Cinnamon and Sugar

Eggnog Scones

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BROKEN BONE CHINA, the twentieth book in the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs is an entertaining addition to an enduring series. Protagonist, Theodosia Browning, is owner of the charming Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina. During her shop’s catering job at the Top Flight Balloon Club event, Theodosia and her tea sommelier, Drayton, are witness to a horrific calamity when a drone collides with one of the balloons. I’m impressed by the way the author uses a technical and unique murder method… the tragedy could have been pulled from current day news headlines. Ms. Childs brings the action to life, starting from the very first pages, and her description of Theodosia’s balloon ride reinforces my determination that I never want to give it a try myself.

I greatly enjoyed the interaction between Theodosia and Drayton, who are long-time friends. They work well together, both at the shop and in their search for finding the murderer. Their hunt involves a priceless American Revolutionary war flag which gives the reader a peek into historic places and architectural sites. As the duo ask questions and dig into the victims’ pasts, they find many suspects to focus on. The clues are scattered throughout the story and just when I would think I had it figured out, a new clue pointed me in a completely different direction.

Ms. Childs sprinkles her tale of murder with specialty tea events at Theodosia’s shop, like a Nancy Drew Tea, a Beaux Arts Tea, and a Floral Tea Cups competition, in which miniature floral arrangements are created in tea cups… brilliant! She also provides lovely ideas for hosting your own tea party at the back of the book along with delicious recipes. I was drawn to the recipe for Eggnog Scones, which are flaky, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth yummy. While eggnog might not be available year round, this recipe is worthwhile to keep for the holiday season. But just in case you don’t want to wait that long, I’ve provided an eggnog recipe to make at home. These scones are an amazing accompaniment to tea or for a special breakfast treat.

Amazon Synopsis
It is Sunday afternoon, and Theodosia and Drayton are catering a formal tea at a hot-air balloon rally. The view aloft is not only stunning, they are also surrounded by a dozen other colorful hot-air balloons. But as the sky turns gray and the clouds start to boil up, a strange object zooms out of nowhere. It is a drone, and it appears to be buzzing around the balloons, checking them out.

As Theodosia and Drayton watch, the drone, hovering like some angry, mechanized insect, deliberately crashes into the balloon next to them. An enormous, fiery explosion erupts, and everyone watches in horror as the balloon plummets to the earth, killing all three of its passengers.

Sirens scream, first responders arrive, and Theodosia is interviewed by the police. During the interview she learns that one of the downed occupants was Don Kingsley, the CEO of a local software company, SyncSoft. Not only do the police suspect Kingsley as the primary target, they learn that he possessed a rare Revolutionary War Union Jack flag that several people were rabidly bidding on.

Intrigued, Theodosia begins her own investigation. Was it the CEO’s soon-to-be ex-wife, who is restoring an enormous mansion at no expense? The CEO’s personal assistant, who also functioned as curator of his prized collection of Americana? Two rival antiques’ dealers known for dirty dealing? Or was the killer the fiancée of one of Theodosia’s dear friends, who turns out to be an employee—and whistle-blower—at SyncSoft?

A special thanks to Laura Childs for providing a winner with a signed hardcover copy of BROKEN BONE CHINA. Contest ends Sunday, March 10, 2019 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!)

Eggnog Scones

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
6 tablespoons butter, cubed and softened
1 egg
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup eggnogg

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
Combine egg, sour cream, and eggnog in a separate dish, then add to dry mixture. Combine until mixture holds together. If needed, a splash more of eggnog can be added.
Pat dough into a large circle, about 1/2-inch thick. Now cut dough into 10 to 12 triangles and place on a well-greased (or parchment-lined) baking sheet.
Bake scones for approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Hint:

For a sweet topping, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons eggnog and drizzle over scones.

I’ve made eggnog for numerous years when eggnog is out of season at the grocery stores. I’ve scaled the recipe down so there won’t be a huge amount left over after making this recipe.

Homemade Eggnog

Ingredients

1 egg
Pinch of salt
2-1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup whole milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Dash of fresh grated nutmeg

Instructions

In a heavy pot, whisk together sugar, salt, egg, and vanilla.

In a microwave safe container, heat the whole milk in the microwave until very warm (I use the beverage button on my microwave.)

Once heated, whisk the milk very slowly into egg mixture.

Place over low heat and stir constantly until mixture reaches 160 degrees. (If you don’t have a thermometer, mixture will be thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon with a thin film. However, for safety, a thermometer is a must.)

Remove mixture from heat upon reaching 160 degrees and add heavy cream and the grated nutmeg. Stir to combine.

Use a fine mesh strainer and strain eggnog before chilling.

Eggnog should be consumed within 3 days.

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Lucy’s Date-Stuffed Cookies

I’m excited to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour introducing ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE! This third book in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series, by Tina Kashian, is a delightful sun-drenched, seaside cozy mystery. The author brings small-town Jersey shore and boardwalk culture to life. The reader will feel like they are immersing themselves in the last hurrah of hot summer days with a sand sculpture contest, a wine and food festival featuring local restaurants, and carnival rides. You can smell the Coppertone, taste the cold ice cream, and hear the laughter, until murder brings the festive atmosphere to a screeching halt… I love the way Ms. Kashian uses words to paint vivid pictures of both her settings and her characters. She wraps the theme of family and friendship into the story with heartwarming results.

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Ms. Kashian brings protagonist, Lucy Berberian, and the supporting cast to a tightly-developed plot. Lucy would rather not get involved in murder, especially given her previous close calls with killers. Even though she knows the town is suffering financial distress by the interruption to their last summer tourist event, she’s determined to let the town’s detective (who dislikes Lucy and her family) solve the case. I loved seeing how the author weaves her tale, pulling Lucy into getting involved despite her reluctance. I find it adds to the creativity of the plot and avoids the “just because of curiosity” excuse. It also gives Lucy more of a human connection to the other characters in the book, allowing the reader to relate more. The exciting conclusion wraps the threads of the plot and subplot together for a satisfying and entertaining read!

Lucy is a first generation American with an Armenian, Greek, and Lebanese heritage. When her parents immigrated to the Jersey shore, they opened their Kebab Kitchen restaurant which Lucy now manages. While Lucy isn’t much of a cook, her mother is inspiring her to learn. Thankfully, Lucy isn’t the chef and instead, the mouthwatering food coming from the kitchen belongs to Lucy’s romantic interest, Azad. Fortunately for the reader, Ms. Kashian includes several recipes at the back of the book. They all sound fantastic! I chose to feature her recipe for Date Stuffed Cookies. The sweet, cinnamon-y filling is encased in flaky cookie dough, so it’s almost like a mini turnover. I loved the ease of working with the dough and my taste testers loved the flavor… even those who said they didn’t like dates! For a fun change from regular flat cookies, I’ll be making these to add elegance to my holiday cookie platters.

Amazon Synopsis

As summer comes to an end in her Jersey Shore town, Lucy Berberian continues to manage her family’s Mediterranean restaurant. The Kebab Kitchen also has a food tent at this year’s beach festival. But now a local businessman is under the boardwalk—dead by the sea …

With a sand castle contest and live music, Ocean Crest bids a bittersweet farewell to tourist season. Summer will return next year … but Archie Kincaid won’t. The full-of-himself store owner has been fatally shot, soon after a screaming match with Lucy’s best friend. Katie’s far from the only suspect, though, since Archie had some bitter rivals—as well as some relationships no one knew about. It’s up to Lucy to look into some seedy characters and solve the case before the wrong person gets skewered …

A special thanks to Tina Kashian for providing FOUR copies (winner’s choice of print or digital) of ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE for four lucky winners! Contest ends March 10, 2019 and print is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and the winner will be announced on this page as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Lucy's Date-Stuffed Cookies

Ingredients

For the Dough:

1/2 pound (1 cup) unsalted, softened butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sugar
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup warm water

For the Filling*

1-1/2 to 2 pounds pitted and chopped dates
1 tablespoon unsalted, softened butter
1 cup hot water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Egg Wash:

1 egg, slightly beaten

Instructions

For the Dough:

Use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix butter, oil and sugar. Add flour, baking powder, and water and mix on medium speed. The dough should be a soft, pliable consistency. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set it aside for thirty to forty-five minutes at room temperature.
For the Filling:
Combine dates, butter, hot water, sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl and mix on medium speed until well combined.

Putting it together:

Flour a work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll out dough until about 1/8-inch thick. Use a two-inch round cookie cutter or a water glass to cut out a circle shape. Place one rounded teaspoon of date filling in the center of each circle shape. Fold into a half-circle shape. Using a fork, gently press the edges together to seal.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray baking sheets with cooking spray (or line of parchment paper).
Place cookies on baking sheets. Brush each cookie with egg wash. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Cookies should be golden, not brown. Lift cookies with a spatula and place them on cooling racks.
Makes about two - three dozen cookies. Enjoy!

