Snow Storm - Bobby Nash, Author

Bobby's Chicken Strip Recipe

(My recipe for chicken strips, perfect for a day at the track or a picnic while reading your favorite novel. - Bobby)

I package boneless, skinless chicken breast tenderloins (or breasts you can slice into strips).

1 stick butter

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

1 cup fine bread crumbs

Pre-heat oven 0 o 350 degrees.

Line baking pan with aluminum foil.

Spray with cooking spray of your choice (for non-stick)

Melt better in bowl (I use the microwave)

Mix Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs in separate bowl

Place chicken in butter to coat

Place buttered chicken in Parmesan cheese/bread crumb mix.

Coat fully.

Place on tray.

Repeat until all chicken is coated.

Add light salt and pepper.

Bake for 16 minutes on 350 degrees.

Turn over at 16 minutes.

Add light salt and pepper (to taste)

Bake for an additional 16 minutes on 350 degrees.

Remove and let cool. 

Snow Storm - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

I got a call from a lawyer friend of mine.  I helped him track down some folks a few times and whenever he could, he tossed some business my way.  This one didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary.  This lady split with her husband and then she up and moves away, taking their now teenage daughter with her.  The dad, Anthony Mann needed someone to help find the kid so he could get in touch... I found the ex.  She changed her name, which was weird and set of a few alarm bells.  The daughter changed her last name as well.  At first I assumed the mother had remarried and the daughter had taken the new guy's name, but she never remarried.  Mom works for a manufacturing outfit based out of Texas and travels a lot for the job.  She owns a small home in Florida, but also keeps an apartment in Atlanta.  My guess is that's where the daughter's living these days.  I found out she was accepted to Georgia Tech.  I've not been there yet.  Something about this whole thing didn't sit right with me so I did a little digging into both the lady and her ex-husband before I did anything else.

Samson Brooks wasn't just someone Snow had worked with while undercover, he was also a close friend.  So, when he filled him in on his search for Katie Masters and informed him that her real name was Katie Manelli, Snow's ears perked up.  Turns out that she is the granddaughter of Antonio Manelli, one of the biggest mob leaders in the country.

As Brooks and Snow go to Atlanta to pick Katie up and take her to a safe place, they meet trouble of the mob kind. The problem is this mob isn't part of the Manelli family, but of their biggest rival the Roarke family.

In Snow Storm, you'll find bullets flying and plenty of action as Snow, Brooks, Snow's brother and grandfather all try to keep the two families from killing each other as well as Katie and her mother Pamela.  It has a few twists and turns that kept me reading not sure this could be accomplished.  I must say, this isn't a very lengthy book but it is one that I really enjoyed.  It also left me with enough information about Book 3 that I'm looking forward to diving into it soon.  I'll give you a hint - Daniella Cordoza will apparently be brought back into the story.  If you don't know who she is, read Book 1 - Snow Falls and you'll see why I'm excited about her appearance.

Sabotage at RKO Studio (A James Murray Mystery) - Christopher Geoffrey McPherson, Author

In the five James Murray Mysteries, the lead character makes it clear loudly and often that his favorite pie is cherry. So I thought it would be fun to share a recipe from the same period as the novels: from the 1930s, here is a vintage cherry pie recipe from Julia Lee Wright's "Recipes You'll Enjoy" cookbook.

Cherry Pie
(A James Murray Favorite)

3 cups tart pitted cherries

2 cups sugar

3 tbls flour

butter

pie crust

Combine cherries with enough sugar to sweeten, flour to thicken. Line pan with pastry. Pour in fruit mixture and dot with butter. Cover with pastry that has been rolled out thinner than lower crust; cut design in top to allow steam to escape. Tuck edge of top crust under edge of lower crust and pinch together with fingers or with tines of a fork. Bake in hot oven (450 degs F) for 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to moderate oven (350 degs F) and continue baking until fruit has cooked.

Sabotage at RKO Studio (the second James Murray Mystery) - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

... his time was running out.  There were just a few days left until the Thursday night premiere of King Kong and still no sight of the missing spider scene.  Luckily for him, the studio was otherwise humming along, the seemingly innocent "accidents' pretty much over.  No more fires, no more shredded costumes, no more missing miniature dinosaurs.  But then, the damage had already been done, hadn't it?  All productions were back on schedule.  Now, if James could only figure out what happened to the missing scene, he'd be set.

James Murray has gone to work at RKO Studio to write the screenplay for his mystery "Murder at Eastern Columbia." The rights for the movie had been bought by the studio and it was up to him to get it in shape to start the movie.  This was all fine except for a few minor problems.  One - his mind just wasn't into writing a screenplay.  Two - someone was sabotaging activities at the studio and his boss 'Cooper' has instructed him to investigate.  And three - his mind is on writing his next book.  As it turns out the two and three are becoming combined as he writes his next book about the events that are taking place at the studio.

As I read Sabotage at RKO Studio I was lost as to the reason for the events taking place at the studio.  It appears that it sits on top of an oil field so that could be the reason.  Then James meets a woman on the  streetcar who seems to get upset when he talks about the 'accidents' and leads me to believe she may have something to hide but I could see no connections.  So yes, I was baffled by the outcome of this one.

This book turned out to be a different, yet fun read.  You read the story as the events take place but you also read it in the novel form as James writes his next book.  Interesting, especially the end.

Death Overdue - Allison Brook, Author - Pre-Order Now!

Eggplant Salad

My mother used to make this when I was growing up. Since then I’ve added touches of my own ~~Marilyn Levinson

1 eggplant

2 T olive oil

2 t vinegar

¼ onion

½ red pepper

clove of garlic

2-3 T of sundried tomatoes or a small tomato cut up

fresh or dried basil

fresh or dried parsley

salt & pepper to taste

This is a mid-eastern dish. While many like to roast the eggplant over a flame, I prefer to bake it in the oven at 350 degrees after washing it and stabbing it a few times with a knife. Turn the eggplant over after 12-15 minutes  and continue to bake to complete the process. When the eggplant is soft to the touch, remove it and let it cool before preparing the salad. I usually put it in the refrigerator after it’s cooled and complete the process the following day.

Dice red pepper, sundried tomatoes, garlic and onion in a food processor with the oil and vinegar. Slice the eggplant down the middle, scoop out the flesh and add to food processor. Discard seeds and skin. Add basil and/or parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Don’t over-process. Some people like a smooth salad while others prefer a chunkier texture.

Serve as a vegetable or an appetizer with crackers. You can add whatever herb you like. Enjoy!

Death Overdue - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

Carrie Singleton is back in Clover Ridge, Connecticut, spiked purple hair and all.  She’s staying with Great Uncle Bosco and Aunt Harriet, who offered her a home when her own mother wouldn't. As for her father—for all Carrie knows, he might be back in jail. But it’s time to move on. The job Uncle Bosco has wrangled for her in the Clover Ridge Library is boring and makes no use of her library science degree. Besides, much as she’s grown to love her aunt and uncle, she simply can’t stay in one place very long. She’ll soon turn thirty, and she’s held five jobs in as many states. it’s time to go.

The library director’s offer to be Head of Programs and Events comes as a shock. It would mean drastic changes in Carrie’s lifestyle. No more purple hair. No more black Goth outfits. No more running carefree.  She would have responsibilities. Others would be depending on her. She would have to grow up and fast.

The ghost of Evelyn Havers appears and urges Carrie to take the job. Evelyn worked in the library until her death a few years ago. At Carrie's first scheduled event, a retired homicide detective is murdered while talking about a cold case he claims to have solved. Carrie believes the two murders are linked. With Evelyn’s help she sets out to find the murderer.

Allison Brook is one author that I can't get enough of.  I've read everything she has written, I think, and have enjoyed them all.  When I started Death Overdue, I decided I knew who the murderer was after about 60 pages.  Yep, I was wrong.  I wasn't surprised when the truth finally came out, but by then I had about 6 suspects.  Finishing this book has left room for many more books to come. I can't wait to read them.

The Skeleton in the Closet (Southern Ghost Hunter Series Book 2) - Angie Fox, Author

Mississippi Mud Brownies

Brownies:

1 cup butter

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 pinch salt

½ cup chopped pecans

1 (10.5 ounce) package mini marshmallows

Frosting:

½ cup butter

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of butter. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa until smooth. Mix in the white sugar, eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in the flour, then fold in pecans and marshmallows. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Let the brownies cool in the pan. Try not to eat them (yet).

To make the frosting: In a medium saucepan, melt together 1/2 cup of butter and 1/3 cup of cocoa. Mix in confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in the milk, a tablespoon at a time until icing is a nice spreading consistency.

Spread icing on top of brownies. Devour.

The Skeleton in the Closet (Southern Ghost Hunter Series Book 2)- Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

Ellis leaned an arm over the back of the couch.  "I need your help, Verity."  Oh my.  "This isn't a habit I want to encourage," I said even if I could talk Frankie into helping me.  It took a lot of his strength to show me the other side.  "I'm not a professional ghost hunter."  "You're good at it," he pressed.  "I almost got us killed last time."  He'd hired me to clear out some ghosts in a property he was renovating.  It hadn't exactly gone smoothly.  "I've never talked to such a new ghost."  I didn't even know if she could be found.  "And aren't you the one who agreed I shouldn't be doing this?"  He shook his head.  "You're right," he conceded.  "At some point, this has to stop.  But not tonight.  We need to know what happened in that library.  You don't have to talk to her.  I'll take any witness you can find.  The building has got to be haunted,:" he said.  "I've heard stories since I was a kid."

There has been a death at Sugarland and Ellis Wydell, who just happens to be a policeman, the older brother of Verity's ex-fiance and her new love, needs her help again in solving the murder.  Verity, along with the help of Frankie, has helped Ellis in the past and is apparently in need of her abilities to see ghosts and her ghostly contacts again.  Oh yeah, Frankie "The German" is the spirit of a 1920s gangster that was tied to Verity's land after she emptied his funeral urn out onto her rose bushes and soaked them down with water.

Sugarland is noted for it's Civil War battle where a cannon ball was fired into the wall of the library but never exploded.  Each year the 'Jacksons and the Wydells put on displays and reenactments of the battle.  This year Ellis' mother decided to have the events filmed by an historical productions company so the world would know the city's true history.  But what is the truth?  Who were the victors - the Jacksons or the Wydells?  Getting to the truth will put Verity and Ellis' lives in danger and make Verity's almost-mother-in-law hate her even more, if that's possible.

I recommend that you read Southern Spirits - Book 1 of this series first.  I did and am glad I did.  Not only was it a unique book and story but it also gave me insight as to what happens in book 2.

I read a lot of books and once in a while I run across an author like Angie Fox who writes a story that you not only read but you also hear and see everything that happens.  I felt like I was 'reading a movie.'  I could actually see the events at they took place.  I could see the characters and feel their feelings.  This is the work of a very well written story that has murder, mystery, suspense, ghosts, and yes, a bit of humor.

Dead Man's Image - Edna Curry, Author

Hershey Brownies

1 stick (1/2 c.) margarine     

1 cup sugar

4 eggs 

1 16 can Hershey’s chocolate syrup

1 cup flour    

1/2 cup choped nuts, if desired

    

Cream together shortening and sugar, add eggs and chocolte, mix well.

Stir in flour. Pour onto greased 10x 16 inch brownie pan. Bake at 350* for

25-30 minutes.

Frost with a can of chocolate frosting and cut into bars.

Dead Man's Image - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

It was just after dark when they turned off the interstate onto a winding, two-lane blacktop.  He grinned.  He knew this road, it had plenty of hills, curves and lakes.  In fact, there was one spot in particular that was dangerous.  That spot was a sharp curve overlooking a steep valley of the St. Croix River.  It would be perfect.  No one would suspect that it wasn't an accident.  As they neared the dangerous curve, he stayed fairly close to the red Chevy.  He wasn't taking any chances on losing them.  He stepped on the gas to get closer, then as they rounded the curve, he suddenly raced alongside and forced the little Chevy off the road.

Lacey Summers is a licensed private investigator but when the phone rang and it was a man asking her to take a case regarding his death, she was curious but also a bit lost.  He explained to her that he was a long-haul truck driver who had just returned home to find his picture in the paper.  He had been murdered.  She tried to tell him that all he had to do was go to the police department, show his ID and they would see that they have the wrong name for the body.  Then he explained to her that the woman who saw a man dumping 'his' body gave a description to the police and the dumper and dumpee both looked alike!  What the trucker couldn't believe after sneaking into the funeral home with Lacey was that the dead man looked identical to him.  Who was he and why was he killed?

I must be losing my touch or authors are simply adding more twists to the story.  About 1/3 through the book I had it all figured out.  I knew who did it and why.  I took my theory all the way to the last couple of chapters.  Boy was I surprised to find out that I was completely wrong.  This book took me on some winding curves that led me to a big surprise as to who and why.

Turns out this is book 2 in the series and you can bet I'm going to go back and read book 1 Yesterday's Shadow and then head for book 3 Dead in Bed.  This author is good!

Diamonds Aren't Forever - Connie Shelton

This book will be released 8/14/2017.  You can pre-order at all major online retailers for just $.99 but on 8/21/2017 the price will go up to $4.99 so get your order in now!

Coca Cola Cake
(A Pen special)

2 c. sugar

2 c. flour

1-1/2 c. small marshmallows

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. oil

3 T. cocoa

1 c. Coke

1 t. baking soda

1/2 c. buttermilk

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 (325 for glass pan). Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan. Sift together the flour and sugar in a large bowl, add marshmallows. Stir together and set aside. In a saucepan, mix together the butter, oil, Coke, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, then add to the dry mix and blend well. Dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk and quickly add it to batter. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Bake 45-50 minutes. Test for done-ness with a toothpick.

While the cake bakes, make the frosting:

1/2 c. butter

3 T. cocoa

6 T. Coke

2 c. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla

1 c. chopped pecans

In saucepan, combine butter, cocoa and Coke. Bring to a boil, then pour over powdered sugar in a bowl and blend well. Add vanilla and pecans.

Remove cake from oven when done and pour frosting over it immediately. Let the frosting soak into the cake. Cool completely before cutting.

Diamonds Aren't Forever - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

The whole story spilled out.  The necklace going on loan to the Philpont Museum for a show on the royal jewels of Europe, the robbery six months ago where three armed men took the night guards by surprise and were able to bypass the museum's supposedly state-of-the-art security system.  The police working the case for the few months but leads petered out quickly.  Penelope's desperate hope that the private investigator might have better luck, not being constrained by the complexities of a bureaucracy.  Dick Stone's call yesterday that he had located her piece and would deliver it today.

Penelope Fitzpatrick put all of her faith in Dick Stone.  He has found the necklace that her grandfather had made many years before for the last tsar of Russia.  He has now returned it to Pen who decided the best place for this million dollar necklace was in her safety deposit box at the bank.  That was the day that she thought this nightmare would end only to find that it had just begun.

Author Connie Shelton held my attention as 72 year old Pen is joined by 3 other ladies that became the 'Heist Ladies.'  Their travels to find the man known as Dick Stone, which is only one of his many names, takes them to the Cayman Islands where 'Mr. Stone' posing under another alias is working his next mark.  They follow him to Zurich where he is to meet with a shady jeweler.  And on to Nice where one of the largest jewelry exhibits was to be held.  It was also the location where plans for one of the largest jewelry heists were being made.

As I read Diamonds Aren't Forever I pictured this little 72 year old lady and her 3 companions in my mind.  I admired her spiff and determination.  This was a book that was entertaining, humorous at times, and very enjoyable.

Sign Off (Caught Dead in Wyoming, Book 1) - Patricia McLinn, Author

Elizabeth's Watergate Salad With Attitude

Watergate salad is served as a side dish and sometimes a dessert, depending on the sweetness of the toppings. But KWMT broadcaster Elizabeth Danniher, who first encountered the salad while working in Washington, D.C., modifies the recipe to make it more of a salad, going with gelatin instead of pudding and adding the horseradish for a surprising kick. It's also easy to make, always a plus for a busy journalist. 

This recipe fills a 9x13 baking dish, so it's great for newsroom potlucks or big family gatherings. Prep time: about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

1 3-ounce package instant lime gelatin mix

1 3-ounce package instant lemon gelatin mix

1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, with juice

1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

1 20- to 24-ounce tub of small-curd cottage cheese

1 5-ounce can of evaporated milk

3/4 to 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish; not horseradish sauce (more if you want it a little sassier)

Directions

Make both gelatin packages using 1 cup of hot water to dissolve the gelatin and 1 cup of cold water to cool it (you can use the juice from the pineapple to substitute for some of the cold water). 

In a large bowl, mix together the lemon-lime gelatin mixture and the remaining ingredients.

Chill for at least three hours, or even better, overnight.

Sign Off (Caught Dead in Wyoming, Book 1) - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

"Tamantha, I'm going to tell you the absolute truth.  But I have to ask you not to tell anybody.  You understand?"  She nodded.  "When you talked to me the other day at the television station, it got me looking into this case that your father's involved in.  I - we - Mr. Paycik and I - are talking to people and trying to find out things about what happened to Foster Redus."

"Oh, him. That's who some people said my Daddy killed.  They're wrong."

"Your mother agrees with the people saying that."

"Nobody listens to her.  Daddy didn't kill him.  You prove that.  That's what you promised on TV."

I shook my head.  "No.  That's not what I promise.  I promise to look into problems.  Some problems can't be fixed, and some get fixed but in a way you don't like.  That might happen, Tamantha.  Because I'm not talking to people to help your Daddy, I'm doing it to find the truth.  If your Daddy's involved - my finding out the truth could get him put in jail."

She stared for a long moment.  "You find out the truth."  She granted permission like Queen Isabella giving Columbus the okay to find the New World.  "You talk to my Daddy and you'll know.  He didn't kill that man."

Sheriff Deputy Foster Redus, man about town, especially with the women, is missing and has been missing for some time.  The 'person of interest' in his missing is Thomas David Burrell.  It seems that Redus came to see Burrell just before his disappearance and the meeting turned into a few fists flying.  Was he dead or did he just run away?  According to a couple of his women friends, he wouldn't just run off without one of them, each claiming to be the one he would choose to take along.  His wife, who had filed for divorce papers, stopped the process, apparently believing him to be dead.  And the sheriff is hell bent on blaming Burrell for his disappearance and most likely death, but without a body he had to drop all charges and just make his life as impossible as he possibly could.

Now the solving of the mystery it's up to Reporter E. (Elizabeth) M. Danniher, who's show 'Helping Out', was seen by Burrell's daughter Tamantha and convinced her that she could prove her Daddy's innocence.

I read a lot of books but have to say this one really baffled me.  From the beginning, I had no idea who would cause Redus' disappearance.  It wasn't due to there being no suspects, but because there were so many.  Normally, at least by halfway through a book, I have an idea as to who and why.  Not with this book!  It took me to the end and I must say I was a little surprised.

If you like a good murder mystery, don't miss out on this one.  I'm actually hooked on this series of books and can't wait to read Book 2 Left Hanging.  Author Patricia McLinn does have what it takes to keep my interest in a book.

Crossover Murder: Reality TV Cozy Mysteries 2 - Nikki Haverstock, Author

Strawberry Daiquiri from Captain Morgan

1.25 ounces of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

1.75 ounces of Sweet and Sour Mix

3 ounces of frozen strawberries

1 cup of ice 

Blend and garnish cup with sugar

Enjoy responsibly with a favorite book - Nikki :)

Crossover Murder:  Reality TV Cozy Mysteries 2 - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

The plan was that we would try another live cast over the Internet of Heather welcoming Texas Shore Cowboys to the area.  Then she'd pass the microphone over to Peppin, the star of the bank and the show, who would announce the private concert the following evening at Priscilla's theater, the Fish.  Peppin would hype up the even, and we would stop the live cast.

Tomorrow, we would also do a quick live cast of the first few minutes of the convert.  Both the live casts would serve to advertise next week's episode.  One of the biggest issues with promoting the show had been a lack of commercials.  How could you advertise upcoming episodes when they weren't even filmed yet?  The best approach so far had been to have a murder on set - then the media did the advertising for you.

The cast of Savv Socialites of Fishcreek Falls, is back and Melissa finds herself solving yet another murder.  The reality show joins temporary forces with the band Texas Shore Cowboys which spices up the story as well as the action.  You'll meet Peppin who is the lead singer of the Cowboys, as well as some of the others in the band, as they come into Fishcreek Falls with their desire to party, fight and have a good time.  You'll also enjoy the sneaky antics of Heather as she does her best to discredit and destroy Melissa.

I read a lot of books and can normally come up with the 'bad guy/gal' at least half way in.  With this Author Nikki Haverstock, it seems that I know who I think it will be but the more I read the more I doubt my choice.  She will take you to the end before giving you full confirmation as to whether you are right or wrong, and that I like in a good mystery.  Oh yeah!  Bubbles is in full character throughout.  If you read Book 1 you'll remember Bubbles as being the 'gassy' dog that Melissa adopted from the shelter.  He will keep you smiling and laughing from beginning to end.

All Lies - Lies #1 - Andrew Cunningham, Author

ANDREW'S FAMOUS CARROT CAKE

His only claim to fame!

(and he stole it from his mother, who stole it from a neighbor…)

1 1/4 CUPS OIL

1 1/2 CUPS SUGAR

2 CUPS FLOUR

3 EGGS

2 tsp CINNAMON

2 tsp BAKING SODA

2 tsp VANILLA

1 tsp SALT

1 BAG COCONUT (7 oz)

2 CUPS GRATED CARROTS

20 OZ. CAN CRUSHED PINEAPPLE (INCLUDE JUICE)

MIX ALL TOGETHER AND BAKE AT 350 FOR 1 HOUR IN GREASED 9X12 PAN

FROSTING:

6-8 OZ PACKAGE OF CREAM CHEESE

CONFECTIONERS SUGAR

1 STICK MARGARINE/BUTTER

VANILLA

BLEND CREAM CHEESE AND BUTTER/MARGARINE, THEN ADD CONFECTIONERS SUGAR UNTIL IT'S SO SWEET YOUR TEETH DROP OUT (ABOUT 1/2 A BAG OF SUGAR).  ADD VANILLA TO TASTE.

**Walnuts can also be added to recipe, but since they make my ears tickle, I don't use them.

All Lies - Lies #1 - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

My father's last words to me were "I come from a long line of idiots..."  My family did have an abnormally high incidence of stupidity running through its genes.  As far back as I could determine, my ancestors - the men, to be specific - were known for their questionable actions, actions that usually left them dead.

I (on the other hand) was 38 years old, but had never really lived.  I had no passions - well, other than baseball, which can be a pretty solitary interest.  I'd always been one of those invisible people.  If I was a character in a movie, I'd be the first one eaten by the shark.  I had worked at my current job for ten years and was good at my work.  I handled the customers well and, as far as I could determine, my staff all liked me.  I possessed a decent amount of common sense and problem-solving skills - a necessity of my job.

Del Honeycutt's life is about to take a full turn.  The death of his father will bring to light the history of crimes committed 85 years earlier by his great-grandfather and a few of his friends.  As he researches this unwanted history with the help of mystery writer Sabrina Spencer, he finds that not only is his life in danger but also the lives of Sabrina as well as the relatives of those they contacted regarding this long forgotten crime.

