Karen’s Killer Fixin’s
**AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with VALERIE J. CLARIZIO!
Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, VALERIE J. CLARIZIO, and her favorite recipe for BETTER THAN SEX CAKE!
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CRAVING VENGEANCE
A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 2
BY VALERIE J. CLARIZIO
Blurb
Nick Spinelli’s normal life as a homicide detective has been catapulted into a whirlwind of chaotic holiday adventures ever since he met the beautiful Shannon O’Hara. Nick had hoped to spend his first Valentine’s Day with Shannon in a traditional manner, starting with a nice dinner out on the town and then perhaps a long warm adventurous night in her arms. His plans quickly change when cupid is found murdered in a back alley.
The investigation becomes more and more inconceivable, as Spinelli discovers that Shannon is linked to the victim. When another cupid turns up dead, and it is discovered that Shannon knows him as well, Spinelli is motivated to go undercover as a singing valentine dressed as cupid, complete with wings and a quiver of arrows. How many other cupids are at risk? Is Spinelli on the killer’s list as well? The stress ignited by the day’s events causes sparks to fly between Spinelli and Shannon as he struggles to piece it all together and stop the string of slayings.
Reviews:
Nick Spinelli is a hunky, hardcore homicide detective with the kind of baggage that’ll make you fall in love with him. Then there’s that heart of his that is soft in all the right places. ~ Amazon Customer
Nick and Shannon’s story set on Valentine’s Day sends the reader head first into a murder mystery involving poisoned cupids. Clarizo does an excellent job of pulling the reader in immediately and making you want to read until you figure out who the culprit is! Throw in a spice of humor and a heaping spoonful of love and you have yourself a wonderful story. You will enjoy reading this latest Spinelli mystery!! I can’t wait for the next one. Nick is such a hot character!! – Shelley
CRAVING VENGEANCE
A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 2
BY VALERIE J. CLARIZIO
If you read my guest post on the awesome Karen Doctor’s blog in December, you’ve already met Detective Nick Spinelli and know that the holidays play havoc on his life. First, in COVERT EXPOSURE, he was forced to dress as Santa to catch a killer. In this month’s featured book, CRAVING VENGEANCE, A NICK SPINELLI MYSTERY, we’ll take a look to see how Nick’s Valentine’s Day is going.
In the past, Nick didn’t think much of Valentine’s Day, it was just another day in the life of a homicide detective. But, his new love interest, the one that grabbed his heart and sent his sexual energy surging off the charts, not only has him planning a nice romantic dinner for two, but has sent him running around the City dressed as a cupid singing cheesy songs to love-struck people. Did I mention that his costume includes a bow and quiver of arrows? Can’t say he liked this much but he found out he’d do anything to keep the beautiful Shannon O’Hara happy and safe.
Since it’s Valentine’s Day, and Spinelli has a big night planned for himself and Shannon, I thought the recipe for Better Then Sex Cake would be appropriate this month. But, if you ask Shannon, she will tell you there’s nothing better than sex with Spinelli. Before we get to the recipe, here’s an excerpt from CRAVING VENGEANCE, A NICK SPINELLI MYSTERY.
Excerpt
Spinelli pulled up to the crime scene to find Walker and Marsh already milling around. Several uniformed officers and a few plainclothes individuals lingered about the area as well. Spinelli edged between his partners to take a look. “You gotta be shitting me. Is that Cupid?”
Walker nodded. “What gave it away? The nude man with wings, the bow, or the quiver full of arrows?” Walker asked.
“Very funny. What do we know? Has he been identified?”
Marsh smirked. “Hmm, I don’t know about you, but I can tell you one thing for sure, I’m not searching him for a wallet.”
Spinelli rolled his eyes and stuffed his cold hands into his pockets. “Are you two jerks about done now? Can we get down to business?” His breath fogged in front of him.
Walker cleared his throat. “A beat cop found him here, just over an hour ago, about 3:45 a.m. The cause of death isn’t blatantly obvious. We’ll have to wait for the pathologist’s report. But judging from the vic’s bluish-gray color I’d guess he’s been here a couple of hours.”
Spinelli glanced at the vic’s body, as it lay lifeless over a small snow bank pushed up against a brick building. Ice crystals sparkled over his murky colored skin. The air temperature hovered around twenty-six degrees. With the wind chill factor, it was probably in the teens.
“Maybe the poor bastard was so drunk when he left one of the local bars that he passed out and froze to death,” a nearby beat cop offered as he stepped closer to them.
Spinelli eyed the young cop for a moment. “Then what happened to his clothes? I’m guessing if he was in a bar, he would have been wearing clothes, right?”
