Friday, August 29, 2014

Brewing Up Murder {+ Giveaway}



9780425255513_large_Billionaire_BlendThe love of coffee lead me to a marvelous cozy murder mystery series which lead me to an amazing author who lead me to blogging. So I’m delighted today to welcome award-winning author Cleo Coyle here to talk about BILLIONAIRE BLEND, the 13th installment in her Coffeehouse Mystery series that was recently released in paperback.

Cleo will be joining us to talk about ‘Brewing Up Murder.’ In addition, thanks to Cleo and the lovely Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a copy of BILLIONAIRE BLEND to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more details.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Cleo as she brews up murder. Welcome, Cleo.

“Pluck” is a word I usually associate with chickens. On the other hand, Booklist was kind enough to describe my amateur sleuth as having pluck, a valid observation because Clare Cosi may be many things, but she is no chicken.

A divorced, single mom in her forties, Clare is like many of the women I grew up admiring in my big Italian-American family. Smart and determined with a sturdy backbone, Clare also has a generous spirit and enough ingenuity to cook mouth-watering feasts (and raise a daughter) on a shoestring budget.

By day, Clare manages a charming landmark coffeehouse in New York’s Greenwich Village. By night, she is a relentless snoop, who displays quite a bit of pluck in BILLIONAIRE BLEND, the latest entry in my Coffeehouse Mystery series.

When a car bomb goes off outside Clare’s charming shop, she comes to the aid of an anonymous customer, an intense young man who turns out to be billionaire tech whiz Eric Thorner. Eric is so grateful to Clare for saving his life that he hires her to create the most expensive coffee blend on the planet. But as Clare is pulled deeper into Eric's world of cutting-edge luxuries and cutthroat rivalries, she begins to wonder: Is this brilliant CEO marked for termination? Or is he the one making a killing? 

To solve this case, Clare will have to bribe an NYPD bomb squad lieutenant; conjure up a menu for a “billionaire's potluck”; fix her daughter's love life; stop a Slayer while working with one; and stay alive while doing it. 

By the end of BILLIONAIRE BLEND, you'll have taken a trip with Clare to an exclusive millionaire’s club, flown with her to a bohemian Paris neighborhood, visited some of the most intriguing coffee growing regions of the world—and uncovered the dark motives behind several murders.
Recipes_BillionaireBlend_CleoCoyle 
Because this is a “culinary” mystery, you will also have over 20 fantastic recipes to try in your own kitchen, including a list of Clare’s secret off-the-menu coffeehouse drinks, as well as tasty foods enjoyed by the characters in the book, namely: 
 

Clare's Billionaire Bars
Baileys Irish Cream and Caramel Nut Fudge
Perfect Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Chocolate-Bottom Banana Bars
French Apple Cake Squares
Italian Beignets
Copycat Twinkie Cupcakes
Make your own Kahlua
Skillet Lasagna
"Coffee Hunter" Ugandan Stew
Crunchy Almond Biscotti (easy food processor method)
Quesa Fundido (Mexican Hot Cheese Dip) and more...


One last note for new readers: Although BILLIONAIRE BLEND is the 13th book in my Coffeehouse Mystery series—now celebrating ten years in print—you can read it as a stand-alone novel. If you enjoy the characters, you can read more about them in the previous books. 

To download a free title checklist of all 13 Coffeehouse Mysteries, in order, including brief story summaries, click here

And please feel free to friend me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CleoCoyle or sign up for my newsletter by writing an email that says “sign me up” and sending it to CoffeehouseMystery(at)gmail(dot)com.

May you read with joy!
~ Cleo

Cleo, thanks so much for joining us today and sharing this look at brewing up murder. From the adventures Clare has been on, I’d say she is far from being chicken. Just a note to also say I was so sorry to hear of Turtle passing away. She was a beautiful cat.

Now for those who aren’t familiar with Cleo, here’s a little background that may surprise you.

CLEO COYLE is really the pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Their latest mystery, BILLIONAIRE BLEND, earned a starred review from Kirkus, a “Top Pick” honor from RT Book Reviews, and this month Berkley released the book in mass market paperback. 

When not haunting coffeehouses, hunting ghosts, or rescuing stray cats, Alice and Marc are New York Times bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for NBC, Lucasfilm, Disney, Fox, Imagine, Marvel, and MGM. 

They live and work in New York City, where they not only write the bestselling Coffeehouse Mysteries, but also the popular Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. To learn more, and sign up for Cleo’s newsletter, visit her website: www.CoffeehouseMystery.com

Here’s a Coffeehouse Mystery series book trailer for your viewing pleasure.
 


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for one print copy of BILLIONAIRE BLEND. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end Monday, Sept. 7.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient. The winner from this giveaway will have 72 hours to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. The email will have ‘Thoughts in Progress Cleo Coyle’s Tour’ in the subject line, just so you know what to watch for (in case it goes into your spam folder).

Thanks so much for stopping by during Cleo’s visit. In case you’re wondering about the opening line – Alice is the one who encouraged me to start this blog back in 2009. Do you like hanging out in coffeehouses? Clare creates all sorts of wonderful coffee blends. What’s your favorite coffee blend or do you prefer just plain coffee (with maybe cream and/or sugar)?

*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway

73 comments:

  1. Food and a NYC setting. I like the sound of this.

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  2. A great series! I love being an armchair traveler to NYC and spending time with Clare!

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  3. I could go for the lasagne. Not so much the coffee though. Never developed a taste for it.

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  4. Mason, thanks for sharing about this book. Nice cover and lots of recipes to try.

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  5. looks like a fun read, hope to get a chance to read it

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  6. I love cozy mysteries that include recipes to try—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this book!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

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  7. A coffee cozy - delicious! If pluck is like spunk, then that's a good thing.

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  8. Mason - Thanks for highlighting this series. Delicious coffee, a good mystery, and good food too - an appealing blend!

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  9. Cleo, thanks again for visiting with us. Clare and her adventures have been a favorite of mine since she began and I've learned so much about coffee along the way, as well as yummy desserts. Wishing you continued success.

    Hi all, thanks so much for stopping by.

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    1. Mason - Thank you so much for hosting us! Marc and I appreciate your longtime support, and we look forward to getting you a bound galley of ONCE UPON A GRIND soon. We love your reviews and are thrilled with your success in the blogging world.

      Cheers and thanks again to you and everyone for leaving such kind comments!

      ~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
      “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
      Cleo Coyle on Twitter
      www.CleoCoyleRecipes.com

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    2. Cleo, it's always a pleasure to let readers know when a new Coffeehouse Mystery is out. I so look forward to reading ONCE UPON A GRIND, thanks so much. I have learned so much about coffee through this wonderful series, not to mention all the fun it's been following Clare's adventures.

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  10. Would love to win, the mysteries combined with recipes, a great mix! And I liked learning of your personal connection Mason, glad you were encouraged to blog!

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  11. This will be a good book to read.
    CABWNANA1@bellsouth.net

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  12. A cozy mystery with recipes is simply delightful and appealing. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. My favorite genre of books right now is the cozy mysteries. I really love the ones with recipes in them to try out.

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  14. I love this series although I do have a little catching up to do. This story sounds like it has plenty going on in it.

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  15. That is so cool that you've made it a culinary mystery. I'm sure the recipes are delicious!

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  16. I really enjoy Cleo's books. Thanks for the post and giveaway.

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  17. Sounds like an excellent book. Love the cover too :)

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  18. I'm glad Alice encouraged you to start your blog! Look how far you've both come!


    patucker54 at aol dot com

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  19. we do love the culinary element in it!

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  20. Love this series -- great stories, great characters, great recipes!
    I like my coffee plain and not too strong.

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  21. I am a fan of both this series and the ghost series.

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  22. Such a great series! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway. lisaksbooreview @ aol.com

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  23. This series never fails to entertain me---and I also enjoy the recipes.
    Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  24. This is my fav series, I even own most of them on audiobook too! kathambre@yahoo.com

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  25. I absolutely LOVE this series. Clare and all she gets caught in. I am waiting for the next book to come out ;)

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  26. Looks like a great cozy mystery . Can't wait to read it. I love all different types of coffee.

    xzjh04@ gmail.com

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  27. A wonderful series!!!
    afarage(at)earthlink.net

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  28. I FINALLY started this series!!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!

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  29. Mason - thanks again for the wonderful personal note and kind hosting of the giveaway from our publisher. Your reviews are a delight to read and we're looking forward to getting you a bound galley of ONCE UPON A GRIND (the new Coffeehouse title, coming in December).

    TO EVERYONE who left comments and entered the giveaway, we thank you! Readers like you are why we are able to continue writing for a living and we cannot thank you enough for that!

    Cheers and may you always read (and eat) with joy...

