the reader on their toes. She’s written a most unusual method for murder and I applaud her creativity! As Poppy investigates alongside her longtime high school nemeses (another terrific plot addition) she does so with methodical thoughtfulness despite the antics that keeps the story lighthearted. As she narrowed in on the suspects, I was thrown off course by the twists introduced. The author’s attention to detail ensures the reader a highly satisfying ending with no dangling threads left unanswered… except for wondering when the next book will be released!

With Poppy baking so many treats, the reader will be drooling over the descriptions. Ms. Klein provides several delectable paleo recipes at the back of the book. I couldn’t help but crave her Gluten-Free Chocolate Loaf with Cherry Mascarpone Filling which Poppy served as little sandwiches at an afternoon tea at the B & B. Even if you don’t have to eat gluten-free, you can always substitute all-purpose flour. Super rich and super chocolaty, the addition of the cherry mascarpone filling (I used it as a spread instead of a filling – either way it’s scrumptious) ratcheted up the yum factor! This is a delectable treat for brunch or for an afternoon tea, or for anytime you feel like spoiling yourself!

Amazon Synopsis

Easter weekend on the Jersey Shore is hopping. Poppy’s Bed and Breakfast is busier than ever, but she needs to leave things in the hopefully capable hands of Aunt Ginny—and paws of Figaro the black smoke Persian. She’s selling her paleo muffins and keto cookies at the Health and Beauty Expo in Cape May’s Convention Hall. Normally sharing a booth with the love of her life would be a treat, but she’s recently discovered secrets that throw her new romance into chaos.

But more secrets are about to be exposed at the expo. In his keynote address, prominent cosmetic surgeon Dr. Lance Rubin reveals his breakthrough anti-aging technology. Unfortunately, someone has one-upped him with a truly foolproof anti-aging formula: murder. With the plastic surgeon dead under his own UV mask, and bedlam reigning in the hall and back at the B&B, Poppy needs to follow a twisted trail marked by glowing footprints to unmask a killer . . .

A special thanks to Libby Klein for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of BEAUTY EXPOS ARE MURDER! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Monday, July 5, 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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Gluten-Free Chocolate Loaf

Ingredients

Chocolate Loaf

• 1-3/4 cups gluten-free flour (or substitute regular all-purpose flour)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if this is already in the gf flour blend or if using all-purpose flour)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup small or mini chocolate chips

Cherry Mascarpone Filling

• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup Morello Cherry Preserves, room temperature

Instructions

Chocolate Loaf

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees (F). Grease bottom only of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Mix together.

3. In a large bowl, beat together sugar and butter. Add eggs; blend well. Stir in cream.

4. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the batter comes together. Do not overmix.

5. Fold in chocolate chips.

6. Pour into the greased loaf pan.

7. Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes then remove from the pan to cool completely.

8. After the loaf has cooled, wrap tightly and store in refrigerator. this will cut in half-inch slices much better if it is refrigerated. Cut with a serrated knife and fill with Cherry Marscapone Filling.

Mascarpone Filling

1. Beat mascarpone with hand mixer to loosen it up. Add cherry preserves and combine well. This spreads best if it is whipped up right away before it's needed and used immediately.

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