One lucky reader will win a signed copy of Hot Wings and Homicide and other goodies.
And a special bonus: the first in the series, Murder Most Fowl, is a 1.99 Kindle Deal for the month of May!
There are
two things Beth Lloyd knows for certain: a good wing can turn any day around, and
trouble has a way of finding her.
In Hot
Wings and Homicide, Beth and her twin brother Seth are serving up their
signature dishes from the Kluckin’ Good food truck at the Flavors of the Bay
Food Festival. Business is booming, tensions are high, and when a murder rocks
the event, Beth finds herself once again caught between keeping the fryer going
and figuring out what really happened.
And if
there’s one thing she can count on through all of it? Wings.
This
recipe is a little special to me. It’s one my husband and I came up with
together. A little spicy but full of flavor (well, spicy for me, I’m a wimp).
It’s also the first recipe I asked readers to name. In an online poll, readers
chose between three names, and Wings of Fire won by a landslide.
This is an
exclusive recipe that’s only given out at book events. It hasn’t officially
made its way into the series, but I’ve been thinking, it might. So, consider
this your exclusive sneak peek.
And I’d
truly love to hear what you think: should this stay a behind-the-scenes treat,
or does it deserve a permanent place in a future book?
Wings of
Fire
Serves 4–6
Ingredients
3 pounds
chicken wings
1
tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon
salt
½ teaspoon
pepper
½ teaspoon
garlic powder
½ teaspoon
onion powder
1
tablespoon honey
4
tablespoons butter, melted
½ cup hot
sauce (Frank’s RedHot or similar)
Preheat
the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly
grease it.
Rinse the
chicken wings and pat them very dry, then place them in a large mixing bowl.
Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, tossing until the wings are evenly coated.
Arrange the wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for
20 minutes, then flip the wings and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes,
until they are crispy and browned.
While the wings finish cooking, whisk together the hot sauce, honey, and melted butter in a small bowl.
Transfer the hot wings to a large bowl and toss them evenly in the sauce until fully coated.
Serve immediately with celery, carrots, and ranch dressing if desired.
(A note from Leslie: Mr. Right and I are traveling right now and he ordered hot wings for dinner last night, in Taos, NM. When I showed him this recipe, his eyes lit up!)
A Little Something Extra
One of my
favorite things about writing this series is bringing food into the story, not
just as a detail, but as part of the experience. That’s why I include recipes
in the back of my books, so readers can step into Beth’s world long after the
final page.
If you’re new to the series, this is actually the perfect time to start, A Murder Most Fowl (book one) is currently on a Kindle deal for just $1.99 for the month of May.
Let’s have a giveaway!
To
celebrate the release of Hot Wings and Homicide, I’m giving away a
signed hardback complete with all sorts of goodies to one plucky winner!
To enter, leave a comment and tell me: Should this wing recipe stay an exclusive… or become a permanent feature in the series?
(Please leave your email address to enter. U.S. mailing addresses only. Winner will be announced Thursday, May 14.)
About the Author
Carmela
Dutra writes cozy mysteries steeped in food, family, and Bay Area flavor. Her
Food Truck Mystery Series debuted with A Murder Most Fowl, praised by Kirkus
Reviews, Criminal Element, and New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams.
She lives in the Bay Area with her family and pets. Find her on Facebook and
Instagram: @authorcarmela Or check out her website www.carmeladutra.com
Hot
Wings and Homicide
releases May 12, 2026 from Crooked Lane Books
Website: carmeladutra.com
Instagram:
@authorcarmela
Facebook: @authorcarmeladutra
This wing recipe looks like it is yummy 😋 & delicious love wings like this.
ReplyDeleteFor giveaway: I say it should become a permanent feature in series, looking forward to reading series in print format.
HOPE I WIN!!!!
don.stewart@zoominternet.net
Thank you! It's my husband who came up with the recipe. I promise we’re all still alive and healthy after eating them 🤣
DeleteCongratulations Carmela! those wings sound amazing and I just bought some wing sauce with no real plan:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy! What's the wing sauce flavor? Maybe it’ll spark an idea for me to share for you?
DeleteGreat recipe. I like seeing recipes in some of the books that I read.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy recipes in books too. There's a few I've made and are now staples in our menus.
DeleteThank you for the recipe and the chance to win. I'm torn about keeping the recipe exclusive and between featuring it in a book. I can see it in a book about a fundraiser for a local fire department with the firefighters competing with their best wing recipes.
ReplyDeletemadamhawk at gmail dot com
Oh, that is actually a great idea. A fundraiser in a story and someone 😵 after a hot wing challenge?
DeleteThe more I think about this, the more I love the idea of Beth partnering her truck with a local firehouse for a fundraiser. Thank you for the idea! My husband is already listening to me to brainstorm ideas for different directions.
DeleteThat is a fabulous idea!
DeleteLove me some wings! I always look forward to recipes in books I'm reading. These wings should definitely become a permanent feature in the series. Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think I might add the to the truck. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love mysteries with food and recipes and if the wings are mentioned in the book I'd definitely like to see the recipe included, though I do see the fun of having a exclusive recipe. I think it should eventually be included but in some kind of special way, like a story that really showcases the wings. Or I read a series that teased a special cake throughout and finally included it in the last book in the series.
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oh I like that! Currently, I have an exclusive wing recipe card for each book that's not included. I'm thinking of keeping a few cards for limited giveaway bundles.
DeleteWings sounds good. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteWings are always a good choice in our house!
DeleteWelcome to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, Carmela, and a huge congrats on your new release!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having me on today as a guest blogger. This is so fun! Mystery and food, what more could you ask for?
DeleteWelcome to the Kitchen, Carmela! This sounds delicious. I love the honey and hot sauce combo. Congratulations on the new release!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ang! I remember your panel at LCC and loved listening to all of you chat about books and food. We had honey hot wings on release night and I loved them! Sweet but not much heat. Definitely going to add something similar.
DeleteSounds like a great recipe you should add to book. Deborah deborahortega229@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIt seems like most agree, make this a regular food truck feature.
DeleteWelcome to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen! I can't wait to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteThank you for welcoming me to your kitchen.
DeleteDelectable and appetizing wings. They should be a permanent feature in the series. saubleb@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea! Right now I have a rotation if wing offerings in the book. This could become one of those.
DeleteBeing that some readers might be into spicey hot food, use it in another book. Not just the food, itself. But the recipe, too.
ReplyDeleteSo funny enough, I don't like spicy wings. These aren't, the heat isn't the kind that burns (I’m a whim) but because I know there are ones like me, book one includes the Kluckin’ Greek Wing and the exclusive recipe card for that book is the Plucked Cajuan.
DeleteBeing that some readers might be into spicey hot food, use it in another book. Not just the food, itself. But the recipe, too. johnlong83@rocketmail.com.
ReplyDeleteIts should be permanent. Thank you for the chance to win AlAm22@msn.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by!
DeleteAdd it to the series for those who aren’t able to attend events
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
Mg husband suggested I add a recipe page to my website. I can include all recipes from the books and the exclusive cards there.
DeleteLove wings for picnics and football gatherings. Book looks like a fun read
ReplyDeleteThey're one of those snacks that's easy enough to transport and share with friends. If you eat enough, they're a full meal!
DeleteI think it should be a permanent feature. I love when recipes are included in books. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI love when recipes are included too!
DeleteThis is so funny, because back in the 1990s, I used to joke about writing a book called "Wing it With Leslie," full of nothing but wing recipes. (This was before they became all the rage, and they were still pretty inexpensive.)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting the Kitchen today, Carmela, and congrats on the new book!
Let's do it! I dress my best friend up in a giant chicken costume for book events, I can lend her costume to you. I’ll include her too if you really want, but she does peck at people. it’s also funny that you mentioned that because I remember my grandfather in the late 90s to early 2000s saying something very similar about chicken wings. “One day these are gonna become all the rage”
DeleteI love hot wings and this recipe sounds yummy!! I think it should definitely be a permanent feature
ReplyDeletebaker.sally1969@gmail.com
What I love about this recipe is its not too spicy, because I'm a wimp 😂 thanks for stopping by!
