Running With Quills: OUR DEAR FRIEND, ELIZABETH GUEST IS GONE

Welcome to Running With Quills, your online newsletter designed to keep you up to date with what your favorite authors (that would be us) are doing throughout the year. Here you will find the release dates of our new books and get information about our backlists. We'll preview our cover art here long before the books hit the stores and we'll keep you informed about works-in-progress and special projects. You'll also receive advance notice of signings and appearances. From time to time we'll give you a peek at our worlds, tell you what we're reading, and introduce you to some new authors.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

OUR DEAR FRIEND, ELIZABETH GUEST IS GONE

Our dear friend and sister Quill, Elizabeth Guest (Suzanne Guntrum) died during the night. We are in sorrow. We know that those of you who knew her in person or through her books will also miss her positive energy, optimism, wit, love of life and kindness. All of those things shone through in her writing.

Those of you who would like to share your thoughts, memories or feelings, please feel free to do so here. She loved RWQ.

--Jayne, Stella, Ann, Lori, Susan

111 Comments:

Cissy said...: Sue lived life with a full heart. She was warm and sweet and funny, and she was one of the good guys. I'll miss her.; 10:40 AM
Margay said...: I am very sorry to hear this. You're all in my thoughts and prayers today.; 10:46 AM
Janet Dean said...: Sue was smart, funny, full of life, a loving, supportive friend. I will miss her.; 10:51 AM
Kim said...: I am so sorry to hear this! I will keep everyone whose life she touched in my thoughts and prayers.

With deepest sympathy,

Kim; 11:04 AM
AgTigress said...: This is so very, very sad. A wonderful, talented lady who should have had so many more happy and active years before her.

My deepest sympathies to all those who knew her well and loved her.; 11:25 AM
Anonymous said...: My thoughts and prayers are with Sue's family and friends and all the Quills. Sue was a true lady with great heart and humor.

Karen Culley
Klamath Falls OR; 11:26 AM
Anonymous said...: Thoughts and prayers with Sue's family and dear friends the quills.

She had a wicked sense of humor and never quit reinventing her writing life.

Rebecca; 11:29 AM
Kammie said...: What very sad news. My thoughts and prayers go out to all her family and friends.; 11:36 AM
Colleen Coble said...: Praying for Sue's family and close friends. She was always so encouraging to all of us. I'm so grieved to hear this news.; 11:46 AM
Lori of Canada said...: I am so sorry to hear of her passing but am relieved she is at peace; I only hope that her family and friends are able to take some comfort in that peace for her.

I always enjoyed reading what she had to share and am glad I had the opportunity to know her even a little.

Lori M.; 11:50 AM
Jane said...: My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.; 11:56 AM
Sunnymay said...: She had complete command of words as reflected in her plethora of books. Her presence will surely be missed. What a grand lady!; 11:57 AM
MichiganMom said...: This is so sad...I went back to her last blog and she sounded so upbeat about finishing Night Hunger and starting the new one in January!

Such a loss for all of us.; 12:43 PM
Stephanie said...: My prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.; 12:45 PM
Candace said...: When my husband and I relocated to Indiana, Sue was one of the first people to reach out in welcome. She invited me to lunch to fill me in on what she called "the local writing scene" and introduced me to the local chapter of RWA. Sue was smart, funny, and kind. She will be missed.; 12:50 PM
Diann Hunt said...: I am so sorry to hear this news. Sue was such a positive person; energetic, full of fun. She will be greatly missed!!

My prayers are with her family.; 12:53 PM
Judy F said...: I am so sorry to hear this. Sending prayers to her family and dear friends.; 1:03 PM
Laura said...: I am so very sorry to hear of her loss. RWQ has offered a glimpse beyond just the name of the author on the cover page. Elizabeth Guest's joy and energy always shown thru her blog entries. She will be missed.; 1:37 PM
Brandy said...: I am so sorry for her family, friends and readers. She was a delight. I offer my condolences and prayers.; 1:45 PM
Anonymous said...: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of a great, wonderful lady. I have read her books for many years and loved them all. My condolences to the family. She will be greatly missed.

CheryeB; 2:16 PM
Shirley Jump said...: Sue was, as so many here have already said, smart and funny, and wise. She was a voice of guidance for me many times as I went through those early days of my career, and turned into such a dear, sweet friend. My phone rings and I still expect to hear, "Why, hello, Shirley" on the other end, as chipper as ever.

She will be dearly missed. She was one of those people who could touch your life with only a few words.

Shirley; 2:16 PM
Saralee said...: I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your friend and fellow writer. Sending prayers to the friends and family who loved her.

Saralee; 2:27 PM
Liz Flaherty said...: I only met her once or twice, but was enriched by those meetings. And entertained. God, she was funny, and so generous in sharing what she had learned with the rest of us.

She will be missed, but the world as a whole and the romance community in particular is richer for her having been here.; 2:46 PM
Cathie Linz said...: Sue was one of those special people who made the world a better place by being here. She will be deeply deeply missed. Cathie; 2:49 PM
DFender said...: I feel privileged to have interacted with Sue here at RWQ and via e-mail and I'll greatly miss her sparkling personality and charm. Her contributions as an author will also be sadly missed. It's a very sad day. Heaven is a better place for having Sue there.
Deb; 3:28 PM
talpianna said...: My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will be missed by many.; 3:33 PM
PJ said...: My thoughts and prayers are with Sue's family and all who knew her. She touched many lives during her time on Earth and will be deeply missed.; 3:43 PM
Elyssa Papa said...: I'm so sorry to hear of this news---Suzanne (Elizabeth) was such a talented writer and was beloved by all. My thoughts go out to Suzanne's friends and families during this difficult time.; 4:01 PM
Stacy~ said...: I didn't know her very well other than through Running w/ Quills, but she seemed like quite a special lady. I'm sorry for your loss of such a dear friend. Hugs to you all.; 4:01 PM
marcy said...: I'm So SORRY! She was a wonderful author and the time I won a book, she sent me a lovely note.

marcy; 4:29 PM
Molly said...: I'll miss her books, blogs, and kindness. I hope her friends and family can find solace.; 4:42 PM
Maibeeme said...: I'm so very sorry for the loss of such a gifted lady, especially at this time of year, not that any time is ever easy. I enjoyed reading her blogs here and she never indicated she was feeling unwell. Had she been ill long or was this sudden? She always seemed so cheerful and happy.; 5:07 PM
Pat Cochran said...: This is such great loss to Suzanne's
family and friends. I extend my
condolences to all of you!

Pat Cochran; 5:36 PM
Kay Stockham said...: Oh, I'm so very sorry. I'll keep her family in my prayers.

Kay; 6:17 PM
Shiloh said...: I'm so sorry to hear this...hugs, love and prayers to her family and friends. :(; 6:56 PM
Anonymous said...: To all the Quills-What great memories you will share of Sue. You will lunch and laugh and cry together for years with those lovely memories of a wonderful friend and fellow author. Please accept my sincere condolences. (hugs)

To her family-How privileged you are to have had Sue in your lives. Remember her. Cry, laugh, hug each other and be grateful for her life.

To her fans-reread her books and hold her talent up like a light for all to see.

Tearfully,
Lynne Thomas; 7:06 PM
Anonymous said...: I only knew her through RWQ, but she always seemed to have a zest for life and living it to the fullest. I know all of you who knew her best will miss her, and my heart goes out to you. Once the immediate shock and grief passes, try to remember the good times, it helps.

still karibear; 8:04 PM
CherylStJohn said...: My condolences to Sue's family and friends.; 8:20 PM
Arkansas Cyndi said...: I'm breathless, speechless, and very sad. I am so sorry for the loss you all are feeling. Losing Suzanne is a great loss to the writing community. She will be so missed.

I also went back and read her last post - so upbeat and happy and so excited about starting book 3 in her series.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, her blog family and with her personal family.; 8:38 PM
Anonymous said...: What a loss this is. I knew her first thru RWQ, and I can't help but smile thru tears when I think of her as I always did ... as "The Nice One." She was always easy and funny and charming, and we'll all miss her books, but mostly her.

Go in peace, Sue!

Christina Dodd; 8:46 PM
Cheryl Wyatt said...: My sincere condolences to Sue's family and friends.

