The Perfect Blend

The Perfect Blend is where Shelly and Candy get to do what they love best- drink tea and read and discuss books.

Onyx Storm

This third novel in the Empyrean series finds Violet looking beyond the wards for allies to help with the vast invasion of the evil venin. Shelly's tea: The Spice and Tea Exchange Mystic Dragon TeaCandy's Tea: True Honey Lavender Lemonade

03-26
25:45

Isola

Isola is the story of a young 15th Century noblewoman who is at the whim of her guardian. She is to sail to on an expedition to New France, but is left to survive on a deserted island before reaching the New France colony. Having been raised to be a lady of the manor, she must learn how to survive the brutal new existence of life on a desolate island.Allegra GoodmanShelly's tea: Abbi Teas Blueberry LemongrassCandy's tea: Bigelow's Ginger Honey

02-26
27:52

My Funny Demon Valentine

Aren't demons supposed to be evil? What could possibly go wrong when four demons escape Hell to live on Earth? Ash just wants to make music. Eva is a musician with an uncanny ability to see what isn't supposed to be noticed. What happens when a demon and a human find themselves attracted to each other?Aurora Ascher Shelly's tea:Abbi's Teas and ThingsTwinkle TeaCandy's tea: BigelowSweet Dreams

02-11
22:02

Replay

A man dies of a heart attack at 43 and awakens to find he is 18 again. All of his memories of his former life are there and he has a chance to live it again. And again. Each life gives him a chance to do things differently. Shelly's tea: The Tea Spot Morning Mojo Candy's tea: Tea Thyme Refined Orange Spice Tea Ken Grimwood Ken Grimwood's books: Into the Deep Elise (Of course, this is a rare book - very expensive but one Candy would love to read!) Breakthrough

01-22
26:36

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Harold Fry receives a letter from an old friend letting him know she is dying. On his way to send her a letter, he begins walking across England to see Queenie. Rachel Joyce Shelly's tea: Taylor's English Breakfast Tea Candy's tea: Alice in Wonderland tin of Earl Grey (similar here) Buckfast Abbey Berwick-Upon-Tweed, UK Slightly Foxed Bookshop

01-08
27:21

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Potions

Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant to Dr. Maxwell at the University College London. It's 1923 and as she navigates being a woman on the staff of a male dominated department, she is also is compelled to prove her professor innocent of an accused poisoning.Kate KhavariShelly's tea: PlumDeluxe  Smooth Sailing Mango TeaCandy's tea: Adagio Teas Pumpkin PotionSteepsters site

10-29
26:14

Gobbelino London and a Scourge of Pleasantries

The mysterious woman in Doc Martin boots just wanted Gobbelino and Callum to retrieve her book. She doesn't know Gobbelino is a talking cat and that Callum is his human sidekick. The two PIs don't realize it's not an ordinary book they are sent to get. The gumshoes have to race to contain magical destruction of things that are ...nice.Kim M. WattShelly's tea: Full Leaf Tea's Organic Orange Cinnamon Spice TeaCandy's tea: Adagio Tea's Cat Scratch

10-22
20:09

Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil

Isabella is a miserable village woman who happened upon a spellbook her miserable husband took from a wizard. All sorts of mysterious magical things begin happening on top of an influx of goblins bearing "bapples". An unlikely entrepreneur decides to take advantage of all the goblin fruit and creates a ponzi scheme. Oh, and there is a pot of basil that talks...Shelly's tea: Tiesta Tea Fruity ParadiseCandy's tea: Plum Deluxe Oolong Crystal Clarity mixed with Adagio Tea's Candy AppleClassics Go to the DecameronIsabella and the Pot of Basil poster

10-15
28:56

The Cloisters

Set in New York City, The Cloisters follows Ann Stilwell, a young graduate beginning an internship at the Met during the summer. She begins researching Renaissance divination and she has to navigate all manner of intrigue, power plays and a murder.Is it choice or fate that truly controls our life? Read Katy Hay's book and see what you think.Shelly and Candy's tea: Adagio Tea's The CloisteaThe Met CloistersThe Spectrum of Desire exhibit

10-07
27:43

The Christmas Murder Game

At Endgame, the game is afoot and it's a house to die for.... Twelve clues, twelve keys and someone in the family is a murderer- willing to kill to keep Endgame for themselves. Alexandra Benedict Shelly's Tea: The TeaSpot Naughty N Nice Candy's Tea: Tea Thyme Refined Orange Spice Tea Tea Thyme Refined is located in Wake Forest, North Carolina. If you are in the area, by all means stop by and check out their teas- wonderful! Merry Christmas from Shelly and Candy!

