I’ve been reading fast-paced, high tension books lately. Three in a row–The Nine by D.L. Cross, Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews, and then The Twins by D.L. Cross. They’re WONDERFUL books. I loved every one of them. But I’m a mystery lover at heart. So it was time for me to go back to my roots, what makes me feel good. Stories where the good guys win and the bad guys get punished. A more leisurely pace. As much atmosphere as action. So I started Anna Lee Huber’s A Stroke of Malice.
I have a thing for historical mysteries, especially anything around the Regency or Victorian period. I’m also a sucker for a good cozy. Let’s face it, to me, a cozy is almost a guaranteed good feeling read, and sometimes, that’s exactly what I want. Something that warms the cockles of my heart at the end of a day. And of course, I love the puzzle of a good mystery.
I read at a slower pace when I read these. I want to savor them. I’m glad the hero or heroine isn’t in danger and I have to speed to the next chapter to see if they survive. I’m going to take my time with A Stroke of Malice. The next one doesn’t come out until next April. 😢
My daughter’s coming to stay with us on Saturday and Sunday, so no reading then. When kids come, everything else gets pushed aside. I mean to enjoy every minute with them that I can. And when she leaves? It’s back to reading at the end of the day. Slow and leisurely. By the time I finish, I have a feeling that D.L. Cross’s last book in her Astral Conspiracy series will be out, and then I’ll be turning pages as fast as I can again. But it’s so nice to settle in to enjoy good mysteries when I need some warm and fuzzies to relax.
P.S. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but for the first time ever, I added a page for What I’m Up To at the top of my blog. I’m usually so boring, there’s nothing to report, but this time–hold your hats–I have FOUR events coming up in the future. Who knew?
Judi Lynn 
The weather is changing and it really makes me want to curl up and read. I’ve been enjoying The Body From the Past for the last two days and am 50% through the book. I think this is going to be my favorite Jazzi mystery yet. I LOVE it!
I did get some writing done this weekend—a flash fiction challenge (posting tomorrow) and a new chapter on the WIP. Both made me feel good, but I really just wanted to curl up and disappear into reading. I’m looking forward to the final book, The Lab, from D. L. Cross. I’m gonzo on that series.
Congrats on all the stuff you have lined up in the future. You go!!!! You’re kicking butt and I’m sure all of those events are going to be awesome. I’m cheering you on! 🙂
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Glad you like the new Jazzi. Jessica really grabbed me when I wrote her. And looking forward to your flash fiction tomorrow. Is this WIP the straight mystery you talked about once? I’m hooked on the Astral series, too. I just started reading a Lady Darby, though, and those take me a while. And thanks for all the encouragement!
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Yes, the WIP is the one I’ve been working on for a while. I plan to make it my NaNo project in November and hopefully finish the thing, LOL. At least the first draft, as what I write during NaNo is sure to be a mess!
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You have a shot of a good first draft this time. You’ve started work on it and know where you want it to go. Good luck with it!
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Thanks! 🙂
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I think it’s good that you’re going back to what you love. I was just discussing that with my SE friends.
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