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:
Diva tote bag;
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.