All Lies is unlike any book I've read.  The characters of most murder/suspense books are macho characters that decide they are the only ones that can handle the business at hand.  Not this one.  They actually acknowledge the police and even inform them (most of the time) while solving and ending the history of ancestors long gone.  This lack of 'Bad' Good Guy characters made this an easy book to read as well as one that I didn't want to put down.  If book 2 'Fatal Lies' is anywhere near as good as book one, I can't wait to jump into it!  I recommend this to all mystery readers.  It's a refreshing change.

Curse The Day - Annabel Chase, Author

Angel Food Cake in honor of Daniel, the beloved fallen angel--

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 1/2 cups egg whites 

1 teaspoon cream of tartar 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1/2 teaspoon almond extract 

Directions

Beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks, and then add cream of tartar, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

Sift together flour, sugar, and salt. Repeat five times.

Gently combine the egg whites with the dry ingredients, and then pour into an ungreased 10 inch tube pan.

Place cake pan in a cold oven. 

Turn the oven on; set it to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). 

Cook for about one hour, or until cake is golden brown.

Invert cake, and allow it to cool in the pan. When thoroughly cooled, remove from pan.

Curse the Day - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

Daniel carried me in his arms like I'd watched Superman carry Lois Lane countless times, except Daniel didn't wear a unitard.  This time I forced my eyes to stay open so I could watch the town pass beneath our feet.  No easy feat for someone with my anxiety issues.  It was, for lack of a better word, magical.  I saw the church spire on a distant hill and the clock tower in the town square.  The town was bustling with people, or creatures that looked remarkably like people, and the buildings seemed to stretch beyond the horizon.

I still felt the need to pinch myself.  Today I'd met an angel, two fairies, and what I was fairly certain was an elf.  And now I was bout to meet a coven of witches.  It was an amazingly lucid dream and I was sure I'd awaken at any moment.  Never again would I eat the entire bag of Doritos before bed.

Emma Hart, Attorney, was on her way to meet with a new client.  Apparently somewhere along the way she has taken a wrong turn, or was it a turn that was really meant to be?  Whatever the case may be she, being the kind person she is, spotted a man standing on a cliff preparing to jump to his death.  She stopped her car and proceeded to prevent his demise from happening.  In the process she apparently didn't turn her car off before exiting.  She turned around to see it coming straight for her.  Her only means of escape was to jump into the lake.  Not good for a non-swimmer!  But before her own fatal death could occur, the man on the cliff swooped down and headed straight for her.  He flew!  He had wings.

Welcome to Spellbound.  Emma has found herself trapped in a community that housed everything from Witches to Vampires.  She also found that being an attorney put her in the perfect position of becoming the next Public Defender for Spellbound.  It appears that the original defender was murdered.  He was a vampire and someone had 'staked' him.  She now has the duty of taking over his case load as well as finding his murderer.

This book is so funny!  It's book one in the Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery Books and I enjoyed every page.  Someone needs to pick this series up for a TV movie series.  I have no doubts it would be loved by the young generation as well as those of us in the older generation.

A Silver Medallion - James R. Callan, Author

Callan's Oatmeal Cookies

Start with

            ¾ cup of butter

            ½ cup granulated sugar

            1 cup brown sugar

            1 teaspoon of baking powder

            ¼ teaspoon baking soda

            1 teaspoon cinnamon

            ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and ground cloves and beat until mixed and smooth.

            2 eggs

            1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla

Now, mix in the eggs and vanilla until well mixed and smooth.

Next, if you have a good mixer, use it.  Otherwise mix by hand.

            1 ¾ cups of all purpose flour

            2 cups of rolled oats

After all of the above is well mixed in, then add and mix only enough to distribute the nuts and cranberries.

            1 cup pecans or walnuts

            1 cup of dried cranberries or Craisins

Use a teaspoon to put small mounds of dough on a cookie sheet and bake in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Some like the cookies softer and some like them crisper.  You decide, or make a pan of each.

This will make about 5 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cookie you bake.  If you have a  large enough mixer, you can double this recipe, cook half of it and put the remaining batter in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator.  Then, you can bake the rest tomorrow, yielding hot, fresh cookies on both days, with only one mixing.  Happy eating.

A Silver Medallion - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish

Crystal's grandmother stood under a maple tree.  Eula Moore was staring at the small storage shed about twenty feet behind her house.  She aimed a double-barreled shotgun at the door of the building.  "Don't make no sudden moves.  I got a nervous trigger finger.  I might just blow your head off."  Nothing moved.  "Now, very slowly, come on out in the open, and keep them hands over your head where I can see 'em."  Crystal crept up beside her grandmother, "What's in there, Nana?" she whispered.  A few moments passed.  Then a single finger came into view. Gradually, it turned into a whole hand, waving in a small arc.  "Por favor, no dispare."  The tiny brown hand fluttered again.  The voice quavered slightly, "Please.  No shoot.  No shoot."

