I am beyond thrilled to celebrate FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER‘s release! With the somewhat unexpected addition of Missy, our new mini Goldendoodle puppy to our household in April, my writing schedule was seriously derailed. It took a ton of determination by setting my alarm clock an hour earlier than usual and before the puppy needed to get up and writing in the dark so I wouldn’t wake her. I attempted to write seven days a week, one hour a day (I had no idea puppies demanded SO much energy and attention all day long!!!) but in the end I finally got the manuscript off to the editor in mid-October and to my cover designer. And Missy now gets to share the pages and the cover with my grand-doggy, Piper. A huge thank you to everyone who has encouraged my writing by leaving reviews for the previous books in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series – you definitely inspired me to tell this holiday story!

As a special thank you and as a holiday gift to you, the ebook is available for only $0.99 and the print copy has been discounted as well, through the end of December. Don’t miss out on the special price! And check out below, my recipe for Lacy Oatmeal Cookies which is one of several included in the book.

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Set against the holiday cheer of twinkling lights, costumed carolers, and a festive line of extravagantly decorated boats participating in the annual Christmas boat parade in Newport Beach, California, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez finds that the grinch has crashed the party. Together with her sister Carrie, Emory is catering a delectable feast of holiday cupcakes and cookies aboard a luxury yacht for the new Mrs. Blair Villman and her guests.

Sparks fly when Carrie comes face-to-face with the hostess, who just happens to be Carrie’s high school frenemy, and old grievances are dredged up. Adding fuel to the fire, Blair’s stepson brings his mother, the former Mrs. Villman, to the party. Instead of celebrating holiday cheer, someone seems intent on channeling the Burgermeister Meisterburger and shutting down Blair’s party permanently. When Emory finds a body aboard the yacht, she needs to discover who iced the victim before the Scrooge ruins not only her livelihood but her freedom as well.

I’m also celebrating my new release with a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway. Scroll down below the recipe to enter via the Rafflecopter link. Contest ends 12/21/21.

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Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional:

• 1/4 cup chocolate chips, your choice of white, semi-sweet, or dark

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together until well combined the oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in the egg and vanilla until incorporated then stir in the flour mixture just until combined.
3. Cover dough and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Form the dough into 2-teaspoon-sized balls (about 24 cookies) and place 4 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

6. Bake 1 sheet at a time for 14 to 15 minutes. The cookies should be golden, and centers should appear set.

7. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
8. If desired, drizzle with melted chocolate. Allow chocolate to set before storing in an airtight container with parchment paper separating the layers. Consume within 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Tip:

1. To melt the chocolate, place the chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir. Repeat for 20-second increments, stirring well after each heat cycle until the chips are smooth. Place in a pastry bag or disposable ziplock bag and snip a corner to release the drizzle over the cooled cookies.

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Be sure to follow along on my Great Escapes Virtual blog tour. There will be a gift card giveaway and a chance to win a print copy of FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER!

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 14 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW
December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
December 15 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Our Holiday Journey – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
December 16 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
December 16 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
December 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 17 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 17 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
December 19 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

Click on book to visit Amazon

STARLIGHT AT MOONGLOW is the seventh book in the Moonglow Christmas series by Deborah Garner. Every year I await with great anticipation for the newest sweet, holiday-based novella to release and welcome in the Christmas season! Ms. Garner’s characters are a delight to spend time with, especially the protagonist, Mist. There’s something just a bit magical about Mist as she welcomes and tends to the guests who arrive at the Timberton Hotel for the holidays. From the food she prepares, to the gifts she leaves each guest, to the miniature paintings she creates each Christmas Eve for each visitor to open Christmas morning, Mist seems to know what would be most meaningful for every individual. The author’s strong descriptive voice brings it all to life so that I felt like I was there, enjoying the scrumptious dishes, the roaring fire, and yuletide carols while spending time with friends, both new and old. Starlight at Moonglow is the perfect short holiday read to cozy up beneath a comforting quilt, sipping on eggnog or hot cocoa, and immerse yourself for a couple hours in pure Christmas joy!

One of the Christmas traditions at the Timberton Hotel is the annual cookie exchange for townsfolk and guests alike. Each year Ms. Garner invites readers to submit their favorite cookie recipe to include in the book, and each year I look forward to providing one of my own cookie recipes for the cookie exchange recipe section. This year I created Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Cookies for Starlight at Moonglow and I’m happy to share the recipe with you today. Thin dark chocolate cookies are a bit soft and chewy on the inside and a little crisp around the edges. With a sprinkle of coarse white sugar to mimic snow or a sprinkle of peppermint chips to add a festive flare, Santa and his elves will be delighted to be the recipient of these yummy cookies!

Amazon Synopsis

As the Christmas holiday approaches, a blizzard threatens the peaceful ambiance that the Timberton Hotel usually offers its guests. Even resident artist and chef, Mist, known to work near miracles, has no control over the howling winds and heavy snowfall. But there’s always a bit of magic in this small Montana town, and this year’s storm may just find it’s no match for heartfelt camaraderie, joyful inspiration, and sweet romance.

A special thanks to Deborah Garner for providing one lucky winner their choice of either print or an e-book copy of STARLIGHT AT MOONGLOW! Contest ends Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. Print is limited to U.S. residents only. 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!)

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Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, (or instant coffee such as Starbucks VIA)
• 3/4 cup Dutch cocoa powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Garnish

• Coarse white sugar or peppermint crunch baking chips (such as Andes)

Instructions

1. Sift together, into a medium bowl, the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy, about 3 minutes.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at time, until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix just until fully incorporated.
5. Refrigerate the dough for 60 minutes.
6. Separate the dough into two pieces, and roll each piece into 12-inch logs (about 2 inches in diameter). Tightly wrap each log in parchment paper.
7. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

9. Slice the cookies into 1/4 to 1/3-inch-thick rounds and place 6 slices only on a parchment-lined baking sheet. These cookies spread while baking so give them ample space. If desired, sprinkle tops of cookies with coarse white sugar or peppermint crunch baking chips.

10. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, rotating pan once halfway through baking cycle.

11. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Tip

1. If dough is too hard to slice through, allow to sit at room temperature for 15 – 30 minutes.

2. The dough can be made up to 3 months ahead of time, formed into logs, and wrapped in parchment paper. Place the logs into a freezer-safe Ziplock bag and freeze until needed. Allow the frozen dough to defrost overnight in the refrigerator then proceed as directed for slicing and baking.

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BEAR A WEE GRUDGE, the fifth book in the shamelessly adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series by Meg Macy, is as darling as cozy mysteries come! I can’t help but become captivated with the delightful setting of the Silver Bear Shop and Factory and the Silverman family who own it. The protagonist, Sasha Silverman, manages the teddy bear shop, working alongside her aunt and uncle. With a Scottish-themed Highland Fling festival coming to town, the entire family is pitching in to prepare their teddy bear booth: from her mother, the mayor of the village; to her dad, who’s a champion ax-thrower (and is also competing in the ax throwing contest); to her graphic artist sister; and lastly, her boyfriend, Jay, also a competitor at the Scottish games. I love how close-knit the family is (even when there’s a squabble or two). They know they have the support of each other no matter what happens. And, of course, the setting of a Scottish festival brings a unique twist to the mystery. Ms. Macy does an admirable job of bringing the festivities’ costumes, food, and competitions to life with a strong descriptive voice. Haggis anyone?!

When the Silverman family’s nemesis is found murdered with a competition ax in his back, Sasha’s dad is the number one suspect. It doesn’t help that the investigating detective seems to have it in for Sasha’s family. With a strong curiosity and a desire to see justice prevail, Sasha takes matters into her own hands and starts investigating. With the victim being an obnoxious man and several shady business dealings from his past, there were a slew of suspect possibilities. The author even brings in suspects from the previous book, but rest assured, this can still be easily read as a standalone. The quick pace of the story kept me turning pages and I was intrigued how the clues fit together as they lead toward the suspenseful reveal. With a heartwarming and life changing conclusion, I can’t wait to find out what’s coming next for Sasha and her family!

While BEAR A WEE GRUDGE doesn’t contain recipes, (and I promise I won’t introduce any haggis recipes here), Meg and I decided a cute teddy bear cookie craft fit the theme of the book. You can use any rollout cookie dough (including store bought) and I provided my favorite sugar cookie recipe along with links to other rollout cookie recipes on my blog. For these teddy bear cookies, I used this recipe: Christmas Mézeskalács   This makes for a fun cookie craft with young children and feel free to use your imagination to decorate the teddy bears any way you choose!

Amazon Synopsis

It’s springtime in Silver Hollow, Michigan, and Sasha is looking forward to the village’s inaugural Highland Fling weekend. Plans are underway for a Kilted 5K, athletic competitions, dancing, live music, and even a Hurl-the-Haggis contest. Meanwhile, Sasha’s staff is busy crafting custom teddy bears in kilts for the Silver Bear Shop’s vendor booth. But trouble’s brewing behind the scenes, as the obnoxious Teddy Hartman, former owner of a rival teddy bear company, sows seeds of discord about town, targeting Sasha’s family and their business.

Things go from plaid to worse when—just a week before the festival kicks-off—the disgruntled gossip is found murdered with an ax buried in his back. Sasha’s dad is arrested, since he’s a champion ax-thrower. But she doesn’t give a dram what it looks like—Sasha knows that despite the old business rivalry with Hartman, her father is innocent.  So with a spot of help from her friends, Sasha must bag the real killer before her first Fling also becomes her last.

A special thanks to Meg Macy for providing a winner with a print copy of BEAR A WEE GRUDGE plus some teddy bear swag.  Contest ends Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)

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Teddy Bear Cookies

Ingredients

• Your favorite rollout cookie dough (or purchased sugar cookie dough)
• All-purpose flour for rolling out dough

Optional

• Whole almonds
• Small candy hearts
• Royal icing

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Lightly flour a work surface then roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thick. Using your favorite teddy cookie cutters, cut the dough out and place the shapes onto the prepared pans.

3. If desired, place an almond in the center of the teddy bear and press the arms around the almond. OR press a small candy heart onto the chest.

4. Optional: Instead of using royal icing for decorating the face, use a toothpick to create small dots for eyes and nose before baking.

5. Refrigerate the cutouts for ten minutes.

6. Bake the cookies for 9 - 11 minutes, until the edges turn light golden.

7. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

8. Once cooled, pipe eyes, mouth, and ears with royal icing if desired.

Notes

Check out these rollout cookie dough recipes from my blog! Click on the title to see the recipe:

Biscochitos

Spicy Cajun Christmas Sugar Cookies

Spiced Apple Sugar Cookies

Gingerbread

Coconut Sugar Cookies

Christmas Mézeskalács

Print

My Favorite Rollout Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or other flavor such as almond or Fiori di Sicilia, my favorite)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter until light and creamy on medium-high speed. Add in the sugar and beat until well combined.

2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla (or desired flavoring).

3. Mix in the salt and baking powder. Lower the speed to low and slowly add the flour. Mix just until combined.

4. Divide the dough into 2 portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F) and line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.

6. Lightly flour work surface and rolling pin, and roll dough out to 1/4" thick. Cut out with desired cookie cutters and place the shapes on prepared baking sheet(s). Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

7. Bake for 8 - 11 minutes, until edges become lightly golden.

8. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool completely before decorating as desired.

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

I’m excited to share the cover reveal for my new upcoming release, FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER! 

Releasing December 17, 2021

And, as a holiday gift to you, the ebook price will remain at
$0.99 for the month of December,
so preorder your copy now!

(Print will be available around the time of the release date.)

To celebrate my upcoming release, I’m giving away a $5 Amazon gift card. Please use the Rafflecopter link below the recipe. Contest ends 12/8/21.

Click title to preorder your copy:

FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER

FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER

Set against the holiday cheer of twinkling lights, costumed carolers, and a festive line of extravagantly decorated boats participating in the annual Christmas boat parade in Newport Beach, California, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez finds that the grinch has crashed the party. Together with her sister Carrie, Emory is catering a delectable feast of holiday cupcakes and cookies aboard a luxury yacht for the new Mrs. Blair Villman and her guests.

Sparks fly when Carrie comes face-to-face with the hostess, who just happens to be Carrie’s high school frenemy, and old grievances are dredged up. Adding fuel to the fire, Blair’s stepson brings his mother, the former Mrs. Villman, to the party. Instead of celebrating holiday cheer, someone seems intent on channeling the Burgermeister Meisterburger and shutting down Blair’s party permanently. When Emory finds a body aboard the yacht, she needs to discover who iced the victim before the Scrooge ruins not only her livelihood but her freedom as well.

Includes delicious holiday recipes.

In my household Christmas means cookies galore! I’ve included several cookie and cupcake recipes in FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER. One of the cookie recipes is Hot Cocoa Cookies which I’m sharing below. Rich chocolate cookies are topped with a chocolate wafer and a mini marshmallow. Thanks to the caramel undertones from brown sugar and a bit of coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor, these cookies are sure to be a hit with Santa and his merry little elves!

Print

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee (such as Starbucks VIA)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar for rolling
• chocolate candy disks
• mini marshmallows

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a standing mixer, add the butter, hot chocolate mix, brown sugar, salt, and instant coffee. Beat the mixture until smooth and creamy. Add in the egg and the vanilla and mix until incorporated.
2. Beat in the baking powder, then slowly add in the flour, mixing until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Place the granulated sugar in a bowl. Form dough into 1 1/2-inch sized balls and roll in the sugar. Place on baking sheet at least 3 inches apart.
6. Bake for 8 minutes, until cookies appear set but not fully cooked. Remove the cookies from the oven and press a chocolate candy disk into the center of each cookie and top with a mini marshmallow.
7. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the chocolate softens.
8. Remove baking sheet from oven and slightly press the marshmallow into the melted chocolate to secure. Allow the cookies to mostly cool then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days with parchment or wax paper separating the layers.

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Pin to Pinterest:

Mark your calendars and be sure to follow along on my Great Escapes Virtual blog tour. There will be a gift card giveaway and a chance to win a print copy of FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER!

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 14 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW
December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
December 15 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Our Holiday Journey – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
December 16 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
December 16 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
December 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 17 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 17 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
December 19 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

In person appearance!!!

If you live in Southern California, I hope you’ll be able to join me and
these two fabulous authors at Creating Conversations
for some cookies and fun!

Click on title to preorder now:

FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER

P.S. Did you know that FRAMED AND FROSTED is available to read for free if you belong to Kindle Unlimited?!

Click on book to visit Amazon