A Good Find (What I'm Reading)

I wandered by Holiday Grind on one of the more recent trips to the bookstore this week (yes, I go a few times a week...it's a much-needed rest from my office, just across the road). I don't usually buy into Christmas-y novels, but this season, I seem more open for one. (I still haven't grabbed one...can't justify the $24 a hardback costs so close to present buying time. *le sigh*)

So, in a sort of internal converstion/compromise, I took the name of the author (repeating it to myself as I hurried back to Mystery section..."Cleo Coyle, Cleo Coyle, Cleo Coyle...") and grabbed the first book of the series, "On What Grounds."

I'll stop right here and admit that since read my first Miss Marple book years and years ago (Bless you, Saint Agatha!), I love the taste, feel, and smell of cozies. Cozy mysteries are good friends that you visit over and over...they're characters whose lives you get to witness over time--similar to the people in our "real" lives. They grow. We grow...we all grow together.

On the other hand, I feel romances tend to be high energy, breathtaking "encounters" with the characters. We get drawn in, we go up, we go down, we fall in love and we're left a little dizzy and thoroughly entertained at the end of the story. Sure, we loved the ride, but we were left off once the story was over. (I do love when character's make cameos in future books, but its still different.)

So anyway. I've finished "On What Grounds" and I must say, I loved this book. Clare is a great heroine to follow and despite being written in first person POV (I'm not the biggest fan of that), I love the "voice" of the book. I love the characters. I love the fine line between Clare and her ex-husband Matteo. I love Madame (I really do.) I don't love Joy, her 19 year old daughter, yet, but hopefully I will.

Another major character in this book (and one of the main reasons I am thrilled to find this series) is COFFEE. Yes, coffee itself is a main character and even in this first book, I have learned so much about my beloved brew. (Thanks "Cleo Coyle"!)

Speaking of the author, here is "their" web site. Yes, "their." Cleo is actually a wife and husband writing team--very neat. And kudos for being able to work creatively with your spouse...not something me and my controlling nature could easily do.

Today (yes another visit to the bookstore) I picked up a new series to start. I am learning that when I give myself a break between books in a series, I am a much more patient reader and will slow down instead of zooming on through to the end to get to number three or four. When I have no destination, no need to finish as fast as I can, I slow down and enjoy the ride--and to do that, I've found it helps to break up a series a bit. (Especially when I just discover one with 8 books to get through.)

So today's grab was "Ghost at Work" (another cozy!!!) by Caroyln Hart. I don't know much about her or the series, but a sleuth who is also a ghost is mighty intriguing to me. Can't wait!