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AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
Dear Reader,
Take a 5-minute break from the holiday rush. Relax, and spend some time with Nancy Thayer, this week's guest author. Nancy has written 27 novels, including,Nantucket Sisters, Island Girls, and The Guest Cottage, coming out in May 2015. An Island Christmas, her newest novel, involves a happy but dysfunctional family at Christmas and their new trouble-making cat.
To say hello to Nancy and and comment on her column, email:
nancy@nancythayer.com
Nancy has gifts for us. She's giving away 10 copies of Island Christmas. To enter, click on the link below:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/Book-12122011.html
Welcome to the book club, Nancy Thayer...
Do you ever feel stressed at the holidays? I certainly do, for one particular reason--I have to cook.
I've managed to raise a family, enjoy my friends, and remain reasonably sane over the past thirty-five years, and I did all that while writing. My family never starved, and people married our children even after eating my "cuisine."
The truth is, however, I'm not a natural cook. Now our children have grown up and started their own lives, so my husband and I have changed the way we eat.
For one thing, we eat out a lot, because when I'm working on a book, and I'm usually working on a book, I don't want to cook at the end of the day--I want someone to bring me a delicious meal that 'he/she' cooked. (The fabulous 'he/she' can also do the dishes.) On the nights my husband and I go to a movie, our dinner might be a bucket of popcorn.
But during the holidays, our children, their spouses, and their adorable children come home, and really, I can't serve them each a bucket of popcorn for dinner. (At least not every night.) So I reread recipes, especially my old familiar ones, and learn about new foods, which is fun--I mean reading about them.
When we're actually seated around the dinner table, I don't worry about the food because we're all having a wonderful time talking. Being together is the delicious part.
Still, before the holidays, I stress about what to cook. I make lasagna and freeze it. I stock up on organic mac-and-cheese and vegetable soups. I prepare a Baked Alaska, the easiest dessert I know, and the most exciting--everyone loves it when I carry a flaming mountain of meringue to the table.
But really? We had dinner this fall at the home of a busy working couple who effortlessly served eight people a gourmet meal. "How do you do this and work, too?" we asked. The answer: They buy the prepared food at a local shop, put it in their own serving dishes, and pretend they've made it themselves.
Maybe I'll try that when my children come for the holidays this year. After all, I'm pretty sure they've kept some secrets from me.
--Nancy Thayer
Email: nancy@nancythayer.com to say hi and comment about her column
Click the link to enter the book giveaway for Island Christmas.
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/Book-12122011.html
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Warm holiday greetings from my family to yours,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
AUTHORBUZZ: ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE (Fiction) by Randy Susan Meyers
What is the toll of emotional abuse? Maddy's husband is her greatest blessing and biggest curse. Brilliant and charming when he chooses, Ben turns into a raging bull when crossed--and Maddy never knew what would cross him. Accidents of Marriage examines the effect of a tragic accident on a family, exploring unintended consequences, traumatic injury and children lost in the shuffle.
Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE to read more and to email author Randy Susan Meyers, you'll get a reply.
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