Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, where you can learn more about what makes them tick. Get to know Jenna with her answers below.
What is your name?
– – Jenna Hart
How old are you?
– – I’m over thirty—barely—and I’m loving my thirties already!
What is your profession?
– – I used to work at an advertising agency in San Francisco, but then Aunt Vera invited me to move home to Crystal Cove to help her run the Cookbook Nook, a culinary bookshop, and the Nook Café. My expertise is marketing. Learning about the world of cookbooks and fictional books involving food and all the culinary items my aunt wanted to stock in the store has been a challenge. Luckily I’m an avid reader and a foodie. To my discredit, I’m not a very good cook. . .but I’m learning, one five-ingredient recipe at a time. I’m almost ready to tackle something more difficult.
Do you have a significant other?
– – I was married, but he died. I’m now involved with a wonderful guy.
What is his name?
– – Rhett Jackson.
What is his profession?
– – He runs Bait and Switch Sporting Supply Store. He used to be a chef, but the restaurant he oversaw went up in flames. Intentional flames. It was horrible. He is good to me as well as good for me. He has a terrific sense of humor. And did I mention his eyes? I can get lost in his wonderful gaze.
Any children?
– – I don’t have any and neither does Rhett. He was married for a brief time. It was a mistake.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
– – I adopted Tigger, a ginger cat, when he wandered into the Cookbook Nook before we officially opened. He was just a baby and adorable. Now, he’s quite an imp.
What town do you live in?
– – Crystal Cove, California. It’s a beautiful seaside town on the Central Coast, north of Monterey and south of Santa Cruz. We have one main street, Buena Vista Boulevard. To the north of the town is an aging lighthouse. To the south, is the Pier, a charming shopping and dining location.
Do you rent or own?
– – I live in the cottage next to my aunt’s house. She invested well in the 1970s and bought a terrific property on the beach. I couldn’t ask for a better location. I love walking on the beach and hearing the crash of waves.
House or building complex?
– – A one-bedroom cottage with a kitchenette and fireplace.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
– – I love to paint so I created a niche near the kitchen with my art supplies. It gets good light when I open the drapes.
Who is your best friend?
– – Bailey Bird. She and I knew each other in school, although we weren’t best buds then. When she moved to the city to work at the ad agency, we bonded. When she grew tired of the grind, she asked if I would hire her. She’s a terrific salesperson and a loyal friend.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
– – Oh, I’m an amateur sleuth. But I’m not really a sleuth. I mean, c’mon. I’ve helped the police solve a few crimes, but only because I cared about the people involved. My college roommate was murdered. Bailey’s mother was a suspect when the owner of Mum’s the Word diner was killed. And my father was a suspect when a nasty woman in town died. Wouldn’t you do a little investigating, too?
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
– – Bailey has proven very helpful when I’ve tried to uncover clues. So has my aunt. And Katie, the chef at the Nook Café and another dear friend, is a great sounding board.
Favorite meal?
– – I’m a real foodie, so there’s no single meal that I prefer over another, though I do adore spicy food. I can never get enough guacamole. I love Manchego cheese. And my mother’s recipe for meat loaf, kid you not, is terrific. There are days I crave comfort food.
Favorite dessert?
– – Give me a Mexican wedding cookie any day. I also like fudge, especially packed with caramel and other goodies. And I adore ice cream. Top a single scoop of decadent chocolate ice cream with caramel swirl ice cream, and I’m in heaven.
Favorite hobby?
– – Painting. Especially landscapes of the beach, or dancers, or dancers on the beach.
Favorite vacation spot?
– – I went to Taos, New Mexico with Rhett recently and had a terrific time. I loved the art scene. I also like going to the wine country. We have delicious wine along the Central Coast, but there’s something about Napa Valley that really makes me mellow out. Maybe it’s the fact that I always go with Rhett. Hmm. Must give that some thought. . .
Favorite color?
– – Aqua.
Favorite author?
– – That’s a toughie. I like to read a variety of authors and a variety of genres, though recently, I’ve gotten into reading mysteries that have food in them. Krista Davis comes to mind. She writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries. And Jenn McKinlay. She writes the Cupcake Mysteries. I did read a number of books by Avery Aames. She writes about cheese.
Favorite sports team?
– – San Francisco 49ers, though I can’t remember the last time I watched a football game. The shop is open on Sunday. My dad’s a big fan. I enjoy watching ice skating and ice dancing, too. I love how graceful the skaters are.
Movies or Broadway?
– – Well, I rarely get to New York, so I’d have to say movies, though when I do see musicals, I enjoy them. I don’t like dramas very much. I prefer happy endings.
Are you a morning or a night person?
– – I’m a morning person. The shop opens at 9 a.m., so I hop out of bed at six a.m. every day, eager to get going. On our one day off, Tuesday, I might sleep until seven, but rarely. I usually get up and take a longer walk and drink in the ocean air.
