Kate Collins's Blog, page 322

Dru's Cozy Report: December Reading List

Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report. I will be sharing, on a monthly basis, my views on current cozy mysteries. This month's theme is Christmas.

[image error]Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle is the 8th book in the "Coffeehouse" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley, November 2010

The holidays bring more than eggnog lattes and gingerbread biscotti to the Village Blend. When manager and head barista Clare Cosi finds a red-suited body in the snow, she adds solving Santa's slaying to her coffeehouse menu. Clare's grown very fond of Alfred Glockner, the part-time comic and genuinely jolly charity Santa who's been using her coffeehouse as a place to warm his mittens. When she finds him gunned down in a nearby alley, a few subtle clues convinces her that Alfred's death was something more than the tragic result of a random mugging despite the conclusions of the police. With Clare's boyfriend, NYPD detective Mike Quinn, distracted by a cold case of his own, and ex-husband, Matt, "investigating" this year's holiday lingerie catalogs, Clare charges ahead solo and discovers this Santa had a list that he was checking twice—and the folks on it were not very nice. Then someone tries to ice Clare, and she really gets steamed. Between baking delicious Christmas goodies and fending off the attentions of a persistent professional elf, Clare sets out to solve St. Nick's murder. But she'd better watch out, because if she fails to stop this stone-cold killer, she may just get the biggest chill of her life.

It's Christmas and thoughts of holiday-themed lattes, visits with family and friends were on Clare's mind when she found Santa's body in an alley. Clare, believing he was murdered starts to investigates and when her life is threatened, it's evident that she getting closer to the killer. I really enjoyed this murder mystery and the spirit of the holiday season woven throughout. The plot was well written and the dialogue entertaining. This page-turning and action-filled mystery kept me guessing with surprising results. The appearance of Madame is always a welcome sight. This holiday fare was a joyous read.

Visit Cleo Coyle's website at www.coffeehousemystery.com/

FTC Full Disclosure - The author sent me Holiday Grind, in hopes I would review it.

[image error]The Diva Cooks a Goose by Krista Davis is the 4th book in the "Domestic Diva" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley, November 2010

It promises to be a jolly holiday for Sophie Winston, until a scrooge steals the gifts from her family and neighbors and even pinches their holiday meals! Sophie quickly ends the neighbors' finger-pointing by organizing a toy swap for the kids, restoring the spirit of the season. But not for long. When her sister-in-law's father shows up to the festive gathering with a diva girlfriend just a month after his separation, more than one person is thinking of murder. And when the girlfriend becomes the victim of foul play, some of Sophie's relatives are at the top of the suspect list. Her detective boyfriend, Wolf, is out of town, so it's up to Sophie to chase the goose and cook it, because nobody ruins her Christmas!

Sophie is all set to have a nice family gathering when an unexpected wedding announcement is made that mars their dinner. The next day Sophie finds Bonnie, the bride-to-be dead, murdered, as a family member becomes the primary suspect. Sophie believes in their innocence and we watch as she discovers others who have stronger motives to want Bonnie dead. What a great read! This mystery held me captive from beginning to end. I couldn't put this book down as I wanted to know who were behind the mysteries in this charming tale. When I thought I knew who did what to whom, the author kept me guessing. The festive winter setting, the clever plot and the interaction among the characters was delightful. This entertaining story is filled with holiday cheer and delicious recipes.

Visit Krista Davis' website at http://divamysteries.com/Domestic_Diva_Mysteries/Goose.html

FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy The Diva Cooks a Goose, in hopes I would review it.

[image error]Christmas Mourning by Margaret Maron is the 16th book in the "Deborah Knott" mystery series. Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, November 2010

It's the holiday season in rural North Carolina's Colleton County. Sheriff Dwight Bryant and his wife, Judge Deborah Knott, have propped his traditional pine tree in the living room. Christmas lights have been hung. Aunt Zell's famous fruitcake has arrived. Deborah can't wait to celebrate with Dwight, her stepson Cal and all of her colorful relatives. Then a tragic car wreck casts a dark cloud over the revelry. A beautiful young cheerleader dies in the crash, and her community is devastated. But Dwight soon learns that the girl's death wasn't a simple accident. And more lives may be lost before Christmas Eve unless Deborah and Dwight find the killer—or killers.

I look forward to my yearly visit with the Knotts family and this one did not disappoint. Deborah and Dwight are excited this holiday season with this being their first year anniversary as they celebrate it with their family and friends. When a young girl dies from a car crash and two more deaths occur, both Dwight and Deborah begin to suspect these deaths are connected. As they try to solve this intriguing mystery, the holiday is upon us and you can feel the warmth and love everywhere the Knott family and friends gather together. This is one Christmas that Deborah and Dwight will never forget. I always finish this charming and enjoyable read with a smile.

