Thursday Tea {5-7-09}

Thursday Tea is hosted by Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog. Here's how it works: Tell us what tea you are drinking (and if you like it). And then tell us what book are you reading (and if you like it). Finally, tell us if they go together.

The Tea- My tea this week is Tazo Passion. "A magical blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, rose hips, mango & passion fruit flavors."

The Book- I'm reading Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey. It's part of a series that I started reading in 2001. I really like these trilogies.

From GoodReads: Imriel de la Courcel's blood parents are history's most reviled traitors, while his adoptive parents, Phèdre and Joscelin, are Terre d'Ange's greatest champions. Stolen, tortured, and enslaved as a young boy, Imriel is now a Prince of the Blood, third in line for the throne in a land that revels in beauty, art, and desire.

After a year abroad to study at university, Imriel returns from his adventures a little older and somewhat wiser. But perhaps not wise enough. What was once a mere spark of interest between himself and his cousin Sidonie now ignites into a white-hot blaze. But from commoner to peer, the whole realm would recoil from any alliance between Sidonie, heir to the throne, and Imriel, who bears the stigma of his mother's misdeeds and betrayals. Praying that their passion will peak and fade, Imriel and Sidonie embark on an intense, secret affair.

Blessed Elua founded Terre d'Ange and bestowed one simple precept to guide his people, love as thou wilt. When duty calls, Imriel honors his role as a member of the royal family by leaving to marry a lovely, if merely sweet, Alban princess. By choosing duty over love, Imriel and Sidonie may have unwittingly trespassed against Elua's law. But when dark powers in Alba, who fear an invasion by Terre d'Ange, seek to use the lovers' passion to bind Imriel, the gods themselves take notice.

Before the end, Kushiel's justice will be felt in heaven and on earth.

Do They Go Together- I'd say they do. There are some pretty intense moments of erotica in this series of books. A lot of romance and adventure, too. I think a tea described as "magical" and that contains passion fruit flower most definitely goes with all of Jacquline Carey's Kushiel books.

Buy Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey:
IndieBound {} Powell's {} Amazon

Thursday Tea {4-30-09}

Thursday Tea is hosted by Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog. Here's how it works: Tell us what tea you are drinking (and if you like it). And then tell us what book are you reading (and if you like it). Finally, tell us if they go together.



The Tea- My tea this week is a White Tea with Blueberry made by Carrington Tea. I couldn't find it on their site; I'm guessing either it is seasonal or they just aren't making it anymore.

From the box: "Carrington white tea is picked from the delicate flowers grown in the tea gardens of the Fujian Province in China."

I initially picked it up because my paternal grandmother's maiden name was Carrington and I was looking for a white tea (not a fan of the green). It's very slightly sweet on it's own (better with a teaspoon of sugar or honey), but with a tart aftertaste. I like it!

The Book- I started reading SHANGHAI GIRLS by Lisa See yesterday. I'm only on page 22, but I'm in love with Lisa See's writing style. Descriptive without getting bogged down (I'm looking at you Stephen King. I love you, but you can be very wordy.) I haven't read any of Lisa See's previous books, but I think I be looking for them in the near future.

From GoodReads: "May and Pearl, two sisters living in Shanghai in the mid-1930s, are beautiful, sophisticated, and well-educated, but their family is on the verge of bankruptcy. Hoping to improve their social standing, May and Pearl’s parents arrange for their daughters to marry “Gold Mountain men” who have come from Los Angeles to find brides.

But when the sisters leave China and arrive at Angel’s Island (the Ellis Island of the West)—where they are detained, interrogated, and humiliated for months—they feel the harsh reality of leaving home. And when May discovers she’s pregnant the situation becomes even more desperate. The sisters make a pact that no one can ever know.

A novel about two sisters, two cultures, and the struggle to find a new life in America while bound to the old, Shanghai Girls is a fresh, fascinating adventure from beloved and bestselling author Lisa See."

Do they go together- As I said, I'm not that far into the book. I'm noticing a bit of a 'tart aftertaste' to one of the sisters so I'm going to say yes!

There you have it! My very first Thursday Tea post. I like it, bringing two of my very favorite things together. You will definitely see me joining in on this one more often. =)