October 1, 2007

Wonderful Fun!

Have been a customer of the Village Blend since the first book! I gave them to my Sister, and we recommend them to everyone we know. Thank you for the wonderful series, and I can't wait to cozy up to the next one with my cup of coffee! Sharon, Louisiana

September 30, 2007

Love your books!

Can't wait for the next one to come out! And I love being "gently" educated about coffee! So keep the books and the recipes coming and you are getting a special spot on my bookshelves! "Sam" Geddis in San Clemente, CA

September 30, 2007

Site Looks Awesome!

"Cleo", just checking in on your site. I'm thrilled at how it turned out, and the great job your doing adding new content! All the best for future success! Dave [IDT]

September 28, 2007

Thanks! And, waiting for next book!

Thanks to you, Cleo, and the Lanes, about drinking coffee and GERD. I take my Prilosec and drink my two cups of fresh coffee a day. Sad to say, I didn't always drink fresh - sometimes yesterday's brew was microwaved. And, just a note - I am married, just not happily. That's why I'm interested in the dating parts of your books - I'm not certain I really want to go through that again! And, would it be possible to get in touch with the Lanes? My in-laws live in Amarillo!

Jeanne in NM

September 25, 2007

San Francisco Coffee House

New to the Mystery Series, I am already hooked. I bought the book because of my addiction to caffeine. But hey, I am a mom to three small boys, and Executive Assistant to one very big boy (not like they grow up, they just get bigger) and a wife to the biggest boy of them all. I need caffeine to get throw the day...I drink it 3-6 shots at a time (depending on how many times the baby woke me up, and what amazing feet my Veep (that's VP and peep put toether) is expecting em to pull off. Soo when I realized that the espresso I have been downing was not being made right...well I wanted to try the real stuff. Having never traveled (been out of California once in my whole life - and that was to Texas)...I am clueless. Please please tell me, where in San Francisco can I find a coffee house like the Village Blend...Teach me.

I love the book, cant wait for more and my name is..

Davida, San Francisco, CA

 

Cleo here. Hi Davida from San Francisco! Love your post (little boys, big boys, VEEPS and all!. Sure sounds like you are a lady who NEEDS her coffee! So...

TO ANYONE READING THIS WHO HAS A FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP IN THE SAN FRANCICSO AREA: CAN YOU SUGGEST A PLACE FOR DAVIDA TO TRY? IF SO, JUST POST THE NAME OF THE SHOP ON THIS SITE!

In the meantime, Davida, if you click here, you will see a fantastic list of coffee shops in the SF area, along with comments/reviews and a map to help you find them. I've been to SF only a few times on business.

     I'm sure, if I lived in your area, I could provide more suggestions, but I can say that Peet's coffee and tea should give you a quality cup. This is a chain but it's owned and run by guys who are REALLY serious about good coffee! They met in college years ago and learned about "specialty" coffee at the foot of Alfred Peet (a pioneer in bringing a quality coffee experience to the USA). Mr. Peet is THE man. He's really the reason we even have Starbucks today (the history of Starbucks, by the way, is a great read!)

     Sadly, Alfred Peet passed away just last month (8/29/07). Click here and scroll down the page to read a wonderful tribute to him from a CoffeeGeek.com columinist.

     As I said, Peet's coffee shop was taken over by those college guys who learned from him and they have expanded the chain. Click here to go to the Peet's website and learn about locations.

 

My very best to you, Davida!

I hope you'll post again and tell us if you find any coffeehouses in the SF area that meet (or miss) your expectations on a "Village Blend" experience. (I officially deputize you a Cleo Coyle Coffee Snoop!)

--Cleo Coyle

September 25, 2007

I love your books!

Dear Cleo, I read On What Grounds a couple weeks ago. I couldn't put it down. I read it while on vacation in the Badlands of South Dakota. Your books make me want to head to the nearest coffee shop! Keep on writing the series. I ordered all the rest.

Julie Maier La Palma, Ca.
(near Knotts Berry Farm and Disneyland)

 

Cleo here. Hi Julie! Wow, you really made my day with your post. It's so very gratifying to hear where my books get read--imagine Clare and Matt sleuthing in the Badlands of South Dakota?!

Actually...I can! Maybe there's a Coffeehouse Mystery road trip story in their future! And God bless you for ordering the rest of the books. I'm counting on those royalties to keep the electricity on--a little known fact laptops don't run on batteries forever (alas). No kidding, Julie, thanks!

Java joy to you (and here's a virtual fresh-baked muffin for stopping by my virtual coffeehouse!)

Cleo Colye

P.S. If you want a laugh, rent/buy the DVD for the movie Music and Lyrics. I recently saw the film for the first time and Hugh Grant's character mentions performing his retro-Eighties music act at Knotts Berry Farm!

 

 

September 23, 2007

love haunted bookstore!

i have just finished all your haunted book shop mysteries absolutely love them jack is a great leading "ghost" cant wait til next one

 

Cleo here. THANK YOU!! How sweet you are to post that wonderful note.

If anyone reading this is new to this website and wondering what I'm talking about, I'll just take a second to explain that Cleo Coyle also writes as Alice Kimberly. If you like the Coffeehouse Mystery series, you might also like The Haunted Bookshop Mystery series (written under the name Alice Kimberly).

The Haunted Bookshop series now has three books in print with a brand new fourth adventure coming out in May 2008. Here are the book titles if you're curious...

* Book 1: The Ghost and Mrs. McClure

* Book 2: The Ghost and the Dead Deb

* Book 3: The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library

* Book 4: The Ghost and the Femme Fatale (coming in May 2008)

The Haunted Bookshop series is set in a small Rhode Island town and features mysteries solved by a young widow who just took over co-ownership of an old bookshop.

     The main character Penelope Thornton-McClure doesn't know much about investigating crime, but she's in luck because the shop is haunted by the spirit of Jack Shepard, a hard-boiled private detective who was gunned down in that very shop back in 1949. Pen is the only one haunted by Jack, but she doesn't mind. He's definitely growing on her!

     Reviewers have really liked the series. One described it as a young Miss Marple meets Philip Marlowe. I can tell you it's a lot of fun to write. (I collaborate with my husband on this series, too.)  

Thanks again for posting about liking the latest. It's great to hear you like reading Jack as much as I like writing him!

--Cleo Coyle

 

September 22, 2007

Magnolia Grill Blend Winner Posts...

Hello, Cleo!

I received my coffee as promised. The beans are dark, oily, and smell divine! The coffe has a rich, bright flavor--very nice way to start the day. Thanks so much to Cleo for this great "perk"....

Victoria
Fresno, CA

 

Cleo here. Hi, Victoria! Thanks for letting me know you received the Magnolia Grill Blend. I'm very glad you enjoyed the coffee. Congrats on your win!

Next month's coffee giveaway will be announced the first week of October and will feature a brand new kind of coffee. Stay tuned.

—Cleo Coyle

 

P.S. If you're a new site visitor and you're wondering what's up with this conversation? Victoria is a subscriber to the Cleo Coyle Newsletter. She won my September free coffee giveway, which was a package of "Magnolia Grill Blend" - a signature coffee sold by Counter Culture Coffee roasters (click on the article about Magnolia Grill to learn more about it--just scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see the article's title in the white box). Anyone who signs up for my newsletter is automatically entered in each month's random drawing. Check out the right column for more info on the drawing and the newsletter.

 

September 17, 2007

Moka Pot problems

Hi Cleo, Your books convinced me to try a Moka pot. I had been drinking instant Folgers, too tired in the AM to fuss. I bought a Moka pot it worked great and now I am hooked. I grind my beans for each fresh pot. However sometimes it won't work. I do everything the same. Pot is clean etc... Water will boil in bottom but won't come up to top pot. What am I doing wrong?

NMI-no more instant...Lili

 

Hi Lili! Cleo here. Great post! You had me laughing about the Folgers: LOL on the NMI! Okay...this happened to me twicewith my Moka stovetop pot. The first time, I believed it was because I tried to pack way too many grinds into the basket. I realized that the unit screws together and forces the grinds down so packing them in that tightly wasn't necessary, and I reduced the amount in the basket. The second time it happened, I was sure there was something wrong again, but then I waited a bit longer and the boiling water finally came through okay. I don't know how much that helps you, but I can relate! If you discover another reason this might be happening, for sure post again and let me know!

Java joy to you,

Cleo Coyle

September 17, 2007

bookshop mystery

hi! i have been waiting for the ghost and the femme fatale. when will that be out? i also love that series too!!

donna

 

 

Cleo here (aka Alice Kimberly)! Thanks for you post, Donna! The Ghost and the Femme Fatale is due to be published in May 2008. I'm looking forward to posting the cover on this site whenever the publisher sends me a JPEG. Stay tuned! And thanks for supporting my Haunted Bookshop Mystery series, too!

Sending you a spooky shout-out,

Cleo/Alice

September 14, 2007

Coffee Addict

Being a Navy veteran of 20 years I am well versed in the ways of Navy coffee.. all I can say is God Bless those who brought espresso and cappuccino to America!! I no longer settle for "instant"; it will be a cappuccino or nothing!! As for the series, I thoroughly enjoy the excursions around Manhattan with Claire and Madam; I've only been to NYC a couple of times but I am a huge fan!!

Liz
New Jersey

 

Cleo here. Hi Liz from NJ! Let me just say GO, NAVY! (I do believe it was the navy that brought us the term "Joe" for coffee--I'll have to recount this on a future post!)

Anyway, God bless YOU for your service to our country. It's an honor to have a servicewoman reading my books!

I do hear ya on the good versus bad coffee front. I myself put up with bad coffee for years in college (the kind of mud that's left on a burner for an hour before it hits your cup). Blech. I was really stuck with no altnerative at the time, and I swore after that (as you did) that I'd never again drink bad coffee!

Java joy to you and thanks for posting!

Here's a virtual cuppa latte art just for you!

Come on back now, y'hear?!

 

Cleo Coyle

September 13, 2007

A request!

I have read all of your fantastic books and as another reader stated I am having withdrawls too. Hurry! I do have one request you have great recipes in the back of your books my favorite is the Carmel Chocolate Syrup, yes I made it and found I couldn't leave it alone I am embarressed to say I would eat it with a spoon instead of in my coffee. Could you post some of your recipes on your site, because I have passed your books on to my daughter and she passed them on to my secretary etc. I want those recipes back. Thanks and just keep on writing those great books. Rusty Indianapolis

September 13, 2007

September 11 Tribute

About 4 years ago I was honored to be able to visit Ground Zero. Seeing the distruction caused to our country on television was like watching a bad movie, it was not real and you could forget it really happened to a real place in our country, until I actually saw the aftermath. I lost my husband almost 4 years ago and my heart goes out to everyone of the families that either lost a family member in the Twin Towers, on those airplanes, on the ground at the Pentagon and in PA. I honor the searchers, firefighters, police and military for a job that had very little rewards. I will never forget.

September 12, 2007

A Happy Addict

Okay, I admit, I've turned into one of those "why-bother" people - only because of a terrible allergy to caffeine. But I still delight in the smell of that wonderful liquid silk that I can no longer drink - and in Clare Cosi's life both in and out of the Village Blend. Please write faster - I am already having wothdrawal and I just finished "Decaffeinated Corpse" yesterday. Oh well, if I can't drink it, I can still dream about it . . . . and Clare's mystery solving skills. And my vote goes to Mike Quinn . . . . . .

September 12, 2007

I was there too!

As I make my way through my work day I can't help but think about 9/11 as well for I was also there. I was 26 living that Single Girl in the city life on the Upper West Side literally on the subway going to my job on the Lower east side. It is by far the most surreal experience of my life, even more surreal than having a baby. I left New York in June of 2002, the reason had nothing to do with 9/11 but I never felt more like a New Yorker than on that day.

Heather

New Jersey

September 11, 2007

Clare's Cat

One question about a character in On What Grounds. What happened to Java? Those of us with pets, especially cats, think of them as one of the family. I sadly have more pictures of my cats than of my grandchildren. Shouldn't Java be around a little more?

September 11, 2007

Realistic Characters and Setting

I just read Elizabeth’s post on Decaffeinated Corpse. I agree that I felt sorry for one of the characters. My daughter and I had the same reaction to the end of Latte Trouble (actually more than one). We discussed who was the actual victim/s. This is what makes great writing. When the characters are so real we feel something, it means the writer has done something that is memorable. I would also like to visit the coffee house, but alas, I live in Texas and don’t travel much except via reading. Thanks so much for the biscotti (really love the stuff) & Bob says thanks for the brownies. My daughter, Crystal, wants to open a Café and has had a lot of it planned out in her head for years. Your books have helped us in deciding what to serve, as well as, how to set up a real coffee house.

Catherine Lane of Amarillo

September 11, 2007

Coffee Nut!!!

