More From Trixie Matkowski by Christine Wenger

Jul 13, 2015 | A Day In My Life

trixieGreetings from Sandy Harbor, New York!

Macaroni and FreezeMoving to New York and buying the Silver Bullet Diner (circa 1950, Open 24 hours, Air-conditioned, Breakfast Served All Day) from my Aunt Stella Matkowski, who retired to Boca Raton, was a big change for me. Things proved even more difficult when the restaurant inspector turned up dead in my kitchen! My beautiful diner became a ghost town overnight!

But after three years here, I have settled in and have had many adventures with my friend, muumuu- wearing, flip-flop flipping, Antoinette Chloe Brownelli, or ACB for short.

Our latest adventure has been documented by Sandy Harbor Historian, Christine Wenger. She’s all right, but sometimes she has trouble keeping up with the two of us. Chris did do an article called Macaroni And Freeze which told about our fundraiser for a new roof for the library last winter.

Since everyone does chili cook-offs, we decided to do a macaroni and cheese cook-off instead. We asked TV chef and cookbook author Priscilla Finch-Smythe to judge the contest, and she did. Unfortunately, someone didn’t like the result, and Cilla was found half-frozen in a snowbank, choked by her own scarf-the same scarf that I was holding.

So ACB and I got to work to find the real culprit.

In spite of the bad stuff, I’ve kept busy cooking and playing with recipes at the Silver Bullet, have almost stopped reeling from my divorce (almost!), made life-long friends, never laughed so much, and still find time to polka!

Life is good at the lake. Come visit!

~~ Trixie ~~

You can read more about Trixie and ACB in Macaroni and Freeze, the fourth book in the “Comfort Food” mystery series, published by Obsidian. The first book in the series is Do Or Diner.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on July 20 for the chance to win a print copy of Macaroni and Freeze. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Three lucky commenters will be randomly selected. Winners will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.

About the author
Chris has worked in the criminal justice field for more years than she cares to remember. It seemed to her that she was forever going to school while she was working full time, but in the end, she received a dual master’s degree in Probation and Parole Studies as well as Sociology from Fordham University.

Unfortunately, the knowledge she gained from way too many years in night school, didn’t prepare her for what she loves to do the most – write!

To date, Chris has written nine romances for Harlequin and four cozy mysteries for Penguin/Obsidian Books.

Do Or Diner was released from Obsidian Books on August 6, 2013, and it was their first “comfort food” mystery! Her second cozy mystery is A Second Helping Of Murder, and was released in 2014. A third, Diners, Drive-Ins And Death came out in January of 2015. Macaroni And Freeze came out July 7, 2015 followed by It’s A Wonderful Knife, a Christmas story, in February of 2016. All these cozy mysteries follow the adventures of Trixie Matkowski, a diner owner in small town Sandy Harbor on the shore of Lake Ontario.

A Harlequin Special Edition romance, The Rancher’s Surprise Son, will be out in September of 2015.

For fun, Chris enjoys watching professional bull riding and rodeo with her favorite cowboy, her husband Jim. They dress in their cowboy regalia (she claims to look horrible in a cowboy hat!) and have traveled to events in Las Vegas, Florida, Connecticut, and other states.

62 Comments

  1. Barbara Hackel
    Barbara Hackel on July 13, 2015 at 2:04 am

    Everybody likes a 50’s diner-and the Silver Bullet sounds like one of the best around! I can’t wait to read the latest story in this series. Thanks Dru and Christine for sharing with us! 🙂

  2. servedogmom
    servedogmom on July 13, 2015 at 2:33 am

    This book/series sounds interesting and one I’d like to read. I haven’t read any books by this author yet. servedogmom@yahoo.com

  3. Beverly Guy
    Beverly Guy on July 13, 2015 at 3:52 am

    Oh my goodness….what an awesome cover on this new book…..love it and the cute doggie! And I love, love, love macaroni and cheese and mysteries so can’t wait to read this book. And the 50’s in right back in my time when I was born….need I say more…what’s not to like about this book!!!! Sure would love to win it!!!!! Thanks so much dearest Dru for the chance and thanks so much dearest Christine for writing this awesome new book!!!! God bless you awesome girls!!!!

  4. Dotty Kelley
    Dotty Kelley on July 13, 2015 at 3:54 am

    I’m looking forward to reading this one.

  5. Nancy Roessner
    Nancy Roessner on July 13, 2015 at 4:07 am

    Mac and cheese – one of my very favorites, so I must read this!

  6. Jen
    Jen on July 13, 2015 at 4:09 am

    I will be checking out the books in the Comfort Food mystery series for Macaroni and Freeze sounds like a great read. Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

  7. Lisa Wine
    Lisa Wine on July 13, 2015 at 5:23 am

    This book sounds great and macaroni is one of my favorite comfort foods. Thanks for the chance to win.

