New Year…New Beginnings
It’s a toss-up as to which month makes me more optimistic…September or January. There’s that whole new-school-year thing going for September, a feeling I still can’t get away from even though I’m out of school. But I have two kids and my husband is a teacher, so we live life to the rhythms of that world.
However…January! It’s the official beginning. Even if your New Year’s Eve was a dud, the first day of January is the clean slate, the swathe of shining snow, the fresh air that blows away the cobwebs and the last of the dribbled pine needles from your dried-up Christmas tree.
I have energy in January. Plans! A couple of girlfriends and I walk early in the mornings and while we missed a few due to weather and colds over the holidays, we met up enough to renew our weight loss and exercise goals. I’m also excited about getting back to my desk and working on my next project(s). Way too easy to get distracted by cookie-baking or gift-wrapping over the holidays.
The heroine in my most recent book, Then He Kissed Me (it came out yesterday!), is eager to have a new start in the new year too. She owns a limousine service in the Napa Valley wine country, and on New Year’s Eve is contracted to take a couple of clients on a winery crawl…her ex-boyfriend and his new fiancée. Argh! But Stephania (Stevie) certainly can’t let on that she’s affected in any way…the guy did not even dent her heart, she swears, and so will do her duty and then be done with the couple forever!
Except then she learns that she has to play wedding planner for her ex and his princess bride (yes, she’s also a princess) as they’re marrying at her family’s winery. And the wedding party includes the bride’s very, very, very attractive older brother, who isn’t the least bit worried about starting something new—starting something up—with Stevie. Oh, this year looks like it’s going to be as much trouble as the last one…
I hope you’ll put Then He Kissed Me on your 2011 To Read list. It’s the second in my Three Kisses trilogy and I love the dynamic between my tomboy Stevie and sophisticated guy who will steal her heart.
Do you have a new plan for the new year? Share! I’ll send a free book to a lucky commenter!
P.S. If you've ever visited the Writing Playground website, you may be familiar with our Hall of Feet. To rekindle interest in our cute shoe fetish, we've asked our guest bloggers to send in photos of their cute shoes. Here are Christie's! I love the floral design and how they dress up a pair of jeans.
25 comments:
I'm still working on my plan for the new year. Last year I didn't get it put on paper til the 17th of the month. Right now, I'm still trying to get used to writing 2011 instead of 2010. ~grin~
LOVE the shoes! They look great with jeans and very comfy -- two of my top reasons for buying a pair of shoes.
Marilyn
Actually, my new plan is to try and finish up all my old plans before planning any more new plans. It's a struggle!
My only plan for this year is to try and take better care of my health. I was sick almost the whole month of December and frankly I'm tired of being sick so I'm going to try and be better to my body this year. Oh, I want to read more this year too.
Welcome Christie,
My plan is to loose some weight and try to get in better shape. To that end, I purchased a bicycle for my Santa present. I was fortunate to receive a Target gift card to put toward the purchase.
And like you Christie, I am on 2 schedules as I work at a University.
I will put "Then he kissed me" on my tbr list.
Hey, everyone! Thanks for having me here. I have to admit I don't put my New Year plans onto paper. I just have, um, "intentions" and hope that is enough.
Linda: So many ppl I know have been sick lately. Feel better soon!
robertsonreads: I have a recumbent bike I bought after a knee injury. I like that I can read and/or watch TV while riding.
So looking forward to this book! I need something new and fun to read!
My plan for the year is to stop existing and start living...I worry too much! There are many, but this is my main focus this year :)
Nice shoes, Christie! I am resolute in not making resolutions. They never work for me. Having said that, my goal this year is to finish the book and get it out there. That's it. It's my only focus and goal this year.
That and reading more great books by Christie Ridgway!
My plans for the new year include a new attitude. I recently moved from the south to the northeast and have had a tough time adjusting. Now with the move behind me and the new year ahead, I am ready to face whatever challenges come my way.
I can't wait to read the new book!
my plan is to finish writing what I start before I reread & judge it
I'm so excited for Stevie's story!!! I'm hoping to make it to Border's tomorrow to pick up a copy.
Hi Christie!
Love your books! Hey, very cool shoes! I have a pair of sandals that have a glittery butterfly on them that I just love! Neat idea taking pictures of your favorite shoes/sandals!
My plan for this year is to read more books! I read 60 books last year. I keep a book journal. Something I should have done years ago. I just started it a year ago.
Happy New Year Christie!
Many blessings to you and your family!
my plan for the new year is getting back into shape, will start jogging again small distance at a time. also planting some empty spot on the back of my place and of course reading more romance ^_^
Oh, man, Gaylene, I hear you on the worrying. I'm such a worrywart! There's my husband sleeping away and I'm awake mulling over everything, from dire to humdrum. Let's both quit that.
Those of us that are writers need to turn off that internal editor (close cousin to the dang worrywart).
Let's have a serene 2011!
1. Use less curse words.
2. read more romance.
3. LIVE more romance.
My new year's resolution was simply to allow myself more joy in every form I can find it in! Family time. Reading. Starbucks dates. Travel. Really living life and relishing each moment... instead of just continuing to say I am going to.
Great post, Christie! And welcome to the Playground. Those are Playground Worthy Shoes! :)
My goals for the new year include healthier eating and more exercise to get control of my weight and health issues. I've also started journaling daily (in my pretty new journal) and I plan to work through The Artist's Way. I have no specific writing plans this year, because my focus will be on nurturing my creativity, which took a severe beating in 2010.
Thanks for joining us today!
Angel
What a fun concept for a story. I love a good wedding story and a royal one at that.
Like M. I have botched a couple of checks with the wrong year so far.
I plan on trying to eat healthier this year even if the big bag of Dark Chocolate M&M's is on BOGO at Publix.
I want to exercise regularly. I get started on a schedule and then something happens to botch it up and it is hard to start back.
I also want to practice to be a better listener. I seem to have lost that skill over the years.
I'm not usually a shoe person, but those are adorable and they look comfy. As to the new year, I tend to be a packrat and I'm really, really trying to clean up my act (except for my books - no body messes with my books!!).
I plan to lose some weight and read at least half of the books in my tbr pile.
Congratulations on the new book Christie and great shoes! I have been making plans of what I want to do this year in the house and in the garden. I am already looking forward to spring.
We all have similar goals. Love that Darlene wants to live more romance! I'm for that.
As to nurturing creativity...for us writers out there, I really find that reading a lot helps that. It just makes me want to tell my own stories that much more.
'Course I think reading is the cure for everything. What was it the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding used as a catch-all cure? Was it Windex?
Congratulations on your new book. I know it will be as good as all the others. You are a wonderful author.
my plan for the new year is to enjoy each and every day...
great shoes.
thanks for the chance to read this novel...sounds great :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Sorry I'm late. The jet lag is kicking my butt.
But welcome Christine! We're so glad you're here. And I LOVE the shoes. LOVE them (and everyone here knows how picky I am about shoes...)
I adore your books. Fingers crossed. Win or lose I have to read this one, the premise has me hooked already. Best Wishes, Janine
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