I’ve been fortunate enough to have been nominated twice for the 2012 Blog of the Year Award. Once by Kitt Crescendo and once by Sheri de Grom. Both of these ladies became wonderful blogging friends in the last year.

Kitt is an extremely prolific blogger, sometimes putting out multiple posts a day. If you like your topics eclectic with cutting-edge observations, humor and warmth, then you need to visit Ms. Crescendo’s blog. May I recommend a recent post she did on sexy older men? Kitt will charm you with her wit and friendliness.

Sheri de Grom is a blogging buddy from my earliest days of timidly venturing into the author realm. She’s remained a wonderful friend and has been an inspiration through the personal stories she shares on her blog, as well as her support of our troops and military. In addition, she’s an insightful reviewer of women’s fiction who always gives the books she reviews respectful and honest consideration. You can find Sheri here. Hang out under her bridge for a while.

I’m honored and pleased to have received this blogging award from my two friends and only regret I couldn’t acknowledge it sooner with a proper post. So . . . how does it work?

Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once, tthis award is different. When you begin, you will receive the ‘1’ star award. Every time you are given this award by another blog, you can add another star!

There are a total of ‘6’ stars to collect. Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs—and even if they have already been given the award by someone else—you can still make your opinion count and pass it on to them again and help them reach the maximum of ‘6’ stars.

The rules of this award are simple:

1. Select the blogs you think deserve the 2012 Blog of the Year Award.
2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with this award.
3. Please include a link back to this page, Blog of the Year 2012 Award. http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/ – and include these ‘rules’ in your post. (Please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)
4. Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them.
5. You can now also join our Facebook page – click the link here ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award (https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlogoftheYear/) and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience.

And now I’m pleased to pay this honor forward by giving the award to the following bloggers:

L.J. Kentowski, who I originally ‘met’ through Triberr and who has become one of my favorite friends and authors. If you want to get lost in worlds of urban fantasy, hang out at L.J.’s blog which has only recently been minted over to a WordPress platform. Find out about Seekers, Guardians and — something new and interesting in the works — Descendants!

Donna Cummings, who never fails to astound me with how effortlessly she blends humor, happily-ever-after, and romance. Whether I’m reading one of her delightful novels or hanging out at her blog and experiencing slices of every-day-writer-life, Donna never fails to charm with her delivery and leave me chuckling.  She’s a fab friend who loves Twitter and coffee in equal doses, and I’m happy to support her all the way! Er, although I probably can’t keep up with the coffee, LOL.

Calisa Rhose, whose ‘ranch’ is a stellar and freakishly fun hangout – – and I mean that in a good way, LOL. I never know what I’m going to find at the ranch – – book covers, guest bloggers, book trailers, reviews – – but I always know I’ve got a standing invitation and a warm welcome. I’m so thankful to have met Calisa, who is also one of my sister authors at Lyrical Press. Mosey over to Calisa’s Ranch for a gander at what you’ve been missing.

Joanne Wadsworth, another Lyrical Press sister is a superb blogger who shares informative writer advice and whose debut novel PROTECTOR is releasing on January 9^th. This busy New Zealander has a second book already under contract and a third close to submission. Joanne and I came in as ‘newbies’ together about the same time with Lyrical Press and I’m so thankful to have met her. She’s been positively delightful!

Christina McKnight who does an outstanding job on her blog of promoting other authors, upcoming/new releases and available books. If you’re looking for a good read, you’re bound to find it among the many Christina spotlights. She also writes urban fantasy/paranormal romance and is the author of the Oneiroi Series with book one, ONLY IN HER DREAMS available now and book two, ONLY IN HER NIGHTMARES coming in August 2013.

Thanks again to Kitt and Sheri for nominating me for the 2012 Blog of the Year Award. As this is my first year of blogging, it’s definitely a lovely recognition to receive. To all of my many blogging friends who have made 2012 so special, you’re all award winners to me! 😀