Happy Naughty New Year! The INSPIRATION edition!

Posted byannabeljosephPosted inNovels

First of all, welcome, Naughty New Years bloghoppers! Hopefully that New Years hangover is gone and you’re ready to kick off another year of reading. To advance that cause: if you leave a comment here you’ll be entered in the overall drawing to win a $100 gift card to EdenFantasys or a digital gift basket of 10 erotic books. I’ll also be giving away an e-book to ten randomly chosen commenters here on this page. Check out all the participating authors and blogs! (click)

What to comment about, you ask? How about something that’s inspired you in the past year? Those of you who know me know that I thrive on inspiration. I love to look at interesting and beautiful things and file ideas away to use in stories. I thought I’d use this post to share ten random things that inspired me last year (besides YOU, my readers!) And I’d love it if you commented about things that inspired you.

1. Raden Soemawinata strips to save drowning dog. (click for story)
There’s something about a hero, huh? This story inspired me so much that I’ve committed to act next time I see someone in distress, rather than just watch. If it’s possible to help, I will. But…I don’t know if I could jump in a river. This guy rocks.

hero

2. My friend “W” in this photo. There’s really nothing to say except that I wish he’d send me more photos.

W

3. This video of Janie Taylor and Justin Peck. (YES, I’m posting it AGAIN!) I love the quality of movement, the collaboration. There is so much romance in working together to create art.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy74aAFhB6o]

4. The song Mirrorball, by Elbow. I think it contains the most romantic and beautiful lyrics of all time.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjlSr2zg9Jo]

5. The “Lovebird” trapeze act from Cirque du Soleil’s TOTEM. When I saw TOTEM in ATL, Guilhem Cauchois and Sarah Tessier were performing this act. I wish I could explain how this guy’s arms and back muscles looked when he was hanging upside down from that trapeze and catching his partner. Let’s just say I bought a second very-expensive ticket to go back and see it again. (If you’d like to see a video of Guilhem and Sarah perform, click the photo and fast forward to the 1:45 mark)

lovebirds

6. Michael Fassbender in Shame. The movie’s not sexy, it’s sad. What’s sexy is the courage of Fassbender’s performance. Good lawdy. Let’s leave it at that.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfsEyWzsZh4]

7. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I loved the Matthew in this book almost as much as I love my own Matthew from Mercy. Although Deborah’s Matthew is a lot nicer. 🙂

click for info

8. This video: Dog Giddy for Bubble Bath When he starts pawing at the water I die.

omg! so cute!

9. Jason Momoa. In this picture.

Jason Momoa

Oh, and here. Enough said.

khal drogo

10. And you didn’t think I’d have an inspiration post without this guy, did you?? My eternal heartthrob, Daniel Craig, looking very much like Jeremy Gray. Imagine his tie there as a belt. Now you’re thinking like Annabel!

He looks like Jeremy!

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about some of my inspirations. Don’t forget to leave a comment and you could win some great blog hop prizes like those below OR one of ten ebooks I’m giving away to celebrate the new year. Be sure to visit all the stops on the hop for more giveaways. You can find a complete list of participating blogs here. (click!)

Leave a comment to win a $100 gift cardor a bundle of awesome ebooks!

HAPPY 2013!!!

84 thoughts on “Happy Naughty New Year! The INSPIRATION edition!”

  1. Thanks for posting the Totem trapeze act. Unbelievably beautiful, as though there is no such thing as gravity! They make it look so easy.

  2. I am inspired by people that have the creativity and ability to transport readers into other worlds by their words. Looking forward to reading more.

  4. I thought that Gabby Douglas’s performance at the olympics was inspiring. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    thompsonem3(at)aol(dot)com

  5. Being a Brit I think the things that inspired me most in 2012 were the Olympics / Paralympics. I think as a Nation we did ourselves proud but all of the athletes who took part were amazing. We had quite a year for the Royals too with the wedding, Jubilee and now a new baby on the way 🙂

    sarahsreviews at ymail dot com

  6. What inspired me this year was spinal surgery. I don’t even mean the sarcastically. It gave me time away from work to realize it is time to retire and spend more time with my husband and family. Chris Adams

  7. I always get inspiration from the books that I read. Last year, I discovered music by Beats Antique, and I loved the music so much that I decided to try a belly dance class with my sister. Unfortunately, we just went to one session and that was it.

    Happy Naughty New Year!

  8. Since you like the dance (ballet) I had to tell you of one of my inspirations: Pink. Try. I love the dance in that video…… and his rock hard abs:-) And I think that pic’s from your friend W could inspire anybody

  10. Great inspirations! My personal was watching the inner strength my little one showed enduring another surgery! (She’s 7) and hopefully this is the last!

  11. Music is definitely my inspiration (and always has been! I always have music on, especially when I’m writing!). And the books I read too-definitely can be inspiring, creatively and in life in general. 😀 kristinelaw03(at)gmail(dot)com

  12. What a fabulous year of inspiration! Love, love, love the dog getting a bubble bath. 🙂 I’m inspired by the books I read. I get to experience life through someone else’s eyes. Thanks for the giveaway!
    tabooreviews(at)outlook(dot)com

  15. Thanks so much for sharing. i think my inspiration has come from reading books, al these great blogs with such inspiring things that’s here for example, among others. I really can’t point out anything inspiring right now, surely there have been many inspiring moments.

  16. Inspiration is reading Annabel Joseph and C J Roberts
    Best authors Best books I have ever read

  17. Respond : I am inspired by many things…some painful, personal and humbling…but most are just down right funny. Annabel, you know of what I speak.

  18. my inspiration for 2012:
    1)my kids who both have autism and never give up and show me the world in many shades i could never see it in otherwise.
    2)my husband who gives his all to us by going out in the world and working , let face it some ppl are no good and are scary!
    3)late night drives with the windows rolled down and the radio up and the wind in my hair ……there is nothing like it .
    4)seeing people comfortable in their own skin ….. i envy and am awed by that !
    5)hearing a opera or watching ballet ………pure emotion and so alive !
    6) my cats this one is silly I suppose , but to watch them accept and trust touch and be open to receiving love , with out question or motives is pretty neat .
    7)people who do the right thing , especially if they know they will lose a want or need or I guess to say one , overcoming one self .
    8) randomness – I totally appreciate it
    9) finding that rare book or movie
    10) finding yourself in a book ……. those are special moments for me !

  21. Thanks for posting your inspiration. I have been dying to see Cirque du Soleil ever since I read your Cirque du Minuit. Have to agree about Daniel Craig too. Music inspires me. I love to listen to a beautiful baritone voice.

    kesummer69(at)gmail(dot)com

  22. I always find inspiration from the paralympics. I always strive to be a better person. Happy New Year.

    rmwyer at shaw dot ca

  23. The confidence my youngest daughter showed when delivering her lines in her school nursery nativity play inspired me. I hope it stays with her as I was such a wallflower at that age. Also the support of good friends is as inspirational as it is priceless.

  25. I find the ability to find humor in the most stressful situations very inspirational. My kids are awesome at a well placed sarcastic comment that makes me laugh and suddenly puts everything in its proper place. My 11-year-old just went through emergency surgery at 3 am on New Year’s Day for testicular torsion. He is far from clown material, but he has the best dry sense of humor that just slays me…he commented that perhaps we needed to find a new way to party on New Year’s Eve–like a house fire. Laughter truly can conquer anything. BTW, all is well and my chances of having future grandchildren are the same as they were before! Parental payback threat lives on. 🙂

  27. I just started reading A Discovery of Witches and am loving it. I am driving myself nuts with it though because I am insisting on reading Dr. Bishop with an English accent even though I know she’s american. It’s a full on English accent, not a mild one that you might acquire from living there for a while. Normally the accent in my head matches the characters and where they are from, but not this time. Please tell me that others read their characters with accents!