In two to three sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
– – Like I said, I rise and shine around six a.m., take a brisk walk, feed Tigger, eat a quick bite, and then head to the Cookbook Nook. There’s always plenty to do. Order books. Stock the shelves. Rearrange the shelves—often, people don’t return books to their rightful places. Then I tweak the displays around the shop. We have some of the most darling kitchenware and aprons and foodie-themed puzzles. Midmorning, I check on how things are going at the Nook Café next door and sneak a snack, if our splendid chef is willing to part with some goodies. It’s pretty much nonstop like that until six p.m., when we close. At night, I like to spend time with Rhett or paint or read a good book. Tigger nestles in my lap whenever I read, so I’d say he would prefer I do that every night, though he does like Rhett’s attention.
Thanks for asking.
Could I ask your readers a question? What’s your favorite day of the year and why?
You can read about Jenna in Pressing the Issue, the sixth book in the “Cookbook Nook” mystery series. The first book in the series is Final Sentence.
The Agatha Award–winning author of Grilling the Subject returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, where the annual Renaissance Fair serves up a helping of crafty courtiers, damsels in distress, and medieval murder . . .
As the annual Renaissance Fair comes to Crystal Cove, Jenna Hart’s Cookbook Nook is packed with tasty treats and all things medieval, while her pal Bailey is ready to swoon over her upcoming nuptials at a local vineyard. But when the two friends discover the body of the vineyard’s owner bludgeoned by a winepress, all their merriment fades, along with their hopes for a vintage year.
Which churlish varlet did the deed? Was it the victim’s errant brother, who stood to inherit the vineyards? Or the owner’s crestfallen ex-girlfriend? Mayhap it was the newly arrived comely wench, or her jealous husband. Fie on them all! Verily, Jenna can’t rest until justice is served, and she vows to track down the killer. But can she sniff out the truth before the villainous culprit strikes again?
Includes tantalizing recipes!
Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Pressing the Issue. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway will end March 7, 2018. Good luck everyone!
About the author
Agatha Award–winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, the French Bistro Mysteries, the Cheese Shop Mysteries (as Avery Aames), and stand-alone suspense thrillers. Little known facts about Daryl are that she’s jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, has hitchhiked around Ireland by herself, and has appeared on an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She loves to read, cook, and golf, and has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line! Visit Daryl at darylwoodgerber.com.
All comments are welcomed.
I’m a huge fan of the series and would love to add this latest offering to my ever growing home library.
Nora-Adrienne, thank you for being a fan and for always be so supportive. ~ Daryl
I would very much like to read “Pressing the Issue” but wondered if I should read “Final Sentence” and the others in this Cook Book series first.
The idea of a Renaissance Fair sounds so intriguing.
Polly, I try to write every book so that it will stand alone. Certainly the mystery is that. I’ve heard from many readers this time around that they love this story and were never “lost” because I gave them enough info, but they are excited to go back and read the series from the beginning. Does that answer the question? ~ Daryl
Love all of Daryl’s series and am looking forward to reading this one. My favorite day of the year would be when the clocks spring forward because then I know spring can’t be far behind.
Susan, that’s a lovely day to choose. I never would have thought of it. LOL ~ Daryl
I like this series and am looking foward tomreading Pressing the Issue.
Sandy, thanks for chiming in . ~ Daryl
A Renn Fair, how cool! That sounds like fun, and we took our daughter often to the local one here. No murders, though, that we ever knew – LOL. And what else but Christmas — for me, anyway. My mom always made it fun (not just about the presents) so I carried on that tradition.
Meg, I’m glad you like the idea of the Renaissance Fair. 🙂 And how lovely for you to carry on the tradition that your mother made for you. ~ Daryl
Sounds like a fun series and I will never catch up….best day of the year is a day I have a great book and can read all day!
Gram, I’m sure you can catch up. I tell myself, “One book at a time.” My to be read pile is daunting, but one book at a time. 🙂 ~ Daryl
PS Gram, my books can be read as stand-alone stories, so just read the one and enjoy the “fair.” ~ Daryl
Love this series. The idea of a cookbook shop and the food always sounds delish. I could live there.
Lois, that’s why I wrote this series. I went into a store like this and felt the same – like I could live there or certainly visit every day. 😉 ~ Daryl
Sounds like a fun series. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of Pressing the Issue.
Peggy, thanks for stopping by. ~ Daryl
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance.
Sue, you bet. ~ Daryl
A great author and wonderful series. Thanks.
Aw, thanks, April. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Love this series!
Beth, lovely to see you here. Thanks so much. ~ Daryl
I really cannot wait to read this book.Great series.
Thanks, Cathy! ~ Daryl
I can’t wait to get re-acquainted with Jenna and her friends again. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Cecilia, lovely to see you here. Hope you will enjoy. ~ Daryl
Nice to get re acquainted with Jenna. This book looks fun. I can’t wait to read it and check out the recipes. Thanks for the chance!
Autumn, I’m glad you enjoyed the “interview.” ~ Daryl
What a cute cover, and so typical for a cat, lol. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Wendy, thanks. I love what the artist did with this cover. Tigger is so much fun to have in Jenna’s life, too. ~ Daryl
having read the intro, I cannot wait to read the book. It sounds like fun and it has a cat, fantastic. Thank you for the chance to win a copy to read.
