On My Table and In My Cup April 29th to May 6th

It has been a crazy week, so much has happened and it is hard to get my head around it all. This week has had its ups and fair share of downs, and I shall be glad to say goodbye to it!
I am happily distracted by the wonderful book Death in Dark Blue on my table today from Julia Buckley. It is hard to put down, but I have put it away reluctantly so I could write today's post. This one is out now and a dream to read.

My Puppy Niece and I snuck our teeth in to Kathleen Bridge's Ghostal living this week and loved it. This was a lovely addition to the series, Meg is a strong and wonderful character. Lots of gritty characters to suspect in this one, fun read for sure.

 I had a really bad reaction to Shelfish this week and am now the proud/reluctant owner of an Epi Pen. The doctor pointed out to me that had I eaten a prawn he and I would not be having the conversation we were having as I would not be here to hear it,  and that any woman who carried a purse as big as mine had no excuse for not carrying one. In my defence 20 years ago when I learned of my allergy no one had epi pens. It was not the way I hoped to spend my mother in laws 70th birthday dinner but she kindly saved me cake. Also my husband kindly brought my book to the hospital and as the medicine wore off enough I was able to read one chapter.

Home and able to share my tribute to Star Wars day, though without my normal energy, I love using my teapot a birthday gift a few years back from my sisters and nieces and nephews. It is too cute.

I was thrilled this week too! In addition to getting a very advanced reading copy of CeeCee James book this week Booked for Murder, if you have a good eye you may have noticed a new teacup on my table. I was over the moon to find a 1940's Shelley Tea Cup at a local charity shop for $20.

While my teacups are in use regularly and not really a collection that just sit and collect dust. I may have to put this one on the shelf occasionally for display, though this one is so pretty it is hard not to want to use it every day. I love the shape and feel of it, a prize find for sure and a great addition to my working collection. I have used it a few times this week, with my Vanilla Black tea from Murchies and a few cups of  Peppermint tea.

Alice Loweecey had me laughing this week with her delightful book The Clock Strikes Nun, this one is out at the end of the month and such a fantastic series! Also all these apples are gone! Looking at this photo reminds me of how much my kids are growing and how fast they can consume these tasty treats, I must pick up a few more bags this week!

Sunday I shared my review of Meg Macy's new series about a teddy bear shop. I think this book is a great idea for a cozy series! I hope you will too.

This week I got some wonderful new releases to make my way through and downloaded some great treasures as well on my kindle app. I feel so lucky to be able to read and review what I do and even more grateful to have you here to join me for a cup of tea and a week in review.
I look forward to sharing more with you soon. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

The Clock Strikes Nun by Alice Loweecey

Yesterday I finished Alice Loweecey's The Clock Strikes Nun. This is the fourth book in the series and it is out May 30th. This is one of the funniest cozy mystery series I have ever read. Who knew a series about an Italian nun who "went over the wall", took on a new life as a private detective, married into a good Irish family and can hold her own in any situation, would bewitch me in such away! I smiled and laughed my way through The Clock Strikes Nun, thinking the entire time, that main character Giulia is my true idea of a superhero! This story was so good. It blended the nonsense and the "paranormal" aspect of the client's case perfectly. I could not figure out how the mysteries all came together and when it was revealed it was an extremely satisfying end. This is a series I would absolutely purchase for friends and wish my mother was alive to read this. I know she would love this series as much as I do. Alice has a winner with The Clock Strikes Nun.

“Giulia is a sympathetic, well-drawn character who has built a full life for herself after leaving the convent, but appealing touches of the former nun remain.” – Booklist When terrified Elaine Patrick knocks on Driscoll Investigations’ door and insists her house is haunted, Giulia Driscoll’s first response is “we don’t handle ghosts.” When Elaine’s housekeeper and crackpot filthy rich cousin descend on Giulia and demand she find out who’s trying to steal sweet, fragile Elaine’s family business out from under her, that’s a different story. They want DI to provide Tarot readings, ghost hunting sessions, and even an exorcism. Ghost hunting? There are apps for that. Tarot readings? Experts in the skill are right across the street. Exorcisms? Having a priest for a brother-in-law comes in handy. Giulia plunges into a crash course in all things supernatural, convinced everything happening to Elaine is stagecraft. Except when it isn’t. Giulia’s about to discover a new dimension to sleuthing, if she can survive attempted murder long enough to see through the web of lies around her client. “Loweecey’s characters are colorful without being caricatures, and once again we’re lucky that Giulia Driscoll left the convent behind. She solves the crime with a happy mix of online savvy, humor and intelligence.” – Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of An Early Wake “Loweecey is herself a former nun, and she brings to Giulia all of this inner conflict, residual guilt, and disillusionment…and how can you not love an author who quotes from the movies Airplane and Young Frankenstein? Giulia’s recent marriage adds a delightful dash of romance, but the real appeal of this series is her genuine likability and fiery independent streak that could never be hidden behind a veil.” – Kings River Life Magazine “Exciting and suspenseful.” – Publishers Weekly (on Nun Too Soon) Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), paranormal mysteries, humorous murder mysteries, book club recommendations, private investigator mystery series.

You can pre order your copy for Kindle or Paperback by clicking here.
Learn more about the amazing series by Alice Loweecey by clicking here.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery review I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Nun But The Brave A July Release To Enjoy!

