It's

Cozy Food Friday

and a

Giveaway! 

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

Today I'm featuring a recipe from

BAKED TO DEATH

Book 2 in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries

by

Catherine Bruns

From #1 bestselling culinary cozy mystery author Catherine Bruns comes the next delightfully delicious Cookies & Chance Mystery... 

Baker turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Sally Muccio’s, finally found the happiness that’s eluded her for years. She’s in love with a great guy, her bakery is thriving, and now she and her best friend Josie Sullivan are gearing up to appear on the popular reality baking show, Cookie Crusades. But a visit from Sal’s greedy ex-husband Colin, who's looking to cash in on the bakery’s dough, changes everything. Within a few hours Sal’s world—like the shop’s original fortune cookies—is broken apart when Colin turns up dead, and her boyfriend’s arrested for the crime. Now Sal’s mixing it up with vengeful ex-inlaws, a suspicious new employee, slippery baking competitors, and a greasy mobster who’ll stop at nothing to collect on Colin’s unpaid debt. Can Sal prove her man is innocent in time? Or is she about to get baked herself? 
**Recipes Included!** 

*****!!!GIVEAWAY!!!*****

One (1) eBook copy 0f 

BAKED TO DEATH

To enter use the Rafflecopter form 

at the end of this post

On to the recipe!

CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI

Ingredients

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened 

2 eggs 

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder 

¼ teaspoon baking soda 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

¼ cup chopped walnuts, if desired 

½ cup mini chocolate chips 

Directions 

Preheat over to 375° Fahrenheit

Cream sugar, baking powder, and butter in large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla, and beat well. 

Beat in cocoa and flour. 

Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. 

Divide and shape dough into (2) 9x2x1-inch loaves. 

Place loaves about 4 inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. 

Bake for about 25 minutes, remove from oven, and then let cool. 

Cut loaves into slices (diagonal) about ½-inch thick. 

Flip the slices on their sides on the cookie sheet. 

Bake at 325° Fahrenheit until brown. 

Turn slices over, and bake the other side in the same manner. 

Be sure to keep an eye on the chocolate while it's baking. 

Transfer cookies to wire racks, and cool completely. 

Makes between two and three dozen, depending on the thickness. 

Texture should be on the soft side. 

MY REVIEW

BAKED TO DEATH is a sweet way to go…if you’re looking for a great mystery!

In this tasty installment of the Cookies & Chance mysteries, BFFs, business partners, and bakers, Sally Muccio and Josie Sullivan find themselves in the world of reality competition TV on the show, Cookie Crusades. This story also finds Sally involved in a murder that hits too close to home.

Author Catherine Bruns is an exceptional writer who knows how to keep the readers’ attention. BAKED TO DEATH was an enjoyable story from the fun beginning, through the tension packed storyline, all the way to the satisfying end.

I’m very much looking forward to a third book in this fun series!

Check out the amazing cookie recipes at the back of the book! You’ll also find an excerpt of KILLER TRANSACTION, book one in the Cindy York Mysteries, also by Catherine Bruns.

NOTE: BAKED TO DEATH is a wonderful story, but it does include some mild language. Just a little more than typically found in a cozy mystery. 

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 

BAKED TO DEATH

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...

The compressed sand burned my bare feet as I ran toward the crystal clear blue water with brilliant sunlight cascading down upon it. I dog-paddled in, just enough so that the water came up to my shoulders when I stood and let myself sink into the delicious coolness around me. Ah, this is living. Only one thing was missing.  

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...

"Rest in peace," I whispered. "I will find out who did this to you."

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK TOUR

I'm so happy to be a stop on the blog tour for 

author Emma Miller 

and her new book

PLAIN DEAD

Book 3 in the Amish Mysteries

When a newspaperman is murdered in the Amish community of Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, Rachel Mast digs up the dirt to find out who wanted to bury the lead…
 
Although she left her Old Order Amish ways in her youth, Rachel discovered corporate life in the English world to be complicated and unfulfilling. Having returned to Stone Mill, she’s happy to be running her own B&B. But she’s also learning—in more ways than one—that the past is not always so easily left behind.
 
After local newspaperman Bill Billingsly is found gagged and tied to his front porch, left to freeze overnight in a snowstorm, Detective Evan Parks—Rachel’s beau—uncovers a file of scandalous information Billingsly intended to publish, including a record of Rachel pleading no contest to charges of corporate misconduct. Though Evan is certain of her innocence, it’s up to Rachel to find the real killer. A closer examination of the victim’s unpublished report leads Rachel to believe the Amish community is far from sinless. But if she’s not careful her obituary might be the next to appear in print…

*****!!!GIVEAWAY!!!*****

Winner will be chosen after January 29 

at the end of the tour

Check out the great prize and enter using the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post. 

