Dear ,

We were at the park this morning and the acorns were dropping from the trees. Fall has finally arrived, with a thousand thuds, and with them, the final installment in the Designer to the Dead series, Creeper in the Sleeper. It will be out in just a few weeks!

Thank you so much for reading along on this journey. I know it's been a long time coming. I hope you enjoyed the story and will stick around for future tales.

Exploring Fall Flavors

Last year, when I asked for recommendations for fall teas, I received a few standout suggestions. My favorite? London Fog. While you can buy it by the bag, like Victorian London Fog by Harney & Sons, you can also brew it all by yourself.

This recipe, first seen on GimmeSomeOven, really blew me away. It is a London Fog Tea Latte made with an Early Grey base, a pinch of lavender, a dash of vanilla extract, sugar and steamed milk.

To a piping hot cup of water, add a bag of Earl Grey and approximately 1/16th of dried lavender flowers. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain. Add in 1/8th of a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and sugar and steamy, frothy milk to taste.

But Katie, how do I make steamy, frothy milk? The easiest way is with a microwave, a jar and some nonfat or 2% milk. (Full tutorial here.) Pour some milk in a jar, shake it vigorously to create bubbles, then microwave it for 30-60 seconds. When pouring the milk into the tea, use a spoon to hold back the foam, and then spoon it on the top for a smooth finish.

Want a new paranormal cozy mystery series to read with your tea? Check out the following stories:

Zombies for Everyone

A Jenna Sutton Supernatural Cozy Mystery, Book 1

by Kimberly Wylie

Jenna Sutton is nothing like Buffy—the iconic vampire slayer of TV fame.

She’s the antithesis of a cheerleader. She’s not peppy. And she sucks at gymnastics. She has nothing in common with the fictional Buffy, other than being blonde and in high school...

Oh, and occasionally she kills vampires for a living as well as other things that go bump in the night.

Following an attack on an English teacher at a nearby school, it becomes clear this wasn’t an ordinary coyote bite. The gray-green Lichtenberg-like webbing of streaks making their way up Ms. Pruett’s arm can mean only one thing—zombies.

But this isn’t a normal zombie attack. The victims seem to be hand-picked.

Can Jenna complete her investigation without the school administrators figuring out she’s actually a high school student from another school? Will Jenna be able to find out who’s behind these attacks before a full-scale zombie outbreak overtakes the town? And, perhaps most importantly...

Why did her best friend kiss her after all of these years?

Murder for a Song

Musical Mayhem, Book 1

by KM Jackways

In the quaint town of Ledstow, she lives a good distance from her nosy parents, talks to anyone who will listen about musicals, and jams on her ukulele. But when murder comes to her workplace, everyone is a suspect.

When her best friend is taken in for questioning, it's up to Esther to prove his innocence. With her ukulele that has a will of its own and an uncanny gift to get people talking, she takes over where the police have failed.

But the mystery becomes extra knotty, when she discovers something more magical than just caffeine flows in her veins. Can Esther clear her friend’s name, uncover the witchy family secrets and figure out why the police detective seems to be following her by Christmas?

Until next time,

Katie O'Keene ☆