Beth Groundwater's Blog, page 51
May 2, 2011
A Fundraiser Booksigning
Thursday, April 28th, on the first day of my 9-events-in-10-days book tour, One More Page Books in Arlington, Virginia, hosted me for a fundraiser booksigning for American Rivers, a river conservation nonprofit. The first photo below shows me with store owner Eileen.
It was a fun event with a mix of conservationists, river paddlers, mystery writers and readers, friends of mine from when I used to live in Northern Virginia, and a niece and her boyfriend who attend nearby George Mason University.
Wilke Nelson, the Deputy VP of Resource Development at American Rivers, began the evening with a brief overview of American Rivers and what they do (he's with me in the first photo below). Then I talked about my former days as a "river rat," the research I did for Deadly Currents, and what the book was about (second photo below).
After that, we opened the floor for a free-ranging Q&A discussion that ranged from my writing process to the water rights subplot in the book, to characteristics of the paddling community.
After the Q&A session, we socialized over coffee and snacks and I signed books. What an interesting evening! It was a great kick-off for my tour, the store donated 10% of their sales that evening to American Rivers, and I bought some local Virginia wine and gourmet chocolates to give as bread-and-butter gifts to my future hosts on the trip.
My niece and her boyfriend are in the first photo below. followed by other attendees in the next two photos.
Here's the friendly staff of One More Page Books.
And here's a view of the bookstore, as the event wound down.
It was a fun event with a mix of conservationists, river paddlers, mystery writers and readers, friends of mine from when I used to live in Northern Virginia, and a niece and her boyfriend who attend nearby George Mason University.
Wilke Nelson, the Deputy VP of Resource Development at American Rivers, began the evening with a brief overview of American Rivers and what they do (he's with me in the first photo below). Then I talked about my former days as a "river rat," the research I did for Deadly Currents, and what the book was about (second photo below).
After that, we opened the floor for a free-ranging Q&A discussion that ranged from my writing process to the water rights subplot in the book, to characteristics of the paddling community.
After the Q&A session, we socialized over coffee and snacks and I signed books. What an interesting evening! It was a great kick-off for my tour, the store donated 10% of their sales that evening to American Rivers, and I bought some local Virginia wine and gourmet chocolates to give as bread-and-butter gifts to my future hosts on the trip.
My niece and her boyfriend are in the first photo below. followed by other attendees in the next two photos.
Here's the friendly staff of One More Page Books.
And here's a view of the bookstore, as the event wound down.
April 28, 2011
On the Road Again ...
I'm over at Inkspot today, talking about the glamorous life (HAH!) of an author on book tour. Please read the post and let me know what you think. Even better, if you live in Virginia, Maryland, or near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I hope you'll come to one of the events on my East Coast Book Tour. See the Appearances page of my website for details. And wish me luck!
April 27, 2011
A Review from the 2000 Year Old Librarian
Doris Ann Norris is affectionately known by her many, many friends as the "2000 year old librarian." A retired library director, she is renowned in the world of mystery fiction. She served for five years as the Library Liaison on the national board of Sisters in Crime. She will be feted at the 2012 Bouchercon conference as the Fan Guest of Honor. I first met Doris Ann at a Mayhem in the Midlands mystery conference in Omaha, Nebraska, and I immediately felt a kinship with her as we swapped recommendations of favorite mystery books and authors.
When Doris Ann speaks, people listen, because she's known to have impeccable taste in mysteries. That's why I was absolutely thrilled when she posted a glowing review of my recent Deadly Currents release on the DorothyL email discussion list of lovers of the mystery genre. When I emailed her to thank her and ask her if I could share the review on my blog and website, she said, "You're welcome and you can certainly print any part you want. I'm looking forward to the next one..."
So, I won't copy her whole review here (you can search the DorothyL archives for that), but here are my favorite parts:
"Beth Groundwater has left wicker for water in Deadly Currents. Her new series features a river ranger (and former guide), Mandy Tanner of Salida, Colorado as she helps to make the Arkansas River safe for tourists and casual and more ardent adventurers who love (or just want to try) whitewater rafting.
...
Fast-moving and exciting, Deadly Currents is a most enjoyable mystery with a strong heroine of whom I wish to see more. From the blurb on the back of the book, I had no trouble seeing Beth as a 'river rat' and find these adventures more entertaining than gift baskets. Get on board for this series."
- Doris Ann Norris, the 2000-year-old librarian
Thank you, Doris Ann! In a related note, over 180 library systems that subscribe to the Worldcat Interlibrary Loan network already have copies of Deadly Currents on their shelves. Pick up a copy from your favorite bookstore or library and read it now!
When Doris Ann speaks, people listen, because she's known to have impeccable taste in mysteries. That's why I was absolutely thrilled when she posted a glowing review of my recent Deadly Currents release on the DorothyL email discussion list of lovers of the mystery genre. When I emailed her to thank her and ask her if I could share the review on my blog and website, she said, "You're welcome and you can certainly print any part you want. I'm looking forward to the next one..."
So, I won't copy her whole review here (you can search the DorothyL archives for that), but here are my favorite parts:
"Beth Groundwater has left wicker for water in Deadly Currents. Her new series features a river ranger (and former guide), Mandy Tanner of Salida, Colorado as she helps to make the Arkansas River safe for tourists and casual and more ardent adventurers who love (or just want to try) whitewater rafting.
...
Fast-moving and exciting, Deadly Currents is a most enjoyable mystery with a strong heroine of whom I wish to see more. From the blurb on the back of the book, I had no trouble seeing Beth as a 'river rat' and find these adventures more entertaining than gift baskets. Get on board for this series."
- Doris Ann Norris, the 2000-year-old librarian
Thank you, Doris Ann! In a related note, over 180 library systems that subscribe to the Worldcat Interlibrary Loan network already have copies of Deadly Currents on their shelves. Pick up a copy from your favorite bookstore or library and read it now!
April 25, 2011
A Skiing Easter in Breckenridge
Last week, I had three book promotion events on Saturday, Sunday, and Thursday, and this Thursday, I leave VERY early in the morning on a 10-day trip back east that will include 9 promotion events. In between, I needed a break from writing and promoting, so I did something completely different--I went skiing. I made some final powder turns for the season and got my legs good and achy during the last three days that the Breckenridge ski resort was open to the public.
Friday, I got back into my ski groove after a three week break since the last time I was on the boards. Saturday, my husband and I skied with friends Arlene and Jay. And, we had our picture taken with the Easter Bunny! In the first photo below, I'm solo with the bunny. In the second photo, my husband is the one with the white beard and dressed in blue.
Sunday, our college-aged son came up with a friend of his to snowboard the mountain. I chatted with them briefly at the top of the Imperial Chair, but I didn't meet up with them again until we broke for a late lunch at 1:30 PM. Mom is too slow for these guys (including my husband!). I had one spill, blowing out of both skis in heavy, wet snow on the Boneyard run. There's a reason that black-diamond slope has that name! I managed to collect my gear and get going again, though.
At 2, the luau began on patio outside the T Bar at the base of Peak 8. Free samples of roasted pig, discounted drinks, rocking music, a roaming beach ball, and resort hospitality staff handing out chocolates all added to the festivities. My pina colada in a real coconut hit the spot! Folks came in all sorts of costumes, including Vikings, grass skirts and loud shirts, a banana, Nemo the fish, a penguin, a dog, and of course, lots of bunny ears.
After some libations, the young men hit the terrain park, and my husband and I hit the hot tub back at our Breckenridge home for a much-needed soak. The guys (and a young woman from school they found at the T Bar) joined us for an Easter dinner of ham, yams, broccoli, and homemade chocolate chocolate chip cookies made by my pastry chef son before they got in their cars for the snowy drive back to Denver.
Today, after laundry, cleaning, and catching up on email, we'll head back to Colorado Springs. Refreshed and relaxed, I'll start packing and finalizing plans for my east coast book tour.
Friday, I got back into my ski groove after a three week break since the last time I was on the boards. Saturday, my husband and I skied with friends Arlene and Jay. And, we had our picture taken with the Easter Bunny! In the first photo below, I'm solo with the bunny. In the second photo, my husband is the one with the white beard and dressed in blue.
Sunday, our college-aged son came up with a friend of his to snowboard the mountain. I chatted with them briefly at the top of the Imperial Chair, but I didn't meet up with them again until we broke for a late lunch at 1:30 PM. Mom is too slow for these guys (including my husband!). I had one spill, blowing out of both skis in heavy, wet snow on the Boneyard run. There's a reason that black-diamond slope has that name! I managed to collect my gear and get going again, though.
At 2, the luau began on patio outside the T Bar at the base of Peak 8. Free samples of roasted pig, discounted drinks, rocking music, a roaming beach ball, and resort hospitality staff handing out chocolates all added to the festivities. My pina colada in a real coconut hit the spot! Folks came in all sorts of costumes, including Vikings, grass skirts and loud shirts, a banana, Nemo the fish, a penguin, a dog, and of course, lots of bunny ears.
After some libations, the young men hit the terrain park, and my husband and I hit the hot tub back at our Breckenridge home for a much-needed soak. The guys (and a young woman from school they found at the T Bar) joined us for an Easter dinner of ham, yams, broccoli, and homemade chocolate chocolate chip cookies made by my pastry chef son before they got in their cars for the snowy drive back to Denver.
Today, after laundry, cleaning, and catching up on email, we'll head back to Colorado Springs. Refreshed and relaxed, I'll start packing and finalizing plans for my east coast book tour.
April 22, 2011
An Evening in Salida, Colorado
Salida, Colorado is the setting for Deadly Currents, the first book in my Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures mystery series. Yesterday, I spent a lovely evening there. It began with a 4:30 - 5:30 PM book signing at The Book Haven downtown, a wonderful independent bookstore with a very friendly owner and staff.
The next two photos are from that event. The first shows two local outdoorsmen on the left and Stew Pappenfort, the Senior Ranger for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, on the right. Stew is my go-to expert for the series. Note his ranger uniform and the radio mike slung over his shoulder. The second photo is of a woman who was traveling in Colorado and whose Kindle broke on the air flight. So, she was in the bookstore looking for something to read and picked up a copy of Deadly Currents. She and her husband were going on to Colorado Springs, so I gave them some advice about touring the Garden of the Gods Park there.
After the signing was a lively exchange with the store's bookclub, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. They had picked Deadly Currents for their monthly discussion and had lots of interesting questions for me. The next two photos are of most of the members of the group. Note the yummy treats!
Finally at 7:00, five of us headed over to The Fritz tapas bar to share some delicious small plates and conversation about Salida and books before I jumped in my car and headed up to Breckenridge, Colorado. I'm joining my husband and son in celebrating the last weekend of the ski resort being open for the phenomenal 2010-2011 season, with over 500 inches of snow total.
The next two photos are from that event. The first shows two local outdoorsmen on the left and Stew Pappenfort, the Senior Ranger for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, on the right. Stew is my go-to expert for the series. Note his ranger uniform and the radio mike slung over his shoulder. The second photo is of a woman who was traveling in Colorado and whose Kindle broke on the air flight. So, she was in the bookstore looking for something to read and picked up a copy of Deadly Currents. She and her husband were going on to Colorado Springs, so I gave them some advice about touring the Garden of the Gods Park there.
After the signing was a lively exchange with the store's bookclub, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. They had picked Deadly Currents for their monthly discussion and had lots of interesting questions for me. The next two photos are of most of the members of the group. Note the yummy treats!
Finally at 7:00, five of us headed over to The Fritz tapas bar to share some delicious small plates and conversation about Salida and books before I jumped in my car and headed up to Breckenridge, Colorado. I'm joining my husband and son in celebrating the last weekend of the ski resort being open for the phenomenal 2010-2011 season, with over 500 inches of snow total.
April 21, 2011
Top Ten Review Blurbs for DEADLY CURRENTS
During the few months before the release of Deadly Currents, the first book in my new Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures mystery series, and during the month after the release, I've been collecting review blurbs from print and on-line book reviewers. I posted a few of them as they were published, but I decided to gather them all up and share a short blurb from my top ten favorites with my blog readers. Needless to say, I've been very, very pleased with and thankful for the reception Deadly Currents has received from reviewers.
If you have read Deadly Currents, I'd love to hear what you think of it, either personally, by contacting me at my website, or even better, on-line at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, or anywhere else other mystery readers could see your reviews.
Here's the Top Ten:
"Readers who enjoy fast-moving stories and wilderness environments will keep turning the pages of this promising series debut."
-- Booklist Online, January 24, 2011
"Groundwater kicks off a new series that combines outdoor action with more than a modicum of old-fashioned detection."
-- Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2011
"This enjoyable first in a new cozy series from Groundwater introduces Mandy Tanner, 'a brand new seasonal river ranger' on Colorado's Arkansas River."
-- Publisher's Weekly, January 10, 2011
"With a fresh locale and a spunky ... heroine, this is a promising new series by the author of the gift-basket designer Claire Hanover mysteries."
-- Library Journal, March 1, 2011
"Groundwater's novel is filled with river lore, vivid descriptions, and loving depictions of the varied characters who make up the tight-knit community."
-- Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June, 2011
"This was a wave-smashing soak-yourself-to-the-bone ride and I'm looking forward to the next adventure in this energizing series."
-- Dru's Book Musings, March 17, 2011
"The novel moves like a category five: raging, foaming, and churning all the way to the end. Hold on to the covers of this novel, the pages turn quickly, as racing through this whodunit is not an option."
-- Gelati's Scoop, March 1, 2011
"Deadly Currents leaves the readers thirsty for more. The writing is simple but superb, the characters come alive--rising from the pages because of their realistic depictions and dialogue."
-- Miami Books Examiner, March 5, 2011
"Those who enjoy environmental mysteries – Sandi Ault's Jamaica Wild series, Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series, C.J. Box's Joe Picket series, ... to name just a few – will welcome this new addition to their ranks."
-- Mystery Series Examiner, February 20, 2011
"In Deadly Currents you will be taken through the rapids just as fast and just as deadly as the river itself. She will also give you one last Class IV ride at the very end as she reveals the true killer. Reading Deadly Currents has made me feel as though I've actually ridden the river myself."
-- A Book and A Dish, March 16, 2011
April 20, 2011
A Breakthrough on a Final Climax
I had a breakthrough on my Work-in-Progress the day before yesterday. My Work-in-Progress is the third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series. The manuscript has been drafted, and I've been submitting chapters to my critique group, performing edits before and after each submittal.
I am due to submit the chapter containing the final climax tonight. I had been dissatisfied with it, however, and knew it needed fixing. The stakes needed to be raised, and I needed to "make things worse" for my heroine. I had to give her a bigger test that she could pass and prove that she is worthy of the title "heroine."
As the time approached for that climax scene to be shared with my critique group, ideas on how to fix it stewed in my brain. First came the idea on how to spin the situation more out of control and put a life in danger. Then I had to figure out how Claire was going to save the day!
That idea came a couple of days before the rewrite. Finally, I had a free day with no appointments, and I sat down to edit that scene, vowing to stay off the Internet until it was done. Eight hours and eight new pages of text (plus many rewritten pages) later, I was done.
The scene now has a lot more tension and conflict. I'm pretty pleased with the result. I hope my critique group will be, too!
April 19, 2011
Meet the Faces Behind the Books
Last Sunday, April 17th, I participated in Englewood Library's annual "Meet the Faces Behind the Books" event. About sixty Colorado authors descended on the library to talk to patrons about their books, which covered the complete gamut from fiction to nonfiction, children's to adult. A hoard of library staff and volunteers worked behind and in front of the scenes to make the event a success, and I want to shout out a big thank-you to all of them, but especially to the Event Coordinator, Deb Parker.
After an entertaining carpool ride from Colorado Springs to Englewood with Cicily Janus, author of The New Face of Jazz, we checked in at the library at 11:30 AM. The next half hour was spent filling out paperwork, consigning extra books into the bookstore, setting up our table displays, and exchanging "how-do's" with fellow authors. Some of those whom I already knew I hadn't seen in months and others I'd just seen two weeks ago at the Pikes Peak Library District's "Mountain of Authors" program.
