The Songkeeper Chronicles by Gillian Bronte Adams #FantasyforChristmas!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Gillian Bronte Adams for

Days of Fantasy for Christmas

Orphan's Song
(The Songkeeper Chronicles #1)
By Gillian Bronte Adams
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 289 Pages
October 14th 2016 by Enclave

HER SOLO IS A DEATH SENTENCE

Deep within the world of Leira flows a melody that was sung at the beginning of time by Emhran, the Master Singer. Now it is broken, buried, forgotten. But in each generation, a Songkeeper arises to uphold the memory of the Song against those who want it silenced forever.

When Birdie first hears the Song coming from her own mouth, her world shatters. She is no longer simply an orphan but the last of a hunted people. Forced to flee for her life, she must decide whom to trust—a traveling peddler, a streetwise thief, or a mysterious creature who claims to know her past.

With enemies at her heels and war threatening to tear her homeland apart, Birdie soon discovers an overwhelming truth: the fate of Leira may hinge on one orphan’s Song.

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Songkeeper

(The Songkeeper Chronicles #2)
By Gillian Bronte Adams
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 341 Pages
April 15th 2016 by Enclave

WAR RAVAGES LEIRA AND THE SONG HAS FALLEN SILENT.

Freed from the hold of a slave ship, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, and Ky, a street-wise thief, emerge to a world at war. Hordes of dark soldiers march across Leira, shadowed by whispers of plague and massacres, prompting Ky to return to his besieged home city in hopes of leading his fellow runners to safety.

Desperate to end the fighting, Birdie embarks on a dangerous mission into the heart of the Takhran’s fortress. Legend speaks of a mythical spring buried within and the Songkeeper who will one day unleash it to achieve victory. Everyone believes Birdie is the one, but the elusive nature of the Song and rumors of other gifted individuals lead her to doubt her role. Unleashing the spring could defeat the Takhran once and for all, but can she truly be the Songkeeper when the Song no longer answers her call?

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Song of Leira

(The Songkeeper Chronicles #3)
By Gillian Bronte Adams
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 416 Pages
June 5th 2018 by Enclave

THE SONG BIDS HER RISE TO BATTLE.

Reeling from her disastrous foray into the Pit, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, retreats into the mountains. But in the war-torn north, kneeling on bloodstained battlefields to sing the souls of the dying to rest, her resolve to accept her calling is strengthened. Such evil cannot go unchallenged.

Torn between oaths to protect the Underground runners and to rescue his friend from the slave camps, Ky Huntyr enlists Birdie’s aid. Their mission to free the captives unravels the horrifying thread connecting the legendary spring, Artair’s sword, and the slave camps. But the Takhran’s schemes are already in motion. Powerful singers have arisen to lead his army—singers who can shake the earth and master the sea—and monsters rampage across the land.

As Leira falters on the verge of defeat, the Song bids her rise to battle, and the Songkeeper must answer.

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Interview with Amos McElhenny

Prior to the events documented in Orphan’s Song, reported by Gillian Bronte Adams

He is already seated when I arrive at the Whistlin’ Waterfly. From the number of empty mugs, I guess he had company or has been here some time—the fly exploring his discarded meal seems to point to the latter. I rummage in my satchel for a parchment and quill as I approach.

GBA: Pardon me, but are you “the great Amos McElhenny”?

AM: (blinks bleary eyes and scowls) So they tell me.

GBA: My readers will be thrilled to know your story. Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

AM: Not sure I did exactly. (He scratches his head.) Who are ye with?

GBA: Uh … The Kerby Post.

AM: Oh. Right. Well, I’ve stayed too long already. Time I was on my way—

GBA: Rumor is you have quite the interesting past for a traveling peddler from … Bryllhyn is it? That Waveryder village in the Westmark? Care to comment on the years you spent in Kerby?

AM: I … ye must be mistaken. I’ve never been t’ Kerby.

GBA: Well, maybe not as Amos McElhenny the traveling peddler. Which is odd since your route takes you to every other village and town nearby. Is there something in Kerby you’re avoiding?

AM: Ye know, I don’t have t’ sit here an’ be interrogated. I’ve more important things t’ do.

GBA: Like checking on that girl at the Sylvan Swan? Speaking of Birdie, how did you meet her?

