Say Cheese- Interview with Avery Aames & Review & Giveaway

I'd like to welcome Avery Aames back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Avery visited back in July under her other name, Daryl Wood Gerber. (You can check out that interview here.) Avery has a new Cheese Shop Mystery coming out this Tuesday!

Kathy: Days of Wine and Roquefort brings together two of my favorite things-cheese and wine (three of my favorite things if you include a good mystery!). I love all sorts of cheeses (aside from the majority of the blue family) and most types of wine (my favorite is a Gewürztraminer) and enjoy pairing them. Do you have a favorite cheese and wine pairing?

AA: My favorite cheeses include Manchego, Irish Cheddar, and warm Brie. A good merlot or pinot noir goes with all cheese. One of my favorite pinots is Evening Land from the Willamette Valley.  By the way, if you add a slice of dark chocolate with that…divine!

Kathy: I would love to visit Fromagerie Bessette. I’m lucky, in that I have an artisanal cheese shop nearby (The Little Bleu Cheese Shop). Do you have a local specialty cheese shop?

AA: Yes, Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City. It’s a darling place, with just the right amount of cheese to not overwhelm you. Ask for a nibble, and they’re glad to provide a taste. They also offer meals: salad, sandwiches, and more. And they have a premium wine selection, plus crackers, jams, etc. Fun!  I found the wooden barrels that are part of the décor in Fromagerie Bessette at Artisan Cheese.  There is also a great selection of cheeses at the local Whole Foods in Tarzana, and they, too, will offer tastings.

Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for Days of Wine and Roquefort?

AA: I was reading an article in a wine magazine that got me thinking about murder and mayhem. I put it past my editor, and she loved it. But if I told you what it was, you might figure out the mystery too soon, and then I’d have to kill you. Shhh. J 

Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Charlotte?

AA: Love is in the air. Charlotte and Jordan will plan their wedding. Urso will find love. Rebecca will move on to…hmmm, yet another secret. And Grandmère and Pépère will set the standard for what it means to be in love. Oh, yes, there will also be another couple of murders, too, and Charlotte knows and cares about both people.

Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

AA: Actually, next month, I have the second in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries coming out: INHERIT THE WORD. I’m very excited about it. Jenna and the Cookbook Nook will host the upcoming grill fest, which features grilled cheese. The eight-time champ, owner of The Word Diner (short for Mum’s the Word), will meet her match and possibly her doom.

Kathy: You write cozies under 2 different names, Avery Aames and Daryl Wood Gerber. What made you decide to do so?

AA: Avery came first. The publisher wanted a series about a cheese shop. I was not yet published. My agent put my name to the editor, and I auditioned and got the job. That is considered a work-for-hire, where the publisher owns the original idea. I get paid like all other writers, but it’s theirs in the long run. I had to choose a pseudonym so that, in the event the publisher wanted someone else—heaven forbid—to write the series, they could, using that name. Sort of like Carolyn Keene for the Nancy Drew series.

I write under Daryl (my real name) because I came up with the idea for another series, the Cookbook Nook mysteries. My publisher loved the idea and bought three (to start). It’s confusing having two names, but I think my fans are getting used to it.

Kathy: A new interview section-this or that. Pick one of the 2 choices given.

Library or Bookstore – 
AA: Bookstore, I like to stay current; but I love libraries.

Kathy: Expositional or Continuing Story – 
AA:Continuing stories are fun because you get to follow a character’s full life.

Kathy: Editing or Marketing – 
AA: editing; I love to rework a story. I hate marketing but I will do it.

Kathy: TV or Film – 
AA: both; they’re offering so many different stories nowadays. Film actors are on TV and TV actors star in movies. It depends on the story. I love sitting in a movie theater, and as a former actress, I have to admit I would have loved to star in a movie.

Kathy: Chocolate or Vanilla – 
AA: both. I like dark chocolate candy. I love vanilla ice cream.

Kathy: Mountains or Beach – 
AA: both. I love to go skiing or smell the wonderful scent of pine trees. I like a crisp, cool lake to swim in. I also adore going to the beach. I love the sound of the surf, the smell of salt, the sunsets.

Kathy: Tea or Coffee – 
AA: coffee. Decaf. I adore a latte. But there are times I do drink tea. It’s very soothing. Early morning writing sessions are often written with a cup of green tea as my beverage.

Kathy: Cats or Dogs – 
AA: I’m a dog person. I love the companionship. I love long walks. I have had cats, as a girl, and they were fun, but they can be so darned independent. The cats in my stories are not nearly as independent. They love spending time with their humans. [My fantasy!]

Kathy: Summer or Winter – 
AA: Summer. I like warm weather. I love shorts and tee shirts. I love the colors of summer. The scent of roses. Fresh fruit. Swimming.

Kathy: Normal or Paranormal – 
AA: Normal.

Kathy: Vampire or Werewolf – 
AA: Neither, thank you. I do like ghosts.

Kathy: Cake or Cupcake – 
AA: Cake. Cheesecake. Choco-socko cheesecake. That’s a recipe I’m sharing in DAYS OF WINE AND ROQUEFORT. I’ll share pictures on my Mystery Lovers Kitchen blog in February. Tune in!

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Review

Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames
Fifth in the Cheese Shop Mystery series

Charlotte Bessette, feeling a bit lonely with her cousin and his twins gone from her house and Jordan out of town, is happy to have a houseguest. Noelle Adams, an old friend of Matthew’s and the new employee at Shelton Nelson Winery is staying with her until the cottage she’s renting is ready. When Charlotte returns home unexpectedly one evening she finds Noelle in her workshop-dying. Noelle is able to utter a cryptic comment before she dies, murdered. Though Charlotte is determined to let the police handle it, Matthew and Rebecca pull her in and the investigation is on!

One of the great things about cozy mystery series is the ability to see our main characters grow and evolve. They’re multidimensional and real. In Days of Wine and Roquefort even the new characters have depth. There’s much more to the violent ex-boyfriend, the smarmy reporter, and the vintner and his daughter, than meets the eye. In a short amount of time author Aames gives these characters both history and a meaningful life. Although  Days of Wine and Roquefort deals with loss on several levels, it doesn’t get maudlin. In fact, the antics of Prudence and Sylvie brought lots of humor to the story.

I love the Cheese Shop Mystery series as much as I love cheese! The books give me something to savor with tons of character and lots of pleasure while consuming it! Plus-no calories! I highly recommend this book and this series.

For a chance to win a copy of Days of Wine and Roquefort simply leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite cheese and wine. A winner will be chosen at random from comments left by next Saturday, February 8th at 11:59pm EST. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you! Also, be sure to enter the Rafflecoptor for another chance to win! Sorry-you must have a US address to win.

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Stake and Eggs- Review - Catching Up With The Cackleberry Club

I posted a review of the latest Cackleberry Club Mystery earlier. Here's my review of the book previous to that. My favorite in the series so far!

Review

Stake and Eggs by Laura Childs

Fourth in the Cackleberry Club Mystery Series

Stake and Eggs is the fourth book in the Cackleberry Club mystery series by Laura Childs. The first three books, while good, had a religious overtone with affirmations and group hugs that I found to be a bit much. This aspect was hardly apparent in Stake and Eggs and with it gone I really enjoyed the book.

Suzanne, Petra, and Toni are three women of a certain age who are partners in the Cackleberry Club-a cafe that specializes in egg dishes, a book store, and a knitting store, all in one location. It's a cold day in the Midwest and the women are waiting for the arrival of the new bank manager for a meeting. They hear the arrival of a snowmobile, then what sounds like another, then a crash. When Suzanne goes out to investigate she finds the body of the bank manager...dead! Needless to say, her investigating doesn't end there. Add an elusive runaway, a winter festival, and suspects aplenty, as well as yummy descriptions of food (with recipes included at the end of the book) and you have a captivating cozy mystery.

There’s a solid mystery here with some minor mysteries along the way. Who is that runaway, where has he gone, and, more importantly, what has he seen? The characters are more rounded, even Toni’s erstwhile overage delinquent husband. Instead of being annoying, Junior brings innovation and fun in the form of his car cooker.

Stake and Eggs is a great entry to a good series. This entry really captivated me and reignited my interest in the Cackleberry Club.

Recipes are included.

Currently Reading...

I'm continuing to read Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames. This 5th book in the Cheese Shop Mystery series has me reading passed my new bedtime. I'm back at work and am getting used to a new sleep schedule, so I haven't been reading as much. I'm thoroughly enjoying this book, even if I'm not reading it quickly!

Charlotte has to deal with missing Jordan, having a house guest murdered in her workshop, dealing with the antics of some of her neighbors, and friends pressuring her to help solve the crime. There are lots of interesting angles and suspects, and I can't wait to see what happens. I'm also curious to find out who Noelle really was!

Eggs in a Casket - Review

Review

Eggs in a Casket by Laura Childs

Fifth in the Cackleberry Club Mystery series

Suzanne, Petra, and Toni are three women of a certain age who are partners in the Cackleberry Club-a cafe that specializes in egg dishes, a book store, and a knitting store, all in one location. While delivering flowers for Memorial Cemetery’s Sesquicentennial celebration Suzanne and Toni stumble upon a body in a grave. The only problem, the body is not one of the dearly departed resting in his coffin, but a newly murdered laying in the muddy plot. Of course, our ladies get involved, especially as a good friend is a very good suspect.

Eggs in a Casket is the fifth entry in the Cackleberry Club Mystery series by Laura Childs. I always appreciate a mystery wherein the murder victim is a nasty person. That happens to be the case here, which also means there are a lot of suspects. Could the ex-wife, who was acting not so exy, be the murderer? What about the ornery man who lives next to the cemetery? Surely it couldn’t be their good friend Missy, even though she was receiving unwanted attention from the victim and was seen leaving the cemetery in a hurry just before the body was found. Could it?

