A library, a murder, good food, and a little romance… BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, the new release by Jenn McKinlay in the Library Lover’s Mystery series, has all the ingredients for a highly entertaining read!
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Synopsis
Briar Creek’s library director, Lindsey Norris, has instituted the first ever amnesty for returning overdue books and forgiving fines. Lindsey and her staff are totally unprepared for the amount of books that are returned and as they sift through the piles they find a book that had been checked out twenty years ago. Ms. Cole, who has been working at the library for decades, searches her old records and finds that Candice Whitley, a local high school teacher, had checked the book out…on the day that she was murdered!
Since the case was never solved, Lindsey takes the book to Police Chief Emma Plewicki, thinking the murderer might have been the one to turn it in. The police are interested in looking into it but have their hands full with a rash of burglaries that have been going on. Lindsey feels a deep seated need to find the answers to who killed Candice and find justice for the well liked teacher. She uses her library research skills to ask questions and dig deeper into the twenty-year-old mystery. Will she be able to peel the layers of the past away and find the killer or will their identity remain buried in the lies and secrets that have protected them all those years?
My Review
There are so many things to enjoy about BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Jenn McKinlay weaves a tight tale of murder that happened twenty years before while Lindsey tries to solve it in the current day. The time span poses challenges but Jenn handles it effortlessly creating a plot that flows. The protagonist is surrounded by memorable characters, from her best friend, Beth, to elderly Ms. Cole who doesn’t like how Lindsey runs the library and is quick to let her know. And then there’s her love interest, Captain Mike Sullivan, aka Sully. Lindsey isn’t sure where she stands in their relationship and wants to take it slow and Sully is not one to talk about feelings. Can they move beyond their first botched attempt at romance or will misunderstandings keep them apart? Their relationship, while a subplot of the book, adds a certain sweetness to the story. Besides an entertaining read, Jenn writes with a laugh out loud flair. I loved her description of OMC Syndrome (One More Chapter)…and if you read this author’s books you’re bound to suffer from it too!
One of the programs that Lindsey has instituted at the Briar Creek Public Library is the Crafternooners, which is a group of people who meet to eat, discuss books, and do a craft. The author includes recipes, a craft, and a book discussion guide at the back of the book just like the Crafternooners use. I enjoyed the inclusion of these extras and especially like the recipes. One of the new members of the Crafternooners, Matthew, brings a dish of meatballs to one of the meetings. Jenn has graciously allowed me to share the recipe for Matthew’s Crock-Pot Marinara Meatballs. I’m always on the lookout for new slow cooker recipes and this one will definitely go into my rotation — it’s that good and it’s that easy! Starting with a marinara sauce that uses pantry staples and whirls up quickly in a blender to throwing a few delicious ingredients into a bowl, mixing and forming meatballs, and then combining them in a Crock-Pot. No messy frying or pre-baking and no extra pots and pans to clean up… just lots of flavorful, homemade taste without the hassle!
A huge thank you to Jenn McKinlay for providing an autographed hardcover copy of BETTER LATE THAN NEVER for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. 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
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 36 meatballs, uncooked (recipe below)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup red wine, such as Chianti
- 1/4 cup fresh-grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- In a large blender, combine all the ingredients except the bay leaves and the meatballs.
- Blend until your sauce is the consistency you prefer, chunky or smooth.
- Pour half of the sauce on the bottom of the Crock-Pot. Put aside remaining sauce to pour on top of the meatballs.
- Place uncooked meatballs in Crock-Pot.
- Pour sauce on top, until covered.
- Add bay leaves.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 - 4 hours, or low for 6 - 8 hours.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients until well blended.
- Roll the mixture evenly into 36 meatballs.
- Serve meatballs and sauce over your favorite pasta or on hearty hoagie rolls. These also make amazing appetizers and the Crock-pot keeps them warm as people help themselves.
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I use my Crock-pot to cook turkey breasts (I almost never cook a whole turkey any more) and I love making Pork Chile Verde in the Crock-pot versus stove-top or oven.
Sounds great (the book and the recipe). Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book.
Sounds great (the book and the recipe). Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book. The latest recipe I tried was a beef roast with vegetables and also a chili recipe.
the book and recipe look wonderful!
My favorite crock pot recipe is one made with pork chops, onions, sliced potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, salt and pepper. You can quickly brown your chops or just put them in as is. Put some mushroom soup that has been blended with a little milk to thin it down, on the bottom, then layer your potatoes first, onions, pork chops, more onions, then a layer of potatoes on top. Pour remaining soup over the top. I usually start this in the morning and let it cook low and slow until dinner time. It is a casserole that will warm your tummy on these cooler days.
This sounds delicious, Robin! Thanks for sharing!
I’m going to try this. Sounds yummy. Hubby usually frys prk chop, pork steaks, or sliced pork loin in the skillet and then covers with mushroom out. But think your Crockpot way sounds easier and better.
Yes I do have recipes for the crock pot! The book likes awesome.
I haven’t used my crock pot for years. This series is one of the very best around – I LOVE it!!
Looks like a fun giveaway!!
Thank you
I would love to have your new book. I love mysterys and books are my favorite thing. There is alot of food i can’t have but that does not stop me from reading awesome books.
Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win your new book!
The recipe sounds wonderful and I know all of Jenn McKinlay’s books are wonderful. Thanks for this opportunity!!
My kids would like this recipe 🙂
I love overnight Appeal Oatmeal in my crockpot!
Cheers-
Kelly Braun
Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com
This recipe sounds so good and haven’t made meatballs in a long time so will mention it to hubby. We make a slow cooker pot roast that when we have a good piece of meat turns out to be so good. We had a hint from a long time butcher don’t pay more than 3.99 for something that you are going to put in the slow cooker due to even if it is 7.99 or 3.99 it will turn out the same . That is per pound that he was talking about. So i thought that was a good pointer that he gave us and that makes total sense as due to the time you have the meat in there any tough meat will be just as good he said it’s amazing what 8 hrs does to any piece of meat. Anyway sorry to get off the subject but thank you so much for the chance and these giveaways it is so nice of you!
That’s a good piece of advice to remember, Peggy, for cooking meat in a slow cooker! Thanks for sharing!
I love using my Crock-Pot, in fact I’ve got mine going right now with a pork roast cooking. We will be eating pulled pork sanwiches for supper.
My mom’s chicken soup on a cold winter day…she loved her crock pot. Start it in the morning and dinner was ready when she got home. I, too, had a crock pot that became my best go-to kitchen item.
I love to fix meatballs with grape jelly and bottle chili sauce.
Love crock pot recipes and this one looks yummy. Will be trying it soon. I also enjoy the library series and can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for the yummy recipe and the book review! I would LOVE to win a copy of Better Late than Never. My favorite crockpot dish is to marinate a brisket wrap it in tightly in foil and slow cook it all day — it is amazing, and sort of an unconventional way to use a crockpot ~
I really don’t have a favorite crock-pot recipe…I have really just started using my crock-pot. I am always looking for recipes and will definitely try the meatball recipe. Thanks for the chance to win.
It’s been years since I’ve used my crock pot but I used it a lot for chicken and beef dishes when my children were young and I worked full time.
Crockpot meatballs are a great idea. And, as you said, they are perfect for appetizers.
i don’t have a favorite crock pot recipe. love your books
My go to recipe for the crock pot is pot roast with carrots and potatoes . The next day I take the leftovers and make veggie soup from them by adding tomato sauce, cabbage , and green beans ! Making two different meals from one base recipe is a huge time saver ! kathambre@yahoo.com
Great idea using leftovers for a second meal!
I can’t read your review because I don’t want spoilers. I’m not this far into the series yet but I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LOVE IT!!!!!! 🙂 I’m looking forward to it!
I Love using my crock pot mostly in winter time. I have a lot of crock pot recipes. One of my favorites is Ribs using a whole bottle of Sweet and Smokey Sonny’s Barbeque sauce for 8 hours on low . Or a pork loin roast which I rub first with Lowrey’s Seasoned Salt, garlic & Parsely and Onion powder and put it in the crock pot with 2 cups of apple cider and cook on low for 8 yours. Yum
Both pork recipes sound nice and easy! Thanks for sharing!
Book sounds wonderful and the crock pot recipe sounds yummy. Sorry I don’t have a recipe to share.
Only thing I put in my crock pot is soup beans and baked beans. Never tried anything else yet. I would love to win a Hardcover copy of Better Late Than Never. Thank you for the chance.
Both sound delicious!!
Have a sweet ginger recipe that is great on any type of port. Use it often. That and Tex-Mex Chili. But we are onion lovers here. I take a few large onions, usually about 8, and caramelize them in the crock pot, use them with most everything. I have a problem with patience and distractions so for me the crockpot is perfect. It is the only way I can caramelize them without ruining them.
So appreciate the meatball recipe. We are always looking for a good one. Had a grate one that we just loved. Lost it. Haven’t found it yet. And this one looks super.
Thanks for the chance to win the book as well
I never would have thought to caramelize onions in the crockpot! Would definitely cut down on me burning them in a skillet 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tip!
I recently made a recipe called the Mississippi Pot Roast. They mentioned it on a TV show and I Googled it to find the recipe and it was super easy and it turned out really good. I would definitely make it again. These meatballs look fantastic, I’m going to give them a try. Jenn McKinley is one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read her latest book. Thanks for the chance.
The meatballs look delicious! I like to do a small roast with potatoes and carrots. Easy, and can stay on low during a long work day, nothing falls completely apart. Conversely, I like doing pork with a little bbq sauce, and have that to pull apart for sandwiches!
My favorite crock pot recipe is ham and scalloped potatoes. it is so easy. later a ham steak, thinly sliced potatoes, white onion sliced into rings, and cheddar cheese, layering up to the top of the crockpot. (Usually calls for 3 to 4 ham steaks, and 4 to 5 Yukon gold potatoes, thinly sliced.). too with 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, a smash of milk, and some paprika, put the kid on, and cook on low 4 hours. so very delicious! thank you for the wonderful review, the recipe, and the chance to win!
Thanks for sharing your ham and scalloped potatoes recipe! I love easy 🙂
Here is one of my favorite healthy crock pot recipes. I can’t remember where I found it but it was online somewhere. It uses balsamic vinegar so if you don’t like that, then you would not like this recipe. I usually added extra pears and mushrooms, just because I love them. Also, with the balsamic vinegar, I added about 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken with Pears and Portabella Mushrooms
Ingredients
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 large or two medium sized pears, cored and sliced thick
8-10 oz portabella mushrooms, sliced thick
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1.Place all ingredients in the crock pot and let cook for about 4-6 hours on low, or until chicken falls apart easily.
Serve over rice or pasta.
Number of servings: 4 PER SERVING: 191 calories; 1.5g fat; 15g carbohydrates; 25g protein; 3g fiber
Oh my, that sounds like a very delicious recipe!!! I love balsamic and the addition of pears would make this a lovely fall dish. Thanks for sharing!
I like to make my chili in the crock pot because it cooks long and slow and the flavors can develop so well.
Thanks for the contest and the recipe.
I don’t cook in a crock pot, my husband does sometimes. He likes to cook pork chops with barbecue sauce, nothing fancy, just simple.
Love crockpot recipes. Definitely going to have to try this recipe.
Hey Kim! Those meatballs look scrumptious! I have a recipe for Hamburger Hash that I found on Pinterest & it’s become one of our favorite crockpot meals. If you want the recipe, just PM me & I’ll send it to you. Thanks for the chance to win Jenn’s newest!
I was given a crock pot recipe I am going to try soon for enchiladas.
Thank you for the giveaway.
I love to make venison stew in my crock pot!!!
Those meatballs sound yummy! A few of my favorite slow cooker food include applesauce, chili, and pulled pork. Thanks for the recipe, the review, and the giveaway!
