Is it summer already? Susan is thrilled to report she's had the most beautiful wildflower showing in years at Meadow Knoll. Even the creek is running again after several years of drought. If you haven't dropped by her Lifescapes blog for a while, go give yourself a visual treat and enjoy all the gorgeous photos she's posted.
Susan's Summer Schedule
But now that the 100-degree heat of summer has hit Texas, Susan will be glad for a trip to Illinois for a family reunion. She and husband, Bill, will join all three kids and a flock of grandchildren for some old-fashioned family fun. Then back to Texas, to work on the last book in the Cottage Tales series, The Tale of Castle Cottage—Beatrix Potter's wedding book! The romantic in me can hardly wait.
Book News
We have lots of other book news to share with you and members of your book club. First, the International Herb Association has awarded Wormwood (China Bayles #17) its coveted book award, given to books that "contribute to our knowledge, information, use, or enjoyment of herbs." Isn't that why we love the books ourselves? Not only do we get a good mystery, but each book is packed full of well-researched herbal information and creative ways in which to use them. We always learn something new! More comments from Susan about this marvelous award at her Lifescapes blog where you can also read about the IHA conference coming up.
Holly Blues (#18 in the China Bayles Herbal Mysteries) published in April. Don't forget there are discussion questions for each of China's mysteries formatted to print and hand out for your book club. You can find them here.
New Series News: The Darling Dahlias
There's so much to tell about Susan's new series, The Darling Dahlias, it gets its own section this time. I've just finished reading it and can tell you that not only is it an intriguing whodunit, but in these challenging economic times, readers will be glad to join the characters in the small Alabama town of Darling as they practice "makin' do" during the Great Depression. Things may be bad all over the country, but the Dahlias are going to keep looking on the bright side...even if they have to deal with a few Bad Apples. As a bonus, you'll find special household tips and recipes straight from the 1930s tucked into the back of each book. Watch the Dahlias website for new features, coming in June.
Book Club News
In other news, we have three winners of book drawings to announce: Book Buddies in Mather, PA; Mysterious Mondays Book Club of Myrtle Beach, SC; and Book Lovers' Book Club sponsored by East Shelby Library (Memphis Public Library System). Congratulations!
Also, Susan says to tell you she enjoyed her telephone chat with the Stair Public Library Group in Morenci, MI. Thanks to Sandy Emmons for setting it up.
Coming Up: The Cottage Tales and An Extraordinary Year
In September, the next book in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series, the Tale of Oat Cake Crag (#6) will be out and you won't want to miss it. Also, Susan's personal non-fiction book, An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days will be published by the University of Texas Press.
We'll give lots more information about both in the autumn Friends e-letter.
Finally, we've created some products to go along with Susan's books that you'll find here. If you're giving one of the novels as a gift, why not add a matching mug or cap and make it a set? All proceeds benefit the Story Circle Network, of which Susan is the founder.
That's it for now, folks. Have a wonderful summer of reading, gardening, and discussing new stories. All of us—Susan, China, and the Darling Dahlias—are grateful for your friendship and interest in the books.
Dani Greer
Coordinator, Susan's Book Club Friends
Where to find Susan Albert online:
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