Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 10-18-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

My husband feels better when he owns a boat. He doesn't have to actually use the boat. It just feels good, knowing there's a boat waiting for him if and when he decides to use it. I can relate. My security blanket is having a dressy-dress hanging in my closet--because you never know.

A girl needs to be prepared. A fancy dress, hat and shoes, one should be ready in a moment's notice with a complete ensemble--just in case.

Yes indeed, I've been ready for the past seven years--just in case.

That's how long my dressy-dress has been hanging in my closet. Hanging around so long that it's out of style. Not that I follow what's in, and what's out. But my personal style has changed, and I can't image myself wearing the dress, even if I was finally invited to "the big event."

The dressy-dress, the ready-in-a-moment's dress, I gave it away last week. It still had the price tag on it. But to ease my guilt, I reminded myself that I bought it at a really good price from the sale rack. And the even better thought is that this girl still needs to be prepared, so this weekend, I'll be shopping for another dressy-dress.

* You can't help but smile when you eat one of my homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies. See for yourself in the photos of recent winners, and be sure to enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway, Go to: http://tinyurl.com/cookie1013

* Congratulations to Krista Rinehart, the winner of a POOF-Slinky 225R Collector's Edition Original Slinky Dog in Retro Packaging.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors--send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus this week, enter to win a free copy of these books for young children and teens: LITTLE BLACK BOOK by Renee Khatami; JET BLACK AND THE NINJA WIND by Leza Lowitz; ENDLESS by Amanda Gray; and CAMEO by Tanille. For a chance to win, say hello to the author, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: COUNTING BY 7S (YA Fiction) by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I write books to understand my own life. And I hope that when I tell a story it will have meaning in your life as well.

Counting By 7s is the most personal story I have ever told, which is not to say that it is my own narrative, but I understand the people I'm writing about, and I have tried to make them characters that will live on once you've put the book down.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on COUNTING BY 7S to read more and to email author Holly Goldberg Sloan, you'll get a reply.

 

Dear Reader Column 10-18-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

My husband feels better when he owns a boat. He doesn't have to actually use the boat. It just feels good, knowing there's a boat waiting for him if and when he decides to use it. I can relate. My security blanket is having a dressy-dress hanging in my closet--because you never know.

A girl needs to be prepared. A fancy dress, hat and shoes, one should be ready in a moment's notice with a complete ensemble--just in case.

Yes indeed, I've been ready for the past seven years--just in case.

That's how long my dressy-dress has been hanging in my closet. Hanging around so long that it's out of style. Not that I follow what's in, and what's out. But my personal style has changed, and I can't image myself wearing the dress, even if I was finally invited to "the big event."

The dressy-dress, the ready-in-a-moment's dress, I gave it away last week. It still had the price tag on it. But to ease my guilt, I reminded myself that I bought it at a really good price from the sale rack. And the even better thought is that this girl still needs to be prepared, so this weekend, I'll be shopping for another dressy-dress.

* You can't help but smile when you eat one of my homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies. See for yourself in the photos of recent winners, and be sure to enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway, Go to: http://tinyurl.com/cookie1013

* Congratulations to Krista Rinehart, the winner of a POOF-Slinky 225R Collector's Edition Original Slinky Dog in Retro Packaging.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors--send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus this week, enter to win a free copy of these books for young children and teens: LITTLE BLACK BOOK by Renee Khatami; JET BLACK AND THE NINJA WIND by Leza Lowitz; ENDLESS by Amanda Gray; and CAMEO by Tanille. For a chance to win, say hello to the author, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: COUNTING BY 7S (YA Fiction) by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I write books to understand my own life. And I hope that when I tell a story it will have meaning in your life as well.

Counting By 7s is the most personal story I have ever told, which is not to say that it is my own narrative, but I understand the people I'm writing about, and I have tried to make them characters that will live on once you've put the book down.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on COUNTING BY 7S to read more and to email author Holly Goldberg Sloan, you'll get a reply.

 

Dear Reader Column 10-17-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

You can't help but smile when you eat one of my homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies. See for yourself in the photos of recent winners. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/cookie1013

Smiling faces, plates of homemade chocolate chip cookies--you could be featured in next month's cookie page, so be sure to enter. I bake and send a big bag of 24 cookies, overnight to your home or office, you dunk-and-munch, and then please email a photo to me. It's as simple as that!

