A Report From Left Coast Crime and A Lesson In Gratitude...

They say you should never meet your heroes, and after this weekend I cannot fathom why! I had the most amazing opportunity to attend Left Coast Crime here in Vancouver this weekend and I got to meet some of the most amazing people in the writing world, many who I have long respected, read and cherished, I got to see in the flesh. I was in complete awe, had many "fangirl" moments and very much inspired to return to work.

 Working on something that gives me a huge creative outlet, a great escape and the opportunity for joy is what writing, reading and blogging gives me. As readers of my blog you may already know that the last year has been very difficult for me as I have been trying to navigate my way through one of life's hardships and reflections. It has not even been a month yet since my father's passing and while I have taken quite a bit of time to mourn and process, and struggling with the realization that I am an orphan, I feel reborn and I have found that like spring I am feeling inspired to bloom again.

This past weekend I met, laughed, shared, ate and learned from some of the best in the business. I made memories I hope I never lose. I found a sense of not just belonging but acceptance in who I am, what I do and what I love. It was truly magical.

On Friday, I had an opportunity to share what I know and what I love with two people I have respected, and whom I have looked up too. Their books I have read and taken to heart and to whom I had a chance to entertain in a reciprocal way. 

The gracious nature of these literary heroes was not at all lost on me.

Posing for photos, waves and winks, hugs and handshakes, in that personal connection, not only did I get the opportunity to meet the authors but I got a chance to connect with the characters they created.

The words of encouragement, the engaging discussions, the professionalism and the perfect moments, kept coming and coming all weekend long.

It was an opportunity I can honestly say I never could have imagined and getting to share space and time with these amazing people, their positive energy, their creative mindsets and a chance to let them know just what a profound effect that their work has on readers like me was second to none.

It took a bit of courage on my part, placing anxiety and self doubt aside, to connect with and chat with and even get photos with those authors I so look up too and admire, boy am I glad I did. 

From the book room to the banquet hall gratitude, carried and overroad social anxiety.

Sometimes you leap and you fall, sometimes you leap and the net catches you, sometimes you leap and you are inspired. . .

Sometimes you leap and find the courage and then your hair fails you... Excitement over vanity...

Autographs and opportunities...

And a truly amazing time had by all. 

Thank you all for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy look back at Left Coast Crime 2019. Thank you to all my sisters in crime for making this happen! I look forward to reading, reviewing and continuing writing. 

May you all take that chance, to meet your heroes. 

I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Four Funerals and Maybe A Wedding by Rhys Bowen

A delight and a must read! Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding from author Rhys Bowen is a spectacular read. I have loved this series since book one and they truly just blow my mind with each new book. This one is well thought out and full of twists and turns as well as that perfect cozy happy ending. Main Character Lady Georgiana is very easy to relate too, very much the unsuspecting sleuth, and all around amazing lady. In this book she is about to marry, still pretty much penniless and very much an important behind the scenes royal. I love her storyline, her best friend, mother and grandfather. As a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and cousin of the King, Lady Georgiana does a great job of leading by example and being incredibly lucky. Her bridesmaids sure gave me a smile! I think this is such a great series and I hope you will love it too. This one is out August 7th. I love this cover.

In the days leading up to her wedding to Darcy O'Mara, Lady Georgiana Rannoch takes on the responsibilities of a grand estate, but proving she can run a household just may be the death of her in the new Royal Spyness Mystery from the New York Timesbestselling author of On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service.If only Darcy and I had eloped! What I thought would be a simple wedding has been transformed into a grand affair, thanks to the attendance of the queen, who has offered up the princesses as bridesmaids. Silly me! I thought that withdrawing from the royal line of succession would simplify my life. But before Darcy and I tie the knot in front of queen and country, we have to find a place to live as man and wife...House hunting turns out to be a pretty grim affair. Just as we start to lose hope, my globetrotting godfather offers us his fully staffed country estate. Mistress of Eynsleigh I shall be! With Darcy off in parts unknown, I head to Eynsleigh alone, only to have my hopes dashed. The grounds are in disarray and the small staff is suspiciously incompetent. Not to mention the gas tap leak in my bedroom, which I can only imagine was an attempt on my life. Something rotten is afoot--and bringing the place up to snuff may put me six feet under before I even get a chance to walk down the aisle...

