LUCY BURDETTE: We sure hated to see our friend Krista Davis leave the kitchen, but lucky for all of us she's back for a visit! With four giveaways! Welcome Krista!
KRISTA DAVIS: It’s such a pleasure to be back at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen. I love the new lineup of authors here and enjoy seeing their recipes. It has been so long that I have four giveaways today. Don’t miss them at the bottom of the post!
I began this year with the release of THE DOG ACROSS THE LAKE in the Wagtail series. Holly’s family comes to celebrate Oma’s birthday, and her cousin lands in hot water. It’s the first time her dad has made an appearance. There’s even a family tree in the book!
The DIVA DELIVERS ON A PROMISE will be out in trade paperback on April 23rd.
On May 21st, the 17th book in the Diva series, THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD will be in bookstores. No, it doesn’t take place on a cruise. The theme is food boards, which are the easiest way in the world to entertain. Almost no cooking required. Hit the cheese, deli, cracker, and fruit sections of your grocery store, unpack, and place on a wood or marble board. It’s that easy! Large ones for big parties become the center of attention. Just remember to give yourself a couple of hours to assemble everything nicely. Or you can use a small cutting board with cheeses, crackers, and a bunch of grapes for an appetizer if you have a smaller group.
Today, I’m offering the recipe for a drink that I love. While a glass of wine is always appropriate, sometimes a special drink can really amp up the festivities. This is super easy and can be made in advance, leaving you free to enjoy the company of your guests. Please be sure to use “culinary lavender” when you make this.
Lavender Lemonade
Lemonade base with lavender and a spirit but can be served as a mocktail without the alcohol.
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup culinary lavender
1½ cups lemon juice
4 additional cups water
1½ cups vodka
Sprigs of fresh lavender or lemon slices for garnish
Make the lavender syrup first because it need to steep.
Place ¾ cup sugar in a heat proof bowl. Boil the water and pour it over the sugar. Stir to help it dissolve. Add ¼ cup culinary lavender and stir. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while it steeps.
Meanwhile squeeze the lemons. Pour the lavender syrup into a pitcher and add the lemon juice, 4 cups of water and 1 ½ cups vodka. Chill before serving. To serve, pour into individual glasses and garnish with a fresh lavender sprig or lemon slice.
GIVEAWAYS!
To enter, please tell me which item you would like to win:
THE DOG ACROSS THE LAKE, a mass market paperback;
THE DIVA DELIVERS ON A PROMISE, a trade paperback;
or THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD, hardcover.
Please note that I do not have copies of The Diva Goes Overboard yet, so I will ship it when I receive them, probably in May. I’m so sorry, but US addresses only for the giveaway.
Krista, welcome back! That drink sounds divine. Tell us more about culinary lavender as opposed to...what? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAs opposed to ordinary lavender. I didn't know that there's a difference!
DeleteHi Krista, I’d like to enter and win The Diva goes Overboard! I’m so excited to read it !
DeleteSounds refreshing. I could use one, we've went from 30s to 70s in a couple days (although we're supposed to drop back to 40s by the middle of the week). Oh, spring!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win The Dog Across the Lake.
kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
Wow. That's an amazing temperature swing!
DeleteI’m not sure why it came up anonymously but my email is kimrus717@gmail.com . Thank you !
DeleteThat sounds good. I haven't tried anything with lavender yet. I'd like to win -THE DIVA DELIVERS ON A PROMISE.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!l, Krista! The drink recipe sounds so good and refreshing! I just might have to make it! Lavender and lemon together sound so good. Thank you so much for the chance! I'd love to win The Diva Goes Overboard. I LOVE the book title. LOL.
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
The Diva Delivers on a Promise
ReplyDeleteI’m so excited to make the drink recipe, perfect for Spring! I am reading your Paws and Claws series now and I love it! I’d love to win a totebag. 🤍
ReplyDeleteOpps, didn’t intend to comment anonymously!