I love to bake. (I've been baking and sending chocolate chip cookies every month to readers for 13 years.) If you love to eat Chocolate Chip Cookies, go to: http://tinyurl.com/cookie1013

* The lucky winners of The Paris Architect by Guest Author, Charles Belfoure are: Debbie Floyd and Nancy Maleki.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

(NonFiction)
GIRL FACTORY by Karen Dietrich

(Fiction)
ENDLESS by Amanda Gray

(Fiction)
ILLUMINATIONS by Mary Sharratt

(YA Fiction)
COUNTING BY 7S by Holly Goldberg Sloan

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

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 10-16-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

This week's book selections are Book Shelf Favorites, titles that are just so darn good, we love to read them again and again.

Our club has a reputation of mixing books, food, and crazy giveaways. Today I'm sharing one of the recipes my daughter-in-law's mother used to make for her when she was growing up, and a crazy-fun giveaway.

Enter to win a POOF-Slinky 225R Collector's Edition Original Slinky Dog in Retro Packaging, go to: http://tinyurl.com/DogSlinky

My Daughter-in-law's Favorite Old Recipe--Chicken Salad

4 cups cubed cooked boneless chicken meat
1 bunch celery, finely diced
10 ounces, weight package carrot shreds
6 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 cups frozen peas, thawed ½ cup Miracle Whip, or just enough to moisten
1 tablespoon dill weed garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
7 ounces, French Fried Shoestring Potato Sticks

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Enjoy.

Later today I'll be baking homemade chocolate chip cookies, so be sure to tune-in tomorrow, and enter-to-win, homemade cookies delivered, overnight to your front door. Simply enter, dunk and munch, and promise to send a photo to share if your name is drawn.

* Congratulations to the winners of Jacob's Oath from Guest Columnist, Martin Fletcher: Betty Burlingame, Kara A. Shamy and Melissa Sinner.

And the lucky winners of The Book of Someday from Guest Columnist, Dianne Dixon are: Sharon Berger, Chandhini Sivakatasammani and Christine Harris.

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: Meet new authors--send an email, ask a question and they will reply. Plus this week, enter to win a free copy of these books for young children and teens: LITTLE BLACK BOOK by Renee Khatami; JET BLACK AND THE NINJA WIND by Leza Lowitz; ENDLESS by Amanda Gray; and CAMEO by Tanille. For a chance to win, say hello to the author, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

AUTHORBUZZ: ILLUMINATIONS (Fiction) by Mary Sharratt

What happens when a little girl sees radiant visions of the divine? Illuminations chronicles the unforgettable story of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), who was offered to the Church at the age of eight, entombed in a small room, and expected to live out her days in silent submission. Instead Hildegard triumphed against impossible odds to become the greatest voice of her age--a composer, prophet, polymath, and visionary.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on ILLUMINATIONS to read more and to email author Mary Sharratt, you'll get a reply.

 

Dear Reader Column 10-15-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

"Be a First Reader"--it's a unique invitation from bestselling, award-winning author Nate Kenyon. His latest book, Day One, is about the day machines become sentient and take over New York.

Even though Day One has just been released, Nate is looking for people who want to work with him on his next big thriller--from idea through published novel.

Today's note from author Nate Kenyon...

Several years ago, an idea struck me as I was struggling to finish my novel Sparrow Rock. I wanted real feedback from readers--not after publication, but DURING the editing process. The concept was simple: to create the best story possible, why not ask the audience for help?

I was already a huge fan of Suzanne and her email book clubs. So I asked her to run a contest through Dear Reader: help me appeal for first readers through her blog.

Suzanne, God bless her, loved the idea. She asked people to let me know if they wanted to read a first draft even before my editor did. A thousand entries later, I was overwhelmed--but what struck me the most was what people said in their notes to me. They loved books; they wanted to write themselves; they had always wanted to know how publishing worked. Some told personal stories that nearly brought me to tears. I was blown away, and the feedback I received was remarkable. My readers caught errors, helped improve plot twists, and one even copy edited the entire manuscript, line by line.

So I'm doing it again. And this time I'm starting even earlier, at the beginning of the writing process. With my latest novel Day One having launched this month, I'm looking for people who want to work with me on my next big thriller--from idea through published novel. Visit this special link on my website http://natekenyon.com/firstreadercontest/ and tell me why you'd like to be a first reader. I'll choose five names from the pool. Your job can be as simple as voicing an opinion on a story concept or first draft, to working closely with me each step of the way to published novel. If your name is chosen, it's up to you.

