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SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING MEWED, the fifth book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series by Bethany Blake, is another terrific addition to one of my favorite series in publication. A wedding planner out of control, competing mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom, adorable dogs galore, and a Harley-riding bridesmaid with a pet pig… Ms. Blake provides a rollicking tale that had me laughing out loud many times. Not only does she weave many humorous situations into a tightly plotted mystery, but she has a creative touch with pun-y business names and pet puns to fit the theme. In addition to an entertaining story, the author has endearing characters like protagonist Daphne Templeton. She’s a free-spirted young woman who holds a PhD in Philosophy, but she’s settling down and has opened a petsitting business and an organic pet treat bakery, Flour Power, in her home town. The characters are like catching up with old friends: both comforting and exciting to find out what’s been happening in their lives. Not only are the human characters well-developed, the four-footed furry friends are just as charming. I know I’ve said it before, but I adore the protagonist’s sidekick Basset hound, Socrates. He has a personality that is just as delightful as any human sidekick and I love each scene he is in.
When Daphne finds the wedding planner murdered on the eve of her sister’s wedding, she needs to step in and calm the bride and groom’s nerves. Except she finds out the groom doesn’t have an alibi, but his bride-to-be, Daphne’s sister, believes in his innocence. The author effortless weaves in the clues and subplots and kept me turning pages long into the night to find out “what happens next.” There were twists and turns in the mystery that I didn’t see coming along with the twists with Daphne’s romantic interest, Detective Jonathan Black. Yet in the end, the threads of the characters and the story are brought together into a satisfying, heartwarming conclusion…that once again has me waiting impatiently for the next book to release.
Ms. Blake includes several cat treat recipes at the back of the book along with a recipe for Daisy’s Secret Potato Salad which was served at the reception. Since my local family are dog people and there was a party coming up (Game of Thrones season opener!), I opted to make the potato salad recipe to share. It received rave reviews and was nicknamed ‘Prince O’Beryn’s Smashed Potatoes’ in keeping with the theme of the party. I liked the use of the red potatoes, which gave the salad a nice texture and some color. The combo of mayo and sour cream provided a nice creamy, tangy flavor which paired beautifully with the fresh dill. The recipe makes a large batch which is perfect for sharing at a gathering or cut the recipe in third to make for a small family dinner. Either way, this will be my new “go-to” potato salad from here on out!
Amazon Synopsis
Daphne Templeton’s sister Piper is getting married—and their mother is getting carried away. She insists on hiring Sylvan Creek’s top event planner, Abigail Sinclair, who proposes an Independence Day theme complete with Statue of Liberty-inspired bridesmaid dresses. With all the bickering among the families, Daphne’s glad her only duty right now is pet-sitting for Abby’s cat, Ms. Peebles. But there are some fireworks coming that aren’t part of the ceremony. The Poconos will never be the same . . .
At a tension-filled dress fitting, the abrasive wedding planner is found strangled by a garter—a weapon both borrowed and blue. Now Daphne’s services are required not just for organizing the big day, but for figuring out whether one of the in-laws is an outlaw . . .
A special thanks to Bethany Blake for providing one winner with a print copy of SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING MEWED & an original painting of Tinkleston the cat. Contest ends Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and limited to U.S. 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!)
Daisy doesn't normally share this recipe, but since I did help to get her cleared of murder and save her restaurant, which was literally "in a pickle", I guess she took pity on me after I kept licking my plate clean at the barn party. She's assured me I can share the recipe with friends, too. I guess the secret is out!
- 3 pounds red potatoes, unpeeled
- 3 eggs, hard-boiled and roughly chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons dried dill weed or 4 tablespoons fresh dill weed, minced
- 1 bunch scallions, chopped, white and green parts
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Boil the potatoes until they are just tender. You don't want them to be mushy. When cool enough to handle, cut them into bite-sized chunks.
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Mix together the hard-boiled eggs, mayo, sour cream, vinegar, mustard, dill and white part of the scallions.
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Add the potatoes and toss gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Sprinkle the dish with green scallion tops for a pretty presentation that will wow guests at your next summer picnic or party.
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If you love pickle flavor, skip the apple cider vinegar and add a few spoonfuls of pickle relish. Yum!
