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THE SOLACE OF BAY LEAVES, the fifth book in the Spice Shop Mysteries by Leslie Budewitz, is another delicious addition to a tantalizing series! In this newest release, Ms. Budewitz once again displays her strengths in developing relatable and memorable characters that show growth over the course of the series. She also includes a colorful cast of characters that add to the whimsy of the locale. While this can be read as a standalone, I think the story is stronger by getting to know the protagonist, Pepper Reece, from the beginning and following her journey. I love how the author effectively uses Pepper, as owner of the Spice Shop in Pike Place Market, to showcase the bounty and tastes of the setting. In fact, she immerses the reader using all five senses so that I felt like I was right there and made me want to hop on a plane and visit in person. The Spice Shop would definitely be one of the first places I’d want to visit if it were possible! I also enjoyed all the tidbits of information offered up about spices and uses, along with all the mouthwatering descriptions of food.

The mystery surrounding the brutal shooting of one of Pepper’s childhood friends takes center stage. It also pulls in an unsolved 3-year-old murder case of the husband of another childhood friend. As Pepper searches for answers, it appears that the two crimes are connected. The author has created a complex, well-plotted mystery that revolves around the re-gentrification of a rundown area in Seattle. With plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing, the ending caught me by surprise with a historical twist that provided another layer of intrigue. Tying in the themes of friendship and loss, hope and acceptance, the reader is taken along for an enticing read as they follow Pepper’s search for answers!

There are several delicious sounding recipes at the back of the book as well. I couldn’t help but want to try out the recipe for Almond Biscotti! These hearty, crunchy cookies stay fresh for up to two weeks and if you ship to loved ones, they remain intact and delicious. Crunchy, with a delicate almond flavor thanks to a generous amount of toasted almonds, these traditional Almond Biscotti don’t contain any butter or oil. Perfect for dunking in your favorite hot beverage!

Amazon Synopsis

Pepper Reece never expected to find solace in bay leaves.

But when her life fell apart at forty and she bought the venerable-but-rundown Spice Shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, her days took a tasty turn. Now she’s savoring the prospect of a flavorful fall and a busy holiday cooking season, until danger bubbles to the surface . . .

Between managing her shop, worrying about her staff, and navigating a delicious new relationship, Pepper’s firing on all burners. But when her childhood friend Maddie is shot and gravely wounded, the incident is quickly tied to an unsolved murder that left another close friend a widow.

Convinced that the secret to both crimes lies in the history of a once-beloved building, Pepper uses her local-girl contacts and her talent for asking questions to unearth startling links between the past and present—links that suggest her childhood friend may not have been the Golden Girl she appeared to be. Pepper is forced to face her own regrets and unsavory emotions, if she wants to save Maddie’s life—and her own.

A special thanks to Leslie Budewitz for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of THE SOLACE OF BAY LEAVES. Contest is limited to U.S. residents and ends Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. 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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Almond Biscotti

Biscotti have a reputation for being a major kitchen project, but Laurel's version of the classic Italian dipping cookie is as easy as it is tasty, crunchy on the outside and chewy inside. For an extra treat, dip a few in melted chocolate, or paint chocolate on one side.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted (see below)
• 3 large eggs (one separated)
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

2. *Toast the nuts on a rimmed baking sheet for 7 to 10 minutes, or until they just begin to change color. Remember that nuts continue to cook as they cool. Cool completely before using.

3. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon sheet.

4. In the bowl of your mixer, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the almonds and beat on low to blend well. Add 2 whole eggs, the yolk of the third egg, and the extracts. Beat on medium until a sticky dough forms. (If your flour is quite dry, you may need to add a teaspoon of milk.)

5. Lightly flour a cutting board. Turn the dough onto the board and shape into a disk. Cut the disk into four equal quarters. Lightly moisten your hands, then roll each quarter into a log, about 1-1/2 inches wide and 9 inches long. Place logs on the baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Press the tops gently to make sure they are even.

6. Lightly beat the remaining egg white; brush it on tops of the logs, then sprinkle them evenly with the remaining tablespoon of sugar.

7. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the logs are lightly browned and just set; there will be cracks on the surface. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire cooling rack; let the logs rest for 5 minutes, then carefully peel them off the parchment - they will be hot - and place them directly on the rack to cool for 10 minutes. Discard the parchment.

8. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees. Use a chef's knife to trim the end of each log. Then cut each log on the diagonal into equal slices. (Press down into the log, rather than sawing, to prevent breaking.) Place the slices on the baking sheet, with a cut side facing up. Bake 10 minutes, then turn each slice over. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until the slices are lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate, if you'd like.

Note:

1. Makes about 40 cookies. The biscotti will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Note:

1. *I found pre-toasted slivered almonds at Trader Joe's if you want to skip toasting the almonds yourself.

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A FLAIR FOR GOBLINS by Deborah Garner is the sixth book in the Sadie Kramer Flair Mysteries. With lighthearted spooky vibes and tales of ghosts haunting a local San Francisco mansion, this newest addition fits the bill for a fun Halloween cozy mystery read! I love that the protagonist, Sadie Kramer, is a woman of a “certain age”. Mature, a no-nonsense attitude, and a flair for fashion, Sadie and her adorable Yorkie sidekick, Coco, take center stage no matter the situation. The author weaves in a disgraced paranormal investigator, disgruntled family members of the victim, and a stressful Halloween ball to organize, all set against the backdrop of San Francisco. I greatly enjoyed that Sadie’s detective beau from New Orleans shows up unexpectedly to assist in her quest for solving another murder. He adds a sweet dimension to the storyline. Despite being a quick read, Ms. Garner does an admirable job of developing the characters and creating plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing as Sadie snoops. The reveal itself came quite quickly and felt rushed but, all in all, the threads of the story wrapped up together in a spooktacular conclusion.

Sadie loves to eat and she greatly enjoys sampling some of the treats the caterer prepares for the Halloween Ball. I’m honored to have my recipe for Butterfinger Krispie Bars included at the back of the book after Sadie “approved” of them. A delicious riff on Rice Krispie Treats, Butterfinger Krispie Bars combines the flavors of the iconic candy bar: chocolate, butterscotch, and peanut butter. Plus it’s a scrumptious way to use up some of the Butterfinger candy from trick-or-treating. This recipe makes a large batch so you can tempt and treat all your ghosts, ghouls, and goblins!

Amazon Synopsis

When Sadie Kramer agrees to help decorate for San Francisco’s high-society Halloween shindig, she expects to find whimsical ghosts, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns when she shows up at the Wainwright Mansion, not a body. Especially not the body of the woman in charge of the charity event.

With two detectives, a paranormal investigator turned television star, and a cauldron full of Wainwright Foundation staff and family members cackling around her, Sadie and her sidekick Yorkie are determined to find out who the killer is. Will an old superstition help lead to the truth? Or will this simply become one more tale in the mansion’s haunted history?

A special thanks to Deborah Garner for providing one lucky winner with their choice of print or an ebook copy of A FLAIR FOR GOBLINS. Print is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. 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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Butterfinger Krispie Bars

A delicious way to use up Halloween candy

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1-1/2 cups peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 6 cups (12 ounce box) Rice Krispies
• 1 12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 12 ounce bag butterscotch chips
• 3 Butterfinger candy bars, crushed

Instructions

1. Line a jelly roll pan (12" x 18") with foil and spritz with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the Rice Krispies over the bottom of the pan.

2. In a medium saucepan, stir together over low heat, sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter.

3. Once the mixture has melted and is smooth, pour over the Rice Krispies. Stir until all the cereal is coated and pat flat onto the pan.

4. Place the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring after each cycle, until melted. Spread over the Rice Krispies mixture.

5. Before the chocolate/butterscotch spread sets, sprinkle with the Butterfinger crumbles.

6. Cut into bars while still warm, leaving them in the pan. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm and chocolate/butterscotch spread has set before serving.

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HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE, the fifth book in A Berry Basket Mystery series by Sharon Farrow, has all the trappings that make a holiday cozy mystery enjoyable! From the delightful Christmas cover, to the protagonist, Marlee Jacob, (named after famed Jacob Marley of A Christmas Carol), to Marlee’s obsession with decorating both her shop and home, and to the town’s Hollyberry Festival, the reader is immersed in a flurry of holiday activities. The author’s descriptive voice shines through and brings the characters and setting to life on the pages without slowing down the plot. Ms. Farrow’s use of a local stage production, A Christmas Carol, to highlight the death of the 95-year-old man playing Jacob Marley, adds to the entertainment. Everyone is sure he died of natural causes but Marlee is convinced foul play was involved. With a colorful and humorous cast of characters surrounding Marlee (including Minnie, her African Gray parrot) I couldn’t help but be enthralled with the story and enjoyed several laugh out loud moments.

The murder mystery itself was well-plotted and had a good pace. I enjoyed that Marlee’s friends are supportive of her snooping and help out as they can. As I turned the pages, layers of suspicion and secrets were revealed but I still couldn’t hone in on the killer. The author expertly weaves in twists that left me shocked and the clues she includes had me fixating on one character then another. But in the thrilling conclusion, they all piece together into one cohesive ending that made me yearn for more!

As owner of The Berry Basket, Marlee serves an assortment of mouthwatering berry-themed goodies. While holly berries are poisonous, Ms. Farrow includes several holiday-themed recipes at the back of the book that not only are safe to eat, but sound scrumptious as well. I couldn’t wait to try her recipe for No-Bake Hollyberry Cluster Cookies since they epitomize hollyberries and Christmas! Similar to rice krispie treats, except using cornflakes, these cookies are sure to please the kids. Plus the brightly-colored green dyed cornflake cookies with red hot candies will make any holiday cookie platter stand out as you share Christmas cheer!

Amazon Synopsis

A cold wind is blowing off Lake Michigan, and murder is scaring the dickens out of everyone . . .

Considering her name, Marlee Jacob is an obvious choice for the role of Jacob Marley in Oriole Point’s production of A Christmas Carol. It’s just sad that the role has opened up because of the death of the elderly actor who’d originally been cast.
 
But Marlee, the proprietor of The Berry Basket, will do her best to keep spirits high—that is, until clues start mounting that there’s danger behind the scenes. There are accidents on set, the tree in the village square topples over, and worst of all, a body is found with a sprig of holly draped over it. If Marlee can’t wrap up the case, she may not have a berry merry Christmas . . .

A special thanks to Sharon Farrow for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. 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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No-Bake Hollyberry Cluster Cookies

After Theo points out the lack of holly pastries in the shop, Marlee searches on Pinterest for a recipe that incorporates a holly theme. This easy, no-bake recipe seemed perfect. Variations of this recipe call for shaping the batter into wreaths. Since the leaves and berries of holly are poisonous, real holly is not included. What you will find included is a lot of flavor.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 30 large marshmallows
• 1/4 teaspoon green food coloring
• 4-1/2 cups cornflakes cereal
• 1/3 cup mini red cinnamon candies, such as Red Hots

Instructions

1. Heat butter in a large saucepan or pot until melted. Add marshmallows.

2. Stir until all the marshmallows are melted. Mix in the green food coloring.

3. Stir in the cornflakes cereal, until all the pieces are coated.

4. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. Press 3 cinnamon candies into each cornflake cluster.

5. Let cool until set.

Notes

Makes approximately 24 cookies.

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CANDY SLAIN MURDER, the eighth book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day, finds South Lick, Indiana in the midst of holiday cheer. While not overdone to distract from the mystery, the author still conveys the sights, sounds, and tastes the season has to offer. The protagonist, Robbie Jordan, is keeping busy at her restaurant and B & B, Pans’ N Pancakes, and spending time with her boyfriend, Abe, and his teenaged son. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop in this newest book since Abe hasn’t been featured much in past installments. I also like how Robbie juggles her more than full-time job, her relationships, and trying to solve a murder without shirking her responsibilities. It makes the characters feel more authentic. The reader also learns a lot more about Danna, Robbie’s employee, along with Danna’s mother, the town’s mayor. Interwoven into the mystery is the appearance of Danna’s half-brother, someone she had no idea existed. I have always admired Ms. Day interjecting social issues into her stories, and this book is no exception. Adoption, single parenting, racism, and intolerance are addressed and woven into the fabric of the plot without slowing down the pace. I appreciate her ability to balance entertainment with social conscience.

When a woman’s body is discovered after being missing for a decade and when a new murder occurs, Robbie gets involved asking questions and listening to the folk who visit her café. Are the two murders related, even though there are ten years between the deaths? I enjoy Robbie’s methodical mind and musings over the evidence as it unfolds. It helps the reader link the clues together, and while I had a very strong suspicion (and was correct), I was intrigued to find out why. The well-plotted mystery and the engaging characters kept my attention until the very last page!

Running a popular breakfast and lunch café, Robbie is always cooking up mouthwatering dishes. As with previous books in the series, Ms. Day provides several recipes at the back of the book which all sound fantastic! I love making cookies and couldn’t resist trying the recipe for Gingerbread People. Ms. Day suggests using candy for decorating or your favorite icing, so I opted to garnish the cookies with piped royal icing for holiday cheer. These were easy to mix up and I appreciated that they require only 30 minutes of refrigeration before rolling out, so there’s not a long wait. Plus, unlike other recipes I’ve tried, this recipe makes a manageable amount… just enough for a family to indulge or enough to share with a few friends and not the entire neighborhood. The dough wasn’t overly sticky which made the cutouts manageable. Once they were baked, the sweet, spiced cookies remained soft instead of overly crunchy, which my taste testers really enjoyed. While gingerbread cookies are associated with Christmas, these yummy cookies are delicious anytime you desire a satisfying spiced cookie!

Amazon Synopsis

Christmas cheer has sent the griddle into overdrive at Robbie Jordan’s popular country store and café. And this year, there’s a new seasonal special to feast on: murder!

As December sweeps through South Lick, Indiana, Robbie’s life seems merry and bright like the string lights glistening around town. But strange happenings signal a bumpy ride into the holidays. First a man raises eyebrows at Pans ‘N Pancakes when he claiming to be the long-lost half-brother of Robbie’s assistant. Then a fire destroys the home of a controversial anesthesiologist, exposing skeletal remains in his attic. Helplessly intrigued, all Robbie wants for Christmas is to stop her winter wonderland from becoming a real nightmare. With a decades-old mystery taking shape, can she run as fast as she can in pursuit of a killer who’s harder to crack than a stale gingerbread man?

A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of CANDY SLAIN MURDER! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. 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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Gingerbread People

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 3-1/2 cups unbleached white flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water
• Chocolate chips or icing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Cover two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the molasses.

3. Combine the dry ingredients. Add them to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with a total of 1/4 cup water.

4. Form dough into a disk, wrap with plastic, and chill for at least half an hour.

5. Flour a surface and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with gingerbread man and woman cutters and place 1/2 inch apart on baking sheet. Add chocolate chips for eyes, mouths, and buttons before baking, or leave plain to decorate later.

6. Bake for 8 minutes or until edges start to brown.

7. Cool on a wire rack. Add additional decorations if desired using your favorite icing recipe.

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