Aug 08 2018
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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Midnight Snacks are Murder by Libby Klein

Posted by Jennifer in 4 Stars, Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, Giveaways, Guest Post, Review / 3 Comments

Midnight Snacks are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery)
by Libby Klein

Inspiration for Paleo/Gluten Free theme

by Libby Klein

I love cozy mysteries. Especially the culinary cozies that take place in bakeries, coffee bars, cheese shops, pie shops, donut shops, chocolate shops and tea rooms. I’m kind of recipe obsessed because I was almost a pastry chef. Almost. It didn’t work out. I don’t want to talk about it. You’ll eventually find out. My problem with reading culinary cozies is that I’m also very susceptible to suggestion. Whatever the food focus of the mystery, I’ll be craving it like I’m pregnant with twins.I’m not.

I drink coffee like a boss, but I will find myself making a pot of earl gray just because I’m reading a tea shop mystery. I’m captivated bycookies and cupcakes whenever I read a bakery cozy. And the chocolate shop cozies are especially dangerous with a Godiva store just three miles away. So, what’s the big deal? Just eat the cookie, right? *Sigh.

I’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and most donuts are not on my allowed food list. I’ve checked. Many times. I have Hashimoto’s. I won’t bore you with the mechanics of it. Suffice it to say, Ihave to avoid gluten, dairy and soy like the plague or evil little Frankencells form and wage war against my thyroid and immune system. The struggle to stay consistent to a healthy diet is real.

One day, after throwing an extraordinary pity party for myself, I had a revelation. What I needed was a cozy series where the protagonist is on the Paleo Diet. They can bake up a storm because paleo recipes are free of gluten, dairy and soy. Then whatever they’re making, I can have it without swelling up like a pufferfish and itching all night. Maybe that could keep my mind off of lemon meringue pie. Hey, stranger things have happened.

My quest for that series was futile. It opened my eyes to two truths. One, I was delusional if I thought the mystery world revolved around me and my little illness. And two, If I wanted a Paleo cozy I would have to write it myself.

Thus, was formed the spark of a dream to one day be a published author. Many years have passed since I had my epiphany. I’ve had other pity parties about my dietary limitations. Some fits have been more spectacular than others. Some days I’m on top of the Paleo world and other days… I’m one donut away from an intervention. But I find strength and motivation from writing the Poppy McAllisterMystery series about a plus sized gal with an autoimmune disease who has to be on the Paleo Diet. Where in the world did I get that crazy idea?

Poppy keeps me honest and focused on eating for my health. She’s growing into her commitment to eat gluten free and it challenges me to do the same. I want Poppy’s journey to be an inspiration for other’s like me. Whether you have dietary restrictions due to food allergies, or you’re just trying to be healthier, I hope my series will motivate and encourage both of us. We are stronger together. I’m just so grateful that the artisanal donut shop doesn’t deliver. I don’t own a pair of yoga pants that stretch enough to allow that.

 

About the Book


Midnight Snacks are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Kensington (July 31, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496713056
Digital ASIN: B0776HFC8V

When her sleepwalking aunt is accused of committing murder, Poppy McAllister finds out there’s no rest for the weary . . .

Between trying to get her gluten-free baking business off the ground and helping her aunt remodel her old Victorian into the Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey, Poppy is ready to call, “Mayday!” And now Aunt Ginny—who’s a handful wide-awake—is sleepwalking on her new sleeping pill prescription and helping herself to neighbors’ snacks and knickknacks.

Even more alarming, a local humanitarian who worked with troubled teens is found murdered, and the police suspect the “Snack Bandit.” Other than a bad case of midnight munchies and some mild knickknack kleptomania, Aunt Ginny is harmless. Someone’s trying to frame her. Poppy will need to work tirelessly to uncover the killer and put the case to rest—before Aunt Ginny has to trade in her B & B for a bunk bed behind bars . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

About the Author

Libby Klein dabbles in the position of Vice President of a technology company which mostly involves bossing other people around, making spreadsheets, and taking out the trash. She writes culinary cozy mysteries from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her cat Figaro off her keyboard.
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Review of Midnight Snacks are Murder

Review (4 Stars):  This is the second book in the Poppy McAllister mystery series and I loved meeting Poppy and her delightful Aunt Ginny.  Midnight Snacks was a smart, well-written mystery with yummy snacks that you are sure to want to try.  The characters in this mystery were quirky and fun to watch over the course of this story, which added to the entertainment value of this whodunnit.  I enjoyed every minute of this story and can’t wait to see what trouble Poppy and her Aunt Ginny find themselves in next.

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