And to RWQ, her blog family, I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

Cheryl Wyatt; 11:17 PM
Marisa O'Neill said...: My condolences to all of Sue's family and friends. They are in my thoughts and prayers.; 2:55 AM
Pattie said...: Sending condolences and hugs to all of her family and friends. The world has lost a strong voice and wonderful stories.; 4:28 AM
marciacolette said...: I'm speechless. My deepest sympathies to you guys and her family.; 6:23 AM
Cbell said...: I was so wanting to hear of her fast recovery. This notice just breaks my heart. I am sending best wishes, peace and prayers to her family.; 6:43 AM
Teresa Medeiros said...: I'm so very sorry for your loss and what a loss it was! I've had the pleasure of having several conversations with Suzanne over the years and found her to be as brimming with warmth and wit as her wonderful novels. She is going to be dearly missed, both as a friend and as a talented writer.; 6:56 AM
Eve Silver / Eve Kenin said...: My condolences to Suzanne's family and friends. She was a lovely, funny, vibrant woman and she will be missed.; 7:44 AM
Susan Elizabeth Phillips said...: My thought and prayers are with all of you who were her close friends. I enjoyed many wonderful conversations with Sue over the years. She will be missed.; 7:55 AM
elsiehogarth said...: My thoughts and prayers go out to Suzanne's family and dear friends. She will be missed especially for all her kindness and thoughtfulness.; 8:29 AM
Lori Foster said...: It's such a tragedy to lose a wonderful, talented, kind woman like Sue. She will be missed by many. I'm saying lots of prayers for family - and for her closets friends.; 8:37 AM
Sara Reyes said...: Sue will be missed by those of us in Texas who've read her books over the years and had the opportunity to have tea with her at the Adolphus. She was funny, entertaining and just wonderful. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all her friends, family and colleagues.

DFW Tea Readers Group; 9:11 AM
Anonymous said...: Suzanne was among a handful of contemporary romance authors I first read almost 20 years ago and I have continued to seek out her work ever since; her humor and good sense infused her stories with a timeless appeal.

Her passing is a loss for us all.

LynneW; 9:15 AM
Melissa said...: My condolences to Suzanne's family and friends. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers for you all.; 9:33 AM
Tara Green said...: I was sorry to hear of this news. Her books will live on forever. My condolences to her family during this difficult time.

Tara Green, Eye On Romance
http://www.eyeonromance.com; 10:03 AM
kris b said...: thoughts and prayers to sues family and friends. I only knew her through here but she was a wonderful lady. she will be missed.; 11:29 AM
Kate Douglas said...: Such a terrible loss, not only to her family, but to readers and the writing community as well. This is just terribly sad. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends, especially those of you here at RWQ.; 12:35 PM
JoAnn Ross said...: Oh, that's so tragic. My condolences to the Quills, and, of course, to her family.

Suzanne was one of the first writers I met when I became published. The romance world has suffered such a terrible loss, but looking for some small bright note, at least her wonderful stories will live on.; 12:57 PM
annie said...: My thoughts go out to her family and friends in this difficult, come to terms, time.
I've dug out my two Suzanne Simmons' favorites; "Sweetheart Indiana" and "Goodnight Sweetheart" and will re-read them tonight. A pig and a pick-up truck and a character named Minerva...she made it all work! This writer could make me stop and go...what?!?!?! What a wonderful sense of "down home" humor. I just bet she's sitting on a cloud somewhere thinking of something "corn-ball" to say...she will be missed, that's for sure. Annie; 1:12 PM
Robin Bayne said...: So sorry to hear that!; 2:34 PM
Dena Braves said...: Sue touched so many lives and will be missed by everyone who knew her.
She has been in my heart and thoughts for days now and her sudden passing is a great sadness.
She was much loved.; 3:54 PM
Shelli Stevens said...: I'm so shocked and saddened by this. She and her family and friends will be in my prayers. Elizabeth will be missed.; 4:10 PM
Anonymous said...: I only knew her through this blog -I am sending up prayers.
Marcie; 5:02 PM
Caffey said...: Sue is missed so much! Even as the tears keep flowing, I know she's in a good place. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all her friends here.; 5:03 PM
Yasmine Galenorn said...: All my best, to all of you and her family. It's so hard to lose friends...and never, ever feels like there's been enough time.; 5:09 PM
Gillian Layne said...: Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I was shocked and sadden by the news, and know the romance community mourns her passing.; 6:12 PM
Ranurgis said...: Though I was not lucky enough to know her personally, I love her through her books and the insights
she showed here on the blog. I will miss her.

