Honey-Baked Homicide by Gayle Lesson

I finished Honey-Baked Homicide by Gayle Lesson just before 10 last night. This is the third in the series and more complex than the previous two. While my favorite character Homer is an important side character, I would have loved to have had more time with Aunty Bess. Honestly that is the only fault I could find in this mystery. It is a very good one, I enjoyed the characters and the story. I did not have it figured out when the twist was revealed. It was sad and cozy all at the same time. This one is out now and has some great recipes at the end too!

The owner of a delightful Southern café tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . . It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Café has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the café early one morning. As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects—and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills—and her Southern charm—to find her way out of this sticky situation...

This one is out now and you can find it on Amazon 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 April 1st -April 8th

Such a fantastic group of books on my table this week. I finished Occult and Battery last night and will share the review Monday with you. So happy to have had this one to escape with this week.

As another week has come and gone I wanted to share this is a photo of me last week in Penticton BC for the boys hockey tournament. I was so thrilled to find this cup and saucer before we left on our trip. I got it at a store called Echo's China, a little gem of a store within walking distance of my house. I brought it with me and enjoyed some lovely tea in the hotel room before and after our games.

This week was World Autism Day and we celebrated by participating in an adaptive hockey tournament and this was our pregame game faces photo. We lost all three games, but the last one was very close and we had so much fun.

I did get some reading done this weekend as well and loved Silence of the Jams by Gayle Lesson.

 I came home to the Magnolia Trees blooming and Patricia Neely- Dorsey's Mississippi In Me her latest book of poems. Some truly lovely and inspiring work in this book and a delight to have all three.

I adored Tonya Kappes latest mystery Souther Fried, this is a delightful cozy with a light paranormal twist, a ghost in the form of her later grandfather really ads some whimsy and grit to this story. Out now and a great read.

Also on my table this week Town in Maple Madness, loved the cover on this 8th in series.

 

 Always a treat to have Kathi Daley on my table and her book Treasure in Paradise paid me a visit, and I am happy to be on the stop of Kathi's Treasure Hunt today so be sure if you are collecting clues to visit my Facebook Fan Page! (Click here for more info)

In my cup this week the Paris Blend of tea from a little tea shop in Richmond BC called  the Arabella Tea room, it is a lovely black tea with the taste of currents and one I found about two years ago on my birthday. I find the afternoons I have been craving something a bit richer and this tea is full flavor and rounds out the afternoon hours nicely.

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

Release Day Review of Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson

Over the weekend I read Silence of the Jams by Gayle Lesson. I enjoyed this down south cafe mystery. In book two we really get to know more about Amy and her cousin, aunts and mom. I loved the way this story unfolded and how realistic it felt. An unlikely hero and a good mystery to solve, this one was a very good read. I am happy to see the cafe doing so well in book two!

In the latest Southern cozy from the author of The Calamity Café, small-town chef Amy Flowers can’t take her freedom for granted when she’s served up as a murder suspect... It's Independence Day in Winter Garden, Virginia, and the residents are gearing up for their annual celebration. The Down South Café is open and flourishing, and Amy Flowers is busy making pies and cakes for the holiday. The only thorn in her side is Chamber of Commerce director George Lincoln, who is trying to buy the café so he can tear it down and build a B&B on the site. When George collapses while eating at the Down South, everybody assumes it's a heart attack—until the autopsy declares it to be poisoning. Now, it’s up to Amy to prove her innocence before her liberty is lost. 

This book is out today and you can find it on Amazon 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 me at karenmowen@gmail.com

On My Table and In My Cup March 25th-April 1st

It is Saturday again and I am not home, third week in a row, not normal for me. This morning I am in Penticton BC at a hockey tournament with my two younger sons. This is a huge moment for us and one I don't take lightly. Being a Hockey Mom is a huge deal to me. The Canucks Autism Network helped our family in so many ways and changed our lives beautifully with the addition of the hockey program and I am so proud of my boys and our team for learning this game and having this life long skill like their typical peers. 

While home briefly this week I was thrilled to find the mail lady has brought me 5 wonderful April releases to read through and I am reading Silence of the Jams right now. 

Also on my table this week was the third book Mississippi in Me, a collection of Poems by Patricia Neely-Dorsey. Her inspiring words will transport you and her love of Mississippi is contagious! More on this book early next week.

This week I read No Charm Intended by Mollie Cox Byran. This is out later in May I believe and a good read, love the idea of a crafting get away weekend.

I tried out a new cookie cutter this week which I love and I got to use my new little chick salt and pepper shakers I bought at Cracker Barrel while I was in Arizona. I was so thrilled to be home this week and enjoying my loose leaf Vanilla Murchies Black tea. No time to get out and grab something different this week and on my last trip I did not get to a tea shop I had wanted to so nothing new to try and share this week in the tea department.

It was a good week of reviews as I shared my love of A Good Day To Buy, the 4th book in the series by Sherry Harris...

I thought that Sharon Pepe's Magick and Mayhem was fantastic as well. 

Laura Childs wrote what I think might be my most favorite of the series with Devonshire Scream! 

I also enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland themed The Tempting taste of Danger by CeeCee James this week.

One book I read this week was so incredible and I can not wait to share more about it. I read a new paranormal cozy mystery book that will be coming out by Vicki Vass that will stay with me forever. She is working on the cover art now and as soon as I get word of the cover and publishing date I will let you all know. Stay tuned for more on that!

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the weekend and I look forward to sharing more photos and reviews upon my return. 

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

Down South Cafe Mystery, The Calamity Cafe By Gayle Leeson

I read and reviewed The Calamity Cafe back in April and it had me smiling and my mouth watering! Now that it is out in paperback and on my table I am reminded of how much I enjoyed this first in series. I really enjoyed how this story came together and how the mystery unfolded. Main character Amy is not overly complicated and has a great back story, who doesn't love a hard working southern girl who can cook and catch a killer?

Aspiring chef and small-town Virginia native Amy Flowers is ready to open her own cafe offering old-fashioned Southern food. But her dream may go up in smoke when someone kills the competition... Tired of waiting tables at Lou s Joint, Amy Flowers doesn t just quit she offers to buy the place from her bully of a boss, so she can finally open the cafe of her dreams. Amy can't wait to serve the kind of Southern, down-home treats and dishes that her grandmother always loved to the kooky cast of regulars at the restaurant. She knows her comfort food will be the talk of the sweet, small town of Winter Garden, Virginia. At first Lou Lou refuses to sell, but when she seems ready to make a deal, she tells Amy to come see her. Showing up at the eatery ready to negotiate, Amy is shocked to find her former employer murdered. As the prime suspect, Amy will have to clear her name by serving up the real killer and with Lou Lou s stack of enemies, that s a tall order. Includes delicious Southern recipes!"

I also loved the cover of this book and believe that it does set the tone for the book. I am also could go for one of those glasses of sweet tea with lemon right about now. 

To order your own copy of the Calamity Cafe from The Book Depository with free shipping please click here. 
To learn more about Gayle Leeson by clicking here to visit her website.

On My Table And In My Cup May 14th-21st

Saturday morning as I write this, usually I do this before I go to bed but I was out last night for the Angry Birds movie for my son's birthday party, it was good to laugh and a great time had by all, we were home after 10pm and well I was to tired to think so I hope you do not mind the slight lateness in my posting. This morning  I am delighted to wake up to find that I have Kathi Daley's new Kitten Kabbodle on my table to share. I now have my weekend reading set, with my mail man away this week I got zero mail! I hope he is back Monday!

I have had some really fabulous books on my table this week and was able to review a few to share with you this week and coming up shortly. A first in a new series by Laura Bradford was nice to have on my table this week. I hope you are going to love it as much as I do!

On the Chopping Block by Jenny Kales, a delightful first in series out May 2th and it has all the makings of a truly great series!

On my table early as Readaholics and the Gothic Gala is not out in August.

Always delightful to have a new series and a great cover on a book on the table, The Calamity Cafe has a great title and fun cover don't you think?

This week I have had some lovely teas on my table, this one called Monday Morning that I found and ordered on Etsy from BecauseURpriceless Etsy Shop was really a nice black tea, I found it to hit just the right spot and I even think coffee lovers would enjoy it.

Well it is almost 7:30 and I best get ready for a few yard sales before baseball. Time for a quick refill before I am off and running. My beautiful 1940's teacup I found at last weeks sales has served me well this week. It was such a great find and is truly beautiful to use. Oh the stories I bet it could tell.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery today for a 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 And In My Cup April 9th-16th

This week I have had some lovely new things on my table. New teapot and teacup shaped tea light holders, and a few new reads! Friday morning, I received word I had been approved to Tonya Kappes book Fixin To Die.

Thursday night I finished Nightmares can be Murder by Mary Kennedy.

Wednesday night I spent readin Lorraine Bartlett's A Dream Weekend.

Monday I reviewed The Calamity Cafe  by Gayle Leeson, this one you are sure to love, out in June!

Sunday I reviewed another June release, Tea Cups and Carnage. Lynn Cahoon has such a wonderful series and I am so excited to have read this one!

My sister in law gave me my birthday present early, one of which I shared on Steeped in Tradition this week. I have wanted a shamrock themed teacup and saucer since finding out about my Irish heritage last year, this pretty cup and saucer is really the crown jewel of my collection.
I have so enjoyed this weeks tea, cozies and gifts. I have also been hard at work trying my hand at writing for the first time in a while, I am hoping that this continues and that shortly I will have a cozy of my own to share with all of you.
Thank you for stopping by for a cup of tea and a week in review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

The Calamity Cafe by Gayle Leeson, Left Me Smiling and My Mouth Watering!

I just finished The Calamity Cafe by Gayle Leesson. This is a new first in series that will be out this July.  I love a southern mystery and one with food. This cozy doesn't disappoint. Like all great first cozy mysteries the main character Amy is one you can really get behind, her family and friends make the story so much more real and the mystery in this story I really enjoyed. It took no time for me to become invested in the story and it was with in the first paragraph I knew I would not be able to put this book down. This is going to be a great summer release and you are going to want to be first in line for it!

First in a new cozy mystery series featuring Southern cooking that is to die for.Aspiring chef and small-town Virginia native Amy Flowers is ready to open her own café offering old-fashioned Southern food. But her dream may go up in smoke when someone kills the competition...Tired of waiting tables at Lou’s Joint, Amy Flowers doesn’t just quit—she offers to buy the place from her bully of a boss, so she can finally open the café of her dreams. Amy can't wait to serve the kind of Southern, down-home treats and dishes that her grandmother always loved to the kooky cast of regulars at the restaurant. She knows her comfort food will be the talk of the sweet, small town of Winter Garden, Virginia.At first Lou Lou refuses to sell, but when she seems ready to make a deal, she tells Amy to come see her.  Showing up at the eatery ready to negotiate, Amy is shocked to find her former employer murdered. As the prime suspect, Amy will have to clear her name by serving up the real killer—and with Lou Lou’s stack of enemies, that’s a tall order.



Click here to pre order your own copy of Gayle Leeson's Calamity Cafe! Then we can dish on the recipes and the story!
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com