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Dear, wonderful reader,
It's late November, and if you're anything like me this is the time of year that I start embracing the holiday spirit. After all, Thanksgiving is just two days away! It's the time for eating turkey and stuffing. This week is all about pumpkin pies and sweet potato casserole. Family and friends are about to descend on our house and gather around our table to feast on Thanksgiving delights until their pants get too tight! Some, not me, have even put up their Christmas decoration! The holidays are nearly here. For goodness sake, it's the time when readers clamor for cozy Christmas reads! I know, because I'm one of them.
Truly, I love the holiday season. So imagine my surprise when I learned that the 6th book in my Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series, Murder at the Lemonberry Tea--a book that celebrates our beautiful Michigan summers-- was given a pub date of the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Yes, I was a little confused.
"It's a summer book," I told my wonderful editor, John, at my publishing house, who has never steered me wrong. "It's about a tea party in Lindsey's newly renovated Boathouse Event Center. Lindsey's bff Kennedy has roped her into hosting British cookbook diva, Vivi Lemonberry, and let me tell you, the woman's got issues! That's the reason she's visiting Beacon Harbor in the first place-- to reboot her failing career in the U.S. with a new cooking show called, Nibbles From Across The Pond. Lindsey's going to make a guest appearance, baking beside Vivi Lemonberry, and the whole town of Beacon Harbor is excited to be a part of it! In short, this is a summer book, with flowing summer dresses, floppy hats, tea party treats, boating adventures, and out-of-town visitors who are a tad difficult to handle. And yes, there is a murder in it as well." (A side note here: I always have to put at least one murder in my books. It's in my contract.😊)
Well, as you might have guessed, my editor assured me that everything was going to be fine. Not to worry. If it was an Easter book, that might be a worry, but it's not. It's a summer book, and a summer book releasing at the holidays is just fine.
At that point I did what every good author does. I took a deep breath, embraced my faith, and trusted him. I've been doing that a lot lately. You see, this has been a big year for me. I've had three book launches, Murder at the Blarney Bash in January, A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor series launch in August, and now Murder at the Lemonberry Tea in November. And I was on pace to write two books as well... until the rug got pulled out from under me. As many of you already know, my dear mother passed in August. What you might not know is that she left my brother and me our childhood home. (So blessed!) However, after wandering around the house and opening up closets, I recalled that my parents never had a garage sale. That should have thrown up warning bells. In fact, it wasn't until weeks later that I realized my mom might have possible been a hoarder... or a "collector", the line gets blurred. Anyhow, my point is, there's lots of stuff to deal with. Lots. Of. Stuff. (Note to self, start purging now... unless the children start acting up. Then, by all means, keep buying books!) As you can imagine, all this new responsibility is going to take time. I'm sure many of you know what I mean, having lost loved ones of your own. Sending hugs to you now!🤗(Everyone needs a hug.)
Needless to say, this year has been quite a journey, both professionally and personally. My Facebook account was hacked and stolen in July. (Urgh!) My beloved mother passed in August (Heartbreaking/overwhelming). I launched my first hardcover series, The Food & Spirits Mystery Series, in August (Yay!). And in late October my wonderful son, Jim (with connections at META) was able to recover my Facebook account. (Double-Triple Yay!) Oh, and two of my son's each bought a house this year (Yay!) On opposite coasts. (No!). One moved back home, so there's the silver lining (wink-wink). What I'm getting at is that this has been a year when I've needed to hear that everything is going to be fine. And do you know what? In spite of all the bumps along the road, everything has been fine. Sure, it takes a leap of faith when you hear those six words, but trust me, faith can carry you a long way. Aside from the Hokey-Pokey, it really might be what it's all about. Faith. In fact, all things considered, it really has been a truly wonderful year with so many blessing and much to be thankful for... including a slightly out-of-season book launching two days before Thanksgiving! (Hurrah!)
To celebrate my 6th Beacon Bakeshop book, (Wow! #6!) here's a printable version of my mom's lemon bar recipe. Last year she was so excited when I told her that I was going to include it in this book. Of course, Lindsey takes all the credit for it, but it is, after all, her bakeshop. Truly, this such a delicious, classic recipe that you just might want to make some for the holidays. Or save it until summer. Either way, you are going to love these lemon bars! Click on the picture below for your printable recipe.
If you're out and about on Saturday, November 30th, I'll be signing copies of Murder at the Lemonberry Tea and my other books at 2 Dandelions Bookshop. Please stop by and say hello if you're able! Click on the picture for more information.
Enter my "Pamper Yourself This Thanksgiving" book giveaway!
Giveaway includes:
A signed copy of Murder at the Lemonberry Tea
A box of English Teas
A pack of raspberry Macarons
Fuzzy socks
A vintage 1990's Mary Engelbreit teacup Christmas ornament
(courtesy of Jan's Basement Treasures)
Sent to you in one of my recycled Amazon boxes!
*To enter the giveaway please leave a comment below and tell me one small thing you're grateful for this year🙏🦃.
(Continental U.S. only please)
Giveaway will run from 11/26-11/30
I will contact the winner directly and post it on my FB page HERE
If you haven't already, please follow me on FB!
(**Always be wary of scams. Remember, I will never ask you for your credit card or send you a link!)
***Want another chance to win? I'm running the same giveaway on Instagram (different Vintage teacup, of course). That's two chances to win!
Follow me on Instagram HERE then follow the instructions on my giveaway post.
Winners will be chosen at random.
As always, thank you for reading and supporting my books. It means the world to me!
Wising you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and a blessed holiday season!
--Darci
Thank you all for these wonderful comments! I feel so blessed to have been able to read these lovely things that you, my readers and friends, are grateful for. They are so touching, and often personal, so thank you for sharing them with me! Today is Dec. 3. I selected the winner, Tracey A. on Nov. 30th, but have been waiting for her to reply. I will announce her name shortly on my Facebook page. Thank you for entering my giveaway and for being a part of my bookish journey! Happy reading and happy baking!
Grateful and thankful for my family and friends. Especially grateful for my husband who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. We will get through this together.
Thank you for the giveaway!
I am grateful for my family and faith which have gotten me through some really tough times.
I'm grateful that I'm still here and getting better. My kidneys crashed in February and after 2 months in the hospital and Rehab, I'm home and slowly recovering. Reading cozy mysteries kept me occupied.
I am grateful for cozy mysteries that take me away from the hustle and bustle!