Beth Groundwater

, Female

Breckenridge, CO

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:: Breckenridge, CO
About Me:: Bestselling author Beth Groundwater writes two mystery series, the Claire Hanover gift basket designer series and the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger Mandy Tanner. The first book in her Claire Hanover series, A REAL BASKET CASE, was released in hardcover in 2007 and re-released in trade paperback and ebook in November, 2011. The book garnered good reviews from national reviewers and was nominated for the 2007 Best First Novel Agatha Award. The second book in the series, TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET, was released in hardcover in 2009, also to good reviews, and was re-released in trade paperback and ebook in November, 2012. A BASKET OF TROUBLE, the third book in the series, was released in November, 2013.

DEADLY CURRENTS, the first book in Beth's Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger Mandy Tanner, was released in trade paperback and ebook in March, 2011 with good reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and Mystery Scene, among other reviewers. The Kindle format was a bestseller on Amazon. The second book in the series, WICKED EDDIES, was released in May, 2012 and was a finalist for The Rocky Award, for best mystery set in western North America. The third, FATAL DESCENT, was released in June, 2013.

Beth was an avid "river rat" in the 1980s, running whitewater rivers in the eastern US, and enjoyed reacquainting herself with that subculture while researching this series. In June, 2011, she was the parade VIP for the First in Boating on the Arkansas River (FIBArk) whitewater festival in Salida, Colorado, which is featured in DEADLY CURRENTS. Beth lives in Colorado and enjoys its many outdoor activities, including skiing and whitewater rafting.

Beth's science fiction novella, THE EPSILON ERIDANI ALTERNATIVE, was released in ebook and paperback in 2009. Also, she has published nine short stories, many multiple times in various formats, including audio. She enjoys meeting with book clubs in person or via Skype or speakerphone to discuss her books. Visit her website at http://bethgroundwater.com/ and her blog at http://bethgroundwater.blogspot.com/ for more information or to arrange a visit.
I Am A:: Reader, Writer
Website:: http://bethgroundwater.com
Books And Authors I Like:: I read a wide variety of books. I'm in a Book Club that meets monthly to discuss literary and women's fiction. Some of my favorite reads from that group were The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant, Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult, The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I read a lot of mysteries, of course. Some of my favorite authors are Western writers who I've gotten to know at conferences: C.J Box, Kathy Brandt, Christine Goff, Maggie Sefton, and Margaret Coel. I also enjoy light-hearted series by Alexander McCall Smith, Donna Andrews, and Tim Cockey. My all-time favorite mystery writer is Sharyn McCrumb, and I'm collecting all her books. I read romance and science fiction occasionally and have enjoyed Diana Gabaldon, J.D. Robb, Anne McCaffrey and Douglas Adams.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:: The Amazing Race, Downton Abbey

Comment Wall:

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Heirloom Bookstore

Beth -

I can honestly tell you that the Indy B'con will probably be one of the best [if not THE best] organized B'cons in the history of the event. There are a lot of interesting little side things going on....worth checking into! And yes, I'll be there!

Steve

Oct 8, 2008
Miss Mae

Thank you for the friend add!

Oct 9, 2008
Dana King

Aw, jeez, I didn't know you were a COZY writer when I accepted.

;-)

Looks like things are moving along nicely for you. Good luck with the new book in May.

Oct 16, 2008
J. F. Juzwik

Hi. I'm new to CrimeSpace so it will take me a bit of time to get used to how to communicate. Hope this gets to ya! CW

Oct 17, 2008
Angie

Wait...a COZY WRITER?!!!! Just kiddin'. That's the great thing about the crime/mystery community - something for everyone! The more, the merrier, yeah? Certainly keeps CrimeSpace interesting.

Big wishes for mad success with your latest (upcoming) release.

Oct 17, 2008
Mystery Robin

Hi Beth - I love cozies. :) I'll look for your book!

Oct 18, 2008
Irene Fleming

Hi, Beth--
Happy to have a new friend.
Who are those ladies in the picture with you? I recognize Liz Zelvin, my roommate from Bouchercon, but I can't place the others.
--Irene (aka Kate Gallison)

Oct 21, 2008
Sean Chercover

Hey Beth - good to know you in cyberspace, and I'm sure we'll run into each other at a conference one of these days!

Oct 21, 2008
Sean Chercover

Definitely B'con. Will try to get to Mayhem in the Midlands, but that's still undecided.

