There’s a lot to be said for having multiple personalities.

That is, if you’re a writer!

As an author, I’ve had a chance to write both historical and contemporary romance (as Constance Laux and Connie Lane), YA horror (I was Connie Laux and Zoe Daniels for those gigs), and even a book for kids (written under the name of an oh-so-famous children’s author).

I’ve also had the chance to write two very different mystery series. Of course, under two different names.

You’ve read about my Pepper Martin mysteries here on the blog. They’re the ones I write as Casey Daniels. They’re set in Cleveland, and they feature a heroine who works in a cemetery and solves mysteries for the ghosts there. They are (if I say so myself) smart, sassy and have just enough woo-woo in them to keep readers coming back for more.

But what I don’t talk about as often is the other mystery series I write. They’re called the Cooking Class mysteries and the latest, Murder Has a Sweet Tooth, is brand-spanking-new out this week.

These mysteries are more traditional cozies. They feature a heroine named Annie who is far less feisty and trendy than ol’ Pepper. In fact, in one of the books, Annie confesses that she loves lots and lots of color in her life–as long as it’s all some shade of beige.

Sweet Tooth is the fifth book in the series, following Cooking Up Murder, Murder on the Menu, Dead Men Don’t Get the Munchies and Dying for Dinner. In this installment of Annie’s adventures, she’s planning her wedding to Jim, the Scottish hunk who owns the pub/restaurant where she works. But even though Annie is head over heels in love with Jim, she can’t help feeling jealous of her new women friends who have the lives of perfect suburban wives. Perfect homes. Perfect children. Perfect husbands.

It’s enough to make any bride-to-be feel as if she’s getting short- changed.

Until somebody is murdered–and Annie has to solve what could just be the perfect crime!

Like a lot of cooking-themed mysteries, the Cooking Class mysteries include recipes. Here’s one from Murder Has a Sweet Tooth for you to enjoy for the holidays!

Happily-Ever-After Fried Mars Bars

1 Mars (or Milky Way) bar per person
1 cup white flour
½ cup corn flower
1 pinch baking soda
milk or beer
oil for deep frying

Chill the candy bar in the refrigerator. Mix the flours and baking soda together. Add milk or beer until the batter is the consistency of thin cream. Heat the oil until a small piece of bread dropped in browns in a few seconds. Don’t allow the oil to burn. Remove wrapper from the candy bar. Coat the bar with batter. Carefully lower candy bar into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Can be served topped with whipped cream.

Murder Has a Sweet Tooth went on sale yesterday at book stores everywhere!