LOOKING BACK AT 2013 - by Kathy Ivan

As we come to the end of 2013, I want to take a moment to look back at this year and what we've accomplished.

As a group, Not Your Usual Suspects has grown, not only in size, adding a few new members, but also in our outreach. We have the blog site (of course we do, here you are visiting with us).
Each of us continued writing throughout 2013, sending work out to agents and editors. Some entered contests. Many of our members had multiple books come out, with more available next year.

As authors, we believe in what we do. We love writing, telling stories. We love sharing those stories with you, the readers, hoping and praying with each word we write you will become engrossed within our storytelling and when you finish the book, you'll smile and say, "Yes, I loved it. Let me see what else this author has out there." That is the biggest compliment you can pay an author, letting him or her know you enjoyed the book they've poured hours and hours toiling over with blood, sweat and tears. (As a side note, I'd like to suggest that if you like a book, post a review. It can be on Amazon, Goodreads, B & N, wherever you're comfortable posting one. Word of mouth is the best way to let others know about new and upcoming authors they may not have previously read. Yes, people do read reviews and buy based on them. It's also a small way of saying thanks to an author who has brought a few hours of enjoyment into your life. Okay I'll get off my soapbox now. LOL)

We dream big. Hopefully we'll have new and exciting things happening in 2014 and you can come on the ride with the authors at Not Your Usual Suspects as we continue growing, writing, and generally having a great time spreading the word that reading and writing mysteries and romantic suspense is fun.

My wish for 2014 is that you have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year and may all your dreams come true. I'll be aiming high, shooting for the stars, and continuing to write, because I love it and I know if I dream it and believe it, everything I wish for will come true.

And since I'm the one writing this post, I'm going to add a personal note here: From now through December 31, 2013, books 1 and 2 in the Destiny's Desire Series are on sale (at Amazon.com) for $0.99 each. So if you haven't read the first two books in this series, here's your chance to get both books at a great price.

Second Chances (Book #1)

Losing Cassie (Book #2)