I’m so excited. The Wild West Extravaganza has come to town. The extravaganza will be family-friendly as well as animal-friendly. Yes, there will be rodeo events but no steer wrestling and no bulldogging. There will be horse races, rope jumping, stunt fighting, and more.
As for me, I’m up to my elbows decorating at The Cookbook Nook with the most darling things: gingham aprons, western-themed cookie jars, salt- and peppershakers that look like boots. And you won’t believe the cookbooks I’ve found! For example, one is My Prairie Cookbook written by Melissa Gilbert of Little House on the Prairie fame. Fun, right? I know a bunch of moms in town who were fans of that show, way back when. They’ll love it. I’ve brought in lots of specialty books, too, like a cowboy hat tabletop book and Every Cowgirl Loves a Rodeo.
Did I mention I’m up to my elbows in barbecue sauce and zesty spices, too? Well, actually, Katie, our chef, is, but 
I’m an official taste tester. You should taste her dry-rub ribs. They’ll be available on the menu all week long. Plus, get this, there’s going to be a food truck event and the café is participating. Katie is making mini sliders. Yum! And an old friend of mine, Shane Maverick, who I worked with at Taylor & Squibb Advertising is now in charge of the event! I hear he makes a dynamite barbecue sauce.
However. . .and yes, there’s a however . . .in addition to all the excitement, I’ve been feeling some heebie-
jeebies. There’s no other word for it. I feel like I’m being watched. Or the shop is. My sweet ginger cat Tigger doesn’t seem concerned, so I should probably take my cue from him, but I can’t. I think I’m seeing little things, like maybe the glint of binoculars? I know, call me crazy. Who would want to watch me? I live a normal life in a small town on the coast of California. It’s not like I’m spy material. I have no secrets.
On that note, I’m a little worried about my father, too. Not because I feel someone is watching him. It’s because he has an ongoing feud with his neighbor, Sylvia. She owns a jewelry shop called Sterling Sylvia. People from all over the globe come to the shop for special pieces. Usually Sylvia has good taste, but as it turns out, she has none in the house department. She has junked up her house, which sits directly below my dad’s, and now she’s commandeering a piece of land that my father and other neighbors mutually own. Needless to say, tempers are flaring!
Dad’s better half, Lola (she was my mom’s best friend and is like a second mother to me) – anyway, Lola is a voice of reason, and I’m sure she’ll keep Dad and the others in check. They shouldn’t need me to intercede.
At least I hope they won’t. But if they do, you know me, family comes first. Always.
Grilling the Subject is the fifth book in the Cookbook Nook mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, August 2016.
Things heat up for bookstore owner Jenna Hart in the latest Cookbook Nook mystery from the Agatha Award-winning author of Fudging the Books.
As the Wild West Extravaganza rides into Crystal Cove, California, Cookbook Nook store owner Jenna Hart is ready to indulge her appetite for grilled and barbecued treats and maybe even try the Texas skip. But when the body of one of her father’s neighbors is found the next morning smoldering in a bonfire, the rodeo revelry is extinguished.
Sylvia Gump had acquired plenty of enemies with her practice of illegally encroaching on her neighbors’ properties—including Jenna’s dad, who was off fishing by himself and has no alibi for the murder. Now it’s up to Cary Hart’s dutiful daughter to clear his name before the real killer turns up the heat and rakes someone else over the coals. . .
# # # # # # # # # # #
About the author
Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber also writes the bestselling Cheese Shop Mysteries as Avery Aames and recently penned her first suspense novel, Girl On The Run.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote“. In addition, she has jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and hitchhiked around Ireland by herself. She absolutely adores Lake Tahoe, where Girl On The Run is set, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky.
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Grilling the Subject plus swags. US and Canadian entries only, please. The giveaway will end August 4, 2016 at 12 AM (midnight) EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
As always, an interesting & informative post. I have just started reading this series, so thanks for the chance to win.
