Happy New Year, Readers! š
GIVEAWAY BELOW
But first . . .
As we tiptoe gingerly into 2025, I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your incredible support. Whether youāve read one of my books, shared your thoughts, or just followed along on this journey with me, you mean the world to me. I hope my work brings you joy, inspiration, and adventure. May this year be full of love, laughter, and, of course, great reading.
NOW DOWN TO SERIOUS MATTERS . . . RESOLUTIONS. Do you make them? Each year I've tried, and with some, I've succeeded. This year I vow to be KINDER and LISTEN BETTER. What's that you say? That means I have to pay attention? Yes! Wish me luck. I get easily distracted with characters chattering away in my head. But I'm going to try.
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Iām so excited for whatās to come in the new year -- lots of creative things on the front burner.
Of course, I hope you will check out the books I published in 2024. For example, the first in the Literary Dining Mysteries, MURDER ON THE PAGE.
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What's it about?
Itās a truth universally acknowledged that a genuinely top-notch party must be in want of a theme. Allie Catt, caterer and personal chef in the beautiful mountain community of Asheville, North Carolina, has devised a winning formula by using her clientsā favorite books as inspiration. Her first themed event is based on Pride and Prejudice (Allieās cat, Darcy, approves), and itās so popular that soon she has grand ideas for future parties based on Rebecca, The Great Gatsby, Babetteās Feast and more.
Business is booming, and a rival catering company is fuming. But thereās a sting in the tale when the aunt of one of Allieās clients and best friends, Tegan, is murdered. Tegan is the victimās sole heir, and quickly becomes the main suspect. Allie has no doubts about her friendās innocence, but how to prove it?
Once again, Allieās love of literature comes to the rescue, and with some guidance from her favorite fictional detectives, including Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, Allie sifts through the clues. With a little luckāand the kind of pluck that would make Elizabeth Bennett proudāshe may be able to stop a killer from serving up a second course of murder . . .
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I'm thrilled to say I have a new series beginning in March, the Aroma Wellness Mysteries, set in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For those of you who loved the Fairy Garden Mysteries, this is a companion series. There will be a few familiar faces among the cast members. I hope you will preorder it and tell friends about it.
TO PREORDER OR NOT TO PREORDER . . . THAT IS THE QUESTION.
SO WHY DO AUTHORS NEED READERS TO PREORDER?
For authors, preorders mean the world to usāand to the success of our books. When you preorder a book, you're not just reserving a copy for yourself; you're helping me (and other authors) and our publishers gauge interest, plan the release, and even secure the resources to bring it to life. Preorders give us a sneak peek at demand, helping us decide how many copies to print and how to market the book effectively.
Beyond that, strong preorder numbers can boost a book's visibility, especially on platforms like Amazon. The more preorders a book gets, the higher it ranks, which makes it easier for other readers to find it and enjoy. Essentially, your preorder helps build momentum, giving the book a better chance at a successful launch.
In short, your support through preordering isn't just a simple purchaseāit's a key part of how we authors and publishers can make our books the best they can be, reach more readers, and keep creating stories you love!
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What's it about?
Emma Brennan may have her head in a cloud of eucalyptus, but her feet are firmly planted on the ground in breathtaking Carmel, California, as she prepares to open her new spa business, Aroma Wellness. But all the reiki, shiatsu, and massage in the world canāt help her relax when sheās accused of murder . . .
Everything is going smoothly as Emma prepares for the grand opening of the spa. The therapy rooms are painted. The sales shop and cafĆ© are stocked with meditative and delicious goodies, from essential oils to avocado masks and pricky pear massages. The fountain in the Courtyard of Peace is burbling with good vibrations. In fact, there isnāt a whiff of trouble until that morning when Emma is shocked to learn that a rival spa owner has been bludgeoned . . . with an item from the goodwill basket Emma gave her. Worse, a witness is pointing the finger at Emma . . .
With the police treating Emma like sheās the only suspect, and the townās anti New Age anything posse
badmouthing her every step of the way, sheās left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Incensed by the accusation, but empowered by her cousin, her nana, and her trusted Birman cat, Vivi, Emma reviews the potpourri of possible suspects, determined to uncover the essence of foul playābefore sheās cold-pressed for murder . . .
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Lest you forget, I had other books come out in the past year.
My suspense, THE SON'S SECRET
- "New Orleans is a perfect setting for the mixed bag of motives in this page-turner." ~ Kirkus Review
My Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
- āHope for the Holidays is a sweet, moving, uplifting holiday story sure to ignite your holiday spirit. For me it was a Perfect Escape.ā ~ Dollycas. Follow the link to read more.
The 5th Fairy Garden Mystery, A TWINKLE OF TROUBLE
- āWith fairy fun, good gardening, and scrumptious food, A TWINKLE OF TROUBLE makes even dastardly deaths delightful.ā ~ Cozy up with Kathy
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I'm giving away a copy of ANY OF MY PUBLISHED BOOKS TO ONE SUBSCRIBER.
To ENTER to win, send an email to newsletter@darylwoodgerber.com with the subject line THE TITLE I WANT and write the title in the body of the email.
I will pick one winner in a week, and I will announce the winner in the next newsletter or in a SPECIAL newsletter so anyone who entered will know who won. I won't write individual email responses because, well, I'm busy, and lots of you enter each month!!
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By the way, many of these books are NOW OUT IN AUDIO! If you're a listener, like me -- I tune in when I walk Sparky and drive to see my grandkids -- check them out.
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Write me an email with your answer(s) to newsletter@darylwoodgerber.com
Subject line: ideal setting
If you could solve a mystery in ANY setting, where would it be?
š A creepy old mansion?
š²A remote cabin in the woods?
š A bustling city at night?
š¤Ŗ Other?
Send me your answers and let's see what the most popular mystery setting is. š I'll announce the findings in the news newsletter.
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One of the main characters in Murder on the Page owns a B&B. Her helper, Helga, who cooks, cleans, entertains, and more, loves to offer sweet treats to the guests at the inn. This chocolate trifle is so easy, your kids can make it. Enjoy and get ready for a sugar rush!
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Helga's Super Easy Triple
Chocolate Trifle
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(Yield: 8 servings)
- 1 brownie mix, prepared and cooled, cubed (*may be gluten-free)
- 1 4-ounce chocolate instant pudding, prepared
- Ā½ cup caramel topping, store-bought or homemade
- 2 Snickers candy bars, chopped
- 2 Heath or Skor bars, chopped
- 1 16-ounce frozen whipped topping, thawed
In a large glass trifle dish or a glass bowl, layer 1/3ā1/2 of the cubed brownie, then half of the pudding, then half of the caramel topping, then 1 of the chopped Snickers bars, and 1 of the chopped Heath bars. Top with half of the whipped topping.
Repeat the layers in the same order, reserving a few bits of the Snickers and Heath or Skor bars for decoration on top of the final layer of whipped topping.
Refrigerate at least 6 hours.
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Sparky is always joyful. I love that about him. His sweet smile helps me weather life's ups and downs. He wishes you a happy new year and hopes you have someone or something in your life that brings you joy.
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That's it. That's all that is fit to print. May your joy come from reading. May your lives be filled with love. Until next time . . . all my best,
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