Hi Cleo!!

I have read your response to my first post!! Awsome! You are the first author to answer a post, that I've seen. That is so cool and says alot!! Just like Tara from New York you have hooked me forever!! I went out this weekend and bought a stove-top esspresso maker. I looked up on the other blogs and have learned how to use it!! This makes far better esspresso's than my electric esspresso maker. So I got rid of my electric one and now I only use the stove top maker. My 7 year old daughter says that it smells so good in the house after I get home from work and make my esspresso, that she wants one too! Yeah right!! I told her she could have one when she is older!! For now hot chocolate has to do. LOL!!! Your web-site has opened my eyes to the gourmet side of coffee. I cooked the Coffee Steak recipe from "Through the Grinder" , the last night, and LOVEd it. So did my daughter!! Kudos to you and your site!! Good food, good coffee, and good reading to all!!!

Till next time,

Leah From Destin, FL

P.S. I also made the Caramel - Chocolate Latte and syrup!! Gosh, this is heaven!! You are a Genius, Cleo!!

September 10, 2007

Still Hooked

Hi Cleo, I previously posted "You've Got Me Hooked" when I was curious about Clare's future, if any, with Jim Rand. Well, I had only read Murder Most Frothy at the time and didn't have all the facts. I went back and started reading from the first book, currently on Latte Trouble, and I've changed my mind. I also started reading some of the previous posts here and see that there had been a Matt and Quinn debate going on before. I'd like to weigh-in with Matt - Whatever it is about bad guys and good girls, I have no idea, but I personally think he's misunderstood. Whether my opinion changes with Decaffienated Corpse, I'll have to let you know. It's so much fun, I love your books - please keep me guessing for a little while longer. Oh, and I'd like to tell you about the marked improvement in my coffee habits. My French Press never has time to get dusty now-a-days. I'm having so much fun trying out new coffee blends and flavors and have taken an instant liking to Lattes (which, can you believe, I never had before). And I love your website, I used one of your links to learn the proper way to use a French Press, right down to the water temp, and what a difference!

Thanks, Tara, NY

September 8, 2007

Virtually Refreshing!!!!

I really enjoyed the "Meet the Village Blend Staff" part of the website! It is so very different and fun to see the charectors in the books, the same way you see them. I enjoyed learning more about the charectors and I look forward to see the next pics you put up! These mysteries you write are a breath of fresh-air to me. Your writing makes these charectors really come alive. your books are not just one more mystery I read, but kinda like sitting with a friend and talking about mystery and coffee! Anyways... Have fun out there y'all!

Sincerly , Leah (Destin, FL) P.S. Can't say it enough, Cleo, love your books! And coffee!!! :) Congrats!! To the new Coffee King! I didn't even know this possition existed until I read that article. :)

September 8, 2007

Great Books

I just read four of the Coffeehouse Mysteries in the past two weeks. Now I hope to find "French Pressed" in the store. My favorite coffees are Green Mountain.

September 8, 2007

Coffee in Italy and Greece

Hi Cleo, I'll be traveling to Italy and Greece in October and would appreciate tips on how to order coffee and what to expect.

Thanks Phyllis Plymouth, MI

September 7, 2007

My favorite coffee

I just discovered www.bocajava.com, they have great coffee and they also donate a lot of coffee to the troops and give each member the opportunity to donate with each order. they also have a delicious selection of flavored teas that get put in 16 to 20 ounce bottled water. I am hooked and haven't had the cravings for pop in a while.

 

Cleo here. Hey, there! Thanks for the heads up on BOCA JAVA coffee. I activated the Boca Java link in your Coffee Talk post above, so if anyone is interested in checking out Boca Java's coffees, they can click on the link above. Or Click here to go to Boca Java's Home Page. 

I've been hearing a lot of radio commericals for Boca Java coffee. I haven't yet tried them, so thanks for the heads up. I think their policy of donoting to our troops is wonderful.

For people who want to know more about donating delish coffee to our troops via Boca Java, click here. It will take you right to the page that talks about Operation 5 Million Cups, their latest goal for donating really good coffee to troops who appreciate getting a good cuppa quality Joe from home.

I really enjoyed reading some of the notes of thanks from the troops, which the Boca Java folks have posted on their site, too. FYI...

Here's a photo that was posted from Iraq, along with a note of thanks to Boca Java. Click here or on the photo below to read the Major's letter from Iraq.

Photo posted on Boca Java's troop donation thank you page from...

Major Jack N., Operations Officer
1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion (Centurion)
1st Brigade Combat Team (Ironhorse)
1st Cavalry Division (America's First Team)
Iraq

 

 

Thanks again for telling us about Boca Java!

Cleo

September 7, 2007

How do I Make coffee with a 3-cup stovetop espresso pot?

Help, I just bought a 3-cup stovetop espresso pot and it doesn't have directions. How much whole beans do I use in my coffee grinder? (It has a blade that does the grinding) How long do I grind the beans? then how long does it take from start to finish when the coffee is done? Also, do I press it in or leave the coffee loose in the little holder.

 

Cleo here. Hi there! Great questions. I love my 3-cup stovetop espresso pot (aka a "Moka" pot, which was invented in 1933 by an Italian metal worker and inventor named Alfonso Bialetti).

For those wondering what this is, click on the picture to of the stovetop Moka Express pot to the right to learn more...

I'll try to help with your situation...

1. Your whole bean question - I find that whole bean measure to ground measure is almost equal. In other words, 1 Tablespoon of whole beans should yield you about 1 Tablespoon of ground coffee (maybe a little more, but don't worry about the small amount that's extra).

2. You should grind your beans fine for espresso. Somewhat courser for drip coffee. And coarser still for French Pressed coffee. NOTE: when you grind your beans for the espresso pot, DO grind them fine, but DO NOT grind them so fine that they become a powder. This will give you a bitter cup. Your fine grind should look like ground pepper or maybe fine particles of black sand. You'll have to eyeball it and get a feel for it as practice always makes perfect. So don't be too critical of yourself as you experiment with the first few pots. Your tastebuds will tell you what to try next to help improve the cup. How long to grind depends on your grinder. You need to be the judge of when the grinds become fine but not powder. Again, practice will make perfect, so don't be too hard on yourself for getting it wrong a few times before you perfect your technique.

