The Scarlet Wench By MK Graff A Clever Cozy!

I just finished reading the Scarlet Wench by MK Graff.

This was a different cozy  from my normal repertoire as I will be honest I normally read cozy mystery books based on my attraction to the cute cover that cozies often feature. I was intrigued by the title and the not so cutesy cover of The Scarlet Wench and I dove right in.

The story is set in England and the already established cast of regulars, though un known to me as this is my first book read in this series quickly became cemented and adored. Single Mom and author Nora as the main character was easy to get to know and enjoy. Her love for her child, her friends and love interest were a wonderful addition to but not did not overwhelm the main story line.

When I read cozy mysteries I love to think what it would be like to live or visit, with in the town or area that the book takes place and the setting for this cozy was one I would like to visit for sure.

The main plot of murder and mayhem in the book did keep me guessing until almost the end and the author did a good job of making me want to read more and continue in the series.
When all was said and done even though this was not the first book in the series it makes me want to go back and read the story from the beginning.

 I truly enjoyed having this book to read and it looked lovely on my table even matched my decor! I am so glad that I was sent this book to review and took a chance on the book then fell in love with the series.
To find out more about MK Graff and her series and writing click here
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Some Enchanted Eclair by Bailey Cates

I recently finished Some Enchanted Eclair by Bailey Cates.  I have read all four of The Magical Bakery Mysteries and  I  enjoyed this latest addition to the series. The Magical Bakery Mystery series is set in Savannah's Historic District a movie and murder comes to town.

Katie  her Aunt and the other members of her Book Club are actually a very small southern coven of witches. Together they help Katie understand her own potential and help her solve the mystery. With out giving away the ending I really am anticipating the next book in this series as the mystery was solved but  there was a bit of a cliff hanger in the end that I simply can not wait to see unfold. This was a great book to read over Halloween Week!

If you are looking for a new series to dive into this one is worth picking up. Four books in and the promise of another fun adventure and mystery awaits those of you who read through the Magical Bakery Mystery Series by Bailey Cates.
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Muffin But Murder Is A Delicous Follow Up. Second Book in the Merry Muffin Mystery Series by Victoria Hamilton

This week I finished Muffin But Murder. I loved this second addition to the Merry Muffin Mystery and getting to see how Widow Merry finds her way in Autumn Vale and the Castle she has inherited from her late Uncle.

 

Along with two of her best Friends Merry hosts a party of both welcome and most un welcome guests. So many fun story lines intertwine in this adventure.  I love the range of ages of the characters and that is is set in the fall. Perfect reading for this wet October week!

I am looking forward to trying the recipes included in the back of the book that include muffins and soup!  I ordered Muffin But Murder from The Book Depository and I am so glad I did. I actually ordered the first one A Bran New Murder and This one on Canada day (July 1st) but wanted to save this book for the fall. I love reading books set at the same time as the season we are currently in don't you?
You can find out more about A Merry Muffin Mystery Series and Author Victoria Hamilton by Clicking here.
I look forward to sharing another Cozy Mystery Review with you soon!
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Let's Make Tea...A Tea Bag Craft To Make And Share With The Tea Lover In Your Life. A Craft By Karen Mom of Three

Today I thought it might be nice to share an easy sewing craft that is tea related that you may wish to make and give to the tea lover in your life.

 I have been making and gifting reusable tea bags for a few years now and I wanted to share this tutorial with you and inspire you to make and share them. If you are not a tea drinker but just a Cozy Mystery Lover, these make great bookmarks as well!

 To make your own you will need:

-Fabric ( I use organic un dyed cotton but you can use a print cotton just wash your fabric first)
-A Sewing Needle with a large "Eye"
-Cotton Crochet Yarn I use Red Heart Yarn
-Paper
-Ruler
-Pencil
-Scissors
-Sewing Machine
-Tread (I use Coats & Clark) 
-Pins
-Iron and Ironing board
-*Charms (I buy mine on Etsy)

 Step one- Assemble all your supplies, plug in your sewing machine in, your iron and set up your ironing board.
Step 2- Use your ruler to measure a rectangle on your paper that is 2.5 inches wide by 4 inches long. Cut out your pattern and place it a side.
Step 3- Iron  your fabric and fold it over so that one edge is 2.5 inches over the fabric. Place your pattern on the fold of the fabric and cut out. If you unfold your fabric your rectangle will now measure 5 inches by 4 inches.

Step 4- Fold over the long edge of your rectangle and pin it at 1/2 inch as I have in the photo above. If you are not a fan of pins you can iron this edge. This will be the casing for the crochet yarn.

Step 5- Zig Zag Stitch the casing along the raw edge you have folded and pined into place.

