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!

 

Fugitive Love Inspired Suspense by Shirlee McCoy Review

click on book picture to go to Love Inspired Books

Fugitive by Shirlee McCoy is part of the Heroes for Hire Series. It is a fast but good read. Laney is hoping to move on from her past once and for all but that doesn't seem possible when Logan stumbles back into her life. In trying to run from her past Laney runs right into it. Now Laney is also running from a killer and the law.

 I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book or not at first but from the first page I was glad I did and I truthfully enjoyed reading it. It is a book with a good plot and enough twists to keep you guessing, not only about who is behind the killing and trouble Logan is in, but also who is trying to kill Logan and Laney now, and on top of all that it is about both of them  facing the past head on. Mystery, suspense, and a little romance makes for a quick, good read. If you are looking for a book that is good, not too complicated, and a fast enjoyable read this is your book. I would recommend this book.

If you want to know more info about this book and Shirlee McCoy's other books you can check her out at http://shirleemccoy.com/

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

Cozy Mystery Weekly Recipe Challenge Week 2

This week I was wanting something different than just dessert or a meal. I wanted just a snack that I could share with the whole family. I love anything with chocolate and I have been craving chocolate and sweet so when I found this recipe I knew it would be the one to do this week for the challenge. It meets all my requirements and I will be making it on Friday so that I can share it with all the grand kids and family.

I found this recipe in the book Apple Turnover Murder A Hannah Swenson Mystery by Joanne Fluke. The recipe for this week is Hannah Swenson's Chocolate Crack.  Check back Friday to see how it turns out. I will be reviewing the book at the same time. If you get a chance check out this and other Hannah Swenson Mysteries by Joanne Fluke. You can find more info about her and her books at http://www.murdershebaked.com/index.html Until Friday

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

My Attempt at Haley's Butter Cake from Agony of the Leaves A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs

My Attempted at Haley's Butter Cake

Week 1 Cozy Mystery Recipe Challenge

 

I decided to make my first recipe Haley's Butter Cake taken from Agony of the Leaves A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs  today for the Cozy Mystery Recipe Challenge. I had to change one thing in the recipe and that was in place of regular flour I used gluten free flour because I can not eat gluten due to having an allergy to gluten.

I first have to say that I do not have a big kitchen, I have a old oven in our apartment, and I don't own a mixer. That being said, I think all things considered this was an easy recipe to make. It is a challenge to mix it by hand because it is a thick batter, but not impossible. I think that the difference in flour always makes the outcome of a recipe just a little different, but this one worked well. I used Domata 

recipe ready gluten free flour and it worked well.

This is a dense almost pound cake like cake or sweet bread. I melted down some chocolate and drizzled my piece with the chocolate because anytime you can eat chocolate it a good time. My husband and grandson put a dab of apple butter my grandson had gotten from the farmers market on theirs. It was really good, I was thinking you could put strawberries or peaches on it also. The possibilities are endless. This is a top view it looks burnt but it isn't must be lighting.

 

 

This is after I turned it out of the pan and you can see a better picture. I must admit with the gluten free flour like all things made gluten free it starts out all big and pretty and then sinks some. Doesn't hurt the taste just the presentation.

This is a big hit and we will be making this again.

Don't forget to read the book you can get this recipe in the back of the book.  There are more recipes in it for biscuits, scones, and tea sandwiches. I will be reviewing the book next week.

Give this recipe a try and look for all of the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs at
laurachilds.com

Next weeks challenge recipe will be announced Monday so keep following to find out what we will make next. Please leave a comment if you have a recipe from a Cozy Mystery you would like me to try.
Until then

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