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

Things that I would never have believed possible this week happened. Good things, not so great things and amazing things. First off my TBR pile is almost as long as I am tall and I am thankful to Karen K for helping me get my TBR list in order and well I have misplaced it this morning but some of the books shown above are a fraction of what is one it. #blessedlystressed.

I hosted a cooking class fundraiser for my oldest son's choir on Saturday night. He is going to Europe over Spring Break and 20 lovely ladies came, learned out to make a lovely Greek meal and we raised $275 towards the cost of the trip.
I am very grateful to these ladies for helping us with the cost of the trip. The Epicure spices and cookware used was fun and very healthy, also pretty yummy too! Who knew I could cook a whole chicken in 15 mins!

A delightful surprise this week to find that Vicki Vass has released her latest in the Antique Hunters series and that she put my name and quote on the front cover! That was such a thrill! Great book and series a must read!

I have a review up tomorrow of book three in the Maddie Hatter series, Timely Taffeta is a great adventure mystery, while technically it is a YA book, I feel it is timeless and delightful!

M.K. Graff's British suspense mystery The Golden Hour was an exciting read as well, could see this one as a mini series for sure!

Sunday I shared my review of The Plot is Murder, you simply must get this book. So good and I want you to read it so we can chat about it!

 Thursday night I hosted the release day event for Secrets and Pies for author Jenny Kales and it was such a blast! Thank you to all of you who came!

Thank you also to author Joyce Tremel for stopping by for tea and chatting about her latest book A Room With A Brew.

Also arrived this week is author Lynn Cahoon's book Of Murder and Men this series is one I have been enthralled with since book one and I am so excited to have this on my list to read!

In my cup this week I have had largely my Vanilla Black tea from Murchie's, quite a few water bottles this week too, and some wonderful Mulled Apple Cider I made from my Epicure party. Spices and hot apple juice, not only smelled great but was tasty too!

I am just finishing up A Fatal Collection and will have that review for you early next week.
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

On My Table and In My Cup October 7-14th

Wonderful things have been upon my table this week and  I am so excited for the Maddie Hatter Series book 3 release! Timely Taffeta is on my kindle app calling to me and I have to get through two books this weekend to get to it! I am so excited to have it and this next adventure mystery by author Jayne Barnard!

I have been blessed with some lovely flowers via my Mother in law this week! They paired nicely with M.K. Graff's British Cozy that I am about to start!

Currently I am finishing Mrs. Jeffries and the Three Wise Women this is a great read so far I just have had so much going on that I have not had a chance to finish it!

I read and reviewed a lovely  Canadian based cozy by Amber Boffin I think you might enjoy. This one is out now and has a lovely setting, set of characters and plausible mystery! Looking forward to seeing more in this series.

I am excited to share the review of The Plot is Murder by V.M. Burns tomorrow with you all, this book is so, so good! I promise to tell you all about it tomorrow.

I also reviewed Secerts and Pies this week and coming up on Thursday is the release day party I hope you will join me on the Beyond The Bookmark page for the event, actually we have been doing some fun things leading up, I hope you will join us! Click here for the event page. 

The event is next Thursday and I will there to help celebrate, share recipes, crafts and more all relating to author Jenny Kales series! It's online and free and so much fun! Click here to learn more. 

So I have been doing something other than reading this week, actually I have made three fresh cheese this week and I have had fun not only eating but making different soft cheeses that are lactose free and it is surprisingly easy!

Earlier this week I braved the very cold morning air and had a pre dawn tea complete with a tealight, despite the cold it was beautiful and very nice to sit and listen to the sound of the waves even before the birds woke up!

Today is the start of our Hockey season and I am very thrilled to be so very blessedly stressed and busy today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join me here 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

Secrets and Pies by Jenny Kales

Last Friday I read Jenny Kales upcoming cozy mystery Secrets and Pies! This is the third book in the Callie's Kitchen Mystery and It is coming out on August 19th! Thrilled to have had it to read early and so much I wish I could share with you! But I promise no spoilers, we do however get to know Callie and her staff member Max this time around. I also loved the setting in this story! I think you will too. The mystery is a strong one and I did not have it figured out until the reveal and I hope it is the same for you. I love a good mystery that I don't have figured out don't you?

Secrets and Pies has some great recipes and is a truly cozy lovers delight!

Don't forget to join us for Secrets and Pies the release party as well on Thursday October 19th! Click here to RSVP and join us! 

Summertime in Crystal Bay means tourist season for Calliope “Callie” Costas, owner of Callie’s Kitchen, a Greek-meets-Midwest from-scratch eatery. Business is booming but so is the stress. Callie can barely keep up with the demand for her famous summer fruit pies and savory Greek delicacies, plus she’s agreed to bake dozens of “pitas” for the annual Greek Fest.
When Callie is asked to deliver cast party treats for a Murder Mystery Night at the historic Harris House, it seems like a welcome break from her hot stove. That is, until she finds herself an unwilling player in yet another suspicious death. Worse yet, the victim is a family friend and graduate student working on a project involving Crystal Bay’s colorful past.Before long, a motley crew of suspects makes things as juicy as the succulent berries strewn around Callie’s Kitchen. And that’s not all Callie’s got on her plate. Add family obligations, a deepening romance with a local detective and unexpected personnel problems to the mix. One thing’s for sure: Callie’s got the recipe for a long, hot summer!

