Have a Happy, Safe, Blessed New Year!

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I pray for a joyful and safe New Year for all my family, friends, and fans!

My husband Wally and I generally go out to an early dinner on New Year's Eve then come home, turn on the TV, and watch the ball drop in Time's Square. Not exciting, I know, but it's what we enjoy. On New Year's Day, we enjoy a traditional southern dinner of pork chops, black-eye peas, turnip greens, and sweet potatoes.

New Year's Day is the perfect time to reflect on faith, relationships, and work. Wally and I are happy to have the sweetest daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters we could ever ask for, and we hope to spend even more time with them in 2013!

Staying Healthy is Not a Spectator Sport

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After watching people I love suffer from a wide range of medical issues, I’ve come to realize that getting and staying healthy requires effort…lots of it. That’s one of the reasons I’ve taken such a keen interest in fitness, nutrition, and how the body functions. I want to be as healthy as possible, even if it means a few sacrifices.  

Now I’m working on balancing everything regarding my health. I want to work out, but I don’t want it to take all my free time. Going to the gym seemed like a good thing, until I realized I spent an extra hour getting ready, driving there, finding a parking spot, signing in, and then driving back home. So I’m back to walking, only I increased my daily distance from 2 miles to 3-1/2 or 4 miles.

People who know me well know that I’m not very good at sitting still, which can be a problem for a person who makes a living as a writer. So what I do is write for a half hour, get up and move around a bit, then go back to my writing for another half hour. I do this throughout my day until time to cook dinner.

I enjoy eating cake and cookies, but a piece of fruit tastes just as good (at least that’s what I have to tell myself). If I still want something that isn’t super healthy, I might indulge, but only a little. Two squares of dark chocolate will satisfy my sweet tooth if I nibble very slowly. When I’m in a Reece’s mood, I smear a smidge of natural peanut butter on the chocolate.

I’m always on the lookout for more helpful tidbits to stay healthy. Now my goal is to get through the rest of the holidays without stumbling. 

Christmas Prayers and Blessings!

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Today is Christmas Eve, and I want all my family, friends, and fans to know that you are in my prayers. I love celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Enjoy the people you are with and don’t forget to let them know how much you love them!

Have a beautiful, blessed, and safe Christmas!

Happy National Games Day!

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I love games! Throughout my childhood, I would beg anyone around me to play a board game, and I especially enjoyed Scrabble or any other word game.

My mom liked Chinese checkers, so we struck a deal. One game of Scrabble was good for two games of Chinese checkers, since her favorite was over so quickly. She was good, and there was no way my strategy would ever match hers.

Since today is National Games Day, why don't you pull out the family favorite game and have a game night with the people you love! Even the little ones can get into a heated round of Candyland or Chutes and Ladders.

Have a Merry Bloomfield Christmas!

Articles and Videos on Social Skills

This is the time of year to brush up on your social skills. Here are some articles and videos that may help.

Articles on social skills:

• How to Start a Conversation – Learning a few tricks can prevent awkwardness at social gatherings.
• Office Party Etiquette – Be on your best behavior during the office party so you won’t do something you’ll regret later.
• How to Answer Rude Questions – Everyone gets them, so be prepared with some answers.
• Everyday Etiquette – Quick tips on good manners. 

Videos on social etiquette:

• Proper Use of Eating Utensils – This is a brief clip to show how to use utensils during a dinner party.
• Basic Manners for Children – Help your child develop etiquette early in life.
• Social Invitation – Learn the proper etiquette for social invitations.

Sandra D. Bricker's New Kindle Release

I've chosen to feature this press release about my friend Sandie Bricker's new book with Amazon. Whether you've purchased a Kindle as a gift for someone special or you're filling your own Kindle with new books, you are guaranteed smiles and laughter with Sandie's stories!

TAMPA, Fla. - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Author Sandra D. Bricker is an award-winning, best-selling author of romantic comedy for the Christian market. 

"I spent a lot of years trying to break into the Christian market," she says. "Before I did, I published three young adult titles, and then four novels for Avalon Books. The senior editor for Avalon -- Erin Cartwright Niumata -- really took me under her wing and helped me develop my skills as a storyteller. It was an invaluable experience, and Erin helped me become the writer I am today." 

