Oh, a post about tea and books! Right up my alley! I’m a huge coffee drinker, but I have always preferred a cup of tea when reading or relaxing. We have a tea shop in town that caters to international teas and the history behind them, which is very interesting. I was fortunate enough to go to a tea tasting and learned all about how to drink East Frisian tea (from the East Frisian region in Northern Germany). The owner served it in an antique cup and saucer using rock sugar and small dollops of cream at certain times, pouring only so much in each of our three servings (and we were forbidden to stir). It was sooo neat (thanks to Tea Buzz for that!)
But equating certain teas to pair with my Veteran Movers series books…well, let’s take a look.
In The Whole Package, the hero is smooth, intelligent, and overly organized. A prior Marine who knows what he wants and goes after it. The heroine is smart, assertive, and savvy, doing her best to keep her business afloat. They’d need something soothing and flavorful, so I’d go with the classic Chamomile. It’s sweet, tasty, and calming, just what my strong characters might need, and something you’d enjoy as you read about Reid and Naomi.
Cash and Jordan are two independent, military-strong, too-tough-to-need-help characters out of Smooth Moves, the second in the series. For them I’d suggest some hardy Earl Grey. Yes, it’s full of caffeine, but it’s also got a ton of health benefits, from fighting anxiety (that would be the Bergamot in the tea) to aiding in digestion. It’s also got a wonderfully delicate scent, which pairs well with the hidden fears and anxieties plaguing my characters. Cash and Jordan appear strong, yet both are anything but, emotionally vulnerable and wishing they weren’t. A wonderful combination of Earl Grey with Smooth Moves would be, well, smooth.
And last but not least, Handle with Care, the third book in the series, deals with loss and connection, with rebuilding relationships. For this, a sophisticated hero and a fun but duty-laden heroine demand something special. I’d suggest a chai blend. And make it a latte. “Chai” is the Hindi word for “tea” and typically includes a black tea with blends of spices (like cinnamon, cardamom, clovers, ginger and black peppercorns.) There are many varieties of chai, just as there are many varieties of relationships in Handle with Care. Evan’s relationship with his cousins, his mother, and the new woman in his life. Kenzie’s relationship with her brother, her friends-made-family, and a new man growing closer. The spice of emotion is rich and bold, and a chai would be perfect blend to add to your reading pleasure.
And now that I’ve been talking about tea so much, I’m about to go sip from a cool iced tea I just made, fresh from Ceylon black tea leaves, a few sprigs of home-grown peppermint, and a hint of agave syrup for a touch of sweetness.
Happy reading!
Marie
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Evan Griffith has had a hell of a day...
And that was before he met the stunning, sexy woman having a meltdown.
Evan Griffith has had many careers in his life. But who knew working for his family's moving company would hold just as much action as his stint in the Marine Corps? On an unforgettable job, Evan finds himself taken by a teenage conman and confronted by a woman wielding a knife—and promptly falls head over heels for her.
Kenzie Sykes is doing her best to raise her little brother and keep him out of jail—all while dealing with her own broken heart that just hasn't healed. She doesn't have time for romance. He's not asking... Until he is, and she finds herself saying yes.
"Terrific. I absolutely loved this story."—Night Owl Reviews, TOP PICK for The Only Thing
The lucky print book winner is: Maria Dalmau
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marie Harte is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether biking around town, hiking, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit marieharte.com and fall in love.
