Sunday Signing in Breckenridge and a 5-Star Review!

Along with my two appearances on Saturday in Monument, Colorado, and Glendale, Colorado tomorrow (see post below), I will be signing copies of my latest release, A Basket of Trouble, and my other books, at The French Kiss boutique in Breckenridge, Colorado on Sunday. I'll also be handing out my sleuth Claire Hanover's "Tips for Making Perfect Gift Baskets." The full details are:

Sunday, December 1, 2013, Noon – 2PM
Signing by Local Mystery Author Beth Groundwater
The French Kiss
226 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424  

And, I just received a wonderful 5-star review for A Basket of Trouble from Lori Caswell on her Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book blog. Read it HERE!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a time for stepping way from the hubbub of everyday life to celebrate all that we have to be grateful for with family and friends. I'm grateful for my family and friends, my health, financial security, and being lucky enough to live in the United States of America. I'm also grateful for my ability to write mystery novels and for the readers who read those novels and tell me how much they enjoy them.

My husband is always grateful for the pumpkin pie. What are you grateful for?

I wish all of my blog readers a Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings for which you can be grateful!

Past and Future Events

On Wednesday, November 13th, I visited the Briargate Library branch of the PPLD (Pikes Peak Library District) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I met with about a dozen members of the Mystery Book Club there to discuss Deadly Currents, the first book in my RM Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger Mandy Tanner, which they selected to read this month. We also talked about my writing life and my other mystery series, the Claire Hanover gift basket designer series, specifically the third book, A Basket of Trouble, which was officially released on November 8th.

I had a great time with the group and it's moderator, librarian Missy Hernandez, as you can see from the photos below (Missy is in the first one with me). I love talking to book clubs, and if you would like to invite me to visit yours, in-person or remotely via technology, take a look at the Book Clubs page of my website and contact me to arrange a visit.

This coming Saturday, November 30th, I will make two more appearances along the front range of Colorado. If you live nearby, I hope you will stop by and say hi! The first appearance at Covered Treasures is part of IndieBound's nationwide "Indies First Small Business Saturday" event in which over 500 independent bookstores are hosting more than 1000 authors to encourage book readers to support their local bookstores.

Saturday, November 30, 2013, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Signing during Small Business Saturday with Michael Madigan
Covered Treasures Bookstore
105 Second Street, Monument, CO 80132-1066

Sunday, November 30, 2013, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Panel Signing with fellow Midnight Ink authors
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
900 S Colorado Blvd, Glendale, CO 80246

Review of A BASKET OF TROUBLE in Kings River Life and Free Book Contest!

Yesterday, a review of my latest release, A Basket of Trouble, the third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series that features trail riding, appeared in the webzine, Kings River Life Magazine. In conjunction with the review, the magazine is offering a book giveaway contest for a free autographed copy of the book for those who leave a comment on the review. Please check out the review, and good luck in the contest!

Also, I submitted an article to the Mystery Readers Journal titled, "A Basket of Trouble on Horseback," for the Fall, 2013 Murder in Transit issue. That issue was just released and my article was included, so if you are a subscriber, please look for my byline. If you aren't a subscriber, now might be the time!

Suspense Radio Interview!

I would like to invite you all of my blog readers to listen in to my interview at John Raab's Suspense Radio program on blogtalkradio today, Saturday, November 23rd. I'll be on at 11:00 PST, noon MST, 1:00 PM CST, 2:00 PM EST, following his interview with Kevin Finn and Susan Sloate the hour before.

Go HERE to tune in on-line during the show or to listen to it afterward once it gets placed in the archives. I'd love to get some live questions from listeners!

Today's Mystery Author Guest: John Gaspard

As promised yesterday, fellow mystery author John Gaspard is visiting my blog today, with answers to my interview questions. To read John's bio and see his photo, please page down to yesterday's post. Also, John is running a contest for a free autographed copy of The Ambitious Card, the cover art for which appears above. John will select the winner tomorrow evening from among those who leave a comment today or tomorrow and will announce the name in a comment on this post.

In the book, the life of a magician isn’t all kiddie shows and card tricks. Sometimes it’s murder. Especially when magician Eli Marks very publicly debunks a famed psychic, and said psychic ends up dead.  The evidence, including a bloody King of Diamonds playing card (one from Eli’s own Ambitious Card routine), directs the police right to Eli.

As more psychics are slain, and more King cards rise to the top, Eli can’t escape suspicion. Things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic, and Eli discovers she’s the next target for murder, and he’s scheduled to die with her. Now Eli must use every trick he knows to keep them both alive and reveal the true killer.

Sounds like a very intriguing read to me! Below are John's answers to my interview questions.

1. Who or what inspired you to start writing and when did you start?

I started writing film scripts as a kid in junior and senior high; I liked shooting movies and I needed something to shoot. So I wrote scripts. This continued for years, as the scripts got longer and more complex.

The author of one the great filmmaking books, Breaking Through, Selling Out, Dropping Dead (and Other Notes on Filmmaking), William Bayer, wrote about how he turned to novel writing as he got older, as an adjunct to scriptwriting. So that always seemed like an option in the back of my mind.

2. What tools and process do you use to “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the books?

I’m not a magician. However my main character is a magician, as are several minor characters. So I spent a couple years learning everything I could about the life of a magician. That meant reading books and biographies, going to magic conventions, hanging out with magicians … even taking lessons from a magician in order to learn how to perform the ambitious card routine.

This process continues throughout and even after the book is written. I’m still learning new things, which leads to ideas for the next book in the series, The Bullet Catch.

3. How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I always know the ending and all the key elements that need to happen along the way. However, when it comes to specifics, I generally only know what’s happening in the chapter I’m writing and have a general idea of what will happen in the next chapter. I keep it very loose, so I can adapt to ideas that pop up while writing.

4. In the age-old question of character versus plot, which one do you think is most important in a murder mystery and which one do you emphasize in your writing? Why?

Well, it has to be a good mystery, or else the reader is going to feel cheated. However, it’s the characters that bring the mystery to life and make you want to keep reading. So I start with what I think will be a good mystery and then find ways to get my main character involved in the mystery as deeply as possible.

5. What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?

Surprisingly little time is spent actually writing. Most of the time is spent thinking about the writing – what specifically will happen next, how can I add a twist, what humorous elements can I come up with? I let all that roll around in my head, take notes when ideas occur to me, and then find a few spare hours to actually sit down and write it.

6. What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

Write a book that you’d like to read. Don’t try to write a best seller – write what you find interesting. If you’re passionate about it, that will come through in the writing and people will respond to that.

Oh, and don’t take all the rejections personally. That will make you crazy.

7. Now here’s a zinger. Tell us something about yourself that you have not revealed in another interview yet. Something as simple as your favorite TV show or food will do.

I’m a big fan of the movie Harold and Maude. I’ve seen it countless times; that’s true. I have lost count. At least a hundred times. Anyway, when I was in high school, the movie played for over two years at the same theater here in Minneapolis. For the two-year anniversary, the film’s stars – Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort – came to town. I was able to have dinner with Bud Cort … and the next day, received a kiss on the cheek by Ruth Gordon.

8. What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

I’m working on the next book in the Eli Marks series (The Bullet Catch) and making notes for the one that comes after that.

9. Is there anything else you would like to tell my blog readers?

Please check out my film blog, where I interview filmmakers. Also, take a look at my publisher's website page about The Ambitious Card.


Thanks, John! Now, who has a comment or question for John Gaspard? Good luck in the contest!

Tomorrow's Guest: John Gaspard

Tomorrow, fellow mystery author John Gaspard will guest on my blog. He answers my interview questions, and I'm sure you'll be intrigued by what he has to say.  Also, John will run a contest for an autographed copy of his first mystery release, The Ambitious Card, which features a magician sleuth. He will choose the winner from among those who leave a comment.

In real life, John’s not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less – that’s no small trick. He’s also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, they’ve made more than the films.

His blog, Fast, Cheap Movie Thoughts, has been named “One of the 50 Best Blogs for Moviemakers” and “One of The 100 Best Blogs For Film and Theater Students.” He’s also written for TV and the stage. John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several dogs, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.

Blabbing at Inkspot

I'm over at Inkspot, the blog for Midnight Ink authors, today, with a round-up of the reviews, blogs, and excitement surrounding the November 8th release of A Basket of Trouble, the third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series. Please take a look!

Mystery Writing Advice From Moi

As part of my on-line promotion activities for my November release, A Basket of Trouble, the critically acclaimed third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer series, I am visiting Savvy Authors today. I wrote an article about "Engineering A Mystery" which describes all of the essential ingredients for the basic recipe that makes my mysteries a tasty treat for readers. I hope the article will be of interest to both mystery writers and readers. Please take a look at it HERE, and leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

On-line and In-person Events for the Release of A BASKET OF TROUBLE!

Today I am appearing both on-line and in-person to promote the release of A Basket of Trouble, the third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series. My on-line appearance is at the Savvy Authors blog, with an article about "Engineering a Mystery," that I hope will be informative for both mystery writers and readers. Please check it out!

My in-person appearances are taking place in Colorado Springs, CO, today, the setting for the book. Here's where I'll be:

Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 10:00 – 12:00 AM
Visit with Mystery Book Club, public welcome
Briargate Community Library
9475 Briar Village Point, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Signing
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
795 Citadel Drive East, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 

I hope to see some Colorado Springs friends and readers at these events!

On-line Excitement for A BASKET OF TROUBLE

In conjunction with the November 8th release of A Basket of Trouble, the critically acclaimed third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer series, I am visiting some blogs this week. Yesterday, Jessy Randall on the Hey, There's A Dead Guy in the Living Room blog interviewed me. Find out about the worst job I ever had and more!

Today, my amateur sleuth, gift basket designer Claire Hanover, is visiting Dru Ann Love's blog, Dru's Book Musings, to talk about a stressful day in her life. Both she and I will answer questions from mystery readers there, and Dru Ann is running a contest for a free autographed copy of A Basket of Trouble, drawing the winner's name from among those who leave a comment. Good luck!

Also, a few days ago, A Date With a Book blog posted a very complimentary and detailed 4-star review of A Basket of Trouble. I hope you'll go over there and read it!

Finally, unrelated to this release, but to my other 2013 release, Fatal Descent, the third book in my RM Outdoor Adventures series, Colorado Country Life magazine selected the book as a Recommended Read for 2013!

Release Day for A BASKET OF TROUBLE!

Yippee!! Today is the official release day for A Basket of Trouble, the third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer series. It takes place in Colorado Springs, CO, and features horseback riding and hippotherapy. Follow the link for the book blurb, reviews, excerpts, discussion questions, and "buy me" links.

A Basket of Trouble has hit ALL FOUR of the big 4 review publications (Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly)!! Only one other release of mine has hit all four, and that was the first in a series, Deadly Currents. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the reception that A Basket of Trouble is receiving from reviewers so far. Just to whet your appetite, here's a pull quote from the latest review by Library Journal:

"Groundwater’s third series entry (after To Hell in a Handbasket) is an action-packed cozy that successfully weaves in her small business and disability awareness."
  -- Library Journal, November 1, 2013

A Basket of Trouble is widely available in bookstores (If it's not on the shelf, order it!), libraries (If it's not on the shelves, request it!), and from on-line retailers, including: Indie Bound, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and direct from the publisher, Midnight Ink. Do you have any mystery readers on your holiday gift list? This book, and the first two in the series, A Real Basket Case and To Hell in a Handbasket, might be perfect for them. If you'd like signed bookplates or business cards to go with your gifts, contact me at my website, and I'll arrange to send them to you.

I'm visiting a number of blogs next week to promote the book, and I'll post links here to those guest articles as they go live.  In the meantime, here are a couple of recent interviews with me (the first one was posted yesterday) that were done for the release:

Lisa K's Book Reviews

The Big Thrill 

I'm also still visiting the Barnes and Noble mystery book club through Saturday and responding to reader questions there, and my Goodreads Giveaway contest is still running until the end of today.

I hope you'll celebrate this release with me by lifting a glass of your favorite beverage and wishing me luck. Buying a copy for yourself wouldn't hurt either! ;-)

Today's Mystery Author Guest: Mark W. Danielson

As promised yesterday, fellow mystery author Mark W. Danielson is visiting my blog today, with an article about how he developed the plot for his latest release, Spectral Gallows. To read Mark's bio and see his photo, please page down to yesterday's post. Also, Mark is running a contest for a free autographed copy of Spectral Gallows, the cover art for which appears above. Mark will select the winner tomorrow evening from among those who leave a comment today or tomorrow and will announce the name in a comment on this post.

In the book, Maxx Watts and partner Blaine Spartan blow through the door of The Chuck Wagon Diner, grabbing a table before the lunch crowd hits. They quickly pick up on a heated dialog at the next table concerning police fabricating a suicide ruling. "I tell you, it was murder!" spits out a hulky man dressed in black, slamming his fist on the table. Confronting the two men, "Hulk" bails out, leaving his companion behind. The detectives are told the argument concerned an uncle who hanged himself in the Scott Theater over forty years ago. Riveted by the man's claim, Watts and Spartan visit the dungeon where the death occurred. The phenomena they see and whispers of murder commit them to resolving the case. Had the dead man's spirit been leaving clues or had this all been a diversion so another murder could take place? Uncertain whether to believe in the netherworld, Watts must confront his father's past to determine his future with CSI tech Daisy Woods.

Sounds like an interesting read to me! Below is Mark's article.

Spectral Gallows

By Mark W. Danielson

I’m probably going out on a limb by saying that every novel is inspired by real-life events, but I do believe it.  I found this especially true for my latest release, Spectral Gallows – a story I never planned to write.  At the time, I was well into the sequel for Writer’s Block, the first in my Maxx Watts detective series, when I returned from an international trip, exhausted.  For those who have spent long hours on an airplane, you know how changing time zones and endless vibration can transform you into a Zombie.  Multiply that times ten and you can understand how physically demanding an airline pilot’s two week trip can be.

As I lay in bed, my body trembling, my brain struggling to shut down, an idea came to mind.  Why not write about a character who is drunk on sleep?  The premise excited me so much I jotted it down before I drifted off.  When I was mentally prepared to resume my writing, I set the first sequel aside.  Who knew that agonizing unrest could be a muse for murder mysteries?

For reasons I cannot explain, my shattered physical state easily transferred to a down-and-out Vietnam Veteran suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  In the opening scene, the vet and his much younger buddy are arguing over a forty-plus year old death in Fort Worth’s Scott Theater.  The veteran was insisting it was murder, not suicide when Homicide Detectives Maxx Watts and Blaine Spartan walked in, referring to the actor who hanged himself in the theater’s basement.  Later, as the detectives visit the theater to see where the death occurred, they hear unexplained sounds like someone calling out murder, except there is no one else around.  By the way, the Scott Theater is a real location that has been certified as haunted by a dead actor’s spirit.

As I said, I didn’t stumble onto this story – it was sent to me in my sleep.  And since my writing comes from subconscious thoughts, I allow my characters to lead me through their stories.  Of course, I could not write this novel without first researching paranormal activity and quantum mechanics.  My paranormal and physics experts’ contributions were stunningly illuminating.

By coincidence, paranormal themes seem to be “in” right now, but that isn’t why I wrote Spectral Gallows.  Not a day goes by when I don’t think about our suffering veterans, past and present, and imagine how difficult their lives must be.  Hopefully my readers will recognize these veterans’ sacrifices as they are drawn into this story.  It was fun pitting believers against non-believers while keeping the reader guessing as to its outcome.  I should mention that although I’ve never had a ghostly encounter, evidence suggests there is far more to our existence than our present dimension.

While every author’s writing style differs, there are only two ways to create.  You either outline or you don’t, and from my experience, the split is nearly equal.  But regardless of which technique is used, a well-written story will always transport its reader to another place.  That’s the beauty of fiction.

Beth, thank you for having me as your guest.  Spectral Gallows will be released on November 15, 2013 in published and e-book formats.  More information about me and my books can be found on my website.

Thanks, Mark! Now, who has a comment or question for Mark W. Danielson? Good luck in the contest!

Tomorrow's Guest: Mark W. Danielson

Tomorrow, fellow mystery author Mark W. Danielson will guest on my blog with an article about how he developed the plot for his latest release, Spectral Gallows. Also, Mark will run a contest for an autographed copy of Spectral Gallows. He will choose the winner from among those who leave a comment.

Currently a FedEx pilot, Mark began taking flying lessons at age thirteen with money earned from delivering newspapers. He earned his Commercial Pilot's License prior to entering the University of Northern Colorado in 1970. He went on to fly the F-4 Phantom II fighter with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Korea. After moving to Lubbock, Texas, to serve as a T-38 advanced instructor-pilot, Mr. Danielson put his writing career on hold while completing his 300 hp Steen Skybolt bi-plane. He flew that airplane in numerous airshows over Texas. Mark left active duty in 1980 to pursue a civilian pilot career, but later returned to active duty, this time in the U.S. Navy. He earned his MA degree while serving as a jet-strike flight instructor in Beeville, Texas.

While assigned to Miramar Naval Air Station, Mark revamped his non-fiction writing career with numerous periodical articles and was twice recognized as the US Navy's top author. His writing was never limited to military publications, though. Novels provided Mr. Danielson with an outlet that non-fiction could not. Using real events as a basis makes his writing both believable and enthralling.  An actual FedEx DC-10 fire inspired Danger Within. The suspicious crash that claimed the life of US Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown inspired The Innocent Never Knew. His third novel, Diablo's Shadow, was based on a child disappearance and was released in 2008 to critical acclaim.

Mr. Danielson frequently participates in author events, which include the Los Angeles Times Book Festival, Men of Mystery event in Irvine, CA, Barnes and Noble Mystery Author's Night, Cutting Edge Murder, Kids Love a Mystery, and High Jinx on the High Seas. His interests include hiking, fine arts, tennis, and restoring cars and boats.

I'm Visiting the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club This Week!

All this week, I am a Featured Author guest at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers' on-line Mystery Book Club. You can follow the thread about my visit, read all about me and my latest release, A Basket of Trouble, and ask me any question you'd like. Here's the LINK.

The Barnes and Noble Booksellers' Mystery Book Club is a great group for mystery readers, whether or not you buy your books from Barnes and Noble or use a Nook to read them. Becke Davis, the moderator, works hard to line up interesting author guests every week to interact with the group members. If you aren't already a member and love reading mysteries, I hope you will join. It's free, so what have you got to lose?

Library Journal Weighs In With a Great Review for A Basket of Trouble!

A Basket of Trouble, the third book in my Claire Hanover gift basket designer series, officially debuts on November 8th, though many retailers already have the book in stock and are shipping copies.

A Basket of Trouble will be publishing a review for A Basket of Trouble in their November issue today that ends with the following pull quote:

"Groundwater’s third series entry (after To Hell in a Handbasket) is an action-packed cozy that successfully weaves in her small business and disability awareness."
  -- Library Journal

That means this book has hit ALL FOUR of the big 4 review publications (Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly)!! Only one other release of mine has hit all four, and that was the first in my other series (RM Outdoor Adventures), Deadly Currents. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the reception that A Basket of Trouble is receiving from reviewers so far.

And, please check out my interview that was published today in The Big Thrill on-line magazine put out by the International Thriller Writers! The interviewer has some very interesting questions for me to answer. Go HERE.