One of the things I love about Kathi Daley’s Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery series is the holiday themes she often weaves into her stories. Such is the case with TRICK OR TREASON, the 26th book in this series which finds Zak and Zoe preparing for Halloween and Ashland Falls’ annual Haunted Hamlet. I love the setting of Ashland Falls and the close-knit community. Zoe and Zak are surrounded by loving, caring friends who lend support to each other and to the town. In addition to well-written cozy mysteries, Kathi Daley’s strength is creating wonderful characters that make you want to get to know them and continue to want to find out what happens to them. The central characters are kind and compassionate people and just the sort of individuals I would be happy to call my friends if they existed in real life.
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Zoe, who is pregnant with their first child and experiencing the baby blues, definitely has her hands full in this newest installment! In addition to the Haunted Hamlet, she has the Zimmerman Academy Halloween dance, a soccer tournament for their foster son, a remodel finishing up at her wild and domestic rescue center, and an overbearing mother-in-law breathing down her neck. The last thing Zoe needs is a dead body showing up, but a murder happens and she is once again pulled into trying to find the killer since the victim is the town’s events’ chairperson.
However this time, Zoe tries to take a back seat to the investigation to protect her unborn child. She promises both her husband and Sheriff Salinger to do research only and not go off on her own investigating. I appreciate that Zoe has a good relationship with the Sheriff, who respects her opinions and insight and in fact, seeks her help in the murder cases. It’s refreshing to not have an egotistical, drama-filled authority figure try to take center stage. The author deftly weaves a variety of viable suspects that kept me guessing with some twists to the plot that I didn’t see coming. The suspenseful conclusion ties the threads together into another delightful treat of a read!
I also enjoy that Kathi includes seasonal recipes with each book. The recipe theme for TRICK OR TREASON is hearty, warming comfort dishes. Thanks to Kathi and Pam Curran for the chance to share the recipe for Cheesy Potato Chowder! This hearty soup is the perfect dish to serve prior to a chilly evening out trick or treating with family. It makes quite a large pot so there will be plenty to share and leftovers easily reheat in the microwave for warming up after the festivities end.
As a bonus, the first chapter in Kathi’s new series, FINDING JUSTICE, is included at the back of the book!
A special thanks to Kathi Daley for providing one lucky winner the choice of an e-book or print copy of TRICK OR TREASON! Contest ends Monday, October 30, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and print 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!)
- 4 medium potatoes, slices or diced (about 2-1/2 pounds)
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 quart milk
- 1 pound cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 cups cubed ham
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Boil potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, salt and pepper in water for 10 minutes (or until vegetables are tender), covered.
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Melt butter in pan and slowly whisk in the flour. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly.
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Cook until thick, whisking frequently, then add the cheese. Stir until melted.
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Add the cheese mixture to the vegetables then add the ham.
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Serve hot and garnish with a little paprika and parsley, if desired.
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If you have leftovers you may need to thin the soup with a bit more milk when reheating. The soup thickens considerably as it cools.
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You are invited to attend Kathi Daley’s Spooktacular event going on now! Lots of fun, games and prizes, plus a chance to meet up with so many terrific authors! I’ll be hosting 5 amazing authors on Saturday, October 28th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern time so drop by at: https://www.facebook.com/events/350493128712833
I’m olde fashioned. I prefer paper over any sort of e-version.
That recipe looks so good. My dad always made corn chowder for me. I’ll have to try to make my own now.
I prefer print books any day over ebooks.
The recipe looks very good. I prefer print books. Thanks.
Print. Another book from Kathi is always a treat. thanks.
Wow, I would first lovd to try this rdvipe? yummy? I love the intro to this one, would really love to win the print copy?
Thank you so much for the chance?
Yum…now I am hungry. I think an ebook this time. Thank you.
Marilyn [email protected]
I love potato soup but all of these added Ingredients sound so good. I am still a print gal. I read books on Kindle but there’s nothing like real paper!
Thanks for sharing this recipe and giveaway.
Happy Halloween!
will need to fix this recipe now that it is getting colder here. Prefer print copy, love to hold the book
I would enjoy a print copy of Kathi’s book. I enjoy her different series and have read almost all of her books. She is a one of a
kind author who shows her appreciation for her readers in many ways.
Dinner tonight! I love Kathi’s books! I have to say, this is the best type of contest. Everybody gets a great recipe right from the start, we all win. Thank you!
I still prefer a print book .
It’s getting to soup weather here. Would love an print book.
I prefer print copy…Thank you for the chance to win one…
Love these books!!! print copy please
Well my hubby would prefer an ebook, I prefer an actual book 😉
This comments section worked now. Not sure what was going on earlier. I live print books. I live to see the great covers, read the back page and introductions etc too. I love to keep books in my car, in various rooms etc. So really prefer print books. Thank you.
I’m so glad it finally worked for you, Cynthia! It’s frustrating when technology doesn’t work 🙂
I prefer “real” print books, but I also manage ebooks.
I Loveland prefer print books but I do read e-books also. Thank you for the chance.
Soup is perfect for the Fall weather. I, prefer a print copy. Something about holding an actual book and turning the pages. Besides, print books look great on a bookshelf, can’t do that with digital ones. 🙂 Thank you, for the chance.
I prefer a print copy.
Kindle all the way!
While I do love reading books on my kindle, I still prefer print copies of books. I love holding them and reading them. It’s comfortable.
I prefer print copy. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I love print books especially when they are from Kathi.
I’m a print kinda gal, I get new authirs on Kindle but if I like the author I go directly to the bookstore to buy re rest of that authors books in print. Love the chowder recipe!
I like print books, and the recipe looks so good!
The chowder sounds delicious. I prefer print. Thanks for the review & chance to win .
Print book the chowder looks amazing!
I prefer print.
When I win books I love print copies Thanks
Love the recipe. I would love to win a print copy.
Print copy please!
I prefer a print book. Thank you for the chance to win.
I would be honored to have your signature on a print copy of Trick or Treason.I love reading the blogs after I’ve read a book to determine how well the review was. Kim Davis was right on. Now about the chowder, it sounds wonderful. I love a nice warm homemade soup in the winter. I like the chowders, corn chowder, creamy broccoli soup,and anything with a cheese soup base.
I would like print, please. Thank you for the opportunity. This recipe is fantastic! I’m making it today. It is 28 right now so it is going to be perfect!
Print, please. Thanks for the chance! That soup looks really yummy.
Hardcopy is preferred. My daughter is in love with this recipe. So we will be doing it later today. Thanks for the recipe and the chance to get the book.
I prefer print.
I like either.
Hi. Your Halloween book sounds very interesting
I like ebooks. I can take them with me anywhere and can take lots of books on trips.
I’d love a print copy, please! I am happy that you shared the chowder recipe. I lost my chowder recipe and I have been wanting to make it. Mmmm, I’m making it this week!
i would prefer a print copy
Sounds amazing print book please
Print but ebooks for travel!
I prefer a print copy. I read one of Kathi Daley’s Halloween books last year. Great read. I highly recommend her books.
I only read print books. Thank you for the chance to win yours! It sure is soup weather and yours looks yummy!
Going to try soup very soon!
Print copy
I would prefer a print copy of TRICK OR TREASON. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I would prefer an e-version. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
The soup looks delicious. My preference is print books. Thanks for the opportunity to read “Trick or Treason”,
I prefer a print book. I do also read ebooks too.
I prefer a print book.