Monday, January 13, 2014
Chocolate, Hot Peppers, and My New Life - By J. J. Cook
Chocolate, Peppers, and My New Life
By Fire Chief Stella Griffin
From Playing with Fire
By J.J. Cook
I’m not much of a cook. I’m great with toast, and microwave food. I
didn’t need anything else when I lived in Chicago. I even got by with it when
it was my turn to cook at the fire station. Stew, soup, chili – all of those
are great fresh from the freezer to the microwave.
Now that I live in Sweet Pepper, Tennessee – food is a big
deal. They have this huge pepper festival every year that I’m expected to
participate in as fire chief. It’s kind of like a community service. New,
better, more exciting hot pepper recipes are the keywords.
I don’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t for the ghost who
lives with me. Eric Gamlyn can be a little moody, but he’s great cook! He’s
original and inventive – if a little messy and not much for cleaning up after
himself. I don’t mind too much. He makes me look good at the festival! We won a
blue ribbon this year!
Here is one of Eric’s recipes for hot chocolate with cayenne
pepper. It's great on a cold winter night!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar (or substitute)
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5 cups milk
2 cinnamon sticks
1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Mix water, cocoa powder and sugar (or substitute) in a
saucepan. Slowly bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook
until mixture thickens. Mix in remaining ingredients and heat, but don’t boil. Serve
hot with cinnamon sticks to garnish!
Book #2 in the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mysteries
Read an excerpt: http://www.joyceandjimlavene.com/JJ%20Cook/PlayingWithFire.htm
Welcome to Sweet Pepper, Tennessee. Nestled in the Great
Smoky Mountains, it’s home to the hottest and sweetest peppers in the world—as
well as at least one ghost and a hotbed of secrets…
Fire Chief Stella Griffin is working to solve the mysterious
death of her predecessor, Eric Gamlyn—who also haunts her cabin. Yet the more
she learns, the more burning questions she must answer. Just as Stella thinks
she has a lead from Deputy Chum, someone snuffs her hopes—and the lawman.
Adding fuel to the fire, Stella’s parents soon arrive—with
her ex-boyfriend—hoping to persuade her to return to Chicago. Now Stella is
torn between the life she left behind and uncovering what happened to her
ghostly friend. But she’d better think fast or more than her investigation
could go up in flames…
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That recipe sounds delicious. Can't wait to try it. Looking forward to reading Playing With Fire.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina!
DeleteNot sure if I'd care for Chocolate with cayenne pepper in it, but the series sounds good. A female main character in a traditionally male job and a bit of the supernatural thrown in for good measure.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think so either, Dianne, but it's really good! Thanks for stopping by!
Deletekim j
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book! Hot chocolate with a little spice is fantastic!
kjohnson952@yahoo.com
Everything is better with a little zing! Thanks, Kim!
Delete"I’m not much of a cook. I’m great with toast, and microwave food." I'm a single senior and that's me in a nutshell! I'm really looking forward to this series and have it on my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteFirefighters everywhere - thank you!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Thanks, Karen!
DeleteI love the idea of chocolate and hot pepper! Growing a variety of hot peppers is my favorite thing to grow in the summer. jenjans2002@yahoo.ca
ReplyDeleteMine too, Jen!
DeleteI'm sure I would love hot pepper in hot chocolate as I love cayenne. This book sounds excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Nancy!
DeleteThat is hot chocolate for a crowd! Great for a cold day warm up.
ReplyDeleteThere's always a crowd at the firehouse!
DeleteHot Chocolate and hot pepper are a great combo. Thanks for this wonderful feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThis book sounds special as does the recipe. thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteHave to try that hot chocolate recipe. Love dark chocolate with chili pepper. Yum! Of course, I am eager to read the book.
ReplyDeleteDark chocolate and chili pepper. yum!
DeleteSounds like a great read! Can't wait to read it, definitely on my "To Read" list!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tonya!
DeleteI've just recently become hooked on books with a touch of the paranormal, so this sounds great. The cocoa sounds interesting, I may just have to try this.
ReplyDeletemomzillasteel at gmail dot com
Love the paranormal, Debbie! Goes great with mystery!
DeleteBoth the hot chocolate and the book sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy!
DeleteLove chocolate and spice together!! Can't wait to read this one!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca!
DeleteThe combination of chocolate and pepper sounds counterintuitive but I'll bet that it's delish! Thanks for the recipe and featuring a book that's now on my five-alarm TBR list!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy, Katherine!
DeleteI'm a hot chocoholic, but have never tried it with cayenne! Can't forget the marshmallows on top!
ReplyDeleteAlways marshmallows too!
DeleteThat is great.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deletethank you for the chance to win this book!!
ReplyDeletecongrats to JJ!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Cyn!
DeleteOooh, I will have to try this!
ReplyDeleteThe book or the recipe?
DeleteLove the Hot chocolate recipe with Cayenne. There is chocolate bar with that combo that is so wonderful. Would love this book to add to the ebook and first in the series I already have. Also looking forward to the next book. RUTH NIXON
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth!
DeleteThe recipe sounds interesting but the book sounds very good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Elaine!
DeleteI am not sure about the recipe but I know you write great books and this new series sound great. I look forward to winning and reading it. lol
ReplyDeleteThank you Melody!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the recipe but I know you write great books. I am looking forward to winning and reading it. lol
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read! I love the Great Smokey Mountains and would love to read this series.
ReplyDeleteglindathegood@bellsouth.net
a must read...looks great...thank you
ReplyDeletejslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
I'm not much for hot peppers but I have been waiting for this book to come out. I really need to get reading!
ReplyDeleteWe hope you enjoy it, Susie!
DeleteBirdhouse Books is our winner. Thanks to everyone for participating!
ReplyDelete