Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 10-31-18

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

I have treats for you today. Enter my Chocolate Chip Cookie Giveaway. I'm ready to bake. Are you ready to dunk and munch? See photos of past winners and enter, click here.

I can't sleep. It's 1:30 a.m. and since I don't feel like watching television and I'm not interested in reading right now, I guess I'll put on my headset, listen to Carlos Santana's "The Game of Love" and just write about whatever comes to mind.

As I'm doing some free-floating writing here, I'm thinking maybe I should use this same, "what-ever" comes approach, when I get up every morning. My days are usually all planned out in advance. A written "to do" list is waiting for me at my desk every morning. But every once-and-a while (and come to think of it, those have ended up being some of my most interesting days), after I wake up, I tell myself I'm simply going to let things come my way today. Instead of focusing on my planned "to do's" I start the day feeling excited, anticipating that something special is going to happen...and you know what? It usually does.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

** AUTHORBUZZ **

ROYALLY YOURS (Fiction) by Emma Chase

My latest release is a stirring, beautiful love story of an arranged royal marriage that becomes so much more. There's something for every reader in this one--humor, passion, heartbreak, palace intrigue, and joy that will leave you smiling giddily with happy reader satisfaction.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on ROYALLY YOURS to read more and to email author Emma Chase, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 10-30-18

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Dear Reader,

Today"s guest author, Robin Caroll, grew up in Louisiana with her nose in a book. She still has the complete Trixie Belden series, and her love for mysteries and suspense has only increased with her age. Robin's passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others and come alongside them on their faith journey--aspects Robin weaves into each of her published novels.

Best-selling author of thirty-plus novels, Robin Caroll writes Southern stories of mystery and suspense, with a hint of romance to entertain readers. Her books have been recognized in several awards, including the Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer's Choice Award, and more. Her newly released mystery is Stratagem.

When she isn't writing, Robin spends quality time with her husband of nearly three decades, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home in the South. Robin serves the writing community as Executive/Conference Director for ACFW. To find out more about Robin, visit www.robincaroll.com or say hello at: email robin@robincaroll.com

Creatives.

My husband likes to tell people he is, and always has been, surrounded by creatives. His mother was an artist--extremely talented (of which I'm quite envious) and loved to write. He likes to tell people that she was preparing him for his life as my husband, because he isn't creative. He would be wrong. The man does some creative creations in the kitchen that surpass making a meal. He's created some of the best dishes I've ever eaten.

I am an author, but I don't know if I would have made it to 30+ published books had it not been for my husband and his support and encouragement that allow me to be creative.

Our middle daughter is a published poet. She performs her original poetry in "slams" and performance opportunities. She's a writer as well, in her freshman year of college with a double major in English and Journalism. Her expression of how she interprets life astounds me.

Our youngest daughter is an artist. Her talent amazes me as she paints and sketches these beautiful extensions of how she sees the world. She has had pieces exhibited and displayed in schools, garnering accolades. She'll be a senior in high school next year, and plans to become a family lawyer eventually. I can't wait to see how her creative tendencies will come into play in her future life.

But sometimes being creative and writing can be tough to balance, especially when under deadline. At that point, I feel like I need a creative outlet, and it can't just be writing. I don't have a natural bent to sketching or drawing or anything beautiful, but I love colors and designs and I love crafting. Enter the world of art journaling--where I don't have to be artistically gifted to create pages that mean something, speak something to me.

I can take different mediums--watercolors, acrylics, stamps, stencils, stickers, collage papers, etc. and blend as much or as little as I want to get something that I like. It's getting ink on my fingers and just setting my creative self free. I've even got to where I'm happy to share new pages in my art journals on my social media accounts. Check them out and let me know what you think! 

We all have a creative side. Whether it's part of our career like writing or part of our inner joy like my art journals, or performing, or art, or cooking--being creative in some way is in our DNA. What's yours?

-- Robin Caroll 

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

** AUTHORBUZZ **

DRAGONFIRE (Fiction) by Donna Grant

It's been six years since the first book in the Dark King series launched and captured reader's hearts. I'm thrilled to share the newest book with you. Join me on a passionate, emotional journey through Romania and Iceland with an indomitable Dragon King, Roman, and the courageous Sabina as they work their way through a tangled web of magic, lies, deceptions, and hidden knowledge to triumph over their enemies--and discover a love of the ages.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on DRAGONFIRE to read more and to email author Donna Grant, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column 10-29-18

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Dear Reader,

Like two teenagers, my husband and I were in our pajamas last night, sitting in our "new" used 2016 car, jammin' to the tunes, volume cranked, and the bass pounding at concert level.

