Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! Giveaway Re-drawing!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Before I get started on my Thanksgiving post, I have a lucky winner to notify! Since one of our winners from the Romance Gone Goblin Giveaway never responded with their mailing address, I've drawn another winner using random.org.

The re-drawn winner of the Romance Gone Goblin Giveaway and a brand new copy of Kristina Douglas' The Fallen: Raziel is.......................................*drum roll*...........................................Arianne Cruz! Congratulations, Arianne! You will receive a notification email today. Please respond within three days time or a new winner will be drawn.

Now, onto the Thanksgiving post!

I have A LOT to be thankful for this year. A WHOLE LOT. Honestly, I would call the best year of my life thus far. It's hard to even know where to begin in saying what I'm thankful for. So many things have changed for me this year--most for the better. I got engaged to the man of my dreams and I'm getting married exactly 106 days from now (yay! xoxo). I was offered representation by a fantastic agent. My book is now sitting on editors' desks, waiting to be read. I graduated from Stetson and started grad school. I'm getting paid to bellydance again. I'm making more money now than I ever have before, not that it's very much lol. And so many other wonderful things. I'm going to have to break them down by category!

Since this blog is primarily about reading and writing, I'll start with some writerly thanks ;-)

I am very thankful for:

--My wonderful, dedicated, and hard-working agent, Nicole Resciniti. She has absolutely AMAZING editorial skills and is a great business woman to boot! She put my paranormal romance novel, Skinwalkers, through the ringer and helped me whip that manuscript into tip top shape. Now, it is currently on submission and we're playing the waiting game. Fingers crossed!
--My awesome critique partners: Britt Marczak and Lisa Sanchez. Britt, Skinwalkers would not exist without you and it never would've been nearly as successful without all your input. Lisa, you've been with me since the very beginning and I can't thank you enough for all your friendship. I don't know if I ever would've had the courage to keep writing through those difficult times if I hadn't had you by my side. I will always be willing to enjoy a good Demetrius and Quinn sandwich with you! Lol! ;-)
--My professors at Spalding and my new writing friends, Rebecca, Melissa, and Genissa. I am looking forward to growing into a better writer along with all of you.
--My sisters at the Seymour Agency for being supportive and welcoming. You ladies, rock!

As a worker, I am thankful for:

--The fact that I have not one, but three jobs to sustain me. While I don't make much and still only work part-time, I feel fortunate.
--The residents at the SH for all the times they make me smile and even all the times they drive me up a wall. You've taught me the meaning of patience, compassion, and understanding. Despite any confusion, I learn new things from your wisdom every time I'm with you.
--VERY thankful for changes in management ;-)
--The tips I receive from the customers at Ali Baba and the renovations my bosses are doing to the restaurant.
--My dance instructor, Hollie, for being a great mentor.

And finally, just as plain ol' me, I am extremely thankful for:

--My soon-to-be husband, Jonathan Ballenger. You are the love of my life and the center of my universe. You bring out the best in me and make me the happiest woman alive. I thank God every day that I am lucky enough to be yours. You've been a great friend to me for years, and I know that you'll be both a great friend and a great husband for many many years to come. I can't wait to share my life with you. I learn new things from you all the time. You've taught me that love without passion isn't love at all and that when you love someone, you'll do anything or give anything to be with them, even if that means enduring the pain of being only a loyal friend, when deep down you want so much more. I love you. Kocham cie.
--My family for their non-stop, unconditional support. You guys are my supportive backbone whenever I need you, and I know you'll always be there when I need someone to hold me up.
--My best friends: Laura and Britt. You girls are my lifeline whenever I need it. You boost me up when I need the lift and put me in my place if I get too big-headed lol ;-) I couldn't ask for better friends. Thank you for being there for me. Laura, we've been through a lot this year, girl. Both of us have been chewed up, spit out and had to rebuild our lives from the ground up. But I think we've done a damn good job, don't you? And we both came out all the better for it. I am honored to call you my friend. You know I have your back and I'll always be your friend.
--My baby, Sookie, for loving me more than anyone else in existence. You're the best dog ever and all the goodies and foxy-squirrels in the world wouldn't be enough to show you how much I love you. Every time I feel at the lowest of the low and like no one could possibly understand, you lick the tears right off my face and lay your head in my lap, you whimper as I cry until I know that you do understand more than anyone else. Your empathy amazes me.
--For our family dog, Mr. Pugsley Q. Magoo Esquire the 3rd. You were a great and loyal friend. We miss you every day. It still saddens me that I will never see your happy face again when I come home. But I am forever grateful for all the times you stood by my side. You were a great dog. We all miss you, including Cookie and Crumb. I love you. R.I.P Puggy.

So what are you thankful for this year? I think all of us have at least a little something to be thankful for. Why not share it with us? Also, any plans for Black Friday? Share them with us!

Happy Thanksgiving! Til Monday ;-)

5 comments:

  1. Sorry for your loss of Mr Pugsley :(

    Hi I'm your newest follower. It has been a while since I have done this.

    I am thankful for the bloggers, the authors who have asked for reviews and introduced me to new genres and also the fabulous bloggers who are always quick to offer help and always take time out to say hi or comment on reviews and posts.

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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  2. yey thanks so much!!! :D i haven't received an email so i'll assume u haven't sent it.

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  3. New follower here... I absolutely love your turkey pic! It made me smile!

    Feel free to follow back if you like @ http://www.booklove101.com

    Have a great follow friday! :)

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  4. Lainy--Thanks for stopping by! And also for your condolences about Puggy. He was an excellent dog; a Chinese pug. He passed away about two months ago and I miss him a lot. He'd been our family dog since I was 8 years old and now I'm in my 20's, so we had him a long time. I'm glad to hear you're thankful for bloggers. Thanks again for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

    Arianne--I sent you the email yesterday, but it must not have went through. I will try resending now. If you don't get it by midnight tonight, then email me at nocturnalreadings@gmail.com Have a great weekend!

    Book Love--Glad you like the turkey. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

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  5. Aww you're really too sweet, Kaiti!

    I'm thankful for way too many things, too! ;P I'll just mention one...

    I am thankful for you, when we help each other and grow as author and editor together. More than tat, though, we also grow as friends! You inspire me with your writing every day, and make me want to push myself =)

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