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I knew that SHADES OF WRATH was going to be a bit different, perhaps even special, when I started out reading the dedication (am I the only one who does that?) and saw that Karen Rose Smith dedicated the book “for women who have faced domestic violence.” As the story unfolds the reader is immediately introduced to Wendy Newcomb, the founder and director of Sunrise Tomorrow, a foundation for victims of domestic violence. Wendy is passionate about protecting women and that focus is explored within the plot, quite effectively. The protagonist, Caprice De Luca, has a very close-knit, loving family that has helped her develop healthy self-esteem while growing up. She is also in a caring relationship with Grant that seems to be progressing. But working with Wendy and meeting some of the women she has helped, Caprice realizes that not everyone is as fortunate as she has been, which gives her a greater empathy for others and provides an opportunity for her to grow as a person. I applaud Karen Rose Smith for tackling this social issue and bringing a spotlight on a subject that is typically ignored.
The plot moves along at a good pace that kept me turning pages. There were also lots of suspects who could have wanted Wendy dead, which kept me guessing. I was completely caught off-guard at the reveal…I just didn’t see it coming! But I think what keeps me coming back to read the Caprice DeLuca Mystery series are the characters. They’re people you’d want to have as your friends and are good role models. Caprice and her family get together often to share meals and there’s also a lot of food mentioned in the book which can make a reader hungry.
Thankfully the author provides recipes with her story and has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Bella’s Old-Fashioned Coconut Cake. I was drawn to this cake because it’s naturally dairy-free so my husband could enjoy it. Even though he never complains, I know that it can’t always be an easy thing to have to smell all the wonderful aromas coming from my kitchen and not be able to eat any of it. I also liked that the cake did not rely on artificial extract for flavor and instead uses real coconut products. I’ve never made frosting that called for flour and granulated sugar and I was a bit apprehensive about the amount of coconut milk it called for. But oh my, this was the lightest, fluffiest frosting I’ve ever made! I’ll be making it again and again for cupcakes and any other cakes that need a lightly flavored fluffy frosting. The cake is equally scrumptious…I’m sure it will be making another appearance for upcoming birthdays too!
Amazon Synopsis
Between her booming business, her family, and her work rescuing stray animals, home stager Caprice De Luca’s life is packed. But when a murder unsettles peaceful Kismet, Pennsylvania, she adds amateur sleuth to her resume.
Thanks to a wealthy patron, Kismet’s women’s shelter, Sunrise Tomorrow, has inherited a run-down mansion. Now the shelter’s director, Wendy Newcomb, wants Caprice’s decorating expertise. Caprice is happy to help, but when she glimpses a few heated encounters between Wendy and some locals, she fears that Wendy may be in need of protection herself.
When Wendy is found dead inside the old house, Caprice is compelled to poke around in her affairs, and discovers she had her share of enemies. Now, with countless clients, a TV gig that could make her a household name, and rumors of a marriage proposal on its way, Caprice must find time to design an investigation that will lure a crafty killer into the wide open–before someone else winds up in a state of permanent disrepair…
A huge thank you to Karen Rose Smith for providing an autographed copy of SHADES OF WRATH for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, December 1, 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
- 1/2 cup solid coconut oil
- 1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 5 egg whites
- 1 whole egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (the author used Silk Coconutmilk)
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine (softened)
- 1/2 cup Crisco shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2/3 cup coconut milk (this should be tepid temperature and added slowly. The author uses Silk Coconutmilk.)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Flake coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
- Using an electric mixer, cream the solid coconut oil with the sugar.
- Add egg whites and whole egg slowly and mix until batter is smooth.
- Add salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until blended.
- Add vanilla and coconut milk and mix just until blended.
- Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing 2 minutes or until batter is smooth.
- Pour evenly into a 9 x 13-inch greased and floured pan.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cream together the softened margarine and Crisco.
- To this mixture add sugar, flour (one tablespoon at a time), coconut milk (add slowly), and vanilla.
- Beat 8 to 10 minutes at high speed until frosting is smooth.
- Spread over the cake and sprinkle the top with flake coconut.
- The white frosting and coconut lends itself to decorating. I used fondant holly leaves and berries for a holiday themed cake.
