Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 10-31-11

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,

The squirrels in book club reader Cynthia Peyton's yard, had their Thanksgiving feast early.

"Dear Suzanne, I rushed home from work today to get [your UPS package of chocolate chip] cookies only to find that the squirrels thought the cookies smelled so good, they opened the box and ate some of cookies. Unfortunately, I won't be able to share them with my coworkers, because the squirrels beat me to the cookies. But I did get to enjoy the heavenly aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that you had worked so hard to bake for me. Thank you. I wish I could have tasted them. I know they would have tasted as great as they smelled--which was fantastic."--Cynthia Peyton

(Suzanne responds:) Cynthia, I've been baking chocolate chip cookies 11 years for readers, and this is a first! But it isn't my first encounter with cute little pesky squirrels. I love squirrels, I really do, and I enjoy watching them. Their nests are snuggled in between the branches of the oak trees in my yard, and when they're chasing each other, running up and down the branches and jumping from limb to limb, I'm creating "Once upon a time" stories about squirrel families in my mind. But those cute little buggers can be cantankerous, banding together with a full frontal acorn attack--throwing them at me. Sometimes when I'm working in my flower gardens, I must be digging a little too close to their hidden "pantry" so they band together and pelt me with acorns. I'm not kidding! And now they've eaten my homemade chocolate chip cookies. So this is war, Cynthia, but you and I can easily out maneuver those cookie thieves. Send me your work address and I'll ship another batch of chocolate chip cookies to you there. (By the way, I'm curious. Are squirrels "dunkers?" Were there any empty glasses of milk littering your yard, too?)

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

 

Dear Reader Column 10-28-11

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 was a rockin' rolling, baking, chasing, coffee drinking night at my house last evening. The partying started some time after 8:30 p.m. (I went to bed early with a headache), the noise woke me up at 12:30 a.m., and at three o'clock I was wide awake in the kitchen, pouring myself a freshly brewed cup of coffee and mixing up a batch of my Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins. I didn't get to go back to sleep until 5 a.m. Thank heavens I had that four hour cat nap before the party kicked into high gear.

Night time is party time for cats and believe me, our cats know how to party and how to entertain guests. Barry had a friend sleep overnight. Barry's our tuxedo kitten and his friend, Dayla, is our son and daughter-in-law's kitten. Put two kittens together, along with our other two cats, Abby and Billee, and it's mayhem-craziness only cat owners could imagine. Barry chasing Dayla, two kittens leaping, side-by-side from the fireplace mantle onto the skinny window ledge, then racing into the bathroom, jumping up on the vanity and tipping over the huge sunflower arrangement, crash! It falls on the floor, but amazingly only slightly chips the vase. Cats sneaking into the cupboard as I pull out the flour for my muffins, and finally two kittens strategically stalking then pouncing on the pelican figurine, sitting in the middle of my dining room table, knocking it over and proudly standing on top of it looking at me, as if to say, "Look at what great hunters we are!"

What's a party without food? Turkey with gravy, fish and shrimp bits and nuggets; as I was assembling the buffet table for four hungry party animals, I noticed another critter looking to party, too. A white-faced, teenage possum (whose parents I'm sure didn't know he was out this late), was looking-in through the back screen door, "Hey, I'm ready to party. Is there room for one more?"

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors--send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus every author/publisher this week is giving away free copies of their featured book. Learn about great books for kids and teens from Anna Celenza, DUKE ELLINGTON'S NUTCRACKER SUITE (book and CD); Chantal Grosleziat, SONGS FROM THE BAOBAB: African Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes (book and CD); and Max Lucado, HERMIE, A COMMON CATERPILLAR. For a chance to win free books, and say hello to the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet author Barry Eisler:

Author of THE DETACHMENT

John Rain is back! "The most charismatic assassin since James Bond" (San Francisco Chronicle) and he's up against the Oligarchy, his most formidable enemy yet. To survive, Rain is assisted by his partner Dox (a former Marine sniper), Ben Treven (a covert operator with conflicted loyalties), and Larison (a man with a hair-trigger temper and a secret he'll kill to protect.)

Sample author Barry Eisler's book and say hello to him. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on THE DETACHMENT.

Dear Reader Column 10-27-11

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,

How about a book party? No authors, just soon-to-be authors gathering together to talk about their soon-to-be books. Just about everyone has a book idea tucked away inside of them, and one of the best ways I know to coax it out is to talk about it--while eating cake. A big slice of yellow cake with chocolate frosting, your mind will respond with sugary creativity.

Invite your friends to your home for a one evening book club party, but the books you'll be discussing are your own. Everyone can share their ideas: 'If you wrote a book what would it be about? Fiction, nonfiction, romance?' Or maybe you have the name for your book and you're searching for a story idea to go with the name.

Enjoy an evening with friends. A little bit of fun, a little bit of dreaming and a yummy piece of yellow cake with chocolate frosting--that's how to start writing a book.

Enter this week's cake pan giveaway (a cake pan in the shape of a book) the perfect cake pan to use at your book party. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/taffy-apple.html

Yellow Cake

6 large egg yolks
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups, plus 3 tablespoons sifted all purpose flour
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 Tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two, 9-inch x 1 1/2 inch cake pans with non-stick spray and then line bottoms with parchment paper, then spray again with the non-stick spray.

In a medium bowl lightly combine the egg yolks, 1/4 cup milk and vanilla extract.

Combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and salt) and mix on low speed for about 30 seconds or until blended. Add the butter and remaining 3/4 cup milk. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for about 2 minutes and scrape sides of bowl. Gradually add the egg mixture, in 3 additions, beating 30 seconds after each addition.

Divide the batter and pour into the prepared pans, smooth the surface with a spatula. (Pans will be about half full.) Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until cake springs back when pressed lightly in center.

Place the cakes, in their pans, on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto a greased rack. To prevent splitting, turn cakes right side up. Cool completely before frosting.

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]  
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet an author and sample their book. Win a free gift, too.

** FREE signed books, a handmade Cedar Key Series ornament, 'local' Kentucky treats, free downloaded excerpts and the opportunity to say hello to authors--all featured at AUTHORBUZZ. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

SUNRISE ON CEDAR KEY by Terri DuLong

WE: How to Increase Performance and Profits Through Full Engagement by Kevin Kruse

IF YOU HEAR HER by Shiloh Walker

THE DETACHMENT by Barry Eisler

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

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 10-26-11

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 share a story in my column and you send one back to me. Reading emails from book club readers is the best part of my day. Thanks for taking the time to write.

From my Email Bag:

Hi Suzanne, I have a cute story to share with you. I loved your post about your vacation. I live in Asheville, so you were in my neck of the woods. I'm a frequent visitor of the NC Arboretum, we live 15 minutes away, and they also sell my silk scarves in their shop. I was there yesterday delivering some scarves and got to talking to the two ladies who manage the shop. They were in the midst of opening up a new delivery, a box of puppets, and on top was this big goofy looking chicken...your chicken!!! (The chicken you bought on vacation, the chicken readers named Hokey-Smokey). We were all laughing and playing with it. They said that the chicken puppet attracts more adults than Children. I'm so glad your husband bought the big goofy chicken...it does make you feel like a kid again! Have a great day."--Judy Simmons

(To see a photo of the big goofy chicken and some photos from the North Carolina Arboretum--my husband and I visited there on our Smoky Mountain vacation recently, go to : http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/vacation2011.html

And Judy, the next time you're at the arboretum gift shop be sure to let the manager know that our book club readers named the big goofy chicken Hokey-Smokey.)

Dear Suzanne...[Monday's column about decisions] will bring a lot of comments, I betcha! Decisions...how many I have regretted, lost opportunities, lost advantages...also, lost headaches. I remember 75 years ago in high school, I was head over heels over a classmate (I married him ) but I was being 'courted' by a tall, handsome, RICH fellow. He even called on me at home, willing to meet my parents just to ask me out to dinner! To DINNER? I was a weenie roast kid, a chow mein sharer with about a dozen others and this polite boy wanted to take me to a fancy restaurant. Alone. (I wouldn't have known how to act!) I had about ten minutes to make up my mind..should I go? My mind made itself up. NO. He was such a top catch...my girl friends would think I'd lost my mind! But no, I stayed with the only fella I was interested in...and it lasted nearly 70 years, without any long ago regrets. Sometimes decisions make themselves! I do love your columns!"--Marion Lillie

(To read the Decisions column, go to: http://tinyurl.com/SB102411)

You can still enter this week's cake pan giveaway. A pan in the shape of a book. I have two pans to giveaway to readers. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/taffy-apple.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors--send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus every author/publisher this week is giving away free copies of their featured book. Learn about great books for kids and teens from Anna Celenza, DUKE ELLINGTON'S NUTCRACKER SUITE (book and CD); Chantal Grosleziat, SONGS FROM THE BAOBAB: African Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes (book and CD); and Max Lucado, HERMIE, A COMMON CATERPILLAR. For a chance to win free books, and say hello to the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet author Shiloh Walker:

Author of IF YOU HEAR HER

What would you do if you knew somebody was in danger--but nobody believed you? Lena Riddle heard screams in the night, yet people didn't completely believe her. Except a sexy cop who is out of his jurisdiction--and a killer. But then they found the body...

Sample author Shiloh Walker's book and say hello to her. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on IF YOU HEAR HER.

Dear Reader Column 10-25-11

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,

Today's column is filled with fun. Flowers, photos, giveaway winners, corn stalks and pumpkins, an apron for Halloween, the name readers chose for my big goofy chicken, and a new giveaway--two baking pans in the shape of an open book.

Readers favorite pick for last week's "Name the Big Goofy Chicken Contest" was Hokey-Smokey, submitted by book club reader Susan Morrell. Chickie Chick a Boom, submitted by book club reader, Kathleen Burns, came in second and Kelly Pauley's Kernel-Kluck finished third. Thank you to everyone who voted and a special thank you to Susan, Kathleen and Kelly. I've put a signed copy of my book Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life in the mail for each of you.

Other recent giveaways: Congratulations to Geri LaBreck, winner of the book, Who Pooped in the Park? by Steve Kemp and Robert Rath. And Carol DeLuca won a signed copy of my book from the giveaway in my recent Fancy Brainstorming Hats column.

You'll find the cookie winner names, the adorable Halloween apron a reader sent me, photos of my yard filled with cornstalks, pumpkins and new plants (I've been working hard) and be sure to enter today's baking pan (in the shape of an open book) giveaway at: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/taffy-apple.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet author Kevin Kruse

Author of: WE: How to Increase Performance and Profits Through Full Engagement

People who are dissatisfied at work weigh, on average, five pounds more than those who are satisfied. What's worse, dissatisfied workers are twice as likely to die from heart attacks because our emotions at work--good or bad--spill over to our personal lives. But we can all become passionate and fully engaged at work. WE, teaches you how to identify your Career-Life Bull's-eye and what to do to hit it.

Author Kevin Kruse would love to hear from you. Send him an email and read a sample of his work. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on WE.

Dear Reader Column 10-24-11

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,

"Step back and think about it." It's my new self-help therapy program. If you see me in a store standing in front of a sweater display and suddenly I take a giant step backwards and "freeze" in a statue-position while starring at the sweaters, no, I haven't lost my mind and I'm not trying to remember how to two-step. I'm working on changing the way I make decisions. Would I be happier with the yellow sweater or the pink one? Should I sign up to volunteer? Should I spend the day working in my flower gardens, or would it bring me more joy if I sat on the porch and read a book?

Decisions, decisions. But more importantly, which one will bring me the most joy? You'd think it wouldn't be so hard to decide, but I don't seem to be in control anymore. Instead of taking a minute to think about the choices I make, I've been allowing my brain to switch to autopilot and make the decisions for me. "Well, this is the choice she's made in the past, so we'll just plow ahead and do what she's always done, even if it's not going to make her happy."

Bad habits are hard to break, and I've decided the only way to break this one, is to take a giant step backwards. No going forward on a decision until I've stepped back and really thought about what will make me happy. It works, but granted it makes people wonder. "Look at that weird woman. She's backing away from the sweaters like she's afraid of them. Now look, she's just standing there staring at the sweaters."

I'm a weird one all right, but at least I'm happy.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet author Terri DuLong

SUNRISE ON CEDAR KEY (Book 3 in the Cedar Key Series) finds Grace Stone knitting together her past and future while her Aunt Maude embarks on a new business venture, the opening of the Blue Moon Knitting Retreats where women can craft, chat and support one another.

Author Terri DuLong would love to hear from you. Send her an email and read a sample of her work. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on SUNRISE ON CEDAR KEY.

Dear Reader Column 10-21-11

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,

This week's writing question is from Kyla, a 14 year-old who reads at our Teen Online Book Club. My column isn't featured in the teen club, instead, every week a different teenager writes the Dear Reader introduction. Next week Kyla is our writer and who knows, maybe some day soon we'll be featuring one of her books at the Online Book Club.