DeleteJust one more thing about not being able to eat chicken anymore that I miss, wings! There is a restaurant around here that used to do 10 cent wings one night a week. Ah well, I love the idea someone posted earlier about a fundraiser for the firefighters using this recipe! I think you should use it in that book and create a new recipe exclusive for events! Congrats on the new book release! I look forward to reading it, makennedyinaz at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI love the idea too! I'm already brainstorming ideas for a future book. I've also been playing around with a vegan wing recipe for my non-meat-eating readers. Each book includes a side recipe that’s vegetarian, but I need a wing one.
DeleteI just love discovering new (to me) authors, so Carmela, it's lovely to meet you! I only discovered cozy mysteries and culinary cozies about six years ago. They combine everything I love to read, and I'm having so much fun spending time with all of you wonderful writers! The recipes in each book is such a bonus! Murder Most Fowl is now in my Kindle. I think the wings recipe should be a permanent feature. lgmiller831@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLovely to meet you too! Cozies are my comfort read, but add food and you have a reader for life. Thank you so much for picking ho book one. That book has the Kluckin’ Greek Wings as the included recipe. Enjoy!
DeleteDelighted to have you with us today, Carmela! Thanks for making us all hungry. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Leslie, for welcoming me to guest blog today. I'm always excited to chat about books and food with fellow readers and authors.
DeleteThis recipe sounds delicious. I vote for making it a permanent feature. Delighted to learn about your series. snead(dot)sarah(at)gmail(dot)(com)
ReplyDeleteI think it should be a permanent feature in the series.
ReplyDeleteKitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net
I liked the idea of the recipe being in the books - the firefighter wing challenge fundraiser sounds like a great way to introduce it.
ReplyDeleteI have one question about the recipe - does the baking powder go on the wings with the other seasonings before cooking?
Thanks for the opportunity to win the book! I am looking forward to reading this series.
Yes, the baking powder goes on the wings. I hope you enjoy the wings!
DeleteWelcome, Carmela, and these look yummy! I have to bring appetizers to a dinner party Saturday, so thank you for doing the recipe hunting for me. Your series sounds fun and I look forward to digging into it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I’m so glad to hear that! I hope you have a great time and that everybody enjoys the wings.
DeleteThe recipe sounds yummy! Yes leave it! Maybe have different versions and flavors for the wings also. almaj80(at)suddenlink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteEach book has its own flavor wings to match the book. I think this one needs to be added for a firefighter book like has been recommend.
DeleteYes, the recipe should be part of the series, which sounds really interesting. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI've loved all the feedback from readers here. Definitely adding this into the series.
DeleteI definitely think it should be in the book. anitalklaboe(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteThe recipe looks good. I vote a place in the books. awanstrom(at)yahoodotcom
ReplyDeleteI agree, as does the rest of the comments. Wings of Fire has earned a place!
DeleteI think the readers have spoken!
ReplyDelete💯 Wings of Fire will be added to a future book!
DeleteLooking forward to trying this recipe myself, thanks for sharing! I say keep it on the menu. tracy.condie@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it when you make them.
DeleteDefinitely should be a part of the book series. Looks and sounds yummy! cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI’m loving the idea of adding this to a firefighter book where maybe Beth is catering an event.
DeleteFirst of all congratulations on your book. I love reading cozies! I vote that it stays! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI agree that it should be included! Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteJess
Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
Yes! readers have spoken it will be added
DeleteI'm voting for the hot wings to be a permanent feature of the series!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I think I’m going to make a page on my website for recipes from the books as well.
DeleteEkmum1@gmail.com Permanent feature please
ReplyDeleteI agree! Readers agree, it's happening!
DeleteThe recipe sounds delicious. It should be a permanent feature. baileybounce2@att.net.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteThis recipe should be a permanent feature. Thank you! deborahdumm(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm excited to make it a permanent feature.
DeletePermanent feature Thank you
ReplyDeletekookicookie@yahoo.com