Tessa Esposito sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better. Are you ready? Tessa, take it away!
What is your full name?
Theresa Ann Esposito. Everyone calls me Tessa, except for my mother.
How old are you?
Thirty-one
What is your profession?
I’m the proud proprietor and chef of Anything’s Pastable. It’s an Italian restaurant that opened earlier this year. Reservations are not required, but preferred.
Do you have a significant other?
Not at the moment. My husband passed away a little over a year ago.
What is their name and profession?
Dylan was an accountant.
Do you have any children?
Unfortunately, no.
Do you have any siblings?
I’m an only child, but my cousins Gabby and Gino are like the sister and brother I never had.
Are your parents nearby?
My mother lives in town but my father died about six years ago.
Who is your best friend?
My cousin, Gabby Mancusi.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, Luigi! He’s a five-year old Tuxedo cat and such a smart little fellow. He once even helped me to catch a killer.
What town do you live in?
Harvest Park, which is in Upstate New York. It has lots of lovely brownstones and cobbled streets. The houses are all lit up with Christmas lights at this time of year and the world smells of vanilla and cinnamon. Well, at least it does in my restaurant where I’ve been busy making dozens of Christmas cookies.
Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Harvard Park is a lovely small town that I’m proud to have grown up in. People really care about each other here.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I own a home. It’s a light blue Cape Cod style with a steepled roof and large bay window in the living room.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
Definitely my kitchen! Cooking helps me to relax, focus and most importantly, it makes me happy. I enjoy seeing people’s eyes light up when they sample my creations. I would feed the entire world if possible.
Favorite meal and dessert?
It’s a tossup between penne and gnocchi for the main meal. As for dessert, I’m a huge fan of cannoli. 🙂
Do you have any hobbies?
Besides cooking, you mean? There isn’t much time for anything else these days, especially since the restaurant is busy and I’m making Christmas cookies for the Festival of Lights. But I do enjoy long, brisk walks and local theater. My coworker Stephanie is currently starring in the stage production of A Christmas Story.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Dylan and I spent our honeymoon in Bermuda. It was so beautiful there. And Italy is definitely on my bucket list.
What music do you listen to?
I love classical music. It goes well with after dinner wine.
Do you have a favorite book?
I don’t have much time for reading these days, but I love Julia Child’s book, People Who Love to Eat Are Always the Best People. It has a lot of her famous quotes peppered in (small pun there) and I re-read it whenever I’m in need of food provoking thoughts. Did I mention that Julia’s my idol?
What is your idea of a really fun time?
Hanging out with Gabby and her boyfriend Lou, and my good friend Justin. Justin and I met up with Gabs and Lou at the Festival of Lights last night, but it didn’t go quite as we’d hoped. More on that later.
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
101 Ways to Use Tomatoes.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Oh, I’m definitely amateur. And Gabby is always available when I need her help, which is quite often.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I get up at dawn and savor the sunrise with a cup of steaming hot coffee. It’s my favorite moment of the day. I arrive at Anything’s Pastable by eight o’clock, and we open for lunch at eleven. The day passes quickly and happily for me as I prepare pans of lasagna, Bolognese sauce, and gnocchi. After we close and clean up, I’m usually home by ten o’clock or so. Occasionally Justin will stop by on his way to work to talk (he’s a fireman.) Sometimes I’ll watch a little television to help me fall asleep and unwind, along with herbal tea or a glass of wine.
What is a typical day when you are on a case?
There is no typical day when it comes to murder. Ever since my husband was killed, I keep getting drawn into deadly situations. My dear friend Archie Fenton, who owns Java Time Coffee, has been arrested for the murder of Santa Claus. Christmas won’t be jolly in Harvest Park until the real killer is caught. . .
The Enemy You Gnocchi, An Italian Chef Mystery #3
Genre: Cozy
Release: October 2021
Purchase Link
A delicious new holiday mystery from USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns! It’s Christmas time in Harvest Park, so grab your cocoa and sleuthing snow boots for a Christmas cozy mystery sure to sleigh!
It’s the deadliest thyme of the year. . .
With snow dusting the ground and sauce sizzling on the stove, local chef Tessa Esposito is ready to serve up some holiday cheer. And with the annual Festival of Lights underway, it seems nothing can dim her spirits. Not even Mario Russo, the newest scrooge in town whose espresso bar has been quickly disrupting businesses and stealing customers from Harvest Park’s favorite coffeehouse.
But when Mario is discovered at the festival’s opening, face down in a Santa suit, Tessa realizes the bah humbug runs deeper than she could have imagined. And when one of her dearest friends is implicated in the crime, she must make a list of Mario’s enemies, check them twice, and discover the cold-blooded killer. Especially before they can sleigh again.
Recipes Included
About the author
USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns lives in Upstate New York with an all-male household that consists of her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. Catherine has a B.A. in both English and Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. Over the past seven years, she’s written more than twenty mystery novels and has many stories waiting to be told. Readers are invited to visit her website at catherinebruns.net.
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks Tessa for dropping by the blog today