Hey there!

The weather witches do not seem to be foretelling a White Christmas for Portland, Oregon, but I spent all last week swept away by another kind of Snow. So I guess it's okay.

What do I mean by that?

Let me rewind.

Last month at Author Nation, I was sitting out in the mix-and-mingle area, zoning out on my phone when someone settled on the couch next to mine.

"Oh hey," I said, because although we hadn't yet had a chance to meet, I'd exchanged passing hellos with this person multiple times in the previous days. They kept catching my eye: a dapper dresser with a rad haircut, cool jewelry, and a cane.

"I don't mean to interrupt," this person said. "But I wanted to say the way you dress and carry yourself, you remind me of the hero of one of my books. She's a badass spy who uses a cane." He smiled and held out a hand. "I'm E."

"Jessie," I said. "Tell me more about this badass spy?"

E. and I talked for a while about writing and editing, as well as costuming and fencing (he's involved with the Society for Creative Anachronism, which I've always thought was so cool). Eventually we split to attend the next sessions, and as I walked away I looked up his book, Cold Front.

It's urban fantasy, which isn't always my jam, but I figured I'd give it a shot.

And I'm so glad I did. I loved it.

If you've been missing the seedy underbelly escapades of the Bulari Saga and the reluctant found family of the Nanshe Chronicles, this book is going to scratch that itch for you! Plus, E.'s writing is really wonderful, and I loved spending time in the head of his badass protagonist Liz Snow.

So whether or not you're missing a snowy holiday landscape, I highly encourage you to grab yourself a copy and curl up with a good book and a hot beverage.

Or a cold beverage on a hammock or beach blanket, if you happen to live in a warmer hemisphere. ;)

And tell me—what are you all reading through the holidays? I need another good book to follow this one!

Cold Front by E. Prybylski Can old spies learn new tricks? When Liz Snow, a disabled former CIA operative, receives a call from an old friend seeking assistance, she plunges back into a world she thought she had left behind. What initially appears to be a routine task involving a minor smuggling operation escalates into a far more perilous situation than Snow could have imagined. Unidentified adversaries emerge, casting ominous shadows over the city and putting those close to her in jeopardy. As she confronts these unknown threats, she must navigate a web of danger, safeguard her friends, and grapple with unforeseen challenges. Having been off the job for a long time, can Snow summon the skills and resilience needed to prevail in this high-stakes game of magic? Get your copy!

For Your TBR

If you like your sci-fi festive, have I got a free book promo for you! Check out the Jingle Bells & Magic Spells promo, where you can download Now I Have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho! if you haven't already. ;)

And don't forget: Heather Texle's holiday free book countdown is still going on! Follow along with the rest of the countdown here! Or, follow along with Heather on Instagram or Facebook to see what she reveals each day

Happy reading,

Jessie