Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am thrilled to welcome Avery here today!
She is also touring this week with Great Escapes Book Tours.
WHERE CAN YOU Escape?
By Avery Aames aka Daryl Wood Gerber
Where can you escape to when you have a new puppy and a husband who consults from home? An island, please! LOL
Sometimes it takes a vivid imagination.
For a long time, I was carving out a space in my bedroom, right by the window, where I could take my computer and write to my heart’s content. Total privacy. Lovely. A hummingbird would visit daily and flutter above the agapanthus flowers. I could open the door and hear a lovely waterfall.
But life changed when I got a new puppy. We are leash-training the puppy, so we have restricted the house to the den and kitchen. Gates everywhere. My husband—love him to pieces—is not into training the dog in the way that I am. I am definitely the alpha dog. That means I have to stay in the den and kitchen. Where the dog and my husband are. [During the holidays, we had lots of family, too. Yipes!]
Adding a puppy to our happy household has changed the whole pattern of how and when I write. Yes, I have a window in the kitchen, and I can still see plants and birds. But there is noise all the time. My husband consults on sports so he’s always watching a sports program on the TV. The dog demands attention. Up down, up down, up down. Go out, come back in. Feed me!!
So…I have learned to write in shorter spurts—I write when the dog sleeps. I have learned to put in my earphones and turn on my music to block out the sports—I have a mix-up of some wonderful instrumental music, everything from Latin to classical. At times I play music that makes me think of being on a faraway island (tropical with tortoise shell music and possibly the sound of the sea; can you hear it?). At times I set my table with food (cheese, chocolate) to inspire me. Okay, true confession: yes, I had cheese and chocolate at my writing table in my bedroom, too.
Changing a pattern is a challenge, but I love a challenge. And I love my puppy and husband.
Where do you escape to when you need an immediate vacation?
About The Author
DARYL WOOD GERBER aka AVERY AAMES. As Daryl, she writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series. As AVERY, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. Visit Daryl aka Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com. Check out recipes on her blog www.mysteryloverskitchen.com and friend her on Facebook.
Avery’s book is available now. Daryl’s Inherit the Word (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
Days of Wine and Roquefort (CHEESE SHOP MYSTERY)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group
Published by The Penguin Group
Cover Illustration by Teresa Fasolino
Cover Design by Jason Gill
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425255551
E-Book File Size: 1688 KB
ASIN: B00DYX9KFG
Murder, like Roquefort, stinks…
Cheese Shop owner Charlotte Bessette’s life seems quieter than ever with her fiancé out of town and her cousin Matthew and his children out of the house. But before she can put up her feet and enjoy a glass of chardonnay, Matthew asks her to play host to Noelle Adams, a bright sommelier visiting to help grow business for the local winery.
An affable wine aficionado, Noelle is paired well with the cheese expert Charlotte—but something seems to be troubling the secretive houseguest, and Charlotte’s life is upended when she finds the sparkling woman dead. Between Noelle’s hotheaded ex, the cagey owners of the winery, its jaded manager, and a wily reporter, Charlotte has her pick of suspects, but she needs to act fast—this is a mystery that only gets more dangerous with age.
RECIPES INCLUDED!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Warning this book will make you very hungry for CHEESE!!! Do yourself a favor and pick some up with some crackers and a bottle of wine before you start reading!!!
I love Charlotte’s family. They are always busy whether is be at Fromagerie Bessette, or directing the community play or finding a killer. There is never a dull moment. The Cheese Shop is really a gathering place and most residents of this small Ohio town stop there at least once a week. It is also a hot tourist stop. In this installment one of those visitors just happens to be a murderer.
Charlotte’s assistant just cracks me up as she tries to help Charlotte find the killer. You see she has a vast knowledge of criminal behavior and crime solving from her hours of watching television shows. Her heart is in the right place and sometimes she does come up with a valid point but she does much better keeping the Cheese Shop in order.
Avery writes a very tasty mystery for all of us to enjoy. I always want to savor her stories like a glass of fine wine but I just can’t. She grabs us from the start and pulls us in and before you know it you are at the last page and checking out the recipes. There were unexpected twists, plenty of suspects, and general good sleuthing to track down all the clues. There was also a nice balance of humor.
But the cheese, oh my, the cheese!! In between the lines of this wonderful mystery are descriptions of so many varieties of cheese. I want to try them all. Be prepared to make a list. I bet the author loves the research part of writing these mysteries. When she says “SAY CHEESE” she means it.
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
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Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
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Leave a comment for Avery for 5 Bonus Entries !
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5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End February 19, 2014 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM
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.”
Okay, that part in your bio about appearing in Murder, She Wrote? I think I know which of the episodes from the complete collection I’m going to watch this weekend. How cool!
I love this series. Looking forward to reading this new one.
Another great for a wonderful series. A puppy is a wonderful addition, just don’t give up it will get easier! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent and the great giveaway.
To answer Avery’s question, when I need an immediate vacation, I escape to a book, preferrably a cozy mystery. It’s the best escapism there is. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I get lost in a book when I need a getaway.
I’m looking forward to reading this.
Great interview and info… When I need an immediate vacation, I look at old vacation pictures….
I am amazed at how you write such great books despite distractions. I travel wherever books take me.
Wonderful post. I travel in books to exciting realms, eras and places.
Sounds like a great book, I can’t wait to read it.
A Caribbean island would be a fantastic getaway, but I can also get lost in a book no matter where I am. I am a dog lover, but do not have one at this time. Taking a break. They become like children to us and I don’t want the responsibility. Happy puppy training and I am sure the puppy will give you much pleasure
I get lost in a book and music when I need a immediate vacation!
( I already have a copy of this book…and not entering the contest ) – I enjoy this series!
Good luck with the puppy. I did not recognize the flower you mentioned so I found a picture of it online. I don’t blame you from missing looking at it. It is a pretty flower.
One of my favourite cozy series. Thanks for writing this great series. I am a follower on blog-email and FB of this blog.
Best of luck with the puppy, but even when they’re grown, they still demand attention – rather like husbands.
If I need a getaway I either read or get involved in some kind of craft project. Puppies are such a handful but such fun watching their antics. Thank you for the chance to win.
I love both of your series Avery and enjoyed reading about your new puppy. Dogs make such good companions when they grow up!!
To answer the question, when I need an immediate vacation, I take a walk in the woods behind my home. They are only 20 feet away, there’s no one there except the critters and the peace and solitude is calming. Thank you for this generous giveaway!
Avery, hang in there — the puppy will grow up eventually, and you can return to your peaceful bedroom window. Meanwhile, chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
Where do I go when I need an instant vacation? Into a book. Preferably accompanied by a nice cup of tea and maybe a cookie. (Or chocolate.)
Puppies are wonderful. Enjoy it while you can because, like children, a puppy grows up too fast.
I head to the backyard (in the summer, only) when I need a vacation. There I can enjoy all the birds and flowers.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Murder She Wrote is still one of my favorite shows. I wish I could find it again. Don’t know if it’s showing anymore:( A puppy will keep you young with all that playing and running after it. My dog is 100 lbs and still wants to climb in my lap. Gotta luv em!
Instant vacation – looking at old pictures!
My getaway is my desk/reading corner in the master bedroom. It’s not always quiet but I can shut the door! 🙂
My getaway is time on ipod or reading. I enjoyed the interview. I haven’t read these books but looking forward to doing so. Thanks 🙂
Looks like another great cozy mystery.
This is a fun series. Thank you for the chance to win
We have a very stubborn basset hound who knows the rules of the house but thinks she should only listen if she gets a treat. All (or most) of the other dogs behave but not her. Want to trade?
I love the Cheese Shop myssteries and th recipies!
I do love this cheesy series!
Love the Cheese Shop Mystery series! When I need to get away from daily stress, I like to escape in a good mystery or romance book.
Actually…. you are my escape. Yup, you and the other authors whose books I read are my escape. Yes, I re-read. Sometimes when a new book is coming out in a series and things make me want to run screaming (you know those days); I’ll just hunker down in a pile of blankets with a pile of the older books and just really quickly over a couple of days re-read the whole series before the newest book. With a glass of wine or tea and some fruit, cheese and chocolates…. ahhh
I enjoy mysteries that revolve around food. I hope I pick this up.
Wine and cheese, what could be better…well, maybe chocolate. I haven’t read this series…sounds fun. My husband and I are in our 80s and have learned to get our dogs a little later, like 8-12 months…let someone else train them! They are still fun-loving puppies at that age but a lot less work. Our last two Humane Society puppies were 8 months and we’ve had them now for 8 years. Still having fun!
congrats & continued success to Avery!!
I cannot wait to read this one!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
sounds great.thanks for the chance
Love this series! I’m trying to branch out with my cheese sampling, but have to admit I prefer them pretty mild.
Thank you for the review and the giveaway. I have started the series and love it. would love to win the new book so I can escape in it as I read. Good luck with the puppy and working around your husband.
great giveaway – thank you for the opportunity
Looking forwarding to reading this!
Love this series! Makes me hungry