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Happy Friday...
I cannot believe it's already November!
Man, does time fly...
Man, does time fly...
For many of us, November marks the start of holiday season buzz. We're already starting to make our plans for family gatherings, office parties, religious celebrations...
For me, November also marks the publication of a very special entry in the Coffeehouse 
Mystery series: HOLIDAY GRIND.The story is set during the Thanksgiving-Chanukah-Christmas nexus, which can be an incredibly uplifting time of year but (let's face it), sometimes a grind to get through.
You know what I'm talking about: the shopping, the crowds, the high epectations, the cooking for far too many guests, the interaction with certain family members 
who might be, shall we say, not so easy to deal with!
who might be, shall we say, not so easy to deal with!Anyway, some of these "grinds" get covered in my mystery, which is partly about my main character (Clare Cosi) solving the murder of a friend and 
partly about her desire to reclaim the spirit of the season, which was lost to her because of that murder.
partly about her desire to reclaim the spirit of the season, which was lost to her because of that murder.In a way, the story is Clare's search for the meaning of the season, (admittedly) a well-worn theme for holiday books, but with good reason. I think many of us find ourselves looking for meaning at this time of year, and if we're very lucky, we find it.
You can read a free excerpt
from HOLIDAY GRIND
by clicking here (pdf doc).
AND NOW FOR SOME...
FOOD TALK!
FOOD TALK!
Next week, I'll have a brand new recipe for you here. For today, I'm sharing what foodie finds I have in store for those who pick up Holiday Grind...
The "Recipes and Tips" section for my latest mystery is by far the largest I've ever done (80 pages -- practically a mini book in itself). But, as I explained in Holiday Grind's afterword, this is really my bonus gift to those readers who continue to get a kick out of the coffee and culinary themes in my novels.
Flourless Chocolate Jamaican Rum Cake with Warm Coffee-Rum Sauce
This is a picture of just one of the many recipes you'll find in the back section of my new Coffeehouse Mystery...
(Another recipe from
Holiday Grind...)
Homemade
Candied Citrus Peels
This recipe
also produces a
fantastic by product:
Citrus-infused
Bar Syrup
also produces a
fantastic by product:
Citrus-infused
Bar Syrup
To see a list of exactly what Recipes and Tips you will get in the back of HOLIDAY GRIND, simply CLICK HERE. This LINK will jump you to my Web site's Recipe Page. Scroll all the way down and you will see the recipes listed...
Cheers & Happy Holidays!
(a little early),
(a little early),
~ Cleo Coyle
author of The Coffeehouse Mysteries &
The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries (as Alice Kimberly)
The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries (as Alice Kimberly)
My Official Web Home:
"Where coffee and crime
are always brewing..."
are always brewing..."
To comment on this post, click the comment
link below...
Congratulations on Holiday Grind! Can't wait to read it. 80 pages *is* a mini book. Sounds like a gold mine of recipes and tips! And...rum cake and candied citrus peels...mmmm!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth/Riley
Mystery Writing is Murder
A flourless cake sounds strange, but looks good, especially since it's chocolate.
ReplyDeleteThese are great recipes just in time for the holiday season.
Your cake and citrus peels look delicious! Who could resist?
ReplyDelete~ Krista
Congratulations on Holiday Grind, Cleo! Sounds like a perfect buy for the season, with terrific recipes to boot. Yum.
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves candied orange peel dipped in chocolate and I'm betting the kids would like kiddie cocktails made from the syrup. Bubbly and fruity is always a good combination!
ReplyDeleteCleo, your posts are always so full of energy! And wow - 80 pages? Whew! That's fabulous. You're amazing!
ReplyDeleteJulie
80 pages of recipes? Wow. Can't wait to get my hands on Holiday Grind!
ReplyDeleteShel - Thank you - I hope you enjoy the book!
ReplyDeleteJulie - I think you're pretty amazing, too. And very sweet, to boot. Thank you.
Janel - You're right on the money with the kiddie (or "virgin") cocktail. I like to mix the orange bar syrup with club soda and pour over ice. Really refreshing and festive for parties, too.
Avery, Krista, Elizabeth - Thank you so much for dropping in and wishing me well on this new book. It means the world to me!
Cheers,
~Cleo
Coffeehouse Mystery.com
"Where coffee and crime are always brewing..."
Cleo Coyle on Twitter
Mason - "Flourless" chocolate cake does sound odd but I assure you it is one truly amazing, fudgy, astoundingly delicious experience. The greatest part of this cake is that it's even better the next day. No kidding. One of my faves...(husband's too).
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on the launch of your fantastic new blog: "Thoughts in Progress" If anyone would like to visit Mason in her new home, Click Here!
Cheers,
~ Cleo