Thursday, March 28, 2019

Blog Tour and Book Review: PINOT RED OR DEAD? The Wine Trail Msyteries by J.C. Eaton

Synopsis

There’s a lot of noir surrounding this rare pinot. 

As the vineyards in Seneca Lake, New York, prepare for the seasonal “Deck the Halls Around the Lake” festivities, someone is determined to keep pinot noir off the wine list. Hijacked trucks and sabotaged ingredients have made it a hard-to-acquire vintage for the six local wineries—including Norrie Ellington’s Two Witches Winery. 

The case of the stolen and spoiled wines gets stranger when Arnold Mowen, owner of the company distributing the wine, is found dead, the apparent victim of a hunting accident. As Norrie tries to find the connections between the pinot’s problems and Arnold’s death, she uncovers a conspiracy among many locals whose hatred for the wine distributor was bottled up for far too long . . .

Review

If asked, all Norrie wants to do is finish the screen play her publisher is nagging about. Somehow, though, in the short time since she has taken over at the winery for her sister and brother-in-law, this is the second body - but at least this one is more on the neighboring vineyard's property. Not to mention that someone has vandalized the anticipated batches of pinot noir all along the wine trail. 

Norrie uses all the tricks from her screen plays to prove her hunches, with the help, and a few words of caution from her friends. The winery staff have their own idiosyncracies, including the new assistant winemaker. The pace is good, with a bit of seasonal cheer and humor. If you like winery settings (I do!), then you'll enjoy a jaunt down the wine trail to catch the killer of the wine distributor. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.


About the Authors

J. C. Eaton is actually two people - Ann I.  Goldfarb and James E. Clapp.
Ann I. Goldfarb

New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, she has authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington) set for release in June 2017. In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at www.jceatonauthor.com and www.timetravelmysteries.com

James E. Clapp

When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. His first novel, Booked 4 Murder (Kensington) is set for release in June 2017. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching.

Visit their website at www.jceatonauthor.com and Like and Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play IndieBound


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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Book Review: DESIGNS ON MURDER : A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Book 1 by Gayle Leeson

Synopsis

What if you discovered your lively new friend wasn't really...alive?

Amanda Tucker is excited about opening her fashion design studio in Shops On Main, a charming old building in historic Abingdon, Virginia. She didn't realize a ghost came with the property! But soon Maxine "Max" Englebright, a young woman who died in 1930, isn't the only dead person at the retail complex. Mark Tinsley, a web designer with a know-it-all attitude who also rented space at Shops On Main, is shot in his office.

Amanda is afraid that one of her new "friends" and fellow small business owners is his killer, and Max is encouraging her to solve Mark's murder a la Nancy Drew. Easy for Max to want to investigate--the ghostly 
fashionista can't end up the killer's next victim!

Review

This is a fun read. Somehow Amanda is able to see an converse with Max - who is long dead, but oh, so much fun. Then there's the dead body and the handsome guy who moves into the dead guy's space. Max does have capabilities the average sleuth is missing though. She gains information and pushes Amanda to solve the murder. Amanda's fashion is all very retro style. Not that I have the occasion to wear retro-gowns, seeing Amanda's creations might be fun.

The story moves along at a good pace and all the characters renting space in this house for their small businesses have their own quirks and secrets. Why would a collector of old books have books that aren't books at all, but designed to hide something? Along with the twists and turns, the reader also gets a glimpse at Amanda's relationship with her grandfather - who also sees Max - as well as her less than supportive parents. If you like cozy mysteries and don't mind a helpful ghost, you'll enjoy this latest from Gayle Leeson.


FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Book Review - New Release: MANN IN THE CROSSFIRE : A Jarvis Mann Detective Novel by Randy Weir

Synopsis

Is this the end for PI Jarvis Mann?


A surprising murder of an associate sends Jarvis on a trip to San Diego to investigate. A trail of clues direct him to a gang member who wants him eliminated, while a local detective agency is hot on his tail with nefarious plans of their own. Battered and beaten, Jarvis battles to forge on, tracking the evidence and directing him to a dangerous discovery that he may not be able to fight his way out of. Desperate for backup, with nowhere else to turn, he enlists lethal foes to render essential aid. Will these illicit associations spell the end of his career and possibly his life… 

For Jarvis is truly a Mann in the Crossfire.