May her family and friends find comfort in knowing that her pain and discomfort are now over. I believe she is in a better place now. I'll continue my prayers.; 6:38 PM
Lori said...: I am so saddened to hear of her passing. My heart goes out to all who knew her, and my prayers are with her family and friends. And I will also mourn the loss of her many wonderful books to come, but will always have the joy of rereading the ones that I have now.; 7:29 PM
lunaticcafe said...: I'm really at a loss because although I do not know her personally, I have read each of her posts (and books) over the last year and so I considered her part of my daily life. I am so saddened for her family and friends- she will be missed.
Anna; 9:33 PM
Lisa Hendrix said...: I never had the privilege of meeting Suzanne, but my heart goes out to her family and to you ladies of the quill, who were her friends.; 11:35 PM
Anonymous said...: thought s to her famiy and friends at this time; 11:40 PM
Terry S said...: My deepest condolences to her family and friends. She will live forever through your memories of her. Many good memories to you all.; 1:38 AM
Devair said...: May all the men that she that she wrote and dreamed of be waiting for her at heaven's gate to keep keep her entertained until her family and friends can get there to keep her company.May she have at least one daily laugh at our expense and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was loved and will be missed.; 2:53 AM
ChrisTina said...: Devair said it beautifully. Condolences to those she left behind, especially her fellow Quills. How fitting that the vast quantity of sadness reflected here is a measure of how much Suzanne was loved.

Chris H; 7:20 AM
Heidi Betts said...: I'm so sorry to hear about Suzanne. What a shock & a tragedy. My thoughts & prayers will be with her family & with all of you during the very difficult time.

Hugs,
Heidi; 7:35 AM
Julia Quinn said...: I am so sorry to hear of Suzanne's passing. I wish had I had something more eloquent to say, but often in sadness, words just don't suffice.; 9:21 AM
Karen Hawkins said...: Hugs to you all. I'm so very, very sorry for your loss. Suzanne was a generous, gentle soul and will be greatly, deeply missed.; 11:36 AM
Lou said...: My deepest sympathies to her family and all her many friends.; 12:29 PM
Karen Rose said...: I'm so very sorry to hear of Suzanne's passing. My thoughts are with her family and all of you at RWQ.; 2:09 PM
Carla Neggers said...: My thoughts and prayers are with Suzanne's family and friends. I have the best memories of her -- we would pick up where we left off, whether a few hours, days, weeks or years had passed since we last saw each other. She was interested and interesting, warm, funny, smart, kind and a truly special person.

I can hear that delicious laugh of hers now...and forever.

She will be missed.

Love to all,

Carla; 3:00 PM
Carrie from Wisconsin said...: Wow, I haven't been on the blog for a while and just came here from Jayne's Website.

I was truly shocked to hear this. From what I learned about her from this site, she is someone I might have been friends with had we lived closer in proximity.

All I can say is that I am sorry for everyone's loss as she will be missed by readers everywhere: past, present and future.

Her talent will be greatly missed!

Carrie; 3:20 PM
Kim said...: Big hugs to all of you and Suzanne's family. This is such sad news for our community. She'll be very missed.; 4:33 PM
Louisa Cornell said...: My deepest condolences on your loss. Her style, humor and talent will be greatly missed.; 4:45 PM
Pam said...: My deepest condolences to Suzanne's family and friends, and to the community here at RWQ. One light dimmed too soon.; 7:32 PM
gina said...: Our deepest sympathies to Suzanne's family and to you, her dear friends. Her wit and humor and her love of life that shone through her writing will be deeply missed by us, her fans. Please know that you all are in our thoughts as you grieve her passing.

(((((((the Quills))))))))); 9:53 PM
Anonymous said...: My thoughts are with you all in this loss. I loved reading her books.

Angela; 6:33 AM
Jennifer said...: My prayers to Suzanne's family and friends. And I grieve for a woman who was always kind and friendly. I will remember her greetings of cheerful hello when she would see someone she knew. And I will miss her storytelling. As with people who have touched one's life, they will be remembered. Jennifer; 7:44 AM
Gram said...: Thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends, as words are not enough.; 12:24 PM
Anonymous said...: I didn't know Suzanne but such a loss is always so sad, my thoughts and prayers to her family, friends and all who knew her.
Paula; 2:57 PM
gerri said...: i have never met her, but i have enjoyed reading her book, over and over. my prayers to family and friends.; 7:31 PM
Anonymous said...: It is clear that there is a true, deep, and special friendship among you writters. I do not doubt that you are indeed, in sorrow.

I peek in here once and a while to see what you all are up to. It's always warm, often funny, and sometimes profound. I am always delighted by, and sometimes jealous of, all of your talents and personality and insites.

I have never met Suzane, or even read her books, but still, comming here, I felt as if I knew her. She could be so endearingly "real" and funny, that one can not help but feel a sense of connection. So, even I feel a sense of loss. I can only imagine what those of you who truly knew her are feeling. My heart goes out to you. I glad she finnished her book. I'll always smile when I think of "big feet".

Thanks you guys, for making the most of you talents, and sharing them. Suzane certianly did, and touched you meaningfully- and even me.
Lots of love, hugs, and Prayers....Jill Riffe, Portland Oregon; 10:49 PM
Maureen said...: My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this sad time.; 4:24 AM
JSH said...: My condolences to Suzanne's friends and family.; 4:56 AM
Susan St. Thomas said...: I'm sorry to read this news. My thought and prayers are with family and friends, especially her fellow writers at quills.

Susan; 10:18 AM
Karen Scott said...: Condolences to her family and friends. How incredibly sad.; 12:18 PM
Bailey Stewart said...: So sorry to hear of this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.; 3:45 PM
Renee said...: My prayers go out to all of you.

(hugs)
Renee; 4:40 PM
Cynthia Ann Arends said...: My thoughts and condolences to RWQ and Elizabeth's friends and family.

Cynthia Ann Arends; 11:09 PM
Anonymous said...: So sad to hear of Suzanne/Elizabeth.

Many prayers to her family and friends.

Tina F - Kalispell, MT; 11:15 PM
Anastasia St. James said...: Deepest sympathies.

Anastasia; 9:54 AM
Lara Lee said...: I'm so sorry. Suzanne seemed like a lovely lady. My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and fellow writers here at Quills.

Laurie; 10:20 AM
Katie said...: I'm very sorry to learn of this as I've greatly enjoyed her books over the years. I know she brought untold hours of pleasures to her many readers and will be missed.; 8:28 AM
Anonymous said...: I apologize for sending this post so late, but I was on vacation all of last week with limited access to computers.

Elizabeth Guest was an inspiring writer whose posts and jokes kept me thinking and working harder at my writing. I never got a chance to start reading her novels before, but will definitely add her titles to my TBR - to be read - list of future books.

Please send my best wishes and condolences to Elizabeth/Suzanne's family, close friends who do not participate on this blog, and anyone else who knew her.

She will be missed.

Jennifer Szeto; 5:00 PM
Linda Barlow said...: I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Suzanne was one of the first writers to welcome me when I began my own career, and I treasure the memory of the long conversations we had on the phone. I learned a great deal from her.

To all her family and friends, please accept my deepest condolences.

--Linda; 7:45 PM
Barbara Bretton said...: I just learned about Suzanne's death and I'm honestly heartbroken. Her contribution to the Century of American Romance sub-series in the early 1990s (GOLDEN RAINTREE) was a beautiful book, one that still lingers in my heart. I admired her talent, her humor, her ability to change with the times and not only survive in this business but grow and thrive and get better with every book. My world was richer for her talent.; 10:36 PM
Bethany Hamilton said...: I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.; 4:04 PM
Sue Rawlinson said...: I just learned of Sue's death this evening ... I am so saddened. There are a few people we encounter who genuinely energize those around him ... that was Sue. Her laugh was infectious and her sincerity to assist and teach was both selfless and genuine. My prayers are with her family and all those who held her near to their hearts. Sue Rawlinson; 5:36 PM
DarksNite said...: i have just heard about sue's passing. i was shocked and hurt. it is never easy loosing a sister of the written word. she will will on through her family, her writing, and the love & friendship she so freely gave. we can all keep her present by going forth with our reading, writing, encouragement of each other and support. at tiems like this it is really easy to see how very short life is. sometimes we are ready and others we are not. what we can do is remember to reach out to one another, say hi, gladly give a hug, and smile :).
i will miss sue, and i am praying for her family and all friends, personal and not personal.
Bless You Sue, you are not forgotten.; 9:08 PM
Doris said...: God's Blessing on family and friends; 7:49 PM
Anonymous said...: Our condolences to Suzanne's friends and family. We knew her as a very talented author who brought such joy to readers and she will be greatly missed by her many fans.
May she rest in peace,
Carol Stacy
RT BOOKreviews; 7:54 AM
Magnolia said...: Oh no...I've been away and just now found out today...I've been a fan since reading Goodnight, Sweetheart...I'll miss her witty writing. My prayers go out to her friends and family.; 12:59 PM
danie88 said...: I've been away as well :( So so sorry to hear this horrible and very sad news. Her family/friends are in my thoughts.; 10:53 PM

Previous Posts

Sunday, December 28, 2008

OUR DEAR FRIEND, ELIZABETH GUEST IS GONE

111 Comments: