Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column - September 30, 2021

Dear Reader,

Start writing. You have five more days to enter this year's annual Write a DearReader Contest. To read last year's winning entries, deadlines, cash prizes and how to enter, click here.

Your entry could be featured in my column, so start writing...

Today it's my pleasure to share an Honorable Mention column, written by Jan McLellan, from last year's Write a DearReader Contest.

RM 516

1931: "Phee, the congregants are coming. Hurry up! Get out to the corn you horrible child and keep quiet," stepmother shouted. Phee, a small, blond, curly haired, six-year old, ran out of the back door, grabbing up her kitten as she went through the kitchen, but forgot her sweater. Oh, f*ck, s*it, f*ck she said to herself and the tics continued. She ran into the cornfield till she was well hidden and far enough from the farmhouse to drown out the horrible noise that was coming from her mouth. She couldn't stop the sounds. She stayed in the field, holding her kitten until the visitors left. By then, it was dark and getting cold.

1982: I worked the evening shift as an RN on the Orthopedics Unit, at University Hospital. I received a report and started rounds on my patients. As I entered Rm 516, I read; Ms. Phee Marten, 64-year-old, female, Lt. Meniscus repair this morning. Past Medical History: Tourette's Syndrome. I saw a small woman, with a long gray braid, her left casted leg elevated on pillows. She was anxiously staring at six men standing at the end of her bed. An older man in a long, white lab coat was holding a chart folder, a staff doctor. The other five younger men wore short white coats, each with stethoscopes around their necks, these were med students. No one was saying anything. I looked at the staff doctor, he said nothing. I finally said, "What's going on here?" Just then, Ms. Marten said, "F*ck, S*it", bark, and covered her mouth with her bed sheet. One of the med students laughed and elbowed another student who smiled. The staff doctor said, "My students have never seen a Tourette's patient, so we want to see her perform." I looked back at Ms. Marten, she had tears running down her cheeks. I turned, opened the door and said, "Leave now, how dare you!" The men trooped out giving me hateful looks. The staff doctor asked for my name and left.

I spent as much time as I could with Ms. Marten that shift. I apologized for the doctor and medical students. She told me that since she was a child, she has always shouted, barked, or swore when she got nervous or anxious. Her mother died of a flu when she was three. Her father was a preacher and remarried a woman who thought Phee was a wicked, possessed child. She was sent out to the cornfield behind their farmhouse whenever visitors came to the home. Her formal schooling ended in third grade. She grew up and married the boy from the next farm over. They were happy, had one son, who was healthy, without Tourette's Syndrome. He had grown, attended college, married and had three healthy children. She said she rarely saw him or her grandchildren, which made her very sad. Her father had been kind, but didn't understand her illness. He was always busy with the congregation. Her stepmother was mean and Phee's noises had embarrassed her son. She said the only person that had ever truly loved her, was her husband. He picked her, when he could have had anyone else. Throughout our chats that night, she never had any tics, loud swear words, or barking. She wasn't nervous or anxious. It's a nurses' duty to protect, care and comfort their patients. It is an honor to hear their stories.

Epilogue: The staff doctor filed a formal complaint against me. He argued medical students needed to see and experience different illnesses during their clinicals. That complaint stayed in my record. I never apologized for telling them to leave and I would do exactly the same thing again.

I have never forgotten Phee. Her story serves to illuminate the human spirit defined by the moments of love and abundant grace that get us all through.

-- Jan McLellan
Honorable Mention, 2020 Write a DearReader Contest

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: 

(Fiction)
SLAYED BY DARKNESS by Alexandra Ivy

(Fiction)
PRIVATE PROPERTY by Skye Warren

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

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

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 29, 2021

Dear Reader,

When I was a kid, if my parents asked me to do something, my usual reply was, "I don't feel like it now. I'll do it later." I have to admit, if they'd let me wait until I "felt" like doing something, especially when I was a teenager, it might have never gotten done.

But now that I'm a (mature) adult, I've learned to recognize that if I don't "feel" like doing certain things right away, maybe I shouldn't. In fact, sometimes the most direct route to my creativity and getting the job done is waiting until I do "feel" like it.

If I have a writing deadline that's two days away and I haven't started working on anything yet, if I put pressure on myself to sit down and write, I'll most likely be looking long and hard at a blank screen. Because I'm just not ready. I don't "feel" like saying anything yet.

