SOUTHERN PEACH PIE AND A DEAD GUY
(Poppy Peters Mysteries Book 1)

Book Summary:
After an injury sidelines Poppy Peters’ ballet career, she summons the courage to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and to attend Calle Pastry Academy in a small-town in Georgia. Poppy now has her work cut out for her, not only fitting in with her charming (and not-so-charming ) Southern classmates but also proving her worth to her teachers after her first publicly humiliating attempt a making the school’s famous peach pie. But Poppy’s pastry problems go from bad to worse when she’s suddenly accused of stealing expensive black truffles, and her attempt to clear her name goes awry…resulting in her finding a dead body instead! If Poppy’s going to survive this culinary experience, she’ll need to find the missing truffles and track down a killer, all while honing her baking skills to compete in the school’s dessert competition for a coveted pastry internship in Paris. Can Poppy prove she’s one tough cookie? Or is her life about to crumble?

**Recipes Included**

CHOCOLATE MACAROONS AND A DEAD GROOM
(Poppy Peters Mysteries Book 2)

Book Summary:
When Poppy Peters takes an internship in Paris working for a top pastry chef, she realizes that bakery life isn’t all cupcakes and frosting. The sous pastry chef dislikes foreigners, her mentor only speaks French, and to top that all off she finds the groom of the wedding she’s catering dead in his own backyard. But Lord Dovington wasn’t just a handsome royal waiting to sweep his bride-to-be off of her feet. He was also a well-known playboy with a long line of vengeful exes.

Now, as one of the prime suspects, Poppy must prove she’s innocent . . . and that her recipe for chocolate macaroons isn’t to blame. But the clock is ticking, and with a missing diamond, a break-in, and a hot batch of reporters on her tail, Poppy has a lot of sifting to do. Will she find the killer before she too gets baked?

**Recipes Included**

BANANAS FOSTER AND A DEAD MOBSTER
(Poppy Peters Mysteries Book 3)

Book Summary:
Reluctant sleuth Poppy Peters is back in Georgia, and her last semester of pastry school is no icing on the cake when a body is discovered at the local farmer’s market, and the murder weapon has Poppy’s name on it. Not to mention, the victim belonged to a deadly southern crime family. Now, Poppy is being tailed by the mafia, and it doesn’t help that the school’s new pastry instructor has her working with her worst rival. But after a heart-stopping car chase, a frightening discovery at an old jam factory, and a spontaneous trip to New Orleans, Poppy discovers a secret that makes her past feats look like a piece of peach pie. Poppy’s chances of making it to graduation day are about to go up in flames just like her Bananas Foster.

**Recipes included!**

“A sweet and satisfying mystery that will leave you hungry for more! A. Gardner’s Poppy Peters Mysteries have earned a place on my keeper shelf!”
~ Gemma Halliday, New York Times bestselling mystery author

“Charming cozy mystery featuring likable characters.”
~Debbie Wiley, Fresh Fiction

Author A. Gardner
A. Gardner is a native westerner exploring the sweet bites of the south. After years of working in the healthcare industry, she moved across the country with her husband and adventurous baby boy. She is a mystery and romance writer with a serious cupcake obsession and a love of storytelling that began at an early age. When she is not writing, she is either chasing after her son, out for a swim, trying out a new recipe, or painting her nails bright blue.

$50 Blast Giveaway

Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/20/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Sometimes we all wish we could turn back time. Keeping up with day to day activities and responsibilities takes its toll; you blink your eyes and ten years have simply disappeared! In their place are fine lines, wrinkles, and even a few gray hairs. There is no magical way to completely stop the aging process and stay 21 forever and that’s okay. Embrace who you are and your accomplishments. Growing older is a beautiful process, and if you could possibly reverse the signs of aging without surgery or injections, I’m sure you’d love to learn more.

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This blog’s participation in the promotion of this giveaway does not make them liable for the prize fulfillment. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook or any other social media. One winner will be chose via a 3rd party service and will be contacted via email. Winner will then have 48 hours to respond to the email, otherwise forfeiting their prize. At that time a new winner would be chosen. US Residents 18+ years old only. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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I really think I should be further along with my Christmas shopping, but, I’m not. There’s always a few people that are difficult to shop for. If you’re like me, perhaps you’re looking for gift ideas for certain guys in your life.

I remember when I was younger, backpacking through Europe with my boyfriend. I loved the spontaneity and the way the day would lead us. I remember a small town in Italy where we stopped to have a picnic on one of those days when everything is right with the world. We bought wine in one shop, bread in another, prosciutto and melon. When it was time to eat, my boyfriend carved us thin slices of cool melon with the knife he’d brought along and we reveled in its sweetness.

I feel that it’s important to add that I advocate that people use knives safely and responsibly, and, if you do that, you might find that a knife affords an incredible amount of uses in one simple easy to carry package. So very handy.

There is just something about the look of a custom knife, the feel of the handle in the palm of your hand that is so satisfying: whether you are using it to cut food, open a blister pack, break down boxes, or help someone cut through something in an emergency.

One of the best brand of knives I’ve found are Zero Tolerance knives. These knives are reasonably priced, super high quality and extremely durable.

Zero Tolerance knives are built strong enough to be able to meet the needs of military, law enforcement and other first responders. With “zero tolerance” and no excuses, they can handle whatever you throw at them in real-world situations.

These knives take their name from the manufacturer’s commitment to design, quality and usability. With super steels and cutting-edge style, along with a form-follows-function approach, Zero Tolerance are truly in a class of their own.

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The Zero Tolerance Black G-10

The Zero Tolerance Stonewashed

I found these at KnivesShipFree.com, an online knife store featuring the top brands in the industry. They are leaders in customer service, inventory and free shipping and carry many smaller specialized brands. I really love this EDC knife for my guy and also found some chef’s knives there that I am drooling over and putting on my own Christmas list!

NB: Always use knives responsibly.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Brandbacker. 

I’ve been watching Survivor for years and I have to say that the gross food eating challenges they do are not one of my favorites! Often, they have to eat something called balut which is a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell. This is not uncommon to find in Southeast Asia. While they are often served with beer, that still would not tempt me in the least.

On the Amazing Race, on a leg in Bangkok, I watched the teams eat a local delicacy called a thousand-year-old egg as part of a challenge. Inside it was black and gelatinous causing some to lose their lunch. I like my eggs fresh and scrambled thanks.

Still, we all have the opportunity to change the channel or turn off the TV, which is why it’s absurd that Austin Aitken sued NBC after watching an episode of “Fear Factor”  for causing him “suffering, injury, and pain” when he got ill and puked after watching the contestants drink rat smoothies on the show. I remember that episode and how they chopped them up in the blender.

The suit was dismissed. However, can you imagine if everyone sued the networks for something they saw that disgusted or upset them?

Personally, I think our society can be ridiculously litigious and while there are times where it is appropriate, so very many lawsuits are weak attempts. Here are some more absurd lawsuits for you.

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