Sunday, March 19, 2017

Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery #sleuthers @hallmarkchannel

Tonight all the cooks in our kitchen will be busy watching DEAD OVER HEELS: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery by Charlaine Harris on the Hallmark Channel! Her True Blood series was wildly successful on HBO, now Aurora Teagarden is appearing in Hallmark movies. And we're thrilled and honored to have her in our kitchen today!


CHARLAINE: I know how lucky I’ve been to have such good experiences with having my work adapted to the small screen. After the first time (“True Blood”), which was a huge learning curve, my expectations became more realistic, and I learned to enjoy what before me, rather than having a peek through rose-covered glasses. Or camera lenses.

Of course, Hallmark is the direct opposite of HBO, and it’s been a very different project for me. I was terrified when “True Blood” came on the air. Now I am much calmer, and I understand it’s not personal if people don’t care for the filmed version; or if people like the television show better than the books. Viewers come to sit in front of their television sets with different expectations, just as readers open a new book with some preconceived notions about what they’re going to find.

What you won’t find is a duplicate of the book. Even very faithful adaptations  (“Game of Thrones” for example) veer away from the writer’s timeline for all kinds of considerations that don’t matter at all to the writer.

I have enjoyed watching the Hallmark productions because I find in many ways, they’re very true to the Aurora Teagarden books. I have a very soft spot in my heart for Aurora, my first series protagonist, and I always will. It’s been a joy writing two more books about her life and mystery-solving.

I know a lot of people (like me!) enjoy having a snack while they’re watching their favorite show, and maybe enjoying a little social media at the same time. So here’s a favorite recipe of mine, given to me by Anne Veach many years ago. It’s the hint of curry that gives this great dip its distinction. Just serve it with your favorite cracker (Ritz Crackers, the classic, are a favorite here).

ChaCha Chicken

1 8-oz. package cream cheese
1 c mayonnaise
2 t curry powder
1 t salt
6 cups chopped chicken
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
2/3 c sweetened dried cranberries
1 c salted almond slivers

Whisk together cream cheese and next three ingredients. Stir in chicken (I minced mine in the food processor), pineapple, and cranberries. Spoon into a plastic wrap-lined round cake pan; cover and chill at least 8 hours. Invert and remove wrap. Gently press chopped almonds onto sides of salad, a step I forgot for the shower!


And here’s a sneak peek at the new cover for October’s Aurora book, SLEEP LIKE A BABY. I hope you enjoy it; it’s been so much fun to get back to my writing roots with conventional mysteries.


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Enjoy the show!

Thanks so very much for visiting Charlaine! We'll be tweeting throughout the movie--and there will be prizes! Will you join the fun?  Today, Sunday March19 9est/8c! #SLEUTHERS 

And leave your email in a comment to be included in a giveaway for a $25 Visa gift certificate to celebrate the movie, the blog, the author! Hooray!

63 comments:

  1. Charlaine, thrilled to have you here, and lovely to get your perspective about how TV and movies work re: an author's work. Love your attitude! I'm sure this will be a fun and delightful series. Candace is a charming actress! ~ Daryl

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  2. I love both TV versions of True Blood and Aurora Teagarden-both quite different! Now that's an understatement! lol.) I generally don't stay up so late, as I have to get up so early for work, so I'm not sure I'll watch tonight-but I don't want to wait to see it at an earlier hour...so we'll see. And I only use social media during commercials-I want my full attention on the screen! Thanks for the recipe!

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  3. Charlaine, I love all your books and the screen adaptations! True Blood is one of my all-time favorite shows, even though it started to veer way off from the books. I'm so excited for Midnight Texas this July and for Dead Over Heels tonight! Thanks for the many hours of entertainment you've given me. :)

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  4. I read the books that lead to True Blood, but somehow missed the Aurora Teagarden. When I got the Hallmark Mystery Channel I discovered Aurora! Can't wait to see the new movie and to catch up on the books!

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  5. Love Aurora Teagarden. Glad she's back.

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  6. I love Hallmark movies and now I get to love yours. Congratulations. Thanks for the insights which I will add to my wish-list. Best wishes for continued successes. (PS: Thanks for the recipe, too.)

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  7. Wonderful to see you here, Charlaine. And what a great recipe for (dare I say it?) watching a movie this evening?

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  8. My DVR is set to go! In the past I wanted movie adaptations of books to strictly follow the story, but it's different with the Hallmark movies based on the cozies. The movies seem to capture the spirit of the main characters like Aurora, so it's like doubling my pleasure. I can still enjoy the books and now the movies, too! Congrats on the new book, looking forward to that as much as tonight's movie. Thanks for the giveaway and recipe.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  9. Thanks for visiting Charlaine, and for the Cha Cha Chicken recipe. I have enjoyed watching the Aurora Teagarden mysteries on the Hallmark Chanel, and can't wait for tonight's episode. I love the cast! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  10. I've enjoyed both the books and the Hallmark series. Will Aurora end up married as in the books? Had to phrase that carefully. No spoilers.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  11. I love all your books, Charlaine, and will be watching tonight as well. Thanks Maryjane for bringing one of my favourite authors to the kitchen!!

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  12. Love your books and the hallmark adaptations for TV. Will be watching tonight. embam1969@comcast.net

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  13. I admit that I am not familiar with your Aurora Teagarden books. However, it is always great to find something new from an author I really enjoy. And thanks for sharing that recipe, it looks delicious.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  14. Love to watch Aurora Teagarden. Will she eventually get married? �� In all seriousness, keep them coming. Love these mysteries on Hallmark Movie & Mystery channel.

    Strgth4yu(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  15. Her Southern Vampire Series is one of my favorites! I've been enjoying the movies based off her Aurora Teagarden series.

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  16. I absolutely <3 the Aurora Teagarden series! It was the first series that I couldn't wait for the next for the next one to come out and was totally heartbroken when there were no more. So happy to hear that there will be another book and can't wait to watch the show! bubs(dot)girl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. Congratulations on the debut tonight of the new Aurora Teagarden movie, Dead Over Heels. Great insights into an author's (thrilling and terrifying!) experience of having her books adapted into dramatic works. Cheers for joining us, Charlaine.

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  18. I wish I could watch this! Don't have cable though. I'll have to wait until I'm at my folks house to catch up. Love the series though! Read all the books! :) kidisitor(at)yahoo.com

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  19. Looking forward to the movie tonight. I'm going to try to watch the entire movie tonight but also going to DVR it too as I may have to run out to pick up my daughter from work.
    scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com

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  20. Unfortunately - will have to wait till it gets on W-network :) Love the series though!!!!! :)
    em.milka(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  21. I liked Charlaine's Shakespeare series but I'm not sure that series would be good for TV.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  22. Loved the Sookie books and was sad to see it end. Didn't get the chance to read the Aurora books yet but hopefully soon.
    lady(dot)janel(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. Already have the DVR set. We can't wait!!!!

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  24. I'll be tuning in at 9pm , can't wait!

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  25. I enjoy all of Charlaines books. Please enter me in your giveaway.
    Thank you, Sandy G
    Sand1948@gmail.com

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  26. Love the Aurora Teagarden mysteries. Thanks for the recipe.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  27. Congrats! The new cover is awesome! Thanks for the chance! Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

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  28. Looking forward to watching the movie tonight. I love the Aurora Teagarden mysteries.

    Casmith79@aol.com

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  29. I love both the books and the movies. I am thrilled about the two new additions to the series, and I hope they all get made into movies. amp67@mchsi.com

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  30. Have not read any of the Aurora Teagarden books but I'm really enjoying the Hallmark movies very much. Love the characters and the mysteries are really keeping me guessing "who dun it?"
    sbetley@gmail.com

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  31. Wonderful interview and recipe. The book sounds good and congratulations on the Hallmark movie. Thank you for this chance. areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  32. I absolutely love the Aurora Teagarden movies. Can hardly wait to watch this one tonight.

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  33. Congrats on your latest book to movie on Hallmark! Can't wait to watch the movie.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. I've been watching all afternoon and looking forward to the newest tonight.
    elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  35. I love these movies and your writing. Happy you're writing more in this series. mobn @ heedles .net

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  36. Have loved the Aurora Teagarden series! Can't wait for the new one! Debschneider1@verizon.net

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  37. Hi Charlaine! I love your books and I so enjoy the Aurora Teargarden movies on Hallmark. I'm looking forward to watching the new one in less than 2 hours! Keep writing, and we'll keep reading! Darasings@aol.com

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  38. I wish my cable station had the mystery channel. suefoster109 at netzero.net

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  39. Looking forward to your movie tonight! Charmaine, thank you so much for the chicken salad recipe. Well time to get ready for the movie. cmeier2001@live.com

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  40. This has got to be a thrill - to have one's book made into a tv show. Congratulations! I'm happy to see Hallmark pick up other books by some of my favorite writers, too. That recipe looks delicious and I'll make it for the next office party. Thanks. iheartpieandbooks@gmail.com

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  41. I've had the marathon running all day. Setup the DVR just in case I can't stay awake! (I need to read more of the books, I just love the movies though!)

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  42. I wish that I had that channel..... love the books!
    aliciafarage @gmail.com

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  43. I have not watched any of this series nor read any. I am going to look for it to replay so I can dvr it. Missed doing that earlier today. I love cozies on TV. Thanks for the chance to win. kayt18(at)comcast(dot)net

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  44. I have watched a couple of the series but haven't read the books which I plan to do. Thanks for the chance to win. joann_lord@excite.com

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  45. I don't get the right channel to watch the TV version (and I don't watch much TV anyway), but I do love the books! mbradeen@yahoo.com

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  46. My DVR is all set. Since I am visiting with my parents tonight for dinner. I enjoyed reading your books and the Hallmark movies. Thanks!

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  47. Love Roe!!! Recording new movie and will watch tomorrow with no commercials. I cannot wait for the new book!

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  48. I like both the book series a d these movies. Just finished watching the newest addition to the movie series. Well done. servedogmomATyahooDOTcom

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  49. Charlene, I will be watching this new Aurora Teagarden movie tonight. I have enjoyed watching all of the other Aurora Teagarden movies & I am pretty sure, I will enjoy this one too.

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    1. Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome giveaway. My email address isbarbiefan.53@gmail.com

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  50. Two of my favorites in one place. I need to try the cha cha chicken...

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  51. Love reading the book before watching the movie to see if characters match my imagination.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  52. I saw my first episode today and enjoyed it. I am thrilled to discover that you are continuing the series! I have my fingers crossed for Shakespeare too! Thank you for the hourse and hours of excellent entertainment, and some thinking, that you have provided. idreamjj@yahoo.com

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  53. I enjoyed Dead Over Heels (the movie) and am looking forward to the next one. I read all the original Aurora books when they first came out and am also looking forward to the newest one, "Sleep Like a Baby", later this year. rebarger@bellsouth.net

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  54. I'm so excited at the thought of another Aurora book!! Love that series. Very disconcerting to watch the movies with the books fresh on your mind. I do better when there's distance. Hallmark does a nice job, but there are the little things that drive you crazy.... Mberbeza@aol.com

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  55. I love the Aurora series, both book and small screen. Congrats on such success!! And thanks for the recipe, I can't wait to try it.

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    1. Sorry, forgot to leave my email - strive2bprov31@gmail.com

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  56. I have enjoyed your various books.
    I was not thrilled with True Blood. I thought it rather trashed your entertaining novels. But, success speaks for itself! People loved it.
    I've read your Aurora books and am glad to hear there are now more.
    I'll have to check to see if we get Hallmark.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  57. Shall look for Aurora movies. ccbake13@aol.com

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  58. The Aurora Teagarden movies are terrific! Will watch the latest later on.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  59. Have always loved this series and am excited to see it come to life on TV

    johnnabooks(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

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  60. Love the Teagarden series. Really enjoyed the movies. Have only read one of the books so far. Had really enjoyed the True Blood series as well. Did not know that Charlaine Harris was responsible for that vampire series Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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