Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 08-04-2020

Dear Reader,

Once a week I feature a guest author, and I'm pleased to introduce today, Jami Amerine. She is an author, speaker, and an artist. Jami and her husband, Justin, live in the North Houston, Texas area. They have six children ranging in ages from 6-25.

Jami is a three-time published author and royalty artist. She and her husband are advocates for foster care and adoption. Jami describes her third book, Well, Girl: an Inside Out Journey to Wellness as a transformational read that will set you free. Hilarious, raw, and somehow poetic, she says, Well, Girl "offers scriptural truths, honest and thought-provoking ideas about wellness, and an in-depth look at a life free from the culture's lies--with increased self-worth, better overall health, and more confidence in your physical appearance."

There are five copies of Well Girl waiting for five lucky readers. To enter the giveaway and say hello, email: jami.amerine@gmail.com

Please welcome author Jami Amerine...

A Better Route than the Roundabout

As an American, I confess, I don't understand and cannot maneuver the roundabout. The first I ever encountered one was in England, but I was not driving. And the driver was on the wrong side of the vehicle. I submit, had I been driving this would have left me even more dazed were I in need of an exit.

Every so often, here in Texas, some fancy pants city planner or neighborhood developer will try and dazzle us by using the roundabout in a new environment. There is a mall in a town near mine that has one. I opt for the speed bumped straight ways of exiting the premises. I accidentally got caught on that roundabout once. That is 20 minutes I can never recoup.

And while I would tell you that I prefer not to exit off a circle, that I enjoy a sign marking the straight shot; big, bold, and obvious. I recently noticed I go around in circles in my mind more often than not.

My close friend calls this phenomenon, circling the mountain. Either way, it is easy to get caught in cyclical worry, doubt, fear, and what-ifs, and stay dizzily trapped in the brain space without hope of exit. And now, it occurs to me, often, this is a choice. When my flouncy mind starts going round and round, entertaining the worst unknown or droll commonalities of the past, there are options for exit.

What is this outlandish brain we house? That I might choose to play out pictures of dread that go nowhere or choose to write a new story, exit onto a road of best-case scenarios, hope, and enchantment?

And truly, this is where I am at my best, creating something new. Creating from a place of good tidings with fresh eyes. It was when my friend said, "my problem is, I am circling the mountain of what happened before, and not having faith in something new and better happening, if I would head on down the road," when I thought, "yep, I am stuck on the roundabout."

Truly, the roundabout is not that complicated. But when I believe I cannot escape, it rules me. When I stay in the middle lane and run the gamut of my limited belief and the negative rules of "with my luck," and "it will never work," there I will stay.

"No more!" is all I could muster as I jumped the curb, plowing through well-manicured rose bushes, barely missing a fabricated, concrete waterfall. Desperate to be done with the nonsense of round and round, I choose to navigate the unknown, veering to the side of the very best outcome. In the fast lane, I made up a new route. No, I had no idea where I was headed, but I expected more. I created an open road, straight with exits to my right and left, where the impossible is totally plausible and worry and doubt were left in my dust.

-- Jami Amerine
Email: jami.amerine@gmail.com to enter her book giveaway

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

Dear Reader Column 08-03-2020

Dear Reader,

There are 68 drawers in my house and I'm on a mission to tackle one drawer every day. When a person spends a lot of time alone, quarantining from the virus, you have to find ways to entertain yourself. Drawers are my current amusement, and after taking inventory of which ones need organizing, not to worry, I'm going to be amused for a very long time.

The other day, when I was baking chocolate chip cookies, I reached into a kitchen drawer to retrieve a spatula, and I saw a huge mess, that for some reason, I'd never noticed before. 'You've got to be kidding! This drawer is a disaster!' It really was, I'm not exaggerating. I had to do an archaeological kitchen dig to find a spatula, which is also amazing, considering after dumping out the drawer I found 14 spatulas! And truth-be-told, when I opened the dishwasher, there was number 15!

Who needs 15 spatulas? So I decided to pick out eight favorites, donate ones that were still in good shape and toss the rest. Sizing up the first one I picked up, I thought it looked pretty worn out, so I mentioned to my husband (who's also looking for some entertainment, so he was now looking over my shoulder), "Well. this spatula is looking pretty tired, so I'll get rid of it." "Oh, but Suzanne, I don't know. That size spatula comes in pretty handy. I think we should keep it."

So after evaluating 15 spatulas (with my dear husband's assistance), we still have 15 spatulas in the kitchen drawer--but it is neatly organized.

If you're in need of a spatula be sure to enter today's giveaway. (Don't worry, if you're the winner, I won't be sending you one of my spatulas, a new set-of-four silicone spatulas will be delivered to your front door). To enter, click here.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

In Japanese Occupied Singapore, Mirza, a known collaborator, is found murdered clutching a mimosa branch. Su Lin's Uncle Chen is a suspect and Hideki Tagawa, former spy and power in the new regime, offers Su Lin her uncle's life in exchange for using her knowledge of local ways and languages to find the real killer. But the secrets she unearths strike painfully close to home.

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

Dear Reader Column 07-30-2020

Dear Reader,

On the tab of a yellow folder I wrote "Situation File," then I slipped it into a hanging file and stored it in my "old fashioned" filing cabinet. I only had one piece of paper to file the day I created my Situation File, but now, years later, it's the most popular file in the cabinet, because there always seems to be a "situation."

"The dehumidifier you sent me was damaged. I called a week ago and someone was supposed to get back to me to set up a return. But no one has called, so I'm calling you again."

"Hmm, I don't see any note in our files that you called, who did you talk to?"

"I don't know their name, I guess I didn't realize I'd have to prove that I called and spoke to someone."

So now, whenever I have to make a phone call to a business about a "situation" I have paper and pen ready, and before I even pick up the phone I've started taking notes.

July 27, 2020 8:30 a.m.
Company's phone number.
Kim answered the phone.
I explained the problem.
She assured me a replacement would be sent out and I'd receive it in three days. I thanked her and nicely asked for her employee number (explaining that I always take notes so I have a reminder about the call) and, "Is there a case number?"

Then I voice a "note to Suzanne" on my phone to check for delivery in three days, and I file the paperwork in my Situation File.

I created a Situation File out of necessity. The horror and frustration of having to call my health insurance company taught me how valuable taking detailed notes was, and then filing them for when I needed to make the next call. Unfortunately, I needed to make the 'next' call six times a month for four years. Yep, every month my health insurance company would deny coverage for a treatment to keep my eyelids open, even though they had pre-authorized the procedure, and given me an authorization number to use when the claim was filed.

And that's when I discovered the amazing power in taking detailed notes. When an employee at the insurance company would try to give me the brush-off statement, "I'll look into it. It takes at least four weeks to research the problem," I would open my Situation File and start reading dates, times, who I spoke to, verbatim what they said, their employee number, even how long I stayed on hold, and when I asked to speak to a supervisor, the powers to be decided, 'This woman isn't going to fold, she's serious about solving this problem.'

Big insurance problems, little return problems, they used to keep me up at night. But not any more, because they're safely tucked away in my Situation File--and I know right where they are when I need them.

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) RAFE by Sawyer Bennett

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

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

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column 07-29-2020

Dear Reader,

When I feel the need to retell a story over-and-over again, in the back of my mind I'm wondering--why? It's such a familiar story, yet every time I revisit it, it's as if I'm right there in that very first moment. The story hasn't become old or unfeeling to me. Every detail is crystal clear. I never miss a beat, the emotion in my voice is the same as it was the very first time I told the story. I don't need to force any feelings, or prepare like an actor getting into character, because I've been in character since the first day it happened.

Maybe I keep retelling the story because I realize how deeply it's affected my life, but I haven't quite figured out the ending, or the lesson I'm supposed to take with me. So I'll keep on telling the story to myself, hoping the next time the message will become clear.

If you have a story to tell, I'd love to read it. My annual Write a DearReader Contest begins accepting submissions August 24th. It's never too soon to start telling your story.

* Congratulations to the winners of Lineage Most Lethal by guest author S.C. Perkins: Nancy R., Sharon B. and Theodora G.

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

Warmest regards,

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

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

A mysterious creature haunts the Great Dismal Swamp--can the Shockoe Slip Gang discover its secret before it's too late? Find out in SWAMPFIRE: A Shockoe Slip Gang Adventure for readers ages 8-12. For a chance to win free copies, talk with the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column 07-28-2020

Dear Reader,

After publishing five books in her award-winning Far West Texas mystery series, today's guest author, Tricia Fields, detoured to swampy south Florida in her first book in the new Maggie Wise series. Living in a log cabin on a small farm in rural Indiana, Tricia claims an affinity for anything remote and hot and quiet. Read about both of her series at: www.triciafields.com

Tricia has a copy of her newest release Young Blood to send to a lucky book club reader. Be sure to read the details in her guest column today.

Please welcome author Tricia Fields...

I love a good statistic. A quality statistic can send me down the rabbit hole like little else. It was statistics about the US blood supply that drew me to the research for my new book, Young Blood. I discovered that in the United States alone, someone needs blood every two seconds. I also learned that before the mid-1900s women often died during childbirth due to uncontrolled bleeding. Christian Millman, from Discover Magazine, said that at that time animal blood was commonly used during transfusions. It wasn't until the 20th century that doctors discovered that humans have differing blood groups, and that some blood types cannot be mixed with others. (Sounds like fodder for a good murder mystery...)

On a more personal note, when I received my Red Cross blood donation card in March of this year I learned that I am A+, like 34% of the population. However, back in high school, I performed a blood test which revealed that my blood type was B-. My teacher informed me that my blood type was only found in 2% of the population. I was special! We were also studying Punnett squares to determine the blood type of offspring. I went home that night to plot my parents'--blood types into the matrix and discovered that I couldn't have been their child. The photos I had seen of me as a baby, toddler, schoolgirl, etc. suddenly didn't prove anything.

Science confirmed it! I'd had no inclination that I was adopted. My parents had no inclination either. It turned out that I had mistyped my blood. Scientific error: part of the learning curve.

Science is such a wonder. So many questions needing answered, so much to learn, so many things to screw up again and again before theories are proven, and then debated for another hundred years. I wonder what medical procedures that make sense today will one day be viewed as outrageous.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with one more statistic and a friendly call to action. One blood donation can potentially save the lives of three people. The Red Cross has said there is an urgent need for blood and platelet donations due to the pandemic. Drop me a line at ttmefields@gmail.com with the last time you gave blood, or just a comment in support of the Red Cross--I'd love to chat with you, and I'll send a random person an autographed copy of Young Blood. A nice combination--a free book, and the chance to save three lives. Be well my friends!

-- Tricia Fields
ttmefields@gmail.com

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

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

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column 07-27-2020

Dear Reader,

When my daughter called the other day and asked if I could send her the stroganoff recipe I used to make when she was growing up, I couldn't remember ever making stroganoff. But when I started digging through my recipe box, there it was: Beef Stroganoff with a note I'd written "Very Good!" So I sent my daughter the recipe and made some stroganoff myself. My daughter was right. It was delicious and it's an easy recipe. Not many ingredients, but it tastes wonderful.

BEEF STROGANOFF
6 Servings

1 pound boneless beef round steak, cut 3/4 inch thick
1 can mushrooms
2 T butter, divided
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can mushroom soup
1 T paprika
1/2 cup sour cream

Slice beef into very thin strips. In a skillet over high heat, in 1 tablespoon of the butter, cook 1/2 of the beef and onion until tender, set aside. Repeat with the remaining beef, onion and mushrooms. Return meat mixture to skillet. Stir in soup and paprika. Heat through. Stir in sour cream. Serve over cooked spinach noodles. Enjoy! Let me know if you try it.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

RAFE (Fiction) by Sawyer Bennett

When I decided to embark on a new hockey series, my goal was to build a series of books with intertwining characters who were not only a team, but also a family. Thus, was born the Arizona Vengeance series. Their bonds extend far beyond their time on the ice together. Whether it's helping a struggling teammate recover from a devastating personal loss, supporting the single new dad, or helping a teammate navigate his father's terminal cancer diagnosis, this team, no, this family is there for one another through thick and thin. I hope you enjoy learning more about Rafe and the entire Arizona Vengeance team in this heart-warming second chance romance.

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

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

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column 07-24-2020

Dear Reader,

A friend of mine called me the other day. She needed to make a decision about something and was asking for my advice. But instead of weighing-in on whether I thought she "should or shouldn't do something," I suggested she take my grandmother's advice instead.

When I was growing up, if I was troubled about something and wasn't sure how to solve the problem, Grandma would say, "Suzanne, take a piece of paper, draw a line down the middle, listing pros and cons about possible solutions. Pros on one side of the line, cons on the other, and the answer, you already know in your heart, will be in front of you on the paper." As I grew up, I discovered that adult problems can be more complicated than a 'line down the middle of the paper' solution. But looking at pros and cons listed in front of me, always helps me make a decision.

In addition to a pros vs cons solution, Grandma Hale taught me another problem solver that I still use today--and I've passed it on to my husband, our children and our grandchildren. (My grandchildren looked at me strangely when I first told them about it, but after successfully trying it, now they're on board.)

Hiccups? Grandma's remedy worked for me again, just last night, when I woke up with the hiccups at 3 a.m. How a person gets the hiccups when they're sound asleep is a bit strange, but so is my grandmother's prescription to stop them. Fill a glass 1/2 full of water, stir a #2 yellow pencil around (lead end in the water), three or four times, then grip the pencil in your teeth like you were trying to take a bite out of it, now drink the water with the pencil between your teeth, and magically hiccups disappear.

No fancy prescriptions needed, Grandma's paper and pencil are the remedies for me.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* Congratulations to the winners of Lost In Oaxaca by guest author Jessica Winters Mireles: Connie C., Salado, TX and Nancy R., Norfolk, VA.

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

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

A mysterious creature haunts the Great Dismal Swamp--can the Shockoe Slip Gang discover its secret before it's too late? Find out in SWAMPFIRE: A Shockoe Slip Gang Adventure for readers ages 8-12. For a chance to win free copies, talk with the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column 07-21-2020

Dear Reader,

S.C. Perkins, today's guest author, is a fifth-generation Texan who grew up hearing fascinating stories of her ancestry, and eating lots of great Tex-Mex. Her first book, Murder Once Removed, was the winner of the 2017 Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery competition, and is an Agatha Award Nominee. S.C. resides in Houston and when she's not writing, she's likely outside in the sun or on the beach.

S.C. Perkins has a copy of her new book, Lineage Most Lethal to send to a lucky reader. To enter the drawing, please email: scperkins@scperkins.com

My Love of Television and Cinematic Past
by S.C. Perkins

If there's anything I will happily blame my mother for, it's my love of English period pieces, Hollywood movie musicals, and any romantic comedy set in the 1960s or earlier. Of course, I like modern television and programs, too, but the classic ones I grew up on thanks to my mother's enthusiasm for them continue to be favorites and have influenced my life in small, but measurable ways.

I was born in the same year that PBS' Masterpiece Theatre began, and my mother was an instant devotee. Once a week, I was lulled to sleep by the likes of Upstairs, Downstairs and other English period dramas, and the original Masterpiece Theatre theme song (Fanfare-Rondeau by Jean-Joseph Mouret, if you're wondering) is likely as much the soundtrack of my childhood as any children's song. Through these period dramas, the history-loving side of me was firmly cemented and, as we all know, a knowledge of history, even if dramatized, helps to better understand the present.

Speaking of songs, movie musicals were and still are one of my mother's biggest loves, and I watched them almost as often as programs like Sesame Street. To this day, Singin' in the Rain remains my all-time favorite, and it wasn't unheard of for me to sing a pop hit of the day followed by a song like Good Mornin'. (It's still not unheard of me to do that, to be honest.) I'm no performer--and I definitely did not inherit my mother's lovely singing voice--but I did inherit her penchant for busting out into song without a lick of shame. And, since music engages the left side of your brain, these musicals no doubt gave my creative side an extra boost.

Oh, and the romantic comedies! You name one and I probably love it, as does my mom. These movies brought more smiles and happily-ever-afters into my already wonderful childhood--not to mention the most fabulous fashion--and I'm still in love with them to this day. If one of them comes on television, I stop and watch it, and I believe these movies helped reinforce my naturally positive personality.

While the Masterpiece theme song is different these days and very few people would be able to name the romantic comedy if I quoted it, I still think my childhood, my creativity, and my outlook on life was made even better for having been a fan of them--and I have my mom to thank for all of it (and more)!

I'm giving away a copy of my new book, Lineage Most Lethal. Email: scperkins@scperkins.com

-- S.C. Perkins

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

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

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column 07-17-2020

Dear Reader,

I enjoyed the week and readers did, too. Thanks for writing. I do indeed love to hear from readers. You're an inspiration to me.

(Readers respond to this Tuesday's white sock thank you column.)

"Suzanne, my doctor's son had his bar mitzvah and was active in collecting clothing for indigent children as his community project. He had installed a big barrel at the doctor's office, and I kept it filled with things I gathered to donate. I received a beautiful linen thank you letter. At first, I thought it was bare. Then I saw at the very, very top of the last page, a tiny, handwritten note that said, 'Thank you for the gift.' I can only imagine how much it pained a 13-year-old boy to have to write a thank you note. Along with the almost-blank thank you note, was a note from his father that said: 'Sorry, my son is a boy of few words.' It was funny." -- Dorie F.

"I sure do love the way you write!...and about those white socks! Hilarious!! Thank You for brightening my day!" -- Nicole

(Suzanne responds: Nicole, guess what I'm sending to you? Email me your address and bright, white socks will be on the way!)

"Suzanne your vintage hats are GORGEOUS! I love them! We have dress up days at my library and this week will be Vintage Day. I shop at my local vintage shop often and I have many dresses from many eras. Sometimes when I visit the shop I try on hats, but I never buy them. I was just telling my coworkers I thought I would wear a dress and pumps from the 50's, and now I sure wish I had a hat to go with it! Thank you for sharing so much with your readers! Take care." -- Jennifer G.

"I loved the photos of your vintage hats. I tell my friend that I do not look good in a hat. She always says you need to wear it with an attitude." -- Joan A.

In Monday's column I shared some photos of some of my vintage hats. If you missed the photos, click here.

Heads up...the launch date for this year's Write a DearReader Contest is coming up soon, Monday, August 24th. What to write about? The birds in your backyard, something you found in the junk drawer, or maybe write what you wish you could write about--but the topic makes you nervous. (I find when I'm nervous about what I've written, I get the biggest response from readers.)

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

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

"Hilarious" says Brightly about Primo Gallanoosa's debut picture book HEY, WHO MADE THIS MESS?, just right for kids ages 3-5. Check it out. For a chance to win free copies, to talk with the authors, and more, see KIDSBUZZ.

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.

Dear Reader Column 07-16-2020

Dear Reader,

Congratulations to book club reader, Lisa H., winner of the cookie scoop in a random drawing in my "dirty" recipe contest.

Some readers not only shared their favorite "dirty" recipes, they sent photos, too. To view some readers' "dirty" recipes, click here.

My husband's favorite "dirty" recipe is Hot and Sour Soup. You'll either really love it--or hate it.

(I always make a double batch of the recipe below.)

Hot and Sour Soup

3 dried wood ears or 4 dried mushrooms
20 dried lily buds, optional
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast half
1 T dry cooking sherry
4 c chicken broth
1/2 c sliced bamboo shoots (1/2 of an 8-oz can), drained and cut into matchstick pieces
4 oz bean curd, drained and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 T distilled white vinegar
1 T soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
2 T cornstarch
3 T water
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp sesame oil
2 green onions, cut into 1 1/2-inch slivers

1. Place wood ears and lily buds in separate bowls; cover with hot water. Let stand 30 minutes. Drain and squeeze out excess water. Pinch out hard knobs from center of wood ears and discard. Cut wood ears into thin strips. (If using mushrooms, cut off and discard stems; cut caps into thin slices.) Cut off and discard hard tips from lily buds.

2. Cut chicken crosswise into thin slices; sprinkle with sherry. Let stand 15 minutes.

3. Bring chicken broth to a boil in 3-quart saucepan. Add wood ears, lily buds, chicken and bamboo shoots. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 3 minutes. Add bean curd, vinegar, soy sauce and white pepper; cook 3 minutes more.

4. Blend cornstarch and water in a small cup; stir into soup. Cook, stirring, until slightly thickened. Turn off heat. Stirring constantly, slowly pour egg into soup. Stir in sesame oil and onions. Makes 6 servings.

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 these titles deserve your attention:

(Fiction) PROVOKE by Rachel Van Dyken

(Fiction) THEN LIKE THE BLIND MAN: Orbie's Story by Freddie Owens

(Fiction) THE ABOLITIONIST'S DAUGHTER by Diane C McPhail

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

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

PENGUIN CLASSICS this month features the book The Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, by Machado de Assis. I have a copy of the book to share, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.