"Wow, just wow" is what I thought as I finished the last line of Nun But The Brave. This third installment in the Gulia Driscoll Mystery Series was simply outstanding. Written with such cheek! Great wit, fun characters, brilliant and relevant mystery, I hated to put this book down. I was filled with such an appreciation for main character Gulia and her ability to unravel complex mysteries using humor, charm and knowledge of her true self. Complimented by a cast of an equally matched husband who has complete faith in her and supportive staff and friends. I devoured this story.
Alice Loweecey has written such a complex and well layered mystery I hope you will all enjoy this July!

 “In Nun But the Brave, the third in Alice Loweecey's page-turning Giulia Driscoll mystery series, Loweecy pulls off an incredible balancing act, whipping up the perfect blend of humor, suspense, and poignancy. I lost track of how many times this book made me laugh out loud, even as I rooted for Giulia and double-checked to make sure my doors were locked. Henery Press has a reputation for publishing great cozies, and Nun But the Brave is no exception!” –Jess Lourey, Lefty-Nominated Author of the Murder by Month Mysteries “Giulia is a sympathetic, well-drawn character who has built a full life for herself after leaving the convent, but appealing touches of the former nun remain.” – Booklist “Loweecey’s characters are colorful without being caricatures, and once again we’re lucky that Giulia Driscoll left the convent behind. She solves the crime with a happy mix of online savvy, humor and intelligence.” – Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of An Early Wake “Loweecey is herself a former nun, and she brings to Giulia all of this inner conflict, residual guilt, and disillusionment…and how can you not love an author who quotes from the movies Airplane and Young Frankenstein? Giulia’s recent marriage adds a delightful dash of romance, but the real appeal of this series is her genuine likability and fiery independent streak that could never be hidden behind a veil.” – Kings River Life Magazine Giulia Driscoll’s sister-in-law barges into Driscoll Investigations and promptly passes out from OD’ing on an unknown drug. Two OD’d teenagers are found dead in the park and behind a convenience store. DI’s new client insists her missing twin sister is not dead and enlists Giulia as the “Missing Person Whisperer.” Hooray for steady work? The missing sister’s trail leads to married, pregnant, ex-nun Giulia’s first experience with online dating sites, to the delight of her husband and employees. Those dates lead her to local Doomsday Preppers. They grow their own everything, and that everything may be connected to the drugs, her sister-in-law, and the missing twin. These Preppers are about to learn the true meaning of doom. Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), humorous murder mysteries, book club recommendations, private investigator mystery series."

I was grinning like a silly cat at the end of this story, I swear my cheeks still hurt! 
To learn more about Alice Loweecey please click here.
Pre-order your own copy of Nun But The Brave from Amazon please click here.

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery I would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

On My Table And In My Cup June 3rd- 11th

Saturday has come once again and I so thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a look back at what has been on my table and in my cup this week.  I was so thrilled to receive an advanced reading copy of A Story To Kill by Lynn Cahoon. I look forward to sharing my review with you in the next week. So exciting to learn she has another series coming out and one I know you are going to enjoy!

Nun But The Brave by Alice Loweecey, is another advanced reading copy I received. I was so excited to read this third book in the Guila Driscoll series. What a treat! Out this summer it is quick witted and has a really great mystery story and sub story! 

In my cup a black tea blend from the White Heather Tea Room on Vancouver Island, my friend Daniela kindly brought some back for me to try, this was a blend of black tea, vanilla, papaya and passion fruit, one of their top sellers and a refreshing tea for summer.

I also read Kathi Daley's The Secret, which I very much enjoyed. 

On my table a gift from my visiting Great Aunt Margot, lemon shortbread sugar cookies from Thomas Hass bakery, I had to have more then two with my tea, they were so lovey.

I have had a busy week and as summer approaches I look forward to having more time to sit outside and read, enjoying the warm summer evenings in the tea tent.

Thank you for joining me for  a cup of tea and week in review, I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

A Cup of Tea And A Cozy Short Mystery By Alice Loweecey

This past week I have not been fortunate to have many books on my table,  however this short story Changing Habits by Alice Loweecey truly hit the spot. Tuesday night after not having my mail for the second week (though my husband did get two packages he was waiting one) I turned to the wonderful kindle app and downloaded (for Free at time of posting) this Giulia Driscoll Mystery. It was outstanding, delightful, funny and warm, cozy for sure. Alice writes with quick wit, from a place of humor, understanding, love and faith.

The day Giulia Falcone jumped the wall—that’s code for leaving the convent—her sole possessions were the clothes on her back.

Four years later, she’s an official Private Investigator juggling a rash of church vessel thefts and her complete inability to find a wedding gown that doesn’t require her to steal a gold chalice for herself. She’s about to marry her boss despite all the advice about office romance.

Giulia is a champion multitasker. The Church is on her back to find the thief. Her all-natural co-worker is insisting she walk down the aisle to the soundtrack for The Sound of Music. Her fiancé’s relatives are overwhelming her with plans and advice and excitement. Piece of cake.

She can find the clue that unmasks the thief. She can keep an eye on the music. All she needs is a wedding gown for her own wedding. In four days. What could possibly go wrong?

Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, humorous murder mysteries, mystery novella series, private investigator mystery series, whodunit short stories (whodunnit), murder mystery series, short stories, mystery short stories.

Such a delight to have this short story on my table and oddly enough I pared this book with a tea called Choice, an organic chamomile and spearmint tea.  The tea was the perfect blend of mint and chamomile, refreshing for this muggy spring night and calming just the same. 

Knowing little about this series and Alice Loweecey personally, I find this tea to be quite ironically perfect to pair with this story. Life is about the choices we make, the risks we take and the quality of the time we choose to spend with others. 

To learn more about Choice Tea please click here for their website

To learn more about Alice and her writing visit her author website by clicking here.

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com