Sunday, October 18, 2015

Two #Cocktail #Recipes! Double Book #giveaway @SusanMacNeal @HankPRyan


LUCY BURDETTE: When I realized that two of my fabulously-talented writer pals from Jungle Red Writers have books coming out in the next ten days, I decided you'd like to hear from both of them. And what could be better for celebrating new books than specialty cocktails? Hank writes nail-biting suspense featuring reporter Jane Ryland, and Detective Jake Brogan. And Susan writes a meticulously-researched historical mystery series featuring spy Maggie Hope. So please welcome Hank Ryan and Susan MacNeal to our kitchen!

First up, Hank Phillippi Ryan with THE AGATHA COCKTAIL:

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: This drink was concocted from the inside out! I had heard about something called pink grapefruit liqueur-- we found one called Giffard Creme de Pamplemousse Rose.

And that sounded delicious! But what, I wondered, should  we create from that? Pink grapefruit liqueur sounded like it should go with vodka, and fresh lime… Right? So my husband and I experimented – – someone has to do the hard work – – and came up with the pink grapefruit martini.

 
And then of course it needed a name. So what is fabulous, unique, and highly desirable? We called it the Agatha.

The Agatha


Four parts vodka
One part pink grapefruit liqueur - Giffard Creme de Pamplemousse Rose
One part fresh lime juice

Shake shake shake with lots of ice in a cocktail shaker.
Pour into a chilled martini glass… Use a clear one, because this drink is gorgeously pink.
Squeeze a segment of fresh lime to each drink, and drop the lime into it.

This is so delicious, Jonathan and I even battle over who gets to have the shaker full of ice. (We share.)
You may want to experiment – – lucky you – – to see how you prefer the sweetness of the liqueur with the tartness of the lime.

Sadly, I have no picture of this but imagine a very pale pale pink cosmopolitan.

As for what Jane Ryland drinks, my protagonist is a red wine girl. And this is her favorite wine. Surprisingly, it is one of mine too. 


And here's a little about the book, WHAT YOU SEE, on bookshelves this Tuesday!
Why would a father abduct his own child? A wedding is planned in Jane Ryland's family, but there's a calamity instead. Nine-year-old Gracie—supposed to be the flower girl—has been taken by her stepdad. Where are they? Is the girl in danger? Reporter Jane Ryland learns there's a limit to the bonds of family—and learns to her peril what happens when loved ones are pushed too far.

Meanwhile, Detective Jake Brogan's got a doozy of a case. At Boston's historic Faneuil Hall, a man is stabbed to death in front of a crowd of tourists snapping photos of the murder on their cell phones. Solving the case should be easy, but the pictures and surveillance video lead to a dark conspiracy of extortion and stolen lives. WHAT YOU SEE puts Jane and Jake face to face with deception, intrigue, and—if they make the wrong decisions—disaster.


Note from Lucy: now for Susan's recipe! The fun thing about this is that she has scenes in the White House in the new book in which President Roosevelt is actually making his cocktails!




SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wasn't a huge fan of her husband's cocktails, which he mixed each night at "Children's Hour" — but every once in a while he could tempt her with an Old Fashioned, especially with lots of fruit.

Here I've created an especially fruity recipe, light on alcohol, that Mrs. Roosevelt may have found pleasing. Cheers!

 
INGREDIENTS:

2 sugar cubes
4 dashes Angostura bitters
1 slice lime
1 slice lemon
1 slice orange
1 maraschino cherry
1/2 teaspoon grenadine
2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
Club soda


In a cocktail glass, place the sugar cubes and sprinkle with bitters. Add citrus slices, cherry, and grenadine. Muddle the citrus. Add bourbon. Fill glass with ice cubes and top with club soda. Stir to combine. 

 




About MRS. ROOSEVELT'S CONFIDANTE, on sale October 27: It’s December ’41, just days after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. England’s intrepid, code-breaking spy Maggie Hope is accompanying Winston Churchill across the pond to The White House where Churchill and President Roosevelt are in the midst of history-making discussions involving how best to join forces to defeat the Axis powers and win the war. When one of the First Lady’s aides is mysteriously murdered and Eleanor Roosevelt herself is implicated in the crime, Maggie finds herself embroiled in a scandalous conspiracy that could jeopardize America’s participation in the war—and ultimately, the world’s fate.



ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL is the Barry Award–winning and Edgar, Dilys, and Macavity Award–nominated author of the Maggie Hope mysteries, including Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, Princess Elizabeth’s Spy, His Majesty’s Hope, and The Prime Minister’s Secret Agent. She lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with her husband and child.



HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the on-air investigative reporter for Boston's NBC affiliate. She's won 33 EMMYs, 13 Edward R. Murrow awards and dozens of other honors for her groundbreaking journalism. A bestselling author of eight mystery novels, Ryan has won multiple prestigious awards for her crime fiction: five Agathas, the Anthony, Daphne, Macavity, and for THE OTHER WOMAN, the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. 
 
Hank will be giving away THE OTHER WOMAN  or THE WRONG GIRL or TRUTH BE TOLD--reader's choice! And Susan will be giving away a copy of MRS. ROOSEVELT'S CONFIDANTE. Leave a comment with your email to be entered in the contest.

75 comments:

  1. This is fabulous! Double the greatness with the books and cocktails. EMS591@aol.com

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  2. Fabulous books, fabulous drinks - can't wait to try all of them!

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  3. There are lots of new books coming out, but these 2 are at the top of my list. Congrats on the releases, and I'll lift a cocktail to you both! Thanks for the terrific giveaway.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  4. Great books and double the suspense. The drinks sound wonderful. Thanks for the great giveaway. poohwine1217@gmail.com

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  5. I am looking forward to reading both of these books . . . congratulations to Hank and Susan!
    The cocktails sound just marvelous. Thanks for the recipes . . . .
    AE215jfe@aol.com

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  6. Both of these books sound interesting.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  7. Pat (patdupuy@yahoo.com)October 18, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    The drinks sound great but I know the books are even better!

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  8. Oh, thank you so much! and psst..I cannnot tell you how delicious the Agatha is. In every way!
    And I am so thrilled you are looking forward to the books! I am, too. Susan and I will be signing together on Oct 30 at Jabberwocky Bookstore--but if you can't join us, click here
    http://www.HankPhillippiRyan.com/what-you-see.php
    for a VERY special offer!

    Happy Sunday!

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  9. Looking forward to reading! rhondajgothier@yahoo.com

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  10. Good morning, lovely readers! I forgot to say in the recipe "add grenadine to taste" — I liked it the way it is in the recipe, but my husband tweaked it (on Friday night when we were experimenting) to be a little sweeter....

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  11. Also, I can't wait to go back to Hank's after our joint signing and say, "Why yes, I _would_ like an Agatha, thank you very much!" Thanks Roberta for having us on!

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  12. Exciting new books, exciting new drinks? What could be better? Artsydoc@gmail.com

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  13. Welcome Hank and Susan! What a great post and generous giveaway. Enjoy your visit. And now I'm thinking that it must be five o'clock somewhere.

    Hugs.

    MJ aka Victoria Abbott

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  14. Wonderful books and such talented authors. I look forward to these captivating new releases and wish the authors much happiness and success. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Great post even tho I don't drink anymore. I am adding both these series to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  16. Thanks for the cocktail recipes. suefoster109@netzero.net.

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  17. Welcome to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, ladies! Poor Mrs. Roosevelt! I'm afraid I'm not much for whiskey, either. I love your fruity concoction just for her!

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  18. Ladies, I wish I lived in the East Coast so I could sip these cocktails and toast your ongoing success - congratulations! And of course, lots of love to you both.

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  19. What a wonderful giveaway. Congratulations on these fabulous novels which interest me greatly. I have read Hank's books and the entire series by Susan which is memorable. Thanks for this great feature and wow giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  20. Ooh, count me in. Love Hank! I haven't read any of Susan's books as of yet but sounds good, thanks!

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  21. Oh, my. I'm a recent convert to the occasional cocktail -- these two look fab -- but what I REALLY want is a bottle of Jane's pinot. The perfect name! Thanks to both of you for joining us here today!

