Sailing the seas for the past decade had allowed me to see far-off corners of the globe and experience taste and flavor combinations from different regions and cultures. My palate developed and expanded at each port of call. From spicy curries in Egypt to delicate French pastries, I made it my mission to immerse myself in the food culture wherever the cruise ship’s mighty bow pointed me. I cherished my time on the ocean, but nowhere in the world compared to home.
I’d been home in Ashland, Oregon for six months, and had finally found my land legs. Working in my family’s bakeshop, Torte, and by my mom’s side had helped eased the pain of leaving my husband and the life I’d known. As had the warm and vibrant community of locals and tourists who welcomed me back with open arms. It was nearly impossible to linger in sadness with the scent of fresh bread being pulled from the oven or rich espresso brewing. I embraced my new life and found solace in rolling pie crust and icing dainty tea cakes.
Winter closed in and the tourists returned to sunnier locales, leaving Ashland in a quiet slumber. When my friend Lance asked me to cater a retreat for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s board of directors at a high alpine lodge, I jumped at the chance. I hadn’t seen snow in years and couldn’t wait to prepare a winter feast sure to dazzle Lance and his guests.
Armed with winter boots, a parka, and my pastry knives, I made the trek to Lake of the Woods Resort, a rustic lodge located in Oregon’s Southern Cascade Mountains. The quaint and charming lodge was blanketed in snow. It was like stepping into a winter wonderland. I had to pinch myself when I discovered where I would be working for the next few days—in the lodge’s vintage kitchen complete with cheery gingham curtains and a wood burning pizza oven.
Soon a fire was crackling in the pizza oven as fat flakes fell outside. The atmosphere was picture perfect and the hearty menu of soups and stews and orange cardamom sweet rolls and double chocolate cookies that I’d prepared should satisfy hungry guests. The weekend was off to a great start until the wind began to howl and the snow began to dump from the sky. A blizzard hit at five thousand feet, sending tree limbs hurling through the air and cutting off power to the lodge.
My culinary skills were going to be put to the test. Cooking at elevation was a challenge, but cooking without power was nearly impossible. Thank goodness for the pizza oven. As I quickly sketched out a new plan for the weekend, something even more dangerous than the conditions outside struck—murder!
The lodge’s bartender had been iced, literally. His body had been stuffed into a freezer and left out in the cold. If I couldn’t figure out who had killed him, I might be next. And to make matters worse my estranged husband, Carlos, appeared with a singular mission to win me back. Suddenly I was baking up a storm, distracted by Carlo’s romantic advances, and on the hunt of a killer.
You can read more about Jules latest adventures in On Thin Icing, the third book in the “Bakeshop” mystery series, published by St. Martin’s Press. The first two books in the series are Meet Your Baker and A Batter Of Life And Death.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a signed copy of ON THIN ICING along with some delectable winter teas and hot chocolates. (US entries only, please.) The giveaway will end January 7 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
About the author
Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research.
Visit Ellie at www.bakeshopmystery.com, Facebook and Twitter at @bakeshopmystery
Thank you for the chance to win! I adore foodie cozies and all things tea.
Daniele, I couldn’t agree more a cozy foodie read and a steaming mug of tea are pretty much perfection.
Sounds like an exciting mystery – and all that food! Thanks for the giveaway.
Mystery always pairs well with a sweet treat, right?
Definitely need to read. 🙂
Happy reading!
This mystery sounds delightful for I do like food cozies. Thank you for the chance to win.
myrifraf (at) gmail (dot) com
I hope you enjoy it, and try a recipe or two!
This cozy mystery sounds wonderful, love food cozies. Thank you for the chance to win.
Happy reading and baking!
This book sounds really good, different, I would love to read it. Definitely added to my TBR list!
Thanks for adding it to your TBR list!
Loved the first 2 books in this series! Cannot wait to read this one!
Kim, I can’t wait for you to read this one! Carlos is coming… things are heating up in the kitchen.
Sounds like a fun addition to this series
🙂
On Thin Icing sounds really good read. I would love to read it.
Peggy, I hope you’ll give it a try!
I love bakeries as a setting! Thanks.
Donna, me too because it means that I have to spend a lot of time in real world bakeries for research!
Excellent series , thank you for the chance to win such a great prize !
Kathy, I’m glad you’re enjoying the series so far. I love writing about Ashland and food.
I’m not sure which is more challenging-baking without power or solving a murder! 🙂 This sounds like a book I have to read. Thanks Dru for cluing me in to the book and series! Thanks to Ellie for the chance to win a copy of your book.
Barbara, so true! I was working on this book in the middle of a heat wave and used our backyard fire pit as my test kitchen. Let’s just say I burned more than one pizza in the process. It’s a good thing that Jules is a professional chef 😉
Looks like great cozy mystery.
Happy reading!
Wonderful to see another new book in this series. I am sure it will be a great read just like the previous ones. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thanks so much. I’m really excited to share this one!
Thanks to Drusbookmusings I have found many new authors, series. I look forward to getting to know your works. On Thin Icing looks like a most intriguing start. Thank you for this opportunity for a quicker start on your “Bakeshop” mysteries.
Dru is the best! She’s the queen of mystery, IMHO. Happy reading!
Thank you Ellie.
The classic cut off in a storm in an isolated inn motif.
Perfect.
I love being snowed in and had so much fun working that into the story. Of course I’ve never been snowed in with a killer, thank goodness!
I just started this series and would like to get the newest book so I can continue enjoying the story. thanks
Happy New Year
Mary, thanks so much for giving the series a try! I hope you enjoy Jules and her team at Torte.
I love this series!
That makes my day! <3
Sounds yummy!
Agreed. A cozy book and a delectable pastry are perfect winter reading for me.
Love this series
I love you for loving it! Thanks so much. I can’t tell you how much I love writing about Jules, Helen, Sterling and the entire town of Ashland!
I read On Thin Icing and I love it! I’m plan on going back and reading the earlier books. Thanks for the great mystery and give away.
Patty, I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it! Happy new year!
Sounds like a great read. Happy New Year!
Happy reading in 2016!
On Thin Icing would be a real escape and sounds captivating and special. Thanks.
I hope it’s a snowy and cozy winter escape for you!
Can’t put the book down, except to make the chocolate cookies. Just when I think what direction the book goes in, pulls another direction…..love love it. See you January 7th. Ellie. Bravo!!!!
Lin, I’m so glad that you’re enjoying it and baking the cookies! Happy New Year!
sounds good, hope I win, ty for the chance
Good luck!
Yes please Dru, I love the series and would kill to own a copy for my home library.
Well played… “kill for a copy” 🙂
Starting to read this series, would be great to have this one on hand after I finish the other two. Really enjoy mysteries with recipes. Happy New Year.
Yay! Happy reading and baking!
This seems like a wonderful read. I am putting it on my tbr list for sure. Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
Kay, thanks for adding it to your tbr list!
This is a wonderful series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks so much, Doward! Can’t wait to hear what you think of this one.
I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me authors to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Me too! I love finding new reads. I hope you’ll give it a try.
This sounds very exciting! Another new mystery series for me to explore.
Thanks for the reviews and the opportunity.
Three cheers for exploring new books!
Sounds like another great book! Thanks for the chance!
Good luck and happy reading!
I’d love to win a copy! thanks Dru and Ellie!
Best of luck!
Dru, thanks for introducing me to another wonderful book in a series that sounds great.
Agreed, many thanks to Dru for connecting authors and readers!
Ellie, do you have a favorite pastry?
Mary, do I have to pick one? So many pastries so little time 😉 I love anything with almond or marzipan.
Any book with icing in the title is going on my TBR list! Would love to win this giveaway
Sharon, coming up with punny titles is one of my favorite things.
I love this series. I love the characters and of course that it’s set in Oregon. lol
Thanks, Kaye. Hope to see you in the great state of Oregon soon. XO!
This sounds like a great winter mystery! I’d love to win.
Karlene, winter is perfect for cozy reading!
There’s nothing like curling up on a cold winter’s day with a cup of hot tea and a murder mystery, especially in combination with pizza and pastry.
Love the premise of this series! Thanks for the chance to win the book.
A new series for me. Sounds wonderful!
Sounds like a great series!
Really need to binge-read this series soon!!!
Thanks Ellie for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.