A California Online Magazine with Local Focus and Global Appeal
Heavy metal and burgers are two great tastes that taste great together. For Grant Mohler, he’s one lucky individual to make both of those things into a career. Not only is he the vocalist of local heavy metal band, Crushing The Deceiver, but is also the owner/cook of the Clovis restaurant, Cravings. A cook by day, but rock star at night, a very unconventional man Grant is, and his life is best exemplified by his restaurant and music.
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Jaymie (Leighton) Müller and her CFFs (College Friends Forever) had enjoyed gathering for an annual late summer camping trip ever since their days at the university, but for the past three years adult responsibilities had taken precedent. This year, however, seemed a perfect opportunity to bring back their annual girls-only tradition. Jayme’s husband and step-daughter would be out of the country, so it would be a great distraction. But…is it prophetic that the campground had to cancel their reservation and all other camping options were full?
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A new year has begun and KRL is still playing catchup with its mystery reviews-here are a few more books that came out in 2019-Three Widows and a Corpse: A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder, Two Bites Too Many: Sarah Blair Mystery by Debra H. Goldstein, Hounds of the Basket Stitch: Black Sheep Knitting Mystery by Anne Canadeo, and Can’t Judge a Book by Its Murder: Main Street Book Club Mystery by Amy Lillard.
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Libby and Bernie A Little Taste of Heaven. It started mostly as a bakery, but now they also provide take-home dinners and more. That should keep them busy enough, but Bernie has been in contact with relatives they haven’t spoken to in many years. There was an incident, well, two really, of borrowed cars being wrecked. Several incidents of money borrowed but never repaid. That side of the family thrives on chaos and drama.
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When the weather gets colder, the best-looking thing on a menu might be soup. Since we often go out to eat on Friday nights, clam chowder—New England Clam Chowder (the white stuff)— is my option of choice. This Great Food Search went to great lengths to give you reviews. Yes, there are restaurants in the Valley that we sampled, but we found ourselves all the way out to Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf!
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I am a huge fan of Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse Mystery series so I was very excited to read the new one, Brewed Awakening. Every time I read one of these books, I feel like I’m visiting my favorite coffee shop, and spending time with friends. I can almost smell the coffee!
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BFF Josie gives Sally an early gift meant also to recognize Sally’s greatly improved baking abilities: an engraved “six-inch serrated silver cake server.” Ok, I know my cozies; this is incriminating evidence in the making! Sally is also pregnant with her first child, and although her due date has come and gone and she’s feeling clumsy, she is still in good spirits.
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Chocolate. Ooohhh, yes. This delicacy has been around for over two-thousand years, and it’s as powerful as it ever was. Just the word alone conjures up all kinds of imagery, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s the miniature candy bars in your trick-or-treat bag on Halloween or a big bunny in your Easter basket. It has been featured in literature and film: a sensual pleasure in Chocolat, concealing a hidden treasure in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and administered as medication in the Hogwarts infirmary in the beloved Harry Potter series. Ancient civilizations used it for currency and as components in rituals. This delicious treat is also one of the most frequently given gifts for Christmas. I’m not surprised – are you?
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Roxy and Patrick Cane have been blissfully married for a year, and have finally arranged to put aside their very busy schedule for a romantic date night. The Bean Hive has been on holiday overdrive, and Patrick’s construction company has been booming, so some quiet, delicious food, and melting in each other’s eyes was just the prescription for their weariness.
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The prodigal son returns! Gemma’s first introduction to the handsome stranger was awkward, but fortunately his escalating advances were curtailed by an important phone call he couldn’t decline. Later, Gemma’s mother pressured her to agree to last minute catering for her friend Annabel Floyd, daughter of Sir Hugh Morecombe, whose Sinterklaas Foundation is having a Christmas tea party for underprivileged children at her family’s estate, Thurlby Hall.
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Snow in Charm, North Carolina? Who would have thought? The timing is right though as Christmas is close at hand.
It’s Everly Swan’s first Christmas at her new iced tea shop. She’s overwhelmed by the number of special orders for holiday cookies, the progressive dinner menu, and her Aunt Fran’s decision to run for mayor against a long-time incumbent. Aunt Clara is fighting seasonal stress by painting garden gnomes as gifts for friends and family.
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‘Tis the season to give. If you have a foodie in your life who you hope to delight, you’re likely trying to find the perfect gift. It may seem like an overwhelming challenge with all the options available today.
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This week we have reviews and giveaways of a bunch of Christmas mysteries to fill your Christmas stocking-Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, Alex Erickson, Have Yourself a Beary Little Murder: Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery by Meg Macy, Marry Christmas Murder: Wedding Planner Mystery by Stephanie Blackmore, Christmas Cow Bells: A Buttermilk Creek Mystery by Mollie Cox Bryan, Silent Knit, Deadly Knit: A Knit & Nibble Mystery by Peggy Ehrhart, A Merry Murder by Kate Kingsbury, and a bonus giveaway of Read and Gone by Allison Brook which we reviewed in 2018
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I love cookbooks! I have a collection of 50 books and 360 eBooks, and although I’m not a chef, not even a real fanatic in the kitchen, I am experienced in better-than-basic techniques, competent in following directions, and greatly enjoy putting together everyday meals, sweet desserts, and holiday feasts. I also love cozy mysteries! So, I’m thrilled many favorite cozy mystery authors have published cookbooks compiling recipes from their series, and often family favorites, too. Check out these eight cookbooks, explore links to author websites, view Amazon & Goodreads, and enjoy fun insights on their influences, culinary experiences, and best thoughts on Thanksgiving!
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