I was beyond excited when I found out Lynn Cahoon was coming out with a new series. I’ve always loved her Tourist Trap Mystery series and knew whatever she wrote, I’d enjoy. A STORY TO KILL, the first book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series, did not disappoint and I can’t wait to read the next one!
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Synopsis
Former English Professor turned author, Cat Latimer, has moved back to Aspen Hills, Colorado after inheriting her ex-husband’s Victorian house. He broke her heart with his chronic cheating and she’s unsure why he would have left the house to her after his untimely death. Hoping to supplement her writing income, Cat turns the house into a writer’s retreat one week each month. One of the attendees is Tom Cook, a best-selling thriller author. Cat isn’t sure why he’s attending but the elderly romance writing sisters, Daisy and Rose, are smitten with him. Unfortunately one of the other guests, Billy, seems to want to pick a fight with Tom, while grad student Sara seems to have other things on her mind besides writing.
When Cat finds Tom murdered in her guestroom, she’s terrified that the news will scare away other attendees and she’ll lose the house. Even though her uncle, Chief of Police Pete Edmond, is doing all he can to find the killer, Cat is afraid it won’t be enough. She starts looking into Tom’s background and finds he could be connected to the mysterious disappearance of a girl he knew, fifty years ago. She also finds that Tom had made many enemies and even his wife remarks that she’s surprised he hadn’t been murdered before then. As Cat continues asking questions and digging around, strange things start happening. First an anonymous person leaves her ex-husband’s journal for her, but there’s no fingerprints on the journal at all. A flower her ex used to give her is left just outside her bedroom door and she’s hearing odd noises. Can Cat piece together the puzzle that Tom’s life and find the murderer or will an innocent person take the blame?
My Review
Oh my, what a ride A STORY TO KILL takes you on! There are such interesting characters and I loved the two elderly romance writing sisters, who made me laugh from their dialog and antics. The author creates vivid beautiful settings that make me want to visit the area. Her mysteries had me turning pages long into the night, wishing the second book was here already! Lynn knows how to pull you into her characters’ lives and I enjoyed the peek into the life of a writer as portrayed through Cat. In addition to a great mystery, there is a theme of letting go of past betrayals and giving love a second chance.
Cat couldn’t run the retreat all on her own and still write so her best friend, Shauna, is concierge and cook. And cook she does! So many delectable treats are mentioned in the book that it made me want to run to the kitchen and start baking. While Lynn does not include any recipes with the book she was very happy for me to create a recipe that Shauna served to the guests….and was so yummy Cat used as a bribe. Chocolate Chip Muffins have a delicate, moist crumb while the added mini chocolate chips add a rich decadence. Coarse sparkling sugar on the tops give them additional texture and visual appeal. Perfect for breakfast, a mid-morning snack, an afternoon snack or a bedtime snack while reading this terrific book!
I am pleased to offer the winner a choice of either print or an e-book copy of A STORY TO KILL. Print limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients
2-1/2 cups (12.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup (7.2 ounces) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup (4 ounces) Greek yogurt (2% or whole)
1/3 cup (2.6 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup milk (2% or whole)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup mini chocolate chips
Coarse sparkling sugar (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (F).
Line muffin tins with paper liners or generously spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Stir the apple cider vinegar into the milk and set aside while you collect the remaining ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and mini chocolate chips. Set aside.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, melted butter, and the milk/cider mixture.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the sugar and egg mixture. Stir just until batter is combined.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
Sprinkle tops of batter with coarse sparkling sugar if desired.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. A wooden skewer inserted into the center should have a few moist crumbs attached. Be careful to not overbake.
Remove muffins from tin and allow to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.
Makes 18 – 20 muffins.
Tip
Cooled leftover muffins can be individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Freeze and then defrost as needed, gently reheating to serve.
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I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Yum. I’m heading to the kitchen now. Thanks for reviewing A Story to Kill.
The pleasure is all mine! This is a terrific start to a wonderful series!!!
I prefer print books but getting used to reading ebooks.love cozy mysteries.
Wonderful review, thanks, the recipe sounds good am looking forward to reading this, she’s a new Author for me too. I like the print books better.
Penney
Mmmm! The Chocolate Chip Muffins sound great and I will have to make them and eat them while reading this book! The book has a great cover and sounds intriguing! Love your recipes!
Thaks for the opportunity. great review. i prefer print.
I like print copies, thanks for the giveaway!
I prefer print books
This sounds interesting, and the muffins look so good. I would prefer a print copy should I win. Thank you for the chance.
Ebooks. I can’t wait to try the muffins and read the book, I am really looking forward to it 🙂
i would love a print copy. I have been reading the Tourist Trap series and really enjoy it. I’m looking forward to this new series.
I prefer print book please.
Thanks for the opportunity and the recipe. Ebook is fine with me.
I prefer print books, but manage well with ebooks, too.
I continue to be impressed with your visual presentation of these goodies. What a nice job!
I would love to have a print book. The muffins sound delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Print. Muffins sound wonderful.
Chocolate chip muffins sound wonderful! I always prefer to have a print book in my hand. Thanks for a chance to enter for the book.
I’m easily won over by anything with chocolate chips, thanks for the recipe! I love her other series so I’m sure that I’m going to love this one too. I prefer print, thanks.
