Fresh Fiction Blog | Daryl Wood Gerber | Traveling through Writing

I love to travel, don’t you? When I write, I choose to write about places I’d like to visit so I can travel vicariously. Crystal Cove, a fictional town on the Central Coast of California, is my kind of place. Flanked by the ocean and gently rising hills, it has the perfect Mediterranean-style climate: sunny, but not too hot, an occasional fog, a gentle breeze. Lots of shopping. Lots of restaurants. An aquarium. Fishing lakes. And the whole town is walk-able! Plus, there’s a fabulous pier with games, diners, and boating excursions. Heaven!

Every week in Crystal Cove there is something FUN to do. The mayor likes to have a theme. Right now, in my latest release, FUDGING THE BOOKS, piracy is in the air!!! Not real pirates, mind you. It’s Pirate Week and there are a ton of adventuresome events, including rock wall climbing, a whale-watching cruise, finding the pot of doubloons, taking in The Pirates of Penzance musical, and more. Jenna has loaded The Cookbook Nook with plenty of fascinating cookbooks with tantalizing recipes and beautiful photographs. Her pal Chef Katie is whipping up delectable pirate-themed treats. And as if that’s not enough, it’s also National Chocolate month. Yahoo! Don’t miss the Pirate’s booty fudge recipe that’s included, plus these delicious recips in FUDGING THE BOOKS:

Coco’s chocolate cookies
Cinnamon chocolate meringues
White chocolate macaroons
Cocoa brioche croutons
Bailey’s Irish cream pie
Pirate’s booty fudge
Kahlua cream nightcap

GIVEAWAY

What is your favorite place to visit? Tell me in the comments and you will be entered to win a darling “pirate booty” bracelet, designed by I LOVE DOGS JEWELRY, on Etsy. You’ll be glad to know that the jewelry sales for I Love Dogs Jewelry improve the lives of homeless and abused animals through sheltering, adoption, education and advocacy, as well as the prevention of animal cruelty. You will also win some delicious chocolate! And an autographed copy of your choice of a Cookbook Nook Mystery, plus some fun swag.

About Daryl Wood Gerber

Daryl Wood Gerber writes the nationally bestselling A Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie. Set on the coast of California. As Avery Aames, she writes the Agatha Award–winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner who cares about family above all else. Set in the quaint, fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl's short stories have been nominated for the Agatha and other awards.

Prior to writing, Daryl was an actress in Los Angeles. A fun tidbit for mystery buffs: she co–starred on the popular series, "Murder, She Wrote" and "Matlock." Daryl graduated from Stanford University. She enjoys golfing, swimming, photography, gardening, gourmet cooking, and has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Avery and Daryl blog at Mystery Lovers Kitchen as well as Killer Characters.

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About FUDGING THE BOOKS

The Agatha Award–winning author of STIRRING THE PLOT returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, California, where February brings Pirate Week, National Chocolate Month—and bitter murder…

Pirate Week is sweeping through Crystal Cove and keeping Jenna Hart and her bookstore, the Cookbook Nook, plenty busy. But she’s not too swamped to also host the local Chocolate Cookbook Club’s meeting—especially because the guest of honor is her friend, candy maker and cookbook author Coco Chastain.

Jenna whips up a delicious event amidst the rowdy festivities, but the mood is soon broken by robberies, simmering tempers, and a dead body—Coco’s editor, Alison. The suspects turn out to be more plentiful than a pot full of gold doubloons, so to prove Coco isn’t responsible for the dastardly deed, Jenna will have to stir up some clues and figure out who’s the real sticky-fingered killer…

Read an Excerpt

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Comments

I used to love traveling. Now, I prefer to stay home. I was
never into amusement parks, but loved living history museums
so Williamsburg in the winter, when it wasn't busy, was
terrific for me. I once had a behind the scenes tour of the
Library of Congress that I've thought about for years. When I
was younger, I loved traveling into Canada to practice my
French.
(Marcia Berbeza 12:13pm August 3, 2015)

I like to visit family up the coast. It's all good.
(Mary Preston 5:48am August 3, 2015)

Marcia, I loved going to Williamsburg. So educational!
Marissa, Barbados sounds intriguing. I've been to the Caribbean.
Mary, visiting family is always good. :)
Thanks for stopping by!
~Daryl
(Daryl Wood Gerber 10:08am August 3, 2015)

I love to go out in the woods on hikes. so beautiful out there.
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 11:27am August 3, 2015)

My favorite place to visit is somewhere peaceful with white sand and blue
water!
(Celia Fowler 11:39am August 3, 2015)

My favorite place to visit is the Great Smoky Mountains. It was our favorite
vacation spot when our children were growing up. Thank you for the
giveaway, I would love to read this book.
(Ceciliayoung Young 11:46am August 3, 2015)

My favorite place is Savannah, Georgie. It has a lot of pirate lore too. The
Pirate House is said to be where Treasure Island was written. Also, people
were kidnapped and put on ships through the tunnel of the basement of the
restaurant.
(Jeannie Daniel 12:04pm August 3, 2015)

I love Disneyworld...it brings out the kid in all of us. There's something there
for every one to enjoy.
(Linda Kuzminczuk 12:51pm August 3, 2015)

What a great post, and after all the terrific publicity I cannot wait to read this.
Thanks for the giveaway.
(Sally Schmidt 1:07pm August 3, 2015)

When I want a peaceful and relaxing place I love the chance to
go to the beach. Perfect setting and ideal for tranquility.
(Sharon Berger 1:50pm August 3, 2015)

i never travled out of Canada. but i love seeing my
country and hoping to see the world too
(Emily Stemp 2:37pm August 3, 2015)

I like to visit the coast so I can smell the ocean.
(Sue Farrell 2:43pm August 3, 2015)

I would enjoy traveling anywhere. normally it is just to visit family. I thoroughly love reading all the time, would be tickled pink if I won your book.
(Cindy Davenport 3:03pm August 3, 2015)

What wonderful places and memories from all of you about where you'd like
to go/visit/see. I love Disneyland - yes, the kid in all of us. I did visit
Canada, went to Toronto as well as Lake Jaspar (beautiful). I think wherever
there's water, I feel comfortable. A river, a lake, the ocean! Thanks to all for
chiming in.
(Daryl Wood Gerber 3:06pm August 3, 2015)

I love to travel! My favorite place to travel is somewhere
new. This summer we explored Las Vegas and went to the
Grand Canyon. I also went on my first ghost tour in
Savannah, GA.
(Debbie Wiley 3:45pm August 3, 2015)

Fiction books are some of the best books available.
(Elizabeth Deyoung 6:46pm August 3, 2015)

Oh, Debbie, I'll bet the Grand Canyon was hot but exhilarating.
Elizabeth - sometimes my escape is simply to read!

~Daryl
(Daryl Wood Gerber 6:56pm August 3, 2015)

Any large city I visit, I try to get to the historic
district and take old house tours. I especially love the
victorian era.
(LaCinda Jameson 8:21pm August 3, 2015)

Your books are some of the best I have ever read
(Sharon Baker 12:46pm August 4, 2015)

There's just something special about San Francisco.
(Sue Ahn 4:01am August 4, 2015)

somewhere where I can hear the birds chirp and the wind rustle the leaves
(Lorelei Frank 8:14am August 4, 2015)

Las Vegas is the most fascinating city to me , all the excitement and seems like no one sleeps there . I'm a people watcher , I love to see all the different kinds of people this world has .San Francisco was also very interesting as was New Orleans . There are lots of cities I would like to go back and visit . Branson, Mo . is another great place . I love your books and thanks for this giveaway .
(Joan Thrasher 10:16am August 4, 2015)

My favorite place to visit is anywhere abroad where there's a different culture and history I can learn from. Since grad school is too expensive, I'll have to make do with learning history straight from the source itself ;)
(Lisa L. 10:41am August 4, 2015)

I love to visit St. Louis, MO. I have friends down there that I never see often enough & we always have a great time together.
(Kristine Murphy 1:48pm August 4, 2015)

Well I rarely travel but my family had a lot of fun in San
Diego a couple of years ago! There was always something to
do and the weather was gorgeous!
(Maria Smith 3:22pm August 4, 2015)

I don't travel well, but I do like to visit my son with the
grandchildren. Tt can be fun.
(Nancy Luebke 4:00pm August 4, 2015)

Due to health issues, I haven't been able to travel for a while. When I was able to travel, I loved going with my Husband to Gaitlinburg, Tennessee!! The climate was ideal there, and there was one street in particular, that I loved to walk down. It was full of little shops, so you could go into them, one at a time, and shop to your hears' content!! Those were the days!! lol I also like Leelenau, Michigan. Besides being right by the water, there are so many little towns up and down the peninsula, along with a couple of casinos, if you feel daring. It's charming out there, and the shops are quaint, along with some of the restaurants. At least they were the last time I was there. I'm looking forward to reading your book, and know I'll be salivating while reading it, being the chocoholic that I am!! lol Congratulations on your latest book, which I know will do well!! The cover is stunning as usual!!
(Peggy Roberson 4:57pm August 4, 2015)

Sharon Baker, thank you so much for the lovely compliment!
Maria - San Diego is such a fun town! With the zoo and everything! Love
it.
Nancy, visiting the grandkids is always great!
Peggy - Tennessee sounds so lovely! I love a town with little shops, as
you well know if you've read my books. Hope your health is on the mend.

All my best to all~ Daryl
(Daryl Wood Gerber 5:27pm August 4, 2015)

My favorite place to visit is Calgary. I try to get
there once a year for an internation skating event.
Their campus is beautiful to walk through and, if I want
to go further afield, the foothills are breathtaking.
Also, my favorite clothing store in the world is a short
walk from the Olympic Village.
(Deb Philippon 6:01pm August 4, 2015)

I enjoyed visiting the Outer Banks years ago with my
parents. I'd love to take my son and grandchildren
there, but I'm afraid it probably isn't as peaceful as
it was then. I love visiting places of historical
interest as long as there are nice family restaurants,
fun things to do and no malls within 20 miles.
(Irene Menge 8:16pm August 4, 2015)

I love traveling up and down the coast of California. Great views and most of the time great weather. Wish Crystal Cove was real. Would love to visit.
(Mary Songer 8:23pm August 4, 2015)

Go to the beach in Florida with mother in law and family!
(Mary Byars 12:40pm August 5, 2015)

Going on a cruise to the Bahamas with my brother
(Linda Kyle 12:49pm August 5, 2015)

My favorite places to visit are the mountains and Branson,
Missouri.
(Sharon Cook 6:54am August 5, 2015)

I have been lucky to travel all around the world. My favorite
international is China, the people are so friendly.
(Leona Olson 9:27am August 5, 2015)

I love to travel somewhere that has a quiet walking trail near
a river.
(Sarah Bauman 2:53pm August 5, 2015)

I love to visit mountains and forests. I love the peace of the forest and the constant variety of landscape found in mountainous areas with the swells of the hills and the dips of the valleys.
(Flora Presley 5:06pm August 5, 2015)

I love to visit family and friends in New Zealand as I
don't get back there very often.
(Trish Wakeman 9:17pm August 5, 2015)

I love visiting Hawaii! I've taken my children twice and
it still is their favorite place even over Disneyland and
Disney world
(Janis Milford 9:45pm August 5, 2015)

I love fishing in Minnesota's beautiful pine forests!
(Diane Pollock 10:08pm August 5, 2015)

I love visiting the Caribbean!! The beaches are so clean and beautiful, and it is
always beach weather!! I also enjoy the beautiful nature and hiking. It's so
peaceful and calming to be down there!
(Lily Shah 12:58pm August 6, 2015)

I love driving through the Florida Keys to Key West on a Key Lime Pie Quest.
(Renee Rousseau 3:25am August 6, 2015)

I love traveling, so wherever I have traveled is always my favorite!
(Jennifer Clayton 9:05am August 6, 2015)

The central coast really is beautiful, but my favorite places are ones I haven't seen yet! It's a wide, wide world with so much to learn!
(Amy Myers 10:16am August 6, 2015)

I especially enjoyed the beauty of Yellowstone National Park and the enormous redwood trees in California. Frankly, there is beauty in all area of our country and it's difficult to choose one spot.
(Anna Speed 1:01pm August 6, 2015)

yes i love to travel but never be out of Canada. love to go
to Hawaii, London England. Spain.
(Emily Stemp 3:00pm August 6, 2015)

Oh, I love going to all sorts of places. We spent ten days in Spain in June,
and it was amazing. I love tracking the progress of seasons as I travel locally,
in Colorado.And you make me miss the Salinas-Monterey area, where I lived
from 1999-2001.
(Mary Ann Dimand 8:54pm August 6, 2015)

I absolutely love to visit the Grand Cayman Islands where the water is clear, the
breezes are soft, and the history is amazing.
(Pam Flynn 9:45pm August 6, 2015)

I like to go where the crowds are not so off season. I love museums that deal with history. I enjoyed Williamsburg but recent enjoyed the Museum at Camp Shelby in MS
(Melinda Marks 11:46pm August 6, 2015)

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Daryl Wood Gerber | Traveling through Writing

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September Best Reads

Authors To Watch

Fresh Fiction BlogGet to Know Your Favorite Authors

Daryl Wood Gerber | Traveling through Writing

AVAILABLE

GIVEAWAY

About Daryl Wood Gerber

About FUDGING THE BOOKS

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors