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THREE FUDGES AND A BABY is the twelfth book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries by Nancy Coco. With action that starts right off the bat, the quick pace held my attention throughout the entire book. The author manages to pack so much into the plot and subplots and seems to effortlessly weave them together into a book worthy of binging on… while eating fudge, of course. In this newest release, protagonist, Allie McMurphy (owner of the historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge shop) is busy juggling her business, her law enforcement boyfriend, her meddling mother and old boyfriend, and anxiously awaiting the birth of her BFF’s baby. Her BFF, Jenn, is already two weeks late giving birth and relies heavily on her doula for support and comfort. I was intrigued about the role a doula plays in a baby’s birth, and appreciated the tidbits of information provided. Ms. Coco’s strong descriptive voice brings the characters and the wonderful setting of Mackinac Island to life and immerses the reader. It makes me want to visit the area and search for Allie’s shop, even if it’s only on the pages.
With anxiety mounting over the delay of Jenn’s baby’s birth, things get even worse when her doula is arrested for murder after literally being found holding the smoking gun. Promising to get the doula out of jail before the birth, tension rise as Allie races to investigate with the help of her adorable Bichon, Marshmallow (Mal), and a group of island seniors (who add some levity). Goodness, there was so much going on with twists that I didn’t see any way to overcome, and some surprises that kept me invested in the story. If you like a fast-paced mystery with lots of scrumptious fudge and delightful characters, then I highly recommend Three Fudges and a Baby!
With everything going on in the quest to free the doula and welcome Jenn’s baby to world, Allie still manages to make lots of fudge for her shop. Be prepared to crave chocolate as you read. Or better yet, make one of the many recipes included before you start. While I love fudge… any type of fudge, I decided to try out the recipe for Fudgy Oatmeal Bars instead of straight candy. These are a bit more substantial and the addition of oatmeal offsets (kind of) the sugar high from the rich, fudgy center. I liked you mix up one set of ingredients to use for both the crust and the topping, and the fudgy center is easy-peasy to make with four simple ingredients. It makes a large amount, so there’s plenty on hand to share with family and friends!
Amazon Synopsis
April is not only the start of “fudgie” season on picturesque Mackinac Island, it’s when Allie’s BFF Jenn Carpenter is due. Jenn wants to have her baby on the island, so she’s lined up a midwife and a doula. But she’s two weeks overdue—and if one more person tells her she looks ready to pop, she’s going to go bananas.
If there was a list of what not to expect when you’re expecting, right at the top would be coming upon your doula holding a gun over the body of her fiance. Clearly in shock, Hannah Riversbend claims not to have shot him. Jenn asks Allie to prove the doula’s innocence before her special delivery arrives. The clock is ticking as Allie races to solve the murder in time for Jenn’s bun to come out of the oven. . .
A special thanks to Kensington Publishing for offering a print copy of THREE FUDGES AND A BABY to one lucky winner! Contest ends March 31, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below 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!)
I love these. they are a go-to recipe for when the kids come home after school.
Makes 24
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups quick-cook oatmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces dark chocolate chips (semisweet will do in a pinch)
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment first and then grease. Set aside.
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Melt the butter. In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugars, and vanilla until combined.
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Slowly add flour, baking soda, and salt. Once well mixed, add oats and mix thoroughly.
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Put 2/3 of mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and pat down until flat (leaving about 1-1/2 cups for the top).
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In a medium saucepan combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until everything is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
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Gently pour the fudgy middle over the uncooked bottom crust and spread gently until even. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
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Cool completely and cut into 2-inch squares. Enjoy!
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
That is such an adorable book cover! And the recipe sounds delicious! I LOVE chocolate! An addiction….really lol.
Hi Dawn,
My publisher, Kensington makes the cutest covers. And I had a blast trying different chocolate recipes for the book.
The fudgey oatmeal bars look scrumptious!
Thanks!
Oh my goodness! Fudge sandwiched in oats!!!
That’s a lot of sugar. Can it be reduced and still work?
The fudge center relies on chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk and should probably be fixed as the recipe specifies. And while I haven’t tried it, I’d guess that the bottom crust / topping would probably be okay if a little bit of sugar was omitted, but I wouldn’t cut it drastically.
Yes, you can reduce it. The difficult piece is the opened can of sweetened condensed milk – but you can make the fudgy middle and then pour in half on the cookie part and the other half in a pan until it sets. Once cooled, cut the fudge and freeze it, for later. Then you half the recipe and bake the cookie per normal.
Thanks
Both book and bars sound awesome! Cute cover!
Is there anyway to get all these wonderful recipes in one place or do I need to find each one separately to print?
Unfortunately, you’ll need to go to each blog post and print separately. Since the authors and/or their publishers own the recipes, I can’t compile them into a tidy cookbook 🙂 It might be easier to browse through the index and access recipes that look interesting that way, instead of going page by page. https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/indexes/recipe-index-3/
The bars look delicious.