Are you looking for an entertaining read for a cold winter day? Then I definitely suggest you give one of the Suzanne Arruda books a try. Suzanne actually grew up in Greensburg and is the daughter of Robert and the late L'Jean Middendorf. Her third novel, "The Serpent's Daughter" will be published in January. I am excited to let you know that Suzanne will do an author talk at the Greensburg Library on Sunday, January 6 at 2 p.m.
Here are a few tidbits of information I learned from her website, www.suzannearruda.com. Suzanne says she has been an arm chair explorer since she first read a book of missionary tales. From there she graduated into reading about the exploits of Beryl Markham and Roy Chapman, a real-life Indiana Jones.
Suzanne worked at a zoo part-time while attending Purdue University. She later worked for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, taught Biology at Kansas State University, and she also taught high school science. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the Missouri Writer's Guild, and is a past President of the Joplin Writer's Guild. On her website Suzanne says, "Most people read fiction to live vicariously in another world. I'm creating that world for myself and for all those other armchair detectives, explorers, and adventurers."
Suzanne's "world" vividly recreates the time period of World War I and shortly afterwards. Her main character, Jade del Cameron, has a mixed heritage with a mother from Spain and a father whose bloodline is a mixture of Spanish, Irish, and Pueblo Indian. Jade served as an ambulance driver on the war front. Did you know that women were allowed to hold that job during the war? I didn't. Suzanne's books are full of fascinating historical information and are thoroughly researched before written. "Library Journal" says Jade is "One of the most appealing heroines to appear in the pages of a mystery."
Jade's first book of exploits is "Mark of the Lion." In this book, Suzanne introduces us to Jade and begins her exploits as World War I is winding down. As Jade's beloved David lies dying, he asks her to find his long lost brother. This task leads her into the exotic world of colonial Africa as she attempts to carry out the last wish of a dying man.
Jade's exploits continue in Arruda's second novel, "Stalking Ivory." On a photography assignment in the wilds of Africa, Jade and her companions discover the grisly remains of four elephants and one man. Who would commit such an atrocity? As Jade's adventures continue, Jelani, the Kikuyu boy accompanying her is captured by slave traders. Read this exciting novel for yourself to find out what happens!
Suzanne's third Jade del Cameron novel will be published in January and it sounds like it will be another winner! Arruda's website says, "Jade discovers the mysterious casbahs of Marrakech and the Berber tribes of the Atlas Mountains in "The Serpent's Daughter."
Mark your calendar for January 6 and join us at the library for Suzanne Arruda's author talk.She will discuss how she started writing the Jade del Cameron series, the real people behind her characters, researching her books, and the publishing process.Suzanne will be glad to take questions from the audience.Copies of her books will also be available for purchase.
And since I've been talking about exciting books, I would like to quickly mention the Greensburg Library's Centennial Cookbook which is full of great recipes. The Friends of the Library just have a few left for sale and have reduced the price to only $5.00. They would make great stocking stuffers for holiday gift giving or would be perfect for a gift exchange. These are for sale at the circulation desk of the Library.
Merry Christmas and Season's Readings to All! Hope to see you soon at the Library!