On My Table and In My Cup July 1-8th

Another week has flown by in the blink of an eye. I am more busy now than ever before and I am so thankful for the time to do what I do! I get up much earlier then my family so that I may have time to share my passion for reading and enjoy a pot of tea or two before my full day of work begins. Dragging myself to bed when the sun is still high in the sky and the boys are unwilling to drift off to sleep makes for long days but I love it.  This weekend i am starting to read Kate Kingsbury's Doom with a View, this one is out in several weeks time and one I have been looking forward to reading. With summer, ghost stories go hand in hand. 

I announced earlier this week a collaborative project with author Jayne Barnard! I am so excited about this cup coming Facebook event and I have so many fun things planned to share during the party. I would be so honored to have you join us for a few hours on Wednesday July 26th. The Maddie Hatter series is one I discovered in May with the purchase of my first book in the series, and I just finished book two (will be sharing the review tomorrow) and it is a series I am so excited about. I am dreaming of clockwork birds, chickens and zeppelins! My creative brain has been spinning and I have some fun crafts to share. If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt or special friend of a young reader (I am 42 and this series I personally love) I recommend the adventure mystery series of Maddie Hatter !

I have exciting crafts, fun facts, prizes and more to share at the party don't miss it!

Paranormal cozy mysteries have a special place in my heart as many of you know. I read Ghost of a Chance by Cate Dean this week and absolutely loved it, it was exactly the story I needed at the time and lovely as well as light. I could love to read the series!

Out of my comfort zone I read a suspense thriller that is up coming by Kathleen Valenti, this one is a very good mystery and will keep you on the edge of your seat, not a cozy to be sure but it does have a happy ending.

Sunday I reviewed Cat About Town by Cate Conte, this one is out in September and has a lovely feel to it, a great cat, small town and new business, this is a series I hope that will be long running, who doesn't love a cat cafe? 

I also shared a bit on Monday in our Three Amigos Book Club post my choice for this weeks book or series and I chose Janice J. Richardson's series. Set in Niagara Falls and centered around a funeral home, this series amazed me with how calm and serene I felt while reading it even though the trauma of death and funerals is something that I struggle with, I came away from reading both books with an undeniable sense of comfort. I hope you will too!

I discovered something I had no idea about when I was picking up my supply of Murchie's tea this week, they offer something called Purple Majesty, a PURPLE TEA that steeps purple! I must get this tea to try! It is a rare one but stay tuned as I give this one a try! 

Click here to learn more about this tea and how to order it from Murchie's!

A special thank you to Author Laura Bradford for spending some time with us yesterday, I am quite honored she could spend some time with us this week during her busy tour! 

Below is my Friday Spotlight Youtube video, I would love to have you pop over and watch under a minute! I have 9 subscribers and would love to make it a dozen as I build my new channel and step out of my comfort zone of being on camera!

Thank you all for joining me here this week for  a look back at what I have had on my table this week!

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 17-24th

This week has been a busy one and I am afraid I have not has as much time to dedicate to reading as I should but I am absolutely delighted to have Heather Blake's The Witch and The Dead on my table this weekend. I have been a long time fan of this series and I still pre order it. I am thrilled that I got an advanced reading copy of this book! This is one of my most favorite cozy mystery series and I am thrilled to have it this rainy weekend.

Also on my table this week some fantastic walkers shortbread cookies brought to me from England, I may have eaten half the box while reading Masking for Trouble by Diane Vallere, this was a new to me series and a good mystery, review coming up next week.

I also new to my table this week Tangled Up in Brew by Joyce Tremel, fun idea, this series is!

Having Joyce and Jim Lavene's books on my table has long been a treat now it is an honor to have the third book in the retired witches series on my table. I miss my daily chats with Joyce... I find it truly amazing to be able to spend time reading their amazing work, feeling as though they have not really left us at all.

New to me tea on the table this week from For Tea's Sake's Shades of Earl Grey a nice classic earl grey that is not overly floral. 

