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Behind the Writing of Dunes and Dead Bodies

Tell us about the background for the theme, what inspired it or why you wanted to write in this setting, or with play with these tropes?

This book was my chance to bring together the main characters from two of my other series, weaving them into a story that connects them all. They have similarities but also are very different which made this book fun to write.

Are any of your characters based on real people you know?

I do draw inspiration for all of my friends and while they know I do this I don’t tell them what traits I use with what character and my best friend Kathy is always trying to guess.

Tell us about character traits that were fun or hard for you to include in the book.

It was fun to bring in three of my favorite fictional people and put them together to not only have fun and build friendship but solve a mystery.

Which of the side characters would you love to explore more, or turn into a main character in another series?

In this particular book the three women were all main characters and have there own series but there is a side character in my Presley Thurman series that I would love to spin off when the time is right.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

While I would never advise to try and solve a mystery on your own the one thing I loved about this book in particular is the friendship these women formed and how they came together.

A Recipe to go with the book:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup hot water or hot coffee (coffee gives it a richness that is amazing)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Peanut Butter Frosting

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings

• Mini peanut butter cups
• Chocolate shavings
• Drizzle of melted chocolate

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add oil, milk, hot water (or coffee), egg, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about ⅔ full.
5. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
6. For the frosting, beat peanut butter and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
7. Frost cooled cupcakes and top as desired.

The Story Behind the Cupcakes:

Personally, I can’t think of a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate. Way back when I was pregnant a long, long time ago, I had cravings that could only be described as bordering on the ridiculous. I would wake in the middle of the night thinking about sweets, and I tried to find and make every chocolate-and-peanut-butter concoction imaginable. Some were too sweet, some too messy, and some… well, let’s just say they never made it past the taste test.

I am not what you would call a good cook and I find recipes to often be a suggestion.
But this recipe? This one became my absolute favorite. It was the perfect balance of chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and easy enough for me to make. Over the years, I’ve made it countless times for family, friends, and the occasional “I really need chocolate today” moment. Which I admit is a little more than occasional.

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Synopsis:

Matchmaker Cassandra Collins is no match for murder.

Trixie Pristine, owner of Read Wine Bookstore, heads to a 4-day Women in Business Conference hosted by Cassandra Collins, motivational speaker and the owner of a matchmaker service.

When the conference starts off with Cassandra dropping dead on stage, Trixie is ready to find out what happened to the seemingly healthy marriage broker.

Good thing she’s met Presley Thurman and Tillie Moore at the conference. She knows she can count on these new friends to help her investigate.

Can the three friends solve the crime and learn how to win in business?

The Read Wine cozy mystery series is perfect for fans who love clean mysteries set in a small town with plenty of laughs and clues along the way!

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