Happy Birthday

Note to Cleo - Struffoli Recipe Question

Hi Cleo

Loyal reader and fan of all the Coffeehouse Mysteries. I'm awaiting the arrival of Murder by Mocha and drooling over those delicious looking chocolate cookies!! I wrote awhile back wondering if you had a struffoli recipe anywhere but I never could find it. Anyway I can get it? Thanks again for great mysteries, awesome recipes and wonderful characters.

Tracy
New Yorker for life even if I live in PA now!

Cleo's reply:

Hi, Tracy, thank you so much for buying and reading my books. That means a lot to me. (I hope you'll drop back after you read Murder by Mocha and let me know how you like it.) As for your question...

For anyone wondering what "struffoli" is,
see my photo below...

Your amazing cornbread

Cleo,

Just wanted to let you know that I've made the cornbread recipe you posted on Mystery Lover's Kitchen twice now. The first time I used the orange zest. Yesterday when I made it for the second time, I didn't have an orange, so I used 4 tablespoons of orange marmalade instead. It was really good with just the right amount of an orange taste. Thanks for the recipe. I'll be using it with and without the orange flavor from now on...

Sue (in Iowa)

Cleo's reply...

Thank you so much, Sue! I'm delighted to hear it, and the marmalade idea is wonderful for anyone who doesn't have fresh oranges handy.

For everyone who missed the recipe we're talking about, click the link below to download a free recipe PDF and...

Eat with joy!

~ Cleo

Note to Cleo- Great books

I love your books and I am on the seventh one. I am going to be sad when I get caught up with all of them. The books keeps you guessing until the end, then you are surprise as to who done it. Keep up the good work.

Anna from Maryland

Coffeehouse
Mystery #7: 
Espresso Shot

Cleo's reply:

Thank you, Anna, you are such a sweetheart for taking the time and trouble to stop by and let me know that. You made my day!

Wishing you java joy...
and a Happy New Year!
 

Keep in touch,

~ Cleo

NOTE TO CLEO - Recipe Question

Hi Cleo!

I love all of your books, and the recipes included! I've scoured your website for the Vietnamese Slaw recipe that is included in one of your books (not sure exactly which), but have come up empty. I remember it has fish sauce in it, and I also remember it is DIVINE! I made it while reading the book, forgot to copy down the recipe, and then returned book to library. :( Please let me know where I can find it....

Desperately Seeking Slaw
(Jentri) in California

Cleo's Reply:

Hi, Jentri!

Thank you so much for posting. I am thrilled to hear that you are enjoying my books and also delighted to hear that you like the recipes, too. Cheers!

     The slaw recipe that you are seeking (Clare's Sweet and Tangy Thai-Style Coleslaw) is indeed delicious (and, you're right, could easily have been called Vietnamese-inspired!). You will find that recipe in my 9th Coffeehouse Mystery: Roast Mortem. 

    The book includes many other recipes, as well, including a Thai-Style Dipping Sauce, which is the base for Clare's Slaw as well as a Thai-Style Seafood Sauce. 

     Roast Mortem, which began its life as a bestselling hardcover, is now available in paperback form and very affordable. To see some of the other featured recipes in the book (along with a few photos of the end results), click here or on the link below, which will open an illustrated PDF.

     The mystery is an entertaining one, taking Clare Cosi (my amateur sleuth) into the lives of New York City firefighters as she attempts to answer the question of who's torching local coffee shops--a crime of arson that leads to murder. To read more about Roast Mortem or to purchase it, click here or here or here.

     I do share many bonus recipes right here on my website. The free, illustrated recipes that you see on my site are extras that I giveaway happily as a gift to my readers.

     Most of my recipes, however, are published already in my books, which is why I don't need to share them here. (My readers already have them, lol!) 

     I do realize that you borrowed the book from the library and returned it, but I also hope that you will consider it worth a little more than the price of an elaboate greeting card (no kidding) to purchase my book in paperback as a keeper for your shelf.

    Thank you again for posting, Jentri, and thank you especially for reading my books. I wish you and your loved ones a...

  Happy Lunar New Year!   

~ Cleo

Above is a photo of one of the
most popular recipes from Roast Mortem: 

Blueberries 'n' Cream
Coffee Cake Pie!

Read more about these
featured recipes by...
CLICKING HERE...

question about the newsletter

Hi Cleo,

Hope your New Year is going well! I have a quick question about your terrific newsletter...do I need to sign up every month to be included in the coffee drawing and to receive the newsletter? Thanks so much for 2 great series and now the newsletter...not sure you do it all but I'm glad that you do.

Nancy from Michigan

Cleo's reply:

Hi, Nancy -- You don't need to sign up every month or every week. You need to sign up only once for my newsletter, which, yes indeed, I write myself just as I'm writing this now. (For those of you wondering how to sign up for my monthly newsletter, simply write an e-mail that says "Sign me up" and send it to this address: CoffeehouseMystery @ gmail.com.) 

Again, you need to send only one e-mail and you are signed up for my monthly newsletter and you are also signed up for my weekly coffee drawings. The only thing that would keep you from being entered in my weekly coffee drawings is if you unsubscribed from the newsletter because every week the winner is randomly selected from active subscribers only. I hope that answers your question, Nancy. Thanks for dropping by and thank you especially for reading by books!

Warmest java wishes,

~ Cleo

Note to Cleo

Need recipe for Pistachio Muffins

Cleo's Reply:

Hey, there. Your message is clear enough but rather short!

The recipe that you're looking for has rotated off the site (after being on for two years). I'm happy to share it with you now. Click on the photo to download it in a free PDF format that you can print, save, or share, and...

Eat with joy! 
~ Cleo

Note to Cleo on bogus bookseller

... I love all your books that u have written with your different pen names and can't wait for more to come. Thanks for letting me know about bogus bookseller.

Cleo's reply:

Thank you for the very kind words about my books. I will be answering your questoin in my next newsletter. If you need to susbscribe, send an e-mail that says "Sign me up" to CoffeehouseMystery @gmail.com

Note to Cleo

I have read all the Coffeehouse Mysteries. I JUST finished Murder by Mocha and it was entertaining as always! I can't wait for the next publication! I bought all of the Haunted Bookshop novels and I am looking forward to reading them as well. PLEASE keep up the GREAT work!

Cleo's reply -- 

I had a great deal of fun writing Murder by Mocha, and I'm delighted to hear that you had fun reading it! Thank you for taking the time and trouble to stop by and let me know.

The Haunted Bookshop novels are close to my heart, and I hope you enjoy them, too. They're very different from the Coffeeouse Mystery series and not all readers enjoy both, but if you do, I thank you for your support.

(For anyone who is curious about these books, The Ghost and Mrs. McClure is the first in my Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. Find out more about this title or purcase it by clicking here.)

Thanks again for dropping by and thanks especially for reading my books. Warmest wishes and happy new year...

~ Cleo

Reorganizing the shelves

Well I am temporarily losing my mind and reorganizing my bookshelves since I am thinking of purchasing a Nook Color and need to get an idea of who has eBooks, anyway Cleo you are in some sage and august company here LOL...Colin Dexter, Dame Agatha, Ellis Peters, Donna Leon, Rita Mae Brown, Alexander McCall Smith, J Winspear, Anne Perry, PD James et al. Not to shabby company you are keeping at my house Cleo and Marc keep up the great work I wait patiently for your next one.

Cleo's reply:

Darn fine literary company! What a fantastic message to share. Thank you! You are very kind, and I promise you that Marc and I will do our very best to remain worthy of your reading time.

Warmest wishes to you
and keep in touch!

~ Cleo

Note to Cleo about Ghost and the Bogus Bookseller

Hi, Can you please tell me the release date for The Ghost & the Bogus Bookseller? Amazon had it listed as Jan 3, 2012, but Barnes & Noble had no listing for it. Thanks!

Audrey in MI

Cleo's reply:

Hi, Audrey - I will be answering your query in my next newsletter. If you need to susbscribe, send an e-mail that says "Sign me up" to CoffeehouseMystery @gmail.com

For anyone curious, you can find out more about my "Ghost" series at the Haunted Bookshop page of this website. Click here to jump there.

Thanks again, Audrey, for asking, and I hope you have a *spirited* new year,

~ Cleo (Alice)

Espresso Shot

Just finished Espresso Shot! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!