I’d like an ebook. It sounds like a great read!
I know my husband would love these muffins. Thanks for the recipe and chance to win book. I prefer print books please.
I would love to have a print copy of A STORY TO KILL. This sounds like a great story.
Have saved the chocolate chip cookies to pinterest.
I like ebooks and chocolate chip muffins!
Yum! Those muffins sound delicious. I prefer print books.
I can’t speak highly enough of everything I’ve read of Lynn’s. I’m not a romance reader so I haven’t gone that way yet but I am continuously in love with South Cove and the Tourist Trap Mysteries. I’ll be honest, I didn’t read the synopsis or the review because I don’t want any spoilers! I can’t wait to read this book, I know it’s going to be wonderful! Thanks Lynn!!!!! As always, you need to plan a trip out to Oregon. 😉
Although I have both formats, I really enjoy the ‘print’ version. My iPad can get so warn…when I’m able to read all day long. A print copy stays cool… I am a big Lynn Cahoon’s fan! And now I have the perfect muffin for an all day reading.
While I like e-books, I prefer print because I can share them in my Little Free Library. Thanks for the muffin recipe! My kids can’t get enough chocolate chip muffins.
I would like a print copy with my chocolate chip muffins.
Thanks fir the awesome recipe and the great review. I would love to read this book. You have made it sound so intriguing.
I read both print and ebooks. There is something about holding a print book though.
I prefer print books and thank you for the chance!
Yummy recipe.
I prefer print copy, thanks.
This first book of the series sounds fantabulous! Can’t wait to read it. And I just added the muffin recipe to my make this weekend list of items! I always prefer ebooks since I love to bring my kindle everywhere andit is easy to take all my books along!
I prefer e-books because I can change the font style and size.
Currently, I like a print copy of books. I don’t have an e-reader so I don’t know if I would like it or not so I could possibly change my mind later. 🙂
I like books if they are autographed, if not I like e-books. And thank you for the chance to win A Story To Kill.
Sounds intriguing – both book and recipe! Print copy if I should be lucky enough to win.
The book and the muffins sound great. Print copy. Thank you for the chance.
You had me at chocolate chip! Print copy, please.
I love them both. I collect autographed print books that are my treasures. If I don’t already have the eBook I buy it so I can read the book. I nor does anyone else read my treasures. That’s what I get the eBook for. Thank you for the chance at a great giveaway. ?
I prefer print books. Really looking forward to reading “A Story to Kill”. A writer’s retreat in an old Victorian mansion sounds like a great story.
Chocolate Chip muffins are a decadent favorite around here! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I would prefer a print copy of the book! Thanks so much!
I cant wait to try this recipe! I love both types of books but I’d like an ebook ?
Would love a print copy of this book. It looks like such a great read. If a stranger left her ex’s journal and the flower he used to give her is left outside her door. One would begin to wonder if he is really dead. Would love to find out sooner. Rather than later. Thanks for the chance to do so
if I am carrying it around then I like the ebook..but my passion is collecting signed print copies..they are really my treasures.
I would love a print copy. The muffin recipe sounds amazing, Love your books, Thanks for this generous chance.
My favorite muffin. Thanks for the recipe. I love to win a signed printed copy. I have a special bookcase for signed copies by my favorite authors. Thanks for the chance.
Print muffins look delicious. Thanks for the chance.
If I won I would prefer a print copy.
I prefer print, thank you!
Print please!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for a chance to win! Either ebook or paperback will be fine!
Thank you for a chance to win! Either copy will be fine!
Thanks for the chance! This recipe sounds delicious! I have no preference ebook or print copy either one I would be thrilled to have!
I like print books because I can share them in my Little Free Library. It’s fun to watch people pick out books. ?
Oh my goodness I am disabled or i would be doing sommersaults and backflips for this one. I have been waiting for one of your contests to offer a PRINT book and now you have made my day! I am so happy you have come out with another book even though i have been stalking you since you made the cover with the VW bus that I found and gave my 2 granddaughters for Christmas they are banks and then we showed them the cover of the book and they were thrilled to get a bank of a VW bus hippy bus no less. Well i would love the book and also would read and review at a few sites. Crossing my fingers and toes although can;t do that i am seeing it in my mind hoping and praying that my time has come to win.
I prefer print books. Love all of Lynn
Cahoon’s books.
Would absolutely love a print copy please. Thankyou!!
I love print books better!!!! Loving your blog! That recipe !takes my mouth water!!!! I am going to try and make this !!! Your amazing!!!!
I read print and Kindle books…and the recipe looks sooooooo good too!
I just partied with Lynn yesterday & had a fun time! I’d love to win a print copy please. Thank you for once again a great review!
If I were oh so lucky and won this contest I would choose the print copy. Nothing like the feel of a real book. Haven’t been back to digital in years!
I prefer ebooks only because I can read them at night without disturbing anyone with a light.
This sounds like a great start to a new series.. Thanks for the review, the recipe and chance to win. I would prefer a print copy.
I like the ebooks as it is easier for me to read the large print. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway. [email protected]
I would love a print copy please that way when I finish it I can donate it to the local library so others can enjoy it also. thanks
I still love my print books!