Well that didn't happen

Just a quick note to let you know the Cozy Mystery recipe challenge for last week didn't happen because I got sick. You know you are sick when you don't feel like reading or baking and you love to do both. Stay tuned I hope to do the Honey Scones and Maple Pecan Butter this week

Cozy Mystery Recipe Challenge Wk 3 from Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs

  I bet you thought I had already given up on this challenge. Sorry for the delay but my granddaughter came and spent a few days with me and I didn't do any blogging. She did want  to try the Chocolate Crack from the last challenge so we made more of it. We had a good time just hanging out with each other and doing nothing. She went back to finish her last semester of high school and so it was nice to spend time together. She only lives about an hour away but we don't see each other enough. I told her that when they come up this weekend so my husband can work on her Mom's van that I would try making some scones and I think I have found the perfect ones and it works into this weeks challenge also.

So this week's Cozy Mystery Recipe Challenge will be Honeybee Scones from Agony of the Leaves A Teashop Mystery by Laura Childs as well as Maple Pecan Butter.

I will be making these on Friday so that I will have them to serve Saturday morning when my daughter and granddaughter are here. I will be making them gluten free of course and will blog and show pictures Friday or Saturday. I will also review the book at this time so come back and check it out.

Be sure to check out Laura Childs and her books at  laurachilds.com

So until then
GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP READING!

Patchwork of Mystery Murder Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan Review

 

           Murder Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan

    When Angie's wedding is called off she is glad to move back to Amish Country in Ohio where her Aunt has left her Amish Quilt Shop to Angie. What she doesn't expect is to be in the middle of a murder and for it to happen in her quilt shop which makes her a suspect. Angie thinks she has to help Sheriff Mitchell find other suspects and the murderer to clear her name. She has to piece together the clues before he arrests her for the murder.

I love the book. Angie is smart, stubborn, inquisitive, and strong. Angie is starting a new chapter in her life by moving to Ohio and taking over her Aunt's Quilt Shop which takes strength and courage. She tries to shed light on other people who could be suspects in the murder of Joseph, who was murdered in her store and puts herself and her dog Oliver in danger.  The Author gives you several people who could have been the murderers which keeps you guessing. She has some really unique characters in the town that adds to the story. Who doesn't know someone like Willow, the teashop owner, who is a flamboyant whirlwind that never realizes how ridiculous she is at times. The book is a great read for those who love to read about the Amish, the Amish culture and community as well as those who enjoy a good mystery with twists and  turns. I love the setting in a small Amish community and the author paints a picture with her words so that you feel like you are standing on the sidewalk on  main street with all the Amish shops and buggies. I would give this book 5 stars and I can not wait to read more in this series. Besides we have to find out if there is romance in store between Angie and Sheriff Mitchell.

The quilting hints and how to at the end of the book was a big plus. Overall I think this was a great, enjoyable read and hope that you will read it when it is released Sep 3, 2013.

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP  for sending me a copy of this book to review and give my honest opinion and review

Cozy Mystery Recipe Challenge Wk 2 Hannah's Chocolate Crack Recipe from Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke

I have to apologize for being late with last weeks cozy mystery recipe challenge. When I started this I wanted to see how many of these recipes could be made gluten free. Well this is what slowed me up because I had to find a store with gluten free graham crackers. I did find them at our local HyVee grocery store but didn't get them until yesterday. I made this recipe yesterday and here are the results for Hannah's Chocolate Crack recipe from Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke.



Review of Book:

I enjoyed this book. Hannah Swenson owns The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden Minnesota. She always seems to find time in between baking to find herself in the middle of a murder investigation. This time is no exception only at the fund raiser Hannah has told the victim of before he is killed. Now Hannah has to solve this mystery to keep her good name. This book starts a little slow but picks up and turns into a really good read. Hannah is a strong woman who seems to be able to handle what ever is thrown at her. She does some of her best thinking a nd mystery solving while baking. I think you won't be disappointed by reading this book or this series,. The recipes are really good also so that is another reason to pick this book up.

If you want more information on the Hannah Swenson Mystery series by Joanne Fluke you can check it out here http://www.murdershebaked.com/books.htm

Check out this book and get this and other recipes you won't be disappointed.

                                     Hannah's Chocolate Crack Recipe

This is a candy that is really easy to make and very good. It is a chocolaty, toffee crunch candy. The hardest part of this recipe is making the toffee and that is only because you have to continually stir it for five minutes. Good work out for the arms so that is a plus.

This is what it looks like after you pour the toffee on before you put it in the oven.

 

 

This is what it looks like after the chocolate is added.

 

All I can say is this is wonderfully addictive. It is very, very, sweet. I think it would be great after it is broken into pieces to put in cellophane and tie a ribbon around and add to a Christmas gift basket or just put in a contain for a Christmas gift from the kitchen. I will be making this over and over and giving as gifts.

You should definitely give this recipe a try. It is quick, easy and oh so good.

 

Until Next time

 

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP READING!