Jenn McKinlay's Wedding Cake Crumble

Wedding Cake Crumble by Jenn McKinlay is the second wedding themed cozy I read this week. Normally I shy away from Wedding cozies but this was a really good read. I am starting to think Wedding Cozies are pretty cool. It helps when you have such outstanding characters and a fun and complicated coincidence, murders with twists and a whole lot of cupcakes. I was delighted with this mystery and some Kick butt characters! This one is out now and is one to pick up and binge read for sure!

For the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew, wedding bells turn to death knells in this latest mystery in the New York Times bestselling series.

With Angie and Tate's wedding just around the corner, it's a happy time for Melanie Cooper and the bakery crew. Not only are they finessing the last minute details of the big day, but their bakery, Fairy Tale Cupcakes, has just been hired to bake cupcakes for the blockbuster book signing of a controversial author who wrote a steamy bestseller filled with juicy local gossip.
But one by one, the people Angie has hired to work at the wedding begin turning up dead. As the body count rises, the bestselling author is the next to bite the dust. Mel quickly realizes she needs to figure out how the murders are connected and why--before the killer brings the entire cupcake crew crumbling down. After all, Angie and Tate deserve their sweet happily ever after.

You can find Jenn McKinlay's Wedding Cake Crumble out now and on 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 

Jenn McKinlay Death In The Stacks

I could not help it I tried to savor it but I could not put it down. Death in the Stacks by Jenn McKinlay was one of those books you simply must settle in and read cover to cover. I loved it. I don't know how Jenn did it but I quickly became agitated enough with the character that ends up murdered is found, I thought to myself finally and had a hard time finding sympathy for the victim. I really enjoyed the banter between Lindsay and Robbie and their amature sluething. I also loved how the progression of Sully and Lindsay's relationship and Sully and Emma's relationships change over the story. I was so excited with the ending of this book it is taking all my strength to not tell you and write this while biting my tongue! This was one of those reads you just want to champion! 

In the latest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Better Late Than Never, the library’s big fund-raiser leaves director Lindsey Norris booked for trouble . . . Lindsey Norris and her staff are gearing up for the Briar Creek Library’s annual Dinner in the Stacks fund-raiser. The night of dinner and dancing is not only a booklover’s dream—it’s the library’s biggest moneymaker of the year. But instead of raising funds, the new library board president is busy raising a stink and making the staff miserable.Although Olive Boyle acts like a storybook villain, Lindsey is determined to work with her and make the event a success. But when Olive publicly threatens the library’s newest hire, Paula, Lindsey cracks like an old book spine and throws Olive out of the library.The night of the fund-raiser, Lindsey dreads another altercation with Olive—but instead finds Paula crouched over Olive’s dead body. Paula may have secrets, but Lindsey and the rest of the crafternooners know she’s not the one who took Olive out of circulation. As the plot thickens, Lindsey must catch the real killer before the book closes on Paula’s future . . .

Death in the Stacks is out now and you can find it on 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

Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay

Monday morning I finished Jenn McKinlay's Better Late Than Never and I loved it. I loved it because of how the story unfolded and the clues were laid out. The idea that an overdue library book would be the catalyst to solving a murder is pretty darn cool and I love the idea of amnesty free day at the Library. My mother was always owing the library, it always made me laugh and fear bells and whistles going off when we would go.  This book I felt involved in, felt very real to me. While I have read a few in this series, and liked them, I did not enjoy them as much as I did this one and I am anxious to read the next one. A joy to have had this to read over the weekend and one I can highly recommend. 

In this Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Likely Story, a decades-overdue book puts library director Lindsey Norris hot on the trail of a cold case…
 When the Briar Creek Public Library holds its first overdue book amnesty day—no fines for late returns—the volume of incoming materials is more than Lindsey and her staff can handle. But one tardy tome catches her attention—a copy of J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, twenty years past due.When Lindsey looks up the borrower, she’s shocked to discover it was a murdered teacher named Candice Whitley, whose killer was never found. Candice checked out the novel on the day she died. Now Lindsey wonders if it could provide a clue to the decades-old cold case. No one noticed who brought the book back in, but could it be Candice’s killer? Lindsey is determined to catch the culprit one way or another, because justice for Candice Whitley is long overdue...

