Jennifer J. Chow is a friend of the Wicked Authors, and I’m delighted to help her celebrate her newest novel, Star-Crossed Egg Tarts.

By Jennifer J. Chow

When I got married, one of the things we wanted to incorporate into our special day was a tea ceremony. This was a chance for us to express our respect to our elders by serving them tea. In return, we’d gain acceptance from our relatives. They would accept the tea and shower us with approval through their laisees and gifts of jewelry. Fun fact: My aunt gave me a pearl necklace after drinking her tea.

How exactly does the ceremony work? This long-standing ritual, which originated in the Tang dynasty, is historically conducted on the morning of the wedding at the homes of the bride and groom, respectively. In modern times, it’s held at a single location. The couple will kneel on the floor before the relatives, who sit in chairs. The beverage often contains lucky fruits to symbolize sweetness and fertility: red dates, longan, and lotus seeds. It’s also often served in an auspicious, red-colored teapot. 

My recent novel, Star-Crossed Egg Tarts, (book two in the Magical Fortune Cookie series) also features a tea ceremony. That part of the wedding goes relatively smoothly despite the disgruntled parents and in-laws. What really brings down the occasion is the dead body of a groomsman. And, of course, he’s found under the dessert table where my main character, enchanted baker Felicity Jin, has displayed tiered egg tarts. 

What is a tradition that’s important in your life?  

Felicity Jin returns in the second book in the heart-warming and deliciously mysterious Magical Fortune Cookie series from Lilian Jackson Braun Award-nominee Jennifer J. Chow.

Jin Bakery has been asked to cater the Lum-Wu outdoor wedding at Pixie Park. The day of the ceremony, Felicity is finishing the “cake” of tiered egg tarts as the wedding party arrives for the ceremony. When one of the groomsmen, Miles Wu, doesn’t arrive, Felicity’s best friend and local florist Kelvin generously steps in for him and the wedding goes smoothly―until cake cutting time.

That’s when Felicity finds Miles’ dead body beneath the table with her egg tarts display, stabbed by Kelvin’s gardening shears. With the detective’s sights on Kelvin, Felicity starts sleuthing away to prove his innocence, revealing dark secrets about all the wedding’s attendants. They each had something to hide―and a reason to quiet Miles forever. To make matters worse, Felicity’s powers of prediction are on the fritz thanks to the emotional turmoil of a surprise visit from her estranged father.

When the groom gets poisoned at the send-off party and winds up in a coma, the stakes are even higher, not to mention Felicity’s feelings for Kelvin are beginning to feel more than friendly. Will Felicity’s magic return in time to catch the true culprit and rescue her budding relationship with Kelvin?

Author Links:

Home

https://www.facebook.com/JenJChow

https://www.instagram.com/jenjchow

JENNIFER J. CHOW writes cozies filled with hope and heritage. She has been a finalist for the Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Lilian Jackson Braun Memorial Award. Kirkus Review said this of her Magical Fortune Cookie mysteries: “Good things lie ahead in this series.” Star-Crossed Egg Tarts was highlighted in Book Riot, Criminal Element, and Fresh Fiction. Jennifer is a past president of Sisters in Crime and an active member of Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America. She regularly blogs at chicksonthecase.com. Connect with her online and sign up for her newsletter at JenniferJChow.com.