AM: Well, the innkeeper—Dalton—an’ I are old friends from … back in the day. So I always stop by t’ chat on my way through. She was only a wee wisp o’ a thing when I first met her. Somewhat about her reminded me o’ … well, I just felt I had t’ look after her.

GBA: I see. So what was it about Birdie that reminded you of the Songkeeper Artair?

AM: Well, there was a sort o’ music in her laughter even then an’—bilgewater, what are ye goin’ an’ puttin’ words in my mouth for? Birdie doesn’t remind me o’ him. If she did, I’d stay away, ye can bet yer britches on that. I’d like nothin’ better than t’ forget I ever knew him.

GBA: Why is that? If you don’t mind sharing …

AM: I do mind. (But he doesn’t leave.) He lied t’ us is all. Deceived us with sweet words an’ left us to ruin. What wouldn’t I like t’ forget about that? Was it Nisus put ye up t’ this? Sounds like his doing. Tell him we were fools then an’ he’s a fool now if he still believes. (Stands and throws on his overcoat.)

GA: Wait. (I grab his arm) Look, I know who are and I think my readers deserve to know too.

Amos: Aye. (He pulls free.) I’m the great Amos McElhenny. (He strides away with a muttered “bilgewater” and leaves me with more questions and fewer answers than when I began.)

About the Author

Gillian Bronte Adams is a sword-wielding, horse-riding, wander-loving fantasy author, rarely found without a coffee in hand and rumored to pack books before clothes when she hits the road. Working in youth ministry left her with a passion for journeying alongside children and teens. (It also enhanced her love of coffee.) Now, she writes novels that follow outcast characters down broken roads, through epic battles, and onward to adventure. And at the end of a long day of typing, she can be found saddling her wild thing and riding off into the sunset, seeking adventures of her own (and more coffee).

She loves to connect with fellow readers and wanderers online through her blog, Facebook page, and Instagram.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Schedule

(Links won't work until the posts go live.)

December 1st: Launch

December 2nd: Gillian Bronte Adams - The Songkeeper Chronicles

December 3rd: Morgan L. Busse - Mark of the Raven

December 4th: Evangeline Denmark - Curio

December 5th: Kate Avery Ellison - A Gift of Poison

December 6th: J.M. Hackman - Spark

December 7th: Ronie Kendig - Embers

December 8th: C.E. Laureano - Oath of the Brotherhood

December 9th: Belle Malory - The Twelfth Keeper

December 10th: Melissa McShane - Voyager of the Crown

December 11th: J. Ellen Ross - The Remembered Queen

December 12th: Jennifer Silverwood - Silver Hollow

December 13th: Melissa Wright - Blood & Brute & Ginger Root

December 14th: Morgan Wylie - The Age of Alandria Series

December 15th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize #1: Winner will receive a FIRE HD 8 TABLET along with the following ebooks (open to those who are eligible for the Fire Tablet in their area can receive Kindle gifted copies of ebooks):

- CURIO, MARK OF BLOOD and ALCHEMY (The Curio Prequel), and THE ICE CHILD (a holiday novelette) by Evangeline Denmark

- A GIFT OF POISON by Kate Avery Ellison

- THE TWELFTH KEEPER by Belle Malory

- SERVANT O THE CROWN or VOYAGER OF THE CROWN (winner's choice) by Melissa McShane

- THE REMEMBERED QUEEN by J. Ellen Ross

- SILVER HOLLOW by Jennifer Silverwood

- THE FREY SAGA (Books 1-3) ebook box set by Melissa Wright

Grand Prize #2: Winner will receive the following print books (open to continental US residents):

- ORPHAN'S SONG by Gillian Bronte Adams

- MARK OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse

- SPARK by J.M. Hackman

- ABIASSA'S FIRE 3-book collection by Ronie Kendig

- The complete set of SONG OF SEARE TRILOGY by C.E. Laureano

- SILENT ORCHIDS by Morgan Wylie

Ends December 19, 2018

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Book Tour Launch: Days of Fantasy for Christmas #FantasyforChristmas!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Launch for

Days of Fantasy for Christmas

We're excited to be sharing books from 13 fantasy authors with you this holiday season! Each
day a different author and book or series will be featured. There is also a fabulous giveaway!
If you love reading fantasy, or are looking for a gift for someone who does, join us on this tour!