3. How long to brew? For a 3-cup stovetop espress pot, I put my timer on 5 minutes, then I put the pot on the burner on medium high. Usually the coffee is done within one or two minutes of the buzzer going off. This is a great time to use your senses in cooking. You will actually HEAR the water boilig in the base of the unit and you will SMELL this amazing aroma of the strong coffee being pumped into the top of the pot. Then you can lift the lid carefully and SEE whether the dark, rich coffee has finished filling the shiny silver top of the pot.

4. I use approx. 3 Tablespoons of finely ground coffee in my 3-cup maker. (I say approx. because as I said above sometimes my 3 Tablespoons of whole beans grinds up to a little more than 3 T. So don't worry about the little extra.)

5. You don't really need to press the grounds down, simply because when you screw the pot together, the pot itself will tamp down the grounds for you. (Unlike a machine that requires tamping into the portafilter handle.)

6. It's worth noting that although a dark roast is often used for espresso, many baristas prefer using a medium or full city roast. (Espresso refers to the way coffee is made and not to a particular type or grind of coffee.) Again, you should experiment with what YOU enjoy!

Finally, for anyone interested, Click here to see a step by step process for making espresso in a stovetop (Moka) pot. This cup is a very strong cup with a profile somewhere between an espresso and a cup of Turkish coffee.  The $1,000 machines in coffeehouses will give you a different kind of espresso (with reddish/brow crema). But I really enjoy the stovetop espresso too. Many of my Italian relatives drank it every morning when I was growing up.

I myself enjoy it with a teaspoon of sugar and a bit of lemon zest. (I'm talking zest from the rind of the lemon only. A typical bartender's twist of lemon peel will work, too. Not a lemon wedge, mind you, no juice or pulp involved! Just a bit of peel to give a lovely brightness to the sweetened black coffee).

Yum. Easy and fast, too.

I hope this helps you! Thanks for posting and let me know how it goes!

Cleo

September 7, 2007

Thank you, Cleo!

Dear Cleo, I just read your response to my post! Never did I think I'd receive a response from you, I just wanted you to know what a difference your writing has made in my recovery. Thank you so much for the big-hearted cookie! Your gracious response has certainly made my day, week and year! I will cherish you encouraging words as I work through my recovery. I, too, am looking forward to new AVATARS. I have such a picture of Madame in my mind, it will be interesting to see your description of her.

Gratefully,

Karen C. from NE

 

Cleo here. Thank YOU, Karen. Wow! You have so much positive energy. I can feel it in your posts. Keep on smiling, okay?!

Here's a virtual mocha latte for ya! And I hear you on Madame, by the way. Stay tuned! She'll be tricky to create, but she should be making an appearance on the site this fall.

Wishing you all good things,

Cleo

September 7, 2007

Great Coffee Produces Good Karma!

Last week our town had a major flood - the worst in 100 years (Findlay, Ohio). The BEST local coffee house, COFFEE AMICI, was located right downtown where the worst of the flood was. By some miracle (and an unknown good samaritan who placed sandbags at the door), the coffee house received NO flood damage. Great coffee and good people really do produce good karma!

 

Cleo here. What a great story!! Thanks for posting this! No doubt the good karma was aided by the good samaritan's urge to protect his valuable cuppa Joe. Love it!

If any Coffeehouse Mystery fans live near Findlay, Ohio, they might want to check out Coffee Amici! (Amici meas friends in Italian, by the way) Click here to go to their website.

I love the Coffee Amici coffeehouse philosophy (pasted below FYI). Clare Cosi would definitely be in agreement with it!

We believe talent in the fine arts is a gift to be shared. Some are given steady hands to paint and sculpt. Another may have a clear voice for song. Instrumentalists have the passion to practice endlessly. Coffee Amici has been designed to showcase these gifts. Make plans to stop by Fridays and Saturdays from 7-10 P.M. Relax and enjoy the fine arts with your friends and family at our gathering place.

 

Thanks again for telling us about Coffee Amici surviving the flood in Ohio. Java joy to you,

Cleo

September 7, 2007

Just finished Decaffeinated Corpse

I really enjoyed it, I was a bit sorry for one of the characters at the end but otherwise I couldn't let it down. I had no idea you were Alice Kimberly too & I have enjoyed the bookshop mysteries too. I love Clare & Matteo avatars, I hope there will be more in the future, it's so much fun. I know it takes time to do these though. Thank you for creating such special characters & wonderful books. I live close to New York City & I often feel like going to the Village Blend.

Elizabeth

 

Cleo here. What a wonderful post, Elizabeth. Thank you! I'm especially lovin' what you said about sometimes feeling like you want to go to the Village Blend. That makes my day because it tells me the place is as real to you as it is to me. That's why I finally decided to create a virtual coffeehouse - it's as close as I can manage to creating the real VB. That and the Coffeehouse Mystery tales, of course. I'm glad you liked Decaffeinated Corpse, too. And I know what you mean about feeling sorry for one of the characters (Clare felt that way too!). Murder is a tough business!

Thanks again for posting, Elizabeth. I hope you'll come back again and again to my virtual Village Blend!

Java joy to you,

Cleo Coyle

P.S. Here's a virtual Latte Art pour for you, just for stopping by!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 5, 2007

More Dante, Please!

Hi, Cleo.

I haven't been to the 1369 Coffeehouse in Cambridge yet, as I tend to frequent the North End when I'm in Boston, but it's definitely on my list now! I live in RI and enjoy the Coffee Exchange and Cafe Zog, both on Wickendon St. in Providence, the Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House on Douglas Ave. in Providence (which is probably the closest thing we have to what I picture the Village Blend to look like), Cafe Bon Ami in Cranston, Sofia's in E. Greenwich and Brew'd Awakenings in South County.

I'm still looking for an approximation of the wonderful European coffeehouses I've visited, particularly those in Belgium. How civilized to get wonderful coffee in a real cup and saucer, with a piece of gorgeous chocolate on the side! I like the European coffee bisquits, too, but chocolate is always better. I was delighted that your new barista, Dante, is from RI. I'd love to see him included in additional storylines.

You offered recipes for our State drink, coffee syrup, in DECAFFEINATED CORPSE; also, you can buy a preprepared bottle of it in every grocery store here for a couple of dollars - Autocrat and Eclipse are the best and most readily available. I think the CoffeeHouse Mysteries would make a wonderful TV series, along the lines of Robert B. Parker's SPENSER FOR HIRE. Would that be something you'd consider?

Carol C.

 

Cleo here. Hi again, Carol C. YES! Dante Silva, fine arts painter, tattooed barista, and native of RI, will return to the Village Blend in future books. Have no fear. I love that character. And down the line, I'll be scheduling him for a staff page avatar too (he just needs to be in a few more books)!

