Amanda Flower's Blog

I’ve been experiment with more vegan recipes the last couple of months, and this is the best one so far. It’s so easy to make with a slow cooker or crock pot. Especially when the days grow cooler, I love cooking in the crock pot. It’s easy and makes the whole house feel warm and cozy. I see a lot of curries and soups in my future this winter! Enjoy!

Ingredients

olive oil15.5oz can chickpeas rinsed1 pound butternut squash chopped5 oz carrots chopped5 oz cauliflower chopped5 oz broccoli chopped2 cans coconut milk14.5oz can diced tomatoes3 tablespoons of minced garlic1 chopped onion3 tablespoons garam masala3 teaspoons ground cumin3 teaspoons ground turmeric3 teaspoons curry powdersalt to the taste

Directions

Add olive oil, garlic, and onion to crock pot. Allow to heat for 15-20 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot. Stir well.Cover and cook on high for one hour.Lower to low heat and cook for 4-5 hours. Stir periodically.Serve alone or with rice.Enjoy!

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Murder on the farm? It’s gravy for the gossip mill!

Thanksgiving in Cherry Glen was supposed to be perfect for Shiloh Bellamy. With lingering questions about her grandmother’s inheritance finally resolved, Shiloh has reclaimed Bellamy Farm’s lost acreage and is feeling at peace for the first time in years. She’s thankful for her thriving farm, her budding romance with Sheriff Milan Penbrook, and even her drama-free relationship with her family―well, for now.

But the holiday feast takes a sinister turn when Shiloh’s mischief-loving pug, Huckleberry, spooks the chickens and uncovers something far darker than buried treasure: human remains. The skeleton’s decades-old secrets rattle Cherry Glen, threatening to tarnish the reputation of Shiloh’s beloved late grandmother. But Shiloh won’t let anyone drag her grandmother’s name through the mud. Determined to protect her family’s legacy, she dives headfirst into the mystery, uncovering long-hidden truths that some in Cherry Glen would rather keep buried. With tensions rising, secrets surfacing, and danger closing in, can Shiloh unearth the truth before the past claims one more victim?

Natural Barn Killer is a heartwarming yet suspenseful cozy mystery filled with quirky small-town charm, delightful farm antics, and a dash of holiday chaos.

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Amanda

 

I’m a vegetarian, so I am always looking for recipes my non-vegetarian husband and I can both eat. He loves a bang bang shrimp dish from a local market, so I thought, what if it was made with a vegetable so I could enjoy it too? Bang Bang Broccoli was born and now is a staple in my house. It’s one of my husband’s favorites. Enjoy!

Ingredients

32 oz of frozen cut broccoli2 tablespoons of olive oil8 oz of cream cheese1 cup light mayonnaise1 cup sweet chili sauce3 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce3 tablespoons of minced garlic2 tablespoons of rice vinegar1 tablespoon of sriracha (more if you like it spicier)chopped cashews

Directions

Defrost broccoliWhisk together cream cheese, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, and sriracha until smooth.Saute broccoli in olive oil in a large pan or wok.Add mixture to wok, and mix well with broccoli until well heated through.Serve and add a handful of cashews on top.Enjoy!

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Now Available

Murder on the farm? It’s gravy for the gossip mill!

Thanksgiving in Cherry Glen was supposed to be perfect for Shiloh Bellamy. With lingering questions about her grandmother’s inheritance finally resolved, Shiloh has reclaimed Bellamy Farm’s lost acreage and is feeling at peace for the first time in years. She’s thankful for her thriving farm, her budding romance with Sheriff Milan Penbrook, and even her drama-free relationship with her family―well, for now.

But the holiday feast takes a sinister turn when Shiloh’s mischief-loving pug, Huckleberry, spooks the chickens and uncovers something far darker than buried treasure: human remains. The skeleton’s decades-old secrets rattle Cherry Glen, threatening to tarnish the reputation of Shiloh’s beloved late grandmother. But Shiloh won’t let anyone drag her grandmother’s name through the mud. Determined to protect her family’s legacy, she dives headfirst into the mystery, uncovering long-hidden truths that some in Cherry Glen would rather keep buried. With tensions rising, secrets surfacing, and danger closing in, can Shiloh unearth the truth before the past claims one more victim?