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  22. Both cocktails sound terrific, and they would be great to drink while reading. I look foward to both books, but especially Mrs Roosevelt' s Confidante. Thanks so much for the fabulous giveaways! dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

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  23. Congrats to both of you on your MUST READ releases! Recipes sound wonderful.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  24. Congratulations on the must have releases. Both drinks sounds lovely as well. KayleeNizza91@gmail.com.

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  25. Congratulations on the must have releases. Both drinks sounds lovely as well. KayleeNizza91@gmail.com.

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  26. What an awesome giveaway, the drinks sounds yummy. :)
    steeletrukin@yahoo.com

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  27. Great books and great drink recipes!! Thanks for the fun giveaways!! darholley1@aol.com

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  28. I'd like to try that grapefruit liquor with some gin----MMMMM! The old fashioned sounds wonderful. Thanks for the recipes.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  29. This is so awesome
    Diane Rivera
    quickchangeus@yahoo.com

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  30. How fun that they are both your friends! I am big fans of both and can't wait for the new releases! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. The recipes sound wonderful! Thanks for sharing!!
    mygnomeshome(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. Sounds great. Sjgolding@sbcglobal.net

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  33. Unusual recipes. I have switched to simpler alcoholic drinks in my old age. Bobbipad@gmail.com

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  34. The drinks sound as good as the books!

    davisel1830@hotmail.com

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  35. The drinks sound wonderful and so do the books. jr_dj_gantt@juno.com

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  36. I love the name Giffard Creme de Pamplemousse Rose, and I bet the Agatha tastes sublime. My husband is always looking for just the right recipe for an Old Fashioned, and I think this recipe may be the one! Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on your book releases! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  37. I can't drink alcohol due to an allergy (yes, it's really an allergy) but I'll join you with a lemonade for a drink. Both stories sound wonderful. I'd love to read each of them.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  38. I'd try either drink if someone made it for me on a special occasion. Any occasion! I'd love to win the books!

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  39. I'd try either drink if someone made it for me on a special occasion. Any occasion! I'd love to win the books!

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  40. I would love to have a copy of Mrs. Roosevelt's confident. I love the stories with Mrs. Roosevelt being the sleuth written by her son. I have come to greatly admire this lady and enjoy her stories. jchizmar01@windstream.net

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  41. Oh..these sound so yummy! I will be trying them! Thanks for the chance!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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  42. I am excited for a chance to win either of these books. I love a good mystery! Thank you for the opportunity to win. Crossxjo@hotmail.com

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  43. What could be better than a delightful and refreshing beverage or two to relax the readers while consuming both the drink AND the pages of the books of both authors. (not eating, but devouring, oops, not devouring, but enjoying tremendously; oh gosh, you do know what I mean, I am sure :) ) Thank you for the chance to win a book that I KNOW I will truly love. Sincerely, Cynthia Blain
    ceblain(AT)tmlponline(DOT)net,

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  44. Sounds nice. I would love to win Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante. I have enjoyed the Maggie Hope's series very much.
    b5sycop@nefcom.net

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  45. I love grapefruit, but don't have it often because of my medication. However, I'll happily try The Agatha. I've never heard of grapefruit liquor-I must try to find it. I also love bourbon, so both of these drinks sound great!

    cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com

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  46. I L-O-V-E to try and experiment with cocktails, and all these wonderful books opening up new authors to me...I'm just giddy with excitement
    I think I will go look at high end bar glassware online, then I can read all night!
    bethsiouxtoo@aol.com

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  47. I L-O-V-E to try and experiment with cocktails, and all these wonderful books opening up new authors to me...I'm just giddy with excitement
    I think I will go look at high end bar glassware online, then I can read all night!
    bethsiouxtoo@aol.com

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  48. Both cocktails sound delicious! Especially the grapefruit one. I will have to remember the liqueur the next time I get to a liquor store. Thanks! But now I need a drink...

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  49. Delicious sounding cocktails. Can't wait to try them. elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  50. Favorite authors and books and cocktails. Oh my! I love everything that Hank and Susan write, two favorite authors and series. I've had the great honor of reading What You See, and it is off-the-charts amazing! I know that Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante will be the same.

