Dear Reader Column 01-25-12

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column at: DearReader.com


Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader,

The secret to my homemade chocolate chip cookies? My friend, author Blaize Clement included my baking tip in her latest book, The Cat Sitter's Pajamas. (It was the last book she wrote before her death this past July.) Blaize loved my chocolate chip cookies and I kept her freezer stocked. I didn't have any idea that she'd mentioned the cookies in her book, but book club reader, Holly Meyer spotted it right away.

"Hi Suzanne, I just had to write you. I'm reading Blaize Clement's newest book and on page 178, a character takes chocolate chip cookies out of the freezer and says she always freezes them right after baking because it 'makes the chocolate set up, and they're crispier after they're frozen.' I can't help but think this an homage to you, Suzanne, knowing what good friends you two were. Reading this last book is bittersweet and I'm trying not to read too fast, for fear of finishing it and then being--done. I know Blaize's son plans to continue the Dixie Hemingway series, and for that I am grateful. But I will always feel the loss of such a wonderful, warm person. I'm sure you miss her deeply.

By the way, you are absolutely right about freezing the cookies. I would have never believed it had I not tried it, but freezing them brings out the wonderful flavors in a brand new way. Thanks for the tip and for being such a good reading friend."

Holly Meyer
Evansville, Wisconsin

Blaize's son, John Clement, will be writing a Guest Column on February 6th and I'll be featuring Blaize's book at the book clubs. Blaize's series will continue, read all about it on February 6th.

In the meantime, enter this week's Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway. I'm ready to bake. Are you ready to dunk and munch cookies? To enter, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookies-0112.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE MARTYRED by Richard E. Kim. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/January12Classics

AUTHORBUZZ: OXFORD MESSED UP (Fiction) by Andrea Kayne Kaufman

Rhodes Scholar Gloria, who suffers from a near debilitating case of OCD, has just arrived at Oxford University. There she meets her neighbor and loomate Henry, a young British musician. Their relationship evolves from a shared obsession with Van Morrison's music into a desire to fill the gaps in each other's lives.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader Click on OXFORD MESSED UP to read more. Author Andrea Kayne Kaufman would love to hear from you.

Comments

[Margie B]

I am reading The Cat Sitter's Pajamas right now (LOVE the Dixie Hemingway books). I just checked my tote bag, and I'm on page 170--just 8 pages away from the tip (yes, I checked). I wouldn't have known Blaize Clement got the tip from you, so I'm glad your reader caught it. I'm thrilled that Blaize's son will continue the series and hope he can capture the same tone that his mom did so expertly and delightfully.