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SEASONED WITH MURDER is the twelfth book in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries by Catherine Bruns. With a cruise ship setting, protagonist Sally Muccio and the entire gang set sail for a fun-filled, semi-working vacation. With her dad headlining a mortuary event, Sally and her coworker have been slated to work in the galley to cater desserts (her famous, or shall I say infamous, fortune cookies and coffin cookies) for the event. Except not all goes as planned when Sal’s nemesis, and her grandmother’s best friend, Nicoletta Gavelli, joins the cruise. Ms. Bruns knows how to set the stage for misadventure and mayhem from the very start and the story pulled me in and kept me entertained throughout the entire book. I just adore the cast of core characters—they’re lovable, some are humorous (especially Sally’s dad and grandmother), some are caring, and others add spark. I really enjoyed that Sally’s husband, Mike, and their young daughter, Cookie, are on page more this time around. It’s not easy to juggle family life, work, and trying to solve a mystery, but the author is to be commended for the ease with which she seems to craft each scene.

When Sally finds the galley director stuffed in the freezer, Nicoletta immediately becomes the number suspect after a very public argument with the victim. As much as Sally doesn’t want to, it becomes apparent she’s going to have to investigate, especially after Nicoletta is thrown into the brig. The author does a marvelous job including descriptions of the ship and the brig area, and the details add to the authenticity without detracting from the fast-moving plot. With a ship-full of people, guests and employees alike, there was a boatload of suspects to consider. Was it a disgruntled employee or did one of the guests have a bad experience with the victim? Sally delves into uncovering secrets as she bakes up a storm. There are twists and turns with misdirection thrown in for good measure, that kept me guessing. With the delightful cast of core characters and an intriguing plot, this is a book worth savoring while dreaming of a tropical vacation!

Being the owner of Sally’s Samples cookie bakery, Sally and her best friend, Josie, are constantly baking up sweet treats, even while on board the ship. The author includes several delicious recipes at the back of the book. I was honored when Catherine asked if I’d like to contribute a recipe to be included. When I found out the setting was a cruise ship, bound for the Bahamas, I immediately thought of tropical drinks mixed with generous amounts of rum… and came up with a no-bake Rum Ball Cookie recipe. I typically think of rum balls as a holiday treat, but being no-bake means they’re perfect for hot summer weather with no need to turn on the oven. With a food processor and a few simple ingredients, these cookie treats will be sure to evoke island breezes as you nibble away. And, of course, if you’d rather make these for the holidays, they can conveniently be made up to a month ahead and stored in the refrigerator, or up to three months ahead and stored in the freezer.

Amazon Synopsis

Full time baker and sometime sleuth Sally Muccio is excited to be traveling on her first cruise along with family and friends. Sal and coworker Josie have been hired to cater desserts for the mortuary event onboard that her father is headlining and are also looking forward to some fun and relaxation in the sun.

But the ship’s itinerary doesn’t go as planned when the body of Southern belle and galley director Sarah Leigh Walker is discovered in the freezer. To make matters worse, Sal’s nemesis, the elderly and cranky Nicoletta Gavelli, is accused of the ice-cold crime after a very public and ugly argument with the victim.

Despite Nicoletta’s sharp tongue, Sal knows the woman isn’t guilty and would never refuse to help her. With the real killer still cruising the decks, Sal and Josie must work fast to track them down before Nicoletta’s last hope sinks faster than the Titanic.

A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing a print copy of SEASONED WITH MURDER! Contest ends September 28, 2022 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!)

No-Bake Rum Ball Cookies

Makes 35 - 40, depending on size of balls made

Ingredients

1 (11 ounce) package vanilla wafers (such as Nilla Wafers)
1 cup confectioners' sugar (plus more for rolling)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder (plus more for rolling)
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/3 cup spiced rum (such as Captain Morgan)

Instructions

Using a food processor, pulse the entire package of vanilla wafers until they are fine crumbs.
Add the 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and corn syrup and pulse until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle the rum through the chute of the mixture until well combined. If the mixture doesn't hold together when you pinch it, add more rum, a teaspoon at a time, until the mixture easily forms a ball.
Using a teaspoon (or small cookie scoop), scoop the dough from the food processor and form the dough into balls.
Add a small amount of confectioners' sugar to a shallow bowl (and if desired a small amount of cocoa powder to another shallow bowl) and roll the balls into either the sugar or the cocoa powder until well coated.
Place the rum balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 2 hours. Transfer to an airtight storage container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before serving.

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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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51 thoughts on “No-Bake Rum Ball Cookies”

I’ve never been on a cruise. I think seeing those big “floating cities” would be pretty neat though.

I would love a chance to win this book and the recipe is one I need to try. I’ve been on two cruise a long time ago. Thanks for your generosity.

I have never been on a cruise but it is at the top
of my bucket list.

Yes, I have .

This is awesome!!! I used to eat similar cupcakes when I was a young kid, and had forgotten about them…I must try and see what memories they will bring me. Yippee…happy camper!!!!

Yes, I was gifted [by a VERY good friend] a Danube River cruise a while ago. LOVED every minute of it!

I’ve been on two cruises. One for for two weeks
and we visited many islands. the other was
for a few days and we went to Bermuda.
Don’t think I’ve ever had rum balls. thanks
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

I’ve been on one cruise and my favorite excursion was the dolphin experience. So much fun!

No, I have never taken a cruise but I would love to. Thank you

Yes my husband and I went on a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise in the Bahamas for our honeymoon in 1980.

I’ve been on two cruises. No impressed with either one.

Good morning, I have never been on a cruise, I don’t think I would want to either, you see, I do not swim and I think it would be scary for me to all of a sudden be in the middle of the sea. Thank you so much for sharing this rum ball recipe, my husband loves rum balls. Have a great weekend and stay safe.

I have never been on a cruise and have no desire to go on one. Just not my thing. Love the recipe! No bake recipes are great when you want a snack or need to make cookies and just don’t have the time to bake. Love the book cover!

We have never taken a cruise although we were thinking when hubby retires we would love to do an Alaskan cruise!

I’ve never been on a cruise as in a long trip on a big ship. I have taken a day cruise a few times. I would LOVE to take a cruise to Alaska some day.

I have been on a cruise, but I will never do one again. It was ok, but I rather spend my money on something else.

No, I haven’t!

Our family took a Disney cruise once.

No, I have never been on a long cruise.

I have never taken a cruise.
Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

I’ve been on one cruise. It was a Mississippi River cruise on the Delta Queen. It was a great vacation!

🔥🔥🔥

Thank you for sharing the recipe and the opportunity to win the giveaway!

I’ve never been on a cruise, but hav gotten seasick on a large boat so not sure it would be a good idea for me.

I’ve never been on a cruise.

no i have never been on a cruise

No. We have never been able to take a cruise. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

No, I have never been on a cruise.

I have never taken a cruise, but I have always wanted to go on an Alaskan Cruise. Thank you for sharing the recipe, and for this chance to win!

Yes, I have taken several Caribbean cruises.

Yes, I have. I enjoy cruising.

I’ve been on two cruises.

No I have not been on a cruise but it definitely is on my bucket list.
The rum balls look like a great holiday treat.

Yes I’ve been on a cruise and it was a marvelous experience

Yes, I’ve been on several cruises with the first being a college graduation present from my parents. Cruises are loads of fun with tons of stuff to do. This is one of my favorite series and I’m so excited to read this. Thank you for the giveaway!

I have never been on a cruise.

I have never been on a cruise – No interest in ocean floating cities. However, we are considering taking a Viking riverboat cruise in 2024 on the Rhine.

No, I have never been on a cruise!

I have taken two cruises a long time ago, one was a Carnival Cruise and the other was Royal Carribean. The recipe sounds great and so does the book. Thanks for your generosity.