Oct 21, 2008
Tory Richards

Hi Beth, thanks for leaving a comment on my page. Congratulations on your debut novel. Love the title. Nice to meet you:)

Debbie

Oct 31, 2008
Vincent Farrell

hey beth congratulations on ur debut novel .... i m working on the climax of the one i m writing will be out soon ....

Nov 3, 2008
Vincent Farrell

wel i should be the 1 thanking u .... getting a response despite ur hectic schedule i m pleasantly surprised .. as i said i am working on my first novel right now i m new and inexperienced please help me ... Well quite a metamorphosis for you considering u used to work as an engineer....

Nov 6, 2008
Gary C. King

Hi Beth,

Glad to see you hear!

Nov 22, 2008
Gary C. King

I meant, "here!" I should proofread before pressing the send button...

Nov 22, 2008
Sherri

I have your book on hold at my local library, and I'm looking forward to reading it! Thanks for adding me!

Nov 24, 2008
Rhonda Lane

Hey there! It's great to be here. Thanks for the add.

Nov 27, 2008
Rhonda Lane

Right back atcha! Have a great Thanksgiving.

Nov 28, 2008
Jessica

Hi Beth
Thank YOU for asking! Seeing "Friend request" on the browser always makes me feel good!

Dec 1, 2008
Kay Roberts

Hey lady! Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm so glad to be back from Iraq & getting back to life. I wish you continued good fortune in your writing. I would love to write a mytery based in Iraq but have never gotten past page one. *grins* Take care. Ms. Kay & "Cranberry"

Dec 7, 2008
Kathy Zahora

Death will get you sober is the first actual book I have read in quite awhile. I couldn't put it down!! I am use to reading daily devotions for spiritual growth and peace of mind type books. I have a hard time sitting still and always on the go. I am scheduled to have surgery next month and I will have about 4 weeks of recovery. I thought what a perfect time to get my hands on some great crime/mystery books. I plan on getting A Read BasketCase. Do you have any favorites you could recommend??

Dec 11, 2008
Sherri

Hi Beth, I finally got to read your book, and I really enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

Dec 14, 2008
Neil Nyren

Thanks, Beth! Yes, it's the only one true way to spell it, isn't it? Those other guys -- I don't know, there's something suspicious about them....

Dec 15, 2008
J.R. Lindermuth

Thanks for the good wishes, Beth. I hope you and yours have a happy, health and prosperous new year as well.

Jan 1, 2009
Cynde L. Hammond

Thanks for the sweet New Year's message, Beth! May this be the best New Year you've ever had and I pray that the Lord blesses you and your family abundantly. In His Love,
Cynde

Jan 4, 2009
Beth Fish

I'm happy to be here! Thanks for "friending" me.

Jan 17, 2009
Joseph R.G. DeMarco

Hi -- yes, we do reviews. In fact, we could use a few more reviewers. We reviewed your first book -- so we'd be happy to review this one as well.

Feb 6, 2009
Loretta Craig

We writers have to stick together. My pleasure!
Loretta

Feb 14, 2009
Charlotte Williamson

Beth,
Thanks for responding to my discussion on "creative license". But, why not leave in the plot elements and take out all the violence, sex, profanity and other things that interfere with the storyline (and doesn't add to it). That's what's pounded into a writer's brain whenever we write a book. I like to use my own imagination in intimate situations. And profanity NEVER adds to anything.
Charlotte

Feb 18, 2009
margaret perry

Oh, yes. I found a copy of your first book on our shelves at the library. It exactly what I love to read. I started it over a personal pizza at target. Followed by a vente americano on ice at starbucks. Thank you for being my friend. Just curious, did you have an affair with your personal trainer?

Feb 19, 2009
Tory Richards

Hey Beth, I like the title of your book:)

Feb 20, 2009
Patricia Ruocco

Hi Beth,
Thanks for your friend mail! I'm new to all this, so I really appreciate it.
Patti

Mar 4, 2009
Dorinda Ohnstad

I was planning on Thrillerfest, but thinking now I may just have to settle for the Sisters in Crime conference in LA this summer. Next year I will certainly do Bouchercon and Left Coast Crime as they are both in California. No excuse for missing out when they're in my home state. How about you?