Review

Jarvis has calmed down some, with nightmares still from the Front Range Butcher. His attorney and friend Barry has him checking out a cheating husband and Jarvis gets the goods and then some. Then out to San Diego to finish what his friend Rocky couldn't do - killed in a boat bombing like his wife and son. The plan is find out who put out the hits on Rocky and his family, when Rocky decided to try for a more "legal" and safe lifestyle. Somehow, as he recovers from one beating, the idea of a safer lifestyle resonates with Jarvis.

As with the others in the series, Jarvis Mann's sense of humor and sarcasm add to the story line. The pace of the story keeps time with the tensions and revelations, and the wait time for the key players to come forward. There are lots of pieces that need to come together to determine who ordered the hit on Rocky and his family, with drugs and gun running, and a few political comments as well. Throughout it all, Jarvis is a bit nostalgic, recalling his previous actions. Is there a future for Jarvis Mann? Not for me to say.

If you've liked the others in the series, you'll like this one. I dare say, I liked it better than the Front Range Butcher. First Jarvis Mann? It is a stand-alone mystery, but you'll like it better if you read at least some of the others, for context, first. For those of you who prefer clean reads and cozies? Pass on this one. This is a hard-boiled mystery with adult content.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

AMAZON


Check out the rest of the Jarvis Mann Detective series:


The Case of the Missing Bubble Gum Card
Tracking A Shadow
Twice As Fatal
Blood Brothers
Dead Man Code
The Case of the Invisible Souls
The Front Range Butcher
Mann in the Crossfire

Sunday, March 24, 2019

NEW RELEASE: DOGS AND MORE DOGS, ANOTHER MURDER : A Sheridan Hendley Mystery #2 by Christa Nardi

Synopsis

An abandoned house, an abundance of dogs. And a dead body or two.

Sheridan Hendley’s volunteer position at Pets and Paws takes a new turn when more than twenty malnourished dogs are found at a rundown house on the outskirts of town. When the body of an elderly woman is found amidst mountains of clutter in the house, a search of the property leads to startling revelations. And another body. While Herman Stoneham’s death is deemed natural causes, his wife’s is not. Where did all the dogs come from and who’s responsible for Justine’s untimely death? Are the two connected? With dogs and murder at stake, Sheridan can't help but get involved in the investigation.

