I’m also thankful to have the most amazing advocate in my corner, Fran Black with Literary Counsel. Thank you, Fran, for all the everything all the time. Your dedication is something to aspire to. Thank you to Hallmark Publishing’s Stacey Donovan, who took a chance on a debut author and allowed me to bring the Shepherd sisters and their world to life. You gave me my shot. Huge thanks to super patient and kind editor Rhonda Merwarth, whose keen eye and skilled work in three books’ worth of edits have given me valuable tools I’ll carry forward. Thank you to Eunice Shin and the Hallmark Publishing team for all you do.
So much love and gratitude to my sweet, supportive, jokester husband Joe, our kids Katy, Joey, and Halle, and my always-first reader and beloved concert wife, Ann Sullivan. Many thanks to WHMI’s Jon King for always generously including this local author in book events and opportunities to be interviewed. Thank you to Angela Hart, wonderful booktuber and author supporter. Thank you to Kalie Holford, the talented artist who creates most of my gorgeous marketing graphics. As always, thanks a million to those who believe in me and lift me up on my publishing journey: Julie, Mom, Rocsana, Jimmy, the Hallmark author group, and an even wider group of family and friends.
Much love and gratitude to you, wonderful reader. I hope you find something of yourself in the sisters and their world. Enjoy!
About The Author
Tracy Gardner is a metro Detroit native who writes mystery and romance novels. A daughter of two teachers, she has been writing since she could hold a pen. Tracy grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries and rock and roll. Her drive to understand the deeper meaning of things serves her well as an author of compelling, relatable characters and stories.
Tracy splits her time between being a nurse, a writer, and a baker, because brownies are an important staple in her home, which she shares with her husband, two fun-loving teens, and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats.
Chocolate Pecan Brownies
In Still Life and Death, when Savanna Shepherd needs information about people on her personal list of murder suspects, she knows who to turn to: Yvonne, her friend who works in the city council office and has access to important files. To persuade Yvonne to help, Savanna brings her treats from the local bakery, including a chocolate pecan brownie that’s to die for. File this scrumptious recipe away for any time you need to talk someone into something. Hey, it worked for Savanna!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 16
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter
5 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
As needed no-stick cooking spray
As needed flour
4 medium eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 cup flour
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1 handful good-quality dark chocolate chips
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine butter and chocolate squares in a small skillet or heavy saucepan and heat over low heat until melted. Set aside to cool.
Spray a 9-inch x 12-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray and dust lightly with flour.
Combine eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt in mixing bowl; beat on high speed for 3 minutes.
Add cooled chocolate mixture to mixing bowl; whisk by-hand until blended.
Add flour to mixing bowl; whisk by-hand until blended.
Add nuts and “secret ingredient” to mixing bowl; whisk by-hand until blended.
Using a rubber spatula, pour batter into baking pan; spread evenly and bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Cool.
Cut into 16 rectangle-shaped pieces and serve.
Thank you for reading Still Life and Death! If you enjoyed the book, please support the author by leaving an online review.
You might also enjoy these books from
Hallmark Publishing:
Out of the Picture: A Shepherd Sisters Mystery
Behind the Frame: A Shepherd Sisters Mystery
Murder By Page One: A Peach Coast Library Mystery
Dead-End Detective: A Piper and Porter Mystery
Still Life and Death Page 28