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Beverly Melvin Says "Dreams Can Come True"

My dream of having my book in print was about to become a reality. I had learned that my books would most likely arrive on Wednesday June 25, 2003. Upon learning that UPS stops every day at Tri State Bolts in Blandinsville, I called Doran DeBold and asked that he inquire of the UPS man if I had a shipment. And if so, please drop it off there. Doran called me back at 11:15 a.m. and said four boxes were dropped off there for me. (These boxes contained 100 books with an additional "print over run' of 7.)

Two of my granddaughters (Alyssa Hardy from Blandinsville, Il and Lindsey Duke from Chatham, Il.) were spending the day and rode into town with me. Pictures were taken and I was so excited to see my book, for the very first time, in professionally printed form! The first book I held in my hands was sent to my friend Charleen Stroup as she has been my constant source of encouragement.

"The Last Fling", an adventurous comedy, is a book of fiction. The story line came to me while standing in the hall at the nursing home in La Harpe, IL. My grandpa Ward Comstock was a resident at the time. At times of great stress, I often turn to humor to lighten the mood, and thus the idea of this book was born.

Although it has been several years since I started to write the book, the entire "story for script' (outline) was written in about two weeks time. The story line came so fast, my pen flying across the pages, that at times I could barely read my own handwriting. Thus my first computer was purchased.

My initial intent was to write it as a screenplay for a movie. My husband Dean drove me to the Chicago area several years ago so that I might attend a screenwriter's workshop. After spending two days there, the fact that a lot of movies are made from stories based on a book, really stuck in my mind. I then decided to write the story in book form.

My objective has always been, and still remains, that a movie will materialize from this book. My efforts will continue to lean that direction. When that dream (movie) comes to pass, my next dream is to use some of the proceeds in a project for the community. This project has been the motive behind my book the entire time.

When my Dad Gilmore Foster, passed away, and my mother Luella, went to live in the nursing home, I lost my motive. But recently I was encouraged to "Take your book "off the shelf', finish it, and get it printed!" So...I dusted it off and did just that! I found a printer and self-published "The Last Fling".

The back cover of the book has the story line in a nutshell printed on it. It reads; "Learning of their nephews' trip to Canada, Cora and Martha, two elderly roommates in a nursing home in La Harpe, IL, dream about taking a "one last fling' vacation before they die. They plan and plot their escape." The nephews' trip to Canada features Separation Lake Lodge. This is an actual hunting and fishing lodge and is owned by Jim and Cheryln Jordan from Carthage, IL

The books are on sale at bookstores, and can also be purchased through Beverly.

The first shipment of books is almost gone, she said, but the next shipment is expected today, July 23rd.

All characters in the book are strictly fictional and hold no resemblance to actual persons, living or dead.

"The Last Fling" is on the front cover and the words "an adventurous comedy'.

Bev said, "I chose to put those words on the cover so people would know what kind of book it was at a glance.

It is a family type of book (no swear words or sex.)

The picture on the cover and mirrored on the back is the picture of Separation Lake Lodge located north of Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Much of the men's story line takes place at this location.

B Dalton Book Store in the mall at West Burlington, Iowa has scheduled a "book signing" in front of their store on August 16 from 11a.m.- 2 p.m.

For information email Bev at bmelvin5@juno.com