Tart Words: Writers read. Readers bake. Bakers write.

In this episode, Linda Hengerer is talking with Connie Berry. Connie Berry is the author of the Kate Hamilton Mysteries, set in the UK and featuring an American antiques dealer with a gift for solving crimes. Like her protagonist, Connie was raised by antiques dealers who instilled in her a passion for history, fine art, and travel. During college she studied at the University of Freiburg in Germa...

In this episode, Linda Hengerer talks with Susie Black. Born in the Big Apple, Susie Black calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.  She reads...

In this episode of Tart Words, Suzanne Fox and Linda Hengerer are discussing Mary Stewart’s book The Moon-Spinners how she uses setting, shows family love and loyalties, and how her characters answer a call to adventure.  It was first published in 1962 by Hodder & Stoughton and is now available in ebook editions.   Takeaways for writers: In The Moon-Spinners, Nicola Ferris is a young English w...

 Cream Cheese & Olives is a family favorite, and easy to make; you'll be snacking in no time! Out of crackers? Use celery as a boat for the cream cheese and olives. 

Linda Hengerer talks with Carrie Stuart Parks, an award-winning, internationally known forensic artist. She travels across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement professionals including the FBI, Secret Service, and RCMP, and is the largest instructor of forensic art in the world.  Her best-selling novels in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre have garnered numerous a...

In this episode of Tart Words, Suzanne Fox and Linda Hengerer are discussing Mary Stewart’s book Airs Above the Ground and how she uses unusual settings, creates vivid animal characters, and shows relationship dynamics.    It was first published in 1965 by Hodder & Stoughton and is now available in ebook editions.   Description from Amazon: Vanessa March's husband Lewis is meant to be on...

 Creamy, buttery, garlicky - just what you want when sweet won't cut it but a savory snack will. 

Linda Hengerer is talking with Joan Lipinsky Cochran, whose Becks Ruchinsky Mysteries explore subcultures of American Judaism. Joan Lipinsky Cochran is a former journalist who has written for such publications as Family Circle, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Miami Herald, the Palm Beach Post, Florida Design and South Florida Magazine. Her food articles have also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Momen...

In this episode of Tart Words, Suzanne Fox and Linda Hengerer are discussing Mary Stewart’s book My Brother Michael and how she uses setting, incorporates both ancient and recent history, and how her characters answer a call to adventure.  It was first published in 1959 by Hodder & Stoughton and is now available in ebook editions.   Description from Amazon: ''Nothing ever happens to...

 The classic recipe, refined. Chocolate Chip Cookies are familiar from childhood, and I've changed a few things. 

Linda is talking with Suzanne Fox. Writing as Suzanne Scott, she is the author of One Hot Summer . Originally published in 1997, Harlequin re-released it as an ebook. Suzanne Fox writes fiction and nonfiction, reviews books for Publishers Weekly, edits the online journal Society 19, and works with authors to shape, publish, and market their work. Her handmade jewelry and digital art, including tha...

In this episode of Tart Words, Suzanne Fox and Linda Hengerer are discussing Mary Stewart’s book Nine Coaches Waiting and how she and develops her characters and uses genre.  It was first published in 1958 by Hodder & Stoughton and is now available in ebook editions.   Description from Amazon: A thrilling, twisty tale of a dangerous romance set in the heart of mid-century Savoy, from the autho...

Inspired by the popular Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, my sister spread peanut butter on an OREO. It tasted like a crunchy peanut butter cup.  Could anything be better with a glass of cold milk on a hot summer day?

You can read a review of This Rough Magic by Suzanne Fox on the blog Mary Stewart Reading. On this episode of Tart Words, Suzanne Fox and Linda Hengerer are discussing Mary Stewart’s book This Rough Magic and how she uses a dolphin as both needing rescue and being the rescuer, and plays characters off each other who are at the beginning and end of their respective careers.  It was first published...

 I love almond butter crunch. This is similar but on a matzo or salted cracker base. Matzo Toffee Crunch is perfect for Passover, Easter, or whenever you want a sweet toffee bite. 

Linda talks to Nancy J. Cohen, author of the Bad Hair Day mystery series. Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. These books have won numerous awards along with her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook. Active in the writing community, Nancy is a past president of Florida Romance Writers and Mystery Writer...

 How do you make a versatile filling for little rolled sandwiches, tea sandwiches, danish, or to use as a spread? 

Linda talks with Joan Wright Mularz, author of the E.T. Madigan YA mystery series. Joan Wright Mularz lives in Florida and summers in Maine. She is the author of the E.T. Madigan YA mystery series. The third book in the series, Maine Roots Run Deep, was a Finalist for BEST YA BOOK at the 2018 Independent Publishers of New England Book Awards. Kirkus Reviews said "Maine Roots Run Deep" wa...

In this episode of Tart Words, Linda and Suzanne Fox are discussing Mary Stewart’s book Madam, Will You Talk? , and how she uses POV (Point of View) and Backstory in this twisted tale of murder, betrayal, and love.  It was first published in 1955 by Hodder & Stoughton and is now available in ebook editions. Takeaway for writers:   Madam, Will You Talk? is written in first person POV. When you...

 A sweet treat in the afternoon is sometimes a necessary pick-me-up, but there are times when a savory treat hits the spot. Cheese is something I always go to, and pimento cheese takes it to another level. I share my recipe for Pimento Cheese in this episode of Tart Bites.  

In this episode of Tart Words, we’re discussing Mary Stewart’s book Wildfire at Midnight and how she uses setting, genre, and plot in this story about mountain worship taken to the extreme. It was first published in 1956 by Hodder & Stoughton and is now available in ebook editions.   Description from Amazon: The tense, twisty murder mystery which will have you on the edge of your seat, from th...

Remember the Rice Krispie Treats from childhood? Chocolate Dulce de Leche Crispie Treats are on another level of sweet, chocolatey crunch. NOTE: To make your own dulce de leche, remove the label from a can (or several cans) of sweetened, condensed milk. In a large pot, place the cans on their sides and cover with water - at least an inch of water over the highest point of the can. Bring the water...

Linda talks with Annette Dashofy, author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series. Annette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of the multi–Agatha Award-nominated Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township. Her latest release, a standalone, is Death by Equine , about a veterinarian at a second-rate thoroughbred racetrack se...

Linda Hengerer talks with Raquel Reyes about writing, Caribbean cooking, and her characters. Raquel V. Reyes is the author of Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking , the second book in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series and available now. Mango, Mambo, and Murder, the first book in the series featuring Cuban-American cooking show star Miriam Quiñones-Smith, has been optioned for film and is now availabl...

Linda Hengerer talks with Christine DeSmet about her Fudge Shop Mystery Series, Belgian chocolate, writing, and creating recipes. Christine DeSmet is the author of the Fudge Shop Mystery Series and the novella series, Mischief in Moonstone Mystery Series, both set in Wisconsin. She is a writing coach as well, and spent several years as a Distinguished Faculty Associate in writing at the University...