Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column - March 25, 2022

Dear Reader,

Once a month I bake chocolate chip cookies for readers and today's the day you can enter to win. Three lucky book club readers will receive some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies delivered right to their front doors. I'm ready to bake for you. To see last month's winners and to enter the drawing, click here.

It's coming up soon, National Library Week is April 3rd-9th. We'll be celebrating every day at the book club with special giveaways and stories from readers and librarians. So please do send an email telling me what you love about your local library. If you're a librarian, share with readers what you love about your job, or what inspired you to become a librarian.

You can reach me at: Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 24, 2022

Dear Reader,

My monarch caterpillars and butterflies inspired book club readers. If you missed the photos, click here.

"Suzanne, I ordered a few milkweed plants, and I was wondering, do they propagate? This is all new to me, but I love the thought of watching butterflies go through their stages. I just wanted to know if I need a big area for the milkweed so they can re-seed?" -- Robin W.

(Suzanne replies:) You can propagate milkweed from cuttings, but I have never done it. I buy milkweed at the local nursery, here in Florida. Make sure when you buy milkweed, to ask if it has been sprayed. Because if it's been sprayed with chemicals while growing, to keep the bugs away, the chemical will kill the caterpillars. I always plant at least four milkweed plants together, because when a caterpillar starts eating, it's amazing how quickly it strips the leaves off the plant. Good thing the caterpillars are willing to eat the stems, too. When the milkweed is stripped, and there aren't any more caterpillars on the plant, you can cut the stems back about 7 inches and they will regrow.

The butterflies in my garden especially love penta and zinnia plants, too. Penta plants come in numerous colors. They're easy to grow and when they start looking stringy you can cut them back and they will regrow. Have fun!

"Dear Suzanne, your story about your monarch butterfly nursery brought back a memory I haven't thought about in many years. Twenty years ago, we were standing outside our condo in Stratford, CT, which was situated on the convergence of the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound. It was the beginning of fall and we were enjoying the cooler weather. Within a few minutes, we saw hundreds (thousands?) of monarch butterflies coming toward us from Long Island Sound, heading toward New York.They passed above us and around us until we had to sit on the ground in amazement at what we were witnessing. Thank you for sharing your story, and helping to bring back a wonderful memory. Your nursery is beautiful, and it makes me like you just that much more! Best wishes to you and your 'babies.'"-- Jenifer G.

"How lucky and cool this is and that you have it right in your own backyard. Just beautiful, thanks for sharing." -- Regards, Eileen M.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 23, 2022

Dear Reader,

When I shared my Stone Soup recipe with readers, several people shared one of their absolute favorite soup recipes with me.

"Suzanne, I made the Stuffed Green Pepper soup from book club reader Marcia G., that you posted last week. It was delicious and it's now my new favorite soup. Please pass my thanks along to Marcia." -- Amy B., Library Assistant/ILL Coordinator, Baker Free Library

So if you're looking for a new soup recipe, I highly recommend trying one of these favorites sent in by readers, click here.  

'Where is that recipe?' Sometimes it can be a real problem for me. The other day I made a new brownie recipe and everyone who ate a brownie raved about how good it was. I agree! It was the best, absolute best tasting brownie I've ever made. But what the heck did I do with the recipe? I was going to make them again today, but I can't remember where I found the recipe. I'm pretty sure it's in one of my old cookbooks, so I started thumbing through the first few pages of each book, because that's where I write down "winners" with the page number and the date I made it, of recipes I like, so they're easy to find.

Well, the frustrating news is I still haven't found the brownie recipe, but I did find this 'note-to-self' in one of my cookbooks: "Beef and Bean soup Page 48. Very good! Bob and I made it, November 2007." So instead of brownies, I made the soup. My "Very good" note didn't lie. In fact after tasting the soup again, I should have written, "Outstanding! Loved it, loved it, loved it!" I think you will, too. Let me know if you try it. (And if I ever find that brownie recipe again, I'll share that, too!)

Beef and Bean Soup
Serves 4, (big servings) I double it

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper (or orange), seeded and sliced
2 carrots, sliced
14 oz can black-eyed peas
1 cup fresh ground beef
1 teaspoon each: ground cumin, chili powder, paprika
1/4 head of cabbage, sliced
8 oz tomatoes, peeled and chopped (I buy the canned)
2-1/2 cups beef stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil over medium heat (use a large Dutch oven or other good-sized soup pan). Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the bell pepper and carrots and cook for another 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, drain the peas--reserving the liquid from the can. Place only 2/3 of the peas in a food processor or blender, with the pea liquid and process until smooth. (Keep the other 1/3 of the peas in a separate dish to use later.)

Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, to break up any lumps, until well browned. Add the spices and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage, tomatoes, beef stock, pureed peas and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the remaining peas, cover and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. The soup is ready...Enjoy!

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 22, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today's guest author, Priscilla Masters, was born in Halifax and adopted into a multi-racial family of seven. Brought up in South Wales she moved to Birmingham in the 1970's and trained as a registered nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham.

She has produced more than thirty crime novels and one children's book. In addition to the series featuring Coroner Martha Gunn and a forensic psychologist Dr Claire Roget, Priscilla has written the DI Joanna Piercy series since 1995. The latest title in that series is the newly released, Almost a Whisper.

Priscilla has two sons, two grandsons and lives in a Victorian ex-laundry cottage on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border.

Please do contact Priscilla via her website and say "Hello." 

To enter Priscilla's book drawing (you could win one of three copies of Almost a Whisper), send an email with your mailing address to: info@severnhouse.com

Priscilla Masters on a First Date

As a first date it could have ended a lot better but not much worse, to be truthful.

I was a first-year student nurse in Birmingham 1970 when I was invited to a party by one of the medical students. So far so good. Except...

My date for the night had heard that the famous clock tower, Old Joe, was undergoing some restoration. A little earlier in the evening he'd recced the tower which was normally padlocked and found a small opening in one of the doors where a panel had been removed. He reckoned that I was just small enough to squeeze through and open the door from the inside.

Old Joe aka The Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Tower, is a clock tower and campanile, or bell tower, located in Chancellor's court at the University of Birmingham. According to Wikipedia it is the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world, although I didn't know that at the time. The university lists it as 361 feet tall. The clock dial measures 17 feet in diameter; the length of the clock's hands are 10 and 6 ft, and the bell weighs in at 5 tons.

A prominent landmark in Birmingham, the grade II listed tower can be seen for miles around the campus as well as from the surrounding roads, and has become synonymous with the University itself.

And my new boyfriend thought it would be a nice start to the evening to pop up to the top, ring the bells and maybe tinker with the hands before heading to the party.

I wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion in lime green hotpants, wedge heels and false eyelashes and I'm not over fond of heights. But luckily the heights thing wasn't a problem as we couldn't look down as we climbed and climbed and climbed, finally reaching a platform. A couple of hangers on had joined the pre-party party and had clanged the bells (I don't know if any of you have read Dorothy L Sayers The Nine Tailors?) Another mischief maker had 'played around' with the clock hands causing confusion to the commuters the next morning on their way to work!

It might not surprise you to know that we didn't get to the party. We were "arrested" by the University Police but released by the Selly Oak Force who between incredulity and guffaws cautioned us and let us go.

What might surprise you more is that I actually married the guy!

-- Priscilla Masters
Enter a drawing to win one of three copies of Almost a Whisper. Send an email with your mailing address to: info@severnhouse.com

You may contact Priscilla via her website: https://www.priscillamasters.co.uk/contact-priscilla-masters/

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 21, 2022

Dear Reader,

I've become a doting mother to 38 monarch caterpillars for the past few weeks, and the numbers are growing. Every day more teeny, tiny baby caterpillars appear on my milkweed plants. It's exciting! It's amazing really, especially when I saw three different butterflies come out of their chrysalis right before my eyes. After a monarch slips out of a darkened chrysalis, seemingly a little stunned, it spends the next couple of hours drying out its wings, so it can head out on its first flight.

Mothering monarch caterpillars is a full time job. The babies have a ferocious appetite. 'Chomp chomp, chomp...' One caterpillar can strip an entire milkweed plant in a day. I trim back my old milkweed, so it will regrow leaves, but re-growing takes time. When a plant gets stripped, and there are still caterpillars on it, I gently move them to a new plant. But eventually I can't keep up. 'What are my babies going to eat?' So off to the nursery I go to buy more milkweed.

The caterpillar nursery has taken over my backyard. Caterpillars are crawling on the back steps, and they're everywhere on the brick patio. So when I walk out the back door, I have to step carefully. The leaves are piling up, too. What a mess. (It's that time of year in Florida.) But I'm concerned about raking them, because they're part of the nursery. So instead, I've decided to look at the leaves in a different way. They're gorgeous, they add character to the flower gardens, and I think my monarchs would agree.

It's true a mother's work is never done. And I feel blessed. Everyday there are amazing miracles all around me. I'm so fortunate to be part of the monarch butterfly cycle.

To see photos of my monarch nursery, click here. 

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 18, 2022

Dear Reader,

I was in a grumpy, poor-me mood because my foot was hurting--again. Two weeks ago my doctor gave me a prescription to clear up the inflammation, but I might as well have been swallowing M&M's twice a day. Last week he injected a shot of cortisone, but it hadn't improved.

Since the pain in my foot wasn't responding to anything, I decided to take charge and go about my usual routine. I'd show that foot of mine who was boss! Pain, I could tough it out. So my husband and I headed out on our usual morning walk. I did decide to walk a little slower. I didn't want to insult my foot. When you're negotiating--even with pain in your foot--the best outcome is when everyone feels they've won. But halfway through our walk, I realized "the other party" in this negotiation, wasn't happy at all--my foot was killing me.

Sitting on the side of the road, while my husband walked home to get the car, I was feeling grumpy--really grumpy and I started imagining all sorts of depressing outcomes. The doctor can't figure out what's wrong, I'll never be able to go for a simple walk again, I'll have this problem forever, this foot thing is hopeless...but then a car stopped in front of me.

I'd noticed the car a few minutes earlier when it passed by. I assumed the man and woman in the car were checking out houses for sale in the neighborhood, because they slowed down a little farther down the street, sat a minute in front of a big house, and then continued on. But a few minutes later, when they circled around again and stopped their car in front of me, I realized their topic of conversation hadn't been houses, it was me.

"Excuse me," the woman on the passenger side was leaning a little out the window, "my husband and I noticed you, and we just wanted to make sure you are all right." Both she and her husband had genuine, caring smiles on their faces.

"I'm fine, thank you. I got a cortisone shot in my foot the other day, but apparently it didn't take. My husband is walking home to get the car. I really want to thank you for stopping."

After the couple left I realized my mood had changed. The little 'why me?' and 'I'm sick of this foot problem'--instantly all of those feelings were insignificant to the kindness of strangers. The more I thought about it, the more amazing it was. One simple little question from two people who were generally concerned, one little polite gesture--changed the rest of my day. Sure, my foot still hurt, my situation hadn't changed, but my mind set had.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

* Congratulations to the winner of the Bubble Wand Giveaway, Deb DeNardo.

Congratulations to these recent book club winners: Lonnie E., Donna O. and Janet H., winners of The Treeline by Guest Author Ben Rawlence. And Fran S., Angie G., and Sharon B., winners of Funny Farm by Guest Author Laurie Zaleski.

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

KIDSBUZZ: For kids 8-12, especially kids who are into the environment and think about plastic pollution, check out Elaine Dimopoulos' TURN THE TIDE, "a heartfelt story  highlighting activism and showing how change does not come easily" and simply a great kid read. (Kirkus Reviews). For a chance to win a free copies, to talk with the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

 

 

 

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 17, 2022

Dear Reader,

Today I'm sharing the final Honorable Mention piece from the 2021 Write a DearReader Contest, written by Alice Sarnowski. It truly was a privilege to read all of the entries, whether they were chosen as winners or not. Keep writing, the 2022 Write a DearReader Contest launches this August.

Thank you so much Alice for sharing your story with us.

THE WITCH, THE NUN AND THE AUNT

I grew up in a wonderland of forest and farm animals, but I dreamed of great adventures and travels. I incorporated into my life scenes from Bewitched with "Samantha," jetting around the world with The Flying Nun and being side-by-side with my glamorous Aunt Helen. I made my family sit through numerous plays as I acted out wild tales. All three characters had top billing, but my aunt's scenes were based on word of mouth stories I had heard and witnessed over many years.

My aunt grew up during the depression and those stories seem surreal in this time frame. Shoes were only worn in the snow, to school and church. There was always a race in the summer as to who could toughen up the bottom of their feet the fastest for the numerous softball games and hiking trips. Swimming was in the salt quarry and everyone in the family was picked up in the dark at 4 a.m. by the local farmer to pick onions in the early morning hours before the heat became oppressive.

Mattresses were made of straw, running water from the outdoor pump had to be carried inside and all food was grown and preserved. There was only a phone at the general store and the highlight of the day would be when the iceman delivered shaved ice to the neighborhood children and the wagon would be followed by a group of animated kids as I acted out the Pied Piper and his followers.

Another play I acted out was with the prop of the flying nun. My beautiful aunt caught the eye of a dashing race car driver. I would act out a scene of hanging onto the cape of the nun and we would soar over the race car drivers giving a current of air so my uncle would win all the races. My aunt and uncle became friends of another racer by the name of Paul Newman. When my uncle quit the racing circuit to raise his children, he kept a P.O. Box number so his correspondence with Paul would be confidential from the prying eyes and ears of the town. He never breathed a word of what was in the letters and destroyed them so he would not betray his famous friend.

My aunt and uncle were fans of camping and traversed over all of the United States, Mexico and many Caribbean islands. From postcards and stories I would act out their adventures of scuba diving, deep sea fishing and hot air balloon excursions. I would always do research about where they went so my props would be appropriate to the area they visited for my plays. I would employ the tricks of my beloved Samantha and with her help and the twinkle of her nose she would transport me to their campsite so I was a first hand witness. My poor puppy Roscoe had to wear extra whiskers to play the bewitched Samantha who sent me on my adventures.

Every once in a while I would be asked to accompany this exciting band of travelers as a guest. I kept pinching myself that this wasn't make believe. Once on a camping trip to Door County Wisconsin we witnessed the Northern lights. The ground got a shower of my enchanted tears as I could not believe this magic happened in real life, more than I could have imagined.

My aunt in her 90's is as spry and adventuresome as ever and always has a toothbrush and bag packed for the next adventure. Helen still jets around the world and always has a smile and her illuminating personality draws others into her sphere of excitement. I still have dreams of adventures with my three leading ladies--the witch, the aunt and the nun.

-- Alice Sarnowski
Honorable Mention, 2021 Write a DearReader Contest

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)
LISTENING STILL by Anne Griffin

(FICTION)
THE WAR OF TWO QUEENS by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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 Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 16, 2022

Dear Reader,

This very minute, I'm looking at a blank screen, like I do every morning before I "begin." I have numerous columns that I could finish, but I'm having trouble getting enthused about working on any of them. I just can't seem to get started. My usual solution when I'm stuck, is to simply start typing, and typing and keep typing, until eventually whatever needs to get out of me, whatever is standing in my way, there it is on the screen in front of me. 'Ah, and there it is this morning. The problem is sadness.'

Sadness, overwhelming sadness is making it hard for me to write. I could write about why I feel sad, but the sadness and the tears along with it, are bigger than any words I can find to put on paper. Normally when there's a problem, I can dig in and work towards a solution to fix it, but the world feels out of control, I'm only one person, and solutions aren't within my reach.

So I've decided the only thing I can do is recognize things in my own life that bring me joy and then share them with other people--every opportunity I get. The adage says, "One person can make a difference" (but you might have to do something a little unconventional). In my case it's bubbles. Turning on a bubble machine every day in front of my house seems like no big deal, but in my own small way, it seems to be passing on a bit of joy. Because lately, people tell me, "Thanks for the bubbles, especially now. Every time I walk by your house, they make me smile. Keep that machine going!"

Apparently I'm not the only one who's discovered the joy of sharing bubbles. Book club reader, Mary N., a Youth Services Library Assistant at Somerset County Library, New Jersey, writes:

"Suzanne, we recently purchased a battery operated bubble machine for our youth services department, and the children love it. And as you can see from the attached picture, I do too!"

To see the photo of Mary, and to enter today's bubble giveaway–12 bubble wands, so you can share some joy with friends, click here. 

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

KIDSBUZZ: For kids 8-12, especially kids who are into the environment and think about plastic pollution, check out Elaine Dimopoulos' TURN THE TIDE, "a heartfelt story  highlighting activism and showing how change does not come easily" and simply a great kid read. (Kirkus Reviews). For a chance to win a free copies, to talk with the authors, and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz.