My husband and I thought ours was good enough. We were going to keep driving it until it was out of "gas" literally. The odometer on our 2006 Toyota Avalon read 160,00 miles, but our mechanic assured us our car would easily outdo the famous, pink, Energizer Bunny who brags that it "Keeps going and going and going." Perhaps our sky blue Avalon's interior did look a little tired, but the engine would keep "going and going and going" maybe even to 250,000 miles.

Yes, it would have been good enough. My husband and I agreed that we felt comfortable driving our 2006 Avalon and we didn't need anything fancy. So thinking back, I'm not quite sure why we changed direction abruptly, and started thinking about getting a different car--but I'm so glad we did.

Those car commercials with happy, smiling people, looking sexy and 10 years younger, while they're driving down the road in their new cars, I can concur, there might be a little bit of truth in that fantasy.

Our new 2016 Avalon, it's fun! It's loaded with gadgets (that will probably take me months to figure out how to use), it's something different which adds a new twist to life, and our new car gets great gas mileage, better than the sticker boasted, because my husband and I spend most of our evenings "driving" in our pjs, volume cranked and the bass pounding at concert level.

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

 Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

** AUTHORBUZZ **

THE BETEL NUT TREE MYSTERY (Mystery) by Ovidia Yu

Tensions rise in 1936 Singapore when a dead Englishman is found covered in juice from the betel nuts chewed by locals. Afraid of Colonial backlash (and hoping for a story), Chen Su Lin plunges into the investigation against Inspector Le Froy's advice. I based Su Lin very loosely on my grandmother who wanted to be a journalist, ended up a teacher, and loved stories.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on THE BETEL NUT TREE MYSTERY to read more and to email author , you'll get a reply.

 

Dear Reader Column 10-26-18

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

One of my husband's favorite places to shop for books is at the Friends Book Store, located in our local library. He never leaves the store empty handed, and the other day he came home with one of his "finds" for me. I read a lot of non-fiction titles and when my husband handed me the book, Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body by Jo Marchant, I immediately told him it was going to be a perfect match for me, but there was something very familiar about the book jacket.

And when I opened the book to start thumbing through it, there on the first blank page, was a bookplate with a black cat standing on a stack of books and a handwritten note, "Please Return to Suzanne." Yep, it was my handwriting all right. And it was indeed, a book I was going to love reading, and probably for a second time, too. I had donated the book to the Friends a couple of years ago, but my husband hadn't noticed the book plate.

Stop by your local Friends Book Store this week and celebrate with them. It's the 13th annual National Friends of Libraries Week.

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

(The book was just as good the second time around.)

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDS BUZZ: For kids ages 8-12: New York Times bestselling author Jessica Day George called E.D. Baker's THE FAIRY-TALE MATCHMAKER series "full of fun and whimsy. A delightful romp through a truly unique fairy tale world!". See for yourself! To learn more and for a chance to win a free copy of the latest book in the series, see KIDSBUZZ.

Dear Reader Column 10-25-18

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

Dear Reader,

The migration has begun. Snowbirds are starting to return to Sarasota. Every year snowbirds (folks from colder climates), spend the winter in Florida and return up north for the summer. Born and raised in Wisconsin, the term 'snowbird' was new to me until one day I was flying home to Sarasota from New York City, and a woman told me one of the most interesting snowbird stories I've ever heard at 28,000 feet in the air, or anywhere for that matter...

She's a good daughter, about my age, and every year right before summer officially begins in Florida she battens down the hatches on her 80-year-old (snowbird) father's waterfront condo. The first year she did the deed, everything looked secure, so she closed the door and they headed back to Indianapolis. But when she brought her dad back in the fall, it was apparent that someone had sublet their condo without permission.

"It was all new to me," the woman sitting next to me on the plane said, "but since you live in Florida, you probably know all about sewer rats, don't you?"

No, couldn't say that I'd ever had the privilege of meeting one, but I had the feeling I was going to hear all about them.

Apparently sewer rats aren't content with their underground decor, and why should they be when, in the summer, there are perfectly good condos going to waste? So they pack their bags and move in.

"Knock, knock."

"Who's there?"

It's a sewer rat knocking on your toilet seat.

Yep, rats swim up through the sewer pipes, lift the lid on your toilet seat, walk right into your vacant condo, and make themselves at home for the summer--first one out gets dibs on the master bedroom!

Sewer rats are no fools. While most of us are spending the six weeks before summer trying to get into shape so we look good in our swim suits, sewer rats are working out with a personal trainer, building up their biceps, for the big push--on your toilet seat.

Actually when you think about it, sewer rats are performing a kind of public service. No need to pay a house sitter to watch your place over the summer, sewer rats will gladly house sit your condo for free.

Heck, they'll even water your plants if you leave your cable TV hooked up. And a little suggestion; it would be a nice gesture if you left some cheese as a thank you gift. Everybody likes to be appreciated--even sewer rats.

"But I fixed those sewer rats good the second year," my seatmate continued. "I researched it on the Internet. You fill up your toilet with anti-freeze, strap duct tape around the rim of your toilet seat and then top it off with something heavy like bricks."

I could see it now--a kind of hot fudge sewer rat sundae challenge. If a sewer rat can hold his breath long enough to swim through the antifreeze, rip through the duct tape with those razor sharp incisors and heave-ho, push that lid open, it's paradise for the summer.

And I'd have to say if a sewer rat could make it through all that, I think he's earned his keep, don't you?

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 10-24-18

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

Dear Reader,

I was feeling like a loser for a few days. Couldn't seem to shake the feeling and I couldn't figure out what was at the root of my distress. It wasn't a new feeling for me. There are things that haunt a person periodically--feeling like a loser is one of mine. Loser: out of my league, losing my edge, feeling like a failure, these are my personalized definitions.

Whenever loser becomes part of my identity I work hard to hide it--even from my husband. Because if I tell my husband, he tries to cheer me up--that part would be okay--but when I'm feeling bad, then my husband feels bad, too. He worries about me. I figure why have two of us feeling miserable, "This too shall pass." So instead, I walk hand-in-hand, alone with Suzanne, trying not to let anyone else know.

"I feel like a loser." It's definitely not an opening line that leaves a very good impression. Looking back, I can't think of one single time when it would have been in my best interest to have extended my hand and said, "Hello, I'm Suzanne Beecher, nice to meet you. I feel like a loser today."

On the other hand, I recently watched a movie and in one of the scenes there was an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, and it got me to thinking that maybe hiding something makes a person feel worse. If you're not familiar with the AA meeting format, whenever anyone stands up to speak, the first line they deliver is, "Hello, I'm (Joe, Jane, or Julie, whatever their name) and I'm an alcoholic." I'm not sure why that protocol is followed in the meetings, but it felt inviting. So when I got up this morning and looked in the mirror, the first thing I said to myself was, "Hello, I'm Suzanne Beecher and I feel like a loser."

Hearing the words, suddenly my "loser" line wasn't as powerful as when I'd kept it hidden away. Saying the words out loud took the sting out of them, and surprisingly my self-proclamation didn't set a negative tone for the day. Instead it made my day easier. In fact, by the time I went to bed, the reflection in the mirror felt different and I was so relieved.

"Hello, I'm Suzanne Beecher and I don't feel like a loser anymore."

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

* Congratulations to the winners of Missionary Mom by Guest Author Shontell Brewer: Megan A., Sharon L., Noelle, Debora C.  and Erin R.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDS BUZZ: For kids ages 8-12: New York Times bestselling author Jessica Day George called E.D. Baker's THE FAIRY-TALE MATCHMAKER series "full of fun and whimsy. A delightful romp through a truly unique fairy tale world!". See for yourself! To learn more and for a chance to win a free copy of the latest book in the series, see KIDSBUZZ.

Dear Reader Column 10-23-18

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

Dear Reader,

Today's guest author, Mary Ellis, has written twenty-five novels, including Amish fiction, historical romance, and suspense. Sunset in Old Savannah, was a finalist for the Bookseller's Best Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mysteries. Before "retiring" to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate, a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. She enjoys traveling, gardening and bicycling, and lives in Ohio with her husband, dog and cat. Her latest title, book one of the Marked for Retribution Mysteries is, Hiding in Plain Sight.

Five ecopies of Mary Ellis' book Hiding in Plain Sight are ready to be electronically sent out to lucky book club readers. To enter the drawing, email using http://maryellis.net/contact/ (Please put DearReader on the subject line.)

Thoughts on Being Adopted
by Mary Ellis

Turn on a made-for-TV movie or one of those "reality" shows about adoption and you'll find adult children in serious angst over being given up. Everyone seems to be frantically searching for natural mothers and birth siblings. Invariably during the program's second segment, the viewer meets the long-suffering mother. Apparently the mother never stopped loving the baby taken from her or surrendered during a momentary lapse of judgment. Do I believe such situations exist in real life? Absolutely, I do. But are they the norm as the producers would have us believe? I'm not so sure. As a writer who was adopted from Children's Services as an infant, those stories have always rung false for me, or at least overly "Hollywood" dramatic.

I knew some adoptees who were disappointed or felt no connection whatsoever after discovering their "roots." Personally, I hold no grudge or hostility for the woman who gave me up, but I also possess no buried affection either. She is a stranger. Throughout my life I've been offended by the question: "Don't you want to know who your real mom is?" I always replied, "No, because I know who my real mother is--she's the one who wiped my runny nose, fixed my peanut butter sandwiches, and put up with my sassy mouth as a teenager. When asked: "Don't you think someday you might change your mind?" In the past I had stubbornly answered no.