Cleo's reply:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! :) Very kind of you to drop by and let me know. 

Wishing you java joy for the new year,

~ Cleo

New Year

Happy New Year Cleo and Marc and furkids!! I hope this new year brings joy, creativity, a full coffeepot, warm stove and all that you could wish for!!!....

Cyndy in NY

Cleo's reply: Thank you, Cyndy, and a very happy new year to you, too! May it bring you and your loved ones (furry and non-furry) every good thing...and...

May it be fully caffeinated. :)

~ Cleo

Happy New Year

Cleo and Marc,

Here's wishing you both (cats included of course) a very Happy and prosperous New Year. May it be full of love laughter friendships and of course more new books from you.

Sue (in Iowa)

Cleo's reply:

Thank you, Sue! And thank you especially for all of your kind notes and encouragement this past year. I hope we can meet in person some day. I also hope the new year brings you and your loved ones good health, good food, and good reading!

Warmest java wishes to a
sweet-as-a-caramel-latte reader,

~ Cleo

On What Grounds

Fun series and I plan on making my way through them all!

http://lattedavotion.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/on-what-grounds/

Cleo's reply - Wonderful review! Thank you so much. Drop back anytime to post review links and I'll make them live for you so other readers can visit.

Happy new year
and happy reading!

~ Cleo

What does Christmas taste like?

I am very late with this but I had to answer since I have such great memories and this is my second Christmas since my Pop passed away and the two of us loved the holiday so much to me it tastes like Homemade eggnog with fresh nutmeg, gingerbread men from the tree and coffee, hot cider, fruitcake cookies, glazed ham, homemade bread, rum/black walnut cake, mincemeat pie my dad's fav. All of those tastes among others Cleo what great memories I miss my dad....

Cleo's reply,

A belated but heartfelt reply to you for answering my newsletter questions. 

Holidays can be very painful after we've lost someone we love. (I do know what you're going through, having lost my mom and a beloved aunt.) It sounds like your dad was a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing your memories of him with us, along with those very special foods that you both enjoyed.

May the new year bring you good health, good meals, and good memories of your dad. Those sweet memories are the very best way to keep our loved ones with us forever.

Heartfelt hugs,

~ Cleo

HOLIDAY INTERVIEW WITH CLEO

Merry Christmas

Cleo & Marc,

Just wanted to wish you both a very very Merry Christmas and a Super Happy New Year!!! Your books (both series) are two of my favorites. Your characters are as real as my own friends. When I finish one, I can't wait for the next one to come out. Thanks again for two wonderful series....

Sue in Iowa

Cleo's reply -

Aw, thank you, Sue. What a sweet note. Marc and I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas, too. Readers like you are the most precious gift of all to us. Your continued kindness keeps us going -- and I'm not kidding. A "little" note on this board is not little to us. On a down day, it can do wonders for our writing spirit. Thank you again for your being such a supportive reader.

May the spirit of the holidays be with you all year long and your new year be fully caffeinated. :)

~ Cleo

What does Christmas taste like

Peppermint, chocolate, egg nog, gingerbread, turkey and ham,

Cleo's reply -

Wonderful! And thank you for answering my newsletter question!

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all!!

Wishing magical times to everyone here at the VB!! Curling up with a good book is one of my favorite ways to celebrate this season. Wishing you all the blessings of the season and a wonderful New Year... Nanc

Cleo's reply - Thank you, Nanc, and may the season be a bright one for you and the New Year bring joy to your world.

Cheers! 
~ Cleo

Holiday Grind

Hiya Cleo!

I'm currently reading *Holiday Grind* and can't wait to try some the recipes. Mike Quinn's Chocolate Cherry Cordials are calling me. My mouth is watering just thinking about these -- I've never had "real" (homemade) ones so am looking forward to the experience.

Happy Holidays!

Cleo's reply - 

Thank you so much for the lovely comment. I searched for a snapshot of Mike's Chocolate Cherry Cordials for you. (Found one. See below...) I did them in dark, milk, and white chocolate; it works all three ways, and the variety looks so pretty on the plate. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) the recipe...

