Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 09-30-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

It's time to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. You don't have to be a writer to enter, because it's all about writing for fun.

Write about the day you wore your T-shirt inside out until some kind soul pointed it out to you. Tell us about the stray cat or dog you found curled up on your front porch, and how it was love at first sight. Write about your favorite aunt, a bizarre and whimsical woman who vacuums her living room in the buff. Describe the overwhelming love in your heart when you held your first grandchild, or write about your fear of writing--but start writing about something.

See past winners, cash prizes, rules and deadlines, go to:
http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

And I hope you're enjoying my Book Club Treasure Hunt this week. I'm posting clues each day for a different book, give it a guess, and you could win a prize. I love prizes, don't you? Two winning entries (with the correct answers) will be drawn every day and sent a book from my bookshelf. Feel free to enter every single day!

I'll post all the answers for the Book Club Treasure Hunt next week.

Today's Book Club Treasure Hunt

* Originally released in 2003, it's fiction

* Set in various locations throughout Europe

* A literal treasure hunt

Share you answer by clicking here:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/giveaway.html

Tune in tomorrow for another Book Club Treasure Hunt.

* Congratulations to the winners of Move Your Blooming Corpse by Guest Author D.E. Ireland: Pat C., Nancy R., Penny M., Karen M., and Sharon B.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

 

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 09-29-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

It's Book Club Treasure Hunt Week. I'm posting clues each day for a different book, you give it a guess, and you could win a prize. I love prizes. Two winning entries (with the correct answers) will be drawn every day and sent a book from my bookshelf. Feel free to enter every single day!

Today's Book Club Treasure Hunt

* Originally released in 1997, it's nonfiction

* Set in West Newton, Massachusetts

* About the relationship between the writer and a former professor

Share you answer by clicking here:
http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/giveaway.html

Tune in tomorrow for another Book Club Treasure Hunt.

* Have you written something and submitted it to this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest? I'm waiting to read your entry. Go ahead and enter. You don't have to be a writer. Winners receive cash prizes, and the winning entries are featured at the book club. Get all the info at: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

AUTHORBUZZ: SAFEKEEPING: A Novel (Fiction) by Jessamyn Hope

It's 1994, and Adam, a drug addict from New York City, arrives at a kibbutz in Israel with a medieval sapphire brooch. There he joins six other damaged people, whose lives become entangled and changed forever over that fateful summer. Between them glows the magnificent brooch with its perilous backstory spanning three continents and seven centuries.

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

 

 

Dear Reader Column 09-28-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

It's a bit of a treasure hunt when a reader emails and wants to know if I remember the name of a book I featured two years ago, on a Monday (and it was raining that particular Monday), and the book had a mother and son as the main characters. The mother loved key lime pie and the son was short--hoping he would grow a few inches before the summer ended.

After a good laugh, the emails do indeed make me smile because they're fun to read, I get serious and try to solve the puzzle. Unfortunately, I don't always succeed. But the reader book queries gave me an great idea--I'm having a Book Club Treasure Hunt this week in my column--and there are prizes. I love prizes!

Each day this week I'll post clues in my column about an iconic book, and see if you can come up with the title. Two winners will be drawn every day from entries with the correct answer. Winners will receive a book from my bookshelf. Feel free to enter every day.

I'll post all the answers for the Book Club Treasure Hunt next week.

Here are the clues to Monday's Book Club Treasure Hunt:

* Originally released in 2009, it's fiction

* Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960's

* Features a newspaper journalist who writes an advice column

To enter the drawing, provide the title of the book and your preferred shipping address (in case you're a winner): http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/giveaway.html

Tune in tomorrow for another Book Club Treasure Hunt.

* There are only two weeks left to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. It's for fun, you don't need to be a writer. Don't miss the deadline. For all the info, including the cash prizes, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

AUTHORBUZZ: DIE AGAIN TOMORROW (Thriller) by Kira Peikoff

In the 21st century, death is no longer a black-and-white moment in time, but a process that can be stopped well after it's begun. Isabel Leon, a young woman with a terrible secret, washes up drowned on a beach. When a stunning intervention brings her back intact, she awakens to find that she's living proof of a breakthrough that can change the world. But some people would pay any price to control it, even if it costs Isabel her life--again.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on DIE AGAIN TOMORROW to read more and to email author Kira Peikoff, you'll get a reply.

