“Off, kitty. Tigger, off!”
How is a girl supposed to get any work done when a darling ginger cat is trying to lick the nail polish off her toes? Serves me right for preferring flip-flops to tennis shoes.
Hi, I’m Jenna Hart. I used to be an ad executive in San Francisco, but I recently moved back to Crystal Cove, a fabulous town on the coast of California, to help my aunt open and run a culinary book shop and café. We call the shop The Cookbook Nook. The café is called The Nook Café—that was a given.
Today, I’ve got so much to do. My best friend and right hand in the shop, Bailey, just told me that she put in our name to host the town’s Grill Fest competition. The restaurant that used to host the event is going out of business. So sad! But good for us. We already do cooking classes and such in the shop—which is the most darling place, if I may say so myself. We sell cookbooks, food fiction, and colorful culinary items like saltshakers and peppermills, spatulas, and adorable aprons! I had no idea there was so much fun to be had. I’m a foodie, but I’m not a cook, though I’m learning daily. My aunt and pals (one of whom is the chef for our delectable café) are teaching me. I never learned as a girl. My mother did all the cooking when I was growing up. I had no interest. Now, I do. For the meantime, I’m happy making 5-10 ingredient recipes, but I want to become a gourmet chef, though I know it could take me years. FYI, one of my favorites to make is a dump cake. Everything goes into the bowl at once. How hard is that?
“Ow! Off, Tigger.”
I met my sweet kitten a day or so before we opened. He walked into the shop, did a few tricks to win my heart, and he’s been with me ever since. He loves to play!
But back to today’s events. Did I mention the Grill Fest will feature grilled cheese sandwiches? I can’t wait to see what recipes the contestants will concoct. I adore grilled cheese. Yum! We’re prepping the store by rearranging all the displays. We’ve ordered dozens of grilled cheese books and other grilling books. And we’re preparing for a bit of drama. The eight-time champion of the competition, a woman who runs a local diner called Mum’s the Word, will face off with the same woman who was runner-up last year. The two got into a spatula fight that went viral on YouTube! What will happen this year is anyone’s guess! Ah, there’s nothing like living in a small town. San Francisco was a too big for me after my husband died…that’s a story that would take too long to get into right now.
Say, have you ever watched a food competition? Do you watch cooking shows? I love those!
You can read more about Jenna and her family and friends in Inherit The Word, the second in the nationally bestselling “Cookbook Nook” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Final Sentence. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on March 7, and you will be entered for a chance to win a choice of either Books 1-4 in the “Cheese Shop” series or Final Sentence, the first book in the “Cookbook Nook” series. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Two names, two authors, two series, and two books coming out in the next two months. DARYL WOOD GERBER is 
also AVERY AAMES. As DARYL, she writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series. As AVERY, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. Visit Daryl and Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com. Check out recipes on her blog Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen and friend her on Facebook.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
I like her books and love grilled cheese!
I enjoy these books and the covers always make me smile
I’m so glad you like the covers. Wait until you see STIRRING THE PLOT, coming October!
Daryl / Avery
This sounds like a terrific read!!! Can’t wait for the giveaway! Lol
Sounds like a culinary book shop I’d like to visit! We watch a variety of food shows around here, kind of depending on the season. My hubby really likes the BBQ shows as spring hits!
So does my hubby. He doesn’t BBQ but he loves it.
Daryl / Avery
I bought the first book in this series and loved it! Can’t wait to read the second !
I hope there are tons more like you, Kathy. 🙂
Daryl / Avery
Sounds delish! Thanks for the chance to win.
Wonderful giveaway, two authors! Thank you for the chance.
I had never heard of a culinary book shop, but I really like the idea. The book sounds like a wonderful read and I’d really enjoy it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I’d love to find a culinary book shop, my 2 favorite things cooking and reading. I’d love to read this book
I’m behind on my TBR like so I am just now reading the first in this series, but already it’s a winner! Thanks for the chance to win the second.
Aha, Linda, “winning” seems to the theme in your post. So glad you’re enjoying Final Sentence!
Daryl / Avery
I can hardly wait to read this book and read of Tigger’s antics—he’s such a cute kitty!!
sue farrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks, Sue. Tigger is so much fun to write. He really comes alive for me, right when I need a boost. 🙂
Daryl / Avery
Good morning to all from the west coast. So lovely to read all of your comments! I’m thrilled some of you have read Final Sentence. I’m delighted that cooking and reading appeal to so many! Yay! There aren’t a lot of culinary bookshops around the US (rats), which is why I created a fictional one. And Jenna and Tigger thank you for your sweet remarks. Have a fabulous day!!
Daryl aka Avery
I love to watch cooking shows!
Awesome giveaway! Would love to read either series!! THANKS.
I love both of the series you mentioned Dru. I’d like to enter for prize #1 the four cheese books…. They’d make a great housewarming gift to my youngest daughter when they move into their new house… She’s been very parsimonious about buying books till now. She’s in a VERY small apartment.