A publisher of sweet and wholesome secular books, Avalon was recently sold to Amazon, a global leader in e-commerce. Bricker's fourth Avalon novel -- Wish I Weren't Here -- is among the first titles to be released in paperback and in electronic format for the Kindle via Amazon's Fortune 500 e-commerce website. The official release date is December 18th; however, the book is available now for pre-order.

Sandra D. Bricker is a best-selling, award-winning author of romantic comedy for the Christian market. After growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, she spent nearly two decades in Los Angeles as an entertainment publicist for some of daytime television's hottest stars while honing her screenwriting skills. When her mother required care in Florida and Sandie put Los Angeles in the rear view mirror, a novelist was unexpectedly born. With 17 books in print -- and 7 more scheduled for publication through 2014 -- she has earned the label of Laugh-Out-Loud Author. Sandie is an advocate for animal rights and, as an ovarian cancer survivor, she devotes time to creating symptom awareness and raising funds toward finding a cure. Keep in touch with her via her website at www.SandraDBricker.com

Articles and Videos on Tipping

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I’m delighted that About.com has hired videographers to add some clips to my site on tipping. Since this is the season of celebration, I think this is the perfect time of year to share some articles and videos.

Tipping articles:

• Proper Etiquette for Tipping – Follow these guidelines as you tip for services. If you are in a generous mood, you may always tip more.
• Tipping Guidelines for Restaurants Around the World – Before you leave the country, read this article by About.com's Culinary Travel Guide Alison J. Stein.

Tipping Videos:

• Tip When Traveling – Helpful for holiday travelers.
• Tipping Movers – Even if you don’t plan a move during the holidays, you might want to keep some of these tips in mind for the future.

B&H 12 Days of Christmas - Day 2

B&H is running a 12 Days of Christmas sale, and my book Waiting for a View is available from now until Christmas at $2.99!

Click here for more information:
12 Days of Christmas

This is the first release in the Bloomfield series. I hope you enjoy it!

Have a very merry Christmas!

Christmas Books by Lena Nelson Dooley

Lena Nelson Dooley

One of my closest writing pals and partner in mischief, Lena Nelson Dooley, has been super busy working on new books for her fans. I asked her to send me some of her latest for Christmas, and now I'd like to share it with you:

I’m very excited about the three Christmas ebooks I’ve uploaded to Kindle recently.

The newest is 24 Christmases. This book was 24 years in the making.

In 1985, as I was preparing to order Christmas cards from a Christian supplier, God told me that He had given me the gift of writing, and I should use it to bless people at Christmas. That year, I wrote my first Christmas story. The story of Mary as a dramatic monologue.

Five other monologues—of people who were involved with that event so long ago—followed. Joseph … the innkeeper … Mary’s mother … the youngest shepherd … the servant of a wise man.

The next story was a romance. One year I wrote a modern Christmas fable. Another year, I wrote a short play that was used to take Christmas to two local malls. Other stories contained different perspectives, but one focus—the impact that first Christmas has had on mankind through the ages.

Unfortunately, there were a few scattered years when I didn’t write a Christmas story. Life interfered with my plans

James and I have friends spread across several countries around the world. Many of them have contacted me to tell me how much the stories mean to them. They anxiously await their copy of the Christmas story and make it part of their family’s celebration. What a blessing that is to me.

I pray these stories will bless you as much as you have blessed me.

The picture on the cover of this book was taken in my den a year or two ago.

The other 2 Christmas ebooks are novellas.

                                         Christmas Confusion

Lori Compton, mayor of Mistletoe, needs ideas for ways to prop up the sagging economy. After having her heart broken by the former pastor, she doesn’t want to spend time with the new pastor. Rev. Russell Brown has plenty of ideas, even one that includes his spending the rest of his life with the beautiful mayor. Will Lori be able to move beyond her hurts and recognize God’s intentions for the future of the town – and for her own future?

The Best Medicine

When Thomas Stanton shows up at the holiday party of Rose Fletcher’s best friend, his appearance reminds Rose of the infatuation she felt for him when he worked on her father’s ranch. Although her heart wants to continue those long ago feelings, her mind reminds her that he doesn’t share her faith in God. Thomas can’t understand why Rose seems so standoffish. Will it take God’s intervention to show these two people just what He has planned all along?

I am offering one free copy of The Best Medicine to a winner chosen from those leaving comments on the blog. Please tell us where you live as well, at least what state or province.

You can find Lena's books by going to her Kindle store page: Lena Nelson Dooley.