 

 

Dear Reader Column 09-25-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

"Soup's On!" because I've been reading through some old recipes of mine and found two fabulous, favorite soups. How could I have forgotten about them? Beef with Bean, and my version of Stone Soup.

One summer I taught a cooking class for kindergartners and in the final class--that included a buffet for their parents--we made a big pot of Stone Soup. Inspired by the popular European folktale retold for centuries, Stone Soup was the perfect book and entree to end our classes with because the message in the story is about sharing. If everyone contributes just a little bit, big things can happen.

I'm going to make a big pot of Stone Soup and invite my family over for dinner. Of course everyone will have to bring something to add to the soup, and while we're waiting for the soup to finish cooking, I'll read my copy of the book to my grandchildren.

Suzanne's Version of Stone Soup (I usually double this recipe and yes, I include the stones.)

2 carrots, sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 onion, diced
12 oz. small potatoes, diced (leave the peels on)
3 celery stalks, sliced (not too thin)
4 oz. mushrooms, cut in half
14 oz. canned diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1 bay leaf ground black pepper to taste
2 big, good-looking stones
1 tsp dried mixed herbs (I used basil, oregano, garlic and thyme. But you can use whatever you like. Be sure to crush the dried herbs with your fingertips as you add them to the soup.)

Add as many other vegetables as you like. Maybe corn and cabbage, too?

Add 2 stones. Nice big flat ones work best. Big enough so they couldn't be swallowed, and be sure to boil them in hot water first.

Simply put everything in a large pan. Bring to a boil, then cover and let simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Ladle into bowls.

*Looking for something to write about for the Write a Dear Reader Writing Contest? How about sharing one of your family favorite recipes and the story behind it? To find out more about the contest deadlines, guidelines, cash prizes and more, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

I'm looking forward to reading your entry.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

 

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 09-24-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

Frequently people tell me I overthink things and by most people's standards, I probably do. I admit to thinking about things most people never bother with, but my overthinking is actually one of the traits I admire and appreciate about myself. Perhaps if I didn't rehash, 'What just happened here? What did everyone really say?' I might not have anything to write about every day.

Having said that, even I admit, that lately examining every little nuance, concerning every situation, is driving me a bit nuts. But, this isn't the first time my overthinking has gotten out of balance, so I'm not too worried, because eventually I do find a cure.

Good or bad, I think about situations and conversations, not because I'm retracing my words searching for something I said wrong, instead I wander back through the conversation, picking up on little things people said, or didn't say. I've discovered seemingly little things, are secrets to why a conversation turned out like it did, and those same little things can let me in on how someone really feels.

So, here I sit, sifting and sorting--yet again another conversation. What's the cure this time?

Well, you know me, I'm still thinking about it.

*Don't think too long to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. You don't need to be a writer to enter. It's for fun, but the fun part does include cash prizes, and the winning entries will be featured in my daily column, too. You'll find the deadline, guidelines, info on prizes and you can read last year's winning entries. go to: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

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

Can't wait to read your entry,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these titles deserve your attention:

(Fiction)
RAVAGED: An Eternal Guardians Novella by Elisabeth Naughton

(Fiction)
HARD AS STEEL: A Hard Ink/Raven Riders Crossover by Laura Kaye

(Fiction)
TEMPEST RISING: Episode 1 (Rising Storm) by Julie Kenner

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

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

 

 

 

Dear Reader Column 09-23-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

If you haven't started writing yet, come on, get going! Now is the time to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. The most difficult thing about writing is facing a blank page. 'Gee, what should I write about?' How about thinking back to your childhood and writing about one of your favorite memories? Hmm, for me, New York vanilla ice cream comes to mind...

