"Lemon Tart" by Josi Kilpack and links to other finalists

I just realized that in previous posts I already blogged on the rest of the Whitney romance finalists All the Stars in Heaven by Michele Paige Holmes, Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena, and Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace, and Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain (click any of the links to see those posts). So I'll be moving on to the Murder/Suspense category today.

And, lookee there, I've hit several of those as well. This is where I posted on Traci Hunter Abramson's book Lockdown, And here's is Stephanie Black's Methods of Madness. I did post on Josi Kilpack's second culinary mystery, English Trifle, but never mentioned the one that finaled: Lemon Tart, which was the first in her series.

First, the blurb from Deseretbook.com, and bonus recipe:

A recipe for murder!

• 5 families living on Peregrine Circle
• 1 flowered curtain tieback
• 1 missing child
• 1 body in the field

Mix with a long list of suspects and top with two very different detectives. Increase heat until only the truth remains.

Award-winning author Josi S. Kilpack introduces a new series of culinary "cozies" that is sure to tantalize mystery lovers. In this debut volume, cooking aficionado-turned-amateur detective, Sadie Hoffmiller, tries to solve the murder of Anne Lemmon, her beautiful young neighbor - a single mother who was mysteriously killed while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is Anne's missing two-year-old son, Trevor. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects - including her!

Armed with a handful of her very best culinary masterpieces, Sadie is determined to bake her way to proving her innocence, rescuing Trevor, and finding out exactly who had a motive for murder.

Mom’s Lemon Tart
Crust
1 cup all- purpose flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter (cut into smaller pieces)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor or mixer, combine ingredients for crust. Pulse together until a dough starts to form in clumps. Press into tart pan, making sure to cover bottom and sides evenly. Pierce the bottom of the crust with a fork and place in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Place tart pan on a cookie sheet and bake until crust is a golden-brown color, approximately 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Filling
5 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons—DO NOT use concentrated lemon juice)
2 large eggs
Zest from one lemon (get zest from lemon before juicing)

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese with electric beaters until smooth. Add sugar. Mix until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each egg. Stop and scrape bowl halfway through. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until smooth.

Pour filling into tart crust and bake on cookie sheet for 20 to 30 minutes or until filling is set. Let tart cool on wire cooling rack. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Use whipped cream as an optional topping. It can be piped on instars or served on top with each piece. For extra flavor in the whipped cream, add a teaspoon of lemon zest.

One interesting thing to note, Josi has a collection of testers across the country who help her try out and refine her recipes in her books, so you don't need to worry about them tasting yummy.

You can learn more about this talented and multi-faceted author on her website or blog. Her latest book in the Sadie Hoffmiller series, Devil's Food Cake has just been released and she's having a launch party this week--but you'll have to check out her blog for details.

2009 Whitney Award Finalist, "Counting the Cost" by Liz Adair

As you can see in my sidebar, the 2009 Whitney Award Finalists have been announced. You can get a full explanation for what the awards are here. But just as a quick explanation, the awards are for books written by authors who are LDS. Most of the titles were written with an LDS audience in mind, but there are many exceptions to this list, but rest assured, all titles are appropriate for LDS audiences. Over the next six weeks I'll be telling a little more about each of the books and authors so you'll be able to decide if the books are just right for you or someone you know.

Today's book is Counting the Cost, by Liz Adair. This is one of the Romance genre finalists. First, the blurb:

For handsome, hard-riding cowhand, Heck Benham, life is as solid as the New Mexico countryside he loves, as predictable as the annual spring roundup. Yet, that all changes when Mrs. Ruth Reynolds moves from back east into his homeland and into his heart.

The stark contrast in their lives is played out in a territory that is, itself, coming into its own. As Ruth and Heck face a trail of pivotal, life-changing decisions, their love is challenged at every turn. What will it cost them before they find what is most important in life?

With strong characters, true-to-life emotion, gentle humor, meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy, Liz Adair paints a passionate tale of love and learning, of romance and redemption.


Liz is the author of six books, is a wife, mother, grandmother, former business woman, public speaker, seminary teacher, and family history enthusiast. You can learn more about her on her website, her blog, or her profile through Deseret Book.

Check out her book trailer!

"Depth of Deceit" by Betty Briggs

Here's a book released last fall by author Betty Briggs that I just stumbled across. Sounds great doesn't it?

How does an intelligent woman find herself mired in a web of deception, abuse, and danger?

