Tag Archives: Sweet Breads

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Jessica Aspen

CookingKaren’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with JESSICA ASPEN!

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, JESSICA ASPEN, and her favorite recipe for JESSICA ASPEN’S FLORIDA HOLIDAY MUFFINS!

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Continue reading Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Jessica Aspen

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Jennie Marts

Cooking Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with JENNIE MARTS!

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, JENNIE MARTS, and her favorite recipe for WAFFLE IRON CINNAMON ROLLS!JennieMarts_ManiacMonday_1400px-2

Continue reading Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Jennie Marts

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Cate Beauman

Following_Recipe

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with CATE BEAUMAN!!

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, CATE BEAUMAN, and her favorite recipe for EASY APPLE BRAID

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Hi, Karen!  Thanks so much for having me on Karen’s Killer Fixins.  I love connecting with readers of romantic suspense and the idea of blending killer recipes with suspenseful reading is fantastic! I would love to celebrate my first visit to your blog by offering one of my favorite fall recipes to go along with my latest best seller – Waiting For Wren!

It’s great to meet all of you,

~Cate

Cate Beauman’s newest best seller is available now through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Visit www.catebeauman.com for more information and to read excerpts from her romantic suspense series The Bodyguards of L.A. County.

Cate profile pic    About the author, Cate Beauman….

Cate currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, their two boys, and St. Bernard, Bear. She is the author of the best selling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County.  Before her career as an author, Cate worked in special education for 12 years.

“I’m a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, two years later, I’m working on my sixth novel, Justice for Abby, and I’m an Amazon best selling author.  I’m very grateful for the support and success I have had.  – Cate “

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05 - Waiting for Wren Cover reveal and Promotional

WAITING FOR WREN by CATE BEAUMAN

Book Blurb

When the past and present collide…

Wren Cooke has everything she’s ever wanted—a thriving career as one of LA’s top interior designers and a home she loves. Business trips, mockups, and her demanding clientele keep her busy, almost too busy to notice Ethan Cooke Security’s gorgeous Close Protection Agent, Tucker Campbell.

Jaded by love and relationships in general, Wren wants nothing to do with the hazel-eyed stunner and his heart-stopping grins, but Tucker is always in her way. When Wren suddenly finds herself bombarded by a mysterious man’s unwanted affections, she’s forced to turn to Tucker for help.

As Wren’s case turns from disturbing to deadly, Tucker whisks her away to his mountain home in Utah. Haunted by memories and long-ago tragedies, Tucker soon realizes his past and Wren’s present are colliding. With a killer on the loose and time running out, Tucker must discover a madman’s motives before Wren becomes his next victim.

WAITING FOR WREN by CATE BEAUMAN

EXCERPT

She pulled in her drive, dropped her phone, and gripped the wheel with trembling hands as heat from the vents rushed over her. She stared at her darkened front steps in the shadows cast about from the neighbors’ tall trees. What if he was here? His texts weren’t threatening, and technically neither were the flowers, but Rex wasn’t healthy. In the two years she’d owned her home, she’d never been terrified to get out of her car and go inside like she was now.

This is what he wants. He wants you to be afraid while he plays his games. Steeling herself, she grabbed her phone and got out with her key fob clutched in her unsteady hand. The cool rush of wind tossed her hair in her face, and she swiped wavy locks behind her ear as she strained to hear over the rustling leaves. She walked quickly, her eyes darting everywhere.

She just had to get to the door and step inside. The panic button was in the entryway if she needed it. The police would come help her, along with whoever was fielding calls at Ethan’s company tonight. “I’m almost there. I’m almost there,” she whispered, flinching, blinking, startled as the sensor lights flashed on to brighten the walkway. The security lights. It was just the security lights. She forgot she reactivated the feature the night of the gala. She took another step forward and saw the blood by the pretty pot of red mums. “Oh my god. Oh my god.” A black cat lay on her step, decapitated and bloated in a pool of dark, congealed crimson. “Oh my…”

Her breath rushed in and out as she stumbled back. The cellphone in her clammy hand rang, and she screamed. Blindly, she pressed “talk.” “Hell—hello?”

