Everything You Need To Know About Nightmares and How To Defeat Them by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Happy Halloween from our table to yours. Something a little different today from my reluctant reader and I, a little treat if you will a book that tricked him into reading...

Today we, that is Alex and I are sharing our review of Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller's Everything You Need To Know About Nightmares and How To Defeat Them.  This is a Delacorte Books for Young Readers publication that came out September 12th and is recommended for readers in grades 3-7. My reluctant reader is in the 5th grade and by the second page exclaimed " Mom this one's really funny"  and then he read passed the time I had set, and even came back an hour later and read some more.  This hardcover book is written like a graphic novel, in the format of a chapter book with enough illustration that it kept this reluctant reader entertained and coming back for more.  He would make comments while he was reading, laughing out loud and sharing parts of the story with me as he read.  As a parent and a reader it is wonderful when you find something like this especially when you have a reluctant reader like I do.  This book is well written and engaging as well as just plain fun. 
Alex The Reluctant Reader said by chapter 2 "I already know I am going to give this book a 10 out of 10, or maybe a 12."

Nightmares. They come in all shapes and sizes—from gargantuan lizards to teensy creepy-crawlies. No matter their form, we know all too well, they are truly terrifying. The good news is that every Nightmare, no matter how ferocious, mysterious, or hairy, can be defeated. And this book will tell you how.  
Everything You Need to Know About NIGHTMARES! and How to Defeat Them is your one-stop guide to battling anything that goes bump in the night. Whether you’re being chased by zombies or stalked by evil twins, this handy book will give you all the tools and tips you need to put your bad dreams to bed for good! Keep a copy under your pillow and you’ll never fear Nightmares again! 

Thank you for joining "Us" for this Halloween addition of a cup of tea and a cozy children's book review,  we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment below or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Five Amigos Fall-O-ween Fun Week 5

Only one more day until Halloween and today is our last of the Fall-O-ween series.

Today Karen K and I have our final picks and we are fighting about today's post! (thought we both picked the same book to share, I will let Karen K take the lead on this one) Karen K and I both loved Vicki Vass' book Bloodline!

"An absolutely breathtaking, riveting book. I read it in one sitting as I could not put it down. The story connects with modern day and the Salem Witch Trials. Friendships, family, twists and turns. Buckle up and enjoy the journey!"

Fleeing from the witch trials in Salem, Terra Rowan finds herself in modern day Asheville, North Carolina. A dark spirit from the past hunts the last witch of Salem. With the help of the ladies of the Biltmore Society, Asheville aristocrats with untapped powers and a crooked-legged fat orange cat named Pixel, Terra must discover the secret within the forest to preserve the bloodline. Combining elements from different cultures, Appalachian folklore, Celtic legends, Native American mysticism, Bloodline creates a new witch mythology while staying true to the realm of cozy mystery. Terra Rowan is a witch trapped between worlds and lost in time.

and now my two cents via video....

In the spirit of our Double Double I also share another book I loved this one by Heather Blake called Ghost of a Potion.  This is a fun book, great relationships and mystery as well as funny! A good balance of dark and light for a paranormal cozy and I bought the three books in the series and would read them again, over and over again easily!

In the latest from the bestselling author of One Potion in the Grave, it's Halloween in Hitching Post, Alabama, and potion shop owner Carly Bell Hartwell has an especially spooky customer to handle... With all the ghosts that haunt her at this time of year, Carly doesn't exactly rush to celebrate Halloween. Even a costume ball organized by her boyfriend Dylan's mother, Patricia Davis Jackson, holds little allure. But to please Dylan, who wants peace between the two women, Carly reluctantly agrees to go. Gossip around town is that architect Haywood Dodd plans to make a big announcement at the party. But before he can address the crowd, he's found dead with Patricia standing over him, holding the murder weapon. Anxious to clear Patricia's name and perhaps broker a truce with her, Carly would love to use her snooping skills to find the real killer. Only she has bigger problems to deal with--ghosts are flocking to her for help, including a very persistent Haywood Dodd...

Click here to visit Sheryl and see what she has dug up for you today on Booth Talks Books!

See what treat Mary has for you over at MJBreviewers blog by clicking here.

and popover to see what Lisa has cooked up for you today over at Lisa K's Book Reviews by clicking here. 

Don't worry about missing us Five Amigos next week we have a whole new series of Holiday Themed Cozy Picks to share with all of you...
Thank you for joining us for this series and we would all like to hear from you so please leave us comments on our pages even just to say Hello! Happy Halloween from Karen K and I!
Thank you for joining us for a cup of tea and Fall-O-ween Fun!

Of Spice and Men by Sarah Fox

I finished book Three, Of Spice and Men, from the Pancake House Mystery series by Sarah Fox last Saturday night. I simply loved it. One of the things I have loved most about the series since the first book was the setting. A West Coast cozy mystery that gets the setting, feel and flair for the west coast has a special place in my heart. Until finding this series all the cozy mysteries I read were on the East Coast or tucked into the Southern USA . Living on the West Coast as I do, I was more than delighted to find author Sarah Fox and this series. In book three a movie crew has come to town and while filming a remake of a horror movie, mysterious things start happening and between the movie and the drama in main character Marley's life this cozy is quite exciting. I love her cat flap jack and feel like we really get to know her chef better in book three. There are mentions of so many wonderful menu items in this issue and I was thrilled with the recipes at the end of the book. Loved this story so much that I could not put it down and read very much past my bedtime to get it finished last Saturday night. This one comes out November 7th and published by Alibi/ Random House LLC. You can pre order this one on Amazon by clicking here.  Please note I am not an Amazon affiliate and I do not make money if you click the link.

With a Hollywood film crew in town to shoot a remake of the horror classic The Perishing, the residents of Wildwood Cove are all abuzz. Even Marley McKinney, owner of The Flip Side Pancake House, can overlook the fact that the lead actress, Alyssa Jayde, happens to be an old flame of her boyfriend. After all, the crew loves Marley’s crêpes—so much so that Christine, the head makeup artist, invites her onset for a behind-the-scenes tour. But when Marley arrives, the special-effects trailer is on fire . . . with Christine inside.The cops quickly rule Christine’s death a murder, and Alyssa a suspect. Marley’s boyfriend insists that the actress is innocent, but when Marley sticks her nose into the complicated lives of The Perishing’s cast and crew, she discovers more questions than answers. It seems that everyone has a hidden agenda—and a plausible motive. And as the horror spills over from the silver screen, Marley gets a funny feeling that she may be the killer’s next victim.

You can keep up with author Sarah Fox on her Website 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 October 21 st-28th

This weekend I am engrossed in the second book in a series I read earlier this year and loved from Lisa Tuttle,This one is The Curious Affair of The Witch At Wayside Cross. It is hard to put down! I am very much enjoying how this is written and the mystery so far.

This Monday I am hosting the evening part of my friend Sheryl from Booth Talks Books and My Monster Marathon of Authors at Kathi Daley's Halloween Spooktacular and I would love if it you came by. We have some wonderful authors, some great giveaways and games to play. You can join in the fun by clicking here. I will be logging on around 4pm PST/7pm EST and have a great lineup of authors who will be stopping by! Please come and say hello from the comfort of your home and celebrate with us.

This week I have read some wonderful books and I was very close to reading one per day! I loved Sharon Pape's That Olde White Magick and have a review coming up in a few days for you, but a great cozy/paranormal/fantasy, keep your eyes out for this one.

If Murder and Men by Lynn Cahoon was on my table and in my heart, this is book three in the series and the review will be up in the next week or so as well. Well written, planned perfectly and a delight!

A must read this holiday season for Krista Davis' Not a Creature Was Purring. My time reading it was too short and I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it, not wanting to have it end and yet not wanting to put it down. Love this series and this book is perfect, review coming later in November as my review date is set for later in the month, but I could not resist having it in my hand and not reading it first. 

 Mary Ellen Hughes has a charming Keepsake Cove mystery series debut with A Fatal Collection, I very much enjoyed this one too!

Maddie Hatter, oh the special place in my heart for you and this series. A true delight to have read this and indulged my inner fan girl! A great read and a book series I think every 9+ year old girl should read.

I read Familiar Motives a few weeks ago but this was another one of those reviews I set up ahead of time but had the book in my hand and could not resist reading! I love this series and I know that if you like a New Witch cozy, this one is a good place to start, with a great storyline Familiar Motives is one you will feel very comfortable with and enjoy!

See sometimes I don't only use my teacups and saucers, this is a much treasured tea mug.

I have had a lot of tea this week. Most of it Vanila Black from Murchie's but I have also been indulging in my Stash Tea, the Portland Blend, as well as Mint teas and calming teas this week. The weather here is sunny right now but crisp and cold and it makes one truly appreciate a well stocked tea cupboard, or in this house, cupboards, baskets, shelves, countertops and well almost everywhere you look.
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

Fancy Friday Finds Tea Advent Calendars

I know we have Halloween and for most of you Thanksgiving to go yet but I wanted to share some lovely tea themed advent calendars you may want to consider for yourself or the tea lover in your life. First up is this one from TeaRevv 24 tea treats for you to enjoy this holiday season. Click here for shop and listing. 

