Oh, how I love lists!

If you saw my desk right now, you’d find me literally buried under tiny scraps of paper ripped off in various ways, sticky notes, journals, lined notepads, blank notepads, and those cute spiral ones with the fun mottos and sayings on the cover. I have two planners in the mess also. It’s my personal type of heaven.

It gives my husband and oldest son a panic attack.

So, of course I need to make my own favorite lists for the year for one reason.

They’re fun.

I read everyone’s lists. Whether I agree or not, I always end up finding a new book, or movie, or word, or idea from the inspiration of others. Even the controversy is fun (respectfully) to argue what one hates versus what one loves.

As long as we avoid politics. At least, on my list.

Here we go! In no particular rhyme, order or reason:

My Fave Books:

This is always the most brutal list to scrape down to a few since I read a minimum of a book per week, maybe more. I’m a fan of so many romance authors, I could never list them all here. I decided to keep it to just five, targeting the ones that truly affected me.

1. Consumed – JR Ward. Her Black Daggerhood Brothers series is epic and classic, but this contemporary novel revolving around firemen was amazing. I consumed it in a few days, and kept thinking about the characters. That’s a sign of a great book.

2. Now That You Mention It – Kristan Higgins. She’s always been a favorite author of mine, but this book just hit all the feels for me. I simply couldn’t put it down, and it was packed with her trademark emotion. As a writer, I was both joyous and envious of her story telling talents (I’m human okay!) but as a reader? Nirvana.

3. Dean Koontz Jane Hawk Series – oh, Lord. This is a five book series – I’ve read 4 so far and I’m counting the days till 5 releases. The heroine is kick ass and unlike anyone I’ve read before. The suspense is shattering. Bad things happen in these books – reminds me of Game of Thrones – the moment you get attached to a character, he/she could be gone. But Koontz is one a master of suspense and it’s worth every nerve jangling moment. Read it.

4. The Outsiders – Stephen King – King is another one of my go-to authors and this book did not disappoint. With a fresh, creepy perspective and a theme extremely newsworthy right now, I couldn’t put this book down. Twists and turns abound and you always care about his characters.

5. The Kiss Quotient – Helen Hoang – I know this made everyone’s top list and the reason is it’s a sexy, fun, emotional, fresh book that everyone will love. Highly recommended.

I know there’s not a lot of romance novels listed, but that’s because I read too many to name here. Seriously. I picked my general top five, people. That’s all I could do.

Movies:

Creed 2 – Rocky is back. This was better than Creed 1. I surged to my feet and ended up punching my nephew a few times in my excitement. LOVED.

A Star is Born – I’m obsessed with the movie and the soundtrack. Haven’t felt this much emotion watching a film in a long time. My fave of the entire year.

Avengers Infinity War– I’m still counting down the days until the second movie comes out. This movie ripped my heart out and was so well done and clever.

A Quiet Place – Scary, suspenseful, brilliantly acted, the perfect scary suspense movie.

Black Panther – My new fave superhero that nears my obsessive love for Thor.

Honorable Mention: Crazy Rich Asians. – Love a well-done romantic comedy. Bring more back like this.

Music:

A Star is Born Soundtrack.

Five Seconds of Summer – Youngblood

Taylor Swift – Delicate

Halsey – Alone

Carrie Underwood – The Champion

Bebe Rexha – I’m a Mess

Maroon 5 – Wait

Panic at the Disco – Say Amen

TV Series:

Model Squad on E!

The Haunting of Hill House – Netflix

VanderPump Rules and Below Deck – Bravo

The Handmaids Tale – Hulu

Castle Rock – Hulu

Dirty John – Bravo

Favorite Things:

Whispering Angel Rose’

Titos Vodka Dirty Martini with extra blue cheese stuffed olives, shaken, straight up, and iced.

My new baby Christmas tree I set up in the family room with lights already on!

My stuffed Hei-Hei from Disney

My mother’s homemade stuffed shells

Dairy Queen. They extended their season and I’m so grateful.

Apple Cider donuts from Tantillo’s Farm Stand

Jeni’s Ice Cream and the new flavors

My new Passion Planner

Lipsense (Whitney Burke is my supplier in case you want to check it out)

My sequin Minnie Mouse ears

Stuff I Did:

Readers on the River – Kentucky – 1001 Dark Nights put on the ultimate signing and allowed readers intimate time spent with JR Ward. Besides the gorgeousness of Kentucky, being able to lunch at JR Ward’s house was simply an experience I’ll never forget.

Nashville – A weekend away in this famous city showed me the country girl inside me dying to get out. I fell madly in love and am counting down the days to return. The music, whiskey, and atmosphere put me on a high.

Book Bonanza – Denver, CO. – When Colleen Hoover decides to put on a party – she brings it. One of the biggest, most exciting signings I’ve ever attended. Exhausting but loved every single moment.

ROME – RARE signing – going to Italy to meet my readers was a highlight of my year. They came out in droves and my heart nearly burst with gratitude and love for everyone. I finally got to bring my husband to the country I adore so much, and we packed in everything within a few days, from the Coliseum, Vatican, Spanish Steps, and every restaurant/café we could possibly hit. I also had dinner with my favorite author of all time: Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and I didn’t even faint. This ranks as my favorite trip of the year.

The Slinky Roller Coaster at Disney, Hollywood Studios – It was worth standing in line for 2 hours. Toy Story land is magical.

Things I’m Grateful For:

That my boys still say “I love you” to me every day before they get on the bus

The Ladies Who Write – my newly formed group of authors I love, read, and admire. I’m so lucky I get to call them my friends.

Selling my first women’s fiction book

Selling a brand new series to Montlake

Being asked to be keynote speaker at two big events this upcoming year

Being asked to run a masterclass on Write Naked

That my husband cooks and does the dishes and doesn’t think it’s a big deal

That the awful, searing pain and depression of losing my Dad has finally eased

That I’m still able to pay my bills being a full time writer

That I get email from readers who loved my books

For my dog, Bella, who turned 15 years old this year and is my very best friend

I’m going to skip all the general things I thank God for every night, like family, friends, health, security, etc. I wanted to name some specific stuff.

I think that’s it! I had fun doing my list – I hope you will do your own list and please share it with me!

Happy Holidays and all my love.