Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 06-16-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

I love to hear from readers, especially when they're sharing feedback about one of my favorite recipes. If you didn't see the Strawberry Muffin recipe, you'll find it at: http://tinyurl.com/strawmuffins

If you have a favorite recipe to share, email it to me and I'll post it in our Reader Recipe File. To see other readers' recipes, go to: http://preview.tinyurl.com/readerexchange

From my Email Bag:

"Your strawberry muffin recipe made the best muffins I've ever had! Thank you so much for sharing. Blueberry is usually my favorite, but now I'm not so sure. I have one with me at the office for lunch today."--Sincerely, Kristen S.

"I made the strawberry muffins and you described them perfectly--they were divine!! My daughter and grandson loved them also. My grandson 'helped' me as much as a one-year-old can. Mostly watched, and then licked the beater. I will make them again. I have used many of your recipes and all have been great. I have been reading with you for years and look forward to your email every morning. Also, I loved your book Muffins and Mayhem. Thanks for all you do."--Gail Brinker

"Just wanted to tell you that your recipe for strawberry muffins ...was delicious. I went to the store and got what I needed...made them even with the outside temp 100 degrees, and my AC pounding away. Have shared most of them, [no really] I ate most myself. Thanks Suzanne."--Joyce Dass

Have I tempted you to buy some fresh strawberries and start baking? Let me know if you try the strawberry muffin recipe. Gail Brinker is right--they are divine!

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Do you love a good mystery? Where does the author live in Japan? Search for clues, solve the mystery and win. Or, simply enter to win. Lots of authors giving away books this week. Join the fun. Click on the AuthorBuzz link and take a peek. Click: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

STAGESTRUCK by Peter Lovesey

ROCK BOTTOM by Erin Brockovich

THE BEAUTIFUL ONE HAS COME: STORIES by Suzanne Kamata

THE WISDOM OF THE HEALING WOUND by David Knighton, M.D.

A BRUSH OF DARKNESS by Allison Pang

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

David Knighton, M.D., today's featured author, writes...

Life is full of wounds--physical, emotional, and spiritual. The wounded psyche and spirit heal in much the same manner as physical wounds. Learn dozens of techniques that can enable supposedly unhealable wounds to finally heal--whether they're physical, emotional, or spiritual.

To read more about THE WISDOM OF THE HEALING WOUND goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-15-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

It's a brownie mystery caper every time I bake a batch of brownies. I really should rope off the scene of the crime with yellow tape. Who dun it? My husband never confesses, but all of the clues lead to him.

My dear husband prefers only brownies with edges on them, so when I bake brownies early in the morning, by late afternoon, the inside of the pan looks like a brownie maze. Why doesn't he simply cutaway a big circle in the middle of the pan, so he'd only be left with brownie ends? I think he zigzags in-and-out, around and around, so as not to look too obvious. But I'm on to his trick. Because when I was a kid, I was the spread-your-food-around-the-plate-so-it looks-like-you-ate-more-than-you-did, Queen.

I had to eat at least half of the food on my plate before I could ask to be excused from the dinner table. So after strategically spreading liver and onions around, it always looked like I ate more than I did. My husband tries to accomplish the same slight-of-hand with brownies and two weeks ago, when our neighbors John and Diana were over for dinner, I discovered he's not the only one.

Brownies were on my dessert menu and when I told our guests to "Help yourself," the next thing I knew, John was standing over the brownie pan, carefully cutting two end pieces for himself.

Calling dibs on brownie ends isn't a problem at my house anymore. I've discovered a pan that only makes brownies with ends. My husband probably could have invented it himself, because the secret is zig-zagging!

To see my new brownie pan and to enter a drawing for another interesting "end-only" brownie pan, go to: http://tinyurl.com/edgebrownies

P.S. Don't tell my husband, but I like the brownie ends best, too.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Suzanne Kamata, today's featured author, writes...

In these exquisitely written twelve short stories, you'll encounter an American in Japan trying to come to terms with her daughter's disability, a young Japanese woman who nurtures an obsession with Nefertit--with tragic results, an eccentric doctor who provides an unlikely haven for a young divorcee, and others in Cuba, France, Australia and Japan.

To read more about THE BEAUTIFUL ONE HAS COME: STORIES goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 06-14-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

Two-and-a half month old Barry, who my husband and I adopted from the Humane Society last week, has made himself at home. In fact, in Barry's mind, everything in our home belongs to him. Fascinated with every single thing he discovers, even a piece of fuzz can amuse Barry for twenty minutes. No doubt he could write a book on how to turn everyday household items into entertaining toys.

Barry's cute and cuddly and fun to play with, and we love him, but he's definitely a challenging youngster. Especially when I'm trying to type on my keyboard. Barry thinks the cursor on my computer screen is a mouse running through a maze. Batting and jumping at the screen, after a pounce comes a fall, sometimes right on top of my delete key.

Having raised four children, my husband and I aren't first-time parents, but how quickly you forget what it's like for the rest of the 'kids,' when you bring home a new baby. Billee, our 21-year-old Calico, has reluctantly become a grandmother. At first Billee tried hissing and batting Barry away. "Leave me alone, I'm retired and just want to nap." But Barry's persistence eventually won, and now Billee lets him snuggle up to her on occasion. Abby, on the other hand, our 3-year-old grey girl, is furious that a little black and white terror is running around the house. I think for a while it's going to be one of those tumultuous brother/sister relationships. Barry has even upset Mama and Papa's routine. (Mama and Papa are the two outdoor cats we take care of.) I was worried that Papa, a big, fluffy gray cat, with long, sharp claws, wouldn't like another male cat on the scene. So I was extremely cautious the first time Barry and Papa met. But to my surprise, Papa's a lover, not a fighter. Papa was so scared of Barry, that he did an immediate about-face and ran out the door.

Yes, the pitter-patter of little paws has definitely created a commotion in our house, but it's a black and white commotion that we dearly love.

To see photos of Baby Barry Beecher, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/kitten061311.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Erin Brockovich, today's featured author, writes...

When environmental activist AJ Palladino returns to her hometown after leaving as a disgraced teenager, she comes back as a fighter. Hired to crusade against mountaintop removal mining, AJ soon realizes she must also face the betrayal of those once closest to her and confront the harrowing past she thought she had left behind.

To read more about ROCK BOTTOM goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 06-13-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

I must have been an on-the-go, chatty child, because I remember someone frequently pleading, "Give me a moment's peace, Suzanne." I don't remember who the someone was, which suggests that more than one adult periodically begged me to sit quietly for a few minutes, and just "be."

Those were irritating words to hear when I was a kid. But now that I'm all grown up, I'm the one who's begging, "Give me a moment's peace, Suzanne."

It's a daily challenge to slow the chatter and list-making in my mind. To find a calm and quiet spot, so I can savor a moment's peace. Sitting on my screened-in front porch at 6:30 in the morning, before the traffic noise interferes, I look around and listen. Birds are chirping, a huge red-headed woodpecker is on the side of the big oak tree. I watch him tap, tap, tapping on the tree. He's so intense in his work, surely he must have a terrible headache by the end of the day. Or maybe his solitary work is where he finds his little bit of peace? The squirrels are early risers, chasing each other around and around the trees, leaping from one branch to another, soaring through the air. As I sip my coffee from a china cup and saucer, I'm surrounded by the flowers I lovingly tend to in my yard. My heart is soothed and my mind is calm. The fretting and planning of the busyness in my day, will come soon enough.

"Be kind to yourself, Suzanne. Sit, slowly breathe, and give yourself a moment's peace."

Have a beautiful day. Tomorrow I'm pleased to introduce you to Barry Beecher. The 2 1/2 month old addition to our family, who rarely gives me a moment's peace.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Peter Lovesey, today's featured author, writes...

The 200-year-old Theatre Royal in the English city of Bath, steeped in tradition and superstition, is the setting for STAGESTRUCK. Police detective Peter Diamond is called to investigate a suspicious disaster on stage.

To read more about STAGESTRUCK goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-10-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

Come to my house for dinner and you're guaranteed to leave with leftovers, because I always make enough to send a second helping home with each of my dinner guests. I'm sure most of my friends are thanking me for leftovers, later in the evening when they're home, all comfy in their eating clothes (pjs), as they're dishing up a second helping of shrimp salad, topped off with a deviled egg. On the other hand, I realize some folks won't be quite as happy with me, as they're consuming a second piece of cherry pie. But it's not my fault. My Grandma Hale gets the credit, or the blame, for this social idiosyncrasy.

Sunday dinner was a regular date at Grandma's house. No need to bring a dish to pass. Grandma did all the cooking and when it was time to go home, open the trunk, slide over the spare tire, and make room, because no one ever left my grandmother's house empty handed. Leftovers from dinner were sealed and burped in Tupperware, each piece labeled with Grandma's name (because Tupperware was more precious than diamonds).

Berries, fresh fruit and pink and white peonies (wrapped in newspaper) all just-picked from Grandma's back yard, and then there was the "stuff." Precious, just-couldn't-resist treasures that Grandma discovered on her weekly Saturday trip to the junk/antique store, in nearby Fennimore.

"Isn't this darling? I knew you would like it Suzanne."

By the time we'd get home from my grandmother's house, it was late in the evening, so my parents would only unpack perishables from our trunk. The "stuff" stayed put until the next day, which meant sweet dreams for me. Dreaming about another wonderful day spent at my grandmother's house, and the hand-picked treasures waiting for me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

KIDSBUZZ: Email an author, sign up for their giveaway, and learn about great books for kids and teens about children and grandparents, school and mysteries, amazing heroines, and interrelationships from Erica Perl, WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU O.J.; Travis Thrasher, GRAVESTONE; Lisa Tawn Bergren, CASCADE; and Linda Booth Sweeney, COLLECTED WISDOM: Living Stories About Living Systems. For a chance to win free books, meet the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: Robert Dugoni, today's featured author, writes...

Thirteen months after witnessing the murder of his wife, Sloane is back in court amidst a swirling media frenzy as he fights to defend Barclay Reid, his former adversary and current lover accused of the murder of a Russian drug dealer.

To read more about MURDER ONE goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-09-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

Three steps forward, two steps back.

Frequently I find myself recycling feelings. I'm tooling along in life, thinking I've finally figured things out, so there's nothing but smooth sailing ahead--and suddenly, wham! What was I thinking? In an instant I'm feeling all mixed up again, but the feelings are familiar.

The "three steps forward, two steps back" theory applies to my life--and my writing is proof of it. The other day I found a notebook in my dresser drawer and when I read the words I'd written to myself over a year ago, part of me was relieved, but part of me felt discouraged, because I was feeling the exact same way again.

Do I just keep recycling feelings? Don't I ever make any emotional progress in my life? I felt troubled, but I assumed relief was in sight because obviously, I figured my way out of these feelings before, so certainly I could do it again.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Win a bottle of wine, a Starbucks gift card, bottles of oil, water and sand from the Holy Land, and of course free books. Click on the link to learn more about these new books and enter the prize giveaways.

THE HEART SPECIALIST by Holden Rothman

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM by Senator Bob Graham

SHE MAKES IT LOOK EASY: A Novel by MaryBeth Whalen

JERUSALEM MAIDEN by Talia Carner

MURDER ONE by Robert Dugoni

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Talia Carner, today's featured author, writes...

In the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, a young Orthodox Jewish woman in the holy city of Jerusalem is expected to marry and produce many sons. While the feisty Esther Kaminsky understands her obligations, her artistic talent inspires her to secretly explore worlds outside her religion, to dream of studying in Paris--and to believe that God has a special destiny for her.

To read more about JERUSALEM MAIDEN goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

 

Dear Reader Column 06-08-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

Did my husband and I find a new kitty from the shelter this past weekend? Yes indeed! We are blessed. And like any proud parents we are preparing a proper "birth" announcement. A lovely story about our new furry friend, including photos, will run next week in my column.

One thing we'd decided after visiting a second shelter, was that we didn't want a kitten. We were in search of a cat. Are you familiar with the saying, "Never say never?" At this very moment, a black and white baby kitten is sharing my chair and nibbling the back of my shirt. Having raised four children, each muffled, squeaky meow has me jumping out of bed in the middle of the night. 'The baby must be hungry.' No, the "baby" wants to play, or wants me to pick him up, or wants to nuzzle underneath my neck. My husband warns that Barry thinks I'm his mother, and if I keep picking him up every time he cries, I'm encouraging a behavior I won't appreciate a few months from now.

Yes, Barry was his given name at the humane shelter. We weren't sure about his name when we first heard it, but when you add our last name to it, the final outcome--we think--is a quirky delight. Barry Beecher!

More later about Barry. Right now, I'm baking cookies to send to readers today, Barry is running in-between my feet, and company is coming for dinner. Wish me luck!

If you were a May cookie winner, a box of my homemade chocolate chip cookies are on the way. Please send a photo. I sure would appreciate it, and readers would, too.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

KIDSBUZZ: Email an author, sign up for their giveaway, and learn about great books for kids and teens about children and grandparents, school and mysteries, amazing heroines, and interrelationships from Erica Perl, WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU O.J.; Travis Thrasher, GRAVESTONE; Lisa Tawn Bergren, CASCADE; and Linda Booth Sweeney, COLLECTED WISDOM: Living Stories About Living Systems. For a chance to win free books, meet the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: MaryBeth Whalen, today's featured author, writes...

Have you ever looked at another woman and wished for what she has? Ariel Baxter is a frazzled mom who can never seem to catch up on life. When she meets her amazingly capable and talented neighbor, Justine Miller, she's convinced that Justine can help her. And she does. But all is not what it seems with Justine.

To read more about SHE MAKES IT LOOK EASY: A Novel goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-07-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

Strawberry muffins. First time I'd ever made them, first time I'd ever made muffins at 5 a.m. Up, down, up, down, all night long. I couldn't sleep, so finally I gave up trying. It was a nice, cool morning, so I took my coffee, and a bowl of fresh strawberries, and sat on my screened-in front porch. Sip a little coffee and slice and chop fresh strawberries. It was oh, so quiet early in the morning, and before the sun came up, strawberry muffins were baking in my oven.

They were divine. The very best way to eat them is right out of the oven. No butter needed, just peel back the paper liner and enjoy!

Strawberry Muffins

I used fresh strawberries, and I also used more than the recipe called for--about 2 cups total. If you use frozen berries, you need to make sure they are defrosted. I think I'm going to try raspberries in this recipe, too.

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries

Topping
3 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I did not use all of the topping. Just a light sprinkle of the mixture does the trick.)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and mix well. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to butter mixture. Add vanilla. Gently stir in strawberries. Spoon batter into muffin pans.

Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over muffins.

Bake at 400 degrees for 18-25 minutes, depending on your oven.
Makes one dozen muffins.

Let me know if you try the recipe.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Senator Bob Graham, today's featured author, writes...

A retired senator, John Billington, writes an explosive op-ed piece about the 9/11 investigation for the New York Times, and ten days later he is killed in a suspicious hit-and-run.

To read more about KEYS TO THE KINGDOM goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-06-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

I picked a blackberry yesterday. It was the first blackberry I've picked since I was a kid. When I saw blackberry plants at the nursery, three months ago, I just had to buy some. When I was a kid, my Grandma Hale's huge backyard was filled with berry bushes. Hoping I'd inherited Grandma's raspberry green thumb, I bought two good-sized plants.

All I expected from the plants this year was for them to grow more leaves and shoots that could wind around the trellis I put behind them. But three weeks ago, five berries suddenly appeared. Of course they weren't instantly ripe and ready to pick, so I've been waiting and waiting, hoping when they were ripe, I'd see them before the birds did. Finally yesterday--there it was--a big juicy blackberry, and one bite was all it took for me to be back in Grandma's berry patch.

Most of my summer vacations were spent at my Grandma and Grandpa Hale's house. It kind of felt like I was going to summer camp at an orchard: red raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, grapes, apples, pears, strawberries and popcorn--they all grew in my grandparents' back yard. They lived in the city, but nothing was built up behind their home yet, so their backyard was more like the back forty.

Every morning it was the same routine. I'd stumble down the stairs, still half asleep, walk into the kitchen, stick my head out the side screen door and yell, "Good morning Grandma." And she'd set aside her berry boxes, and come in and make me scrambled eggs and toast. (Was I spoiled, or what?)

Grandma had already been up for a couple of hours picking raspberries--she had to--because around 9 o'clock, neighborhood customers would start stopping by the house. She had a great word-of-mouth berry business. "Pocket money"--Grandma called it--"shoe money," I called it. Because every time I visited, she'd dip into her berry money, and I'd never go home without at least one, sometimes two, new pairs of shoes. Hopefully my blackberry plants will produce more than five berries next year, because...

"this Grandma needs a new pair of shoes!"

I dug out some photos of Grandma Hale and me. If you'd like to see them, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/berry.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Holden Rothman, today's featured author, writes...

THE HEART SPECIALIST is the story of a young woman trying to become a doctor during the late 19th century. She eventually realizes her ambition and becomes a renowned expert on cardiac abnormalities. Yet even as she masters this science, her own heart remains a mystery.

To read more about THE HEART SPECIALIST goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 06-03-11

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
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,

I'm visiting the Humane Society shelter today to see if there's a cat who is waiting for me. I don't 'need' another cat and I'm not looking for a replacement for my beloved 24 year-old Rudy-boy, who passed away this past March 28th. I'm just stopping by the Humane Society to see if some kitty has been told to be on the lookout for a short, blonde writer--and when she shows up, give her a signal. "Wave your paw, meow incessantly, or give her your best 'I'm-the-one-smile' and she will be so happy to take you home."

After Rudy passed, I decided I wasn't going to look for another furry friend--the loss was too hard to take. And anyway, it's not as if I had an empty nest. Three year-old Abby, and 22 year-old Billee live inside my home, and then there's Mama and Papa, two kitties my neighbors left behind four years ago. Mama and Papa appreciate the warm and sunny Florida weather, so they're outdoor cats, only wandering in once-or-twice a day to say hello, and get a good head scratch.

So why am I even going to the Humane Society shelter if I don't 'need' another cat? I could use the excuse that Abby needs a playmate. Whenever she tries to entice Billee to play, Billee gives her an annoyed look, "Hey, kid, leave me alone. I'm retired and taking it easy." Or I could convince myself that secretly my husband is wishing I'll decide we need another cat around the house. Then there's that empty bowl that used to be filled with Rudy's food. What am I supposed to do with that cute little dish with the colored fish decorating the outside of it? It seems like the only way to be responsible and recycle that perfectly good dish, is to find a kitty who could put it to good use. But then there's the real reason I think I'm visiting the Humane Society today.

Twenty-four years ago I found Rudy at a shelter. He stuck his white paw out of the cage, tapped me on the arm and that was it--I took him home. The memories of Rudy are still in my heart and I'll never forget, but the other day I think I felt Rudy tapping me on the arm again, "It's okay, Suzanne. Maybe it's time to give another kitty some of the love and kindness you shared with me."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Philip Cioffari, today's featured author, writes...

Joshua Farley, a cult figure, is searching for an hallucinogenic plant, rumored to allow the user to see God. But under mysterious circumstances he suddenly disappears. His disciples gather in the New Mexico desert to await his return, but they aren't the only ones looking for him and the legendary plant.

To read more about JESUSVILLE goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader