KIMMIE'S 3RD ANNUAL END OF THE YEAR MESSAGE 2013

This is my 3^rd end of the year message and every single time I sit down to write this message I end up bawling like a baby, so I might as well get started. 2013 has been a year of ups and downs but all in all it’s been amazing due to my loving children, my brother Alberto, my cousin Chanel and all of my friends. My year began with a short stint in the hospital and a bout with Bell’s palsy, which made me open up my eyes and  I realized that I had to lessen the unnecessary stress in my life, if that was even possible.

Most of you know that I had been working in the surgeon’s office going on 6 years and was pretty fed up with it. So I very happily bid adieu to the Dr. and went on my merry way to greener pastures. This year I had the great fortune of beginning a dream job working for the most amazing people. MyAuthorBiz.com is a beacon in my life now and I know it will only shine brighter in 2014 and beyond. I thank John Haack and Lara Adrian profusely, for changing my life for the better. I smile everyday now instead of scowl and look forward to work, which really isn’t work to me. I truly adore these two people and they have given me the opportunity of a lifetime working with what I love most, books and authors. I still pinch myself.  In addition I got to meet a gem of a lady through work, Pat Rasey. I don’t know what it is about this amazing lady, but I feel like a have known her a lifetime and I look forward to each day knowing that we are always either a text, phone call or a GTM away from each other.

  Kim Petsch and her entire family made my year when I got to visit Nebraska for the first time ever and cannot wait to go back. These loving people opened up their homes to a virtual stranger and treated me like one of the bunch. Kim showed me things I have never seen before and taught me about corn, tractor- pulling and a lot about the Huskers, GO BIG RED!!!!…. I love Kim and her entire menagerie of Lockhard and Petsch peeps with a few McDonalds thrown in for good measure…. Needless to say, I want to go back to Nebraska.

This year I spoiled myself with buying a new car and going to amazing concerts where I got to hug my favorite artists like Alan Jackson, Florida Georgia Line and Joe Nichols. I won’t ever be able to sit more than 5 rows from the front at a concert ever again after this year… I am bad!

This year I added a slew of new Book Obsessed Chicks and new friends to my life and I am so happy I did! Jackie Ferrell and Janet Rodman are two of the shining stars in my life and I don’t think I will ever be able to do without them. I also got to meet my BOC from NH, Allison Reed when she ventured to NYC for a few days.

I was very fortunate to go to my first RT (Romantic Times Conference in KC) and meet some more amazing people. There I finally met Mr. Len Gunn in person and I am happy to have him as a friend. That time in Kansas City was like a whirlwind. I didn’t attend one party, but I enjoyed my time in the lobby of the hotel with some pretty amazing ladies like Lynne Connolly, Valerie Cozart , Beth Williamson, Holly Bush, Monica Burns, Amanda McIntyre and Marianne Strnad. That was definitely one of the best nights. Even if Monica clocked me over the head with a pillow from the lobby sofa. There is where I got to see Lara Adrian after a year and got to meet Pat Rasey in person.

One huge accomplishment for not only me, but my entire group of Book Obsessed Chicks was the 3^rd Annual Beach BBQ that took place in June on Long Island. We had about 100 people in attendance, 20 of those were some of my favorite authors, two very awesome cover models, goodie bags brimming with fantastic author swag and a wonderful time had by all. I had some amazing friends come from afar, like Pat Sheppard from Washington, DC… Margie Hager from PA…  Sophie Oak came from TX, Len Gunn from Oklahoma, Sandy Lea Sullivan from TN, along with my usual suspects. This year I had Lorelei James, Sara Humphreys, Tarah Scott and Sylvia Day in my home and was happy to visit with Damon Suede, Maya Banks and icon Bertrice Small. What a list huh?

My daughter, Gabrielle moved to Upstate NY, my 17 year old  son , Jason , is still a Junior Firefighter and my awesome 12 year old, Daniel played his first season of football with great success. Daniel also got sucked into going to a conference with me where he ended up having a great time and asked to go again under the guise that he gets to miss a few days of school… He really did like it!

If 2013 was busy for me, 2014 promises to be even busier, but with great expectations! I want to thank every single one of my friends and followers for sticking with me. You are all very special to me and truly make my days brighter. It’s really hard to write down every single person’s name that touched my life this year so I will just say that you all should know who you are.

I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year. Here’s to having a chance to hug each one of you soon!

LOVE,

KIMBERLY