Melys Weddings Etsy has a lovely loose leaf advent calendar that is just beautiful to look at, click here for shop and listing. 

Victoria Mae Designs has this one which I think is lovely, click here for shop and listing. 

Our local Davids Tea has a new calendar as well that has just launched, it features sliding doors and tiny tins of tea, it can be found in store or on line as well by clicking here. 

Thank you for joining me for this weeks Fancy Friday Finds. I hope you have a wonderful day! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Mrs. Jeffries and The three Wise Women by Emily Brightwell

Mrs. Jeffries and The Three Wise women was unlike any cozy I have read before. This British, Victorian times mystery has all the makings of an epic mini series. This is the first for me in the series and I found it delightful and easy to read. Set at Christmas time the feeling of the book captures the feeling of the season and the anxiety we all feel to get things done before the big day. An incredible cast of characters, and every day sleuths in this one. Very much a great read. 

Christopher Gilhaney isn’t a popular man, and he proves why once again when he insults every guest at Abigail Chase’s Guy Fawkes Night dinner party. When Gilhaney is shot dead under the cover of the night’s fireworks, his murder is deemed a robbery gone wrong. But when the case hasn’t been solved six weeks later, Inspector Witherspoon is called upon to find the killer—and quickly!With Christmas almost here, Inspector Witherspoon and everyone in his household is upset at the possibility of having to cancel their holiday plans—all to solve a case that seems impossible. Only Luty Belle, Ruth, and Mrs. Goodge refuse to give up and let the crime become a cold case. In fact, the American heiress, the charming next-door neighbor, and the formidable cook use all of their persuasive powers to get the others on board, because these three wise women know justice doesn’t take time off for Christmas.

This one is out now and you can find it from Berkeley 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 us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Mary Ellen Hughes, A Fatal Collection

I finished A Fatal Collection on October 20th, and I really enjoyed it. I requested to review this book based first on its cover and then when I read the discription i wanted to read it even more. I enjoyed this book which is the first in a new series about Keepsake Cove, a town that is made up of touristy type specialty shops and has a very cozy feel, that is when the neighbors are all getting along. I was surprised at the twists and turns and neighborhood mishaps & drama. I was intrigued by each shop and their purpose. Everyone bringing something so unique to the community. I was so sad for main character Callie who finds her purpose and true calling after the very sudden death of her aunt. This is a good start to what I think will be a good series. This one is out November 8th and is published by Midnight Ink.

Callie Reed pays a long overdue visit to her aunt, Melodie, at her fairy-tale cottage in quaint Keepsake Cove, which is home to a bevy of collectible shops on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Just as they’re beginning to reconnect, Callie discovers her aunt’s body on the floor of the music box shop she owns. Grief-stricken, Callie finds she can’t accept Melodie’s death being ruled accidental. How could her strong and healthy aunt take such a fatal fall? And why was she in the shop in the middle of the night?

As Callie searches for the truth, signs seem to come from her late aunt through a favorite music box, urging Callie on. Or are they warnings? If Callie isn’t careful, she could meet a similar deadly fate amid Melodie’s collection.

You can find it on Amazon by clicking here. 
Thank you for joining me here I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Delia James, Familiar Motives

Delia James writes a great series about coven of every day witches and their familiars that I truly enjoy. Familiar Motives is the third book in this lovely series and I was thrilled to been chosen to read and review it. 

In Familiar Motives, main character Annabelle Britton and her familiar Alistair find themselves investigating a murder and a kidnapping of a local cat celebrity, Ruby the Attitude cat. This mystery while it is a paranormal actually feels very plausible given the popularity of some truly posh pets in that are internet sensations. I loved the magical twists and not knowing whose story to believe in this one. I was truly surprised to learn who the murder was and the motive behind the murder mystery. This is a lovely witchy series that I hope you will enjoy.

After learning that she comes from a family of witches—and adopting a familiar named Alistair—artist Annabelle Britton has made beautiful Portsmouth, New Hampshire, her home. Together with her coven, this good witch is trying to put a stop to magic and murder most foul.  When Anna takes Alistair to see local veterinarian Ramona Forsythe, they meet the most famous cat in town: Ruby the Attitude Cat, spokes-feline for a pet food brand. But then Ramona turns up dead, and Ruby goes missing. It seems like the murderer used magical means, so it’s up to Anna and Alistair to catch a killer and cat-napper as only a canny cat can. 

Thank you to Berkley for choosing my quote fro Familiar Means to use in Familiar Motives, it was such a wonderful surprise to find it on page one.
You can find Familiar Motives 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

Five Amigos Fall-O-Ween Fun Week 4

Week four in out Five Amigos Fall-O-ween Fun Halloween series and all the little chocolate bars I bought for Halloween have disappeared! Quite a mystery on my hands here at home, (though I may be a tad to blame for this problem) This week I will jump in with the first of thise weeks Double Double. ...

My choice this week is Kathy Aarons Behind Chocolate Bars. I loved the cover and the Chocolate Covered Mystery series is a good one! This is book number two I think in the series and a scarier than normal cozy, well for me anyway, but a good one!

The national bestselling author of Truffled to Death returns with a mystery full of tricks and treats... DOUBLE, DOUBLE-BOIL, AND TROUBLE... Best friends and business partners Michelle and Erica have a monstrous to-do list as they prepare for the annual West Riverdale Halloween Festival. Their shop, Chocolates and Chapters, will have a booth at the event, where Michelle will serve spooky delights while Erica displays an assortment of spine-chilling books. Thank goodness the teenagers from Erica's comic-book club are chipping in to help. But one of their volunteers winds up in trouble after a woman's body is found in an abandoned house--with the teen's superhero key ring close by. The teen swears he didn't do it, but he's obviously hiding something--leaving Michelle and Erica with a witch's cauldron of questions. Soon they discover that the dead woman was tricking a whole bunch of people out of more than just treats. Now these two friends must go door-to-door if they hope to unmask a killer... Includes Scrumptious Chocolate-Making Recipes!

Karen K has selected for you this week is Defending The Dead by Sheila Connolly. 
"This book in the series includes a historical time period that lends itself to Abby's unique gift. Descriptive and enthralling."

Abby Kimball has slowly accepted her recently discovered ability to see the dead, but none of the harmless sightings she’s experienced could have prepared her for the startling apparition of a centuries-old courtroom scene—where she locks eyes with a wicked and gleeful accuser. Thrown back more than three hundred years, Abby realizes she’s been plunged into a mystery that has fascinated people throughout American history: the Salem witch trials.

With her boyfriend Ned at her side, Abby digs into the history of the events, researching the people and possible causes of that terrible time and her own connection to them—all the while going more deeply into her connection to Ned, both extraordinary and romantic. 

As Abby witnesses more fragments from the events in Salem and struggles with the question of how such a nightmare could have come about, she’s suddenly confronted with a pressing personal question: Were one or more of her ancestors among the accused? Unraveling the puzzling clues behind that question just might give Abby and Ned the answer to a very modern mystery of their own.

Thank you Karen K, I have not read this one myself adding to my list....
Okay and now for what our Amigos have for you,

Click here to see Sheryl's pick at Booth Talks Books 

visit Mary at MJBreviewers Blog by clicking here. 

Run on over to Lisa's blog Lisa K Book Reviews by clicking here. 

We all love hearing from you and we invite you to leave us a comment below and on our Amigos pages!
Thank you for joining us for a cup of tea and this weeks cozy mystery selections!
We can not wait for next Monday!

Maddie Hatter and The Timely Taffeta

I can not help but be overly excited to share with you my review of Book Three in the Maddie Hatter series. Maddie Hatter and The Timely Taffeta was every bit as good as the first two and even better! For me reading about Maddie's adventures is very exciting. Maddie is a young lady, a Steam Lord's daughter who is undercover as a fashion reporter, (with her eyes on serious journalism) in alternate Victorian times. She is an amazing character and role model for all readers. Maddie has chosen a life of adventure over privilege, she has a knack for finding herself in some very tricky situations. In giving up her privileged life in pursuit of a career that often leaves her, cold, wet and hungry but in the name of justice and investigative reporting Maddie more than muddles through, she excels. In this story Maddie is undercover as a young widow, helping a friend gain access to the exciting fashion world and into the company of the friends true love, all while helping to foil a kidnapping plan and protecting trade secrets for the crown. She has a clockwork Bird that is her trusted companion, espionage tools such as animatronic rats and spiders help which add to the excitement and make Maddie Hatter and The Timely Taffeta such a great read!   

Maddie Hatter’s third Adventure finds her in Venice on an all-expenses-paid assignment: report on the season’s most extravagant Carnevale costumes. Determined to land an inside scoop, she enlists the help of her half-Venetian friend, Lady Serephene, to penetrate Madame Frangetti’s Costume Atelier in disguise. 

Learn more about this series by visiting author Jayne Barnard's website by clicking here. 
Get your own copy of Maddie Hatter and The Timely Taffeta from Amazon by clicking here 
Thank you for joining me here 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 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