Sunday, February 19, 2017

Kneaded to Death




A very warm welcome to our old friend, Winnie Archer. What? You've never heard of her? Yes you have. Our buddy Melissa Bourbon is back with a new series about bread! The first book KNEADED TO DEATH comes out on February 28th!

Don't miss Winnie's giveaway. Details at the bottom of the post.



Mysteries are close to my heart. Okay, truthfully, books of any kind are close to my heart, but mysteries, in particular. The mystery can be large or small. It can be the central focus of the story, or play a supporting role. It really doesn’t matter to me the scope of the mystery elements, as long as it’s there in one way, shape, or form.

My love of mysteries started, like most young girls of a certain age--with Nancy Drew. From there I graduated straight to Agatha Christie. I have a distinct memory of going with my mom to our town’s library so she could check out the last Hercule Poirot novel, Curtain. She was crushed that it was to be Poirot’s last, and her love of these book intrigued me enough to start reading them.

I spent almost all of my high school lunches in one classroom or another reading.

Now, I should say that I’m a light-weight when it comes to the intensity of a mystery and I see a clear distinction between mystery and horror. Horror movies and books are not for me. I threw Silence of the Lambs across the room once or twice while reading it, and I covered my eyes during certain parts of Dexter.

But suspense and deduction, those things I love.

So, of course, as my passion for writing grew until it couldn’t be denied, it was no surprise that it manifested itself in the form of mysteries. I began with the Lola Cruz Mystery series. Then I wrote 2 romantic suspense novels, which, of course, have strong mystery elements in them. They’re based on Mexican legends and are still two of my favorites. My cozies came next and have been national bestsellers. A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series has six books in the series. Harlow Cassidy holds a special place in my heart.

But move over Harlow, Ivy Culpepper is in town. She’s the heroine of my new Bread Shop series. Kneaded to Death is the first book in the series and Ivy’s introduction to the world. Ivy’s 36, divorced, and now back in her hometown of Santa Sofia, California. Her mother died six months ago, she, her father, and brother are still grieving, and she’s reunited with Miguel Baptista, her high school love that broke her heart once upon a time. She meets Olaya Solis, owner of Yeast of Eden, and then Penelope Branford, her new octogenarian sidekick. All is good… until, of course, murder strikes.

Mystery, mystery, mystery. The characters. The communities. The crime. The puzzle. The deductions. The justice. All of makes for such a satisfying read. I can’t wait for Kneaded to Death and Ivy Culpepper to fall into the hands of cozy readers.

One of the best things about writing my new Bread Shop series is the bread! I get to experiment and the whole family gets to enjoy. It’s a win-win. One of my favorite new recipes is Gruyere and Black Pepper Popovers. They’re easy, quick, and SO tasty!

Enjoy!

Gruyère and Black Pepper Popovers (16)

Recipe inspired
By Jodi Elliott, owner and chef of Foreign & Domestic Food & Drink in Austin, Texas

INGREDIENTS

2 cups whole milk
4 large eggs
1½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups all-purpose
¾ cups Gruyère cheese, cut into small cubes.
Grated Gruyère cheese on top just after baking.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 450 ̊ and place the rack in the bottom third of the oven. Place a dot of butter in the bottom of each muffin or popover cup and allow to heat in the oven while you make the popover batter.

2. Use a small saucepan to warm milk at medium heat. It should be hot, but do not bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the salt and black pepper until smooth. Stir in the warm milk.

4. Add flour to the egg mixture. Combine. The batter should be the consistency of cream. A few lumps are okay!

5. Remove the muffin pans from the oven. Spray the pans generously with nonstick cooking spray. Pour about ⅓ cup of the batter into each of 16 muffin cups or into the popover pan. Place several cubes of cheese on top of the batter in each cup.

6. Reduce the oven temperature to 350. Bake the popovers until the tops puff up and are golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remember, do not open the oven door while baking. You don’t want the popovers to collapse!

7. Turn onto a wire cooling rack right away to preserve the crispy edge of the popovers. Using a sharp knife, pierce the base of each popover to release the steam. Sprinkle grated Gruyère over finished popovers, if desired, and serve immediately.




Winnie Archer is the pen name for national bestselling author Melissa Bourbon. She is a middle school teacher by day, and a writer by night. She lives lives in an inspiring century old house in North Texas and loves being surrounded by real-life history. She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with yoga and chocolate, is devoted to her family, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams.

Visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaBourbon.WinnieArcher/

Winnie is very kindly giving away a copy of KNEADED TO DEATH! Please leave a comment with your email address to enter. Good luck!

142 comments:

  1. Great popovers recipe; and I definitely would love to read Kneaded To Death! EMS591@aol.com

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  2. I love making popovers!
    the3beersus(at) yahoo(dot) com

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    1. Me, too. The gruyere and black pepper add something special. One is definitely not enough!

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  3. Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie for me too and then the Mary Stewart books...like Thunder on the Right. Thank you for he Contest and I would love to read the book.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  4. Loved the post, and it's many features. Like quaint old buildings and their history. Started off with Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys. Mysteries and making bread. Nothing beats fresh from the oven bread slathered with real butter. New author to me and would so love to start getting to know her works with Kneaded to Death. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com

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    1. Oh my gosh, banana bread straight from the oven slathered with butter? Yum. Now I know what I'm going to be doing today!

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  5. The recipe and accompanying g photo look very enticing.

    Thank you for the opportunity

    mommy_to_zoe@hotmail.com

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  6. All my girls are home bakers. The youngest bought the Bosch stand mixer with 16qt bowl just for her Challah baking. I keep telling her she can also use it to make me a big batch of pizza dough to freeze. LOL I'm looking forward to reading your new title and hope this is my lucky day.

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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  7. I would love to start a new to me author with a first in a series. Recipes always an added treat.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  8. Nice cover. I need to try this recipe. I know my husband would love it. pgenest57 at aol dot com

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    1. I love the cover, too! Very fun. And Agatha the pug is there :)

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  9. I love books with recipes in them too as an added bonus! vboudreau57@gmail.com

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  10. Keep up the great work. I looked fwd to reading your book! Mollie iemercedez@aol.com

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  11. I guess so many of us love mysteries because we read Nancy Drew books when we were kids.
    I especially love those that have recipes. What fun! Read the story and cook something good.

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    Replies
    1. I read every single Nancy Drew book, and then every single Agatha Christie novel. That was my childhood.

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  12. This recipe sounds yummy. I will have to try it. I can't wait to read this new series.
    kpowers784@yahoo.com

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  13. Wow, these sound fantastic, I have got try this. Congrats on your new release!
    momzillasteel at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you, Debbie! I think you'll love these popovers :)

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  14. I can't wait to try this recipe, big Fan of your books. Thanks for this generous chance & keep these mysteries coming. lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you, Linda! I adore Ivy. I'm loving being in her world.

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  15. I am excited to try this recipe! I can't wait to start this series. Thanks for the chance :)

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  16. Delectable recipe and wonderful giveaway. Nancy Drew novels were my favorites as well as Agatha Christie's later on. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  17. Series and recipe sound great. Would love to win. Thanks for chance. Janngrogan@yahoo.com

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  18. Mysteries are to die for. I'm excited for a new one. Magsmagnum@aol.com

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  19. I love mysteries especially old school ones which I grew up enjoying. Thanks for this lovely post and feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you! I hope this one meets your expectations :)

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  20. I would live to read one if your books. Would you believe I have never eaten or made a popover? I should remedy that situation.

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    1. You definitely should, Karen! They are my favorite bready treat. Light and eggy.

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  21. Thanks for the recipe it sounds delicious! Your book sounds perfect for me! Thanks for the chance!
    edtercross7304atyahoodotcom

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  22. I've been looking forward to this book for a while! Glad to see that it's finally coming out. :) There is nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread. Thanks for the popover recipe and the contest! 2boys4me (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Wow, thank you, Amanda! That's nice to hear. I hope you love it!

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  23. Recipe and book both sound delicious!

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  24. Love murder mysteries. Think it stems back to my years in law enforcement.
    quickchangeus@yahoo.com
    Diane Rivera

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    Replies
    1. I have always loved them, too, although no connection to law enforcement!

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  25. I've never made popovers and I've never had one. A new experience. suefoster109 at net zero. net.

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  26. I'm always looking for new series to read.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  27. Always looking forward to a great book �� to read my email is. Searspink1@aol.com
    Thank you Carla sears

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    Replies
    1. Sears? That's my mother's family name! Are we related? :)

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  28. I've never made popovers, but those look great. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your book.

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  29. This has been added to my TBD list and we will definitely be making this pop overs for dinner

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    1. Thank you! I'd love to know what you think of the popovers!

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  30. Love the cover and love getting in on the "ground floor" of a series. jawdance@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. I agree, it's fun to be in at the start of something new :)

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  31. Great popover recipe! I love making breads; it can be very 'zen.' My signature treat is orange/raspberry scones, but I had fun making my own bagels. When I was younger, I did everything by hand...rolls, sourdough bread, Muffins. Now, I enjoy my bread machine. It has some limitation, but still it helps to produce tasty carbohydrates. I so enjoy culinary themes in my cozy books...bread and mayhem? Sounds delicious!
    kat8762@aol.com

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    1. I so agree! Baking is a comfort thing for me, and bread (especially mastering gluten free, since that's our obstacle) is a challenge I love to conquer.

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  32. So happy to see a new series by a favorite Author. Great recipe & thanks for the giveaway. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. I have to try the popovers!thank you. mommatoodle at msn dot com

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  34. I do love popovers and was just wondering the other day if I should get a special popover pan. I'm glad to have this great recipe to try out if I do. Thanks for your giveaway -- I'd love to read Kneaded to Death! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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    1. I think the popover pan helps (the tops do pop over!) but it's not essential. They work just great in a muffin pan.

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  35. I've never made popovers. Do you use a "normal" size muffin pan?
    These look soooo tempting.

    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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    1. I do use an ordinary muffin pan, or if I'm doing a single batch I do have a popover pan. The popover pan is definitely not needed, however. They are GOOD!

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  36. I love popovers. Thank you for the recipe. Zeta(at)iwon(dot)com

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  37. I have never eaten a popover and am very curious now that I see that they are so easy to make. Will be giving your recipe a try in the near future.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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    1. They are SO easy to make. It's often a last minute thing for us to add to a dinner. The gruyere and pepper are special, but normally I do ordinary popovers. Would love to hear what you think of them!

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  38. recipes looks good..would love to read new series Kneaded to Death..thx. for chance..
    greeneyes2755@yahoo.com

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  39. I've never made popovers since I don't have a popover pan---but I think I'll try these in a muffin pan. Thanks for the recipe and the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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    1. You can definitely use a muffin pan! With a large family, I often make a double batch and use the muffin tins.

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  40. A great recipe and so many series to read, what could be better. Popovers are often overlooked. These look great. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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    1. Popovers, the unsung hero of the bread world :) Happy reading!

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  41. Love the post and the recipe sounds good except that we aren;t fans of black pepper at all in fact i ordered a crispy chicken sandwich today at mcdonalds and all i could taste is black pepper. Anyway I would love to read a print copy of your book and post reviews once i am done on goodreads and amazon. ptclayton2@aol.com

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    1. You can definitely omit the pepper! They're great without the cheese, too. Just plain old popovers are delicious.

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  42. Looking forward to reading your latest release.
    Thanks for the recipe - love popovers.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  43. I'm always excited when a new mystery series comes out, especially when it has recipes. Looking forward to this one.

    aut1063@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, Autumn (love your name :). Hope you enjoy it!

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  44. The popovers sound wonderful, as does the book. I'd love to read it.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  45. I think it's great that you can write new stories and also find time to create recipes! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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    1. I adapted this one from an Austin chef. Much easier than starting from scratch!

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  46. This sounds like a neat series. Look forward to reading it. Thanks for the recipe and giveaway!

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  47. I would love to be the one chosen to receive this book. It sounds like a fascinating book and even better if there are recipes too. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  48. I really really want a popover now. And to read this book!
    eswright18 at gmail dot com

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  49. I've never tried any popovers before. These look tasty.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  51. Can't wait to try this delicious recipe. It looks fantastic!
    I love cozy mysteries and I'm always looking for new ones!! Jamuller312@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you! I hope you try both the recipe and the book!

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  52. I have never made popovers, but do have a popover pan. I am trying this recipe. Thanks! Pattie.tierney@gmail.com

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  53. "Kneaded to Death" sounds like a great start to a new series. I'm looking forward to reading. I used to make bread and popovers, maybe this will make me want to try baking bread again. The popover recipe looks fantastic!
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Dianne! I hope it does inspire you to bake again.

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  54. Sounds like a great new series and a good recipe. Cmkeck311@aol.com

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  55. I can't wait to read this. I love the cover. The recipe sounds great.
    moonbay7399@gmail.com

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  56. This recipe sounds amazing. And I have the book pre-ordered already. Thanks for the chance to get to know you better and to win. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net

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    1. Thank you, Kay! I really appreciate that. :) I hope you try the popover recipe! I hope you enjoy the book.

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  57. Popovers are the best!
    I look forward to this series, inpart because I love bread and bread baking.

    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. If bread and baking bread are your things, I think this series might be one you like!

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  58. Thank you so much, Mystery Women of MLK! I've loved being a part of your blog today :)

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  59. Loved reading about you introduction to mysteries. I also started with Nancy Drew but having an older brother, I also read the Hardy Boys. Then All the Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes I could get my hands on. Now another new series to add to my reading list. I can't wait to read Kneaded to Death.

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  60. I would love to read this series!
    usersns8800@aol.com
    Donna Caldwell

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  61. I need to start cooking again and make some of these recipes. With it only being me, I eat out a lot. Thanks for the chance.
    marlene(dot)ezell(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Make a batch and keep in the fridge. They're best fresh, but easily heated in the micro and, slathered with butter, they are still tasty!

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  62. I can't wait to read this! Thanks for the chance to win. Dnrocker at yahoo dot com

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    1. My pleasure! Best of luck :) Hope you read regardless, though!

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  63. Can't wait for your series.....I have made Jodi's popovers before and they are fantastic! sharonquiltsatyahoodotcom

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  64. I haven't made popovers for years! Yum!
    Florence.evans60@gmail.com

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  65. Thank you for the giveaway and these popovers. Am looking forward to this new series, and am glad you are back.
    Debra Woloson daw655(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  66. The book looks delicious!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  67. Thank-you for the recipe and introducing a new author to me.

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  68. Sounds like a fun book and thanks for the recipe! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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  69. This book looks and sounds like it's gonna be amazing, would love to win it, thank you for the chance! barbie17 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  70. i have never had the priviledge to read one of your books but it sounds so intriguing as i love a good cozy mystery and baking bread. will have to make these scrumptious looking popovers. good thing i have a popover pan! bookworm_ani (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  71. Look very yummy, thanks! emmasmom69 AT gmail DOT com

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