It's

Cozy Food Friday!

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

PLUM TEA CRAZY

Book 19 in the Tea Shop Mysteries

by Laura Childs

Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow. 

At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner--all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

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MY REVIEW

There’s always a cup of trouble in the Tea Shop Mysteries. This nineteenth installment is no exception.

Some of my best times reading have been spent in the Indigo Tea Shop. I can vividly smell the smells, imagine the tastes of all the delicious offerings, hear the clink of spoons to fine bone china, as well as the voices of Theo and Drayton. When not talking about tea, they’re talking about murder. And I’m always wrapped up in every word of it!

PLUM TEA CRAZY was a great mystery. I pondered every angle of the story, reread what I felt were important clues, put forth my inner Nancy Drew, and still never guessed the killer. Well done! I honestly didn’t want this book to end. I would have read it in one setting if my tired eyes hadn’t betrayed me.  

Laura Childs in an exemplary writer. Her books are always well plotted, entertaining, and interesting. This series is proof of that, and PLUM TEA CRAZY is the truest testament to yet.

🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄

On To The Recipe!

Sinfully Chocolate Tea Bread

Chocolate Tea Bread photos are property of

Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder

A big thank you to Kim Davis for allowing me to use them!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup powdered cocoa, unsweetened
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions

   Cream together butter, sugar, and egg.
   Sift the cake flour, baking soda, salt, and powdered cocoa.
   Gently stir in the flour and cocoa mixture, the buttermilk, and walnuts.
   When ingredients are well mixed, pour into a greased loaf pan.
   Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until silver knife comes out clean.

   Yields one large loaf.

Tips from Kim Davis of Cinnamon Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder

Optional Drizzle:  If you wish to drizzle a glaze over the Chocolate Tea Bread, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons water until smooth. Drizzle and let set for 15 minutes before slicing.

You may also bake the batter in mini loaf pans. Divide the batter between 3 mini pans and bake 35 - 40 minutes.

I think some mini chocolate chips would be yummy in this recipe too!

I'm seriously dabbing drool from the

corner of my mouth!

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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

PLUM TEA CRAZY

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

   Tall sailing ships, their masts and sails outlined with glowing white lights, ghosted across Charleston Harbor in a glittering parade.

My 56

   "What?"

   "I just found out that----"

   He held up a hand. "No, I heard you just fine. What meant was . . . Well, I'm not sure what I meant."

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

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