To Hell in a Handbasket - Beth Groundwater, Author

Fruitcake Cookies - One of Beth Groundwater's
Favorite Recipes for the Holidays

1 ½ cups raisins
1/4 cup bourbon or brandy
3 cups flour
1 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1 lb fruitcake mix (small candied cherries, citron,
pineapple chunks)
2 cups pecans or walnuts
½ lb whole candied cherries for tops

Mix raisins and liquor. Let stand 1 hour while butter
softens. Mix flour, soda, and 3 spices. In separate bowl, cream butter, add
sugar, then eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture and mix
until smooth. Add raisins, fruitcake mix, and nuts and mix well. Cover and
chill overnight. With an ice cream scoop, shape into 1" balls, put on
greased cookie sheets and press a candied cherry into the top of each cookie.
Bake at 325 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen. When storing,
separate with waxed paper because they'll stick to each other.

Letters From Heroes - World War I and World War II - Edward T. Cook, Author

Dispel The Mist - A Tempe Crabtree Mystery - Marilyn Meredith, Author

Macaroni and Cheese - Tempe and Marilyn Meredith's Favorite Recipe

(Warning: Tempe never measures - she just throws a bit of this and a bit of that in.)

Cook a package of elbow macaroni. Place in a sprayed glass dish. Add globs of butter or margarine. Salt and pepper. Mix in a big package of shredded Cheddar cheese or shred a block yourself. Add 1/2 a pint of sour cream and a doppo of milk, about 1/2 cup. Place squares of American cheese to cover the top. Bake in 350 degree oven, until the edges of the cheese begin to brown - about 1/2 hour.

Dispel The Mist - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

'Her next dream was a nightmare. Tempe knew she was on the reservation, but it was different looking as familiar places often are in dreams. The buildings all seemed dilapidated and badly in need of repair through she couldn't see them clearly because of a swirling grayish-yellow mist surrounded everything. Jagged black mountain peaks poked through the clouds. Though she was alone a feeling of menace was so prevalent, she could almost smell it.

Without warning, a large man who resembled Cruz Murphy stepped out of the fog. He held up a hand, palm out. "Stop. Danger ahead."'

Lilia Quintera is a Tulare County Supervisor who won her election due to her being a descendant of both Mexican and Native American. She was a big help in bringing a casino to the reservation, allowing jobs and a better life for those living on the reservation as well as the city. But when she is put into a position to support the proposal of a new hotel with a golf course and all the amenities that go with it, she refuses to conform to their plans without more research on it's effect on the community. So when Lilia Quintera dies from what seems to be natural causes, Tempe Crabtree is brought in to help gather clues and evidence pending the autopsy.

Who would want Lilia dead? Her husband Wade, who is several years younger as well as a ladies man and may gain from her death through inheritance is a suspect. Her sister Connie, who's daughter Suzy at the advice of Lilia, will be moving to a residential facility called Shadow Hills, Shadow Hills will house young ladies who are mentally challenged. Plus, feelings of jealousy for all of the decisions as to the welfare of Suzy might make Connie want to see Lilia dead, making her a suspect. There is Duane Whitney who lives in the neighborhood where Shadow Hill will open. He feels it will bring down the value of his property, so with Lilia publicly supporting the facility may make him want her dead, making him another suspect. And then there are the Native Americans who feel that Lilia should support the building of the Hotel, feeling it will bring more opportunities for the reservation. Many of them can be considered suspects.

Follow Tempe as she sorts through the facts and gossip, as she encounters the hostility of those on her on her list of suspects, as she sorts through the clues hidden in her own dreams and as she tries to understand the role that Hairy Man plays into it all . Is he real or just a fable?

I've enjoyed this book so much, with it's mystery as well as history, that I find myself wanting to learn even more about the myths and fables of the American Indians.

Golden Conspiracy - A Jacsen Kidd Mystery - Robert James Glider, Author

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN - One of Author
Robert James Glider's favorite recipes

4 Tsp minced garlic 2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1 (6oz) can pineapple juice 1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup honey Chinese duck sauce
12 whole chicken breasts, boned, split

In blender mix all marinade ingredients, except duck sauce. Pour over chicken breasts in a glass dish. Cover and refrigerate 24 hours-turning occasionally. Preheat broiler with rack 4" from heat. Drain chicken thoroughly and place in jellyroll pan. Brush with duck sauce. Broil 5-10 minutes without turning. (There is a fine line between being underdone and getting too dark-watch closely).

Note: Can be cooked on grill. On charcoal grill - cook on low and turn after 5 minutes. Brushing with duck sauce.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, it is authentic from a family on Molokai.

Golden Conspiracy - A Jacsen Kidd Mystery - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

'After hearing our account of the gruesome events, the seamen aboard the Santa Ynez were convinced, along with their captain, that the devil's minions had possessed the Solitario. Their captain decided the Solitario had to be destroyed at once, before the demons could escape to the Santa Ynez. We objected since the hold was filled with gold bound for Queen Isabella. But fear was on the face of every man - fear that this malady would transport them to hell if they dared touch the gold. They were convinced that the gold carried the evil. We could object no more, for fear of our own lives. So the captain ordered the crew to burn the Solitario. They kindled wood and pitch torches and threw them onto the Solitario, where the sails and rigging caught fire immediately. We watched as the Solitario burned quickly. We shall never forget the last screams of the damned. It was as if the demon's own hand reached upward from the depths and grasped the flaming ship to thrust it into hell.'

The cargo of gold, mentioned above, had an estimated value of thirty million dollars in 1502 with it's value being well over a billion today. Jac Kidd, who is a distant off-spring of the famous Captain Kidd, was determined to find the gold and learn what really happened during it fatal transport to Queen Isabella. So, when a gold cross dating back to the 1500's is found on a beach in Hawaii, he and his best friend/partner Pericles Schmoond strike out to solve the puzzle of the missing gold.

In Golden Conspiracy, Glider takes you from Hawaii, the Caribbeans and on into South America as they follow the clues. But they aren't alone in their quest. As they will soon find out, ex-KGB Garth Moska, who Kidd thought was killed when a ship he and Moska were on blew up off the coast of England, is right behind them.

When I first started reading Golden Conspiracy I had my doubts as to whether I would like it or not. But the more I read, the harder it was for me to put down. The turn of each page increased my desire to read the next. This was truly a very enjoyable book.

A Corpse for Yew - Joyce and Jim Lavene, Authors

Sweet Potato Pie - Joyce and Jim Lavine's favorite recipe

Both of our mothers were from the south, like Peggy Lee, our protagonist in A Corpse for Yew. While other kids in Chicago (where we both grew up) were eating hash browns, we were eating grits. Sweet potato pie was always our mothers’ preferred pie over pumpkin. This is one of their recipes.

1 large sweet potato

1/4 cup softened butter

1/2 cup white sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup ground cloves

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 unbaked pie crust, nine inch

Peel and dice sweet potato then cook until done. Add butter, sugar, molasses, milk, eggs, spices and vanilla. Beat on medium speed with mixer until it is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Add sugared pecans for topping, if desired, or serve plain, with ice cream, or whipped cream, when cool.

The Long Night Moon - Elizabeth Towles, Author

Death of a Perfect Man - M. M. Gornell, Author

Trisha's Saucy Onion Chicken -
One of M. M. Gornell's favorite recipes

Cooked rice for 4 (white or brown)
4 chicken breasts (with skin produce a better flavor, but skinless will do fine)
1/2 stick butter (or more if required to brown the chicken)
2 1/2 cups Extra Dry Sherry or Sauterne
1 container (16 oz.) Sour Cream
1 pkg (1.3 oz.) dry onion soup mix (add another half package for stronger taste)

Brown chicken breasts in butter on both sides over med-high heat. I use a high-sided, wide bottomed pot with a cover (for simmering later.) Should only take about 5 minutes to brown both sides. Deglaze pan with the wine, lower heat to low, cover and simmer for about 25-30 minutes until chicken is done. Use meat thermometer and be sure to cook until chicken reaches recommended internal temp. Remove chicken, set aside and cover with shrink-wrap or aluminum foil to keep moist. Stir in onion soup mix in the remaining wine and butter in the pot (add water if not enough liquid left), then stir in sour cream. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve chicken, individually or on a platter, on a bed of rice with sauce poured over, or in a separate serving container.

Death of a Perfect Man - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

'The pump was indeed antique, and it would be a miracle if it functioned. An old beat-up white station wagon with several flat tires sat dejectedly by the office entrance. "Red Rock Inn Limousine" had been painted on its side ages earlier; now the words, in faded black letters were barely recognizable.... Someone tapped on her car window... "Gas?" A thin-faced middle-aged looking woman with longish brown hair pulled back in a tight ponytail appeared from nowhere... Finally the woman said, "You should stop driving now. I have a vacancy. I'll fix you a sandwich." Then she added. "I'm psychic, sometimes."'

Jada Beaudine's husband was lost in a boating accident leaving her with a large insurance payout. The insurance company doesn't buy the death of Terry Beaudine and sends their best man Lyle Elliott to follow Jada and be present when she connects with her still living husband.

After putting up with police and insurance investigators for a year, Jada decided to move from Seattle to Atlanta in hopes of starting a new life for herself. While driving into the Mojave, Jada stopped for gas at the an old resort called the "Red Rock Inn & Cafe." Due to the lateness and her being physically tired, she decided to check in for the night. But as morning approaches, Jada is drug into the murder of Nick Williams, "the Perfect Man." For Jada, the nightmare begins again as she helps to solve this murder as well as the murder and murder attempts that follow. Plus, in the wake of these new mysteries, Jada still has to contend with the insurance investigator, a white car that's following her and whoever is responsible for the attempts on her own life.

M. M. Gornell has done it to me again. As I read Death of a Perfect Man, I found myself being convinced that I knew who the murderer had to be and why, only to find myself doubting my theory. It wasn't until the last few pages that I was able to understand who the murder was and why. Gornell is truly a "Perry Mason" writer!