Dare to Dive In!
Returning to her picturesque hometown of Ruby Lake, Minnesota, Ava Andrews is eager to shine in her dream job. But her ambition to host a stellar Employee Appreciation Week is stifled when she and her dog stumble upon a corpse. Eager to clear her name as the prime suspect, Ava teams up with her barista sister, her crafty childhood friend, and her attorney, ex-boyfriend.
As Ruby Lake's historic town square buzzes with the excitement of summer, Ava wades through the mounting motives and ever-present gossip that are flooding her tight community. Amidst the mayhem, Ava's heart is caught between rekindling an old flame and exploring the thrilling allure of a new love: a charming stranger restoring his vintage sports car for the Fourth of July Jubilee.
Immerse yourself in a surge of small-town secrets, where every clue pushes Ava one step closer to the truth. Can she navigate the waves of deceit before she becomes the next victim?
About Me
Once upon a time, I was a young girl who read every book I could get my hands on and wrote short stories for my family.
Today, I love to infuse small town charm and a bit of romance into my cozy mysteries. Born and raised in Minnesota, I enjoy the changing seasons. My summers on the lake inspired me to create a fictional town in Minnesota, where Death Benefits and future novels of the Ruby Lake Cozy Mystery series take place.
Before retiring from the corporate world to pursue my passion for writing, I enjoyed a fulfilling career as a human resources executive. I've brought that profession to my amateur sleuth, Ava Andrews.
When I'm not plotting my next story, I'm likely reading or hanging out with my high school sweetheart aka husband, our amazing son, and our spirited rescue dog. I also enjoy traveling to new cities, hiking, crafts, and drawing.
Ava's Ruby Sangria
Recipe
Perfect for a ladies' brunch, a picnic, or a girls' night out.
Ingredients
1 Bottle Rose Wine (750 ml)
1/2 cup peach schnapps (or try flavored vodka such as Kettle One Botanicals or Deep Eddy Lemon)
1 cup strawberries sliced in half or quarters, depending on the size of the fruit
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
2 blood oranges thinly sliced
2 cups soda: ginger ale, sprite, or club soda (whatever you prefer!)
Instructions
Place the berries and orange slices in a glass pitcher.
Add the wine and schnapps or vodka and stir to combine the ingredients.
Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours (up to overnight) allowing the fruit to flavor the sangria.
Add your choice of soda shortly before serving.
Pour the mixture into each wine glass over ice, making sure to add some of the fruit!
Note: This recipe is best served within 24 hours but will keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Also, you can separate the fruit while storing to preserve the fruits' color and to prevent the sangria from becoming overly sweet.
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