Tuesday, January 1, 2013

A Different Definition of New Year's Day!




It's another year over! Can you believe it? And to celebrate the New Year with bang, we're going crazy and sending out so many prizes, fun parties, experiences, and other goodies, that it's a bit scary. Each author has a favorite New Year memory, book, idea, or way to party and we're going to show you! Can't wait to see you January 1st - 6th!

And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.
But that's not all....

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!


Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $300 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
Note: All prizes except swag pack are international. Swag pack is U.S. mailing only. 


New Years Day!  It represents a fresh start, right?

My first child, my lovely daughter Rebecca, was born on New Year's Day. So, every year, New Years has a different significance in our household. It's not about starting a new diet or making goals for the next year. When Becca was little, I used to tease her by saying the the whole country was celebrating her birthday, (because it was a holiday). As she grew old enough to have birthday parties with friends, it became really hard to plan her birthday, as it was a holiday and many of her friends were out of town on the holiday.

Rebecca at Two years, with Garfield


As the years go by, one thing is a constant. Since Becca's birth, I no longer think of New Years as a holiday, I think of it as my dear daughter's birthday. It's about presents for her, and cake, and surprises. We have a tradition, we go out for a big breakfast, usually to IHOP, as it's one of the few places open on the holiday. And for Becca, being born on a holiday isn't all that. She'd rather have her big day be on a regular day, as it makes planning a party or even going out to dinner very complicated. We always give her the choice of where to go, but then we have to call to find out if they are even open on New Year's Day, and many, many times they aren't so we have to find a second choice.

For me, New Year's Day will always be a special time of new beginnings, but a different kind, as it was the day I became a parent for the first time. That might not sound romantic, but in reality it is. I have a beautiful daughter who represents the ultimate expression of love between my husband and I. And, this lovely little girl looks like her handsome Daddy! She's a special gift from my beloved that will always be with me and remind me of how wonderful it is to have new beginnings and to celebrate special days, even if they don't coincide with a national holiday.

Today, I'm going to celebrate the New Year with a big hug for my daughter, a big gift for her, and with thankfulness that she's in my life.
 
How do you celebrate the holiday?  I'm giving away a $15 Starbucks gift card to one lucky blog visitor, and a free e-book copy of my new release Bright Scoundrel. I'm also giving away two copies of Bright Scoundrel as a second place prize to two lucky readers.  

Bright Scoundrel is my new release (1/2/13). Amazon Link it is the sequel to Dark Hero and is a historical romance that takes place in Ireland of 1802. Dark Hero, the first book of the Reluctant Heroes Series, is .99 Cents this week on Amazon and on B&N Pubit for Nook. (That's a 400 page novel, so it's a great deal) Pick up a copy if you need to catch up on the series. To enter the contest for the gift card and free book please leave a comment below, sharing something you do that's not the typical way to celebrate the New Year. Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner. If you leave a comment here, you are also automatically entered in the grand prize for the New Years Hop!   Keep hopping, there are plenty of other Blogs with prizes to win. With over 200 bloggers joining this huge event, you could win more than once.

Here's the link to the main site so you can continue hopping: 
New Year's Blog Hop

77 comments:

Mary Kirkland said...

Thanks for taking part in the blog hop and Happy New Year. I don't make resolutions any longer and we just stay home on New Years these days. Dang, we're boring old people now..lol

miztik_rose@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking part in the blog hop! I made a list of goals for each month of 2013 to keep me on track.

susanaellisauthor@gmail.com

Debby said...

We used to make New Year's Day a big family celebration but now we just do our immediate family. This year there will only the three of us as my other two daughters are out of state.
debby236 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

In 2012 I stumbled upon author Lily Silver and I intend to read more of her work in 2013! Happy New Year!

Rita Wray said...

We don't do anything special, just watch TV after a nice dinner.

Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

Booklover Sue said...

Happy New Year! I spend it with family.
susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

Kassandra said...

Spend it with the hubs!

Kassandra
sionedkla@gmail.com

Tea said...

Spent it reading.
Happy New Year!
t.abule (a) yahoo (dot) com

magic5905 said...

Thanks for the great hop.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

Tara said...

I have a cousin who was born on New Year's day too. I've been watching her celebrate on Facebook today. (She lives in England). Anyway, I celebrate the new year at home with a bottle of champagne. tchevrestt(at)yahoo.com

kipha said...

Thanks so much for a great beginning to a New Year. Spent it reading at home with the siblings.

kp_kazamei(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

We are very low key around our house. We have friends over, the kids play, the adults play board games and try new drinks. Lots of food, laughter, and fun. Not to mention, the doggy gets lots of attention from everyone.

Happy New Year.

Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

Ellz said...

We don't really celebrate at all, guess that's traditional. It usually marks the last day of vacation, so we are all a bit lazy.
zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

Unknown said...

Happy New Year!

chellesy.clay at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Just like to stay home, stay warm and relax


tsommervold at hotmail dot com

vicjbr said...

play games
Happy New Year!
thanks
Mrsbrinius at comcast dot net

Linda said...

