Cinnamon and Sugar

Mini Cranberry Crab Cakes

I am very excited to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Blog Tour for the release of CREPE FACTOR by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran! Even though this is the fourteenth book in the Scrapbooking Mystery series, I am embarrassed to say it has somehow missed my attention. However, now that I’ve read this one book, I am thrilled I have thirteen more to catch up on in this very fun series!

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Synopsis

Carmela Bertrand is owner of Memory Mine, a scrapbooking shop, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Carmela and her best friend, Ava, (owner of Juju Voodoo), are attending the Winter Market to shop, eat, and drink and get into the holiday spirit. They run into Quigg, Carmela’s former boyfriend, who gets into a violent argument with Martin Lash. Lash writes restaurant reviews for food website Glutton for Punishment and gave Quigg’s star restaurant a very nasty review and refuses to retract. Not long after the fight breaks up, Martin Lash is stabbed with a restaurant fork and left for dead in the middle of Winter Market.

Quigg becomes a suspect in the murder when Detective Edgar Babcock is put in charge of the investigation. The only problem is, Detective Babcock is dating Carmela and is jealous of her past involvement with Quigg. Carmela worries about his objectiveness since she knows Quigg is innocent. When both Ava and Quigg beg her to do her “Nancy Drew thing” she can’t say no, even though she worries it will jeopardize her relationship with Edgar. Can Carmela juggle the demands of her shop while peeling off the layers of deceit and secrecy surrounding the dead man? Can she balance her quest for justice and keep her relationship with Edgar intact? The more questions she asks, the more the truth becomes as murky as the bayou swamp.

My Review

CREPE FACTOR is truly a fun, fun read! Even though I was unfamiliar with the characters starting out, they quickly became people I wanted to read more about and enjoyed getting to know them and their quirky personalities. There is a lot of humor sprinkled throughout the book, making it a lighthearted, entertaining read that kept me turning pages wanting to see what new mischief Carmela and Ava would get themselves in to. There were plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep the mystery appealing and me guessing. The authors captured the setting of New Orleans perfectly and I could see, smell, and taste that amazing city on the pages. I also loved that there are facts about New Orleans woven into the story along with “local” words that had me opening a dictionary to find out what they meant. I so enjoy learning while being entertained!

One of my (many) hobbies is scrapbooking. I used to scrapbook a lot when my granddaughters were very young, but other hobbies and interests have intruded. I still have a cupboard full of beautiful papers and embellishments and whenever I see them, wish I could find time to take it up again (and do something with the hundreds of photos I have of the girls). CREPE FACTOR is not only a fun, madcap romp through New Orleans and the bayou with memorable characters, the book provides inspiration and tips for scrapbooking along with several delicious recipes. Terrie Farely Moran has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Mini Cranberry Crab Cakes, a very tasty yet easy appetizer to put together for upcoming holiday gatherings! The gorgeous jewel tones of the cranberry sauce brings elegance to an appetizer platter while the creamy crab filling provides a satisfying bite.

A very special thank you to Laura Childs and Terrie Farley Moran for providing 2 hardcover copies of CREPE FACTOR! This giveaway is provided by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and you can use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends October 16, 2016 and is limited to U.S. residents only. Winners will be announced on this page and on Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours site, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Mini Cranberry Crab Cakes

Yield: 15 pieces

Ingredients

1/3 cup cream cheese softened
1/4 cup crabmeat drained, flaked, cartilage removed
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons scallions finely chopped
1 1.9-ounce package frozen miniature phyllo tart shells
1/3 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, crab, sugar, and scallions until thoroughly blended.
Place tart shells on an ungreased baking sheet.
Fill each shell with 1 tablespoon crab mixture.
Top each crab mound with 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until heated through.
Makes 15 mini crab cakes.

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Tour Participants

October 3 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews
October 3 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder
October 3 – View from the Birdhouse
October 4 – A Holland Reads
October 4 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
October 5 – Celticlady’s Reviews
October 5 – The Power of Words
October 6 – I Wish I Lived in a Library
October 6 – Sleuth Cafe
October 7 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies
October 7 – The Girl with Book Lungs
October 8 – Shelley’s Book Case
October 8 – Community Bookstop
October 9 – A Blue Million Books
October 10 – Melina’s Book Blog
October 10 – StoreyBook Reviews
October 11 – MysteriesEtc
October 11 – Island Confidential
October 12 – Grace. Gratitude. Life. by Marie McNary
October 12 – Babs Book Bistro
October 13 – Socrates’ Book Reviews
October 13 – fundinmental
October 14 – LibriAmoriMiei
October 14 – deal sharing aunt
October 15 – Brooke Blogs
October 15 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews
October 16 – Laura’s Interests
October 16 – Booklady’s. Booknotes

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lemon Thyme Cookies

I so enjoy visiting Seattle’s Pike Place Market vicariously through the Spice Shop Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz! The smells and tastes of this landmark is a food lovers’ dream and I was delighted to have the chance to read KILLING THYME, Leslie’s newest release in this series. The author knows how to flavor her book with a mesmerizing plot and interesting characters, making me want seconds!

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Synopsis

Pepper Reese is owner of the Seattle Spice Shop and has her hands full with her mother visiting from Costa Rica. She’s also preparing for a party hosted by her childhood friend, Kristen, at the community house they both grew up in with their hippie-activist parents. While browsing through the daystallers with her mother, Lena, they come across beautiful pottery by the newcomer, Bonnie Clay. Pepper is stunned that her mother knows the potter under the name Peggy, and believed her to be dead for numerous years. Pepper gets the feeling that her mother and Peggy/Bonnie have issues but her mother won’t confide. Several witnesses see the two women in a very loud argument and when Peggy/Bonnie turns up dead, Lena becomes a suspect.

Pepper can’t help but ask questions, digging into Peggy/Bonnie’s past and piecing together why she disappeared when Pepper was just a young child. But will she find clues to exonerate her mother or will the past tear her family and friendships apart?

My Review

Starting out at the beginning of the book is a handy list of the characters involved in the story. I liked the convenience of having it there, especially since I had to put the book down for several days while I drove to Oregon to see my sister. (Let me tell you, it was very difficult putting the book down too!) Quickly rereading the list of characters immediately brought me right back to the story. I think it is also very helpful for those who haven’t started reading with the very first book in the series. While this is the third book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone.

Leslie has created some very strong characters and I enjoyed seeing how Pepper Reece has grown and developed from the first book. Her supporting cast of characters are personable and her mother, Lena Reese, adds a depth to the story and to Pepper’s personal life. I love when plots can combine old crimes with present day crimes and KILLING THYME effortlessly does that. It’s like getting two mysteries in one. She also provides some fun facts such as it takes eight years from start to finish to create vanilla, which is part of the orchid family…I love learning as I read!

Of course a Spice Shop book series must have recipes and the author generously provides several delicious ones! I made her lovely Lemon Thyme Cookies. These delicately scented shortbread style cookies melt in your mouth providing a refreshing taste for a simple dessert. I love the author’s recommendation to serve with lemon sorbet, which is the perfect pairing. Thank you, Leslie, for allowing me to share your delectable recipe!

I am pleased to offer the winner a choice of either print or an e-book copy of KILLING THYME. Print limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Monday, October 3, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Lemon Thyme Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or lemon thyme leaves
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Coarse white or granulated sugar for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.
Add 1/4 cup white sugar and mix until combined.
Add thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cardamom, scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary to get all ingredients combined.
Gradually stir in the flour and mix.
Form the dough into a ball.
To make it easier to work with, divide dough into 3 equal portions.
Roll each out on a floured surface into a 6-by-4-1/2 inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut into 1-1/2 inch squares with a knife or a serrated pastry wheel.
Sprinkle with coarse or granulated sugar.
Place squares on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until edges and bottom are golden.
Cool on a wire rack.

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kentucky Derby Bourbon Truffles

Not that long ago I finished reading (and reviewing) the fourth book in the Alvarez Family Murder Mystery series by Heather Haven. I was so happy to find out from the author that she was preparing to release her fifth book, THE CEO CAME DOA, this month! This new release kept me turning pages late into the night and wondering when book six is coming next!

