Sunday, February 25, 2018

BOOK TOUR


I'm thrilled to be a stop on the 
blog tour for author
Daryl Wood Gerber
and her new book
PRESSING THE ISSUE
Book 6 in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries


The Agatha Award–winning author of Grilling the Subject returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, where the annual Renaissance Fair serves up a helping of crafty courtiers, damsels in distress, and medieval murder . . .
As the annual Renaissance Fair comes to Crystal Cove, Jenna Hart’s Cookbook Nook is packed with tasty treats and all things medieval, while her pal Bailey is ready to swoon over her upcoming nuptials at a local vineyard. But when the two friends discover the body of the vineyard’s owner bludgeoned by a winepress, all their merriment fades, along with their hopes for a vintage year.
Which churlish varlet did the deed? Was it the victim’s errant brother, who stood to inherit the vineyards? Or the owner’s crestfallen ex-girlfriend? Mayhap it was the newly arrived comely wench, or her jealous husband. Fie on them all! Verily, Jenna can’t rest until justice is served, and she vows to track down the killer. But can she sniff out the truth before the villainous culprit strikes again?

Day 7 of the continuing interview with Daryl Wood Gerber, author of Pressing the Issue, the 6th Cookbook Nook Mystery.


Which of your books would you like to have made into a movie?

I would love to see any of my thrillers made into a movie—I love watching thrillers on the big screen—and I’d love to see any of my cozies made into TV series. I think the cozies, particularly, would do well on the Hallmark Channel. They are considered “blue sky” stories (happy endings), and the series is set on the beautiful coast of California. How much more picturesque could you get?

Did you ever, or do you still, take writing classes, seminars, etc.?

I took lots of classes, and I read a lot of books on writing. Yearly, I go to conferences for writers where they offer courses on plotting, dialogue, setting, character building, etc. I find refreshing my view of writing invaluable. I just bought a new workshop-style book for how to write a blockbuster. We’ll see if it works. Some of the books I’ve used repeatedly are Hallie Ephron’s  “Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel,” and Chris Reardon’s “Don’t Murder Your Mystery.” One of my favorite seminars was developing the character of the killer. I would hate for my killers to be one-dimensional.

How hard is it to write about food?

Well, it’s interesting, I’ll tell you that. I was taught early on not to create a scene at a coffee table. It’s static and boring, a teacher said. But in a foodie mystery, there are lots of café and kitchen scenes. So…what I try to do is make food part of the story and the scenes involving food active. Do the cooking. Taste-test. Move around the kitchen preparing the table and the setting. As for the food itself? I work hard to find words to describe what my characters are either preparing or eating. In Pressing the Issue, because it’s all Renaissance Fair-style food, I spent a lot of hours testing out recipes. Then I had to decide where those foods fit in the story. For example, Rhett and Jenna purchase Hawker’s Mush at the fair and taste it for the first time. They go to Mum’s The Word diner and enjoy shepherd’s pie. At the Cookbook Nook, Katie gives a seminar on making pasties.

Are any of your characters based on people you know and are they okay with that?

Ha-ha. Are they okay with it? I haven’t asked them because I don’t tell them. I’ve based a few characters on people I know or on compilations of people I know. A long time ago, a writing instructor advised a group of us to change the sex or the whole look of a character so the people we knew wouldn’t have a clue we’d based the character on them. After all, it’s the personality that matters most, right?

Have you ever considered having characters from one series make an appearance in the other series?

I haven’t done it overtly, but I’ve referred to Charlotte Bessette from the Cheese Shop Mysteries in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. They met online. She advised Jenna about some cheeses. Come to think of it, I reference Charlotte again in Pressing the Issue. If you read it, you’ll see why.  Plus I’ve mentioned a darling culinary bookshop on the coast of California in my French Bistro Mysteries. As for having the two worlds collide and actually seeing a character in that world, it might feel strange and take the reader out of the moment [almost breaking the fourth wall, as it’s referred to in theater], so I’m not sure I want to go that far…although Rhett’s folks do own a lovely restaurant in Napa Valley, and Jenna and he could to the wine country and stop in Bistro Rousseau for a bite, don’t you think?

Thank you to all who have come along on this journey and visited every day of the blog tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit about me and my writing process. 


DAILY TOUR

!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

To one commenter today
Daryl is giving away commenter’s choice of one of the first five Cookbook Nook Mysteries or any of the Cheese Shop Mysteries PLUS some fun swag, including recipe cards and a utility measuring spoon. Now look to see the grand prize!


Winners will be chosen after February 26
at the end of the tour.

📘📖📘📘📖📘

Grand Prize

!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

Visit ALL the blogs (see list below) on the Cozy Blog Tour (there are 7 in a row), he or she will be entered for the grand prize.  This is not a rafflecopter. 

Just drop in and visit them all and leave a comment. The links are below. 

What’s the prize? Winner’s choice of a Cookbook Nook Mystery, winner’s choice of a Cheese Shop Mystery, a darling cat tea towel, a plush Tigger, and a Medieval Tapestries coloring book to honor the Renaissance Fair theme in the book!



MY REVIEW


I was so thrilled when I heard there was going to be another book in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries! It has been one of my favorite series since I read book one, FINAL SENTENCE. In this sixth book in the series, author Daryl Wood Gerber doesn’t disappoint!

PRESSING THE ISSUE is the perfect installment to this delightful series. All of the wonderful characters are back and at their best, this time deeply intrenched in the local Renaissance Fair. Seriously, I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading it.

A fabulously well plotted mystery, I was so engrossed in the story, following along with, Jenna trying to figure the who and the why, that I lost all track of time and didn’t look up until I had finished the last page.

Fans of Daryl Wood Gerber, and the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, will not be disappointed. Haven’t read this series? If you love cozies, and a culinary theme, it’s time for you to get started! 


DARYL WOOD GERBER


DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California.  As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. 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.
Author Links
Visit Daryl or Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com
“They” blog on www.mysteryloverskitchen.com as well as www.killercharacters.com
Daryl’s Blog – http://www.darylwoodgerber.com
Avery’s Blog – http://www.averyaames.com
Mystery Lover’s Kitchen – http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com
Killer Characters – http://killercharacters.com
Facebook:
Goodreads: 
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
February 20 – The Power of Words – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
February 21 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
February 22 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
February 23 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
February 24 – My Devotional Thoughts – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
February 25 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
February 26 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY 









37 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your post, Lisa.

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  2. Another great interview! Thanks for such an awesome tour!
    Cherryredh2@aol.com

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    1. Amanda, you are more than welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying it. ~ Daryl

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  3. Thank you for your review and for being part of the book tour!

    I'm really enjoying the interview with Daryl Wood Gerber. I so like the idea of Rhett’s folks who own a lovely restaurant in Napa Valley, and Jenna doing wine country and stopping in Bistro Rousseau for a bit. :)
    2clowns@arkansas.net

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    1. Kay, wouldn't that be fun, a melding of two worlds? Daryl

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  4. Wonderful author, can't wait to start this series. Thanks so much!
    tami.norman@gmail.com

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  5. I wish there was a way to connect the interviews! My daily read about Daryl is like a daily devotional.
    —Jane Dietz gmad5@ymail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Aw, Jane, that's sweet. Maybe I'll combine them and post on my website after the tour. That's a nice idea. ~ Daryl

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  6. I am looking forward to getting this book! Barnes and Noble finally has it online. I am going to see if they have it at the store so I can get it right away if they do! cocanvaz[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Brenda, they won't have it in the store - this is a new sales model - but you can request it at the store, I'm sure. ~ Daryl

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  7. The tour has been so much fun and I've really enjoyed the interview.
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Great interview and enjoying this lovely tour. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I have enjoyed visiting each of these stops and learning more about Daryl and her books. Thank for sharing!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Great review and interview. And for the record,I would love to see Jenna and Rhett stop at Bistro Rousseau for a bite. I like seeing characters from different series interacting!

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  11. Ms. Daryl always has interesting interviews. I've not gotten this book yet, but am curious to know if Funnel Cakes are featured in the fest food! Here in Texas, we love Funnel Cake! nani_geplcs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Love your books! Can't wait to read this next one! mcastor07(at)Gmail(dot)com

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  13. I'd like to see your stories on TV or at a movie theater, too.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Really enjoyed the interview. Great series, looking forward to reading "Pressing the Issue".

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  15. Love this series and can’t wait to read the new book! I love Jenna and her friends and family. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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  16. Looking forward to checking this one out! Thank you! Dm_richards (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  17. I would love to see these books as a Hallmark movie.

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    Replies
    1. I forgot to leave my email: catwoman-1(at)Comcast(dot)net

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  18. I too have enjoyed the interviews, even though I was unable to post comments. I have never been to a Renaissance Fair because they are in the heat of summer, but I will enjoy reading about the foods! karen94066 at aol dot com

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  19. I can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. Loved the interview! I can highly recommend this book to anyone, and yes, it would make a great Hallmark mystery movie. Thanks for the giveaway. legallyblonde1961 at yahoo dot com

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  21. I'm looking forward to reading this book. I've enjoyed the other books in this series.

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  22. Such a wonderful book and one of my favorite series. Thanks Lisa for the great interview. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net

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  23. Loving this series! jelrobb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. Another great review of your book. They even asked you one of the questions I asked you on Facebook! mlduffer(at)att(dot)net

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  25. I look forward to reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  26. I like going to Renaissance Fairs, sounds like a great storyline. Looking forward to reading the book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Great book! Loved being back in Crystal Cove!
    a.connolley@gmail.com

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