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I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have never been invited to a wedding that was subsequently called off. Thanks for the yummy recipe for potato salad!
No, I have never been to a cancelled wedding. Thanks for the recipe.
I’ve never been to a wedding that was called off. Oh,the drama that would bring!
I have only known of two people’s weddings being canceled. It must be the pits
Thankfully, no. Although I suppose it is better to do than go thru with it if you aren’t sure.
I have never been invited to a wedding that was cancelled. I have been invited to a couple of weddings that should have been cancelled because of the way the bride was acting. These weddings, of course, ended up being very short marriages. Thanks for the recipe and the chance!
I never planned to go to a wedding or been to a wedding that has been called off.Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of Something Borrowed, Something Mewed & painting of Tinkleston the cat.
Not yet, but there’s still time. Lol
I have never been to a wedding that was called off. This recipe looks delicious & I would love a chance to win this book. Thanks for your generosity.
Nope, every wedding I’ve planned to go to has always happened.
Never had a cancelled wedding, but there could have almost been a murder at my friend’s when her aunt saw her brother (the father of the bride) come out in a tractor t-shirt. Honestly, my friend was just happy he put on the crown and cape- it was Renaissance themed.
Thanks for the chance and the recipe.
kozo8989@hotmail.com
No, I can’t think of anybody I know that had to do that. My basset hound and I love the dog on your covers.
My brothers. I was supposed to be in it, I already had the dress too.
No, I don’t remember any wedding that was called off. I do remember one where the groom’s mother just knew the couple should have called it off. And as it happened, think the honeymoon was a bust. But 10+ years later, they are still married.
donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
I’ve never been invited to a wedding that was then called off.
I know of two weddings that were called off but never one that I had been invited to attend. We did attend a wedding that was scheduled but then moved up almost two months earlier!
No never have.
Yes I have!
No I haven’t. I have actually only been to 3 weddings, plus my own at the JOP. Should have called mine off, lol
I haven’t but my son has and he was supposed to be a groomsman. The bride changed her mind and his friend was devastated. It was about 2 weeks before the wedding.
Thankfully, I’ve not had any dealings with a wedding that didn’t go through. However, later on it might now have been a bad thing on one or two. 🙂
I like the use of apple cider vinegar in Daisy Carpenter’s Secret Potato Salad with Dill. I’ll have to give it a try.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “BORROWED, SOMETHING MEWED”.
No I haven’t
Haven’t been to a cancelled wedding.
I know of one where the groom passed out from anxiety and one where the mother of the groom ended up consoling the bride during the vows!
I have never been to a wedding that was called off. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of “Something Borrowed, Something Meowed” and for the delicious looking receipe.
jenbates1967(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve never had a friend’s scheduled wedding canceled, although one did break her engagement about a yr before the anticipated wedding date.
I have not planned to attend a wedding that has been called off.
I have not planned to attend a wedding that was called off—-but I’ve attended a couple weddings that should have been called off.
No, I have never been invited to a wedding that ended up being cancelled.
never been to a cancelled wedding. they have all gone on as planned
No, I’ve never been invited to a wedding that was called off.
No I haven’t..but I haven’t been to many weddings.
No, I’ve never been invited to a wedding that was then cancelled.
I’ve never planned to go to a wedding that was then cancelled.
I have never been to a wedding that was canceled… but there are a couple I went to that should have been. 😉
I have never had plans to attend any wedding that was then cancelled or called off. Most of the weddings I’ve attended are still together.
No I haven’t
nope. can’t say I have been in that situation!
No, I haven’t.
I have never been to a wedding that was cancelled.
I have never been invited to a wedding that ended up being cancelled.
No I haven’t but I almost didn’t show up for mine.
No I never have I think it would be quite awkward.
More…never been invited to a wedding that was later cancelled or called off. Although, I think calling it off would be better than going through with the wedding and then splitting up soon after.
I have never been to a wedding that was called off, Thank God! Thank You for the recipe!!!
I have never been invited to a wedding that was called off. I was invited to one that had to be postponed due to sickness, though.
Have never been to a wedding that was called off
I should have called mine off ??
No, I have never planned on being at a wedding that was called off. I have only been to one wedding in my life, my brothers!
nope, but wouldn’t that be an intresting time!