Visit Margaret Maron's website at www.margaretmaron.com/

FTC Full Disclosure - I bought my copy of Christmas Mourning.


For more of my book musings, visit my website at http://notesfromme.wordpress.com/

Way at the Bottom of the Earth

This week I'm posting on my daughter Serena's new project for NASA. I haven't mentioned this before, but my Doctor of Internal Medicine daughter was a Flight Surgeon for NASA for two years, working along with the other NASA scientists and engineers on the International Space Station. She loved her work, particularly since being involved with NASA had been a life-long dream of hers. I still remember watching Serena sitting in front of the television watching one of the space shuttle lift-offs. She must have been 9 years old. I sensed something "clicked" inside her and lit a flame of interest that has never gone out. It burns still.


Well, after two years of intense effort working on the ISS, NASA announced it was once again accepting applications for astronaut candidates. All applications had been closed for five years. Serena threw her hat into the ring. I wasn't surprised. She told the family: "If it happens, great. If not, I'm already doing the work that I love." That's definitely a win-win. After an entire year of intense interviews and physical exams that went stem to stern--literally--Serena was one of nine astronaut candidates chosen in June 2009 out of over 2500 applicants. Five men and four women. If you'd like to check them out, go to www.nasa.gov and on that home page find the Search box. Enter "Astronaut Class 2009." If nothing comes up, go to the Archives section and search there. It will bring up photos and short descriptive paragraphs on all nine candidates. They are called "candidates" because each new class undergoes two years of intensive training before they can "graduate" to full-fledged Astronauts.

Serena and the others began their training that August of 2009, and it will be completed in late May 2011. Along the way, they've had at least two research trips to Arizona and New Mexico to hike over the mountains with geologists and learn about the various elements found here on earth and on other planets. They also hiked around with the geologists searching for meteorites, since they are the best examples of what elements are actually "out there" in outer space and other planets. And early this summer, Serena was chosen by NASA to join a special team of scientists that search for meteorites at the South Pole. Yes, that's all the way at the bottom of the earth in Antarctica. Apparently, geologists from various international scientific organizations schedule two-month long research trips to Antarctica during the area's summer--December and January.


Why Antarctica & the South Pole? Because that's the best place to spot meteorites apparently, and there are regular sightings--and findings. That's why the scientists have targeted that locale. So---instead of celebrating Thanksgiving with all the rest of us like she did last year, Serena left the day after Thanksgiving for Christ Church, New Zealand to meet up with others on this year's research team to acquire the specialized outer gear required. When all assembled, they flew off to McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. There they have started a week-long survival training while the Supply folks start gathering the cargo that the two separate teams of researchers will need while out in the "field." The field being the huge expanse of ice. They'll live two to a tent where they will sleep and cook their food---out there on the ice. They'll be out in the field for 45 days consecutively. Apparently during their "summer," most of the winter snow has melted from the top of the ice leaving the permanent bottom layers. That's why it's easy to spot meteorites on that blue white expanse of ice.


The scientific expedition posts a blog every day talking about what the research teams are doing. Each researcher takes a turn. Serena has already posted on 12/5/10. I did notice that the photos posted had mislabeled Serena and her tent-mate, Melissa. In case you check it out, Serena is wearing a blue snow jacket. :) Moms can always find their kids, no matter where they are. Here's the link below: http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/ansmet1011/

Shopping Therapy

by Kate Collins

"Life goes on" were words that, at first, cut through my heart. How could my life possibly go on when it no longer existed? My life as I knew it, anyway. For a few weeks after my husband's passing, I could barely force myself to buy groceries. Shoes? Clothing? Bah humbug. What was the point? Who would appreciate them? The sales clerk?

But then here comes the holidays, with our children expecting to exchange gifts. Home for the weekend, they decided that we should do a family shopping day. We would stop at Starbucks for coffee, then hit the stores, looking for presents for each other.

Sigh.

I couldn't very well play Mrs. Grinch. It wasn't fair to them. They're healing, too, after all. And at least I'd have company for the afternoon.

So we piled into my car and off we went. The department store was jammed, so the kids split up, each heading in a different direction. I followed the youngest to the junior department to search for THE JEANS. (Cough) As if there was such a creature. Got her situated in a dressing room, then reconnoitered with the other two.

Heading back to the dressing room to check on progress there, I spotted a very snappy jacket. For me. I paused. Hmm. It would be a nice buy for my next writer's conference. Ultimately, however, I continued on.

At the end of the aisle, I did an about face and went back to take another look at the jacket. A little voice in my head said, This is what my Greek would have picked out for me. (He was my personal shopper.) I tried it on, and it did look smart. But I put it back on the rack, the thought of buy something new without my husband too painful.

