Weather Forecasts

It’s the time of year when I start to think about the cold ahead – and don’t look forward to it. 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 want to try.

My Kindle also has some titles by authors I’ve always enjoyed reading: Lee Child, Agatha Christie, Laura Childs. I know I’ll enjoy a snowy 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

Tea or coffee?

Many of us identify ourselves by the choice of beverage – tea or coffee? Of course, some people prefer soda or hot chocolate, juice or alcohol. But how often have you been asked, “Tea or coffee?” And you invariably pick one or the other in an instant.

I love tea – especially quality loose tea, but I’ll sip whatever house brand a coffee shop offers when I’m out, even a grocery store brand. I’m not into flavoured teas or herbal teas…in fact, I dislike most scented or smoky teas like Earl Grey or Lapsang-Souchong, but tea is my hot drink of choice.

Are you that way with your choice of reading genre? In a blink, you can say what authors are your favourite, what genre keeps you up too late on a work night, who spins the best tale in your genre of choice. You can also quickly say what you don’t like – which authors, which genres, which plots that let you down.

However, what if you’ve never tried hot chocolate or Ovaltine? Do you know what you're missing? Maybe you’ll like it even better than tea or coffee! That’s why it’s great to join readers’ groups, to talk to friends about what they’re reading, to browse through a bookstore. You could find an author you’ve never read before, or one who also writes under another name as well and discover a whole new world of reading.

By all means, enjoy your tea or coffee, but take a few minutes every now and then to try out a different beverage or have a low-fat muffin with it. Enjoy!