DeleteThe dog across the lake.Thank you for the chance.Gogo2007@rocketmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of your Diva series. I would love to have a copy of the newest, the Overboard, book. I have all the others. suefoster109 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on another book! I just read The Dog Across the Lake and it was wonderful. I would love to win The Diva Goes Overboard. Thanks for the chance. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteSounds good! I would love either of the diva books!
ReplyDeletebmedrano34 at yahoo dot com
Oh that sounds delicious for the springtime. Thank you for the chance to win. I'd love to win The Dog Across the Lake. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteLove Krista's books. I would love a chance at The Diva Goes Overboard. jessicajay913 at Gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteLove the tote bag or the diva goes overboard
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a special drink for spring and summer! I would love to have The Diva Goes Overboard when it comes out in May!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I would love, THE DOG ACROSS THE LAKE. Thank you for the chance, Barbara. fotw_1999@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLove your books! Would love either the totebag or The Diva Goes Overboard. Thanks for the chance! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love the Diva series and cannot wait for the new book! I love everything you write! I am so happy so see you back here once again, even if it is just a visit and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy choice would be the tote, since I purchase all the books anyway.
Thank you for the chance love the tote bag or Diva Delivers on a Promise deborahortega229@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi! I’ve enjoyed reading your books and would really appreciate winning your book The Diva Goes Overboard 😊 You have such fun titles!! Thanks 🙏 ❤️
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
ReplyDeleteI have a question on the recipe. Do you strain the lavender syrup after it steeps?
I'd like The Dog Across the Lake (or any of them, really!).
Really would like to know about straining the syrup.
DeleteThe lavender lemonade look so tasty and refreshing. Lavender is a lovely flavor. I would love to have the tote since it is very special and would be appreciated, used and enjoyed. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHello! I would love to win The Dog Across the Lake! Thank you and welcome back!
ReplyDeletehgray2533@gmail.com
DeleteLove the recipe. Been using culinary lavender off and on. Mostly when making shortbread cookies for get-to-gathers. Would love to win one of the paperbacks. The Diva Delivers on a Promise or The Dog Across the Lake! Have not read either of them. And would love to do so. Appreciate this. And the recipe. Yum. dee potter at chenturylink dot net.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you here, Krista. While I'm not a lemonade fan (I actually do not like lemons), your version sounds quite refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD.
Thanks for the chance!
Have a great week.
barbiefan(@)comcast(.)net
How fun, now I have another way to use some of the lavender in my spice cabinet. I am a huge fan of the divas. Would love to have either one. Every time I finish a book with a heavier bent, I go look for one of the Diva books. They make me laugh and totally want to move to Alexandria! Thank you for them!! makennedyinaz at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win The Dog Across the Lake book! Please and Thank you. Mandab978@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSounds like an excellent drink. Would love to win THE DOG ACROSS THE LAKE.
ReplyDeleteKitten143(at) (dot)
Love all of your books. I have listened to each of them more than once. It makes me feel like I am back visiting with old friends. I would love to have the tote bag. Such a good way to spark a conversation about your book series and share what wonderful books they are!
ReplyDeleteSince I have read and loved all your other books, I would love a copy of the Diva Goes Overboard! Thanks. Abretske@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe diva goes overboard
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the refreshing drink recipe. If I win, I would love a copy of The Diva Delivers on a Promise. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love all your books! I would love to read The Diva Goes Overboard
ReplyDeleteLavender Lemon sounds amazing. The bag would be great to carry books! Love to receive The Dog Across the Lake. Happy Sunday!!
ReplyDeleteI love the drink recipe. I have lavendar syrup from a local lavendar farm. I’d love to win the hardback of your new book. Will you autograph it if I do?
ReplyDeleteHello, Krista- Question: Where does one find culinary lavender? I've never heard of it. Also, since you're a new author for me, I would be happy to win any of the titles in your giveaway. They sound awesome! a007gyrl@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of The Dog Across the Lake. Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait to make the Lavender Lemonade! Looks and sounds delicious 😋
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win the Diva Tote Bag!!