The winner of Dead To The Last Drop is Doward T. Wilson! Congratulations and thank you to all who took the time to enter! Doward your book is being sent to you from the publisher. 

I am so thankful to have you join me today 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 

Putting On The Witch By Joyce and Jim Lavene

The third book in the A Retired Witches Mystery Series, Putting on the Witch, comes out October 4th. For those of you who may not know Joyce and Jim Lavene both passed away in the last 12 months and their passing has had a huge impact on the cozy community and on me personally. Joyce was a mentor of mine and a cheerleader. It was an honor to know her and it is a joy to read her words. Joyce and Jim were incredible in life, in writing and on line. Though I never got to meet them in person, getting to know them both over the last few years was truly inspiring and an honor. In addition to being amazing authors they raised amazing children, whom I am very pleased to have also gotten know on line and I continue to grow in friendship and loss.

Putting on the Witch, was a whirlwind of a book, I honestly found myself dizzy at times. Fun to picture the setting and the characters, the murder, the mystery and the chaos that Putting on the Witch offers readers. I could see vividly the scenes described as only Joyce and Jim could write. With out giving too much away I was thrilled to have some much loved characters return from the previous books in the most unlikely of situations. This book was filled with fun and very imaginative scenarios for the witches to find themselves in and trouble to get themselves out of. I wish that I had just a little of the magic these witches have in this book, even when they are bumbling they are truly the best!

"In the latest mystery from the bestselling authors of "Looking for Mr. Good Witch," the retired witches of Wilmington, North Carolina, are ready to kick up their heels... With their coven s spell book still missing, Molly and Elsie along with their ghostly friend Olivia, her daughter Dorothy, and her boyfriend Brian are all on edge, especially now that Dorothy s infamously wicked father is back in the picture. So when they receive an invitation to an exclusive Witches Ball, the ladies jump at the chance to dress up and have some fun. The castle locale is spectacular and the party is hopping, but the festivities come to a swift end when a member of the Grand Council of Witches is murdered. With the whole place on lock down, the coven is determined to find the cunning killer, even with an angry council and a real Spanish Inquisitor breathing down their necks..."

There are so many wonderful books coming out in October and if you are a lover of Witch themed cozies be sure to order Putting on the Witch. 
Learn more about all the series written by  Joyce and Jim Lavene 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 September 10th-17th

Another week has gone by and this was such a fun one for my family and I. Last Saturday morning we left for a very quick and very far trip to the very West Coast of Vancouver Island for a Surf Camp Weekend for our boys put on by Rip Curl and SUPA (Surfs Up For Autism) and we had a blast. I got to read a bit on the trip and discover a lovely tea shop too! Thay Tea in Ucluete (You-Q-let) BC was a tea lovers oasis in a very picturesque location. Such a delight to visit them and I am looking forward to seeing them at the Vancouver tea festival in November.

I picked up a lovely Double Cream Earl Grey, which I am absolutely loving. It was a lovely weekend and a beautiful view with my morning  tea.  I finished Night of the Living Deed while in Ucluete and absolutely loved it, I can not wait to read the entire series.

Penny Warner's The Code Busters Club, A book I ordered for my 8 year old son arrived on Tuesday and even though he and I are reading it together, I could not help but finish reading the entire book that night. I will be sharing my review with you all tomorrow and I have already ordered book number 2.

I have also been enjoying the Miss Marple Complete Short Stories this week another book I received for Buy A Friend A Book Day! Such a great book to have on hand and in my purse for afternoon school pick up time!

Also on my table mid week A Charming Voodoo by Tonya Kappes, some mornings you just need a little magic!

Last night I finished Old Haunts by E.J. Copperman, a book I checked out of my wonderful library who stock the most wonderful cozies, after last weekends read I knew I wanted to read the entire series! Review to follow next week.

Friday morning a delivery at my door had me jumping for joy! I can not wait to share the October Releases with you all soon!
Thank you so much for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy week in review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Buy A Friend A Book Day Suggestions!

