Fig Fudge Balls: Guest Post by Nancy J. Para aka Nancy Coco

I love when my mystery and chocolate worlds collide. Today I have a guest post from Nancy J Parra aka Nancy Coco aka Nell Hampton. Nancy J Parra is the author of over 25 published novels which include five mystery series. Her writing has been called witty and her protagonists plucky by reviewers around the world. Nancy is a member of Sisters in Crime and writes for the Killer Character Blog on the 8th of every month. Nancy loves to hear from readers. 

Nancy Coco 
Allie McMurphy, Mackinac Island, and Fudge!  

I enjoy writing the Mackinac Island Fudge Shop stories in the Candy-coated Mystery series. There is something so lovely about an island that does not allow any cars. It is filled with quaint Victorian cottages thee size of modern day mansions and shops filled with fudge and old-time photos. There are multiple state parks and bicycle rentals where you can drive along an eight-mile shore line.

Allie McMurphy runs the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop. She is something of an amateur sleuth getting into all kinds of mischief with her puppy Mal and her Kitty Carmella. The latest in the series, Oh, Fudge, takes place toward the end of Allie’s first tourist season as owner of her family business. Always working hard to fit into the tight-knit, Island society, Allie has volunteered to help at the Mackinac Island Butterfly House. Unfortunately, she and her dog, Mal, arrive in time to witness Allie’s cousin, Tori Andrews, kneeling over a dead woman and Tori’s hands are around the murder weapon.

Allie makes it her mission to clear her cousins good name and find the killer, but it isn’t easy. Especially when Allie learns that her boyfriend, Trent Jessop once dated Tori. And worse, Allie discovers Tori kissing Trent. There is much intrigue as Allie struggles to outsmart a killer and keep her boyfriend.

The best part of writing the series is getting to create new fudge recipes. One of my favorites from this book is Fig Fudge Balls. I’ll share it with you here:

Fig Fudge Balls 

Ingredients
1 1/2 cup cashews
2 cups figs with stems removed
3 Tbsp shredded coconut
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp honey
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp coarse sea salt

Directions
Mix figs and cashews in food processor on high until you make a paste. Add remaining ingredients and process on high until well mixed. Roll into small balls. Sprinkle sea salt on top and enjoy! Bio: