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WEDDING BEAR BLUES is the fourth book in the shamelessly adorable Teddy Bear Mysteries by Meg Macy. This newest addition features Valentine’s Day as the backdrop for protagonist Sasha Silverman and her family-owned Silver Bear Shop and Factory. Love should be in the air with chocolates, roses, and teddy bears galore but instead a bridezilla and the worst best man ever take all the joy out of the holiday. I truly enjoy Sasha and her family. They work well together and I love how her mom has gotten involved in local politics and is running for mayor. Rounding out their core family are two sets of aunts and uncles. The extended family gives greater insight into the characters of the Silverman family, which is all good. The auxiliary characters, however, don’t have many qualities to make them likeable, including the ring bearer dog and the bratty flower girl. Still, the interaction between these characters ramps up the tension as the scene careens toward the murder.
When the bride’s sister is accused of the murder, Sasha and her sister are pulled into proving her innocence. The author does an admirable job of setting up reasons why so many people could have killed the worst best man ever. I was convinced multiple times that I’d figured it out only to change my mind a few pages later. Along with the main murder plot, there are subplots interwoven to add to the storyline. Why does their teddy bear shop competitor want to buy a neighboring house? Is he trying to sabotage their business? The author also includes a heartwarming thread for raising both awareness and funds for pediatric brain cancer which I applaud. On the other hand there is a small subplot involving creepster men who use teddy bears for nefarious reasons involving kids. While there is nothing graphic and nothing happens on page, it left me with an icky feeling. Despite that one small item, as the story concludes and the reveal comes to light, Ms. Macy pulls all the threads together into a cohesive plot that left me satisfactorily surprised.
While there aren’t any recipes in the book, there are multiple mentions of yummy food that Sasha enjoys from her favorite coffee shop and bakery, Fresh Grounds. I was instantly drooling over her description of decadent chocolate-drizzled raspberry scones and decided I need to create a recipe! Infused with lemon oil and lemon peel, plus frozen raspberries (for both convenience and to keep the raspberries intact while mixing) the rich, flaky scone is drizzled on top with dark chocolate. The combination of raspberries and chocolate is pure heaven while calling to mind the flavors and color of Valentine’s Day.
Amazon Synopsis
When a heartless killer ruins a Valentine’s Day wedding, teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman vows to solve the crime . . .
At the Silver Bear Shop and Factory, Sasha will be selling plenty of bride and groom teddy bears come springtime. But this Valentine’s Day weekend, she’d take any of those silent, stuffed couples over the real thing. Sasha and her sister Maddie are bridesmaids at Cissy Davidson’s upcoming wedding in Silver Hollow. Cissy is fuming over the worst choice of best man—the jerk who broke her sister Debbie’s heart—and the groom-to-be won’t budge in his decision. At the rehearsal dinner you could cut the tension with a wedding cake knife.
That is, until best man Dylan is found dead, impaled with an ice pick. Although jilted Debbie is the most likely suspect—the blood on her dress doesn’t help her case—the bride begs Sasha to prove her sister’s innocence. If anyone’s going to walk down the aisle, Sasha will first need to find the cold-hearted killer who iced Dylan . . .
A special thanks to Meg Macy for providing a winner with a print copy of WEDDING BEAR BLUES. Contest ends Monday, January 4, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (15 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F).
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Place the frozen raspberries in a bowl and sprinkle the confectioners' sugar over. Stir until the berries are coated then place the bowl in the freezer until needed.
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Whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
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Place the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt and half the chilled butter into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse about 15 times until the butter is incorporated. Sprinkle the remaining chilled butter over the top of the flour mixture and pulse about 10 times until butter is small pea-sized pieces.
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Place the flour mixture in a large mixing bowl and stir in the frozen berries. Pour the milk mixture in and gently stir until dough forms. There can be some dry bits of flour remaining.
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Place the dough on a well-floured surface and bring together into a ball, kneading a couple of times if necessary. Pat the ball into a 9-inch circle and cut into 8 wedges.
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Transfer the scone wedges to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, until tops are golden.
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Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.
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Place the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 70% power for 30 seconds. Stir well and heat in 10 second intervals at 70% power, stirring well after each cycle, until chocolate is melted.
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Place the melted chocolate into a piping bag, or a ziplock plastic bag, and snip the corner off. Drizzle over the scones and serve.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Yes, I have been to Build A Bear once. I was scheduled to Build A Bear on a cruise – then the cruise was cancelled 🙁 Hopefully I will get to do that this year. Thank you for the recipe and the give-away.
madamhawk at gmail dot com
yes i have been to build a bear i think anyone with a granddaughter has been there. I love going there and we put a heart inside as she lives in Ca and I live in Ia and we both love bears. Thank you for the print giveaway and Happy New Year. ptclayton2 @aol.com
Congratulations on your new book coming out!
It’s sounds really good!
Thank you for the recipe .
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
I have been to the build a bear workshop.
Yes, I have been to build a bear. I love that place. This book looks wonderful. My sister would absolutely adore this book just because it has bears in it.
Those look sooo good. Who can’t love raspberries and chocolate?
No, I’ve never been to a teddy bear factory.
This sounds like such a great read!! How cute is the cover!! No, I’ve never been to a teddy bear factory. The scone recipe looks delicious!
I have been to a Build A Bear store, but never a factory. Actually had a friend that worked there. When we would go to visit them, a trip to the store was always a most. I think seeing an actual factory would be awesome.
Thank you so much for the Raspberry Scones with Dark Chocolate Drizzle recipe which is a keeper for me. Can’t wait to try it. I may just have to switch out to a white chocolate drizzle though.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “WEDDING BEAR BLUES” which is most definitely on my TBR list.
I have always wanted to go to one but never have 🙁 Still on my bucket list!
Those scones look so good. I’m not a baker but I’m gonna have to try my hand at that recipe
I’ve never been to build a bear. not sure there is one in Harrisburg.
Yes, I did go to a Build-a-Bear once. It was so fun. My friend’s little girl loved them and had quite a few.
No, I haven’t but it sounds like fun!
Happy book birthday! I have been to Build a Bear (and another one, now defunct, whose name I can’t remember) many times when my kids were young. It was always a happy place for us!
Mmmmm! I’ll bet if these were at Fresh Grounds, they’d SELL OUT like hotcakes! er, hot scones. ;-D
Thanks for stopping by, Meg! It’s always a pleasure hosting your adorable books and you do dream up some yummy treats for Sasha and her family to indulge in 🙂
I haven’t been to a teddy bear factory and would love to go! Happy New Year and congratulations on the new release!
I have walked by Build A Bear Shop and lived seeing the kids but I collect wee ones
I have been to build a bear many times.
Thank you for creating and sharing your recipe – My mouth watered just reading it!
Happy New Year!.
Raspberries and dark chocolate? Oh my yes!
I have not been to a teddy bear factory.
I have been to Build a Best Workshop and my grandsons have given me beats for my birthday. This book looks amazing,Thanks for your great generosity.
No. I have never been to a Build a Bear Workshop or teddy bear factory.
I have been to the build a bear workshop with my nieces and nephews.
I have been to Build-A-Bear. Good place to take a young one for their birthday. The scones look delicious.
Yes and I enjoyed it!
What a wonderful recipe. Thanks for sharing. I have been to a Built a Bear in Woodfield Mall Illinois. My sister in law would go there often to get a bear for a new baby in the family.
I took my son to Build A Bear for a birthday party once.
I’m fortunate to live in Pennsylvania close to where the Boyd’s Bear Barn used to be in Gettysburg. It was like the Disney World for Teddy Bear collectors. I was sad when they closed down.
I’ve been to one in the Mall. Its amazing.
I have never been inside, even though I have passed the store. I do have a few teddy bears, though. Happy New Year! Thank you for this chance.
I have not been to Build-a-Bear. Thank you for the recipe! They sound yummy!
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Yes I have! The kids always have a blast!
I have been to a build a bear store! I love them! Thanks for the chance!
Very cute cover. I never have. Thanks for the chance.
I have not been to a teddy bear factory.
No, I have never been to a teddy bear factory.
I guess I never considered those as factories, so yes, I have been to one. It seemed a bit rushed for the process.
No I have never been to one.
No. I have never been to a teddy bear factory. The scones look delicious.
I’ve never been to a bear factory, but I’d love to take my grandsons.
No I have not but would love to take my grandchildren.
The Scone is making me hungry
I used to go when my grand kids were little.. Maybe one day i will have more grand kids so I could go again.
I’ve never been to Build A Bear.
I have been to Build-A-Bear. My kids loved it. I loved being able to putting a recording inside that was personalized. And the other fun part was naming them. Thank you for the chance.
lilyanngill56(at)gmail(dot)com
No never been. Thanks for the chance!
Yep, I have been to build a bear!
We have been to Build a Bear in the malls, but would love to go to a full factory and see the process
i never been to a build a bear but like to sometime
No, I’ve never been to a teddy bear factory.
I never made a bear there but I have watched my grandkids make them one. It was neat looking. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of Wedding Bear Blues.
Yes, I have, for my granddaughter 3rd. birthday party. I loved it and to see all the kids having so much fun
No, I have not been to a Build-a-Bear factory. I have been to some of their stores abd enjoyed it.
Been to build a bear a few times with grandkids
This is a great series
No, I have never been to A build a Bear. Congrats on your book. Thanks for the recipe –copied it.
I have been to a regular Build A Bear. They just pull you right in and next thing you know there is no more money in your wallet. Thank you
Yes!
No I have never been to a teddy bear factory.
I took my children to Build A Bear when they were young
Yes, I went to Build-a-Bear at my local mall. I only looked around. I didn’t buy anything.
It has been several years, well a lot of years, since I was in Build-a-bear. My daughter wanted to take her daughter (my granddaughter) for her birthday. I don’t remember which birthday, but she wasn’t very old [she’s 29 now]. Build-a-Bear was a fairly new venture (at least in Oklahoma City). Papa (hubby/grandpa) had the most fun I think.
No, I have never been to that store.
In the mall it’s really cool. Build a bear
I don’t think that I have ever been to someplace like Build-A-Bear. I’ve wanted to go, but things have never quite lined themselves up right for it to happen. Thank you for the chance to win.