Category: recipes

Posted in Blog Tour, recipes

Recipe and Blog Post for Murder Most Fowl by Carmela Dutra

Posted on by Debbie


A Murder Most Fowl: A Food Truck Mystery
by Carmela Dutra

About A Murder Most Fowl


A Murder Most Fowl: A Food Truck Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
Hardcover ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892423175
Paperback ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892423182
Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892423199
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A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.

With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. With their loyal assistant–and Beth’s best friend–Rylie by their side, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.

This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.

RECIPE

The Kluckin’ Greek: Chicken Wings Recipe

Intro: Beth’s voice.

If you ask my twin brother Seth, wings are the universal love language. If you ask me, they’re the perfect bribe. Hungry detective giving you the side-eye? Hand him a plate of The Kluckin’ Greek and suddenly he forgets all about the time you accidentally got arrested in a chicken suit. (Long story. Don’t ask.)

This recipe is one of our customer favorites from Kluckin’ Good, the food truck Seth and I run in Clementine. It’s messy, zesty, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell so good the neighbors will “accidentally” stop by. Best part? You don’t even need a fryer. Your oven does all the work.

So, grab your apron (the clean one, not the one you’ve been using as a potholder), and let’s make wings that would win over even the pickiest food critic.

The Kluckin’ Greek

Serves 4 (or 2 if you’re Seth and don’t like to share)

Ingredients:

3 pounds frozen chicken wings, thawed

6–8 garlic cloves, crushed

1 small garlic clove, finely grated

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil (reserve half)

2 Tbsp cracked black pepper

1¼ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp dried oregano

¼ cup chopped parsley

3–4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Feta cheese crumbles (optional, but highly recommended)

Instructions:

Step 1

Whisk lemon zest and juice, crushed garlic, half the oil, black pepper, salt, cayenne, and oregano in a large bowl. Add wings and toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 2 hours (or up to 12 if you like to plan ahead).

Step 2

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two large baking sheets with foil. If you have wire racks, set them inside—this helps the wings crisp. Arrange marinated wings on sheets. Bake for about 1 hour, rotating trays halfway through, until deeply browned and crisp.

Step 3

Whisk remaining oil, lemon juice, and grated garlic in a small bowl. Season if needed.

Step 4

To serve, stir parsley into dressing. Pile wings onto a platter, drizzle with dressing, and top with crumbled feta. Then stand back before they vanish.

Beth’s closing notes.

There you go—wings so good they should come with a warning label: “May cause sibling fights.” If you make these, tag me so I can prove to Seth that yes, people really do like my recipes better than his. And remember, wings are best enjoyed hot, with extra napkins, and preferably without a side of murder investigation.

About A Murder Most Fowl

A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.

With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. With their loyal assistant–and Beth’s best friend–Rylie by their side, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.

This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.

Praise for A Murder Most Fowl:

“A serious set of crimes leavened by plenty of amusing moments add up to a fun read.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“The perfect escapist read, brimming with banter and an extra helping of fun.”

—Ellery Adams, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret, Book, and Scone Society mysteries

Product Details

ISBN9798892423175

Available Sep 09, 2025

Published by Crooked Lane Books

Pages336

About Carmela Dutra

Hailing from the Bay Area of California, Carmela Dutra cherishes her family, rainy days, and making others laugh.

After years of working on her award-winning indie children’s picture books, she transitioned into crafting cozy mysteries filled with emotion, humor and heart.

When she’s not penning her latest tale, Carmela enjoys sketching, sipping copious amounts of coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She shares her life with her best friend and husband, raising two dinosaur-obsessed sons. A lover of alternative rock, Carmela often writes to its rhythm and finds comfort in rewatching The Big Bang Theory and M*A*S*H.

Author Links

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarmelaDutra/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorcarmela/

Threads https://www.threads.com/@authorcarmela?xmt=AQF0ZEH7iWCFepVBgn7dGBtXhsCtpZEdklC1i4OwBhRqMnM

Twitter/X https://x.com/authorcarmela

Purchase Links
Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop.org Penguin Random House

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 26 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 27 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

August 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

August 29 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

August 29 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 29 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – FUONLYKNEW – RECIPE

August 31 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

September 1 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 2 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 3 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 3 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

September 4 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 5 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE

September 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 6 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT

September 7 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

September 8 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

Giveaway link:

https://kingsumo.com/g/3eexzl3/a-murder-most-fowl-a-food-truck-mystery-by-carmela-dutra

 

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Recipe and Spotlight for The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis

Posted on by Debbie


The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (A Domestic Diva Mystery)
by Krista Davis

About The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg


The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (A Domestic Diva Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
18th in Series
Setting – Virginia
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (May 27, 2025)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496743458
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496743459
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DFRXP333
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Northern Virginia’s own Martha Stewart returns in a brand-new mystery as an interior designer clashes with a killer . . .