As you can see, the photo above includes another yummy winner from the recipe section: Mike's Cherry Cordial Fudge. Every year, Mike's mother soaked cherries in alcohol to make her Chocolate Cherry Cordials (with dark, milk, and white chocolate). She always soaked extra cherries to make this delicious fudge. It really is amazing, and I highly recommend it! 

Some of the other recipes pictured above include Clare's Red-and-Green Mini Biscotti (pistachios and dried cranberries); Clare's Golden Gingerbread Muffins; Dante's Fruitcake Cookies; Gardner's No-Bake Mocha Rum Balls; and Candied Orange Peels, which are great to eat on their own or chop up and inlcude in other recipes....

Again, these are only a few of the many recipes in the appendix of Holiday Grind. 

Read (and eat) with 
joy to the world!

~ Cleo

My favorite taste of Christmas

I love Mincemeat pie. I used to help my Mom can Green Tomato Mincemeat using a passed down through the generations recipe {the best kind}. In the middle of September, we'd would be making the mincemeat with all of the the spices which smelled so much of Christmas. And believe it or not, I miss Mom's fruitcake. Merry Christmas to one and all.

Jennie in RI

Cleo's reply - Jennie, thank you so much for sharing that sweet holiday memory! Taste is such a powerful memory trigger for us, isn't it? (And I totally believe you miss your mom's fruitcake. I'm one of the few who actually likes fruitcake -- and loves the fruit bread of Italian panettone, so there! :)) Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, too! 

Note to Cleo: Christmas Eve means lentils with chestnuts.

When I was a young child, my very English-American family spent Christmas Eve with our Italian American neighbors who had a seven course feast. My favorite dish was the lentils cooked with chestnuts and lots of garlic and olive oil. A bizillion years later, I still make that dish (and some of the others) for our children and grandchildren

Cleo's reply - What a lovely foodie memory! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Chestnuts are indeed a popular ingredient in Italian cooking. My aunt made an amazing chestnut stuffing. I think it's wonderful that you keep the tradition alive of making the dishes that bring back those beautiful memories of beloved friends and family. That is truly the way to cook with joy. :)

Cheers, Merry Christmas
and may your New Year
be caffeinated!

~ Cleo

Merry Christmas

Still knitting furiously trying to finish my knitted gifts before I start the for me projects. Looking for my Gingerbread Men recipe...every year the same thing, it's almost a tradition I look for the gingerbread men recipe and it is always in the most obvious place :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!

Cleo's reply - Happy Holidays to you, too! (Knit with joy! :))

Just read my first book

I discovered your book at my local library, and just finished reading it......What a treat! I have now put the rest of your Coffee House Novels on my "reserve at the library list" so I can catch up.

Cleo's reply:

SMOOCH! Yes, that was me kissing you via my website. Thank you so much for leaving such a kind message AND patronizing your local library. Marc and I (heart) libraries and librarians, the hippest people on the planet (keepers of the literary flame)!

Happy holidays and
happy reading always!

~ Cleo

For anyone who is new to me or my website, you can
learn more about my Coffeehouse Mystery titles,
by clicking here or on the book covers. Read with joy!

~ Cleo

Note to Cleo

I just received Murder by Mocha...Christmas treat to myself to curl up and read by the fire this holiday season..Merry Christmas to you..thank you for all adventures from my friends at the Village Blend.

Cleo's reply - You are very welcome and thank YOU for taking the time and trouble to stop by this board and let me know. I'm so glad you are enjoying my books -- that is the very best gift you could give me and I thank you again for it.

Happy Holidays to you and yours
and may your New Year be fully caffeinated! :)

~ Cleo

Good Morning Cleo

In response to your post, it really stinks when one or two people (spammers) mess with things for all the rest of us. Not only do spammers mess things up, but so do thieves. It's my arguement that they are the ones who have made companies package EVERYTHING in those impossibly difficult to open packages. That said, I've read all of your books in both series, and am anxiously awaiting another one in either series. When will they be coming out?

Sue in Iowa

Cleo's reply - Thank you, Sue! Look for my new Coffeehouse Mystery in the summer of 2012. New Haunted Bookshop will come soon after... :)

A NOTE FROM CLEO...

Thanks to you all for leaving such kind messages, comments, and questions over the past few weeks. 
 

