June Tea Party!!! At The Jefferson Hotel!!!

Welcome to our Colonial Quills Tea Party being held (virtually!) at The Jefferson Hotel, which is located in Richmond, Virginia.

Come on in and have a seat in one of these comfortable chairs! My best friend and my daughter celebrated my book launch of my first colonial novel at the real Jefferson Hotel and it was so much fun that I wanted to share with our Colonial Quills guests!

Look up overhead at the gorgeous stained glass dome of the lobby, over the High Tea area.  The glass is amazing!

The tea is wonderful, including their signature tea which is described as "Christmas in a teacup" and is deliciously spicy!  Or try the yummy green tea or English breakfast tea. All served in your very own silver-plated teapot!  

 The paperback of Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter releases on July 1st from White Rose/Pelican. RT Book Reviews gave this novel a 4 Star rating in their July issue! It is available from Barnes & Noble online and can also be requested from the store (which is handy if you have a discount card with B&N!), from Amazon, directly from Pelican, on Kobo, and Apple.

Giveaway: This beautiful white rose teacup set in its pretty matching box! Winner's choice of paperback or ebook copy of Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter. USA Only.

Canterbury House author of The Georgia Gold Series historical fiction and The Restoration Trilogy romantic suspense Denise Weimer announces the independent Kindle re-release of her first novella ever published, Redeeming Grace. Searching for something she cannot define and breaking under the stress as a rising star at The Metropolitan Opera, Grace Galveston travels to Tallulah Falls, Georgia, for a reprieve. In the summer of 1886, Tallulah Gorge, with its multiple waterfalls, spectacular mountain scenery, and lavish resort hotels, was already known as “The Niagara of the South.” Even amid the crowds and excitement surrounding the attempt of an aerialist to cross the chasm on a high wire, Grace hopes to find peace. Unexpectedly, though, the trip sheds light on the secret pain in her heart. Can the blessing of friendship and the possibility of love with a local minister guide her toward healing? Or will their differences and the call of her life back in New York mean even greater heartbreak?

Giveaway: A free e-book to a tea party participant who leaves a comment here at the blog.
http://deniseweimerbooks.webs.com
https://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Grace-Hills-Habersham-Novella-ebook/dp/B01FT16NKA/

Tallulah Falls Railroad brought tourists to the grand hotels.

~*~

 

Christy Award-Nominated author Roseanna M. White is celebrating the spring release of the second book in the Ladies of the Manor Series from Bethany House, The Reluctant Duchess. Combining a touch of mystery, a dose of intrigue, a blossoming romance, and a tale of healing, The Reluctant Duchess takes readers back to 1912 England and Scotland, where Highland heiress Lady Rowena Kinnaird is desperate to escape the men in her life. But when she accepts the proposal of notorious flirt Brice, the Duke of Nottingham, she fears she's about to fall headlong into more danger than she just ran away from. Read more about The Reluctant Duchess on Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christian Book | Lifeway

Giveaway: To US addresses, a signed copy of The Reluctant Duchess (or winner's choice of another of Roseanna's novels, if you already have that one). If the winner is international, Roseanna's offering an ebook of any of her biblical novels, A Stray Drop of Blood, A Soft Breath of Wind, or Jewel of Persia.

www.RoseannaMWhite.com
www.RoseannaMWhite.blogspot.com

Angela K Couch is celebrating the release of her novella, Mail-Order Revenge. This story is available for a limited time in a box set with three other historical romance novellas.

Elizabeth Landvick knows of one man to blame for her family’s loss of fortune and her parents’ deaths. Now, she will stop at nothing to take her revenge and recover their wealth. Even travel across the country to marry the man’s son.

With his focus his sprawling Arizona ranch, Axel Forsberg has little time for wooing a woman, so when his father finds him a bride from the east, he trusts he won’t regret the convenience. Until horses go missing, barns burn to the ground, a range war begins…and he loses his heart. 

Giveaway: to a North American address, a print copy of Mail-Order Revenge, and (to anyone) a ebook copy of Threads of Love. 

www.angelakcouch.com

Angela K Couch on Amazon and Goodreads



Elaine Marie Cooper is celebrating the re-release of the all new Promise of Deer Run, published by CrossRiver Media!

Back Cover Blurb:

The year is 1790.

The American Revolution is long since over, yet the battles still live in the hearts of the survivors.

One young veteran is haunted by the painful memories of war. He still awaits a father who has never returned from battle and feels the sting of betrayal from a former love. He withdraws into his own world, clinging to one hope: Perhaps his father still lives.

Only one person in Deer Run seems to understand him: Nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen, who feels a kinship with the loner veteran. She senses the wounds in his spirit as much as she struggles to bury her own traumatic memories of war. And the veteran’s search for his father touches a chord of empathy in Sarah, as she feels the loss of a father she never knew.

While the couple begins to find hope in a mutual affection, others determine to destroy it. Slander and misunderstandings ignite a fire of doubt and mistrust, destroying whatever faith they had in each other.

Can two souls longing for healing and trust love again? Can faith—and a family—be restored?

Author Bio:

Award winning author Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of Fields of the Fatherless, Bethany’s Calendar and the historical trilogy called the Deer Run Saga. Her passions are her family, her faith in Christ, and the history of the American Revolution. She grew up in Massachusetts, the setting for many of her historical novels.

Her upcoming releases include Saratoga Letters (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, October 2016) and Legacy of Deer Run (CrossRiver Media, Dec, 2016)

 Elaine will be offering a $10 Amazon Gift card to one lucky winner. Be blessed!

 

High Tea in Winchester Virginia -- Guest Post by Kay Moorhouse

High Tea in Winchester Virginia 

Guest Post
By Kay Moorhouse

The Coach and Horses Tea Room serves a lovely high tea in a 1790’s house in Winchester, Virginia. Since, I was there during the holiday season, the rooms in the establishment were embellished with greenery, ribbons, and other Christmas decorations, including a charming, Dickens village atop the baby grand piano. A low hum of chatter filled the rooms as groups of women enjoyed the food and companionship. A quiet background of Christmas music floated through the air adding an additional, festive note to the high tea.

High tea might mean a different tradition to different people. There is much speculation and legend concerning the history of tea times in Great Britain. There is also some confusion about the term “high tea,” which originated with the working class and was a name for the evening meal, sometimes called “meat tea.” Today, the high tea experience in American tea rooms is comparable to the English full afternoon tea. It generally includes varieties of hot tea, scones, sweets and savories.

At The Coach and Horses Tea Room, where I went with my daughter and granddaughter for their high tea, we each had our own teapot—outfitted in a teapot cozy. Our first decision was to each chose a tea from a long list of tea selections. I chose Berkshire Apple Fig; my daughter chose French Vanilla Bean; and my granddaughter chose a seasonal Pumpkin Caramel Spice. It was fun to try the different flavors. My daughter and I traded teapots, as I preferred the one she ordered and she preferred mine. My 12-year-old granddaughter was very pleased with her choice, to which she added milk and sugar.

The first course was a choice of either Artisan Greens served with various fruits and berries along with a pomegranate dressing or a bowl of Asparagus Leek Soup. Both were excellent and generous servings. The salad ingredients were exceptionally fresh. The creamy soup included chunks of potato.

The second course was Cranberry Eggnog Scones served with clotted cream and preserves. The scones were exceptional--flakey and tender. These were the best I’ve ever tasted. I didn’t try the preserves, but the clotted cream was a decadent addition to these special scones. When the owner was at our table, I asked him about the scones and he explained their painstaking preparation, which includes grating the frozen butter, keeping the dough very cold, and using White Lily flour.

Finally, the 3-tiered serving tray, was brought to our table. It was laden with a myriad of eye-catching delicacies. According to the menu, the selection always includes dainty tea sandwiches with homemade fillings, mini savories, fresh fruit, sweet delicacies and desserts. The offerings on the bottom tier of our tray were mostly savories, as were the hot miniatures on an additional plate. We decided to start with those and work our way up. There were three of every tiny treat—one for each of us. We all enjoyed the delicious, beef pastry. There was a hot, chicken pastry and another that included asparagus. All were very tasty. Little sandwiches, served cold, included a pimento cheese on a dark, soft roll; and a wonderful cucumber pesto, open-faced sandwich on dark bread.

The sweets on the tray were appropriately decadent. Miniature mincemeat pies were served hot from the oven in tiny soufflé cups. The custard, fruit tarts are delicious with a thick layer of custard topped with a variety of large, fresh berries. Fresh pineapple and kiwi were added to the mix. Altogether, I am guessing there were 20-24 different dainties on the 3-tiered tray and the additional plate.

High tea is always a fun experience. High tea at The Coach and Horses Tea Room is an experience I will long remember.

 Our Guest contributor, Kay Mooorhouse, is an avid reader of Christian fiction. She is a reader and reviewer for many Christian authors.  Thanks, Kay, for sharing with us!!!

It's Tea Time

A Family of Three at Tea, 1727

Attributed to Johann Zoffany (German-born British painter, 1733-1810)

      Tea is served usually at four o’clock, but sometimes between two and five o’clock.

      There are several types of teas:
Elevensies – morning coffee hour
Cream Tea – simple tea served with scones, clotted cream, marmalade or lemon curd
Low Tea or Afternoon Tea (got its name because guests sat on low armchairs next to low side-tables) – various sweet teas served with tiny sandwiches (savones), scones, and pastries with clotted cream, and curd
Royal Tea – begins with champagne and ends with sherry
High Tea (also known as Meat Tea) – served around six o’clock in the evening and includes meat and potatoes, various other foods. Was for the working class, but also was usually served for the upper classes on Sundays to give servants time off from having to cook an evening meal.

 

     Items necessary for serving tea include:

China tea set – teapot, cups, saucers, and tea spoons
Stainless steel wire mesh infusers or tea balls
Tea strainer
Mote spoon (slotted spoon for straining stray tea leaves)
Caddy spoon (short spoon used to measure out the tea leaves)



Mote Spoon





Caddy Spoon













Sugar bowl
Creamer for milk
Pitcher of hot water (for those who prefer weak tea)
Plate for lemon slices Plates and forks, if serving cake
Knives or butter spreaders if serving jam
Napkins (Napkins have an etiquette of their own. Fold large napkins in half with the fold facing the body, but open completely smaller tea napkins. When leaving the table temporarily, place your napkin on your chair, not on the table. At the end of the tea, pick up the napkin by the center and place it to the left of the plate.)

Gaiwan – a Chinese covered cup (To drink from the gaiwan, use the thumb and index finger of your left hand to hold the lid by its knob, and let the other three fingers follow the curve of the gaiwan, Tilt the lid slightly away from your lips so that it serves as a filter holding back the leaves as you drink the liquid. The cup is never removed from the saucer.)

Proper way to hold a tea cup and saucer:
Place the saucer in the palm of your left hand and move it forward to rest on the four fingers, which are slightly spread apart. Steady the saucer with your thumb on the rim. Hold the cup by placing your index finger through the handle and grip the handle with your thumb, and, for added support, place a second finger below the handle. Curve the next two fingers around the bowl. Don’t raise the pinky finger, even the slightest little bit, which would be a no-no.

Susan F. Craft is the author of the SIBA award-winning Revolutionary War novel, The Chamomile.