Sunday, May 27, 2018

Welcome Darci Hannah!









A very warm welcome to Darci Hannah, whose new series A VERY CHERRY MYSTERY launches June 8th with CHERRY PIES & DEADLY LIES! Darci loves to bake for her family, and rumor has it she's a big coffee drinker, too!

Don't miss her giveaway below!

 





Thank you, Krista, for having me as a guest on the Internet’s most scrumptious, and cozy, website! Like the wonderful hosts of this blog, there’s little that gives me more joy than sharing one of my favorite recipes with a friend, or being able to tell them about a great book. Well, today’s my lucky day, because I get to do both.

Cherry Pies & Deadly Lies (available June 8th), is my first book in the new A Very Cherry Mystery series. And for this cherry-loving Midwesterner, setting a cozy mystery in the heart of cherry country (the beautiful Door Peninsula in Wisconsin) is basically a dream come true. I grew up sampling the region’s signature dish, the classic Door County cherry pie, and although I now live in Michigan, the largest producer of tart cherries in the US, there’s just something so special about Door County that I couldn’t help myself from writing about it. Whitney Bloom, my resourceful, millennial heroine, is also very glad that I did.

It’s late May and Chicago baker Whitney Bloom knows that the cherry orchards in Cherry Cove, Wisconsin, are in full bloom. She grew up on an orchard there, and her parents own the iconic Cherry Orchard Inn. Whitney also knows it’s the weekend of the inn’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, a fun-filled three-day extravaganza of cherry-centric events, culminating with the highly competitive Cherry Pie Bake-Off. Whitney’s grandma Jenn wins it nearly every year. This year, however, Whitney keeps “forgetting” to return her mother’s calls. She knows that her parents could really use her help at the inn, just as she knows that her mother wants her to enter her signature deconstructed cherry pie in this year’s bake-off, something Whitney is hesitant to do. Sure, she believes that her delicious cherry creation is up for the test. But returning to Cherry Cove would put her in the same town as Tate Vander Hagen, the former love of her life, and she just isn’t prepared to do that. Tate (aka Vanderlicious) is her kryptonite. Worse yet, her mother still adores him. It’s a dangerous combination any way Whitney looks at it. Nothing can break her resolve to stay in Chicago and focus all her energies on her cherry-centric online bakery, Bloom ‘n’ Cherries!—nothing, that is, until she learns that there’s been a murder in the orchard. Her resolve is further shattered when she learns that all fingers are pointing to her dad as the culprit.

Of course, I just couldn’t resist sharing one of my favorite cherry pie recipes! This one isn’t in the book, but it’s a show-stopper. I mean, really, who doesn’t want their own cherry pie?

Individual Door County Cherry Pies

Ingredients:

Unbaked pie crust for two pies, (I cheat and use refrigerated pie crust for this recipe, but you’re welcome to make your own!)
6 cups frozen tart cherries (Although I recommend Door County cherries any Montmorency cherries will do. Most grocery stores carry them in the frozen fruit section.)
1 cup sugar
4 Tbs. corn starch
1 tsp. lemon juice
3 Tbs. butter

For the topping:
¼ cup butter (1/2 a stick)
½ cup flour
½ cup brown sugar

Instructions:
1.     Preheat oven to 375º
2.     Prepare muffin pan by spraying each cup with nonstick spray (I use a giant muffin pan for this recipe!)
3.     Roll out pie crust. Find a cup or bowl large enough to cover the cups of the muffin tin, and cut out dough circles. Line individual muffin cups with pie dough, crimping the top of the crust. Set aside.
4.     Place frozen cherries in large saucepan over medium heat. Add the teaspoon of lemon juice, cover and stir occasionally. After a few minutes, the cherries should start releasing juice. Keep covered and remove from heat.
5.     In a small bowl mix sugar and cornstarch together until combined. Pour mixture into the warm, juicy cherries and mix well.
6.     Return cherries to the stove and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the liquid loses its cloudy appearance and becomes thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in the butter.
7.     Make crumble topping. Place flour and brown sugar in small bowl. Cut in the butter until small crumbs form. Set aside.
8.     Fill prepared muffin cups with warm cherry filling. Top with crumble topping and put in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until done.
9.     Remove from oven and let cool. Before serving remove the individual pies from pan and top with your favorite vanilla ice cream and a dollop of freshly whipped whip cream.

Enjoy!















Darci is giving away a copy of CHERRY PIES AND DEADLY LIES to one person who leaves a comment. 
Don't forget to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win!

60 comments:

  1. Hi Darci!

    Totally looking forward to checking out your book and definitely making some cherry pie! Yum! Good luck on your release!

    My email is jerseygirl51582@gmail.com.

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  2. What a great new series and I am looking forward to reading it! This idea for individual pies is one I am going to be using! Thank you for the recipe! The cover of the book cracks me up!
    debprice60@gmail.com

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  3. I would love to win a copy! Thanks for that recipe! I will definitely have to try it:)
    anitaparis48@gmail.com

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  4. This sounds amazing. Thank you for the delicious recipe too. I can't wait to dive in ❤
    lilyanngill56(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Cherry pie and ice cream! Yum!! Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Memorial Day weekend.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Love the title. Those mini cherry pies my husband would love but I'm not much of a baker. Thank you for this chance at the giveaway. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. Would love to win. Thanks for recipe. pwtish171(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I enjoy new mystery series and eagerly look forward to reading Cherry Pies and Deadly Lies. What a unique idea, to make individual cherry pies. I plan to make this soon. Have not made a cherry pie in a long time. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  9. I love the idea of miniature pies. Great idea since I am the only pie eater and I can give gifts to friends! Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win acopy is a nice bonus!
    My email is teddi1961@arcemont.com

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  10. Thanks for joining us today at Mystery Lovers Kitchen, Hannah! We're thrilled to have you nd your pie looks delicious!

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  11. Looking forward to making these adorable pies and reading. Thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail(dot)com

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  12. What a fabulous cover! Congratulations on you new series; it sounds great. I love the idea of individual pies. Thank you so much for the chanre to win!
    magicgirl2357@yahoo.com

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  13. Sounds like a really great book! Thanks for this chance.
    1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Thanks for visiting Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. Your new book sounds great, as does your recipe. I love the idea of individual cherry pies, and they look amazing. I'll have to see what kind of cherries I can find at our grocery store here in Colorado ~ bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  15. My favorite is cherry pie. We actually we in that area of Michigan one summer long ago and got great pies from bakeries.Thanks for a new mystery and a chance to win.Candykennedy45@gmail.com.

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  16. Cherry pie is one of my favorites
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  17. I love any series with food and recipes in it. As for that luscious cherry pie recipe I'll send it to my daughter who is the baker for most of us.

    I'd love to win a copy of your new book and add it to my food cozy collection.

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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  18. Cherry anything is my favorite!!!
    Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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  19. I would be honored to win a copy. I would post reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
    agavigan@cox.net

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  20. The book sounds great, and the recipe looks delicious! Thank you for this chance! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. Taylor R. WilliamsMay 27, 2018 at 11:52 AM

    I used to live in Wisconsin. Your book sounds awesome. I get my books from the library so would love to win your book. trwilliams 69 at msn dot com

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  22. Cherry Pie is my husbands favorite. Can't wait to read this cozy, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  23. As a kid my favorite pie was cherry. I’ve made it close to Door County over the years but never actually got there. This sounds like a winning start to a new series I want to read.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  24. This sounds like a great new series. Welcome to one of my favorite posts. Who doesn't love Cherries!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your new book. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net

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  25. Great recipe cannot wait to read this abeachlifesc at Yahoo dot com

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  26. Welcome to the Kitchen, Darci! The book sounds as tasty as the pies!

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  27. Yummy recipe! Your book sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    cecilialyoung at gmail dot com

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  28. I like the idea of individual pie(lette)s. Makes adjusting the recipe easy.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  29. These pies look delicious...and not too difficult to make. Will definitely need to try them out! And the book sounds great, too!

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  30. Oh boy, that looks so good. I love cherries and am looking forward to a new mystery series!
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

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  31. I can't wait to read this book. Congratulations Darci Hannah! Unfortunately we will be out of town at the book launch at the library. Otherwise, we would have been there. Wishing you much success with this series! jgmiller32@yahoo.com

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  32. Yay! A new author! The cherry pies look great! Can't wait to try making them.
    Knapp.MP@gmail.com

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  33. What a yummy recipe! And hearty congratulations on the new series. I hadn't heard of this series, so I will be putting it on my TBR list. aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. The new book sounds wonderful. Can't wait to read it. And the recipe is to "die" for" :) . ( nvictoria77@yahoo.com )

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  35. These little pies are adorable & look really yummy.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I'm drooling just looking at the pictures of those little pies. This might become a must-read series for me.
    suefarrell.farrellgmail.com

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  37. The new series sounds great. Not sure I would make the recipe. I'm not that good at baking.

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  38. This recipe is perfect for this patriotic weekend! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to this book as well! Debbie(dot)Erickson14(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. Thanks for the delicious recipe! Book looks so good. Thanks for the giveaway!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  40. Delectable recipe for summer. Your book would be greatly enjoyed. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  41. Love this delightful treat and the book is captivating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  42. This looks like it will be a fun read and start of a great new series — the title is perfect for summer! Thanks for the chance! lgillettemartin (at) gmail (dot) com.

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  43. I'm from Michigan's orchard country and it's nice to be able to go right to the orchard to buy whatever fruit is in season. This looks like a recipe will try and I'm looking forward to reading the book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. Seems like it's going to be a great series. I should be prepared to preorder

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  45. Love the cover. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance. im2early4u(at)gmail (dot)

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    1. im2early4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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  46. Yummy recipe! Would love to win the book. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot)com

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  47. The recipe made me want to run out and buy cherries to make it. Thank you for the chance lamonicaks (at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. Looks like a good book

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  49. Karen.bartsch@yahoo.comMay 27, 2018 at 9:44 PM

    Good looking pie

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  50. The recipe looks great & I love cherry pies. The book sounds like a delicious read. Thanks for your generosity. lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  51. Oh that pie looks so good.I want to try that recipe. I absolutely love the name of this book. Thank you so much for the opportunity to try and win.

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  52. Thanks for the recipe - love cherries!

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  53. The pie looks delicious, and I really like the book's cover.
    browninggloria@hotmail.com

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  54. I'm looking forward to reading this book; it sounds like it will be a great read. And the recipe photos look great! I've enjoyed cherry pies since I was a child - and used to enjoy climbing my grandparents' cherry tree with my cousins (although we were told not to, but the temptation was too strong). dhins20155 at gmail dot com.

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  55. Sounds like a cute cozy series!
    Ajf95@aol.com

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  56. I really want to read this book. The pie looks delicious. Thank you for the chance.

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  57. The cherry pie recipe looks amazing. I can't wait to make it for my next party. Cherry is one of our favorites. Looking forward to the book too!!
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. Both your book and recipe sound/look delicious!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  59. The individual pie idea is awesome. Could I freeze them to selfishly keep for myself? I'd love knowing that I have a supply "just in case." Lol. Adding to my TBR, thank you! konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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