Cozy Mysteries discussion

In honor of sports we will do a sports theme this month since we are in the middle of Hockey,Basketball and also the Superbowl will be coming up. And since it is a "New" year I encourage you to try a new author to you.

1. Sports (Football,Hockey,Tennis, etc.)
2. "New" Author (break out of your comfort zone)


Take a look at www.stopyourekillingme.com for all the various sports books. Look under Job Index.

"New" author is easy for me ;)

Yep, me too Marisa! I have my sports book picked too.

Sports
New

Well, the "new" author part shouldn't be much of a challenge, since I have first books in the TBR pile by authors I've not read before (read about 40 new-to-me authors this year alone!), but I don't know that I have anything in the TBR to fit the sports part--and I really need to concentrate on the TBR pile. :-/

I'm going to break out of the usual types of cozies I read and maybe read a historical mystery. I have Murder on Astor Place in the TBR and I've never tried this author.

Oh, Sherrie! I love the entire series of figure skating books by Alina Adams. Wish the series had continued!

I really liked the website listed above, I'll have to start using it more to figure out books for challenges. It reminded me of a sport I wouldn't have thought of (dog sled racing) and giving me an excuse to get the second book (Termination Dust) in the series out of the library to read. The new author book is TBD from my shelf at home.

I think I'll read Double Black for the sports and I've got a bunch of new to me authors on the TBR list.

Sherrie wrote: "I'm going to break out of the usual types of cozies I read and maybe read a historical mystery. I have Murder on Astor Place in the TBR and I've never tried this author."

I love that series!! I grew up in NYC and my Mom would be 110 if she were still alive and HER mother would be 135 so I heard lots of stories about Manhattan at the turn of the 20C and the early years of the 1900's. It is fun to imagine Sarah and Malloy through the eyes of those ladies!

Sport (golf) - A Buried Lie by Roberta Isleib 1/4
New author - Evil in Carnations byKate Collins 1/8

Katherine wrote: "Sherrie wrote: "I'm going to break out of the usual types of cozies I read and maybe read a historical mystery. I have Murder on Astor Place in the TBR and I've never tried this autho..."

I read a YA book called The Luxe by Anna Godbersen and it takes place in 1899 in New York. I really liked it and could imagine how it looked in those days. Really good book.

I think that, for sports, I'll read my Lee Ofsted book ;)

I think I will read:

Sports: End Run: A Drew Gavin Mystery by Steve Brewer
New Author: In The Dead of Winter by Nancy Mehl

most authors are new for me, so that one is easy. :) For sports, I chose one about a sports columnist and former football player. I hope that counts.

Oh, new author will be easy. Sports....hmmm. I will let you know

Caroline wrote: "Oh, Sherrie! I love the entire series of figure skating books by Alina Adams. Wish the series had continued!"

Oh thanks so much. I will do Murder On Ice for my sports read.

I wasn't going to do this challenge, because I get enough sports from DH, but we were Christmas shopping yesterday and I came across a book sale and found:
Sports: Axel of Evil by Alina Adams
New: Pretty Poison by Joyce Lavene

They were the only two books I could find that looked good, so I took it as a SIGN.... lol

I think I'll give this one a try. I'll have to check my cozy bookcase and see if I have any sports related ones or not. If I do...then I'll try both of the options...if not...just new to me authors.

I've just remembered that I have a car race book for my USA challenge, so it's going to cover three sides (sports, around USA and ABC challenge) :D

Andrea wrote: "I think I will read:

Sports: End Run: A Drew Gavin Mystery by Steve Brewer
New Author: In The Dead of Winter by Nancy Mehl

most authors are new for me, so that one is..."

Yes, the sports book will count.

I'll be reading Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand for Author of the Month. She's new and cozies in general are somewhat new to me.

Dumb question but does yoga count as a sport?

Nairabell wrote: "Dumb question but does yoga count as a sport?"

That would be really stretching it but I will allow it. I lookd at the site I mentioned above and it has a fitness intructor listed under sports and since yoga and fitness are pretty much the same it would be ok.

Thanks Sherrie! Yoga is as close as I get to sports :)

Okay, I'm going to read:

1. Sports: Corpse PoseDiana Killian
2. "New" Author: Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman

Read: 0/2

I think I'm going to try these two...