Stylish brunches are all the rage this autumn in Old Town Alexandria, and everyone’s posting their parties on social media. But while Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson—who is afraid someone is following her. The very next day Mitzi loses her best friend and business partner, Denise. The two were renovating a generations-old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder.

It could just be the shock talking, but Sophie agrees to help Mitzi involve the police. Then she receives a panicked phone call from Mitzi, and when she rushes to the old house, Mitzi is nowhere to be found. Now Sophie’s appetite for investigation is piqued even more than her appetite for eggs Benedict and mimosas.

Could Denise’s death be connected to her viper’s nest of in-laws or the house she was working on which her husband just inherited? What of the self-proclaimed etiquette expert with some improper secrets, or the scheming mistress? Or does the old house harbor secrets of its own? There’s a generous buffet of suspects to keep the Diva scrambling for an answer . . .

Includes delicious recipes and fabulous DIY decorating tips!

RECIPE

Hazel’s Doughnut Holes

mini-muffin pan
nonstick baking spray
13⁄4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
3⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
1⁄8 teaspoon cloves
3⁄4 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 1⁄2 cup milk
1⁄2 cup light brown sugar
1⁄3 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4-6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2⁄3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Spray or grease the mini-muffin pan.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, milk, light brown sugar, canola oil, egg, and vanilla. Mix. Slowly add the flour mixture, a bit at a time.

Use a soup spoon or an oval tablespoon measurer to scoop out the dough. Use your finger to scoot it into the wells. Bake 12 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to rest on a rack a few minutes.

Pour the melted butter in a smallish shallow bowl. Mix the sugar and the cinnamon well and place in a larger, shallow bowl. Dip each doughnut hole into the butter and roll it in the cinnamon sugar. Place on the rack to cool. These freeze very well. While best when fresh, you can make them ahead of time and freeze them. Allow them to thaw to room temperature to serve.

About Krista Davis

New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries, the Paws & Claws Mysteries, and The Pen & Ink Mysteries. Krista lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with a black Labrador mix, an English cream golden retriever, and two very inquisitive cats, all rescues. Her friends and family complain about being guinea pigs for her recipes, but she notices they keep coming back for more.

Author Links

Website www.KristaDavis.com

Instagram www.instagram.com/kristadavisauthor

Facebook www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1555579.Krista_Davis

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/KristaDavisAuthor/

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/krista-davis

X xhttps://x.com/kristadavis

Delicious Mysteries https://www.facebook.com/groups/1573601592919093

Purchase Links

Apple Amazon BAM B&N Bookshop.org Hudson Booksellers Indigo Powell’s Rakuten Kobo Tantor Target Walmart

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 20 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW*

May 20 – Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 21 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

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May 26 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT

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May 27 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW*

May 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

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Blog Tour and Recipe Guest Post for A Tisket a Tasket

Posted on by Debbie

 


A Tisket A Tasket Not Another Casket: A Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mystery
by Heather Weidner

About A Tisket A Tasket Not Another Casket


A Tisket A Tasket Not Another Casket: A Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Virginia
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books (January 14, 2025)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 277 pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DRZ7N3XW
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Excitement is in the air as everyone in Mermaid Bay is preparing for the Christmas season. This year promises to be more dazzling than ever when the business council sponsors a competition for the town’s lucrative summer fireworks contract. The quaint little beach town is ready to be wowed with choreographed shows and drone action that light up the night sky.

Instead of goodwill and sparkles, two of the teams take the competition to new lows with corporate espionage, feuds, and sabotage, and Jade and her team at ‘Tis the Season are ground zero for all the explosive action. When one of the competitors turns up murdered near Jade’s shop, she has to solve the mystery before the holidays are ruined.

Patti’s Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup of unsalted, softened butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon peppermint extract

½ teaspoon salt

cup of powdered sugar

1 ¾ cups of flour

½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

½ cup white chocolate chips

½ cup of additional powdered sugar for the topping

Parchment paper

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium until it’s creamy. Add the vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt. Mix in the 2/3 cup of powdered sugar on low. Gradually add the flour. Mixed in the crushed peppermint candy and the white chocolate chips. Chill the dough mixture in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll the chilled dough into small balls about an inch wide. Place about two inches apart on the baking sheets. Chill on the baking sheets for 30 minutes.

Bake the cookies for 14 minutes until lightly golden. (You may want to rotate the pans at the halfway point.)

Cool the cookies for 10 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to wire baking racks.

Once the cookies are completely cooled, dust with the remaining powdered sugar.

About Heather Weidner

Through the years, Heather Weidner has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She writes the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries, the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, and the Pearly Girls Mysteries.

Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Deadly Southern Charm, and Murder by the Glass, and she has non-fiction pieces in Promophobia and The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers’ Cookbook.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime: National, Central Virginia, Chessie, Guppies, and Grand Canyon Writers, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers, and she blogs regularly with the Writers Who Kill.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Author Links

Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidnerAuthor

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@heather_mystery_writer

BlueSky: Heather Weidner (@heatherweidner.bsky.social) — Bluesky

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heather_weidner_author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_mystery_writer/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121854.Heather_Weidner

Amazon Authors: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HOYR0MQ

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-weidner-d6430278-c5c9-4b10-b911-340828fc7003

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1

Purchase Link – Amazon

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

January 29 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

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January 30 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

January 31 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

February 1 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLGHT

February 2 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 3 – Frugal Freelancer – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 3 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

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February 6 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE POST

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February 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

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Blog Tour and Recipe for Apple Dumpling Murder by Trixie Silvertale

Posted on by Debbie

Apple Dumpling Murder: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
(Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries)
by Trixie Silvertale

About Apple Dumpling Murder


Apple Dumpling Murder: Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Where does your book take place?: Fictional town of Silver Shoals. A northern town steeped in winter. Snow, wind, gorgeous lake.
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sittin’ On A Goldmine Productions LLC (October 1, 2024)
Number of Pages: 222
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW1KXWWR
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Santa’s daughter is settling into her life as a baker, but could a fresh murder burn her biscuits?

Cindy Claus loves exploring the human world and baking amazing treats. So, she’s bubbling over when her aging landlord takes her under his wing and promises to leave her the bakery in his will. But before she can stir up a celebration, her patron collapses, dead, like a bad soufflé.

With suspicion instantly falling on the budding baker, Cindy must rely on her fragile new friendships and her father’s trusted arctic fox. She’ll have to butt heads with local law enforcement as she gathers crumbs, and one wrong move could crush her dreams…

Can Cindy find the proof she needs, or will this villain punch down her last hope?

Apple Dumpling Murder is the second book in the festive paranormal cozy series, Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries. If you like kind-hearted heroines, furry sidekicks, and a dash of mistletoe magic, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s seasonal secrets.

Buy Apple Dumpling Murder to blind bake a killer today!
*Features recipes from Cindy’s bakery!

RECIPE

Holiday Apple Dumplings (Recipe from Apple Dumpling Murder by Trixie Silvertale)

Yield: 6 dumplings

Ingredients

For the dough: 3 cups (375 grams) unbleached flour 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt ½ teaspoon (3 grams) ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon (3 grams) ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon (2 grams) ground clove 1 cup (216 grams) butter, chilled and cut into small pieces 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar ½ cup (118 ml) iced water For the filling: 3 Tablespoons (54 grams) butter, cut into six ½-Tablespoon (9 grams) chunks 6 pitted prunes, diced small 6 dried apricots, diced small 2½ Tablespoons (30 grams) dried cranberries

Additional Ingredients: 6 medium-sized Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored (substitute your favorite) 1 egg, beaten to glaze the pastry-wrapped apples Instructions

Make the filling:

1. Dice prunes and apricots. Mix with cranberries. Set aside. 2. Butter cubes will be pushed into cored apples, on top of fruit filling. Make the dough: 1. Pulse flour, spices, and salt in a food processor to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with pieces of butter still visible. About 25 pulses.

2. Combine vinegar and ½ cup iced water in a measuring cup. While pulsing, drizzle in vinegar mixture; pulse until dough comes together. Dough should be pliable, but not sticky. About 15 pulses.

3. Turn out dough and divide into 6 equal parts. Place each part on a sheet of plastic wrap and roll each part into approx. 8-inch square. Cover with another layer of plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 1 hour.

4. Peel and core the apples.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Line a large half-sheet baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

6. Remove dough squares from refrigerator. Place one prepared apple in the center of each dough square. Stuff each core with equal parts fruit filling and one ½-Tablespoon (9 grams) butter chunk.

7. Brush the edges of the dough square lightly with water. Bring the edges up around the apple and seal with additional water. Trim off excess.

8. *OPTION: Roll out trimmings and cut decorative leaves to decorate each dumpling.

9. Place each wrapped apple on parchment-covered baking tray. Glaze each apple with beaten egg. 10. Bake for 30–45 minutes, or until golden brown, and pierce easily with a sharp skewer. SERVE: Serve hot with fresh whipped cream or ice cream and a cinnamon stick.

Copyright © 2023 by Trixie Silvertale • All rights reserved. Sittin’ On A Goldmine Productions, L.L.C. and Trixie Silvertale

About Trixie Silvertale

USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in all her mystery stories, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.

Author Links

Trixie’s Website https://trixiesilvertale.com

Trixie’s Patreon https://patreon.com/TrixieSilvertaleCozyMysteryBooks

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/trixiesilvertale

BookBub Author https://www.bookbub.com/authors/trixie-silvertale

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/trixiesilvertale/

Facebook Author https://www.facebook.com/TrixieSilvertale/

Purchase Links – Amazon US – Amazon UK – Amazon Canada – Amazon Australia

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 18 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

September 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 18 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

September 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 20 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 21 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

September 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

September 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

September 24 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE

September 24 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

September 25 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

September 25 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 27 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 27 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 28 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

September 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 30 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

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Blog Tour and Recipe for Tallowed Ground by Valona Jones

Posted on by Debbie


Tallowed Ground: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery
by Valona Jones

About Tallowed Ground


Tallowed Ground: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Muddle House Publishing (September 10, 2024)
Digital Print length ‏ : ‎ 269 pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D9HLPS2W

When a killer props his third and latest victim against the double tombstone of Tabby and Sage Winslow’s grandparents’ grave in Savannah, Georgia, the psychic twins are stunned. Even worse, the victim is the very man they filed a restraining order against a few months ago for trashing their book and candle shop. Coincidence…or a connection? Then a clue about the murders points to Tabby’s career as a candlemaker. Now, she is the number one suspect in the killing spree.

The twins investigate all three victims, finding little that might tie the cases together besides where the bodies were found—in or near Bonaventure Cemetery, a beautiful 100-acre historic graveyard with a storied past. Then Tabby’s Medical Examiner boyfriend is mysteriously pulled from the case, with his dream job in jeopardy. The situation reaches a flashpoint when new evidence points to Tabby. With her freedom and the family business in jeopardy, Tabby and Sage match their wits and psychic abilities against the wily killer.

That is, until Tabby’s spirited inquiry lands her in the worst kind of trouble. Can Tabby clear her name before the fiend snuffs her flame…for good?

Tabby Winslow of Tallowed Ground shares a recipe

My family knows I’m not the best cook. I get distracted and forget I’m cooking, and then we have to call out for pizza! I blame some of that on the mysteries I love to read. I absolutely become engrossed when reading.

My fiancé never complains about my cooking, but I know the difference between cooking to live and living to cook.

My aunt and twin both have that special knack for cooking, so for most of my life they cooked and I cleaned up. It was a bargain that worked great all around. Now we’re all living our own lives and I’ve had to up my cooking game. It’s getting better, but it still isn’t great.

When a birthday or holiday occasion arises, I use one of Auntie O’s tried-and-true recipes. This dessert is absolutely mouthwatering, and everyone raves about it. The cake is dense, moist, and spicy in the way of all the decadent apple desserts you’ve ever tasted. The caramel frosting is pure heaven–buttery sweetness that melts in your mouth. I’ve made it three times now, and every time is a hit.

Also, since this cake is so YUMMY, I hit upon an idea that has kept me from bursting out of my clothes. Instead of making this in a 13×9” pan and eating the whole thing, I split the batter between two 8×8 pans. That way I have one for immediate consumption. The other I either freeze for later or drop it off at a friend’s house.

One last note: Auntie O always made this is a metal pan for the 45 minutes of baking. I have glass pans and have learned the hard way that food cooks faster in glass. I recommend checking the cake at 30 or 35 minutes with a toothpick. Continue every five minutes until the toothpick comes out clean.

And the real last note: frost the cake in the pan. It isn’t the prettiest way to serve it, but the pieces are easier to get off the bottom with a metal spatula.

Auntie O’s Applesauce Cake

By Tabby Winslow, amateur sleuth and psychic of TALLOWED GROUND

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup butter

1 egg

½ cup raisins

½ c chopped walnuts

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cloves

2 tsp baking soda

2 cups applesauce

Cream butter and sugars together. Add egg and beat well. Sift dry ingredients together. Add to butter mixture alternately with the applesauce. Stir in raisins and walnuts. Bake in a greased 13” x 9” x 2” pan at 350 for 45 minutes. Frost when cool.

Caramel Frosting

½ cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

¼ cup milk

1 ¾ cup of confectioner sugar

Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugar and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture boils. Then add milk (slowly) and keep stirring mixture until it boils again. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Frosting is runny but will harden as it cools. Be sure to apply the frosting while runny, otherwise it’s hard to do!

Refrigerate cake before eating for fullest flavor.

Enjoy!

About Valona Jones

Valona Jones, aka Maggie Toussaint, writes paranormal cozies set in coastal Georgia, Her latest release, TALLOWED GROUND, book 3 in the A Magic Candle Shop Mysteries, came out September 10, 2024. Under the name of Maggie Toussaint, she also publishes cozy mysteries and romantic suspense. Her pen name for a three-book science fiction ecothriller is Rigel Carson. In total, she has published more than 27 works of fiction and won multiple awards. She lives in coastal Georgia, where time and tide wait for no one. Visit her sites: https://valonajones.com and https://maggietoussaint.com

Author Links

Valona Jones Website https://valonajones.com

Maggie Toussaint Website https://maggietoussaint.com

Maggie Toussaint Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaggieToussaintAuthor

Valona Jones Facebook https://facebook.com/ValonaJonesAuthor

Maggie Toussaint BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-toussaint

Valona Jones BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valona-jones

Maggie Toussaint Booklover’s Bench https://bookloversbench.com/maggie-toussaint/

Maggie Toussaint X https://www.x.com/MaggieToussaint

Purchase Links
Kindle Nook Kobo iBooks Amazon Kindle and Print Book

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 11 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Angel’s Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 12 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

September 12 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

September 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

September 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

September 15 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

September 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 16 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW

September 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

September 17 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE

September 17 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 18 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 18 – Binge Reading Books – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 19 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

September 19 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

September 20 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POSTS

September 20 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, recipes

Blog Tour and Recipe for Crime and Parchment: A Rare Books Cozy Mystery by Daphne Silver

Posted on by Debbie

 


Crime and Parchment: A Rare Books Cozy Mystery
by Daphne Silver

About Crime and Parchment


Crime and Parchment: A Rare Books Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Fictional town of Rose Mallow, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay
Level Best Books (November 21, 2023)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CKVBLPCY

Rare books librarian Juniper Blume knows this much… an ancient Celtic manuscript shouldn’t be in a Maryland cemetery. But that’s exactly what her brother-in-law claims.

Last year, Juniper saw the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells in Ireland. She learned how their bejeweled covers were stolen centuries ago, never to be seen again. So how could they have ended up in Rose Mallow, a small Chesapeake Bay town? Being Jewish, the Book of Kells might not be her sacred text, but as a rare books librarian, the ancient book is still sacred to her, making it important to Juniper to find out the truth.

Rose Mallow is the same place where Juniper used to summer with her sister Azalea and their grandmother Zinnia, known as Nana Z. Ever since Nana Z passed away, Juniper’s avoided returning, but her curiosity is greater than her grief, so she heads down in her vintage convertible with her rescue dog Clover.

Juniper discovers that her sister Azalea has transformed their grandmother’s Queen Anne style mansion into the Wildflower Inn, backing up to the Chesapeake Bay. Although Juniper isn’t much of a cook, Azalea has kept their grandmother’s legacy alive, filling the house with the smells of East European Jewish treats, like sweet kugels and tzimmes cake. Will coming back here feel like returning home or fill Juniper with a deeper sorrow? Can she apologize to her sister for not being there when she was needed most?

Book Excerpt

My 1965, robin’s egg blue convertible backfired as I parked in front of the Wildflower Inn. The noise set off Clover barking in the backseat. Not exactly the quiet homecoming I’d hoped for. I jumped out of my Karmann-Ghia – or “KG” as I’d nicknamed her – to check under the hood, hoping I wouldn’t need to get the roadster serviced yet again. No idea where that money would come from.

