What's Your Forecast?

It’s the time of year when I hate -- having to face the cold. I’m not one of those snow bunnies who can hardly wait for the snow…except for the extra, guilt-free reading time it gives me! Really, who can feel too bad about curling up inside when the temp dips below freezing and the wind is blowing? It’s the perfect time to try out some new authors. And I’m actively looking for some writers I’d like to spend time with this winter. A friend has recommended David Rosenfelt – I like dog mysteries, so will give him a read.

I’m also looking at some horse mysteries. I love the Carolyn Banks’ dressage-themed horse mysteries and have read Sara Gruen’s Riding Lessons and enjoyed it as well. So I’m picking up more Sara Gruen, along with Horseplay: A Novel by Judy Reene Singer.

I’m going to explore some more cozy mysteries – I’ve been finding I really like them, too…and for some reason the cooking and tea ones are the ones I’m drawn to. So, I’m looking for authors in that genre as well. Joanne Fluke is one writer I’ve enjoyed trying – she writes very visually and you can almost smell the cookies baking. Laura Childs is another must-read and I love how she makes her characters really feel like friends. Can hardly wait for a new title to come out.

My Kindle has titles by authors I’ve always enjoyed reading and I know I can count on for a good story! I know I’ll enjoy a cold, rainy afternoon defeating the bad guys and finding the guilty parties with these titles, and that’s always fun.

But it’s also very rewarding to find a favorite new author…so, go ahead, load up your ereader or your shopping cart with some “sure-to-please” or some “new-to-me” authors. That way, you don’t have to dread the weather forecast.


Libby McKinmer
Romance with an edge
www.libbymckinmer.com
libby@libbymckinmer.com
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Fall Reading by Christine Duncan

Something about summer days makes reading a guilty pleasure. As the daylight hours get shorter, I get drawn inside to read and sip hot cocoa as I huddle on the couch under an afghan.

I just finished reading Lisa Gardner's, The Neighbor. Sergeant DD Warren is investigating the disappearance of a young mother who left the house while her four year old was sleeping and her husband, a journalist, was off at work. I've liked Gardner's other books and was drawn into this one immediately. And I kept reading, fascinated even though Gardner switched viewpoints which is a technique that can turn me off. The book was a definite page turner and yet, I have to say, I was disappointed. It's difficult to tell without giving away the book. The best I can do is say that the ending seemed contrived. I almost felt as though I could see authorial wheels turning and deciding that the whole thing needed to be more complicated to be a best seller or perhaps even a made for TV movie.

The other mystery I've read lately is Mariah Stewart's Until Dark. Kendra Smith, a sketch artist who is frequently employed by the FBI, is called in to do a sketch of the soccer mom killer. Kendra thinks her job is over when the sketch is done, but it becomes obvious that the killer wants her to stay involved. The action wasn't too graphic for my tastes, the romance doesn't overwhelm the mystery and Kendra is a likeable heroine, so I found this book to be more satisfying.

So what are you reading now? Share, please. I could use some new authors to explore.

Christine Duncan is the author of the Kaye Berreano mystery series. Book two, Safe House is available now.