Goodbye 2023 : Hello 2024
Wow. What a year it has been. There have been incredible highs and heart-breaking lows around the world. For myself, I’ve experienced a rejection scare that thankfully turned out to be a false alarm, suffered the loss of a dear sister/double-first cousin, and had a few more alarms concerning the hubby’s health. Add in the state of our country and the world at large and I would have to say we have all had a somewhat tumultuous year. Despite it all, it has been a productive one. Four new books were released this year, “Hiding from Yesterday” and the last 3 brothers, Casey, Bo, and Lonnie, in “The Seven Brothers of Elko” series. (The end of “The Seven Brothers” was an especially hard pill to swallow.)
The hubby is still the best thing I’ve found on the internet, the kids have all grown into adults that I respect and stare at in awe sometimes, and ‘The Crazy Dog’ is still crazy. In January, I will see the 10-year anniversary of my double-lung transplant and the doctors keep telling me I’m boring because they have nothing to do. That’s simply awesome to hear. I talk to my donor, Chris, every day and I think of his mother and daughter when I do. I still believe he gave me my taste for spicy foods that I didn’t have before the transplant. And I promise him every day that as long as I breathe, he breathes.
So, what’s coming in 2024? First, I’m opening a new store on Zazzle called “Raeann Blake Studios” where I will design and sell Raeann Blake and “Seven Brothers” themed merchandise along with various other creative mugs, clothing, bags, etc. Anything that comes from the twisted brain of a writer that I can design will be there. I’ve had several requests for some items I designed for myself. You will be able to pick up those items soon. I should be open for business sometime in January 2024.
The new year should also see the release of two new novels, “Kansas in Montana” and “Tucker Blood”, so stay tuned for that.
I am beyond, beyond, beyond grateful for my readers. I’ve never met a more true-blue, loyal group of people. You have given me the reason and strength to keep going during those times when I wanted to quit. I can tell you now, we made it. And I see nothing but good coming in 2024.
Have a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. But above all else—
If you drink, don’t drive.
If you drive, don’t drink.
We want to see you right back here when the parties are over. See you in 2024.
Happy Reading! ~Raeann
