10 Ways to Be Adored when Blogging at Avon…

Happy Almost Thanksgiving to the Avon Extended Family!

What a year it’s been. And can you believe that we’re already starting to think about the end of the year? I certainly can’t. But the giant tree is up in Rockefeller Center, it’s starting to get awfully chilly, and Starbucks has brought back their red cups and Peppermint Mochas, so it must be that time of year!

Anyway, I thought I’d take this opportunity to look back at 2010. It feels like so much has changed this year but all for the better.

So, in no particular order here are the top 10 things I’m thankful about from 2010.

1. My lovely new office with windows and lots of space. Now I have even more places to put manuscripts and books! And much less danger that they will fall on my head.

2. All of the lovely people I met at the conferences and chapter meetings I went to this year. I saw the Calgary RWA chapter, hung out at the Emerald City conference in Seattle, talked to the San Francisco RWA group, went to the Milwaukee for WISRWA (and got to see the Bronze Fonz! If you don’t know what it is, you should look it up. I promise you won’t be disappointed.)

3. Kate Middleton and Prince William’s engagement. Seriously. It’s a fairytale story, she has the best taste in clothes, and I get to have an excuse to buy trashy magazines. I’m over the moon. (Shameless plug warning: if you want to know more about Kate you should buy the book!)

4. The lovely debuts of three of my newest authors, Maya Rodale A GROOM OF ONE’S OWN, Jenny Brown LORD LIGHTNING, and Kathryn Johnson THE GENTLEMAN POET.

5. Three delightful books that all reminded me why I love my job. Karen Ranney’s A HIGHLAND DUCHESS, Lavinia Kent’s BOUND BY TEMPTATION (and don’t miss her newest TAKEN BY DESIRE available on November 30th!) and Jaime Rush’s TOUCHING DARKNESS.

6. Two very exciting new acquisitions! Tessa Dare and C.L. Wilson, who’s first book with us, CROWN OF CRYSTAL FLAME came out this month and landed itself on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists!

7. The brand spanking new authors I have up my sleeve for next year, like Anna Randol and Lecia Cornwall!

8. The Hunger Games books. Because I haven’t torn through a series like that in so long. Sometimes all it takes is a good book to make everything feel right.

9. My introduction to eBooks! I got an iPad and a new Sony pocket and decided it was time to finally take the plunge. I read my first eBook and definitely enjoyed the experience! I can’t wait for some free time to download some more.

If you’re dying for your very own eReader, keep an eye on the Avon Romance Facebook page!  As we reach our various follower goals, we’re giving out all sorts of eReaders. And, if you sign up for the Avon Romance App you can enter to win a Kobo!!

10. Sarah MacLean for the endless blog posts that can be done by playing off her titles! Also, because her books are amazing and I especially love Nick and Isabel, the hero and heroine of this one. I have it on good authority that TEN WAYS TO BE ADORED WHEN LANDING A LORD made one of the Avon editors cry at her desk while reading over lunch…

So what about you? What are you thankful for this year? I’d love to hear how your 2010s have been, oh faithful readers!