Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion
2018 Level 4 (Super Extra)
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Introducing Dawn Michelle, Slueth Extraordinaire. ♥
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Dawn Michelle wrote: "...That whole Penguin/Random House merger really did a number on a lot of my favorite series. Ergh. "I hadn't heard about this! Which series (serieses? series'? series's?!? lol) were effected (or affected? Oh grammar thou art not my friend!)
Lena wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "...That whole Penguin/Random House merger really did a number on a lot of my favorite series. Ergh. "I hadn't heard about this! Which series (serieses? series'? series's?!? ..."
So. Many. Series.
There was such a huge shake up and authors who will no longer be writing and authors that lost their books because "they didn't own the characters" [WTHECK is that about?] and authors that had to go to teeny-weeny publishing houses and now their books are ginormously expensive - ugh. Its just all so gross. PRH showed just how much they do not care about their readers.
For a complete list, I suggest you go to the Facebook group Save Our Cozies and join and you can get all the info about who isn't writitng anymore, which series is done and where some of the authors have gone and are publishing again. It is an amazing group with many authors posting there and lots of good Cozy talk. I am there [same screen name as here - Dawn Michelle] and I really like being part of that group.
And that's why the cozy mystery I wrote will never leave my own computer :) How do someone's own characters not belong to them????
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "...That whole Penguin/Random House merger really did a number on a lot of my favorite series. Ergh. "I hadn't heard about this! Which series (serieses? series'?..."
This is interesting. I wondered why some cozies at the bookstore had increased in price. I didn't know about this until I read it here.
So many amazing series were canceled and quite a few authors mentioned self-publishing but the merger has basically destroyed the cozy market. I love the Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis but they are now being released in hardcover which is waaaay out of my price range. It's really sad. Save Our Cozies on Facebook has a list of the canceled series.
Lena wrote: "And that's why the cozy mystery I wrote will never leave my own computer :) How do someone's own characters not belong to them????"IKR? It was very frustrating to hear that and super frustrating for the authors. The few that it happened to have stopped writing completely. Some had other characters/books [that they apparently owned] and were able to keep writing. It is pretty crazy when you heard some of these stories.
Apparently PRH thought that they could find other people to write these stories after firing the original authors. W T H?
Katherine wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "...That whole Penguin/Random House merger really did a number on a lot of my favorite series. Ergh. "I hadn't heard about this! Which seri..."
Many of the small publishing houses cannot afford to print in the mass market paperback style [as you do not get your money back if the bookstore cannot sell it - they just are required to rip off the cover and send that back, not the whole book, whereas if it is a regular sized book, they get the whole book back and can recoup some money on that] so they print in regular size and have to charge more for them. It has been hard to shell out money for that. And the kindle prices have increased too which makes NO SENSE to me, and so I am relying on sales, the library and just not reading as many cozies as before.
Shannon wrote: "So many amazing series were canceled and quite a few authors mentioned self-publishing but the merger has basically destroyed the cozy market. I love the Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis but th..."I just checked on that and it IS being released in paperback, but that won't be much cheaper as its not Mass Market, but regular size paperback.
I got mine on NetGalley. That has helped a lot in the whole cozy thing, because I cannot afford them that way either. I have never bought a cozy in HC and I certainly don't plan on starting now.
38. Murder at the Flamingo [A Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery #1] ~Rachel McMillanAugust 27 - August 30, 2018
2 Stars
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Shannon wrote: "So many amazing series were canceled and quite a few authors mentioned self-publishing but the merger has basically destroyed the cozy market. I love the Domestic Diva series by Kri..."It's depressing how books are unattainable now because of price. I can't justify nor really afford the $7.99 or $6.99 they charge for paperbacks. Even some Kindle editions are outrageous these days. I'll have to wait until the new Domestic Diva book goes on sale if it ever does. EBay may have it at some point, too. Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done to change or improve the situation.
