Summer Reads—Step Out of Your #GenreZone

This summer as I’m writing my third book, my #TBR reading list is stepping way outside my cozy mystery genre box (and in some instances I’m stepping way off the planet into worlds I didn’t even know existed). I’ve been able to see and read clips of the works of so many talented writers on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads, it inspired me to read (and review, please don’t forget to review) books and short stories that are out of my usual comfort/genre zone. Variety is the spice of life, right? By reading books and short stories in other genres, I get exposed to the interactions of characters in good circumstances and bad and downright horrifying, which are very helpful to me as a mystery writer. For this post, I’ll share some of the new #GenreZones I’m entering this summer and why.

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Romance+

Who doesn’t love a little romance in your reading? I love the upbeat, feel good love story books where you pretty much know after a bit of turbulence and heartbreak, the hero (or heroine) sweeps in and voila, all is good in the end. These books are a great read for me and keep me in the happy zone–great for trips and poolside reading (IMO—and I love the ones that are made into movies). Romance in another land is another of my favorites—-who doesn’t love those Tuscan and Provence love stories? I keep reading these for the travel experience as well as the love tale. I’ll even be traveling back to my southern roots—you just can’t take the southern girl out of me, even after all these years