“Do you like it?” someone whispered.

She whirled, scanning, searching for Rex. He was here, somewhere. He had to be.

“Why won’t you call me?” The whisper turned into a pathetic whine. “Why won’t you call me, Wren?”

“Stop,” she shuddered out as she hurried to her car, looking over her shoulder from time to time, sure he was waiting to pounce. “Stop doing this. I’m calling the police.”

The whining stopped abruptly and turned into mad, riotous laughter. “They won’t believe you! They won’t believe you!”

“Leave me alone!” She hung up, gasping for air. Tears poured down her cheeks, and her hand shook as she opened her door, took her seat, and locked herself in. She had to get out of here. She had to get away. It took her two tries to shove the key in the ignition as she glanced at the bloodstained step once more and backed out with a squeal of tires. She sped off, heading toward Ethan’s until she remembered he was gone and a quarter of his house had been gutted for the new edition. All of them were gone—Ethan, Hunter, and Austin. She pressed ‘one’ on her speed dial, listening to the repetitive ringing. Ethan’s smooth voice told her to leave a message, but she hung up instead. She turned down another street, taking her farther from her home, and punched in Ethan Cooke Security’s twenty-four hour assistance line.

“Ethan Cooke Security. This is Mia.”

“Mia, it’s Wren.”

“Wren, are you okay?”

“Yes.” Her voice broke, and she shook her head as she clutched the wheel with one hand. “No. No, I’m not. There’s a dead cat on my porch.”

“Oh.”

That didn’t exactly describe the horror she’d just backed away from. “Someone killed a cat and left it on my front step.”

“Oh my god. Where are you?”

“In my car.” She sniffed. “Driving around. I don’t want to go back to my house alone.”

“Of course not. Let me patch you through to Tucker Campbell. He’s on call.”

Tucker? “No, wait—” But it was too late. Soothing music played in her ear.

“Wren?” Tucker’s deep voice hummed with concern.

Her lip wobbled, and tears began to fall again. “Yeah, I’m here.”

“What’s going on? Mia said something about a dead cat?”

“Someone chopped some sweet cat’s head off and put the body on my front step.”

He muttered a swear. “Are you there now?”

“No, I’m in my car, driving around. It freaked me out. I don’t want to be at the house by myself.”

“I don’t want you there either. Come to my place until we get this figured out.”

If choking fingers of terror didn’t have her by the throat, she would’ve refused, but Tucker was offering his help. She needed help. “I don’t—I don’t know where you live.”

“Ocean View Apartments, off Highway One.”

“What if he follows me? He might be following me right now.” She glanced in the rearview mirror and cringed as headlights trailed behind her.

“Who?”

“Rex.”

“Who the hell is Rex?”

“The crazy bastard who left the dead cat on my porch.”

“Son of a bitch, Cooke. Don’t stop. Don’t’ pull over. Drive on a flat tire if you have to. Just get here. I’ll be waiting outside.”