The new year was somewhat different because I've been staying at home almost everday nursing aa fractured wrist. Normally I'm out everyday working out at the gym. Oh well on the bright side I've lots of time to read.

Best wishes for the coming year!

thumbelinda03 at yahoo dot com

Sandra said...

Wow, becoming a parent really is a new beginning :) How fantastic! Thanks for sharing your story.

We just stayed home and relaxed for the new year but hope to be more active as the year progresses, maybe even attend comic con if we score tickets!

Thanks so much for the chance!

Unknown said...

We always go for a family walk -- either in the hills or in the forest; this year it was the forest. Great to be able to spend time with my husband and son.
Love your book cover! A red-haired friend was lamenting that 'everyone hates you when you've got red hair', which I hotly denied -- so delighted to see your red-haired hero!

Jennifer Irving said...



super kewl giveaway, thanks for participating! We stayed at home with the boys, ringing in the UK new year, watched a movie, and put the boys to bed by 9 :)
jennirv4967 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Happy Nw Year and thank you for sharing your love and your soul with us in your books!

angelheart618@gmail.com

Shannon said...

We stay at home with the kids every year and play board games.

Shana7426@aol.com

Unknown said...

Happy new years and birthday to your daughter... Thanks for being part of the hop.

j.m.platt83@gmail.com

christina said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter and congrats on the new book. I will be picking it up soon

christina
cgricci@yahoo.com

BLHmistress said...

I don't do anything not typical. We just eat Pork and Sauerkraut and chill for the day.

Dawna N.

vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

Tin said...

Congratulations on the new book and hugs to your daughter!

Here's to a wonderful 2013 for all of us!

- Tin (khriscc at yahoo dot com)

lsilver60 said...

Thank you Helen! I love my redheads. I'm one, and I have a son and grandson with red hair. If you watch Grey's Anatomy, Owen Hunt is so hot! Tell your friend that!

Ronda Tutt said...

That is so neat that your daughters birthday is on New Years, she is truly special. We spent our New years at home and watch a movie til it was time for our New Years Kiss. LOL

Wishing you a great new year
mrsqueentutt@gmail.com

Lynda Dickson - Books Direct said...

I spent New Year's Eve with my husband and 2 daughters watching Barbie and the Popstar movie and drinking hot chocolate!
lyndadickson@skymesh.com.au

Drea Becraft said...

Happy New Year!

Your daughter is such a cutie!

~*Drea*~
dreabecraft(@)aol.com

Anonymous said...

Cuddled with my honey and watched tv. Thanks for the giveaway and Happy New Year!!!!! I can't wait for all the new books that will be coming out in 2013!

readingdiva@ymail.com

Unknown said...

I guess most people are cold and hiding, we go out to the beach with the kids. :)

Happy 2013!
Oh, my first daughter wasn't born on the first day of the year, but on the 11th. I totally understood about this amazing experience and how hard it is to find friends because it's vacation time.

morebooksthanlivros@gmail.com

strawberryrose said...

To start out, Happy Birthday to your daughter Rebecca. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! I watch the ball drop and then settle in to read a great book.

Judy
strawberryrose@earthlink.net

lsilver60 said...

Ah, Barbie! Yes, sounds like a great time with the girls! Wish they had Barbie movies when we were young. :(

LEENA7 said...

My dad and his grandma were both new years eve babies..my dad swore everyone was out celebrating his bday..lol..??We normally stay in , rent some good movies, really cool snacks and then when its time for the ball to drop, we toast the new year with sparkling cider.We like staying in together where we are safe and ready to start the new` year as a family. Hope your new year is full of fun adventures, happy times and laughter
peach_hugs@yahoo.com

Mimi Smith said...

Not typical? Gee, I don't know. i never go clubbing, just spend it with family or friends, talking and watching movies.

Happy New Year!

anasmithblue@gmail.com

Unknown said...

We celebrate by having a nice family get together with ham and cabbage! It is a nice chill day to hangout!

grapeapril75(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Cheryl St.John said...

Happy birthday to you new year dolly! I have a daughter with a Dec 29 birthday, a granddaughter with a Dec 27 birthday and a grandson with a Dec 19 birthday. I make an effort to keep their birthday's special, and NEVER any Christmas wrap!

Cheryl St.John
SaintJohn@aol.com

Cassandra said...

I normally just watch Dick Clark's New Year's show :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

nikki.t.23 said...

My daughter's birthday is also Dec. 29th and she turned the big 5 this year! Well, last year I suppose :)

nikki.t.23@gmail.com

Jo said...

That's a lovely story about your daughter - I wish her a happy belated birthday!

jochibi AT yahoo DOT com

Alice said...

Spent it with my family!
Lots of love to you and your daughters!
movie1997 at live dot it

Anonymous said...

Thanks for being part of the Hop! I try to go to the gym on New Year's Day, if I don't feel too lazy.

strive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com

JanD said...

Usually watch the ball drop while enjoying food.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com

J Lenni Dorner said...

