Out with the old...

New Year's Eve is upon us.

(May it be noted that today is also the last day of my NaBloPoMo challenge and WOOT!! I did it!!! A blog a day for a whole month!!!)

With New Year's Eve, there are all kinds of interesting posts popping up about what people are resolving to do for the new year. About how next year is going to be different. About things that they want to see happen with the new year...

It makes me wonder (and yes, this is where the virgrant begins) why we think that a new year is a new beginning.

I went to see that movie We Bought a Zoo yesterday with the kids. It is a true story based on a family who bought a zoo. (You can actually see the zoo's website here and donate to keep it open.) In the movie, Benjamin Mee is a writer who states that with 20 seconds of pure courage, you can dare to do anything.

(Okay, the movie had me from the first line... when they mentioned he was a writer. )

How often do we say that we are going to change this or that or do this or that and never do it?

I want to climb the pyramids. I want to swim with dolphins. I want to change the world.

But it gets put off. Maybe I will do it when I have more money. Perhaps next year because this year I am very busy with work and the kids. Maybe once I figure out my relationship. After I loose ten pounds.

Why not TODAY?

My point-and the linking factor between New Year's and Benjamin Mee is this...

If you have a dream, something that you want but don't do for whatever excuses you feed yourself everyday to keep doing the stupid crap you think you HAVE to do...

Stop it.

Chase your dream.

You only have one life. And most elderly, when asked what they would go back and change if they could change anything, is that they would have dared more. Risked more. Said yes to more chances when they happened. When asked if they want to go on the trip or spend time with friends, they answered, "I have to work." Looking back, that payroll wasn't the thing that made memories.

The things they DID filled their lives.

I walked away from an office job not long ago. It was a comfortable job and I could buy clothes if I wanted them and eat in nice restaurants and afford trips now and again.

And now I am a stay at home mom/student/author/editor/reviewer.

I am really happy to have that list of what I am. I can't always afford the luxuries that came with working insane hours. When I quit the job, I felt as if I was leaping off a financial cliff and I was sure to fall flat on my face.

Well, looking back, money is tight. But you know what?

I hated my office job. I hated my life.

I love my life now. The challenges I face are because I am living my dreams.

If I have another stroke tomorrow and don't live to see 2012...

I will know I did it my way.

What do you want? What is the thing that would take that 20seconds of raw courage to do? What is your adventure?

Are you going to grab it by the ass and knock it into submission?

Or are you going to 'resolve' to change your life?

2011 has come and gone. So have all the years before it.

Don't let 2012 go on 'plans' and 'somedays.'

Don't make resolutions.

Make change.

Happy writing!

Bubbly: An erotic contemporary romance for New Years

Bubbly: An erotic contemporary romance for New Years

By Anne Holly

Beth’s had the best of everything and the worst of everything. From the outside, a poor little rich girl, hounded by the press, but, on the inside, bruised by dark memories. When she seeks escape from her suffocating world on New Years Eve, she accidentally gets a taste for how the other half lives. Rough bartender Tig Riley offers her a whole new outlook on life in his arms and maybe even a brand new future, if only she can trust him. Can he really help her heal herself?

PG-13 Excerpt…

“You are far from cold, lady.”

She felt herself swoon at his words.

“But you may well freeze,” he said. “We should get you inside.”

“Inside?” she chirped, suddenly alarmed.

“It’s up to you,” he said. “You can go in there, and go freshen up, and carry on with your party or we can go inside some place private and see where this leads us.”

She felt torn. His arms eased away from her and she was relieved he was giving her the option of escape, but she was suddenly too embarrassed to ask him to continue doing to her what she wanted him to do.

“But your job?” she asked, her mind hazy.

“It’s okay,” he said. “My buddy in there owes me one.”

“You won’t tell him?”

“Of course not,” he said. “My days of bragging are over. I’ll just tell him I have the shits or something.”

She laughed at his vulgar reassurance, and so did he.

“You’re so pretty when you laugh,” he said.

“So are you.”

“There you go again,” he mock-snarled. “You go on up, and I’ll meet you wherever you want.”

“My room, on the third floor?”

“Sure,” he said and touched a curled knuckle to her lips with incredible affection.

“Okay,” she said, reluctantly straightening off his lap. She wobbled a moment, her knees lacking assurance on those silly heels.

“You need some help?” he asked.

Oddly tempted, she almost said yes, but gathered her dignity enough to step away from him.

He grabbed his bag and gestured for her to go on ahead, and she carefully picked her way back to the door as she heard him slam and lock the van.

Whatever was about to happen, good idea or not, was not what Beth had planned for ringing in the New Year. But she had dreamed about spending it with someone special and that glimmer of hope gave her courage.

*

For more info, please visit http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/newyearstales.htm

*

Anne Holly is a Canadian writer of romance and erotic-romance, as well as a mother and teacher. She has found a particular niche in holiday romance. You may visit Anne at her blog or website, or find her on GoodReads, Facebook and Twitter (@anneholly2010). Sign up for her newsletter here. Email her at anneholly2010@gmail.com.

Exciting week...

New Years is upon us...

What have you resolved for the new year? I can tell you right now that I wanted to be standing in Times Square by this year so I could see the ball drop live and it probably isn't going to happen. However, the kids and I will be hunkering down with a good friend as we have the past couple years. We will sip drinks at midnight and watch the ball drop and do a countdown. Possibly there will be a Wii dance party. Then, of course, the traditional pork and sauerkraut. Pigs never look back...

How do you ring in the new year?

Yesterday, I had the fun author of steamy MM, Megan Slayer on the blog. If you missed it, check out the blog here. She was talking reviews with us and we got to hear about her new releases Permanent. Check out her website here or pick up your copy of Permanent here.

Tomorrow I will have a special guest here at the blog. Anne Holly, multipublished author, is stopping by to tell us about her recent release, Bubbly. This story is a fantastic erotic piece that will fit great into anyone's New Year celebration. Pick up a copy over at amazon today here.

Happy Writing!