“Okay,” she sniffed, too afraid to be prideful. “I’m about ten minutes away.”

 ~~~

Did you enjoy the excerpt?  You can read the first three chapters on my website, www.catebeauman.com, or you can finish the whole book here!

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All-Book-Covers-Side-by-Side-Promotional

Links to Cate’s website, blog, books, etc.

Amazon Author Page

http://www.amazon.com/Cate-Beauman/e/B00A05KHVM/

Social links:

Twitter: @CateBeauman

www.catebeauman.com

www.facebook.com/CateBeauman

www.goodreads.com/catebeauman

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I hope you enjoy the recipe Cate is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 118 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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EASY APPLE BRAID

 

Ingredients for apple mixture

3 medium granny smith apples

3/8 cups of brown sugar (1/4+1/8 cups)

1/8 cups flour

1/8 t cinnamon

2 Crescent roll tubes

Ingredients for glaze (mix together)

1/3 cups confectioner’s sugar

5 t milk

½ t vanilla

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Peel apples and cut into small chunks.
  3. Mix apples with brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon and bake covered in a pie plate for 15-20 minutes until apples are tender.
  4. While mixture is baking, roll crescent rolls out flat (length-to-length), using a rolling pin to smooth junction between the two rolls so that you have one long piece to work with. Cut two-inch slits evenly along the length of the dough (to create flaps to braid).
  5. Pour hot mixture over center of crescent rolls, then braid the flaps over the mixture.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Top with glaze while still warm and enjoy.

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 **SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Cate will give away an ebook (Kindle or Nook) copy of her novel, WAITING FOR WREN, to three of her lucky readers who comment on her Monday Interview or Wednesday Book Bench blogs!!  Don’t miss this chance to read this bestselling new release!!  Thanks, Cate, for sharing your stories with us!

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Apple-Cheddar Bread Pudding

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me. I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy. It might be a main course recipe. A cookie or baked item. Candy. Salads. Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is APPLE-CHEDDAR BREAD PUDDING!!

I love bread pudding. It’s one of the few desserts I’ll splurge occasionally.  Finding a good bread pudding can be a challenge, however. I don’t like mine too soggy.  This is a good one to try if you’re like me and want plenty of flavor!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 109 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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APPLE-CHEDDAR BREAD PUDDING
[Serves 6]

Non-stick cooking spray
5 slices whole-wheat bread
¼ cup brown sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 apples, cored, peeled & diced
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 [12 oz.] can evaporated milk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Coat 9 x 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Trim crusts from bread and cut each slice into 9 squares.  Arrange bread over bottom of dish.  Coat top of bread with nonstick cooking spray, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.  Scatter cheese over bread and top with apples.  In small bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, sugar and vanilla until well blended.  Whisk in evaporated milk.  Pour mixture evenly over other ingredients in dish.  Bake 50-55 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Zucchini Bread

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me. I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy. It might be a main course recipe. A cookie or baked item. Candy. Salads. Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is ZUCCHINI BREAD!!

I like zucchini bread as much as I do banana bread. It’s moist and flavorful and one of the wonderful ways to use up the tons of zucchini you end up with if you’re a gardener. 🙂 I don’t think it’s possible to just make one loaf so it’s great this recipe makes two loaves!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 105 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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ZUCCHINI BREAD
[Makes 2 loaves]

3 eggs
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup oil
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups grated raw zucchini, drained
¼ tsp baking powder
3 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts

Beat eggs until light and foamy.  Add sugar, oil, zucchini and vanilla.  Mix lightly, but well.  Combine flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.  Add to egg and zucchini mixture.  Stir well until blended.  Add nuts.  Bake 1 hour in preheated 350 degree oven.  Make two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaves.

NOTE:  If you’re like me, and don’t love nuts in your sweet breads, you don’t have to include them. 🙂

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s *Author Special* with Terri L. Austin

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL** with TERRI L. AUSTIN

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, TERRI L. AUSTIN, and her favorite recipe for PUMPKIN BREAD!

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BOOK PEEK ~   LAST DINER STANDING by Terri L. Austin

Henery Press
978 1938383083
Released December 3, 2012

Rose Strickland is having a blue Christmas. Her friend is arrested for attempted murder, her sexy bad guy crush is marked by a hit man, and her boss is locked in an epic smackdown with a rival diner. Determined to save those she loves, Rose embarks on an investigation more tangled than a box of last year’s tree lights. With her eclectic gang at the ready, Rose stumbles across dead bodies, ex-cons, jilted lovers, and a gaggle of strippers as she searches for the truth. What she finds will leave her entrenched in a battle for freedom she might not survive.

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  About the author, Terri L. Austin….

Terri L. Austin lives in Missouri with her funny, handsome husband and a high maintenance peekapoo.  She’s the author of Diners, Dives and Dead Ends—a Rose Strickland Mystery.  “Austin’s debut kicks off her planned series by introducing a quirky, feisty heroine and a great supporting cast of characters and putting them through quite a number of interesting twists.” Kirkus Reviews