I wish I could give you a recipe. When I make something in a crock pot I put in all kinds of seasonings and always make sure to put something sweet in. It makes everything taste better.
Lots of favorite recipes, but I think my favorite is cinnamon sugar almonds…smells like Christmas in the mall every time I make them.
I’m definitely going to make these. Oh and the book sounds awesome also. Yay!
Using my crock pot now. Thanks for the chance
I tried a chicken & noodles recipe that is really good. Love your recipes & give aways. Thanks.
pot roast.
I use my crock pot a lot. I am always looking for new recipes for it. Thank you for the chance!
Thank you for this great recipe, I can’t wait to try it as it looks delicious. YUM!
Never used a crockpot, but once in a rare while my mother does. The last few times she used it to make pot roast. The meatballs sound good.
We very rarely use our crockpots… Yes I have two of them. One for all year, the other just for Passover. The only thing we ever make in it is something called Chulent. It contains potatos, onions, sometimes carrots, beans, barley and cheap cuts of chuck meat on the bone.
It’s a traditional Sabbath meal for Sat. lunch when returning home from Temple. With all the kids married and out of the house I see know reason to make it for just the two of us.
Sorry, do not use a crockpot
Our family loves chicken and gravy made in the crock pot.
Boneless/skinless chicken breasts(usually 2 or 3 breasts)
1 packet low sodium onion soup mix (two if using more chicken)
1 can low sodium cream of chicken soup
1 3/4 cups low sodium chicken stock (or water if you don’t have stock)
pepper to taste
add chicken to crock pot, add everything else on top of chicken
cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high on 4 until chicken is fork tender
shred chicken and serve over rice/ potatoes/ noodles (we prefer rice)
My kids love this and they like to make it themselves. I add the chicken to the crock pot and my 3 and 4 year olds do the rest.
Wow, nice and easy recipe that sounds really delicious! Thanks for sharing! I love how you’re getting your children involved in cooking at an early age too 🙂
We love the crockpot for chicken, grape meatballs, and my favorite … Pierogies! Yum! Thks for the review and hi
I use it to make soups during the winter. Spicy hamburger soup is about the best for me. Hamburger, two cans of Rotel, a can of green chilis, hominy (I prefer yellow), garlic, cumin and a little red pepper flakes. Then water or low-sodium chicken stock to the top. On low for about six hours. It makes the house smell great and it is delicious. I serve it with cornbread. Looking forward to this book! Thanks for the chance at a giveaway.
The crock-pot is a natural for soup and perfect for cold winter days! Thanks for sharing your yummy, spicy recipe!
I have a great Hawaiian short ribs recipe I like. Nothing fancy or complicated but it always turns out great.
My fave crockpot meal is to take a beef roast or deer roast and cover it in cream of mushroom soup and sliced onions and let it cook all day. Occasionally I will add carrots and potatoes as well and it makes a stew. Great comfort food on cold winter days
I just use mine to bring things I’ve cooked to someone’s home. I can then keep it warm until it’s time to eat.
Sounds like a fun read. But the meatballs so so yummy with wine in them,lol.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I haven’t made it in a long time but, chicken and dumplings in the crockpot…so good. Also I love this series 🙂
I’m always looking for new crockpot recipes. They are great to take to pot lucks Looking forward to reading Better Late than Never. What a fascinating plot!
I don’t have a favorite slow cooker recipe. In fact, it’s probably been several years since I’ve used it for a ‘meal’ dish. We have used it to heat cheese sauce for nachos, frozen meatballs covered in sauce for snacks, or heating soup [all that for different activities at church]. But I’m going to copy that idea/recipe that Robin Coxon shared — sounds good.
And I’ll read thru other posts and maybe find more. 🙂
You always have great recipes Kim. Thanks for the raffle!
I usually just cook barley, lentils, rice or dried beans in my small rice cooker. I haven’t used the crockpot since there were teenagers at home eating vast amount of food. I’d love to read this as the series is new to me.