Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 2-28-17

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Dear Reader,

Phillip DePoy, today's guest author, began his work as a writer in 1965 with the Actors and Writers Workshop. Ten years later he had become a published poet and acquired a Master's degree in performance art. Soon thereafter Phillip became a writer in residence for the Georgia Council for the Arts and a nationally reviewed performance artist. In the 1980s he was the composer in residence for the Academy Theatre, and in the 1990s Phillip was the Artistic Director of Theatrical Outfit, a professional, Equity theatre. Since then he has served as the director of several university theatre programs.

There have been forty-two productions of his plays, fiction publications including the Flap Tucker mysteries and Fever Devilin novels, and now two new fiction series; one featuring Christopher Marlowe in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, and the other concerning Foggy Moscowitz, a Jewish car thief from Brooklyn working for Child Protective Services in 1970s Florida.

Mr. DePoy's latest book is in the Christopher Marlowe series, The English Agent.

Please email and welcome Phillip DePoy to the book club: [email protected]

PILOTS

Before I ran a theatre, before I was a composer in residence, before my first novel series was published, I was Writer in Residence for the Georgia Council for the Arts. It was missionary work: I was sent to rural climes to live and teach and encourage young writers. I loved it, but it was not without its foibles. As a part of my work in each small town, I was often assigned speaking engagements. Usually I addressed a PTA or the local business association. In Tifton, Georgia, I was told I'd be speaking with the Pilot's Club. It seemed an odd task, but I was kind of excited about it. As a kid, I'd been in love with small airplanes--Cessna was my favorite; I thought there was one called a Piper Cub. So, at day's end the night before I was supposed to speak to the club, I went to the library and did my research. I picked up a few impressive technical terms, boned up on the latest planes; really knew my stuff.

The next morning in the banquet hall of the Methodist Church, I appeared before a mostly-female audience, lots of them over 50. So, I started my remarks by saying how impressed I was, as a feminist, at the number of women pilots. Then, for the next half-hour, I stunned them with my acumen. Stunned silence.

I concluded by quoting Amelia Earhart: "The lure of flying is the lure of beauty." And then asked if there were any questions.

After a moment of absolute stillness, a single hand ventured upward.

She said, "Didn't Lydia tell you anything about our organization?"

"Just that it's called the Pilot's Club."

"Yes," she said. "We call it that because Jesus is our Pilot. We don't fly. We work for the betterment of our community. We're a civic group."

I started laughing so hard that I thought I might be sick, which gave my new friends permission to laugh even harder. They were so kind, and so forgiving, that I promised to come back whenever they wanted me--if they wanted me at all--to discuss the spiritual components of my poetry, and my roots and an almost-Episcopal-priest.

Thereafter I was served the best cherry cobbler ever created by human hands.

--Phillip DePoy

Email Phillip and welcome him to the book club: [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: No Darker Place (Thriller) by Debra Webb

From the moment my first was born I instinctively understood there was nothing more terrifying than even the mere thought of losing a child. As I wrote this thriller I often called upon that deeply entrenched terror. Detective Bobbie Gentry has been to the darkest place any woman can be taken and survive. Now she just wants revenge--even if it kills her.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on NO DARKER PLACE to find out more about the book and the author,Debra Webb. Send her an email, she'd love to hear from you.

Dear Reader Column 2-27-17

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Dear Reader,

I'm constantly listening for direction. I rely on past experience, on my smarts, and the advice of other people when I'm trying to make a decision. But the most consistently right-on advice is tucked away deep inside of me. Years ago I discovered this gem, a gut feeling most people call it, and it's always been the most credible source for me to listen to, but of course I'm not always a good listener.

It's strange, sometimes there's no question I should be saying "no" instead of "yes" because my gut feeling--that little voice inside of me--is yelling, "No!" It's loud and clear. I can hear it, but I insist on saying yes anyway and then days, sometimes years later when things aren't working out, I'm reminded, "Suzanne, I tried to tell you. But you didn't listen."

My gut feeling is so right-on, that if I were a betting woman I'd be rich by now. But more importantly, when I pay attention and listen, my life is more richly rounded and I have fewer derailed messes to clean up along the way.

