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Fall = Cozy Reading (& Goodies!)

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I love fall. The heat of summer finally fades, leaving a crispness in the air that makes me long to curl up in a fuzzy blanket with a warm beverage and a good book.

Since I love hot tea (especially the bookish variety) and shortbread cookies, I thought I’d help kick off fall with a bookish giveaway perfect for a quiet evening spent in a cozy chair with your favorite novel in hand.

I drink hot tea year round, and when I am writing, my morning tea is Publishers Blend by Murchie’s Tea in Victoria, BC. My afternoon tea is Editors Blend. The bookish names make me grin and a shot of encouragement. Murchie’s is my favorite tea dealer. I fell in love with them after taking a trip to Victoria with my daughter several years ago. Well, they have a book lover’s gift set that includes Early Grey shortbread along with 3 sampler boxes of their literary flavors – Editor’s Blend (one of my favorites!), Library Blend, and Baker Street Blend (Sherlock, anyone?).

Today, I’ll give away this book lover’s tea sampler along with one of the books pictured below.

For a chance to win, picture yourself about to snuggle into this reading chair and answer these three questions:

  • What warm beverage are you sipping?
  • What are you snacking on?
  • Are you reading in print or e-book?

I’ll post the winner in the comments on Saturday.

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Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Comments

  1. I’m drinking honey almond tea, and snacking on popcorn and reading on my kindle at the moment. Although I absolutely love my books.

  2. I am drinking tea probably chamomile. Eating chocolate chip cookies. Reading an ebook. A nice funny romance. Life is too full of serious things.

  3. My choice of warm drink in the colder months is hot chocolate. I’m usually snacking on trail mix. And although I love the look and feel of paperbacks, my Kindle is my go-to for reading.

  4. I’m a hot chocolate lover – though hot tea is also a favorite. I snack on dark chocolate and would likely listen on audio or read on kindle. I’m too active for print books, though I love looking at shelves of them.

  5. 1) Coffee is usually my go to hot drink, but I also enjoy hot chocolate, cider, and hot tea.
    2) With coffee I enjoy dipping a cookie (or 2).
    3) Definitely a print book I can hold in my hands. It is by far my favorite way to read.

  6. My favorite thing to do—wrapped in a blanket reading a print book, drinking decaf English Breakfast tea, & eating oatmeal cookies. What a great way to spend the day!

  7. Thanks goodness for Carla’s comments as I feared I might be the only one reading a good, old fashion book that you can hold in your hands. The less screens in my life the better 🙂

    My favourite tea would be “chocolatey chai” and for a snack I’d like to say apples, almonds and cheese (which I have every afternoon) but if there was a chocolate chip cookie near by it might win my attention.

  8. I agree Karen – this time of year it’s so wonderful to be snuggled under my weighted blanket with a good book!

    Sipping: A huge insulated 30 oz. mug of hot Peppermint Tea
    Snacking on: Buttered popcorn, (or peanut butter pretzel pillows)
    Reading: E-book. Though I do have a bookcase full of print books and love them to pieces, it’s easier to turn the E-book page with a knuckle, or even a tap of my nose, since my fingers are all greasy with popcorn butter! 😀

  9. I’m drinking spice/orange tea with a little bit of honey, and honestly, I am NOT snacking because calories and Thanksgiving next week. 🤣 I have my trusty Kindle in hand with soooooo many great reads downloaded. So I will be here awhile. You might have to call my name more than once to get my attention!

  10. Sipping coffee in the morning, decaf tea in the evening, reading on my Kindle, and snacking on cookies. The Murchies teas look yummy 😊

    • I have quite a collection of Murchie’s blends. At work, I alternate between the Queen Victoria and their signature 1894 blend. 🙂 Can you tell I write historicals?

  11. I love the cooler weather, but the lack of sun makes me so sad. I no longer get my reading sun spot.

    Drink: My favorite tea is mango ceylon, it’s delicious and the smell of mango makes me happy.
    Snack: I don’t usually snack when I read, but every once in a while I will go for mixed nuts or cheez-its.
    Reading: Both! I can’t bring myself to annotate my physical books, so I will read an eBook if I want to annotate.

  12. English Breakfast tea
    Homemade chocolate chip cookies or brownies
    Print book

    That tea selection looks marvelous. I have all the books, but could gift one. Have made my sister a fan. Thank you!

  13. I have been sipping Numi Organic Breakfast Blend tea this morning. I am not snacking yet but am having plain organic greek yogurt with chia seeds and thawed frozen black raspberries from the freezer with a splash of real maple syrup. I really prefer print books. Thanks for the chance. It is a lovely prize!

  15. We would be drinking hot chocolate for her and I’d be drinking Bigelow Perfect Peach Herbal Tea. The snack various by season from Fig Newtons to pretzel mix to homemade Christmas cookies (butterscotch my favorite). Reading on an ebook and her a paper copy. We’d be sitting in our double recliner with a quilt over us or ceiling fan on (seasonal) with 50’s music in the background.

    • I love so much of that picture you painted. A romantic double recliner to allow snuggling and reading. Fig Newtons are a fave of mine, and I adore 50’s music. Although, I typically prefer quiet while I read.

  16. I am a huge tea drinker also, so that would be my drink of choice. I’ve been loving Spekulatius spice cookies this fall, and I’d definitely prefer a print book although I’m super grateful for my kindle! Happy Cozy Reading!

  17. I LOVE Murchies! So many teas, so little time.

    I would be drinking tea, Irish Breakfast is my fav right now, after visiting Dublin in October. I would be snacking on pumpkin snickerdoodles (I made them last weekend). And I would definitely be reading a physical book, the best!

