EBBTIDE SPINACH-ARTICHOKE CRAB DIP

This recipe was inspired by a dip I had at The Sandbar, on Anna Maria Island, Fla. Buy a good-quality artisan bread round to serve it in, and a second loaf to cut into chunks to scoop out all the dippy goodness. This recipe serves a big crowd, so cut the recipe in half if your party isn’t quite as large. Serves 18-20

1 large unsliced round loaf bread
1 unsliced loaf artisan bread
2 8-oz. packages softened cream cheese
1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 cup crabmeat—claw is fine.
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese plus
1 Tbsp. additional parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 350. With serrated bread knife cut hole in round bread loaf, hollowing out a bowl as container for dip. Set aside bread. In large mixing bowl combine all other ingredients except olive oil. Spoon into bread bowl, sprinkle with additional parmesan, drizzle with olive oil. You’ll have left-over dip, which you can reserve to re-fill bread bowl when emptied, or save for another party.

Place on cookie sheet, and bake for approx. 15 minutes, or until dip is browned on top.
Cut unsliced loaf of bread into 1-inch chunks to serve with dip. Can also serve with crackers or celery and baby carrots.

RENT ONE OF MKA’s COTTAGES

The Breeze Inn

Ebbtide

Did you know that MKA’s own beach cottages—that she has lovingly restored with her own hands and decorated with her own junking treasures—are available for rent?! You and yours can chillax in beautiful beach cottage comfort in the very spot where MKA pens her bestselling novels. Smaller group? Choose The Breeze Inn which MKA took from ramshackle to the pages of BH&G in a year’s time back in 2009. For larger groups, check out MKA’s new treasure, Ebbtide, which she fixed up in her own signature style. Call Diane at Mermaid Cottages and book yourself in for the full MKA experience! If MKA’s places are not available, Diane has 50 one-of-a-kind cottages sprinkled around the island, all just a short ride on a beach cruiser away from each other. Get yourself on “Tybee time” and discover the magic of slowing down.

MKA Online

Dear Friends:

As I write this, I’m staring out the window of my home in Atlanta, at ice-frosted treetops, and a snow blanketed yard. I’m here physically, but in my head, I’m in Savannah, in June, with all the attendant heat and humidity—in other words, I’m in the world of the book—my upcoming June release, SAVE THE DATE. (St. Martin’s Press, June 3). The novel focuses on Cara Kryzik, a Savannah florist who is about to score the wedding of a lifetime—one that will solidify her career as the go-to-girl for society nuptials. When the bride spirals into a crisis and the wedding is in jeopardy, Cara must find the bride and figure out what she believes in. I can’t wait to share this story with all of you.

Straddling two worlds is business as usual around here. Even while I’m putting the finishing touches on my June release, I’m celebrating my newest re-release—HEART TROUBLE (HarperCollins) which is available in trade paperback, electronic, and for the first time, audiobook formats. This is the newest re-publication in my Atlanta-based Callahan Garrity series. HEART TROUBLE is the fifth in the series, and I’m already hearing from old and new fans how much they’re enjoying getting to know this feisty Atlanta private investigator/house-cleaning operator and her quirky House Mouse crew. Thanks to the generous folks at Harper Collins, I have 10 copies of the HEART TROUBLE paperback to give away. Details of this latest giveaway offer are in the left sidebar. Good luck!

To further draw readers into Callahan’s world, I’ve also just published an electronic short story called THE FAMILY JEWELS, which is available for .99 on all e-platforms, including Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Apple iBooks. In March, the sixth in the Callahan series, IRISH EYES, will become available again, in trade paperback audiobook and electronic versions.

And as if that’s not enough activity to keep me busy, my friends at Mermaid Cottage Vacation Rentals and I just played hosts for our first ever TYBEE SLEEPOVER, a fun-filled girlfriend getaway on Tybee Island, Georgia for 19 lifestyle bloggers from around the country.

The bloggers blew up social media with their great pictures and postings of the six adorable Mermaid Cottages they stayed in, plus the dinners, lunches, beach walks, and shopping and sight-seeing excursions they enjoyed.

Our own circa-1932 Ebbtide Cottage served as the clubhouse for the ladies, and on the first night we served a decadent spinach-artichoke-crab dip I’ve now dubbed Ebbtide dip. I’m sharing the recipe here (at left)—but to replicate the full Tybee experience, you might just need to book yourself into either Ebbtide or Breeze Inn on Tybee.

The bloggers in attendance were: Rhoda from Southern Hospitality, Kim from Sand and Sisal, Leslie from Fairhope Supply Co., Beth from Unskinny Boppy, Heather & Vanessa from At the Picket Fence, KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms, Laura from Finding Home, Jen from Balancing Beauty & Bedlam, Brittany from Pretty Handy Girl, Lucy from Lucy’s Inspired, Holly from Storywood Designs, Heidi from Parties for Pennies, Michelle from Iron and Twine, and Cindy from Cindy Barganier. I encourage you to check out each and every one of their blogs and to seek them out on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. These ladies so many great, creative ideas and such good taste. And definitely check out these two great wrap-up posts about our fab weekend from Rhoda and Heather & Vanessa.

Here’s hoping wherever you are during this snowy winter 2014 you’re safe and warm, with something yummy to eat—and a good book to read.

Hugs,
MKA

Bookclub Corner

Do you have a book club? If your club is reading one of my books, I would love to call in and join your discussion. You never know, I may even be able to drop by in person if it works out right. E-mail us with your request and we’ll see what we can do! Be sure to include a snail mail address and info about the size of your club.

HEART TROUBLE GIVEAWAY

Heart Trouble, a mystery I originally wrote under the name Kathy Hogan Trocheck featuring the character Callahan Garrity, has just been re-released by Harper Collins in paperback, audiobook, and e-book with a brand new package. I have 10 copies of the paperback to give away. To enter, tell us your favorite character in any of my books. To be entered to win, fill out this simple form and hit submit. We will pick 10 lucky winners at random. Open to US residents only (no PO Boxes). Entry deadline: midnight EST on the first day of Spring, March 20th. Winners will be announced the week of March 24th.

In Stores June 3rd. Pre-Order NOW!

New Re-Issue In Stores Now!

New Short Story. Download Now!

Coming in Paperback April 29th!