Say Cheese!!!! I am so thrilled Avery Aames is visiting today. You know how we love our cheese in Wisconsin! Avery writes the Cheese Shop Mysteries and besides the wonderful mystery I just love all the cheese information and recipes. Today I am sharing a virtual tray with Wisconsin made Linderkranz cheese, some dried apricots and a little rye bread. (My dad was a Borden’s milkman for years and this cheese used to be a treat at our house.) I am sure Charlotte, the star of this series, would know the perfect wine to go with this yummy cheese, but around here a nice dark beer is our usual complimenting beverage. Please help yourselves and relax and enjoy Avery’s post.
Welcome Avery!
Thank you, Lori, for inviting me to talk about the third in A Cheese Shop Mystery, Clobbered by Camembert.
I know this might sound cheese-y, but I’m truly thrilled to write about cheese. I have a love affair with it. I didn’t. Before writing this series, I had tasted the usual suspects: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss. But then I started to do research, and I’ve fallen head-over-heels with cheeses with names like: Délice de Bourgogne and Hook’s Five-Year Cheddar and Abbaye de Bellocq. Aren’t these heavenly and unusual names?
It’s such a joy to write about food. I love to cook, to explore. I blog about food on Mystery Lovers Kitchen with a number of other foodie authors, and we have so much fun.
Often people ask if my protagonist, Charlotte, a cheese shop owner, is like me. Actually, the answer is yes. She’s much younger and single (for now), but like me, she’s impulsive, caring, and a fixer by nature. She can’t stand on the sidelines. She has to dig in and make things right. It gets her in trouble [It often gets me in trouble, too]. I don’t like to see the underdog suffer. And I really care about my community: my family, my friends, my city and country. Would I ever be a cheesemonger? I’m not sure about that. I think running a business would be so difficult. You have to consider the customers, the purchasing, the state of the store, taxes, disability insurance, and so much more. My hat goes off to people who continue to start new businesses in this country to make our economy hum. I did consider owning a restaurant at one time. I wanted to have a diner, like the Country Kitchen across the street from Fromagerie Bessette (The Cheese Shop). I would have loved to serve up grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers and shakes, with delicious homemade pies, homemade ice cream, and cheesecakes for dessert. Yum! Can you tell I like food? And I would have demanded that the wait staff dance in the aisles! Heck, I would have joined them.
Many of my CHEESE SHOP MYSTERY readers ask if I have tasted all the cheeses that I mention in the books. I have tasted over 200 cheeses in the past year and a half and intend to taste another 200 in the year to come. I also have a real-life cheesemonger, Marcella and her feline foodie, Spaulding Gray, that give me fabulous suggestions! [I recently shared an Italian Meatball recipe on her site. Mounded with cheese. Divine.]
Research is so much fun. It’s been one of the true delights of my life going into various cheese shops and asking for a sliver of something new or buying a unique cheese online and offering it at a party. A recent discovery was Rush Creek Reserve, from Oregon. Talk about melt-in-your-mouth. Set out at room temperature, it’s a paste that simply scoops out of its bark-bound crust. Delish!
As for mysteries, I’ve been a mystery fan for as long as I can remember. As a girl, I read all of the Nancy Drew stories and Agatha Christie novels. And now I read many of the current foodie mysteries from wonderful authors, such as, Krista Davis, Cleo Coyle, Julie Hyzy, and so many more!
I hope you all enjoy Clobbered by Camembert
You can read more about the book and the series on my website: http://www.averyaames.com,
or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/averyaames.
And I’m always thrilled to hear from my writing and reading friends on twitter! http://www.twitter.com/averyaames.
About This Author
Avery Aames is the Agatha award wining, nationally bestselling author of The Cheese Shop Mystery series, which launched in 2010 with The Long Quiche Goodbye.
