
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?
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
Kelly Braun
Great interview… CoNgRaTs Daryl on the new release! Looking forward to reading it 😄
Daryl Wood Gerber
Thanks, Kelly. I hope you will enjoy it. ~ Daryl
Autumn Trapani
Enjoyable interview and review. Thanks for both and for the giveaways.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Autumn, you are welcome. 🙂 ~ Daryl
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!
Daryl Wood Gerber
Kay, so glad you stopped by. I was pleased with the review, too. 🙂 (Am I allowed to say that?) ~ Daryl
Vicki
Congrats on the new book! Can’t wait to read it! Great interview.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Vicki, so good to see you here. ~ Daryl
Sheryl Sens
Love the interview! I’d probably be a bit paranoid on some research as well..lol!!
Daryl Wood Gerber
LOL. Yes, Sheryl, with all eyes on the Internet nowadays, authors have to be careful. ~ Daryl
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
Daryl Wood Gerber
Mary, hope you enjoy the previous books. I’ve had such a good time writing this series. ~ Daryl
Jessica reitmeyer
Looking forward to reading this book!
Daryl Wood Gerber
Jessica, so glad to hear it. ~ Daryl
Amy Connolley
Love the interview and loved the book!!
Daryl Wood Gerber
Amy, as you know, I adore my early readers and their enthusiasm. 🙂 ~ Daryl
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
Daryl Wood Gerber
Margaret, absolutely. “But officer, I only wanted to know what poison would kill someone after eight hours.” Heh-heh. Watch out! LOL ~ Daryl
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
Becky Richardson
Would love to read this! It is on my TBR list.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Becky, I hope you will. 🙂 It’s one of my favorites. ~ Daryl
Linda May
I would love a chance to read these, love your mysteries. Thanks for your generosity.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Linda, thank you so much. 🙂 Daryl
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
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!!
Daryl Wood Gerber
LOL!! ~ Daryl
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
Daryl Wood Gerber
Connie, glad you learned something new. Fun! ~ Daryl
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
Pearl
Wonderful interview and review. Congratulations on this new release and great series.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Thanks, Pearl. Truly appreciated. ~ Daryl
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
Mary Anna
What a great interview & review. I cannot wait to be able to dive into this latest installment!
Daryl Wood Gerber
Thanks, Mary Anna. And all of you. You’re being so receptive. Love it. ~ Daryl
Jana Leah
Ha! I love that you worry about your research. Thanks for the giveaways!
Daryl Wood Gerber
Jana, I haven’t had any sleepless nights, but there have been moments when I’ve hit “OK” to go to a site and regretted it. LOL ~ Daryl
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!
Dianne Casey
Congrats on your new release, Daryl. Can’t wait to read “Pressing the Issue”.
Kara Vaughan Marks
Great interview and I can’t wait to read the book. Funny about worrying about the book research! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
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
Jess D
Awesome interview! Congrats on the release.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Thanks, Jess. ~ Daryl
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.
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
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
Daryl Wood Gerber
April, I’m thrilled you’ve already ordered it. Enjoy. ~ Daryl
Brenda Dunston
Congratulations on the new book!!! Can’t wait until my Barnes and Noble has it in paperback. 🙂 cocanvaz@gmail.com
Daryl Wood Gerber
Brenda, they will have it “online” – so go order it at your bookstore. But they won’t have it physically in the store. OK? ~ Daryl
Melissa Castor
So excited to read this book!!
Lori Bonkoski
Great interview and I can’t wait to read this!! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com
Cecilia
Congratulations on your newest book Daryl! I really enjoy reading all of your books and look forward to this one as well.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Thanks, Cecilia! ~ Daryl
Leslie Lawrence
Great interview. Congratulations on your new book. Love the cover.
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Thanks for the chance!
jelrobb(at)gmail(dot)com
Lisa Millett
I love reading these interviews as it gives so much insight into the book and the author. Thanks for the chance to win. Lisamil46@gmail.com
Stephanie
I’m a day late here, hope I’m not a dollar 💵 short! I love reading these interviews!
Kelly
Looking forward to reading this, it sounds great!
ioncookbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com
peggy clayton
I love all the interviews and so happy for the new book! ptclayton2@aol.com always like to take awhile and see everything on the cover.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Peggy, I love this cover. It took a bit to get it that way. But love Tigger! 🙂 ~ Daryl
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
Christi King
I love the interview and this series! I can’t wait to read the book! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
Daryl Wood Gerber
Christi, thanks. Nice to see you here. ~ Daryl
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
Elaine
Very nice interview! I love all of the books written by Daryl that I have read! Keep them coming!
Tommy
Jennifer, thanks so much for the post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Rhonda Gothier
Awesome. Thanks! Great interview.
Denise Austin
These interviews are so much. I am learning so much about you and learning about some new authors. deniseaustin59@yahoo.com
Charline Bonham
Enjoy your mysteries. Thanks
Susan Traub Carter
I am excited to read your new book. Thank you for your post!