“Well, maybe he was mugged, and they took his clothes and wallet,” the beat cop stammered.
“So you’re saying some thug happened by a guy passed out in a snow bank and instead of just taking his wallet, he stole his clothes, too? And then he intentionally left the wings, bow, and quiver full of arrows behind,” Spinelli stated as he shifted his gaze to Marsh.
“I suppose that makes sense. What do you think, Marsh?” Spinelli asked.
“I think I would have taken the wings. Chicks dig a guy with wings,” Marsh replied.
“Dicks,” the young officer mumbled before he disappeared into the crowd forming around the perimeter.
Though Cupid’s body had been carted off, Spinelli, Walker, and Marsh lingered at the scene for a while longer, combing the area for evidence. Nothing specific presented itself.
The detectives returned to the precinct. It was nearly 7:00 a.m. Marsh made coffee as Spinelli hung pictures of the unidentified cupid on the crime board. He looked at Walker, “Not a good way to start Valentine’s Day, having to tell everyone Cupid’s been murdered.”
Walker chuckled. “Yeah, now there’s absolutely no hope at all for those poor souls searching for true love.”
About Author Valerie Clarizio…
Valerie Clarizio is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives in romantic Door County Wisconsin with her husband and extremely spoiled cat. She loves to read, write, and spend time in her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
She’s lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into an outdoors enthusiast, of which her favorite activity is hiking in national parks. While out on the trails, she has plenty of time to conjure up irresistible characters and unique storylines for her next romantic suspense or sweet contemporary romance novel.
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Links to Valerie‘s Website, blog, books, etc.
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Craving-Vengeance-Nick-Spinelli-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00HFNVXGK
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/craving-vengeance-valerie-j-clarizio/1117079850?ean=2940157424596
iBook:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/craving-vengeance/id840643614
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/415246
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/craving-vengeance
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bn6QoD
Website/Blog: https://valclarizio.wordpress.com/
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valerie-j-clarizio
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-J.-Clarizio/e/B00A87RJVS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_8?qid=1476915213&sr=8-8
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Valerie.Clarizio/
Facebook Street Team:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarizioscronies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VClarizio
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/valerieclarizio/
I hope you enjoy the recipe Valerie is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!
Karen
P.S. We’re at 463 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right-hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.
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BETTER THAN SEX CAKE
1 Package German Sweet Cake Mix – Make as directed on the box.
Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes.
Poke holes in the cake with a wooden spoon handle.
Fill the holes with 1 can of sweetened condensed milk.
Add 1 jar of Mrs. Richards Caramel Ice Cream topping – this should be heated up a bit so it pours easily.
Top cake with Cool Whip (12 ounce container).
Crush 3 Heath Bars and spread over Cool Whip.
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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Valerie will give away an e-book copy of LOVE THAWS A FROZEN HEART to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog. Happy Reading!!
Blurb: Casey is hell bent on getting Noah to sign divorce papers. Hiding out at his camp, Noah is hell bent on not signing. Procuring a snowmobile, Casey sets out in a blinding snow storm to find him. After crashing, she is near death when Noah finds her. Will a few cabin-bound days cause either of them to change their mind?
Thanks, Valerie, for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Good Morning and Happy Valentine’s Day, Valerie,
I enjoyed reading about your book. Sounds like a really fun Valentines Day read.
I love your recipe. It’s easy enough for me to make.
Hi Helen,
Thank you for checking out Craving Vengeance.
When it comes to recipes and baking I specialize in EASY:)
Val
The book sound like a fantastic read, and the recipe sounds equally delicious! Thanks for posting.
Hi Diana,
Thanks for stopping by!
Val
Loved what I read about the book. It sounds like a great read. Love the cake. Thanks for sharing the book and recipe!
Thanks Karen!
Both of you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Hi Judy,
Glad you could stop by. I hope your Valentine’s Day was great!
Val
Holy Cow….to both the book intro and recipe!
Thanks, Karen and Valerie!
Hi Kathleen,
Both Detective Spinelli and the Better Than Sex Cake are sweet treats:)
Val
Happy Valentine’s Day, Valerie, and welcome back to Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. What a great recipe to try on “the man”! I’m sure he’ll love it. Thanks to for sharing your next book in the series. I do love this character and can’t wait to read Nick’s story. LOVE your covers! So intriguing.
Karen,
Thank you so much for having me on your awesome blog.
Be sure to try out the recipe. It is so easy.
Val
interesting recipe name
I know, right.
Val
Your book sounds like a great read. Love the cake as I’ve had it before and it is yummy!! Thanks for sharing the book and recipe!
Hi Eileen,
Glad you could stop by to check it out.
Val