Sunday, June 10, 2018

Welcome guest Kate Carlisle + book giveaway!




Bibliophile Appetizer: Ham and Cheese Book Puffs

by Kate Carlisle

I'm a bibliophile. Big time. So much so, that I write a series called the Bibliophile Mysteries, in which a master bookbinder solves murders that are connected to the rare books in her care.

In the latest Bibliophile Mystery, Buried in Books, Brooklyn Wainwright is planning her wedding to the man of her dreams, British security expert Derek Stone. (Even better than James Bond because Derek loves books almost as much as Brooklyn does.) Just before their wedding, the largest library convention in the country hits San Francisco—one of the most bookish cities in the United States.

Hundreds of book lovers in one place! I think that's what heaven is like. Except, you know, murder. You can read chapter 1 here: http://katecarlisle.com/buried-in-books.php





In honor of Buried in Books, I created some bibliophile appetizer recipes to share with members of my mailing list in the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com. Wouldn't these Ham and Cheese Book Puffs be perfect for a book lover's wedding, a potluck party at a library, or for book club?

I had the idea when I got started to carve out letters on the covers of the books. Like this one, with the word READ. On some others, I carved out my initials.




That turned out to be wasted effort because the letters were illegible when the puffs came out of the oven. However, slicing along the spine and putting a vertical line down the front of the spine did show up and made the puffs look more book-like.




I used metal cocktail picks because they sort of look like murder weapons, but you can use toothpicks if you prefer. Super quick and easy to throw these together!


Kate Carlisle's Ham and Cheese Book Puffs


8 oz thinly sliced ham (or turkey), cut into 1" x 1.5" rectangles – a stack of 4-5 pieces will be the pages of your books
4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup French fried onions
½ tsp dry dill
½ tsp garlic salt
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the meat and set aside into 16 stacks. In a food processor, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, onions, dill, and garlic salt until smooth.

Unfold the sheet of puff pastry. Cut it into 16 rectangles. Roll out each rectangle until it's large enough to fold around a stack of meat as a book cover. Spread about 1 Tbsp of cheese mixture on each book cover. Put the pages into the book, fold it closed and, if desired, make a small slice to mark the spine. Hold it closed with a toothpick or cocktail pick. Brush with egg yolk. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet until they're puffy and golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Serve with or without the picks.












If you were going to have a book-themed party, on what book would you base your theme? Why?

ABOUT BURIED IN BOOKS


Matrimony and murder collide as San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright walks down the aisle...

Brooklyn has it all covered. She’s triple-checked her wedding to-do list, and everything is on track for the upcoming ceremony with the love of her life, security expert Derek Stone.

Not everyone has been as lucky in love as Brooklyn. Her old library college roommates Heather and Sara lost touch twelve years ago when Sara stole Heather’s boyfriend. Brooklyn was caught in the middle and hasn’t seen her former besties since their falling-out. When they both arrive in town for the annual librarians’ convention and then show up at her surprise bridal shower, Brooklyn is sure drama will ensue. But she’s touched when the women seem willing to sort out their differences and gift her rare copies of The Three Musketeers and The Blue Fairy Book.

Brooklyn’s prewedding calm is shattered when one of her formerly feuding friends is found murdered and Brooklyn determines that one of the rare books is a forgery. She can’t help but wonder if the victim played a part in this fraud, or if she was targeted because she discovered the scam. With a killer and con artist on the loose, Brooklyn and Derek—with the unsolicited help of their meddling mothers—must catch the culprit before their big day turns into a big mess.

GIVEAWAY











Today, I’m giving away a paperback copy of A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY. US only, please.


You can find Kate on the Internet here:

Website: www.katecarlisle.com
Twitter: @Katecarlisle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/katecarlislebooks






83 comments:

  1. What a cute and tasty sounding appetizer! And these books look like some that I definitely want to read!

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    1. Thank you, Robin. You can read free excerpts of all of my books at KateCarlisle.com. That way, you can try them out without a purchase commitment. :) (Try before you buy!)

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    1. Thank you, Kim. I hope you'll watch for BURIED IN BOOKS on June 26. :)

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  3. Looks yummy!!! (the book and the food!!!)

