The other day I chatted with another lover of books and, after we caught up on our latest reads, she asked a couple of questions that got me thinking about why I choose the books I do: Are the characters we meet in a book reflections of ourselves? Or do we select books to vicariously … Continue reading Diverse Reading Creates Empathy
Category: cozy mysteries
What Did You Expect from a Cozy Mystery?
On a Facebook page for cozy mysteries, a reader commented that she unsubscribed from other cozy lists because she was tired of fluffy dogs or knitting grandmas solving murder while the victim is forgotten in the quest to find the killer. “Oh, look! Another dead body.” Yawn. “Guess we should find out whodunnit.” I was … Continue reading What Did You Expect from a Cozy Mystery?
Lessons from Summer
As I write this, I’m sitting at my desk with the windows flung open, reveling in the gorgeous morning outside my door. The mild weather and the hordes of returning college students down the road are reminders that summer is coming to an end. I can’t say I’m sad about the passing of summer (I’m … Continue reading Lessons from Summer
Am I Ready to Call Myself a Writer?
The other day someone asked me, “What do you do?” Ugh. I hate that question. I know that people ask it to be social and to start a conversation, but it makes my job synonymous with my identity. That’s great if you have a universally cool, unusual, or impressive job, but it’s so easy for … Continue reading Am I Ready to Call Myself a Writer?
Review: The Family Skeleton Series by Leigh Perry
Who thought a skeleton could be so charming? I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting series with twists that capture my imagination but still have the comforting characters that make a mystery a cozy. The Family Skeleton Series by Leigh Perry falls firmly in that category. The series begins as Dr. Georgia Thackery, … Continue reading Review: The Family Skeleton Series by Leigh Perry
Forced Unplugging: What Happened When the Lights Went Out
This post is not what I originally intended to write. Yesterday, as I sat at my computer composing my next article, the words flowed from my fingers as if the writing angels were whispering in my ear. Then the power went out. There was no warning flicker, no dimming of the lights. The electricity snapped … Continue reading Forced Unplugging: What Happened When the Lights Went Out
The Seasons: Do They Mean Anything?
Can I just say that the weather outside of my window is absolutely gorgeous? After an early summer of temperatures creeping into the upper-90’s or low-100’s with high humidity, I have awoken over the past few days to the coolness of 70 degrees. I celebrated the mild temperatures by throwing open my windows and inviting … Continue reading The Seasons: Do They Mean Anything?
Am I the Pigeon or the Statue? Setting my Writing Routine
from Jane Austen Is My Spirit Animal (Facebook) Yesterday I ran across this meme after initially seeing it, oh, so many moons ago. At about the same time, I was reminded of the saying, “Some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue.” What’s the connection, you ask? If you look closely, both … Continue reading Am I the Pigeon or the Statue? Setting my Writing Routine
Tacos and Multi-Sensory Writing
Recently I lost myself in the book Murder Once Removed by S.C. Perkins. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy centered around Lucy Lancaster, a Houston-based genealogist. After she uncovers possible suspects in a 19th-century murder connected to a prominent Texas family, Lucy becomes a target herself when a present-day killer wants her research. This book drew … Continue reading Tacos and Multi-Sensory Writing
Can a Murder Mystery Be Comforting?
Well, life threw me a curveball again. One of my beloved brothers passed away unexpectedly and I have been visiting with my mother, keeping her company as she tried to come to terms with the fact that she just outlived one of her children. She has difficulty with her mobility, so we watched a lot … Continue reading Can a Murder Mystery Be Comforting?
JOSIE'S COZIES 