35. Too Big to Miss [Odelia Grey #1] ~Sue Ann JaffarianAugust 20 - August 30, 2018
4 Stars
Shannon wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Shannon wrote: "So many amazing series were canceled and quite a few authors mentioned self-publishing but the merger has basically destroyed the cozy market. I love the Domes..."I only get books when they are on sale and when I can get an audiobook for free [library/hoopla/scribd {which isn't free, but has so many audiobooks that I need, the $8.99 a month is totally worth it. They have tons of book books there too that can be read on your phone or computer} ] and I am grateful for NetGalley, which I recommend to cozy lovers as there are a ton there and once you get into the groove, acceptance isn't hard to get. Getting an audiobook isn't always easy though; I have three coming up that I have to use my Audible credit for and that makes me crazy sometimes, but it happens.
The publishing houses seem to thrive on greed and that is what seems to be driving this current rate hike of book prices. They clearly don't care about the consumer that is for sure.
7. One holiday based [set during any holiday - Christmas, Valentines, Easter]A. Twelve Slays of Christmas [Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #1] - Jacqueline Frost
August 29 - August 31, 2018
4 Stars
1. One from culinary [anything dealing with food]A. Going, Going, Ganache [Cupcake Bakery Mystery #5] – Jenn McKinlay
September 1 - September 2, 2018
3 Stars
33. Toucan Keep a Secret [Meg Langslow #23] - Donna AndrewsSeptember 1 - September 3, 2018
4 Stars
I just noticed you’re reading the Books by the Bay series. How is that? Does it compare to any of the other coastal series? I read several, mostly taking place in Maine but a few upper northwest.
Lena wrote: "I just noticed you’re reading the Books by the Bay series. How is that? Does it compare to any of the other coastal series? I read several, mostly taking place in Maine but a few upper northwest."I absolutely love that series. I read the first one on a whim and the couldn't get them fast enough. It really is one of the best series I have ever read. I am not sure she is going to write anymore in that series and I am really quite sad about that. I highly recommend it!
Thanks for that! I thought it looked like it would be a good one. Definitely going on my list now :)
Lena wrote: "Thanks for that! I thought it looked like it would be a good one. Definitely going on my list now :)"Awesome!! I cannot wait to hear what you think of it!!
1. One from culinary [anything dealing with food]B. Single Malt Murder [Whiskey Business Mystery #1] - Melinda Mullet
September 4 - September 7, 2018
3 Stars
29. Death Distilled [Whiskey Business Mystery #2] Melinda MulletSeptember 8 - September 9, 2018
4 Stars
31. Deadly Dram [Whiskey Business Mystery #3] - Melinda MulletSeptember 10 - September 11, 2018
3 Stars
37. Assaulted Caramel [Amish Candy Shop Mystery #1] - Amanda FlowerSeptember 12 - September 13, 2018
4 Stars
Dawn Michelle wrote: "37. Assaulted Caramel [Amish Candy Shop Mystery #1] - Amanda FlowerSeptember 12 - September 13, 2018
4 Stars"
I like Amanda Flower's books--I'll have to give the Amish Candy Shop mysteries a try.
Donna wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "37. Assaulted Caramel [Amish Candy Shop Mystery #1] - Amanda FlowerSeptember 12 - September 13, 2018
4 Stars"
I like Amanda Flower's books--I'll have to give the Amish Can..."
The first one was really good; I am listening to the second one now and I am not crazy about the secondary characters, but I don't think you are supposed to be.
I have the entire Books by the Bay series on my nightstand. Have 4 other books ahead of them but one or two might cut in line :) Those mysteries can be crafty!
Lena wrote: "I have the entire Books by the Bay series on my nightstand. Have 4 other books ahead of them but one or two might cut in line :) Those mysteries can be crafty!"I absolutely L O V E D those books; I could not read them fast enough. They were some of my favorite reads! She just started a new series that I am loving as well. She is a very gifted writer!
2. One from animal related [cats, dogs, birds, etc.]B. Claws for Concern [Cats in the Stacks #9] – Miranda James
September 26 - September 28, 2018
4 Stars
9. One historical mystery [any mystery not set in the present]B. The Grave’s a Fine and Private Place [Flavia de Luce #9] – Alan Bradley
October 1 - October 3, 2018
5 Stars
Dawn Michelle wrote: "9. One historical mystery [any mystery not set in the present]B. The Grave’s a Fine and Private Place [Flavia de Luce #9] – Alan Bradley
October 1 - October 3, 2018
5 Stars"
I love Flavia--I'm not as far along in the series as you are. I love her independence and her quirkiness.
Donna wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "9. One historical mystery [any mystery not set in the present]B. The Grave’s a Fine and Private Place [Flavia de Luce #9] – Alan Bradley
October 1 - October 3, 2018
5 S..."
They get better with each book IMO. She is just amazing!
9. One historical mystery [any mystery not set in the present]A. Five Little Pigs [Hercule Poirot #25] – Agatha Christie
October 4 - October 9, 2018
5 Stars
Only two left. But geesh I am not a fan of the one I am currently reading. Sigh.
3. One from craft related [any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking]A. Hooked on Murder [A Crochet Mystery #1] – Betty Hechtman
October 9 - October 10, 2018
2 Stars
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can't not have books!I like Miranda James's series. I think ..."
Here are some of my favorite cat-themed cozies.
A Black Luck Cat Mystery by Kay Finch
A Bookmobile Cat Mystery by Laurie Cass
A Magical Cat Mystery by Sofie Kelly
Second Chance Cat Mystery by Sofie Ryan
Sunny & Shadow Mystery by Claire Donally
Nick and Nora Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio
Read two books written by Leann Sweeney. I own the next two in her A Cats in Trouble Mystery.
Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can't not have books!I like Miranda Ja..."
I have the Bookmobile books I think [I do, I went and checked!]. I love Leann Sweeny; that series was awesome as is Krista Davis' Paws and Claws series. I had bought the first two in the Sunny and Shadow series before my eye problems and there is no audiobooks for those, so I will be unable to read them. :-(
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can't not have books!I l..."
That's a shame. My absolute fave is Magical Cat. Not too much magic. Owen and Hercules are adorable. Nick and Nora is new to me. I LOVED the first one. Black Luck Cat is great!
Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can'..."I am so excited!!! The Nick and Nora books are ALL in audiobook form and I can get the book books at Thriftbooks for cheap [so my mom can read the too and then they will get passed around our book club]! YAY!!!
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio bo..."Hope you like them. Always fun to find new cozies with felines. ;)
Hooked on Murder by Hechtman is on my reading list:(By the way I tried the Books by the Bay series by Ellery Adams. I just couldn’t get into it. So much description and the dialogue (what little there was) felt unnatural. Is it just slow getting started? I know sometimes it takes a few books to hit the stride. The characters were interesting and the setting was great but it seemed to drag.
Lena wrote: "Hooked on Murder by Hechtman is on my reading list:(By the way I tried the Books by the Bay series by Ellery Adams. I just couldn’t get into it. So much description and the dialogue (what little ..."
The first one took me some time to get into because it is pretty wordy - I think its because most of the characters are writers. I loved the series so apparently I got used to the wordiness. I felt the stories were very believable and I ended up loving the characters so much. Maybe try again? And if it doesn't work, then its probably not for you. That happens. Clearly. LOL
Hooked on Murder was just so....meh. I just could not stand the characters and they did such STUPID things. Ergh. It was one of those times where I wished I could skim an audiobook. LOL
Maybe I will give it another try. I have a Christmas break this year, I'd have more time to read uninterrupted. That always makes it easier to get into a book.
Lena wrote: "Maybe I will give it another try. I have a Christmas break this year, I'd have more time to read uninterrupted. That always makes it easier to get into a book."YAY for a Christmas break!!!
3. One from craft related [any kind of hobbies - coloring, crocheting, scrapbooking]B. The Coloring Crook [Pen and Ink Mystery #2] - Krista Davis
November 12 - November 13, 2018
4 Stars
And with that last one, I am officially finished with this challenge. 100 books read!
Wow, 100 books--you killed this challenge! Well done!
Donna wrote: "Wow, 100 books--you killed this challenge! Well done!"Thank you Donna!!!
Dawn Michelle wrote: "And with that last one, I am officially finished with this challenge. 100 books read!"Way to go!!!!
Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "And with that last one, I am officially finished with this challenge. 100 books read!"Way to go!!!!"
Thank you so much Betsy!!
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kay Finch (other topics)Laurie Cass (other topics)
Sofie Kelly (other topics)
Sofie Ryan (other topics)
Claire Donally (other topics)
More...
August 23 - August 27, 2018
4 Stars