Sports: Six Strokes Under by Roberta Isleib

New Author: Mum's the Word by Kate Collins

2011 Theme Read - January

1. Sports Horse Racing/Breeding/Equestrian
On the Run 2005 Iris Johansen

2. "New" Author - Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4) 2004 Charlaine Harris

I just remembered, I'm reading Metro Girl in January for another group. That counts as sports - NASCAR.

I hadn't thought of yoga as a sport. Since I didn't get to Corpse Pose last month, I will read it. This could be a two-fer since the author is a new one, but I have several new-to-me authors in my tbr so I plan to also read at least one other. Maybe or

Nell wrote: "I hadn't thought of yoga as a sport. Since I didn't get to Corpse Pose last month, I will read it. This could be a two-fer since the author is a new ..."

Oh, definitely give FOOL'S PUZZLE a shot! The Benni Harper books are among my very favorites. The mystery is usually pretty good and the characters just make me feel good. Especially Benni's grandma, Dove. She reminds me so much of my Mamaw!

I changed my "New" book to our FA Carolyn Hart.

Kari wrote: "I just finished Death Drop for the sports and new to me author. I really liked it."

Waiting for so I can start. I hope I like this series.

Theme Read: January, 2011

1 / 2

Sports

Hooked Up: A Stock Car Racing Mystery by Joyce Lavene (01/02/2011 - **)



I haven't liked it a lot. It's a pity, because I've liked all the other series.

Theme Read: January, 2011

Done

Sports

Hooked Up: A Stock Car Racing Mystery by Joyce Lavene (01/02/2011 - **)

New Author

Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb (01/04/2011 - **)



An early end but not very happy. I'm afraid that it's another example I don't usually catch humor in the books, not funny for me.

Excellent themes as always, Sherrie. :-)

I'll be reading by Kathryn Lilley and by Juliet Blackwell.

Happy Reading/New Year, everyone! :-)

I finished part. since our featured author is new-to-me.

Theme Read January 2011 - Completed

1. Sports (Football,Hockey,Tennis, etc.)
2. "New" Author (break out of your comfort zone)

1. Axel of Evil by Alina Adams
2. Pretty Poison by Joyce Lavene

While I liked the first one, I did not like the second, which just goes to show you. I was certain it would be the other way around. The second was a good story, but I just couldn't get into the book, or care about the characters.

Ok, I will be doing a poll for next month's themes and along with that there will be colors in the mix as well to give us a few more ideas. There will be 2 colors but you don't need to do both unless you want to. So far I think a couple for everyone to vote on will be:
Valentine's
Flowers
Candy
Red/Pink

Just received my giveaway book, Treasure Hunt, , and so will use this for my new author. Still haven't decided on a sports themed book but will continue looking.

Flowers would be great for February and I love Pink! So maybe a Pink Carnation mystery would satisfy both?

I read a new to me author and liked it.

Theme Read Jan 2011

New Author Murder Takes the Stage

Just started this new Author read. Still looking for a sport theme book.

New author

Sports

I managed to finish both books over my vacation. Both were better than I expected and I will probably be reading more in both series.

I have never heard of that haunted home repair series. Let me know if it is good!

Heidi I wrote: "I have never heard of that haunted home repair series. Let me know if it is good!"

I've got it nearing the top of The Pile myself and need to get to it soon.

Let me know how it is Melodie. Thanks!

I have only read a few chapters so far. This is the book I keep at work to read at lunch and it surprised me with the description of the killing. It was not as cozy as I am used to while I am eating although not as gory as it could have been.

Heidi I wrote: "I have never heard of that haunted home repair series. Let me know if it is good!"

Heidi - This is the first book in a new series by Juliet Blackwell and I really enjoyed it. Of course if you don't like a bit of paranormal, it may not be your cup of tea. Her other series is about witchcraft and I actually enjoy them both.

Thanks Chris and Caroline!

The poll for February is now up so please come and vote. The 2 with the most choices will be the new themes.

I noticed that "flowers" is in the lead so far. Methinks a lot of people (like me) are looking to catch up on Kate Collins' series. LOL

Guilty - I've got the 1st on on my TBR and it'd be perfect