Showing posts with label Haggerty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haggerty. Show all posts

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Eggnog Latte Cupcakes - A Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper Recipe & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome D. E. Haggerty to Cozy Up With Kathy today. D. E. writes the Death by Cupcake Mystery series. Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper is the fourth book in the series.



Eggnog Latte Cupcakes

These cupcakes are supposed to made with eggnog because – Christmas! I thought eggnog was going to be impossible to find in the Netherlands. I spent days researching a Dutch drink – Advocaat – to see if I could use it instead. But lo and behold, I found eggnog at the British/American store when I went to buy shortening. (I also found some candy I usually don’t eat and shouldn’t eat, but that’s a different story.)

Makes 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the Eggnog Cupcakes

- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large egg whites at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (I use speculaaskruiden, which has cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup eggnog
- 2 teaspoons water

For the espresso frosting

- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup shortening
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee
- 2-3 tablespoons eggnog

Directions

Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius) and prepare a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light in color and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

4. Add egg whites in two batches, mixing until well combined after each batch.

5. Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt) in a separate bowl.

6. Combine the eggnog and water in a small cup.

7. Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until well combined. Add the eggnog mixture and mix until well combined. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined.

8. Fill the cupcake liners about halfway. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.

9. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.

Make the frosting

10. Combine butter and shortening in a large mixing bowl and mix until smooth.

11. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth.

12. Dissolve the powdered espresso in the hot water, then add about half of the espresso mixture to the frosting and mix until smooth.

13. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth.

14. Add the remaining espresso mixture and eggnog as needed and mix until you have the desired frosting consistency.

15. Decorate cupcakes with frosting as desired. As you can see from the picture, I do not excel at piping frosting.

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Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper (Death by Cupcake) by D.E. Haggerty

About Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper

 
Cozy Mystery Novella 4th in Series 
Independently Published (November 1, 2019)  
Number of Pages: 80 ASIN:
It’s all candy cane cupcakes and peppermint coffee until you find a dead elf on your doorstep.
Only the elf wasn’t a real elf, because elves don’t actually exist – not even at Christmas time. A college student dressed like an elf decided taking a nap in sub-zero winter temps was a good idea. It wasn’t. Anna, the pink-haired baker extraordinaire of Callie’s Cakes, is convinced the student’s death was not an accident. She drags Callie and Kristie along with her as she attempts to discover who killed the elf … um… student.
Will the gals of Callie’s Cakes find the killer before Christmas is ruined?
Cupcakes not included, although you’ll find recipes for all the delicious Christmas cupcakes Anna baked.

About D.E. Haggerty


I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom's Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn't flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic before returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where, in between tennis matches and failing to save the world, I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

Author links:  
Website: http://dehaggerty.wordpress.com  
Blog: https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/category/mymusings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dehaggerty  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dehaggerty  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dehaggerty/  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7210211.D_E_Haggerty  
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/D.E.-Haggerty/e/B00ECQBURU/  
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/027b2768aa1c/newsletter-sign-up-for-a-writers-life-by-de-haggerty  
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty/
Bookbub author page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/d-e-haggerty
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-e-haggerty-4b49a29/  

Purchase Links Amazon Goodreads

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Friday, September 21, 2018

Finders Not Keepers An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome D.E. Haggerty to the blog today. D.E. pens the Not So Reluctant Detectives Mystery Series. In Finders, Not Keepers is the first book in the series and was released late last month.


Kathy: In Finders, Not Keepers Terri finds an exquisite diamond pendant necklace. Have you ever found a treasure while cleaning out an attic?

DEH: I haven’t found a treasure while cleaning out an attic, but I did find a personal treasure during my last move. I lost my dog tags at least a decade ago. If you’ve known anyone in the military, you will understand how upsetting such a loss is. For our move to The Hague, I had our storage container brought over, but we don’t have any storage in our apartment! So, I went through things I usually just keep in storage – such as an accordion folder full of my military documents. And low and behold inside the folder was my dog tags!! They are now hanging from my law school degree on the wall.


Kathy: If you were to find a valuable piece of jewelry would you go to the lengths Terri does to find its owner, or would you just say, "Finders Keepers!"?

