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I'll also be having a four-day, multi-author giveaway on Facebook with a bunch of my magical/paranormal mystery author pals! I thought it would be fun for all of you to find new authors who write cozies mysteries with not only fairies but mermaids, witches, magical books, magical gardens, ghosts, and more. I hope you'll check it out. I'll send out a special blast to all of you when that starts!
In the meantime, I'm putting the finishing touches on a bunch of blogs for my Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour, which starts June 21 and has a super duper grand prize for those who follow the blogs and enter. There will be interviews, recipes, reviews, and more.
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GIVEAWAY BELOW . . . is the winner you?
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So . . . the next Fairy Garden Mystery I'm very excited to release this third book in the series. You will learn a lot more about Courtney and Fiona and what a fairy sleuth can and cannot do. Have you read any in the series yet? This one, like the others, is earning some lovely reviews:
“A charming cozy with gardening tips, recipes, and a raft of suspects for those who don’t believe in fairies.” ~ Kirkus
"A beautiful location by the sea, a fairy garden/tea shop, and a mystery that will keep you wishing you could see your own personal fairy guide - make for an entertaining book!" Jerri on Goodreads
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You can read more about it on my website, and get into the world of the Fairy Garden Mysteries, watch the book trailer, and more below.
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What is it about?
The proprietor of a fairy garden and tea shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Courtney Kelly has an occasional side gig as a sleuth—with a sprinkling of magical assistance. . . .
Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.
Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .
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Also, as mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, the newest Cookbook Nook Mystery, SIMMERING WITH RESENTMENT, is out! It debuted in April, and it, too, is earning some lovely reviews.
“This is the eleventh book in this series and I would recommend you read them all!” ~ Pirate Patty on Amazon, “Top 1000 Reviewer Vine Voice”
“Gerber's series has been a highlight in the last few months, and I really appreciate how easy she's made the books to read, enjoy, and root for.” ~ James on Goodreads
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You can read more about it on my website, and get into the world of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, watch the book trailer, and more below.
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What's it about?
A killer’s explosive vengeance may lead to Jenna Hart’s happily never after . . .
With Bride’s Dream Expo in town, it’s all things wedding in Crystal Cove, including at the Cookbook Nook, where owner Jenna Hart is preparing for her own wedding in just a few short weeks. But there’s a dark cloud hanging over the festive mood by the name of Sarita Strachline, a woman Jenna helped convict of arson who is now out of jail and bent on revenge. And when Jenna and Rhett’s intimate prenuptial dinner is rocked by an explosion that nearly takes Rhett’s life, Jenna can’t help but think Sarita is to blame.
Desperate to prove Sarita’s guilt but consumed by worries over Rhett’s condition, Jenna reluctantly lays her case out for the police and leaves the investigation in their methodical hands. Still, she can’t help piecing together the clues, and as the evidence begins to mount, Jenna realizes that revenge may be a dish best served cold, but she can cook up a scheme of her own to bring the culprit to justice—she just has to hope it doesn’t blow up in her face . . .
Includes mouthwatering recipes!
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THE MAILING LIST WINNER FOR
BOOK IS:
Ron with email ron**sunnyitaly@yahoo.com
**the asterisks are for protection
You have until June 21st to contact me to claim your book.
Email me using your above address
at daryl@darylwoodgerber.com and receive the book of your choice.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Congratulations!
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Well, I did that keynote speech I told you about in last month's newsletter for the California Federation of Women's Clubs, and I had a blast. My hostess, Shirley Lorraine, was a delight. The room was filled with some lovely women, all readers. My bookseller, Debbie Misch of Mystery Ink in Huntington Beach, did a great job! Shirley wanted to know what the catalyst was for my writing career. I have to say, it was fun going back in time and reviewing each step of the journey. It helped me see how far I've come.
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I'm re-reading one of my favorite mystery series, the Cyd Redondo Mysteries, by Wendall Thomas. This author's writing makes me laugh out loud. I love Cyd. She's feisty and fun. Don't miss all three in the series! LOST LUGGAGE is the first.
I'm also listening to FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT by Elle Cosimano. Two of my writing pals recommended it, and it's awesome. The humorous, spunky voice is so unique. The narrator's voice is perfection.
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I was dying for a coffee cake and had bananas in the fridge. So I decided to make one of my favorite recipes, a brown sugar banana coffee cake, but I didn't have any raisins. Instead, I substituted chopped dates. Yum! Plus, I spotted some cacao nibs in the cupboard. I'd only used them in chocolate-based recipes previously but decided to add those, too. They made this coffee cake really unique, with a little crunch. Loved it. Very satisfying. I'm sharing the gluten-free version that I made for myself, but if you want the regular version, write me an email and I'll send it to you. Enjoy.
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(Yield: 9—12 slices)
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs, large
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
- 2 cups gluten-free flour
- 2 tablespoons whey powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
Filling:
- 1/2 cup chopped dates, pre-soaked
- 1/4 cup cacao nibs, if desired
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Topping:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9 x 9 pan or line with parchment paper.
Meanwhile, soak the chopped dates for the filling in 1/2 cup hot water and set aside.
For the batter: In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs and beat on low. Still beating on low, add cream cheese and vinegar. Then add the gluten-free flour, whey powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum, and stir until thoroughly mixed.
For the filling: drain dates. In a small bowl, mix dates, cacao nibs (if desired), brown sugar, and cinnamon. Slice the bananas.
Spoon half of the batter into prepared pan. Pat down with your fingers. Layer all of the bananas on top of the batter and sprinkle the date-sugar mixture on top of the bananas. Spread the rest of the batter over the filling. Again, pat down with your fingers.
Mix the topping ingredients and sprinkle topping all over the coffee cake.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until nicely browned.
Let cool for 20 minutes and remove from the pan. Serve warm or room temperature.
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We have had a few coyote encounters lately. It's been scary. The coyotes are really bolder, staying out after sunrise. They're hungry and thirsty. That makes them even more dangerous. Sparky barks at them, and I wave my arms and shout, and so far, none has attacked. But when we came across a pack of 5 . . . that's right, FIVE . . . I nearly croaked! They dashed from a neighbor's driveway and stood in the middle of the three-way intersection staring at us. YIPES. My screaming and Sparky's barking got them to move on. But wow! My nerves were shot by the time I got home. Needless to say, my sweet pup was ready to tell anyone who would listen about his ordeal. LOL
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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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