"Dear Suzanne, my name is Kyla and I am 14-years-old and in 9th grade. I started writing my first chapter book three years ago. It was so much fun, yet so hard that by the time I'd finished the rough draft, I decided to write another book, while I did the revising of the first one. Ever since the first idea, which came from a dream, I've been getting idea after idea, as if I had flung open the doors of my brain, and imagination called out, 'Ideas without a writer, come here! Will take anyone! No exclusions for not being fully developed because I will fix you!'

But because I have so many ideas, I have found myself writing three books at once. Do you have any tips for NOT starting another book, just because it seems better than the others at the time?' Your new bibliophilic friend,"--Kyla :)

(Suzanne replies:) Kyla, you are an amazing young woman. I don't think there's anything wrong with starting a second and third book, while you're finishing the first one. But it sounds like you're frustrated because you'd like to complete one book, before starting another, which brings to mind the word, discipline. Writing is hard work. Most folks have trouble disciplining themselves to a daily writing schedule. They have the desire to write, but they never get around to actually writing. You have the discipline to write every day, but you need to find a way to follow through and finish a book.

Perhaps you could make a pact with yourself that you're going to work every day on your first book for at least 30 minutes, and only after you do that, can you bounce over to other writing projects.

Or, perhaps this is a time in your life to simply play with ideas: one, two, three, four books, play as much as you want, no pressure or guilt. And then one day, when the time is right, that little voice in your brain will say, 'Kyla, now is the time and here is the idea you've been looking for so you can finish your book.'

Thinking about writing your own book some day? What would the title be? Have a question about writing? Email it to: [email protected]

To see all of the questions readers have submitted, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/writer-questions.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: You're going to love THE WINTERS IN BLOOM, by Lisa Tucker

Despite the secrets they've been keeping from each other since the day they met, David and Kyra consider themselves happily married. But when their five-year-old son disappears from their backyard, they're sure the kidnapper is someone they know. The big question is--whose past has finally caught up with them?

Lisa Tucker is waiting to hear from you. Sample her book, send her an email. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on THE WINTERS IN BLOOM.

Dear Reader Column 10-20-11

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,

Sample books, find literary gems, meet authors at AuthorBuzz, cast your vote for your favorite big goofy chicken name, and enter-to-win a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies delivered to your doorstep--it's a busy week at the book club.

Our race to name the chicken will end soon. Cast your vote today! At the moment, Hokey-Smokey is in the lead, Chickie Chick a Boom is closing in fast, and Kernel-Kluck is bringing up the rear--way in the rear. But you never know, there's still plenty of time for him to make his move. Our chicken race ends Friday. Vote now, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/contest-101011.html

Meet authors who are waiting to hear from you, and check out their latest books. Visit AuthorBuzz, go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

I'm baking tomorrow, so enter October's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway today. To see photos of satisfied cookie winners (including librarians) munching and dunking, and to enter, go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookies10-2011.html

Someone always wins and it might as well be you. But you have to enter.

"Hi Suzanne, what a wonderful surprise I found in my mailbox after returning home from work on Friday evening! I received a package containing one of your vintage aprons. It's beautiful! A couple of weeks ago, my mom gave me 3 aprons she found in my grandmother's cedar chest. They were handmade by my grandmother. They brought back such great memories of her! I lovingly washed and ironed them and then your package arrived! I think I'm starting a collection. Thanks again."--Lisa Joy

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

** WIN a plethora of prizes this week including, a beautiful Kabbalah bracelet, a Miniature Harley Heritage Softail Classic, CDs from an author's favorite musicals, free books, and the opportunity to say hello to authors--all featured at AUTHORBUZZ. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

SHEA VAUGHN'S BREAKTHROUGH: The 5 Living Principles to Defeat Stress, Look Great, and Find Total Well-Being by Shea Vaughn

FARE FORWARD, A Novel by Wendy Dubow Polins

UNEXPECTED DISMOUNTS (Book #2 The Reluctant Prophet Series) by Nancy Rue

LITTLE DID I KNOW by Mitchell Maxwell

THE WINTERS IN BLOOM by Lisa Tucker

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Have you read, LITTLE DID I KNOW by Mitchell Maxwell?

Sam August, has his heart set on a life working in the theater. With unbridled passion and a ferocity of spirit, Sam takes on the vicissitudes of his goals. Along the way he falls in love, and makes the journey from boy to a young man of vision and achievement.

Author Mitchell Maxwell would love to hear from you. Send him an email and read a sample of his work. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on LITTLE DID I KNOW.

