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 22^nd. 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