You can Four Funerals and Maybe A Wedding 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

The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen

I finished reading the ARC of The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen on Thursday night, but I am still in heavy book hangover. This book is one of those rare books that not only sticks with you but that you feel like you lived through.  It was undoubtedly brilliant and engaging, and just how Rhys writes it I could see this as a major motion picture with  academy award accolaids. I am not usually a fan of historically based cozies, mysteries or stories, at least that was until I discovered everything Rhys Bowen has written.  Each book is so rich in history but presented in away that just envelopes the reader. I enjoyed this book in so many ways. The characters are complex and well layered. The setting is unmistakably beautiful even though it doesn't exist you feel like it does. The storyline, mystery and jaw dropping reveal are some of the reasons I could not put this down. This is one of the best reads I have had the good fortune of having on my table and it shall stay forever in my heart. I loved it. The Tuscan Child will be released February 20th. Clear your schedule and turn off your phone. This is a binge read.

  In 1944, British bomber pilot Hugo Langley parachuted from his stricken plane into the verdant fields of German-occupied Tuscany. Badly wounded, he found refuge in a ruined monastery and in the arms of Sofia Bartoli. But the love that kindled between them was shaken by an irreversible betrayal.

Nearly thirty years later, Hugo’s estranged daughter, Joanna, has returned home to the English countryside to arrange her father’s funeral. Among his personal effects is an unopened letter addressed to Sofia. In it is a startling revelation.

Still dealing with the emotional wounds of her own personal trauma, Joanna embarks on a healing journey to Tuscany to understand her father’s history—and maybe come to understand herself as well. Joanna soon discovers that some would prefer the past be left undisturbed, but she has come too far to let go of her father’s secrets now…

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 February 3rd-10th

Greetings of peace from my table here on the West Coast of Canada, my salute to the Olympics with my morning tea. I watched the opening ceremonies last night and was very impressed. I cannot help but feel pride and excitement as I look upon the faces of each and every athlete that entered the stadium and think of all that must first happen to get them to that moment. I find it moving to see. I prefer the Winter Olympic sports to watch and cannot wait to see what happens next.

Upon my table this week Hummus and Homicide by Tana Kashian. Just started this one.

I will be sharing my review for Rhys Bowen's The Tuscan Child tomorrow. I could not put this down and I have one heck of a book hangover from this one.
Outstanding read.

Also a great read was Clairvoyant and Present Danger by Lena Gregory. I found this my most favorite of the series and the characters are so great in this one. I hope that there will be a book 4!

Miranda James Claws for Concern was one of those reads that you just have a special place in your heart for. This series has surpassed my expectations and this one was incredibly well written, with so much heart and a great mystery too!

Pawprints & Predicaments by Bethany Blake was a lovely cozy read and one that I know you will read. A great post Christmas based mystery story with lots of great animals and friends too!

Rescue cups on my table this week were a guilty pleasure for me this week, this one was a $3.99 rescue.

This Paragon rescue is a lovely light blue and it has the biggest flowers on it, I love the look and feel of it, right down to the delicate handle. This one was a bit more at $14.99 but I fell in love with it.

This $4 rescue has quite a good story which I will share next week...
In my cup this week I have had Murchie's new Sweet Heart blend of black and green tea, with fruit and delicate spices. A lovely light holiday tea. I have also been enjoying the Plumb Deluxe Readers Nook Tea, A Laura Secord Green tea, A Orange, Honeybush tea from Twinings Honeybush & Mandarin Orange tea,   and A Celestial Seasonings Chamomile & Lavender tea. I have of course started most of my days off with the Murchies Black Vanilla that is my long standing favorite!
Thank you for taking time today to join me for a cup of tea and a look back at what has been on my table and in my cup this week. 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 November 11-18th

A week of surprises for sure and a wonderful assortment of reading on my table this week. My partner from the Halloween Swap kindly sent me Barbara Early's Death of A Toy Soldier which I have had on my wish list for quite sometime I am so looking forward to reading and reviewing this one!