Doward, so lovely to see you here! BTW, do you know how many times your name auto-corrects? What is the origin? ~ Daryl
Awesome sounding book ! Would love to have a chance to win 🙂 Great cover , very colorful 🙂 Would be first time reader for this Author . Thank you for a chance to win 🙂
Lynne, nice! I hope you’ll check out the rest of the series as well. ~ Daryl
I really enjoy this series. I really like all the characters.
Ruth, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series. A number of my readers have favorite characters. I happen to love them all. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Your review makes me want to read this book! Thanks for a chance to win it!
Marilyn, glad to hear it! ~ Daryl
I wonder who is watching Jenna? Sounds like another great book!. I love BBQ and grilling recipes. Not eligible to win a book, but wanted to comment since I enjoy reading this series.
Grace, if you’re from Canada, check out the giveaways from me on my FB author page and on Mystery Lovers Kitchen. Glad you like the series! ~ Daryl
Hi Daryl. Yes, I already follow you on FB and I do enter the contests on MLK that are open to Canadians.
Boy this series sounds really good..and the Cookbook Nook sounds like the kind of place we’d all like to hang out at but if someone is watching then its my kind of cozy…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Marilyn, I’d love to hang out in the Cookbook Nook, too. It’s my kind of place! ~ Daryl
Love cozy mysteries and would love to win a book by Daryl Wood Gerber!!
lindaherold999@gmail.com
Linda, thank you so much! Wishing everyone good luck. ~ Daryl
Sounds like alot of interesting things going on in this book. I’d love to read it! Thankyou for the opportunity!
Jill, in Crystal Cove, there’s always something going on. I love creating a busy, colorful setting. ~ Daryl
Oh how adorable the sweet kitty on the cover of this new book in the picnic basket is!!!!! I absolutely love, love, love all of the previous books by Daryl Wood Gerber, and can’t wait to read this one!!! Sounds like a really exciting page-turner mystery!!!! Thank you so much dear Dru and Daryl for the chance to win!!!! God bless you both!!!!
Beverly, that’s so sweet of you. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my previous books. The artist is terrific, isn’t she? She really puts her heart into darling Tigger. ~ Daryl
I always enjoy this series.
Amy, lovely to see you here! ~ Daryl
I like this series. Thanks for a chance to enter the contest.
Donna, I’m thrilled to hear that. It’s so nice to see fans who have read and enjoyed the books! ~ Daryl
I haven’t started this series yet – too many books, too little time – but would love to win and get to reading it!
Gail, I know about too many books, too little time. As a writer, I need to read, but I also need to write. Where does the time go??? LOL ~ Daryl
I really enjoy this series.
Sandy, I know you do. Always lovely to see a true blue fan! Have a great day. ~ Daryl
Who doesn’t love grilling and this author, book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Patty, I’m glad you think so. I adore grilling. (BBQ and suspects!! LOL) ~ Daryl
Love this series. Thanks for a chance to win.
Lois, you bet! ~ Daryl
Love, love, love the cover!
Becky, thank you. I’ve been blessed with a terrific artist! ~ Daryl
A delightful series and wonderful giveaway. Thanks.
Anne, thanks so much. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. ~ Daryl
Looking forward to reading Daryl’s latest book.
Mary, thanks! ~ Daryl
A great series. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Elaine, I am so happy you like the series. ~ Daryl
Hi Dru, I’d love to win this book to keep my collection of the series complete. So toss my name into the magic hat please.
NoraAdrienne – it is, indeed, a magical hat! Did you see my post yesterday about Tarot cards? Maybe you need Aunt Vera to tell your fortune. ~ Daryl
Maybe I should set up a reading with her. I really would like to get a peak at what my next 5 or 10 years might hold.
Hard to believe this is the 5th book in the series! It is a fun series but I think I gain weight reading every book! I especially love the covers-and this one is no exception! 🙂 Thanks Dru Ann for today’s blog. I can’t wait to read this! Thanks to Daryl for the chance to win a copy of this new book. 🙂
Barbara, I know. 5 already. Time flies when you’re having fun reading. I, too, love the covers. I’ve been blessed with Teresa Fasolino, the artist. ~ Daryl (PS She does Krista Davis’s covers, too.)
