Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 02-15-12

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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,

Timing is everything. It's a magical moment when I feel a little nudge, when a voice inside of me whispers, "Suzanne, say hello to the person standing next to you," or "Make the phone call you've been thinking about, now is the time."

"Nudge, nudge." Two weeks ago after I received an email from Ms. Anderson, a second grade teacher, I felt a nudge to make a Valentine and send it to one of her students, and I'm so glad I did.

Let me give you a little back story about my connection with Ms. Anderson. Based on the book, Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown every year, each child in Ms. Anderson's class draws and colors their own Flat Stanley character. In the original Flat Stanley story, when a bookshelf falls on Stanley he's flat as a pancake, can slide underneath any door, can even slide right into an envelope. So Stanley's parents decide to send "Flat" Stanley to visit the relatives.

Every year a second grader, from Ms. Anderson's class, sends me their Flat Stanley for a two week visit. After I mail Flat Stanley back with a letter and photos about his adventures, I continue to be the child's pen pal buddy for the rest of the year. But when Alan, this year's Flat Stanley buddy moved away, Ms. Anderson emailed to let me know Cristina, a new student in her class, would be my pen pal for the rest of the year, and that Cristina would be sending me a Valentine soon.

After I read Ms. Anderson's email, even though I was exhausted and there wasn't any expectation I would send a Valentine to Cristina--"nudge, nudge, make Cristina a Valentine and send it to her today." So I cut a Valentine heart out of pink construction paper, added lace from paper dollies I use to serve desserts, a stem from leftover flowers, a touch of ribbon, and then I wrote a note to Cristina in the middle of the card.

It was a beautiful old fashioned Valentine, and later in the week Ms. Anderson emailed again.

"Dear Suzanne,

I just had to write and tell you how thoughtful your Valentine's Day card was to Cristina. She has had a difficult start to her week. Someone she was very close to in her family passed away last weekend. When she came to school today, I could tell that her heart was pretty heavy with hurt. I presented her with the package you mailed to her. She felt so special. It was like a ray of sunshine in her time of hurt and sorrow. Thank you for being such a sweet person, Suzanne. Cristina was very excited to show her classmates the Valentine you handmade, just for her.

I wanted to tell you that your package had perfect timing. You helped give a kind little girl encouragement during a hard time."

Timing is everything..."nudge, nudge."

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: SAVE ME (Fiction) by Lisa Scottoline

Rose McKenna volunteers as lunch mom in her daughter's elementary school to keep watch over her bullied daughter. When the unthinkable happens, Rose must make a split-second, no-win decision that will alter her life and her family forever.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on SAVE ME to find out more about the book and the author, Lisa Scottoline. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.

Dear Reader Column 02-14-12

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 Guest Column is written by sisters, authors and entrepreneurs, Frances and Ginger Park. How did two sisters collaborate on writing numerous books, including the selection for this week's Nonfiction Book Club, Chocolate Chocolate: The True Story of Two Sisters, Tons of Treats, and the Little Shop That Could? How have two sisters worked together in a sweet boutique for over a quarter of a century? Read all about it and enter to win one of five books Frances and Ginger are giving away.

Take it away, Park sisters...

Readers always seem to have three questions for us.

Q: Are you twins?

A: No, we're Big Sis, Li'l Sis, but even our mom sometimes confuses us. Ginger likes to point out that she's seven years younger than Frances. Frances doesn't.

Q: Do you still eat chocolate every day?

A: Yes, nibble, nibble, nibble, all day long... We knew chocolate was a healthy indulgence decades before the medical community confirmed it. Our philosophy has always been: If it keeps you smiling, it's got to be good for you.

Q: How do you collaborate?

A: Once upon a time--twenty-eight years ago when we opened our chocolate shop--we rented an IBM Selectric typewriter and took turns pecking away in-between waiting on customers. We had so much fun we thought: Hey, why don't we try to write a book together? In time, we returned the IBM Selectric and the true writing process began.

Picture this: Most evenings we were in our separate homes, on our own typewriters, working on different parts of the same manuscript. When we saw each other, we would exchange pages without a word; little red-inked scribbles in the margins and on Post-It Notes said it all. Curiously, it was as if we feared that the sound of our voices would jar the sacred writing process. Eventually, we moved from typewriters to word processors to desktop computers to laptops, but our collaborative method has always seemed to work for us.

To date, we've sold eight co-authored books--in silence--without ever sitting down and actually writing together.

OK, there was one exception. For a couple of years we had talked about writing a fictionalized account of our parents' lives as young people during very turbulent times in Korea. We'd jotted down over a hundred pages of notes, and had a concrete sense of the storyline but struggled with how to open up the book. Racking our brains, we would send countless emails to each other with sample chapter attachments, only to delete them. Then one day, Frances was over at Ginger's house when she felt suddenly flu-stricken. That night, so did Ginger. We ended up couch-ridden together for two weeks, sick as dogs, unable to move. With our stuffy heads blocking the noise of the outside world, our minds miraculously cleared. Feverish in every sense--drinking tea, coughing--we hammered out the opening chapter. So what if we had fevers of 102? The novel was underway! A few years later, we were invited by the White House to speak about this work at the New Executive Office Building.

--Frances and Ginger Park

To enter the CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE book giveaway, send an email to: [email protected] You can visit their website at: http://www.parksisters.com/ and www.chocolatedc.com

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: MIME VERY OWN BOOK (PHOTO NARRATIVE) by Doug Jones, Eric Curtis, Scott Perry, Adam Mock, Foreword by Josh Perry

Pan's Labyrinth fan's will be thrilled to see Actor Doug Jones portrayal of a Mime in this unique coffee table book. Take a journey through the 'mime's eye' for a silent but humorous look at pop culture and our world in the unspoken words of a mime.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on MIME VERY OWN BOOK to read more. The authors would love to hear from you.

Dear Reader Column 02-13-12

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,

If you have a question about writing or publishing, email it to: [email protected] I'll answer everyone personally, but I'll also publish questions and answers in upcoming columns.

"Pace yourself Suzanne."

I try, but it just doesn't seem to be in me. Work day and night for a couple of days; writing, writing, writing, my day started at six in the morning and when I look up it's four in the afternoon. Where did the day go? I'm so tunneled-in on what I'm doing, the day went by and I didn't even notice.

Work like crazy for a few days, fingers cramp, back is starting to whine--"Come on Suzanne, give it a rest." And finally I collapse, crawl into the bed realizing it's time to rest, so I can bloom again another day.

Other people recognize my pattern, I've overheard them say, "She seems to write in a flurry, has to think about things for a while and then it all comes pouring out." Why do I fight what seems so obvious? If that's my MO, when am I going to accept it?

It would be nice to celebrate the "flurry" instead of chastising myself for not doing it in a more civilized way. It may not be how someone else does it, it may not even be my own first choice, but it's my style and apparently it's what I need to do.

Write, write, write, rest, rest, rest, go to the beach, eat a caramel apple, and bake a pumpkin pie--all the while thinking about the next--write, write, write--sounds familiar. No need to pace yourself Suzanne, you're right where you need to be.

Congratulations to Mary Armstrong, the winner of the Valentine book giveaway.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: WALTER'S MUSE (Fiction) by Jean Davies Okimoto

When Maggie, a retired librarian, moves to an island in Puget Sound she meets Walter, a recovering alcoholic and children's author who has a history with Maggie they would each like to forget--and the peaceful days she imagined seem more like navigating white water. But with the unexpected arrival of her wealthy sister, a startling new chapter begins.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on WALTER'S MUSE to read more and to email author Jean Davies Okimoto, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 02-10-12

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,

Yesterday my house smelled like homemade spaghetti sauce and berry bread. The good smells in my kitchen gave me the illusion I was playing house. All was right with the world. All was right with me.

When I was a little girl my Grandpa Hale made a kitchen counter and cupboard for me. It was a beautiful piece; drawers, cupboards and the counter was covered with material you'd find on any fancy kitchen counter. One of my favorite photos is of me standing in front of the cupboard, a wooden spoon in my hand, stirring something in a bowl that's sitting on the counter. An apron's tied around my waist and Moochie, my dog, is sitting on the floor by my feet.

Cooking up wonderful things in my kitchen, it makes me feel safe and secure. I stop thinking about the problems in life, only concentrating on the recipe and looking for opportunities to add my own special touches. When I stray from the recipe, if it doesn't turn out; maybe it tastes strange, or collapses in the middle--that's okay. If it can't be salvaged, I simply toss it out and start over again. I'm easy on myself.

But when I step out of the kitchen and take off my apron, I'm much less forgiving of my mistakes. Hopefully some day I'll learn how to play house in the real world, too.

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

*If you'd like my spaghetti, berry bread and other recipes, go to: http://tinyurl.com/67x8fq

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

KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors--send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus enter to win a free (signed!) copy of the featured books from Rebecca Elliot, ZOO GIRL; Marta Szemik, TWO HALVES; and Orel Protopopescu, THELONIUS MOUSE. For a chance to win a free copy, say hello to the authors, and more, see www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: SHOOTING HOLLYWOOD: THE DIANA POOLE STORIES (Fiction) by Melodie Johnson Howe

Diana Poole, after the death of her husband, returns to the only career she knows--acting. But Hollywood can be a brutal place for an actress in her early forties trying to make a comeback, especially when she discovers betrayal and murder in the world of glitz, glamour, and greed.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on SHOOTING HOLLYWOOD, find out more about the book and the author, Melodie Johnson Howe. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.

 

Dear Reader Column 02-09-12

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,

Readers have been asking, "Yes, I'm working on another book." Today I'm sharing one of the stories that inspired "A Not-So-Perfect Pie Crust" Chapter 8 from my memoir and first book, Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life. Check a copy out from your local library, or if you buy a copy for yourself or a friend, and you'd like a signed bookplate, bookmark, and recipe card, make a request at: http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/content/special-offers

There was a notice in the church bulletin: "Take communion to shut-ins. Classes starting soon."

In the beginning my only mission was to take communion to Amy every Tuesday and I'd bring along a copy of the Sunday church bulletin. Amy had been a member of the church for years so she liked listening to me read the bulletin, because she'd recognize a lot of peoples' names mentioned.

Amy and I made quite a pair--both of us were creative souls, whose body parts weren't cooperating with them at any given moment. Amy had terrible eyesight because of her age, she was 96, and I'd recently been diagnosed with an eye disorder that left me walking with a red and white cane. It was a weird eye disorder, ironically one that usually only affects people Amy's age. But I was only 27 and wasn't able to keep my eyelids open, which might not sound like a big deal, but when your eyelids won't stay open, you bump into walls and walk off of porches.

There was a religious script to follow for communion; same order and words every time, but it wasn't too many Tuesdays before Amy and I were ad-libbing a bit and I don't think the "Big Guy" minded at all. After we finished the communion prayer making sure the "Be Thous" were in their proper places, Amy and I would add our own personal requests: Amy had a doctor's appointment Friday and was worried about getting down the long flight of steps in the back of her apartment. I was a frustrated because I couldn't make a decent pie crust. I realized there were a lot more serious things to be worried about, but baking seemed to be good therapy for me while I was waiting to find out if my red and white cane was going to be a permanent way of life.

"You want to learn how to roll a pie crust?" Amy asked after the "Amen."

So the following Tuesday Amy taught me how to roll a pie crust. It was simple following her step-by-step instructions, or maybe it was because the dough knew better than to argue with a 96-year-old pie crust veteran. After sampling the pies we decided we liked the eating part of our get-togethers, so every Tuesday after communion we started having lunch together. And after I discovered that Amy used to play piano in a swing band, we started making music--she played piano and I sang along. Amy's eyesight was so bad she could barely see the piano keys, but it didn't matter because she'd always played by ear anyway.

A relationship is give-and-take, if it's a good one. Looking in from the outside someone might have thought my relationship with Amy was one-sided, taking communion to a shut-in. It was not. I met a woman who'd led a life that I could only hope for and she was coming down the homestretch with finesse and grace. I'd been visiting Amy for over a year and I could tell that it was getting harder for her to do things. So it wasn't a complete surprise when I got a call from her son, "You should come for your last visit with my mother."

I don't know what other people were thinking as they were sitting in the pew at Amy's funeral, but I could see her playing the piano in the swing band, baking and serving meals to be remembered by her family and I could see Amy down on her knees in the pew, hands folded, thanking the Lord for one heck of a special life. And I was fortunate to be part of it.

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: Meet Jacqueline Woodson, author of BENEATH A METH MOON (YA Fiction)

When I first started writing BENEATH A METH MOON, the voice of Laurel Daneau, came to me as a whisper--her soft southern drawl recounting a story of a love lost and an addiction gained. I saw her brilliantly white-blond hair, her delicate hands, her confusion. I heard her grandmother's laughter, felt her mother's love. And slowly, I saw the tragedy of meth sneaking toward her.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on BENEATH A METH MOON, discover a great book and a talented author. Send Jacqueline an email, she'd love to hear from you.

*Meet authors, sample their books and enter for a free giveaway. It's fun and it's at AuthorBuzz.*

(Mystery)
CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT by Avery Aames

(Fiction)
BLUE MOON BAY by Lisa Wingate

(Fiction)
WORDS SPOKEN TRUE by Ann H Gabhart

(YA Fiction)
BENEATH A METH MOON by Jacqueline Woodson

(Fiction)
SHOOTING HOLLYWOOD: THE DIANA POOLE STORIES by Melodie Johnson Howe

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

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 02-08-12

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 give things away. When I'm packing up a prize for a reader, I imagine their smile when they open the box. It's fun to win and someone always does. It might as well be you. So be sure to enter today's Valentine book giveaway, a copy of Everything Romance: A Celebration of Love for Couples by Todd Hafer. To enter the drawing, send an email to: [email protected] and be sure to put VALENTINE on the subject line. I'll draw a winning email tomorrow and pop the book in the mail to you--in time for Valentine's Day.

Congratulations to the winners of the Bow-Wow Giveaway: Theresa Brown, Kristina Kammerer, Diana Mora, Liza Allen and Cheryl Upchurch.

Last week I featured author and guest columnist, Susan Breen. Congratulations to the five lucky readers who won a copy of her book: Barbara Goettler, Sheryl Hand, Linda Hitchcock, Jean Lesslie and Mary Ellen Weiler.

I hope you enjoyed Monday's guest column by author John Clement. If you missed it, go to: http://tinyurl.com/JClement John answers all of his mail and his replies are delightful gems.

Next week we I'll be featuring sister act and writing duo, Frances and Ginger Park. How did two sisters/authors collaborate on a memoir about owning a sweet boutique in downtown Washington for over a quarter of a century? Chocolate Chocolate: The True Story of Two Sisters, Tons of Treats, and the Little Shop That Could.

Looking for a Valentine chocolate delight? Chocolate Lava Cake, is the perfect sweetheart dessert. You'll find the recipe and recipes that book club members have submitted at: http://tinyurl.com/SuzanneRecipes

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 enter to win a free (signed!) copy of the featured books from Rebecca Elliot, ZOO GIRL; Marta Szemik, TWO HALVES; and Orel Protopopescu, THELONIUS MOUSE. For a chance to win a free copy, say hello to the authors, and more, see www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: WORDS SPOKEN TRUE (Fiction) by Ann H Gabhart

Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father's newspaper offices. With ink in her veins, she can't imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribune is the leading paper in Louisville in 1855. When Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over failing competitor the Herald; the battle for readers gets fierce.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on WORDS SPOKEN TRUE, find out more about the book and the author, Ann H Gabhart. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.

Dear Reader Column 02-07-12

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 not signed up for an official volunteer opportunity right now, and lately I've been chastising myself about it. My last volunteer job was assisting homeless people who wanted to get their clothes washed while they showered. When I decided to leave that position I felt okay with that choice for a while, reminding myself that everyone needs a break now and then. But four months down the road I started feeling guilty and telling myself that "I used to volunteer ..." wasn't soothing my conscious any more. So why wasn't I volunteering and doing my share to help others?

