Poppy Lancaster can easily attest to the idea that “green thumbs” may be more a result of experience than DNA. She applies her best efforts perusing her late grandmother’s plant books to educate herself and make a success of the business she inherited, but she continues to be faced with so many challenges trying to bring Hollyhock Cottage Garden & Nursery back to its former glory.
Along with a “green thumb,” albeit still in training, twenty-something Poppy Lancaster inherited Hollyhock Cottage and a “need some TLC” cottage garden nursery situated in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. The small village of Bunnington is a far cry from her life in London, but Poppy is beginning to fit well into village life making new friends and working hard to reenergize the business of which her grandmother was so proud.
Ellie is enjoying her Florida vacation. Of course, in between a couple of pesky murders she was successful at solving, she relaxes by the pool, strolls on the beach, and heads over to the Bar & Grill for a cool cocktail, spicy treat, and some people watching. Today’s people watching included some awkward eavesdropping. Not on purpose, you know, Ellie overhears Walter Saunders, a wealthy guest, deep in conversation with his “not gonna remain silent” business partner, but when the conversation goes from gators to scorpions, she tries to find something else to occupy her interests.
Ellie steps off the plane and breathes deep the fragrant Florida air dabbing the sweat from her brow. Dreams come true! When she arrives at the hotel, safely since the driver may have had some questionable liquid refreshment, she discovers a sun hat and flip flops and...Aunt Olive missing. It is strange since Aunt Olive had made a big deal about attending the writers’ conference held at the resort.
In 2019, I reviewed a record 180 entertaining books along with connecting with talented and delightfully friendly authors, including some beta reading. It was a daunting task to choose my annual “Tops” because every book, and a few television shows, have provided me with hours of entertainment and some inspiration…
Caitlyn’s magical family has long been shunned, if not bullied, by local villagers who suspect they are witches, even though they don’t really know the truth behind their suspicions. Caitlyn knows her apprentice powers are not a danger (well, there have been a few miscalculations), her grandmother’s chocolate has only been delectably masterful, and her aunt’s medicinal herbal concoctions truly provide remedy for various ailments.
Caitlyn Le Fey has been adjusting to the fact that she’s a witch, and after receiving an awkward response when she shared that secret with the handsome Lord James Fitzroy, life in Tillyhenge is weird…well, more than usual. But she still accepts an invitation to attend a dinner party up at Huntingdon Manor with her young cousin learning her BFF Pomona will be there, too
Gemma Rose returned to England to live out her dream by opening the Little Stables Tearoom with BFF Cassie Jenkins (A Scone to Die For - January 2016), boasting the best traditional English tearoom experience in Oxfordshire.
H.Y. Hanna’s Oxford Tearoom Mystery is my all-time favorite! Starting in January 2016, A Scone to Die For introduced Gemma Rose, who after quitting her high paying job in Sydney, returns to Meadowford-on-Smythe, England, to open the traditional and quaint Little Stables Tearoom with her BFF.