From experience, I realize when I just can't seem to get in the groove to get started, I needn't worry about it. Because my subconscious mind is already working hard, thinking through the creative task, and when the time is right, it will give me a signal and then the rest of me can jump into the act. I never miss a deadline.

Yes, I do believe it's true...creative ideas come to those who learn to wait until they "feel" like it. But here's the rub...

If you don't "feel" like it soon, you'll miss this year's deadline to enter my Write a DearReader Contest. Deadline, rules, read last year's winning entries, and cash prizes. You'll find all the info here.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

KIDSBUZZ: Calling fans of fairy tales, here's a book to spark curiosity and imagination and learning how we all make mistakes, no matter how big or small we are. VERITY FAIRY AND CINDERELLA by Caroline Wakeman will have early readers laughing--and reading! For a chance to win a free copies, to talk with the authors, and more, see KIDSBUZZ.

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 28, 2021

Dear Reader,

There's less than a week left to enter this year's Write a DearReader Contest. You don't need to be a writer to enter. The contest is for writing fun. For last year's winning entries and information about the rules and deadline, click here.

What a treat! Today's guest author, Anne Perry, is the New York Times bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels. She's also written a series featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt's son, Daniel, including One Fatal Flaw and Death with a Double Edge; the Elena Standish series, including Death in Focus and A Question of Betrayal; five World War I novels; nineteen holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Legacy; and a historical novel, The Sheen on the Silk, set in the Byzantine Empire. Anne Perry lives in Los Angeles.

For more from Anne Perry, follow her on Facebook at @AnnePerryAuthor. Or contact her at [email protected]

Anne's brand new book is A Darker Reality, part of the Elena Standish popular historical mystery series: A personal trip turns perilous for Elena Standish after the murder of a British spy forces her to face dark family secrets in this exciting 1930s mystery.

Anne is giving away 5 copies of A Darker Reality. Send an email to: [email protected] and you could be one of the five lucky winners.

Please welcome author Anne Perry...

Imagination is one of the wonderful gifts. I can close my eyes and be anywhere, even real or not. There are no limits, and the weather is whoever I want. Autumn when the leaves are yellow, bronze, scarlet into crimson. The smell of woodsmoke is in the air. Or late summer when the harvest is in and the fields are stubble gold.

My favorite is late spring when the wild pear trees are in bloom overhead and the ground is carpeted with bluebells in bloom so thick on the ground you cannot move without treading on them.

Or the beach at dawn as the sun lights the sea...there is no end. And it takes no price, no packing, no papers, no trouble getting back home.

Or, of course, imagination can add other things! It is pretty good at the terrible as well. There you have to be careful. Depends on what frightens you most. I have a horror of spiders. Very common, and considering some of them are very poisonous, quite rational. But not when you see them even when they are not there. Be careful your brilliant imagination does not rule you, instead of the other way round!

If you are writing a horror story, step slowly. Let things creep from the ordinary to the extraordinary inch by inch! Everything seems as normal, only half an inch off. Then the horror  creeps until it is at last unavoidable! And you begin to fight it! Find your own weapons, face your fear.

And sleep for a week with the light on!

And you can imagine people. That can be the most difficult, especially heroes. There can be no growth, no victory if there is no weakness to overcome, no inner victory over faults. In fact, hate to say it, but no real story.

But all possibilities are there! Take us all into your world!

-- Anne Perry
email [email protected]

To enter the giveaway for one of five copies of A Darker Reality, email: [email protected]

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

* Congratulations to the winners of Pembrick's Creaturepedia by guest author Andrew Peterson: Jessica C., Angie G. and Christina T.

AUTHORBUZZ:Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

PRIVATE PROPERTY (Fiction) by Skye Warren

I've loved the stoic Jane Eyre and the mercurial Mr. Rochester for years. That's why I'm so excited to share my new novel, a modern-day retelling of the beloved classic. Kirkus Reviews  writes of my new book, "Jane is a compelling heroine from beginning to end." Find out what happens when the dramatic, mysterious story enters the contemporary world. I'm giving away five books--click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter.

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on PRIVATE PROPERTY to read more and to email author Skye Warren, you'll get a reply. 

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

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 27, 2021

Dear Reader,

Eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...there are only eight more days for you to enter this year's Write a DearReader Contest. I'm looking forward to reading your entry.