Would love the diva goes overboard! But would truly be happy with any of them! Drink sounds like just what I need today!! A beautiful day out! 💕 vpostlewaitbss@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe Diva Goes Overboard. zweigenbaum@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteHi Krista
ReplyDeleteI would love any of your give aways today. I am collecting your books in paperback so one of those would be fantastic.
Great recipe!!. Would love to win The Diva Goes Overboard! Thank you for the chance
ReplyDeleteOh yummy!! I like a lavender lemonade when I have a migraine. The Diva Goes Overboard!
ReplyDeleteI would like to win The Diva Delivers on a Promise. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win The Diva Goes Overboard. Love all of your books.
ReplyDeleteHi, Krista! I love both the Diva and Wagtail series. Since I am a pushover for dogs, I would love to win Dog Across the Lake. Thank you for this opportunity. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteLove your books! The recipe sounds amazing, I have never heard of culinary lavender syrup. Will have to look for it. Sounds very refreshing. I would like to read "The Diva Goes Overboard". Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I would like The Diva Goes Overboard. I like all your series but I really enjoyed The Dog Across the Lake. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThe dog across the lake would be my choice! Thanks for sharing the recipe. tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would like to win The Dog Across the Lake. Thank you for the chance. D Bahn. At iw.net
ReplyDeleteAll are great but Diva delivers on a promise
ReplyDeleteI would love the Diva goes Overboard
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy of The Diva Goes Overboard
ReplyDeletehi krista! i am probably one of your readers who asked about a cruise setting ha. i would love to win your tote bag - what a special memento! annabmfreelance gmail.com. thank you =)
ReplyDeleteThe Diva series is my favorite! I’m so excited for the new book. I’d love to win the tote bag. Lisa Hawkins onlysleepn@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious! I’d like to win the dog across the lake
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the tote bag to take to the library. I made lavender lemonade once without the vodka.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the tote bag. Thanks for offering.
DeleteHello Krista. So happy you are back. Your books are some of my very favorite to read. I would love to win the copy of The Diva Goes Overboard. Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win The Dog Across the Lake. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book! I can’t wait to read it! I would love to win The Diva Goes Overboard. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win The Dog Across the Lake. Thank you for the chance. bella_ringer@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to have The Diva Goes Overboard. I have read all the other ones. The tote looks pretty cool too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the yummy sounding Lavender Lemonade recipe. And yes, sometimes the easiest things are the best!
ReplyDeleteWould LOVE the opportunity to read and review THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD and then be able to add it to my book collection. Thank you so much for your most generous giveaway! <3 Hoping to be on of the very fortunate ones selected.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I absolutely love your Diva series and would love to read Diva Delivers on a Promise. I’ve read all up to this one
ReplyDeleteThe diva goes overboard. The lavender lemonade sounds great. Thanks for the chance to enter! Khpinelake (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI love the series and would choose The Diva Goes Overboard. Thank you for the drawing. I'll definitely need to try the drink. It looks great! Crain.julie54@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI didn’t realize there was a “culinary lavender.”
ReplyDeleteI’d love to win The Dog Across the Lake!
Thank you.
dolphingalsmurphy(at)yahoo(dot)com
Congratulations on your upcoming new cozies, Krista! I am intrigued by your recipe using lavender 🥳 I would never have thought of making a drink with it. I confess to not having read your Diva series, but love your other two series. I have to correct my mistake 😹 Thsnk you for your generosity and kindness. Joy! Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! I love your books. The Diva Goes Overboard would be great. Keep those stories coming!!!!! Enola egmtaylor@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI would like to win The Dog across the Lake!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of The Diva Goes Overboard! Thank you so much for the chance!! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would love to have the tote bag. I've read all your series from the start of each, but this one has a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of The Diva Goes Overboard. I’ve read all the others several times. The Diva series is SO good—I love Sophie and all her pals!
ReplyDeleteI love this series! Thank you for this chance, and for sharing the recipe. I would love the tote bag. areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDelete