Even though I have somehow neglected to read the Oxford Tearoom Mystery series in order, I have enjoyed every single one of these books written by H.Y. Hanna! I recently had the pleasure of catching up with the second book in this series, TEA WITH MILK AND MURDER!
Click on photo to visit Amazon
Synopsis
Gemma Rose, owner of The Little Stables Tearoom in Meadowford-on-Smythe near Oxford, is happy that her new business seems to be taking off. Her mother has stepped in as the baker, introducing some new treats that has their clients clamoring for more. Her best friend, Cassie, helps run the tearoom and their friendship is better than ever…until Cassie meets and falls in love with Jon Kelsey. Jon is an art dealer and the owner of a gallery and he’s taken Cassie on as a protégé. Cassie is having her first art exhibition and even though Gemma does not like Jon, she attends to support her best friend.
During the exhibition, beautiful Sarah Waltham shows up drunk and causes a scene with Jon. Jon insists that the woman is stalking him but tells the bartender to give her some tea before sending her on her way. Sarah barely takes a few sips before she collapses and dies. Gemma’s former boyfriend from college, CID Detective Devlin O’Connor, is in charge of the investigation and she’s happy to not be involved this time. But when the four old biddies, who attended the exhibition, tell Gemma they think the bartender poisoned Sarah, she can’t help but start asking questions. The more questions she asks the more people she finds had reasons for wanting Sarah dead, including Jon. Can Gemma find the real killer or will her snooping be the final wedge that destroys her friendship with Cassie? Can she keep the old biddies out of trouble? Can she find justice for the rude woman or will the killer get away with murder?
My Review
TEA WITH MILK AND MURDER has so many things that I love about a great cozy mystery. First off is the clever title and the adorable cover! And while I’m more of a dog person than a cat person, Gemma’s tabby, Muesli, steals the show and a few hearts. Even though I have read the other books in this series there’s still enough tension between Gemma and Devlin to keep it interesting while Gemma’s interfering mother keeps it entertaining. H.Y. Hanna provides so many wonderful characters and I know I’ve said this in previous reviews, but I just love the four old biddies! They bring a lightheartedness and zest for living to the story but I also liked how they taught Gemma to accept help and accept friendship no matter what form it may come in. The plot was tightly written and kept me turning pages while the conclusion came as a surprise!
H.Y. Hanna also includes her mother-in-law’s traditional English / Jewish recipe for Velvet Cheesecake at the back of the book and has graciously allowed me to share it. Simple but oh so rich and velvety with the only garnish needed is a bit of fresh, jewel-toned fruit! I was transported back to my childhood when I tasted this delightful dessert…it is very similar to what my mother used to make and I haven’t had it for a couple of decades at least. My family called it cream cheese pie way back then but I think I like the name Velvet Cheesecake much better. I’m very happy to have this recipe and pass it on to my grandchildren! Thank you, H.Y. Hanna, for sharing your family recipe!
A special thank you to H.Y. Hanna for offering the winner a choice of either print or an e-book copy of TEA WITH MILK AND MURDER. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Monday, September 5, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Velvet Cheesecake
Author’s Note: This recipe came from my mother-in-law and is a traditional English / Jewish cheesecake. I don’t know if it’s as popular – I have a feeling the style is different to a lot of the popular cheesecakes – but my husband loves it. It’s one of the few things I’ve managed to “bake” and hasn’t come out a disaster!
Ingredients
Base Crust
A small packet of digestive biscuits (U.S.: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs)
2 ounces melted butter (U.S.: half a stick)
1/4 cup sugar
Filling
1/2 pound (8 ounces) double cream cheese, room temperature (e.g. Philadelphia)
1/2 pound (8 ounces) of curd cheese, room temperature (if you cannot find this, you can substitute with Philadelphia Light or Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat, which works perfectly. Be careful about the “curd cheese substitute” suggestions you find on the internet, such as ricotta cheese – these are too runny and cause the cake to fall apart!)
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup caster sugar (granulated sugar ran through a food processor for 2 minutes is a good substitute)
1 tablespoon flour
Juice from 1 lemon, plus some finely-grated lemon peel (about 3 tablespoons juice)
A few drops of vanilla essence
Pinch of salt
Topping
Sour cream
Fresh fruit to decorate, e.g. strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or you can cover with a fruit glaze
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 205C / 400F.
Base Crust
Crush the biscuits (e.g. in a food processor) and mix with the melted butter and sugar.
Press this mixture into the bottom of a collapsible cake tin (where the sides can be removed, e.g. springform pan) and put in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Filling
Place all the ingredients for the filling into a blender or mixer and combine until smooth.
Take the cake tin out of the freezer and pour filling over biscuit base.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 – 45 minutes (until cake filling is firm).
Take out of oven, remove the sides of the tin, and allow to cool slightly. Finish cooling in the refrigerator.
Topping
When cake is chilled, at least two hours, take out of refrigerator and pour the sour cream on top and over the sides. Return to the refrigerator and let it “set” for at least two hours.
Once the sour cream has set, you can decorate the top with fruit, icing, etc.
FREE DOWNLOAD FROM H.Y. HANNA!
Be sure to check out H.Y. Hanna’s just released prequel to the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries, ALL-BUTTER SHORTDEAD! Free for a limited time on Amazon! You can download at:
Amazon: http://www.hyhanna.com/butter-amazon
Amazon UK: http://www.hyhanna.com/butter-amazonuk
Gemma ditches her high-flying job and returns to Oxford to follow her dream: opening a traditional English tearoom serving warm buttery scones with jam and clotted cream… Only problem is–murder is the first thing on the menu and Gemma is the key suspect! And the only people Gemma can turn to for help are four nosy old ladies from her local Cotswolds village – not to mention a cheeky little tabby cat named Muesli. Who was the mysterious woman Gemma met on the flight back from Australia and why was she murdered? Now Gemma must find the killer, solve the mystery and clear her name if she’s to have her cake–and serve it too.
