MAYA: Please welcome back Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber, a former regular on Mystery Lovers Kitchen. She's joining us today with book news, a sweet recipe, and giveaways.
DARYL: Hi. Thank you for having me back on Mystery Lovers Kitchen. I’ve missed all of you so much! I’m excited because there’s a lot to catch up on. I have a new Cookbook Nook Mystery (#11 in series) coming out in a couple of days, SIMMERING WITH RESENTMENT. In June, I have the 3rd Fairy Garden Mystery coming out.
I think many of you have read at least one of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and I hope you’ll order this new one and enjoy. A killer’s explosive vengeance may lead to Jenna Hart’s happily never after . . . There are lots of tasty recipes in the book including an ice cream bombe! Watch out for an explosive story!
But today, I’d like to share a bit more about the Fairy Garden Mysteries. How many of you heard of them? They feature Courtney Kelly, the owner of Open Your Imagination, a fairy garden shop in the Cypress and Ivy Courtyard, one of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California’s many courtyards. They also feature Courtney’s sidekick Fiona, a fairy sleuth. Actually, Fiona is a righteous fairy (there are a few other types). She was kicked out of the fairy kingdom for being a bit of an imp, and now, in order to earn her adult wings and return to the kingdom and because she is a righteous fairy, she has to help humans—in particular, Courtney—solve problems.
Open Your Imagination serves tea on the weekends on the patio and often hosts a book club tea. I love drumming up recipes for the teas. Courtney doesn’t make them all. She can cook, but her friend Yvanna, who works at Sweet Treats, another shop in the courtyard, is a baker. She has dreamed up some deliciousness like lemon cupcakes with lavender icing, cinnamon swirl scones, and now brookies, a delicious brownie cookie that has won the hearts of all of Courtney’s customers. Actually, Courtney’s best friend Meaghan came up with the recipe and shared it with Yvanna, but Yvanna has tweaked it to perfection.
So I’d like to share it with you.
So I’d like to share it with you.
But first, what’s A HINT OF MISCHIEF about?
The
proprietor of a fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Courtney Kelly
has an occasional side gig as a sleuth—with a sprinkling of magical assistance.
. . .
Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden
parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust
fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be
there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress,
Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a
celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.
Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a
mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the
details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off
for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed
by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated
in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks
otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig
up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .
BROOKIE
(Yield 20-24)
For the cookie layer:
For the brownie layer:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
To make the cookie layer:
In a large bowl, beat softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and egg.
Whisk flour, salt, and baking soda together in a small bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture and stir until combined.
Stir chocolate chips into the dough
Spread mixture evenly into the bottom of the 9 x 13 dish.
To make the
brownie layer:
In a large bowl, stir sugar, melted butter, and vanilla. Add in eggs and beat well. Mix in cocoa powder and mix well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the cocoa mixture. Mix well. If desired, stir in the extra chocolate chips. Pour brownie mixture over cookie dough and spread to cover completely.
Bake the brookie
in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely, at least 30 minutes, before cutting into bars.
If you want
the gluten-free version of this recipe, write me at daryl@darylwoodgerber.com to request it.
And now for the GIVEAWAY
I’ll give a choice of the first 2 Fairy Garden Mysteries
to one commenter or a choice of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries
and a totebag!!
Answer one of these two questions:
What’s your favorite treat with tea or coffee?
Or… have you ever seen a fairy?
Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries as well as the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. Daryl also writes the Aspen Adams novels of suspense as well as stand-alone suspense. Daryl loves to cook, garden, and read, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line!
MY LINKS
WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/darylwoodgerber
BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1
INSTAGRAM: https//instagram.com/darylwoodgerber
PINTEREST: https://pinterest.com/darylwoodgerber
GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber
AMAZON: amazon: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page
NEWSLETTER: Have you signed
up to receive my newsletter? I send one out every month and with a new release.
In the monthly, there is always a GIVEAWAY to one (or more) subscribers. Check
it out here and make the call. There's always a recipe, a bit about Sparky,
what I'm reading, etc.
No fairy sightings here, but I love a good bar recipe. I'll definitely be trying this while looking forward to the new books!
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
Alicia, I wish you luck on seeing a fairy soon. They are all about. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteI enjoy cookies with my coffee (which I take black). The two favorite cookies around our home are lightly spiced oatmeal raisin or an invention of mine called Christmas biscotti that includes pistachios (for green), dried cranberries (for red) and white chocolate chips. Thanks for a new cookie recipe for the chocoholics in my family.
ReplyDeletelroth(at)pcext(dot)com
Oh, Lois R, that cookie sounds amazing. I must try a biscotti. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteCongratulations on the new books. I would love to win Shredding the Evidence. Pretty much anything chocolate is my favorite treat. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteRiley, I adore chocolate, too. I used to be a caramel-only girl, but once I had my son, chocolate came to the fore. I blame him. LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteI love chocolate and these look delicious! I can't wait to get my copy of the new book! Love all your books so much
ReplyDeleteUnknown - thanks so much for the compliment. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have never seen a fairy but hope to see one one day.
ReplyDeleteKitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net
Christine, keep your eyes peeled. They are everywhere. ~ Daryl
DeleteYou know those shortbread cookies? I love those with tea!! Oh, I'd dearly love to see a fairy!!
ReplyDeleteKathy, I just had a shortbread cookie for breakfast snack. It was delish! ~ Daryl
DeleteYou know those shortbread cookies? I love those with tea!! Oh, I'd dearly love to see a fairy!!
ReplyDeleteNo fairies. I wish. And, I have to say that I very rarely nibble with coffee or tea. What boring answers. Now if you asked what goes with a Manhattan - different story. Something savory. Actually hooked on Aldi's Asian snack mix.
ReplyDeleteSandra, ROFL! You made me laugh out loud with that! ~ Daryl
DeleteDaryl, is there a way to print that recipe? I can't seem to copy it. Looks so delish!!
ReplyDeleteKathy, usually the Print Friendly green button does the trick, but I just clicked it and it said the URL overwhelmed it. Hmm. Let me see what I can do. Maybe I'll post it on my FB page and that would be easier. Give me a sec. ~ Daryl
DeleteI've made a PDF of it. Give me your mailing address and I'll send it to you. ~ daryl
DeleteActually, I just messaged you with the PDF. Let me know you got it.
DeleteGot it!! Thank you!
DeleteI've never seen a fairy, sadly. I love brownies and chocolate chip cookies so this recipe, combining the two, sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, enjoy this one. It's one of my new favorites! ~ Daryl
DeleteTea with Digestive biscuits are so delectable and yummy. My favorite indulgence.
ReplyDeleteTraveler, I must admit the term digestive biscuit always catches me up! LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteWelcome back!! Never seen a fairy, how cool that would be!! I love a good cinnamon coffee cake or a pumpkin muffin with coffee.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the chance! I'm saving the recipe to make when I'm craving chocolate!
jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
Jarjm, I was at a book fair yesterday and there was a cinnamon bun truck and, wow, I had to hold myself back. So good. ~ Daryl
DeleteHaven’t seen a fairy…yet…but I’m hopeful that I will soon…working in a fairy garden. Can’t wait to try the recipe- yum. Thanks for the chance to win! Luvs2read4fun (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteAmanda, enjoy it! And enjoy working in a fairy garden. ~ Daryl
DeleteI would love to see a fairy! I enjoyed reading the first 2 of the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the third is next in my TBR pile. This series is so fun and fresh.
ReplyDeleteYour recipe looks amazing. I can't wait to try it.
cindystamps(at)uno(dot)com
Cindy, I'm so glad you enjoyed the first two. I'm excited about A Hint of Mischief coming out. I really enjoyed writing that one! ~ Daryl
DeleteWonderful interview! I love a Blueberry Or Cinnamon crunch Muffin with my tea.
ReplyDeleteLinda Ortiz
strgth4yu(at)hotmail(dot)com
Linda, I love a cinnamon crunch muffin, too. ~ Daryl
DeleteA lemon biscotti with tea is perfect. So tasty and ideal. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletePetite, I made some lemon cookies the other day. So light and perfect with tea! You're right. ~ Daryl
DeleteNo fairies sightings here but hoping one day. Any thing sweet,cookies, cake or donuts. The Gooey the better. But lately I have been on a lemon kick or key lime. 😋
ReplyDeleteDeb, gooey is fun, isn't it? And a good key lime pie is to die for! ~ Daryl
DeleteLovely to have you back!
ReplyDeleteBrookies are a marriage made in heaven!
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Libby, thanks. I agree. A brookie is a really good combo. The best of both worlds. Nice to "see you" here, too. ~ Daryl
Deletethanks Daryl for visiting and yay for all those yummy books! The Brookie looks amazing--never heard of that...
ReplyDeleteLucy/Roberta, thanks for having me back. I hope you'll try the recipe. It's a goodie. ~ Daryl
DeleteBy the way, congrats to Mia for her Agatha Award win for best first!! Way to go. ~ Daryl
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a fairy... don't know if I'd be excited or scared to death if I did see one. And if I had to choose between coffee & tea ('cause I don't do either), I guess I would choose a strongly fruit-flavored iced tea. I'm usually doing a diet soda (or sometimes water). So many treats to choose from: brownies, coconut cake, ice cream... sushi.
ReplyDeleteBook_wyrm, I'm sure we'd all be,um, scared, but then maybe not. Probably depends on how the fairy presented. As a human, like in Beauty and the Beast, or as Fiona, about three inches tall. ;) ~ Daryl
DeleteA lemon poppyseed scone with tea is my favorite. Congratulations on releasing the third fairy garden mystery - I love the series! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAutumn, thanks so much. I'm excited about both of these releases. I'm very blessed to be able to keep the series alive. ~ Daryl
DeleteCOngratulations on your new books. I haven t come across the fairy books yet. Scones Cookies or something chocolate goes great with tea.
ReplyDeletekhalsey(at)rochester(dotrr)(com)
Karen, thanks so much. I hope you'll check out the fairy garden mysteries. I've had such a good time writing them. ~ Daryl
DeleteI haven't seen a fairy ... yet. I don't drink coffee or tea, but never turn down a good cookie. These bookies look yummy. I'll definitely be trying them.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I love cookies, too. ~ Daryl
DeleteForgot to include my email. It's bella_ringer@hotmail.com.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Check. :)
DeleteLots and lots of lovely treats always catch my fancy, but right now a deep dark chocolate brownie with a thick caramel swirl sounds about perfect! makennedyinaz(at)hotmail(dot)com and thanks for all the lovely books and the chance to win one!
ReplyDeleteMarcia, I do love a thick caramel swirl, too. ~ Daryl
DeleteI'd love to see a fairy. And a gnome. Sorry, I love gnomes!
ReplyDeleteI adore gnomes, too, Sue! ~ Daryl
DeleteI'd love to see a fairy. And a gnome. Sorry, I love gnomes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing a great guest post, Daryl! I'd never heard of brookies. They combine two of my favorites foods. ~Maya
ReplyDeleteMaya, thanks for having me on. I love brookies. Such fun to make and enjoy! ~ Daryl
DeleteA favorite treat with my tea is a good soft cookie!
ReplyDeleteDonna, crisp, soft, I don't care. LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteA favorite treat would be a scone if drinking tea and a fudgy brownie if drinking iced coffee. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCherie, I have to admit I'm not an iced coffee drinker, but the occasional iced latte does hit the spot. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteYour recipe looks amazing! I like banana bread or lemon bread with my coffee or tea. No fairy sightings here, it's probably too cold for them.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Dianne, yes, fairies do prefer warmer weather. They have snow fairies in the north, but I've never encountered one of those yet. ;) Daryl
DeleteMy favorite treat would be a homemade cookie. I go from wanting something ooey and gooey full of delicious nuts, fruits or goodies like caramel, coconut or candies to craving something simple and elegant like a shortbread cookie perhaps with finely ground pecans.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've not seen a fairy YET, I do have a little house all set and waiting for them for when they do arrive.
Love your books!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Kay, I'm so glad your house is set and ready. They will arrive. Believe. ~ Daryl
DeleteThese are great for those times you can't make a decision between light or dark chocolate snack. Happens to me all of the time.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
Linda, exactly. I'm often in a quadary! LOL ~ Daryl
DeleteMy favorite treat with tea/coffee are biscotti cookies. positive.ideas.4youATgmail.com
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't seen a fairy. . . unless you count my granddaughter when she dressed as a fairy for Halloween one year.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite treat to have with a cup of coffee is either a cookie or chocolate candy of some kind.
Donna, aren't fairy costumes precious? I love them. I bought myself a pair of wings but only wear them in the house. Shh. Don't tell a soul. ~ Daryl
DeleteNo fairy sightings here, but I keep hoping. My favorite treat with coffee or milk is anything chocolate along with salted caramel.
ReplyDeletekaye(dot)killgore(at)comcast(dot)net
Kaye, I adore salted caramel. What is it about salt and sweets that is so satifying? ~ Daryl
DeleteI have a few fairies that I enjoy the day with, as well as my very little fairy garden. I love Turtle Pecan Biscotti with my flavored coconut caramel coffee (from Hawaii) for dunking. The ultimate combination. lindalou64(@)live(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLinda, Turtle Pecan biscotti sounds amazing.
DeleteI've never seen a fairy.
ReplyDeleteI like scones or shortbread cookies with tea.
wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
Anonymous, I hope you'll get the chance to in your lifetime.
DeleteI am a fan of blondies! never seen a fairy. maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI just made some blondies! Love them.
DeleteI have yet to meet a fairy, but like to think they are out there somewhere. I love a fresh cup of coffee with a breakfast pastry.
ReplyDeletejen(dot)frederick(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jen, like you, I love coffee with pastry. The flavors just meld for me.
DeleteWhen I was a little girl I thought fireflies were fairies. They were magical on early summer evenings! One day I will see a fairy though. :) Shortbread in its many guises is my favorite treat to have with tea. lnchudej@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I too thought fireflies were fairies. They certainly flit and flutter.
DeleteI like chocolate dessert with tea. I don't think I've ever seen a real fairy! lindaherold999@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBut Linda, you're not sure. That's a good thing. That means you "might" have. ;) ~ Daryl
DeleteThe winner of this giveaway is Cherie J. I'll contact you via email. To all the rest, thank you SO MUCH for joining me on Mystery Lovers Kitchen. Love and hugs to all.
ReplyDeleteI love cookies
ReplyDeleteI love sweets. Cookies, cream puffs doesn't matter to go with my tea/coffee. No excuse needed!
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was young, she and her friend swore they had a fairy fly around them. They laid very still, observing her.
More than 25 years later, when they ran into each other, they both wanted to know if the other person recalled this whole thing. Yes.