Holly's Word for 2016

Time.

It's sometimes referred to at the fourth dimension.  It's something that not only religion and science study, it's something we all measure our lives by.  It's something that so many people have written about...

"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right."
~Nelson Mandela

"Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind."
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend."
~Theophrastus

Okay, you get the point.  Time is important. Time is also going to be my word for 2016.  For more than a decade, rather than make a New Year's Resolution, I've picked a word of the year.  Something that represents a quality I want to cultivate in myself.  I keep the year's word on a post-it on my desk as a reminder of what I want to concentrate on that year.

I've had words like stop, stretch, glee, optimism, awareness, change...

I like the idea of Time as a word.
It can remind me to work hard...time is short and I have a lot of stories to write.
It can remind me to slow down...I want to enjoy the moments with my family and friends.
It can remind me to look for those times of glee and remind me that the hard times don't last.

Yes, I think it's a good all purpose word for the year.  The idea of words having meaning isn't something I think of at the beginning of they year. It influenced my writing this year and culminated in my most recent release, aptly titled These Three Words!  Like Nana Vancy always says, "Words have power."
How about you?  Do you have a word in mind for your year?

Happy New Year!!

Holly

Did you see "her" cameo??

Yes, yes, that's right. If you keep an eye out, you'll spot a Carry Her Heart character in These Three Words.  That character will be getting her own story in 2016.  I'll have the date and title to you as soon as possible.  And while you're reading Carry Her Heart take a look at Alice...and Mark.  They have stories in the works as well.  And no, they're not destined for each other, but I think you'll agree that they end up with their personal perfect matches!

I know, I know, I tie so many of my stories together.  Nana Vancy for instance.  She had the Everything But...series, then the Nothing But...series and has had cameos in Carry Her Heart and in Christmas in Cupid Falls.  So many times, I start out writing a stand alone story and before I know it, there's a whole series.  Why?  Because I love my characters and want to know what's next for them.  So many readers have asked, so I put together a list of series in order.  I do try to make every book stand on its own, but for those who like to read them in order, I hope it helps.  And do keep in mind, sometimes characters just pop into a new book for a quick hello.  So it's always a good idea to keep an eye out!

Holly

Holly's December Newsletter

Subscribe to Newsletter (and be automatically entered in subscriber only drawings) or Follow Holly's New Releases on Amazon. (Just click the follow button and they'll email you whenever I've got a new release!  I wanted to do something for all of you for Christmas...so I'm giving away a Kindle Fire for December's subscriber-only giveaway!  I'll announce who will receive it on my social media January 1st!  I wish I could give something to everyone...hey wait, I can.  I wrote a short story, Nothing But Love, a couple years back when Montlake Romance announced they were making my Everything But...Series and myWLVH Radio Series available for Kindle. It's free for the next couple days.  If you already have a copy, please feel free to pass a copy along to someone else! Keep an eye out next year. I have plans for other subscriber-only giveaways and offers.Thank you all for all the support and your friendship! 2015 was a busy year.  Did you miss a book? These Three Words Carry Her Heart (a Golden Leaf Award Winner) Her Second-Chance Family Short Stories: Labor Day There He Was 13 Weeks: A Novella  Rereleases: Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes Bosom Buddies And now my new feature: Cooks and Books... Learn how to make Christmas Candy!! A lot of you hang out with me on social media, so you know I spend a lot of time talking bout food. This Christmas, I'm doing more than talking...I'm sharing our family recipe for Christmas Candy! Wishing you all a very Happy HollyDay...er, holiday!!  I hope you enjoyed my year of giveaways! Check in on social media January 1st and see which subscriber will received a Kindle Fire 7.  I've got some subscriber-only ideas for next year...stay tuned!  I don't have a solid schedule for 2016 yet, but there's a few new books, an older book's rerelease and an anthology in the works! Holly PS. And I'm so glad so many of you spotted the Carry Her Heart character's cameo in These Three Words. Yes, she will be getting her own book in 2016!

Cooks and Books #1, Making Christmas Candy!!

I spend a lot of time online talking about two things...books and cooking.  Today I'm trying out a video about how to make Christmas Candy. JJ Abrams isn't worried.  (Please note, I wore something special just for all of you!)

Oh, and as my friend, Susan Gable suggested, I used some product placement in the video!  If you have a minute, I hope you'll check out my newest release, These Three Words!

Holly

Opinion Please

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is gearing up for a wonderful holiday season!  

I'm sending my thanks to everyone who picked up last week's new release, These Three Words! I so appreciate the lovely emails and reviews you've put up for me.

I'm starting to plan for 2016.  New books means new covers.  I don't always get to pick, but I generally get some say.  So I want to know...what type of covers do you like?  Cartoons?  Pictures?  People?  No people?

I've had a lot of covers over the years.  Some I've loved and some...well, not so much.  I've put some here, and you can see all of them on my Amazon page.  I'd love to hear your opinion.  Simply let me know your favorite cover, or your favorite type of cover!  Thanks in advance for the help!!  You can post here, or on any of my social media accounts.

Holly

PS The covers all were nicely lined up until I hit publish.  They keep going all funky.  I can't make them stay put.  Technology wins this time!