Cinnamon and Sugar

Cold Brew Coffee

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I’m delighted to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour presenting COLD BREW CORPSE, the second book in the Coffee Lover’s Mystery series by Tara Lush! With the backdrop of the mouth-watering coffee shop, Perkatory, in Devil’s Beach, Florida, the protagonist, Lana Lewis, has her hands full running the busy shop and pining for her past life as a newspaper crime reporter. Lana is witty and can be just a bit snarky at times, yet she’s loyal to her friends, dad, and her adorable dog, Stanley. The characters surrounding Lana are equally fleshed out, and I especially love her hippie dad. He doesn’t frequent the pages as much as I’d like, but when he does, he steals the scene. And then there’s Noah… sigh… the tantalizing chief of police and Lana’s love interest if their schedules ever line up. Ms. Lush knows how to draw out the suspense not only of the crime, but of the romantic aspect as well. The descriptive voice of the author brings the setting to life, from the hot humidity of Florida, to the tantalizing fragrance of fresh-brewed coffee, to the inviting views of sand and sea, making me feel like I’m right there. Adding to all of that is the tidbits of humor interjected, thanks to the author’s active imagination, which kept me chuckling as I turned the pages.

I found it intriguing that the victim of the murderer was that of a yogi, Raina Rose, who’d set up her hot yoga studio, Dante’s Inferno, next to Perkatory. (The cleverly named shops in town are all quite entertaining on their own!) I, for one, don’t associate violence with yoga, yet the author does an admirable job in weaving the crime into the relaxing practice. Early on, Raina seemed to embody the attributes of yogi but as Lana digs deeper into Raina’s life, not all is as serene as she’d appeared. Combining her natural curiosity with the opportunity to write an article for the local newspaper on the case, Lana begins asking questions around town, hunting for answers on who might have wanted the yogi dead. As the clues come together, Lana and the hot chief might be at odds on who will solve the case first. But with the final suspenseful conclusion, all is revealed and the reader is enticed into waiting on pins and needles for the next installment in this delicious series!

If you’re a coffee drinker like I am, you’ll be tempted by all the delectable drinks served at the Perkatory. Many thanks to Ms. Lush for providing a cold brew coffee recipe for me to share with you. A couple years ago my husband gifted me with a fancy espresso barista machine, which I’m completely smitten with. I did a taste test between my espresso machine and this cold brew recipe. Hands down the cold brew was by far the winner and when the weather turns warm and I switch to iced coffees, I’ll be keeping a carafe of this in my fridge. On it’s own or as the base for your own fabulous coffee concoction, this cold brew coffee is a smooth, delicious (and oh so easy) way to become your own favorite barista!

Amazon Synopsis

It’s a steamy September, and business is brisk at Perkatory, the hottest coffee shop in Devil’s Beach, FL. Much of the clientele pours in from Dante’s Inferno, the hot yoga studio next door. But the bright, sunny Gulf Coast days turn decidedly dark-roast when the body of the studio’s owner turns up in a nearby swamp.

Between running Perkatory and training Stanley, her golden Shih Tzu puppy, reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis is too busy to go sleuthing. But when the editor of the local paper asks her to write about the murder, Lana’s dreams of getting back into journalism start to percolate.

Lana discovers that the yogi has a nefarious past and her share of mug shots, so grinding her way through the suspect list is a large task. She learns that the victim was fatally beaned by an SUV before she was dumped in the swamp. But was the killer one of her students? An envious yoga teacher? Or a local photographer who seems to know too much?

But no one tells Lana Lewis what to do. Hunting the caf-fiend who killed the yogi puts Lana and Chief Noah’s relationship–and Lana’s life–in very hot coffee.

A special thanks to Tara Lush for providing one winner with a $20 Amazon gift card! Contest ends January 17, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. Contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour and the winner will be announced on this page and notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee has become a popular drink, and while it’s tempting to spend $4 at Starbucks for an iced cold glass of coffee, it’s also quite easy to make your own. It won’t taste weird, I promise, and it’s a good choice while dreaming of summer and reading COLD BREW CORPSE, the second in the Coffee Lover’s Mystery series by Tara Lush. Here’s a simple recipe to follow for the perfect cold brew concentrate.