Excerpt: 
Chapter 1


The holiday decorations were packed away, the house no longer festive. I’d procrastinated much longer than any other year and now even New Year’s was a memory. Married to State Police Detective Brett McMann and stepmom to his teenaged daughter, Maddie, about six months now, it was sad to put our first Christmas as a family behind us. Still, I was truly relieved the hustle and bustle was over. Juggling two families had been stressful, though time with my parents and sibs, Kaylie and Kevin, was good. Drinking my never empty coffee, I relished the quiet and uncluttered living area.
“Sheridan, can I go skating with Nedra and Willie? Miss Melina is taking us.”
“Is your room clean? And what time will you be home?” Melina and I both volunteered at the local dog shelter, and her daughter, Nedra was in Maddie’s eight grade class. Little did Maddie know, Melina had texted me already about taking them skating. She knew I was volunteering at Pets and Paws today and this would give Maddie something to do. Winter break is great for a few days and then it gets old.
“Yes, my room is clean. I’ll be home before dinner.”
“Okay. Let’s make sure you have everything and you’re ready when they get here to pick you up.”
I followed her to her room, Charlie and Bella padding behind us. Sometimes Maddie’s teen version of a clean room and mine didn’t quite look the same. At least on the surface, this time we were on the same page. Even Bella’s toys were all assembled in her bed.
“Heavy socks so you don’t get blisters? Extra layers or a coat? It can get cold out there with the wind.” The weather had been pretty mild for Virginia in January so far, with only a few nights of frost, and mostly in the 40s.
The eighth grader made a face. “Jeesh, I’m not a child. Besides extra layers make me look fat.”
“But you’ll be warm. What about the thermals? They’re thin and help retain heat and then you might get by without a jacket.”
“Okay. Okay. Can you get my skates?”
“On it. Skates, gloves, scarf and hat coming up.” I ignored her eye roll and gathered everything together as Melina pulled up.
“Hurry up. They’re here.” She bustled out of the room, grabbed everything and was out the door. I waved to Melina from the door.
Only a few more days and Maddie would be back at school and I’d be back to work at Millicent College teaching on Wednesdays and Fridays. I finished my coffee and cleaned up. After letting Charlie and Bella out, I headed for Pets and Paws.
Smiling, I remembered the way Mrs. Chantilly had all the dogs decked out in bells, bows, and bowties before Christmas. Pets and Paws was in an old colonial home. Mrs. Chantilly lived upstairs and the dogs were downstairs. With Luke’s help, she’d decorated the house, inside and out. She’d always reminded me of Mrs. Claus and for two weeks she dressed the part and bounced around with abundant enthusiasm. More than one of the dogs managed to destroy her holiday trappings around the place from time to time, but she took it in stride.
The house was on the news and people came from all over to view it. She’d go out and invite them in to see the rest of the decorations – and the dogs. Not unintentional by any means, she managed to get many dogs adopted.
I chuckled to myself, recalling when she’d tried singing traditional holiday songs. Unlike me, she had a beautiful voice. The problem was some of the dogs. They tried to sing, too, only the howling was not quite in tune. Sure enough, as I pulled up in front of the house I noticed the decorations were gone from Pets and Paws now, too.
Luke was moving boxes and grunted hello as I arrived. A high school student with some bad habits, like the stray and rescue dogs Mrs. Chantilly collected, Luke was a restoration project. His legal issues led to his “volunteering” at Pets and Paws. When he first started his community service there, he scowled a lot and made me nervous. He was still an entitled beachboy type.
He’d made some attitude adjustments in the past few months and I was glad to see it. I still didn’t quite trust him despite Mrs. Chantilly always singing his praises. Mrs. Chantilly met me at the door, grandmotherly, soft, and light, only without the Mrs. Claus attire. I also noted the bounce in her step was gone. Even though she had to be in her sixties, she always seemed to have energy and a happy face.
“Isn’t this weather just delightful? Sunny, not too, too cold. I heard it’s going to freeze tonight and maybe snow. Those abandoned dogs wouldn’t survive if that happened.”
Now used to her manner of speech, I simply asked, “What abandoned dogs?”
“Over at the Stoneham place of course, near Blake Buchanan’s. Have you ever been to his home? It is beautiful. A mansion fit for a king. His wife, Ava, studied interior decorating you know.”
“No, I didn’t know. Did they find dogs at the Stoneham’s?”
“That’s what I said. Nobody ever bothered the Stoneham’s for many years. Older couple and all, their children grown and gone, they kept to themselves. Justine and Herman didn’t live there when I was growing up here. Someone else did though. Never knew who they were.”
Mrs. Dora Chantilly had left Clover Hill after high school and she’d only returned when her grandmother died and left her the house, now Clover Hill Pets and Paws.  Her grandmother had taken in strays and the place was a mess. I was about to ask again about the dogs, and an SUV pulled up.
“Here they are with more of the dogs. Poor things. Luke and I already fed and bathed the first group Blake brought over. I’m sure glad you’re here to help.”
I followed her as she hurried to the car and greeted Blake Buchanan, former mayor of Clover Hill. He took her in his arms and then seemed to realize I was there. He and Mrs. Chantilly had been an item in high school and they renewed their friendship when she returned.
“Dora, we uncovered a mama and pups.” He shook his head. “One of them didn’t make it. Dane mix. Where’s Luke? Even malnourished, it’ll take two of us to get her and her pups inside.” Mrs. Chantilly rushed to open the door and see to the animals.
“Mr. Buchanan, can you fill me in? Mrs. Chantilly hasn’t had a chance yet.”
He smiled and his eyes twinkled. We both understood that sometimes she was a bit hard to follow. Almost like putting a puzzle together. Me, I prefer things to be in order when someone is telling me a story.
“Last night, I was sitting on the deck and my dog, Bridgit, showed up with a puppy, not in good shape. As soon as I took the pup, she darted in the direction of the Stoneham place. I called to my wife, put the pup in a blanket, and took off after her.”
He paused for effect.
 “The house was dark but Bridgit stood at the front porch and dug to get further underneath. I knocked at the door and no one answered. I called Chief Peabody and then with my flashlight got a look at dogs huddled together from the cold under the porch. With help, we extracted six dogs and two more puppies and brought them here.”
He shuddered. “Such bad shape. Bridgit still wasn’t happy, but that was all we could do last night. Four of us have been on the property this morning. Brought four more dogs earlier. Butch and Bridgit, my best dogs, are helping us wade through it.”
“Huh? What do you mean ‘wade through it’ – is the house that much of a mess?”
“That’s a mild description. Stuff stacked on top of stuff on top of stuff, and the smell.” He shuddered again. “This mama and pups were in the kitchen. We could hear yelping from other parts of the house.”
“Here comes Luke. We need to get these dogs  inside. Sheridan, can you start some formula going? These pups are near starved to death. And we’ll have to keep them isolated until the vet can check them out.”
Luke lumbered up and his eyes about popped out as he looked from Blake to the Dane and pups. “Where are we going to put all these dogs?”
Mrs. Chantilly’s face fell. “Mama and pups in the house. The side room on the right is empty now with all the adoptions. We put the first bunch in the room on the left. You were just in the garage. Is there room in there? Grandpa used to work out there so I think there’s electric heat if we need it and a bathroom, too. Blake, how many more dogs?”
He pulled her close. “Remember, we need to keep these dogs separate from your other dogs. Let me check out the garage. We can always pull your car out. Work on getting them some food and water. Luke, come with me.”
They disappeared. I turned to Mrs. Chantilly, “You stay with them. I’ll go get water and start the bottles going.”
As I walked in to the house, I glanced down at the concrete floor, painted blue slate and sealed. At least if the dogs made a mess, there wouldn’t be any damage. It was about an hour later when we finished relocating the Pets and Paws residents to the larger back room. The two new mamas and pups were situated on one side of the kitchen. They’d been bathed and fed and each family rested on a palette.
That left space in the other side room for any smaller dogs that might come in. If the new arrivals were medium to large sized dogs we moved them to the unattached garage. They’d been fed and some had been bathed, now settled into crates. The heat was on and that at least took the chill off. Not exactly warm, but the dogs would all be out of the wind.
Blake hinted there still would be more dogs coming. With Mrs. Chantilly’s blessing, I sent an email out to all the volunteers with a short note about the dogs coming in and needing assistance if they were available. Whatever supplies were needed, starting with towels and blankets, I was confident Blake would take care of them.

Excerpt from Dogs and More Dogs, Another Murder : Sheridan Hendley #2. Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.

AMAZON

Still priced at $0.99 until April 1st - then $3.99
FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Book Review: SHARPE NOTE SOUR GRAPES OF WRATH : (Maycroft Mysteries #7) by Lisa B. Thomas

Synopsis


YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD FOR A MIDLIFE CRISIS

As Deena and Gary Sharpe celebrate their anniversary, things are not all wine and roses. Gary is restless at his job while Deena just wishes she still had one.

To make matters worse, one of Gary’s clients, a local vineyard owner, commits suicide. However, the victim’s sister thinks he was murdered, and her suspicions lead Deena and Gary to team up to unearth the truth.

Can Deena impress the local newspaper editor enough to get her old job back? Will Gary quit his firm and risk everything he’s worked for on a new business venture?

Review

Maybe not too old, but the "maybe not a suicide" distracts both Deena and Gary from their doubts and melancholy. Deena's changed jobs a few times, and maybe Gary needs a change. In the meantime, they set out to determine if the local vineyard owner really killed himself. Deena is smart and she doesn't do anything stupid or reckless. The pace of the story is good, with clues and red herrings to a makes sense end. And the end made sense. I liked the winery setting and consistently find Deena and Gary likable characters. Although this is the 7th in the series, it is a stand-alone mystery as are the previous six. This is an enjoyable series and this one didn't disappoint.

AMAZON

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Book Review: CHRISTMAS BIZARRE: Mina Kitchen Cozy Comedy Series #2 by Lizz Lund


Synopsis (sort of) from Amazon

READERS' FAVORITE 5-STAR REVIEW !

