owner of the Baker’s Treat Gluten-free bakery
My day started pretty early. If you remember the old donut commercial where the old donut baker got up and stumbled into work half asleep and said, “It’s time to make the donuts.” That’s pretty much how it was for me.
I’d like to think I live an ordinary and uneventful life, getting up before dawn and cooking up gluten-free treats such as breads, cakes, cookies and pies. But I’d be wrong. Living in Oiltop, Kansas surrounded by my large and eccentric family was not uneventful-especially when murder was involved. The last murder was no cake walk, but I figured that was a once in a lifetime event.
I was wrong. So wrong.
It was Thanksgiving and my best friend Tasha and I were hard at work on the Baker’s Treat float for the Homer Everett Day parade. Now, remember, I was a baker, not a float designer so I can’t say ours was the worst float, but it certainly wasn’t the best. There was a lot of tissue paper involved and I was praying that the rain stayed away or we’d have a watercolor mess on our hands.
Then I got a call from my Grandma Ruth. Now Grandma was in her nineties and an ex-investigative reporter as well as a lifetime Mensa member. When I picked up the phone I figured she was going to complain that I didn’t have enough of her favorite cookies in my house, but that was not the case. Not this time.
No, this phone call had Grandma far more excited than my cookies ever got her- even the gluten free Samoas I made. “Toni,” Grandma said breathlessly, “You’ll never guess what happened to me.”
“What, Grandma?”
“The best thing ever.”
“Did you win the lottery? Find that lucky half dollar you lost?”
“Nope and nope,” she said and I could hear her grin. “I’m a person of interest in a homicide. The police have me down at the station and are questioning me now. How cool is that?”
“Wait…what? Grandma, what murder?”
“Lois Striker bit the dust and it seems there were incriminating scooter marks at the scene. So, here I am having the time of my life.”
I hit my head on my desk in the office in the back of the bakery. “Grandma, don’t talk to anyone. Lawyer up. Promise me. You’ll lawyer up.”
Grandma chuckled. “Now why would I go and do a silly thing like that?”
“Grandma, everybody needs a lawyer. That’s why we have them.”
“But, honey, it’s so much fun. They ask me all sorts of interesting questions. I question them back, of course. That’s why they had to take a break.”
“Grandma-Please tell me you didn’t tell them anything.”
“Oops, got to go, that nice young officer is bringing me a glass of water.”
“Grandma-“
She hung up and I knew that my new life in Oiltop just got a little more complicated. The Thanksgiving pies would have to wait as I would do everything I could to keep Grandma out of hot water.
Which, dear reader would you rather do? Win the lottery? Or be a part of a real-life murder investigation?
Click HERE to download a recipe for Gluten-free SAMOAS GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
You can read more about Toni in Murder Gone A-Rye, the second book in the “Baker’s Treat” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Gluten For Punishment. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on May 15, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of MURDER GONE A-RYE. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Nancy J Parra has been gluten free for six years and it was while posting her gluten-free recipes on Facebook that another author said she ought to write a book set in a gluten free bakery. Nancy did and the “Baker’s Treat” mystery series was born. Nancy also writes the “Perfect Proposal” series for Berkley Prime Crime and the “Candy Coated” Mystery series for Kensington Books. Nancy lives in the Midwest with her plucky Bichonpoo known as “little dog”.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
I enjoyed the first book in the series and am looking forward to reading this one. Alas, I can’t enter the contest. Good luck to everybody who does!
ok, I need to join the dog on the pastry counter!!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Oh boy..Love Grandma!
This series is a good series, I would love to win this book. Thank you
Sounds wonderful, would love to win
Have not read anything yet by this author, looks great, thank you for the chance 🙂
I have not read anything by this author yet. I am looking forward to reading this series.
I have seen this series before but haven’t had the chance to read any of them. Sounds like a great series. Thank you for the chance.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
New to me author, love the title !
I have got to get started on this series, from what I’ve just read I’ll love it, Grandma sounds like she’ll be a hoot. Thanks for the chance to win.
Need to try gluten-free diet. Can’t hurt, might help with health issues. Reading is always beneficial to my health, especially the laughs. Bobbipad at gmail.com
My daughter in law just began a gluten free diet. Amazing how few bakeries in my area have gluten free products. So idea for this book sounds great. Love cozies. Would love to read and review this book everywhere!!
I love the cover! I’m looking forward to reading this!
Haven’t tried this series yet, but it sounds good. Cute cover!
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for commenting! I’m gluten free and I do my best to ensure the recipes are tasty and spot on for those with Celiac.
Cheers, Nancy
May we all have such enthusiasm for life at that age!
I love that little dog on the book cover—that cover alone would make me want to read this book, but your excerpt finalizes the deal.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, I had no idea about this new series; how do I miss all of these great authors new books?? Thank goodness for you, Dru. I would love to read this series as I have had to change my diet recently so this would be a fun and interesting book to buy. Thank you for the information; it is so appreciated.
Cynthia
Grandma sounds great! Looking forward to reading this. Thanks for the chance to win.
Loved the first one! Thanks for the giveaway.
I enjoyed the first book and I can’t wait to read this one.
Grandma Ruth sounds like a hoot. Another series I am going to have to play catch-up on. I really want to read the first book I missed in this series. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Sounds like a great book and I’m looking forward to reading this. Thank you for doing this giveaway.
I love the cover, especially the dog! Sounds like a good book even if it is gluton-free.
Love the sound of the book. I have added it to my read list.
The cover is so cute. I bet I’d enjoy the book. I am interested in the series but haven’t read any yet.
Love this series. Can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have been so very much looking forward to the release of this book! As a gluten-free gal, I just adored A GLUTEN FOR PUNISHMENT. A fun read for sure!
Oh, and for the record, I would much, much rather win the lotto then get tangled into a murder investigation! grin! The recipe looks divine. Thanks for sharing!
contest is closed.