Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, A CAJUN CHRISTMAS KILLING, the third book in the Cajun Country Mystery series by Ellen Byron is celebrating its release! It’s Christmas time in Pelican, Louisiana and the protagonist, Maggie Crozat, is preparing to celebrate with her family and their Crozat Plantation Bed and Breakfast guests. I loved the descriptions provided about the local holiday traditions enjoyed by the residents, especially the elaborate bonfires built to light the way for Papa Noel. Maggie is a smart, likeable artist who cares deeply for her family and friends. She pitches in to help no matter what the problems are. There are many memorable characters to support the plot and Maggie’s nemesis, Rufus, is back on the scene. One of my favorite lines in the book comes from Rufus, “Chère, it’s Louisiana. We only follow the rules we like.” This premise leads to some interesting developments!
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The murder victim, investor Steve Harmon, is one of their former bed and breakfast guests and was tossed out by Maggie’s mother. His interest in staying at their property was only to figure out a way to take over the business and force the family to leave their ancestral plantation. In addition, Steve wanted to exploit Maggie’s boyfriend’s young autistic son. Bo threatens Steve and demands he leave his child alone. With both of her loved ones suspects, Maggie takes it upon herself to clear their names and find the real killer. The plot is multi-faceted with threads of subplots woven throughout the story. There are many suspects each of them viable and once the bonfires are lit a suspenseful conclusion pulls the story together for an exciting ending!
Maggie’s mother, Ninette, is the cook for the family’s bed and breakfast. She serves amazing Cajun meals to her family and guests. I appreciate that the author provides recipes at the back of the book and has allowed me to share her recipe for Spicy Cajun Christmas Cookies. These sugar cookies are flavored with cinnamon and cayenne powder. Before you think that you don’t like spicy, the cayenne did not make the cookies overly hot. Instead it enhanced the flavor of cinnamon and both of my granddaughters loved them! With Halloween right around the corner, I decorated cookies to fit in with that theme plus threw in a nod to Christmas. No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, these Spicy Cajun Cookies are a nice change from plain vanilla sugar cookies.
Amazon Synopsis
Maggie Crozat is back home in bayou country during the most magical time of the year. In Pelican, Louisiana, Christmastime is a season of giant bonfires on the levee, zydeco carols, and pots of gumbo. Except, this year, the Grinch has come to stay at the family-run Crozat Plantation B&B. When he floods travel websites with vicious reviews, Maggie thinks she’s identified him as rival businessman Donald Baxter. That is, until he’s found stabbed to death at Maggie’s workplace. And Maggie and her loved ones become top suspects.
The Crozats quickly establish alibis, but Maggie’s boyfriend, Detective Bo Durand, remains under suspicion. With Bo sidelined during the investigation, Maggie finds herself forced to work with an unlikely ally: longtime family enemy Rufus Durand. Her sleuthing uncovers more suspects than drummers drumming, and lands her in the crosshairs of the murderer.
The sleigh bells are jingling, and the clock is ticking for Maggie and Rufus, who must catch the killer or it will be the opposite of a Joyeux Noël…
A special thanks to Ellen Byron for providing a hardcover copy of A CAJUN CHRISTMAS KILLING for one lucky winner! Contest ends Friday, October 20, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is restricted 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!)
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour*
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder (available to most craft stores)
- 5 tablespoons warm water
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Cream the butter, then add the sugar and beat until it's fluffy.
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Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
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In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
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Stir the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix together until well combined.
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Divide the dough in half and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of two hours or overnight.
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Roll out the cookie dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a well-floured board.
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Cut the dough with cookie cutters of your choice and place the unbaked cookies on an ungreased cookie tray (or line a baking sheet with parchment paper). If the dough gets sticky, add more flour to the board and/or rolling pin.
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Chill the cutouts on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking. This will help keep them from spreading out and losing their shape.
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Bake 6 - 10 minutes, basically until they're golden brown around the edges. They will brown quicker if the shapes are thinner.
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Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.
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Once the cookies have cooled, frost with royal icing, either as prepared below or prepared on the icing box.
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Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (7 minutes at medium-low speed with a heavy-duty mixer, 10 minutes at high speed with a hand-held mixer). If icing seems too thick, add more water 1/2 teaspoon at a time and beat in until desired consistency is reached.
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*When measuring the flour firmly scoop and level the flour. If you have a scale, use 15 ounces of flour.
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I often mix up cookie dough one day, refrigerate overnight, then bake the cutouts the following day. The cookies will keep in an airtight container for a few days, so I often decorate a day or two after baking them to spread out the work on decorated sugar cookies.
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**Instead of making your own royal icing, you can purchase a boxed mix at your local craft store.
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It is imperative that your bowls, spoons, spatulas, beaters and any thing else that comes in contact royal icing is grease free. I use Dawn Liquid Dish soap on these items because I know it will remove any trace of residual grease.
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Cover the icing bowl with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap in between working with royal icing. It dries out quickly.
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For longer storage, royal icing can be stored in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for 3 days, or in the freezer for 3 months.
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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.
Great review thank you, I love this series, Sadly no I never seen the bonfires from there I’m in California and would love to go there. The only Bon fires I have seen were in England for Guy Fawkes Night.