Step 6- Tread your needle with your crochet thread and feed it through the casing you have created. So that I avoid the frayed edges I actually sew through my ends as shown in the photo above leaving 1/2 an inch so that when I sew the bag closed the draw strings will not be in the way. You can do yours regularly through the casing or as I have. When you sew closed your bag only sew up to the casing so that the strings will work to open and close your bag.
Step 7- Fold your tea bags with what will be the outside of your tea bag also known as the right side, so that the raw edges are on the outside. Sew closed your bags along the two open edges away from the casing.
Step 8- Turn them inside out and check that they open and close easily. Now they are ready for a great loose leaf tea!

Step 9- Attach small charms to your draw string ends by knotting them into place. Repeat steps 1-9 to create wonderful tea bag gifts or as a set of your own.

To Use:
Simply add 1 tsp of loose leaf tea to your tea bag. (2-3 if you are making a pot)

 Close the draw string bag place it in your cup or pot and pour your hot water over it, allow it to steep.

 

When you have steeped the tea to your liking, simply remove the bag. Allow it to dry and then open the bag and remove the used tea leaves. Rinse your tea bag and let it air dry and it is ready for your next pot of tea.

These are easy and fun to make and I hope you enjoyed this tea craft. Now that I am done writing I am off to read! 

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

Bless Her Dead Little Heart by Miranda James, New Series, Same Wonderful Writing!

When I heard that Miranda James (Aka Dean James) was writing a new series that included characters from the Cat in The Stacks Mysteries I could not have been more delighted! I pre ordered it as soon as it became available and I used The Book Depository to do so, just like I always do.

It was largely due to the Cat in the Stack's Mysteries and Miranda James as to why I now have my cat named Squirrel (she came named, she was a rescue) and constant reading companion. In this new Southern Ladies Mystery I am thrilled to say the charm and wit I came to enjoy with Charlie and Diesel from The Cat In The Stack Mystery series transfers beautifully over to this Southern Ladies Mystery titled Bless Her Dead Little Heart.

This story about two Southern Ladies who are in their octogenarian years is such a fun read. The story is funny, has the right amount of humor, mystery and suspicious death that will keep you guessing until the end. I loved the way that the new characters were introduced and developed. Diesel is a house guest of the Ducote Sisters and he turned out not to be the only one! This parade of characters that Miranda James introduces the readers to are reminiscent of the soap opera characters I remember my grandmother and mother enjoying while I was growing up. Their outlandish behavior is balanced nicely by the Ducote Sisters, Detective Berry and new comer Benji. I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next Southern Ladies Mystery as well as the next installment of the Cat in the Stack's Mysteries Arsenic and Old Books due in February 2015.

Put on a pot of water to boil, and grab your favorite tea cup or mug and sit down to enjoy Bless Her Dead Little Heart by Miranda James. To learn more about Miranda James please visit the website by clicking here. 
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Heather Blake's One Potion Get's Two Thumbs Up!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving. This has been a very busy weekend for me, hosting my sisters surprise baby shower and then Thanksgiving dinner for my side of the family last night. Tonight I get a real treat of eating at my in laws. My mother in law is an incredible cook.  But in the moments I took for myself I was thrilled to read Heather Blake's second installment in her Magic Potion Mystery series One Potion in The Grave. 

Main character Carly finds herself wrapped up in another mysterious death in her tiny town, with an old friend who returns to her home town, a huge society wedding as well as living in a constant renovation zone, being painstakingly renovated by her 2X ex fiancee, Carly is up to her eyeballs in adventure.

I really enjoyed this story, the events and subplot, the characters both old and new and the relationship repair between Carly and her Cousin Delia. As well as getting to know the Odd Duck's her Aunts, and seeing what everyone has been up to since A Potion to Die For , was an added bonus.
I can not wait to read her next Magic Potion Mystery and am anxiously awaiting Some Like It Witchy from her Wishcraft Mystery Series I also love. 

I highly recommend the Magic Potion Mystery series and all books by Heather Webber /Blake!
You can find out more about her work by clicking here.
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

First In A New Series, Off Kilter, Hannah Reed's Newest Series Is A Wonderful Adventure.

Oh what a wonderful read! I just finished Hannah Reed's newest book Off Kilter. What a fantastic way to spend the weekend. This is the perfect weekend get away book. Once I started Off Kilter I really hated to put it down. I was hooked from the dedication and drawn in.

Eden Elliot the main character is really likeable and I related easily to her. Seeing the Scottish Highlands through her eyes and getting to know the  reluctant towns folk through the story was so enjoyable. I loved the story and how the mystery unraveled. Hannah kept me guessing until the end.  As a tea lover I really enjoyed the tea references in the book and how Eden learns to make a proper pot of tea!

 

I can not wait until the next book in this series to come out. I have never wanted to visit Scotland more! After reading Hannah's book I think I just moved Scotland up on my travel wish list. 

Hannah Reed is a truly inspiring writer and this series is one you are going to want to pick up.

You can find out more about Hannah Reed and her books by clicking here. 

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