The Perfect Blend

Bev, Elsie and Margot all share something in common. Their husbands were serial killers. They rely on each other to navigate living with the aftermath of what their husbands did and use what they know to prevent another serial killer from killing again.Shelly's tea: Luzianne Sweet TeaCandy's tea: "Margot Long Island" : 2/3 glass brewed black tea, a splash of Kraken Spiced Rum, a splash of pine syrup, 1/3 Crystal Lite Lemonade and ice. Lemon for garnish.

Amber Reynolds is in a coma, but she can her everything around her. As she tries to figure out what happened, she lets the reader know three things about herself: 1. She is in a coma2. Her husband doesn't love her anymore3. Sometimes she lies...Shelly's tea: "Smoke and Mirrors" Mother Shrub Vanilla Hickory Pear, smokey tea poured over iceCandy's tea: Adagio Tea Foxtrot

Joan Goodwin is navigating her way through her life in the 1980's as an astronaut. One of the first women to fly a mission on a Space Shuttle, Joan begins a life that is different from anything she ever dreamed. Shelly's tea: The Tea Spot Climbers High ChaiCandy's tea: Snarky Tea Chocolate Strawberry (similar)

Ernest Cunningham has written another novel about his latest mystery- a bank heist. Where everyone is a thief. Ernest, his fiancé Juliette, and a few other suspicious characters are held hostage and it's up to Ernest to figure out what each thief stole and why.Shellly's tea: New English Teas English Breakfast Tea Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Honeybush Banana Nut

Kay Scarpetta is back as the Chief Medical Officer of Virginia where she started oh so many years ago. Scarpetta is investigating a murder which has ties to a top-secrete space project and a possible serial killer.Patricia CornwellShelly's tea: A ginger, lemon and chamomile tisaneCandy's tea: Chamomile

Jane Steward's book-themed resort Storyton has a special group visiting. The Medieval Herbalist Society is meeting here to discuss medieval herbs, lore and participate in a faire. To further celebrate, one of the groups' members is getting married there. Except someone in the group is murdered. Ellery AdamsShelly's tea: Plum Deluxe Evening in the GardenCandy's tea: The Republic of Tea Blackberry Sage

Alix Watson is struggling. Living in Boston, working three jobs, one she was just fired from. She is locked out of her bank account- all $36 dollars of it and has been informed that she no longer has a place to stay She has reached the end of her rope. She goes to the library and steps through a door and into a magical world of sanctuary. Kate QuinnShelly's tea: London FogCandy's tea: Bigelow Darjeeling100 Best Classics in the Public DomainHR 7691

In the follow up to Killers of a Certain Age, Billie, Helen, Mary Alice and Nat are back together because all is not right at The Museum. They are sent on an "unofficial" mission to clear up old business. Here's us spilling the tea on Kills Well With Others.Deanna RaybournShelly's tea: Adagio Cinnamon Bun (with cardamom added!)Candy's tea: Mullein tea with Fire HoneyMullein is GREAT for clearing congestion (I am NOT a medical expert, this is determined from my own research and from drinking it while I am sick!)Fire Honey: 1 cup local honey1 teaspoon each of: ground ginger, garlic powder, turmeric, black pepper and cayenne.Stir well to incorporate. 1 teaspoon 3 times a day when not feeling well/ sore throat or a heaping teaspoon in your tea ❤️

This is the story of Boudicca's battle against Rome and what possibly, maybe, could have happened to her daughter after her defeat. Shelly's tea: Bigelow Tea Steep Organic Roobos Hibiscus Herbal Tea Candy's tea: Valhalla Tea Goddess of WarHow Was England Created?History of Roman Londinium

Stella sees or thinks she sees a man she thinks she knows. In Hong Kong, Jake faces a dangerous event that changes the direction of his life. Both of them decide to escape their lives to search for something they are missing.Maggie O'FarrellShelly's tea: Smoky Earl Grey (British bergamot and layering it with the deep, smoked Lapsang Souchong of China.)Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Jasmine Pearls

