So this year has been somewhat amazing, all things considered. Starting with the coolest news first, my husband came home from Iraq on Christmas Eve and was interviewed by Angela Brown from the Associated Press. You can read the variations of the article on

FOXNews

MSNBC

Salon

Washington Post

And others. Angela was great to talk with and it was super cool for our families to be able to see us all together again on the news.

A chapter in my Army career came to a close as I passed the guidon to my replacement as the company commander. While it was incredibly sad for me to say goodbye to my soldiers, so many of them have kept in touch, sometimes it feels like I’m still part of the Viper family. And they’re in excellent hands across the board. I’ve been selected for a second command and will be taking that guidon some time in February 2012 where the fun of company command will continue.

On The Writing Front

My young adult novel took 3rd in the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Comptetition, which was pretty cool all the way around.

I signed my first book contract and released my debut novel, all within a span of 6 months.

Because of You launched a couple of things, the least of which was my novelist career (hopefully). You can read the press release from Ballantine Bantam Dell here announcing the first Loveswept ebook original release. Because of You not only launched the return of Loveswept original ebooks, it was my first book. During the first two weeks of its release, it crept as high as #27 on the Barnes and Noble ebook Top 100. Not for romance. For ALL Ebooks. That was pretty freaking awesome in my world.

I gave away 3 Kindles and 3 Nooks this year as promo for BECAUSE OF YOU. I hope the winners have truly enjoyed them and if I haven’t heard from you, please email me so I can get your prize in the mail!

By the numbers, Because of You has been added to 258 lists on Goodreads and has 4.5 stars from 22 reviews. 14 reviews on Amazon 4.5 stars.  Thank you so so much for everyone who has read Because of You, told a friend or left a review. None of this would have happened without readers and friends pulling for the little book that could.

Because of You also received an amazing outpouring of support from superstars in the romance world and you can read all of the amazing quotes here. I can only hope that in some way, I can ever repay the support I received.

The best book I read all year (other than the Hunger Games series) was Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Blade. Dmitri and Honor’s was an absolutely incredible story that moved me and ultimately sticks with me months after I read it. You don’t have to read the series in order to read this book: READ IT!

Looking Forward

2012 is going to be another crazy year. I’ve got two books due to my editor, who has the patience of a saint with my busy army life. As I mentioned above, I’m taking command again in February and learning how to be a wife again to a husband who is not immediately heading back out the door for deployment (we hope).

Sadly, 2012 may also be our last year at Fort Hood as my prospects for broadening assignments are being looked at by echelons above reality. The thoughts of leaving the home I’ve shared with my husband, that has seen major changes, two kids, multiple pets…it’s sad. But I’m going to enjoy 2012 and every thing that it brings and not dwell on the far out future that I can’t actually control.

I’m going to attempt to go to RT and RWA conferences but probably will have to choose between one or the other. I’ve entered the RITA, so wish me luck on that front. I’m competing in the single title category so I probably don’t have a snowball’s chance in, well, you know. But hey, a girl’s got to have a dream.

BACK TO YOU will release in September, followed by Until There Was You around Christmas. There were some changes made based on characterization and market timing so for those who are anxiously awaiting Trent’s story, you’ll have to wait a little longer for his Christmas novella. And BACK TO YOU will now feature Claire Montoya and Evan Loehr dealing with a

There will be more publicity for Because of You in the coming months. Thanks to everyone who has votes, shared and supported BECAUSE OF YOU in 2011!

 

That’s the year end wrap up! Tell me, what are you looking forward to in 2012? I’ll give away at $25 gift card to one lucky commenter.