Mar 16, 2009
Karen

Hi Beth
Your basket series sounds like fun. I review for NewMysteryReader.com and if I get your books, will read them with pleasure. Many publishers won't spring for the cost of sending a book to Australia, so I don't get a lot of main-line ones except through Hatchette, who seem to like my reviews. I'm frantically sorting and packing at the moment, getting ready for a trip to the UK and US next week and am juggling that with working out my new book with my new artist. I run a small publishing house that does the "Scoot, Scoot, Bandicoot"series, and our illustrator announced she was worn out, so I am having to find a new one. Fortunately an art student stopped by my table at a recent fair and she looks talented as far as I can tell from the sketches she's shown me. Question now is can a 19 year old student tackle the commitment of 20 or so illustrations? She actually wants to have a career as an illustrator, so this might be a match made in heaven. Am also working on a collection of short non-fiction light humour pieces that have appeared in some local magazines over the years--there's a rough copy up on my website as a freebie for "Read an E-book Week", but the final version of "A Tree in Mundaring" will have some B&W sketches as chapter headers and a different cover. I have decided there's too much negativity and mindless repetition of doom and gloom by the media, so I'm staking the savings on expanding the Quenda Books product line and getting out to more sales venues. Next plan is to reprint "The Angelus Ghost" and get "Death in the Sea of Grass" into hard print after its life as an e-book with Books Unbound, who were going to publish in print but seem to have run aground on the shoals of apathy. Regards, Karen Treanor (www.bandicoot-books.com)

Mar 17, 2009
Stacey A. Purcell

Hi Beth-
Thanks for friending me here! Everyone has been warm and inviting, a real treat! I look forward to getting to know everyone better. Congrats on the reviews, your book sounds wonderful.

Apr 9, 2009
robert walker

BETH -- have gotten terribly busy of a sudden but have not forgotten what we discussed. Please advise your friend and yourself I am serious about your taking a day at ACME authors. Contact me and bug hell out of me until we make it happen, understood? Want to get you both on to highlight your book cover art and where you are at in your careers.

Apr 9, 2009
Matt Hilton

Hi beth, always happy to befriend other writers (and readers). Matt

Apr 19, 2009
Kris Neri

Right back attcha, Beth! I'm new at CrimeSpace, and not quite sure what I'm doing. So it's great to see friendly faces.Thanks for the welcome.

Kris

May 20, 2009
Martha Reed

Delighted! I haven't had enough time to explore this site but it's already captured my interest. I'm going to spend some big time on it this weekend. Thanks for acting as an ambassador for SinC!

May 28, 2009
Laura Elvebak

Hi Beth, happy to be here. I'm new and experimenting with settings and all and finding other mystery writers.

Laura

Jun 5, 2009
Benjamin Sobieck

Nice to meet you, too! You're blessed with a name that sounds like an author. Rolls off the tongue better than "Sobieck." I'll be sure to check out your Basket books.

Jul 15, 2009
Fadrian Gibson

You're very welcome. I love a good mystery. Especially on a rainy day (or night). If I've read everything I have, then a good old black & white mystery makes a great substitution. I'm looking forward to reading your book.

Aug 4, 2009
Fadrian Gibson

I certainly will. I'm really looking forward to reading them.

Aug 4, 2009
Erin Hart

Hey Beth -- nice to see you here. Crimespace seems like a very international place! Look forward to chatting with everyone.

Aug 18, 2009
Writing PIs

Hello Beth! Be seeing you next month at the "cleaners"

Aug 24, 2009
Reece Hirsch

Hi Beth -- Congratulations on your series! The Colorado ski resort setting sounds likes a winner.

Aug 27, 2009
Dave Zeltserman

Beth, happy to. Hope things are going well in Colorado. I miss Boulder!

Aug 30, 2009
CJ West

Beth nice to see you here. I noticed your name on the list for Bouchercon. I just had knee surgery, but I am hoping to be recovered in time to make it out there. Maybe we could meet in person after all these online handshakes.

Aug 30, 2009
Victor J. Banis

hi - I meant to add a comment, but I'm doing a chat with some MLR authors and it's overwhelming me, posts coming in faster than I can handle them.

Hope you're enjoying lots of well-deserved success.

Aug 30, 2009
Anne Stuessy

Hi, Beth, it's great to see you here and I'm looking forward to seeing you at B'con too!

Aug 30, 2009
Dick Stodghill

Meeting you is a pleasure, Beth. Are you connected someway with Fort Carson?

Aug 30, 2009