Tuesday, May 25, 2021

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 AlexanderFirst 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 WROTEWhen 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/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexander
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexanderauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexanderauthor
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BakeshopMystery
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexanderauthor

68 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your newest book, Ellie . . . I’m definitely looking forward to finding out why the judge disliked Andy’s coffee so much [and, of course, who did the dastardly deed] . . . .

    As for the coffee additives, I certainly have not tried any of them . . . if I had to pick one, the edible glitter is the least offensive of the three; at least it would leave the coffee tasting like coffee.
    However, I’d really like to say, “No, thank you” . . . my coffee doesn't need any of those additives . . . .

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    1. I’m with you on that. Maybe a touch of edible glitter for a celebratory coffee!

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  2. I love that stack o' books picture, Ellie!

    All those coffee trends sound horrible. For my tastes, so does pumpkin spice latte. I grind and brew my coffee at home every morning, and all I need is an excellent dark roast with a splash of whole milk in it!

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    1. Edith, I'm with you on pumpkin spice latte. No thank you!

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    2. I am yet another dissenter on pumpkin spice latte.

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    3. I have a friend who does a countdown the month before pumpkin pie spice latte.

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    4. No pumpkin spice latte for me, either . . . .

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    5. No pumpkin spice for me either, but we should tread lightly. That could be ground for murder for the pumpkin spice die hards. 😅

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  3. The only thing I want in my coffee is creamer, and I'm very picky about which one.

    I take that back. I do like white chocolate mocha. And peppermint mocha during the holidays. But CBD, glitter, or fungus? No way!

    Congrats on the new book!!!

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    1. I love a peppermint mocha during the holidays too!

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  4. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I'm with you.

    Congratulations on the new book.

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    1. LOL! You don’t even have to give one moment of your time to these trends.

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  5. Ellie, welcome to JRW and congratulations on your latest release. First, I must begin the series with book 1, but the woodsy Oregon setting and the bakeshop goodies, make this very enticing to me. So, TBR list just increased by 13. Oh, boy!

    As for the coffee add-ins, just a little milk or black, please and don't burn the beans! Thanks. So, "NO" to schrooms and chemical flavorings, and will glitter be the new, " You have spinach in your teeth!?"

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    1. Such a good point on burn beans. There is nothing worse than a scorched cup of Joe. And, I hope you enjoy a little getaway to my fictional take on Ashland. Happy reading!

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  6. We just visited our daughter in Portland, and even though I didn't notice any coffee choices similar to these, we did see CBD offered in a million other ways. Yuck. The taste does not appeal to me. I'd make a very poor pothead. Sounds like the judge's brew got doctored with that stuff.

    My coffee choice is simple: black and perfectly brewed. A perfect accompaniment to my breakfast of choice, a square of high-quality dark chocolate.

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    1. Karen in Ohio,

      Chocolate - yummy! When I visited Seattle, I remember seeing "Snickers" latte! I have heard of "Oreo" latte.

      Diana

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    2. Oh yeah, the CBD trend is everywhere here in the PNW! I love the touch of dark chocolate in your morning cup. YUM!

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  7. ELLIE: Congratulations on the 13th book, a baker's dozen in the Bakeshop mystery series!

    Like Edith, I grind my dark roast beans each morning and brew it manually using a cone filter. I drink it black, so I am not interested in any fancy or weird coffee trends.

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    1. GRACE: I drink my coffee black only if it is freshly brewed. If I have to reheat my coffee, it changes the flavor and I add my favorite nut creamer (non dairy) to the drink.

      Diana

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  8. Welcome Ellie! So happy to see you here. I would enjoy the glitter on a special occasion day--I can imagine bringing a cup to my hub on his birthday. I wonder how long it would take him to notice??

    Congrats on the 13th in your bakeshop series Ellie! I would love to hear about how long you imagine this will run and how you keep it fresh with each new installment...

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    1. Excellent question, Lucy - I'm listening!

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    2. Thanks so much! You have to share a picture if you surprise your husband with a little glitter in his mug. I can’t wait!

      I’m working on book 15 as we speak, so there are definitely more in store! Keeping it fresh is a challenge. Do you struggle with that too? One thing that helps me is living in Ashland. There’s such natural beauty and uniqueness in Southern Oregon so I try to pull inspiration from that. But finding ways to kill people... hmmmm!?!

