Sunday, October 4, 2015

Guest Laura Childs, serving Cream Scones and a #bookgiveaway


Leslie here, delighted to welcome my cousin---really, truly; I'm not being metaphoric---the fabulous Laura Childs, New York Times best-selling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Cackleberry Club Mysteries, and Scrapbooking Mysteries, and next summer, a new thriller series under her real name, Gerry Schmitt. And it's wonderful that she's talking about her dogs. Dogs play a role in many of her books, and family collie, Duke, was the first dog I ever loved!

Leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win a signed, harcover copy of PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE, the newest Scrapbooking Mystery!

A funny thing happened to me in the kitchen the other day. My dogs decided to watch me make scones. These are two snooty, deign-to-even-take-notice Chinese Shar-Pei named Asia and Moosha. Yet they seemed delighted when I measured out all the ingredients, transfixed when I mixed the flour and butter with my fingers, and sat – staring and immobile – while my scones baked in the oven.  What was the result of all this kitchen love? A great pan of scones that was enjoyed by all!  (See photo of them noshing away.) And because I manage to slip tea drinking and scones into pretty much every mystery I write, I thought you’d enjoy my basic cream scone recipe. 


Basic Cream Scones
 2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 Tbsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ cup (1 stick) butter, chilled and diced
½ cup cream
1 egg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add butter and, using fork or fingers, mix until ingredients form a coarse meal.  hisk egg and cream together in a separate bowl and then add to flour mixture. Knead gently to thoroughly moisten and form dough. Add more cream if mixture is too dry. Drop dough (about a ¼ cup’s worth) onto lightly greased baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart.  

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Yields 1 dozen scones.  

Note:  This is a basic recipe, so you can always toss in a cup of chocolate chips or butterscotch chips if you prefer your scones a little sweeter!



Leave a comment on this blog post by Sunday, October 11, for a chance to win a signed, hardcover copy of PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE.

Here's the scoop on the newest Scrapbook Mystery, PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE: 

In this cozy-thriller from Laura Childs, scrapbook maven Carmela Bertrand tries to track down the killer of a young bride-to-be who’s been brutally murdered in a New Orleans cemetery. Could it be the conflicted groom, stalker attorney, jealous bridesmaid, or crazy mother-in-law to be? As Carmela sorts through this dysfunctional group of suspects, snippets of antique lace and parchment become critical clues in the case. And it all comes to an enormous head at a raucous casino party that ends with a frantic chase through an abandoned theme park. Scrapbooking tips are included along with recipes for Pecan Pie Muffins, Sweet Potato Casserole, Big Easy Butter Chicken, and more.


Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. 

Little Girl Lost, the first in her new hard-edged thriller series written under the name Gerry Schmitt, will be out in June, 2016.

Learn more at www.laurachilds.com Buy the books at Amazon, B&N, BAM, IndieBound, or your local mystery or independent bookseller. 

104 comments:

  1. Love the dogs, the recipe, and the book plot! EMS591@aol.com

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  2. Oh, yes, I would have to add butterscotch chips to the recipe; thanks for the chance to win the book :)
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

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  3. Thank you for sharing your scone recipe for they look great! PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE sounds like a great mystery book. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. I love Laura's Tea Shop Mysteries in Charleston, and now Scrapbooking in New Orleans? I'm in! Cream scones...ooooh, yeah! Thanks for hosting a great giveaway! kat8762@aol.com

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  5. I have always wanted to try a scone. I love this title. I have seen Arsenic and Old Lace as a play many times and also the movie with Cary Grant. I find cozy mysteries tend to have such clever titles. thanks for the giveaway. eeyore722@gmail.com

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  6. We're so delighted to have you visiting our kitchen today Laura! thank you for the scones and dog stories.

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  7. I look forward to this new scrapbooking mystery! I love all of your books and enjoy the characters and settings of each of the series. The scone recipe looks great.

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  8. Would love to read this. :)
    pmettert@yahoo.com

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  9. Looking forward to reading Parchment and Old Lace. Thank you for sharing your scone recipe ... they look great!
    peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net

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  10. The scones and the book look delicious!

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  11. I like scones but have never tried making them.
    sgiden at verizon(.) net

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  12. I love scones and always made them in my food processor. It's been forever since I have made any. llcejka at g mail dot com

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  13. I have read all of the Tea Shop mysteries and loved them. Looking forward to reading these. Would love to win!

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  14. Della Will have to give this recipe a try. As for the book? Looks interesting. I look forward to getting to know your work. deepotter@peoplepc.com

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  15. My son likes scones. I think I will try to make some for him. I'd love to read your book, too. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  16. I just made these. So quick and east. I had some cinnamon chips that I added and we both ate way too many. :)

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  17. The cream scones sound wonderful. And I love this series! lkleback@hotmail.com

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  18. I'd love to get my hands on a copy of this book.