But once I reached middle-age, I became less sure of myself. What if a natural sibling or parent needed a kidney or liver transplant and couldn't find a match in the general population? Would I deny them a chance to live because of old childhood loyalties? And on a more selfish level, what if I was the one needing a small part of someone's liver so I could enjoy more days on earth? Wouldn't I want to know how to reach them and give them the choice? I'm thankful I haven't needed a transplant thus far, but this situation happens every day.

In the subplot of my latest book, I chose to tackle this sensitive issue from the viewpoint of a biological sibling in need of an organ transplant. I hope you'll enjoy my mystery, Hiding in Plain Sight. While working to locate her adopted client's natural siblings, Kate Weller tries to prove her landlord's father not guilty of murder before someone who wants her dead tracks her down.

-- Mary Ellis

Email Mary, say hello, and when you do, you'll be entered in the drawing for an electronic copy of her new book, Hiding in Plain Sight. http://maryellis.net/contact/

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 10-22-18

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

Dear Reader,

It's the perfect way to start a new week. Funnies from readers.

"Hello, Suzanne,

I always enjoy your columns, especially the ones where our human faults and foibles take center stage. The embarrassing stories are always good for a laugh.

I was an innocent bystander to this young mother's embarrassing moment. I was in the check out line behind a frazzled young mom in a store which catered to babies and children. It was the week before Christmas. She had a cart full of toys and was struggling to hold her toddler on her hip as she paid for her items. What she didn't notice was that her little one had seen her reach into her large purse and pull out her wallet. The little girl decided to find out what other surprises were in there. She leaned in and began to pull out several tampons! She waved a few around and dropped some others, thrilled with her "prize." Her mother was oblivious as she rushed out of the store, leaving a trail!" -- Linda F.

"I laughed out loud, Suzanne, at today's [food on your shirt] column, not because you spilled on yourself, but because I do it all the time. I live alone and eat most meals at my computer or sitting watching TV in my recliner. But here's a solution, even though you seem to be a cat person: my little (fairly new to me) dog delights in cleaning me up once I've finished eating. She jumps up on my lap, and laps up the spills PDQ! She always seems to know..." -- Linda in Altadena

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

Have a real good Monday,

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 10-19-18

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

My husband loves it when I spill food on my shirt, because for years he was the slob. It was one of his amusing trademarks. He never seemed to notice, but I could spot lunch leftovers on his shirt, from way across the room. But now the table has turned. If I want to know what we ate for lunch, I look down at my own shirt. Today's menu: Cream of tomato soup, (yep and there's the orange smudge to prove it) and that Dove Bar I tried to secretly eat for dessert, a sliver of chocolate makes a huge statement on a light blue, dry clean only blouse.

Even when I caution myself, "Be careful, you're an adult, eat slowly and you won't spill anything," that reminder apparently isn't anymore meaningful than when I'm wearing good shoes, decide to pull a few weeds and twenty minutes later my flower garden looks pristine, but my shoes are ruined. I really should change my shoes and I really should eat slower--but I never listen. After all, I'm only going to pull a 'few' weeds--but we all know that never happens. And there-in lies the answer to why even though I ate today's lunch with the best of intentions, it ended up on my shirt anyway.

The worst part about being a lunch slob is I'm never the first person to notice. It doesn't really bother me when my husband gets that silly grin on his face and points to the chicken salad on my shirt. But then it makes me wonder, "Just how long has it been there?" Was it hanging around when the mailman asked me to sign for the package? Was it there when my neighbor stopped by to say hello? I bet during our entire conversation she was debating whether or not to tell me.

Maybe the solution is to only buy clothes that have a patterned design. Who knows, maybe the women in the Scottish town who invented paisley used to be lunch slobs, just like me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column 10-18-18

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Dear Reader,

It's one of my favorites this time of year.

Minestrone Soup

2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped (about one cup)
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 28 oz can whole tomatoes
1 15 oz can kidney beans, or northern beans
1 12 oz can kernel corn
2 stalks celery, sliced (about one cup)
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 small zucchini, sliced (about 2 cups)
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
3 cups water
1/2 cup red wine or water
2 tsp instant beef bouillon
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Cook and stir ground beef, onion and garlic in Dutch oven until beef is light brown, drain. Stir in tomatoes (including liquid), kidney or northern beans (including liquid) and remaining ingredients. Break up tomatoes with a fork.

Heat to boiling, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer stirring occasionally, until macaroni and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Add a crusty loaf of bread and a tossed salad, and you'll have a great meal. Enjoy!

* Congratulations to the winners of The Dream Daughter by Guest Author Diane Chamberlain: Joanne H. and Alice H.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

(Fiction)
INKED NIGHTS by Carrie Ann Ryan

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