Arsenic and Old Cake

Number three in the Piece of Cake Mystery Series:

Isn't this a great cover? The book is available for pre-order now at amazon.com

Cozy Mystery Challenge

I think I'm addicted to reading challenges. Unfortunately, I rarely actually complete the challenge once I've signed up for it. Somehow I forget until after I've signed up for the challenge that my reading time is not my own until May or June every year, thanks to the various contests I pledge to judge every year. This morning, though, I stumbled across a challenge I think I can actually meet -- the Cozy Mystery Challenge hosted by Kris Meyer from Not Enough Books.

The challenge is to read at least 6 cozy mysteries in the next 6 months. That sounds very do-able to me, since I'm pretty sure I'll be reading at least that many cozy mysteries in the next 6 months. And if I'm going to be reading the books anyway, it makes sense to sign up for the challenge and show myself that I can actually complete a reading challenge.

Anybody want to join me?

Tropical Storm Lee

 

This is Lee, gasping his last out over the Gulf of Mexico. To be honest, I didn't take this video myself. I was back in the van with the grandkids. One of my completely insane kids took these pictures. They would both argue that the apples didn't fall far from the tree. 

 

I've been on the road for the past two weeks, and I don't mind telling you I'm exhausted. It's been physically and emotionally draining, but it's also been physically and emotionally stimulating.

My daughter made this cross-country trip so she could attend the wedding of a brother she's never met and, at the same time, reunite with her biological father whom she hasn't seen since she was 2 years old. Since her husband is deployed and she didn't want to make the trip alone, I agreed to come along as moral support.

Our original plans were to take the train -- a plan that would have allowed me time to work while my grandkids slept. We agreed that, when possible, I'd move into the quiet car and write, and when that wasn't possible, I'd re-read the manuscript I just turned in to see if I could find any plot holes I'd previously missed. It was a perfect plan.

Two days before we were supposed to drive to New Orleans to board the train, we got a phone call -- at 10:30 at night, no less -- telling us the trip was off because the tracks were flooded. We scrambled, searching for flights (WAY too expensive), other routes on the train (no such thing. You can't get from east to west without going through Chicago and that, apparently, is where the trouble was). About one in the morning, we finally decided to throw everything into suitcases and take a road trip -- but to get here on time we had to leave two days ahead of schedule.

It's been a great journey so far. We got to spend the night with my daughter's in-laws on the way, took the grandkids swimming in the hotels where we stayed, hung out at Graceland for a few hours, and watched the country change with every passing mile.

We've reconnected with friends and family that we left in Utah when we moved. We've eaten in most of our favorite restaurants -- places that don't exist in Florida. And we've connected with family I knew in the past, but my daughter has only heard about until now.

Our time here is winding down. We have a few more dinners with friends, a few more family get-togethers to attend, and then it will be time to hit the road again.

It's been a rare experience for both of us. My daughter has been introduced to a whole new family and I've shared meals and laughter with people I never thought I'd see again. It's been kind of experience books are made of.

Maybe. Some day. When the dust has had time to settle.

Got My Cover!

And I love it! 

Sweet Success can be a motive for murder.

There aren't many things pastry chef Rita Lucero hates more than losing. But two years after her marriage to fellow baker Philippe Renier fell apart, she's still trying to get him to sign the divorce papers. Exasperated, Rita visits Philippe's high-end New Orleans shop, Zydeco Cakes, to get his signature--and discovers that her marriage is already over when she finds Philippe dead with a chef's knife in his chest.

Rita is shocked to discover the body, and overwhelmed to learn that since the divorce wasn't final, she now inherits part ownership in Zydeco Cakes. But it's a mixed blessing: the gorgeous shop is actually in financial trouble, and Rita's windfall sets her up as a prime suspect in Philippe's murder. Her former mother-in-law demands that Rita find out who killed her son, and his former employees don't know whether to trust her. The feeling is mutual--especially since the real culprit is still out there, and Rita may be the next victim served.

Coming to your favorite book store August 2, 2011!

Happy St. Paddy's Day

I found this Shamrock Cake Recipe online while I was clicking around today. Though she uses a boxed mix in this recipe, those who make cakes from scratch can easily adapt the decorating ideas. Today is this blogger's anniversary and it's also my parents' wedding anniversary. They would have been married 64 years today. The mind boggles.

So Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone, and Happy Anniversary to anyone celebrating today!

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon the fields. And, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Dishin' DVDs: Days of Wine and Roses

The other night while looking for a great old movie to watch, I came across Days of Wine and Roses starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick. I'd never seen the movie before, but I've long been a fan of Jack Lemmon so I decided to watch it. I had no idea what it was about, and that's probably a good thing. I might not have watched it if I'd known.

Jack Lemmon plays Joe Clay, an alcoholic public relations man who hates what he does for a living. From the very first scene, we're pretty clear on how Joe feels about his life and his career. He mistakes Kirsten Arnasen (Remick) for a call-girl he's arranged to attend a party for clients, and the two of them develop an immediate dislike for each other. Joe later apologizes for his mistake and the two eventually fall in love and get married.

In the beginning Kirsten prefers chocolate to booze, an inconvenience Joe manages to overcome by introducing her to the Brandy Alexander, which is made with brandy and creme de cocoa.

I started the movie expecting a light romantic comedy, but that's definitely not what I got. Note to self: pay more attention to the blurb next time.

Not surprisingly, both Lemmon and Remick are great in the movie. Is the acting occasionally over the top? Maybe. But having lived with an alcoholic in the past, maybe not as over-the-top as some people would like to believe. The heartbreaking thing to me is the fact that these two characters had a child. Watching what they put that child through is painful.

Recommended, but with a caveat. It's a movie you may want to avoid if alcoholism is part of your past.