What do Santa’s Sidekick, a dead lawyer and a geriatric vampire have in common? Meet Mina Kitchen--a forty-something single who finds trouble quicker than she can whip up a batch of breakfast breads. Plural. Her catering disorder runs neck-and-neck with her weird luck, and her cat’s weirder tendency toward gnawing elf gear. Okay, and getting kidnapped a couple of times in one week is a little strange, too.

Her next door neighbor Vito's past as ex-leader of the Moils, the Jewish-Polish Family from Bumville, New Jersey, comes to light and throws a dollop of dilemmas into an already simmering plot.

Top it all off with a counterfeiting ring, a county-wide dearth of holiday wrapping tape, and a mass of pets running loose at the local mall, and what do you have? A recipe for disaster that Mina whips to a froth.

If you're looking for funny novels for women, packed with humor, cozy animals (in the guise of pets) -- and recipes -- look no further. The second book in the hilarious Mina Kitchen Comedies, Christmas Bizarre will keep you smiling when you’re not shouting up a belly laugh. It delivers a LOL tour of Lancaster, “Pee-Ay”, where you’ll discover a lively cast of characters, funny dialogue and lots of twists and turns.

Review


This was a cute fun read, with or without the Christmas theme and elf-shoe eating cat or the sudden panic when there is no tape for wrapping the presents (duct tape, anyone?).  Mina manages, once again, to find a body and all her cooking and baking takes a while to simmer and unravel all the moving parts. It doesn't have to be the holiday season to enjoy the silliness and unique characters Lizz Lund has created.


Friday, March 8, 2019

Blog tour and Review: FINAL EXAM : A Witch City Mystery by Carol J. Perry


Synopsis

A cold case update in Salem, Massachusetts . . .

Life at the house on Winter Street is abuzz with preparations for Aunt Ibby’s 45th high school reunion, and Lee Barrett is happy to pitch in, tracking down addresses and licking envelopes. But as a field reporter for Salem’s WICH-TV, her priority is to be on top of the town’s latest news before anyone else.

When the local police dredge up a vintage sports car containing human remains, Lee is thrilled to be the first reporter on the scene. Once she learns the car is connected to the cold case her boyfriend Pete happens to be working on, her powers of investigation are quickly alerted. But it’s her Aunt Ibby’s emotional reaction to Lee’s TV report that puts her on the case. With the help of O’Ryan, her psychic feline sidekick, she’ll have to unravel a tangled past of secrets and promises to stop a killer from making history again . . .


Review

Lee Barrett is a field reporter for the local television station, and along with her sidekick camera person, Francine, get the story of a lifetime. Only the story also involves Lee's Aunt Ibby and her 45th high school reunion. Lee and police boyfriend Pete work the cold case from different perspectives. Neither of them, nor Aunt Ibby, really understand her visions - actually her cat, O'Ryan, seems to the have the best handle on their importance, but they eventually lead Lee or Pete to look at things differently.

This was an interesting combination of cold case, love lost, and secrets leading to more potentially more killing. There are complications and twists and turns that keep the story moving. Perry also entwines emotions and reactions of the characters that gives them personality or leaves them flat and unknown like Penelope. The ending makes sense, but I didn't have the mastermind nailed. If you like a good cozy mystery with a hint of the paranormal, you'll enjoy this one.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.


About the Author

Carol J. Perry knew as a child that she wanted to be a writer. A voracious reader, whose list for Santa consisted mostly of book titles, she never lost sight of that goal. While living in Florida, Carol was on assignment for Southern Travel Magazine, preparing an article on the world’s largest sand castle which was being built near her home. That combination of events inspired her first young adult novel, Sand Castle Summer. That book was soon followed by half a dozen more.

Carol has always been an avid reader of mysteries. Her debut mystery novel is set in Salem and involves O’Ryan, a most mysterious cat, several witches and some strange Halloween happenings. Appropriately enough, this Salem-born author celebrates her birthday on Halloween Eve! Carol and her husband Dan live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with two cats and a Black Lab. Visit her at www.caroljperry.com.

Purchase Links

Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play 


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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 4 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 4 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

March 4 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

March 5 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, RECIPE

March 5 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 5 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 6 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

March 6 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

March 6 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 7 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

March 7 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

March 7 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 8 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW, RECIPE

March 8 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

March 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

March 9 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

March 9 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 9 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

March 10 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

March 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 10 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW



Friday, March 1, 2019

Guest Post by Tina Kashian, Author of One Feta in the Grave


Today, it's my pleasure to have Tina Kashion as my guest. Not only do we get to find out about her book, but she shares a cookie recipe, too.

Thank you for featuring me as a guest today!

I love to cook all types of cuisine. I grew up in a family-owned restaurant in New Jersey, and my Kebab Kitchen Mystery Series is set in a Mediterranean restaurant at the Jersey shore.

In One Feta in the Grave, Lucy Berberian is a recovering lawyer who returns to Ocean Crest, NJ and her family’s restaurant, Kebab Kitchen. To celebrate a successful summer season, the town plans a beach festival. But things soon take a turn for the worse when an arrogant businessman gets in a screaming match with Lucy’s best friend, Katie, over a sand castle contest. And when the same businessman is found shot dead under the boardwalk, things don’t look good for Katie. It’s up to Lucy to investigate before the wrong person gets skewered.

One of the recipes featured in the book is for date stuffed cookies. I have two girls who won’t touch a date, but when I made this Armenian recipe, then actually thought it was chocolate and loved it. Now, I admit, I didn’t confess the cookies were stuffed with dates until after they had their second cookie. I used this funny experience when writing One Feta in the Grave. Lucy, my sleuth, makes this recipe and gives a cookie to her ten-year-old niece who bites into a cookie and believes it’s filled with chocolate. When she’s told it’s not chocolate, but dates, her eyes widen and her mouth forms an O. It made for a great scene.

I’m happy to share my family’s recipe.


Tina Kashian’s Date Stuffed Cookies 

For the dough:

½ pound unsalted, softened butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sugar
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup warm water

For the filling:

1 ½ to 2 pounds pitted and chopped dates
1 tablespoon unsalted, softened butter
1 cup hot water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the egg wash:

1 egg, slightly beaten
Powdered sugar to sprinkle on cookies after they are baked


        Use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix butter, oil and sugar. Add flour, baking powder, and water and mix on medium speed. The dough should be a soft, pliable consistency. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set it aside for thirty to forty-five minutes at room temperature.

        Now you are ready to prepare the date filling. Combine dates, butter, hot water, sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl and mix on medium speed until well combined.
Flour a work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll out dough until about 1/8 inch thick. Use a two-inch round cookie cutter or a water glass to cut out a circle shape. Place one rounded teaspoonful of date filling in the center of each circle shape. Fold into a half-circle shape. Using a fork, gently press the edges together to seal.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray baking sheets with cooking spray. Place cookies on baking sheets. Brush each cookie with egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Cookies should be golden, not brown. 
Lift cookies with a spatula and place them on cooling racks. Sprinkle with powdered sugar Makes about two dozen cookies. 

Thank you again and enjoy the cookies!


ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE
SYNOPSIS

As summer comes to an end in her Jersey Shore town, Lucy Berberian continues to manage her family’s Mediterranean restaurant. The Kebab Kitchen also has a food tent at this year’s beach festival. But now a local businessman is under the boardwalk—dead by the sea . . .

With a sand castle contest and live music, Ocean Crest bids a bittersweet farewell to tourist season. Summer will return next year . . . but Archie Kincaid won’t. The full-of-himself store owner has been fatally shot, soon after a screaming match with Lucy’s best friend. Katie’s far from the only suspect, though, since Archie had some bitter rivals—as well as some relationships no one knew about. It’s up to Lucy to look into some seedy characters and solve the case before the wrong person gets skewered . . .

Recipes included!

“A delectable read.”

—Bestselling author Shelley Freydont

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UxFd8q

iBooks: https://apple.co/2B9EAsI

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2Bbbuta

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2C8zA9M

Google Books: https://bit.ly/2RTDl8r


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina Kashian is an attorney and a former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. Tina spent her childhood summers at the Jersey shore building sandcastles, boogie boarding, and riding the boardwalk Ferris wheel. She also grew up in the restaurant business, as her Armenian parents owned a restaurant for thirty years. Tina still lives in New Jersey with her supportive husband and two daughters. Please visit her website at www.tinakashian.com to join her newsletter, receive delicious recipes, enter contests, and more!
You can also connect with Tina at:

Website: www.tinakashian.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaKashianAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinaKashian1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinakashian/


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