Night of the Living Bread – Coming in May

Book four in the Sugar & Spice Mystery Series will be released on May 27th and if now available for Pre-Order here:

Night of the Living Bread

Keep reading for a preview!

Chapter One

“You are such a sucker.” My business partner and bestie, Dixie Spicer, pointed a finger at me. Albeit it was a finger tipped with a dollop of chocolate frosting. Which made it difficult to take her seriously, but that’s beside the point.

It’s true. I am a sucker.

I’m a sucker for little kids with lemonade stands, old ladies selling daffodils, and any and all varieties of animal rescue fundraisers. Adopt a dog, save a cat, dollars for donkeys. They see me coming a mile away.

“Sugar, it’s impossible for you to say no.” Dixie had spotted the frosting and licked it from her finger.

“I can too.” Picking up a spoon, I reached in front of her and dipped some frosting from the bowl. Why fool around with only a finger of frosting? You’ve got to lean in.

Yum. I sighed in ecstasy.

The rich, dark chocolate was pure bliss.

And it would complement nicely the praline-pecan cupcakes cooling on the counter. A test recipe for our latest project, a community cookbook for the local band boosters.

Dixie swatted my spoon away but a smile quirked her lips.

I’d grown up in cities but was madly in love with the small town where I’d lived for the past couple of years. I cherish the friendships, the simplicity, and the slower pace. It’s perfect for someone looking for fewer distractions and a sense of belonging. And ideal for the types of cookbooks that we produce at Sugar & Spice Publishing.

“The “Tasty Notes Cookbook” will make them money and still turn a profit for us.” I reached in for another spoonful of frosting. “I ran the numbers and we’re good.”

“Agreed.” Dixie touched a couple of the cupcakes and apparently deciding they were cool enough to frost, picked up a knife and scooted the bowl of frosting out of my reach. “You’ve got a much better head for business than I do, but you’re still a sucker.”

“Speaking of business –” I was about to fill her in on my meeting with Marla Mercer, the Jameson County Historical Society’s chair, when the bell over the front door of our shop dinged.

Tina Martin, the real estate agent from a couple of doors down, popped through the door. As usual, Tina was color-coordinated to the nth degree. Today’s theme was autumn with a burnt orange jacket over a brown dress and, of course, deep crimson fingernails.

“You girls are not going to believe this.” Tina leaned in and lowered her voice, though we were the only ones in the shop.

“Believe what?” I leaned in too. I’m also a sucker for secrets.

“I’m not supposed to say who, but…” Tina paused for effect. “A certain celebrity chef is coming through St. Ignatius in a few weeks.”

My mind pinged from cooking show to cooking show. It would be too much to ask that someone from my favorite, The Great British Baking Show,” would be making a stop in our small Midwest town. More likely a “Baking Takes the Cake” or “Food Fight.”

“Well, don’t leave us in suspense, Tina.” With a flourish of her knife, Dixie swiped more frosting on the cupcake in her hand and held it out to Tina. “Who is it?”

Tina reached for the cupcake but Dixie held it aloft, her height giving her an advantage.

“I’m not supposed to…”

“We know.” Dixie waited. “So, give us a hint.”

“His name starts with Dino and he loves fried food,” she blurted out.

Dixie handed Tina the cupcake with a smile.

Note to self: Don’t ever trust Tina with a secret.