Mystery fill-in-the-Blank Game III

The winner of a copy of "It Takes a Witch" is Brenda.  Brenda, you should get an email from me asking for your mailing address.  Thank you to everyone who commented on the Heather Blake interview.

We have not had a game for a while, so it is time for one.

The idea is to try and fill in the blank of each of these mystery book titles. These are all books from the same series. 

In a few days I will provide the answers and you can share how well you did.  Okay, here are the answers - how did you do?  Kaye was correct that all these titles are from the Diane Mott Davidson's Goldie series.


Let's give this a try.

1)  Catering to Nobody

2)  Dying for Chocolate

3)  Killer Pancake

4)  The Cereal Murders

5)  The Main Corpse

6)  The Grilling Season

7)  Fatally Flaky

8)  Sweet Revenge

9)  Dark Tort

10)  Chopping Spree

I hope you enjoyed this mystery game.  Please leave a comment and let me know how well you did.  Are they too easy?


Here is a great dessert for you.

Caramel Apple-Cherry Pie

 Ingredients

    1 9 inch deep dish Piecrust (or 2 for strips to lay over top)

    Cranberry Compote
    1 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
    1 cup granulated sugar
    1/4 cup orange juice
    2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
    20 fresh sweet cherries, pitted or 1 cup frozen unsweetened pitted dark sweet cherries.



    *If using frozen cherries, place cherries on a paper towel lined baking sheet. Let stand for 1 hour or until thawed.

    Caramel Apple Filling
    8 tart baking apples (Granny Smith) (2 to 2 1/4 pounds)
    2 tablespoons lemon juice
    1 cup packed dark brown sugar
    1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
    1/4 cup all-purpose flour
    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    1/4 cup whipping cream
    1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (can substitute pure vanilla extract)
    1 egg
    2 - 3 tablespoons coarse sugar

 Directions

1. Prepare Piecrust. 

2. For Cranberry Compote, in a small saucepan combine cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, orange peel, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries begin to burst and mixture begins to thicken, stirring occasionally. Carefully stir in cherries. Remove from heat; cool.

3. For Caramel Apple Filling, in a large bowl gently toss together apples, lemon juice, and lemon peel. In a small bowl stir together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Sprinkle over apples; stir gently to coat.

4. In a large pot melt butter over medium heat. Add apple mixture. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add whipping cream and vanilla. Continue cooking, stirring often, until juices thicken and apples are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; cool completely.

5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 

6. Line dough with parchment; fill to top with dried beans or pie weights. Bake 20 minutes. Remove parchment and weights; bake 2 to 3 minutes more or until lightly golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven to 350 degrees F.

7. Using 1 1/2- to 2-inch leaf or acorn cookie cutters, stamp out shapes, or simply cut strips; transfer to a parchment-lined sheet pan.

8. Using a slotted spoon, spoon one-third of the cranberry mixture into the bottom of the prebaked crust. Layer half the apple mixture on top of the cranberries. Spoon another third of the cranberry mixture on top of the apples in random dollops. Spoon over remaining apples. Spoon remaining cranberry mixture on top in random dollops, leaving pockets of apple visible on top (placing the cranberry mixture in little pockets keeps the apples from being dyed red). Leave the flat edge of the crust free from filling.

9. Whisk together egg and 2 Tbsp. water; gently brush on edge of crust. Place some of the cutouts on the edge, pressing gently to adhere. Place remaining cutouts on top of filling; brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

10. Place a foil-lined baking sheet on rack below pie in oven to catch any dripping. Bake 40 minutes. Cover edges with foil; bake 10 to 15 minutes more or until crust is deep golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on wire rack at least 3 hours before serving.

Make Ahead:

    The cranberry filling, apple filling and pastry can be made up to 1 day ahead. Let the two filling stand at room temperature about 1 hour before assembling the pie.
 

Review - Bear Bait

I reviewed the debut of this series, the book Endangered (click here), and I interviewed the author (click here).  This is the second book in the series.  Let's see if it measures up to the first book.