Synopsis

With a black belt in karate, Lee Alvarez is the in-house Private Investigator for her family’s company, Discretionary Inquiries, in California’s Silicon Valley. Her impeccably dressed and well-mannered mother is the CEO while her brother, Richard, is the techie. Lee is getting married within the week and while it might seem like she would be too busy to take on a case, she’s left the wedding plans up to her mother, Lila. Lee has been working undercover at a start-up Silicon Valley tech business, Read-Outs, which is preparing for it’s IPO. Apparently someone in the company is intent on sabotaging the business by releasing proprietary information to the competition. Before Lee can find out who the culprit is, she finds the CEO, David H. Collier, dead. At first glance it appears to be suicide but the victim’s teenage daughter is sure he was murdered and begs Lee to find the killer.

David H. Collier was quite the womanizer and as Lee digs into his life, finds he was going to great lengths to hide secrets with several people willing to kill for those secrets. When the bulk of Read-Out’s cutting-edge computer chips are stolen, the CFO asks Lee to find them and save the company. But when Lee finds the chips and they in turn are stolen from her, all of a sudden Lee and her family’s Discretionary Inquiries could be put out of business. Can she find the killer and bring peace to a grief-stricken girl or will the sticky web woven by the CEO put them all in jeopardy?

My Review

THE CEO CAME DOA is a well written, well plotted story! I love Lee and her sassy, humorous attitude (which her mother doesn’t approve of) and the author captures that voice perfectly. Lee isn’t afraid of much and is willing to charge in and find the truth. She also has a soft spot for the “underdog” which I found very appealing. Each chapter starts with a quote about Silicon Valley and I enjoyed reading each and every one of them. One of the components of Heather’s book is based on the scariest drug in the world, Devil’s Breath. It’s obvious Heather has done her research and she has expertly woven it into the plot making for a thrilling read.

While there are no recipes in the book, Heather has shared a delectable recipe for Kentucky Derby Bourbon Truffles (oh yum!) that even Lee could make. These are simple ingredients but the resulting concoction is incredibly decadent! See the author’s entertaining introduction to the recipe below.

A very special thank you to Heather for providing an e-book copy of DEAD….IF ONLY! Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Kentucky Derby Bourbon Truffles

Note from the author, Heather Haven

A little chit-chat and a recipe from Lee Alvarez, Protagonist of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries.

Hi everyone! Well, I don’t cook. Not that I’m not opposed to cooking. I’ll chow down anything my wonderful Tío makes. After all, he was the head chef at the Las Mañanitas restaurant in San Jose before he retired. But my theory is, why compete with perfection? And that would be my Tío. Not that he hasn’t tried to teach me how lo these many years, but I have been known to ruin many an enchilada. Wait a minute, you don’t boil those?

However, while chasing down a bad guy during the middle of the Kentucky Derby, I crashed into a table holding some favorite southern desserts. Several fell in my mouth – you know that that goes – but the ones I liked the best were the Bourbon Truffles. And there’s no cooking! My kinda dessert. Cardinal rule: no driving after inhaling two or three. They can be lethal!

Ingredients

12 ounces dark chocolate (70-85% cacao), chopped
1 -1/2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
2 teaspoon Madagascar vanilla extract
9 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 cup good Kentucky Bourbon
1 (5.3-oz.) package pure butter shortbread cookies, crushed (I use Walker’s)
2 cups finely chopped roasted, salted pecans

Wax paper

Instructions

Combine first 3 ingredients in large glass bowl.

Cook cream and bourbon in small saucepan over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes or until mixture is hot but not boiling. (Mixture will steam, and bubbles will form around edge of pan.) This is the hardest part. I usually beg Tío to do this for me. Once I had to do it, though, and it turned out just fine. Just don’t let it boil!

Pour cream mixture over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute.

Stir chocolate mixture until melted and smooth. (If mixture doesn’t melt completely, microwave at HIGH 30 seconds.)

Stir in crushed cookies.

Cover and chill 3 hours or until firm. (Mixture can be prepared and chilled up to 2 days ahead. but I hope you’re stronger than me. I have been known to nibble away over half if it’s in the fridge for 2 days.)

Shape mixture into 1-inch balls (about 2 teaspoons per ball).

Roll in chopped pecans.

I don’t always shape them into balls, folks; I’m lazy. Sometimes I just cut them in squares. And in that case, I press the pecans on the top. It tastes the same! Place on wax paper-lined baking sheets.

Chill 1 hour.

I also don’t always wait an hour to start eating them. You know how it goes.

Tips

The food processor will make quick work of crushing the shortbread cookies and then chopping the pecans, however, a chef’s knife is better for chopping the chocolate.

If you can’t find roasted, salted pecans you can toast chopped raw pecans in a skillet over medium heat. Be sure to stir constantly. Once they start to smell fragrant and turn slightly golden, immediately transfer the nuts to a plate to stop cooking and prevent scorching. Sprinkle hot pecans with a dash of salt. Cool completely before rolling truffles.

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Double-Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes

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Cleo Coyle’s latest release, DEAD TO THE LAST DROP, is terrific to the very last drop! I had high expectations for this book since Cleo’s previous books have all been winners, and this one didn’t disappoint…in fact, it blew right past all her others. Clare Cosi has moved to Washington, D.C., to open and manage the Village Blend’s newest coffeehouse and to be with her love, Mike Quinn, who works for the Department of Justice. In addition to the shop with it’s unique blends of coffee and mouth-watering pastries, the D.C. branch has started a jazz/supper club which is co-managed by Gardner. Clare expects the new coffeehouse to run efficiently with a profit like their New York location. Only it doesn’t and she is determined to figure what the problem is, starting with their arrogant chef who just may be stealing from her.

Gardner is actively showcasing new jazz musicians and Abby, one of the young women who performs, turns out to be the President of the United State’s daughter. It’s imperative that her identity remains secret but when a very drunk man bursts into the shop in the middle of the night during a jam session, it’s clear that he knows who she is. It doesn’t take long for Clare’s life to begin unraveling: from being “invited” to the White House to meet the First Lady who doesn’t appreciate her daughter playing in a jazz club to possible trouble in her relationship with Mike when his beautiful boss and a young, gorgeous detective have him in their sights. The drunk dies and the authorities determine he’s been murdered. When the President’s daughter disappears, the spotlight is turned on Clare for both the crimes and she ends up on the run trying to prove her innocence and find Abby before it’s too late.

In addition to an intricately woven plot that kept me on the edge of my seat and up way past my bedtime reading “just one more chapter”, Cleo provides numerous delicious Americana recipes along with background information on the dishes. She has allowed me to share her sinfully decadent recipe for Double-Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes! Oh my…these are yummy enough to make you swoon but don’t worry, the caffeine will revive you. The dark chocolate cupcake is moist with little bits of rich chocolate that melts in your mouth. The light, fluffy espresso frosting is like a creamy cloud sitting on top of these delicious little cakes. As Clare Cosi says, “Music, food, and coffee are universal languages,” and the author brings all three together in this thrilling mystery!

Be sure to take a look at a sneak peak (located at the bottom of this page) for COLD DEAD BREW, the next book in Cleo’s Coffeehouse Mystery series releasing January 10, 2017!

A special thank you to Cleo Coyle for offering one winner an autographed copy of DEAD TO THE LAST DROP! Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST and is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Double-Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes

These dark, dense, and delightfully delicious little cakes topped by a light, creamy cloud of frosting were the most popular dessert at the Smithsonian party catered by Clare Cosi and her Village Blend crew. While Clare shared a sweet and heartfelt moment with Agent Sharon Cage, the party-goers took Clare’s cosmopolitan cupcakes off the tray and into their hearts. Always a favorite at the Village Blend in New York City, the sinfully sophisticated cakes have been added to the Jazz Space dessert menu and Clare’s DC pastry case.

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon finely ground sea salt (or table salt)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup espresso or strong brewed coffee (cooled)
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips (must be mini!)

Espresso Buttercream

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1-1/4 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons brewed coffee or espresso

Instructions

Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. To prevent sticking of the baked muffins, spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugars together until fluffy.

Beat in the egg.

Stop the mixer and add the milk, vanilla, and the cooled espresso or brewed coffee (with the instant espresso powder dissolved into it). Mix until incorporated.

Beat in the flour mixture. Do not over mix at this stage, but be sure all the raw flour is incorporated into the batter.

Fold in the mini chocolate chips. (They really should be mini chips for the best results. In a pinch, you can chop standard-sized chocolate chips or discs, but do not use standard chips for this recipe.)

Divide batter among the 12 lined cupcake cups of your pan.

Bake 18 to 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out with no batter clinging to it. (Be careful not to mistake melted chocolate chips with unbaked batter!)

Be sure to cool your cupcakes completely before frosting them.

Espresso Buttercream

Using an electric mixer, whip the softened butter until light and fluffy.

Reduce the mixer speed and add your powdered sugar a little at a time. After the powdered sugar has been added, scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Whisk your instant espresso powder into your vanilla extract and brewed coffee and then beat it into the frosting until it is beautifully fluffy and ready for the tops of your delicious double-chocolate espresso cupcakes. Top with chocolate shavings or chocolate-covered espresso bean!

Tip

You can add additional powdered sugar to the frosting until desired consistency is reached. When I made these cupcakes I knew they were going to be outdoors for a few hours on a very warm summer day, so I added quite a bit more sugar to make a stiff frosting. I wanted to make sure it didn’t melt before they were consumed!

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Here’s a sneak peak of COLD DEAD BREW, the next thrilling installment in Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse Mystery series, releasing January 10, 2017!

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THE PERFECT PROPOSAL LEADS TO A CHILLING COLD CASE…

Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi sheds tears of joy when her NYPD detective boyfriend surprises her with an engagement ring. But her bridal bliss is put on hold when a chilling mystery brings a wave of deadly danger to those she holds dear…

After everything Clare and Mike have been through, they deserve a little bit of happily ever after. So when Mike decides to put a ring on Clare’s finger, Clare’s eccentric octogenarian employer is there to help. She donates the perfect coffee-colored diamonds to include in the setting and the name of a world-famous jeweler who happens to be an old family friend. But while the engagement is steeped in perfection, the celebration is not long lived.

First, a grim-faced attorney interrupts their party with a mysterious letter bequeathing a strange, hidden treasure to Clare’s daughter. Next, the renowned jeweler who designed Clare’s ring is found poisoned in his shop. Both events appear to be connected to a cold case murder involving a sunken ship, an Italian curse, a suspiciously charming jewel thief, and a shocking family secret. With deadly trouble brewing, Clare must track down clues in some of New York’s most secret places before an old vendetta starts producing fresh corpses.

With recipes to die for, including how to make cold-brew coffee at home!

Pumpkin Roll Cake

Several months ago I had the opportunity to meet Cindy Sample, author of DYING FOR A DONUT. I have read a couple of her books in her Laurel McKay Mystery series prior to this release and love her humor. Let me tell you, Cindy is just as entertaining in person as she is on the page and I had a delightful dinner chatting with her!

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Synopsis

Laurel McKay is visiting Apple Tree Farm with her grandmother while waiting to pick up her her daughter, Jenna. A fight erupts between the owner’s son, Eric, and Tony, one of the young men employed by the Farm. Eric has accused Tony of stealing from their business so the owner, Abel, has no choice but to fire him. Laurel is caught in the middle and decides she must talk to Abel about his son’s behavior. When she goes to his office early the next morning after taking Jenna to work, she finds Abel the Donut King dead, covered head to toe in powdered sugar.

Tony is arrested for the murder and Jenna, who appears to be crushing on Tony, begs her mother to prove his innocence. Laurel doesn’t want to get involved but when Jenna and Gran start investigating on their own, she knows she’d better do something before either of them get into real trouble. The arrogant new female detective in town is also getting on Laurel’s nerves and Laurel would like to show Detective Reynolds a thing or two. As she starts asking questions she finds that the Donut King had lots of secrets that several people might have wanted to keep hidden. Can she find the real killer or will an innocent young man take the fall?

My Review

DYING FOR A DONUT is the perfect autumn treat! Cindy’s descriptions of Apple Tree Farm and the delectable goodies produced there will have your mouth watering and make you want to go for a visit. The mystery pulled me in while the zinger of a plot twist had me reluctant to put the book down! Her dialogue is full of snappy quips that had me laughing out loud several times. I loved Gran….she is a hoot and the perfect compliment to Laurel. I felt like the characters were very likeable and easy to relate to. Laurel, as a single mother, has the usual issues with her teenage daughter which makes her seem personable and vulnerable.

Being a native California girl, I could completely relate to the drought issues woven into the story and enjoyed the factoids Cindy shares. Did you know that it takes 32 gallons of water to make 1 glass of wine? Or 1 gallon of water to grow just ONE almond? I doubt this knowledge will make me rethink what I consume but I will be more grateful when I imbibe.

Along with a terrific book Cindy includes numerous autumn dessert recipes! So many incredibly delicious treats…I wanted to make them all…and probably will… However, I had to choose one so settled on Pumpkin Roll Cake as shared by Sharon Bitz. When I was in my twenties I had a recipe similar to this but with all the moving around I did I somehow lost it. Once I started making this Pumpkin Roll Cake I was so happy Sharon submitted this recipe for Cindy’s book. I will definitely not be losing this recipe again! The yummy autumn spices warms the kitchen and your mouth while the pumpkin provides gorgeous fall color. The rich and creamy cream cheese filling provides a cool contrast making this moist cake a picture perfect accompaniment to any gathering!

A very special thank you to Cindy Sample for offering two winners an autographed copy of DYING FOR A DONUT! Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Monday, September 12, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST and is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Pumpkin Roll Cake

Ingredients

Cake

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup pure pumpkin, canned is fine (do NOT use pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (to sprinkle on a towel)

Filling

1 8-ounce package cream cheese (room temperature)
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
6 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Cake

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).

Grease a 15 x 10-inch jellyroll pan and line it with waxed or parchment paper. Grease and flour the paper.

Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with confectioners’ sugar. Set aside.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a small bowl.

Beat the eggs and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl until thick.

Beat in pumpkin.

Stir in flour mixture.

Spread evenly into prepared pan.

Sprinkle with walnuts if using.

Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of the cake springs back when touched. If using a dark colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.

Immediately loosen and turn cake on to prepared towel.

Carefully peel off paper.

Lightly sprinkle the cake with additional confectioners’ sugar.

Roll up cake and towel together, starting at the narrow end, then cool on wire rack.

Filling

Beat the cream cheese, 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, butter, and vanilla extract together in a small mixing bowl until smooth.

Carefully unroll cake.

Spread the cream cheese mixture over cake and then reroll the cake.

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Sprinkle with additional confectioners’ sugar before serving, if desired.

Tip

Be sure to put enough confectioners’ sugar on the kitchen towel before rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

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Releasing January 2017, DYING FOR A DIAMOND by Cindy Sample! Keep watching Cindy’s Facebook page for her cover reveal coming soon!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Henery Press is releasing ALL 6 books in this series on September 6, 2016!

I am very excited to be a part of Kathi Daley’s Countdown to Paradise to celebrate the release of all SIX books in her TJ JENSEN MYSTERY SERIES! Kathi is offering one winner a choice of either print or an e-book copy of any TJ JENSEN title so be sure to enter via Rafflecopter below!

I had the pleasure of reading PUMPKINS IN PARADISE, the first book in this series and am wowed! Tj Jensen is a young woman with a big heart. Her generous humanity comes across the pages making for a touching, sentimental story. From Tj’s longterm friendship with elderly recluse Zachary Collins, she learns to solve puzzles and games of logic using her intelligence and imagination. The author is very clever with creating a puzzle for Tj to solve within the story, setting up the clues that kept me guessing until the very end. The setting of the lakefront community in Serenity, Nevada is spectacular and pulls the reader in, making you want to actually visit the place. I am very happy that all six books are available at once so I don’t have to wait to read the next one!

While there are no recipes in PUMPKINS IN PARADISE, Kathi was gracious and shared her recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake. Perfect for the autumn season, this easy recipe calls for making this luscious dessert in a casserole dish. It is much less fussy than using a springform pan and easier to transport for holiday parties and gatherings. Once you try this highly rated recipe, Pumpkin Cheesecake will be sure to become a go-to recipe! Thank you Kathi, for sharing your yummy dessert!

Read below for a brief description of each of the books in this series:

Pumpkins in Paradise (a Tj Jensen Mystery Book 1) Between volunteering for the annual pumpkin festival and coaching her girls to the state soccer finals, high school teacher Tj Jensen finds her good friend Zachary Collins dead in his favorite chair. When the handsome new deputy closes the case without so much as a “why” or “how,” Tj turns her attention from chili cook-offs and pumpkin carving to complex puzzles, prophetic riddles, and a decades-old secret she seems destined to unravel.

Snowmen in Paradise (A Tj Jensen Mystery Book 2) Winter Carnival comes to Serenity, and with it Tj finds her schedule busier than ever. Not only is her ski and snowboard team heavily involved in demonstrations and local competitions, but her ragtag choir is about to debut in their first live performance. To make matters even more complicated, someone has killed Travis Davidson, a town favorite son, world-class snowboarder, and Olympic hopeful. Tj is determined not to get involved in the subsequent investigation until she learns the prime suspect is Chelsea Hanson, high-school boyfriend Hunter Hanson’s sister. Although there’s no shortage of Sereninites with a grudge against the hometown hero, even Tj has to admit there’s good cause to suspect Chelsea of the murder. Balancing bridesmaid duties, Winter Carnival obligations, show choir duty, and after-hours investigation, Tj sets out to prove Chelsea innocent.

Bikinis in Paradise (A Tj Jensen Mystery Book 3) When the Tropical Tan Corporation descends on Maggie’s Hideaway, the lakeside resort where Tj Jensen lives, she must juggle a bikini contest, a BBQ cook-off, a missing model, and a dead chaperone while her father is out of town. Lead Deputy Dylan Caine is on vacation while his sister is visiting, leaving Assistant Deputy Roy Fisher in charge. When Roy asks Tj for her help they find there may be more going on than anyone realized. With Kyle and Jenna’s help, they dig into the lives of those involved, only to find a mystery more complex than anything they could ever have imagined.

Christmas in Paradise (A Tj Jensen Mystery Book 4) Christmas in Serenity is a magical time of year Tj has always looked forward to with happy anticipation. This year her holiday spirit is marred by the impending arrival of two new men in her life. When one of them ends up dead, Tj must juggle community plays, Christmas tree cuttings, sleigh rides, and holiday shopping with a complex murder investigation. As the facts begin to unravel, she realizes she may have to risk everything to save someone she loves.

Puppies in Paradise (A Tj Jensen Mystery Book 5) When a friend of Tj’s is injured in a car accident during a blizzard, Tj takes responsibility for the litter of puppies left behind. Meanwhile, she works with Kyle, Jenna, and the gang to catch the person responsible for the death of a close family friend. When it turns out that the main suspects are also close to the Jensens, Tj must deal with one of the most difficult decisions she’s ever had to make.

Halloween in Paradise (A Tj Jensen Mystery Book 6) In the midst of the annual Halloween frenzy, Tj finds herself pulled into a series of events at the high school where she works. Not only must she help one of the girls on her team deal with a case of cyberbullying, but she must help a student who has recently suffered a personal tragedy. And as if Tj wasn’t busy enough, in walks Samantha Colton, a reporter for Second Look, a television series that takes a look back at unsolved murders. This time the case is the death of a popular student after the homecoming dance ten years before. To make matters even worse—or maybe more convenient—the graduating class of the victim is in town for their ten-year reunion and all the suspects just happen to have converged on Serenity for the weekend. When Samantha turns up dead, Tj must track down someone who seems willing to kill again to keep their secret.

A very special thank you to Kathi Daley for offering the winner a choice of either print or an e-book copy of any TJ JENSEN title! Non US residents are limited to Kindle copy only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Sunday, September 4, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

You can also visit Kathi’s COUNTDOWN TO PARADISE Facebook page for more contests and giveaways!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Kim’s Note: This makes a very large, rich dessert so if you don’t have enough people to help you eat the Pumpkin Cheesecake you can make a half recipe and bake in an 8″ x 8″ square dish.

Ingredients

Cheesecake

1 box of graham cracker crumbs – follow directions on box to make crust for a 9 x 13-inch pan
4 packages cream cheese – softened
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
16 ounces pumpkin
3/4 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 eggs

Topping

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Cheesecake

Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F).

Beat the cream cheese and sugar together until creamy.

Add pumpkin, whipping cream, flour, spices, and vanilla and mix until thoroughly combined.

Add 4 whole eggs plus 2 egg yolks.

Pour over prepared graham cracker crust.

Bake about one hour until toothpick comes out clean.

Refrigerate until completely chilled.

Topping