Natural Barn Killer is a heartwarming yet suspenseful cozy mystery filled with quirky small-town charm, delightful farm antics, and a dash of holiday chaos.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Everywhere Books Are Sold.

Happy reading!

Amanda

 

It’s pumpkin spice season, and another way to enjoy the flavor of the season outside of your usual latte is in a delicious piece of coffee cake. This is a great treat to take to fall gatherings with friends and family. It’s sure to be a hit! Enjoy!

Ingredients

For the Crumb Topping

6 tablespoons melted salted butter1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup chopped walnuts. 1/2 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

For the cake

1 cup pumpkin puree2/3 cup brown sugar1/2 cup vegetable oil1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract2 eggs1/2 cup sour cream1/2 cup granulated sugar2 cups flour2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice1 teaspoon baking powder3/4 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.For the crumb topping: Whisk together melted butter, flour, walnuts, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.For the cake: Mix together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, and eggs.Add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix the batter.Grease baking pans.Pour the batter into the pans.Sprinkle cold crumb topping over the batter.Bake for 45-50 minutes.Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

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First in a new series from USA Today Bestselling and Agatha Award-winning Author Amanda Flower.

Twenty-something Kinley Remington has problems. She’s stuck in a dead-end job at the local bank with a terror of a boss, but she’s too timid to try to look for something elsewhere. Whether are not she stays at the bank is taken out of her hands when she is fired for leaving eighty-something heiress Miss Penelope Slope in the bank’s vault alone. Shortly after, Miss Penelope’s priceless diamond necklace comes up missing.

Kinley feels horrible and goes straight to Miss Penelope’s mansion to apologize only to learn that Miss Penelope took the necklace herself. Surrounded by the many cats from her cat rescue, Miss Penelope promises Kinley she will clear up the misunderstanding with Kinley’s employer. However before Miss Penelope can make things right, she is murdered in her own home with only the cats as witnesses.

Kinley was the last person to see Miss Penelope alive and they are looking to her for answers and as a suspect… Kinley must play sleuth if she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life in prison.

And the cat rescue? That’s on Kinley’s shoulders too. For the first time in her life, Kinley Remington will have to take control of her life and make decisions to save herself and Miss Penelope’s cats.

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Happy reading!

Amanda

 

Now that it’s late summer, I am finally harvesting veggies from my garden. I have to say that this is one of the best gardens I have ever had. This is especially true when it comes to zucchini. I have never grown so many zucchinis. Because of this, I have had to get creative with zucchini recipes. Some of the new recipes have been flops, but this fritter recipe is a winner that I have made again and again! Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 large or two medium zucchinis, gratedsalt2 eggs2 tablespoons Italian herb mix2 tablespoons parsley3 green onions finely choppedground pepper to taste1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese1/2 cup of flour4 oz shredded sharp cheddarshredded Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.Added salt to grated zucchini to remove water.Whisk together eggs, Italian herbs, parsley, and green onion.Add grated Parmesan cheese and flour. Mix.Add sharp cheddar and mix.With a paper towel squeeze moisture from zucchini.Add zucchini and mix.Prepare a baking sheet by using parchment paper and cooking spray.Using a tablespoon, spoon on the fritters on the baking sheet.Add shredded Parmesan to the top of each fritter.Bake for 30-35 minutes until crispy. Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!Ranch dressing or sour cream can be used as a dip for the fritters too.

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Available August 5th, 2025 

First in a new series from USA Today Bestselling and Agatha Award-winning Author Amanda Flower.

Twenty-something Kinley Remington has problems. She’s stuck in a dead-end job at the local bank with a terror of a boss, but she’s too timid to try to look for something elsewhere. Whether are not she stays at the bank is taken out of her hands when she is fired for leaving eighty-something heiress Miss Penelope Slope in the bank’s vault alone. Shortly after, Miss Penelope’s priceless diamond necklace comes up missing.

Kinley feels horrible and goes straight to Miss Penelope’s mansion to apologize only to learn that Miss Penelope took the necklace herself. Surrounded by the many cats from her cat rescue, Miss Penelope promises Kinley she will clear up the misunderstanding with Kinley’s employer. However before Miss Penelope can make things right, she is murdered in her own home with only the cats as witnesses.

Kinley was the last person to see Miss Penelope alive and they are looking to her for answers and as a suspect… Kinley must play sleuth if she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life in prison.

And the cat rescue? That’s on Kinley’s shoulders too. For the first time in her life, Kinley Remington will have to take control of her life and make decisions to save herself and Miss Penelope’s cats.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Everywhere Books Are Sold.

Happy reading!

Amanda

 

It seems like everyone is talking about getting more protein in their diet. A great way to do it is to eat more cottage cheese. This wrap is one of my favorite way to enjoy it, especially with the fresh parsley from my garden.

Ingredients

flat bread1 cup low fat cottage cheesefresh parsleyone half large cucumber chopped1 tablespoon of blue cheese crumble1 green onion chopped

Directions

Mix cottage cheese, parsley, blue cheese crumble, green onion, and cucumber in a bowl.Spread mixture one a flat bread.Fold flat bread and enjoy!

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

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Agatha Award-Winning Series!

 The equally brilliant real-life sister of the famous flying Wright Brothers, Katharine Wright, investigates an unsettling death at the 1904 World’s Fair in this radiant new historical mystery from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower.

Summer 1904. Katharine and her best friend from Oberlin College, Margaret Goodwin Meacham, are thrilled to attend the St. Louis Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, for the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Not only is it a grand, international event, it’s also the first time the young women have seen each other in quite a while, and they are giddy with excitement—despite warnings from Katharine’s old family friend, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, to be careful of the fair’s less seemly side.

Undaunted, the girls have a lovely time—until the exposition turns from a girls’ trip to a misadventure when Katharine stumbles upon a woman in distress. It’s obvious that she has been attacked. Katharine does her best to save her, but tragically, before help can arrive, the woman dies. Yet just before her last breath, she utters the words aeronautics competition. . . . Katharine’s brothers Wilbur and Orville were asked to enter the competition with their successful 1903 flyer but declined. Katharine wonders how this young woman could be connected to such a prestigious event.

Now, unable to get the woman’s face out of her mind, Katharine convinces Margaret to join her investigation—and it’s soon clear that the race to be declared the first in flight might just be the deadliest competition of them all . . .

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Amanda

 

Happy June! It’s strawberry season, and if you are like me you love picking fresh strawberries. But what do you do with all the strawberries when you get home? One easy recipes that you try is my strawberry crumble. It’s easy and delicious!

Ingredients

1 stick butter, melted1½ cups flour½ cup brown sugar1½ cup old fashioned rolled oats½ teaspoon baking powder1 egg2/3 cup strawberry jam 2 cups chopped strawberries2 tablespoon white sugar 2 teaspoon cornstarch

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees FSpray 9 inch square baking dish and line with parchment paper.Mix together flour, oats, baking powder, and brown sugar. Add butter and egg to mixture.Measure out 1 cup of the mixture for the topping and set aside.Press the remaining mixture into the baking dish to make the base. Mix together strawberries, white sugar, and cornstarch.Spread base with strawberry jam and place strawberries over the jam.Crumble the remaining mixture over the strawberries. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown on top.Allow to cool and enjoy!

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Now Available 

Agatha Award-Winning Series!

 The equally brilliant real-life sister of the famous flying Wright Brothers, Katharine Wright, investigates an unsettling death at the 1904 World’s Fair in this radiant new historical mystery from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower.

Summer 1904. Katharine and her best friend from Oberlin College, Margaret Goodwin Meacham, are thrilled to attend the St. Louis Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, for the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Not only is it a grand, international event, it’s also the first time the young women have seen each other in quite a while, and they are giddy with excitement—despite warnings from Katharine’s old family friend, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, to be careful of the fair’s less seemly side.

