Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Essence of Foul Play (An Aroma Wellness Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Essence of Foul Play (An Aroma Wellness Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber
Essence of Foul Play (An Aroma Wellness Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Publisher : Kensington Cozies (March 25, 2025)
Paperback : 320 pages
Emma Brennan may have her head in a cloud of eucalyptus, but her feet are firmly planted on the ground in breathtaking Carmel, California, as she prepares to open her new spa business, Aroma Wellness. But all the reiki, shiatsu, and massage in the world can’t help her relax when she’s accused of murder . . .
Everything is going smoothly as Emma prepares for the grand opening of the spa. The therapy rooms are painted. The sales shop and café are stocked with meditative and delicious goodies, from essential oils to avocado masks and prickly pear massages. The fountain in the Courtyard of Peace is burbling with good vibrations. In fact, there isn’t a whiff of trouble until that morning when Emma is shocked to learn that a rival spa owner has been bludgeoned . . . with an item from the goodwill basket Emma gave her. Worse, a witness is pointing the finger at Emma . . .
With the police treating Emma like she’s the only suspect, and the town’s anti New Age anything posse badmouthing her every step of the way, she’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Incensed by the accusations but empowered by her cousin, her nana, and her trusted Birman cat, Vivi, Emma reviews the potpourri of possible suspects, determined to uncover the essence of foul play—before she’s cold-pressed for murder . . .
Honey Banana Muffins with Coconut Flour
Naturally Gluten-free
In ESSENCE OF FOUL PLAY, the 1st in the new Aroma Wellness Mystery series, Emma Brennan, a twenty-five year old, spiritually-grounded young woman, is opening a day spa along with a gift shop and café. It has been her lifelong dream. She went to college and focused on business, but afterward she went to Tibet to study meditative arts and then to classes to obtain her aesthetician and massage therapist licenses. Lissa Reade, her grandmother and the head librarian at Harrison Library in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, has fronted her the money and is a frank and invested partner. Lissa also paid for Emma’s cousin Sierra to attend culinary school. Sierra is a gifted chef and does all the cooking at the café, offering “good-for-you” foods.
Wait until you read about the spa. Ahhh! The blue and green colors. The sounds of wind chimes and the burbling of a fountain. The feeling of calm. It’s bliss.
At the spa, customers will enjoy massages, facials, mindful meditations, and more. In the shop, customers can browse and purchase gemstones, jewelry, and bonsai trees, and they can sniff and buy aromatic candles. I adore candles, don’t you?
In the café, Chef Sierra creates scrumptious treats, like protein bars and power-packed smoothies and delicious cookies . . . made with honey or other natural ingredients, of course. Lissa is quite a good cook, as well. Her book clubs are renowned for yummy eats. Emma cooks, but her main focus is on making essential oils and facial masks for her customers to enjoy.
The whole vibe at the spa, which is located in a darling courtyard—Carmel is known for its beautiful courtyards—is supposed to bring calm to not only the spa’s customers, but to you, the reader. Yes, this novel is a whodunit, so a murder might occur—there goes your calm!—but rest assured, Emma, who is dedicated to her friends and family and believes in justice, will make sure the killer does not go free.
These honey banana muffins made with coconut flour are delicious. They are naturally gluten-free. The coconut flour is not an overpowering flavor and offers a good texture. The honey is divine!
Enjoy!
Honey Banana Muffins with Coconut Flour
Naturally Gluten-free
(Yield: 10–12 muffins or 20—24 mini muffins)
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375F. Insert 12 muffin liners (or 24 mini muffin liners) into a cupcake tin. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mash the bananas with the honey, oil, egg, and vanilla. Add the flour, soda, and salt. Stir until well combined.
Divide the batter among 10–12 paper-lined muffin cups, filling them almost full, and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until golden and springy to the touch. *If you’re making mini muffins, bake for 16–18 minutes.
Remove from oven and remove the muffins from the cupcake tin. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
*May be frosted with a simple drizzle or cream cheese icing. That might require powdered sugar. It’s up to you.
About Daryl Wood Gerber
Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense including the well-received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams suspense novels. Recently Daryl, who loves a challenge, published a Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com
Author Links
WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber
BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/darylwoodgerber
GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber
TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@daryl_wood_gerber
AMAZON: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page
NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/
Purchase Links
AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSHOP.ORG KOBO MYSTERIOUS GALAXY
Enter the Giveaway
Essence of Foul Play TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 18 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – VIVI INTRODUCTION
March 18 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
March 18 – Frugal Freelancer – SPOTLIGHT
March 19 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
March 19 – Moonlight Rendezvous – RECIPE
March 19 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
March 20 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
March 21 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
March 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – RECIPE
March 21 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
March 21- Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 22 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
March 23 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
March 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
March 23 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
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