    Happy reading!

  18. I’m drinking hot coffee and snacking on homemade pumpkin bread while reading on my kindle. Here in my part of Texas, it will soon be time to switch to hot tea though.

  19. I love to drink tea, my favorite is
    Cinnamon Apple Spice, but most any tea is good for me 🙂 Scones are my favorite choice of snack to go with my tea, blueberry scones, mmmmm. I’m reading in print, your book ‘Under the Texas Mistletoe’, it’s the one on my nightstand right now 😉. Ah, and having classical music in the background and a caramel scented candle lighted too.
    By the way, I LOVE your books! And thank you so much for this opportunity 💕

  20. I love drinking Darjeeling tea while eating homemade scones and reading on my ereader. I love paper books but room to keep them is now an issue.

  21. I’d be drinking either Earl Grey or Lady Grey tea, munching on some Walker’s shortbread cookies, and reading Jen Turano’s latest Matchmakers book. (This really is my hope for Saturday evening. 😉)

  22. I’m drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows!
    Snacking on homemade Chex mix and reading print. I love holding a book in my hands!
    Thanks for doing a giveaway!

  23. Just reading your article gives a cozy feeling! Probably part of that derives from the approach of the holiday season. I would probably be drinking Irish Breakfast tea and snacking on cheese and crackers. My book could be either format, as I have a mix of print and ebook.

  24. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
    I am definitely drinking hot tea as well, probably Earl Grey or a Christmas blend. I love flavored black teas the best.
    I typically prefer savory/salty, so often cheese & crackers or potato chips. If it is sweet, most likely something with dark chocolate & mint.
    I like ebooks for price & the ability to take many books everywhere, but my heart really still loves print most of all.
    Thank you again!

  26. Perfect Reading Day would be hot coffee and cookies or just ice cream no beverage with a print book. Normal reading time is water and chips with my Kindle app on my phone. Thanks for the chance!

  27. I am a printed book girl all the way. My job as a systems analyst requires that am on a computer at least 8 hours a day, so when I want to relax and read, I don’t want to stare at another electronic device. You’d find me sipping on Peppermint Chocolate Tea by Republic of Tea or Chocolate Truffle Hot Chocolate by Silly Cow.
    Currently, my favorite salty crunchy snack is Sea Salt PopCorners. (Beware they are addicting!)

    • I’m on a computer all day at the job, too, and when I get home, I want to read or cross stitch or do something with some space between my eyes and a screen. The TV is usually on, but its at a distance. 🙂

  28. I’d be drinking hot chocolate, eating something salty and definitely reading print. Thank you so much for the chance to win!

  29. just finished fairest heart, I loved the mature gentlemen. I like sip on Cinnamon Apple tea or Peppermint if my tummy is misbehaving (I have IBS) My husband just made sugar cookies(so I am nibbling on them I cataloged books as a librarian, so I am reading large print

  31. I love the slowdown of fall. I would drink cinnamon tea, snack on soft molasses cookies, and print book is my favorite.

  32. This looks so cozy!
    I’d be drinking Tazo Organic Awake tea (hot), snacking on a homemade pumpkin scone, and reading a print book (I save my e-books for in bed at night).

  34. For breakfast I like English Breakfast or Irish Tea. When relaxing and reading my favorite tea is Buckingham Palace Garden Tea.

    I like to snack on a scone when drinking tea.

    I prefer print books, but do have a Kindle and use it.

  35. I’d be drinking water and yes it is room temperature, snacking on a homemade cranberry orange muffin, reading print. Blessings

  37. I would be drinking either peach hot tea or hot chocolate if the weather is cold. My usual afternoon snack is a few chocolate chip cookies, or perhaps popcorn or a fruit and nut mix. I like to read regular print books best.

  38. I’m drinking coffee but tea would work too. I’d love to be eating shortbread! I prefer reading a print book.

  39. Either hot chocolate or tea (maybe chai or mint?) with cookies (oreos?) and/or chocolate, and either print or e-book. And I’d probably have a soft blanket (skip the pillow) and probably a more comfortable-looking recliner or couch to curl up in/on.

  40. Just reading these responses makes me feel cozy!
    Comfy chair, Fire, Harney & Sons Tower of London blend (black), if my kids haven’t eaten them all: soft molasses sugar cookies and ideally a print book, but often a kindle app on my phone or an audiobook with headphones (we have a busy household) so I can sip, close my eyes (I work on computer for much of the day also) and just relax and have someone read to me😊

  41. Hi Karen,
    That looks like the perfect cozy spot.

    What warm beverage are you sipping? That’s hard to choose. I enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and tea.

    What are you snacking on? A homemade cookie.

    Are you reading in print or e-book? I enjoy both. I think I’d pick a paperback. One of your books would be perfect!

  42. I am drinking my homemade spiced apple cider snacking in Christmas cookies (also homemade) and reading a real book, if I have it. (These days my budget is thin and sometimes I have to get the cheaper e-book.)

  43. I’d be sipping a French Vanilla Cappuccino, listening on audio (while I work on my crochet), and maybe snacking on some yummy nut & fruit clusters I picked up. Thanks for the chance!

  44. I enjoy Hot tea too. One of my favorites is Wild Blueberry Green tea. I sometimes prefer something salty instead of a sweet. And I always love reading a paperback book.

  45. WE HAVE A WINNER!
    Congratulations to Linda Romer for winning the bookish tea goodies and a book of her choice. Linda – I sent you an email with instructions for claiming your prize. Hope to hear from you soon!

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