Friday, April 6, 2018


It's
Cozy Food Friday

That means it's time to share a recipe from 
another great cozy mystery!

Today, #BerkleyMystery 
and I are joining to celebrate the April 3 release of 

WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE
Book 10 in the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries
by Jenn McKinlay


For the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew, wedding bells turn to death knells in this latest mystery in the New York Times bestselling series.

With Angie and Tate's wedding just around the corner, it's a happy time for Melanie Cooper and the bakery crew. Not only are they finessing the last minute details of the big day, but their bakery, Fairy Tale Cupcakes, has just been hired to bake cupcakes for the blockbuster book signing of a controversial author who wrote a steamy bestseller filled with juicy local gossip.

But one by one, the people Angie has hired to work at the wedding begin turning up dead. As the body count rises, the bestselling author is the next to bite the dust. Mel quickly realizes she needs to figure out how the murders are connected and why--before the killer brings the entire cupcake crew crumbling down. After all, Angie and Tate deserve their sweet happily ever after.


INCLUDES SCRUMPTIOUS RECIPES!

A Word From Jenn

     It was late at night, I’d been writing all day, so I decided to hit the social media interwebs to distract my brain from plot and character and all that jazz for a while. The plain truth is I’m a sucker for animal videos. I follow all the popular Twitter feeds like Cute Emergency and Fluff Society and when an adorable video comes up that makes me laugh or say “Aw”, it’s like a mini therapy session, or a shot of sunshine on a dark day. I never imagined, however, that it would change the plot of one of my books!

     Why am I telling you this? Well, when I wrote the synopsis for WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE, there was no dog adoption in it. None. But on one of those late night breaks, I watched a video about a Boston terrier, who had gone to town on a feather pillow, ripping it open and leaving a knee deep pile of feathers in the house. OMG! It was madness, delightful, hilarious, unbelievable madness!

     Of course the best part was the dog’s sheer joy with the disaster. She raced around the sofa, kicking up feathers and I swear she was smiling when she did it. There was no regret, no remorse, just a zest for life that was impossible to resist. She circled the couch at top speed again and again, only stopping when she wiped out and skidded across the floor, leaving a cloud of feathers in her wake. I laughed so hard, I just knew I had to add her, or a fictional version of her, to the book.

     Enter Peanut, a puppy that Mel and Joe find in the apartment of one of the murder victims. Of course, they already have a rescue kitten named Captain Jack, so the merging of the pets adds more chaos that is their best friend’s wedding, a murder investigation, and running the bakery. It is a real test for Mel and Joe to see if they can get the canine and the feline to cohabit without the fur flying. So, does Peanut get to stay? Does Captain Jack warm up to his new roommate? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

     Here’s brief description to give you more details about this upcoming release! With Angie and Tate's wedding just around the corner, it's a happy time for Melanie Cooper and the bakery crew. Not only are they finessing the last minute details of the big day, but their bakery, Fairy Tale Cupcakes, has just been hired to bake cupcakes for the blockbuster book signing of a controversial author who wrote a steamy bestseller filled with juicy local gossip.

     But one by one, the people Angie has hired to work at the wedding begin turning up dead. As the body count rises, the bestselling author is the next to bite the dust. Mel quickly realizes she needs to figure out how the murders are connected and why--before the killer brings the entire cupcake crew crumbling down. After all, Angie and Tate deserve their sweet happily ever after.

Happy Reading!
Jenn
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!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

1 lucky reader will win a print copy of

WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE

USA only

Enter using the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

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MY REVIEW


Ten books already? In a way, it feels like I just started reading this delicious series. Yet, in another way, I feel like I have been friends with these characters for decades. There’s even a new character that I feel I’ve known my whole life. All I know is this, it’s my extreme wish that I get to spend at least ten more books enjoying the Fairy Tale Cupcakes gang!

As with all the books in the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE drew me in on page one and held me captive until the very end. I didn’t close the book until I had finished the story, and the great recipes included afterwards.

With the time clicking down toward their nuptials, wedding excitement for Angie and Tate can be tasted on every page. But, as a killer mystery will do, that sweet taste is interrupted with murder. Then, author Jenn McKinlay treats us to another murder, because like a cupcake, you can’t have just one. So, wedding plans and investigations intertwine making for a hectic time for our cast of characters, but a thrilling time for readers as the story amps up on every chapter, until it’s final, surprising reveal, and its conclusion.

Oh wait! I totally forgot to mention if Angie and Tate finally take their vows. Well . . . you’ll just have to read WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE and find out for yourself! 😉

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On To The Recipe!

LEMON-LAVENDER CUPCAKES

Photo property of thecakeblog.com

Photos  found via Google Images, and its contributors, with many thanks. 
Your finished dish will vary in appearance.

A tart lemon cupcake with sweet lavender frosting.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cup granulated sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6-8 large lemons)
6 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Photo property of whitelightsomwednesday.com

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. Cream butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. With a mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, and the lemon zest. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the lemon juice, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning, and ending with the flour. Fill paper liners until two-thirds full. Bake 20 minutes.
Makes 24

Pinterest 

Lavender Frosting

3/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 drop purple food coloring
3 - 4 tablespoons milk
Fresh lavender

Photo property of yummymummykitchen.com

   In large bowl, cream butter, Gradually add confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Add dried lavender, vanilla, and a drop of purple food coloring, mixing well. Add milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Spread lavender frosting on cooled cupcakes and garnish with a fresh lavender sprig.

Pinterest

Can't you just imagine how good your house would smell from these yummy cupcakes?

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Please keep reading to check out my 
installments of 
Book Beginnings on Fridays
and
The Friday 56

Both the BB and 56 are from


WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE

Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader
Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading.

The Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda's Voice
Rules: *Grab a book, any book. *Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's okay.) *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you. *Post it.

My Book Beginnings

"Here comes the bride," Melanie Cooper as she held a bouquet of multicolored snapdragons in front of her as if she were walking down the aisle.  

My 56

 She had the face of a woman who had once been a looker, but wrinkles marred her forehead and the corners of eyes, jowls pulled at the once delicate face, and her teeth, while blindingly bright, were a bit out of alignment, with one incisor protruding on one side of her mouth, giving her smile a sarcastic twist.


GOOD LUCK!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

As always, please leave a comment and 
let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by 
clicking on the link in the 
upper right hand corner of this page.

16 comments:

  1. Thanks, Lisa! Those cupcakes sure are pretty. Happy Friday!

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  2. My 56: I couldn't stand it any longer; the thin fabric of politeness broke. "Send me? - no one sent me! I never heard of you before last Saturday night. I never would have heard of you if it hadn't been for..."

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  3. "WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE" by Jenn McKinlay is definitely on my TBR list and I'd LOVE the opportunity to read it.

    Oh my goodness, they need to develop something where I can reach through my computer and grab a cupcake. They look and the recipe sounds so delicious. I may just have to force myself to make these. LOL

    My first line is -
    Sleep, I need sleep. But instead of hitting the snooze button, I’m frantically charging along a downtown city sidewalk, weaving through throngs of Monday-morning business types who seem to be walking in every direction but mine.
    LOVE AT LAKEWOOD MED
    By TJ Amberson
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  4. Sounds like a fun read! I love the look of those cupcakes!! I added you to the Linky. Happy weekend!

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  5. I really enjoy wedding themed mysteries and am anxious to try the cupcakes which will be great for our book club's annual English Tea. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  6. I love the pastels! And the description of the woman sounds like someone who is friendly and has gone through many kinds of experiences.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  7. Sounds like a fun book. And those cupcakes sure look good. But when I eat lavender I always feel like I am eating bugs. Enjoy. My Friday Quotes

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  8. That lavender cupcake recipe has me drooling! I love all things lavender.

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  9. With both lemons and fresh lavender in my garden right now, I think I have to give your cupcakes a try.

    I do really like the beginning line.

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  10. I've got this on my wish list. Sounds so fun. And I am drooling over the cupcakes. I haven't had any sweets in two weeks!

    My Friday 56 from The Battle For Darracia

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  11. Paula Jacobson
    I have been waiting for this book to come out. I love this series.

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  12. Those cupcakes look so delicious! :)

    Lauren @ Always Me

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  13. The cupcakes are beautiful! Thanks for the wonderful recipe & the giveaway.

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  14. These cupcakes are gorgeous. I am not sure that I can be as artistic in my baking. Thanks for the giveaway.
    ezellmarlene(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. thanks for the chance to win a copy, really looking forward to reading this book

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  16. Cupcakes look so good! Not sure mine would look anything like these.

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