I'm not sure if it's "not typical," but I have been to a fair share of "bowl in the new year" parties at the local bowling lanes.
I also know a guy who went SCUBA diving under the water where New Year's fireworks were being set off this year. He got some neat shots of "how the fish see the celebration."

j.lennidorner@facebook.com

Happy New Year! I hope you have a great one. Thanks for taking part in the hop. Please visit my site: What-Are-They.com

Michelle Bledsoe said...

I don't think I do any thing unusual for New Year's celebrating.
Happy New Year
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

bn100 said...

don't celebrate unusually
Happy new year!
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Missie1 said...

We veg in front of the tv, watching movies all nite, then on New years day I fix Cabbage Roll Soup and we eat on it all day :D In West Virginia Its suppose to bring you luck with money (so you'll always have some) if you eat cabbage on the 1st day of the year. :D
Happy New Yearm and Happy Birthday to your daughter :D
Big Hugs
Missie Jones
missie25524 (at) netzero (dot) com

Penumbra said...

I don't know if other's celebrate this way, but we have miso soup with omochi for breakfast and a large sukiyaki dinner.

penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Since I can`t use Starbucks giftcard, I`m enetring only for the grand prize!
I always spend the New Year`s Eve with mu family and closest friends, relatives. We`re having dinner, watching TV, chatting, counting down before the midnight, drinking champagne and watching fireworks!

dita(dot)skarste(at)gmail(dot)com

Carla said...

We don't really celebrate New Years at all. Life continues much as it did before and after.
planterofhope at aol dot com

Wild N Mild $$$ said...

It is just another day here.
Jennifer Rote
wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Thank you for participating in the New Year Blog Hop!
Best Wishes in 2013
uilani25 (at) hotmail (dot) com

donnas said...

Happy New Year!!

bacchus76 at myself dot com

michedt said...

I'm not sure if I do anything non-typical...except this year for the first time in 37 years I didn't have any black eyed peas. Oh goodness, I don't know what in the world is gonna happen now.
Thanks so much for participating in the blog hop. Hope you have an awesome 2013!
michelletucker at baconnation dot net

Toni Porter said...

My mom and I traditionally have our "midnight meal" consisting of appetizers and snack foods, while we wait for the ball to drop. We sip on sparkling pear juice instead of wine.
tp DOT quixotic AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

For NYE this year, I hung around the house with a couple of good friends and a bottle of 18 year old scotch!

Happy New Year & thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com

Unknown said...

Happy New Year,thanks for the chance to win.

dragonkeep62(at)gmail(dot)com

Veronika said...

Happy New Year to you!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

NYD is just a small holiday for us. We don't go all out. Our children, their spouses and our grandchildren come over for dinner and that's about it.
gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katie Amanda said...

New Years was relaxing for me. Thanks for participating. katieamanda1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Liese2 said...

We ate snacks and watched the Twilight Zone marathon with the kids.
Thanks for the chance and Happy New Year!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com

AEKZ2 said...

I spend New Year's Day relaxing and calling my parents.

annettekz2@yahoo.com

Shadow said...

Hi! Happy New Years! I spent the day with my family. We watched movies, put together a puzzle and toaster in the new year. Thanks for the awesome hop and all the giveaways! This is so fun! I love these hops! I always meet new authors, reconnect with old ones and my TBR list grows by leaps and bounds! Thank you!! Have a great day! Best wishes and many blessings to you!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

Natasha said...

I spend it at home.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Happy New Year!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

Maureen said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter!
We usually have a quiet dinner at home.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Stacey said...

Happy New Year Lily and happy birthday to your daughter :)

We don't celebrate at all ...

staceyprice(at)gmail(dot)com

latishajean said...

I stayed home on New years eve watched tv. Thank you very much for the great giveaway and fun blog hop!
I wish you a very Happy New Year!
Latisha D
tishajean@ charter.net

Fiona said...

I love your cover. All the best for the New Year.
Una Tiers
Una@unatiers.com

Fran Andrew said...

Thank you for the blog hop been down since the New Year with bad flare up of Lupus. I enjoy reading your books when I can't write myself. Thanks for making the time in bed so much easier.

Fran Andrew said...

Facebook Laurie Smallwood

lsilver60 said...

Fran,
So sorry to hear you are sick! Hope you are soon feeling better and able to write!

Lily

Deb PelletierC said...

Happy new years.
r.d1@myfairpoint.net

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I had a quiet new years at home with the tv.

amnell(dot)khalan(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Oh when I was just a young wee lass, I used to go to the most lavish of parties all decked out in my evening wear with a handsome bloke on my arm to passionately kiss at midnight. Now many moons later (15 years lol), I stay at home and cuddle with my four legged men, oh and my boyfriend haha, and we watch television. I don't think we even realized it was midnight this year until about ten minutes late, we kissed (no tongue ewwww) said Happy New Year, and went on with our ways-him on the computer and I on my Kindle. Ahhhh, to be young again.

Thanks for the fantabulous giveaway. I wish you much success in 2013.

Happy New Year,
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

lsilver60 said...

Thank you to everyone who visited my blog this week and to those who left comments. You made my New Year's very special and memorable!

Lily Silver

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