I am finding that I set a lot of my suspense books in winter. One reason for that is that a cold, blizzard prone setting adds to the danger the characters face. The other reason is that I know winter well because I live in a part of the world where winters are long and sometimes harsh. Feedback from readers indicates that they find my descriptions of this season believable. One reader told me she could feel the cold as she read my books. My book that comes out at the end of December, Taken in Wyoming, takes place mostly in the icy frozen month of January.
Though I have lived in a place where long cold winters were a reality, I have a love hate relationship with the season. I love being where it snows at Christmas time and I love cozy winter days when I have nowhere to go and can stay inside and watch the snow fall. I love the feeling of having been out in the cold and then coming inside for a hot cup of tea. I don't even mind shoveling snow as long as it isn't cold enough to freeze my nose hairs. It's good exercise.
There is plenty I don't like about winter. I've never been a winter sports person. So even though I see bumper stickers that say "think snow" for the people who love to ski, that has not been my thing. As I get older, driving on the snow and ice wears on me. Having to plan an extra twenty minutes to let your car warm up before you can go anywhere is a pain. Slipping on the ice is not fun.
I love to live in a place where the is a distinct change in the seasons, but sometimes I wish winter was just a little shorter and a little warmer. What are your thoughts on the coldest season? Maybe you live in a place where winter isn't a factor. What do you love about that? Leave a comment with your email address. I will pick three people for two copies of Taken in Wyoming so you can experience winter while in your cozy warm house.
Sharon Dunn
Maybe people read more in winter since everyone is stuck at home.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't snow where I am in California. So I can experience that through books. dianah7272@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteToo much cold and snow for me. chicowill57@aol.com
ReplyDeleteWe do get some snow here in Deer Lodge, MT, and I'd like it to be less as well; so will look forward to spring, while I read great Christian books! Would love to win print copies of Sharon's book; even more so because it's about Wyoming, where my husband climbed all the peaks in the Tetons, years ago. . ! Lual Krautter email: krautter62520AToutlookDOTcom
ReplyDeleteNo winter here, but if we want snow, we can easily drive up to Tahoe!
ReplyDeletekykla99ATgmailDOTcom
I love the change of seasons and we do get snow here in Ohio. Like you, the older I get I worry about the ice more, but there is no denying the beauty of the season. ceedee1958@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida where there is no major seasonal changes. For me it is the opposite. I wish summer were shorter and winter was a little longer. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
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ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot co
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
DeleteSadly Texas doesn't have distinct seasonal changes. I'd love to experience the color explosion of the East Coast.
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida, but I originally lived in upstate NY so I knew snow don't miss it. I read books with all setting but snowed in makes them a little more intense jenningsask@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteNever been a big fan of winter. Like it when I can stay inside and watch the snow fall and how pretty it makes the woods look around our home, but getting older and with many aches and pains, it just makes them a lot worse in winter time. We live in the Ozark Mountains where it's bound to snow each year. However, a couple weeks is about all it sticks around. Experience has told us to listen to the weather (hubby's a weather nut so that's no problem), keep stocked up (which we do all the time so just a matter of getting milk and bread now), and having enough propane to make it through any rough spots (thankfully the company always makes runs to fill up before a big event). And because we have a whole house generator, we never lose utilities. I think we get the perfect amount of winter - enough to enjoy, but not overwhelming. So, when it snows, I'm content to stay indoors, in my comfy, multiple adjustable recliner, in front of the fireplace, with a good supple of books to read.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the fabulous chance to win a copy of TAKEN IN WYOMING! I would love the opportunity to read and review it.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I love feeding the birds in winter I am stock piling bags of seed now.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the changing of the seasons, but as I get older, I am not a fan of Winter. I would enjoy it being warmer and milder. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI dislike it but I am used to it alysap at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeletei prefer warm weather but appreciate the lack of mosquitos
ReplyDeleteI live in Las Vegas now, and I LOVE not having winter! We get snow on the mountains, and will occasionally get snow, but it melts so fast! I enjoy seeing snow from a distance!🤣😂
ReplyDeleteI grew up in cold states: Minnesota, Wyoming, Montana, Northern Illinois... I have NO desire to be around snow and cold!
Heather Mitchell crhbmitchellfam@duck.com
i like the 4 seasons but not winter
ReplyDeleteI dislike winter
ReplyDeleteI love winter, but I like the cold and snow in short spurts. I love that CO has a week or two of milder weather in between snowstorms. I hate that we got very little snow this past winter.
ReplyDeleteI read all year long, but the older I get and especially right now as I recover from my first knee replacement on September 17, I plan to do even more reading as winter rapidly approaches. jeaneek330@gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWinter is my favorite season! I love snow and all the festivities.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about snowy winters in books. We do not have snow or harsh winters where I live in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteI love reading books that take place in the winter. I personally hate the cold. My cats hate the cold. Even my car hates it. I was born & raised in the south & grew up on beaches. Annie's Attic Mysteries by Sharon Dunn is a favorite book series of mine.
ReplyDeleteWe get some snow here outside of Seattle. Some years nothing but others quite a bit. It’s hit and miss. I prefer the snow to stay in the mountains.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I also wish winter wasn't such a long season, I'm not fond of feeling cold all the time. But I do love books that take place during the winter, it's a good setting for a suspense story.
ReplyDeletemelanie_brac (at) yahoo (dot) com