Thanks very much for telling me about your Belgium coffee experience. How wonderful! I've visited cafes in London, Paris, Rome, and West Berlin but never Belgium! (And, yes, chocolate is always better! And I'm SURE it's amazingly better in Belgium!)

I virtually checked out some of the coffeehouses that you mentioned. How wonderful! Now I have a starter list of them to look up when I'm in your neck of the woods.

Here are some links for anyone who wants to check out a few of the coffeehouse recommended by Carol...

Here is the coffeehouse that Carol says reminds her of the Village Blend...

BROOKLYN COFFEE & TEA HOUSE

Like the Village Blend, the Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House is located in an historic district (only this district is located in Providence, RI, and not New York City. Yes, don't be fooled by the Brooklyn name - it's a Rhode Island location!).

The old brick building (well over a century) once housed a grocery. Then a local artist with real vision bought it and restored the property . How wonderful!! This is a place I'll definitely want to check out someday!

And here are a few more of Carol's local picks...

 

COFFEE EXCHANGE (they mail order freshly roasted coffee)

I love their policy of giving free shipping to all orders of 4 pounds or more. This is an excellent deal because shipping costs really are a bummer when it comes to getting coffee via snail mail. I'll have to check this out! Also, they clearly have some great programs to help coffee farmers. Bravo!

 

BREW'D AWAKENINGS (Cleo says: very punny!) 

COOL website! Wow! I also like their menu: "The Curious George" - a coffee drink that includes chocolate, bananas, and peanut butter" and I'd love to try their "Frozen Cappaccino" Yum!

Finally, to answer your question about TV adaptation - that's something that would indeed be a lot of fun. Seems to me we've gone far too long without a more modern version of Murder She Wrote (I loved that series).

I think the TV version of Coffeehouse Mysteries would lean a little more towards the comic end. But I can just see Clare and Matt sniping at each other while trying to solve a murder, serve customers, AND stay out of hot water (OOOOOOH bad pun)!

LOL, Carol, Java joy to you,

Cleo

September 3, 2007

Village Blend Staff

Hi Cleo, My vote for the next postings on the staff to be for Joy (she helps out) and would like to meet Quinn.

Bob Lane in Amarillo

 

Cleo here. Hi Bob in Amarillo! LOL on Joy. Thanks for your vote on Clare's wayward daughter! I just added her to the bottom of the STAFF page today as "coming soon" - and Mike Quinn will be fun to create, for sure.

I also undertand I have YOU to thank for introducing your entire family to the Coffeehouse Mysteries (via an impulse purchase of Murder Most Frothy). Very cool!

I baked you some delish virtual brownies for a big chocolate thank you.

Wishing you Java Joy,

Cleo Coyle

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 3, 2007

Re Village Blend Staff from C. Lane

Glad to let ya know the three of us did enjoy the page! I'm sure there are plenty of others, y'all speak up. We don't use violins around here, they're fiddles! How well we understand time constraints. Take all the time needed, ya hear. I agree it's a great idea to let us know in the newsletter. In the meantime, we'll keep checking out the site.

Catherine

 ⇔

Village Blend Recipes

I just read the post from Margaret requesting a recipe from one of the books. I agree no one should post recipes or any part of any copyright. That's what they are all about. I recommend she should buy the book with the recipe. Hey, Cleo! How 'bout checkin' into publishing a book with the recipes (coffee lattes as well, cause they're hard to find in recipe books). That would help those of us who keep libraries and want to cook without messin' up our books.

Thanks,

Catherine Lane in Amarillo

 

Cleo here. Hi again, Catherine in Amarillo! Love your posts (fiddle and all). Great idea on a Cleo Coyle coffee recipes book. If things continue to go well with the series, that's a great idea down the line!

Best java wishes to you,

Cleo

September 2, 2007

Village Blend Staff

When will we be able to meet more of the Village Blend Staff on your site? I love the characters, very real, and enjoyed the internet versions as well.

C. Lane in Amarillo, TX

 

Cleo here. Hi C. Lane in Amarillo! THANK YOU for your post! I loved creating the "Village Blend Staff" page and you're the very first person to mention it! Hooray! Now I know SOMEONE out there likes it!

Creating the Avatars for Clare and Matteo was tons of fun for me. Unfortunately, the process is a time consuming one, and I've been under major deadline stress lately (yeah, I know, poor me, break out the violin). I plan to add more CM characters to the page in the coming months. Madame is next on my list of Avatars. She should be a challenge!

I appreciate your mentioning the page, and you've actually given me a great idea with your post. The next time I add a staff member (probably later this fall), I'll announce it on the Home Page and mention it in the e-newsletter, so you (and others) will be able to see right away that there's an update.

Thanks for dropping by the virtual coffeehouse C. Lane! Come on back again anytime, y'hear!

--Cleo Coyle

 

September 2, 2007

Is there a portion on your website for recipes

I would love to have the recipe for the chuck roast with coffee. Unfortunately I've misplace my copy of on what grounds. could someone please post it. thank-you

Margaret, Ferndale Ca

 

Cleo here. Hi Margaret in Ferndale, CA. Thank you for posting! The recipe that you're looking for is "Coffee Marinated Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Hearty Coffee Gravy."

It's a delish recipe--very earthy and it's got a real jolt in there from the caffeine. However, that recipe is not found in the back of ON WHAT GROUNDS (there are other great recipes in the back of that book, too, just not that one). The coffee marinated steak recipe is in the recipe section of Coffeehouse Mystery #2: THROUGH THE GRINDER. (Cover is pictured left.)

I'm thrilled that you're interested in the recipe, but please understand, the recipes are part of the book purchase. So no one should be posting the Coffeehouse Mystery recipes on this site or any other site without permission. To answer your question about recipes on this site, I do occasionally post recipes on the Home Page. And I'll also be sending those out via my e-newsletter. The newsletter is free, and you are most welcome to subscribe to that. In the coming months, I may very well be sharing the popular Coffee Marinated Steak recipe in my newsletter, too. Great idea!

To get the recipe faster you can always borrow THROUGH THE GRINDER from the library or (eee gad!) even purchase a copy for yourself because as I said, even if you misplaced your copy of ON WHAT GROUNDS (woops), it isn't in there!

 

Warmest wishes and thanks sincerely for taking the time and effort to post a message. I've just launched this site, but you make a good point that a section of the site devoted just to recipes might be something for me to consider in the next year or so. I hope you'll come back to the virtual Village Blend again, Maragret. Enjoy a vritual cup of java just for stopping by!

Cleo Coyle

September 1, 2007

Next Haunted Bookshop Mystery?

Hi, I was wondering when the next Haunted Bookshop mystery will be released. I also love the Coffehouse mysteries.

 

Cleo here. I dont know where you're from, so I'll just say hi YOU! Thank you for your nice words, believe me they mean a lot to me.

The next Haunted Bookshop mystery (the series that I write under my other pen name "Alice Kimberly") will be released in May 2008. The title is THE GHOST AND THE FEMME FATALE. For anyone interested in that series, here are all the titles in order (click on the first book to go to the Amazon page if anyone reading this wants to know more about the first book in the series...)

THE HAUNTED BOOKSHOP MYSTERIES by Alice Kimberly

1. The Ghost and Mrs. McClure

2. The Ghost and the Dead Deb

3. The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library

4. The Ghost and the Femme Fatale (coming in May 2008)

 

I'll be sure to post a cover and tell you more about the story in my new Haunted Bookshop mystery (#4 The Ghost and the Femme Fatale) when we get closer to its publication date in May of 08. Stay tuned! And thank you again for posting!

Cleo Coyle

September 1, 2007

love your series

Just wanted to drop by and let you know how much I love both of your series (The Coffehouse and The Haunted Bookshop). Can't wait for the next ones.

 

Cleo here. Well, dang! You made my day! Bless your heart for taking the time and effort to let me know that you're enjoying the books. I truly, TRULY appreciate it!

Come on back to my virtual coffeehouse anytime. Here's a virtual blueberry tart for you to enjoy with your latte!

Warmest wishes,

Cleo Coyle

September 1, 2007

Interested in a recipie you mentioned breifly in Through the Grinder

Hello, You mention a recipie for Three Chocolate Mocha pudding in the book Through the Grinder. I was looking for it in the back of the book, but it wasn't their. Could you post it or send it to me via e-mail. Thank-you. Have stared my next coffee mystery Latte Trouble and am enjoying it. Thank-you

Margaret Meister meister.margaret@gmail.com

 

Cleo here. Hi, Margaret M.! I'm so glad you are enjoying the Coffeehouse Mysteries! Thank you for reminding me about the Three Chocolate Mocha Pudding. Here's the thing about that recipe--Clare never actually gets to serve it to Mike or Bruce in the book, she plans to but never does, so the recipe never made it to the back of the book, either. I figured she'd finally get to serve it to Quinn in a future book and then I'd pub the recipe. But there's another reason it isn't in the book--I just wasn't happy enough with the recipe yet. Still working on it. 

Since you're bringing it to my attention again, however, I'll make a note to go back to the recipe and keep working with it...once I get it right, I'll publish it on this site and also in the e-newsletter (and I probably should include it in a future recipe section for another Coffeehouse Mystery, too). After all, Quinn never did get to eat it! Thanks for stopping by Margaret M. Your input is greatly appreciated!

Cleo Coyle

September 1, 2007

Essprsso Fool

Greetings from Destin Florida!! I am a single mother who loves her coffee! I love the Kona blends and all kinds of flavored coffees. I have made some of your recipes and love them. I also have a cappuccino machine and use it often. Thank you so much for my 2 favorite things: you coffee recipes and a good mystery!! Can't wait till Fench Pressed is in book stores. Thanks for writing these excellent books.

Leah from Florida

 

 

Cleo here. Hi Leah from sunny Florida! What a great post! Thank you for your very kind words. Sending props and snaps to you for being, like Clare, a single mother. If there's a harder job on the planet, I ain't heard about it. Blessings to you and thank you for supporting the series! I hope you enjoy the upcoming books--and since you're a cap lover, here's a virtual one for you to take with you. Looking forward to seeing you back at the Village Blend again, Leah!

Warmest wishes,

Cleo Coyle

 

 

September 1, 2007

Ghost Mysterys

Read them and loved them too!! Thanks for telling me

Barbara

 

 

Cleo here. Hi again Barbara! You're very welcome. Thank you for asking. Because you did, I'm sure other readers heard about the series for the first time, too. Drop back again anytime for a virtual cuppa!

--Cleo Coyle

September 1, 2007

Please lighten up on us decaf drinkers - it's not always a happy choice!

I've just discovered your coffeehouse mystery novels, and I love them. On the way up to my lake cabin for an extended Labor Day weekend, I picked up the first two books. I read them both yesterday! Now I can't wait to get home and buy the rest. I have two adult children who work at coffeehouses. My 19 year old son is truly a "coffee geek." (He spent 3 months in Brazil backpacking through the Amazon. While there he switched to tea because the coffee they had tasted like "Brazilian Folgers.") I chuckled at the discriptions of the different coffee beverage drinkers. My son has come home with the same descriptions! Last night I called him to tell him about the recipe for Coffee Marinated Steak and Coffee Gravy (he's also an excellent cook), and he can't wait to try them out. This son also feels the way you do about decaf. Which brings me to my headline... About five years ago I apparently hit pre-menopause. The first thing that happened was that whenever I drank caffeine (or alcohol) my nose and cheeks lit up like Rudolph's on Christmas Eve. I could live with that, I found a great makeup that toned them done effectively. Then the hot flashes hit!!!! Big Time!!! After traveling down the estrogen route and the soy and black cohash route (the estrogen worked on the hot flashes, but at the cost of extremely painful boobs). The soy and black cohash are only moderately successful. So that leaves altering my diet. The one thing that seems to consistently induce major hot flashes is caffeine. So, to make a long story short. Until I get past this ungodly time of my life, decaf makes it bearable. Thanks for letting me vent.

Kathy C Plymouth, MN

 

Cleo here. Howdy, Kathy C. in Plymouth, MN, your post totally cracked me up, painful boobs and all! I'll chalk you up as a DD - Decaf Defender.

Loved hearing about your son's adventures! Not surprised about his experience with the Brazillian coffee since a good bit of their crop is robusta and not of high quality (although there are highly-rated farms in Brazil now, too). The Third World nations in general don't consume their own product to the degree of the first world. It's too expensive for some of them to consume what brings in the major money for their annual income.

Thank you for sharing Kathy C.! I hope you'll drop back again at the virtual Village Blend! And if your son has any favorite coffees (single-origins or blends) or online coffee vendors or roasters he'd like to recommend, be sure to post and let me know.

