Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, so let’s meet Mimi.
What is your name?
Mimi Rousseau.
How old are you?
35.
What is your profession?
I own Bistro Rousseau and Maison Rousseau. I used to be an executive chef in San Francisco, but life threw me a curve, and a short while ago, I returned home to Nouvelle Vie, an enclave of Napa Valley, California. Thanks to a benefactor, I was able to open a restaurant and the neighboring inn.
Do you have a significant other?
Yes.
What is his name?
Nash Hawke.
What is his profession?
He used to be a wine representative, which is how I met him, but my mother gave him the opportunity to run her winery, a lifelong dream of his. He’s thriving.
Any children?
No.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
No. But I have a best friend who is like my sister, Jorianne James.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
I have two goldfish who are quite animated. Plus there is a resident mouser named Scoundrel and her boyfriend who are coming around quite a lot. My mother has an adorable Goldendoodle.
What town do you live in?
Nouvelle Vie, which means “new life” in French—how appropriate is that for me?—is a small enclave boasting a few eateries, shops, and wineries. My mother’s winery is located in Nouvelle Vie.
House or building complex?
I live in a cottage on the inn’s property. It’s the perfect size for me.
Do you rent or own?
I own it. I can’t believe I’m able to say that, but I now own the inn and bistro outright.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
I love sitting on my patio and looking out at the grove of fruit trees and neighboring vineyard. Neither are mine, but I can dream.
Who is your best friend?
Jorianne “Jo” James and I grew up together. She is now running the inn for me. I don’t know what I’d do without her. She used to be a CPA, but tallying numbers just didn’t suit her, though she does have a head for numbers.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
I’m an amateur sleuth.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Well, I work with the police, of course. Detective Tyson Daly is a good friend from elementary school. He’s dating Jo. Granted, he’s not thrilled that I care so much about people and find myself ensconced in an investigation, but I can’t sit idly by if I have the ability to drum up answers, can I?
Favorite meal?
I adore French onion soup and steak au poivre and pommes frites (French fries).
Favorite dessert?
Crème brulee, crème anglaise over fruit, French raspberry tart. Oh, do I have to pick one? Chocolate soufflé with brandy sauce. Salted caramel soufflé is a close runner-up.
Favorite hobby?
I love reading and taking long walks. I enjoy wine tasting, too.
Favorite vacation spot?
Sitting by a lake with a book in my hands is exquisite.
Favorite color?
Aqua green.
Favorite author?
I’ve been reading a lot of mysteries lately, and I’m partial to culinary mysteries.
Favorite sports team?
Warriors, SF Giants, and the 49ers. I’m still a Bay Area girl at heart.
Movies or Broadway?
I adore a good musical, but it’s hard to find time to see one, so lately I’m into movies. I especially enjoy independent movies with small but meaningful stories.
Are you a morning or a night person?
I’m both. I wake early to prepare at the bistro, but I can stay up late to enjoy a good meal. Luckily I don’t need a lot of sleep. I never have.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I wake before dawn and sit on my patio with a good cup of coffee and listen to nature waken. Then I head to the bistro and prepare for the lunch and dinner meals. I check in with Jorianne to make sure everything is running smoothly at Maison Rousseau. It usually is. I often take a stroll through the garden between the inn and the bistro to pick fresh vegetables and herbs. Around 10:30, we do a taste testing with the kitchen staff and wait staff and make sure we are all on board for describing the specials and such. Details matter to me. It’s why I was a good chef and why I’m good at running my businesses. When my customers are happy, I’m happy.
Giveaway: Have you dined at a French bistro? Leave a comment below for your chance to win copy of A Deadly Éclair, either Kindle/Nook (open to everyone) or trade or hardcover (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. The giveaway will end July 24, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read about Mimi in A Soufflé of Suspicion, the second book in the “French Bistro” mystery series. The first book in the series is A Deadly Éclair.
The buoyant mood at Bistro Rousseau deflates when Chef Camille’s sister, Renee, turns up dead in the chef’s kitchen, and Mimi Rousseau must tease the real killer out of a mélange of menacing characters.
Crush Week in Nouvelle Vie is a madhouse—in a good way. Tourists pour into town for the pressing of the Napa Valley’s world-renowned grapes and all the town’s businesses get a nice lift, including Bistro and Maison Rousseau. Mimi is raising the ante this year with a Sweet Treats Festival, a wonderland of croissants, cakes, tarts, and soufflés crafted with expert care by the area’s top talents.
Chef Camille’s sister Renee is managing the festival with a cast-iron fist, upsetting everyone, including her sister. Which is bad for Camille when Renee turns up dead in the chef’s kitchen. Mimi is still building her business, so her first course of action is to whip up answers and catch the unsavory perpetrator before Camille takes a dusting and gets burned.
Purchase Link
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About the author
Agatha Award-winning Daryl Wood Gerber writes the French Bistro Mysteries as well as the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. Daryl also writes stand-alone suspense which include the titles Day Of Secrets and Girl On The Run. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line! Visit her website at darylwoodgerber.com
All comments are welcomed.
Yes, I’ve eaten in a French bistro…3 years ago….delicious!!!
What fun, Cyn. ~ Daryl
No, I have never been lucky enough to have eaten in a French Bistro. But I do enjoy reading about all kinds of food and recipes in cozies.