Read last year's winning entries, deadlines, and cash prizes here.

Book club reader, Lee Rothberg, was an Honorable Mention winner in last year's Write a DearReader Contest. It's my pleasure to reprint her "Lessons from Sophie" column today...

...Of the countless lessons my husband and I learned from our Labrador Retriever, Sophie, the most lasting was to open our hearts to every dog we encounter. In this way, we sustain her legacy of joy and laughter.

It's been five years, but we still walk daily on the paths that meander through a county park where we strolled with her. This serves the dual purpose of spirited exercise and lively encounters with the dogs and their owners who frequent these trails.

Whenever we see any of our "regulars," they react as if we were meeting them for the first time. They greet us with their tails wagging, acutely aware that I carry a cache of treats, and they nose up to it in anticipation. If we see a new dog, we always ask if it is okay to offer a grain-free turkey biscuit, as we understand that many dogs are on special diets.

We remember the obedience classes that we attended with Sophie, where the trainers stressed that we should have her "work" for her treats. Sit. Stay. Come. She could do all that, but it was not in our nature to request a performance unless we were playing a game with her. We would just kid each other and say, "Look at how cute she is... That requires exceptional effort." 

But some folks in the park subscribe to that "work" formula for treats. And we abide by their wishes. Some dogs sit, waiting politely, and others offer their paws to "shake" hands. Three rescued Basset hounds perform like a circus act. One runs with a stick, his elongated ears flopping in the wind, while the second howls his sweet song. The princess of the three rolls over to have a belly rub and then sits up expectantly to enjoy her reward.

We met one woman whose stunning chocolate lab, all 110 pounds of him, was straining at his leash to come say hi, as he recognized us immediately. It had been a while since we'd seen him, but once you've fed them, they never forget you. The woman said that she had told her friends about the time, months ago, when we first met in the park. They were tickled that I carried treats for all the dogs we saw.

Two sisters walking in the rain with three King Charles Spaniels, whose paws were positively caked in mud, were amazed that we absolutely did not mind that they were jumping on us. "They are expressing delight," I explained. "This is the reason why we have washing machines." One sister asked, "Do you have a dog?" "We did," I said solemnly. "We honor her memory by giving treats to all the dogs we see." She gave me a heartfelt and knowing hug. This random act of kindness could be delivered only by someone who has suffered that loss and understands the enormity of it.

We defined Sophie's tasks differently. Her fun-filled antics made us laugh every day and, in addition, taught us to keep chewables off the floors, lest she claim the remote controls and our sneakers as her toys. That was tutoring excellence.

She assisted us with recycling by shredding our magazines and newspapers, chased rabbits and squirrels out of the yard and fine-tuned our throwing arms with endless games of catch. 

She coached us to keep the kitchen spotless, as she was expert at counter-surfing and had a sensitive stomach. In this way, we avoided anxious visits to the vet. What a brilliant medical strategy!

Sophie opened our hearts to an unconditional love for all dogs, who bring joy and laughter to our lives and deserve rewards for their tireless efforts. Perhaps, we can donate an occasional sneaker to their toy collection.

Lee Rothberg
Honorable Mention, 2020 Write a DearReader Contest

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

SLAYED BY DARKNESS (Fiction) by Alexandra Ivy

It's been fifteen years since I created the first book in the Guardians of Eternity. When I sat down to write this latest title, I knew it had to be special. What better way to get it started than by having Jayla, my vampire assassin, kill her destined mate? Talk about a complicated relationship. Especially when Azrael kidnaps her off the streets of Hong Kong, demanding that she use her unique powers to keep him out of the grave. I'm giving away five copies, to enter the drawing, click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket or email: [email protected]

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on SLAYED BY DARKNESS to read more and to email author Alexandra Ivy, you'll get a reply.

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 24, 2021

Dear Reader,

You're never too old to sit inside of a pink tent!

Last week my dining room was decorated to celebrate birthdays for Amber, my daughter-in-law and Hadley, my nine-year-old granddaughter. Only two days between their birthdays, it's a double family party every year.

I host all of the family birthday parties and the older my grandchildren get, the more difficult it is for me to come up with a party theme that's appropriate for their age. My granddaughter is crazy in love with cats, so I had planned a cat theme for this year's party. But two weeks before the party was scheduled, it was a very sad day in our family when Hadley's cat passed away. So I quickly switched themes and it became a llama birthday party instead.

