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Friday, August 1, 2014

Well Read, Then Dead and Batidos


Today first time author, Terrie Farley Moran joins us for Friday Reads with Drinks. Comment at the end to win a pair of Well Read, Then Dead book earrings...


Hi, my name is Terrie Farley Moran  and I am so happy to be here to tell you a little bit about my soon-to-be-released cozy mystery and to share recipes for some fabulous drinks called batidos.

Well Read, Then Dead is the first novel in the Read ’Em and Eat series and is due out next week. Here is a bit of a “taste.”
Nestled in the barrier islands of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers Beach is home to Mary “Sassy” Cabot and Bridget Mayfield—owners of the bookstore café, Read ’Em and Eat. But when they’re not dishing about books or serving up scones, Sassy and Bridgy are keeping tabs on hard-boiled murder.

Read ’Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If it’s not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, it’s Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. It’s no wonder Sassy’s favorite is Delia Batson, a regular at the Emily Dickinson table. Augusta’s cousin and best friend Delia is painfully shy—which makes the news of her murder all the more shocking.

Of course the café is home to lots of delicious food but we don’t discover the most enticing drink recipe until we visit Miguel Guerra at home and his aunt Caridad is busy making batidos, because she is sure that the calcium will help heal Miguel’s broken leg.

 Similar to milkshakes, the key ingredient is sweetened condensed milk, which is super thick and super sweet. You can use any fruit to make a batido—papaya, mango and passion fruit are extremely popular. I think the drinks are sweet enough when made with fruit or juice and the sweetened condensed milk, but you may wish to add sugar or honey to taste. Here are my family favorites:

Batido Morir Soñando (made by grandson Billy)
¾ cup orange juice
¼ cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup crushed ice

Batido de Piña
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
1 cup fresh cut pineapple
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup crushed ice

Batido de Mora (made by granddaughter Katie)
1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
1 cup fresh blackberries
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup crushed ice

All batidos are made exactly the same way. Just leave the crushed ice on the side, put everything else in a blender and run until the drink is smooth. Toss in the crushed ice and blend until the drink becomes thick and slushy. Serve immediately.


You can find Well Read, Then Dead at 
Independent bookstores everywhereAmazon and Barnes and Noble.

We're giving away these special Well Read, Then Dead earrings in our first ever Friday Reads with Drinks giveaway. Just comment below to enter. US residents only. 


25 comments:

  1. I would love to visit Read' Em and Eat. Such a delightful place to relax. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  2. I am captivated with this book and cafe. An enticing and relaxing setting which I would enjoy. Many thanks for this lovely giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. The drinks and the book looks good.

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  4. The drinks sound delicious, Terrie. Perfect to enjoy while reading your book!

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  5. I don't need earrings, but the book looks like a great read. I'm already thirsty for those drinks! Love the idea of drinking them in Florida with the characters in your novel! Best wishes.

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  6. So glad to read this, Terrie. Both the drinks and the novel sound wonderful. Now I'm thirsty. Good luck with your book.

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  7. Sounds like an interesting book, recipes sound good (if you drink)! Thanks for chance to win!
    lynn@tangledyarn.com

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  8. The book sounds as good as the drinks sound delicious. I think I'll have to try both.

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  9. Those are amazing earrings and awesome drinks. Only appropriate for a fantastic book! YAY!!!

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  10. Love the earrings! I'll try the drink tonight! Your premise is really great, Terrie. Can't wait to read it.

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  11. Delightful earrings! Congratulations.

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  12. Love those earrings! What a unique idea!

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  13. So cool, and those drinks are making my mouth water...

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  14. Cool! Love the earrings...my favorite things - summery drinks, books, bookstores, mysteries.

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  15. Thanks for everyone's good wishes. And very special thanks to the multi-talented Deb Lacy for her hospitality and the gorgeous earrings. Is she something or is she something?

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  16. The drinks sound delicious, the book sounds like a great read, and I love those earrings!

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  17. I definitely want to make batidos. The book sounds great. The earrings are adorable.

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  18. I love the idea for this series.
    I will have to give this drink a try.

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  19. It's more than great books today. Bonus prizes too. Count me in.

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  20. When I was teaching one of my colleagues made a pie she called the Paul Newman. Why the name? Because it was beautiful and rich and sweet-- just like these batidos. Can't wait to try them. Counting down the days until Well Read, Then Dead appears on my kindle.

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  21. I love the earrings. This is my first facebook release party, and I didn't know what to expect. Pretty cool. I am reading the book now.

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  22. Our winner is Lynn. Congratulations! Look for an e-mail shortly.

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  23. Wow! How cool, can't wait to read the book!

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