A California Online Magazine with Local Focus and Global Appeal
I never planned to be in isolation. I figured my wife and daughter might, but me? What a surprise!
Now, what’s a restaurant reviewer supposed to do when he can’t go to restaurants because he’s supposed to avoid going out, which means he’s stuck at home, trying to put together meals from what he has on hand in the house?
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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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Baker Ivy Culpepper and her best friend Emmaline Davis are used to long hours that frequently intrude on their personal lives. But it is a double tragedy when the latter’s duties as Santa Sofia’s Sheriff not only interrupts her marriage proposal to boyfriend Billy Davis, it calls her to the body recovery scene of Marisol Ruiz.
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Miracle Springs, North Carolina, is where people come to heal, find peace, and enjoy the natural hot springs of their popular spa. It is also where Nora Pennington has opened her bookstore Miracle Books, where she utilizes her unique “bibliotherapy” skills to match the customers with the perfect books they need in their lives.
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Sherry Frazzelle is working part-time for her dad, entering cooking contests, and learning to live alone after splitting from her lawyer husband. The latest contest is for home cooks, sponsored by OrgaNicks. Sherry’s sister Marla is a finalist, too.
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It is such a delightful experience connecting with a favorite author, talking about their book, their motivation, style, and process, but when you are lucky to become part of that process, it just adds to the wonderful experience. I “e-met” Jenny Kales over a year ago, you know meeting someone online, when I read and reviewed her Callie’s Kitchen Mystery series highlighting On the Chopping Block and Spiced and Iced. She has been such a delightful Facebook buddy, and when she took me up on my offer to help in anyway I could with her next book, I was thrilled to become a beta reader for Secrets and Pies.
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Thanksgiving Day is a particularly big holiday in North America, especially for Canadians and Americans. It’s a special and festive time that brings families together, reminding them to be thankful, giving perspective and encouraging thoughtfulness in life. It’s so important that folks in foreign lands will rush back to be with their families for this holiday season.
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How many times has it happened with you that you didn’t want to spend any time in the kitchen for preparing dinner? I’m sure it happened quite often.
Spending time in the kitchen becomes even more annoying when the temperature is reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more. It is not easy to stand in the kitchen preparing food during the summer season.
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The year of 1977 was a magical year for me. It was filled with fun family times, foods, and celebrations, including my seventh birthday on July 7. From what I remember, the weather was pretty mild that autumn through December, and Lake Erie hadn’t frozen over. What that meant was that when a cold north wind blew over the lake, it often brought Lake Effect snow.
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In August of 1998, we moved to Japan to build the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka. Prior to our move, we had hosted six Japanese students in our home. One of the perks of living there was the opportunity to see our ‘kids.’
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Today cinnamon is considered a common spice. But in antiquity it was a valued commodity deemed to be as precious as gold. Cinnamon was so important that the demand for it drove world exploration and countries went to war over this aromatic seasoning.
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Allie McMurphy runs the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island. She’d planned to train with her grandfather, but he passed away before that could happen. Now she’s in charge, but thanks to great employees, she’s able to keep going while learning.
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Cozy Food came about because I spotted a perfect cozy cookbook cover. The graphic was so cute, I purchased it. I’d take a peek at it every once in a while and it always made me smile and wish I was doing a cookbook instead of writing mysteries. Finally I figured the only way to end my growing obsession was to have other writers talk me down.
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Summer is truly upon us. Three digit days are to be expected in the Central Valley and many of us are relying on time-tested measures to get us through the heat of the day. Some people are lucky enough to have air conditioning or a backyard pool. I live in an old house–air conditioning was unheard of in 1910. We also gave up the pool when we moved into town. So I have to rely on my ceiling fans and iced tea.
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