PA Tea Festival 2026
Left Top: Laura Bradford, Left Bottom: Ellen Crosby
Right Top: Barbara Early, Right Bottom: Susan Kimmel Wright
The Tea Festival occurs annually within the month of September, and is hosted by The Rosemary House in downtown Mechancisburg, PA. Each year, our shop has been delighted to offer wonderful author talks, and this time around was no exception! Last year, we changed our author talks from 10 am and 12 pm to 11 am and 1 pm on both Friday and Saturday, allowing time afterwards for book signings and picture taking.
The first author to speak on Friday, September 18th, was Laura Bradford. While she may be living in the Carolinas nowadays, she did reside in the Northeast for a spell, and has written numerous books under two different names. As Elizabeth Lynn Casey, her “Southern Sewing Circle” series is comprised of over ten books following the murderous adventures of Yankee librarian Tori Sinclair and her sewing circle sisters. But Laura wasn’t just there for the series under her penname. In fact, she was at the festival to highlight her “Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery” series; which focuses on a bakery owner inheriting a vintage ambulance that she hopes will save her business from the rising cost in rent. Between her “Amish Mysteries,” “Friend for Hire Mystery” series, and others, there are a variety of themes for cozy fans to dive into with Laura’s books!
(Laura Bradford, holding up two of her books.)
In the afternoon, we had the pleasure of setting up Ellen Crosby’s books, as she was visiting us from Virginia to talk about her “Wine Country Mystery” series. Ellen gave our readers a little bit of background on the different countries she’s lived in over the years and how she got into being a foreign correspondent for ABC News Radio. Then she talked about the setting for her books, and the research that goes into her novels featuring Lucie Montgomery. From also writing about murders being solved by investigative journalist Sophie Medina, to a novel set inside an older version of Russia, Ellen’s books have a worldly view sewn into their mysteries.
(Ellen Crosby as she signs her books for readers.)
The following morning, Saturday September 19th, was filled with another round of author talks and book signings, beginning with Barbara Early coming on down from New York! Not only has she written the “Vintage Toyshop Mystery” series, and the “Bridal Bouquet Shop” series under the penname of Beverly Allen, but she is currently co-authoring the “Murder, She Wrote” books with famed (and fictional) Jessica Fletcher. So of course, Mrs. Fletcher had to travel along with her friend to hear her speak about Murder Most Trivial! After a reading, and some tea being handed out, Barbara was available to sign copies of her books.
(Barbara Early with her books as she sets up for her talk.)
(Jessica Fletcher came along and brought some handouts with her.)
Last, but not least, we had an author from the Pittsburgh area make the travel eastward to talk about a cozy mystery series centered around her character, Mabel. Now, Mabel may seem like your ordinary woman who has lost her job, after twenty-three years, but she certainly manages to get herself into more-than-enough trouble while trying to hit success as an author. Her grandmother’s house, recently bequeathed to her, is very run down, and it also comes with a neighbor who has an ax to grind. Between volunteering and solving mysteries, it is a wonder she has the time to even write a few words! Susan Kimmel Wright’s “Mysteries of Medicine Springs” has five installments available for purchasing, with a sixth and final novel coming out next year.
(Susan Kimmel Wright with two of her titles, getting ready to do her talk.)
Again, our bookshop was thrilled to be back at the PA Tea Festival to host these author talks and book signings under the Author Tent, and we hope to see you all again in 2027.
And don’t forget that we have these authors’ books, some of them SIGNED, at our shop for any special occasion; such as any time you wish to read a good mystery! 😉
A big shoutout of thanks to Sarah, Mary Ellen, and Susan for taking the above photos of the event.
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