I managed to get two photos (see below). The first is of me with Carolyn Jennings, author of Hunger Speaks, Deb Parker, and Jeanne Stein, author of the Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. The second is of me with Deborah Coonts, author of Lucky Stiff, and Cicily Janus.
At noon, the authors, volunteers, and staff were invited to a sumptuous reception, which is shown in the photo below. As we snacked on the goodies, the library staff welcomed us and thanked the authors for coming. Then all of the authors took a turn stating their name and what they write.
At one, the doors opened to the public, and I was too busy to take any more photos until the event came to an end at three. I handed out lots of postcards and chatted with many mystery readers. I even signed a few books! I was glad I brought consignment copies because the store sold out of theirs and needed to dip into my stash. After the ride home with Cicily, I plopped into my easy chair and fell asleep halfway through the Sunday crossword puzzle.
After an entertaining carpool ride from Colorado Springs to Englewood with Cicily Janus, author of The New Face of Jazz, we checked in at the library at 11:30 AM. The next half hour was spent filling out paperwork, consigning extra books into the bookstore, setting up our table displays, and exchanging "how-do's" with fellow authors. Some of those whom I already knew I hadn't seen in months and others I'd just seen two weeks ago at the Pikes Peak Library District's "Mountain of Authors" program.
I managed to get two photos (see below). The first is of me with Carolyn Jennings, author of Hunger Speaks, Deb Parker, and Jeanne Stein, author of the Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. The second is of me with Deborah Coonts, author of Lucky Stiff, and Cicily Janus.
At noon, the authors, volunteers, and staff were invited to a sumptuous reception, which is shown in the photo below. As we snacked on the goodies, the library staff welcomed us and thanked the authors for coming. Then all of the authors took a turn stating their name and what they write.
At one, the doors opened to the public, and I was too busy to take any more photos until the event came to an end at three. I handed out lots of postcards and chatted with many mystery readers. I even signed a few books! I was glad I brought consignment copies because the store sold out of theirs and needed to dip into my stash. After the ride home with Cicily, I plopped into my easy chair and fell asleep halfway through the Sunday crossword puzzle.
April 18, 2011
A Chocolate Fountain Signing
No, I didn't sign the chocolate fountain, but it was featured at the signing that I held at Beth Anne's Book Corner last Saturday. Beth Anne has a chocolate fountain that she has brought out for past signings, so I struck a deal with her that I'd bring the fruit and pound cake for dipping if she'd haul it out for my signing of Deadly Currents at her store.
Bonnie Mathis, a fan of the store and my previous books who has become a friend, and her husband Danny came for the whole signing, and he graciously took photos. A few of those are shown below, and Danny and Bonnie are with me in the first one. My friend Ron, in the last photo, even wore a kayak T-shirt in celebration of the whitewater river venue for Deadly Currents. It was a fun event, with good times and good company, and I had my fill of chocolate to boot. Beth Anne really knows how to put on a good signing!
Bonnie Mathis, a fan of the store and my previous books who has become a friend, and her husband Danny came for the whole signing, and he graciously took photos. A few of those are shown below, and Danny and Bonnie are with me in the first one. My friend Ron, in the last photo, even wore a kayak T-shirt in celebration of the whitewater river venue for Deadly Currents. It was a fun event, with good times and good company, and I had my fill of chocolate to boot. Beth Anne really knows how to put on a good signing!
April 15, 2011
A Guest Post about "Water Rights as a Mystery Subplot"
Today, I am a guest on the Buried Under Books blog. I talk about one of the subplots that I wove into my Deadly Currents mystery, the issue of water rights. This is a huge issue, especially in the Western United States, where water has always been scarce. There are predictions that fresh water soon will become the most fought-after resource in the world. With all the competing needs for a scarce resource, there's plenty of room for conflict—maybe even murder! ;-) Please read the article and join in the discussion in the comments. Do you enjoy reading mysteries with global-issue-related subplots? What are some of your favorites?