Better Late Than Never is out now and you can find it on Amazon by clicking here. 

On My Table and In My Cup November 18-25th

A month to Christmas day how can this even be? Hoping your Saturday is off to a good start, I have Jenn McKinlay's book Better Late Than Never on my table to read this weekend.

I am also delighted to have The Healing Powers of Tea on my table this is a book for the new year I can already tell I need to own a copy of not just an ARC.
Right in line with my own hobby and beliefs and a lovely treat to read early!

Thursday I finished Tastes Like Murder by Catherine Bruns and I will review it Sunday, the cover fits the cozy perfectly and matched my teacup and saucer too, always a good indication of a great book!

Assault and Buttery was a fantastic read this week as well and such a highlight of my week.

Escape Claws is another book you are going to want to preorder for yourself so it downloads for December 26th! A Cat Lady Mystery, now you know you need to read it!

"Cookie Cutters and Holiday Hearts, That's the way the Season Starts" 

Tonight is my annual cookie exchange and I can not wait, it gets bigger and more complicated every year, I feel like I should be doing it over two nights with two groups of friends, had to cap it at 18 people this year and every year I have to leave people out... More on how it goes to follow later in the week.

This time of year especially take heart to share love, in all its forms. We all need more of it, kindness, love, joy. We all know someone going through struggles and battles and we all have a heightened sense of stress especially this time of year.  My thoughts, prayers and love go out to so many I know who desperately need it more today than any day. Share love, pay it forward, go out of your way to create a chain of love wherever you go.
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 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

On My Table and In My Cup April 8th-15th

A week has come and gone and we have had more rain then sunshine, I have heard more sadness and strife sadly then happy news,  I hope that as this week draws to a close the new week begining holds a much better times ahead for all of us. Checking back now on what I have had on my table this week...

Last night I finished One Fete in the Grace by Vicke Fee and I shall share my review in full with you all tomorrow. Such a lovely and welcome surprise this week to find it in my mail box.

I am still craving cupcakes and is it any wonder why when I have had Jenn McKinlay's latest cozy on my table. Loved the characters and story in this one too!

A Frying Shame was a read I enjoyed, first in series for me and lots of fun.

Lena Gregory's Occult and Battery was a wonderful paranormal cozy read that I enjoyed along with  the traditional cozies this week. Loved the story line and characters in this second in series.

I reopened my Etsy shop in hopes of helping out a dear friend in troubling times, if you would like to help out to please click here to learn more. 

I have had my old standby Murchies Vanila in my cup most of the week, but I also had some peppermint tea and some lavender black in my tea pot this week. I am looking into a tea line to hopefully add to my tea shop and shall let you all know about it when I have settled on a line. Until then I am ever so grateful that you choose to spend your time with me. 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

Jenn McKinlay's Caramel Crush

Today I am reviewing author Jenn McKinlay's Caramel Crush. This is the first book in the series for me, 9th book in the series for Jenn McKinlay, boy have I been missing out. This was a great cozy. A perfect read on a day when I needed an escape more than I craved a cupcake.
Even though I did not know or understand the backstory of these characters it really did not matter and I fell quickly into step. I am not normally a fan of books with a wedding plot but I loved this one. This was written in a caring and viable way, reminding me of my own Bridezilla moments and those of my friends, almost  20 years ago. Funny how timeless the Bridezilla Phenomenon is, how quickly it bonds and relates the story to you. I loved it. I could not put it down and think that this is a series I should go back and read.  The cover is spectacular and even the bit characters stood out to me, and I hope they stand out to you too.

Love is in the air at Fairy Tale Cupcakes as Angie prepares for her wedding, but co-owner, Mel, is preparing for a breakup. Her old friend, Diane Earnest, is dumping her fiancé after discovering he’s only marrying her for her money. She wants Mel to personally deliver a batch of caramel breakup cupcakes to the louse and give her a play-by-play of his reaction. When Mel finally tracks the man down, the look on his face isn’t the reaction she was expecting: he’s dead. After the police arrive and see the incriminating cupcakes, Diane becomes their prime suspect. If she hopes to taste freedom again, Mel and Angie must make sure the real killer gets their just desserts...

Caramel Crush is out now and you can find it 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

Assault and Beret By Jenn McKinlay

I so enjoyed Assault and Beret by Jenn McKinlay. I have not read any of this series before and I was amazed at how quickly I fell into step and how much it felt like a blockbuster movie. So well written, smart, funny and quick witted fun. I enjoyed so much the puns, I wish I could be as quick and clever as Scarlett and Viv and the gang! This was a great read and I felt so very happy with how it all ended. Mystery, Romance and more await in Paris and Assault and Beret! 

London milliner Vivian Tremont and her American cousin and partner, Scarlett Parker, tip their caps to their beloved shop on Portobello Road in Notting Hill and set off for Paris, where Viv can’t wait to teach a hat-making class. But she has another reason to travel to the City of Light: to find the man she impulsively eloped with years ago and have their marriage annulled. William Graham is not only handsome and charming, but he also has a glamorous job as an insurance investigator who works with priceless pieces of art, most recently a small Renoir that has been discovered in a junk shop. But when both Will and the masterpiece suddenly disappear, it’s up to the ladies from London to follow the trail of clues. They’ll need to hold on to their chapeaux, however, because someone is a master in the art of deception...

Assault and Beret is out now and available on Amazon by clicking here.
Learn more about this series by clicking here.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy 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 December 31st-January 7th

The first week of the new year and I have read 4 books this week, moved into a new house and well am starting to feel at home. A week ago I was at the mercy of the clock getting the former house ready to hand back to the landlords, this Saturday I am off to hockey in the snow, which seems to be the new norm.

Our cats have taken quite well to the new place, better and faster then I thought they would. Miss Mia even joining me on the couch as I finished Jenn Mckinlay's Assault and Beret.

 My review will be up tomorrow but I have to say it was spectacular.

I also read and reviewed Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan this week, a great team of Sleuths in that one along with a cat named Elvis, what is not to love?

Pop Goes the Murder was also a very fun read and great second in series. I enjoyed this one and was sad to close the book!

I also reviewed You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life, a self help book that I found very interesting. I am thrilled to be approved to read such a wide variety of books and am hoping you will enjoy me sharing a few of them here with you as well.
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

Christmas Eve On My Table And In My Cup December 17th-24th

Merry Christmas Eve from my table to yours, what a week this has been, a snow storm, no internet and the move just two days away things are out of control crazy but I have gotten some fun new titles for 2017 and some great reading done!

I was lucky enough to get an advanced reading copy of Sarah Fox's For Whom The Bread Rolls. A great second in series that you will want to read when the tulips start bursting up from the ground. Reading this mid March release about the sweltering Summer heat was a delight this cold and damp pas week.

Murder Go Round by Carol J. Perry is a great story! I love the Russian Royal Family history and this one is so well done! Out in January you wont want to miss this one!

A lovely surprise to have The Square Life of Emily Duggan on my table this week written by a neighbor this was a lovely look at someones life, cozy and reflective, could not help but cry.

Vicki Delany has me very excited about this new series and the first title is appropriately named  Elementary, She Read ! Another mid March release this one is sure to get you thinking! Delightful!

My friend Anna makes the best shortbread. These lovely almost fist sized Russian tea cakes were a delightful surprise this week, seeing that I ate all the ones from the cookie exchange a few weeks ago. These are great with the Murchies Vanilla tea that has sustained me this week.
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas this Christmas Eve. 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