Mocha, She Wrote by Ellie Alexander

JENN McKINLAY: Anyone who knows me at all knows that my breakfast of choice is dessert. Well, one of my fave cozy mystery series which includes plenty of dessert is Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mysteries. Her thirteenth is coming in June, so I had to invite her to visit and tell us all about it. Take it away, Ellie!

Ellie Alexander

Ellie Alexander: First off, thanks so much for having me on as a guest today. The thirteenth book in my Bakeshop Mysteries, Mocha, She Wrote comes out in June, and what better subject to cover with mystery writers and readers than coffee?

Nothing pairs better with word count or a good book than coffee in my humble opinion. I’m a Pacific Northwest native and I have to tell you that we take our coffee seriously here on the west coast, as in deadly serious. It’s almost impossible to go more than a half of a block without running into an artisan coffeehouse. I love the vibe of a cozy bakeshop where customers savor a creamy latte while plotting out a new mystery or escaping with their favorite read. 

 

However, there is a dark underbelly in the world of coffee that I’ve discovered in many hours of “research” AKA spending way too much time sampling custom drinks at my local coffee shops. I’m talking about absolutely murderous new coffee trends. I must warn you that the following crimes against those heavenly beans we brew up each morning just may have you running to your kitchen for a plain old fashioned cup of Joe. 

 

Here are some of the current crimes against coffee: 

1.    CBD Lattes. CBD is all the rage right now. From curing minor aches and ailments to calming anxiety, the compound’s many benefits have been highly touted. The jury is still out on whether CBD has lasting power or will become just another fading fad. There’s one thing I know for sure—don’t put it in my latte. I don’t want my latte infused with anything other than a strong shot of espresso. I certainly don’t want my morning buzz to taste like hemp. Ewww. 

 

2.    Edible Glitter. Yep. It’s a thing. Glitter isn’t just for clubbing anymore. Now your favorite coffeehouse drink can match your lipgloss. Edible glitter dust on top of a mocha might make for an Instagram worthy picture, but I don’t need special shimmer in my mouth. Save the sparkle for a Friday night, and please give me a classic, glitter-free latte. 

 

3.    Mushroom Coffee. The hype is off the charts for this one. Shroom coffee is being hailed as a healthy alternative to those caffeinated beans. It could be true. It’s an interesting concept to blend beans with foraged wild mushrooms. Okay, technically it’s ground mushrooms mixed with organic beans. But still, I can’t get past the thought of a fungus in my cup or the image of chunky mushrooms floating in my morning java. Hard pass.

What about you? Have you braved any of these trends, or can we all agree that every suspect on this list should be permanently banned from coffeehouses everywhere?

Coming June 29th!!! 

MOCHA, SHE WROTE: When a barista competition comes to town, Torte's favorite pastry chef finds herself sleuthing once again―in the next installment of Ellie Alexander's beloved Bakeshop Mystery Series, Mocha, She Wrote!

Summer has ushered in a new season in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon. Torte is bustling with tourists taking in star-drenched shows at the Elizabethan, setting out to hike in the surrounding Siskiyou Mountains, and sampling the bakeshop’s summer lineup of raspberry lemon tarts and mint mojito cold brews. Jules and the team are buzzing with excitement when they learn that Andy, Torte’s head barista, has been selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup.

The prestigious competition draws coffee aficionados from up and down the coast to Ashland. The winner will not only claim to be best-in-brew, but also be awarded a hefty cash prize. Andy’s nervous about his chances, but Jules is confident that her star barista will shine. However, things take a grim turn when head judge Benson Vargas spits out Andy’s first offering, claiming it to be the worst thing to ever touch his lips―and hours later, is found dead clutching Andy’s creamy latte. Suddenly Torte’s favorite barista becomes the number one suspect. There’s no roast for the weary. Jules will have to sleuth out whodunit to clear Andy’s name and catch a killer before she ends up with one foot in the grounds.

ELLIE ALEXANDER is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses and breweries nearby. When she's not coated in flour, you'll find her outside exploring hiking trails of Southern Oregon and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. She is the author of the Bakeshop Mystery Series and the Sloan Krause Mysteries. Follow her on social media to learn more about her books, see her recipe videos, and participate in fun giveaways!

Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her here:
Website: https://www.elliealexander.co/
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