Author: Pamela Beason

Copyright: October 2012 (Berkley) 320 pgs

Series: 2nd in Summer Westin Mysteries

Sensuality: sex scenes

Mystery Sub-genre: Suspense, amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Wildlife biologist Summer Westin

Setting: Modern day, Olympic National Park in the
Pacific Northwest
 
Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Summer is on a twelve-week project for the National Park Service at Olympic National Park, writing a management report to join new land into the park.  She also helps out as a volunteer fire-watcher, which is how she hears an explosion and calls in a fire.  After the fire is put out, they discover a park trail crew member, a young woman named Lisa Glass, who is badly burned and hanging onto life by a thread.  They also discover a hole blown in the earth uncovering an old forgotten mine.  There is local resistance to the adding of land to the park service because hunting is stopped.  Signs pop up throughout the new park land defying the new park management rules, which hints at an underground resistance to the Park Service management and authority.  Summer is confronted by an armed camo-wearing man outside any hunting season, which doesn't look good for a newly introduced bear into the park.   

A parallel subplot is Summer's relationship with FBI Agent Chase Perez that is sporatic with their busy schedules, but is taken to the next level during this book.  Agent Perez and his partner are in the area traking down robbers which may cross over into the activities Summer is facing.  There is another subplot of Ranger Joe Choi asking Summer to help with his thirteen year old daughter Lili who may be getting in over her head with a teacher and a clique that share the same tattoos as the burned trail crew member.

Summer is a passionate wildlife biologist who is stubborn, has a hard time taking orders, is vulnerable, and yet tough.  We find out more about Summer's precarious relationship with her authoritarian father, and her fear that her vagabond wilderness lifestyle is not agreeable to a long-term relationship.

Olympic National Park in the Pacific Northwest is a beautiful setting and you understand Summer's love of the park through the moonlit lake and lookout sunsets.  The author makes the park an integral player in the story, not just a backdrop.  The realities of Park Service management, wildlife conservation, and good old boy hunters thrown together are realistically portrayed.

The plot builds suspense by revealing more to the reader to keep you a few steps ahead of Summer and Agent Perez.  But the full scope of the true motivations and ultimate goal is slowly revealed even with the reader being more "in-the-know."  This builds the suspense to an edge of the seat climax where Summer is specifically in the cross-hairs.  The wrap up leaves the reader anxious to read the next book in the series.

This is a great second book with a solid suspenseful plot and pacing that will likely keep the reader up all night turning pages.  I feel it tops the debut book, which is a challenge for every author.  It is hard to not compare this series to Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series because of the theme of wildlife and parks, but the character of Summer Westin and the unique writing style carves a niche out all its own.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Author Interview - Heather Blake

Today we have a fantastic interview with Heather Blake, popular author of several mystery series.  She grew up in a suburb of Boston, but currently, she lives in the Cincinnati area with her family.  She's a Dr Pepper enthusiast, is addicted to competitive Reality TV, and crochets.  Heather has also graciously offered to give away a copy of her debut book in the Wishcraft series, It Takes a Witch, (click here for review of second book) to a commenter of this post.  Please welcome Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber).

Why do you write? Do you love it or love having done it? What motivates you?

At first, I wrote because there was a specific story to tell. Then, it became a bit of passion. I love writing. I love my characters. I love seeing what happens to them. These days my motivation is still about telling their stories, but now it’s also about the readers who love to read my books as well.

What is your routine when you're facing your next novel?  Do you start your next mystery with the killer, the victim or a plot idea?
It sounds strange, but I usually start with a title, and the plot unfolds from there. I generally know who my killer and victim are when I start a novel, but that can (and has) changed from time to time during the writing of the book.

Do you outline the plot or some variation of that (a little/a lot of detail, a strict 3 act structure etc.) before sitting down and writing?
Every book I write has its own notebook. All my ideas, character names, and story arc goes in that. I usually wing the first half of the book and plot the second half. When it’s done, I do extensive revisions to make sure it’s all cohesive.