 

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 15, 2022

Dear Reader,

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous romantic fiction series and mystery novels, including the Seasons of Sugarcreek series, the Sisters of the Heart series, the Families of Honor series, and others. She is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award. She has written more than eighty novels, translated into multiple languages. Her new book Edgewater Road, is book one in her new series, Rumors in Ross County. You'll find more info at: shelleyshepardgray.com.

Enter the drawing for one of five copies Shelley is giving away to book club readers. Email: shelleygsbooks@gmail.com

Someone asked me the other day if I had a random talent that I was especially proud about. Don't you hate questions like that? I always get a deer-in-the-headlights look when someone asks me something off topic, especially when I'm just planning to talk about work or kids
or the weather.

Anyway, caught off guard, I answered with the first thing that came to mind. I said that I can make really good buttermilk biscuits. My answer went over as well as one of those proverbial lead balloons.

I don't blame the gal for looking confused. We recently moved to a little town outside of Cleveland. Buttermilk biscuits aren't exactly a 'thing' here--and neither is buttermilk. If the conversation ever does veer towards breakfast foods, more than likely most people describe their hunts for really good New York style bagels.

However, after that second's delay, the gal smiled and asked me how my biscuit talent came to be.

Next thing I knew, I was telling her about Sunday mornings in Texas and watching my father use the top of a juice glass to make perfect circles in dough. I remembered him never using a rolling pin and how his hands would always become a floury mess. How he created something really special with just a bunch of self-rising flour, Crisco, and a jug of whole milk.

I also shared that while the biscuits were baking, Dad would make sausage gravy. Within minutes, the whole house would smell like sausage and grease and flour and goodness. It smelled like home.

He passed away when I was still in my twenties--years before I convinced my Clevelander husband that biscuits were really a whole lot better than bagels for breakfast. Eventually, I decided I needed to figure out how to make perfect biscuits, too.

In case you're curious, my latest 'go to' recipe is on the back of a baking powder can. It's written really small--you'll likely need to find a pair of readers to see those tiny numbers. My hint is to go out and get a pint of buttermilk for them (it's worth the effort), don't use a rolling pin, and keep the dough thick. When it's time to cut them out, the top of any glass will do.

All things told, my special talent really isn't all that special, but the memories of how it came to be are. In the end, that's what really matters the most, don't you think?

--Shelley Shepard Gray

Enter the drawing for one of five copies Shelley is giving away to book club readers. Email: shelleygsbooks@gmail.com

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

THE WAR OF TWO QUEENS (FICTION) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I cannot believe my new title is finally here. I had this book in my head long before I even finished book one. It was definitely an amazing feeling finally seeing some of what I'd always planned come together. Poppy was the Maiden--the Chosen. A bargaining tool. A friend and then a lover. A wife. The Queen. A god. And now, you will see her become something very, very different.

Enter to win one of five copies, click on Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter.

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on THE WAR OF TWO QUEENS to read more and to email author Jennifer L. Armentrout, 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 Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. 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 - March 14, 2022

Dear Reader,

There's a glob of mayonnaise sitting on top of my antique desk. It's intentional. I put two tablespoons of mayo on a paper towel, turned the towel over, and applied light pressure to the watermark on my desk.

It's not fair--that was my first thought. I followed the rules, "coastered" every bottle and glass before I set them down on my desk. But the water droplets from the sweating glass transferred
through the coaster to the top of my new antique desk anyway. Worthless coaster. How could this happen?

Can you believe everything you read on the Internet? I'm hoping I can believe the woman who recommended I smear mayonnaise on my desk and wait. Fifteen minutes, the timer is ticking. I keep peeking--lifting up the paper towel. The answer woman didn't mention anything about not peeking. It's always been difficult for me to wait.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one--the watermark is gone! It disappeared!

Isn't life--and mayonnaise wonderful?

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

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

LISTENING STILL (FICTION) by Anne Griffin

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to chat with the dead about what they wished they could have done while alive? Meet Jeanie Masterson, a Funeral Director in a small Irish midland's town, who can do just that. Jeanie listens to those clients asking for her help, while struggling with how her own life has ended up tied to the family business and her comfortable marriage, and wonders, is it too late to run.

I'm giving away 5 copies, to enter the drawing, click on the link to Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter or email: annegriffinwriter@gmail.com

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader click on LISTENING STILL to read more and to email author Anne Griffin, you'll get a reply.

This month's Penguin Classics book is The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway. I have a copy of the book to share with a lucky reader, so start reading and enter for your chance to win.