    ~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter
    www.CleoCoyleRecipes.com

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  30. Eventually I will get to this book. Still early in the series for me. :) Thanks for having the giveaway!

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  31. I love this series. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  32. Love this series!!!!

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  33. The Coffeehouse series was the first series such as this that I have gotten each and every book ordered ahead and read within a few days. I have truly enjoyed the characters and almost feel as though they are living beings; that is how great the writing is from Cleo and Marc. Thank you for this great blog page and for the reminder of how much we love Cleo and her books and her recipes, and more. Please, never ever stop writing about Claire and Matt. Please, Cleo.

    I would love to be included in this giveaway as I would love to give this book to my daughter as I tend to not lend my Coffeehouse series to anyone for fear that I won't get my books back. I read and rarely save books, but this is one series that I will never part with. I have reread each book at least once as I have to hate having that time in between books with no coffee rush. Thanks everyone.

    Cynthia
    ceblain(AT)tmlponline(DOT)net

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  34. Really enjoy the series & look forward to winning (haha) this great opportunity :)

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  35. I love this series and the recipes are wonderful.

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  36. I always enjoy reading a mystery as it brews with anticipation and excitement. :P

    cb (at) carolbee (dot) com

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  37. Another great adventure with Clare. Booklist says she has pluck but this reader knows she has i coglioni! I love your website and recipes, thanks! When I hang out in coffehouses, it is because I am with coffee drinkers such as my hubby who loves flavoured coffees, but I will be drinking different varieties of tea and talking with my hands.

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  38. These are two of my favorite readers and face book friends. I haven't seen this blog before but I'll sign up for sure.

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  39. Love these books!! Great info on coffee and NY within great mysteries. Long may the Village Blend Coffeehouse live!!!! Ronnalord(at)msn(dot)com

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  40. I will be jumping in in the middle - can't wait to start this series!

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  41. Love, love, love Cleo Coyle books!!! Can't wait to read this one! (& I love the recipes too)

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  42. I love this series. It is a great cozy mystery series.

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  43. I love this series. It is a great cozy mystery series

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  44. I want to encourage others to try the Coffeehouse series! I had the hardback version of Billionaire Blend on my doorstep on release day, because I really enjoy the series, so I don't need to win a copy. I just want to let other reader's know what a great read this series will be. And to sing the praises of the recipes; they are easy and delicious!

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  45. I would love to win this book and get hold of some of these recipes. I want to try that fudge for sure.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  46. Love the mysteries and recipes and the whole series.

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  47. I also love this series. I always nag my local library to have your books available. I think all mystery lovers should give them a try.

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  48. Thanks for the chance to win one of your books!!!!!

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  49. I love this book series. I am really looking forward to this book.

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  50. I love coffee, mysteries and chocolate. This book sounds fantastic and the recipes are a great bonus!!

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  51. I love this series! Claire and Co. is addictive, just like their coffee!

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  52. I love the stories and the recipes and the blog tours by Cleo and Marc. This is a great series!

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  53. Sounds like a great read.
    I like regular coffee with sugar.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  54. I love this series - and just finished French Pressed a couple of days ago!!

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  55. This looks like such a great addition to the series!

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  56. Love this series and can't wait to read this one.
    dotkel50 at comcast dot net

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  57. LOVE this mystery series -- plus, I've learned so much about coffee. Characters are diverse, interesting and likable. Billionaire Blend has some unexpected twists and turns, one of the signatures of these fun books.

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  58. This sounds like my kind of book...I can;t wait to read it!

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  59. I have loved this series from the first book! I always look forward to the next.

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  60. Not sure, but I think my comment went into the either LOL Just in case, I am making a second comment - thank you for sharing with us. I love coffee, I really enjoy Clare's adventures, and I am so very glad that this incredibly prolific series does not have to be read in order as it has been a bit since I have been able to get my cuppa :)

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  61. Great book giveaway opportunity. I love cozy mysteries and to have a series that include my favorites coffee and recipe -- who can ask for more?

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  62. I love this series. It has all the ingredients for a good mystery. I especially like our plucky sleuth!

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  63. My daughter'a name is Clare. Love that name!

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  64. Love reading your books, put a smile on my face when trying to figure out who did it. Tks 4 giveaway

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  65. I really enjoy this series! The recipes are great!
    The setting for this book sounds really interesting.

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  66. Have to have my coffee and some Cleo Coyle regularly. Wonderful trailer.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.