Feb 21 2018
77

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Pressing The Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber

Posted by Jennifer in 4 Stars, Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, Giveaways, Interview, Review / 77 Comments

I’m so excited to be a part of Pressing The Issue Blog tour and today I have Daryl Wood Gerber here to answer a few questions:

Which came first your protagonist, your story or your tone/setting – title, cover art?

Ha! That’s a lot of questions. Well, if I’m writing in the series, then the protagonist, because it’s always her story I’m trying to craft. Next, I like to come up with a theme for the book. It could be a food-related theme or a seasonal or fair-type theme. That then drives what the title should be. For example, when I wrote Stirring the Plot, I was writing about a group of benevolent witches (who aren’t really witches) raising money for literacy. Stirring the “Plot” was a play on words for witches stirring their cauldron and “plot” because each of the books in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series have a book-driven word in them. Final Sentence, Inherit the Word, Stirring the Plot, Fudging the Books, Grilling the Subject, and now Pressing the Issue.

As for the cover art, I pick pieces of art and send them to my editor so they can pass them along to my very talented artist! She has made some beautiful covers for all of my series!

What is your process for determining your style, your voice, your word choice?

The voice comes to me for each of my protagonists. I hope they don’t sound the same. They have different backgrounds and different histories, so they shouldn’t. As a former actress, I sort of pride myself on finding a voice for each of my characters. Word choice definitely matters. In this particular book, I focused on the Renaissance Fair and how people would speak throughout. It was a hoot researching all the terms used at the fair and how to teach newbies how to use fair-speak in order to have fun and a bit of authenticity. There are websites devoted to finding the right parsing of words and sentences for a fair. Research, research, research really matters to me.
Do you have an interesting quirk about your personality that you’d like to share?

I’m Type A. Can you tell? I like to get things right. I get embarrassed when I mess up. Truly embarrassed. I will apologize for days if I make a mistake. It’s not pretty. But this aspect of me does make me try harder all the time. I don’t let up. I make all my deadlines. I’m usually early. I work extra hours if that’s what it takes. I’ll wake at five a.m. if I’m running behind just so I can get caught up.

As for another quirk, I love to laugh, and I have a very hearty laugh. You can’t miss me in a crowd if someone tells a good joke.

Most mystery writers do quite a bit of research for their books. What was the most interesting or bizarre thing that you have ever had to research for one of your books?

The research in question wasn’t for one of my books. It was for a screenplay I was writing. I decided I needed information about the Tigris-Eurphates River in the Middle East. I was really looking for the opening of my thriller movie, Tale of the White Tiger, so that I could have an Indiana Jones-style opening. Ha! After extensive research, I suddenly panicked and wondered whether someone in the government might think I was plotting terror. Quickly, I erased all my research and cleaned my computer. Was that enough? Would cookies incriminate me? I worried for days.  My writing pals and I often discuss how authorities might view us by the sites we research: poison, weapons, etc. We mystery writers are dangerous!
The Agatha Award-winning author of Grilling the Subject returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, where the annual Renaissance Fair serves up a helping of crafty courtiers, damsels in distress, and medieval murder…
As the annual Renaissance Fair comes to Crystal Cove, Jenna Hart’s Cookbook Nook is packed with tasty treats and all things medieval, while her pal Bailey is ready to swoon over her upcoming nuptials at a local vineyard.  But when the two friends discover the body of the vineyard’s owner bludgeoned by a wine press, all their merriment fades, along with their hopes for a vintage year.
Which churlish varlet did the deed?  Was it the victim’s errant brother, who stood to inherit the vineyards? Or the owner’s crest-fallen ex-girlfriend? Mayhap it was the newly arrived lusty wench, or her jealous husband.  Fie on them all!  Verily, Jenna can’t rest until justice is served, and she vows to track down the killer.  But can she sniff out the truth before the villainous culprit strikes again?
About the Author

Agatha Award-winning Daryl Wood Gerber writes the brand new French Bistro Mysteries as well as the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. A DEADLY ÊCLAIR, the first French Bistro Mystery, comes out November 2017. Daryl also writes stand-alone suspense: DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.

Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!

 

Review of Pressing The Issue

Review (4.5 Stars):  What a great mystery this was!  This is the sixth book in the Cookbook Nook mystery series and each one keeps getting better and better. Jenna is helping the residents of Crystal Cove prepare for their annual Renaissance Fair and everyone is excited to take part in all things medieval.  Her good friend, Bailey, is finally getting married at a local vineyard but is afraid that something terrible is about to happen to ruin her nuptials.  When they find the body of the vineyard’s owner, it is up to Jenna to follow the clues to find another killer before it is too late.

I love this series and I was so excited to read another installment of the Cookbook Nook series so I could catch up on the lives of Jenna and her good friends. Ms. Gerber always seems to know how to mix the right ingredients that will create a well-written and entertaining mystery and Pressing The Issue is a shining example of this. I loved following the characters as they experience the Renaissance Fair and the yummy treats described always makes me want to visit Crystal Cove in person. This book was fun and kept me guessing until the very end about the killer, which is a delight for this reader.  Can’t wait to read more from Daryl Wood Gerber and I am looking forward to spending more time with Jenna and the gang in the near future.

 

*GIVEAWAY*

To one commenter today, Daryl is giving away commenter’s choice of one of the first five Cookbook Nook Mysteries or any of the Cheese Shop Mysteries PLUS some fun swag, including recipe cards and a utility measuring spoon. Giveaway ends on February 26th.

Grand Prize Giveaway:

If the commenter visits ALL the blogs on the Cozy Blog Tour (there are 7 in a row), he or she can be entered for the big prize.  This is not a rafflecopter.  Just drop in and visit them all and leave a comment. The links are below. What’s the prize? A Cookbook Nook Mystery, A Cheese Shop Mystery, a darling cat tea towel, a darling plush Tigger, and a Medieval Tapestries coloring book to honor the Renaissance theme in the book.

COZY BLOG TOUR:

February 20 – The Power of Words – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

February 21 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

February 22 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

February 23 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

February 24 – My Devotional Thoughts – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

February 25 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

February 26 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

77 Responses to “Blog Tour & Giveaway: Pressing The Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber”

  1. Kelly Braun

    Great interview… CoNgRaTs Daryl on the new release! Looking forward to reading it 😄

  2. Autumn Trapani

    Enjoyable interview and review. Thanks for both and for the giveaways.

  3. Kay Garrett

    Loved reading the interview with Daryl Wood Gerber and your great review on “Pressing The Issue”.

    Thanks for being part of the book tour!

  5. Sheryl Sens

    Love the interview! I’d probably be a bit paranoid on some research as well..lol!!

  6. Mary Duffer

    Looking forward to reading your book after I get caught up with the first books in the series! Great interview and review here. Thanks for the chance to win!

    mlduffer(at)att(dot)net

  9. Margaret Rushton

    So funny about your research. I’m sure all mystery writers feel the same way. I could just see the FBI rounding up mystery writers. What a crowd that would be and some pretty funny interviews.
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

  10. Anne VanderHaeghen

    Great job, Daryl! Hoping to get your new book tomorrow! 😀😀

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Remember, this paperback is “not” in stores. It is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you go into a BN store, they can order it for you. ~ Daryl

  12. Linda May

    I would love a chance to read these, love your mysteries. Thanks for your generosity.

  13. rosemary pfeiffer

    Awesome review..congratulations on another great book.. I personally would love to read the “cheese shop” mysteries because I heard the series was cancelled..I have read some of the blurbs and I am hooked lol thank you for this chance.