Darcy Merriweather and Lucy Valentine are each interesting characters, and the rest of the crew in the books are great as well. What do you and Darcy or Lucy have in common? How are you different?
There’s a little bit of me in all my characters. Our loyalty, our quest for what’s right is a bit of what we have in common. They’re much braver than I am—and of course, I have no magical powers (bummer!).

What is your process for developing a character? Do you use pictures, a worksheet or just let the character(s) tell you about him/herself as you write?  How do you handle minor characters?
It’s a little bit of everything. Some pictures, some visualizing. I rarely do a character chart, because my characters never want to stick with it. My minor characters are treated the same way—because even though they’re minor they often play a big role.

You tend towards paranormal cozies with psychic Lucy, wishcrafter Darcy, and soon Carly with love potions.  What attracts you to writing mysteries with a playful touch of paranormal?
I grew up watching Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, and I have such a fascination for psychics. All that has influenced writing paranormal for me. It’s a fun twist to a murder plot, because even though there’s some magic going on, it doesn’t necessarily always solve the crime.

You had to do some world building for your wishcrafters etc., what was the good, bad, and ugly in the process?
Oh, the ugly. It’s HARD to build a world, especially when you write yourself into a corner. I’ve learned how to backtrack a lot. However, I adore the creativity it allows me. It’s really freeing.

Do you have anything special you do before writing, particular music or a special room/location that helps you get in the zone and write?
Nothing out of the ordinary. I do like background noise, so I’ll either have music on or the TV.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing and how long does it take you to write a book?  How is that schedule impacted writing multiple series simultaneously?
It usually takes me 4-6 months per book, sometimes less if I’ve really procrastinated (which happens often). I like to write five days a week for several hours a day, but there are times when my writing comes in fits and spurts. I’ve learned to go with the flow.

In literature (not your own) who is your favorite mystery/suspense character and your favorite paranormal character?
This is much too hard to answer. There are so many great characters out there that I can’t pick just one!

Which author has influenced or inspired you the most?
Another tough question! One of my biggest influences was Janet Evanovich. Back when I started writing she was just hitting it big, and it was the first time I’d seen a funny mystery with a strong female lead. I loved the premise and it opened my mind to writing characters like that.

How did you get your first break to getting published? Was it at a writer's conference or mailing a query letter?
I’ve met with many agents and editors at conferences, but it was a blind submission to a small publishing house in 2001 that opened the publishing door for me. Seems like so long ago now!

What's the one thing a reader has said that you've never forgotten and perhaps found startling?
It’s not one thing, necessarily. It’s all the readers who take the time to write me to let me know how much they enjoy my books, or that my books helped them through a dark time. It’s very humbling, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s those readers that keep me writing.

If your Wishcraft mysteries were to be made into a movie, who would you cast in your top character's roles?
I rarely cast my characters, simply for the fact that I love readers to visualize the characters themselves. But I’d love to hear who they think would be great in the roles!

Tell us your thoughts on the growing genre of paranormal mysteries and its popularity (i.e. is it here to stay or a fad, is it pushing the mystery genre envelope etc?)
I think the genre is here to stay! Paranormal offers a great escape from reality for a few hours, whether you like books with more mystery or more romance (or both as my case may be!).

Tell us about your next book in the series, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE WITCHY and the upcoming Love Potion Shop Mystery series?  What is your biggest challenge with both? 
The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy happens to be my favorite book in the Wishcraft series. When Darcy discovers the body of a young man, she’s soon “imprinted” with his ghost who won’t leave her until she solves his crime. It was such a fun—yet emotional—book to write. It delves deep into prejudices and wounds that aren’t always visible.

I’m currently working on the first potion book that doesn’t have an official title yet. It features Carly Hartwell, a magic potion shop owner who goes to work one day and finds a man dead in her break room—and he’s clutching one of her potion bottles. It’s set in Alabama, and I’m having a blast writing it.

Do you have a newsletter or blog for readers to stay informed of your news?
I send out an every-once-in-awhile newsletter a couple of times a year, usually when I have a new release. Readers can sign up via any of my websites. I’m also on Facebook as both Heather Blake and Heather Webber and on Twitter too, as @booksbyheather.