Note that because a worldwide spammer recently targeted this board, I am putting the time clock back temporarily to save us all from ridiculous and obscene messages and links. As a result (for a short time), your message will appear 24 hours after posting, once approved. (I thank you for understanding.)

Warmest java wishes, 
~ Cleo

Thank you,

I've had many joyful hours of reading your Coffeehouse Mystery series. I'm hooked and anxiously await the next one. I share my latest copy with a Starbucks barista at my local Starbucks. She is hooked on the mysteries as well as all the detailed info on coffee. She tells me she has learned more about coffee through your books than through her job. You are blessed with a wonderful talent and I hope you'll continue to share that special talent with us. Happy Holidays!

Nancy in Georgia

Cleo's reply -  

HELLOOOO GEORGIA!

Thank you, Nancy, for that lovely message and please give a warm java shout-out to your favorite barista. I'm delighted to know that you (and she) are enjoying my books, and I'm thrilled to hear that she is actually learning a thing or two about the vast trade of coffee from the series.

Most novelists do background research to provide strong, detailed settings for their books. I've tried to do this via my research with professionals in the coffee trade. These men and women are so passtionate and dedicated to their work that they have inspired me! I'm very glad to know that their knowledge is inspiring your barista friend, too. Sweet news indeed, and thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to share it with me and my series readers via this board.

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. Keep in touch, and may you...

Eat, Drink, and Read with joy!

~ Cleo

Note to Cleo

I am absolutely LOVING the Coffeehouse Mysteries. I am on French Pressed and I can't put it down. I have NEVER been a coffee drinker but now i really want to try coffee specially the "Purple Princess". Thank you for writing such an awesome heroine. Gotta love Clare!!

Cleo's reply -

Aw, thanks for the nice words. French Pressed was a lot of fun to write, and the "Purple Princess" is a real coffee. When it's available, this specialty coffee is sold by Counter Culture Coffee. At the moment, it's not in season, but I'll try to watch for it and post news when it's available again. In the meantime, you can read more about it by clicking here.

Thank you again for taking the time and trouble to drop by and let me know you are enjoying the books. :) Come on back now, y'hear?

~ Cleo

note to cleo

Please help me. I read Holiday Grind and Roast Mortem back to back then sent them on without getting a cheese and sweet onion casserole recipe that was in one of the books. Can I still get a copy of that recipe so I can have it at Christmas?

Thank you for your comment! 
Cleo's reply to come soon...

Note to Cleo

Hav e gone back through book but still can't find the recipe for the sandwich with the cheese and chocolate sauce. What page is it on so I can try to make these? Please!!!! Carol Babel

Thank you for your question, Carol.
Cleo's reply to come soon.

TO KAREN

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.YOU MAY FEEL ALONE BUT WE ARE THERE THINKING OF YOU. KEEP A TIGHT HOLD. WE HOPE ALL WILL BE WELL.TAKE CARE.

A2 

Cleo's quickie reply - Thank you for your very kind comment, A2.
You're the best! 

To: Karen from Pennsylvania

Karen,

I just read your update on your daughter and want you to know I have written your name in my prayer journal. My husband had a shunt installed in October NPH. We are blessed that he was able to get a programmable shunt which should, God willing eliminate the need to emergencies such as yours...while waiting for him to come out of surgery I spoke at length with a single mom who was waiting for her daughter who was having a 3rd. surgery on her shunt...I was so happy to be able to give her a couple of Cleo's books that I had in my bag...isn't it wonderful that when the night is long and seems as if it will never end that we can stop into the Village Blend and be among friends?

Karen, I know you are facing a long road...I consider it an honor to be able to pray for all of you. Wishing your entire family a very blessed Christmas and give that darling girl a squeeze from me!!!

Nanc
in Michigan

Cleo's reply - 

Thank you, Nanc! A beautiful note. Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to reply to Karen and thanks especially for your prayers. Marc and I will keep your husband in our prayers for his continued recovery.

Love and blessings,
~ Cleo

Hit a bump

Hi everyone;

Karen from Pennsylvania here with the latest update. On Oct. 24 we took our daughter to the hospital because she was screaming and vomiting all night. It was our worst fears; a shunt malfunction. The hospital sent her by chopper to another hospital. She was so critical that by the time we drove to the second hospital they had already rushed her into surgery. Our last view of her was when they were loading her into the helicopter. We waited for ages and ages before the surgeon finally came in and told us it had gone well.
 

