Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Tea Party Tuesday * Special Guest Leslie Matthews Stansfield




Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday! We're delighted today to have a special guest, author Leslie Matthews Stansfield, known as Lee by her friends. It's such a delight to have you join us today. Let me pour us some tea and we'll get started. Milk? Sugars? Please help yourself.
Thank you, Nancy Jill. It's a pleasure to be here.
Please have a sandwich. We have several kinds to try.
Thank you. They look delicious.
Please tell us about your new book, which I understand is part of a series.
 My new book, Mr. Tea and the Bobbin’ Body, is the second in the Madeline’s Teahouse series.  The series involves two sisters, Karen and Terry Sutter, who turned their childhood home into a teahouse after the death of their mother Madeline.   
What a wonderful idea!
They have a possibly psychic macaw named Mr. Tea who is prone to make outrageous comments.  
How fun.
 In this book, the sisters are involved in a high school reunion that suddenly turns deadly when one of the guests, a former football player, is found bludgeoned to death in the swimming pool. Terry's boyfriend, Detective Greg Mullins, and his partner, Tom O'Hara, are on the case. 
 Sounds full of mystery.
When another body turns up, Terry and Karen, along with two loveable seniors, Uncle Henry and Aunt Rose, who live next door, put their heads together to try and find the common thread. What they uncover is a terrifying story of brutality, revenge, deceit and old secrets that won't stay buried. 
Oh, my! I'm sure readers will find it fascinating.
Please have a pastry. I have to confess I bought these at a bakery.
They look wonderful!
Lee, it has been a pleasure to have you as our guest today. We look forward to reading your books!
Thank you for the invitation.
And best success with your Madeline's Teahouse series.
Thank you, Nancy Jill.

We'll see you next week! For more information on Lee, please read her bio and follow the links to purchase her books.

Cheers!

~Nancy Jill





LESLIE MATTHEWS STANSFIELD is the author of Mr. Tea and the Traveling Teacup, the first book in the Madeline's Teahouse series, and Mr. Tea and the Bobbin’ Body.  She is also the author of a previous book, Windsor Locks, on the town she lives in. She grew up in Delmar, New York, and credits her friends with developing her imagination. Leslie is a graduate of University of Hartford and received her Masters' degree from the University of Phoenix in Educational Leadership. She is a math tutor in a public school.  She is currently working on her third book in the Madeline's Teahouse series. She has four children and eight grandchildren and lives in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.



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Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Tea Party Tuesday * Cate Winslet Sets the Stage in "Titanic"

Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday, dear readers. Let me pour you a nice cup of tea. Milk? Sugars?

This photo of Cate Winslet in "Titanic" to me sets the stage for what afternoon tea is all about. Taking a much needed break in the afternoon, enjoying the warm goodness of aromatic tea, and fortifying one's self with a delicious snack to see us through until dinner.

Whenever I see photos like this I want to dress prettier, always wear makeup, and BE Cate Winslet -- don't you?

Perhaps we all can't be movie stars, but we can do things to make us feel like them.

Please have a sandwich.

The books I write are a way of preserving the fond memories I shared with my Garden Club friends. Every week we would gather, do a craft, enjoy a luncheon at our hostess' home (or go out for lunch or tea), and resume our craft projects until it was time for afternoon tea. Our parties ended when it was time to pick up the children from school.

May I refill your cup?

Book 9 "Murder at Mirror Lake," due out the first part of November begins with such a gathering in the home of Jillian's friend, Ann Fieldman as they celebrate Jillian's birthday. Details of her Costa Rica trip to visit Dr. Vincent Fontaine are revealed, and a trip to Lake Placid, New York leads Jillian and her friends to help discover the murderer of the executive chef at the Mirror Lake Inn. Of course, Teddy is instrumental in uncovering an important clue in the case.

Pastry?

If you haven't read any of the Jillian Bradley mystery series you may want to start with Book 1 "Murder in Half Moon Bay" available as a free ebook on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and iTunes. Click the link to download your free copy. Thanks for giving the books a try! 

FREE on  Amazon   Kobo  Nook and Smashwords! Amazon International Links: http://authl.it/b3
It was delightful to have you. See you next week.
Cheers!
            


~Nancy Jill


Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Tea Party Tuesday * The Proper Way to Eat a Scone

Welcome to Tea Party Tuesday, everyone. I trust you're ready for a nice cup of hot tea. Milk? Sugars?

Today I have shocking information recently revealed to me in the latest issue of Tea Time Magazine.

Why do I say shocking? 

Because for years I've been eating scones in a manner considered uncouth according to a contributing editor of the magazine.

The thing is, it makes total sense, so I must share.

The tea maestro (what he calls himself) tells us round scones are the most popular in England for a reason -- they're easier to break apart or slice.

When served, one should take the scone and place it on your plate.
Spoon some jam and clotted cream on the plate as well (unless you're served as in the above photo).
Slice the scone in half horizontally and lay one half aside.
Slice the other half into two portions, taking one portion and spreading it with jam and clotted cream.
*Note: Whether the jam is spread first or the clotted cream depends on your philosophical approach. If your desire is to enjoy the decadence of the clotted cream, spread after the jam. If you want to be more discreet, the clotted cream is spread first, covered with the jam.
Once prepared, take a bite, sip your tea, then say something extremely witting or intelligent. 
Select the next portion and repeat the ritual.

It's the little things. And from now on, you can be sure that my heroine will be eating her scones in a proper manner.

I'd love to hear how you eat a scone. What are your favorite toppings? 

If you'd like my raisin scone recipe and recipe for mock Devonshire cream, you'll find them in "Cozy Food" released this year.
New! Cozy Food


Cheers for a lovely week, dear readers. 


~Nancy Jill