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Now That's Entertainment, Grayce Walters Style

One of the things I enjoy most about the holidays are traditional theater performances, such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah. I’ve performed in the Nutcracker many times, but even listening to the music infuses me with the spirit of the season.

Seattle is a diverse, multicultural city that offers a variety of seasonal performances. Here are a few of the highlights, as recommended by the cast of  characters from the Grayce Walters series.

The Nutcracker Ballet – Grayce Walters can’t wait to see this year’s new interpretation by the Pacific Northwest Ballet, featuring “new designs by celebrated author/illustrator Ian Falconer (Olivia the Pig), the mighty PNB Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, and PNB’s incredible Company of 48 dancers.”

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – The Tacoma Musical Playhouse presents a vibrant, high energy performance based on the story written by Ian Fleming, and my good friend Stephen Bucheit plays the lead. As a child, Hollie Thomas didn’t get to enjoy traditions such as this so she is looking forward to making new memories with Nick Welby at her side.

Holiday of Errors – This spoof about William Shakespeare in the spirit of A Christmas Carol and Twelfth Night tickles Aunt Aideen’s quirky sense of humor. A winner of two Seattle Times Footlight awards!

KPC’s Campy Christmas – Hilarious holiday fun with drag performers, the Seattle Men’s Chorus group Captain Smartypants, and the Seattle Women’s Chorus group Sensible Shoes. Guests are invited to compete in three contests: Ugly Sweater, Lip Synching and Dancing. James, Grayce’s best friend, has a front row seat and picked out a Christmas sweater so horrendous he’s sure to win the Ugly Sweater contest.

What local holiday performances do you enjoy during the holidays?

#GivingTuesday - It's the thought that counts

This past weekend was a holiday shopping blitz. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday encouraged consumers to spend, spend, spend. Today is Giving Tuesday, an event that challenges consumers to give, give, give.

Since its launch four years ago, Giving Tuesday has become a global event observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. The goal of this initiative is to harness “the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners— nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals—to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness.”

I have three goodwill organizations that are near and dear to my heart. Many people are familiar with Toys For Tots, which collects and distributes toys to children within local communities. Visit their website to learn how you can help.

The Forgotten Children’s Fund, which serves four counties in the Pacific Northwest, was actually inspired by a child’s letter to Santa Claus in 1976. Since then, this all-volunteer organization has worked to provide gifts for needy children and families.

Teen Feed, a Seattle-based group, holds a special place in my heart. Their mission is to work with homeless and at-risk youth by providing meals, outreach, healthcare access and support. Reader may recognize the organization as I featured it as part of  Hollie Thomas’s backstory in the Grayce Walters series. For #GivingTuesday, Teen Feed is collecting funds via their Holiday Socks & Hot Meals campaign.

Organizations such as this are a reminder that the holiday season isn’t a joyful event for everyone. Fortunately, there are opportunities to help in big and small ways. What programs or organizations do you sponsor during the holidays?

Audiobook version of A Christmas Code now available

Audiobook fans can now enjoy A CHRISTMAS CODE, Book 2 of the Code Breakers series. Narrated by Pearl Hewitt, this title joins the other two books in the series on audio.

Enjoy an audio sample HERE.

Click on the book titles to purchase at Audible today!

If you would enjoy receiving a free download of this new audiobook release in exchange for an honest review, please contact my assistant Maria Connor at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

Christmas...and criminals?!

Well, it’s official. Now that Halloween is over, retailers and advertisers have launched their winter holiday promotional push. For the next 60 days, expect to be bombarded with red and green, silver and gold, Santa and elves, gilt and gift wrap.

There are many cliches associated with the holiday season. Like every other writer, however, I have been taught from Day One to avoid cliches. Fortunately that was easy to do with the upcoming box featuring my recent release, MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE, with more than four chapters of new and exclusive content.

Criminal Christmas, a collection of 8 holiday suspense stories is now available for pre-order for just $0.99 and will be available November 9.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | BN | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Order your copy of Criminal Christmas today for a break from the holiday cliches and chaos. You won’t want to miss Maddy and Hunter’s romantic holiday wedding, exclusively available with this box set. Merry Criminal Christmas to one and all!

Pearl Hewitt on the Emerald City Writers' Conference

Last weekend was the Emerald City Writers Conference and Passport to Romance Reader Appreciation Event. Audiobook narrator Pearl Hewitt shares a few highlights.

I had the opportunity to meet many readers and some very enthusiastic audiobook listeners at the Passport to Romance Reader Appreciation Event. It was a very successful evening of laughter, chatter and giveaways. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

The presentation on how to Successfully Create an Audiobook went very well although it was a little rushed toward the end because the volume of information is large and many questions were asked by interested authors who seriously want to move into the audiobook minefield. I was happy to help get the word out and encouraged authors to branch out into the audiobook world and take advantage of this extra income source.

Thanks, Pearl, for sharing your experience with my readers!