There are moments in my life that are so wonderful I have to pinch myself to make sure they are real.
On Tuesday, May 24th, I had the privilege to join a group of wonderful book bloggers and have dinner with the amazing Beth Hoffman. We were to meet at 7:15 pm at Mercer’s Kitchen, in Soho New York.
I experienced my first subway ride which I caught with Candace from Beth Fish Reads, Dawn from She’s Too Fond Of Books, and Swapna from S. Krishna’s Books. We arrived early and waited at the bar for the rest of the bloggers and for Beth.
I met at the restaurant Lydia from Lost Entwife and she brought her sister Candace too. Shortly after Nicole came from Linus’s Blanket, and then Julie from Booking Mama and Kathy from Bermuda Onion. Two new to me bloggers were Stephanie from Steph The Bookworm and Mandy from The Well-Read Wife.
And of course, there was Beth Hoffman. Beth may as well have walked right off her website as we all knew her right away – she looks exactly like her picture! Sweet and friendly she came in and hugged each one of us, calling us her girls and escorting us to a large table for our reservation.
She had flown in the previous day just to meet with us. The dinner was lovely and the conversation just as lovely. It was so interesting to listen to her talk about the characters she brought to life in Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt as well as the one character in the book that is requested time and again by her fans to make a come back, Oletta. (I would have to agree)
I ordered the halibut which was so amazing, and a raspberry wafer dessert that was melt in your mouth delicious.
What a great evening! As we talked Beth shared what was next on her agenda and I am excited to share that it is another book (SSQQUUUEEE!!!) called Looking For Me. Beth shared that Looking For Me is going to be quite different from Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt. I am sooooo excited!
After a wonderful meal and good byes (and a few tears shed), I made it back to the hotel at 11:30 p.m. Thrilled with a wonderful evening and the excitement of a second book by this incredible author.
Book Journey 
Sounds like a lot of fun..lucky you 🙂
It was fun Joy – Beth is amazing!
What a delightful dinner! I have to agree about wanting more stories about Oletta! I can’t wait to hear more of your BEA adventures!
I think a book about Oletta would be wonderful too Beth!
Oh, I am green with envy, since it sounds as though Beth is someone wonderfully real who connects to her readers (and bloggers). Thanks for sharing these tidbits, complete with photos that make me drool!
I’m glad you have these wonderful photos and memories.
Thanks Laurel – she really is a genuine person. It was great to get to know her.
It was soooooooo much fun … thanks a million for giving me such a wonderful memory! Next time I’m riding the subway with y’all!
Ahhhh thanks Beth! I hope you do ride the subway with us! That would be awesome ! 😛
Sounds like you had a fabulous time! I still haven’t read Beth’s first book, but I keep hearing great things about it!
You must read it! 😀 SOOOOO good!!! I listened to it on audio and raved about it!
Lucky, lucky you…so jealous!
Thanks Ruthie – I had so much fun 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful evening with all great people!
It was Mary – as one of the girls put it (Mandy I think), not only did we all get to meet Beth, but she brought together a group of bloggers to so they could get to know one another as well. 😀
I wish I had been there with you all. It sounds like so much fun.
It was Debbie – definitely one for the memory books 🙂
Beth is just amazing! Julie and I got there at the last minute and I didn’t think to get my picture taken with Beth. Dag on it! I can’t wait for her next book to come out.
Oh no about the picture Kathy! I thought you two were there for that! 😦
Yay about the next book though -I can not wait either! 😀
I’ve loved reading your articles about BEA. I was so jealous of everyone who went. Maybe next year!!! I’ll check out some of the books you’re reading.
I hope you can go Heidi! It is an amazing time!
What a neat opportunity! You are making me look forward to reading her book even more (it’s for book club later this week).
Oh this will make for a wonderful book club discussion Alyce! I look forward to your review!
What a wonderful thing! It sounds and looks like you all have a fabulous time. Hope many people can say they have had dinner with an author!
We had such a great time Nikki-ann. I am just in awe that this little hobby of book reviewing and blogging has taken me beyond my wildest dreams! 😀
I love the subway…I can’t believe you didn’t ride it at all last year!
And that dinner sounds like so much fun!
I didn’t even know where the Subway was Jill 😛
That is so awesome that you were able to have such a wonderful evening with Beth and fellow book bloggers!! I’m excited about her new book now!!
I am too Staci, I like it when authors write on different topics.. so excited!!!
Envy! Sheer envy. LOL. I do hope to meet Beth one day. I am so happy to hear you all had such a fabulous time.
Thanks Vivienne…. it was so great 🙂
I’m thinking this was one of the good meals you had in NY — yum! 😀 Good food and good conversation.
Oh yes – this was soooo good!
The bad experiences were when we were trying to grab something quickly, one was a greasy quesadilla I had for lunch one day (the waitress recommended it) and the other was take out Chinese buffet – which I know I know…. when I think about it, I should have known better 😀
Yeah, being in a rush always makes things tougher.
What an awesome evening – and, yes, Beth could have stepped right off her website (felt like old friends sitting around the table).
Loved those spiced almonds (and the margarita!)
I wish I could remember what was on the almonds – they were delicious and I would love to try to make them!
These look delicious!
SOOOOOO YUMMY 😀
Lucky lady! Looks like a fun and yummy night.
Thanks Stacy, it really was an amazing evening 🙂
How lovely to have dinner with Beth Hoffman.
Sounds like a great group of bloggers to get together, a chapter of book bloggers!
Thanks for sharing the info on Beth’s next novel…..already looking forward to it.
carol
I am too Carol 🙂
Wow, how exciting! Not just a book signing but an entire dinner with a favorite author – sounds spectacular! And dinner sounds awesome, too…
Sue
It was Sue…. I come home feeling like everything I could have experienced was a dream…. 😀