This is a fun series! Can’t wait to read this new one.
Thanks, Mary Jane. I’m glad you think it’s fun. That is my aim. ~ Daryl
Great post. Does look like a great read. So am hoping it will be sooner. Rather than later. Thanks for a chance to do so
Free~ so good to see you here and glad to introduce you to a new series! ~ Daryl
I can’t wait! I love this series and wait patiently for the next book every time I finish a book! Thanks for the chance to win Daryl!
Tami, isn’t it hard to be patient? Don’t you wish books were like TV series and come out in waves of 10-12 at a season? ~ Daryl
One of my fave authors….love her work. Thanks for the chance!
John, thanks so much for the compliment!! ~ Daryl
I love this series! The western theme is great.
CJ, I do try to put in fun themes to each book. I think someone mentioned it above, but Fudging the Books featured pirate week, Stirring the Plot was Halloween. It keeps my mind active and the research for cookbooks and food recipes is delicious. ~ Daryl
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THESE BOOKS! IT WOULD MAKE MY YEAR TO GET A COPY..THANKS!! Rena
Thanks, Rena! ~ Daryl
What a fun theme: western. Can’t wait to read this new addition!
Donna, thanks. I had so much fun researching western activities and cookbooks. ~ Daryl
Would love a chance to win. How fun that she was on Murder, She Wrote!
Marie, hi! I had a great time on that show. I was able to act opposite Angela Lansbury, and she was terrific to me! ~ Daryl
I love to grill. What a fun topic to include in a story. I had not heard of this series saw the give away on Twitter and came over to check it out. I hope to win and I can catch up on the series.
Kimberly, welcome from Twitter. I love how that site can capture new readers. I hope you enjoy the series. This is the 5th in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. ~ Daryl
Looking forward to reading this book. Love the author!
Jan, thanks so much. I appreciate the compliment! ~ Daryl
I love this series. Have not read the new one yet, looking forward to it.
Dianne, I hope you will. It comes out next week. ~ Daryl
I love this series, between the Cookbook Nook and all the interesting events that come to town, what’s not to love…the only drawback is that I get extremely hungry reading them. LOL
Debbie, I’m so SORRY (not) that I make you hungry. I’m glad to hear that the recipes and mention of food (or cookbooks) whets your appetite. I get the same way writing it, and then I have to reread it, edit it, and well, needless to say, I’m always hungry! LOL ~ Daryl
The Cookbook Nook series is one of my favorites…I can’t wait to read this book! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com.
Hi, Christi! Great to see you here. Thanks for the compliment! ~ Daryl
A great series. This will undoubtedly be a fine addition.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I’m particularly fond of this story. ~ Daryl
This is a great series and I can’t wait to read the new book. Also looking forward to see what kind of recipes are in the book.
Dianne, thanks. Mostly BBQ for the Western theme, but there are some fun surprises. ~ Daryl
One of my favorite authors. Would love a signed copy.
Hi, Vicki! So nice of you to stop in. ~ Daryl
Looks like a great book! Adding this book to my TBR list.
Linda, I’m thrilled to hear that. Enjoy. ~ Daryl
Haven’t started the series yet. I’m so behind. Your books sound wonderful. Thanks for the chance.
Mari, you can read each book as a standalone, but I happen to like reading series from the beginning, so I know all the character’s life stories. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Sounds delicious! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Wendy, you are more than welcome. ~ Daryl
I love that Tigger! Thanks for writing another book that I’m sure I’ll enjoy.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sue, you bet! Tigger is a sweetie pie. ~ Daryl
Seems I just cannot get my comments to stick. Tigger should come over for a play day.
Well, this time they did. Yes, Tigger should. How far will he have to “fly”? 🙂 ~ Daryl
One of my favorite series. Looking forward to reading this one.
Susan, thanks for the compliment! ~ Daryl
Love, love this series. So glad to have another book to read in the series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary, sweet! I love anyone who love, loves the series! 🙂 ~ Daryl
Wonderful series to get totally engrossed in. Also love the recipes.
I have two books in the series.