When I approached Suzanne about that first 'Be a First Reader' contest, I had no idea that it would end up being one of the greatest personal highlights of my career. I never thought it would change the way I look at the reader-writer relationship. I'm looking to take that a step further this time. I have two possible concepts for my next novel. I hope you'll join me in the writing process. Tell me why you'd like to be a first reader with me at the link below, and we'll go on a journey together. You'll be thanked in the published book. I promise you, it'll be a blast, and we'll both learn a lot along the way!

--Nate Kenyon

Be part of the writing process of Nate's next book. Let me know if you're one of the five readers chosen. Be A First Reader, http://natekenyon.com/firstreadercontest/

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: ENDLESS (Fiction) by Amanda Gray

What could be more romantic than traveling through time and space to find your one true love? And what could be more interesting than the possibility of electromagnetic fields as portals to another time? Throw in one of the most fascinating and tragic events in Russian history and a healthy dose of historical mysticism, and you have a story that appeals to romantics and smart girls alike.

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

Dear Reader Column 10-14-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

Bookshelf Favorites is the book club theme this week. Thank you to everyone who submitted the names of their favorite books. I've sifted and sorted, and put together a fun line-up of titles that are just so darn good, we love to read them again and again.

One of my all time personal read-it-again favorites is A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson. I have to admit, like watching an old Andy Griffith rerun for the umpteenth time, even though I know exactly what Barney is going to say, (I could deliver the lines word-by-word, including the gestures he's going to make) I can't help but laugh because it's so funny. And the same thing happens every time I read A Walk in the Woods. Every few pages I know the "funny" is coming up soon. My face smooches into a smile position, and pretty soon I'm laughing like it's the very first time I ever read those hilarious lines before.

Funny, serious, mysterious, I hope you'll find one of your favorite books on my line-up this week, or maybe you'll discover something new--that will become one of your Bookshelf Favorites.

This week's Bookshelf Favorites book club line-up:

Business: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann

Fiction: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Good News: Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin

Mystery: Caught by Harlan Coben

Nonfiction: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Romance: The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs

Science Fiction: Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds

Teen: Love Among the Walnuts by Jean Ferris

Thriller: Worth Dying For by Lee Child

* All of the clubs feature a Bookshelf Favorite, except the Audio and Pre-Publication clubs.

Enjoy! Let me know if your favorite was listed.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: GIRL FACTORY (NonFiction) by Karen Dietrich

Eight-year-old Karen's parents are lifelong workers at the Anchor Glass plant, where one Saturday, an employee goes on a shooting spree. This event splits the young girl's life open and she begins to seek comfort in obsessive rituals and superstitions. This beautifully evocative memoir chronicles the next fourteen years and ultimately uncovers the buried secret from her childhood--a medical file with an unbearable report.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on GIRL FACTORY to read more and to email author Karen Dietrich, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 10-11-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

Most of the clothes in my closet are somebody else's. Let me clarify, they used to be somebody else's. But now they're mine. I've become Second Hand Suzanne, or some might say a Vintage Suzanne.

Wearing clothes from years gone by, or back in the day (I love that phrase), helps me feel like the 'me' I try to connect with inside my heart. And the clothes back in the day (okay, I won't us that phrase again), are less complicated, more flattering, and don't require that I wear spandex and underwear that doesn't show a panty line. Instead of wearing a tight rubber band skirt, my cotton vintage skirt twirls and ruffles lightly through the air, especially on days I wear a crinoline underneath.

You have to be nice when you're wearing a vintage cotton skirt and shirt, a short string of pearls, ankle socks, and Mary Jane shoes--you can't help yourself. The clothes dictate your mood. Would Donna Reed, or Beaver Cleaver's mother lay on the horn when an angry man cuts her off in traffic? Heavens no. Mrs. Cleaver would bake some chocolate chip cookies, deliver them to the man, and in a motherly fashion, remind him to "mind his manners."

I love the experience of shopping in vintage clothing stores, especially the store my friend owns here in Sarasota. Not only is the selection fun to look at, but when I step into her shop, it's like I have my own personal shopper.

I stop by my friend's shop to say hello and while we're chatting away, my friend is pulling hangers off the rack, and holding up possible "finds" in front of me. Never mentioning the dress she's holding up in front of me, I turn to look in the mirror, shake my head "yes or no" all without skipping a beat. "Would you and your husband like to come over Friday night for dinner and maybe a game of cards?"

The vintage, off the shoulder dress my friend held up in front of me looked like a possible "keeper" so I headed to the dressing room, never breaking stride in our chatting. The dress looked gorgeous, it didn't need dry cleaning, and it was on sale. I finally switched gears, "I'll take it!"

We firmed up Friday night dinner plans, I paid for my dress, and gave a hug good-bye.

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

* Congratulations to the winners of Rosemary Cottage from Guest Columnist, Colleen Coble: Pat Harmer, Sheila Walman, Dianne Dupree, Jean Lesslie and Kristina Kammerer.

And the winners of the Audio book giveaway: Adrienne Johnson, Kathy Cochrane, Sarah Toppins, Millie Jolley, Kelly Ballenger, Tara Boyan, David Faucheux, Candy Peleaux, Lisa Passarella and Jennifer Lightfoot.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: RASPUTIN'S SHADOW (Thriller) by Raymond Khoury

Rasputin: we all know the name, but what do we really know about him? In my research, I was stunned by what I discovered about his mysterious rise to power. As with the Templars, I just had to use him in a novel. Here it is. This time, as they dig into Rasputin's past, Reilly and Tess face off with the Russian mafia, a rogue KGB agent only known as "Koschey"--the Deathless--and psychotronic weapons.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on RASPUTIN'S SHADOW to read more and to email author Raymond Khoury, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 10-10-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

It was out of the blue, and I was speechless after I finished reading the email in my inbox.

"Hi Suzanne,

I don't know if you remember me or not, I worked for you 100 years ago, but quit when I had a mental breakdown of sorts. You helped me so much then. I just ran across your name and didn't know if I'd ever properly thanked you. It was a really awful time for me mentally, when I stopped working for you, and you helped me get through that period by setting me up with a therapist. I'm finally in a place where I can thank you from the bottom of my heart, for all that you did for me.

Since then I had another baby and we moved to Pennsylvania, then Tennessee and now we're back in the Philly area. Our kids have grown, my daughter is in college, doing great despite being recently diagnosed with Lupus; our middle son, is a Senior in high school and preparing for a military career; and our youngest is in 7th grade. My husband and I are still good, busy though. I stay home (especially since we just moved back to Philly), to keep the boys in line and run them everywhere they need to be--I'm like American Express!

What has been going on with you besides writing a book and doing Dear Reader book club?

Thanks again for everything you did, I wanted you to know that there's someone VERY grateful for you in Philadelphia!"

Fondly,
--M

What an amazing email. Reading it inspired me to think back about the people who've made a difference in my life, wondering, did I get a chance to thank them? If you have someone you'd like the opportunity to say thank you to, I'd love to hear your story.

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

Warmest regards,

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

(NonFiction)
JULIA CHILD RULES: Lessons on Savoring Life by Karen Karbo

(Fiction)
A BRIDE FOR KEEPS by Melissa Jagears

(Thriller)
THE JOSHUA STONE by James Barney

(Thriller)
RASPUTIN'S SHADOW by Raymond Khoury

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

 

 

Dear Reader Column 10-09-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

Truth is stranger than fiction...be sure to read today's guest column written by Charles Belfoure, author of the newly released novel,The Paris Architect...

The untimely death of James Gandolfini, star of the hit TV series, The Sopranos, brought back a memory from twenty years ago. I was a young architect taking any kind of work to establish a practice when someone referred me to a man who had "a dear friend" who was "a man of great influence." He needed an addition to his ranch house. His son and young family would move into the house, and he'd find an apartment to live in.

I met my new client, who always dressed in a nylon windbreaker and jeans and wore a perpetual scowl on his face. But he smiled when he saw my rendering of the addition, and construction began.

Right away I knew something was odd. When I pointed out to the contractor, an elderly Italian man, that the steel beam they got was 18 inches deep and only had to be 12 inches, he smiled and said it was okay, "someone gave us the beam for free."

My client lived in the house while the addition was being built. He was there every single minute of the workday, always cleaning up after the workers. He had a volcanic temper, constantly screaming at the old contractor and the construction crews. One day, the daughter of the contractor happened to be at the site and was angry at the way her father was being treated. "Anyone else couldn't get away with doing that," she said to me. When I asked her who my client was, she looked at me as though as I was jerk and explained that he was a Mafia boss of a rather large segment of America. I was stunned.

The rest of the project was a mixture of fear and fascination for me. The old contractor once said to me that my client was the nicest and sweetest guy in the world before he became the boss--exactly what a character on the TV show said about the volcanic Tony Soprano.

But my client was always very nice to me. The project progressed smoothly, and I realized that the implied threat of violence can really improve productivity. A few weeks after the job was completed, I was walking by a newspaper vending machine and saw my client's face on the front page. He had been murdered and thrown into the river. It was revealed later that his own crew did it because they couldn't stand him anymore. But I always liked him.

--Charles Belfoure

Email Charles at, cbel4@theparisarchitect.com to be entered in his drawing for a copy of The Paris Architect. He has two copies to give away.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: THE JOSHUA STONE (Thriller) by James Barney

Ready for a techo-thriller that will make you think...about the universe? In 1959, in a remote region of West Virginia, a secret government experiment went terribly awry. In desperation, President Eisenhower ordered the lab sealed shut and all its records destroyed. Now, fifty-four years later, something from the lab has emerged.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE JOSHUA STONE to read more and to email author James Barney, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 10-08-13

Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com


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

Dear Reader,

Free audio tapes, who's recently won books, and a great email about AuthorBuzz from book club reader, Janet Quinn:

"Hi Suzanne, In response to your question regarding corresponding with authors, I would like to let you know about Justin Kramon, author of Finny and The Preservationist. I discovered him on Authorbuzz and ended up ordering several copies of Finny as gifts when he had a holiday promotion and was personally autographing, gift wrapping and shipping the book to gift recipients. At the time, I mentioned to him that I was in a book club and we would love to have him if he was ever in our area. At least two years later I got an email from him out of the blue, announcing his new book, The Preservationist, and asking me if the invitation was still good to visit the book club, as he was coming to South Florida! So, Justin will be our guest author in January. Such a great outcome and we are very excited. Thanks for all you do!"--Janet Quinn

Someone always wins in my giveaways, but you have to send an email to enter the drawing. Today I have 10 brand new, unopened audio books to giveaway to readers.

To enter the drawing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/DRbookaday

Congratulations to recent winners...Counting By 7s by Guest Columnist, Holly Goldberg Sloan: Valerie Giambona, Julee Murphy, Pat McCorkle, VeLaura Hewitt and Pat Harmer.

Winners of the specialty tank tops from Guest Columnist Rosemary Harris: Geri LaBreck, Jody Pearch, and Frances Woodal.

Winners of A Bride for Noah from Guest Columnist, Lori Copeland: Phillip A. Kramer, JoAnn Walters, Cindy Snider, Donna Hopf and Beverly DeBenedictis.

Winners of The Shadow Tracer from Guest Columnist, Meg Gardiner: Allison Evans, Nancy Reynolds and Susan Grant.

Winners of Night Swim from Guest Columnist, Jessica Keener: Jean Brady, Joanne J Green, Norma J Sundberg, Vicki Huber, Kathleen Hanselmann, Dee Stillings, Lynn Demsky and Dorie Joyce Rife.

Winners of Maggie's Man from Guest Columnist, Lisa Gardner: Bob Seifert, Natalie Hoppe, Linda Marts, Sharon Read, Jo Ann Zabielski, Jennifer Polhemus, Christine Layne, Theresa Simington, Sharon Deep-Nelson, Deborah Bates, Dottie Aubel, Cindy Bowker, Rick Heeter, Leslie Ertl, Gene Weinshenker, Rama Dharwada, Renee M Lederer, Sara Sykora, Estelle Jenkins, Dee Robinson, Andrea Burr, Becky Motchenbaugh, Betty Ramsland, Elaine Holewka and Robyn Bennett.

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: A BRIDE FOR KEEPS (Fiction) by Melissa Jagears

Would you have the guts to commit to a mail-order marriage? I wonder if I could withstand the emotional stress of marrying a stranger. Especially back when people stayed married no matter what. So I threw Everett and Julia together, each concerned that the other would leave...and perhaps more fearful the other would stay.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on A BRIDE FOR KEEPS to find out more about the book and the author, Melissa Jagears. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.