Rags is Charlotte Bessette’s Ragdoll cat
I have an easy life. I no longer live on the streets. I’m no longer in scrapes, not that I ever caused them. I would hide in the alley, but there were other cats that tracked me down. One took a nip out of my ear. I don’t like to think about those times.
Now, I have a comfy bed in Charlotte’s kitchen. She’s so good to me. She takes me to Fromagerie Bessette every day. Most days we walk. I like a leash. Most cats don’t, but I do. Charlotte teases me. She says I think I’m a dog. I don’t. I know the difference. I like tuna.
We had a dog in the house up until a few months ago. Rocket. He’s really, really big. And shaggy. He’s my buddy. He moved when Matthew and the twins moved out of Charlotte’s house, and I miss him, but I still see him every now and then. When we get together, it’s like no time has passed, you know? We chase after each other; we play.
A typical day for me is waking up, stretching, eating a small breakfast, and taking our walk. At The Cheese Shop—that’s what the locals call it—I stay in the office. Charlotte put a bed in there for me, too. I don’t get to eat much cheese. Charlotte watches my diet. But I love the aromas in the shop. And I love hearing the people chatting. They all sound so happy.
Though earlier today, a couple of people came in and they sounded worried. They raced through the place and shouted at Charlotte and stormed down the stairs to the cellar. I’ve got to tell you, their fear set me off. My stomach tied up in knots, and my fur did that static thing. Zowie! It doesn’t help when you don’t know what the distress is all about. I asked Charlotte what was the matter, and she assured me everything is okay, but I don’t know. Trouble might be brewing. I think it had something to do with Charlotte’s nice new friend who died. I really liked her. She wore the softest boots and she really liked tickling my neck.
Are you like me? Do you tense up when people yell? Can you sense when things are wrong?
This is the last stop on the Days of Wine and Roquefort Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. For other stops on this tour, click HERE
You can read more about Rags in Days of Wine and Roquefort, the fifth book in the “Cheese Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is The Long Quiche Goodbye. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on February 8, 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.
This cheese series is one of my favorites. Thank you for the chance to win.
I wasn’t aware of this series. Sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win.
I always enjoy hearing from the feline characters! I’ve got this latest book on my TBR pile already. It’d be great to win!
I always love to read mysteries and especially like the thought of a book series where you get to follow the character or characters through different stages of their lives….Love to read this book and more.
Both series sound great, I’d love to win /read them
Another series to play catch-up with…
I love the titles of these books and that they are set in a cheese shop.
I have read partof the cheese shop series and would love to read this book and the new series.
I would love to start this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Reading this one now! Love it!
I love the cheese shop series ! This is a great giveaway , thank you !
I have a sixth sense that I can tell by the look on people’s face and body language if I should escape the room.
Love the Cheese Shop series.
I’m really looking forward to her new series! The Cheese Shop ones are great!
I love this series and looking forward to a new one. Hope to win!
This author is so talented – every book is really well done.
Any cozy with a feline character is one I MUST read. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Wow, on behalf of Charlotte and Rags and the gang, thank you all for chiming in. I’m thrilled to find devoted readers as well as new ones!
Sharon, I agree. By looking at people’s faces and body language when you enter a room can really help! Animals sense that better than people, don’t you think?
Say cheese!
~Avery / Daryl
Inquiring readers want to know!! What is your birth name? What name were you under in the credits for TV shows? Mostly, what is you favorite type of cheese??
Ronna, it is originally Daryl Lynn Wood; my married name is Gerber. Avery is my pseudonym 😉
I have 2 of the 4 books in the Cheese Shop series… winning would also allow me to share the extra copies with a new reader.
Toss my hat in the ring Dru.
We always like to share with new readers. That’s the beauty of a library, isn’t it? 🙂
Daryl / Avery
I’ve read all the series except for this newest one, enjoyed everyone.
Love both of the series. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
This is another series that I enjoy and must catch up on. Rags is outstanding!
Thanks! Rags thinks so, too. :))
Avery / Daryl
Either series would be smashing. Either way I’d catch up with the latest. Say “Avery Aames” and wine & cheese will come to mind. Say “Rags” and Avery Aames will come to mind.
Sweet.
Avery / Daryl
Love this series. Looks like another great cozy mystery
I adore this series. its smart, fun and I love the clever mysteries. Thank you for the opportunity to win this or another favorite, The cookbook Nook series which I love as well
Again, so much fun to see readers’ names that I recognize. You have all truly become my family online. Love it!
Good reading to all. Savor the mystery.
Daryl / Avery
I think Rags is the reincarnation of my childhood cat, nip in the ear and all. But “Target” went for walks without a leash. He knew how to keep pace with my Mom and he ALWAYS stopped when she stopped. He never ran away from her. Never let it be said that dogs are smarter than cats. And if cheese was involved, Target would do anything!!
Very cute! Love the name.
Avery/Daryl
Two of my favorite things – Cheese and books!
I would love to get in on this series!
I’ve started this series and am trying to catch (and having a lot fun doing it). I love Rags’ point of view on things, very cute. I love the cover, now I have to go find some cheese, I’m suddenly having a craving.
Isn’t my cover artist talented? Her name is Teresa Fasolino. Lovely work; lovely woman. She does the artwork for the Cookbook Nook mysteries, too.
Avery / Daryl
Poor kitty! Tension in the atmosphere can really mess you up, can’t it? I’m sure it will all work out…eventually.
Looking forward to returning to the Cheese Shop! Thanks for the great posts and chance to win.
What an adorable blog post today. Being a cat lover, this appealed to me a lot and I do know this is a good series as I have read book 1 and 2 so far, but don’t have the remainder of the series yet, so it would be great to win a copy of the book. I love both series by Avery Ames/Darryl Wood Gerber and from past reading experience, you always know that each book that gets published is going to be as good, if not better, than each one before it. Thank you to the author for doing such a fine job with her series and for Dru for having this post/interview today.
Have a great weekend.
Cynthia
Thank you so much!!!
Avery /Daryl
I enjoyed reading Final Sentence and would like to try the Cheese Shop series. Thank you.
Good to hear! I have a new Cookbook Nook mystery out in 3 weeks!! Enjoy them all!
Avery /Daryl
I am a huge Aavery Ames/Daryl Wood Gerber fan and would be over the moon to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance to enter!
Hi all. I’ll go through a few of these lovely comments and reply individually. So nice to have you all drop in!!
Avery aka Daryl
New series for me thanks for introducing me to this author.
I am so delighted to find so many new readers here. I hope everyone will share the news with another reader or librarian! 😉 It’s been a very special day for me. Thank you!
Say cheese!
Avery/Daryl
Yet another series I’m behind on! I read the first cheese shop mystery and really enjoyed it. I would give any book I won a really good home. Just sayin’ … 🙂
Your a new author to me. I would love to read your books. Hope you have a great weekend.
I hope everyone has a great weekend…reading. It’s finally raining in California (we are in MAJOR DROUGHT season, ugh!) Not as cold as the rest of the country, but our poor state is parched. So for the official first rainy weekend, I think a good read-fest is in order. 🙂
Savor the mystery!
Daryl /Avery
contest is closed.