August 31st is fast approaching and I have some cozy suggestions for you of books you can purchase and give to friends! I love this new-ish holiday. I have participated the last three years and I have joined a swap with friends this year on Elfster which lets the friends create a wish list of books. When you have friends like I do who read constantly it is often hard to choose a book for them that they may not have already read so this year Elftster is a God Send!

For those of you who may not be familiar with Buy A Friend A Book Day this is a fun day where you simply buy a book you think a friend would like on August 31st and give or send it to them. This holiday event is meant as a fun way to share a love of books and reading with others. You can purchase on line (with free shipping) from The Book Depository to send to friends far away or you can purchase a book at a small independent book store (Which is also a very good idea!) and then give it to your friends.

If you are stuck on ideas of great cozy mysteries to purchase for friends I have more then a few suggestions here on my blog and you can find reviews and photos of all the books I have read and reviewed in the tabs at the top of my blog!

To get you started here are a few of my favorite suggestions of series I hope you will not only read yourself but perhaps gift a friend:

Duffy Brown's Cycle Path Mystery Series 
Terrie Farley Moran's Read Em' and Eat Mystery Series (with recipes from yours truly in the back!) 
Victoria Hamilton's A Teapot Collector Mystery Series (notes and information about the enjoyment of tea from yours truly can also be found inside!)
Ellery Adam's Book Retreat Series 
Lucy Arlington A Novel Idea Series
Lorna Barrett's A Booktown Mystery Series 
Krista Davis A Domestic Diva Mystery  or her Paws and Claws Mystery Series
Victoria Hamilton's Merry Muffin Mystery Series 
Susan Furlong's Georgia Peach Mystery Series
Miranda Jame's Cat in The Stacks Mystery Series 
Kathi Daley Zoe Donovan Mystery Series, Whales and Tales Mystery Series and Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Series
Vicki Vass (Anything this lady writes I love!)
Auralee Wallace- Otter Lake Mystery Series 
Kathleen Bridge A Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery 

Paranormal Series Recommendations:

Heather Blake's Wishcraft Series 

Joyce and Jim Lavene (ANY THING THEY HAVE EVER WRITTEN I highly recommend) 

Juliet Blackwell Witchcraft Mystery Series 
Carol J Perry Witch City Mystery Series
Victoria Laurie A Psychic Eye Mystery 

First in series this year that I thought were outstanding:
Laura Bradford's Elcair and Present Danger 
Julia Buckley A Dark and Stormy Murder
Vicki Vass Gem Hunter
Amanda Flower Crime and Poetry
Nikki LeClair Haunting Me
Judy Volt  Asiago and the Accomplice 
Jenny Kales On The Chopping Block 

Poetry, may I recommend the southern styling's of Patricia Neeley-Dorsey 

I hope you enjoyed just some of my favorite books and series suggestions and that you may consider joining me in celebrating Buy A Friend A Book Day this August 31st!
Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery suggestion for buy a friend a book day! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Putting On The Witch, Book Three In The Retired Witches Mystery Series Ready For Pre Order Now!

Today I am thrilled to share that you can now pre-order the third book in the Retired Witches Mystery series by Joyce and Jim Lavene. Seeing their son Christopher share on his Facebook page made my heart both soar and ache. The passing of Joyce and Jim Lavene shook the cozy world, Joyce passing last October and Jim this passed May. This literary duo were more then just incredible and talented writers they were parents, grandparents and friends to so many of us lucky enough to get to know them through their work. Joyce was my mentor and someone I truly respected and looked up too. Reading Putting On The Witch will be a treat and a celebration for me. I have pre ordered mine from The Book Depository.  78 more days until it is released and currently 10% off on The Book Depository and always free shipping. Click here to pre order your own copy now.

