KIM DAVIS: Last week I had a new book release, Essentials of Homicide, the third book in the Aromatherapy Apothecary Mysteries. While not a true culinary cozy mystery, I brought in ample food elements with my protagonist, Carissa, having a boyfriend who owns a patisserie and I include a recipe with the book. As I was writing the story, instead of having a firm recipe in hand, I just threw in pastry and dessert items I thought sounded good to me off the top of my head. The recipe that did end up in the book is Lemony Lavender Scones, but since there are a plethora of scone recipes already on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, I hunted through the manuscript for another recipe to create that had already been mentioned in the book.
Here's an excerpt from the book and the inspiration for my Cinnamon Roll Cookies:
Even though the
museum didn’t open until ten, the entry gate to the grounds stood open, so
Pixie and I strolled along the flagstone pathways. My pup was more interested
in chasing the lizards, which darted from bush to bush, than in walking.
Extending her leash to the full twenty feet, I found a stone bench and sat
while I watched her give chase and tried to pounce on the reptiles. The lizards
were much too fast, and I knew she’d never catch one.
Steps sounded on
the pathway, and I turned to find Detective Lamont heading our way. I reeled
Pixie’s leash in, much to her dissatisfaction, and stood.
“Good morning, Ms.
Carmichael.” Detective Lamont carried a to-go coffee cup from my boyfriend’s
patisserie and a pastry bag. “Mind if I join you?”
“Be my guest.” I
sat back down and, once the detective had settled in on the bench, I extended
the leash and allowed Pixie the opportunity to explore. “How did you find me?”
“I’ve been
following you all the way from the patisserie. You really should be more aware
of your surroundings.” She offered the pastry bag to me. “Help yourself.
Everything looked so delicious I couldn’t decide, and I ended up purchasing
more than I needed.”
I plucked a
cinnamon roll cookie from the bag. “Thanks.”
She extracted a
lavender scone and took a dainty nibble. “Hmmmm. This is perfection.”
I took a bite of
my cookie and agreed. “I’m assuming you didn’t follow me just to share pastries
in the garden?”
“You’re right.”
She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. “I thought if you’re not in a rush,
now might be a good time to take your statement. Will that work for you?”
Be sure to scroll down for the giveaway information
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft but not melted
1/2 cup light brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 teaspoons water
Drizzle the icing over the tops of the completely cooled cookies. You can use a piping bag or a spoon. Allow the icing to set for 20 minutes before serving.
Store leftover cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Use parchment paper or wax paper between the layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together.
💕 Click here for a free printable PDF of the recipe!💕
When the movie set becomes a true crime scene, Carissa’s best friend becomes the star suspect. Instead of enjoying the thrills of lights, camera, and action, she’s thrust into untangling the secrets of the glamorous actors who all seem to hide something. While working behind the scenes to sniff out clues and clear her best friend’s name, Carissa must apply pressure and find the killer before someone else is written out for good.
Includes a recipe, plus essential oil and reflexology tips.
AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY
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To celebrate the release of Essentials of Homicide, I'm offering a collection of lavender products along with the first book in the series, Essentials of Murder!
Contest ends 9/17/26 and is limited to US residents. Click on link below and enter via KingSumo.
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Apple
Cupcake Catering Mysteries * Essentials of Murder* Essentials of Death
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Readers, what's your guilty pleasure breakfast treat?