Crystal Moore was paying her grandmother Eula a visit at her home "The Park."  Finding her Nana standing in a defensive stance with a shotgun pointed at one of the buildings wasn't what she had expected to walk into.  She also wasn't expecting the troubles that followed the discovery of a young Mexican woman hiding inside that building.

Rosa was her name.  She had been smuggled across the border to serve as what Crystal called a 'slave' to one of Dallas' most prominent men.  And to keep her under his control she is told that her husband will be killed if she talks to anyone or tries to run.

In Crystal's attempt to help Rosa as well as others in this same situation, she finds herself in the heart of Mexico where family members of those enslaved are being held.  This task is one that could cost her her own life as well as the lives of those close to her.

If you want a twisting road ride, you'll find it in A Silver Medallion.  I thought the first book in this series 'A Ton of Gold' was good.  This second book in the Crystal Moore Suspense Series has taken it a step further.  My word to Author James R. Callan is "hurry up and give me book 3!"

Southern Spirits (The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries Book 1) - Angie Fox, Author

Coca Cola Cake
(It’s a staple in the South—and in Sugarland, Tennessee. This Coke cake recipe was contributed by Lee Avery Catts to "Atlanta Cooknotes" and was published by The Junior League of Atlanta.)

2 Cups sugar

2 Cups all-purpose flour

1 Cup Coca-Cola

1 ½ Cup small marshmallows

½ Cup butter or margarine

½ Cup vegetable oil

3 Tablespoons cocoa

1 Teaspoon baking soda

½ Cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

½ Cup butter

3 Tablespoons cocoa

6 Tablespoons Coca-Cola

1 box (16-ounces) confectioners' sugar

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Cup chopped pecans

Preparation

TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 15 min

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 45 min

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, sift the sugar and flour. Add marshmallows. In a saucepan, mix the butter, oil, cocoa and Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil and pour over dry ingredients; blend well. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk just before adding to batter along with eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Pour into a well-greased 9- by-13-inch pan and bake 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and frost immediately.

Coca-Cola Cake Frosting

To make frosting, combine the 1/2 cup butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa and 6 tablespoons of Coca-Cola in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and pour over confectioners' sugar, blending well. Add vanilla extract and pecans. Spread over hot cake. When cool, cut into squares and serve.

Southern Spirits - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of; Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

"You want to help?" I asked, making sure I reached clear of Lucy as I dumped the contents of the vase over Grandma's rosebushes.  She gave the little pile a sniff and sneezed.  "You said it."  The dirt was loose and dry, which I was glad to see. I'd heard that sort of things was good for the roots.  It certainly couldn't hurt.  When the last of the fine dust had settled out of the air, I hosed out the vase and poured the water on the roses.  

After clipping a rose from the bush, putting it in the vase and adding water, Verity returned to the home she had inherited from her grandmother.  What happened next takes her on a journey that could only traveled by a strong minded southern girl, which she was.

Verity had been engaged to one of the most eligible, prominent members of her hometown Sugarland, Tennessee.  The wedding was planned and she was ready to go through it living happily ever after.  What she learned the day before the actual wedding put a stop on the event and ended up costing her everything she owned.  She had already sold off everything within her grandmother's house, except the dented vase that no one seemed to want.  Unless she found a way to come up with another $20,000 she would also be selling the house which was breaking her heart.

This book is so full of humor!  I'll give you just one hint of what you're in store for when reading Southern Spirits - Lucy is a skunk!  She's had her glands removed so she's safe but so cute you would think her to be a dog or cat.  The problems and events that take place after Verity poured the dirt on the roses leads to even more humor.  Yes, there are ghosts, murder and attempted murder, bringing it all together to make this one of my favorite books.

Snow Falls - Bobby Nash, Author

Snow Ice Cream
(This is a simple recipe if you live in an area where it snows).

Snow

Sugar

Vanilla extract

Milk

When the snow starts to fall, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the snowflakes. When full, all you have to do is stir in the sugar and vanilla to taste then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. It will begin to melt quickly so once you make it, serve it and enjoy. Perhaps you can even enjoy it while reading a Snowy adventure.

(I remember eating this when I was a kid. Martha)


Snow Falls - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

Abraham Snow wasn't the superstitious type.  That said, but spending so much time undercover, always under the threat of being found out, had made him sensitive to his surroundings  It was little more than intuition, a hunch that started as a tickle at the base of his brain.  He had learned to listen to those hunches.  More than once they had saved his life.  Standing in the middle of the lobby of that beautiful five-star hotel, surrounded by enough security to protect a small nation, that familiar warning make itself heard.  Whatever it was that set him on edge wasn't readily apparent.  Maybe his subconscious had picked up on something that his conscious mind hadn't yet detected.  He couldn't explain it, but there was danger lurking nearby.