Llama plates and napkins arranged on a light pink and white tablecloth, a llama in the center of the table, a pull-string llama (stuffed with too much candy), walking-llama helium-filled balloons, two tables filled with Bingo prizes (our family is crazy about Bingo), and a pink tent decorated with star lights, with a fluffy pink rug on the floor. I was concerned Hadley might think the pink tent was more of a 'little' girl's paradise and not appropriate for her, as a new 9-year-old (even though 'this' big girl wished she could fit in the tent). But the pink tent was the hit of the party! I even spotted my 14-year-old grandson sitting inside the tent while Hadley was opening her gifts.

You're never too old to sit inside of a pink tent!

To see party photos, click here.

* If you haven't entered this year's annual Write a DearReader Contest, now is the time. It's getting close to the deadline. You don't need to be a writer to enter. The contest is simply writing for fun. To read last year's winning entries, this year's prizes and information about the rules and deadline, go here.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 23, 2021

Dear Reader,

There are less than two weeks to enter this year's Write a DearReader Contest. To read last year's winning entries, deadlines, cash prizes and how to enter, click here.

Today it's my pleasure to share a column, written by Diane Boddicker. She was an Honorable Mention winner from last year's Write a DearReader Contest.

THE GIFT

My Mom used to say, "You get what you give." Today I got an unexpected gift.

Driving home from the dentist, I notice a Red Cross Blood Drive being held across the street from my house. These days, I'm trying to do anything I can to make the world a better place, so I think to myself, "Hey, I can help. I'll go in and drop off a pint, or gallon, whatever is needed." Mask up and inside I go.

I'm greeted at the door by a bubbly, young girl named Shianne who squirts me with hand sanitizer and leads me to a table to be interviewed. During the onslaught of questions, we strike up a friendly conversation. "So, your name is Shianne. That's a different kind of name. Seems like it should be Cheyenne, with a ch." "My parents are from Wyoming, but also from the '60's. They wanted me to be unique." Hehe. "Oh look, I'm Shianne and you're Diane." Cool. Giggle.

I pass the tests and lay on the donor table. I should insert here that, as good as my intentions always are when it comes to handing over my blood, whether it's for lab tests or charity, it pretty much takes a vampire to get it out of me. I seem to be blessed with squirmy veins. It requires poking, jabbing, and an abundance of patience to hit the mother lode. Shianne hands me a rubber squishy ball and says, "Squeeze 3 times and hold." I do that. Over and over. Left arm. Right arm. Left arm. "Squeeze 3 times and hold." Gentle slap. "Squeeze 3 times and hold." Sigh.

I tell Shianne about the last time I donated blood. How I only filled half the bag. How my blood was trashed. I'm feeling like a loser. We start to joke about how the Red Cross needs to have stickers that say, "I TRIED to give blood," or, "Thanks for TRYING to save a life." Or maybe a giant, red "L" forehead stamp. We find ourselves feeling like two (slightly irreverent) old friends, chuckling over a glass of wine and some fancy cheese.

Finally, success! Shianne triumphantly pokes the perfect little sucker, hooks me up to a bag marked with many identifying labels (none of which say "Loser!"), and we're in business.

As I'm being drained, Shianne sits to chat with me. I tell her I've been painting my bathroom and, other than painting behind the toilet and when my husband dropped his loaded paintbrush on the floor, picking the color was the worst part. She advises me to next time look on Pinterest and simply, "copy a room." I ask her if she's married. She declares "nope," and enlightens me about her exciting life in the city. By the way, she does have detailed wedding plans for when the time comes (undoubtedly, it will involve Pinterest). We continue to blab on about friends, food, and life, until my blood pouch is stuffed.

My tubes are disconnected and I'm pointed in the direction of the cookie tray. I'm feeling like a champion as the shiny "I Donated" sticker is affixed to my shirt. While I munch on my peanut butter cookie, Shianne thanks me for providing someone with the gift of life today.

Later, I wonder who will receive my blood, will it save someone? I feel hopeful and satisfied. Then, I reflect on these crazy pandemic times. During this moment, when human contact is at such a premium, I think about the surprise gift I received today. I made a contribution. I met someone new. I smiled, laughed, and enjoyed an easy and effortless hour. I think maybe I should've put an "I Donated" sticker on Shianne, and thanked HER for giving ME the gift of life.