  8. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on July 13, 2015 at 5:27 am

    This book and series sounds great. Everyone loves Mac and Cheese in my family.

  9. Linda Kuzminczuk
    Linda Kuzminczuk on July 13, 2015 at 5:30 am

    I live in New Jersey, so we know diners! Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

  10. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on July 13, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Oh, a yummy comfort food in the title, love it; thanks for the chance 🙂

  11. Sheila K.
    Sheila K. on July 13, 2015 at 6:54 am

    Sounds like a fun read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  12. Amy Gill
    Amy Gill on July 13, 2015 at 7:02 am

    Someone really seems to have a knack for getting in hot water.

  13. Pamela James
    Pamela James on July 13, 2015 at 7:06 am

    Oh I loved the books I read from this series. I am love the idea of a give away. Thank you for thinking of us. Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods.

  14. Debbie Carnes
    Debbie Carnes on July 13, 2015 at 7:28 am

    This book sounds great , I love dinners . Look forward to reading this

  15. Peggy Hyndman
    Peggy Hyndman on July 13, 2015 at 7:33 am

    Love the cover!! This book sounds interesting and one I’d like to read.

  16. Donna Gantt
    Donna Gantt on July 13, 2015 at 7:36 am

    Macaroni and cheese is a great comfort food. The book sounds good. Thanks for the giveaway. jr_dj_gantt@juno.com

  17. griperang
    griperang on July 13, 2015 at 7:46 am

    I would love to win a copy of this books, it sounds like a fun one

  18. Gram
    Gram on July 13, 2015 at 8:02 am

    Food and cozies – always a good read!

  19. Susan Slovinsky
    Susan Slovinsky on July 13, 2015 at 8:18 am

    Love 50’s diners and comfort food. Am adding this series to my TBR list.

  20. Cozynookbks
    Cozynookbks on July 13, 2015 at 8:26 am

    This book sounds so funny!! I’d love to win it.
    Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com

  21. Judy Weaver
    Judy Weaver on July 13, 2015 at 8:50 am

    Oh my goodness, a 50’s diner and muumuus and flip flops in NY. This has to be a winner!!

  22. Cyn209
    Cyn209 on July 13, 2015 at 9:06 am

    thank you for the giveaway……….
    would love to read this!!!!

  23. Edith Patchan
    Edith Patchan on July 13, 2015 at 9:18 am

    I can see why this is the fourth in a series…. it sounds so good! Thanks for the giveaway.

  24. Veronica
    Veronica on July 13, 2015 at 9:28 am

    I love diner’s ! My mom rescued a red long haired Maine raccoon kitten in a box, left there with his brothers and sisters! And needless to say our family has plenty of stories to tell about the “diner”. Fond memories anyway! I can’t wait to finish reading Macaroni and Freeze!

  25. Doward Wilson
    Doward Wilson on July 13, 2015 at 9:37 am

    This is a great series with fascinating characters and food descriptions that make you head to the kitchen with book in hand.

  26. Robin L. Coxon
    Robin L. Coxon on July 13, 2015 at 10:17 am

    I love this series and can’t wait to read this new one. Thanks for the info you have shared. Your blog is the best. robeader53@yahoo.com

  27. Anne
    Anne on July 13, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Thanks for this great giveaway. A wonderful series which I would enjoy.

  28. Lori Weller
    Lori Weller on July 13, 2015 at 10:54 am

    Mac and cheese is the comfort food of young and old alike. I
    can’t wait to read this great book!
    ldwrncpn(at)comcast(dot)com

  29. marylouh
    marylouh on July 13, 2015 at 11:03 am

    I’ve been reading this series and enjoy it. Looking forward to the new book.thanks.

  30. Patty Allen
    Patty Allen on July 13, 2015 at 11:09 am

    I recently started this series, and I love it. Can’t wait to read this new book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  31. bn100
    bn100 on July 13, 2015 at 11:11 am

    cute cover

  32. Sharon F.
    Sharon F. on July 13, 2015 at 11:24 am

    I’m always looking for a series that I haven’t read. Love the premise.

  33. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on July 13, 2015 at 11:30 am

    My favorite comfort food and a good mystery; it doesn’t get any
    better.📖📚

  34. Mary Jane H
    Mary Jane H on July 13, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Mac and cheese contest! What an interesting idea, how many ways can it be made? Guess I’ll have to read this one to find out.

  35. hayes2014
    hayes2014 on July 13, 2015 at 11:40 am

    Thanks for introducing me to a new series. I’d love to read this mystery.

