MEXICO — Beverly Dunham, 81, has read more than 50 books written by acclaimed California author Danielle Steel and considers herself one of Steel’s biggest fans.
Dunham found her dedication to Steel’s books paying off recently after she received a package in the mail from San Francisco with the name “Danielle Steel” written on the return address. The package contained a letter from Steel, along with a signed photograph of herself.
“I was so psyched out,” Dunham said Wednesday afternoon, clutching Steel’s letter in her hand. “I even called my other daughter at nine in the morning. She answered the phone and I yelled, ‘Danielle Steel sent me a letter and a signed photograph!’”
Dunham later discovered that her daughter’s friend in California had sent a letter to Steel explaining how Dunham was a dedicated reader and had read nearly all of her books.
In Steel’s letter, which was typed on paper with Steel’s official letterhead, she thanked Dunham for being “a dedicated reader of my books” and was “honored to hear they mean so much to you.” She wished Dunham “the best” and signed the letter “D. Steel.”
Dunham described Steel’s books as “awesome,” adding that she found it easy to connect with the characters in them.
“You feel like you’re living the story,” Dunham said. “You’re right there in the story as you read it. It feels real.”
Besides Steel’s books, Dunham said she enjoys reading nonfiction books related to Alaska and Maine. She said she obtained her love for reading from her father.
“My father was a great reader,” Dunham said. “He probably read every single book at the Mexico Library.”
Since receiving the letter, Dunham has written a letter of her own, delivered to her daughter’s friend, Stephanie.
“I had to thank her for everything she did,” Dunham said with a smile. “Without her letter to Danielle, I wouldn’t have gotten that letter or the photograph.”
mdaigle@sunjournal.com
Danielle Steel’s letter to Beverly Dunham:
“Dear Beverly,
An email letter from your daughter’s friend, Stephanie, was recently forwarded to me. She told me of what a dedicated reader of my books you have been and how much they have touched your life. I am delighted to hear that you get so much out of my work, and honored to hear they mean so much to you.
I am very happy to enclose a signed photograph of myself. It is a pleasure to hear of a dedicated reader like you. Thank Stephanie for writing to me. I wish you the best.
Sincerely,
D. Steel”
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- Mexico resident Beverly Dunham, 81, was shocked to receive a signed letter from her favorite author, Danielle Steel, along with a signed photograph. Steel’s letter was sent after the friend of Dunham’s daughter sent a letter to Steel, explaining how Dunham was a dedicated reader of Steel’s novels.
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- Mexico resident Beverly Dunham recently received a letter and this signed photograph from her favorite author, Danielle Steel. Steel, who lives in California, signed the photograph, “To Beverly. Best, Danielle Steel.”
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