Undaunted, the girls have a lovely time—until the exposition turns from a girls’ trip to a misadventure when Katharine stumbles upon a woman in distress. It’s obvious that she has been attacked. Katharine does her best to save her, but tragically, before help can arrive, the woman dies. Yet just before her last breath, she utters the words aeronautics competition. . . . Katharine’s brothers Wilbur and Orville were asked to enter the competition with their successful 1903 flyer but declined. Katharine wonders how this young woman could be connected to such a prestigious event.

Now, unable to get the woman’s face out of her mind, Katharine convinces Margaret to join her investigation—and it’s soon clear that the race to be declared the first in flight might just be the deadliest competition of them all . . .

 Amazon

Everywhere Books Are Sold.

Happy reading!

Amanda

 

If you’re tired of the same old pasta salad, give it a new spin with my Greek Orzo Salad! It’s delicious and easy! Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 cups cooked orzo pasta1 can of chickpeas rinsed and drained1/3 sweet onion chopped1 cucumber diced1 cup cherry tomatoes halved1 cup Kalamata olives halved1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped1/4 cup crumbled feta cheeseGreek salad dressing to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.Chill for at least thirty minutes.Enjoy!

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Available May 27, 2025!

Agatha Award-Nominated Series!

Preorder from the Learned Owl for a free gift! Click on the graphic above to go to the Learned Owl’s website!

 The equally brilliant real-life sister of the famous flying Wright Brothers, Katharine Wright, investigates an unsettling death at the 1904 World’s Fair in this radiant new historical mystery from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower.

Summer 1904. Katharine and her best friend from Oberlin College, Margaret Goodwin Meacham, are thrilled to attend the St. Louis Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, for the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Not only is it a grand, international event, it’s also the first time the young women have seen each other in quite a while, and they are giddy with excitement—despite warnings from Katharine’s old family friend, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, to be careful of the fair’s less seemly side.

Undaunted, the girls have a lovely time—until the exposition turns from a girls’ trip to a misadventure when Katharine stumbles upon a woman in distress. It’s obvious that she has been attacked. Katharine does her best to save her, but tragically, before help can arrive, the woman dies. Yet just before her last breath, she utters the words aeronautics competition. . . . Katharine’s brothers Wilbur and Orville were asked to enter the competition with their successful 1903 flyer but declined. Katharine wonders how this young woman could be connected to such a prestigious event.

Now, unable to get the woman’s face out of her mind, Katharine convinces Margaret to join her investigation—and it’s soon clear that the race to be declared the first in flight might just be the deadliest competition of them all . . .

 Amazon

Everywhere Books Are Sold.

Happy reading!

Amanda

 

An easy salad to make for a weekday lunch! Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of olive oil2 cups chopped cauliflowertortilla chipslettucesalsa guacamoleshredded cheesetaco seasoning

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fadd olive oil and half of the taco seasoning packet to the cauliflower and full coatMove cauliflower to a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutesMake the salad by combining all the other ingredients. Add the bake cauliflower to the saladEnjoy!

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Available May 27, 2025!

Agatha Award-Nominated Series!

Preorder from the Learned Owl for a free gift! Click on the graphic above to go to the Learned Owl’s website!

 The equally brilliant real-life sister of the famous flying Wright Brothers, Katharine Wright, investigates an unsettling death at the 1904 World’s Fair in this radiant new historical mystery from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower.

Summer 1904. Katharine and her best friend from Oberlin College, Margaret Goodwin Meacham, are thrilled to attend the St. Louis Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, for the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Not only is it a grand, international event, it’s also the first time the young women have seen each other in quite a while, and they are giddy with excitement—despite warnings from Katharine’s old family friend, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, to be careful of the fair’s less seemly side.

