Meri's Cozy Corner - Happy March
Hi Everyone and thank you for joining me for my newsletter updates! Happy first edition, am I right?
I’m Meri, an indie author who publishes fantasy and paranormal shorts, novellas, flash fiction, and novels. I’m from Midwest USA, run on Central Standard Time, chocolate, and Dr. Pepper mostly. My biggest fans are my mom and my cat. And in my spare time, I love to craft. Check out my crafting Instagram @MBensonCreations if you’re curious about what I craft.
As a whole, if you’re wondering why I chose the 15th of every month I figured it was a nice way to do a check-in, keep updated on my goals and keep you updated with where I am for my writing goals. It also means that for this inaugural edition, as far as the updates and check-ins, I’ll act like I sent out one on the 15th of Feb and update like you’ve been following.
Writing Updates
So the big reason I have this Newsletter, website, and social media, is because I’m doing this writer thing. Which means there are, and should be, writing updates to let all you lovely readers know what’s going on in my corner of the writing world.
Starting with Hotel Fen news.
Marie and I finished the first draft of the sequel, Monster Ridge! Our deadline was to have it done by March 1st, which we were able to accomplish. This means we get to move into the editing stages of it.
As well, the audiobook of Hotel Fen, narrated by talented author and crafter Rebecca Lemke, might be in edits as you read this as well. So exciting news on both fronts, am I right?
Into the Faerietale is another novel I’m working on.
I haven’t talked about it too much on social media, though I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned it on my blog before. I’m currently working on a high fantasy, faerie-based novel. It’s gone through several re-writes, a couple re-plots, and it’s in the editing stages. I’ve had a few hiccups with it, but my goal is to finish the edits and get it published this year.
What I’m…
Reading
When I’m not reading for requested reviews, check out my review policy if you would like to request a review for your book, I’ve been consuming a lot of cozy mysteries - usually with a witchy flair to them.
Pickups and Pirates (#3) and Vintage Vampires (#4) by Bella Falls
I finished books three and four of the Southern Relics Cozy Mysteries series, which continues the story Jewell family, specifically Ruby Mae after a hurricane attack on Crystal Coast as people hunt for pirate treasure and then when she travels to Italy to meet her vampire fiance’s parents.
Pasta, Pirates, and Poison (#1) and Apples, Actors, and Axes (#2) by Lisa B Thomas and Paula Lester
The first two books in the Beachside Books Magical Cozy Mystery series, we start out meeting Paige, who was from a small coastal town in Texas but had jetted off to Italy where she worked and wrote against a wonderful backdrop. Everything changes when her Aunt dies and she has to come home. Book one deals with the Aunt’s death and her inheretance of her Aunt’s failing bookstore, while also throwing in a hunt for pirate treasure. Book two has Paige finally settling back into her life in the small town and striving to get the bookstore back in the black while the small town is bombarded by actors and treasure hunters alike because everyone is sure a movie director has hidden a treasure somewhere in the town.
Golem is a psychological horror set in the 1950s and starts on a journy of suspense, fear and devilish details as John Ashton, a war hero now detective, digs into an assignment to find the district attorney’s missing daughter. The book is as chilling as it is compelling, but you’ll have to check out my blog for the full review later this week.
The Olympus Trinity by Brian Coggins Jr
This book is a new take on several of the well known Greek Myths as we follow Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon as they have to put aside their past transgressions and come together in order to deal with the present.
The Olympus Trinity is releasing soon, make sure to check out my blog for the full review later this month.
Watching
Watching-wise, I just started The Endgame, a new show that started at the end of February on NBC. It’s got a really interesting story, great ten steps ahead planning, and wonderful acting.
I also did a huge binge-watch of most of Marvel’s shows on Netflix before they disappeared off Netflix. I didn’t quite make it through a few seasons, but from what I’ve heard they should be moving to Disney+ so I should be able to catch back in with what I’m missing after they do.
Finally, I started a The Vampire Diaries rewatch. Nothing more fun than watching vampires, werewolves, and all the supernatural drama as it unfolds in high school.
Listening To
I’m old school, I listen to talk radio in the morning when I go to work. I like getting updates about the world, about my city. But on the way home, and when I’m listening to things, I have been listening to a few Podcasts recently.
I have a mild fascination with True Crime, so I’ve been listening to Crazy in Love, a True Crime podcast that takes a look into stories where love took a terrifying turn.
As well, I’m an OG Gossip Girl fan, so when I heard that Jessica Szohr started a podcast to dive into the show, well, I definitely had to tune into XOXO with Jessica Szohr.
Story of the Month
This month’s short is a Hades/Persephone-inspired short. Pomegranate Promises is a little shorter than I would have liked but serves as a small window into a world that’s on my book list to write in the near future.
Hope you enjoy the short. I’ll catch you all next month!
~Meri