Yes, there's a place deep down inside of me and when I want to know what I should be doing, all I have to do is ask. And hopefully, I'll listen.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Besieged (Thriller) by A.J. Tata

Jake Mahegan is racing against the clock to rescue a kidnapped autistic savant 11-year-old girl from the clutches of Iranian special forces in southeastern North Carolina. Using the girl's code writing skills to launch an innovative attack along the eastern seaboard, the Iranians have checkmated the American government.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on BESIEGED to read more and to email author A.J. Tata, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 2-24-17

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Dear Reader,

In Wednesday's column I talked about some of my favorite words and asked you to share. Thanks for taking the time to write. I love reading emails from readers. I really do.

Reader Favorites:

"...my own favorite word is serendipity--a 'fortunate happenstance' or 'pleasant surprise.' I had a teacher in high school, who taught my Brit Lit Class, who introduced me to that word--always makes me smile. Thank you for evoking a lovely memory and here's wishing you a bit of Serendipity in your day!"--Gwen L.

"I like the word hullabaloo. One source defines it as 'a lovely term for a fuss or commotion.' It's just a fun word I used when my children were small."--Patty R.

"My favorite of all time is epiphany. I like what it means and the way your mouth has to form to say it."--Melanie S.

"I'm especially fond of 'brouhaha'--an uproar or hubbub (another great word); a noisy and overexcited reaction to something AND 'flummoxed'--bewildered or perplexed."--Linda F.

"Onomatopoeia, words that make noise...arf, bark, blab, tinkle, tweet. Of all the stuff I learned in high school that has stuck with me all these years."--Noreen B

"I like the words loquacious and obtuse."--Debby G.

"I love the word leisure, I am now a lady of leisure, since I retired. (Not really, I am so busy I don't know how I had time to work!) "--Susan P.

"Discombobulated--The way I feel now that my life's journey is new, scary and unknown."--Jean B.

"One of my favorite words is 'huzzah.' I wrote a column for our newspaper and it was published. I received a letter from my English professor. 'Huzzah to you!' That word always reminds me of my fleeting success! Thanks for your daily column. Huzzahs to you!"--Irene U

"Suzanne, I knew my favorite words right away....

Music--just hearing the hard 'c' sound at the end says rhythm! I want to move, snap, dance, clap, tap, and sing. I Love music.

Kaleidoscope--it sounds so magical, mystical, other worldly, colorful and indescribable.

Puppy--I love them and dogs! All the 'p's' make me happy and I see ears flopping, and soft bellies to rub.

And Quinn Konarska...my friend's daughter's name. All the 'k' sounds just make me smile with joy every time I say her whole name."--Betsy

"Suzanne, my 'go to' (words) phrase when I'm not feeling the agreement...'I'm really not comfortable with ________'"--Sheri R.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 02-23-17

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

My pot roast recipe is really scrumptious, so don't let a lot of steps frighten you away from trying it. It's best made in a Dutch oven.

Pot Roast

1 c chopped onion
1/2 c orange juice
1 T orange peel
1/3 c frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/3 c water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground cumin

1 - 3 1/2 lb beef chuck roast
1 T cooking oil
1 T butter

1/4 c water
2 T corn starch
1/4 c Madeira

Combine onion, orange peel, orange juice, orange juice concentrate, 1/3 cup water, salt, sugar, coriander, pepper, cloves and cumin in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend until nearly smooth.

Trim fat from the meat. Put the meat in a shallow baking dish and pour the mixture over it. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours, turning the meat occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly.

Drain the meat, reserving marinade.

In a Dutch oven, heat the oil and butter on medium heat. Add the meat and brown well on all sides. Drain off excess fat and discard.

Pour the marinade over the meat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender. Take the pot roast out but keep warm in a dish.

Stir together the 1/4 cup water and the cornstarch, and stir the mixture into the cooking liquid. Add the Maderia. Cook, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened. Cook for a couple minutes more and serve the sauce over the meat.

I'm looking for meals to make in my pressure cooker. If you have a favorite recipe, please send it to me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 02-22-17

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Dear Reader,

Words I love.

Tinker. A light little word that frees up my mind; it even makes me feel five pounds lighter. Tinker makes me smile. I feel like a kid again (an only child), my parents left for work which means Mom taped a list of jobs on the front of the refrigerator, but in-between those inconveniences, the rest of the day I have the house to myself to...tinker.

Tinker gives me permission to do whatever, and I don't have to be good at it because--I'm just tinkering. Fiddling around, playing, puttering, tinkering with an idea. It's the perfect rescue if I don't want to enter into a conversation and someone asks, "What are you doing?"

"Oh, just tinkering." Enough said, and no one asks me anything further.

Unblemished. What a heavy word. It's not a selling point if you boast it's unblemished, because I'll run the other way. Flawless, immaculate, it all sounds like a lot of work and responsibility, and I'm setting myself up for failure. This is why I don't like to buy brand new furniture, or a brand new car, or brand new shoes. Too much pressure for me. Which leads me to another favorite word...

Vintage. I love vintage clothes. I live in a vintage house (1925) and I'm getting a little vintage myself, too. But it doesn't bother me a bit, because when I looked up vintage in my thesaurus, who wouldn't want to be vintage? "Best, choice, classic, classical, excellent, mature, old, prime, rare, ripe, and venerable?" Call me vintage any day!

Acquiesce. A genteel, refined way to say no, when I really want to yell, "How can you say yes? How stupid can you be?"

And then there are times when I really don't want to hurt someone's feelings, but the answer is no. So instead, I use this gentle phrase, "Thank you, but it's just not a good match--for me."

Share some of your favorite words. Email me [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 2-21-17

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Dear Reader,

Today's guest columnist, Judith Flanders, has written two New York Times bestselling books: The Invention of Murder and The Making of Home. She is one of the foremost social historians of the Victorian era, a contributor to the Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Spectator, and the Times Literary Supplement. Before turning her hand to writing, she worked as an editor for various publishing houses. Judith lives in London and she'd love to hear from you. http://www.judithflanders.co.uk/contact/

Please welcome author Judith Flanders...

One of the strangest things about being a writer is that people expect you to be interested in talking about it. How do you get your ideas? Do you write at regular hours? Straight onto a computer? (That one is asked less these days. Everyone writes on a computer.)

Imagine if you were to ask a dentist, Seen any interesting molars recently? Do you like working with amalgam best, or those old silver fillings? What's the most fun you've ever had with plaque?

Or a lawyer: So, how have those torts been? (I must confess, I'm not quite sure what a tort is, but bear with me.) Do you file divorce petitions straight onto a computer?

I get it. Writing is a desirable job. People want to be able to imagine it, whereas the only imagining we need to do with lawyers is striding into court and shouting 'Objection!' a lot. The paperwork passes us by.

And writing is paperwork, especially non-fiction, which is half my job. I spend more time shuffling papers around than almost anything. I have more stacks of printed out manuscripts than is healthy, or even useful. And endless drafts, not just of books, but of jacket copy, catalogue copy, author's notes...

Then there are the outlines of plot-lines, and the chronologies, all wildly scribbled over, with arrows pointing every which way except the one I need when I'm desperately trying to work out how old a character is, or what year the Puritans banned Christmas, depending on whether I've got my fiction or my non-fiction hat on. It doesn't matter, ultimately, it's all paper.

Writing is a job, at the end of the day. I get up, and I go to work, just like everyone else. I spend eight to ten hours a day researching, making notes, filing the notes, putting the notes into order, sending emails back and forth--oh, and yes, writing. A little bit of writing. Then more printing out, editing, re-writing, more printing, re-reading, notes, filing, more filing, digging out the previous notes, checking the files, more re-writing.

I'm not complaining. I'm lucky. It's a great job. But it is a job, with better parts and those long boring paper-filled less good parts. So, I'm asking you, doc, what's the most fun you've ever had with plaque?