You can pre order your copy by clicking here. 

Thank you so much for joining me here for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery review 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 September 30th- October 7th

On my table this weekend is Jenny Kales Secrets and Pies, the third book in the Callie's Kitchen Mystery series. Just started it and will share my review in a few days!

Don't forget later this month I have a great event to celebrate for the release on the 19th on the Beyond The Bookmarks Event page! You can RSVP by clicking here.

In my cup this week in addition to my Murchie's Vanilla Black stand by, I have also enjoyed my Fortnum and Mason Cranberry black tea, this weekend is Thanksgiving here in Canada and I will be spending the weekend basically eating.  I realized the other day as I took my bunny bowl out of the cupboard that I have used this bowl for 42 years. It's in pretty good shape and it has stood the test of time. Royal Doulton still makes Bunnykins and I really think this is one of my favorite patterns.

I did a bit of reading this week and The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss is coming up for review tomorrow.

Later this month I will be reviewing Delia James Familiar Motives, I am thrilled my own familiar Squirrel joined me in the photo!

I got the most lovely surprise in the mail this week, a teacup from my friend Jennifer and I loved how it paired so well with the cover of The Secret Book & Scone Society. I loved this book and I anxiously await what will happen next.

Also on my table this week was Much Ado About Murder, this one was a lovely  cozy and highly dramatic! Theater cozies are so much fun.

I wish you all the very best this holiday weekend and look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow! 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

On My Table And In My Cup December 3rd-10th

I am bewildered by the amount of snow that has accumulated this week here on the normally wet West Coast. Along with the crazy weather we have been experiencing the days are flying by as if I am only blinking my eyes. The weather has afforded me some much loved reading time and this week I have had some lovely cozies on my table.
Currently I am reading an up coming January release from Ellie Alexander called Fudge & Jury. I love this Oregon based mystery series and had to make some chocolate brownies myself yesterday due to the chocolate themed nature of this cozy!

Just arrived from Colorado is The Lucky Hat Mine a cozy mystery novel by J.v.L Bell, I am looking forward to reading this one about a mail order bride....

I very much enjoyed Custom Baked Murder by Liz Mugavero, new series to me but book 5 in the series and a great read! This one is out at the end of December for you to enjoy.

I also read CeeCee Jame's The Sour Taste of Suspicion, I enjoyed this third book in the Angel Lake Mystery Series. Great title too!

Crystal Mindfulness is another book, though non cozy that I reviewed earlier in the week. I liked the message in this book so much that I bought it for a friend for her birthday.

I also read Spiced and Iced just before its release earlier this week, by Jenny Kales, this is the second book in the series and I it was a great holiday themed read. I hope you jet a chance to read this one.

New candles by Gold Canyon and Tea from Davids Tea on my table this week. Some fun new teas to try and enjoy. I am looking forward to sharing more cozy mystery reviews with you soon. 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

Spiced and Iced by Jenny Kales

This is how I spent my rainy Saturday night, curled up on the couch with a great book, a large cup of tea and far too many snowball shortbread cookies! I finished Spiced and Iced by Jenny Kales, the second in her Callie's Kitchen Mystery Series. This book is out on Amazon December 5th!  I so enjoyed this mystery! Holiday themed, exciting small town murder and a twist of romance. Perfect for a holiday evening in and I would love to see this on the small screen! Main character Callie is a strong willed, single mom who has a knack for cooking and baking with a Greek flair and some amazing sleuthing skills too. A quirky family and a bit of bad news don't slow her down. Callie is definatly someone who keeps getting knocked down but always gets up on her own two feet. I did not have it figured out until the reveal and I never saw it coming. Lots of fun in this mystery too. I particularly enjoyed a new character in the book as well, but wont spoil it for you! The food mentions and the recipes included had my attention for sure, I can not wait to make each of them. I may have already made one though, shameful plug there is a recipe of mine at the end of this book too!

The season is bright when Calliope “Callie” Costas agrees to contribute her Greek snowball cookies to a December bridal shower at The English Country Inn in the scenic waterfront town of Crystal Bay, WI. But when Callie finds a colleague dead, she's sucked into another murder investigation -- all while juggling her growing business and staggering holiday workload. As she reluctantly agrees to help the Inn’s owner track the killer, Callie is soon up to her spiced Greek biscotti in difficulties. For one thing, the hotel staff is freezing her out as she tries to uncover information, helped by her feisty Grandma Viv and her sweet but nosy aunt who’s visiting from Greece. And then there’s her deepening relationship with the suave and mysterious Detective Sands, a British expat now living in Wisconsin, who seems to have a few secrets of his own.The icing on the cake is a host of simultaneous family mayhem including her father's surprising fixation on a real estate agent and her ex’s plans to move back to Crystal Bay. As the Inn’s annual Christmas Tea approaches, things are heating up in Callie’s Kitchen, but she’s on thin ice! Will Christmas be a festive celebration this year – or will it be murder?Turn to the end of the book for six delicious recipes, including Greek cookies and savories, plus traditional Midwestern holiday favorites!

