Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A visit with Laura Childs!



Exciting news, friends! Today is the release day for the new Laura Childs tea shop mystery "The Teaberry Strangler," and we are celebrating bigtime! First, the author herself has generously offered to donate FOUR copies of the book which will be autographed to four lucky readers of this blog! We'll be giving away one each day from now through Friday, and then at the end of the week I'll send all four names and addresses on to the author who will personally autograph the books to the winners and get them in the mail. I hope you're as excited about this giveaway as I am!

Also, Laura graciously agreed to a brief interview today in celebration of the appearance of her new book. I hope you enjoy it!

Your first Tea Shop Mystery, “Death by Darjeeling,” included the name of a tea many of your readers were probably familiar with, but you’ve also introduced us to teas like Silver Needle (which was new to me at the time) and now Teaberry Tea. With all the choices available, how do you decide which tea to feature?

It kind of depends on which teas have catchy names. Gunpowder Green was a natural, as was Silver Needle. But publishers like to prominently feature the words “murder” or “death” in the book title, so a tea name has to be a logical fit. Some of the names I have stockpiled for future use include “Rose Hips Revenge,” “Black Pearl Poison” and “Assam Like it Dead.” If anybody’s got a better title, though, I’m very open!

Does a Minnesota author have to make lots of trips to Charleston to be able to write so convincingly about a southern town?

It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Yes, I do travel to Charleston fairly frequently. It’s important to carefully absorb the atmosphere, architecture, and history of the city so I’m able to create a real “sense of place” within the books. Of course, the food and night life isn’t bad either!

Would you ever consider letting Theodosia marry one of her boyfriends?

I’m not sure marrying Theodosia off is all that interesting. Actually, I think it would be better to kill off one of her boyfriends. Bringing his killer to justice would certainly send her on a mission with a vengeance!

Is there a chance we’ll ever see “The Indigo Tea Shop Cookbook” or perhaps “The Laura Childs Cookbook” containing recipes from all your various mysteries?

A lot of folks ask about this, but there are so many wonderful tea party and tea recipe books out there already. I think anything I did might be redundant.

What's the last cup of tea you had and where did you drink it?

Interestingly enough, it was a chai tea latte that I drank on the run yesterday afternoon. I was off to meet a friend – a TV producer who put me in touch with a production company that wants to make a TV series out of the Tea Shop Mysteries!

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Now wasn't that fun! If you want to win the first of the four autographed copies of "The Teaberry Strangler," just leave a comment to this post between now and 7 a.m. EST tomorrow. Good luck!

39 comments:

  1. I read her first book years ago and enjoyed it. Thanks for the interview

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  2. Angela, I practically swooned when I saw the photo of Laura Childs appear at the top of your blog! I've got an idea -- how about planning a little "Tea With Friends" get-together at the Indigo? I'm sure Theo, Drayton, and Haley would come up with something special for the event. Hmmm . . . think I'll stop by Delaine's to see if I can find something to wear. B-)

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  3. Thanks to being in the thrall of a Monster Cold that wouldn't go away for 6 weeks, I had totally forgotten Teaberry Strangler was coming out! Now that I'm back in the land of the living, an autographed copy of TS would just be the clotted cream on my scone!

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  4. Oh, I love a good read. Just finished the book I am reading and was thinking a good mystery might be just my cup of tea.

    Congrats to Laura on her new book.

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  5. Dear Angela, what a coup! This makes it 'official:' you have the best blog spot, always interesting to read, great photos and now a 'Murder with Tea,' giveaway?

    It doesn't get any better than this. We appreciate you and all your creative efforts - and for sharing them with your readers.

    wow and thanks,
    Joanie

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  6. With all of our snow outside, I am looking forward to settling down with a nice cup of tea, a cozy afghan, and The Teaberry Strangler! What a great way to spend the evening! Susan T. from Ohio

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  7. A television series ! I would enjoy
    a tv show of tea mysteries!
    sort of a caffeinated Nancy Drew!

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  8. Oh my stars, how exciting this is! And LUCKY YOU to have Laura donate her time and new books to us through you! Like another reader said, I too thought first of how the book series could be so FUN to watch and enjoy like I did with Nancy Drew many years ago. And such a wonderful change from all the garbage on tv today. THANK YOU Angela for such a gift to your blogging friends! I would lURVE to win a book!
    Blessings,
    Janeen

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  9. I have only read the first three books in her series . . . thus far. (I have several more on my bookshelf . . . waiting patiently to be opened.) We vacationed in Charleston a few years ago, a grandmother, mother, daughter trip. It was a wonderful vacation and Laura's books take us back to those lovely days. Thank you so much for letting us meet our "tea time" author. Your blog is such a wonderful way to start my day - along with my morning sips. This morning's cup is Asian Moonlight. A cup of thanks to both of you lovely ladies.
    Soothing Sips and Sunny Smiles. Tea Time Teresa

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  10. Oh what a great interview...and yes please enter me,,hopefully I cant wait to see if I won a copy instead of buying it..have a great day..
    Devon
    hanna_563@msn dot com

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  11. Thanks for the interview and for the giveaway!!
    Barbara
    ricettebarbare at gmail dot com

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  12. Would love to win. A cup of tea & a good book. Enough said.

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  13. As soon as I hear Laura has a new book out, I put her tea mystery books on hold at the library. I have planned my homeschooling day around running to the library when it opens! I am number 2 in line so I should be getting it today!

    (I have purchased 5 of her tea books and one of her Cackleberry mysteries so far.)

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  14. Love these books I have every one so far hope I can get the new one.

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  15. Thanks Angela! Everyone else said it so well. Count me in.

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  16. Thanks for the interview, what a wonderful surprise! Can't wait to read her new book...

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  17. How fun. You know, I didn't know that she wasn't really from Charleston! Can't wait toget the next book. My step grand daughter is hooked on them now too!
    Thank you so much for the giveaway. I'm afraid if I do win, this will be a copy that doesn't get shared! HA!

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  18. I have all of Laura Childs tea mysteries,they are my favorite!Can't wait to read her new one!!!
    Christine(MA)

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  19. I've read this series from the first book. I also enjoy the Cackleberry Club mysteries that she writes.
    Thank you Laura and thank you Angela!

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  20. Yes - I want to win! Who wouldn't!
    I thought of you Angela on Saturday as I spent 3 -4 hours in layover at the Atlanta Airport! So glad you got to enterview "Laura".

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  21. My daughter, niece and I are all hooked on her Tea Mystery series. How exciting to think that a tv series is possible! Now to decide, do I run out today and buy a copy, or wish, wish, wish that I win one! Of course I have to buy it and get started, I'll just have to share one if I win. :)

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  22. What a generous gift for Laura Childs to offer to us.

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  23. I love the Indigo Tea Shop mysteries, they are one of my favourite "cozy" series.

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  24. After Angela mentioned a while back that Laura Child had a new book coming out in her tea mystery series, I pre-ordered it from Amazon.com. I have every book in the series, and can't wait to find out what Theodosia is up to this time. It's so nice to know that Ms. Childs is familiar with my favorite tea blog--"Tea With Friends" and that she so graciously has offered to give away four autographed copies here. (Since I've got a copy coming to me already, I don't need to be entered in the contest though.)But a BIG thankyou to Laura and Angela for their generosity and dedication to entertaining and educating us all about a favorite topic...TEA!

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  25. This is lovely. Great interview! Oh I can't wait to read the newest tea shop mystery. I love the idea of a t.v. series.
    Have a great day.

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  26. I have requested this book from the library but would much rather have one autographed by her. I have read all her books so far and am really looking forward to more!!

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  27. I would love to get an autographed copy of this book - I've read all of the Tea shop mysteries and have enjoyed every one.

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  28. I would love to win this new book. I have read many of the others and loved them. How exciting!

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  29. Great interview and giveaway! Add my name to your drawing. I would love to win one of these books.

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  30. A favorite nighttime ritual:
    a cup of tea, something sweet to munch on and a good book. Life is good.

    Loralie
    slmartin@vtc.net

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  31. I would love to read her books, so this would get me started!!

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  32. I really enjoyed reading your interview with Laura Childs! I am a fan of her Tea Shop Mysteries and would love to see them turned into a series.

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  33. Hello! Yes, I too enjoy her mysteries. And I love visiting Charleston too.

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  34. What a nice way to start the morning! I live in Ms. Childs' neck of the woods and she's a lovely person. It's always fun to run into her at tea shops when she's promoting her books. Can't wait to read her latest! Thank you for sharing your interview.

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  35. This is exciting news and what a giveaway! I have all the Tea Shop Mysteries, but none of them autographed. I'm really looking forward to reading the Teaberry Strangler.

    I enjoyed your interview with the author. Now I'll be thinking of all the tea names that would fit as a book title. Wouldn't it be terrific to have a television series based on the book?

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  36. I think it's so cool you got to talk to her! I loved the ideas for her book titles. Do you think she could create one with Emperor's Bride?

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  37. Angela,,,,I've just returned yesterday from a visit to Charleston. I used the tea books to navigate the city. I'm thinking that the Fuschia Tea Emporium on Church Street IS the Indigo Tea Shop. Or at least that is where I pictured it. It's fun to use a real street map of Charleston and follow the story line. I love the tea shop mysteries and have read them all for the 3rd time. I do love Haley's receipts (as she call them and would love to see them in book form. True tea lovers can NEVER have enough books about tea and the wonderful foods that go with it. But my ultimate wish is to see Theo and Drayton come up with a Tea Primer Booklet. So much work and research has been put into the teas they use in the shop and I think it should be written down in a form that would give proper name and growing region, brew time, water temp and food pairings. I was disappointed when I visited the American Classics Tea Gift shop on Wadmalaw Island,,,,they do not carry her books. What a missed opportunity. My friend has an 1892 Victorian mansion where she and I give teas by reservation only. I sympathize with Haley on making all the food. It IS a big responsibility and at the same time it's so rewarding. I've ordered the latest book and am impatiently waiting for it to be delivered.
    Kudos to Laura and this blog.
    Happy Tea Tastings !

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  38. I have just discovered the Tea Shop and scrap booking mysteries. I pulled one off of the shelf at the bookmobile and I'm hooked. I especially love the culture of the area and of course the wonderful food that is included in each book!

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  39. We NEED an Indigo Tea Shop Cookbook!!! PLEASE!!!

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Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment! It makes my day to hear from readers!