by The Cozy Chicks
Details on how to win a copy of the Cozy Chicks new cookbook, Tea Time With The Cozy Chicks, at the end of this post along with a link to purchase it!
Long day today. Meetings and deadlines, traffic and headaches, arguments and resolutions . . . but now the children are asleep, the spouse is dozing, and dinner was tasty and filling. Finally, it’s time for you!
The moon is shining through the curtains, casting a glow upon the bookshelf. Your eyes slowly scan the titles, flashing brief images of imaginary worlds, waiting for the right book to jump out at you. Not that one. No, not that one either. As you steady your sight on a title, that sly grin spreads — the one you get when you, your mind, and your soul all align and emphatically agree — and just at that moment, as you pluck the perfect prose from its perch, you hear the tea kettle in the kitchen begin its high-pitched hello.
Tea. The slow process of making a quality cup of tea is quite possibly the exact opposite of our daily routines. Maybe that’s why sitting down with a good cup of tea and getting lost in a book is such a great way to unwind after a long day. And maybe that’s why writing about tea was such a great way for us, the Cozy Chicks, to spend time together and collaborate on this project.
Tea Time With The Cozy Chicks is the second volume in our Cozy Chicks Kitchen series. The first, The Cozy Chicks Kitchen, allowed readers to enter the heart of our cozy mystery worlds, with stories about our characters and about us — all told through food. We had such a blast, and The Cozy Chicks Kitchen was so popular, that we really wanted to do it again. We couldn’t think of a better complement to our recipes and cozy mysteries than tea. And once we had the idea, we were off and running, thanks, in part, to many a full cup of Irish Breakfast Tea.
That brings us to the next topic — types of teas — and wow! There are many. We couldn’t cover every type, and honestly, that would make for a long and boring book, so instead we included themed tea menus, fascinating articles, fun facts, curious quotes, and helpful hints on how to host the most memorable tea parties ever! Do you have a favorite tea? Silly question. Of course, you do.
Question: What do murderers drink?
As cozy mystery writers we always have murder on the mind. So it was nice to write and research about something with a little less mystery and a lot more history. The act of drinking tea in America is literally steeped in history. The Boston Tea Party was a protest by the Sons Of Liberty in 1773 against the Parliament of Great Britain, for repealing most of their taxation laws except for the Tea Act. Not only did they want their tea, but they wanted their freedom! The protest was a big spark that helped ignite the American Revolution, and after the war most Americans switched to drinking coffee. Tea was considered unpatriotic. If you like a good story, the history of tea in America is a fascinating one.
Answer: Gill-Tea. (pause for slight chuckles)
The Cozy Chicks each have their own personal connection with tea, and so had unique ideas on what to include in our book. Mary Kennedy has some interesting history lessons. Kate Collins shares the healthier side of tea. Duffy Brown teaches how to pair food with tea and how to blend teas. Lorraine Bartlett explains her fascination for tea towels. Ellery Adams let us in on the world of antique tea memorabilia. Mary Jane Maffini gives ideas to perk up your place settings and fun things to wear to tea. Leann Sweeney has fascinating trivia and amazing appetizer recipes, and Maggie Sefton invites us all to tea with her characters at Lambspun.
Tea inspires us and comforts us in different ways, as writers, as readers, on busy days or relaxing evenings. Whether you are a chef or a diner, have a sweet tooth or a dry pallet, there is a tea for everyone. The Cozy Chicks have had a wonderful time writing this book and we hope you have as much fun reading.
Tea is such simple pleasure, you think as you pull the bag from the steaming mug, with limitless and unique meanings to each and every person who enjoys it. You sink into your most relaxing position, in your most comfy pjs, and lift the hot tea to your lips. You flip the cover of the book open ever so gently, and sigh. In this situation I think we all can agree, the only way to describe our favorite tea-and-book time — is “cozy.”
Thanks for reading!
To enter to win a copy of Tea Time With the Cozy Chicks, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Chicks,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 28, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.
You can use this link to order this book:
O really enjoyed the article and would love to win this book.
Great post! I love reading cozy mysteries and this book of recipes is a fun idea. Thanks for all the hours of great reading you give us.
Okay, I chuckled. Gill-tea. Sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
What a beautiful cover. Would love to win !! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I love the Cozy Chicks! I prefer tea over coffee any day. My favorite is apple cinnamon, I like fruity herbal teas the best!
I would love to win a copy of this book. I enjoy relaxing with a great book and a cup of tea 😉
Thank you for the chance to win
This sounds like a very interesting book. I love all things Cozy Chicks.
Sounds like a great book. Love all things tea.
I love cozies and tea, although my tea flavors are very basic…English and Irish Breakfast teas. Thanks for the giveaway.
Would love a copy of this yummy sounds tea book! I love tea and reading the Cozy Chicks books!
I love the cozy chicks! Thank you for this chance to win!
Good morning!
What a fabulous contest!! I love all of the Cozy Chicks and spend many wonderful hours reading their great stories!! As authors they are all superb in their own right, but when the join forces…look out! I love their Cozy Chick’s Kitchen _ great recipes and personal stories ! I really feel like I’m spending time with long time friends! Would love to win the second cookbook! What a great treat that would be! If I don’t, though, I’ll be buying it anyway…a gift from Santa to me! ?
Thanks again for a wonderful contest! Have a tea-lightful day!!
Susan Puckett
I love all of their books. I love to cook so I would like to try the recipes in their book!
We always have several types of tea in the house. We usually by the Wissotsky’s brand which is made in Israel. Most mornings we have English Breakfast Tea.
The cover knocked my socks off. And since I read their blog daily I know the recipes will be well tested and wonderful.
Enjoyed the article. Would really love to have this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
What a great book! I would love to win a copy!!!
I love the cozy chicks books. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love the Chicks! I have followed them for years, as they write brilliantly, and they are alot of fun to keep up with! Thank you for the chance to win this!
I love your magazine and the custom of serving afternoon tea. Would love to win this book.
That does look like a good read. Thank you for this opportunity. I tried to e-mail but it wouldn’t send.
I am Gill-tea of liking that pun. 😉 I am a tea drinker and always am fascinated by High Teas in books I read.
Thanks so much for featuring our tea party book, we had great fun writing it. And of course we had to sample all the recipes we included. Fun times! Thanks again.
My lunch bunch loves to go to tea rooms. We have a nice lunch, and enjoy different flavors of tea. One of the tea places held a ‘Downton Abbey’ themed tea with little sandwiches, scones, etc., but with only Darjeeling tea. It was suggested we dress for the tea – hats, costumes, shoes, whatever – and there were prizes for the best costumed/dressed. We had a very lovely day.
writers I’ve read, writers I haven’t and a cookbook – match made in heaven
Now here is a book for we tea lovers to celebrate. Like all of these writers so know will be outstanding book.
I’s love to win this books. The Cozy Chicks have the best recipes!!
I’ve always been a tea drinker. Life was sometimes difficult, my family went to a church which originated in Sweden and it was all coffee, all the time. Thank goodness times have changed and tea is now offered many places and in many forms! I’m also fortunate to have a teacup collection from my great-grand & both grandmothers! I’m a cozy reader, this book by these authors and the theme would be fabulous.
Great post! Love the Cozy Chicks. This is a must have for my collection.
Scouts579(at)aol (dot) com
We have a winner!
Thanks for the chance to win. Sounds great!!