Thursday, October 11: Femme Fatale
SCARY STUFF
by Deborah Elliott-Upton
It’s almost here – the scariest day of the year. And I’m not talking about Halloween. Sit, calm down and take a deep breath. This may not be the first time you’ve heard these words this year, but it still may be a shock. The holiday season is close. Really, really close. There are only 55 more shopping days until Hannukkah.. Christmas arrives in 75 and Kwanza in 76.
If you’re like me and have yet put away the summer gear, realizing the holidays are nigh (a great word that is neglected way too often in today’s reading choices) is enough to make me sweat, even if the weather is cooler and I’ve applied the latest and most expensive antiperspirant due probably to the claim it is “clinical.”
Rest assured, I am here to help. Wolfmont Publishing announced the second annual Holiday crime stories anthology to benefit Toys for Tots™. According to publisher and editor, Tony Burton, “Carols and Crimes, Gifts and Grifters feature stories from fifteen talented authors.”
I’m not going to disagree since I am one of the authors.
Many of the stories (including mine) were written expressly for this collection. The other authors are (in order of their appearance): Sue Ann Jaffarian, Earl Staggs, Thomas H. Cook, Gail Farrelly, Nick Andreychuk, Hershel Cozine, Frank Zafiro, Chris Grabenstein, moi, Jan Christensen, Austin S. Camacho, Tony Burton, Gay Toltl, Margaret Fenton, and Peggy Jaegly.
Last year’s sales of By the Chimney with Care was released late in the year, but still managed to gift Toys for Tots™ $1,365 and helped make the holidays happier for many kids. “All the authors in this fantastic collection have contributed their time and creativity toward making this a brighter holiday season for children who have very little,” said Tony Burton.
This may sound a bit like a commercial and I admit it is, but one thing is different: none of the authors received payment other than feeling happy about helping someone else during the holidays. The net proceeds go directly to the Marines’ Toys for Tots™ program.
Carols and Crimes, Gifts and Grifters, ISBN 978-1-60364-002-2, may be ordered from any bookstore, directly from the publisher
So, now that you have at least one holiday gift idea, what else are you buying? Remember: You’ve been forewarned. Time moves faster than those leaves piling up on your doorstep. I hope any fear is reserved for something more shocking than a holiday shopping list. Perhaps April 15th comes to mind. Ooh! I think I just scared myself.
Yikes! The ‘Season’ is getting close. Life gets crazy between Halloween and new year’s day…Tick, tock…
Have mercy! It is that time again! I think I am still recouping from last year. I love the idea of the book to benefit Toys for Tots. I know in Oklahoma last year, the Marine’s were really short on gifts for the families. You can count on my support! Props to all of the author’s for doing this. (Especially Deborah Upton of whom I am the proud niece of!)
Of course I will be purchasing a copy, probably several for gifts as you suggested, but that goes against who I am since traditionally I do all of my Christmas shopping on the 24th of December, since we all now that is when you can find the best deals on all those presents nobody wanted in the first place..
Deborah,
Bless your big ol’ Texas heart! Indeed, thanks so much for telling all your readers about the Toys for Tots™ anthology. And folks, let me second what Deborah says: the stories are great, with humor, pathos, revenge, redemption and just about any other emotional tag you could attach to them. These awesome authors were so generous, to donate their stories and their time to this effort, just for the kids.
Thanks in advance for ordering a copy or five for yourself and for gifts!
Debbie,
Thanks for waking me up!! I can’t believe the holidays are so close. This is a great idea for Christmas gifts and I plan to purchase a couple. You are a great person and I am very proud to have you as a friend.
Yes, Debbie, thanks for reminding us that the holidays are headed our way and for showing us, by example, what giving from the heart really means. You and the other authors are to be commended – highly – for giving of yourselves so others will be blessed!
Thank you, my friend!
Wow! Thanks Deborah! I usually don’t hear about theme anthologies from someone who wrote for one! Books like this, supporting worthy organizations are great! (I’ve bought a few over the years, like “The Plot Thickens.”)
I’m going to get a copy! But (you’ll hate me for this), I’m done with my Christmas shopping already! (Yipes!)
Who is “moi?”
Thanks for the reminder of the season and of course I’ll be buying a copy!
Thanks for mentioning the holiday anthology, Deborah. I loved your story – actually was impressed by all the other stories – but I wanted to give a special shout-out to Tony Burton who edited the package. All I did was write a short story. HE’s the guy who did the real work, and as a publisher is making zilch on the deal. Now THAT’S the Christmas spirit… even if it IS only October.
hi deborah
thanks for mentioning “carols and crimes” (loved your story!) and part of my name. i, like you, have three names. may we be in more anthologies together!!
cheers!
gay toltl kinman