Toward a Bleak Midwinter

I want to thank those readers who have told me they enjoyed the first book in the Mary Christmas series, Slay Bells.  And I hope these same readers, and others, will anticipate the publication of the second book in the series, Bleak Midwinter, to be published later this fall.  Also, I am diligently working on the third book, Cold Snap . . . so stay tuned.

During the waiting, and hopefully some warm summer months, I would also like to offer these thoughts on writing the mystery series . . . or at least how I experience writing one.

A mystery series needs to be character-driven--with new revelations coming forward in each book, sometimes surprising in terms of what the reader can learn about the characters, their outlooks and their emotional, relational, and psychological development.  Suspense is tightened through tension . . . and in the case of Mary Christmas and her romance with Lance, the course of true love must not run too smoothly.  There must be difficulties and these must mirror true life.  

Look for the sexual tension between Mary and Lance to burn a little hotter in the subsequent novels.  And I hope readers will enjoy the new twists found in the characters of Silvia and David, Mary's best friends, and what they can bring to the narratives.

This second novel, as the title implies, will deal with a rather bleak subject, but one that I hope I can take on with equal parts realism and the "cozy" unfolding of the mystery and mayhem.

Again, thanks for reading . . . 

Yours in mystery and romance,
~R.L. Perry  

Favorite Ministrone

Here's another warm recipe--a favorite--for ministrone soup.  Lots of broth and soul in here so enjoy it on a cold night.

Favorite Ministrone

Boil 3/4 cups of macaroni (but not too soft) in large soup kettle.  Drain. Add 1 can each of red pinto beans, garbanzo beans, cut green beans, diced carrots, and 1/2 frozen package of spinach.  Add two cans of organic chicken broth.  1 basil leaf.  Add pinches of thyme and rosemary.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Reduce heat and simmer for at least two hours.

Serve with bowls sprinkled lightly with parm cheese.

Ingredients
macaroni
pinto beans
garbanzo beans
green beans
carrots
spinach
chicken broth
basil and rosemary/thyme
salt & pepper


And, don't forget to serve up with a very "Mary" Christmas.
~RL Perry

More Mary Christmas

For those who are already eager to read the next installments of the Mary Christmas mystery series, stay tuned in 2016 for the following:

Bleak Midwinter
Mary finds herself thrust into yet another mystery--this time a double homicide with a twist.  But while Mary heats up her romantic escapades with police officer Lance Freeman, she is being pursued by someone who wants to put her on ice . . . permanently.  

Cold Snap
More heated romance in the middle of the coldest Indiana winter on record--and yet another murder investigation for Mary.  Who knew that the work of a coroner could be so deadly?

Don't forget to watch for the e-book of Slay Bells, too.  Coming soon!

Yours in mystery and romance,
R.L. Perry

Warm Holidays

As much as I enjoy writing the Mary Christmas mysteries, I enjoy the warmth of the holidays with family and friends all the more.  And when I'm not at the keyboard, I'm usually cooking up some comfort food . . . especially some heart-warming soups or chowders.

One of my favorites for the holidays--and a traditional recipe that I fix every Christmas Eve--is corn chowder.  My hope is that, while you're coiled up with Slay Bells, you might also discover a little romance in a warm bowl.  Here's my favorite corn chowder recipe.  Hope my readers will enjoy.

Corn Chowder for Six

Peel and dice six large potatoes, 1/2 sweet onion, two stalks celery, one carrot.  Boil in salt water until fork tender (but not too soft).  Drain, add one can cream of mushroom soup to the cooked vegetables.  Also, crisp five strips of bacon, pat off excess crease, crumble bacon into mix.  Add 1 cup half/half, 1 cup milk.  Add frozen corn to your taste (1 small bag).  Simmer for two hours, stirring even ten minutes.  Serve with bits of shredded cheddar cheese and parsley garnish on top of bowl.

Ingredients
potatoes
celery
carrot 
1 can cream of mushroom soup
bacon
frozen corn
half/half or cream
milk
shredded cheese
parsley

Slay Bells

First book in the Mary Christmas mystery/romance series.  Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold.