One of the nice things about finding a series I really enjoy is when a new book is released it’s like receiving a platter of cookies…I can’t wait to try them and then I want to savor the enjoyment. Such is the case with the Cookies and Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns. Her newest release, BURNED TO A CRISP, had me ready to pour a glass of milk and sample Sally’s baked goods while turning pages!
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Synopsis
Sally Muccio owns Sally’s Samples, a cookie bakery. Business is good even if she’s sorry she started the tradition of giving away a free fortune cookie with each order. Somehow the fortunes come eerily close to becoming reality and Sal would rather not have them around, especially with her wedding to Mike Donovan right around the corner. However, her grandmother’s best friend demands Sally keep serving them so she gives in and almost immediately regrets it.
Her mother throws the bridal couple a party and one of her sister’s clients shows up. Gianna is a public defender so the client, mobster Bernardo Napoli, isn’t someone Sally is happy to see her sister leave with. Later that evening Sally’s bakeshop goes up in flames and Bernardo is found inside, murdered…with Gianna no where to be found. The police treat Gianna as the prime murder suspect and with her disappearance things don’t look good. On top of that, Bernardo’s unsavory family think Gianna stole from them and want to find her too. Can Sally find her missing sister and clear her name or will the mob find her first? Will Sally be able to reopen her bakery or will this be the end of Sally’s Samples? And will Sally’s mom be able to pull off a win in a bikini contest?
My Review
Oh my goodness…what a fun read! The mystery is everything you could want in a good book with twists and turns, and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. But it’s the characters that keep me coming back for more! Sally seems like an average gal who is finally over her cheating ex-husband and is ready to move on with fiancé Mike Donovan. She still has the scars from her miserable first marriage that make her feel insecure but she’s willing to give love a chance. However, it’s Sally’s family and friends surrounding her that push and pull Sally out of the “average” zone which makes the Cookies and Chance Mystery series such a fun read.
Her parents are perpetually embarrassing Sally and her sister. Her father wants to open a mortuary in his home while her mother (who acts and looks like a teen) prances around in bikinis while preparing for a beauty contest. Neither of her parents are good for her cookie business, but what’s a girl to do? Her best friend and baker, Josie, is sassy with a sarcastic edge and challenges Sally to step out of her comfort zone. Her Grandma Rosa is the stability to the family and has the very cute idiosyncrasy of mixing up words for everyday cliché sayings. Even with the quirkiness of the characters, there is still a fundamental close and caring bond between them which has helped create Sally’s compassionate personality. I think that’s what strikes me with this series, no matter what shenanigans are going on Sally is very tenderhearted person which adds depth to the story.
Of course a book about a cookie bakery must have cookie recipes. Catherine has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for her very delicious Oatmeal Crème Pie Cookies. Creamy marshmallow filling is sandwiched between two soft and chewy oatmeal cookies that are lightly scented with cinnamon. These cookies are reminiscent of Little Debbie’s (remember those?) but Catherine’s cookies are so much yummier!
A huge thank you to Catherine Bruns for providing winner’s choice of print or an e-book copy of BURNED TO A CRISP to one winner. Print limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, October 27, 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
- 1 cup butter-flavored Crisco or margarine
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-1/2 cups quick oats
- 2 teaspoons very hot water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 7-ounce jar marshmallow fluff
- 3/4 cup butter-flavored Crisco
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
- In a large bowl, beat margarine or Crisco, brown sugar, granulated sugar, molasses, and vanilla.
- Mix well and then add eggs, one at a time, beating until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture.
- Add in the oats and mix until blended.
- Drop by tablespoonful onto parchment-lined baking sheet or non-greased stoneware.
- Bake sure the cookies are at least 2 inches apart for them to spread out. Cookies will flatten.
- Bake 8 - 10 minutes or just until starting to brown around the edges. Do not overcook.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before filling.
- Combine hot water with salt and mix until the salt is dissolved.
- In a large bowl, beat the marshmallow fluff with Crisco, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Beat on high until fluffy.
- Add the salt water and mix until well combined.
- Spread filling onto one cookie and press second cookie on top....ready to eat immediately!
- Makes 3 dozen oatmeal cookies or 18 cream pies.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- If filling seems too soft add additional powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- These are the perfect soft oatmeal cookies to use for ice cream sandwiches too!
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I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Print copy
i prefer a print copy
I prefer a “real” book, but I manage ebooks, too.
Why Crisco as the shortening?
Since I didn’t develop the recipe I’m only guessing that it’s because Crisco is synonymous with vegetable shortening. I’m sure any butter-flavored vegetable shortening will do.
I guess my real question is, why not butter?
Either way would be good for me. It sounds like a great read!
print. thanks for the chance.
I don’t have an e-reader, but I would love a print copy.
I need one of those cookies now — yum! I would love to have a print copy, please ~
I would love a print copy and if i win i will read and post review on a few sites wow those cookies sounds so good.
Print Copy
I would like a print copy. Thanks for the recipe. My grandchildren like oatmeal cookies. Thanks for a chance to win the book!
Would like a real book. After seeing all those cookies guess what I want
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love hard copy books.
Thanks for the review, I will be adding this author to my to read list. I would appreciate an e-reader version.
the recipe sounds yummy!! great giveaway….prefer hard copy….! thanks
If I win I would love a print copy of Burned To A Crisp. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I prefer print please.
I would prefer a print copy. Thanks for the recipe—I love oatmeal cookies.
I prefer a print copy. Those cookies look amazing!
Print, please!
I love print copies of books so that I can highlight areas that I may want to refer to. Thanks for the
giveaway.
As usual, another yummy recipe. I will definitely try these cookies. YUM!
Thank you and I prefer a print copy.
I would prefer a print copy. Thank you for the chance.
I prefer a print copy of a book. I like holding it while I’m reading it and flipping the pages. I even like the smell of a new book.
I prefer a print copy.
I would prefer a print copy please! Thank you!
I would prefer a print copy, but I would be fine with the Ebook copy, too. This is crazy! I just had homemade oatmeal creme pies for the first time last weekend on a ladies retreat, Glam Camp. They were so yummy!!! I may have eaten more than one. Thanks for having the giveaway!
harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com
Print please!
A print copy, please. Have read the first two books and loved them.
would prefer a print copy. Thanks for the delicious sounding cookie recipe
I would like a print copy of the book. I have lots of cozies in my NOOK, but sometimes I just like to hold a book and read it.
I would love a print copy.
Love print version!
I love oatmeal cream pie’s, so this will be great to try. I would love to win a print copy of the book.
Would love to win a paperback of this book. I’ve read 1/2 trough on my kindle and it is great!! Love it
I prefer a print copy, thank you!
Thank you Kim for the intro & review of this new-to-me series that I’ve heard good things about! Oh those cookies look so rich & delish too. If I should win (fingers crossed), I would choose a print copy.
Thanks for the chance!
I like both paperbacks and e-books!