January is Hot Tea Month - Tea Review and Tea book recommendations

Why is my blog called Tea Time with Marce?  Well that is easy, everything is better with Tea, especially reading and as you can see from my blog button, I like dark, bloody reads, always by my side is a cup of tea.  I drink 3 - 6 cups of tea a day, yes that many, hot tea with cream and sugar, I'm a black tea girl, Earl Grey is my favourite.  I am the girl that will request a cup of tea at the bar, lol.  I make friends angry.

Did you know January was Hot Tea Month?  I am celebrating by reviewing some new teas and recommending some Tea themed books.

Tea from Buddha's Herbs - Go here for a presentation on Buddha's Herbs blog

I was contacted to review tea.  I usually will decline product reviews but was happy to do this one as I love tea.  When looking on Amazon, they currently have 5 star ratings on some of the teas.

In general I loved the teas because they had something for everyone, the traditional, sweet herbals, detox, weight loss and healthy living choices.  I received the following to try and have drank a few for 2 months to give a true feedback from 5 - 10 tea moments.  I really should have asked for Earl Grey also, I will have to buy that now.

Raspberry Tea - my favourite out of the 5, I would give a 5 for this, only a touch of sugar needed which is huge for me, I am a sugar addict when drinking tea, so this passed the test.  I tried without and enjoyed it but loved it with a touch.  This was also good when cold, so you can start popping hot, get distracted and still drink when cold and enjoy it. Raspberry tea also supports the female system, perfect to drink during your period. 

Natural Slim Herbal Tea - this is the perfect one to add to your healthy living when starting a diet or continuation after detoxing.  My mother and I both enjoyed this one and felt the taste was great with a bonus of it being a positive healthy outcome.  This will remain a norm addition to my tea collection.  I give this a 5 also.

St. John Wort Tea - I have tried different detox teas and they kill my stomach, sweating and sick feeling.  This one made me realize I was detoxing without feeling sick but knowing I am getting rid of waste.  Well done - note, I hate detoxing but it is good for you.  I give this a 4 1/2

Chamomile Tea - This is known for the relaxing traditional tea, it past the test after a stressful day but overall Chamomile is not my tea of choice.

Green Tea with Herbs - I have never enjoyed Green tea so did not even try.  On the box it states improves health and brings freshness and energy.



Recommended Tea Themed Books

Laura Childs - Tea Shop Mystery series

Three Cups of Tea - Memoir by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Agatha Christie - The Harlequin Tea Set

Review - The Last Dead Girl by Harry Dolan

Summary from Amazon

On a rainy night in April, a chance encounter on a lonely road draws David into a romance with Jana Fletcher, a beautiful young law student. Jana is an enigma: living in a run-down apartment and sporting a bruise on her cheek that she refuses to explain. David would like to know her secrets, but he lets them lie—until it’s too late.

When Jana is brutally murdered, the police consider David a prime suspect. But as he sets out to uncover the truth about Jana, he begins to realize he’s treading a very dangerous path—and that her killer is watching every move he makes.

Published

January 9, 2014


My Review - 4 1/2

I was pleased to see Harry Dolan releasing a new one with the character David.  His debut, Bad Things Happen was 5 star for me, I still think it needs to be read by many more around the blogosphere.  The Last Dead Girl is a prequel, giving us a look into the younger version of David.  You can start with either book, not necessary to read in order. My favourite part is the sarcastic dark humor David has, makes me want to meet and hang out with him.

David is a go with the wind kind of guy, no care in the world but very curious.  This curiosity with no filter makes him a man others are unsure how to take, mysterious. "I don't know.  But I have a theory."  "I don't doubt it," he said.  "Even when you have nothing else, you have theories.  Why don't you lay it out for me.'  (56% on Kindle)  He really should become a cop or Detective, he gets right in the middle of an investigation, putting himself at risk and becoming a suspect.  He is charming to woman while also being a guys guy.

I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery but saying to myself it is to obvious, then it turns not into a who dunnit but given the answer and trying to understand why.  A great thriller making you want to read late into the night.

Harry Dolan has this quiet way of amazing me, I really enjoy his writing and feel delighted at the end.

His debut - Bad Things Happen - My review - 5*  


 

Monday - What are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

I'm currently reading and enjoying The Last Dead Girl.

I loved his debut - Bad Things Happen - My review - 5*

 

 

I completed another by Daphne Du Maurier, her writing is truly amazing - My Review

 

My Review of Rebecca 5*

 

 

 

 

 

I saw this on a few Top 2013 lists, I may try the novella first

 

 

 

 

 

What are you reading?

 

 

 

Review - My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier

Book Summary

Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent older cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in Philip as his heir, a man who will love his grand home as much as he does himself. But the cozy world the two construct is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries - and there he dies suddenly. In almost no time at all, the new widow - Philip's cousin Rachel - turns up in England. Despite himself, Philip is drawn to this beautiful, sophisticated, mysterious woman like a moth to the flame. And yet ...might she have had a hand in Ambrose's death?

My Review - 4

I read Rebecca in 2012 and it is now an all time favourite, top 3 of all time.  After reading this one, My Cousin Rachel I realize the amazing Daphne Du Maurier writing is memorable.  It should be read slowly and fully enjoyed.  Just like the best tasting wine or tea that you smell, allow to stay on your tongue, enjoy while steaming hot but is just as good when luke warm, the older it gets or the longer it steams, the better, ohhh yes, Du Maurier takes you on an incredible journey with her writing. Even though I didn't love the story as much as Rebecca I appreciated her writing even more.

Phillip told the story of him and Ambrose's life, living in the mansion without any females, including the help around the home.  When Ambrose goes away and marries, Phillip doesn't understand but this is where the mystery starts as Ambrose dies suddenly and Phillip receives letters from him that allows you to assume on the circumstances and make judgments on his widow.  Phillip wants to hate his cousin Rachel but once she comes to visit you see the spell put over Phillip immediately.

The naïve, no experience with woman Phillip was done so well, completely irrational and funny.  I enjoyed laughing at his expense and rolling my eyes at him.  I also felt sorry for him because in my opinion Rachel was a manipulator.  The great suspense throughout the story is surrounding Rachel, is she what Phillip believes, is she to blame for Ambrose death?  Then comes the unethical puppy love, due to his lack of experience, it was embarrassing to read but suspenseful to see how it all comes together.  I thought oh Rachel, you are good.

The ending is mysterious, you know something bad is going to happen and when it does you are left with so many questions, in an amazing way.  I think both Rachel and Phillip are impulsive.  The difference is in experience, understanding consequences to actions, Phillip needs time to mature.

You will enjoy the debate thoughts you have at the end.  Was Rachel to blame or not - what do you think?

Favourite Quotes

It was happening so quickly that I had no time, no moment for reflection back upon the hundred images I had formed of her during the past eighteen months.  The woman who had pursued me through the night and days, haunted my waking hours, disturbing my dreams, was now beside me.  Page 87

'There are some women, Phillip,' he observed, 'good women very possibly, who through no fault of their own impel disaster.  Whatever they touch, somehow turns to tragedy.  I don't know why I say this to you, but I feel I must.'  page 282

...truth was something intangible, unseen, which sometimes we stumbled upon and did not recognize, but was found, and held, and understood only by old people near their death, or sometimes by the very purse, the very young.  page 316

 

Friday Finds - The Artists Trilogy by Karina Halle

Friday Finds with MizB - to participate, network and get some ideas to add to your TBR list go here.

Picture from the blog Keep Calm and Read Romance

go here to read reviews of the books

 

 

I saw some of these books on Favourite 2013 lists and had to add, they sound so good and those covers, hot to me.  I am going to read the 1st book in the series next.

 

 

On Every Street (The Artists Trilogy Novella) 

 

When young con artist Ellie Watt decides to call herself Eden White and go after the drug lord who ruined her as a child, she never expects to fall for one of his henchmen. But Javier Bernal is no ordinary man. Subtly dangerous and overwhelmingly seductive, Eden finds herself passionately in love with Javier, the very person she's set-up to betray. With her body and heart in a heated battle against her deep need for revenge, no one will walk away from this con a winner.

 

Sins & Needles (The Artists Trilogy #1) 

 

Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she's much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for - Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie's counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she's not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie's plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn't dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it's one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.

Any interesting book finds for you this week, what did you add to your 2014 Wishlist?

 

Happy Weekend

 

 

Teaser Tuesday - My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! 

Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read 
Open to a random page 
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page 
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! 
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday

From Chapter 8, page 87

It was happening so quickly that I had no time, no moment for reflection back upon the hundred images I had formed of her during the past eighteen months.  The woman who had pursued me through the nights and days, haunted my waking hours, disturbing my dreams, was now beside me.



I absolutely loved Rebecca, an all time favourite now so I couldn't wait to read this one.  Her books are not on Kindle so I had to special order it.  They are great stories to slowly enjoy, almost like a favourite meal, you just can't race through it.

My choice of the First Book of 2014

Sheila over at Book Journey has a personal book tradition, picking her 1st book of the year to read.  She has invited all of us to join her this year, what a great collage of bloggers and first books she has up.

I have to admit that when December hits I am always considering what the 1st book of the year will be.  I even don't read for 2 days if I finish another just before.  I'm excited to see the choices.

