Wednesday, January 09, 2013

FOCUS FOR 2013 AND BOOK GIVEAWAY



I thought it was high time that I checked in with my readers as the New Year gets underway. Now that the decorations are packed up and stored, and our toasts for those newly decided resolutions and commitments made, it’s time to actually begin putting them into motion. How many times have you made a resolution in January, but after a month or so, didn’t follow through? I’d hate to count them up personally. Many times for most of us, it’s the same thing—especially as we age—exercise more, eat less, take a vacation, finish a project or start a new one, etc. Isn’t it funny how we all have such good intentions but they’re so easily derailed? I raise my hand, I’m guilty as charged! You can’t start a new chapter in your life if you are re-reading the last one. So take heart and focus on what lies ahead because life is brief, and we should encourage each other to make the most of the time we have—forgetting the time we wasted.
Since my latest book, Twice Promised, was released in October, I’ve signed a new contract with my publisher for a new three book series. So I’ll have ‘new’ focus this year that must be kept, or I’ll sorely disappoint my editor and my readers. The series is Virtues and Vices of the Old West and I’ve already started book one and began my research. Each book is a standalone and not connected to the other two books. Only in their theme—virtues and vices. More on that topic in future posts.
Book three in The Blue Willow Brides, Perfectly Matched, is already with the publisher and will release this October. To kick off the New Year, I’m happy to give away a signed copy of Twice Promised if you will post me a comment, sign up for my newsletter, then tell me what your New Year’s resolution is, or whether or not you never make one! Don’t forget to leave your email with your comment. I’ll draw a winner on my birthday, the 22nd. For your email addy, but the @ and dot in paraenthesis instead of your actual address to keep the web crawlers away :)
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking to the future and what it holds. This flower is a Shooting Star Hydrangea that brightens my gloomy winter day and lifts my spirits. As I reflect back on 2012 with it challenges but happy times to recall too, I want to leave you what I’ve decided would be my scripture focus this year. It’s from The Promise Translation-Philippians 3:13: “My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has one.”
I can’t wait to hear what your New Year’s Resolutions are!
Happy Trails,
MAGGIE

25 comments:

Unknown said...

My resolution for this year is to be a better home school mom & teacher to my boys.

CherylB1987@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I would love to win Twice Promised! I read Deeply Devoted and loved it! I don't make actual "resolutions" but I did decide to try very hard to be more organized this year. Also to be the best Mom to our 3 boys I can try to be. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
bisybees5@gmail.com

pol said...

Hi Maggie sounds like our birthdays are close, mine is the 20th...Happy Birthday to you this month.
I dont make resolutions so to speak but did choose one word on a blog that I want to connect with. LOVE amd I plan to be more loving,giving and supportive as needed this year.
would love to be in this drawing, thanks for sharing.
Paula O(Kyflo130@yahoo.com)

Maggie Brendan said...

H, Cheryl, Eve and Paula. Thanks for stopping by. I should have mentioned in the blog to leave your email without leaving the actual addy. Example cheryl1987 at (hotmail) dot com.

Misty Queen said...

Hi Maggie!! I loved Deeply Devoted and can't wait to read Twice Promised!! That's my next purchase (if I don't win). My New Year's resolution is to get deeper in God's word unlike I have ever before...I'm excited about this resolution because He has revealed so much of Himself to me....so much more than I could have ever known and it's only day 9!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday and Happy New Year!:D

all7queens at (gmail) dot com

Anonymous said...

Hi Maggie , I do not make resolutions . I do not like to make them & not keep them . I do want to get closer to my Lord. I would love to win your book Promised ! Please enter me in your contest . Thanks & Happy birthday to you. my moms birthday was on the 22 . She passed away a few years ago
Elizabeth
liz225 at (bell south) dot net.

Tammy said...

I don't make resolutions, because they are too easy to break. I do enjoy your books though!
tsotela at (cox) dot net

Renee G said...

I would absolutely love to read this. I'm a new subscriber. My resolution this year is to try to live in each moment --- paying attention to enjoy each day.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

My resolution to live each day the best i can to enjoy my family . I just wanna to say that when i get one of your book i cant put it down to i read it all , i would love to win but i dont win , so my email, is royandevelynat(yahoo)dotcom

Maggie Brendan said...

Misty, I'm so tickled you enjoyed DD. Your resolution is a challenging one but a great one. Making time to follow through is the key. God Bless you for making it a priority! Mags

Maggie Brendan said...

Liz, I'm sorry you have lost your mother and I know what that's like. I never get over wishing I could talk to her. Hey-it's okay NOT to make resolutions, too! Blessings on your New Year and good luck winning! :)

Maggie Brendan said...

Tammy, thanks for posting and I hope this year will be a great one for you. Thanks for letting me know that you enjoy my books. I so appeciate you taking the time to tell me. :)

Maggie Brendan said...

Renee, thanks for subscribing. I'll try to blog more frequently. Thanks for dropping by. :)

Maggie Brendan said...

Evelyn, I love your way of thinking. You make my day by saying you have a hard time putting my books down. Woot! Good luck!

loretta said...

I need to be more organized than what I am, I'm hoping that 2013 is the year! And to draw closer to God.

Sheryl Barnes said...

Hi Maggie, I didn't really make any resolutions but I am committed to getting more organized so that I have more time for reading and bible study.

Anonymous said...

Maggie! I love your books! I posted awhile ago on your fb page about how The Jewel of His Heart was my first book in this genre and it has a very special place in my heart :-) I didn't make any resolutions this year, though I am striving, as always, to further my relationship with Christ and serve Him this year. Good luck as you wrap up this series!
jesusfreak4ever(@)juno(.)com
...I don't know if I did that correctly...

Maggie Brendan said...

Loretta, I'm always working at being more organized, esp. at the beginning of the year. That way my slate is clean to start the new book without distracting clutter. :)

I hope you come back and leave your email addy-using paraenthesis where needed as others have done.

Maggie Brendan said...

Sheryl, I'm trying to do as you are by starting a new Bible Study in 2 Peter on Tuesdays. I'm one of these people who must have some sort of organization in my home an office or I can't stand it. However, I have a few things that need cleaning out. Know what I mean? :)

Maggie Brendan said...

Anonymous-I didn't see your message on my fb. Was that on my personal profile or my author page. I'm so glad that you enjoyed The Jewel of His Heart--that book was very special to me too! You've chosen drawing closer to Christ and that is an excellent desire. God bless!

Maggie Brendan said...

If you've had problems with posting a comment on my blog-I'm sorry. It was be something going on with Blogger. Please try again.

Wendy Newcomb said...

I don't make New Year's resolutions, they only get broken, lol, then I feel disappointed in myself, lol.

Thank you for the chance to win Twice Promised, I really do want that book!

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Maggie Brendan said...

Wendy, thanks for dropping by. It's hard to keep resolutions but I'm committed to taking good care of my health. So many times women focus on their family that they lag in taking time for ourselves. That's not being selfish, just the opposite, since we mothers always over do it. Then we're better for it. :)

eyeballlucy said...

My new years resolution was to get back on the chart and exercise...and I have actually been following that....and I too would be sooo thrilled to win a copy of Maggie Brendan's new book 'Twice Promised'...and I am a big book fan of Maggie Brendan's too.....babyruthmac16ATyahooDOTcom

Anonymous said...

Hello! Happy early birthday. I just turned 45 on the 18th and I'm am sticking to my resolution this year. I have always made promises to myself to lose weight, but I have decided I won't spend another birthday over 200 pounds. My husband and I started Weight Watchers last week and I've lost 3 pounds already. I'm sticking with it this year no matter what.
We have a 19-year-old, a 14-year old and a 5-year-old and I am going to make positive changes to improve my health for my husband and children. Thank you for providing such a wonderful giveaway for us.

Cynthia Fisher Adams

jociadam (@) hotmail (.) com