Hello Readers,

My heart goes out to all who are suffering from the terrible fires and so many other disasters in this country.   I hope you are finding something to look forward to.  Halloween?  The upcoming holidays?  A socially-distanced visit with family or friends?  Whatever it is, I hope it will bring a smile to your face.

I hope my monthly newsletter subscriber giveaway will make at least two of you smile.  See BELOW.

And now . . . I want to announce that I have a new book coming out at the end of the month--October 27.   It is the 3rd in the Aspen Adams novels of suspense series.   I don't have any buy links or website links yet. When they go live, the book will be available in both e-book and paperback on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.  I will definitely share them with you before release day!  

Here's a sneak peak.

Also, if you have not yet read A Sprinkling of Murder, the first Fairy Garden Mystery, follow the links below.  Here are a few reviews:

“Daryl Wood Gerber’s new fantasy cozy series debut is full of fun, whimsy, and a baffling whodunit.” –Mystery Scene

“Enchanting series launch from Agatha Award winner Gerber . . . Cozy fans will wish upon a star for more.” –Publishers Weekly

I think most of you know by now that I make fairy gardens.   I've shared a few images, but I thought I'd share just the bare bones of my next one.   I found a darling unicorn and decided that would be my focus.   A little girl fairy being gifted a unicorn for her birthday.   Next step, finding the perfect pot.   And then I'll figure out which plants I'll put in it.   I have to admit that my succulent pots are doing quite well, so I'll probably be sticking with those.   California heat is hard to manage.  

I'm sharing a little secret.  I've been writing a romance.   A gentle romance.   Set during the holidays.   No sex on the page, although there is a kiss or two.  I've been having such fun.   I have no idea if it'll sell.   I'll be letting my agent in on the secret soon.   I'll keep you in the loop.

I am giving away to 2 winners their choice of any of my first books in four of my series. 

THE 2 MAILING LIST WINNERS FOR A CHOICE OF ONE OF MY FIRST IN SERIES ARE: 

(These emails are asterisked to provide a tad of anonymity.) 

diann*thompson*005@comcast.net

short*cat*02@hotmail.com

You have until October 21st to contact me to claim your book.
Email me using your above address
at daryl@darylwoodgerber.com . 
I look forward to hearing from you.
Congratulations!

I just finished Ellen Byron's delightful cozy mystery, HERE COMES THE BODY, a first in series.  And I'm listening to Meg Gardiner's THE MEMORY COLLECTOR.  It's hard-edged and fast-paced suspense.

My author friend Marilyn Levinson (aka Allison Brook) shared this blueberry chocolate chip coffee cake recipe on Mystery Lovers Kitchen, and I simply had to make it gluten-free.   Which I did and I loved it.   And then I made it a second time adding in chopped bananas.   Yum!   Marilyn likes to add sunflower seeds and such to her coffee cake.   I haven't tried that yet.   Enjoy. 

Blueberry Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon whey powder
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• dash of salt
• handful of dark chocolate chips (optional) (about ¼ cup)
• 1/2 ripe banana, diced into small bites
• 1 pint blueberries – 2 cups rinsed

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Line a 9" by 9" pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix together the softened butter, sugar, eggs, gluten-free flour, baking powder, whey powder, xanthan gum, vanilla, and salt. Add in chocolate chips and bananas.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and add the blueberries on top. Spread evenly.

Bake 38-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

*If you want to make this using regular flour, then omit the whey powder and xanthan gum.

I shared this image on Instagram, so I apologize to anyone who is a follower.   If you're not, please do start following me.   I share books and fairy gardens and Sparky and more.   Anyway, he was not happy.   First, he took off bunny's two arms.   And he didn't seem to worry much about that.   But when he took off bunny's leg, he was forlorn.   Doesn't it look like he's begging me to sew  it back on?   But if I do, he'll just gnaw it off again.   Poor bunny has been with us since Christmas without incident.  Until now.   FYI, leg two is still intact, but for how long? 

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,