I’ve stopped with the whole “nothing can top this year evah!” nonsense. I can remember in 2006, I didn’t think I could possibly ever have a year to top that one. So many good things happened that year after a truly horrible 2005. I was grateful that things turned around so dramatically.
Then in 2008, once again I thought wow, it doesn’t get better than this! Â Wrong again. :)
2009 has been a marvelous year and I won’t bother saying it can’t get better. I WILL say that wow, if it does get better, just wow. Â But I’m looking forward to great things in 2010 and I’ll take what comes and be happy and grateful.
After a few years of being published, 2009 came full circle in that I sold a historical trilogy. Â I started out writing historicals back when I was trying to become a published author. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get back to those stories, but I bided my time and when it was “right” I took the leap. Â The auction for this trilogy was the most exciting event yet in my publishing career. I’m really thrilled to be writing these books for Ballantine, a publisher I have a lot of respect for, and an editor who’s as excited as I am about this trilogy.
I sold a novella for an anthology with two very dear friends, people I love and am looking forward to working with for years to come. Â We’re taking a trip together to Catalina in March and I’m looking forward to spending time with them laughing and having good girly fun.
I sold more erotic contemporaries to my editor at Berkley HEAT, including another Sweet book, book 5 in the series, which will be Connor’s book :)
I sold a four book miniseries to Silhouette Desire for a back to back release in 2011.
Work wise, I had a very productive year despite a few periods where I wasn’t able to write as much as I’d have liked. Â I’m hoping to streamline my time and have a more productive year in 2010. *crossing fingers!*
Looking ahead to 2010 will see the debut of my Kelly series from Berkley Sensation. I’m soooo excited about these books. Â I’ve already written the first two books in this series, The Darkest Hour and No Place to Run, and up next I’ll be writing book 3, No Place to Hide. Â I love the Kelly family and the people they surround themselves with. Â I hope readers will love these characters as much as I do :)
Perhaps the most important thing we did in 2009 was take more family time. For the first time ever, my husband took every bit of his allotted vacation time and we traveled with our kids plus we took two trips together just us. Â We also finally took the plunge and decided to buy a new house. With three very boisterous, rambunctious children, we outgrew our current house a few years ago, but the time just never seemed right for the hassle of moving. Â I finally decided that there never would be a “good” time and so we bit the bullet and just did it. Â We closed Dec 15th and we’ll move the first week in January. Â Everyone is super excited to begin the new year in our new house and we’re looking forward to building a lot of memories in our new home :)
We’re off to spend Christmas with my family in Louisiana today. I don’t know how much I’ll be blogging between now and the end of the year because I’ll be packing! *sob* Â But I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and my wish for a happy new year. Â I’m so grateful to readers of this blog and readers of my books. Â It’s because of you that I’m able to have a job I love and that I can continue to dream up stories and put them to paper.
To show my thanks and deep appreciation, I want to offer my readers some pressies :) Â Here’s what I’m offering.
Signed and personalized Anetakis trilogy (Silhouette Desire) This includes The Tycoon’s Pregnant Mistress, The Tycoon’s Rebel Bride and The Tycoon’s Secret Affair. Â I’ll give away three sets of these books.
The first three books in the Sweet series (Berkley HEAT), signed and personalized. Â This includes Sweet Surrender, Sweet Persuasion and Sweet Seduction. Â I’ll give away two sets of these books.
AND I’ll also pony up an ARC of Sweet Temptation which releases in April 2010. Â Please note, this will be a printed, bound galley and will be mailed to winner in MARCH 2010.
Sound good? Â I’ll leave this contest open until the end of the year and I’ll post the winners the first week of January. Â It will be your responsibility to come back to see if you’ve won. I won’t hunt you down and you’ll have a limited time to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen.
To enter, just drop a comment. Â I’ll choose winners at random at the end of the year.
Much love to you all!
*smooch*
Maya
.
2009 turned out to be pretty great for me, reading wise, because I joined Twitter and met a bunch of folks that introduced me to authors I’d never read before! I hope your 2010 is even better than this year for you! Happy Holidays!
Very inspiring to hear your continued ‘It can’t get better than this!’
Congrats on all your successes, but especially on the family time and new home. Those are the most valuable things at the end of the day.
Best wishes for 2010!
Viv
Hi Maya. I hope you and your loved ones have a great Christmas. Congratulations on all the success you have had this year.
:whoo: Wow, you’ve had an uber-productive year, haven’t you? Talk about setting the bar high. I’m glad to read you got vacation time in there because it sounds like you were tied to your computer doing all that writing. Can’t wait to read your books in 2010 – I’ve been waiting anxiously for Micah’s story.
Merry Christmas, Maya!!
Wowza, you’ve had an awesome year, bookwise~~and you’ve treated us to some awesome reads!! This year FLEW by for me~~and seems like I didn’t get as much reading done as I’d have liked. Going to have to fix that in 2010!!
Happy holidays!
What a truly great contest, and an awesome way to end the year. Here’s hoping that everyone has great things happening to them in 2010.
Sandi
i have been very blessed and am very thankful for great friends and a wonderful family
Congrats on the wonderfully productive year and on the new house! Sounds like 2009 was a great year for you. Here’s wishing you and even better 2010!
<3<3<3 Angie :)
Have a safe trip to your dads and a Merry Christmas. Can’t wait to see the new books and their covers! :cheer:
Its so nice to hear what a wonderful year this was for you!! Thank you for all the wonderful stories, and taking time for your fans :kissing:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the family!! :rockthefuckon:
Congrats on your wonderful year (and for us readers it was great too!)
Merry Christmas and Happy 2010!!!
Glad you had fun hunting, and I would love nothing more than to win an arc of Sweet Temptation. So glad that you had such a wonderful year and I can’t wait until each of these books are released.
Have a safe trip and a very Merry Christmas!
Holy Christmas Batman! That sounds like an awesome giveaway! LOTS of pressies! IT has been a good year! Hope next year is better. :elephant::cheer::elephant:
One of the best things about this year is that I became hooked on Maya’s books. :)
Congratulations on all of your success this year. 2010 will be even better!
Awesome contest Maya and thanks for your generosity! :banana:
What a wonderful year. Congrats to you on all your success and your new home. Looking forward to 2010.
I can’t wait to read the Kelly series! I also happy that the sweet series is continuing! Go Connor!!
Merry Christmas!
Maya, I got in!!! So happy on a great 2009. Thank you again for Sweet Seduction and this great series. I now have all three of them and cannot wait for Sweet Temptation and that is why I am sending this note to you!! Cannot wait for Micah!! He is my fav in the series. Good news on Connor as well and hope that you might bring us Cole as well. Best Wishes and Merry Christmas!! Marie R.
So happy I discovered you this year! Love Twitter and Facebook and love to hear about things you do. Makes enjoying your books even more special because I feel like I know you a little better than just reading a bio. Keep writing!
Congrats on a great 2009!
Here is hoping 2010 is only gets better!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Merry Christmas
Congrats on all the successes you’ve had this year.good luck with the move and here’s to a great 2010.**cheers**
Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Your list of accomplishments make me feel like a slug. the only thing I did this year was put on weight:help:.
2009 was a good year for me, too. Among other things, I discovered (both in print and on Twitter) some wonderful authors — terrific women who write terrific books. You’re certainly one of them, Maya!
Thanks for all the smiles and happy endings this year! Congrats on the new contracts and the new house; may 2010 be another wonderful year for you.
Congrats on the new house Maya! And as always congrats on all the success of your books and of course many more to come! I’m currently reading Songbird and all I can say is OMG! Loving this book and I don’t know how I could have possibly left it in my TBR pile for so long! Have a wonderful holiday.
sounds like you have had an eventful year. Moving is always exciting and stressful :conscience:
I am excited about the 4th and 5th Sweet books, loved the first three. Hope that next year is great too. :eatchoc:
:rockthefuckon:
Maya – what an amazing year you’ve had – Congrats!!! I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings you and your family.
Wishin you and your’s a healthy and happy holiday and new year.
Muahhhh
L
Maya – so glad you had a wonderful year! And I am beyond thrilled that I’ve got more of your books to look forward to!
I cannot wait to read Micah’s book! :P I’ve got your others ;)
Happy Holidays!
Oh, wow! 2009 really has been busy for you! I hope that 2010 brings much happiness and productivity to you (which, in turn, would bring happiness to me, LOL). Moving is never fun, but I know that once you’re settled into the new house, you’ll be happy that you did!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
2009 ended strong, and I’m hoping that 2010 will top every year in recent memory. I’m hoping to buy a house and finally actually write my screenplay. And I’m excited about all the great books coming out next year because there are seriously lots of them.
Thanks for the giveaway, Maya!
Congratulations on a very successful year and many many more to come. :rockthefuckon:
Merry Christmas :worthy::kissing:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It sounds like it will be a very busy one!
Merry Christmas Maya!
I wish you all the best for 2010!
Hugs and Smooches
Congrats on all your great successes this year – especially the house!! Hopefully the move will be a smooth one. Have a great holiday season and safe travels!!
You’ve been a busy person, and we love you for it!! Yeah!!
Congratulations on a very successful year and more to come.
Wishing you a safe and wonderful trip with family.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year :drunk:
2009 sucked! So I will be glad when it is over. Looking forward to 2010! It can’t be any worse! Hope you have a great Christmas.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday and safe travels. I look foward to reading your stories in 2010! Thanks!
Congratulations on a great year. My newly married daughter moved close to home and found a job after be laid off so all is good. Happy Holidays everyone.
looking forward to a good year! :cheer:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2010 be as rewarding for you as 2009 has been.
Congrats on all of your successes this year.
Have a great time with your family and enjoy your new house!
Hi Maya!
earlier this year you were a new author to me, so for me it was a fantastic year with you and your books and I’m looking forward to 2010…I really loved your Anetakis trilogy and just started with the first Sweet-book!
Wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hugs, Ina :kissing:
Congrats on the great year! And have a productive move, since I hate packing.
Congrats on the wonderful year Maya.
This year I discovered reader blog land & other book lovers & it’s been awesome.
All the best to you & your family.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Hope your trip is safe and full of fun!
:kissing::purplelaugh::hug:
All the best for the new year!
Thanks for the awesome books.
Meg
This year was pretty bad for our family so I’m definitely hoping for better next year. Unfortunately the weather has turned really bad so we won’t be celebrating Christmas on Friday. Not sure when/if we will at all, but I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday full of books and ebook readers. And continued success to you in the New Year Maya!
What a great year, Maya! Thanks for being part of my good year, too :)
First off I would like to say thank you, thank you, thank you….because of you I’ve discover a new genre of books. I’ve always loved reading especially romance novels and love harlequin books. When I read you first Silhouette Desire I could believe how lucky I was to discover an author to love. I just had to get my hands on everything that you ever wrote. And now I’m proud to say that I have a bookself devoted to your books.
So thanks for a great year reading wise and can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2010 and beyond.:whoo: :whoo:
Devoted Reader,
Oriela
Wow, what a year!
Happy holidays and thanks for the great giveaway! :)
:kneel:
yea, that is about how i wish my 2009 would have went…
But I did manage to get my 16 yr daughter and hubby to some… :vaccuum: so I am :whoo:!!
Now on to your achievements… :rockthefuckon: You go girl!!!!!
I would love for my name to be in this hat!!!
Thanks for the rocking contest!
Happy Holidays to you and your family! Wishing you all the best in 2010, too.
Happy Holidays!
:elephant:
Hope you have a great visit with your family! I know I will enjoy being with mine. Can’t wait to see what the new year brings for you and your books!
Wishing you a successful 2010. Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.
This is so generous of you, hope you have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2010!
I just found your books in January, so my 2009 has included lots and lots of Maya Banks! One of my favorite books of ALL TIME is “Into the Lair”, though I love them all. Especially can’t wait to read the next Sweet books when they’re available. Hope you and the family have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Happy Holidays, Maya. Thank you for being a prolific good writer.
:woot:
Awesome prize! I only found your books this year and can’t wait for the next book in your Sweet series. Hope everyone has an awesome holiday!
Thanks for such an awesome giveaway! I love all your books and hope you enjoy the holidays!
Hope your holidays are great! Love your books
Congrats on all those sales I’ll keep an eye open for your historicals!
:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:
Congrats on the great year!! Any time you get to publish more books improves my reading time as well, so YAY!!!!:banana::banana: Enjoy your family time, and try not to hurt anyone while moving.:help::cursesign::help::cursesign::help:MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reading Sweet Persuasion (borrowed from the library) right now and I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying it! Pleasantly surprised how the characters and plot are pushing my personal boundaries in a positive way!! Looking forward to reading the other books in the Sweet series.
Thank you Maya Banks for sharing your writing talent with all your readers!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Roxanne
:worthy: :cheer:
I hope the trend of the best year ever continues for you in 2010! Have a great Christmas Maya :)
It’s great to hear that your year has been so wonderful, and even greater that you’ve decided to share the joy with us. Thanks so much! :)
Merry Christmas to you too. I hope you have a wonderful 2010.
what a wonderful contest. I love your books. a friend got to review Sweet Seduction and loved it. She told me I had to check out your books. I’ve been hooked ever since. Can’t wait to see what next year brings.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
2009 has been a fairly good year, could have been better, but could have been a lot worse! Thank you for your generosity to your readers. Have a Blessed and Safe Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Maya!!!!
It was a great year, but I am really looking forward to 2010 you have a great line up of books so I am going to be one happy booklover. And can I just tell you that I am beyond excited to hear about the historical trilogy. I first started reading romances with historicals and they are near and dear to my heart even though I love your contemporary romances too. Very very excited about what is to come :elephant:
Wow. Just wow. You’ve had an amazing 2009! I’m looking forward to reading all of the books you have scheduled to release – both those you’ve already written and those you still have to write.
Thank you for keeping us updated on all of your good news. Have a very Merry Christmas with family and good luck packing to move. Thank you also for the very generous contest!
We’ve had a rough last quarter with a family member having a very serious health issue come up, which has turned my life upside down. I can’t say the worst is behind us, but I’m learning to deal with it the best I can.
Thank goodness for books, I’ve really needed to escape reality and they’ve been a great help.
And I’m really loving the “Sweet” series!
Glad you had such a great year because it means more wonderful books for us. :whoo: Hope you enjoy your holidays and your move is more fun than pain in the rear.
Wow…I’m so glad you have a wonderful 2009 & wish you the very best in the next year & years to come, because that means I get to read more of your books. Can’t wait to read Sweet Temptation, been waiting on it for a loooong time. Have a wonderful Holiday & a very Happy New Year. Enjoy your new house!
Congrats on all the good things that have came your way and good luck on all the things to come. Merry Christmas and thanks for the great giveaway!
Merry Christmas Maya~
Congrats on the great stuff that happened in 2009! I cannot believe how quickly this year has passed. I know that 2010 will bring you lots more great successes.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
You have had a great year and congrats. Here’s to the New Year and your success again.
Great contest! I hope you have a happy Christmas! :-)
I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season. Congratulations on your great year, and I know 2010 will bring more of the same.
GOODBYE 2009…boy I’m glad to get rid of you!!
absolutely love your books! Cannot wait for next years books! Hope everyone has a safe and merry christmas!
As great as 2009 has been for you, I KNOW 2010 is going to rock even harder!! And I am looking forward to so much of your work coming out in 2010! :worthy:
Best wishes for 2010 and ROCK ON! :rockthefuckon:
Thanks for the amazing giveaway! :woot:
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope you have a joyous one and a wonderful New Year. Safe travels and quick and easy move as you gear up for to start another year.
Thank you for all the wonderful stories that you have shared with us this year and I know that we all look forward to reading more next and the one after that and even more. Also, thanks for taking time for your fans going to book signings and conventions. Your time is pressed between deadlines and family obligations and just plain family fun, so to share that limited free time with us is extremely wonderful.
Terri
Congrats on a great year. I looking for to a fantastic 2010 on many levels, health, home, new authors, and loads of new books to read.
Happy Holidays,
Tracey D
Happy Holidays, Maya. Safe moving and looking forward to your work in the New Year:chowtime:
Thanks for the opportunity, Happy Holidays everyone! [email protected]
Here is wishing you a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. I do not envy you with the packing for your move, but it is so awesome that you got a new house!! :elephant:
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Have a great Christmas and wonderful New Year!
2009 was good to me…I bought a new car which was a huge step for me.:drunk: I also have spent more time doing things for myself.
:cheer: Congrats on such a great personal and prof. year!! Can’t wait to read ALL your releases in 2010!!
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Congrats to a wonderful 2009.
2009 was good for me too as I discovered you as a writer. You quickly escalated to one of my “must buy” authors so thank you for sharing your talent.
Cheers to a wonderful 2010!
Merry Christmas! Congrats on a great year and hope you’ll enjoy your new house :couch:
:elephant: :cheer: Maya, I am sooo happy for you! Congrats on the new house and I want to wish y’all a very Merry Xmas and a blessed Happy New Year 2010:weee:
Thank you for making my 2009 awesome with your books. You kept me in book heaven and I loved it ;) I cannot wait for 2010 :elephant:
:hanging:
This is how I often feel.
:conscience:
I’m so excited to see that you are going to be writing historicals again….I love them!! Congrats on the new contracts and the new home too!!!
So glad you had a wonderful year! My year was also wonderful – it was the year I rediscovered reading! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and joyous new year!
Happy Holidays! Looking forward to reading more of your books in 2010!
Thank you for writing such fun books. I have become addicted to them :) I look forward to many many more.
I just can’t wait to read your books in 2010!
Every book I read by you so far was great and I’m sure the new books will be just as good :woot:
Too bad that I’ll have to wait a few more month to read the next book in the Sweet series :(
Congratulations on the nomination for the CAPA awards. Very Cool and well deserved.
Best Wishes and all good things for the New Year.
Congrats on buying a new house. I hope the packing/moving part goes well. Good luck with your goals for 2010 and I look forward to reading your upcoming releases.
Congratulations on a great year! Looking forward to all the new books in 2010 & 2011.
:weee:
wow, lots of changes and more great things to come. keep up the good work
:winks:
congrats on everything! really looking forward to all the new books :)
Congrats on your wonderful year! Hope you have a great 2010!
I definitely don’t envy you the move, but I hope your family grows into the new house and that you’ll be happy there for years to come.
:cheer: Congratulations on a great 2009! :cheer:
Congrats on all the great happenings! Sounds like an exciting time and I hope that the new year exceeds all your greatest hopes.
:rockthefuckon:
Congratulations on another successful year!
Congrats on the new house. Look forward to reading your new books that come out in 2010. Hope you have a great 2010.
Hey, congrats on the wonderful year, and umm Santa was great to me this year also..3 CARROT…:guitar:sweet, not a house but I’m getting there. Can’t wait to read more of your wonderful and umm sexy books….
Thanks again….:kneel:
Congrats on a fabulous 2009. :cheer: Happy Holidays! :elephant:
Congratulations on all of your good news, Maya. Wishing you a wonderful 2010!
Cowboys and Romance,
Natalie Acres
Congratulations on an amazing year! 2009 was pretty good to me too. I finished my Masters degree and got a job! Here’s to hoping 2010 is even better!
Happy Holidays! I’m so excited for 2010, especially for Sweet Temptation in April!
I would love to win your books! I also wanted to say thank you for the entertainment, and I hope your 2010 will be an awesome one.
Thanks for offering exactly what we all want – Maya’s books! Congrats on the new house. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Congrats on a great year and wishing you A Happy New Year!
Congrats Maya on all of your success this year in 2009. And thanks for the nice contest giveaway.
I am surely looking forward to 2010. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!
Congrats on a great 2009! I enjoy your books!
Happy new year! And congratulations on this year’s achievements.
Hope your Christmas was great. What a year!
I’ve really enjoyed reading your books this year and look forward to your new releases in 2010.
So glad you have had such a successful year and I am looking forward to see more of your wonderful books released in 2010. Happy New Year everyone!
Just wanted to wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR !! I can’t believe all the fun I’ve had just following you and those wonderful books you write. Keep them coming !! See you in 2010.
:elephant::elephant::elephant:
What a great contest and a good way to end the year. Be careful on your trip and Happy New Year.
I’m probably too late but what the heck, I’ll try :) Any chance to win your book sis worth trying. Happy 2010!