Thank you so much for the great interview!  Okay readers, leave comments (include your email address please) about the interview to be eligible for a copy of It Takes a Witch.  Which actors do you see as the cast for her books to be immortalized on the big screen?  What do you think of a third series featuring a magic potion shop owner?

Winners and Recipe

The winners of the Spooktacular Blog Hop Giveaway are Tragedy6996, Lisa Walker, Brenna, Coreena, and Sebrina.  You should have received an email from me asking for your regular mailing address.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

There is no monthly blog carnival this month because there were not enough entries.  We will shoot for next month.  

I wanted to share a recipe for the upcoming holidays to add a little variety to your celebration.

Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup pumpkin puree

3 eggs

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet.
    In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs, and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread the mixture evenly.
    Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 minutes.
    Lay a damp linen towel on the counter, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar, and turn the cake onto the towel. Carefully roll the towel up (lengthwise) with the cake in it. Place the cake-in-towel on a cooling rack and let it cool for 20 minutes.
    Make the icing: In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and sugar with a wooden spoon or electric mixer.
    When the cake has cooled 20 minutes, unroll it and spread icing onto it. Cake should be completely cooled or the icing will be runny, refrigerating the icing for a few minutes is good as well.  You may even add some finely chopped walnuts.  Immediately re-roll (not in the towel this time), and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep the cake refrigerated or freeze it for up to 2 weeks in aluminum foil. Cut the cake in slices just before serving.

Review - A Witch Before Dying

This week I review my first Heather Blake book!  I know, how did it take me so long?  We also have an upcoming interview with her, so stay tuned for that.  Read on for a review of the recently released second book in the Wishcraft Mystery series.

Author: Heather Blake

Copyright: August 2012 (NAL) 320 pgs

Series: 2nd in Wishcraft Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy

Main Characters: Darcy Merriweather, A Wishcrafter (a witch who can grant wishes for others)

Setting: Modern day, Salem Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Darcy and her Aunt Ve run a personal concierge service called "As You Wish". Darcy is hired to clean out a hoarder's house by the daughter, Elodie.  Elodie has tried to care for the house ever since her mother disappeared 18 months ago, but it is time to clean out the hoards of stuff and try to move on.  Darcy manages to uncover the mother's body in the piles of stuff, and she was definitely murdered.  As if that weren't bad enough, Darcy's house is being watched by somebody in the woods, and even gets threatened.  All of this on top of Aunt Ve being sick and nothing is helping her get better.  With Aunt Ve sick, it falls to Darcy to finish the preparations for Ve and Sylar's wedding fast approaching.  But there is somebody who is trying to sabotage the wedding as well.  Darcy has plenty to keep her busy, but how will she stay safe?

I enjoyed Darcy, a thirty-something divorcée, and her interactions with the other magical people.  I enjoyed her Aunt Ve and younger sister Harper as well.  Her growing relationship with Nick moves naturally and without rush.  Of course, Nick is a policeman, driving a mini-cooper in a pastel yellow.  But he is also a dad, which I did not get to see him as a dad much.  Darcy seemed to spend more time with Mimi than Nick.  Some whimsical characters are Pepe, a mouse, and Archie, a scarlet macaw who loves movie trivia, who help Darcy.  I think a breakout character was Marcus Debrowski, a young Lawcrafter interested in Harper.  There were many characters populating the village and at times I wish there had been a cheat-sheet listing the townspeople. 

The Enchanted Village of Salem is just that.  The magical town has magic rules and an Elder that keeps the rules enforced.  This is an entertaining backdrop that adds to the enjoyment.  The plot had several things going on that kept the pace and interest up.  Everything does get sorted out and explained by the end. 

The confrontation with the killer had some great tense moments and was not who I expected.  Good job with misdirection.  The wrap up was touching and did a great job of making the reader want to return to Enchanted Village.

This is a delightful paranormal cozy with touches of whimsy for a light enjoyable mystery that will even put a smile on your face.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.