Tour Schedule

(Links won't work until the posts go live.)

December 1st: Launch

December 2nd: Gillian Bronte Adams - The Songkeeper Chronicles

December 3rd: Morgan L. Busse - Mark of the Raven

December 4th: Evangeline Denmark - Curio

December 5th: Kate Avery Ellison - A Gift of Poison

December 6th: J.M. Hackman - Spark

December 7th: Ronie Kendig - Embers

December 8th: C.E. Laureano - Oath of the Brotherhood

December 9th: Belle Malory - The Twelfth Keeper

December 10th: Melissa McShane - Voyager of the Crown

December 11th: J. Ellen Ross - The Remembered Queen

December 12th: Jennifer Silverwood - Silver Hollow

December 13th: Melissa Wright - Blood & Brute & Ginger Root

December 14th: Morgan Wylie - The Age of Alandria Series

December 15th: Grand Finale

Books on Tour

Blogs Participating

Among the Reads
An Indie Adventure
Andi's Book Reviews
Angela Walker's Reviews
Book by Book
Bri's Book Nook
Brooke Blogs
Coffee Books and Cakes
Colorimetry
Cover Lover Book Review
Deal Sharing Aunt
Declarations of a Fangirl
Heidi Reads...
Jorie Loves A Story
Locks, Hooks and Books
Mythical Books
Nicole's Book Musings
Reading On The Edge
Remembrancy
SilverWoodSketches
Stacking My Book Shelves!
Teatime and Books
We Write Fantasy
Wishful Endings

Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize #1: Winner will receive a FIRE HD 8 TABLET along with the following ebooks (open to those who are eligible for the Fire Tablet in their area can receive Kindle gifted copies of ebooks):

- CURIO, MARK OF BLOOD and ALCHEMY (The Curio Prequel), and THE ICE CHILD (a holiday novelette) by Evangeline Denmark

- A GIFT OF POISON by Kate Avery Ellison

- THE TWELFTH KEEPER by Belle Malory

- SERVANT O THE CROWN or VOYAGER OF THE CROWN (winner's choice) by Melissa McShane

- THE REMEMBERED QUEEN by J. Ellen Ross

- SILVER HOLLOW by Jennifer Silverwood

- THE FREY SAGA (Books 1-3) ebook box set by Melissa Wright

Grand Prize #2: Winner will receive the following print books (open to continental US residents):

- ORPHAN'S SONG by Gillian Bronte Adams

- MARK OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse

- SPARK by J.M. Hackman

- ABIASSA'S FIRE 3-book collection by Ronie Kendig

- The complete set of SONG OF SEARE TRILOGY by C.E. Laureano

- SILENT ORCHIDS by Morgan Wylie

Ends December 19, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Grand Finale: Miracles are Golden by Catherine Lanigan

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Miracles are Golden

By Catherine Lanigan

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Miracles are Golden is a different kind of Christmas story in just about every manner of literary pre-conceptions a reader could have. To follow with that unique place it holds not only in my heart, but on the roster of books I have written, this PRISM BOOK TOUR is different as well...

It's All About the Romance - Excerpt

Jimmy Longwood pressed his face against the pet store window, not minding the cold. On the other side of the glass was an eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppy that Jimmy had named “Bubblehead” because the puppy’s head was unusually large. Bubblehead was just as eager to see Jimmy and jumped over his five brothers and sisters to stand nose to nose with Jimmy.

Jimmy’s heart leapt just seeing the adorable puppy.

“Did you miss me, boy? I missed you. Now that school is out for the holidays, I can visit you every day for as long as I want.”

Andi's Book Reviews - Excerpt

Jimmy glanced at the clock once more as he followed his father into the kitchen where he sat on a wrought iron Tuscan influenced bar stool. He leaned on the granite counter top watching his father hiding presents in the pantry.

“Did you talk to your mother?” John asked.

“We began a discussion about Bubblehead and again I reminded her that Grandpa and Grandma gave me a hundred dollars for my birthday this year which puts me over the top for enough money to buy Bubblehead. Which we can do, Dad, if you’ll just get your coat and hat…”

“Jimmy,” John sucked in a long breath to cool his frustration.

“No.”

Among the Reads - Excerpt

A good night’s sleep did not help Jimmy’s disposition or settle his fears by morning. His mind was overwhelmed with emergency last minute plans to rescue Bubblehead. Unfortunately, all of his plans were bizarre visualizations worthy only as segments of the Extreme Sports Network.

Because he was a long way from sixteen and did not know how to drive a car, legally or illegally for that matter, even if he did break the pet store window with a rock, steal Bubblehead and make his escape, he could not drive a getaway car.

He conjured up a scenario involving a SWAT team and a helicopter rescue. He thought of calling the Mayor on the phone and involving him in his “Save Bubblehead” campaign.

All my plans are doomed!

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Jimmy picked up the remote and turned on the television. As luck would have it, the first thing he saw after the in-house cable program promoting the hotel’s features and restaurants, was a Christmas ad in which three Golden Retriever puppies knocked over a plant and the owner had to use a special vacuum to clean the mess. Jimmy threw the remote high in the air and caught it on its way back down. “It’s a sign!”

He raced to the adjoining door and closed off his parents’ laughter.

“Yes!” he said to himself, watching the adorable puppies with tags around their necks. “There isa Santa Claus. I just have to believe. Maybe I will get a miracle.”

Book Lover in Florida - Excerpt

Though they moved quickly, the wind gusted at ever increasing speeds thrusting the cloud of blinding snow down the slope. It threatened to overtake them.

John knew that if they didn’t beat the squall, they would have to find shelter until the snowstorm passed. There was no telling how long that could be. If they were to remain this high on the mountain overnight, they could freeze. Realizing their predicament was more dire than he’d originally thought. John slowed and motioned for them to take another route to the left. “We need to go around the squall,” he yelled to them.

But the wind suddenly seemed more than wind. It didn’t howl anymore, it thundered.

John slowed down for Jimmy and Melanie to catch up to him.

It was then Jimmy saw the panic on his father’s face. “What is it?”

E-Romance News - Excerpt

Even though he didn’t have a body, Jimmy felt tears. He felt incredibly sad. “I could have done more to be a better kid. I wish I’d been more...loving.”

“Wonderful, Jimmy. You’re understanding a great deal.”

Sadness engulfed Jimmy’s soul. “But I did love them… I just…”

“Took them for granted?” Mr. Angel asked.

“Uh, huh.”

“So you see, Jimmy, we must send you back to earth. You must learn to give love with all your heart. It’s the only reason souls go to earth.”

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"This is a sweet story including one of the things I love a lot and that is dogs. . . . I highly recommend this book to other readers."

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

There was a rustle of footsteps on the second floor. Jimmy heard voices.

“Do you think Santa has been here yet?” A woman’s voice said.

“Oh, yes, Mommy,” a weak, yet happy child’s voice replied.

“Well, come on, then,” a male voice said.

Jimmy looked up at the landing on the staircase and saw a mother, father and a child all dressed in flannel pajamas, robes and slippers descend the stairs. Behind this trio came an elegant woman dressed in an expensive red satin robe and matching satin slippers.

“I know Santa has been here, Robin and he’s brought something very special for you.”

Uplifting Reads - Excerpt

“Oh, thank you, Mommy! Thank you, Daddy!” Robin hugged his parents with weak arms.

“Thank your Aunt Daphne. She brought him all the way from New York City for you,” Hal said.

There was nothing weak about the brightness of the little boy’s smile as he approached the fireplace, his hands outstretched to cuddle Jimmy.

“Robin, do you think Santa remembered it right?” The boy’s mother asked.

Robin, I like your name. It’s like Robin Redbreast. The first sign of spring. The new life.

Harlie's Books - Excerpt & Review

The day after Christmas Jimmy was roused early, taken out the front door to potty in the bushes and then given breakfast, all before daylight.

What’s up with these people? Don’t they sleep in? What’s the rush?

“Here you go, Beau. Yum. Doesn’t this smell good?” Robin asked placing a dish of canned dog food in front of him.

Jimmy sniffed the food and jumped back.

They don’t expect me to eat this stuff do they? How about a rasher of that bacon? Or maybe a smidgeon of that hot cinnamon bun?

"...I loved this book. I think everyone should read it and discuss it with their family, friends, church group, etc. Ms. Lanigan could re-write the phone book and I would read it. Seriously. She is that good."

