Today is the day. It’s the moment I have been anticipating for a few years. I decided to pick a special date for this special occasion: my 45th birthday.
Mark and I did it! We finalized the work on my travel memoir, Plunge, and it is now available on Amazon as an eBook and paperback. Wider distribution will follow in December.
Plunge blurb:
Tropical waters turn tumultuous in this travel memoir as a free-spirited woman jumps headfirst into a sailing adventure with a new man and his two dogs.
Join Liesbet as she faces a decision that sends her into a whirlwind of love, loss, and living in the moment. When she swaps life as she knows it for an uncertain future on a sailboat, she succumbs to seasickness and a growing desire to be alone.
Guided by impulsiveness and the joys of an alternative lifestyle, she must navigate personal storms, trouble with US immigration, adverse weather conditions, and doubts about her newfound love.
Does Liesbet find happiness? Will the dogs outlast the man? Or is this just another reality check on a dream to live at sea?
To read early impressions of Plunge, have a look here. These 5-star reviews for my writing and my story delight me!
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Plunge, check out this universal link or go to one of the specific Amazon sites for your country:
To buy Plunge in the US, click here.
To buy Plunge in Canada, click here.
To buy Plunge in the UK, click here.
To buy Plunge in Germany, click here.
To buy Plunge in Australia, click here (I don’t see the paperback yet, but hope that will appear soon).
To buy Plunge in Belgium and the Netherlands, click here (only the eBook is available on this site; for the paperback, please go to the German website).
Thank you for purchasing Plunge and spreading the word.
Happy reading!
My sincere appreciation goes to all of you, my readers and blog followers. You have encouraged me along the way; your enthusiasm and support led to this special day!
Here is where I am celebrating my birthday and the launch of my debut travel memoir in the company of a small bubble of friends…
November 28, 2020 at 11:27
Happy release day and birthday, Liesbet! This morning, I read Jacqui Murray’s terrific review on her blog. Congratulations! Enjoy your special day.
November 29, 2020 at 14:14
Hi Jill! Thank you so much for the wishes. Jacqui is so wonderful, isn’t she? She put the review up as a birthday surprise for me and it’s her own birthday today! 🙂
November 28, 2020 at 11:35
Liesbet, Happy Birthday!! What a fantastic birthday present you have given to yourself, huge congratulations to you on the publishing of your memoirs. I have my copy and can’t wait to start reading it tonight. With Christmas coming I think it will make for a great gift also. I will do my best to spread the word, so pleased for you👏🏼👏🏼
November 29, 2020 at 14:16
Hi Gilda! Thank you so much for you continued enthusiasm, support, and involvement. I hope you like the book and I’m so glad you already started reading it. Now… will you be ready to set sail yourself after going on this virtual ride? 🙂
November 28, 2020 at 11:39
Happy birthday Liesbet and happy book release day! My copy appeared on my kindle yesterday and I am looking forward to reading! Congrats and best wishes on the launch!
November 29, 2020 at 14:17
Hello Terri! Thank you for the wishes. And, I saw on Goodreads you started reading Plunge already as well. Fantastic! Enjoy the ride! 🙂
November 28, 2020 at 11:56
What a great way to celebrate your birthday! And I get to join in the festivities because my ebook has arrived. Have a wonderful day and enjoy your well-deserved happy dances and feelings of accomplishment!
November 29, 2020 at 14:19
Thank you so much, Janis! We did a few dances around the camp fire last night, with snack food and good music. Happy reading! Xx
November 28, 2020 at 12:08
Happy birthday and congratulations! Hope you enjoy some relaxing time in the desert with fellow nomads 😀
November 29, 2020 at 14:20
Hi Ingrid! Yesterday, I took most of the day off, after reacting to a few birthday and book launch messages. The response has been overwhelming, but I HAD to turn my device off at some point. This morning has been busy as well, but I do hope to sit outside and enjoy that desert a bit this afternoon. 🙂 It’s beautiful here!
November 28, 2020 at 12:47
Fantastic! What a fabulous way to celebrate. We just purchased two paperbacks, one of which will be a Christmas present. Really looking forward to reading your book. Huge congratulations!
November 29, 2020 at 14:31
Thank you so much for your support and all the interest and encouragement, Sue! I hope the book will be a bit of a tropical escape from your Canadian winter! 🙂
November 28, 2020 at 13:11
Happy birthday! I woke to a message that Plunge had arrived in Kindle. I might save it for Christmas reading,
November 29, 2020 at 14:32
Yay, Anabel! You sure you want to wait that long? 🙂 Enjoy the read – whenever you open the book!
November 28, 2020 at 13:40
Congratulations, and a very happy birthday!
I just followed your link to Amazon, and I see you don’t have Look Inside enabled – have you considered it? I’m sorry to bring up yet another “thing to do” when you must be exhausted after all the craziness of getting a book to market; but Look Inside is a nice way to let potential readers have a sample of your writing style. Reading the first pages often gets people hooked enough to buy the book. Wishing you great success! 🙂
November 29, 2020 at 14:34
Hi Diane! Thanks for the tip. We are aware of the “Look Inside” feature and are patiently awaiting the implementation of that feature by Amazon. I might have to write them about it again, as it was supposed to go live within seven days of publication… I totally agree “Look Inside” is a “must” feature to have activated!
November 28, 2020 at 13:45
Congratulations Liesbet on your book!! It looks like a must read book. I’ve pinned it.
What an exciting day for you, all the way around. I’m happy for you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
November 29, 2020 at 15:55
Thank you so much for the wishes, Lea, and for your ongoing support here on Roaming About! Have a fantastic week ahead.
