Thursday, July 29, 2010

What I “had” for summer?

By Guest Blogger Avery Aames

I know the theme on this blog has been what I did for summer, but what about what I had? What I ate? What I dreamed of doing?

I’ve recently been published. The Long Quiche Goodbye, the first in A Cheese Shop Mystery series, debuted July 6. So guess what I had/ate/dreamed of doing this summer?

That’s right. Something with cheese! Yummy, delicious, scrumptious cheese. I’m so lucky because I love my research. I shop, I taste, I cook...and then I write. Cheese has become a passion. Many of the cheese shops near me know me by name. I ask what’s new. They offer a taste. I savor. And I write some more.

Here are a few of my favorites for summer…if I could be anywhere I wanted, eating anything I wanted, doing anything I wanted.

Buffalo mozzarella, a creamy cheese, with slices of tomato, leaves of basil, and a light oil and vinegar. Served with a bubbly Proseco wine, laced with hints of lemon zest. Sitting on a patio beneath an umbrella, drinking in the scents of my blossoming garden…and writing.

Pecorino Tartufo, a sheep’s milk cheese, drizzled with honey, accompanied by sourdough crackers. Served with a spicy Zinfandel. Sitting on a lake or by the ocean, taking in a sunset, listening to the sounds of seagulls overhead…and writing.

Humboldt Fog, a goat’s cheese, stuffed into figs or dates. Served with a nutty Chardonnay. (Not too cold; warm is to my liking.) Lying on a picnic blanket in the hills or a forest, the gentle winging of butterflies all around me…and writing.

The beauty of writing fiction is that I can take myself anywhere I want, at any time of the day, and imagine. However, the beauty of writing fiction about cheese is I get to do research!

Avery Aames, author of A Cheese Shop Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, likes to read, cook, garden, and do amateur photography. You may visit Avery at http://www.averyaames.com/. She also blogs at Mystery Lovers Kitchen, a blog for foodies who love mysteries, as well as at Killer Characters, a blog overtaken by cozy authors’ characters. You can purchase the first book in the series, The Long Quiche Goodbye, at Avery’s bookseller page by clicking here:







12 comments:

PatRemick said...

Welcome Avery! You've given us some yummy and easy suggestions for enjoying summer vacation... even if we aren't taking the traditional kind! (and made me very hungry....but what kinds of cheese and wine are appropriate for 5:30 am on a workday?)

Laurissa said...

Welcome Avery! I love your kind of research, too. I have to try the buffalo mozzarella!

Joyce Tremel said...

Okay, I'm officially hungry now. I think I'll go with a cheese omelette for breakfast.

I wonder if Berkley needs someone to write books featuring ice cream. Or beer. That would even be better!

Pauline Alldred said...

Love your kind of research.
Pauline

Jenna said...

Welcome to the Stiffs, fellow Berkey babe and fellow ITW debut author (who on top of everything else has my heroine's name)! Yeah, cheese rocks. Buffalo mozzarella and tomato slices is one of my favorites. Wish they'd pay me to write about cheese...

Joyce, someone probably already has an ice cream shoppe mystery series in the works, but if not... shoot Berkley a proposal. Culinary mysteries are at the top of their sales list.

Wilfred Bereswill said...

I'm not sure if I'm hungry or thristy. Or both.

But I have a hankerin' for a Bacon and cheese omelette.

BTW, bacon makes everything taste better.

Jenna said...

So agree, Freddy. Bacon is da bomb. But for omelets, bacon and tomato is better than bacon and cheese. Just saying.

Daryl Wood Gerber a.k.a. Avery Aames said...

Pat, too funny. sorry I'm chiming in late. Busy busy busy morning doing PR. Yes, many authors have to do their own PR.

Anyway, hm, let me think. 5:30 a.m. Cream cheese on a bagel. And probably a lovely Proseco. A little bubbly, will make you feel like you're having brunch. :)

Enjoy.
Avery

M Pax said...

Yummy.

Daryl Wood Gerber a.k.a. Avery Aames said...

Joyce, there's already a series with ice cream, written by Wendy Watson. They're fun, fun! Re: Beer...not sure, but it's sure a thought. :)

Jennie, never heard myself referred to as a Berkley Babe. (Cute...I like it. :) )

Also...omelets. I love 'em!!!!!


Avery

Daryl Wood Gerber a.k.a. Avery Aames said...

Well, where are all our Working Stiffs? Working? Or possibly sneaking a piece of cheese? I know I just did.

~Avery

Joyce Tremel said...

I was busy running errands. Hubby get back from his business trip tomorrow and I thought it might be nice if we actually had groceries in the house.

Now I'm going to write for a few hours.