Whee!! Hope you'll pick up your copy. It's been earning some great reviews.
"This is a sweet
treat of a mystery, full of genial characters and
leading to an emotionally
satisfying conclusion."
~Kings River
Life Magazine
*
Also, our very own Peg Cochran has a new one out, too.
BERRIED SECRETS! CONGRATS, PEG!
In the opening chapter of Fudging
the Books, there is a mention of chocolate cherry bonbons. One of my
fans read the excerpt I posted on my website and said, “Boy, I hope that recipe
is in the book.” Well, oops! It’s not, but I have an explanation why not.
When I write A Cookbook Nook Mystery, I try to include all
sorts of delectable cookbook titles and food. After all, foodies are my
readers. However, I must admit that sometimes I dream up a tasty treat because that’s what I want to eat at the time, and I don’t have the recipe. That's right. I write fiction. However, I've learned a really good lesson. I included a recipe for 5 mac 'n cheese in The Long Quiche Goodbye (the first Cheese Shop Mystery) and someone begged me for it. I whipped that puppy up in a matter of hours and sent it off to her. That recipe went viral!
So I now browse cookbooks and the Internet looking for delicious ideas and then add them to the story. And I keep notes when I "create" a fictional recipe - notes of what inspired me to think of the treat. That helps when a fan begs for a recipe.
This recipe is so easy that my protagonist
Jenna Hart, an avid reader and former ad executive who has come home
to Crystal Cove to help her aunt open a culinary bookshop and café, can make
them. FYI, Jenna isn’t much of a cook, but she is a foodie! She considers herself a gourmet. So she is learning, with the help of Chef Katie and her Aunt Vera, to make one easy recipe at a time.
CHOCOLATE CHERRY BONBONS
Ingredients:
1 5 oz. bag dried cherries
3 tablespoons chocolate chips
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons coconut flour
extra cocoa for coating (about 4 tablespoons)
Directions:
Put all the ingredients into a food processor. Process for about
1 minute. It will still appear that there are hard “chocolate chip” chunks in
the mixture, but when you scoop out the mixture, it will be a sticky paste.
That’s good.
Roll the mixture into 10-12 walnut-sized balls and set them on
parchment paper. Remember to smooth them by rolling between your palms.
Then put the extra cocoa into a shallow bowl, and roll each ball
in the cocoa. Shake off the excess cocoa. Note: This can get messy, but it’s
fun!
About Fudging the Books:
Pirate Week is sweeping through Crystal Cove and keeping Jenna Hart and her bookstore, the Cookbook Nook, plenty busy. But she’s not too swamped to also host the local Chocolate Cookbook Club’s meeting—especially because the guest of honor is her friend, candy maker and cookbook author Coco Chastain.
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Jenna whips up a delicious event amidst the rowdy festivities, but the mood is soon broken by robberies, simmering tempers, and a dead body—Coco’s editor, Alison. The suspects turn out to be more plentiful than a pot full of gold doubloons, so to prove Coco isn’t responsible for the dastardly deed, Jenna will have to stir up some clues and figure out who’s the real sticky-fingered killer…
NOTE: This is not about “real pirates.” Pirate Week is a fun romp where folks dress up like pirates, climb rock walls, go whale watching, and take in Pirates of Penzance or hunt for missing gold doubloons.
News!
I have updated my website. Check it out. Easy to navigate.
It's easy to sign up for my newsletter on the home page, too. FYI, yesterday,
I gave away a fun treat to a few lucky winners plus a librarian
because they were signed up to receive the newsletter.
Are you?
Also:
I have updated my website. Check it out. Easy to navigate.
It's easy to sign up for my newsletter on the home page, too. FYI, yesterday,
I gave away a fun treat to a few lucky winners plus a librarian
because they were signed up to receive the newsletter.
Are you?
Also:
I'm still doing a blog tour. A few more to go, so make sure you check them out via my calendar so you can enter those giveaways!
I will be on a radio show on Saturday, Suspense Radio. Tune in! There's a link on my news and events page.
TODAY'S GIVEAWAY:
Today's giveaway, as a thanks for being my fans, one of you will have your choice of the first three Cookbook Nook Mysteries + some fun swag. Leave a comment, with your email (cryptic, if you must) so I can contact you!
And tell me...what recipe have you tried from my books or from those posted on Mystery Lovers Kitchen?
Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames
Tasty ~ Zesty ~ Dangerous!
Tasty ~ Zesty ~ Dangerous!
Love this bonbon recipe! And of course I'm excited for your books. I've made the Toffee Crunch Blondies from this site and they were fabulous - I have so many more recipes bookmarked though to try, I promise! :) EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteLiz, so good to see you! I'm glad you enjoyed the blondies. Yum!
Delete~Daryl
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have not had the chance to read a cozy mystery yet. I love the recipes you post though. Since my hubby does the cooking, I will have to show him the recipes.
ReplyDeleteDeana
Jhdwayne@peoplepc.com
Deana, I hope you will read one soon! We have such a variety!
Delete~Daryl
It's not chocolate in honor of your Fudging the Book launch, but I tried your Pineapple & Ham Quiche from The Long Quiche Goodbye. It was a hit at a recent potluck brunch with former colleagues. Thanks. kat8762@aol.com
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I'm so glad you enjoyed! That's one of my favorite creations. :)
Delete~Daryl
I haven't been cooking/baking for a while now, but I use to enjoy baking. When I started working third shift, I loss any energy to do anything. I do enjoy looking at the recipes.
ReplyDeletemyrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Jen, totally understand. You need Sara Lee!! STAT! :)
Delete~Daryl
I have not tried any of the recipes as yet, although they looks great :)
ReplyDeletejslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Lisa, I hope you will. :)
Delete~Daryl
My husband's the cook - I just enjoy the fruits of his bounty! Haven't tried any of the recipes but they all look good! Thanks for this opportunity, Daryl!
ReplyDeletedm_richards(at)yahoo(dot)com
Di, get your husband on the horn and get him cookin'!
Delete~Daryl
All of the recipes sound (and look) wonderful. I haven't tried any of them yet, but my granddaughter has seen several she wants us to try. :)
ReplyDeletepeggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net
Peggy, I hope she will. For your sake.
Delete~Daryl
I love the recipes....
ReplyDeleteafarage (at) earthlink . net
Thanks, Alicia!
Delete~Daryl
My husband made the Chewy chocolate brownie cookies and they were YUMMY!!! I LOVE reading cozy mysteries with recipes included- I usually buy them in paperback so I can refer to the recipes easier. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteluvs2read4fun(at)gmail(dot)com
Amanda, what a lovely husband!
Delete~Daryl
I love the recipes and have shared with my husband who does most of the cooking. Thanks for the recipes and the giveaway. poohwine1217@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLisa, you are so welcome!
Delete~Daryl
My husband made the strawberry shortcake muffins after I showed him the recipe. I might have to get him to try to make this recipe for me now. crdatema@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I'm loving all these cooking husbands!
Delete~Daryl