DEH: I would! I am not a big believer in the finders, keepers theory. You don’t believe me? When I was in college and surviving on $5 a week for groceries, I found several hundred dollars at a cash machine. I ran after the person in front of me who had left the money instead of keeping it for myself.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

DEH: I like how cozy mysteries are actually a mishmash of genres. There’s not just a mystery, but humor and often romance as well. I love that cozy mysteries usually feature a strong female protagonist. We need more of those!


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

DEH: Yes, I also write historical romance and romantic comedies. Romantic comedies aren’t too different from cozy mysteries, but they aren’t clean reads.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

DEH: The Not So Reluctant Detective series will be three books with each book featuring a different protagonist. The protagonists are connected by the high school where they all work and the library of the high school in which they congregate to sometimes reluctantly but often not reluctantly discuss murder cases in which they are personally involved. My previous cozy mystery series, Death by Cupcake, was also a series of three books. These novels were set in a cupcake bakery where murder investigations were on the menu. My first cozy mystery series, The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives, centered on a bunch of elderly knitters who were too busy pretending to be Jessica Fletcher to actually get any knitting done.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

DEH: Oh gosh, choosing a favorite character would be like having a favorite child – totally not allowed but everyone does it anyone. I’m usually in love with the character I’m currently writing. Then, I’ll finish and start a new book only to fall in love with my new protagonist.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

DEH: The current series was actually inspired by my love for Nancy Drew. I was planning to write a series as a sort of tribute to Nancy Drew, but my characters weren’t down with that.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

DEH: I’d switched careers several times – from the military to attorney to business owner – and still wasn’t happy. My husband suggested I grab one of the manuscripts I’d buried in the attic and publish it myself. Several years later, I’m still at it.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

DEH: Janet Evanovich. Her books are such fun! I’d love to get some tips on writing funny mysterious novels from her.

Mark Dawson. His marketing knowledge for self-published authors is incredible. I’d kill to pick his brain for an evening.

Jasper Fforde. His writing is incredibly quirky and witty. I could learn a lot from him.

Orhan Pamuk. Having spent three years in Istanbul during these turbulent political times, it would be interesting to hear a native Turk’s (who has been outspoken against the current regime) views on the country’s future.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

DEH: The Italian Teacher by Tom Rachman. It’s for my book club. The writing is quite good and quick paced, but I’m not in love with the story.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

DEH: Besides books? Is there anything else in life? When I force myself to put down my kindle, it’s often to play tennis. I play several times a week. I also love movies, visiting museums, and attending lectures. Hmmm… I sound like a nerd.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

DEH: Milk (can’t drink coffee without it), yogurt, Diet Coke, and crackers.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

DEH: I’m working on the second book in the series now. I’m hoping to bring it out before Christmas. There’s a third book in the planning as well. I also have plans of a memoir and new historical fiction novel.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

DEH: Besides getting to make up stories all the time, I love the freedom to work when I want, where I want, in whatever clothes I want. I’m currently sitting at my desk in my PJs while it’s still dark outside.

**************************************************************************

Finders, Not Keepers (The Not So Reluctant Detectives) by D.E. Haggerty

About the Book


Cozy Mystery/Romantic Suspense  
1st in Series Self Published (August 20, 2018)  
Print Length: 244 pages
What do you do with a diamond no one wants? You can’t keep it. Or can you?
While cleaning her ex-husband’s effects out of the attic, Terri finds an exquisite diamond pendant necklace. She’s determined to return the necklace to its proper owner, but the owner was brutally killed, a murder which remains unsolved, and her heirs want nothing to do with the diamond. Terri embarks upon a journey researching charities to which she can donate the diamond. When her research becomes dangerous, Terri contemplates solving the murder herself. Her best friend, Melanie, jumps feet first into investigating the murder, but her neighbor, Ryder, doesn’t want Terri exposed to any danger. Ryder, to Terri’s surprise, also wants to be more than neighbors with Terri. Luckily, he’s prepared to take any measure necessary to keep her safe because someone is determined to stop her inquiries.
Join Terri on her quest to find a home for the diamond, which may result in the unveiling of a murderer – if she survives long enough.

About the Author



I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom's Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn't flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book. Finders, Not Keepers is my thirteenth novel.  