BUY LINK:
http://www.averyaames.com/book_sellers.html
WEBSITE:
http://www.averyaames.com
BLOGS:
http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com
http://killercharacters.com
Clobbered by Camembert (CHEESE SHOP MYSTERY)
The Berkley Publishing Group
Published by The Penguin Group
A Cheese Shop Mystery
3rd in the Series
Cover Illustration by Teresa Fasolino
Cover Design by Annette Fiore Defex
Charlotte Bessette—proprietor of Le Petit Fromagerie, affectionately known in Providence, Ohio, as the Cheese Shop—is busy setting up her tent for the town’s Winter Wonderland faire, where she’ll offer fine wines and scrumptious cheeses. In the midst of the preparations, Charlotte meets an old friend of her mother, Kaitlyn Clydesdale, who has come back to Providence with plans to start a new honeybee farm.When Kaitlyn is found dead in the cottage of Charlotte’s assistant Rebecca, suspicion falls on Rebecca’s boyfriend, a honeybee farmer himself. Charlotte knows this beekeeper wouldn’t hurt a fly, so she decides to find the real killer. While the town buzzes with gossip, can Charlotte catch the culprit without getting stung herself?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Charlotte Bessette is a wonderful strong woman, raised by her grandparents. Her parents were killed in an accident when Charlotte was just a toddler. She has had more than a few bumps already in life but emerges from each them even stronger. She also has a huge heart which means it is hard for her to say “no” to anyone which sometimes leads her to yet another bump in the road. The trouble is lately this bumps have been dead bodies or live ones she just wishes would leave her alone. Rebecca is quite demanding of Charlotte in this installment but then again her boyfriend is being accused of murder. You can’t help but love these characters.
As you can see from the cover of the book illustrated by Teresa Fasolino, the setting is gorgeous. The Winter Wonderland Faire sounds like an awesome event, the food, the ice sculptures, the choir, the author puts you right there, you may even shiver from the cold weather as the snow starts to gently fall.
Avery also sculpts a wonderful winter mystery. New characters come to town shedding some light on the past and also with big ideas that could mean major changes to Providence making many upset as they learn the details. But who would commit murder? We are kept guessing until the very end.
The setting may be winter but that makes this is a perfect cozy to curl up in front of the fire to read. Don’t forgot to pour a glass of wine and make a little cheesy snack. The story will have you craving both.
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have
3 copies of this awesome book to giveaway
so be sure to fill out the form below to enter!!
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something you like here and become a follower.
***Remember GFC is going away March 1, 2012
so be sure you are following in a different way if you want to
continue to follow Escape With Dollycas.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
If you publicize the giveaway anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End February 23, 2012 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I look forward to reading this series!
I’m going to check this series out it sounds wonderful, and me and my husband love cheese so will love seeing the recipes.
Love this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want this book so I can sit in my big chair with my cat on my lap, nibble cheese, sip wine and read a good cozy.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Hi Avery,
I do love your books, and also enjoy cooking with cheese. We never have less then 5 kinds in the fridge. Most of our comfort dishes are pasta and cheese based. LOL Go figure!
I hope I’m one of the lucky winners so I can add it to my personal home library.
Love to read the book.
GloriaDeal@aol.com
I’d love cheese even if I didn’t live in Wisconsin. LOL!
I am a big fan of sharp cheddar and the oldest I’ve tried was 7-year-old. How about you?
Hi, Lisa and Lisa. I’m so glad you’re going to try the new series!
Nancy, thank you for the compliment!
Sue, I’m sure your cat will enjoy if you read out loud to it and possible give a little nibble of cheese? Just a little. 🙂
Nora-Adrienne, thank you for your sweet words. Yes, cheese and pasta are fabulous together. I’m thinking of good old fashioned mac ‘n cheese today. I have to eat gluten-free, so I use the GF pastas. Cheese makes everything delish, doesn’t it?
Best to all
~Avery!
And thank you, Lori, for the lovely review!
You’re books are wonderful!
I’m boring when it comes to eating cheese – only the basics (American, cheddar, swiss, provolone) so maybe this series can expand my palate, along with satisfying my love of mysteries.
I only recently discovered the Cheese Shop Mystery series. I just got The Long Quiche Goodnight but haven’t read it yet. I’m looking forward to it. I love cheese (all kinds) and mysteries, so I thought this would be perfect! Hope I win Clobbered by Camembert!
Kim, thank you so much! Lovely to hear.
Linda, I promise you, you will find hundreds of new cheeses to try like Bayley Hazen Blue and Rogue Creamery delights, Cypress Grove Humbolt Fog and so many more! Yum! Enjoy.
~Avery
This looks exciting. Can’t wait to read it.
Camembert one of my favorites! Have to read it!
I’m looking forward to read this book! It’s a great series!
would love to read this cozy book…thanks for the chance 😉
Oh My gosh, This book sounds so good!! Love Cheese too..lol
I have The Long Quiche Goodnight on my to be read list. I’m looking forward to reading the series.
I am looking forward to the new book. Dolly, I love your description of what a great winter mystery it is. Thanks!
Love the sound of this series, would love to have this book.
this is my favorite cozy series out there right now!
great giveaway
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drakebdog@gmail.com
Beverly, Margaret, Carol, Nancy, and Holden, I am so glad you’re excited about the series! Holden, I loved Lori’s description too!
And Ellie, I’m thrilled you are already reading The Long Quiche Goodbye. Enjoy, everyone, and say cheese! 😉
~Avery
Great review! More books to put on my wish list.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Avery – I enjoy reading your books. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the chance to win.
Angela/griperang
griperang at embarqmail dot com
I would very much like to read this series. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Wendy, Karen, and Deb, I’m thrilled to introduce you to a new series.
Samantha and Angela, I’m so excited to hear from readers who already enjoy the books!
Good luck to all.
By the way, I’m having a launch contest for all who are on my mailing list. Someone will win an adorable cheese paddle!! Check out my home page.
~Avery
This does look like a great little escape. It is funny, I used to live in Rhode Island and Maine, and I really dreaded the snow, but now I just love books with snowy covers. Make that a cozy mystery and I am all in. 🙂 I look forward to catching up with this series. And Avery, I love the sound of Hook’s five-year cheddar!
congrats & good luck to Avery!!!!! can’t wait to read this latest!!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
i am looking forward to reading this. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Cheese and homemade egg noodles are my comfort foods.
Hi Avery, I already have your book on my wish list. I love cozy mysteries and looking forward to reading yours soon. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.
Sounds like a great series.
I hope Avery comes back with every book, I love to read what she writes!!!
Sounds like a great series and you’ve inspired me to go out and try some new cheeses. I love cheese, but must admit I haven’t tried too many. Cheese and mystery does sound like fun.
Wow, I go to the theater, and lots more people chime in. How wonderful!
Kelly, I adore Hook’s cheddar. Do try it out.
Cyn, so good to see you here.
Marianne, I love cheese and noodles, too. I have to eat gluten-free now, so I substitute a delicious rice pasta for my noodles, but it’s still the same comfort food.
MissKallie2000, I adore wish lists. [I’m not so big on the term bucket list…where did that come from anyway?]
KatsRus, I’m glad you like the idea of the series. It seems to have lots of fans now.
Crystal, I am so glad I can inspire people to try new things. That’s what life is all about, isn’t it?
And Lori/Dollycas. I can’t wait to come back with another book. The next cheese title is TO BRIE OR NOT TO BRIE. [My personal favorite, I have to admit.]
Best to all!!
~Avery
And just a reminder, I’m having a launch contest for all who are on my mailing list. Someone will win an adorable cheese paddle!! Check out my home page for details: http://www.averyaames.com
~Avery
Enjoyed first two of series and sure the latest will be a fun read too.
Mmm! I love creamy camberet! Glad that you have a cozy with camberet.
This looks like fun
Liz, so glad you’ve read the first two. Great! And Carol, I adore a Camembert, too. At room temperature.
~Avery
I love reading mysteries and we all love cheese with a passion. So this is one right up my alley as they say . Hope I get to read your book. Thanks
I love all things cheese and this book sounds great. I can’t wait to read it.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Linda, thanks for chiming in. I hope you get the chance, and if not through this giveaway, I hope you’ll give it a read either through your library or elsewhere!
~Avery
I also grew up on the Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys mysteries. I have always enjoyed mysteries. I would also love to try all the different cheese. Thanks for the giveaway.
Rachel V
pefrw at yahoo dot com
Rachel, I can’t remember ever reading the Hardy Boys, but I think that’s because somehow I felt Nancy would feel betrayed if I did! LOL
~Avery
I love this title! This sounds like a good series and I can’t wait to read it.
Ann, I’m glad this series might be for you!!
~Avery
~Avery
Mamabunny, I’m so excited by everyone’s interest.
Dolly/ Lori, I’ll come back any time. 😉
~Avery
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today. I love cheese LOL and what better way to celebrate it than with a good cozy. I wish you all the best on the release of Clobbered by Camembert and I cannot wait to get a little taste 🙂
I loved the first two in this series & can’t wait to read the latest adventure. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Denise, great to see you here. A little taste is just what the doctor ordered, I’m pretty sure.
Stacie, I’m thrilled that you loved the first two. Enjoy the third!!
All my best,
Avery
What a great idea, putting the setting in a cheese shop.
Love the title, LOL! I love discovering new authors to enjoy, and this series sounds like something I would enjoy. Definitely adding it to my Wishlist!
Thanks for the giveaway!