"Grandma Dino" Harriet

Daughter Barbara

Son John

JULY 7, 2012--Ringo fans of the world, unite!

If you see Ringo this summer, wish him a Happy 24th (belated) Birthday and hand him a copy of this book How I Met The Beatles (And How They Broke My Heart). I think he'll get a kick out of it.

Ringo will celebrate his 72nd birthday July 7, 2012, at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. I'll be seeing them a week later in Portland, Oregon. I have a new appreciation for the man since he announced that he became a Christian.

As a 12-year-old in 1964, I was a hopeless Beatlemaniac, and in fact, wrote the original manuscript of this book to Ringo to celebrate his 24th birthday and sent it to him. It was called "I, The Beatle Fan".

Of course he never received it -- likely got lost in the crush of fan mail. Then, as an adult, while reminiscing about those good old days, I ran across the old manuscript. I read it and it was a hoot! Long story short, I retooled it and turned it into a real book, "How I Met The Beatles (And How They Broke My Heart)".

Ironically, the new version has a Christian twist. I had no idea Ringo had become a Christian when I rewrote this. I think he'd appreciate it, and so would a number of his fans who lived through the '60s with him and finally found their way.

Peace,

Barbara J. Guardino ("Sugar")

Christian historic fiction: How I Met The Beatles (And How They Broke My Heart)