The first excuse that came to mind was I don't really have any extra time. My immediate retort, 'But isn't that what most people say? If you really want to do something Suzanne, you can make the time. It's all about choices.' And that's true. But when I took an inventory of how I spend my time, I realized the needs of my family have changed, at least for now, so I'm volunteering in my own backyard. Trying to be the best wife, mom and grandmother I can be, and that means spending quality time with my grandchildren, continuing to be Mom to my grown children and taking their phone calls when they need someone to listen, working on fun projects with my husband, taking care of stray cats, and devoting a little more time to myself, too. Because if I'm a happier, more well adjusted person, then I'll have more good stuff to share with other people.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: BLUE MOON BAY (Fiction) by Lisa Wingate

When Seattle architect, Heather Hampton returns to Moses Lake, Texas, family secrets and a small-town mystery blow her plans completely off course. Heather wants to sell the family farmland to giant Proxica Foods, so she can design Proxica's new flagship facility. But when local banker, Blaine Underhill, and Heather's crazy family get involved, all bets are off.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on BLUE MOON BAY to read more and to contact author Lisa Wingate. She answers all of her mail.

Dear Reader Column 02-06-12

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,

From one generation to another, my dear friend, author Blaize Clement, passed away this past July, but I'm delighted to announce that her Dixie Hemingway series will continue. Today's it's my pleasure to introduce you to Blaize's son, and my good friend, author John Clement. Be sure to enter today's book giveaway, details below.

If you're not reading at the Mystery Club and you'd like to sample Blaize's latest book, The Cat Sitter's Pajamas sign up at the Mystery Book Club, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Welcome to the book clubs John. Thank you for writing today's Guest Column, take it away...Suzanne Beecher

My mother was a strong proponent of the idea that words feed both the mind and the soul. So even before I was born, she read to me. She started with Rudyard Kipling's Just So stories, reading out loud while I lolled about in the womb. After I was born, it was Mark Twain, Agatha Christie, John Steinbeck. Out loud every day, while I sat in her lap, or the crib, or the playpen. She kept reading to me until the time came that I could read to myself, at which point we took turns.

Me: "'I know some new tricks,' said the cat in the hat."
Her: "'A lot of good tricks. I will show them to you!'"

Words kept us together. When I was a teenager, no matter how obnoxious she thought I was, and no matter how square and boring I thought she was, we still had the grace to tolerate each other long enough for a game of Scrabble a few times a week. Then when I left home for college, we played the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle over the phone, and for decades after we worked on it together during visits and holidays. Even in her last days, with me sitting in a recliner next to her hospice bed, we played Scrabble on our iPhones and passed the crossword puzzle back and forth between us.

My mother passed away in July, and I can say with absolute certainty that she did so peacefully. It was her intention to "die well," so that's what she did. It also happened that a few weeks before, her friend and editor at St. Martin's Press, Marcia Markland, called with a couple of questions: One, how would she feel about the Dixie Hemingway mystery series continuing after her death? And two, would I write it? I was horrified. My mother was thrilled. The idea that Dixie would live on filled her with joy.

Now, instead of working on the crossword puzzle every morning, I wake up, make some coffee, and sit down to the world my mother created, the world of Dixie Hemingway, the world she created with nothing but words. She left me with three first-draft chapters for the next book and a computer brimming over with notes, random dialogue for future books, and various observations about Dixie and her cohorts. Every day, I lay some more words down. I move them from one chapter to another. I copy and paste a passage here, I change some words there, maybe I change it back. Sometimes the words fit. Sometimes they're rejected--by me, or my mother, or Dixie herself...I'm not sure which.

One thing I know for certain: it feels like a game. In fact it's a word game, and I'm playing it with my mother. We're still passing words back and forth between us. Mulling them over, arguing about them, competing with them. It's the most amazing and unexpected thing, and I feel so lucky. It's got to be one of the best gifts a mother ever left a son.

