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

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 Halloween Week 3

Week three and half way through October, how fast the time goes! Today we are sharing our third week of cozy mysteries that are either Halloween based or Paranormal.  Karen K is up first today for this weeks double double.

Karen's choice is By Familiar Means by Delia James 

"I loved this second book in the series with the wonderful addition of Annabelle's grandmother. I enjoyed the continuation of her journey of understanding her gift, with the aid of new found friends, along with a top notch whodunit to solve as well!

"

In the latest from the author of A Familiar Tail, a witch and her familiar find trouble brewing at a coffee house. After discovering her mystical heritage--and being adopted by furry feline familiar Alistair--artist Annabelle Britton has decided to make picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, her new home. Now, she can take the time to figure out her new abilities and welcome her grandmother, who is visiting Portsmouth, and her old coven, for the first time in thirty years. But being a witch doesn't magically put money in the bank. When she's hired to paint the murals for a new coffee house, it seems like a wish come true. But then a series of spooky sounds and strange happenings convince the owners that their new shop is haunted. They want Anna and her coven to evict the restless spirit before the grand opening. Annabelle is certain the haunted happenings at the shop are just hocus pocus. But when her search reveals hidden smugglers' tunnels beneath the shop--and a dead body--Annabelle, Alastair, and the coven suddenly find themselves in a cat and mouse game with a killer...

Now for my choice! One of my most favorite series is from an author called Madelyn Alt. This is an old but wonderful cozy mystery series and the first book is The Trouble With Magic. This is one of the first witchy cozy mysteries I ever read and I bought the entire series.

Antiques-shop clerk Maggie O'Neill was a little weirded out when she discovered her new boss Felicity was a witch. But when Felicity becomes the suspect in a local murder, Maggie must enlist Felicity's wiccan friends for help--and discover her own spellbinding talent.

Now to see what our Amigos chose this week...

Click here for Sheryl at Booth Talks Books 

Click here Mary's for mjbreviewrs

and here for Lisa K's pick on Lisa K's Book Reviews. 

We are so thrilled you have joined us today and we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here and then visit our Amigos and let them know what you think of their choices this week. 

We thank you for joining us for a cup of tea and this weeks Fall-O-ween Fun picks.

On my table and in my cup September 30th- October 7th

On my table this weekend is Jenny Kales Secrets and Pies, the third book in the Callie's Kitchen Mystery series. Just started it and will share my review in a few days!

Don't forget later this month I have a great event to celebrate for the release on the 19th on the Beyond The Bookmarks Event page! You can RSVP by clicking here.

In my cup this week in addition to my Murchie's Vanilla Black stand by, I have also enjoyed my Fortnum and Mason Cranberry black tea, this weekend is Thanksgiving here in Canada and I will be spending the weekend basically eating.  I realized the other day as I took my bunny bowl out of the cupboard that I have used this bowl for 42 years. It's in pretty good shape and it has stood the test of time. Royal Doulton still makes Bunnykins and I really think this is one of my favorite patterns.

I did a bit of reading this week and The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss is coming up for review tomorrow.

Later this month I will be reviewing Delia James Familiar Motives, I am thrilled my own familiar Squirrel joined me in the photo!

I got the most lovely surprise in the mail this week, a teacup from my friend Jennifer and I loved how it paired so well with the cover of The Secret Book & Scone Society. I loved this book and I anxiously await what will happen next.

Also on my table this week was Much Ado About Murder, this one was a lovely  cozy and highly dramatic! Theater cozies are so much fun.

I wish you all the very best this holiday weekend and look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow! 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 me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

On My Table and In My Cup September 23rd-30th

Welcome back to the weekend, I hope you are getting some much needed rest and reading this weekend. Speaking of reading, I am reading through Delia James Familiar Motives right now and was so pleased to find on the first page a quote I wrote about By Familiar Means, I am so excited to find in print the quote I gave about a book and a series I really enjoy!

Familiar Means is proving to be quite good also! I am very excited to be reading this one right now!

A great many books have passed over my table this week, Fixing to Die by Miranda James, A Southern Ladies Mystery made for an excellent read this week!

Double surprises this week in the book department, I feel very much blessed! Karen K you spoil me and Random House, Thank you!

Also a very lovely surprise from a lovely Facebook Friend! I am so thrilled to have this Christmas Ornament on my table! It says "It's always Tea Time!" and I am so touched by this lovely surprise and beautiful penmanship of the sender, my friend Cherry Trimble.

I reviewed Canal Days Calamity this week a true dog lovers delight,

Laughed my way through Ring In The Year with Murder, this is one of the funniest books I have ever read, a cozy that left me with a smile and one I can not wait for you to read.

I powered through A Room with A Brew, by Joyce Tremel, this one is out on Tuesday and I am hosting the release party on Tuesday!

I hope to see you there! Simply click over to the Beyond The Bookmarks Event page on Facebook, click discussion and join in the fun!

I also had reviews up on Murder on the Toy Town Express, a toy lover like me, was overjoyed to find this series!

Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander was truly special and one of the books I think should be up for first in series this year. One of the best I have ever read and one I am looking forward to seeing continue!

A week ago Friday I shared this lovely teacup I found on Etsy and I am so thrilled to report that it is now at my house and ready for my table this holiday season, it arrived and it is stunning!

Thank you so much for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review, it has been a very busy one and one I am so thankful to have you join 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, By Familiar Means

By Familiar Means by Delia James is a book I really enjoyed.  Book one A Familiar Tail was really good and I was so looking forward to this one that I ordered it months ago. I still have it on order and got the Shipping notice that is on it's way from The Book Depository. I loved book number two. As a fan of witchcraft mysteries this one is fast becoming one of my go to witchy series!  Main Character Annabelle Britton is trying to start her life over in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, new home, new friends not to mention she recently found out she is a hereditary witch! Filled with questions and angst in book two her Grandma BB arrives to help her learn about herself, her abilities and get mixed up in another mystery. Great story, strong characters, lovely setting, fun familiars as well as a great mystery and a ghost or two....I hope you will love this one as much as I did!

In the latest from the author of "A Familiar Tail, Annabelle,a witch and her familiar find trouble brewing at a coffee house. After discovering her mystical heritage and being adopted by furry feline familiar Alistair artist Annabelle Britton has decided to make picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, her new home. Now, she can take the time to figure out her new abilities and welcome her grandmother, who is visiting Portsmouth, and her old coven, for the first time in thirty years. But being a witch doesn't magically put money in the bank. When she s hired to paint the murals for a new coffee house, it seems like a wish come true. But then a series of spooky sounds and strange happenings convince the owners that their new shop is haunted. They want Anna and her coven to evict the restless spirit before the grand opening. Annabelle is certain the haunted happenings at the shop are just hocus pocus. But when her search reveals hidden smugglers tunnels beneath the shop and a dead body Annabelle, Alastair, and the coven suddenly find themselves in a cat and mouse game with a killer..."

To order your own copy of By Familiar Means from The Book Depository like I did with free world wide shipping please click here.
To order from Amazon please click here.
Learn more about Delia James 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 March 5th to the 11th

This week I have enjoyed many cups of black tea while watching the rain storms move across my area. The cats have not at all been impressed by the weather but it lends its self to reading and plenty of cups of tea.

I have been battling an awful bug this week, but was feeling up to a little gardening this week. Finally getting around to planting something in my used tea tin from Sloan Tea company. It looks cute outside on one of my tea tables.

Also this week I finished reading three great books.

And Then There Were Nuns by Kylie Logan was funny and a good read!

A Churn for the Worse was a lovely and sweet cozy with romance and a great mystery too.

A Familiar Tail by Delia James was  a first in series I wont soon forget I am really excited to read book two in September.

I have just started Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower and I am looking forward to sharing my review with you soon!

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review. I hope you have a wonderful Saturday.

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