Each New Year brings with it fresh hope and gives us renewed confidence and courage to make life the best it can be. Remember to laugh well every day … please!

2017 has arrived  filled with opportunities and promise. Our thoughts are also never far from those who face challenges unimaginable to most of us. 

My resolution is to hold dear the good memories of years past, learn from loss and mistakes, and move forward … the eternal optimist! May we never stop hoping that one of these days people everywhere will live with the peace and respect we all deserve. Let’s keep working in our own little corners of the world to help make this happen.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make 2016 such a fulfilling year in my writing world. The best part of writing is hearing from readers and it’s a pleasure to connect with so many of you through social media, your reviews and emails. You make it possible for me to do what I love and I’m immensely grateful.

The first draft of my next novel is going to my Lake Union editor next week … if I can get myself to stop ‘tweaking’ ! I swear that’s one of the most difficult things about writing. It’s so hard to stop!

Once I hit that ‘send’ key, I’m giving myself the gift of time every day for the next few weeks to read books that are stacked (virtually, thank goodness) in my TBR pile! Can’t wait! Let me know if there’s a book title you would like to share. We can never have enough!

My ongoing New Year’s wish for each of us remains this:

This Irish blessing says it all:

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!  

Happy New Year!