"Where Charlie's Angels
Meet Steel Magnolias"
Meet Steel Magnolias"
Q:What made you write a series about a tea room owner?
A: I actually owned and operated a tea room, Miss Melanie's Tea Room, in Johnson City, Tennessee. I made a very difficult to decision to close it, but my family still resides in our 107 year old Victorian home.
Q: Are the recipes in the book from your tea room?
A: Yes the recipes are from the kitchen of my tea room. Some are passed down from my grandmothers, Ellen and Essie.They are tried and true! They're simple, yet elegant and delicious.
Q: When did you discover your love of tea?
A: Growing up, I always enjoyed a pot of tea afterschool with my Mom. We incorporated tea rooms in our travels, but my college semester abroad in London studying International Communications was when my passion for tea was truly ignited!
A: Is Dogwood Cove, Tennessee similar to where you live?
Q: Yes. Very similar to Johnson City. We are fortunate to be surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains and the Appalachain Mountains. The views are spectacular and in the Spring, Dogwood trees bloom everywhere. It's a beautiful area to live in and to visit!
A: Is tea room owner Amelia Spencer based on you?
Q: Somewhat, yes. Her husband, Shane is modeled after my husband, Keith and each of my children has a character based on them. Charlie is based on my son Charlie and the horseback loving fiesty red head, Olivia Rivers, is based on my firecracker daughter, Olivia.
Q: Why did you choose Dallas for the setting of your first adventure?
A: I attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas where I earned a degree in Public Relations and Marketing. It just seemed a natural fit that the first destination would be Dallas for a class reunion and homecoming game. All the places the ladies visit including shopping and dining are listed in the resource guide section at the back of the book.
Q: What's next in the series?
A: The second book is available now, The Traveling Tea Ladies- Death in Dixie, and spotlights historic Jonesborough, Tennessee and The National Story Telling Festival. This one is a little spookier than the last . . . that's the only clue I will give you!
Q: Are there other books in the series?
A: The third book is The Traveling Tea Ladies- Death in the Low Country is based in Savannah, Georgia. This time the setting is the Fancy Foods Show and a Paula Deen want-to-be is big competition for Amelia as she competes for the blue ribbon in the cooking demonstration. Amelia is using tea infused recipes throughout this book. The release date is December 2011. A tea infused cookbook will also be released Winter 2012.
Q: Do you have any upcoming special events?
A: I have book signings, tea tastings, tea classes through our Tea Academy seminars, tea tours and much more. To stay up-to-date, join me on facebook or sign up for our newsletter! facebook//fansofthetravelingtealadies.com
A: I actually owned and operated a tea room, Miss Melanie's Tea Room, in Johnson City, Tennessee. I made a very difficult to decision to close it, but my family still resides in our 107 year old Victorian home.
Q: Are the recipes in the book from your tea room?
A: Yes the recipes are from the kitchen of my tea room. Some are passed down from my grandmothers, Ellen and Essie.They are tried and true! They're simple, yet elegant and delicious.
Q: When did you discover your love of tea?
A: Growing up, I always enjoyed a pot of tea afterschool with my Mom. We incorporated tea rooms in our travels, but my college semester abroad in London studying International Communications was when my passion for tea was truly ignited!
A: Is Dogwood Cove, Tennessee similar to where you live?
Q: Yes. Very similar to Johnson City. We are fortunate to be surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains and the Appalachain Mountains. The views are spectacular and in the Spring, Dogwood trees bloom everywhere. It's a beautiful area to live in and to visit!
A: Is tea room owner Amelia Spencer based on you?
Q: Somewhat, yes. Her husband, Shane is modeled after my husband, Keith and each of my children has a character based on them. Charlie is based on my son Charlie and the horseback loving fiesty red head, Olivia Rivers, is based on my firecracker daughter, Olivia.
Q: Why did you choose Dallas for the setting of your first adventure?
A: I attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas where I earned a degree in Public Relations and Marketing. It just seemed a natural fit that the first destination would be Dallas for a class reunion and homecoming game. All the places the ladies visit including shopping and dining are listed in the resource guide section at the back of the book.
Q: What's next in the series?
A: The second book is available now, The Traveling Tea Ladies- Death in Dixie, and spotlights historic Jonesborough, Tennessee and The National Story Telling Festival. This one is a little spookier than the last . . . that's the only clue I will give you!
Q: Are there other books in the series?
A: The third book is The Traveling Tea Ladies- Death in the Low Country is based in Savannah, Georgia. This time the setting is the Fancy Foods Show and a Paula Deen want-to-be is big competition for Amelia as she competes for the blue ribbon in the cooking demonstration. Amelia is using tea infused recipes throughout this book. The release date is December 2011. A tea infused cookbook will also be released Winter 2012.
Q: Do you have any upcoming special events?
A: I have book signings, tea tastings, tea classes through our Tea Academy seminars, tea tours and much more. To stay up-to-date, join me on facebook or sign up for our newsletter! facebook//fansofthetravelingtealadies.com
Smoky Mountain Coffee, Herb and Tea Company is "The Official Tea Company" of The Traveling Tea Ladies. Visit our gift shop online at www.SmokyMountainCoffee-Herb-Tea.com
