By: Sophie TaylorBook: Shadow of a Spout
Series: Teapot Collector Mysteries
Author: Amanda Cooper aka Victoria Hamilton
Pub. Date: April 7th, 2015
I have an uneasy relationship with my mother. Mom was raised by her mother, my Nana, in Gracious Grove, New York. But the moment she could, she got out, going to college - oddly enough - on a scholarship provided by a women's rights group, a part of the women's liberation movement of the 1970s. I say oddly enough because my mother's sole purpose in going to college was to find a husband.
Though she didn't. At least, not at college. But she got a business degree and found a job in New York City, impressing her older boss so much (did I mention that she was and is startlingly beautiful?) that he ended up marrying her. That's my dad, Andrew Samuel Taylor, a disciple of Georges Doriot, the so-called 'father of venture capitalism'. He's a financial entrepreneur, and had made a fortune before my mother met him.
She once told me that the day after she married my dad she tossed out her business suits, determined never to work another day in her life. She's a success story in her own way, just like my father is.
But... so am I, I guess. From the time I was a toddler, just big enough to stand on a stool in Nana's kitchen and watch her cut scones into wedges, I only ever wanted to be a cook. Against my parents' advice and with little help from them (since they disapproved of the direction my life was taking) I enrolled in a culinary institute, worked my tail off, and by my mid twenties I was planning my own restaurant, which failed just three years after it opened. But that failure led me back here to Gracious Grove, meeting up with old friends and my first boyfriend, Jason Murphy, and working at Nana's business, Auntie Rose's Victorian Tea House.So... what does all of this have with the title of this blog, Teapot of the August Moon? It's August, and my grandmother and godmother (Laverne Hodge) are heading to a teapot collectors convention in Butterhill, New York; they can only do that together because I came back to Gracious Grove and can run the tearoom without them for the weekend. So I guess part of why I feel like I am finally a success is because now I can help my grandmother, my role model in life, take it just a little easier in her eighties. I'm cooking and I'm happy; that's success, right?
So how about you? What makes YOU feel successful in life?
~::~
Avid
teapot collector Rose Freemont takes a break from her Victorian tea house only
to find a new mystery brewing elsewhere...Leaving her home in Gracious Grove behind her, Rose is off to the annual convention of the International Teapot Collector’s Society. Her granddaughter Sophie is minding the tea house while she’s away. Rose is eager for tough cookie Zunia Pettigrew to appraise a prized antique teapot she believes may be a holy water vessel from China.
But when Zunia declares the pot a fake, Rose is really steamed. After Zunia’s found dead beside Rose’s dinged-in teapot, Sophie must rush to her grandmother’s aid and find the real killer—before Rose is steeped in any more trouble…
To
learn more about Amanda Cooper and the Teapot Collector Mysteries see these
pages:
Victoria
Hamilton/Amanda Cooper on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaHamilton
Teapot
Collector Mysteries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amanda-Coopers-Teapot-Collector-Mysteries/296605927102353
Teapot
Collector Mysteries on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vintagekitchenm/teapot-collector-mysteries/
GIVEAWAY!!
Shadow of a Spout is set to release on April 7th, and I've got goodies to give away! I have designed a special Shadow of a Spout cozy mysteries book tote. Comment below. I'll choose one blog commenter and send them one elegant tote and a signed copy of Shadow of a Spout.
Posts
Shadow of a Spout sounds like a great cozy. I will have to check out the Teapot Collector Mysteries series.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Cooking, teapots and tote bags - what else do you need. I love this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesallycootie@gmail.com
Thank you for the giveaway. I work as a radiologic technologist in a mental health hospital. It makes me feel successful when I know I've gotten the best images I possibly can on a patient who has been uncooperative (due to their mental illness). dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this book! Tea pots, tea rooms, scones and a mystery all in one book! It is my idea of heaven! Thank you for this giveaway. I do hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeletedebprice60@gmail.com
You can never have enough tote bags...or books.
ReplyDeleteflash29@sympatico.ca
I love this series....can't wait to read the new book. Would be great to win it!!
ReplyDeleteeeyoregirl2009@aol.com
Book sounds great, LOVE the tote so cute . Would love to win this
ReplyDeletedebbiec1313@yahoo.com
Love reading this series. The tote looks wonderful. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteTennisace50(@)yahoo.com
Cute tote...thanks for the giveaway. Kuzlin at aol.com
ReplyDeleteThat tote is so nice. It would be great to take a book to the tea room and relax with while having tea and scones. I havent been able to read this series yet. Best high teas at grand hotel, mich and empress victoria canada. Jsister98@GMAIL.COM
ReplyDeleteI love this series. I can't wait for the new book!
ReplyDeleteAs a first time mom and history major I feel success on many different levels each day. I love this series, I found that I could relate to bits of each character and that's how I get hooked. Thank you for a new lovely series for me, breannaherron@icloud.com }
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway and I would love to win the tote bag I love the quote that is on it. I will be reviewing and giving away a copy of Shadow of a spout on my blog in April
ReplyDeleteA Cozy Girl Reads http://acozygirlreads.blogspot.ca/ . Also I live in Canada too. acozygirlreads@gmail.com
What makes me feel successful;? I guess that I would have to say my daughters, I must have done something right although as a mother you have many doubts, LOL. I loved the first book and can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeletemomzillasteel@gmail.com
A teapot and a cosy mystery! What could be better!!! Looking forward to reading this one!
ReplyDeleteI feel successful when I look around at my family and friends. They mean the world to me and I couldn't make it without them. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your new book. I loved the first one and am anxious to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI feel successful when I see may family gathered together for holidays and birthdays. That they still want to be together with us on those times really makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this. I love all things tea related so this tote is just perfect. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeletedmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
A beautiful post and giveaway. Grandchildren is what is meaningful and my success. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteA delightful tea post which I love since tea is my favorite drink and only one. This series would be unforgettable. Success is raising productive children. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSuccess is being able to support yourself in a manner that makes you happy and comfortable. If you're happy with your life-you're successful!
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
I feel successful when I can help someone in need. Even if it is just a cup of tea and an ear. Thanks for the chance! angelhwk68@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. I feel successful in life when my children are happy.
ReplyDeletemybeach52(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tea pots are fascinating.
ReplyDeleteYears ago we tried to get a tea cozy for my mother-in-law. It was almost impossible to find one. (This is pre-internet and the increased interest in tea.)
haven't things progressed nicely in the tea area?
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I succeeded in raising 3 wonderful children. And I was one of the first in my family to graduate from college - at the age of 55. Got my kids through college and it was my turn?
ReplyDeleteI feel successful when I finish a project in my house. I love fixing up my home, it makes me feel great when everything looks good.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
I am eager to read the book. Darling graphics on the tote! Would love to show it off. Bobbipad at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteLove this series. Having free time makes me feel successful.
ReplyDeletegibsonbk at hiwaay dot net
Sounds like a good book! I feel successful when I am having a good time with my grown children.
ReplyDeleteElaineE246(at)msn(dot)com
I am feeling like a success today as I have sanded my hardwood stairs and just finished painting the riser white which will make my condo more tea-room like. I cannot wait to read your book, I love tea, baking and having tea parties. j.marshall730(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI feel like a success in that I was my elderly Moms best friend and took care of her while she was dying at home as she wished. I arranged, care for, cleaned, cooked, entertained and did all I could 500% to make sure she had everything she needed, wanted and enjoyed . I am most proud of that . I also feel like a success that I had fabulous careers that I achieved on my own without benefit or any higher education, just my own intelligence and hard work. . I feel like a success that I have sustained unimaginable loss and am all alone, yet I get up every day, am happy, keep a beautiful home and take good care of myself. Success to me is not measured in degrees, or careers, its not bragging about a designer this or that, its not driving the latest oversize Suv or bragging about a granite countertop to the neighbors - its measured in what you did for those you love, your morals and values that your parents instilled in you, how you stood firm in adversity and came out the other side the person your parents wanted you to be. How you treat others and the compassion you show to the world in everyday life. How I help others. Success to me is independence, living alone happily so and being a good person. I adore your books and am excited to have this fabulous opportunity to win. Thank you
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book that this tea lover would like to read. And I would really like that cute tote to carry my books from libraries and book stores.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
itsacatslife17@yahoo.com. Sorry forgot the email. Have a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the chance to win! angelamcrae (at) charter (dot) net
ReplyDeleteFirst off, the cover is absolutely delightful as is the tote! I am looking forward to diving into this series as it sounds like a great one. I feel successful when I feel like I've made a positive difference. Big or small doesn't really matter. Just knowing that I made a positive impact one way or another makes me feel like a success.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win! kristin409 at comcast dot net
Love the cover!
