Hi! I’m Minnie Johnson, and I’m the housekeeper here at Charlene’s B and B. She credits me for keeping things delicious in the kitchen, but I would do anything for that young woman. She was so brave to leave behind all she knew in Chicago after her husband died to move to Salem and run a Bed and Breakfast. She didn’t know a soul! And this old mansion has its peculiarities. I knew the doctor who used to live here. Shame that he was murdered. Secrets are never good things.

Anyway, Charlene is lovely, inside and out. It makes my heart sing to see her smile. I’d like to think that my being part of her team helps—my husband Will is her handyman—but I believe Detective Sam Holden has the most to do with that sparkle in those hazel eyes.

She’s brought up creating a Charlene’s B and B cookbook more than once. My favorite section would be dessert. Will doesn’t mind my curves, and Charlene blames her added weight on my cooking. I can’t tell that she’s gained a pound, and honestly, the poor dear was gaunt with grief when she arrived.

We both love to host people. Our guests come from all over the world. It’s a known fact that when you’re on vacation, most people relax their stranglehold on calorie counting. Have the bagel with cream cheese, or the chocolate cupcake. It’s a holiday! We are famous for our weekend breakfasts.

This latest batch of guests has me tempted to turn in my chef’s apron. Dane Stallone, a famous photographer from Salem, landed on our doorstep with a dozen models for a cupid calendar. He expects bone broth and veggie plates. I think my jaw actually hit the floor.

Coffee, tea, water. No cream, no sugar, no flavor.

And you know what? He was mean to his models. Not only starving them but belittling too. There’s nothing better than tasty food, so I found a way to appease him and serve our guests more than raw veggies. The egg white frittata with spinach was packed with herbaceous flavor. Ha!

Here’s the simple recipe:

2 cups egg whites
2 cups spinach
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
½ cup low-fat cottage cheese
Spray olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Whisk together the egg whites, cottage cheese, and seasonings until frothy
Sautee tomatoes in skillet with olive spray until soft
Add spinach to skillet
Add egg mixture
Cook for on medium high for five minutes
Transfer to oven for fifteen minutes or until center is cooked through
Remove from oven—top with green onions or parmesan cheese
Once cool, slice and serve

On a separate note, I’m not at all surprised someone killed the photographer. I’m shocked that it didn’t happen sooner–Minnie

Mrs. Morris And The Venomous Valentine, A Salem B&B Mystery Book 9
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: December 2024
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

Cupid’s taking aim at Charlene Morris’s historic Salem B&B, which is brimming with models for a contentious photo shoot, but his arrow goes astray when someone is murdered on Valentine’s Day…

A full house is nothing new to Charlene and her ghostly friend, Dr. Jack Strathmore, but this Valentine’s Day, their Salem, Massachusetts inn isn’t filled with romantic couples. Instead, every room is booked by formerly famous photographer, Dane Stallone, for a Cupid-themed calendar he hopes will jumpstart his sagging career. Though Charlene’s hands are full with a dozen gorgeous models, Dane is the only diva—pitching fits, making unreasonable demands, and generally being a mood killer . . . until a real killer strikes and puts the whole shoot on ice.

With more suspects than a jumbo box of chocolates, Charlene, Jack, and Detective Sam Holden race to find the one person filled with murderous intent . . .

About the author
From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone. Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it’s her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.