Mysterious Saturday Review: Inherit the Word

* Book 2 in the Cookbook Nook series * 

The Cookbook Nook will be hosting the annual Grill Fest - a local cooking competition. Natalie's been the winner the past 8 years and she's looking for her 9th win this year.

During the first round of the competition, someone pulls the fire alarm in the building. Everyone evacuates the shop. When they return to the competition, it's clear that Natalie's missing. They find her body in the alleyway next to the store.

Jenna becomes involved in looking for clues when a close family friend becomes the prime suspect after fighting a day eariler with the deceased. Soon, Jenna's back to asking questions and trying to piece together the mystery of that day.

My Thoughts: Another winner in this series! I loved the cooking competition - so perfect given all the similar shows on TV. The grilled cheese combinations (among other treats) made my mouth water. i like that she's taking cooking lessons from her friends.  I loved the conversations about the long cookbook titles. I loved the talk of cozy mysteries, especially noticing the ones that I've read myself. I felt horrible for Jenna and dealing with her personal life. For the record, I thought something else happened entirely when I read that letter. Still I wasn't expecting that, I sympathized with Jenna. I'm glad she had the support of her friends and family plus that cute kitten of hers to keep her mind occupied.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: My Library 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Final Sentence

 * first in a new series*

Jenna Hart's leaving her old life behind to help her aunt open The Cookbook Nook - a cafe and cookbook store. She even found the perfect celebrity chef for the grand opening - non other than her college roommate Desiree Divine.

Desiree comes to town with her entourage and shakes things up. Before she and Jenna have a chance to really catch up - Desiree ends up dead.  As Jenna's the one to find her body and it's revealed they had a fight, she becomes the number one suspect. It doesn't help that the police chief's mother points the finger at her and accuses her of the crime.

Now Jenna doesn't know what to do - but she needs to get to the bottom of this and clear her name.

My Thoughts: A fun start to a new series.  I love the small town charm and how Jenna's returned home. I love the Cookbook Nook - the blend of cook books, fictional foodie cozies, and cooking tools sounds amazing. I love the cafe and all the goodies Katie creates. It sounds like the perfect place. I liked learning more about Jenna's past and learning about the people of town. She had a heart-breaking few years and I liked seeing her gain her strength back. I can't wait to see what comes next for her and for the store. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it - especially the author's fictional books on the bottom bookshelf
Source: My Library

Blog Tour: Final Sentence with Recipe

Today I'm part of the blog tour for Daryl Wood Gerber. She also writes under the pen name Avery Aames - writing the Cheese Shop Mysteries - which I love! The 5th books comes out in early February 2014 entitled Days of Wine and Roquefort. I can't wait to read her newest book!

* First in a new series - Cookbook Nook series * 

Check out this recipe from the author! 

I believe I discovered this recipe in the LA Times Food section. I can’t be sure. Once I “discover” a recipe, I often copy the ingredients into a computer file. I used to keep all the old clippings from newspapers in a recipe file, but I’ve moved so many times that I finally realized hording paper was a thing of the past. Most are streamlined into my computer now, except my mother’s favorites handed down over time. 

However, I do horde cookbooks. I’ve got a growing collection. Why? Because I love them and because I’ve started a new series called A Cookbook Nook series. The first, FINAL SENTENCE, debuts soon. I hope you’ll join the cast of fun characters in Crystal Cove, California. Jenna, the protagonist, is a former ad executive who returns home to help her aunt open a culinary bookshop. Jenna seems to have all the right ingredients for a fresh start—until someone adds a dash of murder.
 
As for this recipe, goat cheese, coffee, and chocolate go fabulously together. You’ll see. This recipe is too good to pass up. 
Savor the flavor!

GOAT CHEESE AND COFFEE BROWNIE

 

Ingredients:

Brownie:

7 oz. dark chocolate

2 sticks butter, unsalted

1 ¾ cup brown sugar

4 eggs [For gluten-free make this 3 eggs and 2 egg whites]

1 1/3 cup flour  [For  gluten-free make this 1 1/3 cup gluten-free flour plus 1/2 teaspoon Xanthan gum]

¼ tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup cocoa powder

Goat cheese topping:

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 oz. goat cheese [used Laura Chenel’s Chevre]

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons ground espresso coffee

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted.
2. In a large bowl combine sugar and eggs.  Slowly stir into chocolate mixture.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder into bowl and combine with chocolate and egg mixture.
4. Pour batter into a greased, 9-inch square baking pan and set aside.
5. Whip together softened cheeses and sugar until smooth.  Add coffee and stir.
6. Place large spoonfuls of mixture on top of batter and swirl with a butter knife.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes until set.  Brownies will still be gooey in middle.  Let cool before cutting.

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