Now to thank the rest of my kick-butt team. To Susan Croft. Thank you for immersing yourself in this book, this series and the world of Bohemian Lake. Your ability to fix my rambling run-on sentences is a gift all on its own. I owe you some yummy cupcakes and cocktails for this one.
I’d also like to thank my designer, Mariah Sinclair: I think this might just be favorite cover.
And of course, my readers and reviewers. As always, you make writing fun! Come and say hello on my Facebook page, Twitter or my website. I post teasers, new covers and offer up giveaways in my monthly newsletters. I also have a Facebook group called Rae’s Rabble Rousers where I interact with my fans. Psst… it’s also where I post all of my insider information and answer any and all fan questions.
Take a picture and tag @RockinFitRaquelle on Instagram and hashtag it #shelfie #instabook and you could win a prize.
With much gratitude,
Rachael
Don’t forget to welcome deann
Please meet the lovely DeAnn Howe! She has always lived in the Midwest, and loves to read, preferably on her sunny Missouri deck. She is happiest on a beach anywhere from Virginia to Florida, but fell in love with Scotland during a trip across the pond. Swirling with ideas, DeAnn has longed to write, and at last she was set free when she received an offer to co-write in Author Rachael Stapleton’s established series of Bohemian Lake Mysteries. Please be sure to connect with DeAnn as she continues to co-write with Rachael and follow her on Facebook where you can sign up for her newsletter. She has plans for a series or three on her own as well.
And don’t forget, reviews are vital for authors, so please take a minute to leave one on Amazon, Goodreads or BookBub.
A Note from DeAnn
Thank you for reading the latest Bohemian Lake Mystery. There are several series in the Bohemian Lake world and this book is number ten overall, however, this is the third in the Bohemian Murder Manor Mysteries. If you would like to read them in order, the first two are Gypsies, Traps, & Missing Thieves and Make Believes & Lost Memories. I truly hope you enjoy these books.
I am grateful to Rachael Stapleton for the chance to co-write with her. She is a great mentor. Thank you! I would also like to thank Susan Croft and Mariah Sinclair for the work they do with Rachael, and by proxy, me.
A huge thank you to my family and friends, especially my brother, Brian, for his support and cheerleading when I needed it most.
With much gratitude,
DeAnn Howe
Hansel & Gretel BAIT
Yield: About 24 Cupcakes
Recipe Credit: PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH CANDY CANE POP ROCKS from www.lifeloveandsugar.com
INGREDIENTS
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
2 cups cake flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water
PEPPERMINT ICING
1 1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cup shortening
6 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
3–4 tbsp water
Pop Rocks for sprinkling on top
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES:
1. Put all dry ingredients in a large bowl and combine.
2. Add eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients.
3. Add vanilla to boiling water and add to mixture.
4. Mix at medium speed.
5. Pour into cupcake pan and bake 18-20 minutes at 300 degrees.
PEPPERMINT ICING
1. Beat the shortening and butter until smooth.
2. Slowly add 3 cups of powdered sugar. Mix until combined.
3. Mix in the peppermint extract and 1 tbsp water.
4. Add the rest of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add more water to get the right consistency.
5. Ice the cupcakes and sprinkle with pop rocks!
THE WITCH'S HEART COCKTAIL
SERVINGS: 1 DRINK
Recipe Credit: DINI FROM THE FLAVOR BENDER
A dreamy, whimsical and magical Halloween Cocktail made with Blackberry Shimmery liqueur! Are you brave enough to drink The Witch's Heart?
INGREDIENTS
1 jigger apple brandy or apple vodka chilled
1 tsp grenadine
2 jiggers (or to top up)Homemade Blackberry Shimmery Liqueur (see notes)chilled
Powdered dry ice optional
Martini glass to serve
INSTRUCTIONS
Add about 1/2 - 1 tsp of powdered dry ice to the bottom of the glass (optional).
Place the apple brandy and purple shimmery liqueur in a shaker. Add 1 ice cube and shake for a few seconds to chill the drink. Strain the drink into a martini glass. Top up with more purple shimmery liqueur if necessary.
Pour 1 tsp of grenadine syrup, about an inch from the surface of the drink - the grenadine should sink to the bottom, creating a "bleeding" effect.
Add about 1/2 tsp of powdered dry ice on top and serve with a stirrer, so that your guests can stir the "potion" to create that shimmery, smoky effect.
RECIPE NOTES
You can make this cocktail with Purple Shimmery Liqueur and mix it with some White Moscato Wine. Click here for the recipe to make Purple Shimmery Liqueur at home. To make it easier, you can use Viniq instead, but as noted it will change the flavor profile.
ABOUT DRY ICE - ONLY ADD COMPLETELY CRUSHED DRY ICE. Wait until the smoke effect stops, because then you know the dry ice has completely evaporated, and the drink is now completely safe to drink. Just crush the dry ice (to a powder). I buy pellets OR add the dry ice into an ice bag and crush it using an ice crushing mallet or similar tool. ALWAYS wear gloves when handling dry ice.
You can add a little to the bottom of your cocktail glass to give it that spooky, smoky effect when you pour the drink, and maybe add another touch of powdered dry ice after that for a smoky effect that lasts a bit longer. But you should NOT swallow or ingest bits of dry ice. Wait until the dry ice has completely evaporated. This happens fast, and it leaves no residue behind as it evaporates. The powdered dry ice evaporates even faster.
And ALWAYS use gloves when handling dry ice. Never touch it with bare hands. Make sure dry ice is used in a ventilated space. In a part setting, make sure the cocktails are used in an open setting to avoid CO2 build up.
Ouija, Death & Wicked Witchery Page 21
