I’m so excited. The Winsome Witches fund-raiser is this week! You don’t know about it? The Winsome Witches—no, we’re not really witches; we put on fun hats and raise money for literacy—come to town from all over the state. One of my dear friends, Pearl Thornton, she’s a therapist in town, came up with the idea a few years ago. We have a faire—that’s today, on the grounds of the fabulous Crystal Cove Inn—which kicks off the week. The faire will feature gift items, antiques, delicious food, and there will even be a fortuneteller…that’s what I do. Well, it’s not all that I do. I also own a culinary bookshop with my niece. However, I love seeing into people’s futures and giving them advice about how to approach the fun. A few days from now, we’ll have the fund-raiser. In the meantime, there are all sorts of exciting Halloween events in town, like the Black Cat parade and the pumpkin-carving contest. Our mayor, also a good friend, loves to come up with weekly experiences to lure tourists. After all, Crystal Cove could not survive from only the funds of locals.
You’ve never heard of Crystal Cove? Too-ra-loo. Let me introduce you. Crystal Cove is a lovely California seaside town, rich with history. Rolling hills border the town to the east; the ocean lies to the west. The climate is heavenly pretty much year round. A little fog now and then, but nothing that a sweater can’t handle. This week at The Cookbook Nook, we’ve got a few exotic events planned—a magician for the children, an herbalist to teach our adult readers how to make potions, and more.
You’ve never heard of the Cookbook Nook? Really? Ooh, you must stop in! We’ve made a few headlines recently. A few months ago, I convinced my niece Jenna to move back home. For the past two years, I’ve been so worried about her. Losing her husband, losing her mother, losing her smile, and working those long hours in advertising. A young woman in the prime of her life shouldn’t suffer so much. We all do—life happens—but even so, I vowed I would try to protect her with every ounce of my spirit.
But back to the headlines I mentioned. We’re not simply in the news because of the fabulous cookbooks, foodie mysteries, and culinary goodies like aprons and cookware that we sell at the shop, although we have gotten a stellar reputation and rave reviews. No. We’re also in the headlines because—mind you, this does not happen every day—when we threw our grand opening and invited one of Jenna’s dear friends, a celebrity chef, to do a book signing, someone killed her. Poor dear. Can you imagine? And then two months ago, we had a Grill Fest at the shop, and another incident…and well, hence, the notorious headlines. Jenna dove in, both times, to help the police find the culprit. She’s all heart, my niece. Can you tell I adore her?
I hope nothing untoward will occur this week. I don’t sense any bad vibes. Jenna would pooh-pooh me about saying I could sense anything. She doesn’t believe I have extrasensory powers. And perhaps I don’t. But I do feel. Deeply. Sometimes the amulet I wear vibrates. Truly. I believe I can sense evil approaching. If I do, I warn those in danger. It’s only right. But at my age, I can only do so much.
Have you ever sensed evil and warned someone? What was the result?
You can read more about Vera in Stirring The Plot, the third book in the “Cookbook Nook” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Final Sentence.
Stirring the Plot Synopsis
Trouble is brewing with a dash of murder.
Halloween in Crystal Cove, California, is a big deal, involving a spooky soiree where the Winsome Witches, a fund-raising group, gather to open up their purse strings and trade superstitions. But party magicians, fortune-tellers, and herbalists are only the beginning of this recipe for disaster…
Jenna Hart has packed The Cookbook Nook chock-full of everything from ghostly texts to witchy potions in anticipation of the annual fund-raiser luncheon. But there’s one unexpected addition to the menu: murder.
When the Head Priestess of the Winsome Witches is found dead under mysterious circumstances, there’s no logical answer and plenty of blame to go around. With her aunt, Vera, unable to call on her ability to foresee the future, Jenna will have to use more than just sleight of hand and a few magic tricks to conjure up the truth…
Praise for the series:
“[A] witty, well-plotted whodunit that will leave you hungry for more.”—Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author
“Daryl Wood Gerber has found the perfect recipe for all of us who love cozy mysteries and food.”—Lesa’s Book Critiques
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on October 7 for the chance to win a copy of STIRRING THE PLOT. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Agatha award-winning Daryl Wood Gerber writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series. As 
Avery Aames, she pens the nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series. Latest Cookbook Nook release: Stirring the Plot, Sept 2014. Next Cheese Shop Mystery: As Gouda As Dead, Feb 2015. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. Visit Daryl or Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com. She blogs and shares recipes on Mystery Lovers Kitchen; her characters appear on the Killer Characters blog.
