Friday, August 19, 2011

Midnight Reading

Here on the farm, the days are jam-packed. Canning, freezing, harvesting, mowing, weeding, working on a new book... The hours fly by. Really. Jam-packed.

You'd think I'd fall into blissful, deep sleep at night, wouldn't you? It would be great if that was happening, but this journey I'm on has different plans for me. I twist. I turn. I'm aggravated by this new found insomnia.

Then, I rise. It's just past midnight, but rolling around alone in our bed just annoys me.

Insomnia has been my companion for months now. Every few nights I am just so bone-weary that I actually sleep. Until then, I've just got to deal with this.

But, the silver lining to last night's sleeplessness? It's got me smiling this morning, so rather than grump about tossing and turning, I'm going to share something lovely with you.

A few weeks ago, I was the lucky winner of a fabulous book at the Avalon authors blog. I left a comment and--lucky me!--won a copy of Sandra Carey Cody's new release, Left at Oz. I was tickled, and put the book on the coffee table in our family room.

Just past midnight, I picked it up. And, two cups of hot chocolate and a half-bag of cookies later, I closed the book. Just before sunrise. And, I'm still smiling because my sleepless night was a good one! Finally!

Left at Oz is part of Sandy's Jennie Connors Mystery Series. I haven't read any of the other books but it didn't matter at all that I hadn't "met" Jennie before. This book is so well written that it's great as a stand-alone.

I liked Jennie Connors from the first page. She amuses me because I can see myself doing some of the things she does! For instance, the book opens with a search for her stolen car. She's gotten a mysterious phone message and, like so many of us might do, she enlists the help of a good friend to follow the few clues she has. When her friend asks how Jennie's husband reacted to the news her car's missing, Jennie admits she didn't tell him. Don't you just love that? So real, because honestly, I'm not sure I'd be so quick to let on that my car turned up missing. You?

Left at Oz is a solid mystery, with enough clues to keep the reader turning the pages and such heart that it's almost impossible not to fall in love with the characters. I confess, I didn't solve the mystery. I had suspicions but when the truth came out I loved the twist. It, like the rest of the book, was a perfect fit.

So, my sleepless night turned out to be wonderfully entertaining. I hate it that I'm plagued by this insomnia, but I'm very grateful that there are authors who write books like Left at Oz--books that can capture my attention, soothe my heart and entertain me even in the long, dark hours when everyone else is soundly sleeping. Thanks, Sandy!

What about you? Have you read any fabulous books lately? I'm looking for a couple of new books to set on our coffee table. Any ideas?

Wishing you a peaceful weekend.

9 comments:

Dru said...

If you want a book that will make you laugh, Pampered to Death by Laura Levine will tickle your funnfy bone.

Sarita Leone said...

Thanks for the suggestion, Dru. You always choose such great books that I know Pampered to Death will amuse me. I'll put it on my to-buy list! So glad you made a recommendation. Thank you!

Mary said...

It sounds like a super book. I'm going to check it out.

I just picked up The Help. I want to read it before I see the movie but the movies playing and I havent opened the book yet.

Sandy Cody said...

Oh, Sarita, I'm so glad you liked my book and that it helped you through the night ... reading your blog just made my day.

Anonymous said...

Left At Oz sounds like a wonderful book. And being in Oz myself I love the title, even if it doesn't mean what we think it does!!

Hugging you!

Sue W.

Jess said...

I'm just glad to see you're finding bits of peacefulness. Rooting you on!!

Unknown said...

Sarita, I frequently have the same problem--the tossing and turning.

I think it's wonderful to have someone talk about your book in a blog so complimentary and to know it kept them reading for the rest of the night--that's priceless! Congratulations, Sandy.

margaret blake said...

Sounds like you have found something to do rather than toss and turn. Glad you found a book that brought you so much pleasure.

Kathleen said...

I've been reading Louise Penny's French Canadian mysteries. Cold Quebec weather appeals to me right now.