Shows
The Perfect BlendThe Christmas Murder GameAt 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!
2024-12-2621 minThe Perfect BlendThe HusbandsLauren 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)
2024-11-1325 minThe Perfect BlendThe Marigold Mind Laundry
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
2024-11-0625 minThe Perfect BlendIn a Dark, Dark WoodA 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
2024-10-3021 minThe Perfect BlendThe Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
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
2024-10-2324 minThe Perfect BlendSlewfootIt'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
2024-10-1627 minThe Perfect BlendThe Man Who Died TwiceThe 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
2024-10-0223 minThe Perfect BlendBook Superlatives 2024It'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 t...
2024-08-0725 minThe Perfect BlendDearest Dorothy, Are We There Yet?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
2024-07-3131 minThe Perfect BlendThe Last Murder at the End of the WorldIn 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...
2024-07-2428 minThe Perfect BlendOne Perfect SummerSerenity, 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?
2024-07-1721 minThe Perfect BlendEssex SerpentCora 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
2024-07-1025 minThe Perfect BlendThe Ministry of TimeA 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
2024-07-0326 minThe Perfect BlendScorched GraceSister 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
2024-06-2620 minThe Perfect BlendThe 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle***SPOILER ALERTS***
So much happens in this book that we give some of it away- not enough to share it all, but enough to keep you interested.
Someone is going to murder Evelyn Hardcastle. Every. Single. Night. Someone exists in an eternal loop of the same day until the murder is solved. There are 8 days to do this or it starts all over again....
Stuart Turton
Shelly's Tea: Plum Deluxe Calm Chamomile Bloom
Candy's Tea: Valhalla Tea Santa Muerta
Plague Doctor
...
2024-06-1940 minThe Perfect BlendMr. Penumbra's 24-Hour BookstoreClay Jannon finds a job working the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift at Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour bookstore. But all is not as it seems. There are mysterious books, mysterious people and Clay is about to get involved in a quest he never saw coming.
Shelly's tea: Plum Deluxe Bookshop Blend
Candy's tea: Numi Rooibos
Robin Sloan
Links:
Instructables DIY Hi-Speed Book Scanner From Trash and Cheap Cameras
If the Dragonsong books intrigue you, you may want to try:
The Chronicles of Prydain
Dragonlance Chronicles
2024-06-1226 minThe Perfect BlendDeath of an Italian ChefHayley Powell visits the newest restaurant in town to write an article for her food column in the local Island Times paper.
Chef Romeo has just opened his new restaurant Romeo's, and as good as the food is, the drama is even better. A health scare send Chef Romeo to the hospital and his roommate is Hayley's brother Randy.
It looks like it was a heart attack that killed Romeo, but Randy (under heavy sedation) swears that someone else pulled the plug. Hayley works to find out who.
Shelly's tea: Bigelow Tea Blueberry...
2024-06-0522 minThe Perfect BlendTea for Two and a Book a Piece #5Shelly and Candy are wrapping up their May reads with two fantasy novels. Magic, mystery and possibly vampires????
Shelly's book: A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas
Shelly's tea: Forever Yours from Tea Bloom
Candy's book: Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
Candy's tea: Butterscotch Chai from DavidsTea
(check back during the holidays/fall for this delicious tea!)
Links:
Original Tale of Beauty and the Beast
The Scottish Tale of Tam Lin
2024-05-2928 minThe Perfect BlendTea for Two and a Book a Piece #4Shelly and Candy are still at it- this is episode four of two different books and the teas paired with them.
Shelly's book: The Labrador Pact by Matt Haig
Shelly's tea: The Climbers High Chai by The Teaspot
Candy"s book: PIglet by Lottie Hazell
Candy's tea: Silent Night by David's Tea
(check their site this holiday season!)
2024-05-2224 minThe Perfect BlendTea for Two and a Book a Piece #3May is the month for two books and teas a piece from Shelly and Candy!
Shelly's book: Recursion by Blake Crouch
Shelly's tea: Plum Deluxe Chamomile Bloom
Candy's book: The Secret of Chimneys (Word Cloud book)
Candy's tea: English Breakfast Black Tea (Adagio Tea)
2024-05-1526 minThe Perfect BlendTea for Two and a Book a Piece #2Shelly and Candy are at it again! Through the month of May they will each be reading a different book and pairing it with a different cup of tea.
Shelly's book: Lady Oracle by Margaret Atwood
Shelly's tea: Lemon Balm Kiwi The Republic of Tea
Candy's book: A Deadly Endeavor by Jenny Adams
Candy's tea: Goddess of War Valhalla Tea
2024-05-0823 minThe Perfect BlendTea for Two and a Book a PieceShelly and Candy decided to try something new this week. Both ladies picked a book from a thrift store and decided to share with each other and you.
Shelly's Book: Here on Earth by ALice Hoffman
Shelly's tea: Adagio Tea Courage Tea
Candy's Book: My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith
Candy's tea: Lipton
* The TV Series Candy mentioned is NOT related to Alexander McCall Smith, but it is still a good show:
Recipes for Murder
Other books mentioned:
Wuthering...
2024-05-0124 minThe Perfect BlendParanoidTwenty years ago there was a murder. Rachel was acquitted, but there are a lot of people that still think she did it.
Lisa Jackson
Shelly's tea: Plum Deluxe Oregon Breakfast Tea
Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Ghoul Gulp
2024-04-2425 minThe Perfect BlendBasket CaseJack Tagger used to be a star investigative reporter until he decided to bad mouth his employer in front of the shareholders. Now relegated to writing obituaries, he comes across the death of Jimmy Stomarti (formerly Jimmy Stoma from Jimmy Stoma and the Slut Puppies). While getting some quotes for the obit, he comes across discrepancies that lead him to full on investigating.
Shelly's tea: Carribean Fusion Pineapple Chamomile Dreams
Candy's tea: Pineapple Sage
Carl Hiaasen
Carl Hiaasen got cancelled
Bad Monkey
2024-04-1724 minThe Perfect BlendInk Blood Sister ScribeSet between Antarctica, Vermont and London, two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family's library of magical books must work together to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection. It's a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal, and the pursuit of magic and power.
Shelly's tea: Republic of Tea Lemon Balm Kiwi Tea
Candy's Tea: Tea and Sympathy Eve's Temptation
Emma Torz interview
2024-04-1022 minThe Perfect BlendThe Secret Life of SunflowersMarta Molnar's novel blends the fictional life of Emsley WIlson and the historical life of Johanna Bonger van Gogh. Emsley inherits Johanna's diary and letters from her grandmother before her death.
As Emsley deals with her grief and the business of getting her grandmother's house ready to sell, she learns of Johanna's story and can relate to the struggles she had as she navigates this difficult time in her life.
Shelly's tea: Plum Deluxe's Brunch in Paris
Candy's tea: Home Goods Alice in Wonderland tea tin (similar)
Dana...
2024-04-0325 minThe Perfect BlendEveryone on This Train is a SuspectErnie Cunningham is at it again! But this time he is on a train, surrounded by authors, agents and.....murder.
Benjamin Stevenson's latest book has you following clues and hints to solve the case along with Ernie. Be prepared for a wild ride!
Shelly's tea: Misty Mountain Tea's Scottish Caramel Toffee
Candy's tea: Asheville Tea Company's Hibiscus Mojito
The Ghan Train Experience
The Stevenson Experience
The 10 Rules of Detective Fiction
2024-03-2723 minThe Perfect BlendThe Seed KeepersFollow the story of a Dakota family's struggles for survival and the care and responsibility passed down to care for Mother Earth and the seeds she provides.
Shelly's tea: Misty Mountain Tea Shop Enchanted Rose
Candy's tea: Corn Silk Tea
Diane Wilson
The Seeds Speak
Alliance of Native American Seed Keepers
Walking Towards the Sacred: Our Great Lakes Tobacco Story
Hocokata Ti educational videos
2024-03-2024 minThe Perfect BlendThe Girl in Seat 2 A"Jade hates flying, but since winning the lottery, she can afford to purchase three seats - 2A, 2B, and 2C. But there's turbulence, and she drops the book she's reading. But a handsome gentleman gives her it back." - Goodreads
Diana Wilkinson
Shelly's tea: Harney and Sons Moroccan Mint
Candy's tea: Plum Deluxe Crystal Clarity Oolong (no longer on site:/ The link will take you to their oolong teas.)
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish and 200+ through interpretation service
2024-03-1326 minThe Perfect BlendA Morbid Taste for BonesThis is the first book in the Brother Cadfael Chronicles Series and was published in 1977. Brother Cadfael became a monk late in life- after being a soldier during the Crusades and a life of traveling the world, he came to the Shrewsbury Abbey.
The leader of his abbey has decided to acquire the sacred remains of Saint Winefride in Gwyneth, Wales and bring them back to the abbey. Brother Cadfael comes along to translate and isn't so surprised that the quest for bones leads to a murder...
Shelly's tea: Piper and Leaf Healing Honeysuckle
2024-03-0524 minThe Perfect BlendThe Christie AffairMiss Nan O'Dea enters the Christie's lives and exits with one Mr. Christie....
But before that happens, she will cross paths with Agatha during her mysterious disappearance. All is not as it seems, there is not just a tragic past and a disappearance to solve, there is also.....a murder.
Shelly's tea: Snarky Tea's Turmeric Golden Latte
Candy's tea: Bigelow Peppermint Bark Tea
Drunk History Episode
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
Agatha and the Truth of Murder
2024-02-2823 minThe Perfect BlendGoodbye EarlRosemarie, Ada, Caroline and Kasey together known as RACK have known each other since they were babies. When Kasey returns to their hometown to face something that happened in her past, the four women are together again to take care of things that each have buried and help each other through.
There's an Earl in this story...and like the song says...Earl had to die.
Shelly's Tea: Bigelow Botanicals Blueberry Citrus Basil
Candy's Tea: Lipton Sweet Iced Tea
Leesa Cross-Smith
Goodbye Earl
2024-02-2123 minThe Perfect BlendDeath by Chocolate Cherry CheesecakeJake and Ellie decide to open The Chocolate Moose bakeshop on their small island town in Maine. As they are gearing up for baking chocolate cherry cheesecakes for the Coast Guard to auction off, someone in murdered face down in some of their chocolate!
Shelly's tea: Snarky Tea's Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Candy's tea: Republic of Tea's Blackberry Sage
Cozy Mystery Corn
Other Maine Murder Mysteries:
Haley Powell Mystery Series by Lee Hollis.
Lucy Stone Mystery Series by Leslie Meier.
Maine Clambake Mystery Series by Barbara...
2024-02-1417 minThe Perfect BlendThe Nothing GirlNobody notices Jenny Dove, so much so that even her family call her the nothing girl. At her lowest point, an imaginary horse name Thomas comes to her rescue and with his help, Jenny begins to see that maybe there is more to her than people think.
Shelly's tea: Tin Roof Teas Geisha Chai
Candy's tea: Bigelow Sweet Dreams
Frogmorton Farm Series:
The Nothing Girl
The Something Girl
Joy to the World
Little Donkey
2024-02-0724 minThe Perfect BlendThe Alice NetworkThe Alice Network weaves World War I and World War II together. A young socialite seeks the help of a former female spy to find a missing person. Along the way they realize their paths are going to cross in a way they hadn't expected.
