Just how did I end up being owner of a tea garden in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania with my Aunt Iris?
A widow, I moved back to Willow Creek with my two teenage daughters, Jasmine and Violet. After much discussion with my Aunt Iris (all the women on my mom’s side of the family have flower names), we decided to open a tea garden to cater to tourists who visited Lancaster County but also all the local folk in Willow Creek and nearby Lancaster and York.
My best friend from high school, Tessa Miller, is my kitchen manager and an artiste in every sense of the word. She lives on the second floor of Daisy’s Tea Garden and paints in her attic studio. Another friend from high school, Cade Bankert, who escorted me to my high school prom, is a real estate agent who found us the tea garden property as well as the old barn I had renovated for a home for me and my girls
I recently discovered that Jazzi, who is fifteen and adopted, is now searching for her birth parents. Vi, who is eighteen, went off to Lehigh College last month. Jazzi and I, as well as both of our cats—Marjoram and Pepper—miss her dearly. We have been living in Willow Creek for two years now and the tea garden is doing surprisingly well. At least it is until a murder occurs there.
Jonas Groft, a former Philadelphia detective, owns a woodworking shop down the street from Daisy’s. Although, after my husband died, I decided never to need a man again, I feel something electric whenever Jonas is in the same room. He has a protective attitude that sometimes rankles, but with his help, I found myself solving a murder!
I love to create recipes to offer customers at Daisy’s Tea Garden—soups, salads and baked goods. I look forward to seeing you at Daisy’s Tea Garden as you get to know me. . .and my family. . .and my friends.
You can read more about Daisy in Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes, the first book in the NEW “Daisy’s Tea Garden” mystery series.
In an old Victorian in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Daisy Swanson and her aunt Iris serve soups, scones, and soothing teas to tourists and locals—but a murder in their garden has them in hot water . . .
Daisy, a widowed mom of two teenagers, is used to feeling protective—so when Iris started dating the wealthy and not-quite-divorced Harvey Fitz, she worried . . . especially after his bitter ex stormed in and caused a scene at the party Daisy’s Tea Garden was catering. Then there was the gossip she overheard about Harvey’s grown children being cut out of his will. Daisy didn’t want her aunt to wind up with a broken heart—but she never expected Iris to wind up a suspect in Harvey’s murder.
Now the apple bread and orange pekoe is on the back burner while the cops treat the shop like a crime scene—and Daisy hopes that Jonas Groft, a former detective from Philadelphia, can help her clear her aunt’s name and bag the real killer before things boil over . . .
Includes delicious recipes for Iris’s Lemon Tea Cakes and more!
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Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a signed copy of Slay Bells Ring plus $10 Amazon gift certificate. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends December 28, 2017. Good luck everyone!
About the author
USA Today Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith’s 100th novel is a 2018 release. Her passion is caring for her six rescued cats. . .and other felines who stop by in winter. Her hobbies are gardening, cooking, watercolor painting and photography. An only child, Karen delved into books at an early age. Even though she escaped into story worlds, she had many cousins around her on weekends. Families are a strong theme in her novels in both her mysteries and romances. After writing romances for 20 years, she began writing women’s fiction and cozy mysteries. She hopes to write novels in all of these genres for many years to come.
Reach out to Karen at karenrosesmith.com, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Goodreads and on her blog.
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds like a fun new series. ThNk you!
Sounds wonderful! Thanks for offering this giveaway!
Sounds like a good read.
100th book!!!??! Wow! Sounds like a good read set.
Hello Karen, congratulations on your 100th book. Slay Bells Ring seems like fun book, have not read any of this series, but would love to start. Thanks for the giveaway, Maureen
I really enjoy new series and have read some of Karen Rose’s previous series which are all great. The Tea Garden concept is fun and I look forward to checking out the recipes. Our book club has an annual “English Tea” so this will give me some new recipes to try for it.
I love food cozy mysteries! Thanks.
I love Amazon gift cards!!
I’m excited to read this new series by one of my favorite authors!
This sounds like a fast paced series! I love the title!
Love this cover and the cover of “Sleigh Bells Ring” is even cuter!! Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
wfnren at aol dot com
I’d like to visit Daisy’s Tea Garden.
I love the sound of the book.
Happy New Year!
This sounds like the beginning of a wonderful series! I am looking forward to the stories almost as much as the recipes!
Sounds like a winner.
Looking forward to getting to know Daisy and her tea garden. thank you for the chance to win slay bells
Anyone who cares for 6 rescued cats must write a great book–really looking forward to this.
Slay Bells Ring is on my want to read list, and even though it is already after Christmas, I will get it read! I love the dog on the beautiful cover. Sounds like the murdered is sad though!
I also like the sound of the new book and all the flower names! (My mom’s name was Blossom, but I got stuck with an ordinary name. 🙁 )
Should be an interesting start to your new series.
Thanks Dru Ann for having KRS on your blog today. Thanks Karen for your generous giveaway to a lucky reader. 🙂
A book and an Amazon gift card, too! Such a great deal. I hope I win.
I love Karen Rose Smith’s books. I can’t wait to read Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
What a great giveaway, a great book and a gift certificate. Karen Rose Smith’s readers are very fortunate to be able to do this. Thanks.
Sounds interesting.
I like the sound of this latest book – 100th! Well done Karen Rose Smith.d Love the title and cover art. A nice cozy for the Winter. Strong, likable characters .
I had pre ordered this book on B&N , and just got it today . I’ve already started reading it, and it’s really good ! kathambre@yahoo.com
Sounds like a nice new series. I can not wait to start reading this new book.
A story switch. We get introduced to one and get a chance to win another.
I love the cover of Murder With Lemon Tea Cakes, and the story sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing a day in Daisy’s life with us!
I love your cozies so I know this is going to be amazing! Your writing style is just awesome. My copy came today and I will start it very soon. Just cannot wait.!
thank you for this generous giveaway!!!
I’m going to start reading it this week. Sounds like a great start to a new series!!
I really love Karen Rose Smith’s books and looking forward to reading the first in a new series
Yay! A new series from Karen Rose Smith! Not only to I enjoy her books, I enjoy her posts and blogs about her cats.
Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I have enjoyed many of Karen’s books. I love books set in eastern PA- it’s such a unique and interesting area.
The book looks great, love the story line and that there are recipes. Thanks for the chance to win. scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
A good read for a cold MN day! Happy New Year!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
The setting sounds so cozy! Thanks for offering the giveaway!
Karen Rose Smith was recommended to me recently by a Friend who had discovered this great Author. This sounds perfect for a winter nights reading. please enter me…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
This sounds like a book I would enjoy.
I’ve been waiting for this new series. Thanks for the chance.
**** WINNER ****
Slay Bells Ring plus $10 Amazon gift certificate is Maureen
Congratulations!