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  9. Congratulations on your new release! I drink freshly ground dark roast New Orleans beans brewed in a French Press and topped with steamed or frothy milk if I've got the time.

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  10. Ellie, congrats on #13 in the series--love the setting and just reading about all the baked goodies is adding pounds!

    I'm such a purist, the only thing I enjoy about coffee is the smell ;-) But on behalf of all the coffee drinkers in my family (I'm the odd one out), keep it simple--no glitter, no shrooms, no CBD infusion. Yuck!

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    1. I so appreciate the kind words, and I know the struggle is real when writing about or reading about baking. Too much deliciousness.

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  11. Congratulations on your upcoming release. As a certified coffeeholic, I am waiting with Moccamaster at the ready! As for those funky coffees - No, just no.

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  12. Congratulations on lucky 13, Ellie! I'm not a coffee drinker, but even if I was, I think I'd give all of those a hard "no."

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  13. Congratulations on the new release! Like Judy, I will be new to the series, so I have a lot to look forward to.

    I am also among those who grind their own beans at home and drink the delicious outcome strong and black. When I'm out in social situations I can occasionally enjoy a lowfat latte, and at Christmas time I like to indulge in one or two peppermint lattes -- but not peppermint mocha, strangely enough. I just find that too strong. But unlike everyone who has commented before me, I would actually be willing to give the mushroom coffee a try, if only out of curiosity. I don't know why, it just doesn't really sound implausible to me. The other two get a hard no!

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    1. You have to report back if you brave a shroom coffee. I’ve come within minutes of ordering it twice and chickened out. Now, you’re inspiring me to go for it!

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  14. Oh good grief, those sound like coffee nightmares! I am in love with coffee, absolutely, and the idea of – – just the idea of! – – adulterating it with those things seems beyond tragic. Wow. Thanks for telling us about this, now I am absolutely haunted.

    And that is such a wonderful photo of you! Congratulations!

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    1. It is haunting, isn’t it? Guard your cup with your life!

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  15. I am a no frills coffee (and keep it coming) drinker, but I do have a milk frothing doohickey built into my coffee maker (Ninja) and I am addicted to the frothed milk. I only like flavored coffees (yes, even pumpkin spice) as a mid afternoon pick me up. CBD, glitter, and mushrooms? No, thank you! Looking forward to your latest, Ellie!

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    1. Jenn, I met Ellie at my first Malice Domestic conference in 2016 and I started reading the extreme sports series and the bakeshop series. I love the bakeshop series! I like flavored coffee too. I noticed that I really like Italian coffee because of the flavor. Pumpkin spice is one of my favorite flavors.

      Diana

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    2. I’m here for the froth! And, thanks so much for inviting me on today.😘

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  16. Just plain coffee, thank you. And a little sugar. I rarely add dairy any more. There might be an occasional mocha during the winter but that's it and only if I'm out shopping. That other stuff, listed above, is not to be added to my cup at anytime.

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    1. You can’t go wrong with a classic plain coffee. Smart move!

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  17. Congratulations on your new book, Ellie. I hope you have killer sales!

    I'm a tea drinker, myself, but even I can agree that glitter, mushrooms, and CBD oil have no place in coffee. I really prefer simple flavors like, y'know, coffee, milk, sugar. Why mess with a classic?

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    1. My thoughts exactly! Coffee is already perfection. Or, tea. No one needs bonus glitter in your teacup, right?

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  18. I only drink black coffee, usually dark roast. And unsweetened iced tea. At coffee shops, they always want to add something to my order. 😬

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  19. Give me plain old ordinary coffee! I stopped putting sugar in my coffee over forty years ago, and added only a splash of milk. When I retired I bought a coffee grinder so I could enjoy freshly ground coffee every morning with my breakfast. Recently, on the recommendation of a doctor, I started drinking it black, and darned if it doesn’t taste better that way! No additives for me!

    DebRo

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    1. Grinding beans at home makes such a difference, doesn’t it?

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  20. I’m with you, Ellie. No flavors in my latte, especially not pumpkin spice or peppermint and certainly no mushrooms or CBD!

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  21. Hi Ellie! Welcome to Jungle Reds and I look forward to the live event tonight.

    Though I have heard of matcha ? lattes, I have not heard of CBD latte nor mushroom lattes. And I've seen the edible ? glitter on Instagram. No way am I interested in any of these.

    Though I love peppermint mocha during the Christmas season and Pumpkin Spice Latte during the Halloween season, I am Not a fan of the new trends.

    Since the pandemic started, I have not bought a latte from a cafe like Starbucks nor Peets. I buy my coffee beans there IF there are no other customers inside, which happens once in a while. Usually I buy my coffee beans at the local organic grocery store.

    So excited about the MOCHA, SHE WROTE novel coming up in June. I already preordered. The title reminded me of the TV series Murder, She Wrote with Angela Lansbury and Tom Bosley.

    Diana

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    1. Yes, I’ve actually tried a few different versions of matcha lattes, and really enjoy them. Matcha powder is strong, so if you haven’t tried one yet I would suggest going light for the first round. Thanks so much for pre-ordering! I can’t wait to share this one with you!

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  22. Just NO. Absolutely not. Coffee should be coffee. Period.

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  23. Just, eewwww on the additives, Ellie! Especially the CBD, ugh. My morning Joe is espresso with frothed milk, no sugar, no flavorings. And after that, tea, usually with just a splash of milk.

    Congrats on the new book! What a fun series. Terrific cover, and I love the photo of you with all your books!

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  24. Drinking my dark roast coffee now. No additives. No sugar. No cream. Ack! What sort of evil mind dreams up those "coffee" drinks? Although I will drink a chicory coffee blend.
    I enjoy your beer series a lot! I also enjoyed the Meg Reed series written under another name. Will there be more? You left us hanging!

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    1. Pat D., I feel like I owe you a word of thanks. I read your comment and it was like, "Wait...what? A BEER series?!?" Off I dashed to Google, where I learned about the Sloan Krause Mysteries. I can't wait to read these!

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    2. It is evil, Pat! Pure coffee evil. 🤨 I’m so happy you’re enjoying the Sloan series. Actually, I’ve been working on an idea for a Meg revival. I want to bring her back ten years later, maybe not as a mystery but something else. I’m in the early stages of sketching out the idea. Stay tuned!

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  25. I don't like coffee period. So all of those trends were new to me. And none make me want to drink coffee.

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    1. I can’t imagine any of these trends luring you in, if you’re not a coffee drinker. Because—gross!

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  26. Wow, reading this makes me grateful that I'm a tea-only gal. I'd rather struggle to get actual boiling water and decent tea leaves in a restaurant than have to worry about glitter or CBD in my cup. (Doesn't it seem as if those two should go together?

    I knew the Pacific coast had a coffee culture like no other when Ross and I combined Bouchercon in Anchorage with a family trip to Alaska in '06. We went to the lovely St. Mary's Episcopal church for the two Sundays we were there, and I was VERY bemused to see the priest, deacon and choir members of our usually formal, traditional denomination carrying travel mugs up the aisle with them!

    Of course, I've gotten so used to being able to have my morning tea while Zooming church, I may do the same thing myself now we can go back in person...

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    1. You raise a very valid point and something I’ve often wondered about when I see people leaving the coffee shop with their CBD lattes. Doesn’t the caffeine cancel out the calming effects of CBD? Hmmm...

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    2. Ellie, that would be a great line for a dialogue in your Bakeshop novel.

      Diana

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  27. They all sound ugh!! Congrats on the new book in your charming series!

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  28. Congratulations on the forthcoming book! I can't believe you're at 13 already!

    What I want in my coffee is...coffee. Black. No cream, sugar, chocolate, or other add-ins. I'm in the PNW too, Portland, and good coffee is easy to get, just the way I like it: fresh, hot, black, strong.

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  29. Ellie, I agree that a good book and coffee are the perfect pairing. But, I don't need or want anything fancy or daring. A good cup of coffee means I'll take mine black, without any adornments. I admit to occasionally have a splash of cream, but that's rare. And, I do like a latte from Starbucks in the fall or winter, but, again, that's not often. I know I have zero interest in mushroom coffee.

    Congratulations on your new book, Ellie. It sounds like a great read!

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  30. Happy 13th novel (AKA teenage book), Ellie! I haven't tried any of the above combinations, although I've heard of shroom coffee. There's also this cheese coffee, but I think I'll pass as well...

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    1. Jennifer, yes, I remember the experiment of cheese coffee in a novel that I read.

      Diana

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  31. I have not, and prefer a good cup of black coffee with my desserts!

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