Kelly Brakenhoff's Blog, page 2

April Book Club: A Cruise for Sous by MJ Mac

If you’re a Gen Xer like me, imagine The Love Boat meets Murder, She Wrote and Top Chef. For Millennials: picture Doctor Odyssey meets Clue. Set sail with a cruise director who’s just trying to keep things afloat, both literally and figuratively. That’s the vibe of A Cruise for Sous, the second book in M.J. Mac’s Cozy Cocktail Cruise Mystery series.

The post April Book Club: A Cruise for Sous by MJ Mac appeared first on Emerald Prairie Press.

Cozy Banana Walnut Scones (with Sourdough Discard + Whole Wheat)

These scones are the perfect example of making something cozy and delicious with what you’ve got on hand. Bananas, walnuts, sourdough discard, and a little whole wheat flour come together for scones that smell like cinnamon and feel like a warm hug—no food processor, no fancy pans, just pantry staples and some good old-fashioned stirring.

The post Cozy Banana Walnut Scones (with Sourdough Discard + Whole Wheat) appeared first on Emerald Prairie Press.

Duke the Deaf Dog Books Named CBC Favorites Award Winners

Big news from the Emerald Prairie Press HQ: Two Duke the Deaf Dog books have been named to the 2025 CBC Favorites Awards Lists! These awards are part of a national literacy program where kids, teachers, and librarians read newly published books and vote for the ones they love most. It’s an incredible honor to have these stories recognized by the very people who share books with young readers every day.

The post Duke the Deaf Dog Books Named CBC Favorites Award Winners appeared first on Emerald P...

Sweet & Savory Alpine Potato Soup

What do football, a polar vortex, and my kitchen have in common? Answer: They all inspired these potato-packed recipes!

The post Sweet & Savory Alpine Potato Soup appeared first on Kelly Brakenhoff - Author.

February Book Club: Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is back, and despite living through 30 (Yes, 30!!) books' worth of car explosions, perilous bounty hunts, and Lula’s daring fashion choices, she’s barely aged a day. Meanwhile, Janet Evanovich, her fearless creator, is now in her eighties. Which begs the question: Is the end in sight?

The post February Book Club: Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich appeared first on Kelly Brakenhoff - Author.

January Book Club: Keeled Over at the Cliffside by Nancy Stewart

Saltcliff on the Sea sounds like the perfect getaway—quaint California seaside vibes, charming locals, and a cozy inn with Instagrammable sunsets. But murder has a way of ruining even the best vacations.

The post January Book Club: Keeled Over at the Cliffside by Nancy Stewart appeared first on Kelly Brakenhoff - Author.

Verso l’alto: Striving for the Heights with Comfort and Joy

Every December, I sit down with a warm beverage and choose a word or phrase to guide me through the next year. It’s a little tradition that helps me focus on what matters most. It doesn’t mean everything magically goes as planned, but it helps me stay open to saying “yes” when the right moment comes along.

The post Verso l’alto: Striving for the Heights with Comfort and Joy appeared first on Kelly Brakenhoff - Author.

Verso l’alto: Striving for the Heights in 2025 with Comfort and Joy

Every December, I sit down with a warm beverage and choose a word or phrase to guide me through the next year. It’s a little tradition that helps me focus on what matters most. It doesn’t mean everything magically goes as planned, but it helps me stay open to saying “yes” when the right moment comes along.

The post Verso l’alto: Striving for the Heights in 2025 with Comfort and Joy appeared first on Kelly Brakenhoff - Author.

Jam Stuffed Scones

This updated version of the classic is a treat for kids and adults. It’s still perfect for little hands to help with the mixing and stuffing, but I’ve added a twist: salted caramel chips! Found them on the chocolate chip shelf at the store and couldn’t resist. Of course, you can use any combination of chips and jam that sound yummy—get creative!

The post Jam Stuffed Scones appeared first on Kelly Brakenhoff - Author.

December Book Club: Here’s Looking at Murder, Kid by Della Pearl

The smell of popcorn, the hum of a projector, and a quiet seaside town with a small movie theater showing classic Hollywood films—sounds idyllic, right? Until a dead body shows up before the credits roll.

The post December Book Club: Here’s Looking at Murder, Kid by Della Pearl appeared first on Kelly Brakenhoff - Author.