Ingredients

1/3 cup coarsely ground coffee
1-1/2 cups cups cold water
Milk, flavoring, and sugar to taste

Instructions

Place both the coffee and the water in a glass jar or pitcher. Stir. (You can also buy a fancy cold brew container with a built in filter like I have, but let’s just keep this simple).
Cover the container and let it rest at room temperature for 12 hours. This length of time allows the coffee flavor and oils to emerge with no bitterness.
Strain the coffee through a filter, a fine-mesh colander, cheesecloth, or sieve.
Serve the strained coffee over ice. If it’s too strong, dilute with water. Also add your choice of milk, flavoring and sugar. Enjoy!

Note:

If you double or triple the recipe, the coffee keeps for five days in the fridge.

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January 4 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE
January 4 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
January 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 6 – The Mystery Section – RECIPE
January 6 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
January 7 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 7 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
January 8 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 8 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
January 9 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
January 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
January 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
January 12 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
January 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
January 13 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
January 14 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST
January 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
January 16 – ebook addicts – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

You may have noticed that I haven’t featured any YouTube videos lately with the recipe posts. Due to my own writing schedule and deadlines, I’m trying to find ways to create more time without giving up the blog. I hope you understand and perhaps one of these days, I’ll be able to return to crafting YouTube tutorials.

Now if you’ve followed my blog for long, you’ve probably noticed that I don’t advertise nor offer recommendations for products other than books. I’m making an exception this time because I’m enthralled with the Sumatra coffee produced by a local roaster, Wilson Coffee, which is only a couple miles from my house! Their organic coffee is also sustainably grown with an emphasis on supporting small local farms in the region the coffee is grown in. On top of that, they got their start in my small home town of Ojai before settling here in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, CA. While browsing their website for this blurb, I also noticed that they offer cold brew as well. Thanks to the cold brew recipe provided by Tara Lush, I think I’ll stick to making my own 🙂

Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

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.

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

In a medium bowl, mix together until well combined the oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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.
Cover dough and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Form the dough into 2-teaspoon-sized balls (about 24 cookies) and place 4 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake 1 sheet at a time for 14 to 15 minutes. The cookies should be golden, and centers should appear set.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
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:

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

Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Cookies

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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!)

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

Sift together, into a medium bowl, the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy, about 3 minutes.
Beat in the eggs, one at time, until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix just until fully incorporated.
Refrigerate the dough for 60 minutes.
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.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
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.
Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, rotating pan once halfway through baking cycle.
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Tip

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

I’m delighted to be participating in the Great Escape Virtual Book Tour introducing SLEIGH BELL TOWER, the eighth book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries by James J. Cudney! This is the first I’ve read in the series but certainly won’t be the last. With a detailed and complex plot, I was pulled in from the very start. While there are a lot of characters throughout the story, the author has thoughtfully included a list of characters at the very start which makes it easy for reference if needed.

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I was delighted to find that instead of the usual twenty-something female protagonist, this series features single dad, Professor Kellan Ayrwick. As an amateur sleuth he’s intelligent and quite methodical as he susses out clues on who might have committed murder during the college campus holiday gala. I love how he’s dating the local sheriff, April, who provides tidbits of information to aid in his investigation, and visa versa. Together with Kellan’s young daughter, they make up a blended family that includes Kellan’s young cousin and April’s younger brother. Rounding out the core cast of familial characters is Kellan’s grandmother, Nana D, who steals each scene she inhabits! She’s feisty and witty and is also the mayor of the town. I appreciate the tight bond between the family members and Mr. Cudney has done an admirable job in giving them individual personalities and quirks to make them more relatable.

Even though I started the book so late in the series, the standalone murder mystery in this book was complete and there’s enough backstory to pique my interest in reading the proceeding books. That said, there is a separate mystery thread running through the course of the books which makes me suggest that starting at the beginning of the series is preferable. With a touch of paranormal (in the form of the Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future), the plot kept me on my toes as I followed along with Kellan’s investigation. There were suspects galore which kept me guessing as I tracked the trail of clues but in the end, I was completely surprised by the reveal. Mr. Cudney does an admirable job in throwing in twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wanting to come back to read more in this series. I appreciated the heartwarming holiday scenes as the story wound down and with a hint at what’s next in store for Kellan, I’ll be waiting on pins and needles for the next release!

With the book’s holiday theme, it was delightful to see a yummy and fun cocktail recipe to celebrate the season. Peppy Schnappy Blast hits all the right marks for a Christmas cocktail: spirited candy cane flavors, creamy vanilla, chocolate, and whipped cream with a cherry on top! Be aware, though, if you leave one of these cocktails for Santa instead of cookies, you just might wake up to a party going on instead of presents beneath the tree!