12-26
21:59

Everyone This Christmas has a Secret

Benjamin Stevenson has brought humor and murder to the Christmas season in this novella murder mystery. Can you figure out Whodunnit? Candy and Shelly share their love of all thing Benjamin along with delicious holiday teas your want in your stocking!

12-11
20:44

Eleanor of Avignon

Eleanor is a midwife in 14th century Avignon. She becomes an assistant to the physician to the Pope at the beginning of the plague. Elizabeth DeLozier Shelly's tea: Adagio Tea Three French Hens Candy's tea: Spot Organic (no longer available) Plum Deluxe Ginger Citrus Burst The Story of the Thieves The Very Bad Reputation of Joanna of Naples

11-20
27:12

The Husbands

Lauren comes home from a hen party to discover her husband coming down the attic steps...except Lauren has never been married. ⁠Holly Gramazio⁠ ⁠The Husband Generator⁠ Shelly's tea: Chad's Chai ⁠Naked Chai⁠ Shelly also recommends: ⁠Camino Bakery⁠ Candy's tea: ⁠Plum Deluxe⁠ Crystal Clarity Oolong (no longer sold, but there are quite a few good oolong flavors)

11-13
25:22

The Marigold Mind Laundry

In the village of Marigold, a magical laundry is conjured up. Painful memories can be washed away, or ironed to get the creases out. The memories become petals that drift away towards the setting sun. ⁠Jungeon Yun⁠ Shelly's tea: The Tea Spot ⁠Genmaicha Green Tea⁠ Candy's tea: Traditional Medicinals ⁠Nettle Leaf Tea⁠

11-06
25:25

In a Dark, Dark Wood

A hen’s weekend getaway turns into a sinister twisted turn of events. Shelly's tea: Snarky Tea ⁠Turmeric Golden Latte Candy's coffee: Joffrey's Sanderson Sisters Brew Ruth Ware

10-30
21:53

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

A marshal walks into an undertaker's office... He works in the wilds of Tanria killing drudges and taking care of the unsavories. She is struggling to keep her family's business afloat. Both loathe the sight of each other. Shelly's tea: The Whistling Kettle ⁠Moringa Tea⁠ Candy's tea: Adagio Tea ⁠Cat Scratch⁠ ⁠Megan Bannen⁠ ⁠The Shop Around the Corner⁠

10-23
24:41

Slewfoot

It's 1666 in a small Puritan village. An ancient being has been awakened to destroy the humans that have defiled the surrounding forest. But this being is not sure who he is and as he struggles with finding out, he meets a villager with troubles of her own. Shelly's tea: The Edenton Tea Company Orange Cinnamon Candy's tea: Adagio Tea Ghoul Gulp Brom interview Slewfoot Biblical Meaning Hartford Witch Trials Difference Between Pilgrims and Puritans

10-16
27:20

The Man Who Died Twice

The Thursday Murder Club is back in action when someone from Elizabeth's past asks for her help. Stolen diamonds, drug dealers and a senseless attack on one of the club members are all part of this murder mystery by Richard Osman. Shelly's tea: TeaSpot Lady Lavender A recipe for a London Fog latte. Candy's tea: a delicious surprise tea from her friend Dodie Dodie's photographs on Instagram @creatingmybestlife72 Digital Spy

10-02
23:12

Book Superlatives 2024

It's time for The Perfect Blend mid -year book superlatives. Shelly and Candy ask each other 10 questions about the books they have read so far this year. Here are the questions: Which characters would you like to invite to dinner? Which characters would you like to introduce to each other? Best character to take on a road trip. Best recipes. Which book/characters most  inspired you? What have the books we read inspired you to do or try? Book that took the longest to finish. Most surprising book. Most likely to reread. Most tormented character. Best dressed cover. Book setting you’d like to visit. To find out what Shelly and Candy chose for each, listen in! Hopefully you'll find a book you'd like to read and maybe you'll visit their podcast about that book. As always, Read and sip on!

08-07
25:56

Dearest Dorothy, Are We There Yet?

Dorothy Wetstra faces a decision that may change her town forever, and her gift for shaking things up comes in handy. Charlene Ann Baumbich Shelly's Tea: Earl Gray from The Tea House Candy's Tea: Snarky Tea's Chocolate Covered Strawberry Loss of Farmland in NC

07-31
31:08

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