Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 07-31-18

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

Dear Reader,

Today's guest author, Beth Harbison, is The New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including, One Less Problem Without You; Driving with the Top Down; Thin, Rich, Pretty; Secrets of a Shoe Addict, and Shoe Addicts Anonymous. Beth grew up in Potomac, Maryland, outside Washington, DC, and now shares her time between that suburb, New York City, and a quiet home on the eastern shore. Her latest novel is called Every Time You Go Away.

Please do email and say hello to Beth. She always delights in hearing from readers.

Contact: [email protected]

Words with Friends

In 1985, I went to Greece with my then-boyfriend's mom (a woman who has lasted the test of time and remains my dear friend to this day) and one of my best friends from high school. Because we were flying on "Creaky Scary Chartered Airlines," I packed light and brought one thing for recreation: a fabulous little folding Travel Scrabble with sticky plastic letters, like Colorforms.

We laughed our way through many games and passed the time nicely on the plane. So when, the next year, I went off to school in England, I took my trusty Scrabble board with me. And, with a personality I had then but no longer can imagine having, I frequently invited strangers to join me in a game.

There was a time on a train from Kings Cross station to my pal's home in Nottinghamshire. The Friday afternoon train was wildly, extravagantly overfilled. Many were sitting on the grungy floor at the front of the car. I asked a stranger if he wanted to play Scrabble and he did. As I recall, we both got a little over-competitive and my remaining thought is that "Zen" is a proper noun so it. Doesn't. Count.

On my way home at Christmas, I was in the aisle seat of a 3-row on a 747, crossing the Atlantic back to the US. An extremely hot guy--he looked like Sting and it was the 80's so Sting was on my mind--got the window seat. Right up to the time the jet engines revved, it looked like it would just be the two of us in that row and so we started a game of Scrabble. Obviously I had plans for that leading to our marriage but that was foiled by the toddling entrance of a wide woman from The Gambia, who, upon our approach to JFK, looked at the clouds, commented on them as "snow" and proceeded to puke all over our seats and the floor and all of our belongings on the seats and floor...including that Scrabble game.

I threw it out. I had to.

Now years have passed and we have the internet and my bonding-with-people-over-words thing has continued in the form of online versions of Scrabble. At this moment, I'm playing with my daughter, her ex-boyfriend, my former publicist, my ex-brother-in-law's daughter, and a woman who used to live in my neighborhood but whom I've never actually met. I count them all as friends now.

Communication often comes with words, sometimes just one at a time.

--Beth Harbison

Welcome Beth to the book club at [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

** AUTHORBUZZ **

AS THE POPPIES BLOOMED (Fiction) by Maral Boyadjian

I have woven together the memories of my four grandparents, all Armenian Genocide survivors, and my love for historical fiction, to create this story full of sensitive, stubborn, and passionate people who lived and loved in the highlands of my ancestor's. A captivating love story of two Armenians who dare to break their village's ancient courtship rules, never suspecting the upheaval that will soon envelop their land and their hearts.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on AS THE POPPIES BLOOMED to read more and to email author Maral Boyadjian, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

Dear Reader Column 07-30-18

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

Dear Reader,

Tired of same old, same old, I'm experimenting with new cake recipes. My family's favorite is my chocolate cake and I doubt that will ever change, but I've decided to venture out beyond chocolate. Bananas were my first attempt and it was thumbs up on family reviews. The Southern Banana Cake I made is a 3-layer cake, too big for my husband and I to eat. But after sharing the cake with family and knocking on neighbors' doors, "I baked, would you like two slices of cake?" no one turned me down. The recipe is from "Divas Can Cook."

An interesting thing about this recipe, the cake bakes at only 275 degrees. A note from the recipe's author says: "The low baking time is correct. Baking this banana cake at such a low temperature results in a moist cake. Cooking times can vary greatly for some reason. My grandmother has to cook this cake for one hour and my sister bakes it for 47 minutes and in my oven it's 35 minutes. Strange. Just check on it at the 30 minute mark."

The cake only needed 27 minutes in my oven. You don't wait until there's nothing clinging to a toothpick inserted into the center. When moist crumbs cling to the toothpick, the cake is done. Enjoy!

Southern Banana Cake (Moist & Fluffy)

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed (about 3 large bananas)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons butter (1-1/2 sticks), room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Real Cream Cheese Frosting
4 (8 oz) packs cream cheese, softened at room temperature
16 tablespoons butter (2 sticks), softened at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Preheat oven to 275 F. Generously grease and lightly flour 3 (9 inch) round cake pans. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine bananas and lemon juice. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract.

Mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in bananas. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pans.

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes (normally), but see my note above. When moist crumbs cling to a toothpick inserted in the center, take pans out of oven and let cool in pans until pans are warm to the touch. (Do not overcook, the cake continues to cook as it cools.) Carefully remove cakes from pans and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Let me know if you try the recipe and how long it took to bake in your oven. It's real good.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

** AUTHORBUZZ **

STILL LIFE WITH MONKEY (Fiction) by Katharine Weber

I'm excited to tell you about my sixth novel! Duncan Wheeler's car accident has left him paralyzed and haunted by a death. Why live? His desperate wife Laura brings home a helper monkey. Can she help Duncan adapt to this altered life? Or does she hold the key to his exit? Set in New Haven, this is the story of a marriage, and how the accident and this little monkey both affect their marriage, bonding them in new if bittersweet ways.

Go to AUTHORBUZZ click STILL LIFE WITH MONKEY to read more and to email author Katharine Weber, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

Dear Reader Column 07-27-18

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

Whenever I want to get in touch with my past I visit antique stores. As I'm walking through the different sellers' booths, I find myself thinking, 'Oh, I remember that.' Browsing in antique stores triggers wonderful memories from days gone by.

The red-and-white flowered, tin bread box in front of me, it's just like the one that used to sit on our kitchen counter when I was a kid. See that black poodle over there with the gold chain on it? My Grandma Tindell collected poodle figurines. The black poodle with the gold chain sat on a white doily on top of Grandma's television set--I wasn't allowed to touch it. There's a set of dishes in booth Number 5 that look like the ones we used when I grew up. (I had to wash those dishes every night before I could go over to the neighbors and play ball.) When I was a kid, they were just dishes, no big deal. Now they bring me comfort.

Oh my, look at that slightly rusted wringer washing machine. I can see Grandma Hale in her basement doing the laundry, holding a wooden stick in her hand to help push the clothes through two wringers that clamped down tight on top of the machine. "Keep your fingers away from there Suzanne, or they'll get caught in the wringer," Grandma warned, "Always use the stick."

My husband is amazed at all of the things I recognize and the memories that come flooding back when we walk through an antique store together. He says he must have had a deprived childhood, because when we're "antiquing" together and I say for the tenth time, "Oh, we used to have that," or "Grandma used to have one of those," my husband can't understand it. He doesn't see anything that reminds him of his childhood.

It's even more amazing what those familiar things from my past would cost now if I wanted to purchase them. Jewelry boxes, princess style phones, shoe racks, and a Barbie's pink convertible car--which come to think of it, is still a sore spot with me. My mother used green stamps to get me a Barbie car, but she wouldn't go to the store and buy a Barbie doll to ride in it. Now explain to me, what good is a Barbie car with a stuffed bunny riding around in it?