This giveaway is through Great Escape Book Tours, not Lisa Ks Book Reviews.

www.escapewithdollycas.com

MY REVIEW

There is nothing plain about PLAIN DEAD!

This is my first book in the Amish Mysteries by author Emma Miller, but I will be going back and reading the first two installments, PLAIN MURDER, and PLAIN KILLING.

Author Miller has penned an amazing story in PLAIN DEAD. I was hooked from page one, and the story just kept getting better. I instantly liked protagonist Racheal Mast and her fiancée Detective Evan Parks. They make a wonderful couple to read about, and I loved the interactions between them.

PLAIN DEAD was an intriguing mystery with plot twists that really kept me guessing. The murder was pretty unique for a cozy-traditional mystery. Not your normal stabbing or poison. And the killer? Wow! That’s all I’m saying other than, I didn’t see that one coming!

This book will be a sure hit with mystery fans, and readers of Amish fiction. Reads from teens to seniors will all enjoy PLAIN DEAD.

A fun bonus for me…author EMMA MILLER lives in Kent County Delaware just like I do!

Available Now!

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm taking a catch up day today. 

But no worries...I'll be back tomorrow! 

Happy Reading!

TOWN IN A CINNAMON TOAST 

Book 7 in the Candy Holliday Murder Mysteries 

by B. B. Haywood

The author of Town in a Sweet Pickle brings back Candy Holliday, a blueberry farmer with a green thumb for sleuthing...

The much-anticipated wedding of local resident Maggie Tremont and popular baker Herr Georg has stirred up the usually quiet coastal town of Cape Willington. To make sure the wedding of the year goes off without a hitch, the participants gather at a pre-wedding dinner—everyone, that is, except the best man...
 
Worried, Candy, the maid of honor, goes looking for him, finally tracking him down to the upstairs archive rooms at the English Point Lighthouse and Museum. There’s only one problem: he’s dead, struck over the head with a bottle of champagne, the same exclusive brand that was ordered for the dinner. Before the wedding plans fall flat, Candy rushes to find the murderer, unearthing a conspiracy that could spill over into the whole town...

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES!

MY REVIEW

Another berry clever story in the Candy Holliday Murder Mysteries!

First, to B. B. Haywood for dedicating TOWN IN A CINNAMON TOAST to the fans and bloggers of cozy mysteries. . .thank you for thinking of us!

I love that each book in this series starts off with the death scene from the victim’s perspective. Next the reader gets to read some of the local newspaper from Cape Wellington, Main, The Cape Crusader. And all this before chapter one!

TOWN IN A CINNAMON TOAST centered around my favorite character, Herr Georg Wolfsburger. Needless to say, this became one of my favorite books in this fantastic series. Every character in this series is wonderfully written and developed. They all make for fun, entertaining reading.

A great plot that carried through more than one mystery, B. B. Haywood captured everything in one book that has made this entire series such a treat to read. This is for sure another fabulous installment of the Candy Holliday Murder Mysteries that will have a special place on my bookshelves.

My one concern. . .this story felt final. With so many great cozy series ending in 2015 and already in 2016, I’m really hoping this series won’t be one of them. L I’m holding on to the hope that there will be a book eight.

Take a look at the back of the book for recipes, a spring planting guide, full character list, and an excerpt from the very first Candy Holliday book, TOWN IN A BLUEBERRY JAM!

Available February 2!

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. 

OFF THE BOOKS

Book 5 in the Novel Idea Mysteries 

by Lucy Arlington

Literary agent and amateur sleuth Lila Wilkins is back to seal the deal in the New York Times bestselling Novel Idea Mystery series.
 
Lila is showcasing some of her biggest authors at a bridal expo. But when the joyous event turns deadly, she’ll have to figure out who penned the perfect crime...
 
The Novel Idea Literary Agency has planned a wedding-themed week for Inspiration Valley, celebrating not only North Carolina’s best vendors but also some of the agency’s most popular bridal books. The fact that Lila can use the event to plan her own impending nuptials is just the icing on the cake.
 
But wedding bells turn to warning bells when Lila finds a dead man facedown in the frosting. Soon it’s discovered that the victim was connected to several Novel Idea authors, all of whom quickly become suspects in the case. It’s up to Lila and her fellow agents to find the real killer before one of their clients winds up scribbling stories from behind bars...

MY REVIEW

The delightful Novel Idea mysteries get better and better with every installment!

Author Lucy Arlington aka Susan Furlong has such a fluid way of writing. Her words let you glide through a book at a pleasant pace.

OFF THE BOOKS takes readers back to Inspiration Valley, NC where our favorite literary agent, Lila Wilkins is busy showcasing her authors at a bridal expo. Nothing could go wrong with that, right? Oh so wrong. Lila comes across a body who was killed in a way not often (if ever) mentioned in a cozy. Well played, Ms. Arlington!

OFF THE BOOKS is a marvelous whodunit of page turning, unpredictable intrigue and fun. Each chapter brought more questions that really kept me guessing. I did not see the ending of this on coming. Wow.

The Novel Idea series is a must read for mystery fans!

Make sure to check out the back of the book for an excerpt of, REST IN PEACH, Book 2 in the Georgia Peach Mysteries by Susan Furlong!

Available February 2!

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.

DEVONSHIRE SCREAM

Book 17 in the Tea Shop Mysteries

by Laura Childs

The New York Times bestselling author of Ming Tea Murder serves up heists, homicides, and herbal blends in the latest in the Tea Shop mysteries.
 
Catering a high-class trunk show at Heart's Desire Jewelry is a shining achievement for Theodosia and the Indigo Tea Shop. After all, a slew of jewelers, museums, and private collectors will be there to showcase their wares and sip some of Theo's best blends. But just as Theo settles in to enjoy the fruits of her labor, the party is crashed by a gang of masked muggers who steal the precious gems and jewels on display. The thieves disappear almost as quickly as they arrived, leaving shattered glass, scattered gemstones, and a dead body in their wake.  
 
Although the last thing Theo wants is to get involved, she can't help but intercede when her dear friend Brooke, aunt of the victim and owner of Heart's Desire, begs for help in figuring out who committed the brutal burglary. Though the FBI believes this daring "smash and grab" is the work of an international gang of jewel thieves, Theo is convinced that the felon is someone much closer to home... 
INCLUDES RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS! 

MY REVIEW

Laura Childs has bagged me again with this fantastic mystery steeped full of action and intrigue!  

Talk about a book starting off with a bang. DEVONSHIRE SCREAM had me gasping in shock only a few pages in. Seriously, I sat up straighter in my chair, and remember saying out loud, “No way!”  

DEVONSHIRE SCREAM takes the reader through a jewel hyst and murder, and carries us through as investigation brewing with ever increasing questions, all leading to an intense conclusion that left me absolutely breathless!

Book after book, author Laura Childs continues to write brilliant stories in this delightful series. Each new story is fresh, entertaining, and fun.

Returning fans, and new readers of the Tea Shop mysteries are in for a wonderful treat with this latest installment.

Make sure to check out the back of this book for recipes, Tea Time Tips, Tea Resources, and an excerpt of LITTLE GIRL GONE, a thriller y Laura Childs writing under her own name, Gerry Schmitt!

Available March 1!

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.

DEATH GOES TO THE COUNTY FAIR 

Book 1 in the Ogallala Mysteries 

by Annette Drake

Joni Harte knew her first job out of college would be tough, but she didn’t expect it to be murder. 
With the ink mostly dry on her journalism degree, Joni accepts the position of news reporter and photographer for The Ogallala Gazette. She’s tasked with chronicling all of the goings-on of the quirky characters who inhabit this small Missouri town. 

While investigating the identity of the first murder victim, Joni makes an enemy of the local sheriff. Worse, she catches the attention of a violent stalker who promises to cure Joni of her curiosity. 
As the Ogallala County Fair comes to an end, Joni must uncover the truth before she comes to hers.

MY REVIEW

An easy, fast moving mystery!

DEATH GOES TO THE COUNTY FAIR started off with excitement and action, and was filled with twists, and questions that kept me guessing.

Joni is a photographer and reporter for the local paper. She’s a young protagonist at twenty-two years old. Thankfully, author Annette Drake doesn’t write her as a know it all super sleuth. Of course she’s going to snoop around looking for answers, but that’s the way of a cozy mystery.

I very much enjoyed author Drake’s style of writing. Even during more descriptive scenes, I never felt bored or like the story should move faster.

A wonderful plot, plus great story telling makes DEATH GOES TO THE COUNTY FAIR a mystery you need to read!

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.