Welcome our guest, Elizabeth Lee!
Check out Elizabeth's giveaway below!
From
Elizabeth Lee (a.k.a. Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli)
SNOOP TO NUTS, the second in my Nut
House Series from Berkley, finds Lindy Blanchard and her grandmother, Miss
Amelia, in hot water all over again.
Miss Amelia, the best cook and baker in Riverville, Texas, gets voted
right out of the running at the county fair.
Not only doesn’t Miss Amelia win a prize for her Texas Caviar—known far
and wide as the best dish to come out of Riverville ever—but her dish
unfortunately poisons the new parson in town.
That’s only the beginning of Miss
Amelia’s troubles. She could be going to
jail while the townspeople divide up in their loyalties. All of this leaves Lindy and her boyfriend,
Hunter, a deputy with the Riverville Police Department, to wade through the
town’s characters—like Morton and Susie Q from The Barking Coyote Saloon, Cecil
Darling, the snobby Englishman at The Squirrel Diner, and Miss Amelia’s testy
friend, Ethelred Tomroy—who each has their own theory about what’s happening in
town.
When the church people get involved
and Lindy and Hunter go off to Tupelo checking out leads to a killer, the
killings widen and endanger all the Blanchards.
The thing with the Blanchard family
is that they’ve been around a long time.
Maybe they’re pretty well off now—what with the pecan farm and the Nut
House pecan shop in town—but they’re old fashioned enough to stand by their
friends, their relatives, and especially their Meemaw, Miss Amelia. It’s a tough time for Blanchards, but they
know how to handle a murder here and there.
The thing I like best about writing
these books is letting the relationship between Lindy, in her late twenties,
and Miss Amelia, in her seventies, blossom.
These two women learn how much alike they are, and learn to get around
the generational separation. There is a
lot of love between them, and deep respect, all the while they have fun
together.
As a grandmother, myself, I’ve
always thought older women got short shrift: sitting in their rocking chairs
and knitting, patting people on the head, dithering when asked what they think. Miss Amelia’s not like that. She can mix it up with the best of’em; bake
pecan breads; stock the Nut House profitably, take care of friends, see to the
whole family of Blanchards and still track down killers who dare to hurt the
town and the people she loves. Maybe
Miss Amelia isn’t Super Nanny, but she comes closer to the older women I know
than any other sleuth I’ve followed.
After the killers are safely put
away, Miss Amelia throws a Nut House party, serving dishes she’s renamed for
the occasion—all tongue in cheek. Here’s
that Texas Caviar of hers, christened with a name that suits the occasion:
SOCRATES’ FAVORITE
TEXAS CAVIAR
We
all know what happened to poor Socrates and the hemlock. Miss Amelia thinks a good dose of her caviar
would have saved the man and got a lot more thinking done.
SOCRATES’ FAVORITE TEXAS CAVIAR
SOCRATES’ FAVORITE TEXAS CAVIAR
2
(16 ounce) cans Black-eyed Peas, drained
1
(15 ounce) can diced Tomatoes, drained
2
fresh medium Jalapenos, stemmed, seeded, and minced
1
small Onion, diced
½
Yellow Bell Pepper, stemmed, seeded, and diced
¼
cup chopped fresh Cilantro
6
tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
6
tbsp Olive Oil
½
tsp Salt
½
tsp Pepper
½
tsp Garlic Powder
1½
tsp Cumin
2
cps finely chopped Pecans
1/4
cp Garrison Brothers Straight Texas Bourbon
Mix
all ingredients, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Before serving, adjust seasonings to
taste. Serve with taco chips, crackers,
or toast rounds. DO NOT LEAVE THE
BOWL SITTING AROUND IF YOU’VE GOT MURDEROUS RELATIVES!
You
can double or triple the recipe, depending on the size of your crowd and how
hefty the appetites.


The recipe sounds delicious! Thank you for this chance to win! I admire my mom. She's always there for me and does so much for me. My mom is my hero! areewekidding@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThe Nut House Series is new for me, and I am looking forward to reading the books. Thank you for the recipe and the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemyrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
I admire my mom, and my good friend Marti. They are both excellent role models for me !
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great! I admire my mom. She is just the best.
ReplyDeleteDnrocker@yahoo.con
I admire my aunt; survivor of cancer and a strong woman.
ReplyDeletejslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
Mom, of course! Even if she didn't agree with me I always had her support.
ReplyDeletenmpianoforte@hotmail.com
My mom, of course. She is a strong, amazing woman who always gives me her love and support. She is a breast cancer survivor, who at 89 is still trying (and succeeding at) new activities!!!
ReplyDeletesharonquilts(at) yahoo(dot)com
Wow--everybody's Mom! What else did i expect? We just got a new grandbaby on Friday--I don't only admire her--I love her like mad! So beautiful--but aren't they all?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I loved the first Nut House mystery, and look forward to reading this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Linda. I appreciate that. Another one will be out by the end of the year.
DeleteAll of the older women out there who consider their age to be just a number. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and look forward to this installment.
ReplyDeletedmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
I've never read this series before, but it looks excellent and I'm always looking for new books!
