The Loss of a Lovely Writer

[buttononthetop]

Hello my lovelies, I just wanted to pop by to ask you to cherish an author today - whether you start an old favorite again, read a whole new novel, or just hug the nearest book, please do something to celebrate writing. I lost my favorite author yesterday...



That's from Ms. Mertz's official website. It's a great place to learn about the woman and her writing. I think I read Ammie, Come Home for the first time when I was 11. I inhaled every Barbara Michaels book I could get my hands on after that. THEN I discovered that there were even MORE books written by her, just published under the name Elizabeth Peters. It was like that moment when you discover there's another layer of chocolates in the candy box. I still re-read her books every few years. I have a paperback set for reading, a full set of hardcover versions (first editions where I could find them), and am well on my way to getting all but one in e-book format. (Apparently Smoke and Mirrors isn't available).

She was the first "grown up" contemporary author I remember reading. She introduced me to mystery, suspense, and romance, to the knowledge that a well turned phrase can literally give you goosebumps (see Ammie, Come Home if you need proof), to the idea that happily ever after sometimes comes side by side with sobbing your head off (*ahem* Here I Stay), and that women are just as clever, determined and smart as men (Amelia Peabody, Vicky Bliss, Jacqueline Kirby, I'm looking at you, ladies).

Thanks for reading; I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and share what Ms. Mertz meant to me. I'm sure she's running across the sand, heading towards a pyramid in the bright sunlight right now.

Love,
:o) A Fan
 

Comments

[idamus]

I have no idea who she is, but *HUGS*

[missthingsplace]

I have never read any of her books but i know how it feels to lose a favourite author. I have added 2 books of hers to my amazon wish list (1 under each name) so i don't forget her name and i may have to give her books a try at some point.

*hugs*

[thraceadams]

OH wow, I saw this yesterday and thought of you *HUGS YOU HARD* It's awful when you know there will be no more treasures coming from someone like her. Sounds like she was a real lady. Makes me think of one of my favorite movie quotes from "Fried Green Tomatoes" - "A lady always knows when it's time to leave."

<33333

[excentric]

I am so sorry to read this. I love Amelia Peabody. I love her relationship with Emerson, I love the way she raise Ramses, she is one of my all-time favorite characters, (and it just occurs to me that Catherine Tate would certainly do her justice after seeing her as Donna Noble, my favorite Whoverse female). I only knew her as Elizabeth Peters, but her books have given me hours and hours of joy. She will be missed. Thanks for posting this. I haven't seen/heard the news elsewhere. I have such fond memories of libraries, and reading, and lots of life, thanks to her.

[badly_knitted]

So sad.

Patriot's Dream was and still is my favourite of her books, though I've read most that she wrote as Barbara Michaels. I had no idea she wrote under another name. I borrowed all I could find of hers from the library when I was in my teens. Repeatedly. And I got my older sister reading them too (Witch is her favourite). Last year I finally managed to get a copy of Patriot's Dream and it was just as good as I remembered, even though the 'present day' scenes seemed rsther dated because of when it had been written.

A great author, who will be sadly missed.

What a legacy

[katwillow]

Thank you for posting this. This was the first I had heard of her passing.
My mother was a mystery reader. Usually 4or5 books a week from the library. She never missed one of Ms. Mertz' books in any of her incarnations.
Suffice it to say I started reading her early and never stopped.