I found my daughter ecstatic about finding two pairs of jeans. My stepdaughter was happily browsing the make-up section. My son was doing laps around the store, having tired of the whole scene.

So I took another look at the jacket and decided, okay, maybe it would be nice to have something new. I could almost feel my husband urging me to get it. The kids loved it, too. Sold.

I had a few moments of buyer's remorse when I got home. But then I realized that purchasing that jacket was as much about having something new as it was to remind me that life does indeed go on, even though someone mourning a deep loss often feels like it never will.

Tiny slivers of hope come in minuscule increments, and sometimes they leave behind feelings of guilt. But those, too, will diminish, I imagine. And next April, if you attend Malice Domestic Mystery Writers convention, you'll get to see my new jacket.

Do you think shopping is therapeutic? Or do you really hate it? Are you a cyber-shopper or a hands-on shopper?

How My Husband Rolls

by Leann

My husband has a new truck today--used, but new to him. He has been shopping for this truck for more than two years. Yes. Not months. Years. When the "clunker" option came around last year, he decided the best deal was to trade in his very old truck for a new car for me, rather than get a new truck for him then. He has since been driving our twelve year old Camry as his pursuit of the best deal on a truck continued.

Here's some background on how DH operates. It's what I call the procrastination method. The following scenario has happened not once, but twice, and therefore qualifies as a method. He drives a car until it has hundred of thousands of miles and it starts to fall apart piece by piece. When it no longer runs or it needs major repairs, he buys a used vehicle and leaves the old vehicle sitting in the driveway. (We have a three car garage and a good size driveway.) He doesn't trade the thing in, he doesn't even put a "for sale" sign on it. He just leaves it there. Then, someone comes to our door with a wad of cash and says, "That car's been in your driveway for a long time. You want to sell it?" Yes, this has happened not once, but twice.

Last week, in the parking lot at work, one of the women he works with backed her big Jeep into the back of the twelve year old Camry. Smashed it up good. But, now the universe has offered a new method. The woman's father is the sales manager at a large car dealership. In return for my husband not filing on the insurance for repairs, he was offered a very very nice deal on a truck just like the one he's been looking for for two years. Hmmmm. Does stuff like this happen at your house??

Oh Christmas Tree!

By Lorna Barrett

I'm putting up my Christmas tree tomorrow.  (Today I'm doing a craft fair at School #46 in Rochester--250 Newcastle Road, Rochester, NY  14610, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Will you be there?)

It's artificial, seven-foot tall, and pre-lit.

To draw out the fun,I'll decorate it Monday evening during Happy Hour.  The hubster prefers to watch me do it, and since I enjoy the endeavor (which can take up to three hours), I have no problem having an audience.

Many of our ornaments have special meaning.  Like the "Our First Christmas Together" ornament that came from Quincy Market in Boston (bought on our honeymoon--on a very hot day in July), or the carved and painted Santas made by my (late) Dad.  I collect old nursery rhyme ornaments from the 1950s, as well as others with song titles (like Silent Night, Jingle Bells, etc.).

I love my Christmas tree and have been known to keep it up through January.  (Um...I was busy writing a book.  When you're on a roll, you don't like to stop the momentum.)

Have you put up your Christmas tree--and if so what special ornament makes you smile when you hang it?

Giveaways

By Heather

It seems to be the week for giveaways. If you're not playing the 12 Days of Bookmas game sponsored by Bookend Literary Agency, you might want to give it a try. Free books are involved. Who doesn't love that?

Speaking of free books, I'm in the mood to give one away. Just post a comment about what's at the top of your holiday wish list, and I'll randomly choose a winner to receive an autographed copy of Truly, Madly. In the spirit of giving, you may want me to sign it for a friend...

I'll post the winner on next Friday's blog, so be sure to check back to see if you've won.

Happy Friday!

Black Beans & Vice Winners!

Congrats to the folks who commented on Thanksgiving Day last week and were chosen to win a signed copy of Black Beans & Vice.
Cheryl's Pearls of Wisdom
and
Sally
(Please drop me an email with your mailing address to:jbstanleyauthor@comcast.net within 7 days or another winner will be chosen)

Bring 'Em some Buckeyes

I love to bake cookies during the holiday season. I love to roll out the dough, check the oven to ensure that the edges of the cookies have turned the perfect golden brown, and to decorate snowmen, bells, stars, angels, and reindeer using sprinkles and dozens of loaded pastry bags of colored frosting.
I love to fill cookie tins with wax paper and an assortment of handmade goodies. To me, this is a true gift from the heart. I sing hymns and carols while I make cookies and I deliberately try to inject each batch of sweet, buttery dough with merriment.
Last week, I made buckeyes, which are technically a candy and not a cookie. But if you've already made batches of divine fudge (like my pal Maggie Sefton) and still want something chocolate-flavored and bite-sized to round out your cookie tins, then look no further than these chocolate and peanut butter bits of bliss.
This recipe makes a ton, so you'll have plenty to pass around. (My family likes to eat theirs right from the freezer.) The trick is to keep your buckeyes small (marble-sized). Enjoy!
Blissful Buckeyes

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups peanut butter

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups confectioners' sugar

4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into balls the size of a marble (or buckeye nut) and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.

Chill in freezer until firm, about 45 minutes. Don't take them out until you're ready to use them.

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. (You can also use the microwave). Stir frequently until smooth.

Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate using a toothpick. Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on wax paper and refrigerate or freeze until serving.

I bet Perry Mason adored a buckeye!

Spicy Memories

I dedicate this month's blog to my mother, who died two years ago on November 28th. She was an amazing woman, emigrating from Holland to Canada on her own with her six children, raising them to be strong and successful adults. She was determined and feisty, creative and energetic.

Memories of my mother are often triggered by food, as she was an adventurous cook and an amazing baker who loved creating in the kitchen. She inspired that same passion in me and my siblings.

This morning I pulled a recipe out of my collection, written in her hand, and there she was, sitting on my shoulder as I measured and mixed. The spicy aroma wafting out of the oven transported me back to her kitchen.

I'm sharing that recipe with you today. Gevulde speeculaas is traditionally a treat for Sinterklaas feest, the feast of St. Nicholas on December fifth. My mother baked it for special occasions year round. The speeculaas part is a spicy shortbread, flavoured with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. And the gevulde part, literally translated as 'filled,' refers to the sweet almond paste filling.

I hope you enjoy the recipe. I'm going to go have a piece with a cup of tea, and think about my mother.

GEVULDE SPECULAAS

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1½ cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder 1½ tsp nutmeg

½ cup cold butter

¼ cup milk

¼ tsp salt

Speculaas Spices:

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1½ tsp ground cloves

1½ tsp nutmeg

Almond Filling

¾ cup ground almonds

½ cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

½ tsp grated lemon rind

1. Make Filling: Blend together ground almonds, sugar, 2 Tbsp egg and lemon rind. Set aside.

2. In a bowl, sift flour, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and baking powder and salt. Stir in brown sugar.

3. Using pastry blender cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in enough milk just until ball forms. Knead two or three times until dough holds together.

4. Divide dough in half. Press one half into bottom of 8-inch pan. With wet fingers spread almond filling over dough to within ¼-inch of sides. Roll out remaining dough between wax paper. Invert onto almond paste.

5. Brush with remaining egg and press whole almonds onto top.

6. Bake in 350ºF oven for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Let cool on rack.

Black Shopping Weekend

Yes, I was out holiday shopping this past Saturday & Sunday---along with millions of other Americans. I was traveling back to Colorado on Friday, so I skppped the busiest day, Black Friday. I confess I wasn't at any malls, though. I like to shop the individual retailers like Macy's, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Toys 'R Us, Penneys, Old Navy, and others. Of course, I also do cyber shopping online in addition to trekking out to the big stores in my search for holiday gifts.


I discovered a few years ago, that I could actually purchase everything on my list during the 3-day weekend and get it all done. Not counting the cyber shopping. Yes, I know I'm a little weird, but chalk it up to my over-active organized streak. Product of the Left Brain, I'm sure. It takes concentrated effort, but it's doable. Call me crazy---but I don't mind making the effort. And to tell the truth. . .I like getting it all done. Then I can turn my attentions to the really fun part of the holidays---Holiday Baking!

The hardest part is getting all my adult children to give me gift suggestions before I hit the stores. Several years ago, it was like pulling teeth. They'd say they'd email or text, then they'd forget. Finally, I hit upon the perfect strategy: Fuzzy Slippers. It's a family joke. One year my mom sent a really strange pair of fuzzy wuzzy slippers to one of my daughters for Christmas and they were so funny to look at, we've made jokes about them every since. Even my mom thought it was funny. Bless her heart.

So, I use the threat: "Tell me what you want, or it's Fuzzy Slippers for you!" Works like a charm. They always cough up a suggestion after that. Hey. . .we moms learn to be tricky early on. We have to be to stay one step ahead of the kids. :)

This year I didn't even need the 3 days because several of them asked for specific gift cards. Always sure to please. And it helps me stay within my gift budget. Yes----that's the accountant in me.

Tell us---were you out shopping on the Black Weekend? Are you trying to keep on a budget?