If you have not yet discovered The Retired Witches Series I can tell you that it is one of my most favorite paranormal cozies.  Many of you if you have read this blog for a while know that I love Witch Craft Mysteries and when I heard about this series and Spell Booked coming out I pre ordered it and waited with baited breath!  It was better then I expected and such a treat to have on my table in December 2014! Click here to read my review of Spell Booked.

Last October I got an advanced reading copy of Looking For Mr. Good Witch before my pre ordered copy arrived, I was so blessed to be able to read the advanced copy and share my thoughts with Joyce before her unexpected passing. Please click here to learn more about Looking For Mr. Good Witch

I am hoping that you will enjoy these mysteries as much as I do and that you will remember the amazing duo of  Joyce and Jim Lavene.

To pre order Putting on the Witch from The Book Depository Please Click here. 
From Amazon please click here.

Looking For Mr Goodwitch from The Book Depository Please Click here.
From Amazon please click here

Spell Booked from The Book Depository Please Click Here.
From Amazon please click here.

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery series tip 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 June 11th-18th

This week I have had a few new titles on my table Monday I read Amy Boyles Scared Witchless a Southern Paranormal Fantasy Mystery, pop back for the review tomorrow.

Tuesday I read Until Our Last Embrace by Joyce and Jim Lavene, such a pleasure and honor to have this book by such amazing and talented writing team that was Joyce and Jim Lavene, I always use this purple teacup when I read any of there work, knowing Joyce as I did I think she would approve, This was one of her favorite cups of mine and we shared the color choice of purple as our favorite.

Tuesday's mail brought Judy Volhart's Asiago and the Accomplice to my table and I had no trouble diving into this delicious mystery!

Thank's to my mother in law for asking her brother to pack some boxes of tea for me in his suitcase I have enjoyed (with out worrying that I was going to run out) celestial Seasonings Watermelon Lime Zinger,  I make a pitcher a day and 4 bags per pitcher I am set for a little while anyway! 

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review. As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Until Our Last Embrace By Joyce and Jim Lavene, Book 4 in the Sharyn Howard Series!

Tuesday I read and loved Until Our Last Embrace by Joyce and Jim Lavene, this book 4 in the series was very well written and flowed perfectly. I love the strong believable characters, the complex relationships between main character Sharyn and hers staff and family. This one was one of my most favorites in this series.  This was a strong mystery and I love how the connections to the mystery are all tied in to the previous books in the series.

Sharyn is the third generation of Howards to be elected sheriff in the small town of Diamond Springs, North Carolina. She has her hands full when word of a bear attack throws the town in a tizzy, especially when a reporter prints a false story claiming that the bear was rabid. The victim was Darva Richmond, the sister-in-law to Beau Richmond, a man previously murdered. Her husband was suing his brother's widow over a large inheritance. While the mauling is tragic, no one initially suspects foul play until officers look beyond initial evidence. As clues are revealed, Darva's husband seems to be the logic suspect. But his bitter family also provides is also suspicious. Further, Darva's aunt, Miss Eleanore, arrives in town with her accusations. Contradictory reports of Darva's marriage add to the confusion as friends report that Darva and husband Donald were the perfect couple, yet family claims that they were always fighting and didn't sleep together. Donald was contesting his brother's will because it was changed during the last few months of Beau Richmond's life. Donald says he brother was stable enough to make out a new will that changed his heir from being his brother to being his new wife. Millions are at stake. In addition to a touchy investigation, Sharyn finds herself confronting a host of other problems. District Attorney Jack Winter is determined to express his romantic interest and doesn't hesitate to use political machinations for his own purposes. She also must find a date to attend her mother's engagement party, although her mother's marrying Senator Caison Talbot, a man Sharyn neither likes nor trusts. Her deputies seem to be fighting affairs of the heart that leave her short staffed. Further, because she doesn't see herself or her job as desirable, she's clueless in realizing her medical examiner is interested. To top it off, the dry cleaners dyed her uniforms blue.

To order your own copy of Until Our Last Embrace by Joyce and Jim Lavene please click 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