2014 was such an overwhelmingly amazing year. I really don’t know where to begin other than to say thank you for being a part of it and for making it so special.

As you know, this was my debut year as an author. I had no idea what to expect. I won’t say it was easy. Juggling a demanding teaching job, trying to be a mom and wife, working at Disney, and launching 2 books was intense to say the least.

The biggest realization I came away from this year is realizing how supportive my family was. I really have the best family in the world (sorry to disappoint all of you who think YOUR family is the best). And I also am so incredibly grateful for my friends. They stepped up to help me when I was beaten down and exhausted. They stood by me during every difficult stage of this crazy journey.

And I’m also incredibly grateful to my agent, editor and the whole Skyscape pub team who completely came behind the Gilded Series and held my hand through this crazy journey. Their belief in my books and in my abilities kept me from being frozen in writer’s block and wanting to give up.

So what exactly happened in 2014 in my professional life? Here’s my list!

• GILDED was chosen for Kindle First.
• GILDED hit #1 in YA and ranked #3 in all ebook sales on Amazon.
• GILDED hit Amazon’s top 100 for YA- ranking #48 in all YA books sold on Amazon in 2014. :-0
• GILDED was translated into German (GOLDGLANZ).
• GILDED was bought for Scholastic Book Clubs/Fairs.
• GILDED was nominated for the Morning Calm Award.
• SILVERN (Gilded #2) launched.
• Hosted a blow-my-mind book launch for SILVERN.
• BRAZEN (Gilded #3) was acquired by Skyscape to launch on Sept. 29, 2015.
• Participated in the YA Chicks Spring tour.
• Participated in the SkyAuthors Fall tour.
• Participated in the SkyAuthors writing contest: The Sky’s the Limit
• Attended the UCF, Vegas Valley, Port St. Lucie, Riverdale book festivals.
• Taught 5 writer’s workshops at libraries.
• Visited nearly 40 schools.
• Developed 2 teaching guides for GILDED and 1 for SILVERN.
• Quit teaching to focus on writing which allowed me to:
• Write two new novels this fall!
• Start revising another novel.

That list blows my mind. But you know, I’m so excited about 2015 too! So here’s what’s in store so far for 2015:

• BRAZEN will launch Sept. 29, 2015.
• Attending and being a panelist at the Amelia Island and Riverdale book festivals.
• Attending and being a panelist at the Coastal Magic and SCBWI Florida book conventions.
• Going on my first overseas two-week book tour to KOREA!!!!!!!
• Already booking school visits for this winter/spring.

If 2015 is half as good as 2014 was, I will be thrilled. And I have a feeling, there’s going to be more awesome on it’s way too!

Guys, thank you for supporting me through this journey. You’ve helped make all my dreams come true and I’m humbled and yet incredibly thrilled.

Happy New Year!