ReplyDeleteLittleone AT Shaw DOT ca
Will enjoy reading this cozy, as I did the first one! The cover art is awesome, including the cat on the table - the bag is cool, too! All the best to you on this book release!!! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteLove the tote bag design and the cover for your new release! My treasured teapot was a wedding gift from my parents. servedogmom@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI have a few cute tea pots that I have collected over the years, but it is my English bone china tea cups that are my biggest pleasure. I love my afternoon and evening tea and use a tea cup most of the time. If I need a bigger amount of tea, I will use a bone china "mug" which are thin and delicate too. My most fun tea pot is one with a high heeled shoe design by a famous shoe maker. It is very unique. So, this series is of interest to me regarding the tea room and anything that I have ever read that this author has written, has been great.
ReplyDeleteI would love this tote bag so much. Thank you for considering me.
As to what I feel has made me feel successful.... well I feel that I was a very good mother to my two children, And now I feel that I am a wonderful grandmother to our three grandchildren. I know that as they tell me all the time. :) I am told that I am a great wife by my husband of going on 52 years, I also feel that I am a caring. compassionate and helpful sister to my two younger sisters and I know I was a great daughter as I cared for both of my parents in their later years both in my home and while both were terminally ill. I did everything for them as they did for me when I was young and couldn't do things for myself, just like they couldn't in their last years/months/days. I just want to leave this earth with people saying that I was a good person, a great wife, mother and grandmother and also a good friend, as well as a caring and compassionate sister, aunt, sister in law and niece to some very ill and elderly aunts and uncles. I try to make a difference every day in someone's life if I can, even in some small way. To me, that is being a success.
Thank you.
Cynthia B.
I feel successful when I accomplish something.
ReplyDeletekaye dot killgore at comcast dot net
Love this series! I feel successful when I accomplish goals. And when my kids succeed.
ReplyDeletebrookeb811 at gmail dot com
Oh the book sounds enchanting and the bag is so cute!!! I love tea rooms and sometimes hard to find. I was recently lucky enough to find a beautiful shop in Carefree Arizona, the English Rose Tea Room. We went for my friend's birthday and had high English tea. I ate the best scones and clotted cream I have ever had. It was as good as any I had in Dorset. Your books remind me how wonderful High Tea really is!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOneponychick66@hotmail.com
The book looks good and I would love a new tote.
ReplyDeleteThereadmaster@me.com
Teapots and tea are two of my favorite things to enjoy. It has always been a dream of mine to open a tea room and serve high tea. Unfortunately I live in an area that wouldn't support this type of shop. Thanks for the great books and the opportunity to possibly win your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarvellous books!!
ReplyDeleteJust the everyday makes me feel successful. Sitting down for a cup of tea after work for one.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I feel like a success when I admire the accomplishments of my family. Cute tote and can't wait to read the book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
love the tote! and the book sounds wonderful! woofmew@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, everyone, for commenting and entering at Killer Characters. The winner has been notified via email!
ReplyDeleteAwww RATS! Well,I'm still loving the series and have pre-ordered the new book. That's what I get for slackin' off ( pout)
ReplyDeleteLove this series, thanks for the chance :)
ReplyDeletejslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
I enjoyed the first book in the series and am looking forward to reading Shadow of a Spout. Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletetwbooks(at)cox(dot)net.
I love the tote and the book sounds great.I am a tea drinker, even though my family all are coffee drinkers. Excited to start a new series.
ReplyDeleteThanks
MarshaMysteryreader@yahoo.com.