Down the Aisle With Murder by Auralee Wallace...

If you have not yet discovered Aurallee Wallace's Otter Lake Mystery Series and you are looking for a hilarious and fun cozy mystery series then this is the series for you. I have loved each and everyone of these books and Down The Aisle With Murder had me laughing out loud, smiling and feeling like I was away at summer camp. The best friend in this series Freddie has me in stitches and Erica is one of the best flawed and funny characters I have ever read. Otter Lake sounds like the perfect place to be year round and with characters that feel like family and close friends. In Down the Aisle with Murder Erica and Freddie have their hands full with investating and wedding planning. This is a great weekend, beach read or armchair escape and I loved it.

First comes love. Then comes. . .murder?

Some wedding stories are so bizarre that you can't even make them up. Take Erica Bloom's latest case of an Otter Lake bride whose BFF is MIA at the time she's supposed to perform her duties as maid of honor. ..only to be found DOA. Erica and her security team—minus her beloved Grady, who's on vacation, trying to stay out of town business and has a no-nonsense sheriff covering for him—have followed every possible lead to find out what really happened to the young woman. Is her death the result of a bachelorette party gone wildly wrong? Or did someone with cold feet snap—and turn into a cold-blooded killer? These are the questions that must be answered for the nuptials, which at the eleventh hour receive a dramatic makeover, to go off without a hitch…before 'til death do us part.

This one is out May 1st and you can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

Thank you for joining me here 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 

Ring In The Year With Murder by Auralee Walace

Most cozy mysteries are light and humorous  but Ring In The Year With Murder is down right hilarious.  So much to love about this series and I always get really excited when I get the chance to read an Auralee Wallace Otter Lake Mystery.  Reading it September 23rd/24th  My face hurt from smiling and laughing. I think that  main character Erica and her " BFF Forever" Freddie are two of my most favorite cozy mystery duo's. Their banter, humor, style and friendship is what squad goals are made of.  As someone who prefers to welcome the new year from the comfort of my own bed, I truly appreciated every word and adventure in this New Years Eve fiasco! Solidifying my belief in  my own New Years plans. I simply loved this and hope you will too. If you want to laugh and you are not easily offended then this is a fantastic read, actually it's right up there with one of the best books I read this year. Loved it! This one is out October 31st  from St. Martin's Press and you can find it for pre-order on amazon by clicking here.

It’s been a tough year for Erica Bloom. And with hours left on the clock and a killer crashing the party, it’s not over yet…

This New Year’s Eve, Erica’s resolution is to have a great night―even if it kills her. She is, after all, at the party to end all parties: a Great Gatsby--themed gala sure to be the talk of Otter Lake, New Hampshire. With her perfectly finger-waved hair, borrowed pearls, and scarlet flapper dress, Erica is determined to be unflappable, despite the presence of her ex, Sheriff Grady Forrester, and his hot date, a bubbly blonde who has a hard time holding her drink. Literally. . .

In a plot twist as bizarre as a game of Clue, Grady’s girlfriend almost drops dead after her drink is poisoned. Who put the killer ingredient in her appletini? Suddenly the tables have turned and the sheriff has become the prime suspect. Now Erica has until midnight to clear the man she still loves―and in so doing just maybe win him back. That’s if the killer doesn't pop the cork again… and turn a New Year’s smooch into a kiss of death…

Thank you for joining me here 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

On My Table and In My Cup September 23rd-30th

Welcome back to the weekend, I hope you are getting some much needed rest and reading this weekend. Speaking of reading, I am reading through Delia James Familiar Motives right now and was so pleased to find on the first page a quote I wrote about By Familiar Means, I am so excited to find in print the quote I gave about a book and a series I really enjoy!

Familiar Means is proving to be quite good also! I am very excited to be reading this one right now!

A great many books have passed over my table this week, Fixing to Die by Miranda James, A Southern Ladies Mystery made for an excellent read this week!

Double surprises this week in the book department, I feel very much blessed! Karen K you spoil me and Random House, Thank you!

Also a very lovely surprise from a lovely Facebook Friend! I am so thrilled to have this Christmas Ornament on my table! It says "It's always Tea Time!" and I am so touched by this lovely surprise and beautiful penmanship of the sender, my friend Cherry Trimble.

I reviewed Canal Days Calamity this week a true dog lovers delight,

Laughed my way through Ring In The Year with Murder, this is one of the funniest books I have ever read, a cozy that left me with a smile and one I can not wait for you to read.

I powered through A Room with A Brew, by Joyce Tremel, this one is out on Tuesday and I am hosting the release party on Tuesday!

I hope to see you there! Simply click over to the Beyond The Bookmarks Event page on Facebook, click discussion and join in the fun!

I also had reviews up on Murder on the Toy Town Express, a toy lover like me, was overjoyed to find this series!

Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander was truly special and one of the books I think should be up for first in series this year. One of the best I have ever read and one I am looking forward to seeing continue!

A week ago Friday I shared this lovely teacup I found on Etsy and I am so thrilled to report that it is now at my house and ready for my table this holiday season, it arrived and it is stunning!

Thank you so much for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review, it has been a very busy one and one I am so thankful to have you join me here. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Three Amigos Summer Reading Club Week 11- Final Week

I can not believe we are on our final Monday of our 11 week long Three Amigos Summer Reading Club. I sure hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. The summer goes way too fast for me and it doesn't often slow down, sometimes I wish we could adopt that Island feeling and keep summer with us all year long.  This week our theme is Cozy Mystery Books about Islands and my pick was so hard to do I have had to PICK TWO to share. Hopefully the girls won't get too upset with me. Both these books are books I purchased for myself and bought the entire series as a result!
First my pick is Duffy Brown's Braking for Bodies.

I loved this series and this is book two.  Book one is an excellent read as well but I absolutely loved book two and that cover is one of my favorites.  I understand that we may yet get a book three from Duffy and I can not wait!

Moving from Los Angeles to small, picturesque Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop might seem crazy, but Evie knows it’s the best decision she’s ever made. That’s not to say she’s gotten rid of all her stress; after all, the upcoming Lilac Festival has everyone in town riding in circles. But things really go downhill when a ferry full of tourists—including Evie’s friend Fiona’s former boss, the editor of a sleazy rag in LA—arrives on the island. No one knows why Peephole Perry came all the way to Mackinac, but things aren’t looking good for Fiona when Peep is found dead. Now Evie has to gear up and get a grip on the truth if she wants to clear her friend’s name...

You can find Breaking for Bodies on Amazon by clicking here.

I would be totally remiss if I did not also recommend Skinny Dipping with Murder by Auralee Wallace, I mean laugh out loud funny, completely and utterly one of the funniest cozy mysteries I have ever read. I think this series is a must read for those who want a light and funny cozy, with outlandish characters and adventures.

You can find Skinny Dipping with Murder on Amazon by clicking here.

Welcome to Otter Lake, where the relaxing, restorative atmosphere is to die for.

Erica Bloom is in no rush to return to Otter Lake, the site of her mother's spiritual retreat for women. Erica met her inner goddess years ago and she's happy to have forged a new identity on her own, thank you very much. But her new-age-y, well-meaning mother is losing her grip on the business, and needs Erica's help. So she heads back to her New Hampshire hometown, where nothing much has changed-except for maybe the body in the well...

These books are about finding the joy in the journey, something I think we all forget about sometimes and these books bring a smile to my face at the remembrance of both these very different but very enjoyable Island reads....

Now let's see what my Amigos have picked for you today....

For Mary's Pick please click here...

For Lisa's pick please click here...

Thank you so much for joining us this summer. I hope you have enjoyed our Three Amigos Summer Reading Club. I know I am going to miss it! We would all love to hear from you so please leave us a comment on our blogs letting us know what you thought, how you are and what you are reading! 

I love having you here for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery and I look forward to sharing more with you daily tomorrow. 

I love hearing from you so please consider leaving me a comment below or emailing me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

On my table and in my January 21-28th

Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a week in review. This has been a very difficult week for me, in many ways. While I was very lucky to have had some fantastic books to read and take me away from the world for a few hours each day, I have been troubled by how much pain and suffering has surrounded so many people I know this week. I am so very blessed in my own life, but I am not with out anxiety and stress. This Wednesday was Bell.ca's Let's Talk day, a day to bring awareness to the important task of removing the stigma around mental illness. A very large sum of money was raised with each text sent, or #letstalk tweet, message and more. The photo above was my contribution, I salute Bell for this campaign . This week I have witnessed strength and courage previously not witnessed by own eyes and it has had a impact on my life I have yet to fully understand. There are people in life that will have the most profound effect on the trajectory of your future, by how they become solidified in your past. The ones we seek the most are in the happy memories, however it is the difficult defining moments and memories that show our true character. I have lit many candles this week and said many prayers for strength for so many.

There have been incredibly happy moments this week as well, my son turned 16, I got flowers twice, from my husband this week, visits from friends and support from people placed so very perfectly in my life. I also sipped tea from some of the most beautiful and delicate vessels, tea made from perfectly formed leaves and infused flavors complemented each moment of reflection and self care.
And there have been so many wonderful books! And yes I have read them all this week!

Currently on my table is Granny Hooks A Crook, by Julie Seedorf, a gift of humor and mystery from my wonderful and thoughtful friend Lisa from lisaksbookthoughts. 

Nell Hampton's April 11th release was a delight to have on my table and a great escape, imagine working for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace! Honestly this was a great cozy in a very perfect imagined great British home. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

Murder at the Fortune Teller's Table by Janet Finsilver was not at all what I thought, not exactly a paranormal mystery however this was a fun book 3, first I had read in the series and I enjoyed the team feeling of this book.

An impromptu visit to Scotland this week with Of Books and Bagpipes, a true arm chair travelers delight. I could picture so easily this setting and the story was filled with history and mystery. I highly recommend it. 

I was off skiing in Colorado with Lynn Cahoon's Fatality by Firelight, a lovey writers retreat mystery with Cat as she handles her second writers retreat while living in her own mystery. So many elements of this story to love, the food mentions as well had me making soup and feeling as though I was snowed in and loving it. 

I shared a review of a very fun cozy by CeeCee James, this one is out now and a great deal of fun.

I also was delighted with Snowed in with Murder by Auralee Wallace, I was very lucky to have so many wonderful stories to read and escape with. I hope that you may also have the same experience with these titles, a cozy spot and a cup of tea too. 
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery week in review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Snowed In With Murder by Auralee Wallace

If you are not yet familiar with the Otter Lake Mystery Series, you should get acquainted. This is a really funny cozy mystery that I can not get enough off. I was thrilled to get an advanced reading copy of Snowed In With Murder by Auralee Wallace. This is the third book in the series and I loved the first too, but this one was such an action packed mystery I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down! As main characters go Erica is pretty much a magnet for murder, but it is her BFF who steals the show. While I love Erica, this series is made with the antics of best bud Freddie Ng! If ever there was a chance to have and meet these fictional characters in real life this would be a duo at the top of my list. This Cozy is crazy, fun, unconventional and a hoot to read!

There’s no retreat and no surrender when Erica Bloom finds herself stuck in a snow storm with a stone-cold killer. . .

Erica has returned to Otter Lake, New Hampshire, to rekindle her romance with Sheriff Grady Forrester at her mom’s island retreat, currently closed for the off season. Just ahead of a rapidly advancing storm front, Erica arrives to discover Mom has rented the lodge to a reality TV show. They’re filming the wealthy but awful Boatright brood, who’ve been summoned here by their patriarch because―so he says―one of them wants to kill him.

SNOWED IN WITH MURDER Great television, terrible timing. Not only are Erica’s romantic hopes snuffed out like a candle flame, the nasty Nor’easter just became a superstorm…and no one is getting off the island ’til it blows over. When the power fails, it’s lights out for the patriarch. Now, marooned with a murdered millionaire and his feuding family, it’s up to Erica to take the killer by storm and get back to the business of reuniting with Grady―until death do they part!

You can order you own copy of this February 7th release by clicking here
Learn more about this series and Auralee Wallace 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

On My Table and In My Cup January 14th-21st

I would like to thank you for stopping by today for another week in review. My table has been very full this week and I actually made my first batch of scones since moving into the new house yesterday. It was long overdue and actually made it feel just like home. I am actually feeling more settled this week and even found the Christmas Cards I wrote and accidentally packed, with out sending, as I opened the last box in the living room on Thursday! I have only a few boxes left to open and things are really falling into place.

Earlier this week a good friend of mine returned from visiting her mother in Iran, she brought with her a beautiful teapot for me and some absolutely delicious herbal teas that I have been enjoying all week. My friend is one of the most thoughtful, caring and strong people I know, she has been to hell and back more then once and she is an inspiration.  It is an honor to count her among my friends.

This week I read 7 books, I have had to say I was so very pleasantly surprised by Smugglers & Scones a new first in series by Morgan C. Talbot and if you missed my review earlier this week, this one is going to be the cozy I hold all other first in series against and the gold standard for 2017. Loved it that much!

I also loved CeeCee James The Honeyed Taste of Deception which is not yet out, I will share my review in the next week it was lots of fun!

Also on my tablet his week were A Cast of Vultures and Death by Chocolate Lab

I will have a review of the book I read last night for you on Sunday, Snowed in With Murder by Auralee Wallace

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

On My Table August 13-20th

Saturday morning and a week in review to share. This passed Sunday was Author Duffy Brown's birthday and her Cycle Path Mystery Series is one I discovered and devoured earlier this year, I highly recommend this cozy series and celebrated her birthday by creating and posting this photo on Facebook. If you have not yet checked out Duffy Brown's mysteries I am officially encouraging you to do so.

Reading Kathi Daley books as often as I do, I feel a calm take over and quickly settled in for what is always a great story, a fun mystery and a cozy delight. Costume Catastrophe is out now and ready for immediate download.

One of the funniest and most entertaining cozy mystery books I have ever read, Pumpkin Picking with Murder is out August 30th and was such a delight to read. If you have yet to read the first Otter Lake Mystery called Skinny Dipping with Murder, you must treat yourself to both of these funny cozy mysteries!

A September release Living in the Moment by Danni DiPirro, was a wonderful book of reminders of how important it is to be mindful of the moment. A very quick read and a lovely book you can gift to yourself or to others.

It was delightful to have Author Sarah Fox join me for a release day cup of tea of The Crepes of Wrath,  first in a new series and a yummy themed cozy series at that! I look forward to more stories to come from this "West Coast" based Series!

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery week in review. I look forward to sharing more cozy mystery reviews, recipes and tea crafts with you soon. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com