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A Quiet New Year, A Loud Imagination

There’s something funny about the end of the year. Some people are counting down with fireworks, champagne, glitter, and questionable hats that will appear in photos no one remembers taking. Meanwhile, in my house, we approach December 31st with the tactical precision of a military operation because, well… we have dogs.

And dogs do not appreciate the European “Sylvester” tradition of exploding the sky for entertainment. Growing up in Germany, New Year’s Eve was a literal blast—fireworks everywhere, people cheering in the streets, the whole world sparkling. But now? Now I have small fluffy creatures who think fireworks are the opening act of the apocalypse. So we celebrate quietly, with blankets, snacks, and repeated promises that the big booms outside are absolutely not the end of days.

But while the sky may stay quiet, my imagination certainly didn’t this year.

Around this time last December, I had this wild spark of an idea for an art-history-themed mystery. I told myself, “Sabine, this is either the beginning of something beautiful… or the beginning of yet another chaotic writing spreadsheet you’ll abandon after week two.” Amazingly, it turned into an entire novel. A whole book! With plot twists, history, mystery, and not a single spreadsheet in flames. A December miracle.

As if that weren’t enough, I also published Book 4 in the Magical Papillon Mystery series. Blueberry supervised every chapter, of course, offering valuable editorial notes such as “more treats” and “include a fancy Papillon who saves everyone.” I also finished several short stories, and the audiobooks—oh yes, there were audiobooks. If you ever want to hear me wrestle confidently with sound equipment like a slightly confused but determined squirrel, that’s a whole story of its own.

Looking back at the year, I realize I’ve done good. Really good. Not in a one-hit-wonder, “remember that author who wrote that one thing once?” kind of way, but in a “I’m here for the long haul, pull up a cozy chair, grab a cup of something warm, because we’re just getting started” way.

And next year? I plan to do exactly what I love. I’ll tell magical, whimsical, cozy mysteries that sweep you out of the everyday world and gently drop you into places where ghosts whisper clues, dogs are smarter than detectives, and life always comes with a sprinkle of wonder.

No matter how you celebrate the end of your year—loud, quiet, sparkly, sleepy, or with a dog hiding under a blanket—I hope it ends on your own terms. Stay safe, stay happy, stay curious, and thank you for stepping into my stories with me.

I’ll see you next year—at one of my shows, on social media, and without a doubt… between the pages.

Be well,
Sabine
(And Blueberry and Buddy, the papillons, who are already preparing for a peaceful, boom-free New Year.)

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