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  19. I'd love to get my hands on a copy of this book.

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  20. Welcome, cousin Laura! Sunday morning is perfect for scones -- for dogs OR humans!

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  21. I love all of her series, but I am partial to the Scrapbooking series because it is set in my favorite city, New Orleans. I have actually used one of them like a cookbook so much that I had to get a new one for my shelf, because I keep them all. Carmela's crab cake recipe is awesome. dr(dot)oldsmobile(at)icloud(dot)com

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  22. I love your books and look forward,to trying the scone recipe. I'll probably add some berries to them. The new series sounds wonderful and can't wait to pre-order it! Jenndian at gmail dot com.

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  23. I adore all your books, have read every single one of them!!!! Can't wait for the new series.
    sharonquiltsatyahoodotcom

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  24. I love the title of this book. I love mysteries, and this series look great.
    bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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  25. Have never tried making scones. pwtish171@gmail.com

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  26. I love this book, the delectable scones which are my favorite treat of all, and this great series. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. The series and the scones both sound wonderful. I would love to try both. elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  28. I love Laura Childs Tea Shop and Cackleberry Series! Thanks so much for the yummy recipie!

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  29. I love Laura Childs Tea Shop and Cackleberry Series! Thanks so much for the yummy recipie!

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  30. I've never tried scones, but I've wanted to. Ie joy all three of your series. suefoster109@netzero.net

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  31. I love scones and cannot wait to try this recipe! Cream scones are also good with cinnamon chips added in~Thanks for sharing the recipe and for the giveaway! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  32. Amazing author and delightful cozies.

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  33. I love scones and have a bottle of clotted cream from Devonshire on hajd so will be making these. !!! Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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  34. I love scones and have a bottle of clotted cream from Devonshire on hajd so will be making these. !!! Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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  35. Love Laura's books and excited about the new thriller series!

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  36. I would love to read your book! I like the title of the book and the scone recipe looks really good and easy to make. Thank you for the chance to win. crossxjo @hotmail com

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  37. You need to read this series for the food alone. I love scones, thanks for what seems to be a very doable recipe. And cannot wait for the new thriller series. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  38. Have always wanted to find a fool-proof scone recipe! And are you two really cousins!?! How fun. Thanks so much for the chance to win the new scrapbooking book--a favorite series of mine!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. This looks like a wonderful recipe to try. I'm sure my sweet old-lady dog Molly would love to sample them. She once ate half a birthday cake off the counter where it was cooling, and once managed to snag a dozen or so peanut butter cookies, also cooling on the counter. Definitely a dog with a sweet tooth. rencw@verizon.net

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  40. Love the series! Thanks for the chance to win this one!
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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  41. I love scones and that recipe sounds easy enough for me to try. I can already picture me reading a good cozy, eating a scone, and sipping tea. Thanks for the contest--I'd love to win.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  42. Love your books. The recipe sounds delish.

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  43. Discriminating dogs, for sure!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  44. Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway!
    sharonbabyme@yahoo.com

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  45. Love your dog's and thanks for the recipe.
    Pugpower63@gmail.com

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  46. Love your dog's and thanks for the recipe.
    Pugpower63@gmail.com

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  47. By the way, both Laura and I are among the 11 authors featured in the Cozy Cookbook, with recipes and excerpts from mysteries by some of your favorite authors!

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  48. Oh my goodness ! I am so looking forward to this book ! I can't wait to try the recipe also ! kathambre@yahoo.com

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  49. Hurrah for this recipe. Love your books!

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  50. This scone recipe looks yummy! I love her Tea shop series. I haven't read this one but it does sound good in your review. I'm definitely going to try it out.
    bpwoodfield@gmail.com

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  51. What a delightful book, scones that I would love with tea and a new series which interests me greatly. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  52. I love books set in New Orleans. Thanks.

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  53. I love the idea of getting scrapbooking tips and recipes along with good thriller. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity,
    6186pep(at)msn(dot)com

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  54. Great recipe with low sugar content. I will try it soon! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your books.

    davisel1830@hotmail.com

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  55. Great recipe with low sugar content. I will try it soon! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your books.

    davisel1830@hotmail.com

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  56. Great recipe, definitely going to try it! The book looks amazing! Thank you for the opportunity to win this!

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  57. Looking forward to this book. And will surely try the yummy recipe.

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  58. thank you, I will be sharing the recipe.....
    also thank you for the giveaway...

    cyn209 at juno dot com

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  59. Love all your series. Can't wait to read this one and your new one coming out. Thanks for the chance to win. This was a great post and the recipe must be good since the dogs sat still for it to bake. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  60. The recipe for the scones looks delicious. I'm not a big scrapbooker but I do enjoy making memory cards for family and friends. It is similar to doing scrapbooking but on a smaller scale. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  61. Love scones! Love Laura Childs' writing. Would love to own this latest book.

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  62. Your books are delightful. Thank you for the hours of enjoyment. I'm no whiz in the kitchen, but I will make this scone recipe. Wish me well! Hharra

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  63. I love her tea shop series and look forward to her new series.

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  64. I love scones but have not been real successful making ones that I really like. I will be trying this recipe. Thanks!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  65. I love all three series...and the scones...and dogs. Thanks for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

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  66. Looking forward to reading Parchment and Old Lace. Thank you for the scone recipe. Have a great week! Doodlesink@hotmail.com

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  67. My BFF had left a plate of scones cooling on the kitchen table. When she returned from answering the phone, her two Great Pyrenees were polishing off the scones.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com.

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  68. Love that it's a basic scone recipe. You add things based on season and personal taste. I enjoy reading your books also.
    bobntoni@aol.com

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  69. Usually enjoy reading this series, one of the first cozy series I ever tried. The scone recipe looks yummy and easy enough even for me. Thanks for the recipe & the giveaway! book__wyrm@sbcglobal.net

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  70. There's nothing better than homemade baked goods! Can't wait to try this recipe. Thank you. Joan jsomers421@gmail.com

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  71. Your scone recipe sounds amazing and I would love to read your book! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  72. Oh Laura how I love your Cackleberry Club series! I've read them all & they never disappoint. I'm looking forward to your next one.
    Thank you for posting today & for a chance to win in the give-a-way!
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  73. This series is the only one I havent read all of. Will have to rectify that! Wow so cool that two amazing authors are cousins. It sure must run in the family. I love scones and would have them every day if I could. will have to try this recipe!! Thanks a ton. kayt18 at comcast dot net

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  74. Oh and the fact that you both loves dogs makes you even more special!!

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    1. Why, thank you, Kay! I'm so thrilled to see how many of you love Laura aka Gerry and her books as much as I do! (I would say I've looked up to her all my life, but any of you who have met us both would laugh -- I shot past her and her sister at about 13!)

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  75. I can't wait to make the scones for my lady friends. I have read all of the Tea
    Shop Mysteries and the Cackleberry Mysteries so now I am looking for to the Scrapbook Mysteries. I have all ready marked my June calendar for Little Girl Lost. Thank you for this contest opportunity. penguingram142@yahoo.com

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  76. I am so looking forward to reading this and the recipe sounds yummy!

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  77. I have always wanted to try my hand at making scones and your recipe has inspired me to just do it! You are a new author for me! I'm looking forward to reading your books! Thanks for the giveaway! dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  78. Leslie Budzwitz you and your cousin Laura Childs both do great writing. Love your books, slpetera@yahoo.com

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  79. Might try them with cinnamon chips. cmori54 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  80. Never knew how to make scones. Thanks! Love the cover of the book.
    jawdance@yahoo.com

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  81. Love this series. Cinnamon chips sounds wonderful.

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  82. I love scones how fun..I will try the recipe. Your book sounds fantastic and I would love to read it. Thanks for the contest...
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  83. I love the series but have never tried to make scones. Thank you for you the recipe!
    afarage at earthlink dot net

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  84. Thanks to all of you for such wonderful, heartwarming comments. I wish I could sit down and share tea and scones with everyone! (But no dogs this time, just us.) Take care and be sure to enter the book giveaway!

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  85. Our family loves scones. I often mix bits of dried apricots bits into my batter. I enjoy several of your series, this is one of them. Added the book to my TBR wish list. servedogmom@yahoo.com

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  86. Thank you for continuing to offer books in hardcover. I recently tried your scrapbooking series and love the characters, settings and of course the recipes ! I would enjoy winning your signed hardcover copy !
    Bonnie (bmalic610@yahoo.com)

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  87. I'd love a chance to win and start reading a new series! Thanks! (And I'm looking forward to trying the recipe!) :)

    awilcox1182@gmail.com

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  88. I love all Laura's books. I would love to read this one.

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  89. Scones with butterscotch chips = Yum! I've made a lot of scones in my day, but I do not remember one with brown sugar. Looks like a great recipe. Thank you :D

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  90. I fell in love with Laura Childs books when I started reading her tea shop mysteries. I was ecstatic to discover that she had other series. The recipe sounds delicious, I love a good scone. I might add cinnamon chips when I try out the recipe. :-)

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  91. I forgot to post my email: hcomet98@gmail.com. I thought about the scone recipe and will try dried apples plus cinnamon chips.
    Haley

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  92. I literally, just tried to explain the unbelievable perfection of all of Laura Child's series, to my son-in-law, yesterday. While reading her books, you can close your eyes, and taste, feel, and "see" what your character is experiencing. You become part of the story, in your mind. You can't wait to experience with them, all the other characters, and figure out who might hurt "you," or more realistically, them, before its too late.

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  93. I would live to win this book. Sounds like a great read.

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