Looks like a great Fall read.
A wonderful author, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
I enjoy her books and this one sounds like a winner 🙂
I have read the first two in this series, I can’t wait to read this one !
Looking forward to reading this one.
I’d love to win this!
Always enjoy her books.
I would love to start reading this series! It sounds like a good one! Thank you!
I don’t know if I would go so far as to say I have sensed evil, but back in my dating days, my girlfriends and I would warn each other if we had a bad feeling about someone one of us was about to date. It really only happened a few times, but one guy I warned a friend about was arrested for assault and battery a few weeks later. Spooky.
I love this series, so thanks for the chance to win!
No, I don’t seem to have any special knack for sensing evil! Can’t wait to revisit Crystal Cove! Thanks!
She’s a terrific writer—I would love to read this book!
I have sensed something and I do take precautionary steps to avoid the feeling.
Love Halloween themed cozies.
I have sensed things…not sure you would call them evil. For instance, when someone makes you VERY uncomfortable, you get away as quickly as possible!
The books a very good. Love the book store and all the towns people. They all had to the story line. It is a great read. Looking forward to this new book.
How lovely to see everyone here today! To all, thank you for your kind words and support. I’m so thrilled many of you have been introduced to the series and are already enjoying Jenna’s adventures. I thought I’d share a bit of her aunt today. She is one of my all-time favorite characters! 🙂
Michelle, yipes! Isn’t that amazing that you had that sense to know he was bad news! Very spooky!
Patricia, exactly. Get away as soon as possible. What’s the harm? None. And you can breathe easier!
Dru, I think that’s the important thing. Taking precautionary steps. I know, as a “girl” in my 20s, I was not as cautious as I should have been. I escaped by the skin of my teeth a couple of times. Now, much more cautious!
Hugs to all ~ Daryl aka Avery
Thank you for the chance to win this awesome book!
i would love to win….I love cozies
I enjoy this series and this cover is just so darling….I would love to win it.
Daryl Wood Gerber always has the best covers for her wonderful books. I love her series.
I love this series and read the cheese series too. I enjoy the story and the recipes are such a bonus!
Really loved the first two books in the series and look forward to this one
I love this series.
Don’t usually read spooky stories but I’ll try this one. Might be a convert.
Wow this sounds like a really great book. Thanks for such a wonderful write up about it. I would love to win a copy of this! And will be looking up the first two books in the series to get started soon.
Angie Young
angiey1974@hotmail.com
I love cookbooks and new recipes. And a Halloween book just sounds like so much fun.
Looks like a great book. Love Halloween books.
Marylou, this is not “scary” at all. It’s not a paranormal. It is a traditional mystery but there are a few people in costumes, a magician. It’s all in fun, promise. You won’t need to be converted. 🙂
Daryl / Avery
Rita, Becky, Robin, and Sandy, thanks for the lovely words. I adore my cover artist. She really draws you in. By the way, do you all know there is a fun game with my cover? It’s on my home web page, left hand side, called “app” for your computer or your phone. You can hear the cat meow, the pumpkin greeting, and more! Check it out and share with a friend. Do not play if you are in your office and your boss is listening in. LOL
Daryl / Avery
This looks like a fun book, and I,m going to try the noisy web page.
Going to have my husband order this at the library he works at. Sounds good! Thanks for the chance to win.
Daryl/Avery…thank you for the introduction to your newest installment. I follow you all over the place and enjoy all you write. No sensing danger going on with me, but, I am very protective especially with my grandkids and so often, if I’m skeptical about what they’re planning to do, I’ll let them know what I think that might dissuade them from making a wrong move. Thanks Dru for another great blog today!
Sandy, I know what you mean about the grandkids. You do have to keep alert, especially with so much more social media and trusting through text stuff that goes on. Good for you!
Nancy, hope you enjoyed the cover game on my website!! 🙂
Daryl / Avery
I can’t say that I get feelings about evil, but I do get feelings of something uncomfortable sometimes and try to be more careful. I love this series and Aunt Vera, thanks for the chance to win.
I am looking forward to reading your books. You are new to me and I love mysteries!
I love this series. Just started reading Stirring the Pot this morning.
Loved Final Sentence and Inherit the Word. Now ready for Stirring the Plot!
Looks interesting, new series for me to read.
I would love a hard copy of this one.
