It may say Fall on the calendars, but in Northern California Summer’s still hanging on some. It’s going to be in the 90’s in the Sacramento area today and I have beautiful Zinnias in my garden.

But. I do have a sweater on in the morning, and Football’s back (Raaaai-ders!).

Ok, fine. Summer’s gone.

Work in Progress

First and foremost: No, I didn’t delete my current work in progress. After being talked down by my DH and author bestie, I listened to their advice and just took a break. I picked up some embroidery, focused in on all the “stuff” going on in real life, namely school starting again and you know, my job.

Walking away from the story worked! After a few weeks away an idea popped into my head and it meant getting rid of a character who was cramping my style. She had to go. Will she show up at another point in the book? Maybe. But with her out of the way, my main character and her man can proceed with their stormy life.

Garden

Honest truth I didn’t put much effort into the garden this summer. Maybe my mind was still in Disneyland! Tomatoes are gone, still a few basil plants, but WOW our herb garden has done well. Mainly the lemon verbena and a rouge mint that loves it in there. This weekend will be about cleaning things up and getting ready for fall planting.

Reading

I’ve recently picked up the book The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst. The staff member at my local Barnes & Noble recommended it, calling it a “palette cleanser” and she is so right! I’m about 2/3 of the way through it and already have added her other books in the series to my Want to Read list on Goodreads (follow me there if you haven’t already).

It is a cozy fantasy about a librarian, forbidden magic, and a sentient spider plant sidekick named Caz. I’m really enjoying this read.

Cozy Fantasy?

Which brings me to my next topic: What makes a fantasy “Cozy”? The Spell Shop is the first of such books I’ve read. But what really makes it cozy? The jam shop? The talking spider plant? The soft magic?

And would my own book be considered “cozy”? Much of the beginning of The Mark of the Artist takes place in the countryside, with a bashful artist and his mysterious muse, then off to a seaside city where a mysterious mentor/artist appears, and a side character young girl who gets her own adventure.

*Spoilers: keep on scrolling if you haven’t read the book*

But then what about the villain in my book: The Harlequin Man? He’s not what I’d call cozy, he’s more ick mixed with evil. So, does having a battle scene, or even some dark justice mean this isn’t a cozy fantasy?

*End spoilers*

I’m not sure. So I’ve been describing the book as having “cozy vibes”. I really don’t want to mislead any readers who are steering clear of the more epic or grim fantasies and just want gnomes making enchanted tea (I’d read that…hmm), but there is that element of coziness…

Thoughts? What makes a book a Cozy Fantasy or not?

Hope everyone is enjoying Fall. Us Summer people will hide until June. 😊 Haven’t read The Mark of the Artist or Maisie’s Escape? Get your copy in digital or paperback! They’re both wonderful Fall reads!