Five reasons to give books for Christmas

“Black Friday,” the busiest shopping day of the year, will arrive next week. Whether you enjoy braving the crowds or prefer to stay home that day, the holiday shopping season will have officially begun. 

Are you struggling to come up with just the right gift for each person on your shopping list? In the interest of offering a suggestion, let me ask you another question: Is someone on your list a reader? If so, here are a few reasons to give that person a book – or books – for Christmas.

• Readers (including myself) love nothing more than getting a book as a gift. Trust me on this one; they will be very happy and appreciative.
• Books last forever, unlike an article of clothing that will eventually wear out. The book you bought will be placed on a bookshelf, a constant reminder of your thoughtfulness. 
• You get a lot of bang for your buck. Most books aren’t expensive, especially when you consider the hours of pleasure a book offers a reader.
• There are thousands of books in different genres out there, which means you can choose the type of book each person likes to read. Some people are mystery lovers. Others read romance, etc. By tailoring your choices to their individual preferences you’re showing them that you put thought (and love) into your gift.
•  You’ll be providing someone with hours of escape and entertainment and, let’s face it, that’s something most of us could use these days.

I hope I’ve convinced you to consider giving books as gifts for Christmas. Most titles are available on Amazon and other online sites and/or can be ordered through your local bookstore. And, who knows, while you’re searching for a gift, you might just find a book you want to read.

Priorities

The holidays have always been a busy time of year for everyone. But, for me, this year tops them all! My mother sold her house in October and, less than two weeks ago, she and I both moved from the house into apartments across the hall from one another. After living in the house for twenty-three years, she had a ton of stuff. We went through as much of it as possible before the move but it took actually moving for her to realize that a lot more of it has to go. So, that's where I'm at right now. Unpacking boxes and trying to get some organization into her life. Not an easy task!

Which brings me to the topic of this week's post: priorities. First, let me say that I've always been a planner (and a plotter in my writing) and I'm pretty good at scheduling and setting priorities. This move has tested those abilities. I've had to decide what things MUST be done and what things can wait. Mom is my #1 priority but I've had to be careful not to put my own needs aside. Physically, mentally and emotionally this has been a stressful time - for both of us. But, she's eighty-six years old and all of this change is difficult for her. I'm doing all I can to make things easier.

One thing I decided is that I won't put my Christmas tree up this year. It's a seven foot blue spruce and I love it but it takes a few hours to string the lights and arrange the ornaments, hours and energy I can't spare right now. I've put out some other decorations, including my music boxes, but the tree will stay in the box. This weekend, I plan to put Mom's tree up because that's very important to her. It's a tabletop tree and doesn't take a fraction of the time mine does. I can't wait to see the smile on her face when it lights up!

So, if you're feeling stressed this holiday season, think of me surrounded by boxes and trying to create order out of chaos. I hope that makes you smile or even laugh - because that's what I'm doing. And if you're in the mood for a Christmas mystery, check out Unfinished Business. Our stress is nothing compared to what my main character, Ann, is going through.

Happy Holidays!

Unfinished Business

The Westwood Strangler is dead. Or so everyone believes.

Ann Kern is busy preparing for her favorite holiday. She’s especially looking forward to her sister’s annual Christmas visit. But, several things threaten to ruin her festive mood.

The National Weather Service issues a severe winter storm warning for the Cincinnati area, predicting blizzard conditions, and Ann worries that her sister and her new boyfriend won’t be able to make the drive from South Carolina.

Then, a woman is found strangled in Ann’s neighborhood and everyone, including the police, assumes it’s the work of a copycat killer. However, when two more women are murdered in their homes, the police announce their conviction that the Westwood Strangler is responsible.

When Ann hears the news, the sense of safety and security she’s worked so hard to recapture since her attack on Halloween night, shatters. If the intruder who died in her apartment wasn’t the Westwood Strangler, who is? And, who will be the next victim?

Available in paper and Kindle formats

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