Hello Readers,
MERRY GIVEAWAY BELOW ! ! !
But first . . . happy holidays! Do you celebrate anything this season? I do. Christmas and Hanukkah, which fall on the same day this year! I'm looking forward to the holiday dinner I make. Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, string beans, and a yule log. Plus latkes for appetizers, of course! Yum!
December will be a little hectic. There's a lot on my plate. Presents. Cards. A writer's party. And finishing the second book in the Aroma Wellness Mysteries, which is due January 15. The FIRST hasn't even come out (see below). March 25 is the date!
Plus edits on the second Literary Dining Mystery, which comes out next October.
Whewie. Can you breathe on my behalf? Thanks!
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What's it about?
It’s 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 clients’ favorite books as inspiration. Her first themed event is based on Pride and Prejudice (Allie’s cat, Darcy, approves), and it’s so popular that soon she has grand ideas for future parties based on Rebecca, The Great Gatsby, Babette’s Feast and more.
Business is booming, and a rival catering company is fuming. But there’s a sting in the tale when the aunt of one of Allie’s clients and best friends, Tegan, is murdered. Tegan is the victim’s sole heir, and quickly becomes the main suspect. Allie has no doubts about her friend’s innocence, but how to prove it?
Once again, Allie’s 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 luck—and the kind of pluck that would make Elizabeth Bennett proud—she may be able to stop a killer from serving up a second course of murder . . .
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This is the first in a brand new series, the Aroma Wellness Mysteries. The cat on the cover is Vivi, a Birman cat. This series features a complex known as Aroma Wellness with a spa, café, and gift shop. It's all about health and well being. See below for more.
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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 can’t help her relax when she’s 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 café 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 isn’t 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 she’s the only suspect, and the town’s anti New Age anything posse
badmouthing her every step of the way, she’s 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 play—before she’s cold-pressed for murder . . .
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I think you know that I did a book tour last month to celebrate the release of MURDER ON THE PAGE. It was fun. I got to visit my family in NC and VA and chat with bookstore owners, readers, and other authors. I signed books at all of these stores, if you're interested!
- Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale, AZ
- Hub City Books, Spartanburg, SC
- Page 158 Books, Wake Forest, NC
- Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
- Book Carnival, Orange, CA
Now, it's back to the grindstone with deadlines. Luckily, I like grindstones . . . um, I mean milestones. :)
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Lest you forget, other books came out this past 12 months.
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
- “Hope for the Holidays is a sweet, moving, uplifting holiday story sure to ignite your holiday spirit. For me it was a Perfect Escape.” ~ Dollycas. Follow the link to read more.
The 5th Fairy Garden Mystery, A TWINKLE OF TROUBLE
- “With fairy fun, good gardening, and scrumptious food, A TWINKLE OF TROUBLE makes even dastardly deaths delightful.” ~ Cozy up with Kathy
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I'm giving away a copy of ANY OF MY BOOKS
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 the winner a week from now, and I will announce the winner in the next newsletter so anyone who entered will know who won. I won't write individual email responses. Does that make me heartless? Gee, I hope not. Just busy! LOL
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Write me an email with your answer(s) to newsletter@darylwoodgerber.com
Subject line: Questionnaire
- Where will you find your next book? Library? Bookstore? Friend?
- What materials can an author offer to enhance your reading experience?
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(Yield: 14–18 Muffins)
- Topping:
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts, if desired
- Batter:
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup butter, melted (½ stick)
- 1 cup diced, peeled tart green apple (about 1 apple)
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 muffin tins with 14–18 muffin cups and spray with non-stick spray.
For the topping, in a medium bowl, using a fork, mix the flour, sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon. They should form a fine crumble. If desired, stir in chopped nuts. Set aside.
For the batter, in a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, add the eggs and whisk. Then add the sour cream and melted butter, and whisk again until blended. Stir in the peeled, diced apple. Pour the egg mixture over the flour mixture and stir until just moist.
Using a cupcake scoop or ladle, fill muffin cups ⅔ full. Top each muffin with 2 teaspoons of the strudel topping.
Bake the muffins for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool at least 20 minutes before serving.
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Sparky took the elf in one bout. He really wanted that hat! Tee-hee. Don't worry. The elf is FINE. Isn't Sparky the cutest? So festive! May he bring a smile to your face.
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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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