After reading the amazing book Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier I knew I had to read another by her.  Rebecca is my ultimate favourite book, I read it in 2012 so my expectations are not as high.

So I have chosen as my first read...........

 

 

The only hard part is that I love reading on my ereader, yes, more than books, and I actually got a new Kindle for Christmas but I also ordered this book for myself as a gift, it won over.

 

 

So what did you choose?

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favourite Top Ten Books of 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish.

This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!

 

 

This has been a rough year for me and I didn't meet my goal of 50 books, lousy number of 30 actually but all these deserve mention.

 

 

Adult Fiction

My Review 4 1/2 - This is one of the most emotional heart wrenching dark family horror stories I have ever read but with an alluring character.......  Very memorable
 

 

 

Legal Thriller

My Review 4 1/2 - You will lose sleep with this page turner, amazing corrupt characters.

 

 

 

 

Psychological Thriller

My Review 5 - This is one of the best unreliable character driven books I have read. 

 

 

 

Novel

My Review 4 1/2 - The book had me engaged and very intrigued with the imaginary friend world but once the crime took place the book took on a suspenseful adventure which of course I love.

 

 

 

Adult Fiction (not erotica)

My Review 5 - I loved reading about adults who find themselves, you are always growing and the unorthodox romance set this apart from the romance books you expect.

 

 

 

Thriller

My Review 4 1/2 - Ackerman is the craziest, cruelest killer I have ever read about so to mix it up with sadistic cult killers also, terrorizing to say the least.

 

 

 

 

Erotica - Club Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair

I didn't review but read two this year.

The 1st three all receive 4 1/2 stars, love this series.  I don't usually review erotica but I highly recommend.

 

 

 

Thriller

My Review - 4 1/2 - A dark, sexy, edgy, suspense thriller. 

 

 

 

 

 

Motivational Book

My Review - 5 A motivational book, packs a lot in a little book, so happy I read and will go back to.  Great quotes in my review.

 

 

 

 

Novel - Favourite book club read

My Review 4 - One of the best book club reads ever, great debate.  Up there with We Need to talk about Kevin kind of debate.

 

 

 

 

I didn't notice a lot of crossover of favourites this year with bloggers.  Maybe Rainbow Rowell as an author.  What do you think?

 

 

 

I look forward to networking and seeing your top reads for the year and adding to my 2014 Wishlist.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

 

 

Last Monday of 2013

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

Friends, my sad news - my Hotmail account of 13+ years has been hacked, unable to access it and the verify questionnaire is crap, I cannot get into it and it won't allow me in.  I have far to much information in a 'free' email account, I am so upset I can't put it into words.  I had to change my Amazon passwords and am still thinking about others.  I will call my bank tomorrow, just to be sure, ugggh.

Any ideas, feedback that may help???

Onto book matters........

I completed a great Novella - will review today or tomorrow

 

 

A Christmas Treat, loved this Agatha Christie - My Review

 

 

 

 

And I am going to participate in this for what my next book is..........

 

 

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR BLOGGING FRIENDS

 

 

Review - Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

Book Summary from Amazon

It is Christmas Eve. The Lee family reunion is shattered when the tyrannical Simeon Lee is found dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed. When Hercule Poirot offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. It seems everyone had their own reason to hate the old man.

My Review - 5

In one word - delightful.  I can't stop grinning after reading this mystery, very clever in deed.  When Hercule Poirot is giving the blow by blow details, peeling an onion layer by layer you are glued to his story as a reader and can visualize the family being mesmorized by him, a smooth talker.

If you enjoyed And Then There Were None, you will love this one also, similar in many ways, you will never guess.  I thought I had it but nope.

The father, Simeon Lee requested his estranged family home for the holidays and enjoyed every minute of making them miserable.  He had quite the dark humour, it was funny but I also felt sorry for them.  They described him as "the kind of man you might say had sold his soul to the devil and enjoyed the bargain!" page 220 Many thought he deserved to die and so the finger was pointed to all.  He treated them horribly but he enjoyed every minute of making them miserable.

This was so well done, definitely makes me want to read more Agatha Christie, Queen of Mystery for sure.

Favourite quotes

"I believe the present matters - not the past!  The past must go.  If we seek to keep the past alive, we end, I think, by distorting it.  We see it in exaggerated terms - a false perspective.  Page 39

"I agree with you.  It is here a family affair.  It is a poison that works in the blood - it is intiate - it is deep-seated  There is here, I think, hate and knowledge....  Page 211

 

Review - The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald

Book Summary from Goodreads


He's gone. And telling the truth won't bring him back...

When a baby goes missing on a lonely roadside in Australia, it sets off a police investigation that will become a media sensation and dinner-table talk across the world.

Lies, rumours and guilt snowball, causing the parents, Joanna and Alistair, to slowly turn against each other.

Finally Joanna starts thinking the unthinkable: could the truth be even more terrible than she suspected? And what will it take to make things right?

The Cry is a dark psychological thriller with a gripping moral dilemma at its heart and characters who will keep you guessing on every page.

My Review - 3 1/2

An unexpected read, I have always enjoyed psychological thrillers, a favourite genre.  I would recommend this one to those that enjoy emotional novels that deal with morals and values, think Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah.

You are on the edge of your seat trying to figure out how they connect the pieces together about missing Noah.  And the ending was brilliant, I absolutely loved the ending.  Even though I enjoyed the story overall, the middle kept me wondering what next, it took me past the suspense feel because a main part was revealed early which had you waiting for when the truth would come out.  At times the flow of the story almost lost me and then wham, oh Joanna, I loved her character again.

Alistair has an older daughter who he is trying to get full custody for.  We meet his ex wife and then Joanna and her connect also.  Everyone involved with the search for Noah and the manipulation going on was fascinating and had you considering all the different judgments.  In the end what happened does it match your own morals and values, you need to read it and consider this.

Helen Fitzgerald gives flashbacks throughout the story which helps to flesh out the journey, very well done.  Good suspense psychological thriller, you will be surprised.

Quote from 16% on iPad

She was on her way to hell.  That's why the sky ahead was getting blacker.  Joanna calmed herself with the idea.  She died and went to hell, that's all - just as she knew she would, since the affair.


My Review of her other book, The Donor

It's Monday - what are you reading

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2014 Wishlist.

I am currently reading a heart wrenching memoir, all about timing, tears tears tears......

 

 

I finally reviewed The Cry, it will be up on Wed

 

 

 

Up next I think is going to be a Christmas story, of course still my genre of choice, mystery

 

 

 

Any Christmas reads you would recommend?  I thought these were great:

 

Snowed Over - 4 1/2

 

Silent Night - 5

 

 





 

Yuletide Treasure - 5

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesday - Memoir by Eleanor Vincent

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser from Swimming with Maya

Kindle app on Ipad - 12%

Still groggy from the sleeping pill I had taken, I swim up out of sleep and find Meghan curled into a ball next to me.  Her deep, relaxed breathing immediately reminds me of the forced rise and fall of my other daughter's chest, the tubes snaking into her, the swollen, puffy eyelids.


Summary from Amazon

Swimming with Maya demonstrates the remarkable process of healing after the traumatic death of a loved one. Eleanor Vincent raised her two daughters, Maya and Meghan, virtually as a single-parent. Maya, the eldest, was a high-spirited and gifted young woman. As a toddler, Maya was an angelic tow-head, full of life and curiosity. As a teenager, Maya was energetic and independent - and often butted heads with her mother. But Eleanor and Maya were always close and connected, like best friends or sisters, but always also mother and daughter.

Then at age 19, Maya mounts a horse bareback as a dare and, in a crushing cantilever fall, is left in a coma from which she will never recover. Eleanor's life is turned upside down as she struggles to make the painful decision about Maya's fate.

Ultimately Eleanor chooses to donate Maya's organs. Years later, in one of the most poignant moments you will ever read about, Eleanor has the opportunity to hear her daughter's heart beat in the chest of the heart recipient. Along the way, Eleanor re-examines her relationship with her daughter, as well as the experiences that shaped Eleanor as a woman and as a mother to Maya.

An inspirational/motivational true story recommended for anyone who has experienced tragedy, who is grappling with traumatic experiences of the past, or who wants to better understand the strength and healing power of the human spirit.

Giggle, gobble gobble

Happy Thanksgiving

I wanted to take the time to tell all my US blogging friends Happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy all the food and family time.

Even though I do not celebrate Thanksgiving, the day always makes me stop and take a moment to think of all the things to be thankful for.

My giggle for the day, I saw this and have ordered immediately.  I seriously cannot stop laughing and look how the chicken is bounded, lmao.

Summary from pdfmagazines

And before long, from unbearably slow drizzling to trussing, Miss Chicken discovers the sheer thrill of becoming the main course. A parody in three acts—“The Novice Bird” (easy recipes for roasters), “Falling to Pieces” (parts perfect for weeknight meals), and “Advanced Techniques” (the climax of cooking)—Fifty Shades of Chicken is a cookbook of fifty irresistible, repertoire-boosting chicken dishes that will leave you hungry for more.

With memorable tips and revealing photographs, Fifty Shades of Chicken will have you dominating dinner.