 

Dear Reader Column 10-19-11

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,

Motivation shows up in weird ways. Let me explain.

There are eight huge flower gardens in my yard. Normally their beauty has a calming affect on me, but the other day they looked frightening. It happens every year. All summer long, in Florida's heat and humidity, my plants grow to B-movie size proportions: "The Florida plants that ate Suzanne and her entire house in one big gulp!" Surveying my yard in the fall, anxiety sets in. How is one person ever going to trim, weed, feed, replant, and mulch eight flower gardens, all by herself? Eventually, I do get the job done, but getting started is a challenge. Actually getting started is the hardest part.

Fortunately for me, this year two gardening angels knocked on my door. The man and his partner who had trimmed our trees three months earlier wanted to know if I needed any yard work done. "Absolutely!" And since they were going to start early the next morning, I had a list of things to do before they arrived: go to the nursery and get plants, fertilizer, mulch, and buy plenty of yard waste garbage bags. Stop at the market so I have something to serve them for lunch, and bake a batch of my chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Ready and waiting the next morning, no one showed up, which wasn't totally unexpected. One of the first things I learned when I moved to Florida was that the words "on time," meant something different than they did when I lived in Wisconsin--especially when it comes to gardeners. If you don't show up for the first day of work in Wisconsin, you're fired. If you don't show up for the first day of work in Florida, but you show up the second day--you're considered "on time." But my "no show" gardeners never showed up at all. (Well, they did call the second day at 3:30 in the afternoon, with a lame excuse, and added, "We'll see you tomorrow.")

"Not tomorrow," I told them, "I don't need any help now. By not showing up, you actually did me a favor. Since I had all of my gardening supplies, including chocolate chip cookies I personally baked for you, I started working on the yard myself. Twenty-five bags of yard waste are lined up for tomorrow's trash pick up, and one of my flower gardens is completely weeded, fertilized and replanted. Thanks for not showing up. It was the motivation I needed, and instead of paying you, I'm going shoe shopping when I'm done."

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet Nancy Rue:

Author of UNEXPECTED DISMOUNTS (Book #2 The Reluctant Prophet Series)

Just when you think Alllison Chamberlain has it all under control--a series of unexpected dismounts threatens to take down everything she's sacrificed for. You'll get caught up in Allison's St. Augustine journey with the recovering prostitutes at Sacrament House, an outrageous 12-year-old mulatto boy, and an unlikely group of fellow travelers, all from the back of her Harley.

Author Nancy Rue would love to hear from you and you can sample her book. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on UNEXPECTED DISMOUNTS.

Dear Reader Column 10-18-11

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,

Join in a little bit of silly fun today. Do you remember casting your vote in our Name the Baby contest in 2006? I need your help again, this time to name the big, goofy chicken.

Five years ago when my son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first child, they were finding parenthood challenging right from the get-go. A baby boy was on the way, but they couldn't agree on a name--and believe me they tried.

The soon-to-be parents even tried to convince their minister to poll the congregation. All those in favor of Paul, say "Amen," all those in favor of Owen, stand up and yell, "Hallelujah." The minister wisely side-stepped their request, but he did vote for his personal favorite. I even had to stop my son from tapping his water glass in our favorite restaurant and announcing, "Attention please. Would everyone put down their fork and listen up? My wife and I are in a disagreement and we desperately need your help. We can't decide what to name our baby..."

Even after paging through baby name books they still couldn't agree, so they asked me to poll book club readers. Readers got to pick their baby's name, and they weren't kidding! Whatever name got the most votes, that's what they would name their son, and that's how my grandson, Paul Robert Beecher, got his name.

Today the challenge is much less daunting. Last week readers sent in possible names for a chicken hand puppet my husband and I brought back from our vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Three names were chosen as finalists, now all you need to do is pick the winning name. You picked the perfect name for my grandson, how about giving it a go--and choosing your favorite name today.

The three finalists are:

Chickie Chick a Boom

Hokey-Smokey

Kernel-Kluck

Please go to http://tinyurl.com/goofychicken and cast your vote.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet author Wendy Dubow Polins

Fare Forward is a story about finding things that transcend time. Gabriella's grandfather is about to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics for his shocking proof that will change everything we take for granted. Standing at the threshold of the beginning of everything in her own life, she knows that her future and that of the world, hangs delicately in the balance. She must decide: What are the things in life worth fighting for? Can we change our fate?

Sample author Wendy Dubow Polins' book and say hello to her. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader and click on FARE FORWARD.