-- Diane Boddicker
Honorable Mention, 2020 Write a DearReader Contest

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 this title deserves your attention:

(Fiction)

TREASURED by Lexi Blake

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

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 22, 2021

Dear Reader,

Monday's Grandma Hale/New Shoes column brought a lot of mail from readers. If you're still searching for a topic to write about for this year's Write a DearReader Contest, write a story about your grandparents or someone who is dear to your heart.

Thanks so much for writing. I really enjoy hearing from readers...

"Hi Suzanne, I loved your story about your grandma--she sounds like she was a special woman and what great memories! The story was special to me because my son (who is 19 years old now) would come home with new shoes when he went to his Grandma's as well. Not every time, but many times--especially right before school started. They had a special local shoe store they would go to together, just like you and your grandmother. He would get his feet measured to get just the right shoe and always got a shoehorn so he could be just like his Papa. His grandma still often asks him if he needs money for new shoes. Thank you for sharing!" -- Rashel W.

“Hi Suzanne, I just loved this morning's column and the photos of you and your Grandma. The photos and the column reminded me of my Grandma and the many years ago when I spent time with my grandparents. I, too, was the first grandchild for a number of years and Grandma and I had wonderful times together in the garden, baking, shopping and having fun together.  Aaaaaah! The good, old days!" Sincere best, -- Beverly

"Hi, Love your 'baby carriage.' Whenever I look at oldie photographs I can't get over how old my grandmother and other grandmothers at the time looked. So much older than 60-year-old  grandmothers nowadays." -- Noreen B.

“Suzanne, I enjoyed reading about your Grandma Hale. You were lucky to have living grandparents. The pictures were so nice. Thanks for sharing them." -- Best regards, Dorothy P.

Be sure to enter my giveaways. Someone always wins, and next time, it could be you!

* Congratulations to the winners of the September No-Cookie Giveaway: Samantha P., Christine H., and Joanne F.

* Congratulations to the winners of Shh! Baby Jesus Is Sleeping by Guest Author Lisa T. Bergren: Annie W., Sandy L., Kathryn D., and Betty A.

* Congratulations to the winners of The Artist Colony by Guest Author Joanna FitzPatrick: Mary D., Angie G., Paulette B., Joanne H. and David F.

To enter this year's Write a DearReader Contest, click here. 

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 21, 2021

Dear Reader,

This week's guest author Andrew Peterson is visiting the book club today. Be sure to enter the giveaway after his column...

Last week I walked seventy-one miles across Britain, from the east side of the island all the way to the Irish Sea in the west. A friend and I followed Hadrian's Wall, a two-thousand-year-old wall that used to protect the Romans in the south from the Picts in the north. I'm happy to report that we needed no protection from dangerous hordes, but as it turned out I was attacked nonetheless.

We had just entered a woodland and I was admiring a tree when something landed on my neck, stung me, and then died when I panicked and smacked it. It hurt, and I was sorely confused because I was nowhere near a nest and was doing nothing to provoke such aggression. My neck throbbing, we pushed on. Minutes later I was attacked again--this time by something much larger.

When you're walking the footpaths of England, you often climb an old stone wall and drop into a field of sheep, cows, horses. If the path leads through the field you have to take your chances. Well, just a few minutes after the sting we passed into a field of horses. One of them trotted over to me and I considered petting its snout but kept walking because the beast made me nervous. My friend stopped to pet another horse and that was when I realized the first horse was following me. It nosed at my backpack, then bit my backpack. It pushed me a few times and I staggered forward, then it yanked at my backpack again. I was scared but I kept walking and (maybe because my friend was laughing so hard) it gave up. My backpack was covered with horse drool and I was covered with sweat.

The next field was full of sheep. Sheep are so skittish that even if you tried to pet one you couldn't.

But--I kid you not--there I was with a throbbing sting on my neck and a horse-chewed backpack when a sheep came straight for me. I yelped and climbed the stile before it could maul me, and my friend found that humorous for some reason.

I still don't know what to make of it. None of those things had ever happened to me, then they happened all at once. Maybe everybody has an hour in their lives when the animal kingdom wants to gobble them. I'm just glad it was England and not where I grew up in Florida or this would be a story about a scorpion, an alligator, and a rattlesnake.

-- Andrew Peterson

More About Today's Guest Author: his new book, Pembrick's Creaturepedia is a companion to the (bestselling) Wingfeather Saga. A new boxed set of four Wingfeather Saga books will be released in late October. Andrew is a singer/songwriter, and the founder of The Rabbit Room, which fosters community through story, art, and music. He and his wife, Jamie, live in Nashville.

Email: [email protected] to enter to win one of three copies of Pembrick’s Creaturepedia.

* If you haven't started writing your entry for this year's Write a DearReader Contest, I'm suggesting you begin with the simple sentence, "Once upon a time..." For all the info about the  Write a DearReader Contest, click here.  http://www.dearreader.com/contest2021/index.html 

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 20, 2021

Dear Reader, 

When I was a kid, I used to love to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Hale's house in the summertime. It kind of felt like I was going to summer camp at an orchard: red raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, grapes, apples, pears, strawberries and popcorn--they all grew in Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard. My grandparents lived in the city, but nothing was built-up behind their home yet, so their backyard was more like the back forty. 

Every morning, when I was staying overnight at Grandma’s house (which was frequently), it was the same routine. I'd stumble down the stairs still half asleep, walk into the kitchen, stick my head out the side screen door and yell, "Good morning Grandma". And she'd set aside her berry boxes, and come in and make me scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and a scoop of New York Vanilla ice cream--my favorite! (Was I spoiled, or what?) 

My grandmother had already been up for a couple of hours picking raspberries--she had to--because at around 9 o'clock, neighborhood customers would start stopping by the house. She had a great word-of-mouth berry business. "Pocket money"--Grandma called it--"shoe money", I called it. Because every time I visited, she'd dip into her berry money, and I'd never go home without at least one, sometimes two, new pairs of shoes. 

There was a shoe store off the downtown square, and when Grandma and I walked by it, we both knew what was going to happen. We'd walk past the store, and then I'd back up a bit, and stand in front of the store window looking at the shoes on display. Grandma would walk back, stand next to me and ask, "Do you need a new pair of shoes?" 

"Well, I kind of like those shoes in the corner there, maybe I should try them on? Yea, I could probably use a new pair of shoes, Grandma..."  About that time, the shoe man would recognize us, and wave us in. Because from past experience, he knew for sure he was going to sell a couple of pairs of shoes--real soon.

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

If you'd like to see photos of Grandma Hale and me, you can go here. 

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

TREASURED (Fiction) by Lexi Blake

Who doesn't love a good treasure hunt? I grew up loving movies like "Romancing the Stone," and my new book is a little love note to that film. Of course there's a twist. This time our heroine is the brawn and the hero the brains. I hope it all makes for a fun romp where Tessa and David discover something far more valuable than gold. Enter to win one of five copies, click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter or email: [email protected]

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on TREASURED to read more and to email author Lexi Blake, you'll get a reply.

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column - September 17, 2021

Dear Reader,

There are only a few weeks to enter this year's Write a DearReader Contest. To read last year's winning entries, deadlines, cash prizes and how to enter, click here. 

Today it's my pleasure to share a column, written by Kathy Cochrane. She was an Honorable Mention winner from last year's Write a DearReader Contest.

It was my first clinical day in a hospital as a student nurse. Until now, all of my learning had been in a lecture hall or small learning lab groups, practicing techniques on mannequins.

The time for a quick coffee break rolled around, and I popped into a room where a fellow student was finishing up giving her first bed bath to an elderly male patient in the B bed. While I waited for her, I struck up a conversation with the patient in the A bed, a young attorney.

We had been chatting for a minute or two, when suddenly a loud, metallic CLANK, rattle, rattle, rattle was heard from down the hall.

"What was that...!", the young man exclaimed.

Peering into the hall I couldn't see what the cause of the crash was, so as I stepped back into the room I replied, "I don't know...I think someone just kicked the bucket!"

It's a good thing the guy wasn't a recent post-surgical patient, because we both nearly busted a gut laughing!

Fortunately my somewhat irreverent sense of humor has served me well during my years as an RN, and from the reaction of that patient on my first day in the hospital, I know that it was therapeutic for my patients!

-- Kathy Cochrane
Honorable Mention, 2020 Write a DearReader Contest

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

This month's Penguin Classics book is THE TALE OF PRINCESS FATIMA, WARRIOR WOMAN: The Arabic Epic of Dhat al-Himma, translated and edited by Melanie Magidow. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.