It's

Cozy Food Friday 

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

Today I'm featuring a recipe from

MURDER MOST HOWL

Book 3 in the PAW & CLAWS Mysteries

by

Krista Davis

The New York Times bestselling author of The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer and The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss returns with a tail of a ruff winter…

This January, Wagtail, Virginia, the top pet-friendly destination in the country, is throwing a fun murder mystery weekend—but no one expected the real thing...

Holly Miller is delighted her grandmother has finally left the Sugar Maple Inn to take a well-deserved vacation. It means Holly’s in charge, but running the inn might be more challenging than she realized. Wagtail’s throwing a weekend-long murder mystery game to draw in tourists during the slow season, the inn has a full house, and a blizzard is on the way. 

Trouble is unleashed the night the game begins, when the storm blows in and the lights go out.  It gets worse the following morning when Holly’s Jack Russell terrier, Trixie, discovers a body—one that’s actually dead. Now Holly, her calico kitten Twinkletoes, and Trixie must play by the rules and find one dirty dog...

Delicious recipes for owners and pets included! 

Visit Krista on her website!

www.kristadavis.com

On to the recipe!

SUGAR MAPLE INN 

MINI MCA AND CHEESELETS

(For people)

Ingredients  

3 cups cooked elbow macaroni

1½ tablespoons unsalted butter + more for brushing

4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, divided

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 

¾ cup milk 

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese. shredded

2 ounces cream cheese 

2 slices crisp bacon, crumbled 

1 egg yolk, lightly beaten 

2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs  

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F

Use one 24-mini-cupcake pan or two 12-mini-cupcake pans.

Brush each well of the pan with butter. Sprinkle the wells with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. 

Over the sink, turn the pan to distribute, much as you would to flour a cake pan. 

Melt 1½ tablespoons butter in a heavy pot and whisk in the flour. 

Cook about 2 minutes and whisk in the milk. 

Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes, whisking. 

Add the cheeses and whisk until melted. 

Remove from heat and whisk in the egg yolk.  

Fold in the macaroni and the crumbled bacon. 

Use a measuring spoon to add a heaping tablespoon to each well. 

Mix 2 tablespoons Parmesan with the panko and sprinkle over each well. 

Bake for 10 minutes. 

Let stand for 5 minutes. 

Use a thin knife to loosen and remove. 

All photos courtesy of Google Images. 

Your dish may vary in appearance.

Show of hands...who's going to be making these? 

Please keep reading and check out my 

installments of 

Book Beginnings on Fridays

and

The Friday 56

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Book Beginnings and Friday 56

 for this week are also from 

MURDER MOST HOWL

Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader

Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading

My Book Beginnings...

"These are the murder weapons." Val Kowalchuk reached into the chestnut leather tote she had brought with her and pulled out a pearl-handled pistol. 

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 Friday 56...

"I'll do it. You might need to distract them, though. The dock is visible from the windows."

"Would you?" Shelley brightened up considerably. 

"Sure, where's the clever? I'll do it right now." 

"In the kitchen." 

I followed Shelley and slipped the weapon inside me jacket.

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by 

clicking on the link in the 

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Author 

Kathi Daley 

has a new book out! 

You know what that means don't you? 

!!!GIVEAWAY!!! 

Kathi is giving away one copy of her new novella

Zimmerman Academy

THE NEW NORMAL

Book 1 in the Zimmerman Academy Shorts

Zimmerman Academy: The New Normal is the first in a new series of novellas that will be told from the point of view of some of the minor characters from the Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Series. This first story is told from Zoe’s best friend Ellie’s point of view. It takes place over the same four-day period that Shamrock Shenanigans, Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 19, takes place. Ellie receives some bad news, meets a new man, and helps to solve a murder while Zak and Zoe are out of the country.

Giveaway is open to both US and CANADA

US winner - choice of print or Kindle copy

Canadian winner - Kindle copy only

Use the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post to enter 

Learn More about Kathi Daley

Kathi on the Web

Kathi Daley Teen on Facebook

Kathi Daley Book on Facebook

@Kathidaley - Kathi Daley on Twitter

As always, please leave a comment and 

let me know what you think!

Follow my blog by 

clicking on the link in the 

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GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MURDER IN CUBA

MURDER & THE SECRET CAVE 

MURDER AT THE BED & BREAKFAST

by Dianne Harman

MURDER IN CUBA

Book 8 in the Cedar Bay Cozy Mysteries 

by Dianne Harman 

Cuba - a land of classic cars, beautiful beaches, salsa music, and the best cigars in the world. As diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States starts to improve, everyone wants a piece of the action. When Mike’s friend, Jack Trout, asks Kelly and Mike to join his wife and him on an exploratory trip to a Cuban island, it’s an invitation they can’t resist. Mike’s dream of fly fishing the saltwater flats on the exotic island is quickly replaced when he’s asked by the local constable to help solve the murder of a British fly fishing guide, Dudley Samms. Jack becomes a suspect and his wife, Carola, asks Kelly to help solve the crime. 

Plenty of quirky characters have reasons to wish Dudley dead, but who killed him? The Englishman who is the head of one of the largest international banks in the world? The American with no visible means of support, but who has plenty of money to fish all around the world? The victim’s wife? One of the Cuban fishing guides? Or was it Jack? 

This is the eighth book in the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series. Dianne is also the author of the Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series and the High Desert Cozy Mystery Series, all of which are best sellers. 

MY REVIEW

Fans of the Cedar Bay mysteries are going to fly through this latest installment.

MURDER IN CUBA in all honesty is not a book I would normally read. I have no interest in fishing, nor in Cuba, I do however enjoy author Dianne Harmon’s wring, so I was willing to give it a try. I’m happy I did.

Ms. Harmon’s descriptions made the book come to life. Knowing that most of the story was based on her own trip, minus the murder, really came through in the author’s writing.

All in all I did really enjoy the story. It’s a good mystery that moved quickly to reach a satisfying conclusion.

You’re also going to find some yummy recipes at the back of the book! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MURDER & THE SECRET CAVE 

Book 2 in High Desert Cozy Mysteries

by Dianne Harman

Who killed Randy Jones? 

Was it Dr. Rosenbaum, who would do anything to get the Native American artifacts he desperately needed to add to his collection? Was it Richard Sagebrush, a Native American whose one goal in life was to return stolen artifacts to their rightful tribes? Was it Randy’s son, Luke Peterson, who was still angry his father had abandoned him forty years ago? Was it Colin Sanders, who dealt in black market Native American artifacts? Or even Mary BirdSong, the woman who had lived for ten years with Randy in his rundown desert shack until one day, without any explanation, he kicked her out? 

Randy Jones was an old desert rat with a secret collection of Native American artifacts that was worth millions, but can you put a price on an illegal collection? That’s the dilemma Marty Morgan finds herself in when Randy asks her to appraise his collection, but the meeting leads to more than an appraisal – it becomes a meeting that ends in murder – Randy’s. 

Join Marty, her boyfriend Detective Jeff Combs, her psychic sister, Laura, and her black Labrador, Duke, who refuses to set foot on desert sand without his pink booties, as they search for the killer before he murders Marty. Another dilemma Marty faces is deciding whether she wants her relationship with Jeff to go to the next level. 

Murder and the Secret Cave is another mouth-watering High Desert Cozy Mystery with recipes included by seven time Amazon All-Star author.

MY REVIEW

A wonderful mystery packed with deception and greed…and of course murder!

Dianne Harman is the author of many wonderful series. The High Desert Cozy Mystery series is one of her newest and best.

MURDER & THE SECRET CAVE was a great mystery from start to finish. Well written, characters, such as protagonist, appraiser Marty Morgan, and her big black dog, Duke and his pink booties.

Ms. Harman told this story from several perspectives, with different chapters following various characters as well as time frames. All parts of the story converged to lead to an exciting reveal that took me by surprise.

And kudos to author Harman for a very original murder weapon!

Make sure to check out the wonderful recipes at the back of the book!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MURDER AT THE BED & BREAKFAST

Book 4 in the Liz Lucas Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mysteries 

by Dianne Harman 

The time has finally come for Liz Lucas, the owner of The Red Cedar Spa, and her long-time boyfriend, Roger Langley, a criminal defense attorney, to get married. What’s not to be happy about that? Well, for starters Roger’s best friend Bob Salazar’s sister-in-law, Laura, is murdered at Cindy’s Bed & Breakfast during the wedding reception. Definitely not a good thing to have happen on your wedding day. 

There are plenty of quirky suspects, including the wealthy rancher who’s still in love with Bob’s wife, the smarmy minister who ran against Bob for county supervisor in the recent election, the estranged stepmother of Bob’s wife, Laura’s drug-addicted ex-husband, and Bob’s ex-girlfriend whose family has strong Mafia ties. 

Join Liz, Roger, and their dog Winston, as they search for the killer. As always, there are recipes, dogs, and good food. Enjoy! 

This is the fourth book in the Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series. Dianne is also the author of the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series and the High Desert Cozy Mystery Series, both of which are best sellers.

MY REVIEW

Another great installment in the Liz Lucas Cozy mysteries.

I’ve been reading author Dianne Harman for at least a year now. She has such an interesting way of telling her stories. Often the reader will go from a chapter with the protagonist, to a chapter going back to what led up to the killing. It’s a creative way to tell a story.

The series is one of my favorites out of the many that this author pens. Series lead and namesake, Liz Lucas has been great to read, and watch grow.

MURDER AT THE BED & BREAKFAST was a well written story with an engrossing plot that really grabbed my attention. With a fast flow, I made quick work of finishing this book. But now I have to wait for the next.

For fans of the Liz Lucas series, you are in for a treat! Make sure you check out the fabulous recipes at the back of this book!

All titles are available now!

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.

HIGH STRUNG by Janice Peacock

A BEAD IN THE HAND by Janice Peacock

HIGH STRUNG 

Book 1 in the Glass Bead Mysteries 

by Janice Peacock 

After inheriting a house in Seattle, Jax O'Connell is living the life of her dreams as a glass beadmaker and jewelry designer. When she gets an offer to display her work during a bead shop’s opening festivities, it's an opportunity Jax can't resist—even though Rosie Perez, the store's owner, is the surliest person Jax has ever met. 

The weekend’s events become a tangled mess when a young beadmaker is found dead nearby and several oddball bead enthusiasts are suspects. Jax must string together the clues to clear her friend Tessa's name—and do it before the killer strikes again.

MY REVIEW

HIGH STRUNG is a fun, fast mystery that I couldn’t put down!

I really like books where I am not only entertained, but where I can learn new things as well. My time spent reading HIGH STRUNG contained both.

Author Janice Peacock has created a series and protagonist that really captured my imagination. Jacqueline “Jax” O’Connell is a strong, intelligent character who is a pleasure to read. From her passion for making glass beads, to the way she handled investigating a murder, I enjoyed getting to know her. The rest of the cast of characters were fun to get to know. Such varying personalities, and all so multilayered.  

This first installment in the Glass Bead mysteries was a wonderfully written mystery that I really loved. A great storyline that flowed at just the perfect pace. The reveal wasn’t exactly an action packed one, but it did surprise me when I read who the killer was.

I had book two, A BEAD IN THE HAND out and ready to read after this one and I was just as pleased!

Give HIGH STRUNG a try. You’re going to be happy you did!

A BEAD IN THE HAND

Book 2 in the Glass Bead Mysteries

by Janice Peacock

A bead bazaar turns bizarre when jewelry designer and glass beadmaker Jax O’Connell discovers a dead body beneath her sales table. Suspected of murder, Jax and her friend Tessa scramble to find the killer among the fanatic shoppers and eccentric vendors. They have their hands full dealing with a scumbag show promoter, hipsters in love, and a security guard who wants to do more than protect Jax from harm. Adding to the chaos, Jax’s quirky neighbor Val arrives unexpectedly with trouble in tow. Can Jax untangle the clues before she’s arrested for murder?

MY REVIEW

Even better than the first book in this series, HIGH STRUNG, A BEAD IN THE HAND was a fun, entertaining page turner!

Really upping her game from the first installment of the Glass Bead mysteries, author Janice Peacock topped herself when I wouldn’t have thought it possible.

It was great to spend more time with Jax, Tess, and the rest of the great characters in this series. I so much enjoy the wit and intelligence in the way they are written.

The story was page after page of great reading. I flew through A BEAD IN THE HAND in one setting. A fantastic plot with an exciting reveal, I didn’t want the story to end!

I sure hope author Peacock has a third book coming out soon!

Both titles are available now!

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let me know what you think!

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STABBING IN THE SENATE 

Book 1 in the Washington Whodunit Series

by Colleen J. Shogan

Life is good for Kit Marshall. She's a staffer in D.C. for a popular senator, and she lives with an adoring beagle and a brainy boyfriend with a trust fund. Then, one morning, Kit arrives at the office early and finds her boss, Senator Langsford, impaled by a stainless steel replica of an Army attack helicopter. Panicked, she pulls the weapon out of his chest and instantly becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Circumstances back Kit's claim of innocence, but her photograph has gone viral, and the heat won't be off until the killer is found. Well-loved though the senator was, suspects abound. Langsford had begun to vote with his conscience, which meant he was often at odds with his party. Not only had the senator decided to quash the ambitions of a major military contractor, but his likely successor is a congressman he trounced in the last election. Then there's the suspiciously dry-eyed Widow Langsford. Kit's tabloid infamy horrifies her boyfriend's upper-crust family, and it could destroy her career. However, she and her free-spirited friend Meg have a more pressing reason to play sleuth. The police are clueless in more ways than one, and Kit worries that the next task on the killer's agenda will be to end her life.

MY REVIEW

Washington intrigue written in cozy mystery style, STABBING IN THE SENATE is a wonderful beginning to a promising new series.

When I first saw this book I wasn’t sure if it would be like the cozies I read and review. While it surely isn’t a small town story, my worries were unfounded. STABBING IN THE SENATE is an amazing mystery that fans of all mysteries, no matter the sub-genre, can and will enjoy.

I really enjoyed getting to know Protagonist Kit Marshall very much. She felt very real to me. I’m looking forward to learning more about her, and the rest of the characters from the series in future installments.

From the discovery of the body, through pages and chapters of intrigue, to the action packed reveal and take down of the killer, I was totally engrossed in this stellar mystery!

The Washington Whodunit series has a solid place on my bookshelves. So, author Shogan, please keep them coming!

AVAILABLE NOW!

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