Noraadrienne, remind your daughter that libraries are a great source for books. If she asks her librarian for these, they might be able to get them. Libraries are being much more frugal regarding purchases and paperbacks are so much more economical!
Daryl / Avery
She bought a house out in the Five Towns area of Long Island… I have no idea how that county’s system works yet.
Please note that the giveaway is either one of the first four books in the Cheese Shop series; not all four books.
I haven’t read any books in the Cheese Shop series yet, they sound great.
Rita, I sure hope you will. They’ve done very well. The first in the series won the Agatha Award for best first novel. 🙂 (If I don’t do a little BSP, who will.)
Daryl / Avery
Such a talented writer – and I know each of the books would be a good read. Would love to read Final Sentence.
Great giveaway. Love her books. Always great read.
I love her Cheese Shop books and I’m looking forward to reading her new series! Final Sentence would be my choice….
Hi, all, thank you for your support, nice comments, sweet words. I’m so excited to find fans as well as new readers for both of my series.
Dru, you have put together a wonderful community here! Just thought I’d tell you.
Savor the mystery!
Daryl / Avery
Thanks Daryl. Thank you for letting us into Jenna’s world.
This blog post is just a super way to either find out to receive a reminder about books that I always hope to buy and read.. I always want to read each and every book I read about on Dru’s page, too!!. Regarding one of my favorite writers, Daryl/Avery, I have read many of the books written as Avery Ames, but have not yet read Final Sentence, but if this series is as wonderful as her other books, everyone is in for a special reading experience. It would be my pleasure to read and review any or all of Daryl’s/Avery’s books. Thank you for invigorating my mind/refreshing my brain as to the great books available for upcoming reading. 🙂
Cynthia.
Wow, Cynthia, high praise!! Thank you.
Daryl/Avery
I’ve read the first two Cheese Shop books and thoroughly emjoyed them! I’d love to win either #3 or 4! I’d also love to win the Cookbook Nook since I’m sure it too would have wonderful characters and plot! Thanks fir the opportunity!
Jan, thanks for chiming in. 🙂
Daryl / Avery
Wow, I would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity!
Sounds like a great cozy!
I really enjoy the Cookbook Nook series! =)
I like cozies set in bookstores ( and / or ) restaurants!
Oh, I’d love to win! Thanks for the giveaway and chance to win. These sound great.
I love her Cookbook Nook mysteries and would love to read her cheese shop books. The recipes are yummy in her books. Wonder if there is a pesky pet in these books too.
Indeed there is.
Daryl/Avery
I want to read everything Daryl has written. Sign me up, please.
Aw, Judy, thanks so much!
Daryl / Avery
Since I can’t stay away from the culinary department anywhere and love to read, including just sitting down with a good cookbook, I would go crazy in a culinary bookshop! Really enjoy foodie books, anything about food, with recipes is the best. Don’t watch food competition shows, too nasty and look fake sometimes. Used to watch cooking shows but not so much anymore once they all got so much personality.
When I was growing up my mother had an extensive collection of salt & pepper shakers. Hadn’t thought of them in years, have to see if my sister still has them and take a look. Some were really unique.
Sally, I’d love to know if your mother still has them. A girlfriend of mine collects them, too. There are some wonderful pairings, worldwide.
Daryl / Avery
I am curious myself now. I believe my sister packed them up after my mother passed away. I would love to see them displayed again.
Loved the first book in this series, and can’t wait to read this one. Does it come with a free grilled cheese?
No, but it comes with free recipes. 😉
Daryl / Avery
I have the first Cookbook Nook book. I watch some food shows on TV. Sometimes I watch the ones where they go to restaurants, showcase a particular dish, and then prepare it. Those are the kinds of food shows I like. I love chocolate so I like it when they do desserts!
Desserts can be the most fun. Have you ever watched extreme cake shows? I find those awesome!
Daryl / Avery
I would enjoy reading a book from this series. Thank you for the opportunity.
I loved Final Sentence, I just started the Cheese shop series, so I’m trying to catch up. In answer to your question, no I’ve never been to a food competition (knowing me, I’d probably embarrass myself by drooling the whole time, LOL). I do love the competitions on tv like Top Chef, Cupcake Wars and Chopped (I can drool in the privacy of my own home, Lol).
Funny, Debbie, I bet I’d be the same. Drooling at home is so much more appropriate. 🙂
Daryl / Avery
I love the cover. The kitty is so cute! I can’t wait to read this! Thank you for the giveaway!
I have read Final Sentence and started the cheese series. I don’t know which I like the best so please don’t ask. They are both great and I would love any of the books. Thank you for the giveaway.
Debra, thanks so much. I’m thrilled that you enjoy both. It’s fun for me to have two full sets of characters that life in my imaginary world. 🙂
Daryl / Avery
I love cozy mysteries and this series seems intriguing.
This sounds like a great read! I do love a cozy mystery.
Dru, thank you so much for bringing so many new readers my way! You really are good to us authors. 🙂
Daryl / Avery
Looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for the giveaway.
contest is closed.