On My Table and In My Cup February 4th-11th

Another great week of reading has come to an end and I am delighted to share a recap of the books that have crossed my table this week. Above are the books my friend Karen sent me for our January books swap. I am so excited to read these as Karen introduced me to this series and I love Sid!

Sunday I shared my review of Fran Stewart's Scotshop Mystery A Wee Homicide in the Hotel. As I sat inside looking out over the snow covered yard it was wonderful to have this summer set cozy to escape too!

Monday on my table I reviewed Clover Tate's new release Blown Away, set on the West Coast and in the Spring it was another great escape cozy!

I was so thrilled to find my quote on the inside War and Peach!

I love this series and it was a great honor to find that quote inside! Family loyalty and great mystery await you in War and Peach by Susan Furlong.

Paige Shelton's Bookman Dead Style was a book I just did not want to end! I am new to this series and thrilled with this book. It is well written and felt like a guilty pleasure to read. A must read for sure!

A Chocolate Paranormal Witch Cozy that was exactly what I needed mid week! Having a good escape cozy with a chocolate theme made it all the more sweeter! This is a first in series and a good read! At the time of publishing this post it is on sale at amazon.com for less then the cost of a chocolate bar! A sweet deal for sure. Click here to learn more. 

Also on my table (and very excited to share my review with you tomorrow) was Murder is Uncooperative by Merrilee Robson. This cozy is based here in Vancouver and was an honor to read.

Monday I will share my review of Poison in the Heart by ST Englert. This Bite Sized Read is one I know you are going to love!

Have you been following the clues? Kathi Daley Books is hosting a very fun Valentines Day Scavenger Hunt.  Do check my Facebook on February 13th for the clue of the day! 

This week I have had a selection of Murchie's Teas in my cup, their Vanilla black tea is my favorite and with all the stree of the snow storms this week I have also truly enjoyed their Lavender Black tea as well.
Thank you so much for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review. I look forward to having you here each and every day. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

A Wee Homicide In The Hotel by Fran Stewart

Friday afternoon in the first snowstorm of this week, I finished A Wee Homicide in The Hotel.  I am longing to sit in the August heat and at least I could in Fran Stewart's new book.  Out February 7th this Scotshop Mystery is a welcome distraction for these long winter nights. Shop owner Peggy and her Scottish Ghost Dirk find themselves wrapped up in another mystery during the Highland games in Hamelin. I found there is so much to take in and  much going on in this cozy mystery. Between the games, the shop and the characters Peggy has barely time to catch her breath. Bagpipes, drummers, families and politicians all cram into town and the shop, conflict, excitement, theft, mischief and more await you. Great characters, I especially liked the Scotties. 

Hamelin is overflowing with tourists enjoying the Scottish-themed games—and most of them are donning tartans from Peggy Winn’s ScotShop. And her fourteenth-century ghostly companion, Dirk, has been indispensable, keeping an eye out for shoplifters and matching customers’ family names to their clan plaid. Adding to the chaos is Big Willie, a longtime champion of the games, but not everyone is happy to have him in town. So when he misses the first event of the weekend, Peggy senses something is awry. After Willie is discovered dead in his hotel room, the victim of a bagpipe-related crime, Peggy decides it’s up to her and Dirk to suss out a murderer.

You can find your own copy of A Wee Homicide in the Hotel on Amazon by clicking here
Learn more about Fran 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 January 28th- February 4th

As I write this weeks week in review I am watching the snowflakes continue to fall. The way they fall is not exactly romantic nor is it delicate, they are coming down hard and sticking as if to taunt us. The largely wet west coast is not used to this, nor am I. We do not enjoy this type of weather at the best of times and as it is falling steady and unending I can only hope the rain starts soon. Snow like this is unusual and we are almost always unprepared. Though this time we have salt, shovels and the clothes necessary, I have been unable to muster the childlike excitement I used to have on those very rare occasions of snow. In protest of the falling snow I put Clover Tate's new series with its very spring like cover on my table with a very pretty pink tea cup. This is the book I am reading today.

Just finished Fran Stewart's A Wee Homicide in the Hotel looking forward to sharing this review with you tomorrow.

I loved all the pet themed cozies I read this week and could really use a vacation at the Wagtail Inn, Krista Davis Paws & Claws series had me so excited this week and I hope you will enjoy this February release as well.

My cat Mia fittingly joined my morning tea photo this week with Miranda James Twelve Angry Librarians. This is a fantastic series about a very smart man and his main coon cat. I have truly enjoyed each book in this series, this one is out February 21st.

In addition to the package of books that arrived I was lucky to also have a care package from a dear friend arrive, the bird is a stunning statue and all the goodies were so delightful and a surprise. I also got a lovely notebook with a lighthouse on the front, just waiting for me to put some ideas down in.

This has been a busy week and the return of the snow will have us all slowing down a bit. I hope you find some time to read and stay warm this weekend.
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

A Wee Dose of Death and Shards of Murder A Double Cozy Review Sunday

January has been a busy review month for me and this review is 11 and 12 for the month. I do believe this is a personal best for me. A Wee Dose of Death is the second in the Scotshop Mystery Series and is a carefully written and cleverly entangled mystery.

While I enjoyed visiting with the characters from the first book I did find I missed Peggy's twin brother in this book and hope he is in book three.  I don't think that the write up about the book does the story much justice. This story was very complex and more intense a murder then the first story. The Scotshop Mystery Series has the type of inviting covers I just love! Also spoiler alert, you may be reaching for more then a few cups of hot chocolate while reading this chilling tale.

 
 "While business is booming at the ScotShop in Hamelin, Vermont, proprietor Peggy Winn doesn t have time to toast her good fortune thanks to her hot-tempered, fourteenth-century Scottish companion. Being thrust into the modern world hasn t been easy for Dirk, but Peggy is at her wit s end trying to keep the ghostie galoot in line. But when the local police chief finds the body of Peggy s friend Karaline s college professor in a deserted mountain cabin, everyone is thrown for a loop. It seems the secretive professor may have been killed over his ecological work, an idea that s only reinforced when Karaline herself is shot. Now Peggy and Dirk must set aside their differences to put the cold-blooded killer under loch and key..."

In the end Fran Stewart left me wanting more! I guess I will have to wait for Book # 3! To order A Wee Dose of Death or to learn more about the series please click here. 

Shards of Murder by Cheryl Hollon  was a first for me. I did not read book one so I felt like I was at a bit of a loss while reading this second in series. Truly my own fault as I should have started with book one Pane and Suffering. Such a wonderful title for a Glass Shop Themed Cozy don't you think! 

But Book Number two 

Shards of Murder is full of surprises as well. The idea of this series is intriguing and fun.  This book is out February 23rd and can be ordered by clicking here.

"When a glass-making competition turns deadly, glass shop owner Savannah Webb must search for a window into a criminal's mind As the new proprietor of Webb's Glass Shop, Savannah has been appointed to fill her late father's shoes as a judge for the Spinnaker Arts Festival, held in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. With her innovative glass works, the clear winner is Megan Loyola, a student of Savannah's former mentor. But when Megan doesn't show up to accept her $25,000 award, rumors start flying. And when Savannah discovers the woman's dead body on festival grounds, the police immediately suspect her of murder. To keep from appearing before a judge herself, Savannah sorts through the broken pieces of glass scattered around the victim for clues as to who took this killer competition too far "

Fans of this series will not have to wait long as Cracked to Death is due out this June.  Don't you love these covers. The puppy and the colors stand out perfectly in this cover! 
When a treasure hunt leads to deadly plunder, it's up to glass shop owner Savannah Webb and her trusty investigative posse to map out the true motives of a killer . . . It's the dog days of summer in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Webb's Glass Shop proprietor Savannah Webb has an eco-friendly plan to help locals escape the heat--a recyclable bottle-crafting workshop taught by reticent store manager Amanda Blake. Turns out, the class is a bigger smash than expected, thanks in part to a pair of staggeringly old bottles brought in by snorkeler Martin Lane . . . Linked to a storied pirate shipwreck, the relics definitely pique Savannah's interest. But intrigue turns to shock when Martin's lifeless body washes ashore the next morning, another glass artifact tucked in his dive bag. With cell phone records connecting Amanda to the drowning, Savannah must voyage through unchartered territory to exonerate her colleague and capture the twisted criminal behind Martin's death . . . 

Click here to learn more about this up coming release! 

Thank you for joining me for A cup of tea and a couple of cozy mystery reviews. 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 23rd to 30th

Well another busy week in come and gone and some lovely things have been on my table.  My friend Daniela dropped off a hot chocolate complete with a chocolate marshmallow ball as I had to miss our tea date with two sick boys at home. The mail man kindly stopped by with some books I had ordered and I spent most of Friday night reading Fran Stewart's A Wee Dose of Death.

Along with books, my mail man brought me a surprise treat from my friend Karen in Toronto, I felt very blessed to have so many thoughtful friends.

I read a few stories this week and Geared for the Grave  by Duffy Brown was a delightful surprise, I have never wanted to "high-five" a main character as much as I did at the end of Geared for the Grave.

Gone by Midnight is an eclectic collection of Joyce and Jim Lavene's short stories.

Reading up a Storm by Eva Gates was a wonderful weekend escape, I do love books with lighthouses in one and in Eva Gates book the lighthouse really is a character all on its own.

Looks like I have another wonderful weekend of reading ahead of me. 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

Read Along With Me 2016- Here are the cozies I have pre-ordered so far!

Well the mail man came and went yesterday with no books for me and as I am getting impatient for something to read I thought it would be a good time look at my pre orders and get even more excited/impatient. But I am trying to be on the cutting edge of my own happiness so I thought I would share...

I am so looking forward to Off the Books! 33 more days to go and I anxiously await it's delivery! I ordered it and all my pre orders from The Book Depository because I never have to pay shipping, it is free on every order and as a Canadian it is a great deal.

Out in just a few days and on it's way to me is Fran Sterwart's A Wee Dose of Death. I am really looking forward another Scotshop Mystery!

I love the Teapot Collector Mystery series by Amanda Cooper (and I am very excited because something I wrote is included in the back of the book!) The Grim Steeper is out in only 88 more days until it's release! 

Breach of Crust, Ellery Adams Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery is out in 96 more days! Love the title down you?

I am so looking forward to both  Gone With The Witch, one of my favorite Heather Blake series which is out in 153 more days!  I simply adore this series! As well as...

the highly anticipated The Diva Serves High Tea! I can not wait! I am so excited for this one also out in 153 more days!

with 187 more days to go is Read-To Death the third book in the Read em' and Eat Mystery Series, and I have a recipe in this one too! I am really excited to be a part of this series as well and am so thankful to Terrie for including one of my recipes in this book as well!

Currently my longest wait for a pre order is Murder in the Secret Garden by Ellery Adams, not due out for 215 More days! 
I hope you will join me for these wonderful cozy reads and pre ordering these titles before they are released helps the authors so much! Bonus for us is that we get books in the mail regularly that we are so looking forward to reading and I know they are going to look great on my table!  Thank you for joining me for A cup of tea and a look a head at some wonderful cozy mysteries! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

The Season Of Eating Must Come To An End And The Return Of The Postman Is Very Important!

This season of eating must come to an end, that and the return of the postman so I can have something tangible and in paper to read. It is not that I do not love baking, cooking and eating but it is 9 am and I have been up for about 20 mins now and I am ready to attack a box of chocolates now that my toast is done. I am terrified of the scale in my room and the pants that have just come out of the dryer...but alas I have made some wonderful things this season. I was reading about Fran Stewart's new Scotshop Mystery A Wee Dose of Death out in January on Lisa K's Book Reviews on the very day I was making these Scotch Eggs! I quickly ordered it from The Book Depository and anxiously now await it's arrival with the post man!

My husband sent me an email from our local meat shop with the recipe and it had been years since I had one so we agreed I would make them for Christmas Eve Appetizers. Here is the recipe:

•  Prep: 10 Mins
•  Cook: 40 Minutes
•  Portions: 6

INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED

• 6 Free Range Eggs in their shells
• 1 Free Range Eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 lb. ground pork sausage meat
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. Mustard
• 2 tsp. Cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp. Ground mace
• 2 sage leaves, finely chopped
• 2 thyme sprigs, finely chopped
• Canola oil, for frying
• 1/4 cup Milk
• 1/4 Cup flour
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• Salt and pepper
• 
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Place 6 eggs in a saucepan and cover with 1" of cold water
2. Place over high heat and bring to a boil, boil for 10 minutes; cover, remove from heat, and let sit for 6 minutes
3. Drain eggs from water and transfer to an ice bath, allowing to cool for 5 minutes
4. Drain eggs from ice bath, peel, and discard shells
5. Combine sausage meat, Worcestershire, mustard, cornstarch, mace, sage, and thyme in a bowl
6. Season with salt and pepper and mix until evenly combined
7. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions and form each portion around each cooked egg to cover completely
8. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes
9. Pour oil into a dutch over and heat over medium-high heat
10. Heat until a deep fry thermometer reads 350 degrees
11. Combine beaten egg with milk in a bowl
12. Place flour and bread crumbs in a separate bowl
13. Working in batches, coat each meat-covered egg in flour, shaking of excess, and then dip in milk mixture to coat
14. Dredge in bread crumbs, and then fry until golden brown and meat is cooked through, about 7 minutes
15. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly, and let cool for 10 minutes before serving

I serve mine with HP Sauce (A1 would work for my American Friends) 

Click here for the link to the original recipe I have copied and pasted above from Meridian Meat Shops, The only place we buy our meats!  The photos are mine but the recipe is theirs!
To order your own copy of A Wee Dose of Death please click here
Thank you for joining me for A Cup of tea and A Cozy Recipe today! Let me know if you give these a try!

Orange As Marmalade by Fran Stewart

Author Fran Stewart kindly sent me a copy of Orange As Marmalade to read and review. I had not heard about this series and was thrilled when it arrived. This is the 1st Biscuit McKee Mystery and I really enjoyed reading it. I also loved how it looked on my table!

The pace and format of this story was different then any cozy I had read before. I loved getting to know Biscuit and her sister, through out this book as much as I liked getting to know Marmalade the cat. This story manages to cover two years at one time and yet is easy to follow. The story of how Biscuit meets and falls in love with Bob is sweet and perfect for a cozy mystery, where else do you expect the main characters  meet and fall in love over the dead body of one of the small town residents. Any other love story would not have been so sweet and as awkward as this one. I enjoyed the way the love story unfolded as well as the mystery it's self. So much happens in the book that I did not guess how the story lines would intersect and was surprised with how the suspect was apprehended.

If you have not yet read Orange as Marmalade and you love a story about relationships and a very clever cat this is a series for you. To order a copy for yourself please click here.
To learn more about Fran Stewart please click here.