Like his grandfather Archer Snow, Abraham Snow was one for excitement that took him deep undercover for any job he undertook.  But all things must come to an end so when someone sells him out to the target he was trying to get close to, his life almost came to an end, leaving him no choice but to head to his grandfathers' home for a little R&R.

What Snow didn't expect was the hotel his grandfather's family business was protecting to be hit by a sniper.  Their target being no one other than Owen Salizar, owner of Salizar Biotechnix.  A man the U.S. had been after for some time for laundering cash and supporting multiple terrorist groups and militant governments in exchange for business favors.  So far they haven't had enough proof to shut him down.

This book took me one night to read.  It is a short book but it's also one that was packed with action and I had a bit of trouble putting it down until finished.  It is book one in a series and left me wanting to know more about the man that almost killed Snow, as well as the sniper who went after Salizar.  You can bet I'll dig into book two in the near future.

Union of Friends - Glenn Sartori, Author

Jiffy Bar-BQ

(Glenn's Mom's Recipe)

My mom’s Jiffy Bar-BQ (Sloppy Joe) was a staple at family get-togethers.  All my aunts made it, but I think Mom’s was the best.  The addition of chili powder was the special ingredient.

Ingredients

1 ½ - 2 lbs. ground beef

1 medium onion

2 stalks of celery

1 green pepper

1 tsp. of salt

1 tsp. of chili powder
1 small can of tomato paste
3 cans of water

Brown the meat in a heavy skillet. Drain. Finely chop the ingredients and add to the meat:  Add a small can of tomato paste with about 3 cans of water.  Cook until onion and celery are soft or until desired thickness.

Union of Friends - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of:  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

"Union was murdered two years ago."

He felt a contraction in his heart and a cold tingling in his face, and couldn't utter a word.  Two years Travis thought.  He lost the power of sight for an instant, but he conquered his emotion by a strong effort of willpower, almost a transport of rage.  Why had she waited two years before telling him?  He felt numb, lost, and as if he had just awakened from a coma and was being downloaded with events he missed.  The words two years rolled through his mind - Union has been dead for two years.  He heard her say something about coffee, and he followed her into the house, his mind returning to reality.

Union Miller and Travis Gibbs had grown up together.   They were best friends.  Yet, he had been dead for two years and Travis never knew until he received a letter from Union's mother stating 'My Union was murdered.  Please come.  He didn't do it.'  So he went to Riverfield to find out who killed Union and why.

According to the police Union killed Patti and Patti's husband killed Union.  But why?  This simply wasn't the Union Travis had known the better part of his life.  And because of this, he was determined to find out what really happened.  With the help of an old schoolmate Travis started his investigation through which the name Global Friends kept popping up.  Could there be a connection?  Could Union have found information regarding this company that needed to remain hidden?

Union of Friends is one book that kept me in the dark until the end.  I never knew where it would lead me next nor which character could really be trusted.  Author Glenn Sartori let nothing slip which kept me turning pages as I tried to decide how everyone connected.  I'm now looking forward to the next book in this series.

Lights, Camera, Murder - Nikki Haverstock, Author

Blended Pomegranate Margarites
(One of Melissa's favorite drinks)

1/4 cup pomegranate juice, store bought is fine, plus seeds for garnish

1/3 cup Tequila Blanco (about 4 ounces)

1/8 cup Triple Sec (about 1-ounce)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 ounces)

12 ounces ice cubes

Blend and serve!

Lights, Camera, Murder - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of :  Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; and A Book and A Dish

"Everyone in my family has their life together, and I'm a total mess.  Mom's this well-respected writer, and Dad built up a super-successful business.  They are all set even if they do nothing else in life.  My older sister ran this huge resort and now is building the resort out there."  I hooked a thumb toward the window and the construction site visible.  "It will be a success because everything she does is amazing.  My brother, the middle child, is an entertainment lawyer back east, and his business is taking off.  He has these amazing clients.  One of them wrote the book that last summer space movie was based on.  And then there's me."

This is Melissa McBallister's description of her life.  Her whole family is a success, that is except her.  Then comes her chance to change that.  She's been cast to play in the new reality TV show Sexy Socialites of Fishcreek Falls which was being filmed in her own town.  She would be one of five that would meet for events and discuss themselves and their lives.

The filming started out rough on the very first day.  One of the other ladies, Heather, took an immediate dislike to Melissa.  Seems that her friend Stacey was scheduled for the part and Melissa took the part away from her.  So when there is a murder that takes place just before a filming, Heather decides to blame Melissa.

This book started out just a little slow for me but when it picked up speed it really took off.  I had decided about half way through that I knew who the real killer was but I have to admit that I was wrong.  I stayed entertained not only with Melissa and the other girls but also with the dog Bubbles.  It seems that Bubbles got its name through a natural bodily act that he can't seem to control.

If you want a fun, fast read murder mystery with a touch of humor, I highly recommend this book to you.  I enjoyed it and want to read more by this author.