Fall has definitely arrived here on Vancouver Island. In fact it’s more like winter has arrived, and with very little warning. Yesterday was a perfect sunny fall day. No rain in the forecast. Our winter supply of hay was delivered and tucked in the barn (thanks, guys!). The truck left at about 4. Wine on the patio time. Before my first glass was empty, the clouds turned black, the wind picked up, the temperature dropped and the sky opened up. A perfect winter storm known locally as a southeaster. As you know, if the hay had been rained on it couldn’t be put in the barn, and not much farther east, they’re in snow and blizzard conditions. So although it sure feels like winter, I’m not complaining.
If you’re like me, more time indoors means more reading. Well, writing and reading. I’ve mentioned previously that I’m working on the fourth book in my Secrets “Trilogy”, but I’m at a point just now where I’m kind of stuck. Because I’m what they call a “seat of my pants” writer, I don’t have an outline to fall back on. When this happens, I read. Often another writer’s words and ideas are stimulating.
It’s not easy finding a book I can really get into. I have no tolerance for predictable plots, contrived scenes or unrealistic dialogue. If there’s too much yak-yak-yak and not enough action, I lose interest fast. The result: I have many titles in my Kindle library that I gave up on long before I finished reading them. Sometimes I struggle through only because I want to know how the story comes out. It’s a bonus if there is at least one likeable character.
Last year I “discovered” Robert P. French. Robert’s latest release is the fourth book in his Cal Rogan series, titled “Three”. I’m about a third of the way into it and I’m glad to report it’s vintage Cal Rogan. I LOVE CAL! The plots are unpredictable and there’s plenty of action. If you haven’t discovered Robert yet, go to his website, https://www.robertpfrench.com, where you’ll find the first book in the series, Junkie, is a free download. You might as well buy the boxed set because you’ll want to know how Cal’s story comes out. In fact, Cal’s story is ongoing so there is even more to look forward to. If you like Mark Dawson’s John Milton or Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, you’ll love Cal Rogan.
Happy reading!