My Cup Runneth Over

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers celebrating today. It's a time for me to remember all that I am thankful for this year. I think this year more than any other I've been acutely aware throughout the entire year, not just on our specified holiday. This has simply been an amazing year for me, and today I'd like to express a little of my gratitude.

My warmest and most heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has contributed to this blog in 2009. Some people have contributed visually - you see their guest posts, their interviews, their 6-word memoirs, etc. Others have been contributing behind the scenes: David Thompson is forever opening my eyes to new and wonderful crime fiction, Linda Brown and Bobby McCue have given more than I can even begin to mention. Lesa Holstine is my mentor; I admire her and often look to her for advice. All the people who comment and send me emails motivate me and remind me daily how much I love this blog and the interaction with everyone.

Jon and Ruth Jordan. I am convinced they are my angels sent from God. They've given me a place I belong - welcomed me into the Crimespree Family - and there simply is no greater gift.

To all the authors who have entrusted me with their works of art, thank you for caring what I thought. You've given me endless hours of entertainment and things to talk about...especially on Twitter! ;) Many thanks to those who have taken the time to answer interview questions or create guest posts. And most of all, thanks to everyone who contributed to the six-word memoir project - you guys put me on the map with that project. It is near and dear to my heart, as are all of you. You are welcome here ANY day!

To the publishers and PR reps, thanks for thinking of the small-time hobby blogger who just loves to read and talk crime fiction.

To my special friends that I've met through this blog: Corey, Michael, Elyse, Kaye, and Naomi. Who would have thought? You're all over the country and yet we've become friends through this crazy Internet. You guys are wonderful and I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

And every one of you that stops to read my blog. Whether you comment, send an email or just lurk, thank you for sharing this love with me. It's gratifying to talk to people about these books and not have you react like I'm off my rocker. I was recently asked why I think the crime fiction community is so close knit. That's easy - it's the nature of the people. As I grew excited this year for various author events, Bouchercon, Murder and Mayhem, etc., you got excited with me. THANK YOU! You tolerated all my stories and pictures. THANK YOU! And you still came back afterward. THANK YOU!

I'd probably still be here talking to thin air even if you didn't come to share with me, but gosh it sure is more fun with you all!

THANK YOU!