Penney
No, I’ve never seen the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana.
Live in ny have never seen them
No Louisiana bonfires, but I do love a good bonfire. Great review and the cookies would be so much fun to make with my grands!
No, I’ve never been there and would love to visit this unique state. Plus, I love a good bonfire! Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
No I haven’t!
I have heard about these bonfires and seen pictures of them even, but unfortunately my travels have never made it to Louisianna and the bayou. Thanks for hosting Ellen Byron and her latest book on your blog. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have not seen the bonfires, but would love to sometime!
I haven’t seen a Louisiana bonfire but we used to have bonfires when I was younger. Thanks for the chance to win
Unfortunately not. Even though we use to live close to Louisiana, we were never down there around Christmas time. I have though enjoyed many a bowl of gumbo while traveling in the state. 🙂
Nope have not seen the bonfire’s in louisiana.
I have not seen the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana. I have never been there.
I’ve never seen them, I’ve never been there.
I’ve never seen the bonfires and I’ve never been to Louisiana. My travel record is quite pitiful but now I’m going to go google them so I know what they are.
I have not been to the Christmas bonfires. These cookies will be made here soon. Thank you for the chance to win.
Sorry to say I have never been to Louisiana, except to drive through. Something I need to fix someday! Thanks for the giveaway.
No I never have. Sounds interesting though.
I love the series and no I’ve never seen the bonfires since I don’t have the budget to travel to NOLA. I’d love to get there before I die, to enjoy the people, food and more importantly the MUSIC (I played drum in a Dixie Land band back in the early 70’s).
No I have never been there but would love to go someday. I love this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve never been to Louisiana but do travel there via Ellen Byron’s books. The Spicy Cajun Christmas Sugar cookies sounds so good.
No, I haven’t. I would love to visit Louisiana someday. So for now, I will just read this series to go there. I will have to try those cookies!
I have never seen Christmas bonfires in Louisiana. Thanks for the chance.
I’ve never heard of these bonfires…and I have kin who live in Louisiana! I would love to read A Cajun Christmas Killing. Thanks.
I’ve never been to Louisiana at Christmas, but we are going twice in the spring next year for two lovely weddings! And these are the cutest cookies ever!
I have never seen the bonfires in Louisana but would love to some day
Unfortunately, no, I have never seen the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana. In fact, I’ve never been to Louisiana.
I’ve never been lucky enough to travel to Louisiana—so I haven’t seen the bonfires.
No never have seen a bonfire in Louisiana. Only thing I saw was the mardi gras. Thank you for a chance to win a hardcover copy of A Cajun Christmas Killing.
“Have you ever seen the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana?” Never! Not even in photos! I’ve never heard of such a thing!
Have not seen the bonfires in Louisiana. As always you have great guests on your blog and your reviews are amazing.
No, I have never seen the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana.
No, I have never seen the Christmas bonfires in LA.
I have not…but would love to.
Going to try the Spicy Cajun Christmas Cookie recipe
I have never been to L.A., but I’m intrigued!!
No, we haven’t ever been to LA anytime other than Spring or Summer. We did see the River in New Orleans dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day however!!!! ?
No I haven’t, sounds awesome though.
I have never heard of such a thing but I’m headed to google to see them right now!
I enjoy seasonally themed mysteries. A great recipe for the holidays.
I’ve always celebrated Christmas in the Midwest (except for one time in Utah), so have never witnessed a Christmas bonfire in Louisiana.
I’ve never seen the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana–I’ve never even heard of them. Cool!
I would love to see the Christmas Bonfires in Louisiana it sounds unique…but not so far. I have been to Louisiana several times to stay and multiple times driving through just not in Dec. thanks for a chance at winning this book…the cover is hilarious.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
No, I’ve only visited Louisiana once & it was in the summer.
Love the skeleton cookies.
The recipe sounds delicious.
thanks for sharing.
The books looks like a fun read, and I thank you for the chance. Unfortunately, I have never been to Louisiana ??
I live here and have never seen the bonfires, but we do have plenty of fireworks!
I like the idea of bonfires, but I’ve never seen them.
I could have sworn I responded but, I can’t find it. I love this series so much! I’ve never been to Louisiana. I know I’ll be going. My newly married daughter is moving there. Her husband is being stationed there.
I have NEVER even heard about them. Look forward to learning more…
I would love to experience the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana, but have only drive through the Bayou State en route from TX to FL. (My current residence is in California, much of which has been engulfed by wildfires of late.)
I’ve never seen the Christmas bonfires in Louisiana. It sounds amazing! Maybe one year I’ll have to plan a trip.
No. I have visited Louisiana, but not often — and a long time ago at that. Guess we have driven through on the way elsewhere since then, but no I have never seen the bonfires — Christmas or otherwise. Might be fun to take a trip just for that purpose.
I have not seen them but it sounds like it’d be amazing.
I’ve never seen them, never been to Louisiana. But it sounds like something that would be amazing to see. Thanks for the chance to win.
Yummy! I have never been and didn’t know about them until now, but sounds awesome!
Yummy recipes ? Thank you for a chance to win a great sounding book !