Nestled in the heart of the Central Valley of California, Teaspoon is making waves with its innovative take on boba tea. Having opened its doors in Visalia in June 2023, it's evident that Teaspoon is not just another boba tea shop – it's a vibrant addition to the local culinary scene.
Auntie Eudora Black was a tea connoisseur having traveled the world sampling blends from the every day to the exotic. After one such adventure, she returned to Raven Creek, Washington, and found her favorite used bookshop was closing. She jumped at the chance to rescue it, and after turning the large supply closet into a tearoom, The Earl’s Study opened.
For introverted bibliophile Yale Yee, the day is not starting off well. Not only has she learned that she is being laid off from her dream job at Eastwood Village’s Literary Narnia bookshop, her cousin Celine has just arrived at LAX for an unexpected visit and needs a pick-up. Well, more of a meet-up since Yale doesn’t own a car. It’s been twenty years since Yale last saw her glamorous wealthy cousin from Hong Kong, when Celine dashed whatever expectations Yale had of being “sisters” after the princess-like beauty whisked off to VIP Disneyland.
Pastry chef Lily Roberts always dreamed of opening her own traditional teashop. The opportunity to help her British grandmother Rose run her own Bed and Breakfast – not to mention Lily’s boyfriend chef coming at her with a chef’s knife – spurred Lily into finally opening Tea By the Sea in Cape Cod’s Outer Cape. Rose seems to view Lily as both her favorite relative and a lowly servant, but Lily adores being able to experiment with innovative teas and traditional British pastries. It also allows her to share a tearoom experience with her best friend Bernadette Murphy, who similarly left her corporate life in Manhattan to pursue her own dream as being a writer.
After an exhausting day manning her uncle’s Cape Cod Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma Doyle – well, her Cocker Spaniel Violet, to be exact – spots West London’s Scarlet House lit up in flames. As half owner of the adjacent Mrs. Hudson’s Tearoom, Gemma soon finds herself enlisted in helping to host an emergency auction in order to raise funds to repair the historical museum, as well as donating a copy of The Valley of Fear for the cause.
Have you ever heard of a Rat Tea? Theodosia and Drayton are invited to one by Doreen Briggs, one of Charleston’s well-known hostesses. The servers are dressed as rats in livery. Although it seems more than a little gross, it is part of Charleston’s long history—sponsored fundraisers by the elite for rat control. No longer needed as that kind of fundraiser, hostesses think of them as trendy.
Recently a new shop opened in Downtown Reedley called Sweet Destination. I went in to check it out and was delighted by what I saw! This place is so charming and filled with so many unique items. The owner, Shelly Henderson, shared with me that the theme of "destination" is showcased throughout the store as she showed me their tables with street sign tabletops (Shelly's co-owner and husband Mike built the tables), an old luggage cart, their counter is made out of a 100 year old door, and even their business cards are shaped like luggage tags!
Brooke owns Heart’s Desire Fine Jewelry. She’s managed to gather jewelers, museums, and private collectors all under one roof to showcase the best of the best in precious gems. Theodosia and the Indigo Tea Shop are catering the event with jeweled scones (candied fruits) and fabulous teas.
Here is our first group of new February mysteries from Penguin authors-The Grim Steeper by Amanda Cooper, A Turn for the Bad by Sheila Connolly, and A Whisker of Trouble by Sofie Ryan. Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of all 3 books, and a link to purchase them.
We are starting the new year with some great mysteries from Penguin & Kensington authors-Death by Tea by Alex Erickson, Thread and Gone by Lea Wait, Pouncing on Murder by Laurie Cass, and Ghost in the Wind: A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery by E.J. Copperman. Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of all 4 books & a link to purchase them.