Shelly's tea: Plum Deluxe's Brunch in Paris
Candy's tea: Plum Deluxe's Creme Brulee Earl Grey
Links:
Interview with Kate Quinn
Spies of the First World War
Louis de Bettignies
Marie Leonie Vanhouette
Grasse, France
Oradour-sur-Glane
2024-01-3126 minThe Perfect BlendThe GuestSummer is coming to a close, and Alex is no longer welcome.
Her boyfriend has sent her to the train station and with nowhere to go, she pretends to be whoever she needs to be to fit in with Long Island's high society.
Emma Cline
Shelly's tea: The TeaSpot Turmeric Tonic
Candy's tea: David's Tea Jack Frosted Mocha
Other Links:
"What Inspired Emma Cline to Write The Guest?"
The Vulture Beach Read Book Club
Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion
2024-01-2426 minThe Perfect BlendDead Of WinterChrista is part of a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains with her boyfriend Kiernan. A bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region forcing the small group to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they'll be safe as they wait out the storm.
She couldn't be more wrong.
Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
Shelly's tea: Valhalla Tea's Black Caesar
Candy's tea: Norsk Tea's Nordic Red Tea
2024-01-1723 minThe Perfect BlendMrs. EnglandThere's no such thing as the perfect family...
Ruby May travels to Yorkshire to become the new nurse for Mr. and Mrs. England. Her new position at Hardcastle House leaves her isolated and makes it clear that something is not right with Mrs. England. As she cares for the four children, she also must grapple with her own demons.
Shelly's tea: Harney and Son's Red Hat Society's Earl Gray
Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Candy Cane Crush
Stacey Hall's interview
Stacey Hall's newest book Available April 2024
Norland Academy
2024-01-1025 minThe Perfect BlendChristmas PresentIt's Christmas Eve at St. Mary's. Max has just been visited by a ghost of Christmas past/present/future all at once and that vision has put an idea in her head. With the help of two companions, they head off on an expedition to bring back some lost historians.
Back to AD 60 in Roman Colchester- will they succeed in the midst of a fierce battle?
Shelly's Tea: Highfield Cottage Chai
Candy's Tea: Cinnamon Stick Tea Ceylon Black Pekoe Tea iced
Jodi Taylor
St. Mary's History Blogs
2024-01-0419 minThe Perfect BlendAmazing Grace AdamsGrace Adams is stuck in traffic in the sweltering heat. Her daughter won't speak to her, but she is determined to make things right with the perfect cake. And that is when Grace snaps...
Fran Littlewood interview
Shelly's tea: David's Teas Valerian Nights
Candy's tea: True Honey Lavender Lemonade
2024-01-0327 minThe Perfect BlendThe Very Secret Society of Irregular WitchesMika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, but an unexpected message arrives asking her to teach three young witches how to control their magic. What's a young, lonely witch to do?
Sanku Mandanna
Shelly and Candy's tea: Yuletide - it came in her Tea & Tales Book of the Month- please go give her a looksy!
Faerie Wine
From llewellyn.com:
7 lbs. elderberries, stripped and stalked3 gallons boiling water6 cloves3 lbs. loaf sugar1 lb. seedless raisins1/2 oz. ground ginger1/2 oz. yeast...
2023-12-2723 minThe Perfect BlendIn God We Trust, All Others Pay CashHave you ever watched A Christmas Story? Did you know the movie was based on Jean Shepherd's In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash? Shelly and Candy delve into his stories while sipping some festive teas.
Shelly's Tea: Adagio's Nine Ladies Dancing
Candy's Tea: Shelly's mom made old fashioned Russian Tea.
Russian Tea:
2 cups sugar
2 cups orange flavored drink mix (we used TANG!)
1 cup instant tea powder
I pkg powdered lemonade mix
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Mix...
2023-12-2024 minThe Perfect BlendThe Kingdom of SweetsErika Johansen takes us on a twisted dark journey to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Kingdom of Sweets is a tale of Clara and here twin sister Natasha, cursed and destined for some dark magic on Christmas Eve.
Shelly's Tea: Adagio Tea's Gingerbread
Candy's Tea: David's Tea Sleigh Ride
The Nutcracker Alexander Dumas
The Nutcracker E.T.A Hoffman
2023-12-1334 minThe Perfect BlendThe Afterlife of Holly ChaseHolly Chase is a rich teenager with a bankrupt personality. She is visited by three spirits, but the campaign to save her is a bust. She wakes up as a ghost destined to be part of Project Scrooge. Will being one of the legendary ghosts of A Christmas Carol help save Holly? Only one way to find out!
Cynthia Hand
Shelly's Tea: David's Tea Santa's Secret
Candy's Tea: David's Tea Candy Cane Crush
2023-12-0624 minThe Perfect BlendThe Nest
The Nest is the story of the Plumb siblings, and takes place in New York in the aftermath of 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis. The siblings all come together when they find out that their joint trust fund- one that they are all counting on for various desperate reasons- has been used to get their oldest brother out of a bad situation of his own creation.
Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
Shelly's Tea: Plum Deluxe Tea's Kitchen Table Blend
Candy's Tea: Plum Deluxe Tea's Crystal Clarity
(This is no longer available, boo hiss. BUT...
2023-11-2939 minThe Perfect BlendThanksgivingThis holiday rom-com by Janet Evanovich takes place in Colonial Williamsburg right before Thanksgiving. Megan meets the handsome Dr. Parker while chastising him for neglecting his rabbit. Little does she know meeting the doctor will lead to playing house, making Thanksgiving dinner for both of their families and deciding if they actually "do".
Shelly's tea: The Tea Spot's Turmeric Tonic Ginger Root
Candy's tea: The Southern Virginia Tea Company Spicy Chai
Choose Hallmark Actors to be in this movie
2023-11-2220 minThe Perfect BlendOne For the Blackbird, One For the CrowTwo women must put aside their animosity to survive a Wyoming prairie winter in the 1870's.
It's a mix of Little House on the Prairie with some juicy soap opera drama. Olivia Hawker's beautifully written historical fiction book is about betrayal, sorrow, survival and redemption.
Shelly's Tea: Republic of Tea's Cardamon Cinnamon
Candy's Tea: The Tea and Spice Exchange's Mystic Dragon Tea
Lezero Tea Cup
2023-11-1538 minThe Perfect BlendLessons in ChemistryElizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1960's who is fired from her job for being unwed and pregnant and eventually becomes a tv icon on her own cooking show.
Shelly's Tea: Republic of Tea's Blackberry Sage
Candy's Tea: Tin Roof Tea's Einstein's Equation
A Perfect Cup of Tea
Toto's song 99 (SO not about the Get Smart Agent 99, but still a nice song)
2023-11-0838 minThe Perfect BlendThe Bakeshop at Pumpkin and SpiceShelly and Candy are taking a literary trip to Moonbright, Maine in this 3 for 1 story by authors Donna Kauffman, Allyson Charles and Kate Angell. Who knew there could be magic in cookies? Bellaluna Bakeshop's owner Sofia knows a thing or two about love and finding that just right person. Three different women experience her cookies and love during Halloween in the town of Moonbright, Maine.
Shelly's tea: Celestial Seasonings Caramel Apple Dream
Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Pumpkin Potion (from their Wicked Tea set)
2023-11-0122 minThe Perfect BlendThe Witch of Pungo/Witchduck BayShelly and Candy are featuring two books for the podcast of one- two stories that are both about Grace Sherwood, who was accused of witchcraft back in the early 1700's. The Witch of Pungo is a selection of stories that take place in what is now Virginia Beach, Virginia. Louisa Venable Kyle wrote the stories and included some historical background after each. William Huber wrote a fictionalized version of what could have happened to Grace Sherwood. He includes lots of places in our local history as well as story lines for the many characters of that time.
...
2023-10-2525 minThe Perfect BlendThe Death of Mrs. WestawayHal Westaway is a lonely young tarot card reader who becomes involved in an inheritance with a very dysfunctional family and possible a murder as well.
Ruth Ware
Shelly's tea: Tazo Chai Latte- Dirty
Candy's tea: The Republic of Tea Blackberry Sage
Ruth Ware’s murder Mystery Party Game
2023-10-1826 minThe Perfect BlendThe Haunting of Hill HouseFour guests come to Hill House to observe and note any unusual happenings. Hill House has a reputation for paranormal activity. Everyone experiences strange things, but only one of them begins to slip from reality.
Shirley Jackson was a prolific short story writer. She wrote while raising four children and running her household. She had a knack for gothic themed stories.
Shelly's tea: Plum Deluxe Bookshop Blend White
Candy's tea: Vahalla Tea Santa Muerta
Other links:
Movies based on her stories https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_based_on...
2023-10-1136 minThe Perfect BlendThe Physick Book of Deliverance DaneWhile doing research for her doctorate, Connie Goodwin discovers a mystery that ties her to not only the Salem Witch trials, but her own family history.
Katherine Howe
Shelly's tea: lavender, chamomile, lemon zest
Candy's tea: Nettle Tea
The witchcraft trial of Elizabeth Howe.
2023-10-0421 minThe Perfect BlendHollyAfter the death of Holly Gibney's mother due to COVID, Holly accepts a job to help find a mother's missing daughter. As she investigates, she realizes that the missing daughter may be one of a few victims of a serial killer.
Whew! Shelly and I are long time Stephen King fans, listen in to find out if this meets our expectations.
Shelly's tea: Turmeric Tonic
Candy's tea: Tension Tamer
2023-09-2722 minThe Perfect BlendHarry's TreesHarry Crane decides to lose himself in the Endless Mountain forest of Pennsylvania after the tragic death of his wife. While there, he meets a young girl that disrupts his plans as they both are on a journey to assauge their loss. In Harry's Trees, Jon Cohen has managed to tell a touching story that ties together loss, grief, fairy tales, magic and redemption.
Shelly's Tea: Blueberry Wild Child
Candy's Tea: Wolfberry Dragon
2023-09-2026 minThe Perfect BlendThe Invisible HourYoung Mia Jacob is raised in a strict commune in Western Massachusetts outside the town of Blackwell called "The Community". Mia’s adventures outside the community are mostly to the town library where she finds a first edition of the Scarlet Letter that seems to describe the community and her mother’s story. This sets Mia on a larger quest after her mother dies and she runs away from the community and all that she has known.
Shelly's tea: Pears and Cinnamon
Candy's tea: Cinnamon Apple (gifted- link is to Celestial Seasoning's brand)
2023-09-1327 minThe Perfect BlendCarrie Soto is BackCarrie Soto has only known tennis her entire life. She is a fierce player, known for winning at all costs. Her determination and focus have not made her popular, and have earned her the nickname Battle-Axe. Five years after her retirement, she is sitting with her father watching the 1994 US Open. When Nicki Chan breaks her Grand Slam title, she decides to come out of retirement to defend her Grand Slam title record. At thirty-seven, she goes back into training with her father to win one more time.
Shelly's tea: Brunch in Paris
Candy's tea: Cryst...
2023-09-0625 minThe Perfect BlendRemarkably Bright CreaturesMarcellus is a giant Pacific octopus in an aquarium where Tova cleans at night. The two have a companionable existence together, but both have deep sadness in their lives. Cameron is a down on his luck thirty year old with a plan to meet his unknown father and have him put his life to rights. All three interact and end up helping each other. Remarkably Bright Creatures is an uplifting, entertaining novel written by Shelby Van Pelt.
Shelly's Tea: Black Caesar
Candy's Tea: Einstein's Equation
Shelby’s interview with LA pu...
2023-08-3026 minThe Perfect BlendMastering the Art of French MurderTabitha Knight recently arrived in Paris to stay and care for her grandfather. Paris is magical and delicious- especially with Julia Child being her neighbor who willingly helps Tabitha learn to cook. A seemingly innocent party leads to murder with Julia's knife being the weapon. Tabitha decides to help with the investigation to clear not only Julia's name but her own.
Shelly's tea: Genmai Cha tea from the tea spot
Candy's tea: Creme Brulee Earl Grey
Alex Prudhomme discusses Julia and Paul's life in ParisFrench OmeletteCasserole Roast Chicken
CharadeThe French Chef SNL
2023-08-2321 minThe Perfect BlendJust One Damned Thing After AnotherWe love Jodi Taylor's St. Mary's Chronicles! Join our discussion of "Just One Damned Thing After Another" where they "don't do time travel. They research historical events in contemporary time". Everything at St. Mary's seems orderly and perfectly in synch till Max arrives to interview. Is she a jinx or are there other forces involved in this time traveling adventure?
Jodi Taylor's Website
Shelly's Tea: Sunrise Chi - Piper and Leaf Teas
Candy’s tea: Goddess of War- Valhalla Teas
2023-08-1625 minThe Perfect BlendThe Maltese IguanaAfter Serga A. Storms and his sidekick Coleman have been hunkered down in their condo during COVID, Serge comes up with a great way to venture out to all of his beloved Florida haunts. As he is offering road trips to all his fellow condo neighbors, things are brewing up with a reporter, the CIA and adventures in Honduras.
Tim Dorsey has done it again! Another wild ride with Serge and Coleman.
Shelly's Tea: Healing Honeysuckle
Candy’s tea: Insane Cinnamon Orange
Links mentioned:
...
2023-08-0925 minThe Perfect BlendFairy Tale Part 2Come join us in Empis as we continue Charlie Reade's journey. We did enjoy connecting the events to the tales that inspired them in King's fantasy realm of Fairy Tale.
Stephen King
Shelly's Tea- Tiesta Tea Blueberry Wild Child
Candy's Tea: purple basil, butterfly pea flower, Steep 5 minutes, then squeeze 1/4 of a lemon into the tea.
2023-08-0241 minThe Perfect BlendFairy Tale (Part 1)Welcome to The Perfect Blend.
Charlie Reade is a 17-year-old who finds himself introduced to a fantasy world and gets entangled in the battle between good and evil.
We decided to divide this story into two episodes. In Part 1, we will cover the first part of the book that introduces us to Charlie and his life up to he turns 17 and meets Mr. Bowditch and Radar.
Stay tuned next week for Part 2!
Stephen King
Shelly's Tea: Tiesta Tea's Fruity Paradise
Candy's Tea: purple basil...
2023-07-2525 minThe Perfect BlendOnce and Future WitchesIt's the late 1800’s in a world where magic has existed but has been outlawed. The estranged Eastwood Sisters find themselves drawn back to each other in New Salem during the women’s suffrage movement and a growing force for strong labor unions. Juniper, Agnes and Beatrice discover their powers and their choices lead to a witch's movement and a women’s rebellion.
Alix E Harrow
Shelly's tea: Goddess of War, Valhalla Teas
Candy's tea: Mystic Dragon Tea
Other things mentioned (and extra):
Uncanny Magazine
...
2023-07-1937 minThe Perfect BlendBook SuperlativesWelcome to The Perfect Blend and our first ever Book Superlatives!
Shelly and Candy answer each other's burning questions about the books they have featured for the first 6 months of 2023.
Which characters would you like to invite to dinner?
Which characters would you like to introduce to each other?
Best character(s) 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 t...
2023-07-0526 minThe Perfect BlendMidnight at the Blackbird CafeWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
Anna Kate has returned to Wicklow, Alabama to bury her beloved grandmother, Zee. Zee owned the Blackbird Cafe and her only request is that Anna Kate stay and run the cafe for two months before selling it. Anna Kate is reluctant as she is not used to small town southern life and doesn't want to get involved with her father's family or create friendships that she will not be able to sustain.
As much as she tries to stick to her plans, the blackbirds, the pie and the townspeople all...
2023-06-2831 minThe Perfect BlendThe Ninth HouseWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
Our newest episode is all about The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.
Galaxy Alex Stern has been given a full ride at Yale University. Coming from a questionable past in Los Angeles and surrounded by intrigue as the only survivor of a multiple homicide, she is an unlikely candidate. But she has a skillset that is much needed at The Lethe House . Known as The Ninth House, Lethe is responsible for overseeing Yale secret societies and their rituals. Alex is trying to navigate her new role, as well as solve...
2023-06-2131 minThe Perfect BlendOne Italian SummerWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
Katy is reeling from the death of her mother. Carol was not just her mother, but her best friend and she is lost without her. She decides to embark on the mother-daughter trip Carol had planned and is for the first time on her own. While taking in the beauty of Positano, Katy runs into the 30 year old version of her mother. Not sure what is happening, she follows Carol along and gets to see her and Positano as her mother knew and loved it.
Along the...
2023-06-0726 minThe Perfect BlendThe Signature of All ThingsWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
The Signature of All Things chronicles the epic saga of the Whittaker family. From Henry Whittaker's humble beginnings in England, his seeking fortune abroad and establishing himself as the wealthiest man in Philadelphia , to his daughter Alma. She is a curious, brilliant, well educated and disciplined in her study of plants. She inherits Henry's instincts and wealth and establishes herself as a botanist in her own right. When she meets Ambrose Pike, her world tilts unexpectantly and leads her on an epic journey throughout the rest of her life.
Shelly's...
2023-06-0148 minThe Perfect BlendThe Last Garden in EnglandWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
The Last Garden in England takes us back in time to the early 1900's, WWII, and back to present day to tell the story of the people and gardens of Highbury House. As Emma works to unravel the secrets and lost stories of the neglected gardens of the present day Highbury House to restore it to its former glory, the story travels back to WWII when the house was requisitioned as a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers, to 1907 when the garden was designed and built.
Emma Lovett has just been...
2023-05-2526 minThe Perfect BlendThe Silent PatientWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
Can you ever be freed from childhood trauma? It's a great question and one that may or may not be answered in The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
This book is a contemporary psychological thriller that tells the story of Alicia, who killed her husband, Gabriel, six years earlier—and hasn’t spoken since. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who is determined to help Alicia as he deals with events in his own life.
Shelly's tea: Dark Iris
Candy's tea: Coconut a la Creme
Ot...
2023-05-1722 minThe Perfect BlendThe Other BirdsWelcome to The Perfect Blend where we pair a perfect cup of tea with a great book.
The Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen introduces Zoe, a high school graduate moving to South Carolina before beginning college. She moves into the condominium that her mother left her to start a new life and she is looking forward to having that connection and getting to know the other owners at Dallowisp Condos. Her neighbors each have their own secrets and their own ghosts.
Shelly's Tea: Get Soothed from Republic of Teas
Candy's Tea: "Spirit...
2023-05-1023 minThe Perfect BlendKillers of A Certain AgeWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
Today's book is a fast paced entertaining story about, well, killers of a certain age. Deanna Raybourn knocked this one out of the park!
Four retired assassins board an all-expenses paid cruise only to realize that this a plan for a permanent retirment. The ladies must use their wits and abilities to figure out who is behind the hit and how they will survive.
Shelly's tea: Dirty Chi Latte recipe
Candy's tea: Peppermint
Links to things from the book:
Paris catacombs
2023-05-0323 minThe Perfect BlendThe Illegal GardenerWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Today's featured book is The Illegal Gardener by Sara Alexi .
Juliet has left her home and life in England to work remotely from the Greek villa she has just bought. In need of help with her gardens she hires Aaman, an illegal immigrant from Pakistan. Both Juliet and Aaman have hardships and though they come from different backgrounds and situations, they learn that they have had similar traumas in their lives and these traumas help them forge a friendship that breaks language and cultural barriers.
This book will...
2023-04-2628 minThe Perfect BlendThe Shadow in the GlassWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
J.J.A. Harwood has blended a fractured fairy tale with a faustian morality twist. Shelly and I have a lot to say about this- it definitely wasn't the Cinderalla story we expected!
Ella is a lady in training downgraded to a lowly housemaid. The opportunity for seven wishes appears along with a peculiar fairy godmother, but each wish comes with a heavy price.
Shelly's Tea: Forever Yours
Canday's Tea: Mystic Dragon Tea
Links:
https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk/mm-authors/jja-harwood/
https...
2023-04-1928 minThe Perfect BlendNeverwhereWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Beware of Doors.....you never know where they will take you. Neil Gaiman has created magically fearful and wondrous worlds under the London we are familiar with. A hero's journey for a rather average gentleman who goes on a dangerous quest. Are you up for it?
Shelly's tea: Lavender Lady
Candy's tea: Insane Cinnamon Orange
Links mentioned:
Marquis de Carabas
Lyke Wake Dirge
Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd from Diamonds Are Forever
2023-04-1228 minThe Perfect BlendThe London Seance SocietyWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
We are revisiting author Sarah Penner and her second novel, The London Seance Society. What a treat! If you are interested in seances, ghosts, murder and intrigue- this is a book you'll definitely want to read.
Shelly's tea: http://spotorganic.com/index.html
Candy's tea: https://www.spiceandtea.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=victorian%20chai%20black%20tea
Jeanne Robertson "Don't send a man to the grocery store!"
Let us know what you think!
sound effect: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/search...
2023-04-0524 minThe Perfect BlendThe Murder of Roger AckroydWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
We saved an Agatha Christie classic for our final March murder mystery. This was at the time a controversial book for Christie because she broke all the rules of writing a traditional murder mystery. We DO spoil it for you if you haven't read it, but that doesn't mean it's not worth reading anyway.
Roger Ackroyd is murdered just as he is about to find out who was blackmailing his fiance. The suspects all have motives and secrets and things are not always as they seem. Hercule Poirot uses his...
2023-03-2931 minThe Perfect BlendMurder Your EmployerWelcome to The Perfect Blend podcast!
Today we had a delightful discussion of Rupert Holmes's book Murder Your Employer. Woweee-wow-wow....it's a wicked good guide to how to go about eh-hem...deleting a despicable boss. Told through case studies of three particular students who have been made absolutely miserable by the person that employs them, we get a peek into McMaster's Conservatory for the Applied Arts. Be prepared for great wit, a few twists and some very interesting events.
Shelly's tea: Know by Heart
Candy's beverage of choice: Tropicana Pina Colada because, HELL-ooooooo...
2023-03-2226 minThe Perfect BlendEveryone in My Family Has Killed SomeoneWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
We chose this book because we were immediately intrigued by the title. Benjamin Stevenson did NOT disappoint!
A family reunion is taking place at a decrepit ski resort and not everyone is excited to be there. On top of lots of family drama, murders are happening. Oh you'll know when- the narrator makes sure to tell you. And while he reveals clues and lets you know what's coming, you will still be surprised and curious as to WHAT happens next.
Shelly's tea: Connemara's Whisky Tea
Shelly's tea: C...
2023-03-1523 minThe Perfect BlendThursday Murder ClubWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
This week's book is Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Four individuals who live in Cooper's Chase Retirement Home and meet each week in the Jigsaw Room to discuss and try to solve unsolved murders.
Shelly's tea (is DELICIOUS!): Tropical Chamomile Dreams by Caribbean Fusion Sauces and Spices Loose Tea
Candy's tea (also yummy): Peppermint Tea by Harris Teeter
We can only hope to be as cool as these septuagenarians and octogenarians when we get there...
2023-03-0822 minThe Perfect BlendMurder at the Book ClubWelcome to The Perfect Blend.
March is all about murder mysteries and we are springing forward with Betsy Reavley's Murder at the Book Club.
Nine women get together for tea and cake and a book discussion. All friends, on the surface at least. Until one of them is murdered and secrets start to come out....
*We give away some spoilers in this episode, so be forewarned.
Shelly's tea: Tin Roof Tea's Red Chai
Candy's tea: Tazo's Passion Tea
Websites and other mentions:
DIY Starbuck's Pink Drink R...
2023-03-0124 minThe Perfect BlendDaisy Jones and The SixWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Young, beautiful, talented and untethered by the usual conventions, Daisy Jones is on her way to stardom when she partners with the band The Six. In a rockumentary interview style, Taylor Jenkins Reid characters revisit their past as a rock and roll band experiencing the wild and groovy 70s.
To celebrate the launch of Daisy Jones and The Six on Netflix, we will host our first ever book club online. On Thursday, March 2, we will be live on Facebook to talk about the book, share some 70s trivia and tidbits AND...
2023-02-2223 minThe Perfect BlendHesterWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Shelly and I are exploring Laurie Lico Albanese's book Hester. We must really love Salem because we keep revisiting, and every time we go back we learn so many new things! Albanese brings together some historical characters and adds some new twists to the Salem Witch legacy. Hester is the main character in Nathaniel Hawthorne Scarlet Letter and you might just meet some characters you've heard of before. Well worth the read!
Shelly's tea: Cyotea's Tea as Old as Time
Candy's tea: Bohemian Peddler's Courage Tea
2023-02-0830 minThe Perfect BlendThe Lost ApothecaryWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
February is going to feature all things dark and not-so-romantic here on the podcast.
We are kicking off with Sarah Penner's debut novel The Lost Apothecary.
Sipping Wild Iris and honey lemon teas, Shelly and Candy go back and forth in time exploring London England and some mysteries and miseries shared by some ladies 200 years apart.
Settle in and sip along!
2023-02-0127 minThe Perfect BlendThe Science of Time TravelWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
We decided to wrap up our time travel month with Elizabeth Howell's The Science of Time Travel: The Secrets Behind Time Machines, Time Loops, Alternate Realities, and More! The exclamation point is hers, not ours. To find out why, grab yourself a cup of tea, get comfy and download this episode.
Shelly's tea: Trailhead Huckleberry from Winterwoods Tea Company
Candy's tea: Dandelion Leaf & Root from Traditional Medicinals
2023-01-2527 minThe Perfect BlendMidnight LibraryWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Matt Haig's beautiful book The Midnight Library is our feature this week. Find out what we thought and what we paired it with on this week's episode.
Shelly's tea: From our first teaventure- Tea and Sympathy. Taylor's of Harrorgate Organic Peppermint
Candy's tea: From Quintin's Tea- Southern Virginia Tea Company. Spicy Chai
Connect with us on Instagram , our website or Facebook!
2023-01-1827 minThe Perfect BlendScharlette Doesn't Matter and Goes Time TravelingWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Everything's all kay in the world with time travel agents zipping and zagging to save us all from our impending doom. Throw in a gal whose timeline creates no ripple effect leaving her free to jump in and out without any clusterfarms. Sam Bowring made us laugh out loud with this time travel book. We are looking forward to reading the next one to see how things turn out.
Shelly's tea is Calm the F*ck Down by Snarky Tea.
Candy's teas are Rip Van Winkle and Eintstein's Equat...
2023-01-1128 minThe Perfect BlendThe Psychology of Time TravelWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
We are diving into time travel this month starting with Kate Mascarenhas' book The Psychology of Time Travel. It's a great dip back and forth in time as well as a murder mystery.....
We visited the Southern Virginia Tea Shop to find something good to pair it with- Shelly chose Winter Wassail by the Yaupon Brothers and Candy found a Jet Lag Asleep. Both teas were great for attempting time travel. Even if it we were just reading about it;}
2023-01-0430 minThe Perfect BlendHalf Spent Was the Night✨Bonus Episode✨
Welcome to The Perfect Blend and Happy New Year from Shelly and Candy🥳🪩
We have added an extra episode to wrap up our first (short) year of podcasting. To celebrate, we chose Ami McKay's Half Spent Was the Night. It's the perfect book to share on New Year's Eve and we are delighted to end our year with an author that got us started on our journey.
We paired our book with Russian Tea, a childhood favorite that both of our mom's used to make (and that Shelly's mom made for us).
...
2022-12-3124 minThe Perfect BlendThe Storied Life of A. J. FikryWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Gabrielle Zevin's sweet novel is just the thing to warm your heart and take a restorative break after all the holiday festivities.
To learn more about the author: Gabrielle Zevin
Shelly's tea August Uncommon Tea Biarritz
Candy's tea Asheville Tea Company Hibiscus Mojito
Find independent bookstores here.
***Don't forget we are adding a special episode New Year's Eve to celebrate our first season of podcasting***
Thank you so much for joining us. Keep sipping and read on!
2022-12-2844 minThe Perfect BlendJacob T. MarleyWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
'Tis the season and what better time than to read a new take on A Christmas Carol! R. William Bennett's Jacob T. Marley is a look at Marley and what happened before and after his visit to Scrooge in the classic story. Add this to your Christmas reading list and you'll keep Christmas in your heart all the year.
R. William Bennett
Shelly's tea: Rosie Lee tea , mixed with cinnamon, orange peel and cloves
Candy's tea: Winterberry Dream Black Tea
2022-12-2135 minThe Perfect BlendTwisted Tea Christmas (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura ChildsWelcome to our Twisted Tea talk! We delve into our first series murder mystery book and we are both looking for our next one. Not only does this books have tea, lots of yummy food, recipes - we got to travel vicariously to South Carolina.
Laura Child: http://www.laurachilds.com
Shelly's tea: Bold Black Chai from Republic of Tea https://www.republicoftea.com/bold-black-chai/p/v20747/
Candy's tea: Insane Cinnamon Orange from the Tea Chemist https://www.teachemist.com/product/insane-cinnamon-orange/53?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false
Join us, won't
2022-12-1428 minThe Perfect BlendThe Twelve Topsy-Turvy Very Messy Days of ChristmasWelcome to the Perfect Blend!
It's time to deck your shelves with some seasonal reads! We're talking about James Patterson and Tad Safran's The Twelve Very Messy Topsy-Turvy Days of Christmas. If you've read it, please let us know what you thought about it!
James Patterson: https://www.jamespatterson.com
Tad Safron: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1475075/
Shelly's tea: https://www.theteaspot.com/products/earl-of-grey-loose-black-tea
Candy's tea: https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/tea/santa-s-secret-tea/10787US01VAR0057666.html
2022-12-0735 minThe Perfect BlendJust the Teas PleaseHave you ever overdone it at a holiday dinner? Maybe you’ve tested the tenacity of your stretchy pants and are feeling the tryptophanic trance as you tilt yourself into the recliner praying you’ll be able to bend enough to get up for dessert.
Shelly and I are here to the rescue with some tea blends to have on hand for you and your company so you can enjoy your feasting without too much discomfort. And if you’d like, we’ve left a recap of some of the teas we have featured so far.
Shelly...
2022-11-2318 minThe Perfect BlendBig Lies in a Small TownWelcome to the Perfect Blend! In this episode, Candy and Shelly continue to explore books set in North Carolina and share their thoughts on Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain. They are intrigued by the mystery of Anna Dale, a 1940's artist selected to do a post office mural, who went missing. They discuss the power of art and how the characters move past tragic events. The girls also share their adventures in Edenton, NC, where the explored the setting of the book.
They paired this book with some calming teas, Lady Lavender from The T...
2022-11-161h 08The Perfect BlendGarden SpellsWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
Shelly and I picked a favorite that our good friends recommended. Thank you Kathy and Mary!
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen takes place in our stomping grounds of North Carolina. We thought it'd be nice to feature some stories from our neck of the woods. As far as we are concerned, anything gardens and magic is a win as far as books go. We paired our books with a peach ginger tea from Republic of tea and an interesting mixture of blue butterfly flower and Bigelow's Lavender Chamomile plus prob...
2022-11-0955 minThe Perfect BlendThe Dutch HouseWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
This week we are discussing The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. It's a definite turn from what we have shared in October, but it's always good to stretch your reading chops and try new things. This wasn't a happy joy story. In fact, we wrestled with some of the characters and their choices. My goodness, not the typical homecoming you'd expect.
Shelly's tea: https://www.winterwoodsteacompany.com/collections/loose-leaf-teas/products/old-town-licorice
Candy's tea: lemon balm, spearmint, mason jar :)
Ann Patchett's site: http://www.annpatchett.com
2022-11-021h 00The Perfect BlendThe Long Dark Tea-Time of the SoulWelcome to The Perfect Blend!
This week's featured book is Douglas Adam's The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul. We are both big fans of his work and were delighted to feature him for our final October book selection. We've paired our story with some delicious blends from Norskk and August Uncommon Teas.
Candy's tea from Norskk: https://norskk.com/nordic-red-tea
Shelly's tea from August Uncommon Tea: shorturl.at/doq57
Douglas Adams website: https://douglasadams.com
Dirk Gently's I Ching Calculator: https://hackaday.io/project/19883-dirk-gentlys-i-ching-calculator
We know you...
2022-10-2644 minThe Perfect BlendSomething Wicked This Way ComesWelcome back to The Perfect Blend!
This week we are discussing one of our favorite October authors- Ray Bradbury and his novel Something Wicked This Way Comes. We've paired our book with teas from August Uncommon Teas and David's Teas.
Shelly's Jet Black: https://august.la/products/jet-black?_pos=1&_sid=6ac8fb06e&_ss=r
Candy's Butterscotch Chai: https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/tea/shop-all/fall-collection/butterscotch-chai/10842US01VAR0064461.html?cgid=fall-faves-collection#start=1
For more information about Ray Bradbury: https://raybradbury.com
Let us know if y...
2022-10-1258 min