I enjoyed this entry in the Cackleberry Club Mystery series. Author Laura Childs brings back her unique cast of characters. While I don’t care for Toni as a person, I realize some of her annoying (to me) actions are necessary to get Suzanne the clues she needs to help solve the murder. The climax of this story was thrilling, action packed, and kept me fully engaged. However, after I finished reading I questioned how plausible that action was. Still, if you give a willing suspension of disbelief I think you’ll find it riveting!

Recipes are included....and sound delicious!

Currently Reading...

I'm just about to start Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames. This book is the 5th in the Cheese Shop Mystery series and will be released on February 4th. I'm lucky enough to have an advanced copy.

I've really enjoyed reading the first 4 books in this series and can't wait to dive into this one, especially since it looks as though wine will have an even bigger role!

Two Kaminskis - Interview of a Kaminski by a Kaminski - No Relation

I'd like to welcome Stephen Kaminski to Cozy Up With Kathy. Stephen writes the Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective Mystery series.

Kathy: I must admit I was excited to interview you as we have something quite personal in common...our surname. Yes, I am also a Kaminski!
SK: Hi, Kathy, It’s a pleasure to meet a fellow Kaminski!

Kathy: I'm quite proud of my Polish heritage. Do you follow any specific Polish traditions?
SK: I’m proud as well.  One Polish tradition my family follows happens during the December holidays—passing the oplatek.  Oplatek is a traditional unleavened wafer that symbolizes family unity.  We stand in a circle holding hands, express our gratefulness for being together as a family during the holidays, break off a piece of oplatek and pass the remainder around, and culminate the process with hugs and kisses.  Another Polish tradition I follow is eating paczki on Paczki Day (also known as Fat Tuesday).  

Kathy: Damon Lassard is the head of Hollydale's citizens association. Have you ever held such a title? If not, would you want to do so?
SK: I haven’t been the head of a local citizens association.  It’s largely a thankless position and one I’ll definitely save for retirement.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
SK: I’ve always been a mystery lover, because I’m particularly drawn to complex plotting. What led me to the genre of cozies is the focus on witty dialogue and character development over the course of a series. I’d much rather focus on plotting, twists and turns, and snappy repartee than overt violence.   

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
SK: I don’t.  I have a full time position with a national non-profit organization so I have to focus my writing time on a single series.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

SK: The Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective series features amateur sleuth Damon Lassard.  Damon recently returned to the United States after a stint in the Japanese professional baseball league.  He moves to the Hollydale community of Arlington, Virginia, just west of Washington, DC to live near his twice-widowed mother, Lynne. Damon spends his days volunteering as Hollydale’s citizens association president, at the local branch library, and with a community crime solvers tip line – giving him just enough free time to solve the pesky murders that seem to keep popping up. 

The cast of characters is a loveable one: Damon’s mother Lynne has a wicked sense of humor, Mrs. Chenworth is the local gossip who adores pushing Damon into corners, Rebecca (Damon’s best friend) and the breathtaking Bethany Krims add complicated twists to Damon’s love life, and Damon’s next door neighbor who is going through a mild depression allows Damon to demonstrate his compassionate side.  

Cozy Cat Press has published two books in the series thus far: It Takes Two to Strangle (2012) and Don’t Cry Over Killed Milk (2013). 

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
SK: My favorite character is Mrs. Chenworth, the town busybody.  I use Mrs. Chenworth to impart physical comedy into my books.

Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
SK: Just personal satisfaction and the joy of being able to bring a good story to others.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
SK: I’ve always been an avid reader and for quite some time wanted to try my hand at writing.  Once I started, I couldn’t stop.  Then, I wanted to share my stories with others and had the good fortune of finding a wonderful publisher in Cozy Cat Press.

Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
SK: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Agatha Christie, James Madison (solely in his capacity as the principal author of the U.S. Constitution), and Ayn Rand (to query her on the handling of the recent financial crisis).

Kathy: What are you currently reading?
Winter of the World by Ken Follett and An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P.D. James.

Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
SK: When not writing, reading, or working, I spend the majority of my time playing with, and shuttling around, my seven year-old daughter.  I also enjoy playing soccer and cooking (but not baking).

Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
SK: Kosher baby dill pickles, Swiss cheese, blueberries, and red wine (mainly Malbec and Shiraz).

Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

SK: I’m working hard on a third book in the Damon Lassard series and hope to have it ready for publication in the fall of 2014.

Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
SK: Writing and editing. I truly enjoy spending an early weekend morning with multiple cups of strong black coffee and my characters.  I love the feeling of writing something and knowing that six to eight months later, someone will read it and laugh out loud or say to themselves, “that was totally unexpected.”