Tearoom for Two

Tearoom Mysteries #1

by Susan Page Davis

For Elaine and Jan, opening a Tearoom in their new home on Chickadee Lake is a true labor of love. This cozy cafe gives them plenty of opportunities to serve others with faith and friendship over a cup of tea. But, more often than not, the cousins’ hospitality also draws them into mysteries that can be downright baffling.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Cozy, Tea, Christian

278 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

FROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: I'm a native of central Maine, and grew up on a small farm with a wonderful mom and dad, three sisters and a brother. Most of my books take place in small towns, many of them in Maine.

My husband, Jim, and I moved to his birth state, Oregon, for a while after we were married, but decided to move back to Maine and be near my family. It allowed our six children to grow up feeling close to their cousins and grandparents, and some of Jim's family have even moved to Maine!

Our children are all home-schooled. When Jim retired from his vocation as an editor at a daily newspaper, we moved from Maine to Kentucky.

I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books.
Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters.

For many years I worked for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a freelancer. This experience was a great help in developing fictional characters and writing realistic scenes. I also published nonfiction articles in several magazines and had several short stories appear in Woman's World, Grit, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

Reviews

[Olde American Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, full-of-charm, low stakes mystery in the most adorable quaint town. I loved everything about the cousins that dream of opening their very own tearoom in a victorian mansion. Yes, please!

The spiritual aspect, subtle romance, law enforcement positivity, baking, tea, coffee, friendships, camaraderie, all the things!

Can't wait to move forward to book #2!

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great introduction to Tearoom Mysteries. Susan Page Davis is the author. The series is staged in fictional Lancaster Maine. Two cousins who grew up together and have been life time friends are now widows . They decide to sell their homes and invest in an old Victorian style lake side house. Their plans are to open a tearoom and make necessary restorations in order to meet state regulation requirements.
Elaine Cook and Jan Blake have done their homework when it comes to finding out what needs to be done to start a business in Lancaster Maine. Fortunately the old house has been well taken care of by past owners and is structurally sound. It's a spacious home that will accommodate their plans for a tearoom. Little needs to actually be done in order to make their dreams a reality.
Their goal is to make enough of a profit from the tearoom to make a good living for both of them. They hope to do something they both would love and also provide a charming atmosphere and a relaxing cup of tea and some sweets. Jan meets opposition from her son Brian, who is concerned for her financial well being.
As work begins an electrician finds a beautiful old sapphire ring behind a wall as he works to install wiring for the kitchen. Mystery surrounds this ring. How long as it been there and why is it there? Who does it belong to?
As Jan and Elaine prepare for their opening of the tearoom they set about finding and buying supplies they need for their business. While shopping at a flea market they buy an old tea pot. After bringing it home they discover that this teapot is not just any old tea pot but indeed seems to be a well sought after teapot. Strange things begin to happen. Phone calls start. People show up at their house. Well I'm not going to be a spoiler so I'll let you read the book for yourself. Get a cup of tea and cuddle up by your fireplace for a long winter's eve of cozy mystery.
I was fortunate to have won this book from Susan Page Davis's website monthly giveaway. I wasn't asked to do a review but because I enjoyed this book I choose to do so.

[Tales and Treats with Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This was my first ever cozy mystery and it was so quaint and cute! I could picture the tearoom house and the 2 cousins perfectly. This had multiple mysteries, with some of them continuing on into the second book. I really admired the everyday faith in this book: the characters prayed as part of their daily routine, they talked about God, read the Bible, went to church. It was well-done faith: naturally flowed into the storyline without being out of place or preachy. I thought a few of the situations were unrealistic but overall it was an enjoyable read.

Content: death of spouse (both the MCs are widows)

Christian faith rating: 3/3

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“Inspired by their grandmother, cousins Elaine and Jan decide to open Tea for Two, a lakeside tearoom where they can serve up cups of comfort to their patrons. When they buy a teapot at a flea market, the dealer tries to buy it back, and then a woman starts snooping around their house. Is she after the teapot, or the elegant piece of jewelry the electrician found in a wall? Then a would be thief nearly gets away with stealing their property from a restorer’s shop. When Elaine is threatened by a midnight burglar, it’s time for extreme action. Determined to make a success of their venture, the cousins press on in faith, uncovering many surprises and family secrets as they settle into the community and grow their new business together.”


Series: Book #1 in the “Tearoom Mysteries” series.


Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mentioned & read; Bible reading; Prayers & thanking God; Church going; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, sermons, worship, & a pastor/reverend; A few mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; A few mentions of blessings & being blessed; A couple mentions of Sunday School; A mention of faiths; A mention of angels.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’; Some Pain & almost being strangled (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of thieves, stealing, stolen items, robberies, an attempted theft, & crimes; Mentions of a burglar, a break-in, & nearly being strangled; Mentions of World War II, Pearl Harbor, & deaths; A couple mentions of trespassing; A mention of a possible tragic death; A mention of gambling; A mention of divorce;
*Note: A few mentions of fictional characters & actresses; A couple mentions of car brands; A mention of PBS; A mention of Angie’s List.


Sexual Content- A bit of Noticing; Blushes; Mentions of dating, boyfriends, & romance; A couple mentions of touches.

-Elaine Cook
-Jane Blake
P.O.V. switches between them
294 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Add ½ star for those wanting a light mystery.}
This was an interesting light mystery! I didn’t get very into this one, personally, but I found the mentions of the Nanking teapots & china from the Qing dynasty to be very interesting!
Since one of the mysteries wasn’t wrapped up in this book, I’m looking forward to reading the next and see what happens.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Paula-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guidepost book "Tearoom for Two "by Susan Page Davis

I picked up this book because of the author that I have read before. a little different story for me.

This is a book of mystery and I enjoyed meeting the two women who had been friends and now were widows and needed to make changes in their lives.
They decided to buy a large victorian house in their hometown and use part of it for a business of a "Tearoom", the other businesses on the street were thrilled to have them open this and many came to visit the tearoom.
The mystery begins when one of the ladies stops at the flea market and buys a teapot...you will like the story that goes with the seller -the buyer-the police-the neighbors. A mystery that is a lot of fun to read about.

At the end of the book , I read that a small town near where I live had been behind this story where a couple had started a tearoom in their home and did quite well with it...a plus for me.

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery and I really enjoyed it! Perfect for a cozy day. Can't wait to read the next one!

[Kaziah Mustard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I loved everything about it. Two middle aged cousins buying a Victorian house and turning part of it into a Tearoom which is basically #goals. There was a little mystery a pinch of romance and a whole lot of wholesome goodness.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

2019 bk 268. I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a good solid first in a series read. The foundation is laid out for a series that, I think, has run into 20 plus titles. The publisher is Guidepost so I knew ahead of time there would be more scripture / religious comments than found in secular publishing. There were and there weren't. The episodes where the two women attend church were perfectly 'norm' and necessary to the plot. Most of the scripture references were appropriate and not too over the top. However, the section on God leading the two cousins to start a Tea House did not flow with the paragraphs around it, felt quite jarring in a literary sense - as if an editor said - you have to put a religious reason here in the first chapter and punch it up. I say that because none of the rest of the book had that dissonance to my eye, the rest of the book flowed, was enjoyable, there were few to no holes - and those were ones left so there would be a mystery for book two. Overall I enjoyed the mystery, it went from local thievery to international crime in a matter of a page and as a a reader I was wowed by the turns this book took. Overall, I felt like I was reading a Nancy Drew for adults.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cousins Elaine and Jan purchase a lakeside Queen Anne house and decide to open a tea room. While do some remodeling they find an old valuable ring and start the search for who it belongs to. They also visit auctions looking for old teapots and other things for their tearoom. They buy an old teapot that has been painted over after having the paint removed they find out it is even more valuable than they thought. Their house is broken into and they have to solve the mystery of where the teapot really comes from.

[carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something fantastic about a quick, "slight mystery" book to read that makes you feel good! That's what this book was for me. Always good hearing there are nice honest people even though it's part of a fiction story.

[Dee Dee G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very light version of the usual cozy mysteries that I’ve read. I liked it though.

[RebekahAshleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Tearoom for Two” is the very first book in the Tearoom Mysteries series.
This was a fun book. The mystery wasn’t too mysterious, but it was still good. “Tearoom for Two” is about two cousins, Jan and Elaine, who decide to open up a tearoom and they happen to run into a bit of a mystery. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
This is a 26 book series and it is about the same characters, but the books are written by different authors. This first book isn't quite as good as some of the others in the series, but it's still fun and a nice start to the series.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relaxing cozy mystery with an enjoyable setting and likable characters. It's a quick easy read and I liked it a lot.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maine, tea, cookies, cousins. What's not to like?
This one was surprisingly sweet and fun to read! Just right for February! The characters are people you can easily imagine. The setting is idyllic--a Victorian house on a lake in Maine!

[Virginia Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book! I loved the cozy tearoom with the hint of mystery and I loved the Christian theme! Honestly, I wasn't too sure I'd like it, but after I got started, I could hardly put it down. I literally had to make myself stop reading it so I could work on writing my own book!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the two main characters, Jan and Elaine, who are cousins and both widows. A good cozy mystery. Very entertaining.