ReplyDeleteThe older woman I admire most is my old art teacher. Her name is Joycelyn, and she lived alone in the woods, did all her own yard work, took care of all the surrounding animals, and was generally an incredible inspiration.
gabrycrivee@gmail.com
I've only ever had my black eyed peas by themselves. This makes them so fancy.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds terrific. I'd love to read it.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Not sure what is worse, losing the contest or poisoning the parson! This sounds like a great series I have somehow missed, full of quirky characters. My mother was quite the character. When my first daughter was born she told her/us "Just so you don't get your grandmas confused you can call me Pretty Grandma." I wouldn't mind being like her or Miss Amelia with a little spunk. When my grandkids and great-grandkids say "You're funny, Grandma" I take that as a compliment. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesallycootie@gmail.com
I want to try this recipe. There are two women I admire. My mom and my grandmother. Both have been an inspiration. My mom-mom (which is what we call her) is 97. She is in an independent living apartment however for the last three month in rehab because she can not get rid of this virus. She is still going and refuses to give up. You can't help but love her spunk and zest for life. She said to me the other day.. I will beat this c-diff if it kills me... I told her thankfully it has not yet and her reply was... let it try I will win. busymother@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Mystery Lovers Kitchen, Elizabeth! I love black-eyed peas. But with nuts and bourbon? Yeehaw! This I *have* to try. Your book sounds delightful. Best of luck with it!
ReplyDeleteI am so humbled by all of you fabulous women--cooks, kind people, who love all these strong, older women. Hope you all like the books--another is coming out next winter: NUTS AND BURIED. MORE with Miss Amelia and all those friendly people in Riverville, TX.
DeleteI have never had black eyed peas..this looks like a must try! And the book looks like a must read!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother. I miss her.
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Oh, Karen. Me Too. But I talk to her everyday, even if she's only inside my head. I always know what she would say in any given situation.
DeleteAzelgert@gmail.com love to read this new series I also admire my mom thanks for the opportunity
ReplyDeleteI sent a copy of the recipe to my older daughter. She's interested in always trying new things. I love the title of the book and would enjoy winning it and adding it to my growing (1823 and growing) library.
ReplyDeleteNoraAdrienne AT gmail DOT com
Nora--1823 books! Who dusts'em?
DeleteSounds like a winning Super Bowl recipe. The book sounds like a winner too.
ReplyDeleteBenglish@whro.net
The older woman I would admire would definitely be my Mother. At age 93, she isn't able to get around much. She lives in assisted living now with her younger sister, age 89. At age 13, she to take over the duties of the house and raise her younger sister, as her Mother passed away. She's worked hard all her life, working on the farm with my Father, raising chickens, having a big garden etc. dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading this. I discovered Texas Caviar this past summer when my mom (the older woman I most admire, but don't tell her I called her older!) made it, and this recipe looks even tastier than her delicious version. Thanks for sharing it! amp67@mchsi.com
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, so glad you joined us today!! The caviar looks amazing; so does your series! Enjoy the crowd of readers.
ReplyDeleteDaryl / Avery
I've got to try this recipe---it looks tasty and healthy both. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I'm getting to be in the older category myself. I guess the person I'm closest to is my neighbor. She's more than ten years older and in much better shape. suefoster109@netzero.net
ReplyDeleteMy mother who I miss every single day. Selfless and devoted. Thanks for this great recipe and feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy Aunt Pat was my favorite relative all my life. I miss her terribly. lkleback@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI admire a former colleague of mine. Since her retirement she has been volunteering at a soup kitchen, takes classes to learn Italian, and travels. And she still has time for her family and friends. I want to be just like her! cindy226@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI admire a woman whom I befriended 20 years ago. Always smiling, positive and special. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteShe was my grandmother who died 2 years ago at 100 . That day she called me and said she wouldn't be home her and grandpa were walking over to Mcdonalds to have dinner and they didn't want me to worry that no one ans the phone when I called at my usual time . She slipped in the school year hit her head. She was the one who when I was 15 got me out of my foster home and was a mother to me forever after. I called her everynight at 9 my time and just said goodnight and reminded her to say her prayers that was a little joke between her and I . I wish I could of been the woman like she was everyone who worked for her loved her they would call her at night and just talk the phone rang a lot when she was working . ptclayton2@aol.com
ReplyDeleteBeautiful women--and you, too/ Lucky you found each other.
DeleteI'm going to pick up the first book of this series because it sounds great! I'm admiring Mary Berry on the Great British Bake Off today. She's 79 and a new teevee star! sandysheley AT gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteIn college I met her as my employer but then she became My mentor and now she's a big part of my life. I have known her for 24 years. Zeta@iwon.com
ReplyDeleteRecipe looks yummy! Need to bump this series up on my tbr list. I've always looked up to & admired my grandmother. I have her to thank for my love of reading and so many other things. She was always there for me. Hard to believe she has been gone for almost 14 years. I miss her & cherish her memory everyday. Thank you for the giveaway. Would love to win!
ReplyDeleteScouts579 (at) aol (dot) com
I haven't heard of this series but it sounds like an enjoyable read. I always loved, admired and respected my Grandma and Mom. They were women of faith who helped shape me to be the Mother, Grandma, friend, employee etc woman that I am today. They loved and supported me through good times and bad. servedogmom@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI admire my neighbor who is 90 and so so active. It's such a great role model to know when we get older we don't have to just sit on the couch. I'd love to win the book. kphans08@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI admire any older woman that has taken a bashing in life and still gets back up with a smile on their face. I've been lucky to meet quite a few and I look to them as role models.
ReplyDeleteThe recipe sounds yummy, I have got to try this, and thanks for the chance to win.
momzillasteel at gmail dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun series! Not to sure about the recipe as few in my family like black-eyed peas.
ReplyDeleteTennisace50 @ yahoo dot com
My Mom and various bible study leaders.
ReplyDeletelittleone AT Shaw DOT ca
Being a Texas girl, born and breed I would love to read this series.
ReplyDeletePamela Jo
Theresjustlife(at)gmail(dot)com
My grandmother was a "Proper" Southern lady. Never wore pants. Was never refereed to my her first name. Worked and lived in her own apartment until she died.
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net