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Rosemary, the series was canceled, but there are 7 in the series and still available at bookstores and online. Enjoy! I loved writing those. Learned so much about cheese. ~ Daryl

  14. Kay Bennett

    Loved this interview. Now I understand why you still cant get over sending me something for Betty, lol. So happy about this book!!

  15. Connie Saunders

    Thanks for a great interview and I loved learning that Daryl has acted on Murder She Wrote. I somehow missed knowing that.
    Blessings!
    Connie

  16. Daryl Wood Gerber

    To all who have chimed in today, remember to visit yesterday’s blog and future blogs so you’re entered for the grand prize. Good luck. ~ Daryl

  17. Pearl

    Wonderful interview and review. Congratulations on this new release and great series.

  18. Tami Norman

    Wonderful interview and review. Thank you so much for the chance to win. Can’t wait to read Pressing the Issue, love this series!

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Tami, I’m thrilled to hear you do. (Of course, as an eager author, I’m hoping all who are chiming in are telling other friends about it. LOL) ~ Daryl

  19. Mary Anna

    What a great interview & review. I cannot wait to be able to dive into this latest installment!

  20. Jana Leah

    Ha! I love that you worry about your research. Thanks for the giveaways!

  21. Kristin Schadler

    Love these interviews and the questions they ask. Always fun learning new things about an author. Can’t wait to read the new book!

  22. Dianne Casey

    Congrats on your new release, Daryl. Can’t wait to read “Pressing the Issue”.

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Kara, yes that research thing can be tricky. Not when I’m researching recipes or something as banal as how high is a mountain…but dangerous areas? Author beware. ~ Daryl

  25. Sharon Guagliardo

    Moonlight Rendezvous is a new blog for me and I thought they did a wonderful job reviewing the book. I loved finding out how you go about getting your book started. That was really interesting to me. Thanks.

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Sharon, isn’t it fun to land on new blogs and like what they have to offer. This cozy blog tour (Escape with Dollycas, who puts it together) really does a terrific job. ~ Daryl

      • Sharon Guagliardo

        I have been reading Escape with Dollycas for quite a while now. She is an absolute doll and love her site! I also forgot to leave my email address: catwoman-1(at)Comcast(dot)net

        Thanks again.

  26. Jane Dietz

    Have you ever asked Siri where to bury a body? My son asked and she gave a list. The next day he asked her again and she ‘couldn’t say”. Makes you wonder 😊 Jane Dietz
    gmad5(at)ymail(dot)com

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Jane, that’s so funny. It used to be an early Siri gag. I think the maker of Siri realized that some questions simply weren’t appropriate for answers. Ask her the meaning of life. LOL ~ Daryl

  27. April

    Great interview. I have really enjoyed all the books in the Cookbook Nook series. I prefer-ordered the kindle book of Pressing the Issue. I am so glad the series hasn’t ended quite yet

  31. Cecilia

    Congratulations on your newest book Daryl! I really enjoy reading all of your books and look forward to this one as well.

  32. Leslie Lawrence

    Great interview. Congratulations on your new book. Love the cover.

  35. Stephanie

    I’m a day late here, hope I’m not a dollar 💵 short! I love reading these interviews!

  36. Kelly

    Looking forward to reading this, it sounds great!
    ioncookbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

  38. Amanda Wilcox

    I love learning things about authors I read. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Amanda, it’s fun, isn’t it, learning what others read? We’re all big readers, my author pals and I. ~ Daryl

  39. Christi King

    I love the interview and this series! I can’t wait to read the book! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

  40. Di Richards

    Daryl, congratulations on the new release. I’m enjoying the various reviews on the blog tour! Dm _ Richards (at) yahoo (dot) com

    • Daryl Wood Gerber

      Thanks, Di. I’m glad there are a bunch of you checking them out. All the questions are so different. ~ Daryl

  41. Elaine

    Very nice interview! I love all of the books written by Daryl that I have read! Keep them coming!

  46. Susan Traub Carter

    I am excited to read your new book. Thank you for your post!