November 28, 2020 at 15:50
Congratulations!Looking forward to reading your book.
Cheers!
November 29, 2020 at 15:41
Thank you guys! As you already know, there will be some famimair places and experiences to rediscover in Plunge… :-);
November 28, 2020 at 15:52
Happy birthday and congratulations on your first book!
November 29, 2020 at 15:41
Thanks, Alex! You make it sound like there will be more books… 🙂
November 28, 2020 at 16:35
Hearty congratulations on this, Liesbet. Everyone will enjoy reading it.
November 29, 2020 at 15:42
Thank you so much for saying and believing that, Jacqui. And for featuring my book on your blog yesterday – a perfect birthday surprise! You’re the best!
November 28, 2020 at 17:19
Happy birthday Liesbet and congrats again on your first book! My review is now live on Amazon Canada site. Wishing you ongoing success.
November 29, 2020 at 15:49
Thanks a lot, Natalie! For the wishes and even more for reading the ARC of Plunge and leaving such a wonderful review – on Amazon and on your blog. I truly appreciate it!
November 28, 2020 at 17:20
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Love that we can share this big day with you!!!
November 29, 2020 at 15:50
It was one of the best birthdays and book launch days ever, with all of us having fun in the desert! 🙂
November 28, 2020 at 18:11
Happy Birthday ☺️🥳 I can’t wait to read your book 🙌🏻
November 29, 2020 at 15:50
Thank you, Becky! I hope you enjoy the read and “escape.” 🙂
November 28, 2020 at 18:42
I’m joining in the huge birthday (book and body) wishes bursting forth here. Both birthdays required labor pains. But, oh the JOY!
PLUNGE is on my Kindle, ready to GO!
November 29, 2020 at 15:52
Hi Marian! I always love you kind words and positive spirits. Your enthusiasm and encouragement have made a difference for me! Thank you for all that – and for the lovely birthday wishes.
November 29, 2020 at 00:58
Happy birthday. A wonderful gift. Impressive reviews on Goodreads too. I can’t wait for the paperback version in Australia to come on sale.
November 29, 2020 at 15:54
Thanks, Amanda. Plunge has been incredibly well received, by readers and by friends and family. We have been launched! 🙂 I’m working on wider distribution worldwide this coming week, as Amazon doesn’t seem to carry my paperback in Australia… Stay tuned! 🙂
November 29, 2020 at 21:38
Congrats! And Happy Birthday!
November 30, 2020 at 17:20
Thank you, Janet! It was a lovely day. 🙂
November 30, 2020 at 19:44
Beautiful image of your book Liesbet. I’m still enjoying it. Hope you had a great birthday! <3
December 1, 2020 at 21:42
Thanks, Debby. A birthday in the Arizona desert had to be great! 🙂
December 1, 2020 at 21:56
Tour first published book is always so special, and on your birthday too! Congratulations!!
December 1, 2020 at 21:56
Sorry, that was supposed to be Your not Tour. Clumsy fingers today!
December 2, 2020 at 13:21
I figured. 🙂 And, isn’t it great how we always find our typos right AFTER we hit “reply,” “send,” or “publish?”
December 2, 2020 at 13:20
Thanks so much, Deb! I hope you like the book!! 🙂
December 2, 2020 at 07:11
Congratulations on releasing your memoir and happy birthday!
December 2, 2020 at 13:22
Thanks a lot, Liza!!
December 2, 2020 at 08:30
Happy Birthday and congratulations on the publication of your book. It sounds very interesting!
December 2, 2020 at 13:22
Thanks for swinging by here and leaving a comment! I think the book is relatively interesting. 🙂
December 2, 2020 at 08:30
Happy Birthday and congratulations on the publication of your memoir!
December 2, 2020 at 13:22
Thank you so much, Mary. You’re beating me with your blog rounds… Late start for me!!
December 2, 2020 at 08:49
A very happy birthday and congratulations!
J here, of Operation Awesome. I run the Debut Author Spotlight.
I’m always looking to interview authors of debut books.
@JLenniDorner on Twitter is my preferred method of communication.
https://operationawesome6.blogspot.com
December 2, 2020 at 13:24
Hello Awesome J! Thanks for the wishes and for inviting me to a debut author interview. Whenever I have a moment to breathe, I’ll check out your website. I just followed you on Twitter!
December 2, 2020 at 09:30
Happy Birthday! Happy book release. What a nice way to celebrate. Thanks for co-hosting. Best of success with your book. The cover is beautiful.
December 2, 2020 at 13:25
Hello Joylene! Thank you for the visit and the wishes! I hadn’t been able to put up my IWSG post yet this morning… I’m glad you love my cover!
December 2, 2020 at 10:56
Happy birthday and happy book birthday to you!
December 2, 2020 at 13:26
Thanks a lot, Sadira! Time to celebrate in style! 🙂
December 6, 2020 at 00:51
Reading it as we speak and enjoying the ride! Congrats to you.
December 6, 2020 at 15:29
Oh that’s great, Debbie!! I hope you don’t get seasick! 🙂
December 9, 2020 at 15:40
Happy birthday and happy launch day. What a great birthday present to yourself! It’s such a special moment to hold the final paperback copies in hand.
Jude
December 10, 2020 at 15:02
Thanks, Jude! As you will read in Plunge, birthdays are kind of “important” – as in “special” – to me, and I truly think this was one of the best and most unique birthday gifts one can receive. It was probably the first time I gifted something to myself, too! 🙂