    I am inspired by writers. I think it’s amazing how stories and characters come to life and are described in a way that makes it so vibrant and real for readers. I don’t know how you guys do it but I appreciate it fully 🙂

  28. Hi! Happy New Years! Hmm. I find inspiration in everything. Music videos, lyrics, tv shows & movies, lets not forget books, people, objects. Thanks for the awesome hop and all the giveaways! This is so fun! I love these hops! I always meet new authors, reconnect with old ones and my TBR list grows by leaps and bounds! Thank you!! Have a great day! Best wishes and many blessings to you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

  30. Love all of your inspirations. Thanks for posting the Elbow song. I think I’ll borrow it to choreograph the combo for class this week. 🙂 I am divinely inspired daily-most often by my children. 🙂
    Happy New Year!

  33. My children inspire me, and, also a very close and dear friend inspires me to do so many things. He sets a wonderful example for all of his friends and is a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I will admit that I have dedicated several poems that I wrote myself to Him.

  35. I’m drooling over Jason Momoa and Michael Fassbender!! I’ve recommended both Game of Thrones and Shame to lots of folks. I have been inspired lately by the women in my running group. They help to keep me motivated while training for various races.
    Happy New Year and thank you for the giveaway.
    asiancocoa94 at aol dot com

  36. Gotta love Jason Momoa but I like him a lot more in Stargate Atlantis! Thanks for the great giveaway! And have a happy new year!
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(d0t)com

  38. I am inspired by all the authors I know and will come to know. Thank you.
    coach4kat(at)gmail(dot)com

  39. I’ve enjoyed reading all these comments so much! I am floored by those people who have endured surgeries and other challenges (especially the kids). Hope all is well in the new year. (LOL about the house fire comment, Danielle!) it’s amazing how much inspiration there is to be found in every day life. 🙂

  40. My brother is my inspiration. He has bipolar disorder and while he was having a bad time he kept trying to keep going to support his family until things simply got so bad that he had to get help. Then, he had the courage to stand up and say “I need help” and he worked on getting the help he needed so he could go back to being as happy as he was before.

  41. 2012 was a bit of an uninspired year for me and I want to turn that around this year. I don’t want to be reading and seeing things that inspire me though… I want to inspire others.

    always.and.never AT gmail DOT com

  42. Inspiration can come in so many forms. I try to take my inspiration from all the people and places around me and be thankful for every healthy day my husband and I have.

  43. It will be hard to top this Hop this year! It may not be possible! Thanks for the giveaway
    No New Years resolutions for me this year.. My goal though is to make this year amazing in all ways possible! uilani25@hotmail.com

  44. I’m not trying to be teacher’s pet, but your books inspired me in 2012 to revisit my love of dance. I don’t have the body I did way back then, and life might have taken me very different directions than I’d imagined as a young dancer, but I’ve put the blackness behind me and remembered why I loved TO dance and why I love to WATCH dance.

  45. I would have to really think of ten things that have inspired me. Health issues, finances and work have really been hard on me last year. But my best escape is to remember when I was dancing. I loved it. I’d get to the club and dance until the club closed at 2am. Then drive home and then get up again at 6am. Dancing made me one with the music to flow. And I still love it. I enjoyed reading what you put down. Thanks for being in the Naughty Blog Hop. roya-clan@sbcglobal.net

  48. I can’t think of anything that has really inspired me this past year. And I agree your friend ‘W’ needs to send you more pictures, lol.

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

  49. My dad inspired me this year. He had quadruple bypass surgery and came out of it with flying colors at the age of 75. I am so proud of him. Pretty sad he is alot healthier than me actaully and i am only 37

    lasherjodi@yahoo.com

  50. Thanks!
    I want to read 50 shades, and we usually play games on new years
    mrsbrinius at comcast dot net

  52. Ok…I’m drawing a blank after watching that clip from Cirque. I cannot get over the control those two athletes seem to have. It was beautiful. What gives me inspiration is the volunteer work that I do for the schools in the county I live in. Thanks for being part of this hop & the giveaway!

    JessieL62 at comcast dot net

  53. I loved your inspiration… I watched both the dancer clip and the love birds… Wow is all i have to say… The things that give me inspiration especially when it comes to my jewelry making is vintage pictures,stones, or jewelry i love the look and in my own life my boys they make my life a blessing everyday.

    j.m.platt83@gmail.com

  54. The songs are very pretty! I love the Pink -Try song 🙂

    alinutza4u2004[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

  55. The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz, starting with The Siren, inspired me this year. Amazing books.

    mwall416 at gmail dot com

  57. I am inspired by my mom and how she hand;ed dealing with cancer this year!

    stardf(at)gmail(dot)com

  60. Annabel-my enjoyment of books has been a high point of this past year! I re-read Club Mephisto so that I was fresh for the follow up Molly’s Lips and Burn For You. I really, really love your books, you know that. Thanks for your hard work and the blog hop!
    Beth hotreaderbethy(at)hotmail(dot)com

  61. Love your list, =) and oh boy, Daniel Craig & Jason Momoa? *rawr* I´m inspired by all the eye candy and sweet moments i see on Tumblr or Pinterest, that is one sure thing that brightens my day, =)
    Thanks for the giveaway & Happy New Year!
    //Linda
    fr_larsson at hotmail dot com

  62. Nice list, indeedy! I love that photo of “W”; it was hot. My inspiration was/is my mother. Though she has her own health issues, she always put others needs before hers.

    Thanks,
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

  63. i get inspired when i walk around and something unexpected draws my attention like the moon clearly visible in the sky while the suns still up or when i see someone be kind to another person when they didn’t have to they all make me smile and think
    kaholgat at ymail dot com

  64. Deborah Harkness inspires me as well with her rich tale in her All Souls Trilogy. I love it almost as much as I love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon whose characters always inspire me.

    Sassychassy333 at gmail dot com

  66. Thanks for sharing! It’s fun to see what inspires others. My biggest inspiration is nature. I’m lucky enough to live near a park and I like taking long walks and observing my surroundings, especially during the spring.

    dancingcelt at gmail dot com

  69. I’m inspired by kindness & compassion, in whatever form it takes. Giver or receiver – it’s equally fulfilling.

    Love your post! Love your books! Deep in the Woods is one of my faves 🙂

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Karen

    whitk227 (at) gmail (dot) com

  72. Cool post! And I dated a guy who’s a Ginger Daniel Craig. But he was and is very naughty in the fact I never thought him capable of being faithful. I still know him and I was right, it’s just not in his blood. Shh, Post it to my wall and I’ll deny because his current wife would most likely hunt me down stalker way.

    xstitchdiva(at)att(dot)net

  73. I have been very inspired by all the photos on the Tattoo Tuesday blogs!! Sigh…hotties!
    Thanks for doing the hop!!

    grapeapril75(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  75. oh i loved the cirque du soleil act! thanks for sharing. one day i will see that show live! >.<
    happy new year.

    neyra
    darkestaddictions at yahoo dot com

  77. i get inspired in life by beautiful bodies. the human body is so amazing and i just love looking at perfect forms of it – male or female. thanks for the hop and sharing your inspirations. happy 2013.
    pepperpenn42 at gmail dot com

  79. Just a few hours to go in the Naughty New Years Bloghop and all these comments have blown me away! I’m just gonna randomly pick my winners tomorrow so if you have an ebook in mind that you want, watch for my email! Good luck to everyone and if you win one of the big overall prizes, please come back here and let us know!

  81. Sorry to all, it was a crazy day. I have NOT set out the winner emails yet! I promise to do so tomorrow. (Tues). Thanks for your patience. 🙂

  82. Okay, I’ve got all the winner notes sent out! Good luck! Check your inboxes!

    I had so much fun participating in this hop and reading everyone’s inspirational comments. I hope everyone has a great 2013 and if you didn’t win, remember that I have several titles available as low as 3.99, and even a free novella at Smashwords called Molly’s Lips! Thanks again everyone!

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