Review: The Candy Cane Caper

The Candy Cane Caper (Cozy Culinary Mystery)

"The theft of a friend’s priceless, family-legacy Christmas ornaments brings amateur detective and culinary expert, Sadie Hoffmiller, back on the case in a new standalone cozy mystery.

"In the latest chapter to the Culinary Mystery series, amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller continues combining her sleuthing with her cooking and baking to connect with people and gain information she might otherwise not have access to. Moreover, now that Sadie is married to Detective Pete Cunningham, she has a street-savvy husband to test out her crime-solving theories.

"With Christmas approaching, Sadie is preparing for a large blended-family gathering including many new grandchildren--in their home in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Even with the festive chaos, Sadie drops everything when word gets out that her friend, Mary, is the victim of a holiday robbery.   

"At ninety-four years old, and nearly blind, Mary knows this is may be her last Christmas and the last year to enjoy her family heirloom Christmas tree ornaments. She wants just one more holiday to display her ornaments and following Christmas Eve Mass, she’ll pass them on to her great-granddaughter, Joy. Though priceless to the family, the collection has been valued at $40,000, and the Christmas tree in the care facility has never looked so good. But before the ornaments can be retrieved by Mary, eleven of the most expensive ornaments are stolen.  

"A holiday Christmas caper might be new to Sadie, but she’s ready to mix in her seasoned crime-solving skills with a pinch of new holiday recipes."

I learned something about myself while reviewing this book, that has the most adorable cover, by the way. I can read most books out of season, but I cannot read Christmas books out of season. I tried, getting about 50 pages in to The Candy Cane Caper, but ultimately put it down because I knew I would simply enjoy it more reading it in December rather than October. That being said, I am looking forward to picking it back up nearer to Christmas. I have never read any of Kilpack's culinary mysteries, but I am familiar with her other books and have enjoyed them, so I am hopeful I will enjoy this one as well. In case you are interested, here is my favorite Kilpack book.

The Lady of the Lakes (Historical Proper Romance)

Title: The Candy Cane Caper

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain 

Format: Paperback 

Price: $15.99 on AmazonThe Candy Cane Caper (Cozy Culinary Mystery)
Source: Shadow Mountain

Fashion & Fiction was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Review: Six Ingredient Meals with Six Sisters' Stuff

"With only six ingredients or less per recipe, making dinner has never been easier.

"Six Sisters’ Stuff is one of the most popular blogs for quick and easy cooking and entertaining at home for families. In their eighth cookbook, they tackle how to master meals for any cook with any skill level with more than 100 easy recipes made with incredible flavor combinations from just six ingredients or less.

"From beginning cooks learning the basics to busy parents looking to save time in the kitchen, this cookbook is loaded with entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Whether it’s a one-pot wings dish or a no-bake peanut butter bar this cookbook is a fool-proof solution to meal planning and features kid-friendly chapters such as “Kid Favorites” and “Kids Can Cook.""

I have to admit, when I received Six Ingredient Meals with Six Sisters' Stuff in the mail, I may have squealed. I love cookbooks. I cannot get enough of them. And I could not be happier to add Six Ingredient Meals to my collection of cookbooks. Here is what I love about this particular cookbook. It is beautiful. It has full page photographs of every single recipe. (Anyone else dislike cookbooks with no photos?!) When opened to a recipe, it lays open flat on my kitchen counter without the need to crack the spine. (It's the little things, I tell you!) It has a great index. (Again, the little things!) And the recipes. They are truly simple and so many look and sound terrific. I am particularly drawn to the side dishes, which frankly I need more of in my personal collection. I cannot wait to try the maple-roasted butternut squash, the twice-baked bacon-and-chive sweet potatoes, the watermelon feta salad and the pomegranate salsa. Now, excuse me while I get into the kitchen and start cooking.

Title: Six Ingredient Meals with Six Sisters' Stuff

Author: Six Sisters' Stuff

Publisher: Shadow Mountain 

Format: Paperback 

Price: $15.32 on AmazonSix Ingredient Meals With Six Sisters' Stuff

Source: Shadow Mountain 

Fashion & Fiction was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.