John Clement
[email protected]

John would love to hear from you. Email, say hello, and John will also enter your name in a drawing for one of the three copies of The Cat Sitter's Pajamas he's giving away to readers. John answers all of his mail personally. Email: [email protected]

John Clement is a musician and writer. He lives part-time in New York City and part-time in Sarasota, Florida. To find out more about the Dixie Hemingway series go to, http://blaizeclement.com/

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT (Mystery) by Avery Aames

Say cheese! CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT is the third tasty installment in the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling A Cheese Shop Mystery series. Unexpected visitors, rumors of small-town urbanization, and a good man wrongfully accused pits cheese shop owner Charlotte Bessette against a killer willing to clobber her to bury the truth.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT to read more and to email author Avery Aames, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 02-03-12

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,

Emails filled my inbox in response to yesterday's column about George, the black and white stray cat my husband and I have been feeding, and were going to take to the humane society to get neutered. But we had to figure out how to get George into a big cage to transport him. George is friendly towards us, but he's still a little feral, and we weren't going to be able to simply put him in a cat carrier. Our plan was to serve George a small breakfast, so he'd be good and hungry when he showed up for dinner, then we'd wrap a towel around him, give him a soothing kitty massage, and when he was in the zone, we'd quickly, yet gently, toss him into the cage before he realized what we're up to, because George has some mighty sharp claws.

Yes, my husband and I had a plan, and a backup plan, and an emergency backup plan, for how to get George into the cage. The only thing we were missing yesterday was George. He didn't show up for his evening meal. We kept watch until 11 p.m., but George didn't show up until breakfast. But by then it was too late, because he wasn't supposed to have anything to eat or drink after midnight the evening before his surgery, and we couldn't be certain he hadn't eaten something somewhere else. Obviously George had a feeling we were up to something (or maybe he got his email early and read my column), nevertheless he's on my "list." So instead of showering cats with my attention today, I'm giving away treats for dogs and their owners. Enter today's Bow-Wow contest. I've giving away four dog treat containers, a cookbook with tasty treats for your four-legged friend, and a dog treat mix with a dog bone cookie cutter. To enter and to see a photo of George, go to: http://tinyurl.com/George020212

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: AN AMISH FAMILY REUNION (Fiction) by Mary Ellis

You don't have to be Amish to relate to Julia Miller's empty-nest syndrome. As her last chick flies the nest, she organizes a mandatory family reunion, never dreaming what a powder keg she'll create. Her children return home with enough problems to curl any mother's hair. A heart-warming tale about the ties that bind.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader Click on AN AMISH FAMILY REUNION to read more. Author Mary Ellis would love to hear from you.

Dear Reader Column 02-02-12

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

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Dear Reader,

One of my jobs here on earth is to serve. I know, because when I'm "doing" for other people, things that make them feel special and cared for, it brings me immeasurable amounts of joy. "Ah, the pure joy of cooking and serving meals, baking cookies, turning on the bubble machine in the front of my house and listening to walkers and joggers laughing as they pass by, writing a daily column, publishing my book Muffins and Mayhem (and working on a second one), teaching my grandson how to bake, listening to the hearts of friends and strangers, and taking care of stray cats. It's that last one on my list, taking care of stray cats, that I'm immersed in today.

If all went well (last night) George, a stray cat my husband and I have been feeding for two months, is getting neutered--maybe this very minute. The humane society offers a low-cost neutering program and George is one of their customers today. I think George (the name we gave him) used to be somebody's indoor cat. He's very vocal and once he got to know us (especially me, he seems to be a lady's man), instead of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner outside, now he moseys in through the front door and heads straight for the kitchen. After a huge meal, I pick George up and give him a good 10 minute rub, then he gets irritated with the social scene and heads back outside.

George has some pretty sharp claws, so lately, in anticipation of the "big day," when we snuggle I've been wrapping a towel around him. I've been dreading the day when I'd have to scoop him up and quickly deposit him inside a cage, so we could transport him to the vet. It's a big cage, there's plenty of space, enough room for a litter box and to sleep comfortably, but I have the feeling that if George filled out a customer, "Tell us about your visit today" card, he wouldn't give me 5 stars.

The big cage was our only option. George is friendly, but not friendly enough to peacefully coax into a small cat carrier. Being confined and then a trip to the vet for a life-changing surgery, when George comes back home, I know he'll be furious and probably won't trust me right away--definitely not right away--my husband assures me. But in the long run, George will be a healthier, happier cat, and after he recuperates I'll serve-up turkey and gravy, hugs and kisses and plenty of love. (I'll let you know what happened.)

To see a photo of George, go to: http://tinyurl.com/George020212

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

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

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