This is the time of year where I get all weepy and reminisce
about that has happened. 2012 has been a year of great joy and opportunity and
some let downs for me. Although so much good has come from 2012, I am not sorry
to see it go.
I am extremely thankful for my children, Gabrielle, Jason,
and Daniel, for they are a constant source of happiness for me. My friends, new
and old are what keep me going. My cousin Chanel, who always is there to
listen, I LOVE YOU. My ever-present Book Obsessed Chicks, Denise, Francesca, Holly,
Terry, Penny, Jennifer, Nina, Margaret, Katie, and Sara, I thank you for your
help and support this crazy year. My newest ladies in the mix, Lisa, Jenn, Taryn,
Heather and Maria, I am so happy to have met you and consider you my closest of
friends.
I want to thank all the fabulous authors who have come to
book club and those we have had the great pleasure to meet in 2012. We began
the year with dinner with Lorelei James, who I ADORE, and met a chica I
consider to be a best friend, Francesca Bensi there, so it was double the
pleasure. Thanks to Sylvia Day, Stephanie Julian, Judi Fennell, Donna Grant,
Sarah MacLean, Diana Cosby, Maya Banks, Melinda Leigh, Rayna Vause, Cat
Johnson, CH Admirand, Tara Nina, Mari Carr, Jayne Rylon, Bianca D’Arc, Hope
Tarr, Maya Rodale, Tarah Scott, Gabrielle Bisset and Caridad Pineiro for
joining in Book Obsessed Chicks good times like the Beach BBQ and the Christmas
Party.
2012 was a conference year for me. March began that fun with Liberty
States Create Something Magical conference in NJ where Larissa Ione was
subjected to some Book Obsessed rowdiness at our pajama party. Thank you
Larissa for being so good about our not so normal crew!
Next conference was Lori Foster’s Reader Appreciation weekend
where I finally met my amazing new friend and constant source of confidence in
the form of author Linda McMaken. I love her and her amazing family and wish
the best to them all, especially my sweetie, Samara, who is going to have a
precious bundle of joy this year. Gayle Donnelly and Robyn MacKenzie rock my
world on so many levels. I love these talented ladies more than they can
imagine. They have been so good to me and I hope I can return all the good they
do tenfold!
I met so many awesome authors and readers who I now consider
my most awesome friends now at Lori Foster’s weekend.
Cassandra Maguire, Michelle Boone, Paige Tyler, Wendi Zwaduk,
Drea Beacraft, Jambrea Gaff, Margie Hager, Valerie Cozart, Barb Hill-Kidd and
last but certainly not least, Joni Anderson, who makes me laugh. Thanks to this
crew for a life altering experience… I look forward to the next one!
One event I had been anticipating all year was Lara Adrian’s
first official LAMBCON, which took place in August in Boston. This event was so very special to me
because if it were not for Lara Adrian, I probably would never have begun Book
Obsessed Chicks book club or my blog. I certainly would not have gone to
conferences and met so many stupendous people. Lara Adrian and her husband John
are two of the best people I know and am so proud to call my friends. Lara is
the classiest woman I know and her constant grace always has me in awe. She is
also one of the hardest working ladies who always makes time for her readers. Helping
with LAMBCON was a highlight for me. I met so many more people who share the
same passion I do. Big Hugs to Lara, John, Debbie, Paula, Courtney, Carla,
Gwen, Pat, Melissa, Angie, Kara, Lynn and Loren, who along with my Scarangella
Posse, made that weekend so memorable.
The final conference was Lora Leigh’s RAW in Pittsburgh, PA.
There, I was reunited with my absolute favorite ladies, Beth Williamson, Amanda
McIntyre, Mary Wine, CH Admirand, Monica Burns, Stephanie Julian, Bianca D’Arc
and Sahara Kelly. I became great friends with Sandy Dillon, Carrie Ann Ryan,
and Dana Marie Bell. By the way, TEAM DAVE RULES… Hope I didn’t scare you too
much Dave Admirand.
Lora Leigh’s RAW was like coming home to old friends and
meeting new. I couldn’t wait to hug Donna Williamson, Beth’s awesome Mom and
catch up with the rest. There wasn’t enough hours in the day to give everyone
the time I wanted. I hope to be able to make up for that.
I want to thanks all the special people in my “Secret Group”,
beginning with Chastity Bush, who is pretty much a sister to me. Lori, Cindi, Kim,
Sandi, Sonia, Pua, Gina, Nancy etc…. YOU
ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!! Thanks for listening to my RANTS and bouts with
insanity. Thank you to Beth Williamson for allowing me to help out with your
Cowgirls etc… Mary Wine for letting me get
the inside on her Mistresses, Colleen for the fabulous Mavens and Amanda for
allowing me to keep the Muses in line.
Thanks for all the mind-blowing book dedications and
acknowledgments, Cat Johnson, Donna Grant, Larissa Ione, Amanda McIntyre, Gayle
Donnelly, Robyn Mackenzie and Chastity Bush. It has been so exciting to be
mentioned in your works of art.
Thanks to all who have helped in our charity endeavors for
the American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer walk and Homes for Our Troops.
I hope to heaven I haven’t forgotten anyone. If I have, I am
so sorry. It’s been a whirlwind adventure from start to finish. Sometimes words
cannot express the depth at which I feel for all my friends and family have
done. Thanks to every single person who has touched my life in some way in
2012. I don’t think I could have stayed sane if you all hadn’t had a part in it
and I wish you all health, happiness and much success in 2013.
LOVE,
KIM