I can’t say I can sense evil–but my gut feelings after meeting someone the first time are almost always right. I’d love to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Really looking forward to this book! And I haven’t really gotten a feeling of evil, but sometimes I get feelings about people that I can’t shake. 9 times out of 10 I have been right, and they have ended up screwing someone over I love. Now I just go with it. =)
I’m looking forward to reading this…it’s one of my favorite series. I love the series and Crystal Cove sounds like a place I would love to visit!
A captivating book which is ideal for fall.Thanks.
Not sure about sensing evil…. but I would love to win this book!
I can’t sense evil, but I love this series.
I love Daryl Wood Gerber’s books and this would be super to win one.
A great author who writes the most captivating books. It would be super to win. Thanks
Thanks to all who are chiming in. What fun to read your comments. I’m thrilled to see so many who have read the series and are enjoying the journey. And to those who I am “new” to, welcome! I love new readers.
Wishing you all good luck.
Daryl / Avery
Daryl/ Avery writes wonderful books. This holiday-themed book sounds fantastic.
I can’t say I have ever sensed evil and warned someone.
Sounds like a great new read. I’ve never sensed danger but I do get feelings about people that I meet. Most of the time if I get a bad or off feeling, I’m right.
Would love to win a copy of this book. Love the series. Thank you.
Can’t wait to read this!!!
I love her books! Thank you for the chance!
Looks like a great cozy mystery.
I am excited to read the Cookbook Nook series. Stirring The Plot looks like a wonderful Halloween theme mystery! Please enter me on the contest. 🙂
There has been times when I felt uncomfortable so I try to be extra cautious (just in case). So far I haven’t had any problems.
hoping to win this giveaway
Donna and Lynnette, thank you so much for the pats on the back! I always need them. We authors are always, well, hmmm, worried that we won’t satisfy? Thrilled that you love the stories! Thrilled! Thanks to all for chiming in.
Daryl / Avery
LOVE this series! Can’t wait to read the new book!
Loved the first 2 in cookbook nook series! Eagerly ready for this one. Love Halloween themes in cozy mysteries. Halloween really is my favorite holiday. I dress up every year at work!
Count me in
Michelle, Lindar, and Kavitha, thanks for stopping in! So thrilled to hear you love the series. Warms my heart. 🙂
Lindar, what fun to dress up at work. What a fun work environment!
Daryl / Avery
I keep hearing such awesome things about this book, I have to enter so I can hopefully win this!!
Robin, I hope the book won’t disappoint. It’s gotten some lovely reviews from many reading “cozy” blogs. Enjoy!
Daryl / Avery
Great author, great cover, and sounds like a great story! Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win.
I sensed evil in my sister in law who was pure evil and warned my Mom. My intuition was correct when she set my Mom up to be fired to get her out of my Brother’s life a week later. She actually thought that my Brother would not want anything to do with my Mom due to embarrassment. She was so wrong and my Brother and Mom were very close but that did not stop her from her evil deeds trying to break the family apart for 24 years. She was pure evil and I could read her like a book.
I so adore this series! I hope to have a chance to win. Thank you! Great cover, great story for October. 🙂
I haven’t ever sensed evil, but occasionally I have dreams that are true. Fortunately I have dreams about happy events, not sad or evil. I’d love to read this book, Halloween is my favorite holiday! Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to win.
Sounds like a fun read.
I have read the first book in this new series, but not the second, so would love to get this third book and read both book two and this one back to back. As to sensing evil, I wouldn’t call what I feel sometimes as that, but I do have premonitions or “feelings” about things (as many people do) and many times they do come true. I have “guided” some of my friends and family when they were doing online dating and it seems in many cases that I was quite accurate about the people once they got to know them a bit more. I am sure I am not alone with sensing things like that so don’t feel that I am sensing anything that others aren’t too. Don’t you agree that just listening to someone talk or seeing their reactions to things and then their actions gives you a lot of information about them that can be very helpful in figuring out more later on?
Would be delighted to receive Stirring the Plot. Thank you.
Cynthia
I’f love to win this! It sounds awesome ! 🙂
I have never sensed evilnper see, but I have sensed a dread like feeling. Your books are on my tbr list, and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.
I get bad vibes from some people.
Great holiday cover.
Love your series. Judy
Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone
Lexie, wow, I’m so glad your family is rid of the woman. Phew.
LME, lucky you having happy dreams. Mine (not so much!) LOL
Cynthia, I totally agree that listening is the most important thing, and watching people’s eyes and reactions.
Jen, Jag, and Meg, thanks for chiming in. So delighted to meet readers “new to me.” 🙂
Daryl / Avery
Fingers crossed! Can’t wait to read this one. B-)
Would love to win!!!
Thanks Daryl for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.