Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O'Connor

 Welcome back readers and I am again sorry for the delay in updating my blog. I have been busy working on my tea trailer yes, but I have also been having some trouble with my vision which has not allowed for me to read, thus prompting a visit to the eye doctor and now I have some follow up appointments, it seems that the major changes in my vision are due to the rather high prescription and require further follow up I have updated my glasses which I did not more than a year ago and the dramatic change has helped me so far to actually be able to seed the kindle to read. So with out further ado....

I was so excited to be approved for the advanced reading copy of Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O'Connor, this series is a true favorite of mine and a blessing to read, when one is stuck where they are, unable to travel due to world events and looking for a wonderful escape for a few hours. On the hottest summer day here, I was transported to a cold and snowy, Irish village at Christmas time and it was a divine read. I love the main character so much and find her so relatable, as an orphan myself, from a large family it was an instant admiration for the sacrifices and struggles Siobhán O'Sullivan’s and her family face. 

This is the sixth book in the series and I have enjoyed each one but there is something special about this one that truly left a warm and cozy feeling in my heart. I hope that you will also enjoy the series and think about pre ordering Murder at an Irish Christmas, which is out this October. 

Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan’s holiday plans hit a sour note when murder rearranges the yuletide carols into unexpected eulogies . . .
 
This December in Kilbane, if you’re planning to warm up with a cuppa tea at Naomi’s Bistro, you may have a bit of a wait—the entire O’Sullivan brood has gone off to West Cork to spend the holidays with brother James’s fiancée Elise’s family, including her grandfather, the famous orchestral conductor Enda Elliot. Siobhán is so happy for James and Elise but also quietly disappointed that she must put her own wedding to fellow garda Macdara Flannery on hold. Mac will have to join them later, so he can spend part of the holidays with his mam.
 
When the O’Sullivans learn everyone will choose a name from a hat to buy a music-related Christmas gift for someone else at the gathering, it seems like their greatest concern—until the cantankerous conductor is discovered crushed under a ninety-pound harp in a local concert hall.
 
With the extended family—including Enda’s much-younger new wife Leah, a virtuoso violinist—suspected in his murder, it's up to Siobhán to ensure the guilty party faces the music. But as a snowstorm strands both families in a lavish farmhouse on a cliff, Siobhán had better pick up the tempo—before the killer orchestrates another untimely demise . . .

This book is available for pre order on Amazon ( I am not an affiliate) 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 or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Murder in an Irish Pub by Carlene O' Connor

I finished Murder in an Irish Pub by Carlene O'Connor yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was surprised that I actually had this one figured out! I was pleased with myself as there were so many great plot twists and details in this wonderful cozy mystery and series. I love the main character Siobhan, a new Guarda (Irish Police Officer) and her family. A tiny Irish village overrun with excitement of a spring fair and a professional poker tournament, dealing with a surprising locked room death/murder. It was rather impressive how this one unfolded. I truly enjoyed the story and the ending blew me away. This is a must read cozy series especially if you love a good Irish tale.

 In the small village of Kilbane in County Cork, for a cuppa tea or a slice of brown bread, you go to Naomi’s Bistro, managed by the many siblings of the lively O'Sullivan brood. For a pint or a game of darts—or for the poker tournament that's just come to town—it’s the pub you want. 
 One player’s reputation precedes him: Eamon Foley, a tinker out of Dublin, called the Octopus for playing like he has eight hands under the table. But when Foley is found at the end of a rope, swinging from the rafters of Rory Mack’s pub, it’s time for the garda to take matters into their own hands. Macdara Flannery would lay odds it’s a simple suicide—after all, there’s a note and the room was locked. But Siobhán suspects foul play, as does Foley’s very pregnant widow. Perhaps one of Foley’s fellow finalists just raised the stakes to life and death. With conflicting theories on the crime—not to mention the possibility of a proposal—tensions are running high between Siobhán and Macdara. Soon it’s up to Siobhán to call a killer’s bluff, but if she doesn’t play her cards right, she may be the next one taken out of the game . . .

Murder in an Irish Pub comes out February 26th and you can find it on Amazon by clicking here. (Please note I am not an amazon affiliate) 

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

Murder at an Irish Wedding by Carlene O'Connor

I absolutely loved Carlene O'Connor's Murder at an Irish Wedding. It was a thrill to be able to read and review this book before it comes out February 28th. I had absolutely fallen in love with her first book Murder in an Irish Village and was equally impressed with her second book. Murder at an Irish Wedding had me not wanting to put it down. This was such a great mystery and I tucked in with my tea and read each word with that beautiful Irish lilt in my head. This was a great escape cozy, a feel good cozy and a mystery that had me guessing until the end. I truly had not figured out the murderer until the big reveal and was taken a back at that reveal. This was brilliant and such a treat to read.

The O’Sullivan clan of County Cork, Ireland, are thrilled to be catering the matrimonial affairs of a celebrity couple—until a cunning killer turns an Irish wedding into an Irish wake . . .Any wedding is a big deal in the small village of Kilbane—even more so when the bride is a famous fashion model. It’s also good for business. Not only has customer traffic picked up at Naomi’s Bistro, Siobhán O’Sullivan and her five siblings have a full plate catering for the three-day affair. And Siobhán’s own beau, local garda Macdara Flannery, gladly steps in as best man after the groom’s first choice makes a drunken arse out of himself.Even if he hadn’t been disinvited to the wedding, the original best man wouldn’t have been able to show. He’s been found murdered in the woods, casting a pall over the nuptials. And when a second member of the wedding party is poisoned by a champagne flute engraved with Macdara’s name, the garda goes from being best man to prime suspect.With a killer at large and a string of robberies plaguing Kilbane, Siobhán feels more than a little protective of her village. She vows to clear Macdara’s name, but the suspect list is as long as the guest list. Like the bride walking down the aisle, Siobhán needs to watch her step. For as she gets closer to unveiling the truth, the murderer is planning a very chilly reception for her . . .

Out February 28th this is a book not to miss! Click here to pre order your own copy of Murder in an Irish Village from Amazon.com
Follow Carlene O'Connor on Facebook by clicking here and as Mary Carter 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 January 7th-14th

What a wonderful week, hoping you did too. I have made lots of time for reading this week, finishing 4 books and was so thrilled to get Healing Herbal Tea's a book I ordered several months ago when I previewed it and reviewed it. I knew that I had to have this in my collection and spent most of last night reading through it planning blends to try.

I had the true luck of the Irish having two Irish Cozies on my table this week. Friday night I finished Cruel Winter, by Sheila Connolly.  I really did not want this one to end. Perfect read for this cold and icy week, this is book 5 and being published by Crooked Lane Books this March 14th. My review will be posted early next week.

Charlene O'Connor's Murder at an Irish Wedding was like a breath of fresh air. This is book two and takes place shortly after book one ends. I so admire the heart in this story, the strong family ties and cozy Irish hospitality the way that Carlene writes.

Witchy paranormal cozy Headless in Nevermore spent a bit of time on my table, this is a cozy I purchased from Amazon. Violet Merriweather spins a great fable and cozy mystery in this the second in series.

A wonderful surprise awaits in Kate Kingsbury's Dead and Breakfast a Merry Ghost Inn mystery. This is book one in a series I am really looking forward too. I love the granddaughter and grandmother duo, who sink everything into a haunted Oregon coast Victorian that they are renovating for a bed and breakfast when they stumble upon a skeleton behind the wall they are removing. Good mystery in this one!

She Stopped for Death was more of a psychological thriller cozy which I had on my table this week. I was very surprised  with how this cozy turned out. Love the ideas of the Little Library Mystery series and was excited to have book two to review.

A lovely little book also on my table was the Little Big Book of White Spells, this is a book that would make a great gift and one I appreciated as a reference for an aspiring paranormal cozy mystery writer.
In my cup this week I have lots of black tea, Double Cream Earl Grey from Thay Tea and Vanilla Black tea from Murchies.
I am so glad to have you 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

Raisin Scones and Irish Breakfast Tea With Karen Mom of Three

As St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner I thought you may like my raisin tea scone recipe to pair with your Irish Breakfast Tea. I picked up a lovely blend of loose leaf tea from Davids Tea here in Canada but you can also find it in the USA by clicking here.

To make my raisin scones you will need:
-3 cups of white flour
-1/2 cup of sugar
-1 cup of raisins
-1/2 cup of butter (room temperature is fine.)
-2 tsp. baking powder
-1 egg
-2/3 cup of milk
-1/2 cup of boiling water
-3 tbsp. Irish Whiskey (or more you decide)

Step one pre heat the oven to 425 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a baking sheet.
Bring your water to a boil, Place raisins, milk and whiskey in a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the mixture and allow the raisins to plump while you get the rest of the batter together.
In a larger bowl place your flour, sugar and baking powder. Next using a fork or a pastry blender add in your butter, add your egg. Slowly add in your raisin mixture and fold it all together you should have a sticky dough that forms, mix until almost all of the flour is incorporated. Next drop 12 equal spoonfuls of batter on the cookie sheet and place in your pre heated oven. Bake until the scones are golden brown.

Sever while still warm with your favorite Irish Breakfast Tea and enjoy!

Add to your enjoyment with a wonderful Irish Themed Cozy! 

Click here for Murder in an Irish Village 

Escape to an Irish Castle with Kathi Daley's Shamrock Shenanigans by clicking here. 
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a raisin scone recipe today. 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 January 16th -23rd

What a week and such a treat to have made the time to read and review some lovely cozies this week. A Gift of Ghosts was spectacular and I can not wait to read the rest of the trilogy.  This story stayed with me most of the week and I found myself wondering about the characters and spirits in the book as if they were real people in real time, I love to daydream about what happens next. I got the next two books so I wont have to wonder long.

You can find A Gift of Ghosts by Sarah Wynde for your kindle app by clicking here. 

A Sunday Romance I read was Sea Green by Alice Smithers,  A lovely cozy romance, British and full of fun this was a lovely change for me.

A mid week escape to Ireland with Murder in an Irish Village is just what I needed. I had so many things I loved about this upcoming cozy by Carlene O'Connor, easy to relate to and characters you too will just love, I highly recommend this Irish Cozy!

Rounding out the week with Cheryl Hollon's Shards of Murder that I started Thursday. I hope to have this review for you very soon. 

New themed teas in my cup this week with Doctor Who inspired teas, I enjoyed these new blends in my cup and my new Tardis Mug. It was a nice change for my afternoon teas this week.
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 us a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com