Dundoon Castle, a Giveaway, and Scones

Happy 2026! I know it’s freezing out there, and most of the country has been hit by bad storms, but I hope this message finds you safe, warm, and happy. Since I live in Michigan, sub-zero temperatures are part of the norm, but nobody loves that. We hunker down and hibernate with the bears through the worst of it, but let’s face it, once the roads are plowed, it’s back to work. Lucky bears.

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve had a new book come out, December of 2024 to be exact. That’s when MURDER AT THE LEMONBERRY TEA was released. I can’t believe it’s been so long!

Last year was a year of getting back to normal for me, which meant catching up with all my writing projects that got pushed out due to life events, namely my mother’s passing. It was nice to have a quiet year of writing. Well, it wasn’t really quiet. My first grandchild was born in July, and since my son and daughter-in-law live in Seattle, I was able to do lots of grandma traveling, which was amazing.

Now it’s 2026 and I can hardly believe it. This new year will bring new books, more signings, and a special surprise which I’ll tell you about in a minute. I’m so excited for 2026, and it’s starting off with a bang with the release of A SPIRITED SUPPER AT DUNDOON CASTLE, the second book in my Food & Spirits mystery series.

Let me tell you a little bit about this book. I came upon the legend of the ghostly piper of (we’ll call it Dundoon Castle) back when I was writing historical fiction. The legend was so haunting and so very Scottish, that I filed it away, hoping that one day I’d be able to weave the ghost story into a novel. Well, when I started writing my Food & Spirits series, I knew that I’d be centering a mystery around the ghostly piper of Dundoon.  Here’s a little bit about the book.

Let me tell you a little bit about this book. I came upon the legend of the ghostly piper of (we’ll call it Dundoon Castle) back when I was writing historical fiction. The legend was so haunting and so very Scottish, that I filed it away, hoping that one day I’d be able to weave the ghost story into a novel. Well, when I started writing my Food & Spirits series, I knew that I’d be centering a mystery around the ghostly piper of Dundoon.  Here’s a little bit about the book.

When chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride got a role on the reality show Food & Spirits, she thought “spirits” meant cocktails. Instead, she’s cooking up dinners meant to tempt the departed to appear. And to her surprise, she’s discovered abilities to connect with the beyond—and crack murder cases . . .Now that Bunny’s entrées come with a side of the Other Side, it comes in handy to have a grandma who’s friendly with the elderly owners of a haunted Scottish castle. During Bunny’s childhood she heard all about Dundoon’s bloody history and the “ghostly piper” who roamed the grounds—and soon she’ll be visiting the ancient place with her ghost hunter and psychic co-stars. The annual bagpipe competition in the late piper’s honor will make for some good footage as well. After Bunny serves a feast fit for a 17th century king, including lamb chops with plenty of fresh herbs, she heads outdoors for the ghost hunt. But in the dark, dense fog, someone fatally plunges from the clifftop over the loch. The sound that follows is a mournful, otherworldly bagpipe . . . and once the body of another perished piper is retrieved, Bunny is determined to solve this Highlands homicide—and prevent a killer from getting off scot-free . . .

In honor of this release, I’m doing some book signings. If you can make any of these, I’d love to see you there.

January 27th at 6:30pm Schuler Books, Okemos MI

January 29th, @6:00 pm, 2 Dandelions Books, Brighton MI

January 31 at the Wildwood Community Center in Wildwood, FL from noon to 4pm

March 14th at the Avon Public Library in Avon, CT

Here are some other dates. More information to come!

April 14th @6:00 pm, I'll be at Anderson Books in Downers Grove, IL

April 15th @6:30 pm, I'll be at Blue House Books in Kenosha WI

April 16th @6:30 pm, I'll be at Boswell Books in Milwaukee WI

It’s time for a recipe! This recipe for Scottish scones is in the back of the book, but I thought you might like a printable recipe. I make a lot of scones. Most of them are what I term American scones, where I stuff them with dried fruit and/or nuts, and put a sugary glaze on top of them. They’re delicious, but these scones are the real deal. Earlier this month I had some of my friends over for our annual Vision Board making day. It’s a fun activity that we do every year, but it’s really about getting together for a good chat over coffee and treats. I made several batches of these scones, and they were a big hit. Oddly enough, when I ran out of scones later that week, I saw my son toast up some bread, slather his slices with strawberry jam, then top them with canned whipped cream. When I asked what he was doing, he said, “I really liked those scones you made the other day. I’m now really into jam topped with whipped cream. It’s delicious. Can you make more of them?” Yes. Of course. Thank goodness they’re so easy. Here’s the recipe: Printable Recipe

My big surprise is that I was asked to be a member of the Mystery Lovers Kitchen blog, and I accepted. It’s going to require a blogging commitment, which for me is going to be a challenge. I’m not the most disciplined person. However, the best part of being a member of this blog is that the other eleven authors are some of the very best in the business. They’re a great group of writers. And best yet, I get to share more recipes with you. I’ll be sharing a recipe every other Wednesday, starting February 4^th. There will also be more giveaways too. I’ll be sharing the links to my posts on my social media pages, so if you like yummy recipes, please stay tuned for those.

On June 30^th of this year, my 7^th Beacon Bakeshop Mystery will come out, Murder at the Campfire Cookout. I can’t wait to share this new Beacon Bakeshop adventure with you. The book is available for preorder, so if you’re interested in reading it, consider preordering it. Preorders are a great way to help authors with their book sales, and, true fact, book sales matter to our publishers!  Thank you in advance!

Here’s a little bit about the book:

When Lindsey Bakewell leaves behind her lighthouse bakeshop, her boyfriend, Rory, and her Newfoundland dog, Wellington, for a glamping trip with her mother in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the bears leave them alone—but a killer doesn’t. . .Converting the old Beacon Point lighthouse into a bakery is as adventurous as Lindsey cares to get. Her mother, Ellie, a former 80s fashion model, likes her creature comforts even more—until she sees a business opportunity for her Beacon Harbor fashion boutique when she’s invited by the Mitten Kittens Glamping Club on a woodsy getaway.Far from roughing it, the ladies will be warm and cozy in chic vintage campers. Ellie insists Lindsey come along to win the campfire cookout contest. Campfire cooking has come a long way from bacon and beans. Soon Lindsey is making pizza, berry cobbler, and gooey Carmelita camping bars.But the festive spirit is soon dampened when a body is found in Ellie’s camper. It seems like an accidental death until everyone’s tires are slashed and it’s clear the glampsite has become a crime scene. With no cell service to call for help, it’s up to Lindsey to smoke out the killer around the campfire . . .Because no one is out of the woods yet.

If you haven’t read the first book in my Food & Spirits Mystery Series, A Fatal Feast at Bramford Manor, it’s now out in trade paperback. This is the same fun story with a very different cover. My publisher sent me this cover back in October. I had no idea that I was getting a new cover for this book. I was shocked and confused, but then I fell in love with the white rabbit on the cover. Who knew? That rabbit is very cute, and possibly a little misleading as well. I still don’t know why I have a new cover for this book. Will I have a different cover when Dundoon Castle comes out in trade paperback next year? I have no idea, but I’ll be sure to let you know. Publishing is a strange business indeed!

I’m giving away a copy of A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle. To enter to win, answer the question below in the comment section. Continental U.S. only please.

Question: Have you ever made a vision board? What is a goal or vision you’d like to achieve this year.

Thank you, and good luck!