On that same day I also received an order from Berkeley with three December titles I am very excited to add to my TBR list.

I have just finished Escape Claws and am thrilled and excited to share my review of this first in series that is coming out on December 26th! I am also very excited that I am hosting the release day party on my Beyond The Bookmarks Page during our Booked For The Holidays Event.

Find the Booked for the Holidays Event Page by clicking here.

The month long event I have planned is going to be one I hope is a highlight of your holiday plans. Spend some time each day with us, more than 35+ authors, recipes, games, tips, crafts and so much more. Come make new friends, find exciting reads and be able to honestly tell people you are "booked for the holidays" Click here to RSVP to the event,  also I have already started to post daily teasers, I hope you will check in and join us.

This week I read and very much enjoyed A Late Frost, its plot twist and characters make it easy to understand why this is such a much loved series. It is out now and a very good read.

Rhys Bowen, wowed me with The Ghost of Christmas Past, this is the first I have read in the series and book 17. I loved it could not put it down and read well past my bedtime. Perfect holiday mystery!

I publish daily as you know and it weighs heavy on me somedays when I think I am going to be very behind, however somehow I managed to publish twice on Thursday! I only released this last night. I also reviewed Potions and Pastries, the same day as The Ghost of Christmas Past, here I was worried I would have nothing for Thursday and I ended up double posting. Sorry if this caused any confusion and no one let me know!

I bought and loved and still love flipping through this book from the Irish Countrywomen's association Book Of Christmas. Great recipes, stories and more.

  

Sunday I reviewed A Murder for the Books. All and all a very busy week of reading and writing. 

I hope you have had a wonderful week. Thank you for joining me for this weeks look back at what was on my table and in my cup!

I would love hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

The Ghost of Christmas Past by Rhys Bowen

I was very delighted to receive a copy to review on Netgalley yesterday. Rhys Bowen is as many of you know a very good author. This is the first for me in the Molly Murphy Mystery series and book 17 of 18. It was very easy to see why this is such a long running and popular series. This book was full of timeless emotion and all the pulls the holiday can bring. This book felt very real and Molly very relatable even though this is a period based cozy, it felt very relevant. The theme of family resonates throughout this book and I simply could not put it down. I read it November 14th, on the most perfect of reading evenings, a most dark and stormy night. I could not put this book down and was delighted and enchanted by it. A very good holiday read!

Semi-retired private detective Molly Murphy Sullivan is suffering from depression after a miscarriage following her adventure in San Francisco during the earthquake of 1906. She and her husband, Daniel, are invited for Christmas at a mansion on the Hudson, and they gratefully accept, expecting a peaceful and relaxing holiday season. Not long after they arrive, however, they start to feel the tension in the house’s atmosphere. Then they learn that the host couple's young daughter wandered out into the snow ten years ago and was never seen again. Molly can identify with the mother's pain at never knowing what happened to her child and wants to help, but there is so little to go on. No ransom note. No body ever found. But Molly slowly begins to suspect that the occupants of the house know more than they are letting on. Then, on Christmas Eve, there is a knock at the door and a young girl stands there. "I'm Charlotte," she says. "I've come home."

This lovely holiday read is available now and one I highly recommend. Click here to find it listed on Amazon.
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 July 15th -22nd

Well I can honestly say this was a crazy fast week, only getting home on Monday I am very much behind! I did manage to get a bit of reading done this week, and just started Final Check out by CeeCee James. 

It was so much fun to have this book early and to escape to. If you have not yet read this series it is one of the best, I love the idea of a historical based, royal family, spy mystery series and I know you would too if you happened upon it! Book one made me so very happy! I have devoured each book since!

