A Ghostly Grave by Tonya Kappes. I Got An Advanced Reading Copy of A Fantastic New Series!

I have followed  USA Today's best selling Tonya Kappes on Facebook for a while, and I was so surprised to receive a message via Instagram From Tonya asking if I would read one of her up coming books. I got the message while driving and had to pull over and do a "Happy Dance" when the message came in. I had a "fan girl moment" I am told by my 11 year old. I was so thrilled to be given the opportunity to read the second book in her Ghostly Southern Mystery Series the advanced reading copy of Ghostly Grave.

I spent a few days reading and enjoying Ghostly Grave on my Ipad and I have to tell you honestly that I laughed out loud so much in the first few chapters my son asked me to "go read in another room"

I could not have imagined just how funny  a mystery series about an undertaker who talks to the dead could really be. I hung on every word and comical situation that Emma Lee seemed to encounter through out this book.

I found the main character's Grandmother hysterical, I could picture her perfectly with the way that Tonya wrote and described her. The books story line is so good that I could picture a TV series based on the life and times of this small  Kentucky town, Sleepy Hollow and Eternal Slumber's Undertaker Emma Lee.

I finished this book on Christmas Day and I loved it. It was very well written, the story line was exciting and had great twists and turns. This is a series that would be very easy to get hooked on! You can find out more about Tonya Kappes and the Ghostly Southern Mystery Series by visiting her website simply by clicking here. You can also find her on her Facebook Fan Page by clicking here.

I wish to thank Tonya for allowing me to read A Ghostly Grave! To pre order your copy of the first book in this series A Ghostly Undertaking Click here. Watch for the following two books in the series  A Ghostly Grave due out March 31st and A Ghostly Demise due out August 25th 2015, you can pre order both directly from Harper Collins Publishers by clicking the highlighted titles.

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

Lethal Letters By Ellery Adams

Some books you read stay with you for a long time. I finished Ellery Adam's most recent Books By The Bay Mystery, a few weeks ago but did not write my review right away. You see for me writing the review is like saying good by to the book and I was not quite ready to do that yet.

I did not mean to horrify some of the readers on my Facebook page by leaving my book this way! honestly I often put my book down just to take the photo! To the librarians out there I am sorry! My own dog eared, broken spined books are a mark of some of my most favorites. I read them where and when I can in the stolen moments and even fall asleep with them open...

 The Books By The Bay Mysteries are very well written and the returning cast of characters and their stories endear them to the reader in each installment. For the reader each chapter in Ellery's books is a first class seat on Olivia's journey of self discovery.  Olivia's quest for  acceptance in her town of Oyster Bay North Carolina is a theme through out the series and it is such a pleasure to watch her really come into her own in this latest book.  I cried at the end and did not want the book to end.

I take comfort in a great cup of tea and  the fact that I can re read the series and visit Oyster Bay anytime I need too until the next one is written!

To find out more about Olivia and Oyster Bay please visit www.elleryadamsmysteries.com by clicking here
I ordered my copy from The Book Depository. You can do so with FREE shipping by clicking here.

Do join me on Facebook for my daily tea photos  and to see what I am reading. We have monthly tea and book mark give-away's and lots of fun chatting about our favorite cozy mystery series. Click here to like my page.

I  have always loved to host a tea party, so I hope you will join me.
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

The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis Is A Magnificent Addition To Her New Paws & Claws Series!

Well I just finished The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis. This is the second book in the Paws & Claws Series and I really enjoyed reading it. This felt like a non stop adventure mystery with so many things going on in this busy little town. The way Krista writes you can not help but fall in love with the idea of a town like Wagtail, Virginia where you and your pets can take the most wonderful vacations together and be equally indulged!

This book takes place about a month or so after the first book ends and right way I was transported to The Sugar Maple Inn and was enjoying my time sipping tea at my table feeling like a guest at the inn eavesdropping on the on goings of Wagtail in late October.

The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer had so many wonderful and rich characters both 2 and 4 legged! Not only were we re introduced to some colorful characters from the first book but we were introduced to some characters I truly hope will stick around Wagtail and add to the next next adventure. I really enjoyed how impartial main character Holly is written in the debate over the existence of  Ghosts and the Haunting of WaigTale, but I will admit to sleeping with the lights on a bit last night!

Pick up a The Ghost and Mrs Mewer and enjoy a great ghost story just like in the old Christmas Song "It's the most wonderful time of the year" where their are "tales of ghost stories" and tuck in for a great holiday read! To learn more about Krista Davis and the Paws & Claws Mystery series please click here. Please note I was not sent this book to review and pre ordered my own copy from The Book Depository, you can find a link to this book by clicking here.
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment or email me at karennmowen@gmail.com

Spend The Holiday's Enchanted! Joyce and Jim Lavene's Newest Series Is Magical!

I have been looking forward to reading and reviewing Spell Booked. I pre ordered it from The Book Depository  as soon as I learned about it from my Friend Lisa K. This book was so worth the wait.

 

 I have savored every word with every sip over the last few days.

 

One of the things I liked most about this book was the range in ages and abilities of each character, richly written and endearing I felt connected to each of them right away. Hook, line and sinker for me, I was completely enchanted.

The idea of retiring witches looking to pass down their magic was a fantastic topic and twist in Spell Booked, this first in series by Joyce and Jim Lavene. It is so well written and was such a joy to read.

I am a sucker for a great cover and this is one of my most favorite cozy mystery covers of all time! So many clues and details in the artwork. The book is written with that same attention to detail and I was captivated from the first paragraph. I also loved the amount of tea that is consumed by the characters in the book, it really helped me relate to them even more!

Just like that the book is done. Not entirely released from it's spell and counting the days until the next in series is released. Joyce and Jim Lavene produced real magic with this book. I am enchanted.
If you are looking to give a great book to a cozy mystery lover this holiday season or if you want to be a "selfish Santa" Pick up a copy of Spell Booked and you will not be sorry!
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment her or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Karen Mom of Three's Christmas Tea Cozy Tutorial

Karen here and today I took a break from reading Ellery Adam's latest book Lethal Letters to share with you a tutorial on how to sew a tea cozy like the ones I made in the photo above to dress up your teapots or create for gifts for the tea lovers in your life.
To make your own you will need:
- Holiday Print Fabric (Scattered patterned fabric works best)
-Felt (I use Kunin Felt, larger pieces I get at Michael's or the craft store), Polar Fleece or Velvet
-Sewing Scissors
-Sewing Machine
-Sewing Pins
-Chalk
-3/4 inch to 2 inch thick ribbon
-Large Paper (A sheet of newsprint will work) and a Pencil
-Tape measure or ruler
-Your Teapot


** Please note that my tea pots are medium sized 4-6 cup tea pots. You can make yours larger or smaller depending on your pot.

Step 1- Assemble all your supplies and clear a space to make your pattern piece. My tea pots are 4-6 cups and considered a medium sized tea pot. If yours is larger you may want to add two more inches to the measurements, if smaller reduce by two inches. Fold a piece of newsprint or large paper and measure up 10 inches from the bottom of the paper to the top. Next along the bottom measure 3 inches. At the end of that 3 inch line measure 1/2 an inch up and make a mark. Place your ruler or your tape measure along that line and draw a line to 7 inches.  Your shape should look a bit like a fan. Join the top 10 inch line to the 7 inch line free hand or use a "compass" I used my ruler and moved it slightly until I had the arch line I wanted and drew it in. Cut out your pattern piece and then open it. As I have in the photo above.

 

Step 2- Fold your holiday fabric  in half with right sides facing in. Place your pattern piece on the fold and cut out your fabric. **If you are using a patterned fabric that is not scattered as mine is you can cut out two pieces of your fabric and join it along the 3 inch bottom edge, making your pattern be right side up on both sides of the tea pot once your tea cozy is sewn.

Step 3- Repeat the process on the felt or fleece/velvet  which will be the inside part of your tea cozy.

 

Step 4- Once your pieces are cut out and joined where necessary, lay them on top of each other with right sides of the fabric facing inwards. Pin the fabric together . Starting at two inches down from the outer edges of your fabric (down the "V" shapes) then along the rounded edge on both sides. Sew along the pinned areas and turn right side out as shown in the bottom right photo above.

Step 5- Starting at 1 inch down from the top of the "V" shape on all sides, begin folding your fabric under and pining as shown. Leave that 1 inch opening which will become the casing for the ribbon in step 6.  Begin top stitch sewing the pinned areas.

 Step 6- Use chalk on what will be the inside of your tea cozy to sketch out the casing area for your ribbon. Start at the casing opening and measure about 1/2 inch down to make your first marks and use a ruler or eye the casing lines as I did in the photo above. Repeat on both sides.

Step 7- Top stitch the lines you drew on both sides.

Step 7- Use a safety pin on the end of your ribbon and thread it through your tea cozy, one side will you will see the ribbon joining the sides, this is where you put your spout of your teapot! Once you have the ribbon all the way through casing, leave enough ribbon on each side to tie a bow over the top of your tea pot handle. Pull on both ends of the ribbon slightly to gather the outer edge of your completed tea cozy and slide your tea pot in. Secure with the bow and you are ready to use and display your work!

I hope you enjoyed today's Tea Cozy Tutorial, now back to reading!
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

Kathi Daley's Christmas Cozy A Festive Fun Read With Tasty Recipes!

 

 This book review comes with a bit of self promotion. You see in the summer Kathi asked her readers to submit recipes for her up coming Christmas Cozy book. I was so thrilled when my recipe was chosen!

As a thank you Kathi, sent me a copy of the book, which unfortunately did not make it to my door, instead the empty envelope along with a letter from Canada Post claiming my book had been stolen from the envelope which did arrive and then  Kathi came to the rescue!

She sent me a kindle version while I await a hard copy by mail. I was also thrilled to get the wonderful matching mug! 

The story and setting for Christmas Cozy set the tone of this on going series and it was so easy to get into this book and the festive spirit!

 

This book had the right amount of everything including long standing childhood friends,furry friends, children and teenage angst, mystery and of course small town charm... oh and a great recipe for shortbread! You can pick up your own copy of Christmas Cozy on Amazon by clicking here. The kindle addition is a steal, but I can not wait for my hard copy to arrive! Thank you Kathi for the wonderful opportunity to be apart of your Christmas Cozy. To find out more about Zoe Donovan Mysteries and Writing by Kathi Daley 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

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