I may be 64 years old, but it's still not too late to buy a Barbie. This girl's going to the toy store to get her own Barbie, and then I'm heading back to the antique store to buy that pink Barbie convertible.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

** AUTHORBUZZ **

THE GARDEN OF BLUE ROSES (Thriller) by Michael Barsa

Milo is wary when his sister Klara hires a gardener for their run-down estate. The man is eerily reminiscent of the villain in
their father's most famous horror novel. Can it be? Milo's not sure. Then the gardener uncovers something startling in the woods.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on THE GARDEN OF BLUE ROSES to read more and to email author Michael Barsa, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

Dear Reader Column 07-26-18

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

Dear Reader,

We were chatting like old friends playing catch-up in a few spare minutes, but this was the first time I'd met Harry. Amazing really. Who would think that a cashier in a hardware store, could leave me with such a memorable encounter. But he did. Delightful and funny, too, Harry does more than ring up your purchases, he adds a bit of himself to every transaction.

I thought about Harry all the way home and when I reviewed my receipt, I noticed an online store link where I could fill out a survey about my visit to the store. Perfect. The perfect opportunity to mention Harry's name, and let the powers-that-be know what a great representative he was for their company. I sure hope my email gets back to Harry. But just in case it doesn't, I'm sending a note today to the store, addressed to "Harry, the delightful cashier."

I know first-hand how a few kind words can inspire someone's day, because readers frequently send "just because" notes, and I thank you.

From my Inbox:

"Good morning Suzanne. I often feel the urge to send you an email but just as often, I suffer from the law of diminishing intent. I read something that you write and think that it is spot on, or amazing or amusing or all of that, but then I think you're too busy, or that fifty people have already told you the same. But stealing a line from Mel Fisher, 'Today's the day.'

So without further ado, you are awesome and inspirational. I love your column and even more after reading the article about you in the newspaper and your book. I could comment on any number of your columns and I often do--even if it is only to myself. I loved your recent mission column. If your mission is to make a difference every day, I think you are doing a fabulous job. Mission accomplished! Oops, I think that you may have called it your 'assignment' instead of mission, but you get the idea. I am sending this now without editing or overthinking, before I procrastinate or talk myself out of it. Thanks for everything you do!" -- Jo

"Suzanne, well I for one (and I know there are many like me), really look forward to your column each morning! You bring joy to the start of my day, no matter the subject. Thanks for the joy you bring to the world!" -- Karen

"Dear Suzanne, I feel so fortunate to receive your lovely letters and introductions to new books. My friend, Karylee forwarded the book club email to me and I've been avidly reading along with you. I love the concept. I find your letters to be so down-to-earth, interesting and soothing. I've decided that you are 'Mrs. Rogers in the Neighborhood!' Thank you for bringing cheer every day!" -- Laurie H.

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

Three Cheers for Harry,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

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

(Thriller)
WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT by Sandra Block

(Thriller)
SISTER OF MINE by Laura Petrou

(Fiction)
FOUR DAY FLING by Emma Hart

(Thriller)
THE GARDEN OF BLUE ROSES by Michael Barsa

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

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

 

Dear Reader Column 07-25-18

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

Dear Reader,

I'm easily bored which like most things in life can be a good trait--some days. Other days--it's a curse until I find a cure. Because on the "other days" my spirit is confused, feeling like I've temporarily lost my way. It's easy for life to get too routine. The everyday doings; making my bed, brushing my teeth, going to work, cooking dinner and tidying up around the house, these things are the maintenance of living and I want to do them. But eventually I lose myself amidst the laundry and dishes, because when a house gets too orderly, it creates an orderly mind--and there's the problem.

To set myself free I need to find something that makes me uncomfortable just thinking about doing it. Something just plain silly, no meaning, no reason. Breaking loose takes courage. Others will think I'm nuts and I admit that even I find myself thinking, 'What's the point?' But when I spend more time thinking about the crazy little idea, it makes me smile. So that's why I'm going to build a life-sized cow out of paper mache and let her graze in my yard.

"A cow?" you wonder.

Yes, a cow.

I'm not sure why I picked a cow. I've always been partial to chickens, too, and I haven't been looking at cows lately, but when the idea of making a paper mache cow popped into my head, I knew it was just what I needed.