  36. Libby Dodd
    Libby Dodd on July 13, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    Someone who is OCD would have a challenge with ACB’s nickname!

  37. Letty Blanchard
    Letty Blanchard on July 13, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Love mac and cheese and make it different ways! Also love foodie books. Would love to read this one. Thanks for the chance!!

  38. Kerry
    Kerry on July 13, 2015 at 3:16 pm

    Love this series and can’t wait to see what Trixie is up to and cooking this time:)

  39. Joye
    Joye on July 13, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    I have read other books in this series. Can’t wait to read this one.

  40. Christine Wenger
    Christine Wenger on July 13, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    HI EVERYONE! I AM THE AUTHOR OF THIS SERIES. I LOVE READING EVERYONE’S COMMENTS. THANKS TO EVERYONE AND THANKS TO DRU FOR HAVING ME…AND TRIXIE!! I AM HAVING SUCH A GREAT TIME WRITING ABOUT TRIXIE AND HER DINER, PART OF WHICH IS BECAUSE I AM A TOTAL FOODIE!

    THANKS AGAIN!
    CHRIS WENGER
    XOXOXOX

  41. Amanda Ray
    Amanda Ray on July 13, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Can’t wait to read this next Trixie story. Great series. Thanks for the chance to win

  42. elainehroberson
    elainehroberson on July 13, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    Not familiar with this series, but I love macaroni and cheese. Would love to read it.

  43. holdenj
    holdenj on July 13, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    The mac and cheese cook-off sounds like a fun idea. Thanks for the chance to win!

  44. Kari
    Kari on July 13, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    This is a fun series that always makes me hungry.

  45. Jenne
    Jenne on July 13, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    One of my childhood friends is a chef who competed in a mac and cheese cook off for charity. I don’t think anyone was murdered though.

  46. Abby Fabian
    Abby Fabian on July 13, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    I love this series! I have read the first and second book, and I’m waiting to get the third book Do or Diner that I ordered from Barnes and Noble. I would love to win a copy of thid book, thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

  47. Wanda downs
    Wanda downs on July 13, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    Great thanks for the contest

  48. Maureen
    Maureen on July 14, 2015 at 12:28 am

    A mystery involving mac ‘no cheese? Yes, please 🙂

  49. Celest Mattis
    Celest Mattis on July 14, 2015 at 1:06 am

    Wow! Frozen in a snowbank, what a way to go. This sounds like a great story. Hope to win it,

  50. ktbeeblog
    ktbeeblog on July 14, 2015 at 1:12 am

    Great cover! Who doesn’t love a 50’s diner? Brings back great memories from the Elliston Place Soda Shop & original Krystal’s. I’d love a print copy of Macaroni and Freeze that I could donate to my library after reading. Thanks, Dru for featuring Chris Wenger and her friend, Trixie.

  51. sallycootie
    sallycootie on July 14, 2015 at 11:56 am

    I can’t get enough of this series, and the titles and covers always make me hungry!

  52. cjreynolds52
    cjreynolds52 on July 14, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    Love MacN’Cheese. Sounds like a scrumptious book.

  53. Annette
    Annette on July 14, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    I love this series.

  54. suekey12
    suekey12 on July 14, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Since I love macaroni and cheese—I’d like to read this book. Of course, I’ll have to make a batch of that wonderful food to munch on while reading.
    Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

  55. Judy D.
    Judy D. on July 14, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    I haven’t had any of this “Comfort Food” yet. Guess it’s about time. Count me in.

  56. Patricia Gulley
    Patricia Gulley on July 14, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    Having eaten in quite a few 1950’s diners in my day, I have to say I miss them. Sounds like a great series.

  57. kayekillgore
    kayekillgore on July 14, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    I would love to try all the diner comfort food.

  58. Cynthia E. Blain
    Cynthia E. Blain on July 14, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    This series sounds great. I am not familiar with your writing Christine but I definitely want to change that. Thank you for the great blog post, Dru I am so glad to find a new author that talks about food; I am a foodaholic, errr, I mean a foodie too, and love reading about anything related to food, wine, beverages in general, among other categories. And diner and comfort food is a quick route to happiness in most cases, isn’t it?? Much success and joy with your writing Christine.
    Sincerely,
    Cynthia

  59. Prentiss Garner
    Prentiss Garner on July 15, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    Sounds like a good story. Hope I win!

  60. kec200
    kec200 on July 16, 2015 at 4:46 am

    This series is new to me but sounds very interesting. Love the setting of the diner!

  61. Patti Smith
    Patti Smith on July 16, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    Love this series.

  62. Dru
    Dru on July 20, 2015 at 5:07 am

    Contest is closed.