Book News, a Giveaway, and a Recipe!

I realize that it's been quite a while since I sent out a blog post, and for that I am truly sorry. In my defense, I was having too much fun writing more stories, traveling, entertaining friends and family, hiking with the dogs, meeting new people, and being a first time grandma (Yep, I'm a grandma!!!) to think about blog posts and social media. I sincerely hope that you were having a great time too, embracing summer and everything lovely summery thing that goes along with it. Here in Michigan, we live for those few fleeting months of summer. It's a very distracting season, so distracting that September has already tiptoed in and I hardly noticed. I blame that on the beautiful weather. Fall might be on our doorstep, but I'm still clinging to summer until the sweaters come out. I'm not ready for the pumpkin spice latte takeover!

Some of you have noticed that I don't have any books coming in 2025. I have appreciated your messages and your interest. You all are so sweet. However, this lack of books is a result of my taking some time off last year. Much needed time. I explain all about it in the acknowledgments of my February 2026 release, A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle. The good news is that I have been writing, and there will be two new books out in 2026. More on that in a minute.

Because I'm so excited about book two in my Food & Spirits mystery series, which will be launching January 27, 2026, I made a book trailer. I'm not a professional, so lower your expectations. I just thought it might be fun to put together a little visual book nugget to highlight some of the fun themes explored in Dundoon Castle, like Scottish food, bagpipes, the ghost of a ... bagpiper, a ghost hunt, a mysterious creature from Celtic mythology, and murder. You always have to have a little murder in a murder mystery. That's a rule. Take a look. I hope you enjoy it.

Book Trailer for A SPIRITED SUPPER AT DUNDOON CASLTE

Wasn't that fun? If you like what you saw, here's the link to preorder the book. PREORDER

I will be putting together a little book tour as well, but I don't have any of the dates set quite yet. I'll be sure to share those when I get them!

So, a few weeks ago while I was out in the Seattle area on my first visits to see my 2-week old grandson, Joey, (he's a doll!) I got an email from my publisher that included a new cover for the trade paperback release of A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor, the first book in the Food & Spirits mystery series. I had no idea that I was getting a new cover. Surprise! I'm not sure my agent and editor did either. Sometimes that's just how publishing goes. You get an email, it could be good, it could be bad, or it could be a new cover you never expected. It's a very mysterious industry. However, this new cover is so adorable and so different from the original hardcover, that I wrote back, "Thank you. Got it!" and immediately downloaded the artwork. Well here it is. What do you think?

New cover for the trade paperback release, 12/16/2025

It's all about the bunny! I think this cover is just an excuse to showcase an adorable, fluffy animal. The reason I chose a white rabbit for the book is because when I was a child my first pet was a white rabbit. His name was Fluffernutter or Fluff for short, and I adored him. Fluff was named after my then favorite sandwich of marshmallow cream and peanut butter! Still a great sandwich! If you haven't read the book yet, you can preorder it here: PREORDER

Speaking of covers, how about a sneak peek at the next Beacon Bakeshop cover? It's not up for preorder yet because it doesn't come out until late June of 2026. However, the amazing cover artists at Kensington Publishing made this cover for me last year, before my little hiatus, and I've been hanging onto it while secretly squealing over how adorable it is. I've been dying to share it. I'm sharing it now so that you can squeal a little too. Oh, Welly! He's the best! As you can see, this one is a camping adventure (or, more correctly, a glamping adventure), and I loved every minute I spent writing it. If you like the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries, you're going to love this one!

Murder at the Campfire Cookout book cover. Coming July 2026

In the spirit of clinging to the last few days of summer, I thought I'd share one of my favorite scone recipes with you. You know how I love my scones! The inspiration behind this recipe came from my visit to Seattle. My son, Jim, and daughter-in-law, Allison, (the new parents!) bought their cute house last October and didn't realize that they had gorgeous blueberry bushes growing in their front yard until Allison's mom, Michele, flew out for baby duty in mid-July. I should tell you that Michele's a great gardener. Well, she spotted those blueberry bushes right away and began picking the berries. The kids were amazed! (In their defense they were expecting their first child!). When I went out for my visit, I continued the tradition of picking blueberries and making breakfast for the exhausted new parents. The blueberries were delicious, and the moment I started picking them I knew that fresh blueberry scones were going to be on the menu!

You can print a copy of the recipe for these delicious scones here! BLUEBERRY SCONES

Now for the giveaway!

I'm giving away two copies of the original hardcover of A FATAL FEAST AT BRAMSFORD MANOR. Due to Facebook hackers, the giveaway will take place right here on this blog.

To enter, please tell me your favorite thing about summer.

The winners will be chosen Friday, September 12, and will be announced on my author FB page, Author Darci Hannah

Good luck!

(Continental US only please. Winners will be chosen at random!)

Wishing you all a happy September! As always, happy reading and happy baking!