Blog Tour - The Traveling Tea Shop: Part Two

I'm very excited to be part of Belinda Jones' The Traveling Tea Shop Blog Tour! This book is a fun, romantic...and snack-inducing read.  In fact, I found it such a sweet read that I've actually already talked about it yesterday and I'm going to talk about it again today! 

The Traveling Tea Shop
by Belinda Jones

Love Travel series, book eleven

Love isn't always a piece of cake...

Laurie Davis has always followed her passion. After escaping family drama to start a new life in New York City, she’s up for whatever challenges life brings. So when an opportunity arises for her to use her travel industry expertise and serve as an assistant and tour guide for her idol, Pamela Lambert-Leigh, star of television’s Tea-Time with Pamela, she jumps at the chance.

But Laurie’s exciting adventure ends up entailing a lot more than scouting locations for the cake queen’s new cookbook when Pamela’s sassy mother and sulky, rebellious daughter tag along for the trip. As they cruise around bakeries in New England trading local delights like Red Velvet Cake and Whoopie Pies for British specialties such as Victoria Sponge and Bakewell Tarts, more secrets than recipes are revealed.

Now, in between rediscovering romance, learning to forgive family, and finding the best dessert on the East Coast, Laurie, Pamela, and the gang might find there’s nothing a nice cup of tea, a sweet treat, and a little bit of friendship can’t heal… (Description from Goodreads.com)

I truly enjoy books that are FUN to read.  That's why the name of my blog has always been "I Read to Relax." Though I appreciate books that make me think and tackle heavy issues, I generally reach for something light or romantic or escapist first.  

This book had such great, fun elements to it.  Delicious descriptions of food (see yesterday's post), fun adventures in picturesque places, people coming together, and hints of romance.  Aside from drooling my way through the read, I found myself touched by the characters' stories, urging them to find their ways back to each other.  To find peace and embrace the joy that their road trip through New England could bring.  I was very pleased with the way that Jones was able to convey a lightness to the story even at small moments when things were going sour. 

 I think I'll be looking for more of Belinda Jones' books this summer. They seem like great beach reads! 

Author website: http://www.va-va-vacation.com/belinda-jones

Full Disclosure: Review Copy received from Publisher through Netgalley

Blog Tour - The Traveling Tea Shop

I'm very excited to be part of Belinda Jones' The Traveling Tea Shop Blog Tour! This book is a fun, romantic...and snack-inducing read.  In fact, I found it so delicious to read that I'm actually going to talk about this book on the blog both today and tomorrow! 

The Traveling Tea Shop
by Belinda Jones

Love Travel series, book eleven

Love isn't always a piece of cake...

Laurie Davis has always followed her passion. After escaping family drama to start a new life in New York City, she’s up for whatever challenges life brings. So when an opportunity arises for her to use her travel industry expertise and serve as an assistant and tour guide for her idol, Pamela Lambert-Leigh, star of television’s Tea-Time with Pamela, she jumps at the chance.

But Laurie’s exciting adventure ends up entailing a lot more than scouting locations for the cake queen’s new cookbook when Pamela’s sassy mother and sulky, rebellious daughter tag along for the trip. As they cruise around bakeries in New England trading local delights like Red Velvet Cake and Whoopie Pies for British specialties such as Victoria Sponge and Bakewell Tarts, more secrets than recipes are revealed.

Now, in between rediscovering romance, learning to forgive family, and finding the best dessert on the East Coast, Laurie, Pamela, and the gang might find there’s nothing a nice cup of tea, a sweet treat, and a little bit of friendship can’t heal… (Description from Goodreads.com)

So, why do I want to talk about this book two days in a row?  Well...let's just say that not only is this book a great story, but it also meets my own personal favorite criteria for chick lit and cozy mysteries.  It involves lots of amazing descriptions of FOOD!! *drools* So, today I'm going to give you a little taste of the deliciousness of this book and then tomorrow I'll discuss the regular story line in more detail. 

Red Velvet Cake at the Waldorf Astoria 

Where to start?  Have you ever had a book make your mouth literally start to water? I have. This book did it to me.  When a book is about people traveling throughout New England to discover the best tea time treats available, I knew to expect a little of this, but Jones does an amazing job describing the cakes and goodies.  Red Velvet Cake happens to be my all-time favorite treat and let's just say that when they stopped at the Waldorf Astoria to make it from scratch, well, my mouth watered so bad we're lucky there isn't really an online cake delivery service... MMMMMMM.... 

I found it so very interesting to read not only the descriptions of how to many of these delicious treats are made, but also to learn about some things that were first made here in New England, but that I'd had no idea originated so close to where I live! Truly fascinating. I love learning that type of thing when I read.  I found myself make mental notes to stop by some of the places she mentions the next time I'm gallivanting about New England to try the ultimate examples of lots of my favorite sweets. 

My advice, when you read this book, read it with a full belly. Otherwise, you may end up finding yourself scrounging through the cupboards for something sweet to munch on... 

Stay tuned tomorrow for more about the Laurie's non-food adventures along the Traveling Tea Shop's tour of New England! 

Author website: http://www.va-va-vacation.com/belinda-jones

Full Disclosure: Review Copy received from Publisher through Netgalley