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    1. LOL! You can nibble on the ham & cheese book puffs while you read! ;)

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  4. Ooh, those look good! And you know I'm a sucker for book restoring (or restoring just about anything). Not to mention San Francisco!

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    1. All in the name of research I ENJOY, Sheila! You know how that goes...

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  5. What wonderful treats. The book sounds captivating. Lovely. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  6. I love the idea of having a party based on a book theme! Hmmm... which book is about keylime pie?

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    1. Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanna Fluke!

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    2. How could I forget? Loved that book!

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  7. The book combined with the yummy snacks interests me greatly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Love that I piqued your interest... did I pique it enough for you to read the free excerpt? ;)

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  8. Welcome back to the kitchen, Kate! I love puff pastry, and these little books are adorable!

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    1. Thank you, Leslie. :) I always feel warmly welcomed in the Kitchen. Check out my recipe for Crab Cake Books if you get a chance--that's my favorite. (It's in the Secret Room of my website.)

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  9. Replies
    1. They are both of those things. :) Hope you enjoy, Jeanette.

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  10. Can't wait to try these AND read the book! Please keep writing so we can keep reading.

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  11. A delightful series and yummy appetizer!
    libbydodd at comasct dot net

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    1. Thank you, Libby! I'm so glad you're enjoying the Bibliophile Mysteries. <3

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    2. Oops That's comcast dot net

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  12. I love her books. I didn't come across her books until about half way in. I've caught up on the fixer-upper series but still need to get her early books from the bibliophile series. I haven't read A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY. I would really love to get a copy. :)
    bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you, Bonnie! I just confirmed a contract to write at least two more Fixer-Upper Mysteries, after this year's A WRENCH IN THE WORKS, so more Shannon & crew to come. :)

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  13. I love the recipe and would love the chance at winning the book, thanks for the giveaway! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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  14. These look SO good and so appropriate for any bibliophile. If I was throwing a book-themed party, I would base it on A Wrinkle in Time. Because it's one of my favorite books. Thanks for the chance to win! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Ohhhh, I love it! It's been ages since I read that book. I think it needs a re-read. Thanks for planting the seed, Autumn.

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  15. Love to read sounds like a great book to read

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    1. Thank you, Margaret. I hope you'll love BURIED IN BOOKS.

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  16. I really like this reciperecipe; easy enough that even I won't mess it up! I love to read cozy mysteries so this sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. I don't think recipes get any easier than this one, Cheryl. :) If *I* can do it, anyone can!

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  17. Hi Kate. Your books are awesome Love finding great recipes

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    1. Thank you, Judy. That's such a nice thing to say!

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  18. Please enter me. I would love to read this series.
    Wendy Clark
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

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    1. Good luck, Wendy. If you don't win, you can read free excerpts of all of my books at KateCarlisle.com.

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  19. I think your appetizers looked yummy! Your story sounds yummy too!

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    1. LOL Yummy is what I'm all about, Sharon! Hope you enjoy them both.

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  20. What a fun recipe! Would love to win this book. I'm only up to number 3. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. You have lots of fun reading ahead of you, Riley. :) Brooklyn and Derek met in book 1, and they're about to get married in BURIED IN BOOKS. <3 It's been so fun to grow their relationship over the course of the series.

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  21. Julie and Julia - brings back memories of watching Julia's PBS show
    with my Mom.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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    1. Oh, that would be a wonderful theme! The food would be incredible. :) I wonder how Julia Child would feel about store-bought puff pastry. She'd probably make it from scratch.

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    2. Taurus, you're the winner of Kate's giveaway. She'll be in contact. Congrats! Tell a friend. ~ Daryl

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  22. I'm excited about the ham appetizers and your book!

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  23. I can’t wait to read the new book, and the appetizers sound delicious! Thanks for the chance to win. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Chris. I hope you'll love BURIED IN BOOKS. Not long to wait now. It comes out in about two weeks.

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  24. The book puffs are so cute & look yummy too!
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. They really are adorable! And you can't go wrong with either puff pastry or cream cheese. How could it be bad? :)

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  25. I love your Fixer Upper series. I would love to find another mystery series to read. The appetizers look and sound delicious! ��

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    1. Thank you, Janice! Did you read the Fixer-Upper Mystery novels first, or did you discover the Hallmark movies first?

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  26. Maybe we should base a party on The Hobbit. We’d have tons of food and drink. Because, hobbits, you know.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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    1. That party would have fun costumes and decor, too!

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  27. Those savory book puffs look adorable and delicious! You know, I have yet to read a brewery cozy mystery, but I know they exist. I would be tempted to set a party around such a story complete with beer tasting.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  28. Perfect for book club! They look amazing! I can hardly wait for buried in books. I really enjoy the fixer upper series. A cookbook conspiracy sounds intriguing and thank you for the chance. A party with clues to find a scavenger hunt would be fun, with one of your books as the theme.

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    1. Oh, that would be really fun! I love a good scavenger hunt. When I wrote BOOKS OF A FEATHER, I included a scavenger hunt. Readers can look for every character with a bird-related name, and then check the answers from the scavenger hunt answers in the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com.

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  29. I can’t wait to make these for book club! Such a fun, tasty idea. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to Buried in Books. I’ve waited eagerly for Brooklyn and Derek’s wedding. I know it will be quite the adventure. Kchinetti at gmail dot com.

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    1. I hope your book club will love them, Karen! They really are delicious and soooo cute! If you do make them, I'd love for you to send me a picture. You can contact me via my website or on Facebook.

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  30. Would love to read your book and make the recipe! Thanks for the chance to win!!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot CO

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    1. Good luck, Faith. I hope you'll love BURIED IN BOOKS.

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  31. I am going to have a mystery themed party for my daughter's birthday, it's just before Halloween. I'd love to have a mystery themed party for adults, but I'm not sure I have enough friends for that, Lol. I don't get out much anymore unless it's for my kiddos. The kids would love these, but I'm not sure they would appreciate them as much as I would. Oh, I'm starting a bookclub, there's my mystery group right there! These would be great for bookclub too. Thank you for sharing! konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. These would be the perfect bite-sized treats for a book club meeting. And I think kids would love the, too. There's really nothing in these to which most kids would object.

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    2. It's decided, they are going to be our first meeting snack!

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  32. Thank you so much for sharing !! I would love to have this book to read !!

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  33. I have never used puff pastry so making these appetizers well be fun. A new mystery book would be fun too.
    Sue
    seffichinchilla@outlook.com

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    1. Oh, puff pastry is SOOO good! Buttery and flaky. One of the recipes I included in BURIED IN BOOKS is for Beef Wellington with Swiss Cheese Sauce, and that uses puff pastry, as well. They are truly scrumptious.

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  34. What a cute appetizer! I've only made waffles with puff pastry and they are so good. I'm going to give these a try. Looking forward to reading "Buried in Books".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Waffles with puff pastry??? That sounds delicious! I'm going to have to try that. Thanks for the idea, Dianne, and for your enthusiasm for BURIED IN BOOKS.

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  35. I love the appetizer and would love to read the book too! Thanks, legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  36. I would base it on Agatha Christie's "Bertram's Hotel" and I would have a real English Tea complete with scones, jam, clotted cream, real seed cake (Miss Marple loved it) and sandwiches, cakes, Macaroons etc. Thank you for the contest.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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    1. Oh, I love that idea! I approve of anything linked to Dame Agatha. :)

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  37. I love my cozy mysteries, but if I was to do a themed party it would be Harry Potter. Thank you for this opportunity. I love your books! Wjcline@att.net

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    1. A Harry Potter party would be super fun, and I'm sure you'd have NO problem finding decor! Thanks for your sweet comment about my books, Casey.

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  38. I love her books! Can't wait to read this one! brichardson0056(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, Becky. :)

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  39. The book and the recipe both sounds great. im2early4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. I have not tried your books, so it would be great to win one. Thanks!
    browninggloria at hotmail dot con

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  41. Cindy Mucha BartonJune 11, 2018 at 9:57 AM

    My first book love was a cozy mystery. Baking, cooking and fixing up places are my favorites. I love trying the recipes in the books!

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    1. I've included six recipes in BURIED IN BOOKS, Cindy. I hope you'll love them!

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