She loves to hear from readers and you can finder her on Twitter, FB, Goodreads, TerriLAustin.com, and Henery Press. Terri and some of her writer friends have a Wednesday book chat on Little Read Hens. Stop by and join the conversation.

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LAST DINER STANDING by Terri L. Austin

EXCERPT

There are some absolutes in this life that are irrefutable. If you leave the house looking like crap, you’ll see someone you know, usually an ex-boyfriend. If you’re running late for an appointment, you’ll hit every red light on the way. And a three a.m. phone call is never good news. Either someone’s dead, in the hospital, or you’re a drunken booty call. But that Saturday morning, I discovered another reason to avoid the ringing harbinger of bad news.

“’ello,” I answered, my eyes still closed.

“Rose, I’m in jail, girl.”

I sniffed and sat up on my futon. “Janelle?”

“Of course it’s Janelle. They think I tried to kill Asshat.”

Scrubbing a hand over my eyes, I glanced at the clock. “Asshat?”

Janelle lowered her voice. “Rose, wake up and listen. I’m in jail, Asshat’s in a coma, and they’re saying I tried to kill him. I need help.”

Her dilemma finally penetrated my sleep-fogged brain. “Oh my God. Where are the kids?” Janelle had two, Damon, nine, and Sherise, seven. Both so cute you wanted to pinch their little cheeks. But I wouldn’t recommend it—that Sherise was a biter.

“They’re staying with my cousin, Sondra. But I got to get out of here. If they think I’m spending Christmas in jail then I’m Halle Damn Berry.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Call that fancy lawyer you know. He’ll figure it out.”

Dane Harker. “I’ll call him and come see you in the morning. Will they let me bring you anything?”

“Cigarettes and toiletries. These bitches trade everything for cigarettes. And Rose? Thanks.”

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Connect with Terri L. Austin & her books:

 Twitter

FB

Goodreads

TerriLAustin.com

Henery Press

Terri and some of her writer friends have a Wednesday book chat on Little Read Hens

Amazon

B&N

 

I hope you enjoy the recipe Terri is sharing with us today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 66 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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A Note from Terri: Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the changing leaves, the hint of wood smoke in the air, and pumpkins. I make this delicious bread whenever my kids are home from college. The spicy pumpkin smell fills the house and makes me happy. I’ve adapted this recipe from Gifts of Good Taste published by Leisure Arts in 1989.

PUMPKIN BREAD
[Makes 2 loaves]

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (I use whole wheat pastry flour and it works beautifully)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup sour cream
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups pumpkin
2/3 cup water
1 ½ cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, spices, and sugars. Add oil, sour cream, eggs, pumpkin, and water. Combine until well blended. Stir in pecans. Lightly grease two 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. Pour batter into pans and bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool before removing from pans. Enjoy!

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Farm-Style Cinnamon Rolls

  It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me.  I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy.  It might be a main course recipe.  A cookie or baked item.  Candy.  Salads.  Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is FARM-STYLE CINNAMON ROLLS.

For those of us who’ve been around awhile, you’ll recognize this recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls. I remember it being a special treat when mom would buy those “new” frozen loaves of bread. (Yeah, yeah, I just aged myself more than a little bit. 🙂 ) I have fond memories of the way these smelled baking, the anticipation.  They couldn’t come out of the oven fast enough for me. They certainly disappeared fast enough…all hot and gooey and…hmmmm, I think I need to make a grocery run!

(As I began this post, it occurred to me to doublecheck whether you can still buy frozen loaves in the stores. Haven’t made these in a while.  Panicked a bit when I couldn’t find any online at my local grocers ~ although they may have them ~ however, did find them at WalMart so we’re still safe. Whew! Crisis averted.  I would be so sad not to share this fond memory with you today.)

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 52 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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FARM-STYLE CINNAMON ROLLS

[Makes 12]

1 loaf frozen white bread
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup white (granulated) sugar
¼ cup butter, melted
1 tsp. cinnamon

Thaw white bread and let raise until double.  Brush 8 x 10-inch or 9 x 9-inch pan with 1 T. butter.  Roll out dough to 10 x 14-inch rectangle.  Brush with 2 T. butter.  Sprinkle with sugars and cinnamon.  Roll up starting on 14-inch side.  Cut roll with sharp knife (or nylon string) into 12 pieces. Place, cut side down, in buttered pan.  Brush with remaining butter.  Cover, let rise in warm place until light, 45-60 minutes.  Baked in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  Immediately turn out onto wire rack covered with waxed paper.  Frost.

NOTE: I also enjoy sprinkling raisins and walnuts or pecans with the sugars and cinnamon.

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: **Author Special** Linda Rae Blair


Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**

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 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, LINDA RAE BLAIR, and her recipe for Fruit Scones!

BOOK PEEK ~ Hard Press’d

Here’s a taste of “Hard Press’d”, the first in the series of seven currently published novellas. Number eight is due to publish in the spring of 2012. Press has just been assigned a new partner, a young cop who just made detective. Press isn’t happy about “baby-sitting” a new partner but decides to make the best out of it by having a little fun at the “kid’s” expense. He had just caught himself nearly growling. Looking at his watch he silently cursed as he realized it would still be hours before the local Starbucks down on Laskin opened.

~~~

“Throw up on me or my crime scene, Evans, and you’ll ride your desk for the next week,” Press growled in his deep voice. “Lesson #2, Evans—never, ever throw up on my crime scene.”

“Yes, sir—I mean, no sir!”

“Make up your mind, Evans! See anything else? ”

Evans took a deep, cleansing breath. “Strange the way she’s laying there. The first shot should have knocked her off her feet. Usually there’s an odd position of the body—she looks like she just lay down to take a nap.”

“Yeah, or maybe somebody laid her down.”

Another notch for the kid.

“But the girl’s very probably not a pro, Evans—at least not a street pro—there’s real money here and lots of it. Could be a high-priced pro, but I don’t think so. The clothes are too pricey. Dress is silk.” He bent over and gave a slight lift to that dress’s skirt—which had never covered more than the top third of those long, slim legs. “Lingerie is French lace.” He carefully put the skirt back in place. “And those sandals were about fifteen-hundred dollars retail.”

“Whew!”

The awe in Evans’ voice and the look on his face told Press that the kid couldn’t imagine paying that kind of money for a pair of shoes—let alone shoes that were just straps with spikes for heels.

“I’ve got a sister with expensive taste,” Andrews explained.

“How can you tell that’s French lace, sir?” Trace asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen French lace.”

Press gave the kid a crooked smile and a wink. “Once you’ve seen it up close, kid, you never forget it.” He saw Evans taking one more look, as the kid tried to figure it out.

Novels by Linda Rae Blair are available at the following retailer websites: Barnes & Noble, Sony, iTunes, Kobo. Also available on Smashwords and Amazon. Links to these sites and others are available on the author’s website: http://lindaraeblairauthor.wordpress.com/

FMI: Linda Rae Blair Author of The Preston Andrews Mysteries Sample or purchase:http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lrbauthor Web site & Blogs: http://lindaraeblairauthor.wordpress.com/

“Like” both “Linda Rae Blair, Author” and “The Preston Andrews Mysteries” on FaceBook! Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/lindaraeblair

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 26 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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The Preston Andrews Mysteries
By Linda Rae Blair

The “hero” of my detective series, The Preston Andrews Mysteries, is a guy with so many good attributes besides those icy blue eyes and that thick black hair that tops off the 6’3” frame of his that I dare not try to list them all here or we’ll lose our interest in cooking altogether.

One thing that Press, as his friends call him, definitely gets from me is his love for Starbucks coffee. And, if you love your coffee, you’ve just got to love scones to go with them.

My absolute favorite recipe started out an entry in the “Flat Belly Diet Cookbook”. Of course, I couldn’t just leave it alone!   First, let me say that you don’t have to use cranberries (I use Craisins) for these wonderful scones. I’ve used dried or fresh blueberries, dried cherries, dried apricots and dried mixed fruit. So, here’s my version of:

FRUIT SCONES

Freeze and thaw for individual servings through the week!

Oven 400 degrees F  20-25 Minutes 9” round pie pan pre-treated with canola oil spray or non-stick spray.

Mix together all the dried ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. orange or lemon zest (experiment using lemon w/blueberries, orange w/cherries for example)

Slowly add in:

1 ½ cup plain or vanilla yogurt
2 T. canola oil

Once the above are mixed thoroughly (batter will be rather thick and dry) add in:

1 cup walnuts or pecans (I love walnuts) and mix well.

Then stir in:

1 6-oz. pkg. of your favorite dried fruit (by adding these last and by hand, you will avoid tearing up the fruit pieces and have larger, yummier bits of fruit in your scones).

Place the batter in prepared baking dish. Spread level with a wooden spoon or spatula. Score the dough with a knife to make 8 equal slices.

If you like your scones a little sweeter, you can sprinkle a light topping of granulated sugar over the top of the dough just before baking.   Done when toothpick or knife test in center comes out clean.

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Poppy Seed Muffins

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!  Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me.  I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy.  It might be a main course recipe.  A cookie or baked item.  Candy.  Salads.  Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is POPPY SEED MUFFINS.

I love this quick, easy and tasty muffin. It satisfies my sweet tooth and I don’t feel deprived if I don’t slather it with butter. Love the crunch of the poppy seeds. It’s a great muffin to throw into the kidlet’s lunchbox, too!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 7 recipes and counting with this posting.  Hope you find some recipes you like.  If you don’t want to miss any future recipes, be sure to return to my blog next Friday.  Even better, subscribe to my blog and the recipes will come directly to
your email Inbox.  If this is your first visit, check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column of my home page, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, etc.

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POPPY SEED MUFFINS
[Makes 12]

2 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup poppy seeds
2 eggs
½ tsp. salt
¾ cup sour cream
¼ tsp. baking soda
1-½ tsp. vanilla
½ cup butter, room temperature

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease or set liners in muffin tins.  Combine flour, poppy seeds, salt and baking soda in small bowl.  Using electric mixer, cream butter with sugar until thick and light.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Blend in sour cream and vanilla.  Gradually beat in dry ingredients.  Spoon batter into tins.  Bake until done, about 12 minutes.  Cool 5 minutes in tin on rack. Remove from tin and cool completely.

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s…Banana Nut Muffins

It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!  Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me.  I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers here.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy.  It might be a main course recipe.  A cookie or baked item.  Candy.  Salads.  Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is BANANA NUT MUFFINS!

Today’s muffin recipe is a great standby muffin.  Don’t know what to do with those old bananas?  Use them after their prime for this great recipe.  If you don’t have time to use them today or tomorrow, and hate to throw them away, throw those bananas in the freezer and pull them out when you DO have time!  Do take time to thaw them before you use them.  (Recommend running frozen bananas under warm water until you can remove peels before thawing.) These muffins are also excellent with a tablespoon or two of peanut butter.  Yeah, yeah, I was a peanut butter banana sandwich lover when I was growing up!

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.

Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 1 recipe and counting with this posting!  Hope you find some recipes you like.  If you don’t want to miss any future recipes, be sure to return to my blog next Friday.  If this is your first visit, check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s.

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BANANA NUT MUFFINS

[12 Muffins]

2 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
1 T. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
¾ cup mashed banana
½ cup chopped walnuts

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease 12-muffin pan.  Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl.  Make well in center.  Mix milk, egg, water, oil, banana and walnuts in small bowl.  Pour mixture into well.  Mix batter just until moistened; do not over-mix.  Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or until muffins are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

NOTE:  To ensure round muffin tops, grease only the bottom and halfway up the sides of each muffin cup.