Wishing you (decaf) java joy,

--Cleo Coyle

August 31, 2007

french pressed

when will french pressed be in the book stores

 

Cleo here. Thanks for asking! For those of you wondering...FRENCH PRESSED is my next Coffeehouse Mystery (#6). It will be published in 2008 (most likely the spring). I'll let you know more in the coming months! Stay tuned for the cover and more about the book's story!

--Cleo Coyle

August 29, 2007

GERD & Coffee

Greetings from Amarillo, TX. I also have GERD and have always loved coffee, but could not drink it without becoming very sick. I've been a tea drinker for years, both hot & cold & have discovered even some blends of tea bother also. I take Priolizac OTC (2 each day). I have found since I read the coffee house mysteries that if I buy the Hawaiian blend & grind the beans, I can drink up to 2 double lattes a day. Hope this helps other GERD sufferers like Jeanne in NM.

C. Lane

 

Cleo here. Thanks C. Lane! Java snaps and props to you for helping out a fellow virtual Village Blend visitor. I don't know much about GERD, so I appreciate your helping out Jeanne in NM. Your suggestions sound great!

I baked you a virtual box of biscotti for your trouble!

--Cleo Coyle

August 29, 2007

Greetings from Amarillo, Texas

I just wanted to post how my family loves the coffee house mysteries. We have been telling everyone we know about them. Since my husband originally found Murder Most Frothy, we have been hooked. We bought all that are out, and are eagerly awaiting the next! We also found out about the haunted bookstore series; my daughter and I went to Hastings & bought the only one on the shelf. We ordered the other two available and already have them. We can't wait for the new ones. However, we realize it is impossible for you to write as quickly as we can read & it takes time to have them published. We will buy them as they are available.

C. Lane (the 2nd of 3)

 

Cleo here. With fans like you, I'm feeling like I might actually get to keep writing for a living. Thanks C. No kidding. I appreciate your support! And thanks again for the other post about GERD! Drop back anytime to the virtual blend and let me know what's up!

Cleo

August 26, 2007

Coffee Fool

Hi Cleo

Have you heard of this site called www.coffeefool.com? I wonder if their coffee tastes as good as they say. The site says that most of the coffee we buy at the stores is already Stale. Anything in your knowledge banks about that?

Chelle

Cleo here. Hi Chelle! I just answered your Cat Poo post LOL. I just checked out CoffeeFool.com With a name like that how can I not be intrigued?!

I do agree with what they're saying... that the coffee bought on grocery store shelves is usually sitting there for far too long to be considered fresh. And anything that's pre-ground has also lost a lot of flavor. It's all about keeping as much flavor in the beans as possible from roast to cup. 

Before buying from Coffee Fool, I'd consider what other customers have said about them. I found this string of comments on Coffee Forum (click here). What's good about this string is that there are suggestions for which of CoffeeFool.com's coffees and blends were great and which were disappointing (at least in the opinions of these few customers).

Some of theCoffee Fool blends do sound intriguingto me, especially the African beans. Thanks for the tip, Chelle! I'm always interested in checking out coffees and coffee vendors...I'll post again after I give them a try!

--Cleo

August 25, 2007

The Best Coffe/ Mystery Ever!!

Dear Cleo,

Thank you so much for my two favorite things in the whole world - coffee and mysteries. My local bookstore knows when I walk in, to let me know the release date of your next book! I look forward to each and every new book to find out what will happen next to my favorite people! Keep 'em comin'!

Julie

 

Cleo here. HOW COOL IS YOUR POST?! Julie, you are exactly the reason why the Coffeehouse Mysteries have been growing in sales. The series has been a quiet little engine, running along without much notice or fanfare, but year after year, more and more people have been catching up to the coffee train and swinging on board. (How's that for a sappy metaphor!) Oh, well, I'm tired and getting over a nasty head cold so you'll have to forgive. But, no kidding, Julie, it's people like you, asking about the new title at your local bookstore, that have made the orders go up and up with every new book. Thank you sincerely and stay tuned for more adventures with your "favorite people"--(I love that!) You know, of course, they're mine, too!

Warmest java wishes,

Cleo Coyle

August 25, 2007

haunted book shop!

I just finished reading Ghost and Mrs. McClure under Alice Kimberly. I absolutely loved it. Love the lingo of old and all the charecters. There is so much rich charecters and great plotlines. I laughed outloud when Fiona "overheard" other woman anna falactic! Can't wait to read the next one. Thank you

l in jersey

 

Cleo here. Hi I in Jersey! I'm so glad you liked Pen, Jack, and Fiona Finch "the bird lady" - that series really is a hoot to write. New one out in May 2008. I'll post the cover when I receive it from the publisher. Here are the titles for the entire haunted bookshop series in case you need...

1 The Ghost and Mrs. McClure (you read that one)

2 The Ghost and the Dead Deb (a send up of debu-tramps like Paris)

3 The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library (a  tribute to Poe)

4 The Ghost and the Femme Fatale (a film noir frolic)

 

Thanks again for letting me know you liked the book!

Java joy to you,

Cleo Coyle

August 24, 2007

Thanks for Decaffeinated Corpse

Dear Cleo,

I am an avid mystery reader and discovered your mysteries and read them all along with a friend who was, at the time, managing a coffee house. We had such fun sharing your books! Last November I became seriously ill and continue to recover, although I am permanently disabled. Besides losing a lot of physical ground, it has been difficult for me to regain some of my short-term memory. This has made reading very difficult and frustrating. Thank you for Decaffeinated Corpse. My friend and I picked it up last week and I was able to read the entire book without losing track of the story, not to mention that I enjoyed it thoroughly. Not only was this latest book another delight in a thoroughly wonderful series, but it gave me my first full step back into doing what I love most - reading mysteries. Please keep the books coming.

Karen C. in NE

 

Cleo here. Hi Karen C. in NE. OMG! Your post didn't just make my day, it made my month, my year, my writing LIFE! Thank you for sharing your situation and thank you from the bottom of my java-loving heart for your wonderful words. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you to face the challenges in your life. Yet instead of giving up on reading, you plowed ahead and kept trying. How brave you are and how inspiring! I'm so incredibly proud that Decaf Corpse could have helped you in any way.

I'm also so very pleased that you stopped by the virtual Village Blend to say hello. I hope you'll come back again and again, Karen. Thank you and please keep in touch. Post again anytime!

Wishing you the warmest, freshest java joy,

Cleo Coyle

 

P.S. I baked you a big-hearted cookie to thank you for your brave-hearted post!

 

 

 

August 23, 2007

My Two Favorite Things!!

Dear Cleo,

You have managed to put together my two favorite things in the whole world besides my husband—Coffee and Mysteries! I love your books and the recipes are fantastic. The coffee syrup was great. Thank you and keep the books coming.

Trish

 

Cleo here. Thanks, Trish!! I'm so glad you liked the coffee syrup--and impressed, too. That's definitely a recipe for people who LOVE LOVE LOVE the bean!

Java joy to you!

Cleo Coyle

P.S. Loved the husband qualification! (I feel that way about mine, too.)

August 23, 2007

FROTHING AT THE BIT...

... for Clare's next adventure! As a former caterer, I'm a big fan of culinary mysteries, and often peruse Amazon.com for books I might find interesting. After devouring your first, I quickly ordered the rest. I've been taking them with me on Saturday mornings to some of the wonderful coffeehouses in Providence and Boston, and savor them while I'm savoring rich, dark espresso with a twist of lemon, or a sweet mocha latte... As a 50+ woman who has managed to live a fabulous life in the 14 years since my divorce, I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for Clare in the future!

Carol C.

 

Cleo here. Hi Carol C. This is a great time for culinary mysteries, so I'm more than thrilled that you're reading mine. I'm also tickled to hear that you're a former caterer. Sounds to me like you and Clare have a lot in common--especially the adventurous life AFTER divorce part!

Thanks for your very kind words about the CM books. Thanks also for telling me about your coffee-drinking rituals! I love hearing what types of coffee people enjoy drinking and about the coffeehouses they like to frequent.

I heard about an intriguing coffeehouse in Cambridge, MA, called 1369 Coffeehouse. I've never been there, but do hope to pay a visit someday. Any chance you've been to it? Here's a tres cool mural from their site...

 

Come on back anytime Carol. Feel free to share more about the coffeehouses you've discovered, too. This board is a great place for people to learn more about the bean and the people and places who treat it right!

Wishing you java joy,

Cleo Coyle

August 23, 2007

New Fan; Read the books twice in a month!

Cleo,

I love your books! I'm 40, and totally identify with Clare. I'm still married, but it has been rocky, and I'm living through Clare's dating experiences. I'm also married to a Michael.... I do have a question - I have GERD, and limit myself to two cups of coffee a day. I really shouldn't have those, but I love coffee. Do you have any recommendations on brews that I could enjoy more of??

Jeanne in NM

 

Cleo here. Hi Jeanne in NM! What a great post. Thank you for your very kind words about the Coffeehouse Mysteries. I'm especially happy to hear that you identify with Clare. Per the dating experiences--LOL it's rough out there! I'm very happily married now, but it took many years to find him (and I went through a divorce before I did).

I also know what it's like first-hand to go through the dating mill  (I even posted a personal ad in the Village Voice once upon a time--how kitschy New York can you get?). At the moment, I have a few female and male friends looking (in different cities) for Mr. and Ms. Wonderful respectively. It's a trip, all right, but also a real adventure. And, hey, let's face it: if life's not an adventure, then it just may be so dang safe it bores you into a state of living death (you remember George Romero's zombies, don't you? Hey, nobody wants to be trolling a Pittsburgh mall with glazed eyes for eternity! - okay, maybe Paris Hilton.)

I was stumped on your GERD question but then one of the other virtual Village Blend visitors came to the rescue. Look for the post with the headline GERD AND COFFEE from Catherine Lane (posted on 8/29), she'll tell you her remedy for this problem. She says that she hopes it's helpful to you, and so do I.

Also, here is an interesting blog on GERD Click here by a doc who says he likes coffee and still drinks it and (according to his blog) a survey of GERD patients in Italy show that Italians with GERD have no problem with coffee. Go figure. Certainly, it sounds like a problem that can vary greatly from patient to patient. (By the way, I don't know this blogging doctor personally, and I cannot vouch for what he's saying. I just found it interesting and am passing along as food for thought.)

If you're looking for a good, reliable decaf, however, I can defiitely recommend Starbucks House Blend Decaf. Click here to go to the Starbucks site and read customer comments on this coffee. You can also purchase it via their online store but most Starbucks coffee shops sell it, too, and you won't have to pay postage.

I find the House Blend decaf to be a reliably smooth coffee that is consistently good and very easy to find since Planet Starbucks is everywhere these days. So if caffeine is what worries you, then that's my two cents.

Thanks again for supporting the series, Jeanne, and thanks for dropping by and posting, too. I hope you'll drop back to let us know how your dating goes!

Java Joy to you,

Cleo Coyle

 

August 21, 2007

Don't drink coffee, but love the coffee house mystries

I do love your coffee house novels and wish you could write them faster. Just finished Dechaffeinated Corpse and it was great as usual. But I have to admit that I do not drink coffee (although I do love the smell) I am a tea drinker and I don't think that being a coffee drinker is a required for loving your books. Keep up the great work.

Carolyn

 

 

Cleo here. Hi Carolyn! Of course, I agree with you...

§

Jeopary question: "A culinary mystery series, set in Greenwhich Village, that is enjoyed by tea drinkers as much as coffee drinkers."

Jeopardy answer: "What is the Coffeehouse Mysteries?"

"CORRECT! Alex, tell her what she's won!"

She's won a big shout-out from Cleo Coyle!

§

You, go, tea-drinking girlfriend! More power to the Leaf Lover.

I actually enjoy a good cuppa tea, too. In fact, it's the only thing I can drink when I have a head cold (which is right now). I'm drinking American Classic, the only tea that is grown on U.S. soil, on a tea farm outside of Charleston, South Carolina.

I visited there recently and had a wonderful time. I'll try to post about it with pics in the future (FYI...I also took a cooking class on low country cuisine at a store called Charleston Cooks! and I'll write about that too soon and post a delish rice pudding recipe).

Click on the link above and it will take you to the Bigelow site for the Charleston tea plantation (Bigelow blends and distributes this U.S. tea). They have tours, too, so if you're ever down there, you should definitely check it out!

Happy tea drinking, Carolyn, and happy coffee reading too! Thanks for dropping by, come on back now, y'hear?!

Cleo Coyle

P.S. I made you a virtual pot of tea to enjoy for stopping by my virtual coffeehouse!

 

August 21, 2007

Ghost Mysteries

I got all 3 ordered so am waiting now for them to come & read them right away. Thanks for telling me about them.

Barbara

 

Cleo here.

You're very welcome!