Samantha Mackey is  a scholarship student in an elite MFA program who gets drawn into a bizarre, cult-like clique of wealthy girls who call each other "Bunny" and perform strange rituals, blurring the lines between reality, fantasy, and horror.Mona Awad Shelly- Bunny's tea: Abbi's Tea Strawberry Harvest MintCandy-Bunny's tea: Alice in Wonderland tea (Home Goods) English Lavender

In present time, Haven Ambrose is a nautical archeologist on a quest for sunken treasure in Posistano, Italy. In 1821, Mari uses her witchcraft to protect her village while desperately wishing to leave her home by the sea and join her secret love. Haven's quest leads her to unravel the mystery left by Mari.Sarah PennerShelly's tea: Summer Citrus- green tea with fresh lemon and ginger .

The world collapses and any survivors are left with a decision: either take their chances surviving on the Earth's surface , or play the game underneath. Carl and what would have been his soon-to-be-ex's show cat Princess Donut take the stairs down into a whole new world. It's an deadly inter-galactic game show and the everyone is watching.Shelly's Tea: Shelly’s Tea REV up Immunitea- Keeps the Taint awayGreen tea, spearmint, lemongrass, rose hips, dried apple, pineapple, Marigold and chamomile Candy's tea: Valhalla tea Goddess of War

Divorced, on her own and wondering what to do with her new freedom, Jessie decided to become caretaker of Ivy House. Jessie finds adventure, humor and chutzpah as weirder and weirder things happen.The hilarity and snark are rampant in this one!K. F. BreeneShelly's Tea: Tea Drops Rose Earl GreyThe Caretaker’s Tonic (Mocktail)A floral, fizzy, and slightly "moody" brew that tastes like a secret garden in a sentient house.Ingredients• 1 Rose Earl Grey Tea Drop• 4 oz Hot Water (to dissolve the drop)• 2 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice (for a bit of "Niamh-style" tartness)• 1 teaspoon of tyme honey- a little herbal sweetness optional. • Sparkling Water or Elderflower Tonic (to top it off)Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Elderberry Wine

For a few minutes, Nora Black died on the table during her hysterectomy. When she woke up, she discovered she had then unique ability to experience someone else's memory when she smells certain scents. She uses that ability to help solve murder mysteries.Renee GeorgeShelly's tea: "Ombre Mystery" (Lavender Matcha, Elderflower Tonic Water) Tea DropsCandy's tea: True Honey Lavender Lemonade

Firemen don’t put fires out in this world where books are forbidden—they set them. Guy Montag is a fireman who is beginning to doubt why the destruction is necessary. Ray BradburyShelly's tea: Mocktail Lapsang Souschong Old Fashion2 oz strong Lapsang Souschog tea infused with orange essence or orange zest½ tsp of maple syrupServe over ice with a cherry and orange twistS'moresRay Bradbury TheaterThe Pedestrian

Ashley is an American student studying abroad in London in the 1980's. She is invited to a classmate's Cotswold manor house for Christmas.Thirty years later, that Christmas is revisited through the rereading of her diary. This is a gothic-style thriller novella packed with suspense- something isn't so merry with this supposedly idyllic visit...Peter SwansonShelly's tea: DavidsTea Christmas Morning (the link is to the holiday webpage)Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Candy Apple

Samantha Silva has managed to blend fiction and non-fiction in this tale of the inspiration, frustration, and imagination that amalgamated into the classic A Christmas Carol. Mr. Dickens and His Carol has been added to our list of Christmas favorites.Shelly's tea: Orange Spice Tea- her own blendCandy's tea: Adagio Tea: Chestnut TeaSome of our other favorites:Jacob T. MarleyThe Afterlife of Holy Chase

In A HolidazeMaelyn Jones gets stuck in a time loop reliving the same Christmas vacation in the family Utah cabin. She has to figure out how to break the loop and possibly change her life.Christina LaurenShelly's tea: The Teaspot Sugar Cookie OolongCandy's tea: Adagio Tea Candy Cane