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I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The recipe looks delicious and the book sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
I usually read dedications, forewords, acknowledgments, etc. A new version of Coconut Cake? We will have to do. Thanks for the recipe. And thanks for the intro to the book. Looks like a great read. On my TBR. But hope this is a win and I can read it sooner. Thank you for the chance to do so
I read the dedication and the acknowledgements.
I would love to try this cake but sadly most of the people in my family that would help me eat it are diabetics.
Thanks for the recipe. I love coconut!
I usually read the dedication and the acknowledgements.
I usually read the dedication and slim the acknowledgements.
Skim
I usually read the dedication and the acknowledgements unless they get too long and “wordy.’
Yummy recipe, great author.
I read each and every page of a book. I feel it’s respect for the author, and always sometimes provides some pretty interesting info not in the story itself.
I read the entire book from cover to cover.
Yes, I do read the dedication page in the book. It’s always nice to read the author’s thoughts on who they are dedicating the book too. Can’t wait to read the book and make the cake.
I always read the dedication and the acknowledgements. You always find out a little about the author when you do.
Yum…the cake looks wonderful!
Yes and this dedication was especially touching
i do read dedications, acknowledgements, etc. Thanks for chance.
I’d love a slice of this cake as I’m a coconut lover.. Looking forward to reading this book, Karen is very brave in what she writes.
Yes, I almost always read the dedication. Those “to Mom” and the like are sweet, but an author who chooses to use that space to shed light on matters affecting an entire swath of readers could help effect real change. Please extend my heartfelt appreciation to Karen Rose Smith for the attention her book will draw to the issue of domestic violence.
Yes I do. Very brave to write the book. Look forward to reading [email protected]
I always read the dedication of every book I read. I love to see who the author has acknowledged and read the heartfelt words. The cake looks yummy and I would love the chance to read her newest book.
I do read that. And coconut cake is my favorite.
Thank you for the recipe. Hope I can try to make one sometime soon. 🙂
I always read the dedications and everything at the beginning of the book before the story begins as I feel it is important or the writer wouldn’t put it there!
Yes. I always read this.
I always read the dedications and prologue and forwards in books. I have always done this. This sounds like a wonderful book and I can hardly wait to read it!
I always read the dedications and prologue and forewards in books. I have always done this. This sounds like a wonderful book and I can hardly wait to read it!
I do read the dedications and acknowledgements! I left a Very abusive relationship after 32 years. Was married to an alcoholic abuser. Walked out with just one suitcase. 15 years later now and I am married to my HS sweetheart who treats me like a princess and brings me coffee and the paper in bed every morning! There is life after all.
Merry, your comment brings tears to my eyes…I am so grateful you were able to walk away and find true happiness! Thank you for sharing your story!!!
I don’t always read the dedication but I often do. It really depends how fast I want to dig into the story!
That cake picture is making me drool! And yes, I always read the dedication. . . makes it feel more personal.
Yes I do read the dedication in the books.
I love reading the dedications and the acknowledgements, credits, etc… I enjoy knowing what all went into the book!
That cake looks so pretty, I’d love to have one like it gracing my Christmas table.
Oops, I hit enter too fast. I like to read all the introductory material in a book to get it’s context.
Pretty as a picture! And your choice of decoration is perfect.
I read the dedication, epilogues, etc. Everything.
Yes! I read it all! Dedications, acknowledgements, afterwords, you name it!
Dedications can be very interesting. I always read them.
I always read the pages before the after the book starts and ends I love to see who the dedication is to. Also to see if there is any addl info on the author I didn’t know and recipes at the end. I would love to read this and review on a few sites! Love the recipe..
I usually read the dedication, if it is really long then I skim it. Thanks for the recipe.
Yes I do. They took the time to write it so I take the time to read it.
I usually read the dedication or at least parts of it. I’d like to read the book. Thank you!
The recipe looks amazing!
Yes, I do read the dedications in books.
I like to read the dedication after I finish the book. I’m not quite sure why but that the way I’ve always done it.
Yes, I read from cover to cover!
Yes, I like to read that part of the book also.
Yes why not
I sometimes read the acknowledgements & usually read the dedications.
Thank-you for the opportunity. Have a wonderful holiday season!
kckendler at gmail dot com
I really do read the acknowledgements. I’ve even appeared in one or two! So exciting.
I read it all. It’s almost compulsive!
I like to read everything! There are really cool dedications out there- don’t miss them!
the recipe looks yummy! the book looks good too!
I like to read the dedications… They’re always so thoughtful…