Gigi Fitzgerald sliced her knife through the onion, then placed the two halves flat side down on her cutting board. She carefully sliced through each half vertically, following the ribs on the onion itself. That completed, she cut across the onion horizontally, making a near perfect dice.
“You make that look so easy,” said Detective Bill Mertz who was standing behind Gigi watching.
“It is easy if you know how.”
Mertz put his arms around Gigi and his hands over hers. “Maybe if I could get some hands on experience…”
Gigi slapped at his arm playfully. “I’ve got to get this risotto in the microwave or we’ll never eat.” She pointed toward a head of lettuce on the counter. “You go clean the lettuce, okay?”
Gigi felt Mertz’s lips tickle the back of her neck, and she giggled. “Seriously. I can’t cook if you keep distracting me like that.”
Mertz sighed. “I didn’t know you could make risotto in the microwave.”
“Don’t tell Carlo or Emilio. According to them, unless you’ve stirred the pot for hours, it’s not really risotto. But it comes out tasting just the same and doing it in the microwave makes for a quick dinner.”
Mertz washed the lettuce while Gigi put olive oil and butter, the diced onion, Arborio rice, some diced ham and sliced mushrooms into a glass bowl. She popped it into the microwave.
“How long does that take?”
“Two minutes, then I’ll add the liquid. Then it will be about another twenty minutes, and dinner will be ready.”
“I can’t wait to try it.” Mertz separated the head of lettuce into leaves and spread them out on a dishtowel to dry. “But frankly, I’m really looking forward to dessert.”
He gave Gigi a look that made the color rise from her collarbone to her hairline. She swatted at him with her oven mitt. “Keep your mind on what you’re doing,” she pointed toward the salad bowl.
“I’m trying.” Mertz gave her a cheeky grin.
Gigi grinned back and sighed. It was the perfect evening—cooking for the man she loved.
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of STEAMED TO DEATH to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. Contest ends June 13; US entries only per publisher’s request.
You can read more about Gigi in Steamed to Death, the second book in the “Gourmet De-Lite” mystery series. The first book in the series is Allergic to Death.
Meet the author
Peg grew up in a New Jersey suburb about 25 miles outside of New York City. After college, she moved to the City where she managed an art gallery owned by the son of the artist Henri Matisse.
After her husband died, Peg remarried and her new husband took a job in Grand Rapids, Michigan where they now live (on exile from NJ as she likes to joke). Somehow Peg managed to segue from the art world to marketing and is now the manager of marketing communications for a company that provides services to seniors.
She has two cozy mystery series out from Berkley Prime Crime— the Sweet Nothings Vintage Lingerie series, written as Meg London, set in Paris, Tennessee and the Gourmet De-Lite series, under her own name, set in Connecticut. She also has two ebooks on Amazon, a mystery, Confession Is Murder and a young adult book Oh, Brother!
Peg has two daughters, a step-daughter and step-son, a beautiful granddaughter, a cat named Frazzle and a Westhighland white terrier named Reggie. You can read more at www.pegcochran.com and www.meglondon.com.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
i love this cover!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
This book sounds awesome, thanks for the contest!
I enjoy cozies that include recipes and/or cooking tips. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a great cozy!
Sounds like another fun read…my t-b-r list is unbelievable! Dee
What a fun excerpt! If the rest is as good as this, I’m in.
Sounds like a great book. Would really love to win . 🙂
Sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity.
What a great series. Steamed to death was super 🙂
This book intrigues me. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’m curious…and hungry now. Thanks, Dru Ann, another book to add to my list.
Gret cover! Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Love the cover, Gigi is awesome!
Okay, someone’s got to ask the obvious question… Is detective Mertz related to Ethel Mertz of Lucy and Ethel fame? LOL
I love anything to do with cooking so I’d really love to win this book for my home library.
I think this cozy would make me hungry. The excerpt really did. Would love to read it. Thanks for the chance.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Nora, no, no relation between Bill Mertz and Ethel! I wanted a really down-to-earth, unglamorous sounding name…although Bill is very good looking and in my mind sort of resembles Daniel Craig.
My budget is the pits right now, so this would be a great way to get to discover an author new to me!
Thank you for the chance to win this book. I can’t wait to read it.
I love a book that has a Westie on the cover. Even better when that book is a mystery. My Westie is now 13 1/2.
Getting read to read Allergic to Death – would love to have #2 ready in the wings
It’s summer which means time to read!! I’d love to add Steamed to Death to my ‘next in line’.
I have to read more!
Lori, my Westie is 8 (he and my husband share a birthday). He’s also on a diet which he doesn’t like very much!
Oh, Peg, talk about steamy . . . !! I can’t wait to read this one.
Absolutely love your books & would love to have this one also!
Would love to read this book from another NJ girl! Have Steamed to death on my list for reading shortly.
Amy, where in NJ? I have an ebook out (details on my web site) all about a middle-aged Jersey girl.
Peg,
I’m glad you put your famous risotto recipe in this book.
Love these culinaries. Keep ’em coming. Sign me up, please. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Loved the first book in the series. Can’t wait to read the second book! And I need to know how to make risotto in the microwave! That alone is worth the book!
This is a new series for me. I would love to read it!
Loved the first book, would love to win the second book!
Can’t wait to read this book!
Look like a great book!
Cozy mysteries are the best! This one looks very good!
Steamed to Death is what I do to vegetables—I’m not the greatest of cooks. I’d like to see how the title is relevant to the story.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I was hooked with the risotta recipe. LOL
Ooo, cooking more than just dinner in the kitchen.
Suekey–Steamed to Death is a bit of a play on words…the victim dies in her sauna, but “steamed” can also mean mad!
Full disclosure here: this isn’t a scene from the book. I wrote it especially for Dru’s blog! But something like it might find its way into a future book. Gigi and Mertz are still feeling their way while in Steamed, and there’s another very yummy temptation to tease Gigi!
And my risotto recipe (actually from the NY Times about…25 years ago)…isn’t in the book. I will post it on my web site shortly!
Thank you for the lovely review and the wonderful opportunity to win a copy of Steamed to Death, Dru ~ sounds like a delightful read ~ added it to my TBR List 🙂 ~ Happy Reading and Writing~ Cheers~ Elizabeth
Peg,
So glad to see you’re doing so well. Haven’t chatted with you in a long time and see I have some catching up with your books to do. You can catch up with people just reading their books, don’t you think?
Thanks Peg for giving us a cooking lesson with Gigi.
It would be nice to win this for my daughter who loves cozy’s, thank you for the chance to make her day.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
You make it sound so good. Would love to read this one.
grandmabkr at yahoo dot com
Looks like a great cozy mystery. Can’t wait to read it.
I liked the intro to Gigi and Bill’s relationship! Thanks, can’t wait to read it!
Hi April! So nice to hear from you. What’s new? Email me!
Another fabulous release!! No need to enter me in the drawing, you know you are an auto-buy for me!!! Congrats on the VERY cool cover!
Not sure why my whole name didn’t go through…sorry about that!
Looks like a great read. It’s now on my “to read” list!
For anyone who is interested, the risotto recipe referenced in the passage above is now up on my web site: http://www.pegcochran.com! It’s SO easy and makes a wonderful side dish, or with a few additions, a very easy dinner.
Loved Allergic to Death! Looking forward to reading Steamed to death. Keep ’em coming please. Appreciate the chance for free copy.
After enjoying all of the previous cozies, I would love to be the recipient of Steamed to Death. Fingers crossed!!!!
Contest is closed.
Please enter me into the giveaway as the book sounds great