    I'm really not much of a drinker, but I love bars and talking about drinks and hearing of special mixes. Hank, vodka is my hard liquor that I drink, and the name Agatha is perfect. I told my daughter that she should be glad I didn't name her Agatha after Agatha Christie, as the thought had flitted through my mind. Agatha makes a much better drink name. The Irony wine is now on my list to buy. Just perfect! Susan, I so want to become a bourbon drinker, as my state of Kentucky is famous for that. I think your recipe might just allow me to do that. I'm a big fan of fruit in a drink. I don't particularly like syrupy sweet drinks, but fruit is great. And isn't anything better with a maraschino cherry in it?

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  51. Thank you for the Contest this sounds wonderful. I spent one whole summer in Drama with a group of Friends drinking an Old Fashioned. We would open the windows and sit on a covered Porch and pretend we were in the 1940's and listen to Jazz. We were working a play that was in that Era...I love to listen to how they are made though I usually only touch a glass of wine occasionally.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  52. Can't wait for What You See!!!

    Kellijo23@gmail.com

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  53. What a great giveaway - thank you for the chance to win
    bookaunt at outlook dot com

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  54. Years ago, in my youth, LOL, I used to drink dacquiris when I went out. So I think the grapefruit cocktail sounds the most inviting to me. Thanks for the giveaway. Kuzlin at AOL.com

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  55. These sound fabulous - both the drinks and the books! :)
    mmgage at comcast.net

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  56. Thanks for the chance to win! Both books sound great! Dnrocker@yahoo.con

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  57. Thanks for the chance. Zeta@iwon.com

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  58. WOW! I am floating, reading all of these..thank you! Yes,indeed, that's the fun part. You get to ask--would you like an Agatha? ANd the response, we'll, yes, yes, I would!
    There's also a lemon version that we call a Bestseller. "Would you like a Bestseller?" Well, yes, yes, I would!

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  59. I love these two authors! Each of their new books sound like I must read them.
    The drinks...well, they seem like recipes that NEED to be made! Lets hope I can still read afterwards. LOL

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  60. I don't even drink cocktails, and these still sound good . . . and I especially like the idea of sharing the ice from the shaker ;-) Thanks even more for wonderful books -- I'll never, ever have to be bored with such good writing to enjoy. <3 Happy to have an Agatha or a Bestseller . . .

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  61. Both books sound excellent. I don't drink cocktails but the recipes were still lots of fun to read. Thanks for the fun chance to win! rencw@verizon.net

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  62. I would love to read these new books. Thanks for cocktail recipes. Will have to try them. slpetera@yahoo.com

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  63. I would love to read these books. They sound like fun and scary reading. pamelattfn@yahoo.com

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  64. Can't wait for the books to arrive. I will be looking for the pink grapefruit liqueur but may swap the vodka for some citron rum. Perhaps I need a taste test to see if the vodka wins though.

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  65. Can't wait for the books to arrive. I will be looking for the pink grapefruit liqueur but may swap the vodka for some citron rum. Perhaps I need a taste test to see if the vodka wins though.

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  66. The drinks sound great an so do the books!

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  67. I love the Maggie Hope series and have been looking forward to this new book. I'll drink to that!
    Karlene rebarger@bellsouth.net

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  68. Both of those drinks sound great. Thanks. grammyd01@comcast.net

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  69. I can imagine it now, mixing the drink, the book in my hand, cat in my lap and the fireplace on. Perfect winter's evening! cheers@marjimmanor.com

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  70. A drink and a good book or two . . . txtornado1961@yahoo.com

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  71. I go with the Pinot, but orange bitters might tempt me to the old fashion.

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  72. Yummy but complicated drinks. I'll go with Pinot Grigio. The books sound wonderful.

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  73. I am not much on cocktails. Pretty much stick to daiquiris. But I do love me some Jane and Jake.

    Bettyjo.english@gmail.com

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  74. I am not much on cocktails. Pretty much stick to daiquiris. But I do love me some Jane and Jake.

    Bettyjo.english@gmail.com

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