Gram, I hope you try some of the recipes, too. I taste test all of mine. 🙂 Lucky me. ~ Daryl
No, I’ve never dined at a French bistro.
Peggy, too bad. But hopefully you can enjoy the “ambiance” when you read my books. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I lived in France for a year so yes, I’ve dined in a lot of French bistros.
Sharon, lucky you! ~ Daryl
No I haven’t.
Doward, sorry, but nice to see you here. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I have not eaten at a French bistro. But by reading the description of the book, I discovered you don’t have to live in Paris to eat at one. They are in the United States. Although sitting in a French bistro in Paris, looking at the Eiffel Tower ; is a pretty good idea.
Linda, I imagine eating at a French bistro in Paris would be ideal. I traveled to Europe during college and went to Paris. It was an experience. ~ Daryl
I have eaten at a French bistro. It was one of the first places that my now husband took me to on a date and the food was a revelation to me.
What a lovely memory, GB. ~ Daryl
I have never eaten in a French Bistro. This sounds like a yummy cozy, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Wendy, you are more than welcome. Nice to see you here ~ Daryl
Hard to believe, but during a 2 day stay in France I didn’t get the chance to eat in a Bistro. I did have a wonderful dinner on a dinner boat on the Seine, but of course not the same thing. I appreciate a chance to win a copy of A Soufflé of Suspicion.
Barbara, that sounds like a scene out of Charade. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I have eaten at a French bistro. Great food.
Jana, good to hear. I love French onion soup (but i need gluten-free bread under the melted cheese). ~ Daryl
I have not eaten in a French Bistro, but would love to soon. Now that hubby is retired he keeps talking about going overseas.
Antonette, I hope you get the chance to travel. So much fun. ~ Daryl
Thanks for the chance to win. I would love to dine at a French Bistro but it hasn’t happened yet.
Sally, I hope you get the chance soon. ~ Daryl
Yes, I have eaten in a French bistro but it was many years ago. I think I need to go back! Thanks for the giveaway.
Sally, have fun when you do. ~ Daryl
Yes, I have eaten in a French bistro.
Mary, how nice. ~ Daryl
I’m not sure if it’s considered a French bistro, but It’s called La Bonne Soupe and it’s wonderful!
Di, sounds like a fun place! ~ Daryl
Yes I have eaten in a French Bistro — the pastries are my favorite part! I also love Croque Monsieurs ~
Celia, I love Croque Monsieurs. I make gluten-free ones. My mother used to make them all the time when she had brunches. So decadent, yet so easy! ~ Daryl
I have never eaten in a French bistro but would love to. One of my dreams is to visit Paris.
Deborah, I hope you get to realize your dream. It’s a beautiful city. I loved the Rodin museum! ~ Daryl
I have never lived where there are any French restaurants, which is rather sad.
Debbie, yes, sad, but you can make my recipes at home and turn it into a bistro. 🙂 ~ Daryl
I’ve never lived in a town big enough to have a French Bistro here in the midwest. I’d sure like to eat at one, though.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sue, I’m sure you would. But try a recipe at home and say, “ooh, la, la!” 🙂 ~ Daryl
The closest I’ve been to experiencing French food and bistros is Le Chefs de France in Epcot at Disney World
Maryann, I love that place! Love Epcot. Haven’t been in years. ~ Daryl
I’ve eaten at Mimi’s Cafe here in Florida and I love their quiches.
Cecilia, lucky you. I adore quiche as many of you know since I put a recipe for quiche in each of my Cheese Shop Mysteries – and now in the French Bistro mysteries. 🙂 ~ Daryl
No, I haven’t. That’s why I like to read. I get to escape and visit other places! I would love to win your book!
Linda, I totally get it. I’m never going to travel to lots of place, but I do love reading stories about them. I also like to dream. 🙂 ~ Daryl
My best friend and I just returned from a vacation in New Orleans where we did indeed try a French bistro. We loved it!!!
Johanna, what fun! New Orleans is a fabulous place to visit! I’m writing a thriller set in NOLA. 🙂 ~ Daryl (It won’t be done for quite a while…)
I ate at a French bistro years ago on a high school trip. It was wonderful!
Susan, what fun. I hope the whole class enjoyed it. ~ Daryl
We used to have a French restaurant in the area but it wasn’t a bistro though. But they had really good food. Unfortunately the owner retired
Sandy, my husband and I frequented a French restaurant. That’s where he proposed to me. It has sadly closed, too. ~ Daryl
I just want to win this for my household readers, honest entry 😉✅👍
Laura, okay. Honest is always good. ~ Daryl
No I haven’t. I love reading books set in New Orleans, can’t wait to read your thriller.
Donamae, thanks! May I get it written quickly! Ha! ~ Daryl
I have a very dear friend from Nice France and it’s my dream to one day eat at one with her near the English Walk in Nice.
Janie, that sounds like a lovely trip. Always good to plan for the future. ~ Daryl
Sadly, I have never eaten in a French Bistro. The closest I have gotten is eating French toast 😉
Amy, I adore French toast. I make it using gluten-free bread, but it is totally delicious. I love extra rich natural syrup. ~ Daryl
**** WINNER ****
A Deadly Éclair is Wendy Newcomb
Congratulations!
Congrats, Wendy! Your prize is on the way. And thanks, Dru, for hosting Mimi on your site. I hope your fans enjoyed getting to know a bit more about her. She’s willing to come back any time. 🙂 C’iao. ~ Daryl