Amazon Synopsis

When Bell Towers decides to build their newest boutique hotel in Wharton County, Braxton establishes a hospitality program as part of their university expansion. Despite the Ingram and Lynch family ties to prominent citizens, a dispute over the proposed landsite pits citizens against each other.

One takes matters into their own hands and slays the hotel magnate during the campus holiday party. As the list of suspects increases, long-lost family members are anxious to keep their secrets from being revealed, complicating Sheriff Montague’s ability to determine the murderer’s true motive. Even Kellan is forced to cast doubt on his friends and colleagues when it becomes obvious someone he knows committed the ultimate crime.

April and Kellan are also celebrating their first Christmas and Hanukkah together, exchanging gifts based on the classic Twelve Days of Christmas song. While they trim the tree, light the menorah, and experience all the traditional holiday festivities with the kids, Nana D delivers her sarcastic brand of humor and endlessly tortures the town. Among Eleanor’s surprise news, Augie’s new girlfriend, and Myriam’s hilarious demands, Kellan’s dealing with unexpected holiday drama.

The poor guy simply wants to spend the merry season with his family before he’s forced to trek to Scotland to fulfill his promise to the late Constance Garibaldi. What kind of quest has the psychic sent him on now?

A special thanks to James J. Cudney for providing two winners with a print copy of SLEIGH BELL TOWER. Contest ends December 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. Contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour and the winner will be announced on this page and notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Peppy Schnappy Blast

Two parts vodka, two parts peppermint schnapps, and one part vanilla-flavored almond milk. It’s served in a chilled martini glass, then topped with a tower of whipped cream, bits of crumbled candy canes, shaved dark chocolate, and a frozen cherry.

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

2 ounces Vodka
2 ounces Peppermint Schnapps
1 ounce Vanilla-flavored almond milk
Whipped cream, homemade or store bought is okay
Candy Canes
Dark Chocolate (swap it out if you prefer milk or white chocolate too)
1 Frozen Cherry (non-frozen will work but it won’t pack as much of a punch)

Instructions

Chill your martini glass for at least 30 minutes.
Crumble a candy cane into bite-sized pieces that you can sprinkle on the whipped cream.
Shave a 1-ounce piece of dark chocolate into fun curly shapes or tiny little shavings, depending on what kitchen gadget you have available.
Mix 2 ounces of vodka and 2 ounces of peppermint schnapps in a large glass or tumbler.
Add in 1 ounce of almond milk.
Shake well and pour into martini glass.
Add whipped cream in a towering shape on the top of the glass (add as much as you like, really)
Sprinkle chocolate and candy cane bits on the top as though it were a colorful holiday tree.
Add 1 cherry to the top. Go for more if you’re gluttonous like me!

Notes:

If you prefer less alcohol, you can add several cubes of crushed ice or more almond milk to keep from getting too tipsy too quickly!
More than 2 might get you into serious trouble!

Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes:

I rimmed the cocktail glass with chocolate syrup then sprinkled crushed candy canes over the syrup.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 10 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE
December 11 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
December 12 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – GUEST POST
December 12 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
December 13 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
December 13 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
December 14 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
December 14 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
December 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
December 16 – Brianne’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 17 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
December 17 – ebook addicts – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 19 – The Book’s the Thing – SPOTLIGHT
December 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – Diane Reviews Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 20 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

Teddy Bear Cookies

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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!)

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

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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.
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.
Optional: Instead of using royal icing for decorating the face, use a toothpick to create small dots for eyes and nose before baking.
Refrigerate the cutouts for ten minutes.
Bake the cookies for 9 - 11 minutes, until the edges turn light golden.
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
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

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

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.
Beat in the egg and the vanilla (or desired flavoring).
Mix in the salt and baking powder. Lower the speed to low and slowly add the flour. Mix just until combined.
Divide the dough into 2 portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F) and line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
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.
Bake for 8 - 11 minutes, until edges become lightly golden.
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.

Hot Cocoa Cookies

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.

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!

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

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.
Beat in the baking powder, then slowly add in the flour, mixing until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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.
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.
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the chocolate softens.
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.
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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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

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!

Thursday, December 9, 2021 – 11:30am

Creating Conversations

2850 Artesia Blvd., #101

Redondo Beach, CA 90278