Fall in Virginia means spending time at an orchard picking apples. But then what do you do with all those delicious treats? In my house, they get put to good use with homemade applesauce, apple butter, and these absolutely divine apple tea cakes. They’re best right out of the oven, nice and warm, drizzled with melted butter and topped with cinnamon sugar. Oh Yum!! And the custard filling makes a nice surprise when you bite into them. Pour yourself a cup of tea and get out your mixing bowl, this is the perfect season for apple tea cakes! Apple Tea Cakes Custard Filling 1 1/2 tbsp Instant ..read more

Laura Childs is back with another great Tea Shop Mystery read, Lavender Blue Murder. This is one of my favorite series, I’m sure you guess why! And I’m thrilled to have had the chance to read the latest installment. This story starts with a bang (literally!) and doesn’t let up until the end. Laura Childs masterfully directs your attention in the wrong direction while giving you plenty of red herrings to keep you busy and plenty of clues to help you solve the case, although it’s doubtful you will. But you will certainly have fun trying. Summary: Theodosia Browing, the owner of a Charleston, SC ..read more

Need a tea recipe to help you get through a cold day or just warm you up from the inside out? Ginger Cardamom Tea is the perfect blend of spices to warm you up during these cold winter days. This tea recipe is easy to make and there’s enough to share with a friend or enjoy a couple of cups for yourself. Ginger Cardamom Tea Ingredients: 2 cups of water 4 teaspoons of honey 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger root 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 6 black tea bags 1-1/2 cups milk To Make: In a small saucepan, combine the water, honey, ginger, and cardamom and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer ..read more

Ellery Adams is back with her third installment of The Secret, Book, & Scone Society series with The Book of Candlelight and it was worth the wait! Each time I read a book in this series I think it’s my favorite until the next one comes along. The Book of Candlelight did not disappoint. This book is a 5-Star winner for me! In fact, I’d give it 10-stars if I could! The Secret, Book, & Scone Society are back to unite their town of Miracle Springs, NC after the mysterious death of one of their own. Nora, June, Hester, and Estella offer comfort and support to a young widow while doing what ..read more

Today I’m welcoming Lorraine Bartlett back for a visit and a look at her latest Victoria Square Mystery, A Murderous Misconception. This delightful series is sure to keep you entertained. I truly enjoyed this story! I haven’t read the rest of the series, this was the first, but it was completely fine as a standalone. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series. There were some interesting plot twists that kept me engaged and the characters were fun and realistic, although there were a lot to keep track of. The story was intriguing . . . a woman finds out her rival is pregnant with he ..read more

If stories of underworld art thieves and forgers are your thing, you’ll want to reach for The Amolfini Art Mysteries by Rich DiSilvio. This collection of stories is full of intrigue for any art and mystery lover. And today I’m happy to welcome Rich for a chat about his love of mysteries and his new release. Thanks for stopping by Rich! When did you first discover your love of mystery? My love of mystery stories dates back to when I was a child. I loved watching The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Ellery Queen, Columbo, Murder She Wrote, etc.  In general, it’s human nature to be ..read more

Today I’m welcoming Lauren Elliott back for a visit and a look at her latest Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, Proof of Murder. This delightful series follows a bookstore owner as she solves crimes in a seaside New England town. This is the fourth in the series and I’ve enjoyed every one! Proof of Murder is a delightful read and the fourth installment in Lauren Elliott’s Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. As usual, we find Addie Greyborne right in the middle of trouble and chaos. I was hooked on page one and couldn’t put it down. The characters are charming and the story was realistic ..read more

It’s always a good day for tea and a chat when Ellery Adams stops by! Today I’m sharing my review of her latest Book Retreat Mystery, MURDER IN THE STORYBOOK COTTAGE, and Ellery’s sharing her ideas for a Rainbow Tea Party. I’ve read all the books in the series, and I always think the last one was my favorite until I read the next one! This is book 6 in the series, and probably my favorite so far. I always love visiting Storyton Hall and catching up with these wonderful characters. Jane Steward, the owner of Storyton Hall, is hosting a children’s book writers conference at her book-themed retre ..read more

Krista Davis is stopping by today to talk about her new release THE DIVA SPICES IT UP, from her Domestic Diva series. I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Domestic Diva Mystery Series combines two of my favorite things, good food and a visit back to my hometown of Old Town Alexandria, VA. I’m no longer homesick when I bury myself in these pages. The characters are realistic, fun, and engaging; they pull me right into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I’m sure you will too. A must-read for any cozy mystery lover. Thanks for s ..read more

Lemon Souffle Cakes are light, fluffy, and easy to make. And this recipe makes just two cakes, one to share and one to enjoy yourself over a cup of tea. They’re best enjoyed right out of the oven and topped with a little powdered sugar or whipped cream. Lemon Souffle Cakes Ingredients: 1 large egg at room temperature, separated 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup whole milk 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice 1/8 tsp salt To Make: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolk until slightly thick. Add sugar, milk, flour, lemon juice, and salt. Beat until smooth. In another m ..read more