Stephanie Saunders is a lovely young attorney with a big heart, keen mind, and a trust in others that nearly proves disastrous. Her handsome and wealthy boyfriend strikes her as perfect, but is he too good to be true? Her boss hovers around her like a protector and friend, but is he? Stephanie’s work focuses on defending the indigent, and one client earns her trust and friendship, but why is he showing up at the oddest places? It seems that she can trust only the horses she trains and loves, magnificent beasts who remind her of life’s purposes and meaning.

In a dramatic turn of events, Stephanie must make a decision that will affect her life forever. While fans of the author’s earlier novels will be thrilled to discover a familiar character, this novel stands alone in plot and dramatic impact.

You can learn more about the author at her website. and take a moment to check out her book trailer.



This book was published by Sunrise Selections and can be purchased at Amazon.com. The ISBN: 978-0965630757 and it is 352 pages, 5x8, softcover.

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief: Hilarious Stories for Saints

I admit, I do actually have a tie to this book. My friends, D.N. Giles and C.L. Beck are the ones who complied this collection of funny anecdotes--one of which was written by me. There are well over a hundred funny stories bound to tickle your funny bone, however, so don't let that deter you.

First, the blurb:

Whoever thought sacrament meeting could be so silly? In Mormon Mishaps and Mischief you'll find a unique collection of hilarious short stories from celebrated LDS authors that turn the spotlight on ordinary members to illuminate the lighter side of Mormondom. Whether it's the annual Primary program or a simple Sunday school prayer, you'll soon find that ?where two or three are gathered together? . . . there's bound to be potential for some humor. Cure your family's Sunday afternoon doldrums with a little dose of mishaps and mischief.

This book is still trickling into stores, though Deseret Book has picked it up, so it should arrive on shelves there soon. It can already be ordered through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, the publisher, Cedar Fort, and direct from the authors on one of their blogs. You can learn more about the authors at one any of their various blogs, which you can find here, here, here, here, and here (among others).

GG Vandagriff's murder mystery, "The Hidden Branch"

Paul Mardian is a shining example of the American dream. The grandson of an Armenian immigrant who fled to the United States during the genocide of 1915, Paul is a self- made industrial tycoon and one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. But the dream is shattered when Paul turns up dead and his valuable collection of ancient Armenian artifacts goes missing.

Hired to find the murdered man's heirs, professional genealogist Alexandra Campbell and her sidekick, Briggie, are brought to the swanky beaches of Southern California and a community of Armenian relatives who all seem to be hiding a secret.

When another family member is suddenly murdered, Alex discovers there is more at stake than an unclaimed fortune or missing antiques, but piecing together Paul's complicated family tree may be more dangerous than she ever anticipated. Author G. G. Vandagriff combines mystery, suspense, and romance in this page- turning thriller!

Vandagriff has four other books out which are unrelated to this series, which you can learn about on her website. She also has a blog she updates regularly. Her books are available everywhere LDS books are sold.

________________

I had a great signing in Beaver earlier tonight, and I have a few more this week. Friday evening I'll be in Nephi at Mt Nebo Thriftway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Saturday I'll be at Kent's Market in Ephraim from 10-2 and Manti Market from 3-7.

"Bone Warriors" by Bron Bahlmann

Not only is Bron a teenager, but he's a great writer too. He's been writing since he was eleven, and his book was released last summer.

Here's the blurb for his book, Bone Warriors:

CRAVING POWER AND LUSTING FOR HUMAN SOULS, the wicked necromancer sweeps the land, leaving behind nothing but death and devastation. RETURNING HOME, fifteen-year-old Derrik and his friend Tweaks find their homes burning and families missing. They immediately embark on a rescue quest for redemption and retaliation. Such evil cannot be allowed to roam exempt. SINISTER GIANTS, colossal green jungle cats, and undead monsters confront them as Derrik and Tweaks encounter inconceivable threats in the forbidden woods, as well as gain unlikely allies. THE BOYS SOON REALIZE that their only hope to save their families comes from the very creature they cannot trust. But they re running out of time. How can they put an end to the necromancer s terrifying reign?


You can learn more about this teen wonder at his website, his blog, or check out this fun video about him.

"Just One Wish" by Janette Rallison

Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it’s all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery.

But Annika’s plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him.

Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right? Janette Rallison’s proven talent for laugh-out-loud humor, teen romance, and deep-hearted storytelling shines in a novel that will have readers laughing and crying at the same time.


Check out Janette's book trailer for this story--it's just been posted.



You can learn more about Janette and her books at her website. You can also see this video she did about her experience with writing this book.