As Gouda As Dead ~ A deliciously fun cozy mystery review and giveaway

Posted: January 28, 2015 in Author Interview, Contests, Cozy Mystery, Giveaway Hop, giveaways, reviews, Romance
Tags: , , , ,

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Hi ya’ll. I have so much to share with you today!

I have my review of As Gouda As Dead.

There’s a delicious recipe for you to try.

Plus two giveaways. And ones a scavenger hunt!

Come on in and join the fun!

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As Gouda as Dead
(CHEESE SHOP MYSTERY)

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22668765

Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (February 3, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425273319 / E-Book ASIN: B00LMGK43E

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 My Review

I sure do enjoy cozy mysteries and I’m thrilled each time I discover a new series and author.

I’ll be following this one.

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and a week of special events is planned in the town of Providence, Ohio.

Charlotte Bessette, owner of Fromagerie Bessette, is especially excited because she’s finally marrying the man of her dreams, Jordan Pace, this coming weekend. That is until she finds a dead body dumped in the large vat full of milk at her fiances cheese farm.

Charlotte and Jordan decide to postpone their wedding until the case is resolved, once it’s proven to be a murder.

I was worried about them. No matter that he assured her they will get married in the spring. No matter that he professed his ongoing love in the tender love notes he leaves for her to discover. Something, a feeling I got, had me wondering if the wedding would occur. I know I’m suspicious by nature. If it were my fiance, he’d probably throw his hands up in frustration.

When Charlotte stumbles upon another dead body, Chief of Police Umburto Urso relents and listens to her theories, her conclusions. It’s a race to find the killer before more people are killed.

The author’s descriptions of Providence made me feel right at home. I live in a small single tax colony founded by artists. The downtown area is filled with small shops, bakeries, coffee houses, and restaurants. And just like in this book, the owners all know each other, all use each others wares, and all chip in when something needs doing. It’s a tight knit community and you’d never meet a more loyal, friendly bunch.

I’d recommend you have some napkins handy while reading this one. The food described in these pages is delicious. I swear I could smell and taste it and my mouth was watering. There are some wonderful recipes included at the end, so be sure to check them out.

4 Stars

 

Synopsis


Someone is cheesed off . . .

Providence, Ohio, is celebrating Valentine’s Day with weeklong events, including lovers’ baskets with heart-shaped cheeses at Fromagerie Bessette. Charlotte Bessette is celebrating by finally walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams, handsome artisanal cheese farmer, Jordan Pace. But when a beloved bar owner is discovered murdered on Jordan’s farm, he believes they should reschedule their wedding given the grim turn of events.

Charlotte is heartsick over the postponement. This killer crossed the wrong woman. No one, but no one, is ruining her wedding plans!

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Recipe

Potato Bacon Parmesan Soup

The protagonist of my Cookbook Nook mysteries would probably blanch at the number of ingredients in this recipe, but Charlotte Bessette, the cheese shop owner in the Cheese Shop mysteries would have no problem with it. She loves to cook. She knows some recipes take more steps. She loves to add cheese to just about everything. The Parmesan cheese in this recipe adds just the right about of yum! This is perfect for a cold winter night. Even better if you’re snuggling up with a good book! Anybody planning to read AS GOUDA AS DEAD?

PS: You’ll notice there is no flour in this recipe. The potatoes do all the work of thickening the soup, so this is gluten-free!

 

POTATO BACON PUREE SOUP

[serves 6)

Lori_Potato_Baconsoup

 

Ingredients:

2 pounds large Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4)

6 strips bacon

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup half-and-half

2 cups milk (I used 2%, but you can use regular, too)

¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon of salt (for boiling water)

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon white pepper

Extra Parmesan for garnish

Directions:

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon salt. While water is heating, cut the potatoes into quarters. Add cut potatoes to boiling water and bring to a boil. Cook for 20-25 minutes until tender. [A fork should slide easily in and out.] Drain well. Return the potatoes to the pot and cover, heat off.

Meanwhile, chop onions and saute in butter on low for about 10 minutes.

Also cook the bacon to crispy, let cool on paper towels. Break into pieces. Tip: I use scissors to get the bigger pieces chopped. Set aside. (Reserve 2 pieces for the garnish)

In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the half-and-half and cheese until it simmers. Add the bacon.

With a handheld mixer, beat the hot potatoes in the pot until they are broken up. [You can also use a masher.] Slowly add the cream, salt, pepper, then beat until smooth.   [Note, right at this moment, you have fabulous mashed potatoes. You can skip the next step–adding milk—and serve as a side dish.]

Now, proceeding to make the soup. Add the 2 cups of milk. If the potato soup needs to be reheated, cover and cook gently over low heat until warm. [A few minutes.] Pour into 6 serving bowls and sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese & bacon. Serve hot.

 

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Say Cheese!

As part of her Great Escapes Book Tour
Avery Aames is including an
I Love A Mystery Secret Code Game!

Here’s how it works:
1 – Collect the Secret Code Word at each of Avery Aames Escape Blog Tour stops.
Check out Avery’s delicious recipe on Each Blog Stop
to collect the Secret Word for that stop.

2 – At the end of Avery’s blog tour, put the words together and
form the Secret Code Sentence.

Then CLICK HERE to be taken to the tour page  and insert the Secret Code Sentence in the form with your name, email address and mailing address.

3. One Lucky Winner will receive a Fabulous Prize Package including an autographed copy as As Gouda As Dead, an I love A Mystery Tote and fun swag!

4. 10 Runner’s Up will receive a
Cheese Shop/Cookbook Nook kitchen jar opener and recipe cards.

All winners will be randomly selected from all entries submitted.

Winners will be contacted via email and the prize will be sent to the address you provided on the form.

Have fun and get searching!

Avery

I LOVE A MYSTERY SECRET CODE GAME:
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The 3rd of the 7 words in Avery’s I Love A Mystery Secret Code Contest is
Great
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I LOVE A MYSTERY
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Other stops on the tour are listed at the bottom of the post.

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Daryl Wood Gerber 0218 100dpi

 

About This Author

As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. 

As DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California. 

Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more.

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Author Links

Visit Daryl or Avery atwww.darylwoodgerber.com.

“They” blog on www.mysteryloverskitchen.com as well as www.killercharacters.com

 

http://www.darylwoodgerber.com

http://www.averyaames.com

http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com

http://killercharacters.com

Facebook: Daryl ~   Avery

Twitter: @AveryAames @DarylWoodGerber

Goodreads: 

Daryl Wood Gerber

Avery Aames

Purchase Links 
Amazon ~ B&N~ Book Depository

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Tour Participants

January 26 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 27 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 28 – fuonlyknew – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 29 – Michele Lynn Seigfried’s Blog – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 30 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

January 31 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

February 1 – Traveling With T – Review, Recipe, Giveaway

 

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

I have one print copy of As Gouda As Dead to give away.

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:

“Do you ever try the recipes provided in the cozy mysteries you read?”

Giveaway ends February 4th.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

Comments
  1. Jen says:

    I am reading the Cheese Shop Mystery series, and I am looking forward to the newest book! Sadly, I am not much of a cook but I like to check out the cozy recipes in the back of the book. 🙂
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

    • fuonlyknew says:

      I am starting a collection of recipes from the cozies and hope to start trying some and post about them too!

  2. I haven’t tried a recipe that are in some of the cozies I read but I finished Criminal Confections the other day and it has a recipe for chocolate butter that keeps popping up in my mind and I might give it a try…lol.

    Stormi
    booklady2007 @ gmail.com

  3. Taylor Dean says:

    I don’t read many books that have recipes featured in them. But I’ll try the potato-bacon soup listed above! Yum! It sounds so good. I love finding new recipes and I’m addicted to food network. I would enjoy combining my two obsessions: cooking and reading! Win-win!

    • fuonlyknew says:

      Let me know if you try it! I think it would be fun to try the recipe and include my thoughts with a review of some of the books.

  4. Patricia T says:

    Yes, if the recipe is simple (I’m no gourmet cook). This potato soup would be one I’d try.
    Congratulations, Avery…this is a wonderful series.

  5. Betty says:

    I haven’t tried any of the recipes but I intend to once I get everything together…you know I’m always lacking an ingredient:( The book sounds great as does the recipe! Thank you for the contest!
    woodrumbetty@gmail.com

    • fuonlyknew says:

      That’s the one thing that gets a little crazy. All of those one time spices and stuff sure fill up my cupboards. LOL

  6. suekey12 says:

    I love to try new recipes—the ones I find in cozies always seem good.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    • fuonlyknew says:

      I used to do new recipes every couple of days. Been so long since I’ve done it I want to start doing it again:)

  7. amreade says:

    As Gouda as Dead sounds like a great read; I’ll be adding it to my ever-growning TRB pile. Putting recipes in the book is a terrific idea–I’m wondering where you get the recipes. Are they your own or someone else’s?

  8. Barbara Hawk says:

    I have tried a couple. It is nice that the recipes have been taste tested. Books sound great! angelhwk68@yahoo.com

  9. No, I don’t cook. LOL I love the titles and covers for cozies. Great post, Laura.
    sherry @ fundinmental

  10. Kiki says:

    I have tried a couple of recipes. I can’t wait to try this potatoe recipie.

    xzjh04@ Gmail.com

  11. Barbara Tobey says:

    Usually the recipes give me ideas. I tend to use whatever I have on hand. Bobbipad at gmail dot com

  12. Anita Yancey says:

    No, I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, but some of them sound pretty good. I guess I need to start using them.

    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

  13. holdenj says:

    I have! My favorite (and most successful) was a blonde brownie cookie. Thanks!JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. Yes! I tried the butterscotch brownies from Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity’s Good Deed and they were pretty good. And this potato soup recipe has my mouth watering. I’m definitely going to try it.

  15. Judy says:

    I collect recipes but the potato bacon one I think I’ll actually be making this weekend.

  16. Cyn209 says:

    I’m not much of a cook, but I share the recipes with my sister-in-law…..
    thank you for the giveaway!!!

  17. Kaye Killgore says:

    I do occasionally try the recipes in the back of the book. I love this series.

  18. Georgine Dorman says:

    some of my favorite recipes come from the books I have read. Love this Potato soup recipe

    • fuonlyknew says:

      That’s awesome! I picked up some things today and hope to try one this weekend. My son is waiting to taste test:)

  19. kari cook says:

    Yes i have tried the recipes but I enjoy reading the recipes more than cooking.

  20. Lisa Brown says:

    No, I haven’t but I did copy a number of them for the future.

  21. Dotty Kelley says:

    No, not much of a cook, but have saved a few for possible future use.

    • fuonlyknew says:

      I used to even make my own potato chips! LOL Now I’m single and have just my son to cook for but he’s really liking it when I cook something new.

  22. Jess Dimovski says:

    No but I have them printed to make in the future. zeta@iwon.com

  23. Sandy says:

    I love the recipes from these books. First recipe I ever made from a cozy was a Cherry Coffecake from a Diane Mott Davidson book about 1996. Been hooked ever since.
    Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

  24. Yes, I do. I first tried the recipes when Diane Mott Davidson started putting them in, and have been doing so ever since.

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