HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year! To celebrate, we decided we would share our thoughts on the new year and each offer a special prize to start the year off right. So be sure to leave a comment for the start of 2012 on Happily Ever After Thoughts!

*DAWN: Getting right to my main wishes for reading and writing in 2012 is difficult as my mind veers off on many tangents, yet I gave it a shot and this is what I came up with…

I wish to read and expand my choice of genres.  I had started this in 2011 and am thrilled with the new novels and authors I’ve discovered.  Fearless with my choices now, watch for reviews of my favorite finds. 

As for writing, I’m excited about my newly finished rough draft on a series tentatively titled From the CIA.  I plan to also complete the second in the trilogy, Window of Lies, which follows Court of Lies.  Wish me luck in having those available to readers by the end of 2012!  And happy reading and writing:-)  

MARIE: I’ve always been the type of person to make New Year’s resolutions on January 1, but it seems those resolutions very seldom last until January 2. Perhaps, in the past, I chose things to change in myself that are just too hard or goals that are impossible to reach. Perhaps, I was never held accountable because I never told anyone what my goals were but this year is different. Why? I’m not sure. I’d like to think I’m wiser (and yes, a little older). 

So my resolutions for 2012 are not really resolutions. They are goals I should try to achieve for the rest of my life. They are:

Tell my loved ones that I love them….as often as possible.

Smile more.

Be kind.

Take more time for myself.

Change the things I can and accept the things I cannot.

Last, but not least, continue on the writing path I have set for myself.

So. There they are. My resolutions, my goals, for 2012 (and beyond). Definitely attainable. 

ALEXIS: What is it about the New Year that inspires people? Many people make New Year's Resolutions. Others, like my fellow blog writers, set goals or make wishes. It is a good time to do these types of things. Why? There is something about a new year starting that gives everyone a new birth, just like that baby New Year. It is the idea that we can start over, start fresh, start from scratch, start anew, no matter what has gone before. It is a clean slate, a second chance, a tableau rasa. It is HOPE.

That is the key to this inspiration, isn't it? And what makes it so powerful is that we all recognize this day for what it is. We all see it the same way. Talk about positive, uplifting, and amazing!

That being said, my plan is to read more romances this year than last year. Last year I read 17 and a half.  Yes, I'm in the middle of Caris Roane's Wings of Fire right now. It may not sound like a lot of books, but when writing two manuscripts a year, it is, trust me.

So leave us a comment about your New Year's aspirations and dreams and you will be entered for a chance to win! We are giving away a sighed copy of Dawn's Court of Lies, a sighed copy of Marie's Touch the Flame and a $10 gift card to Amazon. Talk about a good chance to start the New Year off with a bang (or a book as the case may be :-) Winners will be announced on Wednesday!

*Dawn regrets she won't be able to respond to comments on Sun and Mon, but is looking forward to catching up with you on Tues!