Rare books, impending nuptials, murder, and even more terrifying for Brooklyn, meeting her future in-laws for the first time come together in a delightful tale! ONCE UPON A SPINE by Kate Carlisle, the eleventh book in the Bibliophile Mystery series, captivated me from the very beginning. I love Brooklyn’s relationship with her parents, who are probably some of my favorite characters: a mom who is a hippy, new-age Wiccan and a dad who is a vintner. The fact that her fiancé, Derek, loves them too adds to the appeal. Derek won’t say how he thinks his upper-class British parents will react to meeting Brooklyn’s family, so Brooklyn is doubly worried. When they do meet, the fun starts. No spoilers here but in Brooklyn’s words, “Oh dear God!” and I was laughing out loud.
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Brooklyn and Derek live in a small community within the large city of San Francisco and the author paints a vivid picture of how we sometimes see people in our own neighborhoods. People we may see quite frequently yet remain strangers can lead to remorse as it did for Brooklyn when one of her neighbors was murdered. Getting to actually know the people around us is what forms a close-knit community and creates friendships. Brooklyn, with the help of Derek, decides to solve the case and try to bring unity back to their neighborhood. The more Brooklyn asks questions the more puzzling the murder becomes. ONCE UPON A SPINE has a twisty, topsy-turvey plot and ending that is worthy of Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland!
Brooklyn and Derek are good hosts to the parents visiting them and there is lots of delicious foods mentioned and enjoyed throughout the book. Fortunately for the reader, Kate has included several appetizer recipes that the families enjoyed one evening. They all sound delectable but to add to the fun book, each recipe has a very humorous title or play on words. I chose to make the Cheesy Balls because, I’ll admit it, I’m a cheese-a-holic. Add some bacon and pecans to the mix and oh my goodness… it was hard to limit myself. These are very easy to mix up and I liked that they could be made ahead of time. Perfect for entertaining…or making for yourself and enjoying with a glass…or two of California wine!
Amazon Synopsis
In this Bibliophile Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Books of a Feather, San Francisco bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright stumbles through the looking glass in a tale of murder, rare books, and a quest for the perfect pie…
Brooklyn’s oh-so-proper future in-laws are traveling from England to meet her, and if that’s not enough to set her on edge, rumors abound that the charming Courtyard shops across the street may be replaced by high-rise apartments. Their trendy neighborhood will be ruined unless Brooklyn and her fiancé, Derek Stone, can persuade the shopkeepers not to sell.
But with a rare edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland causing bad blood at the Brothers Bookshop and a string of petty vandalism making everyone nervous, Brooklyn and Derek feel like they’re attempting six impossible things before breakfast. Then the owner of the Rabbit Hole juice bar is felled by his own heavy shelves, and the local cobbler lies dead beside him. An accident . . . or something more sinister? Things get curiouser and curiouser when a second priceless copy of Alice is discovered. Will it stir up more trouble within the close-knit community?
As the Brits descend, Brooklyn learns they’re not so stuffy after all. Derek’s dad is won over with chocolate cream pie, and his psychic mum would kill to help Brooklyn solve this murder—before another victim takes a tumble.
A huge thank you to Kate Carlisle for providing a hardcover copy for one lucky winner! Contest ends Tuesday, June 6, 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!)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (Frank's is Brooklyn's favorite)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup chopped chives
- 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
- 4 - 5 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- Several carrots cut into thin but sturdy sticks
Instructions
- Mix together cheeses, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder and paprika, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Form into 15 - 18 small balls and chill at least 1 hour.
- Stir together chives, nuts, and bacon.
- Roll chilled balls into chive mixture and insert a thin carrot stick in each ball. (Pretzel sticks can be substituted for carrot sticks, but be careful not to break them while inserting into cheese ball.)
- Serve immediately or cover in plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.
- Best if brought back to room temperature 15 minutes before serving.
- Taste the mixture before adding salt. I found mine really didn't need any.
- Add the carrot sticks and/or pretzel sticks just prior to serving. They will get soggy if left too long in the refrigerator.
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I was provided an advanced copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ll admit I generally take the easy way out for appetizers and serve tortilla chips with Costco’s guacamole and salsa. These Cheesy Balls might just reform me though 🙂
They are really easy, Kim! And as an alternative, you can make them smaller and serve them on crackers.
Beer weenies are always an easy fix and everyone loves them….that is my go to recipe for appetizers.
OMG, now I’m craving them! Maybe when I get home from my book signing in Phoenix this weekend…
I have a couple of dishes I turn to. One is the old dried beef ball, it amazes me how it still goes over well after all these years. Another is an artichoke dip which is quick and easy, and a jalepeno popper dip.
I *love* artichoke dip! It’s always one of my favorites. I think I need to have an appetizer party. 😀
I love to serve deviled eggs. They are easy to make, and they usually go quick.
Oh, Natalie, you need to see the Deviled Easter Eggs with salmon and dill recipe I shared recently at Mystery Lovers Kitchen: http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/2017/04/kate-carlisles-deviled-easter-eggs.html
I love making dip for parties. One of my favorites is unstuffed mushroom dip.
I’ve never heard of that, Brooke. I’ll have to look it up.
Usually I do a trail mix type thing and veggies with a choice of 3 dips. We have a particularly popular cucumber dip
It’s always good to have lots of fresh veggies on the table.
Cheese straws! Southern cheese straws are wonderful!
I don’t know if I’ve ever tried them, Cara, but I approve of anything with cheese.
I don’t really fix anything special, just a little of this & a little of that. Thanks for the great recipe.
Chips, dip, and salsa are the easiest when I want to serve appetizer/ hors d’oeuvres. But when I have time, or if I’m taking them elsewhere, I like to do fruit kabobs – maraschino cherry; pineapple chunk; cheddar, Jack, or colby cheese chunk on toothpicks.
donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
I usually make a veggie dip for parties.
scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
I have a wonderful clam dip that is from a friend’s recipe from 50 years ago. It’s stood the test of time.
I be not read her yet but I plan to. The title is intriguing
Thank you, Ruthann. If you’d like to “try before you buy,” you’ll find free excerpts of all of my books at http://www.KateCarlisle.com. 🙂
I like to make spinach dip to serve with pieces of French bread – always delicious!
YUM! That’s making my mouth water.
I am usually a one and done kind of girl…I cook something once and next time I want to try something new. Although I have made an applesauce kielbasa “thing” (technical term) 🙂 more than a couple of times because it is so easy to dump in the crock pot and forget about…oh and it’s DELICIOUS!
That’s intriguing–is it just applesauce and kielbasa, or are there other ingredients in this “thing”? 😉
I usually make dips or deviled eggs.
I like to make a seven layer dip. Everyone always asks for it.
Not really. It depends on the occasion.
I usually make tortilla roll-ups. I love the Mackenzie Childs serving set!!
Thank, Celia! I’ve been eyeing it for years and then I heard they were going to discontinue that particular line so thought I’d better give myself an early birthday present 🙂
I approve of birthday presents all year round! 😉
I usually make a chesse tray with several varieties of both cheese and crackers (although I admit to being partial to Ritz, because as Andy Griffith used to say…”Everything tastes great when it sits on a Ritz”)! Thanks for the recipe (looks very yummy!) and the review (I am really looking forward to the interactions between Derek’s psychic mum and Brooklyn’s mom, Becky!!!). 🙂
Nicole
I hope you’ll laugh as much as I did while writing the book, Nicole. Those two are a hoot!
These look great. Going to try them for ought next party
We do a vegi tray and if it is a dish we bring bacon potato salad. Kim thank you for posting this !
Mmmm! I look forward to making this cheesy ball! I like to fix what we call Melba Cheese Squares (after my Aunt Melba):
1 lb. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb. Monterey jack cheese, shredded ( I like pepper jack cheese)
6 eggs, beaten
1 cup evaporated milk
1 can diced green chilies
MIx together and put in jelly roll pan. Bake 350 for 40 minutes. Should be lightly browned on top. Cut into small squares. Not only do these work as an appetizer, but the leftovers make a good breakfast too.
That sounds so good. Am going to try it the next time I need to take a dish to pass.
I like your cheeseball recipe. I have shared it with my sister.
Thanks for the recipe, Becky! Sounds easy and so delicious… the perfect combination!
Ooooh, these sound delicious! Maybe I’ll make them for breakfast next weekend.
It’s not very special but I make deviled along with ham rollups and in summer a fruit tray!
In summer, i make a black bean and corn salsa to serve with corn chips. I am always looking for something easy but new and fresh.
I have a variation on the black bean and corn salsa… warm up the beans and melt some jack cheese in with it. Oh so good!
In summer, i make a black bean and corn salsa to serve with corn chips. I am always looking for something easy but new and fresh.
I usually like to make spinach dip. Thanks for another great review.
Deviled eggs and some dips with chips and veg’s
no I don’t. I love appetizers .
Crockpot kielbasa or meatballs
I am a sucker for a good cheese ball
I’m pretty lazy—so I usually head for the deli to get my appetizers.
No special appetizers. I never think of that, usually just the main course and dessert.
I made Buffalo Chicken Dip during last Christmas and it was a hit!
My favorite appetizers are cheese and crackers and/or humus.
But I try to go easy on them when serving because it is too easy to spoil dinner!
That is so true! Whenever I order an appetizer at a restaurant, I always feel full before the main course. (Not that that stops me from eating. LOL)
Shrimp with cocktail sauce, crackers and cheese(balls).
mini bagel chips with cream cheese and smoked salmon
One of my favorite appetizers is deli roll. The cheese balls look so yummy but half my family is lactose intolerant. I can’t wait to read about Brooklyn’s latest adventures! ?
I sometimes just fix deviled eggs, they’re easy!
I make deviled eggs every Thanksgiving and Christmas. And thank you for the chance to win a hardcover copy of Once Upon A Spine.
I like to make a brocolli & cheese casserole it’s my favorite. Thanks for this generous giveaway.
I usually make a dip for veggies and I also like to make a sausage and cheese dip for tortilla chips. I’m going to have to try your cheese balls, they look amazing.
I usually go for the easiest and quickest and that’s basically chips and dip. Sometimes I will do a vege tray with ranch dip (people still seem to like it so much) or a fruit tray with strawberry yogurt to dip the fruit in (easy and tasty). Once in a while, I pick up some California rolls but I don’t make those homemade. I am a big fan of this book series and I look forward to seeing what kind of trouble comes Brooklyn’s way.
I make a dip with medium salsa and cream cheese, add some shredded cheddar and cilantro. Refrigerate for a couple of hours and then dive in with the Tostitos!!
I always like cheese and crackers, but those cheesy balls look great, too!
I usually take the easy route–cheese & crackers, cheese/charcuterie board, veggies & hummus. But these cheesy balls look great!
Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win this book! I love the Bibliophile series!!
Forgot to note that I don’t have an appetizer recipe that I fix, but I’m always on the lookout.
I like to do easiest appetizer. Spinach dip in a bread bowl. Thanks for the chance.
Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
don’t really have a “go” to appetizer recipe. I just get potato chips or tortillia chips and make a beefy onion dip(use Lipton Beefy Onion Soup mix instead of regular onion soup mix. I think it gives the dip a bit more flavor). I will also make deviled eggs-don’t have a real oven just a toaster oven, microwave and hot plates to cook on so making something elaborate doesn’t work for me.
The last appetizer I did was a vegetable platter that I put together. 🙂
hummus or tortillas in green sauce w/ cheese. i love to visit in Brooklyn’s world!
I think the last appetizer I did was a cheese and sausage tray. Once in a while a might make a tray of deviled eggs or make up some nacho chips and beef and bean dip. I have not tried anything as nice as your cheese balls, unfortunately.
I usually make a cheese ball out of cream cheese & shredded medium sharp cheddar cheese, rolled in chopped pecans, & serve it with crackers. Then we’ll have a tray of brownies & cookies to go with it.
I cut up fruit like watermelon along with grapes and strawberries and then serve a port wine cheese ball with crackers…thank you for the review and contest.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
What a great review and recipe. I usually make sausage balls. Thanks for a chance to win!
Ham Roll Ups are a favorite at my house.
I make a hot taco dip that usually goes over well. I serve it with tortilla chips or dipping Fritos.
My go to appetizer is burrito roll ups. I make them for family parties. The cheese balls sound delicious, and I will give them a try.
I usually do dips, deviled eggs, or bbq smokies.
I don’t have a go to recipe. Although I do like hot crab dip.
Great recipe to take to my book club meeting.
Around here they aren’t particular except it has to be GOOD. : ) We do love chips and dip or crackers and/or veggies with cheese balls. I can’t wait to try the recipe for Cheesy Balls which makes my mouth drool just reading the recipe.
Taco dip or veggie dip can’t wait for this book!
I like to make spinach dip.
It depends on the season. I have a few different ones I make. I think I will try this one next time. Thanks for the give away!
We always have lots of dips and chips and small sandwiches
Penney
i always make cocktail meatballs in my crockpot
I like to make deviled eggs or bacon wrapped chicken bite . I also buy artichoke dip or make spinich dip. Your cheese balks look easy enogh to try and I will.
I do! I make enchilada dip for every party, get together and holiday! Everyone loves it (except for me!) It’s not my fave, but everyone begs me to make it.
I love blackbean dip – it goes great with veggies AND chips!
I make a dip that’s sort of a cheese ball but just not formed. It’s got powdered ranch dressing, cream cheese and lots of sharp shredded cheddar, mayo and a little milk. It’s really good, esp. after it sits and the flavors get together. Great with Townhouse crackers!
Those look tasty! Thank you for the recipa and for the chance to win!!
Being a Latina, I usually like to server Chili con Queso and Tortilla Chips.
The last appetizer I made was Gorgonzola bites and they came out very well! Thanks for this opportunity.
I usually make Salsa to go along with tortilla chips.
SHARON’S SALSA
2 Large Cans Stewed Tomatoes (14 oz each)
1-2 Bunches Green Onions, cleaned and trimmed
2 Tablespoons Cider Vinegar
Jalapenos to taste
Place all ingredients in food processor and process to desired chunkiness.
Very simple and easy. Very good.
Homemade is always best! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
I like to make a hot dip made with cream cheese, chicken, and hot sauce with Tostitos. Thanks for the tasty recipe.
I love to make a charcuterie plate with prosciutto, grapes, cheeses, salami, crackers and some fig jam. Cheesy balls sound good. Also just saw a recipe for broccoli and cheese balls.