A screaming, ranting madwoman poured out of a neighboring house. Maybe in her late seventies, she brandished a large umbrella. I dropped the hood to find the umbrella pointing at me. Clover – all twenty pounds of him – jumped out and started growling.

“Easy, boy,” I said.

“You shoot something off, Missy? Here to cause trouble? Because I’m on the board of the Friends of the Rose Mallow Police.” the woman said. She wore a perfectly fitted Mamie Eisenhower pink skirt suit with enormous pearls – straight out of the 1950s. Her white bouffant billowed around her head. She reminded me of a researcher I’d helped earlier that day at the Library of Congress. That woman had been a murder mystery author looking for books about early detectives. This woman looked like she wanted to murder someone – namely me.

About Daphne Silver

Daphne Silver is the author of the Rare Books Cozy Mystery series. She’s worked more than twenty years in museums and has the great fortune of being married to a librarian. When she’s not writing, she’s drawing and painting. She lives in Maryland with her family. Although she’s not much of a baker, she won’t ever turn down a sweet lokshen kugel.

GUEST POST

In Crime and Parchment, my main character Juniper Blume isn’t a good baker, but her sister Azalea is, often creating their late grandmother’s East European Jewish recipes. One of their favorites is creating kugel!

Sweet Lokshen Kugel (Jewish Noodle Pudding)

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces wide egg noodles
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups cottage cheese
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
  • 1/4 cup cornflakes OR 1/2 cup apple chips (optional, for topping, see recipe below)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until well combined.
  4. Stir in the melted butter, cottage cheese, sour cream, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  5. Fold in the cooked noodles and raisins (if using).
  6. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish. If desired, sprinkle cornflakes evenly over the top.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the kugel is set and the top is golden brown.
  8. Allow the kugel to cool slightly before serving. It can be served warm or at room temperature.

Apple Chips (to go with the Kugel or on their own)

Ingredients

  • 2 firm, medium sized apples (I used Granny Smith and Honeycrisp to mix the sweet and slightly tart)
  • 1/3 (approximate) granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp (approximate) cinnamon
  • Pinch of nutmeg (to taste)
  • Pinch of cardamom (to taste)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 225
  2. Select apples of your choice
  3. Wash, core, and thinly slice (I used a mandolin to get the super thin cuts)
  4. Mix together sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom in a shallow bowl
  5. Dip one side of each apple  in the sugar mix and place them sugar side up in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 1 ½ – 2 hours until crisp.
  7. Chop lightly into large flakes

Note on spices: A light pinch of cardamom (just a pinch or two over the whole batch) will help accentuate the flavor of the cinnamon, and just a pinch or two of nutmeg adds a little depth to the flavors as well.  Like all spices, this is really ‘to taste’

Author Links

Website www.daphnesilver.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/daphnesilverbooks

Instagram www.instagram.com/daphnesilverbooks

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45491307.Daphne_Silver

Purchase Link – Amazon

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 22 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

November 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 23 – Thanksgiving U.S.

November 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

November 24 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

November 24 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

November 25 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE

November 25 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 26 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

November 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 27 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 27 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

November 28 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 28 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 28 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 29 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 29 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Diane’s Book Journal – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in recipes, Reviews, Romances

Review of The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman

Posted on by Debbie

*****5 stars

This is a feel-good book, a sweet romance, and a collection of baking recipes. The story features a baker, Sam, who leaves her family’s Michigan orchard for a job in New York City. Deciding not to take her boss’ demands anymore, she quits and returns home to take a time out and also attend the 100th anniversary party of the orchard and her grandmother’s 75tyh birthday.

Each section of this book includes a recipe that connects with the storyline of that section. There are flashbacks told by the women in her family that show Sam how they’ve created a history and traditions with their baking that’s shared by recipes in a recipe box passed down through the generations.

When it’s time for Sam to decide whether to return to New York and accept a promising baking position or stay at the family orchard, she’s also faced with dealing with her feelings about a promising relationship with Angelo, a man she left behind in New York, who comes to the orchard to visit her.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy family-centered stories. I was surprised to learn that the book was written by a man who used his grandmother’s name as a pen name. Her recipe box inspired the story, and the recipes included are some of hers and family friends.