Two British Cozies for me this week

Death Plays a Part was a lovely way to kick of my vacation weekend.  This is a first in series that is out now.

I just finished reading Wrong Side of the Paw and will share my review with you tomorrow. 

I have brought some fun tea back and have been enjoying it all week. It was fun to be at the Stash Store. 

Below is my Friday Spotlight on a series from a few years ago, the Magical Dress Making Series by Melissa Bourbon. I am still working out how to do these videos and I am thankful for those of you who humor me and watch them!

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery week in review. I look forward to sharing more reviews with you tomorrow.

Rhys Bowen's On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service

Tuesday morning I finished reading Rhys Bowen's On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service and as usual with books in this Royal Spyness Mystery Series I did not wish to put it down. Each time I was forced by reality to put it down I was most eager to get back to Dacy and Lady Georgiana Rannoch! You will have to wait a little longer as I feel so honored to have had this book on my table and to read before the August 1st Publication. We are now 11 books in on this A Royal Spyness Mystery and they get even more exciting with each new book. I am in awe of how Rhys Bowen captures not only the Era but the true character of what  one assumes the sullied Mrs. Wallis was truly like. The cover is as usual perfect and accurately reflects that the picture painted by Rhys Bowen's words of the impossibility of  life for the 35th in line for the throne. In an absolutely brilliant way she ties up an impossible situation with grace, style and fantastically written characters. One of the best series and one of the best books she has written. I highly recommend this book and series!

 When Darcy runs off on another secret assignment, I am left to figure out how to travel to Italy sans maid and chaperone to help my dear friend Belinda, as she awaits the birth of her baby alone. An opportunity presents itself in a most unexpected way—my cousin the queen is in need of a spy to attend a house party in the Italian lake country. The Prince of Wales and the dreadful Mrs. Simpson have been invited, and Her Majesty is anxious to thwart a possible secret wedding.  
What luck! A chance to see Belinda and please the queen as I seek her permission to relinquish my claim to the throne so I can marry Darcy. Only that’s as far as my good fortune takes me. I soon discover that Mummy is attending the villa party and she has her own secret task for me. Then, Darcy shows up and tells me that the fate of a world on the brink of war could very well depend on what I overhear at dinner! I shouldn’t be all that surprised when one of my fellow guests is murdered and my Italian holiday becomes a nightmare...

You can find Rhys Bowen's On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service 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 

Happy St. Patrick's Day From My Table To Yours.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from my table to yours today. I thought I would share some of my favorite green tea cups and Irish based cozy mysteries with you today. The tea cup above is one my sister in law gave me after I found out about my heritage and I love this cup so much. With its delicate shamrocks and fluted edge this one is one of my most cherished in my collection. I actually use it quite often and not just at St. Patrick's Day.

Most recently I shared a non cozy but a great Irish book I ordered from The Book Depository. This has been a very cozy read, with recipes, lore and quotes that are calming and reassuring. A delight to have on my table. I am planing on ordering a few from this series and will share them with you as they arrive.  Click here if you would like to order this book with free shipping from The Book Depository. 

I loved pairing my cup with Crowned and Dangerous by Rhys Bowen, this one was set in Ireland and a wonderful read.

Carlene O'Cononor has a few books I loved Murder at an Irish Wedding is the newest of them and a read you wont want to put down!

This is another frequently used and much loved green set, from a friends Mother's collection, she kindly trusted this one into my care after her mother's passing. I do think of her when I use it. It is a Royal Stafford set with a blooming pink rose. 

Kathy Daley has a great read for St. Patrick's Day as well, Shamrock and Shenanigans was a fast and fantastic read.

Sheila Connolly has a wonderful Irish County Cork Mystery Series. I have read them all and anxiously await each of them. Buried in A Bog, jumped off the shelf at the library for me one day and it was one of my most favorite library discoveries. Libraries do sell book series, after reading this one I ordered the rest!

Thank you so much for joining me today for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery St. Patrick's day addition. May the road rise up to meet you and the wind be always at your back. From my table to yours this St. Patrick's Day.
I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com