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?