My top 5 for 2014

As we come to the final days of December, I think it’s time to stop, take a deep breath and reflect back on all the exciting things that happened in 2014. It was certainly a year to remember with some events skyrocketing over anything I had anticipated.

Following are what I consider My top 5 for 2014 with exciting achievements for the year…

Let’s start with a look at the awards…a total of six this year. Jubilee’s Journey, a book that touched the heart of countless readers, won the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal and took First Place Honors in the Royal Palm Literary Awards. Previously Loved Treasures came away with three awards including Silver Medals from the International Reader’s Favorite Competition and The Florida Publisher’s Association. Lastly, Cracks in the Sidewalk, not only won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Women’s Fiction but out of the thousands of books entered into the competition it was one of the ten favorites selected to be read by Wind Dancer Films for movie consideration.

If it sounds like I am tooting my own horn, please forgive me. It’s just that I am particularly proud of the awards because the judging panels for these competitions are made up of Librarians, Editors, and Publishing Industry Professionals…all people I hold in high esteem.

Second on my list of outstanding achievements is my appearance and book signing at Book Expo America, the largest Book Fair in the United States. I had the pleasure of spending a few days with my Publicity Director and favorite sidekick, Coral Russell; plus I met librarians and dedicated readers from all over America…oh and did I mention I gave away hundreds of books? What a thrill to stand beside a seven foot tall sign featuring my books and to stroll the floor of the amazingly large Javitz Center with a zillion other book lovers.

Third and conceivably the most labor intensive was a complete overhaul of this website. Thanks to all of Coral's hard work (and brilliance) we went from a WordPress Blog to a self-hosted website. The beauty of doing this was that we now have so much more flexibility for interacting with readers, doing giveaways, permitting quick and easy newsletter sign-ups and countless other things. Sure there were a few bumps along the road, but the bottom line is that it's now easier than ever to connect with my readers. Just tap the newsletter sign up in the right-hand column and you'll see what I mean.

Fourth on my list is something that makes any author's heart beat faster…Cracks in the Sidewalk became a USA Today Bestseller. It also received the honor of being one of six awesome novels singled out by BookBub as Women's Fiction Bestsellers. This based-on-a-true-story novel continues to be a reader favorite, especially with moms and grandmas. But be forewarned, you'll need a box of tissues alongside your chair when you read it.

Number five has to be the 2014 new releases, which included Previously Loved Treasures in April, Blueberry Hill, A Sister's Story in June, and Wishing for Wonderful in October. Previously Loved Treasures is Book 2 in the Serendipity Series and Wishing for Wonderful is Book 3.

Blueberry Hill is a story that is close to my heart…it is the tale of my sister, a sister who was a close to me as my own skin and as uncontrollable as a cowlick. Sometimes no amount of love can save a person from herself, but it was a hard lesson to learn.

The big bonus for me this year was that I got to meet more readers, reviewers, fans and friends than ever before and I have loved every minute of it. In the evening when the hustle-bustle of the day is done, I climb into bed with my iPad and visit with friends. It's official, I am a social media junkie. I love the funny pet videos, I smile at the new baby pictures and I revel in news of friends and fellow authors reaching new heights. If you haven't already friended me on Facebook, please do so. I promise I will follow back and can almost guarantee I'll start up a conversation that will keep us chatting long into the night.

Yep, 2014 was certainly an exciting year, but 2015 promises to be even more exciting. Sign up for my newsletter and continue to visit me here on the blog for news of what is to come. Hint, hint…a fabulous giveaway in January, plus lots of exciting new stories and a very special prequel novel COMING SOON…