It has been just over a year since I started this blog. I had just been offered a contract for Highland Solution and had spent several days trying to choose a pen name. For those of you who are new to my blog, I am a professional medical writer, published under my real name and I thought perhaps it would be best to publish fiction under a different name. After days of discussions and internet searches trying to find something unique, I chose Ceci Giltenan, registered a domain and set up this website a few days before Thanksgiving last year.

On the eve of Thanksgiving it feels appropriate to take a look back at the year in which one of my fondest dreams became a reality. The sheer joy of receiving a contract gave way to a lengthy, but enlightening editing process the likes of which I can only compare to expecting one’s first child. I was excited and couldn’t wait for September to come and at the same time was anxious about what would happen when it did.

Since Highland Solution was released it has been a wild ride. I was absolutely thrilled when it started selling well. The first positive reviews sent me over the moon. People who didn’t know me, read the book and loved it enough to tell the world (at least the world of Amazon). Then a few negative reviews floated in and as much as I had tried to prepare myself for them, they hurt. Still the multitude of positive reviews from all over the world delight me more than I can tell you. As a reader, I never really had an appreciation for what these mean to an author.

Today I looked at the statistics for this blog and was floored. My site has been viewed over 3000 times by people on 6 continents in 41 countries. These numbers may not be considered huge by some standards but to me they are astounding. Part of me worried that no one outside of my family and friends would visit.

So as I head out to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey with me. Certainly first and foremost my family and friends whose love and support has been unwavering. I would also like to thank Champagne Books for giving me the opportunity to share the characters I love with the world and specifically my editor Diane Badzinski for helping me take what was a nice story and transform it into a great read. Many thanks and virtual hugs to my new and faithful fans, especially Ann and Barb who embraced me and Highland Solution immediately. Finally, thank you to all of my readers whether you loved Highland Solution or not, you took the chance, purchased the book and read it. I am grateful to you.

Warmest wishes,
Ceci