Undaunted, the girls have a lovely time—until the exposition turns from a girls’ trip to a misadventure when Katharine stumbles upon a woman in distress. It’s obvious that she has been attacked. Katharine does her best to save her, but tragically, before help can arrive, the woman dies. Yet just before her last breath, she utters the words aeronautics competition. . . . Katharine’s brothers Wilbur and Orville were asked to enter the competition with their successful 1903 flyer but declined. Katharine wonders how this young woman could be connected to such a prestigious event.

Now, unable to get the woman’s face out of her mind, Katharine convinces Margaret to join her investigation—and it’s soon clear that the race to be declared the first in flight might just be the deadliest competition of them all . . . Amazon

Everywhere Books Are Sold.

Happy reading!

Amanda

 

I know it’s still cold out, but since it’s March, I have turned my eyes toward spring. I want to fresh spring meals, and one of my favorites is my chick pea and broccoli salad. It’s delicious and so easy to make! Enjoy!

Ingredients for Dressing

2 tablespoons of honey1/4 cup apple cider vinegar3 tablespoons of olive oil2 tablespoons of minced garlic1 tablespoon of brown mustard1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Ingredients for Salad

4 cups of broccoli1/2 cup of raisins1 can of chickpeas, drained1 handful of sunflower seeds1/2 chopped sweet onion2 tablespoons of dry parsley (you can use fresh instead)

Directions

Combine all ingredients for dressing and set aside.It a large bowl combine all ingredients for the salad and toss.Add dressing to the salad and toss. Enjoy!

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Available Now!

Agatha Award-Winning Series!

When a blaze takes both a neighbor’s home and his life, Emily Dickinson and her maid Willa have a burning desire to crack the case in this new historical mystery from Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.

Amherst, 1857. The Dickinson family braves one of the worst winters in New England’s history. Trains are snowbound and boats are frozen in the harbor. Emily Dickinson and her maid, Willa Noble, have never witnessed anything like it. As Amherst families attempt to keep their homes warm, fears of fire abound.

These worries prove not to be unfounded as a blaze breaks out just down the street from the Dickinson in Kelley Square, the Irish community in Amherst, and a young couple is killed, leaving behind their young child. Their deaths appear to be a tragic accident, but Emily finds herself harboring suspicions there may be more to the fire than meets the eye. Emily and Willa must withstand the frigid temperatures and discover a killer lurking among the deadly frost.

 Amazon

Everywhere Books Are Sold.

Happy reading!

Amanda

 

My favorite form of cooking in the winter is in a slow cooker, and my vegetable wild rice soup is the perfect meal for a cold winter night. You can freeze it too! Enjoy!

Ingredients

6 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth1 can diced tomatoes1 cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes3 celery stalks, choppedone turnip, chopped5 sliced baby portobello mushrooms1 medium sweet onion, chopped1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped1 red pepper1 yellow pepper2 tablespoons of minced garlic3/4 teaspoon salt3/4 teaspoon pepper3 bay leaves2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (Marjoram, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Savory, and Sage)1 cup uncooked wild riceSour cream

Directions

Combine all ingredients except the rice in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for one hour.Add one cup of uncooked wild rice, stir, and cook on high for an additional four- five hours or until the rice is tender.Serve and add a dollop of sour cream.Enjoy!

FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Click the photo above to order or order by phone 330-653-2252.Available February 25, 2025!
When a blaze takes both a neighbor’s home and his life, Emily Dickinson and her maid Willa have a burning desire to crack the case in this new historical mystery from Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.

Amherst, 1857. The Dickinson family braves one of the worst winters in New England’s history. Trains are snowbound and boats are frozen in the harbor. Emily Dickinson and her maid, Willa Noble, have never witnessed anything like it. As Amherst families attempt to keep their homes warm, fears of fire abound.

These worries prove not to be unfounded as a blaze breaks out just down the street from the Dickinson in Kelley Square, the Irish community in Amherst, and a young couple is killed, leaving behind their young child. Their deaths appear to be a tragic accident, but Emily finds herself harboring suspicions there may be more to the fire than meets the eye. Emily and Willa must withstand the frigid temperatures and discover a killer lurking among the deadly frost.

 Amazon

Everywhere Books Are Sold.

Happy reading!

Amanda