[A.K. Frailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. The upbeat, descriptive narrative made it very pleasant. A fun summer story with very likable characters.

[Sally Mander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, clean novel. Mystery keeps you guessing. Enjoyable.

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tearoom for Two is the first in a new cozy mystery series - Tearoom Mysteries. In this setting we are introduced to Jan & Elaine, two cousins who decide they are going to open a tearoom in Lancaster, Maine.

While out shopping the flea market for teapots, cups & saucers they find a unique teapot and snag it for a deal. Mysteriously, after they have returned home, they receive a phone call from the owner they purchased the teapot from attempting to buy it back - at a higher price. Curious.

Later, while renovating the future tearoom, they come upon a seemingly expensive ring housed behind wall paneling. After taking the ring to a jewler find it could be of some worth. Again, curious.

This book has such charm, like a warm slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream dripping down the sides. It's packed full of inspiration, mystery and fun.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a stellar read, but a good story. Elaine and Jan are widowed cousins who decide to open a tea room together. There's a dash of mystery as they find a hidden jewel in the wall during renovations, and buy a teapot that someone tries to steal from them.

Someone gave me this series, and I want to read them before passing them on.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off let me say I hadn't realized when I got it from the library that this was a Christan book. That being said the story was fast paced and the characters were well developed and likable though the praying did get a little much for me. I really didn't like the son who was so sure his mother would fail at the tearoom though he came around. I felt he was so condescending.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a series it seems. It was a cute cozy mystery about two widowed cousins that open a tearoom. It was a fun quick read.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book. Not amazing as far as a mystery goes, but it was cute.

[Adriane Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good clean read.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy light read. The mystery is rather elementary. If you want to sit with a cup of tea and a light story, then this will do.

[Christine Barth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was refreshing to read something without so much angst.

[KATHERINE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good easy read

Overall a good read one thing I would have liked was less graphic detail and descriptions of everything again overall a good mystery

[Christina Marie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute easy and relaxing read

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just discovered this series, and I love it! I ordered the next 3 books from the library after reading the 1st chapter. What a mix of intrigue and mystery.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

***An Enjoyable Cozy Mystery with NO Murder ***

I received the first three books in this series as a gift from my mom as anyone who knows me is well aware of my love of tea! These books have actually been in my Amazon wishlist for quite some time!
What I find particularly interesting is that each one is written by a different author so we shall see how well they do maintaining the original feel of the characters in the other books.
I was so happy this mystery did NOT have a murder in it. In fact, there are two mysteries happening simultaneously!
Middle-aged cousins (clapping hands for real-world people, not just pretty, young things), are ready for new chapters and decide to start a tearoom together. We go along for their moving in together to flea market shopping, meeting the neighbors, returning to the church of their youth, trying new recipes for the tearoom and uncovering historical treasures. Each has her own characteristics whether shy or apprehensive, or outspoken, but through it all, they balance each other and support each other. It was nice not to have to read about griping or rudeness from these two, but the kind of friend you would actually want to move in with. Prayer is offered up when needed and plenty of cups of tea are poured. A sweet kitty starts visiting the back porch who earns a tea themed name (which I will not spoil).

Tea Quotes: 1. They had come prepared for this moment and went back out to the driveway, where Elaine unlocked the trunk of her car. Jan managed two folding deck chairs, while Elaine took in a box holding her own Nanking teapot, a small copper teakettle of Jan’s, a pair of bone china cups and saucers, two spoons, linen napkins, loose Lady Grey tea in a tin, a tea ball, honey and creamer.
2. “You’ll have to stop in,” Elaine said. “Uh…what if I’m not a tea drinker?” “Oh, we’ll provide coffee and lemonade for those who refuse to be civilized.”  (hahaha)

Spiritual Moment: “Let’s pray together,” she said to Elaine. “You know-for the business.” “Yes, let’s.” They sat close together on the couch and clasped hands. Jan closed her eyes. “Lord, thank You for bringing us here and letting us have this house and the tearoom.” Please let everything we do here honor You,” Elaine added.

I appreciated how chapter numbers included a pretty teapot and point of view changes were indicated by a cup and saucer. An enjoyable and easy read that I would recommend. (3 to 4 stars)

It is my privilege to share my opinion without expectation or compensation.

Published 2016 by: Guideposts
SERIES: Tearoom Mysteries
Apparently, there are 25 books in the series published between 2016-2018 (holy moly!) available in hardcover or eBook.
https://www.shopguideposts.org/tearoo...