When I was little, staying overnight at Grandma's house meant scrambled eggs, three pieces of crisp bacon, toast with Gram's homemade berry jam spread thick, and a big scoop of New York Vanilla ice cream for breakfast. It was always the same menu, because Grandma knew it was my favorite, and she never, ever said a thing to my parents. It was our little secret.

Or, you could write about some of your not-so-favorite memories...

What were the dinner table rules in your house when you were growing up? When I was finished eating, I had to ask permission to be excused from the table, unless liver and onions was on the menu. Then I might be still sitting at the table two hours after dinner. Because another one of my mother's rules was that I had to eat everything on my plate--I hated liver. Mom made it once a week. "Where's the ketchup bottle?" Finally I would douse the liver with ketchup, pinch my nose, swallow and gag. If I was lucky, my dog, Moochie, would sit underneath the table and I could count on him to eat a few bites for me, too.

Okay, it's your turn now. Tell me a story and enter it in this year's writing contest. To find out more about the rules, deadline, cash prizes and to read last year's winning entries, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

AUTHORBUZZ: TEMPEST RISING: Episode 1, Rising Storm (Fiction) by Julie Kenner

Dee Davis and I have been working on the idea for Rising Storm for years--building the world, crafting the story, getting to know the characters. It's like a soap opera you read, and with the help of 1001 Dark Nights and some amazing authors, it's finally available! Start with Tempest Rising-Episode 1--and get lost in the drama, scandal, romance, and secrets of Storm, Texas. Get ready--the storm is coming!

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on TEMPEST RISING to read more and to email author Julie Kenner, you'll get a reply.

 

 

Dear Reader Column 09-22-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

Today's guest columnist, D.E. Ireland, is really two people in one. No, D.E. Ireland doesn't write science fiction, D.E. is the pen name for two writing partners, Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta. And to keep you on-your-reading-toes even more, Meg and Sharon wrote today's guest column, describing their writing process, in third person.

Please welcome authors Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta aka D.E. Ireland, and their third person alter-ego. They are excited and waiting to hear from readers, they would love to hear from you. Their email addresses are: megmims@gmail.com and sharonpisacreta@gmail.com When you email to say hello, you just might win a copy of their delightful new book, Move Your Blooming Corpse, which is being released today. They have five copies to giveaway to readers.

Thanks for visiting the book club. Take it away Meg and Sharon, (written in third person)...

Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta, writing as D.E. Ireland, are long time friends who collaborate on a mystery series based on George Bernard Shaw's witty play, Pygmalion (the inspiration for My Fair Lady), featuring Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins. Sharon and Meg both live in Michigan, have patient husbands, brilliant daughters, and share a love of good books, tea and history. Their first book in the series, Wouldn't It Be Deadly, was a 2014 Agatha Award nominee for Best Historical Mystery.

Their collaboration began when Meg was driving to visit Sharon. During the three-hour trip, Meg listened to the soundtrack of My Fair Lady and had a 'lightbulb' moment. When she arrived at Sharon's home, Meg announced that not only would Eliza and Higgins make great amateur sleuths, but that she and Sharon should write it together. Since both women were award winning authors and old college friends, it seemed a great idea. But could they write a book together without ruining their friendship?

A method was quickly drawn up. First they brainstormed the plot, followed by a detailed outline. Both women read and reread Shaw's play many times. Shaw wrote essays on his characters which proved invaluable, even if Meg and Sharon decided they would take several characters in different directions than Shaw imagined.

They also created secret boards on Pinterest where hundreds of photos and links to research websites could be archived. And both women added dozens of books on Edwardian England to their libraries.

With outline in hand, the actual writing began, with each partner being assigned different chapters to write. All revisions were done in WORD's Review Mode, which allows each of them to revise the other's chapters (and their own). Eventually they decide on a "nail down" final draft. This is done on the phone as Sharon and Meg take turns reading all the chapters aloud to each other. This goes on for days (thank you, Verizon Friends and Family plan), but reading aloud is a great method for "hearing" characters' dialogue and ascertaining if all the passages flow as they should.

Unlike some writing teams, Meg and Sharon are equally involved in plotting, first drafts, and revisions. Both must approve every word that appears in the final manuscript. Here is where it's helpful to be such good friends. When disagreement over the books gets heated (and it does happen), both realize the manuscript is not more important than their long friendship--and a compromise is invariably reached. As for whether they could write a book together without ruining their friendship? Two published books later, the answer is "Yes."

--Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta

Send an email to be entered in their drawing: megmims@gmail.com and sharonpisacreta@gmail.com

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

AUTHORBUZZ: HARD AS STEEL: A Hard Ink/Raven Riders Crossover (Fiction) by Laura Kaye

After a midnight break-in at her apartment, close friends and Hard Ink Tattoo co-workers Ike Young and Jessica Jakes are forced into hiding--and forced to confront the feelings they've always denied for one another. I have always adored friends-to-lovers and forced proximity stories, and this book delivers that and more.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on HARD AS STEEL to find out more about the book and the author, Laura Kaye. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.

 

Dear Reader Column 09-21-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

Change your life, one of last year's winners in the Write a Dear Reader Contest did.

An email from my inbox...

"Suzanne, I can't believe it's been a year since you called to tell me I had won the Dear Reader contest. Clearly, that call was one of the highlights of my 2014. It validated my value as a writer and confirmed that I should continue writing from the heart.

Since last September, I've found myself going down a different writing path. Inspired by the discovery of my Aunt Peggy's unpublished poems, I once again picked up my pen and have spent hours writing poetry, a favorite pastime of my teen years. Going back to what I used to love to do has given me such great joy. I have been posting a humorous haiku every Tuesday on Facebook since 2010, but I needed to explore my voice beyond haiku. Now I keep a small notebook with me at all times, as the words and ideas chase me around all day.

I recently 'married' one of my poems with the watercolor artwork of a friend of mine, and the piece is framed and displayed on my wall. I look forward to the day when one of my poems is published and I can call myself a true poet.

I see that you've got another Dear Reader contest starting up. It will be fun to read what this year's writers have on their mind. I hope that those writers take away the same sense of confidence and pride in a job well done.

Thank you for everything."

Take care,
Elaine Sorrentino

Read Elaine's winning entry in last year's Write a Dear Reader Contest, find this year's contest rules, deadlines and cash prizes, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

AUTHORBUZZ: RAVAGED: An Eternal Guardians Novella (Fiction) by Elisabeth Naughton

If you're new to my Eternal Guardians series, welcome! Each book in this series can be read as a stand alone story--I want new readers to be able to jump in at any time without being completely confused--but I will admit that every book is enhanced by reading the book that came before it. If you're a fan of steamy romance, soul mates, danger, menacing gods, redemption, sacrifice, and unending love, then this series is for you.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on RAVAGED to read more and to email author Elisabeth Naughton, you'll get a reply.

 

Dear Reader Column 09-18-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

The older you get, the more people complain it's harder to buy a birthday gift for you. Yes, it's true, and my grandson Paul and I, have also discovered the older everybody in the family gets, the trickier it is to organize a birthday party activity, too. Even though Paul is only 8-years-old, he's a party planner like his grandmother, and we've been in party mode for two weeks now. Working on the details for an upcoming family birthday party.

What party theme should we choose? When Paul mentioned the idea of bowling and taking our decorations and birthday cake to the bowling alley, we both lit up--we loved the idea! So we made a detailed list of decoration ideas, prizes, a menu, and what flavor cake we'd bake--even called the bowling alley to reserve some lanes. But when it was time to review the guest list, we realized only three family members would be able to throw a heavy bowling ball down the lane: Paul, his 6-year-old brother James, and maybe Uncle Jim. (It depends on how much gardening he's been doing.) What's the story with the rest of our family?

Bad backs, pinched nerves, one is too young to bowl, and one is too old to bowl. So back to brainstorming. But every idea we thought of fell flat: touring a dairy farm and then having a picnic on the farm (we loved the idea, but we discovered tours are closed this time of year), driving to Myaaka State Park and renting boats (but the canoes and the alligators that swim underneath them might be problematic for our age group, too). How about going fishing at the sea wall at the end of our block? But fishing there depends on what time of day high tide will be.

So we've settled for second-best. We're going with a (pretend) fishing/bowling decoration theme. The party will be at my house and Paul and I will come up with some fun, silly, crazy yard games for bowling and fishing, that accommodate bad backs, all ages and high tide.

Party if you can!

Looking for an idea for your entry in this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest? Read deadlines, cash prizes, and see last year's winners, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

You don't have to be a writer to enter. It's a writing contest for fun. I'm looking forward to reading your entry.

* Congratulations to the winners of A Flying Affair by Guest Author Carla Stewart: Bertha H., Pat H., Nancy R., Elaine C. and Janice R.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS

AUTHORBUZZ: STRIPPED DOWN: A Blacktop Cowboys(R) Novella (Fiction) by Lorelei James

Opposites attract--so what happens when two people are very much alike? Playboy rancher Wynton Grant and good time girl, Melissa Lockhart meet at a wedding and the sparks fly between them--in a good way. One night of fun becomes more when a family emergency leaves Wynton shorthanded at the ranch. Melissa volunteers to help out. The time they spend together gives them both more than they bargained for--and learning to lean on each other is harder than they both imagined.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on STRIPPED DOWN to read more and to email author Lorelei James, you'll get a reply.

 

Dear Reader Column 09-17-15

Preview a new book every week.
Click here to subscribe to the Online Book Clubs.

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader,

You can't even die without being put on hold.

Francis, my father-in-law, passed away a few weeks ago, and ever since I've spent more hours than I care to think about, on hold, trying to cancel accounts in his name. Ironically, the most challenging task has been trying to cancel his health insurance policy. His policy is with a well-known company, and he's been faithfully paying the premium for over 20 years. Every month on the 7th (my father-in-law passed away on the 6th) the company does an automatic withdrawal from his bank account. I've made several calls, each time talking to a different insurance representative. The customer service people I talk to believe that my father-in-law isn't with us any longer, but they haven't got a clue about how to terminate the policy. I'm starting to think I'm the first person who's ever called to say that someone has died, "Please cancel the policy. Where do I send a copy of the death certificate?"

Five different days I've called to try to cancel. Five different times I've been on hold for 45 minutes--that's my limit. I'm sure it would have been longer if I'd hung in there. But when I can wash and dry dishes, load the washing machine (the wash cycle finishes), put the clothes in the dryer, and shave my legs--that's it. Enough is enough and I hang up.

I took a day off and tried again, hoping for "sixth time's a charm!"
But it wasn't.

"I'm calling to cancel my father-in-law's policy."

"Unfortunately, we don't handle that in this department."

"Will you transfer me to someone who does?"

One hour later (yes, I broke my own rule; I felt defeated), and after being transferred five different times, I was connected to the UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. "May I help you?" a nurse answered the phone.

"Not unless you can raise the dead," I told her.

I know I'm complaining about this, but my father-in-law would approve. In fact, he would be delighted hearing about my adventures, because one of his favorite pastimes was writing letters of complaint. I think he was happier to receive poor service than outstanding customer service. Pour service meant he could put a stamp on the envelope, drop in it the mailbox, and wait for the fun to begin. So I'll hang in there trying to solve the problem, and do my share of complaining--this one's for you, Francis!

It's time to enter this year's Write a Dear Reader Contest. You don't need to be a writer. It's fun, cash prizes, and the top three winning entries will be featured in my column. What to write about? Today's column topic, customer service, is one idea. I'm sure you have plenty of funny stories to share. To get all the info on the contest, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/contest2015/index.html

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these titles deserve your attention:

(Thriller)
FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER by Lisa Regan

(Fiction)
HADES: A Demonica Novella by Larissa Ione

(Fiction)
PURE WICKED: A Wicked Lovers Novella by Shayla Black

(Fiction)
STRIPPED DOWN: A Blacktop Cowboys(R) Novella by Lorelei James

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

* This month's Penguin Classics book is THE CENTURIONS by Jean Larteguy. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin tote bag:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclassqqxqQ1AFE3FA7EE4&c=CLASSICS