Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 12-31-12

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,

Happy New Year! This is my annual New Year's Eve column:

My most memorable New Year's Eve was the year my dress fell apart. Well, actually it was shedding. We'd just moved to Florida and some new friends invited us to their New Year's Eve party. We didn't know anyone else at the party, but I made, without a doubt, a big first impression. I was wearing a brand new, black velvet dress--purchased just for the occasion (and it wasn't cheap)--but it started shedding. Everywhere I walked, I left a trail of huge, black fuzz clumps behind. The dress was literally falling apart from the inside out.

I wasn't aware of what was happening until I visited the bathroom. The floor had two huge, white rugs, so it instantly became apparent that I was leaving a trail. I was horrified. I picked up my "droppings" and headed back to the party.

When I walked back into the kitchen, I looked down at the floor and sure enough, there was my dress, all over it. No one else seemed to notice the trail that I'd left around the house. But like a run in your stocking, I was sure they were aware and not saying anything just to be kind.

My first thought was to walk around the kitchen--shuffling my shoe along the floor--so I could sweep up my black fuzz balls. But then I realized that as fast as I was rounding up those little buggers in front of me, I was leaving a new crop behind. My backup plan was to find a dimly lit spot and stay put. And I did, until we left.

I can only imagine what that couple must have thought the next day when they cleaned up from the party! Maybe they thought I'd brought a pet.

* There is still time to enter. Winners are being chosen every day. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/DRbookaday

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: SCORCHED (Fiction) by Laura Griffin

The dead don't speak, but Kelsey knows their secrets. As a forensic anthropologist Kelsey makes it her mission to identify bodies using no more than shards of bone. When Kelsey's search for answers puts her at the scene of her exfiance's murder, only one man can help her. The same man who broke her heart just months before, and who is also a prime suspect.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on SCORCHED to read more and to email author Laura Griffin, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 12-28-12

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,

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to get organized, clear off my shelves and start the new year fresh. So for the next week, I'm offering a Book-A-Day Giveaway. To enter today's drawing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/DRbookaday I'll pick several winners every day.

* You'll find all of my favorite holiday recipes at: http://tinyurl.com/SuzanneRecipes

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: THE YELLOW BIRDS (Fiction) by Kevin Powers

I've always been a reader and a writer and when I got back from fighting in Iraq, I knew I had a story to tell. My first novel THE YELLOW BIRDS is the story of a friendship between two soldiers, Private Bartle and Private Murphy, as well as an exploration of the effect on mothers of having their sons at war.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE YELLOW BIRDS to read more and to email author Kevin Powers, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 12-27-12

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,

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to get organized, clear off my shelves and start the new year fresh. So for the next week, I'm offering a Book-A-Day Giveaway. To enter today's drawing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/DRbookaday I'll pick several winners every day.

* You'll find all of my favorite holiday recipes at: http://tinyurl.com/SuzanneRecipes

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/

AUTHORBUZZ: THE DOG LIVED (AND SO WILL I) (NonFiction) by Teresa J. Rhyne

I've been given a cancer diagnosis twice--once on behalf of my beagle and once on behalf of my right breast. The Dog Lived (and So Will I) is the story of how my dog Seamus' courageous battle with cancer taught me everything I needed to know to survive my own battle. If you love dogs, have battled cancer or know someone who has, or if you just love love, I think you'll enjoy this book.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE DOG LIVED (AND SO WILL I) to find out more about the book and the author, Teresa J. Rhyne. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.

*Fun, free books and meet authors. Ask questions, they'll reply and read samples from their books. Visit AuthorBuzz at: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

(Fiction)
ACCELERATED by Bronwen Hruska

(Fiction)
THE SALT GOD'S DAUGHTER by Ilie Ruby

(Fiction)
THE IMPOSTER BRIDE by Nancy Richler

(NonFiction)
THE DOG LIVED (AND SO WILL I) by Teresa J. Rhyne

(Fiction)
THE YELLOW BIRDS by Kevin Powers

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

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 12-26-12

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,

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to get organized, clear off my shelves and start the new year fresh. So for the next week, I'm offering a Book-A-Day Giveaway. To enter today's drawing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/DRbookaday I'll pick several winners every day.

* You'll find all of my favorite holiday recipes at: http://tinyurl.com/SuzanneRecipes

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

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

AUTHORBUZZ: THE IMPOSTER BRIDE (Fiction) by Nancy Richler

The Imposter Bride is the story of an abandoned daughter's search for her mother, and her mother's attempt to rebuild her life after the devastation of the Second World War. It explores how the traumas of the past haunt the present, and what it really means to survive and start over.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE IMPOSTER BRIDE to read more and to email author Nancy Richler, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 12-25-12

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,

Merry Christmas from everyone at the book clubs!

Suzanne, Bob, Amber, Bob R., Bryan, Jean, Linda, Mary, Patrick, Susan, Tiffany, Tina and Valerie.

AUTHORBUZZ: THE SALT GOD'S DAUGHTER (Fiction) by Ilie Ruby

What would you do if the mother you loved gave you a life of homelessness hidden behind a veil of magical stories? For sisters Ruthie and Dolly, the only way to cope is with their own creative myths. When they run wild at night, Ruthie meets a mysterious man who walks out of the sea, promising love.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE SALT GOD'S DAUGHTER to read more and to email author Ilie Ruby, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 12-24-12

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,

A few years ago, I tried my hand at writing some poetry--an amusing version of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," and now it's become a tradition at the book clubs.

Okay, I admit it's a bit hokey, but it's really kind of a catchy little number once you start reading it. It's got a syncopated beat, and if you throw in a little sing-song rhythm, you'll be smiling by the end.

"'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs"

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every
house all good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

I wish you peace and joy,

Warm Holidays Wishes,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: ACCELERATED (Fiction) by Bronwen Hruska

Newly single Sean Benning discovers what happens when the pressure on his eight-year-old to not just keep up in school, but to exceed, takes hold. When things take a tragic turn, Sean realizes that the price of their accelerated life is higher than he could have ever imagined.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on ACCELERATED to read more and to email author Bronwen Hruska, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 12-21-12

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,

A few years ago, I tried my hand at writing some poetry--an amusing version of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," and now it's become a tradition at the book clubs.

Okay, I admit it's a bit hokey, but it's really kind of a catchy little number once you start reading it. It's got a syncopated beat, and if you throw in a little sing-song rhythm, you'll be smiling by the end.

"'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs"

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every
house all good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

I wish you peace and joy,

Warm Holidays Wishes,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

 

Dear Reader Column 12-20-12

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,

"What do you want for Christmas?"

When I was checking out at Sears the other day I asked the clerk, a man probably in his 60s, what he wanted Santa to bring him this year for Christmas. He smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said, "Nothing really, I have everything I want."

Like the man at Sears, I didn't think I wanted or needed anything for Christmas this year either, until someone gave me the best Christmas present I've ever received.

My daughter, who is a recovering alcoholic, and hasn't had a drink in two years, called me last night. "Mom, I have something important to tell you." And she continued with a story about a mom and dad who called to talk to her. Their daughter has been an alcoholic for five years, and is not getting any better. In fact things are getting worse, so bad, that the parents (who didn't know my daughter) were calling her to see if she had any idea where their daughter might be. They hadn't heard from her in over a month.

My daughter didn't know where the young woman was, but she listened to her parents on the phone. "It was gut wrenching to listen to this girl's parents," my daughter told me. "Even the dad was crying on the phone."

After my daughter hung up from talking to the parents, she said she realized for the first time, how my husband and I must have felt all those years when she was drinking. "The worry and concern you must have had Mom, how did you and Dad sleep at night? I want to apologize."

I was stunned. It was an apology--an acknowledgement--I thought I would never hear.

What do I want for Christmas?

I had no idea until my daughter called.

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

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

 

Dear Reader Column 12-19-12

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,

Congratulations to Deborah A. Pierro, the winner of the Box of Tissue Giveaway. My column about choosing just the right box of tissues reminded long-time book club reader Emily of a column I wrote years ago.

From my Email Bag:

"Hi Suzanne, your column about tissues made me remember the funny column you wrote a while ago about blowing your nose. Maybe you could share that again sometime. With all the colds going around, I am sure it would make people laugh. Thanks for the book club, it's a real highlight of my day."--Emily

(Suzanne responds) Here it is Emily, as requested, from 2007. . .

I tried to write a normal column today about something going on in my world, but instead, I kept coming back to this topic--blowing my nose.

Mother said I should always tell the truth and perhaps today is one of those times when a little white lie would make for more respectable reading material. But I was sick for over two weeks with a horrible virus and truthfully, blowing my nose is still one of the major activities in my day. There's an art to it. I've become an expert and I feel a responsibility to pass on the things I've learned to others. Mother taught me to share, too.

Okay, so some readers are ready to hit the delete key, figuring I'm still ravaged with fever, sick, and out-of-my-mind. Others are flush with embarrassment, imagining the details I'd need to use to describe such a personal, possibly disgusting topic and some readers--are this very minute--looking around to see if anyone is reading over their shoulder--they're embarrassed--but intrigued.

It started out with a sniffle, a dainty event--my Grandmother's lace hankie would have sufficed. But mid-way through the virus, I had to pull out the big artillery; a man-sized tissue in one hand and the other hand firmly braced against a wall, a car, or the person next to me--whatever was handy at the moment. Because my nose blowing had now reached wind speeds high enough to be classified as a Category One Hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Beauford (every hurricane has a name) was scary. The noise was deafening, long and loud hair-raising honks, grab another tissue, and come up for air. It was never ending. How could anyone produce such great quantities? A big blow from Beauford and my three cats and even my husband hid under the bed. When I ventured out to stock up on supplies, children screamed and ran from me in horror, but nevertheless, I needed to be prepared.

Getting ready to tackle Beauford was a lot like getting ready for hurricane season here in Florida. The two have things in common.

SUZANNE'S HURRICANE/ BEAUFORD CHECKLIST

* Stock up on tissue and chicken soup (I'm not kidding, my doctor wrote on his prescription pad the name of a restaurant that had great take-out chicken soup with matzo-balls).

* Blow out gentle puffs, but cover your windows with sturdy 5/8 inch thick sheets of plywood, so you're ready if the big one comes.

* Keep your mouth slightly open when it's time for the big blow to prevent damage to your ear drums, and store loose items so they won't blow away.

* Secure valuables and remove your jewelry to avoid possible damage and injury.

* Take a deep breath (through your mouth) before you blow your nose, so you don't black out.

* Put important documents in waterproof containers.

* Use tissues--not washable handkerchiefs--and have plenty of big, sturdy, trash bags to haul away the man-sized debris.

* Have hand tools ready for after the "storm;" screwdrivers, a shovel and a pick axe to loosen any tough clogs.

* When you hear the all clear siren, it's time to clean up--wipe your nose to make sure nothing else is hanging around.

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

Happy Holidays,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.muffinsandmayhem.com

 

Dear Reader Column 12-18-12

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, December 18th is the day! Or, our 35th wedding anniversary could have been two days ago on the 16th. Every year when December rolls around, my husband and I look at each other and wonder--because we're never sure.

The only thing we do know for sure, is that our anniversary is the day before my mother's birthday, or the day after. Over the years when Mom was alive, I called her once or twice to find out which date we should be celebrating. Keeper of birthdays/anniversaries/deaths, Mom's date book had all the answers. You'd think my husband and I would remember, or would have written the date down, but every year it's still a mystery, and maybe that's a good thing. A little mystery in a marriage keeps things interesting. At least that's what I tell folks when they want to know our secret for staying together so long.

"Neither one of us runs the 'show' pretending to know everything. We both want it to work," I tell them. "My husband spoils me and he says I spoil him." Even after 35 years together, we continue to discover new and wonderful things about each other. Yes, our marriage still has plenty of mystery--including the date! Celebrating "again" today!

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

* Whoops, my apologies for the typo in yesterday's guest author's name. If you missed Sarah Rayner's column, you'll find it at http://tinyurl.com/d7cjex2 And be sure to email Sarah to enter the drawing to win a copy of her wonderful new book, The Two Week Wait. Send an email to: sarah.rayner1@btopenworld.com

Happy Holidays,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.muffinsandmayhem.com