Occupation: Cheese Monger at Fromagerie Bessette
I love cheese. Especially cheddar cheese. There are so many varieties. From mild to sharp, smooth to gritty. Did you know that most cheddars start out white or pale yellow? Did you know Cheddar originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England? Cheddar Gorge, to be exact. It’s a limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills near the village and is the site where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton (Cheddar Man, about 9,000 years old) was found in 1903. How cool is that?? Jordan and I visited the area on our trip to Europe—you know Jordan and I got married, right? Anyway, the caves in the gorge provide ideal humidity and temperatures for maturing cheese. Jordan’s farm has caves created with the Cheddar Gorge in mind. Actually, Jordan used to own and operate the farm, but now his sister runs it; he’s moved in with me and started up a restaurant and, well, there’s so much for you to catch up on.
But, first, why am I waxing rhapsodic about cheddar cheese? Well, get this! We’re finally hosting a cheese festival in Providence. We—the town. It will run a whole week. Never one to shy away from setting up too many activities, my grandmother, the town’s mayor, has enticed a number of local restaurants to offer cooking classes or specialty dinners. She has also encouraged the farmers to hold creamery tours and wine tastings. Isn’t that fabulous? And we’re going to have a cheese competition. I’ll be one of the judges. Fun, right? The town’s bed-and-breakfasts and hotels are all booked!
Meanwhile, my friend Erin, who owns Emerald Pastures Farm is holding what she’s calling a cheese brain trust. She has invited about twenty people to participate, including a few cheese makers, distributors, journalists, Jordan, and me. Jordan is invited because he knows the art of affinage, which is the careful practice of ripening cheese (those caves I mentioned), and I’m tagging along because I understand the marketing side of cheese.
We’re going to be staying at the inn on the farm, which will be like a mini-vacation. Romance, cheese tasting, and no tension. Heaven! At least, I hope it will be heaven. Nothing should go wrong. There shouldn’t be any surprises. I really hate surprises, don’t you?
Except I did learn there is one surprise guest. She’s a cheese maven, and I’m a big fan of hers, but I hear some people are not so enamored with her. I hope everyone can be civil. I really want Erin to have a successful event. She’s such a good soul.
I shouldn’t be worried, right?
For Cheddar Or Worse is the seventh book in the “Cheese Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime, February 2016.
It’s time for the annual Cheese Festival in Providence, Ohio, and Charlotte Bessette’s cheese shop is packed with homemade specialties. Meanwhile, her friend Erin is prepping her dairy farm and inn for cheese makers, marketers, journalists, and one surprise guest—Lara Berry, pretentious cheese whiz, pompous bestselling author, and pungent critic whose extra sharp tongue can crumble a reputation.
Even though any love for Lara by her friends curdled long ago, Charlotte is surprised when the foodie is smothered to death in her room at Erin’s inn. Accusations start flying, but the one laying blame on Erin strikes Charlotte as a crock. Now, to clear her friend’s name, Charlotte has to sift through Lara’s ex-lovers, former business partners, and unforgiving enemies to find a killer before Lara’s past casts a tainted pall on the festival’s future.
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All comments are welcomed.
Check out the trailer:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoDkxUXzqDE&w=560&h=315]
About the author
Avery Aames is the nationally bestselling author of A Cheese Shop Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime. The first, The Long Quiche Goodbye, won the Agatha Award for “Best First Novel.” Avery is the pseudonym for Daryl Wood Gerber. Daryl writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries. Daryl also created the format for the popular sit-com, “Out of this World” and has won awards for her screenplays. Both Avery and Daryl like to read, cook, and garden.
Visit Avery or Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com. Avery & Daryl also blogs at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen – a blog for foodies who love mysteries.
Giveaway: Leave comment below for your chance to win a print copy of For Cheddar Or Worse. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end February 11, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
Yes please Dru, I’d love to win a copy of this book. I love the series and even own five of the books in this series and love it.
Hi, Noraadrienne! So nice to see you here! ~ Avery aka Daryl
Hi, Noraadrienne! So nice to see you here! ~ Avery aka Daryl
I’d love to read this – and then see you at Malice or Bouchercon!
Hi, Jan! I hope you do. I have plans to attend Malice. ~ ~ Avery aka Daryl
Oh this sounds great…yes I think she should be worried..thanks so much for the review and contest.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Marilyn, swell. I should be worried? Oh, my. Now what?? ~ Charlotte (for Avery, of course)
I have enjoyed reading the books in this series, and I am sad the series is coming to an end. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Jen, I’m sad, too. It’s been a great run. 7 books in all! I’m blessed. But I have more to write. Another Cookbook Nook Mystery comes out in August. I’m going to publish a suspense novel. Lots to look forward to. ~ Avery aka Daryl
Just started to read this series. Thank you for the chance.