Bobbi, I’m glad you like Tigger. Jenna is thrilled to have found him. ~ Daryl
Nothing like amateur sleuths and food. Love the cover and great interview. Her life sounds as exciting as her books. I see why she writes!
Vicki, I certainly have lived a full life. 🙂 Glad yo like amateur sleuths and food. Me, too. ha-ha. ~ Daryl
I love the Robin Hood cat! You asked about a favorite day of the year. I think I lean towards Halloween, mainly because of the weather, the fun, and no cooking a big meal!
Pat, I like Halloween, too. Maybe that’s why I liked doing a Renaissance Fair. I could dress everyone up. A little fantasy role playing. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Food and murder what a nice combination.
Yes, Karen, don’t read about murder on an empty stomach, either. ~ Daryl
I love reading about Renaissance Fairs. I’ve never been to one but would like to. Now that my husband is retired maybe I can talk him into doing more things now that he has all the time in the world. Will add this to my growing TBR list. Is now on my Goodreads list. Thank you so much for this chance.
Paula, I had a blast recreating this fair for the town. It was quite a labor of love. ~ Daryl
Love the Ren Faire idea of this book, I’ve read it already and it was really awesome, a great mystery to solve and fun characters as always. I always feel like I’m going home when I visit Crystal Cove. I would love to win a print version since I have paperbacks of the rest of the series. I went with the Kindle version of this so I could have it immediately lol
Tari, aren’t you sweet to say so. I’m so glad many readers are truly enjoying the story. It was a fun one to write. ~ Daryl
Thank you for the great write up on this book. I’ve not started this series yet. But I’m definitely going to get on it! Thank you for the giveaway!!
Mary Angela, I hope you will get caught up. I’m already writing the next. It’ll come out in December. Yipes! ~ Daryl
Would love to win a copy of this book, especially if it’s signed hint, hint! This series is on my To Read list!
Mary, I’ll always autograph a prize book. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I would very much like to add PRESSING THE ISSUE to my book collection. Please!
Hi, Amy. Thanks for chiming in. ~ Daryl
Great interview.
Toward, thanks. Jenna had a great time answering the questions. She rarely gets interviewed, so it was a unique experience for her. ~ Daryl
I am such a huge fan of all of Daryl’s books! Looking forward to reading this newest installment <3
Johnna, great to see you here. Thanks for the compliment. ~ Daryl
I can hardly wait to read all about Jenna and Tigger again
Sue, Tigger is such a scamp in this. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I love this series and can hardly wait to read it!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy. My favorite day of the year – is the first day of vacation, whenever it comes!!
Lori, that’s great. The first day of vacation is almost always someone’s best day. I sort of like the second day of vacation, after the traveling is over. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Wow. Favorite day of the year? Interesting and difficult question.
The one I’m living at any given moment!
Libby, that’s true. If we live every day as if it’s our best, how can we lose? ~ Daryl
I love this series–there is nothing better than a mystery involving cats and food.
Rochelle, I’m so glad you enjoy the series. I love the fun adventures Tigger gets into, too. 😉 ~ Daryl
I reslly enjoyed the interview with Jenna. Crystal Cove sounds like a charming location. I’m looking forward to reading “Pressing the Issue”. Great series.
Dianne, I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview. Jenna has never given one, so it was interesting for her to sit down and think about the questions. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Love Jenna’s favorite authors!! Great interview with her. My favorite day is a toss up. Love birthdays since we get a cake from our favorite bakery. Love holidays because I get to spend it with my family. Actually every day is my favorite day, I have my sweet dog Tyler, my family, my books and all is well!
Aw, Kay, how lovely that every day is your favorite day. Way to go. Make life count! So glad you enjoyed the interview. Interestingly enough, Jenna’s favorite authors happen to be mine, as well. Something we have in common. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Would love a chance to read Pressing the Issue.Sure enjoyed A Deadly Eclair!
Debbie, I’m so glad to hear that. The second in the French Bistro Mysteries comes out in July! Whee. Busy year. ~ Daryl
You are so generous. I look forward to reading your latest.
Gloria, thanks so much. I hope you enjoy it. ~ Daryl
thank you soooo much for this giveaway!!!!
on my Wish List!!!
Cyn, you bet. Isn’t it fun to have a wish list? Keeps the future bright. 🙂 ~ Daryl
So far, this tour has been a blast. I have gone to so many new blogs! Thanks.
Sharon, I’m so glad to hear that. Yay! What a great way to find new blogs to enjoy. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I love this series and am so excited that there’s a new book out! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Ashley, I’m so glad you like the series. It’s one of my favorites. I’m writing the 7th in the series right now. 🙂
~ Daryl
This is one of my favorite series.
Annette, I’m thrilled to hear that. Thanks so much. ~ Daryl
Thank you for the chance!this book is on my TBR list
Jessica, I’m always happy to hear one of my books is on a reader’s TBR list. I have quite a list myself. 🙂 ~ Daryl
**** WINNER ****
Pressing The Issue is Amy Gill
Congratulations!