Beth Andrews's Blog, page 2

Field Trips

Today, Big Sis (older daughter) is heading out bright and early to Gettysburg, PA for a field trip for her US Gov and Politics class. She and her classmates are very excited to get a chance to see the historic battlefields, take a ghost tour and visit the museums. This will be her last official school field trip which has me thinking of the field trips of my own youth.

Trip number one was to a local grocery store when I was in kindergarten. We toured the bakery and, I believe, got a cookie at the end of it all (yes, I’m all about the cookies *g*)

Trip number two was a few years later. In fourth grade, all kids in town go to Crook Farm, a local, historical landmark. We visited the original Crook family farmhouse, had a spelling bee in the school house, made candles and learned what life was like over one hundred and fifty years ago. Fun note: at the end of each summer, there’s a Crook Farm Country Fair and Old Time Country Music Festival held at Crook Farm. There are crafts, music, food and games for the kids. Lots of fun!

http://bradfordlandmark.org/index.php?Crook%20Farm%20School%20Program

My last field trip was in sixth grade when all the patrols (most kids in town walked to school and the older kids helped them cross the busiest streets) in our town went to Washington, DC. I honestly don’t remember much about that trip except the long bus ride *g*

Only Son went on field trips to an amusement park (which I chaperoned. The joys of trying to keep six, twelve-year-old boys in line!) a sugarhouse to see how maple syrup is made and a fossil site.

http://spraguesmaplefarms.com/cgi-bin/catalog/cat9990132950569.cgi

Big Sis has taken excursions to a water park (I think that was supposed to be more fun than educational *g*) the zoo (chaperoned that one, too *g*) and the Corning Museum of Glass.

http://www.cmog.org/

Little Sis went to a minor league baseball game (again, fun beats educational!) and to the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.

http://web.cmoa.org/

Actually, I wouldn’t mind going to either of those museums! Hmm…maybe this summer I’ll take a couple of field trips on my own

Did you take any field trips while you were in school? What was your favorite one?

A Top Five for Saturday

Isn’t it funny how our tastes can change over the years? TV shows we used to think hilarious now make us cringe, ones we thought were sappy now make us bawl. Same with music, movies and books. I guess it only makes sense as we’re always evolving, growing and changing so why shouldn’t our tastes?

What really surprised me was when I was making my salad for lunch the other day and realized I was picking all of the sliced radishes out. Not to throw away, as I used to do, but to eat! That’s when it hit me that there are plenty of foods I used to avoid that I now enjoy. So, without further ado:

Here are the Top Five Foods I Used to Avoid but Now Eat:

1. Radishes (as mentioned above). Love the crunch and slight bitterness to them!

2. Walnuts. I used to hate walnuts but now love them – except in desserts. If you put walnuts in my chocolate cake (as my mom did for my birthday) I’ll still eat around them.

3. Dark Chocolate. Must be from cutting back on my sugar but milk chocolate is often too sweet. I especially love Newman’s Own organic dark chocolate! Yum!

4. Beer. I always sort of liked beer but now I really like it. As in really, really. I’m still craving that pizza and beer from my last Chit Chat post

5. Yogurt. When I was a teenager I couldn’t even stand the smell of yogurt, I hated it so much. Then I had my first kid and suddenly, I couldn’t eat enough of it *g*

And here are five foods I still can’t stand:

1. Celery

2. Nuts other than walnuts (pecans, cashews, filberts etc)

3. Beets

4. Pickles (it’s a taste and texture thing)

5. Meringue

What foods do you now enjoy that you used to avoid? What foods do you dislike?

Third Time’s the Charm

Two down. One to go. I’ve already taught both my son and Big Sis (older daughter) to drive and am happy to say they are both excellent drivers (and no, I can’t even type that without hearing Dustin Hoffman saying that line in Rain Main”.

Now I’m on to the third child.

Though Little Sis (younger daughter) doesn’t turn sixteen until next month, I’ve already started her driver training. She’s backed out of the garage and drove up our driveway a few times. As we head over the hill to ballet, we’ve discussed things such as when to brake, how you maintain speed, when to signal for a turn and how to handle ice/snowy roads. We’ve also hit upon other points such as who has the right-of-way at a four-way-stop sign, two-way-stop and red light. While sitting in the car waiting for her dad to get done at work, we’ve gone over how to adjust the mirrors, work the windshield wipers, open the hood and put on the hazard lights. I’ve shown her how to execute a three-point-turn, put the vehicle into 4-wheel drive (a necessity in the winter around here *g*) and that you don’t have to turn the wheel hard or far to follow a winding road.

Teaching someone to drive is interesting because, for me at least, it’s digging deep and trying to articulate all the things that I now do (and have been doing for years) w/o thinking. Back the car up? Just do it. Brake to avoid that kid darting out into the street? No problem as I was scanning the sidewalk and had a feeling he was itching to get going. Put just the right amount of pressure on the gas to get up a hill or on the brake when going down? It just is.

Which is why I have to constantly remind myself that though driving is almost instinctual for me now that I’ve done it for so long, it’s not for her. It’s all new. And exciting. And more than a bit frightening – not just getting behind the wheel and being in command of a vehicle, but also the freedom. The responsibility. The realization that she’s growing up.

(That last one’s the scariest thing for me *g*)

Who taught you to drive? What type of vehicle did you learn to drive in? Can you drive a standard (stick shift) transmission?

Molly O’Keefe Winner

The winner of a copy of CRAZY THING CALLED LOVE by Molly O’Keefe is:

Comment #14 – Susan!!

Congrats, Susan! Please send your information to me at:

Beth@bethandrews.net

February Chit Chat

I’m knee deep in revisions and am completely brain-dead so what better time to have a Chit Chat post? *g*

(Here’s my current collage for my August book, What Happens Between Friends)

Chit Chat is a page on my website where I share what music I’m listening to, what books I’m reading, things I’m currently loving, what I’m watching, what I’m looking forward to and what yummy treat I’m craving. 

 
Here’s what I’m currently…
 
…Listening to:
 
“Twenty Years” by Augustana
 
“Lonelily” by Damien Rice
 
“Letters from the Sky” by Civil Twilight (all of these songs are so perfect for my WIP!)
 
…Reading:
 
The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte (Tawny got me this for Christmas and I LOVE it!)
 
RITA books *g* Sorry, can’t disclose their titles but I’m having fun reading them!
 
…Loving:
 
My new favorite drink: Ultra Spice Chai tea made with half apple juice/half water. Yum!
 
Hockey! So glad the season is back on and that the Pittsburgh Penguins are kicking butt
 
…Watching:
 
Last weekend we watched Mumford and Sons at Red Rock and Ballerina, a documentary about Russian ballet dancers.
 
Recent movies include: Sleepless in Seattle and Jumanji *g* 
 
…Looking Forward To:
 
Spring! It’s cold here
 
 …Craving:
 
Pizza and a Blue Moon (beer)

Tell me what you’re currently:

Listening to
Reading
Loving
Watching
Looking forward to
Craving

Molly O’Keefe’s New Obsession

Please welcome one of my favorite authors, Molly O’Keefe, back to the lair!

My new obsession – The Vampire Diaries

Two years ago, everyone I knew was talking about the Vampire Diaries. Raving about it. I had to leave rooms so friends could gush and talk about some guy named Damen. I resisted for as long as I could and truthfully, it wasn’t that hard. Teenage drama? About Vampires? It couldn’t be less appealing to me. But we got Netflix and there was nothing else on, so I took a chance and decided to watch a few. By the time a week had passed – I was through the first season and gobbling up the second. I am more than hooked. I am devoted.

I am as devoted to Vampire Diaries as I am to lists, so here are my top three reasons I love The Vampire Diaries.

The pacing. There are reveals and twists and almost every single episode ends in a viable cliffhanger (as opposed to the fake ones of True Blood – gah!). This show moves at a CRAZY pace.  Just when I think I understand something – it changes. Just as I’m getting tired of a plotline – it changes. And no one is safe, anyone could die. My favorite characters could all be killed.  It feels dangerous. In the best possible way.
The characters. It’s not just Damen. Though, there is no question, he’s fantastic. And Elena, oh, Elena could be tiresome. But she’s not. She’s gutsy and vulnerable. Most characters are shaded  – not all good, or not all bad. But what I really love about the characters is that they change, dramatically. It’s as if the writers think of a character and what they need from them and how they need them to behave and they start with the opposite, to show the character’s growth. A coward becomes brave. A selfish girl becomes a strong woman. A shallow mean boy becomes a tortured werewolf.  (as they so often do).

And the love triangle is beautiful.

Diligent attention to theme. One of the producers said that at its heart The Vampire Diaries is about loneliness. And it’s not just a little bit about loneliness – every single character has experience with loneliness. All of them are searching for connection. For family and love. And it would seem so heavy-handed with ALL of them being alone. But they are together in their loneliness. And it looks different on all of them, but it’s true at the heart of every character and every storyline – there is loneliness. Which plays so well into the teenage angst and alienation that covers it up.

For those of you who haven’t watched it, trust me, it’s so good. For those of you that love it, what do you love about it? Molly’s giving away a copy of Crazy Thing Called Love so let’s hear from you!

Come find me on the web at www.molly-okeefe.com or enter my CRAZY LITTLE THINGS contest on facebook http://www.facebook.com/MollyOKeefeBooks?ref=hl

Or join me on twitter https://twitter.com/MollyOKwrites

That Night on Thistle Lane Winner

The winner of a copy of That Night on Thistle Lane by Carla Neggers is…

donnas!

Congratulations, Donna. Please send your snail mail address to me at: beth@bethandrews.net. Thanks to everyone for chatting with us!

 

Winner of January’s Members Only Prize Bundle

Congratulations, Joli Simmons! You’re the winner of January’s Members Only Prize Bundle! Please contact me at: beth@bethandrews and I’ll make sure your prizes are sent ASAP!!

To be eligible for our monthly Members Only Prize Bundle, just open the monthly newsletter and you’ll be automatically entered in the contest. How easy is that?

February’s Coming Attractions

We have tons going on this month in the lair – launches and guests and contests…oh my! Check it out:

 

 

Feb 2:  Susan Sey is releasing a new single title contemporary–TASTE FOR TROUBLE! It’s the first book of a trilogy about the Blake Brothers—a trio of sexy bad boys from West Texas with a real taste for trouble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On February 5, Kate hosts her mystery pal, Avery Aames, who returns to the Lair to chat about her latest Cheese Shop Mystery, TO BRIE OR NOT TO BRIE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 7: Molly O’Keefe joins us to talk about her latest release and her new obsession: The Vampire Diaries!

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 19:  Join Susan Sey in celebrating LOVE IN THE LAND OF LAKES, an anthology of romantic short stories put together by her local RWA chapter, Midwest Fiction Writers.  It’s a collection of love stories set in…wait for it….Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes.  (http://www.midwestfiction.com/anthology_fundraiser.html)  Susan’s contribution is UNWRAPPED, featuring Sloan from her summer release KISS THE GIRL.  Sloan started out KTG as the world’s worst mother but ended up earning a HEA of her own.  Interested in how exactly that happened?  Check out UNWRAPPED!

 

 

 

 

Feb 12: Patricia Rice joins Nancy to chat about Trouble with Air and Magic.  This book continues the story of the Malcolm and Ives families that began with the historical Merely Magic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, 21st February, Anna Campbell hosts sparkling Shana Galen (www.shanagalen.com) who will tell us all about her equally sparkling new romance IF YOU GIVE A RAKE A RUBY, which recently scored a top pick from RT Book Reviews.

Feb 24: Join us for the launch party for A SEAL’s Surrender, Tawny’s latest fabulous release!

 

 

 

 

 

Contests:

Closing on 28th February, Anna Campbell is holding a Christmas in January contest where she’s giving away five downloads of her e-novella THE WINTER WIFE. All you need to do is email her on anna @ annacampbell.info (no spaces) and tell her the names of the hero and heroine of THE WINTER WIFE: A CHRISTMAS NOVELLA. You just might find the answer here: http://annacampbell.info/winterwife.html For more information, please visit Anna’s contests page: http://annacampbell.info/contest.html

 
 
 
 
 
Kate Carlisle is holding a monthly contest on her Facebook page, along with two other mystery writers! Three winners will each get a $25 gift card to the bookstore of their choice. Go to http://www.facebook.com/KateCarlisleBooks, then click the “Mystery Titles Contest” tab at the top of the page. Good luck!
 
Tawny Weber is having a Goodreads contest to give away 6 copies of A SEAL’s Surrender from Feb 1-14. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16000953-a-seal-s-surrender
 
Nancy Northcott is having a drawing for 5 NetGalley sneak peeks of her upcoming novella, Protector.  Winners will be chosen and notified February 14.  For details, check Nancy’s website: www.nancynorthcott.com.
 
Members Only Winner!

Congratulations, Joli Simmons! You’re the winner of January’s Members Only Prize Bundle! Please contact me at: beth@bethandrews and I’ll make sure your prizes are sent ASAP!!

 
To be eligible for our monthly Members Only Prize Bundle, just sign up to become one of our Bandita Buddies by joining the Members Only area of our website! Open the monthly newsletter and you’re automatically entered in the contest. How easy is that?
 
February’s Members Only Prize Bundle includes:

A SEAL’s Seduction by Tawny Weber
Kindle downloads of both TASTE FOR TROUBLE and
LOVE IN THE LAND OF LAKES by Susan Sey
A copy of PERIL IN PAPERBACK and some
bibliophile swag by Kate Carlisle
The first 2.5 stories (two books and a novella) in the
CROOKED CREEK SERIES by Molly O’Keefe
A download of THE PERFECT GIFT by Jo Robertson
THE FAMILY MAN by Trish Milburn
A download of THE PATRICIAN’S FORTUNE by Joan Kayse

I know what you’re thinking: “Wow! I want to win that!” Well, then sign up at the Members Den and read this month’s newsletter

 
 

Carla Neggers and That Night on Thistle Lane

Today we are thrilled to have Carla Neggers with us! Carla is The New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels including her latest release, That Night on Thistle Lane.

Welcome, Carla. We’re so glad you could spend time with us in the lair today. Your backlist is extensive (and impressive!) Has your writing changed over the years? Your writing routine?

I’ve always loved to write, starting when I was a kid climbing a tree with pad and pen. My favorite tree was a sugar maple at our family homestead on the western edge of Quabbin Reservoir in the stunningly beautiful Swift River Valley. Who knew then that this rich landscape and rich history would inspire me to create my very own fictional small town, Knights Bridge? That helps to explain my approach to writing. It’s always an adventure.

My writing routine has changed with my circumstances and other obligations. School, college, freelancing as a journalist, children of my own. Now I’m an empty-nester, and I’m enjoying the freedom to indulge my wanderlust and take writing retreats, especially to Ireland. Walking the Irish hills is good for the creative soul!

We all know that writing doesn’t necessarily get easier, no matter how many books we’ve written! What’s the hardest thing about writing for you? What’s the most rewarding?

Hm. This might sound funny but the hardest thing about writing for me is finding a balance between all the things I love about what I do. It’s actually easier to figure out how to manage the parts I don’t like: just get ‘em out of the way! With THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE, I had so much fun researching Hollywood gowns, fencing, goat’s milk soap…everything! I loved digging into the characters and making little Knights Bridge come to life. I also love meeting readers, chatting on social media, talking writing with my writer friends, hanging out with my agent and editor, haunting bookstores. Alas, there are only just so many hours in a day! It’s all rewarding. I’m so grateful to be able to do what I do.

Travel and research play a large part in your writing. What’s your most memorable trip? What’s the most interesting fact/research you discovered?

I do love to travel! Every trip’s memorable in some way. Whenever possible, I like to walk the ground my characters walk. I might have made up Knights Bridge but I grew up in the Swift River Valley and surrounding uplands. My trips to Ireland definitely stand out. On our first trip to the southwest Irish coast, I had no idea of setting a book there. None at all! Now Ireland plays a central role in my Sharpe & Donovan suspense series. In fact, most of DECLAN’S CROSS is set there. I’m always learning cool stuff as a writer. The *most* interesting tidbit, though? I can’t pinpoint just one but I can say I’m enjoying learning as much as possible about whiskey!

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working on a book?

Traveling, cooking, gardening, kayaking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing — love ‘em all, especially with family and friends. We recently went sledding; the whole gang. Life doesn’t get better than listening to a three-year-old squeal with delight!

 Is there anything special in your office or at your writing desk that inspires you?

Well. Right now there is that poster of Paris on my office wall. I’m just sayin’…

Could you tell us about That Night on Thistle Lane and your Swift River Valley series?

SECRETS OF THE LOST SUMMER and THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE, the first two books in my Swift River Valley series, bring best friends Dylan McCaffrey and Noah Kendrick — two very different men — to Knights Bridge, a small New England town on the edge of the vast Quabbin Reservoir. Knights Bridge is fictional but Quabbin is real. I grew up on the western edge of Quabbin. Our eighteenth-century house, a former carriage house, was almost razed when the reservoir was constructed, wiping four small, picturesque towns off the map. That was long before I was even born, but the incredible history and beauty of the Swift River Valley serve as a backdrop and inspiration for my very contemporary characters and their conflicts.

In THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE, Phoebe O’Dunn discovers a secret room in the library where she works. It’s filled with vintage Hollywood-style gowns. When she wears one to a Boston masquerade, she never expects to dance with a handsome swashbuckler. Finding out who he is and how the secret room came to be changes her life!

Tell us About your Library Contest, what a great idea!

Thanks! The “My Favorite Library Contest” gives people a chance to win $1000 for their favorite library as well as a collection of my books. All the details are on my website: www.carlaneggers.com. If we select your entry (100 words or less telling me about your favorite library), you also receive books and a gift basket of some of my favorite New England goodies. Libraries have meant so much to me and I’ve heard from countless readers over the years who feel the same. The contest runs until April 1 but please enter today!

Carla is giving away a copy of THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE to one lucky commenter today! Thanks, Carla, and thanks so much for being with us today!