To learn more about author Jenny Kales please click here.
To order your own copy of Spiced and Iced from Amazon please click 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 October 22nd-29th

Happy Saturday to you and thank you so much for stopping by for a cup of tea and a week in review. I was so pleased to help host Wednesday's Witches Tea Party on the on going event page for Kathi Daley Books Halloween Spooktackular , a huge thank you to all of you who came and played along and for the wonderful help of authors Nikki LeClair, Jenny Kales, Hunter Murphy,  Judy Volhart, Celeste Burke, Diane Rapp, Marine Graff and Jennifer Roche for their time, games and friendship. A Huge thank you to Kathi for also allowing me to participate.

Friday morning I placed Deck the Hallways by Kate Carlisle on my table I am looking forward to reading this one!

Reading as much as I do I find the dwindling light of this time of year so frustrating, I was happy to read on my ipad for a change and not having to worry about the lighting in the room. Murder, Curlers and Cream was a very busy cozy by Arlene McFarlane, out now and available on amazon.

A Twice Told Tail by Ali Brandon is out early next week and is a great read! Fun to read another great addition in the series!

CeeCee James book also happily graced my ipad Kindle app this week, isn't the cover of The Bitter Taste of Betrayal fantastic?

Sunday I shared Lena Gregory's first in a new series Death at First Sight on Sunday and this is a promising new series I think you may just enjoy!

I was so very happy to receive a bouquet of Witch themed cookies from a very talented lady on Wednesday  Banafshe Ashrafi is a very busy mom of twins one of whom is in my sons class at school  and she surprised me with these beautiful cookies that were equally delicious to eat! I was truly touched and they arrived on the perfect day the day I was hosting the Witches Tea Party!
In my cup this week I have had the Munchies Vanilla Black tea and with the weather as damp and dreary as it has been, it was a delight to have and enjoy!
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy week in review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Join Me As I Host A Witches Tea Today For Kathi Daley Books Halloween Spooktacular On Facebook

Today I am thrilled to be hosting a virtual Witches Tea Party on Facebook for the fun and fabulous Kathi Daley. The Kathi Daley Books Halloween Spooktacular runs October 23-October 31st and today is the day I get to take over the job of hosting.

My theme for the day is a Witches Tea and I have created a delightful Autumn Enchanted Scone recipe to share and also invited some wonderful authors to help me celebrate the day. They will be helping me to run some fun  games and giveaway's! So please pop on over to Kathi Daley Books Halloween Spooktacular and say hello by clicking here.

Joining me today along with Kathi are Authors:
Nikki LeClair Author of: Haunting Me
Anna Celeste Burke Author of: All Hallow's Eve Heist (Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series)
Judy Volhart Author of Asiago and the Accomplice (Whine and Cheese Cozy Mystery Series)
Hunter Murphy Author of Curse of the Bridal Chamber (An Imogene and the Boys novel) 
Diane Rapp Author of Murder on a Ghost Ship (High Seas Mystery Series book 2)
Marni Graff Author of Death Unscripted (A Trudy Genova Mystery)
Jenny Kales  Author of On The Chopping Block (A Callie's Kitchen Mystery)
Throughout the day we will host some games, and the authors will share a bit about their own books as well as doing some giveaway's. We invite you to join us by clicking here.

Now, as promised,  my Autumn Enchantment Scones Recipe...

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup of butter or margarine
1 egg
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup of boiling hot water
1/2 cup of raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 chopped gala apple
2 tsp of Pumpkin Spice (Learn how to make your own by clicking here)

Method:
Put your water on to boil. Measure out your ingredients. Pre-heat your oven to 400
In a large bowl place your flour, baking powder, spice and brown sugar, use a pastry blender to combine. Add your butter, cutting it in with the pastry blender until well combined and looks like bread crumbs. Chop and add your apples to the bowl mix them, coating them in the flour mixture. Once your water is boiled pour the hot water over your raisins and allow to plump 2 minutes. Add 1 tsp of vanilla to the raisins and the water. Make a well in the center of your flour bowl and add your egg and milk, use a spatula to blend the wet with the dry, next add your raisins and water mixture and fold until combined.
On parchment lined baking sheets drop equal spoonfuls of your scone mixture evenly spaced I make mine the size you see at coffee shops but you can make them smaller if you like just watch the cooking time. Bake until your scones are a lovely golden brown along the edges and top.

* You can make an icing sugar glaze as well if you wish with a 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, a bit of water and a dash of vanilla mix and drizzle over your scones.

Remember to pop over and join me for a Witches Tea by clicking here for our Facebook event. I hope to see you soon!
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery today. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com