You know how you feel when the winter weather has let up for a few days and there are signs of warmth? I know, I know it depends on where you live. For instance, if you live in the far South in the US, this is your good season. The farther north you come, summer starts looking so much better.

You tend to get your hopes up that the snow will end and the air will warm–for us, that the wind will stop for just a few hours–and there is hope in the midst of winter.

Not that I expect flowers to bloom, but it would be nice to get out of town and do a snow hike, or go snowshoeing. Sledding? Skiing? I don’t know, throw a snowball.

It’s this time of year when I wish to become a snowbird and have the freedom to travel south–far south–for the remainder of the winter.

However, I have found that if I bury myself in a book–actually, Mel and I are rewriting three titles to be released by Valentine’s Day–I can actually be there in that setting. I’m in the middle of Under Suspicion right now, in a Missouri spring in that state’s capitol of Jefferson City. Delving into a good book–or one that I hope to make good with rewrites–truly helps me forget about the weather outside and focus on the world I have created in my imagination. Right now, I can’t seem to tear myself away. I guess winter is one way to keep me working.

May you find warmth this winter in your book of choice, and may you be blessed as you read.