The Fairway Players are rehearsing their Christmas pantomime- jack and the Beanstalk for a church roof fundraiser. What unfolds is a murder mystery told through texts, emails and messages. Janice Hallett Shelly’s tea: Tea and Spice Exchange Chocolate Candy CaneCandy’s tea: DavidsTea Gingerbread Matcha (no longer available:/) Best Christmas Pageant 2024Best Christmas Pageant Ever 1983The Worst/Best Christmas Pageant Ever (book)

Two mystery writers are invited to an English manor for Christmas by a reclusive fan. Ally CarterShelly's Tea: Silent Night DavidsTeaCandy's Tea: Secret Santa DavidsTea

An interesting novel about love, family, and relationships.Sally RooneyShelly's tea: Curly Wurley Southern Virginia Tea Company (Quintin's Tea Emporium)Candy's tea: Ginger Honey Bigelow Tea

June Farrow is determined to break the Farrow woman curse. What she believes is generational madness is actually something much more. Shelly's tea: Cranberry Pecan Scone Southern Virginia Tea CompanyCandy's tea: Grannie's Garden Tea Thyme RefinedThe Unmaking of June Farrow Book Club Kit

Kate has lost her job, broke her engagement off and decides to move from Manhattan to Coral Cay, Florida. Desperate for a job, she lucks out at the Cookie House. Unfortunately, her new boss is soon accused of murder and she must do what she can to prove his innocence and keep the bakery open.Shelly's tea: India Spice Chai Keurig CommercialCandy's tea: Rooibos Cinnamon Roll Adagio Tea

Billy Summers has one last job to do before he retires. He is an assassin who only kills the bad guys and this last job is a challenge. Stephen KingShelly's tea: Earl Grey Supreme Harney & SonsCandy's tea: Adagio tea Campfire S'Mores

Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant to Dr. Maxwell at the University College London. It's 1923 and as she navigates being a woman on the staff of a male dominated department, she is also is compelled to prove her professor innocent of an accused poisoning.Kate KhavariShelly's tea: PlumDeluxe  Smooth Sailing Mango TeaCandy's tea: Adagio Teas Pumpkin PotionSteepsters site

The mysterious woman in Doc Martin boots just wanted Gobbelino and Callum to retrieve her book. She doesn't know Gobbelino is a talking cat and that Callum is his human sidekick. The two PIs don't realize it's not an ordinary book they are sent to get. The gumshoes have to race to contain magical destruction of things that are ...nice.Kim M. WattShelly's tea: Full Leaf Tea's Organic Orange Cinnamon Spice TeaCandy's tea: Adagio Tea's Cat Scratch

Isabella is a miserable village woman who happened upon a spellbook her miserable husband took from a wizard. All sorts of mysterious magical things begin happening on top of an influx of goblins bearing "bapples". An unlikely entrepreneur decides to take advantage of all the goblin fruit and creates a ponzi scheme. Oh, and there is a pot of basil that talks...Shelly's tea: Tiesta Tea Fruity ParadiseCandy's tea: Plum Deluxe Oolong Crystal Clarity mixed with Adagio Tea's Candy AppleClassics Go to the DecameronIsabella and the Pot of Basil poster

Set in New York City, The Cloisters follows Ann Stilwell, a young graduate beginning an internship at the Met during the summer. She begins researching Renaissance divination and she has to navigate all manner of intrigue, power plays and a murder.Is it choice or fate that truly controls our life? Read Katy Hay's book and see what you think.Shelly and Candy's tea: Adagio Tea's The CloisteaThe Met CloistersThe Spectrum of Desire exhibit

This third novel in the Empyrean series finds Violet looking beyond the wards for allies to help with the vast invasion of the evil venin. Shelly's tea: The Spice and Tea Exchange Mystic Dragon TeaCandy's Tea: True Honey Lavender Lemonade

Isola is the story of a young 15th Century noblewoman who is at the whim of her guardian. She is to sail to on an expedition to New France, but is left to survive on a deserted island before reaching the New France colony. Having been raised to be a lady of the manor, she must learn how to survive the brutal new existence of life on a desolate island.Allegra GoodmanShelly's tea: Abbi Teas Blueberry LemongrassCandy's tea: Bigelow's Ginger Honey

Aren't demons supposed to be evil? What could possibly go wrong when four demons escape Hell to live on Earth? Ash just wants to make music. Eva is a musician with an uncanny ability to see what isn't supposed to be noticed. What happens when a demon and a human find themselves attracted to each other?Aurora Ascher Shelly's tea:Abbi's Teas and ThingsTwinkle TeaCandy's tea: BigelowSweet Dreams

A man dies of a heart attack at 43 and awakens to find he is 18 again. All of his memories of his former life are there and he has a chance to live it again. And again. Each life gives him a chance to do things differently. Shelly's tea: The Tea Spot Morning Mojo Candy's tea: Tea Thyme Refined Orange Spice Tea Ken Grimwood Ken Grimwood's books: Into the Deep Elise (Of course, this is a rare book - very expensive but one Candy would love to read!) Breakthrough

Harold Fry receives a letter from an old friend letting him know she is dying. On his way to send her a letter, he begins walking across England to see Queenie. Rachel Joyce Shelly's tea: Taylor's English Breakfast Tea Candy's tea: Alice in Wonderland tin of Earl Grey (similar here) Buckfast Abbey Berwick-Upon-Tweed, UK Slightly Foxed Bookshop

At Endgame, the game is afoot and it's a house to die for.... Twelve clues, twelve keys and someone in the family is a murderer- willing to kill to keep Endgame for themselves. Alexandra Benedict Shelly's Tea: The TeaSpot Naughty N Nice Candy's Tea: Tea Thyme Refined Orange Spice Tea Tea Thyme Refined is located in Wake Forest, North Carolina. If you are in the area, by all means stop by and check out their teas- wonderful! Merry Christmas from Shelly and Candy!

Benjamin Stevenson has brought humor and murder to the Christmas season in this novella murder mystery. Can you figure out Whodunnit? Candy and Shelly share their love of all thing Benjamin along with delicious holiday teas your want in your stocking!

Eleanor is a midwife in 14th century Avignon. She becomes an assistant to the physician to the Pope at the beginning of the plague. Elizabeth DeLozier Shelly's tea: Adagio Tea Three French Hens Candy's tea: Spot Organic (no longer available) Plum Deluxe Ginger Citrus Burst The Story of the Thieves The Very Bad Reputation of Joanna of Naples

Lauren comes home from a hen party to discover her husband coming down the attic steps...except Lauren has never been married. ⁠Holly Gramazio⁠ ⁠The Husband Generator⁠ Shelly's tea: Chad's Chai ⁠Naked Chai⁠ Shelly also recommends: ⁠Camino Bakery⁠ Candy's tea: ⁠Plum Deluxe⁠ Crystal Clarity Oolong (no longer sold, but there are quite a few good oolong flavors)

In the village of Marigold, a magical laundry is conjured up. Painful memories can be washed away, or ironed to get the creases out. The memories become petals that drift away towards the setting sun. ⁠Jungeon Yun⁠ Shelly's tea: The Tea Spot ⁠Genmaicha Green Tea⁠ Candy's tea: Traditional Medicinals ⁠Nettle Leaf Tea⁠

A hen’s weekend getaway turns into a sinister twisted turn of events. Shelly's tea: Snarky Tea ⁠Turmeric Golden Latte Candy's coffee: Joffrey's Sanderson Sisters Brew Ruth Ware

A marshal walks into an undertaker's office... He works in the wilds of Tanria killing drudges and taking care of the unsavories. She is struggling to keep her family's business afloat. Both loathe the sight of each other. Shelly's tea: The Whistling Kettle ⁠Moringa Tea⁠ Candy's tea: Adagio Tea ⁠Cat Scratch⁠ ⁠Megan Bannen⁠ ⁠The Shop Around the Corner⁠

It's 1666 in a small Puritan village. An ancient being has been awakened to destroy the humans that have defiled the surrounding forest. But this being is not sure who he is and as he struggles with finding out, he meets a villager with troubles of her own. Shelly's tea: The Edenton Tea Company Orange Cinnamon Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Ghoul Gulp Brom interview Slewfoot Biblical Meaning Hartford Witch Trials Difference Between Pilgrims and Puritans

The Thursday Murder Club is back in action when someone from Elizabeth's past asks for her help. Stolen diamonds, drug dealers and a senseless attack on one of the club members are all part of this murder mystery by Richard Osman. Shelly's tea: TeaSpot Lady Lavender A recipe for a London Fog latte. Candy's tea: a delicious surprise tea from her friend Dodie Dodie's photographs on Instagram @creatingmybestlife72 Digital Spy

It's time for The Perfect Blend mid -year book superlatives. Shelly and Candy ask each other 10 questions about the books they have read so far this year. Here are the questions: Which characters would you like to invite to dinner? Which characters would you like to introduce to each other? Best character to take on a road trip. Best recipes. Which book/characters most  inspired you? What have the books we read inspired you to do or try? Book that took the longest to finish. Most surprising book. Most likely to reread. Most tormented character. Best dressed cover. Book setting you’d like to visit. To find out what Shelly and Candy chose for each, listen in! Hopefully you'll find a book you'd like to read and maybe you'll visit their podcast about that book. As always, Read and sip on!

Dorothy Wetstra faces a decision that may change her town forever, and her gift for shaking things up comes in handy. Charlene Ann Baumbich Shelly's Tea: Earl Gray from The Tea House Candy's Tea: Snarky Tea's Chocolate Covered Strawberry Loss of Farmland in NC

In a world devastated by a lethal fog, an isolated island stands as humanity's last refuge. Home to 122 villagers and three scientists, this idyllic sanctuary thrives under strict rules and nightly curfews, ensuring harmony and survival. Tragedy strikes when one of the scientists is found brutally murdered. This shocking crime triggers a catastrophic failure in the island's security system, which had been the only barrier keeping the deadly fog at bay. Now, the islanders face a dire ultimatum: solve the murder within 107 hours or succumb to the encroaching fog. Stuart Turton Shelly's Tea The Tea Spot- Morning Mojo Candy's Tea Lipton- Ginger Green Tea Links of interest: AI's Next Frontier: Are Brain-Computer Interfaces The Future Of Communication? Shelly's playlist for this book

Serenity, Reagan and Lorelei are meeting for the first time in Lake Tahoe. They have come together because they have discovered that they are all half sisters, and this trip will give them a chance to get to know each other and hopefully figure out how they are related. Brenda Novak Brenda Novak Facebook Group Brenda Novak's Traveling Bookshop/Coffeshop Shelly's Tea: Zen-Cha Watermelon Oolong Candy's Tea: Tazo Passion Tea Copycat Pink Drink recipe Choosing a DNA Testing Kit?

Cora Seaborne, recently widowed, decides to leave London to pursue her interest in the mythical Essex Serpent. The book explores friendship, love, and the ways those relationships grow and change. Sarah Perry Shelly's Tea: The Teaspot's Clouds & Mist Candy's Tea: Adagio Tea's Monster Mash Essex Folk Tales

A secret section of the British government has gathered "expats" from different times of history to study their assimiliation and ability to survive. Shelly's Tea: New English Teas British Breakfast Tea Candy's Tea: David's Tea (a blue matcha) Organic Blue Moon Tea The Mystery Daguerreotypes Kaliane Bradley Fell in Love With a Dead Man Arvon Foundation Article from The Guardian

Sister Holiday, a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun, puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test in this debut crime novel. Margot Douaihy Shelly's Tea: Misty Mountain Tea Shop Campfire Chai Candy's Tea: Lipton Iced Tea New Orleans Tea Company PFlag