Beth Sorensen's Blog, page 4

Big News (and a change of plans)!

In my last post, I promised some surprises in the next few months as well as my thoughts on my recent trip to Turkey. Well, that's exactly what I'm about to deliver; just not in the order I planned. I originally was going to start a three to four blog series about Istanbul next week. However, my plans have changed. (There's been a lot of that going on in my life lately!)

When I travel, I read a lot. On this trip I had the good fortune of reading Wired Kingdom by Rick Chesler. He wrote a wonderful high-seas murder mystery with tough-as-nails FBI agent, Tara Shores, as the main character. I highly suggest you read it now! (Well, after you finish reading this blog.)

Why the rush to read it? Two reasons.

Reason One: Rick Chesler's follow-up, entitled kiDNApped, is due out March 1st. It looks like Tara Shores is back for another deep-water mystery to unravel. (A moment of full-disclosure. Rick's latest novel is being released by my publisher, Chalet Publishers, but that's not why I'm raving about his writing.)

Reason Two: I am thrilled to announce that Rick Chesler has agreed to guest blog on here March 1st, the day his novel is set to be released. Do I know what he's going to talk about? No, but I'm certain it will be a great read. Be sure to stop by and check him out this Tuesday!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Has it really been a month since I've posted something new? Wow! Well time flies when you're having fun.

As most of you know, my fabulous hubby and I were finally going to take a honeymoon after fourteen years of marriage in Egypt. Needless to say, we never made it there. This is the point when I should start the pity party. But I won't.

Because …

After being married for so long I have instilled my sense of adventure in Michael. (The poor guy had no idea what he was getting into when he married me!) The week before we were scheduled to leave he looked at me and asked what I thought we should do. After a two minute discussion we had a backup plan: Istanbul, Turkey.

Within three hours we scrapped a trip sixteen months in the planning and bought airline tickets, researched and made hotel reservations, bought travel guides, and booked a half-day cruise.

Over the next few weeks I'll be blogging about the trip and some of the more colorful moments of our adventure! (You haven't lived until you've spent a morning at a Turkish Bath!)

Between now and the end of April, I'm hoping to have a few surprises for my blog readers. A contest or two, at least one guest blogger, a new article for Sweet Tea Magazine, and maybe even an announcement! (We'll see about the last, there's a lot in the works right now.)

I hope everyone enjoys this President's Day weekend and I'll be back next week. I promise!

The Playlist

Lately, a lot of people have asked me about my playlist for Crush at Thomas Hall. Those people, most of which are old friends of mine, know how much I love music. I could live without television but if music ceased to exist, my world would become an empty, sad place.

After a little hesitation, I've decided post my playlist below. Why the hesitation? It's eclectic and I fear it being misunderstood. Not everything is directly related to the book. Some of the songs inspired actual parts of the novel while others are just good typing music. I've commented on the songs where I've seen fit, but the lack of comment shouldn't be read to mean anything except I like the song.

Numb / Encore Mash-up by Linkin Park & Jay-Z – My warm-up music.

Over My Head by The Fray – If you've read the book, the main character spends a lot of time in over her head. And sometimes I did too.

Wanted by Jessie James

Green Light by John Legend – This is probably Edward's theme song where Cassandra is concerned.

Use Somebody by Kings of Leon – Definitely an underlying theme of the book.

Kiss Me Through the Phone by Soulja Boy – Inspired a series of phone calls between the two main characters.

Show Me What You Got by Jay-Z – I just love Jay-Z.

Sunday Morning by Maroon 5

Blame It by Jamie Foxx – The book takes place at a winery. Need I say more?

Heartless by Kris Allen

Wicked Game by Chris Isaak – One of the sexiest songs ever, at least in my opinion.

D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune) by Jay-Z

Midnight Romeo by Push Play

Welcome to the World by Kevin Rudolf – This novel, on some level, is the return of the main character after she checks out for a while to figure out who she is. Welcome back!

And The Winner Is …

The winner of last week's contest is …

Lisa Ramsey!

Lisa, I'll be in touch to get your mailing info and ship off your goodie bag as soon as they finish clearing the eight inches of snow we got last night.

This is the day of the week I usually post something new to my blog. However, since I'm knee deep in a round of edits for Divorcing A Dead Man, I'm going to forgo posting this week. But don't worry, I'll be back next week with something to say about life!

Happy New Year Indeed! (And A Contest)

So 2010 has gone by the wayside and ushered in 2011, a year I predicted would be epic for me. I posted this prediction on both Twitter, Facebook, and now this blog. There is only one problem: I have no idea what "epic" is or how to get there. Luckily, the universe has started defining it for me.

I recently found out that Crush at Thomas Hall has been reviewed by RT Book Reviews (Romantic Times) and it will appear in the February 2011 issue. The following link will connect you to their thoughts on my first novel.

http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/crush-thomas-hall

Needless to say, I am very happy about this. Talk about a great way to start the year!

For those of you who've been asking about the book's sequel, thank you for all of your encouraging words. The new year has brought some great inspiration and motivation to finish up the revisions. This novel has been much slower in coming together, but is turning into something I really love and am proud of creating. I am certain that 2011 will be the year I finish it and start a new project that has been rattling around in my head. Both of these events definitely qualify as epic, at least in my book writing world.

On a more personal note, I have two big events coming up. First, I'm getting a new mini-van tomorrow. It's epic in a weird, mom sort of way. At least that's what I'm trying to convince myself. The reality is I've had a few car problems lately and it's time to replace my current vehicle.

The second event is Egypt next month. That's right, I'm finally getting to go to Egypt. My husband and I are taking the honeymoon (no kids!) we never had the opportunity to take when we got married nearly 14 years ago. And a marriage that lasts that long is pretty epic in this day and age.

What else will make 2011 epic? I don't know yet. But if it continues the way it started, the prediction I made for myself might just be accurate.

So, since I'm have a great start to the new year I thought it would be nice to share. Leave me a comment at the end of this post between now and Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at noon (EST) and one randomly drawn winner will receive a goodie bag that will include, among other surprises, a tote bag from the 2010 NJ Romance Writers' Conference and a signed copy of Crush at Thomas Hall! I'll post the winner's name the evening of the 12th and get the prize box in the mail ASAP! Good Luck!

A Few Random Holiday Thoughts

I survived another season of Nutcracker. Delaware Dance Company does a fine production each year and 2010 was no exception. If you ever get the chance to see it you really should. (Full disclosure time: Both of my girls dance at the DDC and my oldest just danced in her third Nutcracker.)

The trees are decorated and the house is almost done being turned into a Christmas love fest. The shopping is pretty much done and I'm knee-deep in the wrapping and shipping phase of gift giving. Basicly, life is good.

So why are my children, the two youngest at least, driving me up a wall? Is it because it is less than two weeks before Christmas and they are impatient? Is it because it is insanely cold and they can't play outside? Or is it because the sun is setting earlier every day? Maybe the fact mid-term grades were just released and the two girls are on opposite ends of the grade spectrum is playing some sort of role. I don't know. But I keep threatening to send them to boarding school and make them share a dorm room! This leads me to wonder whether or not I'll survive Christmas break. We'll have to wait and see.

Many of my blog followers have asked about Divorcing A Dead Man. Revisions are coming along, but between book signings, health matters, and the girls after school activities I haven't made much progress so far this month and don't expect to make any until after the first of the year. I started the rough draft of the manuscript around this time a year ago and I am certain that my busy personal schedule took its toll on the feel of the story. I plan on picking up the sequel and finishing the revisions after the first of the year.

You probably won't hear from me until after the first of the year as I will be enjoying the holiday season with my family as I hope you will be with yours.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Years. I'll post again in 2011!

Book Signing: A Novel Idea, Chapter 2

Beth will be doing a book signing at A Novel Idea on December 4th from 6 to 8pm in conjuction with the 29th Annual Walk of Lights at Dutch Neck Village.  Come on out and enjoy the shopping and fun. And don't forget, books make great holiday gifts!