One of my favorite sayings to my customers is, “Make it a great day.” You always need to look on the bright side, right? “The glass is half full, not half empty.” “Having a positive attitude is key.” I’ve always tried to live my life by these examples but some days it hasn’t been easy.
Today is different, though. I already know this will be a wonderful day. It’s my husband Mike’s 31st birthday, the sun is shining and it’s not snowing. . .well, at least not yet. When you live in the Buffalo, New York area in the winter, you learn to appreciate these things.
For those who don’t know me, my name is Sally Muccio Donovan. I own Sally’s Samples, a novelty cookie shop in Colwestern New York. Yes, it’s kind of an odd name but fits since it’s usually cold here and we’re located in the Western region.
So, I have a confession to make. Even though Mike and I have been married for almost three years, I haven’t fully mastered the art of cooking yet. It isn’t the same thing as being in my bakery, where I know every cookie recipe by heart and can even decorate them to some extent. I’ll never be as good as my best friend and head baker, Josie Sullivan. The shop has been open for over three years and while I’ve made significant improvement, I wouldn’t have made it past the first day without Josie’s talent.
Cooking dinner is an entirely different matter, though. Most nights we go to my parents’ house and mooch food there. Not that my mother is a culinary whiz. She’s a lovely woman but more concerned about what stilettos go best with the mini dress she’s wearing. It doesn’t matter that she’s in her mid-fifties. She’s acted and dressed like a teenager for as long as I could remember.
My Grandma Rosa is the fabulous cook in the family. She can make anything under the sun, from pasta fagioli to my favorite dessert—ricotta cheesecake. She also gives sound and practical advice. I honestly don’t know what we’d do without her.
Although my grandmother offered to fix the dinner, I wanted to make the effort for Mike’s birthday. I even invited my entire family to join us. As I already hinted at, my parents aren’t like most people’s parents. My father’s favorite hobby is death. Yes, you heard me right. He writes a blog about it and even published a book on the subject. Now he wants Josie to make coffin shaped cookies for his book signing in the bakery. My sister, Gianna, who is engaged and expecting a blessed event any day, regards our parents as a major embarrassment. I used to, but they always seem to have a good time and enjoy life so hey, who am I to judge?
Back to the dinner. I copied Grandma Rosa’s lasagna recipe with precise care. Then I made a garden salad and garlic bread. Okay, it’s the frozen kind but we’re not keeping score here. I even made homemade fortune cookies, just like the ones in my bakery. Every customer gets a free one with purchase. Let me tell you, there have been some strange ones to come across my path. The one I opened earlier at the shop read, “Today is a day you will always remember.” Such a beautiful sentiment. That must be a good omen.
Everyone is getting a good fortune tonight—I made certain. On top of it all, I even created my own recipe for sprinkle cookies that I’m trying out. For me, this is huge. Even Josie was impressed when I told her about it. But there’s one little problem. I forgot to bring home sprinkles from the bakery, and my family will be here soon. So, I asked Mike to pick some up on his way home, at the Colwestern Mini Mart. No big deal, right?
Except that my forgetfulness will cost someone their life. . .
Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy (U.S. only) of one of the books in the “Cookies & Chance” series (Tastes Like Murder, Baked to Death, Burned to a Crisp, Frosted With Revenge, Silenced by Sugar, Crumbled to Pieces). The giveaway ends March 13, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Sally in Sprinkled in Malice, the seventh book in the “Cookies & Chance” culinary mystery series, coming March 12, 2019.
Spring has officially arrived, and while the weather outside may still be frightful, Sally Muccio is feeling especially delightful as she prepares a family dinner in honor of her husband’s birthday. Sal’s determined to make it an unforgettable night for Mike and even includes homemade fortune cookies like the ones her bakery serves, with messages personalized for each guest.
The evening is memorable, but not as Sal had hoped, when Mike and a friend find themselves in the middle of an armed robbery. . .and only one will make it out alive. It’s just the beginning of more grief for Sal, who soon discovers the robbery is related to a scheme that spells financial ruin for her family. Add in her morbid father’s book signing at the bakery complete with coffin shaped cookies, a sister who won’t stop eating them, and an accidental gig at a local strip club, and Sal once again finds herself in deep dough. Only this time, there may not be a way out. . .
*Recipes Included!*
Purchase Link
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About the author
Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. Catherine has a B.A. in English and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She also writes the Cindy York real estate and the Carrie Jorgenson (Aloha Lagoon) culinary mysteries. Penne Dreadful, the first book in her new series, The Italian Chef mysteries, releases in July.
Get a free Cookies & Chance e-book when you sign up for Catherine’s newsletter HERE.
All comments are welcomed.
Love the cover and I’d love to try this series.
All of your books have such great covers! Thanks for the chance to win this one!!
Haven’t read this series yet. The characters sound colorful and I suspect it would be a lot of fun.
Another series I need to binge-read….
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Yummy looking 😋 Cover
Thanks for sharing this book with us 😍❤😍
Shared post 😍💗😍 on Twitter 😍❤😍
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This book sounded so good! The teaser definitely left me wanting more…
I have been wanting to try this series. Thank you for this chance to win.
I usually do frozen lasagna too. Easier than making my own.
Sounds like a fantastic book. Looking forward to reading this!
I love reading about Sally and her family. Wonderful series by a very good author!
This one sounds like a keeper. I have a number of friends whose only food skills are making reservations and ordering by phone.
Toss my name into the Magic Contest Hat please Dru. I’d love to be the lucky winner.
Good day Dru Ann. I love Catherine Bruns and her character, Sally Muccio Donovan. Although I know there are many who don’t know how to cook other than microwaving frozen food, I can’t imagine eating anything other than that. Thanks for providing an insight into this book. My fingers are crossed I am lucky enough to be chosen.
Can’t wait to read this!
This is a book I would enjoy reading. Love the cover and Sally is such an interesting character.
Cant wait to read this. Finally reading the first book in the series right now. Thanks for the chance to win this one!
I really enjoyed A Day In The Life of Sally Donovan and learning about her eclectic family. Catherine Bruns writes such wonderful books, and it sounds like she has another winner with Sprinkled in Malice.
Sounds like a series I should be reading. Thanks for the chance.
Love the cover of this book, thanks for the chance to win
Delightful and enjoyable. Thanks. Great series.
I love this author’s work. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like another winner as is your great cover! And who among us doesn’t forget things? Hopefully not with her results!
I would love to read and review Catherine Brun’s books. Thank you for the chance.
Looks like a fun read! Thanks for the chance to win!
All that planning and good intentions. Sigh
Looks like a great read ! Thank you for the contest
Wow! Sounds like a complicated life and a w!acky family
Sounds like a great addition to the series!
I love trying new bakeries and restaurants–I’m one of those people who only cook for church events–otherwise, I’m out or call for take-out. This book with its food and wacky family is right up my alley.
I love, love, love this series! Interesting and lovable characters, great stories with good twists, and recipes to enjoy. Looking forward to reading Sprinkled in Malice!
I’d love to visit Sally’s Samples!
Thank you so much, Dru, for hosting Sally today. She always has a great time here!
thank you for writing a wonderful series.
Love that title
Thank you for the chance here’s hoping.
**** WINNER ****
Tastes Like Murder is Sharon Marchisello
Congratulations!
Looking forward to reading this one…love author’s way with words!