A Giveaway and a Seasonal Tale

What do you say we rip a page from Christmas morning and tear right into the gifts first thing?

In case you weren't around yesterday, I'm giving away away two autographed sets of my YA novels, The Chrysalis and Drink the Rain. The first set will go to the winner of a random drawing of New/Future Followers who come aboard during the week that began yesterday and continues through next Thursday. So if you're not yet a Follower, here's your opportunity.

If you've already been following, don't fret. I've got a second set of books for one of you! For a chance to win, all you have to do is comment to this post and just like that, you're entered into the giveaway. These books sets would make ideal gifts for the young adult reader in your life. Or you can just keep them for yourself--you decide! I will be happy to sign them with the inscription of your choice. I'll announce the winner one wwek from today.

So to re-cap: if you don't follow already, then let's remedy that. Viola--you're entered. If your "followership" began prior to yesterday, your comment here will be your entry. Let the fun begin!


Just Like Your Favorite Infomerical--That's Not All!

There's a lot of seasonal action underway these days, and I'm not just referring to the hasty pounce retailers have made on the Christmas season.

Stray jack-o'-lanterns and the occasional roadside dum-dum serve as daily reminders that Halloween hasn't even fully exited the social arena--and with Thanksgiving waiting a mere two weeks in the wings, one can stand on virtually any street corner in America and witness pilgrims cavorting recklessly with elves and reindeer under the watchful gaze of a tardy grim reaper.

It's unsettling, really, this wanton intermingling of frivolity. Personally, I'm for strict regulation of inter-holiday commerce. Costumes and candies should enjoy a grace period into early November, handing the show over to the pilgrims and Indians around mid-month. As suggested by the format of the traditional Macy's parade, the North Pole should be ushered in on Tom Turkey's tail feathers.

Which means I'm a little conflicted by the fact that I'm about to add to the multi-holiday chaos. See, I've got a little something for my readers that it just doesn't seem right to withhold. Sort of like the Santa socks you receive on New Year's Eve, or the ornament you open on January 1st, this is the kind of thing you should be enjoying all season long. And I want you to share it, too, and knowing that it can take awhile for things to circulate around cyberspace, I think we'd better get started.

The following link is to a short story I wrote as a Christmas gift to my readers. It is not a part of either of my novels, but it is a stand alone story set in the world of the books that serves as a good introduction to my protagonist, Christina and the gang at Camp Edson, where the entirety of the first book and some of the second plays out. What's even better is that it's a story that should get your thoughts moving in the right direction this holiday season--no matter which one you're currently celebrating.

http://www.greenroombooks.com/ACampEdsonChristmas.html