--Judith Flanders Please do say, "Hello."
http://www.judithflanders.co.uk/contact/

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 2-20-17

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Dear Reader,

I'm a fixer-upper, but some people would argue it's not one of my better traits. Tell me what's bothering you and I'm a good listener, but then I might want to make it all better, even if you didn't ask for my help.

My mind starts sifting through possible solutions, unfortunately it comes naturally to me, (I'm good at thinking on my feet,) and immediately I move from telling you how sorry I am, to offering solutions about how we could fix this problem. The singular becomes plural and "your" problem is now "our" problem.

"What can 'we' do to fix this?"

Don't get me wrong, my intentions are good. I don't mean to be pushy, but sometimes I am. Especially if it's a problem I've experienced myself. The pain is too familiar and I don't want to see anyone else suffer, so stepping in and fixing-it-up, seems like the logical thing to do. But I've noticed that sometimes when I offer to fix problems, people get annoyed--even a little testy. So lately I've been doing some serious contemplating about whether or not I should get rid of the fixer-upper side of my personality. And after much consideration, I've concluded--maybe it's not such a bad trait to have after all.

Listening to people's problems and offering immediate solutions, even volunteering to step in and fix their problems myself, why, some people get paid to be a "fixer-upper" and we thank them for doing it. Therapists, doctors, even my plumber is a paid fixer-upper but he would rather skip the listening and consoling--"I'm sorry" part--all together:

"Look Suzanne, please cut to the chase. Do you want me to come out and fix your backed-up toilet, or do you just want to stay on the phone for a couple of hours telling me how it happened?"

I did want him to come out, and I gladly paid him a whole lot of money--and I even thanked my fixer-upper (he is very skilled at his job).

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 2-17-17

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

Dunk 'em, share 'em, store 'em in the freezer so you can indulge one at a time, you'll love my homemade chocolate chip cookies. But you have to enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway to have my delicious cookies delivered to your door. I'm baking for three randomly chosen readers this month and one of them could be you. But you need to enter today. It's the last day to enter. Click here.

I enjoy reading your comments. Thanks for taking the time to write. I appreciate it. Readers respond to Thursday's shaving column...

"Hi Suzanne, well I have to admit I haven't shaved my legs in the car, but I've found the little visor mirror is the best place to spot those nasty little chin hairs that seem to just sprout up without any warning. I always keep tweezers in the glove box, so that I can pluck them the minute they're spotted. I do wonder what people think when they're driving by and see me doing it. Oh well, that's much better then walking around with an ugly little chin hair sticking out! I always enjoy reading with you. Thank you!"--Teena G.

"Ha-Ha-Ha!!! Suzanne, today's column was hysterical However I nick myself at least once when I shave my legs, so to do it in a moving vehicle I'd also have to have several band aids. Perhaps a battery operated, electric shaver would be a better choice. Have a wonderful day "--Love, Jo

"Oh, Suzanne! You haven't seen me yet in my burgundy Avalon with my charged up Schick electric shaver? Here in the Florida Panhandle, this yoga challenged lady sometimes takes advantage of the bright sunshine in just the way you described! LOL!"--Charlotte

Don't forget to enter the chocolate chip cookie giveaway. I'm ready to bake.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

Dear Reader Column 2-16-17

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

Sitting in the sun--there they are. Riding in the passenger seat while my husband is driving--there they are waving at me--the ones I missed.

I suppose if I were yoga fit, I could have curled around like a pretzel yesterday morning and clearly saw the offending ones. "Catch me if you can!" they're taunting me now. It's frustrating. Why didn't I see these leftover hairs on my knees and the back of my thighs when I shaved my legs yesterday morning?

So that means I've been walking around for an entire day, feeling so proud of myself that I finally got around to shaving my legs, when all that time people were whispering. It's so frustrating, but I've come up with a simple solution. A disposable razor should be included in every car's First Aid kit. After all it's an emergency--at least to me--when I spot those missed leg hairs. My idea is innovative, a multitasking time saver, and actually the best place to do the deed. Warm, solar power shining through the passenger window, none of those little buggers can avoid the spotlight.

I don't think anyone would notice if I were shaving stragglers as my husband and I drove down the street, do you? Okay people might find it a little strange at first, and do a second-take, but it would catch on. I mean, come on, how strange can shaving straggler leg hairs while riding in the car really be? I've witnessed stranger behavior. Boys holding up their pants with one hand while walking down the street, confused women thinking a bra can be worn as a shirt in public, and people pushing grocery carts, wearing what appears to be their pajama bottoms and the furry matching slippers.

My new idea is much more discreet. I'm not suggesting pulling out your trusty disposable anywhere you happen to be. You won't see me sneaking behind the fresh fruit display to shave a few strokes, but I will be packin' a razor and prepared to do a touchup when my husband's driving and I'm sitting in the passenger seat of the car. So if you're stuck in traffic and you notice a light blue Toyota Avalon alongside of your car, and there's a blonde woman sitting in the passenger seat, holding a disposable razor, don't be shy, be sure to wave and say, "Hello!"

* Enter this month's Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway and you could be one of three readers to receive homemade chocolate chip cookies from me. I'm ready to bake, so enter today. To enter the drawing and see photos of our Valentine's dinner and my new watch, click here.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise this title deserves your attention:

(Fiction) TEMPT ME by Julie Kenner

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

Dear Reader Column 2-15-17

AUTHORBUZZ: Click here to discover new books,
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Dear Reader,

Today's guest columnist, Carrie Turansky, says writing is her first passion, and after publishing her first book in 2005, she has since published seventeen more. Carrie's latest, Shine Like the Dawn, is a historical novel, set in Edwardian England.

Carrie and her husband, Scott have five children, and four beautiful grandchildren. When she's not writing, her passions are enjoying time with family, working outside in her flower gardens, or walking around the lake near her home in central New Jersey.

To say hello and welcome Carrie Turansky to the book club email, [email protected]

My Edwardian Mentor: Isabella Beeton
by Carrie Turansky

When I began writing English historical novels I wanted to learn more about the role of women and how they managed their homes in Victorian and Edwardian times. Searching the Internet, I discovered Mrs. Isabella Beeton, the author of Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management, and I knew I'd found a treasure!

"As with the commander of an army, or the leader of any enterprise, so it is with the mistress of a house." With those words Isabella Beeton opens the first chapter of her book, which offered advice to women on a wide range of subjects including childcare, fashion, animal husbandry, medicines, cleanliness, frugality, economy, and the management of servants as well as a great number of recipes.

Isabella is quite and interesting woman! She grew up in a blended family with twenty-one siblings, which was a huge family even for Victorian times. Since she was the oldest, she developed her skills of babysitting and household management, and that gave her the experience and confidence to write her famous book in her early twenties.

When she was nineteen she met Samuel Beeton, a rich and handsome young book and magazine publisher. Samuel and Isabella married in 1856, and they became a successful and prolific team. Isabella wrote many articles about cooking and household management for Samuel's publications, including a column for The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine.

In October of 1861, those articles were collected and published as a single volume. The book's official title was: The Book of Household Management Comprising information for the Mistress, Housekeeper, Cook, Kitchen-Maid, Butler, Footman, Coachman, Valet, Upper and Under House-Maids, Lady's-Maid, Maid-of-all-Work, Laundry-Maid, Nurse and Nurse-Maid, Monthly Wet and Sick Nurses, etc. etc.--also Sanitary, Medical, & Legal Memoranda: With a History of the Origin, Properties, and Uses of all Things Connected with Home Life and Comfort edited by Mrs. Isabella Beeton. Now that's quite a title!

It became the most famous English domestic manual ever published, selling more than 60,000 copies in its first year of publication, and almost two million by 1868.

Isabella's insight and the information she recorded in her book have given me a fascinating inside look at what mattered most to women during that era, and it helped me portray my female characters in a realistic way for today's readers.

I'm glad I "met" Isabella Beeton. I might not have servants to oversee, but her recipe for Baked Apple Custard is the best!

--Carrie Turansky

Please say hello to Carrie, [email protected]

* To see photos of Mrs. Isabella Beeton and Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management, visit the DearReader Facebook page.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]