My birthday is in December, but yesterday I had a family party. It’s wonderful to see everyone and just enjoy the conversations. I prepared by usual spice cupcakes (from a box, no special recipe). I also received some nice presents, such as a lap blanket I can use while writing or reading and an awesome mystery book that presents the evidence and lets you figure out who did it. I got another present, but I’ll save that for this week’s photo of the week.

All in all, it’s been a great birthday. And it’s not over–my coworkers tell me they are going to spring a birthday surprise on me. Sometime.

This is the first in my new photo of the week series. Here’s one I call puppy love, for obvious reasons.

Today was my first day back to work since before Christmas. Oh, it was tough to go back. I found myself wishing my bills would pay themselves so I could stay home. After a full day, I wondered how I manage to write at all after work. Still, I did it, quite possibly because I’m working on a summertime story that takes place at a beach somewhere.

January is a tough month. I figure I’ll do whatever it takes to get me through it, even if it means writing about the beach.

I’d rather be there, but this is the next best thing.

I’ve been thinking about endings lately–not only because of the new year, but because I’ve been finishing Battle, my next story from Cobblestone Press. It’s part of the Vampire Chronicles series, and I’ve been immersed in Mélanie and Justin’s story for a while now.

In this case, the ending has been on paper for a while now. I had to revise it a little, expand it a little. But the ending was the easiest part for me. That isn’t always the case, but it was this time.

There’s always a thrill about writing, “The End.”

My vacation from work is ending as well.

One thing about endings is that they are followed by a new beginning. A new year, a new story. Tomorrow I’ll pick up a new story, but tonight I’m enjoying the fact that I’ve finished this one.

Hope your new year is wonderful!