She's home now. She's had one seizure since then but otherwise has been hanging in there. Obviously they shaved her head. Her hair is growing back but she still has the 'GI Jane' thing going on, which is the least of our problems of course (but every time I look at her I remember that awful day, so it can't grow back in fast enough!). Anyway, what a trooper! She doesn't talk but knows some sign language. When she was in the hospital she kept signing 'all done' meaning she was all done being in the hospital and wanted to come home. I would wait until she fell asleep before I left for the night because I didn't want to break her heart by letting her see me leave without her.
 

I'd gotten my copy of 'Murder by Mocha' awhile back but had resisted the temptation to tear right through it, saving it for the next hospital stint (and when you're us, you know that day is coming, you just don't know when). Once again, Cleo was there when I really, really needed her. I had been smart enough to tuck the book in my bag before we left for the hospital so I had it with me for the long surgery wait. My husband was exhausted and was able to fall asleep in the waiting room (which was good, he desperately needed it) so without 'Murder by Mocha' I would have been completely alone waiting for my daughter to come out of surgery. Thank you, Cleo for waiting with me.
 

Another rough one that we got through together. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Ours was quiet but we had something to truly be thankful for; our baby was home and doing OK. Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers. You helped pull her through once again.

Your friend, 
Karen in Pennsylvania

Cleo's reply:

Dear Karen,

What a terrible ordeal. I'm so sorry that your daughter had to go through that. You and your husband are true inspirations for love and courage in the face of such frightening unknowns; and your "GI Jane" daughter is a trooper for sure, and inspiring to us all, as well.

Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by this board to let us know how things are going. Please keep in touch! It is my hope that your holidays, and the coming year, hold only good things for you, her, and your whole family.

May God bless you and keep you safe and healthy. (I hope Clare and the crew can be there for you as long as you need her. Your note is incredibly touching to me and truly gives new meaning and purpose to my daily writing life. I can't thank you enough for taking the time and trouble to give me that gift.)

Love and prayers to you, your daughter and husband,
Cleo

Pumpkin Maple Bundt Cake

Made your Pumpkin Maple "Surprise Swirl" Bundt Cake recipe for Thanksgiving and it was deeeeelish. Thanks so much! This recipe is a keeper!

Cleo's reply --

Thank you kindly! To anyone who missed this recipe, see below and...eat with joy.

Cleo's Pumpkin-Maple 
Swirl Bundt Cake

One cup of canned pumpkin, a little maple syrup, 
and some classic holiday spices convert an ordinary 
cake mix into this stunning pumpkin-maple Bundt. 
The “surprise swirl” of sweetened cream cheese brings
another level of happiness to your taste buds and
impressiveness to your presentation. Serve as a brunch
treat with a light dusting of powdered sugar or dress it 
up with an easy glaze for a lovely holiday dessert...

To download a free, illustrated PDF of my recipe…

CLICK HERE

~ Cleo

To see more of my recipes,
visit the Recipes page
on this website by clicking here...

Single cup Coffee bags???

Do you know if there is any type of single cup coffee bags products out there. Like tea bags for tea drinkers - coffee bags for coffee drinkers. or is the only way to buy those expensive machines and coffee containers?

Cleo's reply -

First of all, thank you for your question! I'm sorry to tell you that  there are no "coffee bags," at least none that I've heard of, and if there were, I would not recommend using them. I can't even recommend using those single cup "pod" coffee makers. Why? Because you simply cannot get that freshly roasted and ground quality that you can from brewing coffee in the standard ways (which I describe in most of my Coffeehouse Mystery titles).

If convenience is important to you, and you don't want to take on the fuss of brewing or French pressing coffee (which is probably the easiest way to brew coffee, click here to learn more - and you can buy very small French presses to give you only a cup or two, click here to see), then don't even bother making it yourself. Give some business to your local coffee shop and baristas. They'll do the work for you and you'll be doing a good thing by keeping a small business IN business in your local community.

Thank you again for the question.

Come back now, y'hear!

~ Cleo

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Only one for dinner?

Hooked on the books and the recipes

CINDY S. via CLEO

LOL - Holiday 'Asides

Cleo - I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your First Thanksgiving Story! I just finished reading it and seeing as how it's first thing in the morning for me I about spewed coffee onto my keyboard when reading the first part about Occupy! Thanks for a great start to my morning!

Pam F/OKC

Cleo's reply:

Thank you kindly, Pam. I'm very glad to hear you that enjoyed my new recipe post (a corn casserole side with a few "asides" about the first Thanksgiving).

I'm sure Madame would be happy, too -- that you didn't actually spew coffee. "Never waste a good brew," Madame says, "even on a good joke!"

For anyone who is wondering what we're discussing, Pam made a comment about my recipe blog post below...

Thanksgiving Recipe!

Cleo's Cheesy, Creamy
Corn Casserole 

Easy, cheesy goodness that you can make all winter long with a simple package of frozen corn or mixed veggies...

just a quick note

I am a new fan and I am totally hooked. Taking a break from playing with my new Keurig and knitting Xmas gifts and still puzzling over what to cook for Thanksgiving (this site has given me more than a few ideas) as well as recouperating from hip surgery, ouchie!! Your books are fantastic I am going to venture into the Haunted series next. I think we should all petition PBS to put Clare and the "Crew" on MAsterpiece Mystery...show the Brits we can whip up some great mysteries as well as some great coffee and nibbles LOL ;) Keep up the great work Cleo and have a great Thanksgiving!!!!

Cyndy S. Westbury, NY

Thank you, Cyndy!

Cleo's reply to come shortly...

Cookbook?

I'm new to your website and you've probably been asked this question at least a MILLION times, but are there any plans to consolidate your recipes into a cookbook? Really enjoy your books (reading them all a second time) and website.

Donna
St.Charles, MO

Thank you, Donna!

Cleo's reply - to come shortly...

Holiday Grind!

The book I mean, not the actual holiday! It's about time for me to get out Holiday Grind and do a re-read! Can't wait to curl up with a big mug of Pumpkin Coffee and spend an afternoon with my favorite friends from the coffee shop!

Pam/OKC

Cleo's reply -

Thx for the holiday shout-out, Pam. This entry is definitely a reader favorite. It's the first one of my 10 books with a holiday theme (and holiday recipes)! A great time of year to remember, even in the toughest of times, why the spirit of Christmas is worth keeping in our hearts all year long. :) Thanks again, Pam...

Read with joy!

~ Cleo

Matteos Stew

Hello coffee house mystery fans, does anyone have the reciepe for Matteos Stew? The pic looks great, but I guess I missed the reciepe! thanks, danie

REPLY TO...

Danie - The recipe for Matt's Stew (Carne Con Cafe) is in the recipe section of Decaffeinated Corpse. For more info, click here or on the book cover and happy cooking!

Dinner with...

Madame, I hope that I am at least a little like her when i am older. Elaborated in the email I sent for the contest. I love your books am on # 5 after just a few weeks. Hope there are many more coffee books in the future. Am going to start on the Haunted bookshop books next.

Happy writing.

Carolyn

It's almost Sweet Potato Time!

Happy November 1 - All Saints Day! It's about that time to dust off that sweet potato casserole recipe! Hope your November is fabulous! 

~ Pam/OKC

Cleo's Reply:

Pam - Yes, it is! I'm creating a special recipe PDF of that amazing casserole to include in my November Newsletter. I can't wait for you (and my CM readers) to see it, and thanks again for sharing your favorite Thanksgiving recipe with me. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you and your friends and family have a fabulous November, too -- and a very happy holiday season!

~ Cleo

Everyone - To sign up for Cleo's newsletter, including her November Newsletter, simply send an e-mail that says "sign me up" to CoffeehouseMystery@gmail.com

THANK YOU to EVERYONE who left comments since the last time I was able to reply.

I read this board daily and have been enjoying your comments so much. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to drop by and leave them. I'll do my best to reply to more soon. So stay tuned and check back. Until then...

Java joy to you all!

~ Cleo

Murder By Mocha

Note to Cleo about Madame the mysterious