I vaguely remember making something out of paper mache when I was a kid. And I'm certain there was a Girl Scout leader or some other authority figure standing close by, giving me step-by-step instructions. But this time I'm on my own--well almost. I've inspired my husband to lend a hand. He's agreed to help me form a cow out of chicken wire, and the best part, when I asked him, he didn't even ask why. Because after 40 years of marriage, my loving husband simply accepts that somewhere in my crazy brain, I need to make a paper mache cow to help me find my way back.

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

Moo.... I'm feeling better already.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

** AUTHORBUZZ **

FOUR DAY FLING (Fiction) by Emma Hart

Imagine this. You're ready to leave after a one-night stand, and you're figuring out how to--shock horror--leave your number and ask him to be your fake boyfriend for your sister's wedding this weekend. When he wakes up. Well, that happened to me. And over coffee and omelets, I found myself a date.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on FOUR DAY FLING to read more and to email author Emma Hart, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

 

Dear Reader Column 07-24-18

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

Dear Reader,

The Porter Wagoner Show, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Andy Griffith Show, Hawaii Five-O, and Hee Haw, today's guest author, Dudley Delffs, takes us down memory lane. Jump on board and enjoy the ride. You're going to love his guest column.

Enter-to-win one of ten copies of Dudley's latest release, The Faith of Dolly Parton--Lessons from Her Life to Lift Your Heart. Email: [email protected]

Dudley, welcome to our book club...

Hello, Dolly

I was probably about five or six years old when I first saw Dolly Parton on The Porter Wagoner Show, one of my daddy's favorite programs. Like a lot of families, we usually watched TV together after supper. My mother would read or crochet, I would play with little green army men, and my father would sit in his chair, sip his can of beer, and tell me when to change the channel (I was the remote control). We seemed to watch the same shows again and again: Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Andy Griffith Show, Hawaii Five-O, Hee Haw, and Porter's show. I liked country music okay, but the corny humor bugged me.

But that night, Dolly caught my attention. She was unlike anyone I'd ever seen in some ways and like so many Southern ladies I knew in others. Certainly her big blond hair and sparkly dresses stood out, along with her famous figure, but something about her songbird voice made me believe she felt every word she was singing. I couldn't have articulated it at the time, but even at that young age, I knew she was different than other celebrities.

Curiously enough, Dolly continued to hover at the edges of my life through its various seasons. When I went away to college, I'd listen to her music whenever I got homesick. When I decided to propose to my wife, we were standing in front of the bronze statue of Dolly in Sevierville, Tennessee, after dining at a restaurant up the street. Later, we took our kids to Dollywood numerous times. And as a lover of books and reading, I've long been a fan of Dolly's non-profit Imagination Library, which provides free books to kids.

Now as I get older, I appreciate something about Dolly that surprises many people--her faith. She's never been reluctant to discuss her Christian roots, her granddaddy was a Pentecostal preacher after all, and to tell people what she believes--about God, about the power of prayer, about the Bible--plain and simple. She's the first to admit she's no saint and the last to tell you just how much she's done for others. Dolly doesn't wear her faith on her sleeve and instead allows it to spring from her heart. Success looks good on her because she generously shares who she is and what she has.

We all have personal heroes who inspire us throughout our lives. I wouldn't have guessed it at the time, but mine jumped out of our old RCA console in 1970.

-- Dudley Delffs

Email: [email protected] for a chance to win, The Faith of Dolly Parton-Lessons from Her Life to Lift Your Heart.

About the Author:

Dudley Delffs, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer and publishing consultant. A native of Tennessee and lifelong fan of country music, when he's not reading and writing, Dudley enjoys traveling, hiking, watching college football, and painting landscapes. He and his wife, Dotti, have three adult children and live in Sewanee, Tennessee.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

** AUTHORBUZZ **

SISTER OF MINE (Thriller) by Laura Petrou

Who would you call in the middle of the night to ask a favor you would ask of no one else? Are you that person to someone else? Penny and Hattie Grayson have always been each other's person: sisters in a small town, tight to the point of knots. One night a fire is set to rid them of Penny's terrible husband. This novel follows the aftermath of this choice.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on SISTER OF MINE to read more and to email author Laura Petrou, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

Dear Reader Column 07-23-18

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

Dear Reader,

One of the easiest places for me to relax and write is sitting outside in my wicker chair. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, there's a light cooling breeze, and I feel relaxed and inspired. So get outdoors, find a big old shade tree, bring along a notebook and start writing. Because this year's Annual Write a Dear Reader Contest is just around the corner.

Cathy, a reader at the book club writes...

"Hi Suzanne, I enjoy writing but I feel like it's difficult to allow myself to be vulnerable. I want my writing to not be one dimensional. How does a writer know if he/she is prepared emotionally to let people in?"-- Cathy

(Suzanne replies:)

Vulnerable: susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
"we were in a vulnerable position"
synonym: helpless, defenseless, powerless, weak, susceptible

Dear Cathy,

When you read my column you're definitely hearing my voice and I'm openly sharing my thoughts and feelings. But telling the world what you're personally feeling isn't a requirement when you're writing. You'll have to find your own voice and that might be writing fictional stories. Then you could write about your feelings, but attribute them to the main characters in your stories.

I have the feeling when you finally decide to "emotionally let people in," you'll want them to know it's you they're reading about. Let me share some of my own writing struggles with you...

'What will people think?' used to be the first thing I'd think about when I sat down to write, but not anymore. If I want to give my best, I need to get to the place inside of me that's a little vulnerable. It can be scary. Give a lot, put it all out there and someone may take advantage because some people take all you have to give and give nothing back in return.

My strength in life comes from my insecurities. I have just enough confidence in myself and just enough doubt to write about my worries and fears, to make fun of myself, and invite people to laugh along with me. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all feel comfortable enough to laugh at ourselves when we screw up? A laughter that stays with us, tucked away inside, instead of feeling shame? Hopefully when people read the words I write, they'll go easier on themselves and find a soft place to fall."

That single, last line explains why it's important for me to be honest about my feelings when I write. Once you figure out why it's important for you--the confidence you're looking for will follow.

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

Warmest regards,

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ

WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT (Thriller) by Sandra Block

Dahlia is drugged and attacked at a Harvard party. She remembers nothing, but her life has changed. Five years later, someone releases a video on-line. Now she knows what happened and who's to blame--and she's going to get revenge.

Go to AUTHORBUZZ click on WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT to read more and to email author Sandra Block, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

Dear Reader Column 07-20-18

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

Dear Reader,

Book club reader Sue M., puts the finishing touches on Wednesday's column about feeling like life had "run off the rails" and staying on track with my "assignment" in life.

Sue M., writes...

"Dear Suzanne, another perfect and relevant column. It wasn't 'life off the rails' for me, a leaden feeling of being overwhelmed by 'all there is to do.' And I am retired, my children grown, I am happily married, right now I have enough money to live on and I am basically healthy.

So what is it exactly that is 'overwhelming' me. Maybe a better rephrasing is what is exactly overwhelming TO me? It is it stuff that really matters or will life go on if it doesn't get done?

There is a Zen saying that reminds me of your 'do your assignment' concept:
* Do one thing at a time.
* Do it well. Finish it.
* Take a break between these things.

Rinse and repeat. (That's not a part of the Zen approach.)

Thanks again for writing your columns, and sharing the books." -- Sue M.

I love your "rinse and repeat" cycle in life. Sounds like the perfect way to periodically get a fresh start.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

 

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

Dear Reader Column 07-19-18

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

Dear Reader,

When I first started writing a daily column in 1999, I didn't want the person who edited my column to read anything I'd written when it was still a work in progress. But over the years that changed, because I gained more confidence and I realized that whatever shape my thoughts were in when I began, eventually after editing, moving copy, and tossing out ideas (that I loved) because they just weren't going to work, at the finish line I would end up with something I felt really good about.

If I did have to show someone a work in progress for some reason, I would always preface it with a couple nervous rounds of, "This isn't finished yet, these are just ideas and thoughts I'm working on." But I don't bother with an explanation anymore, writing is a process and besides, in my heart, I know that I know, that I know in the end, it will work out.

"I know that I know, that I know," is a sentence that's been a rock for me in my life. When things feel out of control, when I'm not sure about anything and I'm afraid, I look inside myself and I search for, "I know, that I know, that I know, this is what I am supposed to be doing right now." So I grab hold and I believe it. I might not understand "it" at the moment and things don't always look promising, but I know, that I know..." and so I must believe, because it's a gift that's been given to me.

It's reassurance I've shared with my grown children when they've called with heavy hearts, worried about how things will turn out. "This is one of those times," I assure them, "that you have to dig down deep inside yourself and stand on the words...

...I know, that I know, that I know this is where I'm supposed to be at this very moment."

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

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

(NonFiction)
LUSH: A MEMOIR by Kerry Cohen

(Mystery)
DISORDERLY CONDUCT by Mary Feliz

(Fiction)
GILDED SUMMERS by Donna Russo Morin

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

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.

Dear Reader Column 07-18-18

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

Dear Reader,

This morning when I woke up I felt like my life had run off the rails. Yesterday things felt calm and orderly, but today I'm questioning where I fit into the big picture. And what the heck is the big picture anyway? Confusion mixed with a bit of irritation is my cue that it's time for me to take a personal inventory. Because most of the things I do every day in my life can easily seem small and unimportant. So I need to remind myself that what I do, does indeed make a difference. I was put here on earth to do the little things, and when I stay on track with my "assignment," I find joy.

Most of my assignment is centered around, "Take care of your own backyard Suzanne." It's a small town, simple sort of thinking, but if we take care of our own backyard, the people in our lives: our kids, spouse, parents, friends and neighbors, if we put them on the top of our list, one-by-one we can change the fiber of the world.

Baking and giving cookies and banana bread to neighbors and the garbage collectors who pick up my trash early on Tuesday morning, sending a thank you note to the guy who takes care of my lawn, not judging but just listening to a friend and letting her know I'm there for her, and the biggest life changing assignment--running my electric bubble machine every day in front of my house. Every week a card addressed to the Bubble Lady shows up in my mailbox...

Dear Bubble Lady,

Thank you for the sheer joy you bring to our sweet community! Each and every time I run, bike, walk or drive by your home, my heart is full of that sweet delight and bliss that we so often capture in our childhood. You make a world of difference by sharing your bubbles! You bring happiness to hearts and make people smile...how can one not smile at all the beautiful bubbles?

With a heart full of bubble gratitude, Missy

This morning when I woke up I thought my life had run off the rails, but Missy reminded me that when I follow my "assignment" no matter how insignificant it might feel, I do indeed find joy and others do, too.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ

GILDED SUMMERS (Fiction) by Donna Russo Morin

In my new novel, I wanted to peel back all the opulence and magnificence of the mansions of Newport, and those who lived in them, to reveal the hedonism and bigotry that resided in them as well. Through the life of Pearl, one of the set, and Ginevra, an Italian immigrant working as a servant in Pearl's cottage, we experience what life was like for women when the world and the millennia was changing. The good and the bad and what they were willing to do to make their dreams come true.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on GILDED SUMMERS to read more and to email author Donna Russo Morin, you'll get a reply.

* This month's Penguin Classics book is AMIABLE WITH BIG TEETH, by Claude McKay. I have a Penguin totebag to share with a lucky reader. Start reading this month's Penguin Classics book by clicking this link, and enter-to-win for your chance to win the adorable totebag.