Readings …

I’ve had a weakness lately for what I refer to as “murder mysteries lite.” A genre which includes such authors as Janet Evanovich and Joanne Fluke. They all involve murders but are written in a lighter easy-read style. They provide quick reads. Usually they feature some humor and, in Fluke’s case, include recipes! Both of these authors have written series featuring the same lead character and I’ve come to know and love those characters. I can discuss Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum’s life and history the same as those of some of my friends.

As a subset of these “lite murder mysteries,” I’ve also discovered a whole series of books featuring food in some way associated with those murders.

Joanne Fluke’s stories feature Hannah Swenson, the owner of a cookie bakery in a small lake-front Minnesota town. All of the murders involve her baked goods in one way or another and she, of course, plays a role in figuring the mystery out. (NO! They aren’t choking to death or being poisoned by the cookies!!) The best part, she features a cookbook at the end of each book!

In my opinion, the best, so far, is The Sugar Cookie Murder. In that one, she is launching a community cookbook and the story line features a big community holiday meal where all the recipes are featured. Various characters comment on the foods and then, as an appendix, the entire cookbook is there! There’s a crock-pot German potato salad that I’m dying to try. (No pun intended since we’re discussing murder mysteries!) Other titles include Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, Strawberry Shortcake Murder, Peach Cobbler Murder and more

Somewhere along the line, I picked up a book by JoAnna Carl called “The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle“ featuring the amateur sleuthing of Lee McKinney, business manager of TenHuis Chocolade (a candy shop in a small lake-front town in Michigan). Now that was a quick and easy read - only about one day! This is one of the “Chocolate Mysteries.” This series features chocolate trivia throughout the book! I haven’t been able to find the rest of that series, “The Chocolate Cat Caper“, “The Chocolate Bear Burglary” and “The Chocolate Frog Frame-Up”

I'm really looking forward to shopping at Half Price Books while we're out West. (We don't have that chain of stores here.) I can usually find some of these harder to locate tomes there!

Chocolate sayings, thoughts and dreams...

I know I promised some chocolatey comments yesterday but, alas, I had a busy day, came home late in the evening and sat down. Once sitting, of course, the eyelids grew heavy - very heavy! I slept so soundly in my chair that my neck is still stiff tonight! Of course, I did convince The Big Guy we needed to watch a girly movie on the Hallmark Channel before I fell asleep. Seems he sat through the whole thing before he realized I'd faded and he could have changed the channel!!

Hope the bunny treated you all well and you had a great day!

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So, now you're faced with a houseful of chocolate. Here's a few words of chocolate wisdom.


**I have a theory that chocolate slows down the aging process. it may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?

The 12-Step Chocolate Program : Never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate!
(Terry Moore - Chocolate Club)

**All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
Lucy Van Pelt (Peanuts)

A chocolate in the mouth is worth two on the plate!

**Forget love - I'd rather fall in chocolate!

A little too much chocolate is just about right!

**Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then, just eat one of the pieces!

Simply put, everyone has a price. Mine is chocolate.

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Want to read some chocolate fiction?

Try these two quick reads:

Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson

or

The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle by Joanna Carl

Okay, time to hit the sack and dream of all that candy and such. Then , I'll be ready to rejoin the crafting world tomorrow.