Author Links:
Website – Blog – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – Goodreads Amazon author page – Newsletter signup – Google+ – Pinterest - BookBub

Purchase Links: Amazon Smashwords Barnes and Noble Kobo Goodreads iTunes

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Monday, December 12, 2016

Book Blast - Self Serve Murder

Book Blast – Self Serve Murder by D.E. Haggerty



Self-Serve Murder (Death by Cupcake)
3rd in Series
Cozy Mystery
Self-Published
Paperback: 130 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1540620712
E-Book ASIN: B01M8K0RYR

 Synopsis:
Book 3 in the Death by Cupcake series. Can be read as a standalone.
Kristie is kind with a capital K, so it’s quite the surprise when she wakes up next to a dead man with no recollection of the previous night. Even worse? She’s naked. Kristie may be a sweetheart out to save the world, but sticking her nose into an investigation of rapes across campus makes her the target of a murderer. Before she knows it, Callie is smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation with her colleagues Callie and Anna. If that’s not enough to drive a sane person up the wall, a friend has decided he’s going to keep her safe whether she wants him to or not. And, oh yeah, he’s her man and that’s that.
Come join us at Callie’s Cakes, where murder investigations are on the menu. You are most welcome, but you may need to serve yourself as our barista Kristie is busy trying to save the world.

Warning: Although there are plenty of moments that will make you shake your head and laugh at the antics of the ladies of Callie’s Cakes, the subject matter – rape on college campuses – is very real and somewhat darker than your usual cozy mystery.



Excerpt:

I assumed that, as soon as we got back to my apartment, everyone would take off, and I’d be left alone to contemplate what happened. Contemplate. I snort to myself. Freak out’s more like it. Unfortunately, when I open the door and turn around to thank everyone, the men push their way in and collapse on my sofa. My sofa, heck my apartment, was not made to house the two oversized detectives.
I don’t shut the door but stand at the entrance with my mouth opening and closing in my best imitation of a fish. Think, think, think. Oh yeah, I have the perfect excuse for keeping them out. “Should you be in here? Doesn’t CSI or whatever it’s called in real life need to do their thing? Find clues or fingerprints or something?” There! That sounded reasonable. Not at all like I’m trying to kick everyone out. 
Logan snorts. “You watch too much TV.”
Luckily, Ben takes pity on me and explains. “They’ve already come and gone. And even if they hadn’t, it wouldn’t matter.” The confusion must show on my face. The big detective smiles. “We were all here this morning.” I nod my head in understanding but don’t move away from the door.
Anna sits on Logan’s lap and I cringe as my sofa creaks. “You might as well shut the door and come in here.” Oh great, the troublemaker is on the case. Looks like I don’t have a choice. I shut the door and walk the short distance to my living room. I collapse in the chair across from my friends and close my eyes. Let the questions begin.
“So why were you in that bar anyway? You don’t drink. Or at least the few times we’ve gone out, we nearly had to force-feed you beer.” Callie’s voice actually sounds hurt.
I shrug and try to evade giving away the real reason for my visit to the bar. “Am I not allowed to go to a bar on a Friday night?”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” Callie immediately snaps. Darn it! I suck at the secret spy mission stuff.
“Sorry, I’m not feeling well.” There, that’s not a lie.
“We just need you to answer a few questions and then we’ll leave you alone,” Ben insists in a gentle but firm voice. Obviously, I’m not getting out of answering some questions and considering I woke up naked next to a dead man, I should probably be grateful I’m getting grilled by my friends instead of cuddling up to some jailbird named Bertha.
 


Buy links:
Amazon     Smashwords    Barnes and Noble    Kobo


Author Bio: I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although I did manage, every once in a while, to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But being a lawyer really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out being a B&B owner wasn’t my thing either. I decided to follow the husband to Istanbul for a few years where I managed to churn out book after book. But ten years was too many to stay away from ‘home’. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

Author links:
Website: http://dehaggerty.wordpress.com
Blog: https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/category/mymusings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dehaggerty
Twitter: https://twitter.com/denaehaggerty
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DEHaggerty/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7210211.D_E_Haggerty
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/D.E.-Haggerty/e/B00ECQBURU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_5?qid=1438239628&sr=8-5