Janel, I’m thrilled to hear that. Enjoy each one. I enjoyed writing them. ~ Avery aka Daryl
I hear rumors that this is the last in the series…I hope not.
Gram, the rumors are true. This is the 7th and last. There are a variety of reasons, but in simple form, the publisher merged with a bigger publisher and they want more “big” books and are probably getting out of the cozy business. They are certainly winnowing down. But as I said to Jan above. I have been blessed and have a lot more to write. Keep an eye out! ~ Avery aka Daryl
Just from looking at the awesome cover on this new book, I can tell it is going to be super exciting as are all of the other books in this series!!! Looking forward to reading this one! Thanks so much dearest Dru for the chance to win it! God bless!
Beverly, I’m so glad you like the cover. It’s one of my favorites. The artist did a superb job! ~ Avery aka Daryl
I would love to win this book. What a great chance this is. Thank you!
Yvonne, thanks for stopping by! 🙂 ~ Avery aka Daryl
I love cheddar too and I would like to read this book. Thanks for a chance to enter.
Donna, I love cheddar, too. I’m still on a cheddar kick and this book has lot of cheddar-y recipes in it! Enjoy. ~ Avery aka Daryl
I can’t eat cheese but I still enjoy this series.
Sandy, I’m so glad you do. I’ve told a few readers that they don’t have to “eat” the book. 😉 ~ Avery / Daryl
I love cheddar and this book sounds like a great read! Would love to win a copy!!
Kathleen, thanks for stopping by! ~ Avery / Daryl
Nothing is better than cheddar, this book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
And there are so many varieties, Patty, that it’s mind-boggling! 🙂 ~ Avery / Daryl
Another great story.
Patricia, thank you so much! ~ Avery / Daryl
Love this series and really sad to see it come to an end. Will miss the cheese shop and all the characters. Looking forward to reading this one!!
Am a big lover of cheddar!
Amy, thank you. I’m sad to see it end, too, but I’ve been blessed. 7 is a good run! ~ Avery / Daryl
I have just started reading this series and enjoy it! Thank you for another giveaway.
Rhonda, I hope you will enjoy the rest in the series, too! ~ Avery / Daryl
Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks
Susan, you bet! ~ Avery / Daryl
This book would be very enjoyable and delightful. Thanks for this lovely feature.
Ellie, thanks for chiming in. 😉 ~ Avery / Daryl
I enjoy this series but all good things must come to an end. I would rather a series end on a high note than continue past its prime. Thanks for the giveaway.
Linda, I’m with you in that regard. I think this one is a high note – at least for me. 🙂 ~ Avery / Daryl
This sounds like a fun festival. What could possibly go wrong? Thanks for the giveaway!
Right, Judy. Nothing could go wrong. I like your attitude. 😉 ~ Charlotte (for Avery, of course)
Please, please, please!
LOL ~ Avery / Daryl
Really want this book!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
You are most welcome! ~ Avery / Daryl
Hi, I look forward to reading For Cheddar Or Worse. It sounds like a great book. Thank you
Pamela, I hope you enjoy the read! ~ Avery / Daryl
Sounds like a great read.
Thanks, Rita. ~ Avery / Daryl
I would love to win a copy of this cheddar book as this is the last book and it is a print book which is wonderful!
Peggy, I love books in print, too, though I’ve occasionally read in digital, and it seems my digital books are doing quite well. Something for everyone, I suppose. 🙂 ~ Avery / Daryl
I love cheese and I love mysteries!
Then, Melissa, you should like all 7 in the series! ~ Avery / Daryl
This is one of my favorite series. Sad that this is the last, but I’m still looking forward to reading it very much. Thanks for the chance to win.
Meg, thanks for saying that. Made me smile. Yes, I’m sad, too, but new things on the horizon! Plus another Cookbook Nook Mystery coming in August: GRILLING THE SUBJECT. ~ Avery / Daryl
Very best wishes on your newest book baby.
Thanks, Libby. Yes, they are all babies and need to be coddled. LOL ~ Avery / Daryl
Like Charlotte, I love cheddar cheese, and now have some nice trivia about Cheddar Man! I love this series too, and hate to see it end, but look forward to what Daryl has in store for us! Thanks for the giveaway, Dru!
Celia, isn’t the Cheddar Man story interesting? Thanks for being a fan! ~ Avery / Daryl
I am a big fan of Daryl’s books and love the Cheese Shop Mysteries when she is channeling Avery. Along with delightful characters and intriguing story, I have renewed my passion in all things cheese. Thanks, Daryl…Avery!
Oh I’m so sad that this the last in the series.
I did hear that about a lot of authors
Dru, I know. It is very sad. Penguin is cutting back, so we’ll see a lot of series ending. But I had 7 and it was a great run. I enjoyed every minute. ~ Avery aka Daryl
Love this series! Definitely on my TBR list.
CJ, thanks so much! Enjoy. ~ Avery aka Daryl
Sorry to see the end of this series but glad for the Cookbook Nook series will continue . Looking forward to new series from you.
Ruth, thanks so much. I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire for the future, so stay tuned. Make sure you get my newsletter for updates! ~ Avery aka Daryl
Love this series and have them all except this one. So sad to see it ending but at least we can always revisit!
Carrie, isn’t that fun about series? You could put them down for a few years and go back and re-read with fresh eyes. ~ Avery aka Daryl
I love this series and would love to win a copy of the book!!!!! So glad you will still be doing the other series, I dont want to lose my favorite cozy mystery books!
Thanks, Alisha. I hope to continue giving you lots of reading pleasure. ~ Avery aka Daryl
Love this series!
Thanks, Jess! Truly appreciated. ~ Avery aka Daryl
Who doesn’t love cheese or this series? Waiting for your suspense book! Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks, Sally. It’s going out this week for the next step, so hopefully soon! Stay tuned in. ~ Avery aka Daryl
I would love to learn all about Cheddar! I love every book that I have read that Daryl Wood Gerber has written! I have been hoarding a few on my TBR bookshelf for a special reading treat. I am so glad that she writes these cozies!!! Thank you for the chance to win. Since I want to eventually visit England where my ancestors are from, I am adding the Cheddar Gorge to my list of what I want to see.
Carolee, I hope you’ll take lots of pictures on your trip and share them! ~ Avery aka Daryl
It’s sad this is the last in this series. I’ve loved reading several books in the series and hope I may be lucky enough to win a copy of For Cheddar or Worse. robeader53@yahoo.com
Robeader ~ I hope you’ll read them all along the way. Always ask your librarian for them, too. I have a lot of librarian fans! 🙂 ~ Avery aka Daryl
So sad this series is coming to an end, but I will be looking forward to your future endeavors!
Sharon, thank you so much! I hope you will enjoy “my” journey as much as I am. 🙂 ~Avery aka Daryl
I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series–I can’t get enough cheese or books about cheese.
Roch ~ I feel the same. I love cheese and love reading about it. Such a tasty subject. ~Avery aka Daryl
I always feel guilty because I get all of my books from the library.
Glad you don’t have a problem with that. I would love to have a copy of this book for my very own.. thanks.
Mary, not everyone can buy a book, but I will always appreciate someone who will read one. Library purchases help our sales, too. ~Avery aka Daryl
I have loved this series for not just the stories but also the recipes. I’d love to win this last one.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sue, you have been a super fan! And I love that you enjoy the recipes. I do put thought into those. 🙂 ~Avery aka Daryl
This would be a great title to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Elaine, wishing you luck. I love that there is a cozy challenge list! ~Avery aka Daryl
This book looks great! Thanks for a chance to win.
Debbie, you bet! ~ Avery aka Daryl
I love the recipes and the stories in this cozy series. Been nice to grab a cozy mystery and a cup of hot chocolate on these cold days and read thank you for the chance to win
Carole, one of my favorite things is hot chocolate with a cozy read! 🙂 Enjoy. ~ Avery aka Daryl
It’s on my to-read list!
Always good to hear, Carla. Thanks.
~ Avery aka Daryl
For Cheddar or Wurst looks like a really great read. Post was so intriguing. A must read, on my TBR. But am so hoping I will get the chance to read it sooner. Thanks for this
Della, thank you so much~ ~ Avery aka Daryl
It’s all about the cheese … and cheddar’s my favorite! This book looks like a winner. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sharon, I adore cheddar, too. It’s such a versatile cheese. ~ Avery aka Daryl
Can’t wait for this one!
I love this series! I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks, Abby! You are a super fan! ~ Avery aka Daryl
I love this series. Sad that For Cheddar Or Worse is the last book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks, Patricia. I’m sad, too, but there are more “new” things to come, which is the circle of life, right? ~ Avery aka Daryl
I love this series and am sad it’s the last book.
Kaye, I feel your pain. 🙂 ~ Daryl / Avery
While I know this is the last in the series, I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up and where Daryl/Avery will take us next! Thanks for the chance to win.
Holden, I like your sunny attitude! And I hope you like the resolution! Savor the mystery! 🙂
~ Daryl / Avery
So nice when an author can end the series with all of the loose ends tied up. Look forward to your future endeavors.
karen94066 at aol dot com
One of my favorite cozies!!!
Thank you for the giveaway….