This PREQUEL to the OXFORD TEAROOM MYSTERIES includes BONUS CHAPTERS FROM “A SCONE TO DIE FOR” (BOOK 1). It is slightly shorter than the rest of the series – which are all full length novels – and can be read as a standalone, before or after any other book in the series.
Pin to Pinterest:
If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.
I prefer print copy of books but have gotten used to reading ebooks. Thanks for chance to win
I prefer print copy of books .I find cozy mystery books most entertaining. Love the recipes. Thanks
I prefer print but either works for me :))
I like reading print books best! I love the covers of your books!
I prefer print but I also like ebooks when traveling. One kindle to carry vs tons of books.
Thanks for the recipe and giveaway. I prefer paperback. Thank you.
Since I have the prequel as an Ebook, I would prefer the Ebook copy. I agree that I like dogs over cats, but for some reason I think cats are cute on clothes and books. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Print for me. Thanks for the recipe. And the chance to get one of your books. They are all on my TBR. But this would be a great and early start.
I like print. And I love cats. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Looking forward to this one!!!!!!
Oneponychick66@ hotmail.com
I prefer print books, but the portability of ebooks is great for travel and such. I have read 2 books and the prequel in this series and really enjoyed them. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wonderful review thank you! Love the recipe too. I would love print, thanks
Penney penneyw(at)sbcglobal.net
I would choose a print copy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I would like print copy but that said i am just starting to use a kindle but it is on my computer so can’t take it with me,lol. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. Love some cheesecake,yumm.
Print. Thanks for the chance.
I’d love a print copy so that I can share it with my friends ~
Thanks for the chance to win and the yummy recipe! My recipe book is bursting with all the yumminess I keep finding.
I’d love to win a print copy!!!
A print copy, please and thank you!!
E books are convenient, but the is nothing like a lovely “real” book.
This sounds really yummy.
Print! I love books!
Print! I love books! The recipe sounds delicious!
thank you for the velvet cheesecake recipe and thank you for the chance to win a print copy of your newest title!
I would prefer a print copy and thank you so much for the recipe, it sounds wonderful.
I like all the different versions including audiobooks, but I really like ‘print’ versions. I don’t have to make sure they’re charged, and the book doesn’t get warm from using it all day long. Thanks for a marvelous recipe…centerpiece for brunch!
I prefer an ebook but either works……I have lately gone to ebooks because my shelves are bulging in every room..
.thank you for the chance …Marilyn [email protected]
I prefer print. The cheesecake looks scrumptious!
I prefer a print book of Tea With Milk And Murder if it is autographed and if its not then like a e-book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I prefer print books but I read both. Thanks for the contest!
I prefer a print copy please.
I would love to win an ebook copy! Thank you for this contest.
I would love to have a print copy. I’m not too sure about ebooks since sometimes things disappear.
[email protected]
I prefer print copy of books but will read an ebook copy.
I like ebooks, but print is good for daytime reading. Thankyou for the opportunity!
I like print copies the best!
I would love to have a print book. Thank you!
I would prefer a print copy of TEA WITH MILK AND MURDER. I do have a kindle, but I have it pretty full and it runs slow.
I prefer a print copy, still like the feel of the book. I can’t wait to read “Tea with Milk and Murder”.
oh I love cheesecake..and books..lol great combo here thanks for this chance
print books are my treasures…
Cheesecake is my favorite can’t wait to give this recipe a go!!!
I prefer print
I prefer print copies! I love the smell of a book!
I love books! I would want a print copy. Thank you for this chance to win,
I just love cheesecake so i gave hubby the recipe as he is the cook and everything in the house as i am disabled. I just run around in my scooter and keep the pups happy. I would love a print copy to read and review at a few sites. [email protected] peggy clayton
I prefer print! Thanks for the opportunity!
I’d like a print copy.. Yummy pictures.
I prefer a print copy. Thank you for the recipe! Yummy!
I prefer print, thanks.
What lovely pictures!
I love print but ebooks are convenient. Thanks for the giveaway
I prefer print books thanks for the recipe!!!!
I prefer print books, I am new to this author!!!
I really enjoy this series. Thanks for the chance to win!
I always choose print over ebook! Must be my age! Thanks for a chance to win the book.
I love this series! Thank you for featuring it and for a yummy recipe!
I love books in print. Thank you and I just love the recipe.
WOULD LOVE TO READ! EBOOK IS FINE WITH ME. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE!
I would prefer a print copy. The velvet cheesecake recipe looks good, I’m going to have to try it out.
I loved a print copy. I love reading cozy mysteries. I will have to try this velvet cheesecake recipe. Thanks for the chance.
I prefer e-books because I can change the font style and size. Thank you for this chance!
The recipe sounds delicious. I prefer print books.
Definitely going to try this cheesecake out. Oh my yum! I like both print and ebook, but prefer print copies. Thanks for the recipe. ?
Print is what I prefer. Thanks!
I prefer an ebook. Thanks for the chance to win. This is a new series to me and I’m looking forward to checking it out.
I would like to have a print book Thank you very much!
I like a print copy, thank you for the giveaway!
I prefer a print copy please. Thank you for the chance
Would LOVE a printed copy
Just discovered your site. Awesome! I prefer print books.
Pingback: Velvet Cheesecake Recipe | British Cozy Mystery Author H.Y. Hanna