Cinnamon & Sugar's Note:

I found I only needed half of the filling for all of the dough. 1-1/2 pounds of dates (without pits) was too much.
I love the look of sparkling sugar on cookies, so sprinkled a bit on some of the cookies after I applied the egg wash.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 26 – Laura`s Interests – REVIEW
February 26 – The Book Diva’s Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 26 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
February 27 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
February 27 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
February 27 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT
February 28 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
February 28 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
February 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
March 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
March 1 – Christa Reads and Writes – GUEST POST
March 2 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW
March 2 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – Brooke Blogs – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
March 3 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 4 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
March 4 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
March 4 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 5 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW
March 5 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
March 6 – I’m All About Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 6 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
March 7 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW
March 7 – The Cozy Pages – REVIEW
March 8 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
March 8 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
March 9 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW
March 9 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Peanut Butter and Spuds Candy

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MURDER IN AN IRISH PUB is the fourth book in the Irish Village Mysteries by Carlene O’Conner but the first I’ve gotten around to reading. I enjoyed it so much I’m determined to start at the beginning and catch up with this delightful series. Given the backstory about protagonist Siobhán O’Sullivan (pronounced “shiv + awn) and the multitude of siblings she is raising on her own, I would recommend starting with the first book. Despite not fully knowing the previous stories and what happened to the O’Sullivan broods’ parents, I was still captivated by the plot revolving around the international poker tournament being held in the Irish village. Ms. O’Conner captures the authentic feeling of Ireland and the small village with detailed descriptions and colloquial sayings and words which added a layer of charm. I had a good chuckle over the visual her description brought to mind when she wrote: “He had the face of a silver fox but the body of a lazy dog.” Her characters come to life and I especially liked Siobhán. Even though her family owns Naomi’s Bistro, Siobhán decided to follow her dreams and become Garda Sullivan, a policewoman. This is a bit different from other cozy amateur detectives, but she still portrays the cozy mystery spirit.

I was also greatly intrigued by the “locked room” scenario surrounding the murder. I found the author’s method impressive and quite clever to throw the investigators and the reader off from discovering the truth. I think it takes a lot of creativity to make it believable and the author pulls it together quite effectively. There are just enough clues to make the reader keep turning pages to see if Siobhán can figure it out (I certainly couldn’t but then again I was willing to go along for the ride instead of puzzling it out) and enough action to keep me turning pages faster and faster. A surprising reveal wrapped the ending up in a satisfying ending and makes me want to find out what Siobhán does next.

While the book doesn’t include recipes, Siobhán and her brothers and sisters own Naomi’s Bistro in the village of Kilbane. They produce a multitude of mouthwatering meals for their customers. Ms. O’Connor had the opportunity to meet Chef Noel McMeel at the Chicago Irish American Heritage Center earlier this year at the annual IBAM, Irish Books and Music festival. She was fortunate to have the chance to chat with the chef, who offered his permission for her to share his recipe for Peanut Butter and Spuds Candy. I’m happy that she passed along the recipe to me to share! Two simple ingredients produce a sweet confection while peanut butter provides a nice contrasting flavor and visual appeal in the rolled dough. This unique candy is sure to please anyone with a penchant for sweets!

Amazon Synopsis

When competing card sharps stir up Siobhán O’Sullivan’s quiet Irish village, a poker tournament turns into a game of Hangman . . .

In the small village of Kilbane in County Cork, for a cuppa tea or a slice of brown bread, you go to Naomi’s Bistro, managed by the many siblings of the lively O’Sullivan brood. For a pint or a game of darts—or for the poker tournament that’s just come to town—it’s the pub you want.

One player’s reputation precedes him: Eamon Foley, a tinker out of Dublin, called the Octopus for playing like he has eight hands under the table. But when Foley is found at the end of a rope, swinging from the rafters of Rory Mack’s pub, it’s time for the garda to take matters into their own hands. Macdara Flannery would lay odds it’s a simple suicide—after all, there’s a note and the room was locked. But Siobhán suspects foul play, as does Foley’s very pregnant widow. Perhaps one of Foley’s fellow finalists just raised the stakes to life and death.

With conflicting theories on the crime—not to mention the possibility of a proposal—tensions are running high between Siobhán and Macdara. Soon it’s up to Siobhán to call a killer’s bluff, but if she doesn’t play her cards right, she may be the next one taken out of the game . . .

A special thanks to Carlene O’Connor for providing a winner with a hardcover copy of MURDER IN AN IRISH PUB. Contest ends Wednesday, March 6, 2019 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!)

Peanut Butter and Spuds Candy

Recipe shared with permission granted by Chef Noel McMeel, author of Irish Pantry. "LIFE'S TOO SHORT NOT TO BE IRISH," they say. To show that I'm Irish through and through, I'm going to share my recipe that combines my favorite Irish thing, the potato, with enough sugar to make my sweet tooth sing. An unlikely pairing, maybe. But here's a case of the sum being even better than its parts.

Ingredients

1 small floury potato (such as russet)*
4 cups (400g) confectioners' sugar, plus more for rolling**
1/2 cup (125g) crunchy peanut butter

Instructions

Peel and cube the potato. Cover the potato with cold water in a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil. Cook until the potato is fork-tender, then drain the potato through a colander and place the cubes in a large bowl. Mash them with a potato masher until fluffy.
Sift the sugar into the potatoes a little at a time, stirring to mix. Don't panic when the potato gets watery. Keep adding the sugar until the mixture starts to look like dough.
Lay out parchment paper and sprinkle it with confectioners' sugar. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it's thinner than a piecrust but not falling apart.
Warm the peanut butter in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it's smooth but not runny, checking after each increment. Spread over the dough
Roll up from the long side like a jelly roll and put in the refrigerator for 2 hour, until firm.
Slice into small pieces. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.

Notes:

Makes about 1 pound candy.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes:

* U.S. potatoes are huge, often weighing over 1 pound! Pick a small potato that weights about 6 ounces.
** Depending on the size of your potato, you may need to use more confectioners' sugar. Just keep adding to the potato mixture, in small increments, until a pliable dough is formed.

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I’ll answer the comment questions here: Have you ever been to Ireland? No, but my husband and I are planning a trip this fall to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary! I loved getting a preview of Irish village life and an introduction to Irish words and people in this book.

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If you’re interested in the IRISH PANTRY by Noel McMeel, click on the book to visit Amazon. Chef Noel McMeel is a chef from Northern Ireland, who is the executive head chef at Lough Erne Golf Resort and Hotel in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. He describes his cooking as “modern Irish cuisine”.

Paleo Earl Grey Madeleines

RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER, the third book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is another laugh out loud, can’t put down read! Ms. Klein continues to create and develop characters that are entertainingly funny with plenty of witty dialog to tickle the funny bone. Her use of clever similes brings each scene to life. Protagonist Poppy McAllister is smart yet a bit self-deprecating. I’ve appreciated her internal growth over the course of the series and this book is no exception. Poppy has learned to “manage” her feisty, always getting into trouble Aunt Ginny while she’s almost given up on trying to corral her always getting into trouble cat, Figaro. Between Aunt Ginny (who is a hoot) and Figaro, Ms. Klein has plenty of opportunities to insert even more humor.

I greatly enjoyed the theme of the book: a week-long cooking competition very similar to the Food Network program Chopped where the participating chefs must create a dish using strange mystery ingredients. I’ve always liked these types of television programs and reading about Poppy’s participation in such a competition was highly entertaining. The combination of cut-throat competitors, sabotaged ingredients plus kitchen equipment, and a murder victim create plenty of suspense and mystery for Poppy to solve. Are the crimes connected or are there multiple people out for revenge? Ms. Klein writes a tight plot that kept me turning pages late into the night until I finished the very last page.

Poppy is an accomplished pastry chef, specializing in paleo desserts and treats. I love that Ms. Klein provides several paleo recipes at the back of the book, all which sound mouthwatering! I was drawn to the Earl Gray Madeleines because 1) I love madeleines and 2) I love Earl Gray tea. The combination of flavors in this dessert is an elegant, delectable taste that is perfect for serving at an afternoon tea or champagne brunch!

Amazon Synopsis

Cape May, New Jersey, is the site of a big culinary competition—and the knives are out . . .

Poppy McAllister is happy about opening a Jersey Shore B&B—but working in a professional kitchen has always been her real dream. Now it’s coming true, at least briefly, as she teams up with her former fiancée, Tim—and his condescending partner, Gigi—during the high-profile Restaurant Week challenge. Poppy’s specialty is pastries, despite her devotion to a Paleo diet. But if anyone can make glorious gluten-free goodies, it’s Poppy.

Things get heated quickly—especially when some ingredients get switched and Tim’s accused of sabotage. Relatively harmless pranks soon escalate into real hazards, including an exploding deep fryer. And now one of the judges has died after taking a bite of Poppy’s cannoli—making her the chef suspect . . .

A special thanks to Libby Klein for providing a winner with an arc print copy of RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER. Contest ends Thursday, February 28, 2019 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!)

Paleo Earl Grey Madeleines

Ingredients

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus additional for molds, room temperature*
4 tablespoons loose Earl Grey tea or tea from 4 teabags
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon coconut flour
1/2 cup arrowroot starch
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum
3 eggs
1/3 cup raw honey
1/4 cup butter, melted*
1/4 cup coconut milk
Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
Melt 5 tablespoons butter in saucepan over low heat. Mix in the tea. Let steep for 10 minutes.
Grease two madeleine pans with remaining butter.
In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, arrowroot starch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum. Set aside.
Whip the eggs until thick and lemon colored.
Strain the butter/tea mixture well - you want as much of the butter as possible. Throw away the tea.
Add the honey, melted butter, coconut milk, lemon zest, and strained butter/tea mixture into the beaten eggs, while mixing on low.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl often.
Use a cookie scoop to evenly divide the batter among the greased madeleine molds in the pans. You should fill the madeleine molds just about entirely. Do not bang the pan or pat down the batter.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Mine were done in 12 minutes.
Let cool in pans for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to completely cool.

Notes:

*You can always use coconut oil if you are sensitive to dairy. Refined coconut oil will not have a coconut flavor.
Optional: Sprinkle the madeleines with with powdered sugar, but be aware this is not a Paleo option.

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Spicy Chocolate Truffles

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A FLAIR FOR TRUFFLES, the fourth book in the Sadie Kramer Flair Mysteries by Deborah Garner, is a refreshing change to the lineup of cozy mystery young protagonists out there. Sadie Kramer is self-described as an “eccentric senior citizen who carries a dog around in a tote bag.” Despite her age, she is full of life, humor, and chocolate! I drooled over all the yummy sounding chocolate truffles she gets to sample whenever she visits her neighboring business, Cioccalato. I also appreciate that the author takes a moment to remind readers that chocolate and dogs don’t mix, especially during this holiday when chocolate gifts make the rounds. Coco, Sadie’s adorable Yorkie, adds her own brand of cuteness and humor to the story and fills in as a sidekick while Sadie investigates murder.

With San Francisco as a backdrop, the reader is treated to wonderful descriptions of the best that the city has to offer, along with a culinary tour of not to miss eats. It’s like a mini-vacation on the page. Despite the short length of this book, Ms. Garner manages to create a full-bodied mystery with fun characters, clues, and suspects, while throwing in entertaining humor!

I had the privilege of contributing the recipe for Spicy Chocolate Truffles included in A FLAIR FOR TRUFFLES. Using pantry staples, these creamy candies are quick to make. And by rolling the finished candy in holiday-themed sprinkles, these truffles are the perfect gift for any special occasion, year-round!

Amazon Synopsis

Sadie Kramer’s friendly offer to deliver three boxes of gourmet Valentines truffles for her neighbor’s chocolate shop, Cioccolato, backfires when she arrives to find the intended recipient deceased. Even more intriguing is the fact that the elegant heart-shaped gifts were ordered by three different men.

With the help of one detective and the hindrance of another, Sadie will search San Francisco from the prestigious financial district to a low-life bar, to iconic Fisherman’s Wharf, looking for clues. With the help of her trusted sidekick Yorkie, Coco, will Sadie manage to find out “whodunnit” before the killer finds a way to stop her?

A special thanks to Deborah Garner for providing a winner with their choice of either print or an e-book copy of A FLAIR FOR TRUFFLES. Contest ends Tuesday, February 19, 2019 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!)

Spicy Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients

Truffles:

1 14-ounce sweetened condensed milk
16 ounces good-quality bittersweet chocolate chips or bars chopped into small pieces
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder, depending on how spicy you like it
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Garnish:

Your choice of cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, non-melting confectioners' sugar, or holiday-themed candy sprinkles

Instructions

For the truffles:

Heat the sweetened condensed milk in a small saucepan just until the edges start to bubble, stirring constantly. Do NOT allow to boil.
Place the chocolate in a medium-sized heat-proof bowl. Pour the hot milk over the chocolate and allow to sit for two minutes. Add in the vanilla, sea salt, cinnamon, and cayenne powder and stir until the chocolate is fully melted.
Cover and refrigerate until chilled, around 1 hour. Mixture should be firm but not hard.
Roll the chilled mixture into small balls then roll into your choice of garnish.
Serve truffles at room temperature. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

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Peanut Butter and Bacon Homemade Dog Treats

I’m happy to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours presenting MURDER, SHE MEOWED! This seventh book in the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series by Liz Mugavero, brings the reader to Frog Ledge, Connecticut where protagonist, Stan (Kristan) Conner is preparing for her nuptials. Weddings are supposed to be joyous times but Stan is feeling nothing but stress because her mother is planning the wedding of her dreams and not those of her daughter. Adding to Stan’s angst is her own sister forcing a bachelorette party on the bride-to-be, complete with a handsome guy jumping out of a huge cake. Except the poor man is stabbed to death inside the cake while waiting for his cue to entertain and drags Stan into focusing on murder instead of wedding plans. Ms. Mugavero weaves a tight tale that helps the reader feel the emotions the characters feel and visualize the scenes they occupy. I greatly enjoy how, with each book, she’s stretched the protagonist and supporting characters. This has brought about personal and external challenges, growth and change which reflect how endearing the characters have become to readers throughout this series.

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The mystery itself is well-plotted. The victim seems like a happy-go-lucky guy which makes it harder to imagine someone would actually want to murder him. Yet as Stan delves into his life, she finds people who were jealous of him and the suspects start piling up. I’ll admit the creepy stalker and Fatal Attraction scenario with a chocolate bunny was a clever idea and captured my attention. It added a unique twist with an interesting ending that I didn’t see coming. While Stan has a way of getting involved in investigations, her future sister-in-law, a sergeant with the Connecticut State Police, hasn’t always been happy about her meddling. It was nice to see how she’s finally recognizing that Stan has valuable insight and welcomes it to help capture the killer. MURDER, SHE MEOWED is another terrific addition to an entertaining and endearing series!

Stan is the owner of the Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie and bakes special treats for the town’s pets. Ms. Mugavero provides several recipes at the back of the book for our furry friends and I knew my grand-puppy, Piper, would adore her Bacon and Peanut Butter Homemade Dog Treats. A dog would likely be happy with any good treats, be they some of the Serenity Store’s range of dog products or these homemade treats, but I felt like spoiling my girl today. These whole-grain bites are full of flavor thanks to a generous amount of peanut butter and bits of bacon. And I was right… Piper danced around and begged just as soon as her nose caught a whiff of these treats! I liked that they were easy to mix up and they freeze well so we can spoil our four-legged fur-baby for weeks to come.
In case you aren’t sure whether the same food or ingredients would suit your cute canine, it’s better to seek some professional advice on that. There are various websites that can provide you with the necessary information, considering your dog’s breed type and age. You can get more details here.

Amazon Synopsis

Kristan “Stan” Connor loves concocting tasty organic treats for dogs and cats-and she also loves her fiancé, pub owner Jake McGee. But she’s not so enthusiastic about finding a dead body at her own bachelorette party . . .

Stan and Jake’s wedding will soon take place on the town green in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, followed by a reception at their beloved Irish pub filled with friends, family, and their four favorite canine companions. Stan just has to endure the traditional girls’ night out first. Male strippers jumping out of gigantic cakes aren’t her preferred entertainment. But the hired hottie never gets around to taking it all off . . . because someone takes him out first with one of Stan’s kitchen knives. A heartbroken Stan recognizes the victim as one of the delivery men from the local farm-who must have been moonlighting for some extra cash. Now the guest list has turned into a suspect list-and Stan’s making a vow to find the killer . . .

A special thanks to Liz Mugavero for providing THREE print copies of MURDER, SHE MEOWED for three lucky winners! Contest ends February 12, 2019 and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and the winner will be announced on this page as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Peanut Butter and Bacon Homemade Dog Treats

Recipe courtesy of Chris Carrington

Ingredients

1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg
2 cups plus 1 tablespoon whole-wheat flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, add the peanut butter, milk, and egg. Stir until well mixed. Add the flour and baking powder. Mix well to incorporate all of the ingredients.
Knead the dough until it is firm and elastic. You can knead directly in the bowl, or if you prefer, on a level workspace. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour onto your workspace and place the kneaded ball of dough on top. Flatten the dough a bit and sprinkle the crumbled bacon and oats on top. Knead the dough four or five more times to distribute the bacon and oats.
Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes and cool on a wire rack.
You can store these peanut butter and bacon dog treats in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, if they last that long. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month.

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