Countdown to

Breaking Point

6/13/05

29 days (and counting to Breaking Point, in stores on July 12th)

Quote of the day:  "We'll land in Kazabek and that'll be that.  This guy probably just wants a ride home."  -- Gina Vitagliano, Over the Edge

Breaking Point Cast of Characters List:  Countdown Day 6/12/05

Excerpt from Eric's Skit:  "The Complete Works of Suzanne Brockmann, abridged"

Note from Suz: If you didn't visit yesterday's sneak-attack special Sunday start to the Breaking Point Countdown, you can find out what you missed by clicking on the link above!

Today, however, is "Mark Your Calendar" day!  I've got some fun things planned for this countdown and for the coming Breaking Point booksigning tour -- I want to make sure you don't miss them!  (Last but way not least, I'm going to be talking about Rendezvous in Reno, my buffet dinner party at the Reno Hilton Hotel on July 29th.  I've even posted a brief excerpt from Eric's Famous Skit spoofing the Troubleshooter books that we'll be performing that evening!)

But first:  This Wednesday, June 15th is Countdown BB-Day!  I'm going to be spending all day (from about 10 a.m. to 9 p.m eastern time)  popping in to my Bulletin Board at http://members2.boardhost.com/brockmann/.  If you have a question, comment, thought or opinion that you'd like to share, feel free to post to the board and I'll respond!  (And if there are too many questions to answer in one day, I'll archive the ones I missed, and try to answer them here, later in the countdown!)  (Please be sure to read the "Rules of Engagement" Admin. post that will be at the top of the board on the 15th!)

Second:  On Wednesday, June 29th, I'll be doing an interview on "Definitely Dana!" -- an internet talk radio show, at www.healthylife.net.  You'll be able to listen as it's broadcast at 3:00 p.m. EST, but if you can't tune in, you'll be able to hear the interview after it's archived.  (The radio show host, Dana Taylor, tells me her shows are archived within 48 hours of the initial broadcast!)

Third:  I've got a coupla Boston-area book signings that I want to give New Englanders a heads up about:  On Thursday, June 16th, from 7 - 9 p.m., my husband Ed will be having his Very First Ever Booksigning at Back Pages Books on Moody Street, in Waltham, Massachusetts.  Come help me celebrate this exciting event with Ed!  

And on Tuesday, July 12th, also from 7 - 9 p.m., I'll be having my Breaking Point release-date signing at Borders Books & Music on Route 9 in Framingham, Massachusetts!  (Details about both these events are on my Appearances page!)

Fourth:  A quick reminder that I'm going to be heading out on the road, promoting Breaking Point from July 19 - 30th, starting in Boulder, Colorado, stopping at RWA in Reno, Nevada, and ending in San Mateo, California.  Check out my complete schedule of signings at my Appearances page!

Fifth:  Another reminder that everyone who buys a copy of BREAKING POINT through my Virtual Signing is automatically entered in a drawing for a signed, mint-condition copy of my extremely hard-to-find, out-of-print book, LADIES' MAN.  Orders must be received via snailmail by August 8th to be included in the LADIES' MAN drawing.  Orders received via snailmail by July 12th will receive a free upgrade to priority mail shipping!  Check out my Virtual Signing page for details!

Fifth: Thursday is going to be our Official Countdown Quiz Day.  Watch for the first Trivia Quiz to be posted on Thursday, June 16th.  You'll have until Monday, at 9:00 a.m. to submit your answers for a chance to win cool prizes.  (Backlist books!)

Sixth:  Monday is going to be Official Countdown Excerpt day -- with the exception of both the Fourth of July and today.  (I posted an early excerpt here on my website -- if you haven't seen it yet, you can click HERE or read it at www.SuzanneBrockmann.com/bp_excerpt.htm)  

Seventh:  Rendezvous in Reno!  I'm having a dinner party in Reno, at the RWA National Conference hotel (the Reno Hilton) on Friday, July 29th.  This event is open to readers and writers alike -- and it's designed to be as budget-friendly as possible!  If you register before June 20th, the cost is $40 for a American BBQ-style buffet dinner.  Plus we've got all kind of fun things planned -- a "performance" of Eric's famous skit spoofing the Troubleshooters books with special guest authors/actors Catherine Mann, Alesia Holliday and Virginia Kantra, and ~maybe~ (providing Uncle Sam allows it...) a special command performance by Rob Mann as none other than our very own Sam Starrett!  

To give you a sampling of what to expect...

Excerpt from Eric's Skit:  
"The Complete Works of Suzanne Brockmann, abridged"

Narrator:  For The Defiant Hero, we now take you to a psychologist's office, where we join a session already in progress.

Shrink (Austrian accent):  Let me see if I understand you correctly.  You are a career diplomat?

Meg:  Yes.

Shrink:  You are friendly with a group of Navy SEALs who are roughly the same as super-human heroes who have expertise in hostage situations.

Meg:  Yes.

Shrink:  So when your own daughter and grandmother are kidnapped, rather than relying on the help of these experts, you decided to USE them for a little while and then go off on your own with a terrorist in your car's backseat, keeping him under control with only the help of a sedative.

Meg:  Yes, that's pretty much it.

Shrink:  I see.  Well, now I understand why everybody hates you.

Nils (bursting in):  Aha!  I'm Nils!  (To Meg) I 'm here to help you!  Why won't you let me in?

Shrink:  Forget it.  She's a lost cause.  No one understands this chick.

Nils:  I don't care.  I won't leave you.  I'll never give up on you or us.

Shrink:  I think YOU may be in need of my services, you crazy noodnick.

Alyssa:  Where's Sam?  He knows what Nils is up to and therefore,  I will find Meg and Racheem.

Sam:  Razeem.

Alyssa:  Whatever.  Where did you come from?

Sam:  I'm a SEAL, baby.  I'm stealthy.  But if you really want to know where I came from, read GONE TOO FAR.  But we digress...

Meg (imitating Allyson Hannigan from American Pie):  This one time, in The Defiant Hero, I put a naked guy on the hood of my car.

Narrator:  And now, we bring you one of the most celebrated love scenes in history...

Alyssa (carrying her handcuffs, walks into Sam who is carrying Hershey's syrup):  You got syrup on my handcuffs!

Sam:  You got handcuffs in my syrup!  Let's have sex!

Alyssa:  Good plan!

Narrator:  Or was it?  Let's see what the next morning brings.

Alyssa:  I am filled with regret!

Sam:  Not me.  I'm ready for round eleven.  Shower time!  Oops, my little SEAL just penetrated your perimeter.  If you get pregnant, I'll marry you.

Alyssa:  I think my feelings can best be expressed by vomiting.  BLECH!   Goodbye and get lost.

Narrator:  Meanwhile, through the miracle of a terrorist named the Care Bear, Meg's daughter and grandmother are safe!

Nils:  Against my better judgment and that of readers everywhere, I want you to marry me.

Meg:  Hmmm.  A young, studly SEAL who rescues me, even against my wishes...  Well...  All right.

Narrator:  But what of Sam & Alyssa?  Let's turn now to... OVER THE EDGE...

Note from Suz:  You've really got to see The Skit performed to truly appreciate it.  <g>  

And despite its name -- "The Complete Works, etc..." -- it's not really the complete works.   It's just the Troubleshooter books.  And Eric is, quite obviously, a master abridger.  He whittles away all but the most important scenes (see above!) and manages to fit quite a few books into about twenty short pages!  

Other fun we'll be having during "Rendezvous in Reno" includes a Trivia Game played in teams -- where there are no wrong answers and lots of laughter!  Everyone will win tickets that will be used immediately after the game -- we'll be holding a drawing for prizes that include hard-to-find backlist books, T-shirts, bookbags, audiobooks, pins, hats, etc!  For more information about Rendezvous in Reno, click HERE.

P.S.  My buddy Eric, who wrote The Skit, is currently appearing as Cinderella's father in INTO THE WOODS at the New Repertory Theater in Newton, Massachusetts.  If you live in the area, it's well worth seeing.  The cast is wonderful (nearly all Equity!) and includes two others of my personal favorite Boston-area actors -- Aimee Doherty (as Cinderella) and Paul Farwell (as the Narrator).  The show has been extended several extra weeks, but it finally closes this Sunday, June 19th, so act fast!!!

For more information visit www.newrep.org or www.EricRuben.com 

That's all for now!  Be sure to come back for tomorrow's installment in the Countdown to Breaking Point!

(Note from Suz:  I'm going to try to post each new day's countdown page before 10:00 a.m. eastern time.  Please be patient if I'm a little late...)

See you tomorrow!