by Leslie Budewitz
Today is the launch of the first in Leslie's new series, the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries. To celebrate, she's pouring drinks---and offering a signed copy of ASSAULT AND PEPPER to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment.
In ASSAULT AND PEPPER (March 2015), Pepper’s girlfriends Laurel and Kristen take her out for a night on the town to drown her sorrows---and force her to share a bit of information she’d rather keep to herself. The three enjoy a killer dinner at Café Frida, one of the more delicious figments of my imagination, and later settle in to the Diego Lounge for music and aight cap. This recipe doubles as both coffee and dessert.
Mexican Coffee
For each drink:½ ounce tequila
½ ounce Kahlúa
1 cup hot, strong brewed coffee
¼ to 1/3 cup vanilla ice cream
dash of cinnamon, optional
Make the coffee. Use clear glass serving cups if you can, for presentation.
Set out the ice cream. You want it partially melted.
From the cover of ASSAULT AND PEPPER:
Pepper Reece, owner of the Seattle Spice Shop, thinks she can handle any kind of salty customer—until a murderer ends up in the mix…
After leaving a dicey marriage and losing a beloved job in a corporate crash, Pepper Reece has found a new zest for life running a busy spice and tea shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Her aromatic creations are the talk of the town, and everyone stops by for a cup of her refreshing spice tea, even other shopkeepers and Market regulars.
But when a panhandler named Doc shows up dead on her doorstep, a Seattle Spice Shop cup in his hand, the local gossip gets too hot for Pepper to handle—especially after the police arrest Tory Finch, one of Pepper’s staffers, for murder.
Tory seems to know why she’s a suspect, but she refuses to do anything to curry favor with the cops. Convinced her reticent employee is innocent, Pepper takes it on herself to sniff out some clues. Only, if she’s not careful, Pepper’s nosy ways might make her next on the killer’s list…
INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES!

ASSAULT AND PEPPER, March 3, 2015 (Berkley Prime Crime)

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The coffee sounds very tasty and the book as well. Would love to be selected since I spent so much time at the PPM.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Bylsma
And isn't it a wonderful place?
DeleteThe coffee drink sounds amazing! As does the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anon. I hope you love this book as much as I do!
DeleteI definitely need to try Mexican coffee and I need to read the book. Both sound great.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol. Always thyme for a good mystery!
DeleteAssault and Pepper sounds like a great book, and I am wondering if Pepper has any drinks with chocolate in it.... Thank you for a chance to win a copy of this book.
ReplyDeletemyrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Jen. No chocolate drinks so far, but I'm editing the third book in my Food Lovers' Village Mysteries, BUTTER OFF DEAD, which will be out in July and there's a killer cocoa recipe made with nibs!
DeleteI think the coffee sounds delightful but I would probably leave out the tequila...boring I know. Kuzlin at aol.com
ReplyDeleteThe Kahlua alone would still be mighty tasty! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove the Mexican Coffee, Leslie and look forward to the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice chance of the book giveaway.
lola777_22 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Thanks, Lynn! I loved getting to visit Seattle every day from the comforts of home in Montana!
DeleteGreat recipe and AWESOME book! Would love to read it! EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! Have a spicy day!
DeleteThe Mexican Coffee brings back memories of dinners out years ago with a couple of my good work friends. Always to our favorite Mexican restaurant for Margueritas, great food and occasionally Mexican Coffee. Congrats on the release. This looks like it's going to be another great series.
ReplyDeletesallycootie@gmail.com
Food and memories -- so closely intertwined. I hope you love the book as much as I do!
DeleteSounds yummy for a cold night even with ice cream in it. Just the thing to have when you're curled up with a book!
ReplyDeleteIt's like a warm ice cream float! Enjoy!
DeleteThe book and the drink sound like a great combination.
ReplyDeletebevarcher AT me DOT com
Thanks, Booklady! Enjoy the trip to Seattle -- on the page!
DeleteCongratulations on the release! Best wishes on the new series.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Di! Don't you love the title?
DeleteSorry! forgot to leave my e-mail: dm_richards@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIt sounds wonderful - and since I don't drink, I fake it with Mexican Brownies: add a tsp (or more, depending on your taste buds) of chili powder to you brownies before you put them in the pan to bake them. Something about chocolate and chili together just brings out the best in both of them.
ReplyDeletepjcoldren AT tm.net
Chili and chocolate are a perfect combination, and yours sounds yummy! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteA spice shop in Seattle, how cute! Can't wait to start this new series.lilflynracer at msn.com
ReplyDeleteGotta have spice for those gray, wet days! Thanks, Amy!
DeleteI have definitely been looking at ordering this new series as I have enjoyed your other books. suefoster109@netzero.net
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue. They're different in a lot of ways, but the food element ties them together!
DeleteThis sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
Thanks, Sandy. Always make thyme for a good mystery!
DeleteCongratulations, Leslie...happy release day! patucker54 (at aol dot com)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! I'm smiling from earring to earring!
DeleteOMG. I am drooling. Who cannot want coffee, ice cream, and a great mystery to top it off! <3
ReplyDeleteExactly. :) Enjoy!
DeleteThis sounds like a winning new series! I have a son who lives in the area and it's always fun reading about his turf.
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
And now you've got the perfect drink to accompany you on a little armchair travel!
DeleteI'll drink to that! Congratulations, Leslie! Can't wait to pick up my copy at the store, where they are holding it for me.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Elaine! I hope you love it as much as I do!
DeleteI don't doubt I will. Can't wait to visit Pike Place Market again. It has been a few years.
DeleteWow sounds like a great new series . I would love to read and review this one and also look forward to reading the rest of the series when they are available so will have to watch your facebook page for that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, PT! GUILTY AS CINNAMON is scheduled for Dec 2015, and I'm working on A THYME TO KILL right now!
DeleteA wonderful feature and great series. Congratulations and best wishes. Delectable drink. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMerci, ma petite!
DeleteThat Mexican Coffee looks yummy! Congrats on the new series!
ReplyDeleteafarage(at) earthlink.net
Thanks, Alicia. A tad early in the day to drink it, but never to early for a good recipe -- or a good mystery!
DeleteThe coffee sounds delicious and the book is going on my TBR list. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletedmskrug3(at)hotmail(dot)com
Many thanks, Daniele! I promise you tasty food and a solid mystery!
DeleteThis series sounds intriguing. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Traveler, from Pepper and the Spice Shop crew!
DeleteHappy Release Day! I can't wait to add more spice to my life!
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
If no one ever said a good mystery is the spice of life, let me be the first! Thanks, Kathy!
DeleteWow, that is so true!!
DeleteYou hit that nail on its proverbial headbone, kiddo.
Sorry I'm late popping in today -- Mountain time and a few distractions, but SO HAPPY to celebrate with all of you here today!
ReplyDeleteThat coffee sounds really perfect for today---we have snow and wind. Also perfect for curling up and reading the new spice book. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
All the ingredients for a great day of reading! Thanks, Sue!
DeleteThis is a delightful series. The Mexican coffee should be lovely, too.
ReplyDelete