I’ve adored many writers in my time. I’ve read and loved their books as they’ve taken me from the American West to the Regency ballrooms, and the medieval times through Georgian escapades. I would buy their books without bothering to read the back cover blurb because I trusted them. Trusted they would deliver a story and characters I could immerse myself in thoroughly for hours of reading pleasure.  I preferred some books more than others, which is completely normal, for every book can’t elicit the exact emotion.

Then one day I bought and read one of their books and was left…less than satisfied. Something in the book didn’t work for me. But hey, every author can’t deliver, what I consider, stellar reads every time, right? Next book is sure not to disappoint. My instant-buy author has only failed me this one time. They won’t fail me again. I’m sure of it.

Please, say it aint so. You're killing me!

Unfortunately, I’m proven wrong because next book doesn’t work for me either. What’s going on? Have they lost their mojo? Or maybe I’ve changed–something in my tastes have shifted? I go back and read one of their older books. Perhaps, I’ll discover it’s not as good as I thought it was. Nope, I read several older books and the magic is there. I’m just as captivated as I was when I read it the first and second time before.

I decide I’m once again going to give my much loved author the benefit of the doubt. Two strikes doesn’t put you out of the game. I’m sure the next book will have all the elements that drew me to her books to begin with.

And the next book…? Sigh, another strike.  What on earth is going on? Why isn’t she writing the kind of books I love anymore? Do I continue buying her books and pray that she’ll write the stories I’ve come to expect from her? When should I throw up the white flag and cry ‘Uncle’?

Have you ever had this happen to you–your favorite author starts writing books that you just don’t like? Whatever magic captivated you before is gone? The story, the characterization is different, and not to your liking? How many ‘duds’ do you permit before you stop buying their books completely?

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