Colorimetry - Excerpt

The impact of Robin’s emotions on Jimmy was like two spaceships colliding in a Star Trek episode. It rocked Jimmy’s psyche.

He needs me! Not even my parents in my other life ever acted like they needed me!

“I love you, Beau.”

I love you, Robin. Jimmy gulped back a puppy tear.

I’m thinking fast here, kid. I’m not gonna let this thing, whatever it is, beat you...er, us. You’ve got me now. We can do it.

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Suddenly, Jimmy’s mind went back to his time in heaven. The memories of some of the things he was taught there came back to him.

But he had to think. Think hard. Mr. Angel had told him that he was supposed to help people with the knowledge he’d been given. It had all come so easily to him in heaven. But now, it was as if his little puppy brain was going to burst with the effort. He thought and thought. But still he couldn’t remember what it was he was supposed to do.

He had the answers locked in his head. All he had to do was remember.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Miracles are Golden
By Catherine Lanigan
Women's Fiction, Christmas
ebook, 100 Pages
February 2, 2016

This heartwarming story is about eight-year-old Jimmy Longwood, who has fallen in love with a Golden Retriever puppy. When his parents explain that their condo does not allow pets, Jimmy is heartbroken. While skiing in Aspen the entire family is killed in an avalanche. Jimmy goes to heaven and meets an angel who decides to send Jimmy back to earth as the very Golden Retriever he’d wanted for his own and to learn the one lesson all human beings must learn…unconditional love.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo

About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of over forty-five published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over twenty-four languages. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid foundation to pen a collection of compelling and informative true stories of teen addicts. Ms. Lanigan’s SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE series for HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING includes LOVE SHADOWS, HEART’S DESIRE , A FINE YEAR FOR LOVE, KATIA’S PROMISE, FEAR OF FALLING, SOPHIE’S PATH, PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, FAMILY OF HIS OWN, HIS BABY DILEMMA, RESCUED BY THE FIREFIGHTER and MY RACING HEART (2019).

Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs. She writes a monthly blog for Heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│LinkedIn│Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally

Ends December 5, 2018

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Guest Post and Giveaway: Author Cindy Vincent

Cindy’s Christmas Party Tips

Post #3:

Okay . . . you’ve got the house decorated for Christmas (part 1 at Seasons of Humility) and you’ve got the food prepared, including your wonderfully decorated sugar cookies (part 2 at My Favorite Pastime).  The lights are dimmed, and the Christmas lights are all plugged in.  The place looks and smells festive.  At long last, your guests begin to arrive.  

Now what?

If you’re hosting a party where everyone knows each other or everyone is part of an already established group, you can probably just serve the drinks, point people to the food, and let nature take its course.  But if you’ve got people who have never met, or several “guests” or spouses who don’t know the rest of the group, it might be a good idea to provide a little more “structure” for your party.  After all, as a host or hostess, it’s your job to create an environment where your guests feel comfortable and have fun.  And without a little intervention, your guests might feel forced to spend the evening making small talk with a group of strangers.  For many people, this is right up there with having a root canal. 

That’s when you, as the hostess, step in and save the day.

How?  First, never underestimate the importance of name tags.  This takes away the stress of having to remember someone’s name all evening long, especially when you may have just been introduced to a whole bunch of other people.  You can provide those simple stick-on name tags, or you might even create some Christmassy name tags yourself. 

Then, as they say, it’s time to break the ice.  Below, you’ll find my favorite, simple game for doing just that.  It will require a little bit of work on your part in the days before the party starts.  But it’s well worth it.  Here’s what you do: 

1.  Ask for RSVPs and emails.

2.  Send out a mass email asking everyone to send you just a couple of interesting tidbits about themselves, something that most people might not know about them.  To give you a better idea, here’s a copy of the email that I sent out the last time I hosted this game at a party:

“Hello, everyone!  I’m in the process of writing up an entertaining little icebreaker game for my Christmas party.  But to do so, I need some information from everyone.  And by information, I mean that I need some cute, unique and little-known tidbits about each of you.  Things like, I was the queen of the Fall Festival at my high school.  Or, I won the Spelling Bee in the 5th grade, or I was on Jeopardy.  Or, I got rescued off a mountain in Wyoming by Harrison Ford in his helicopter.  You know, fun facts about you that very few people know about.  Please send me two items each.  And please remember, this is not your great moment to confess all.  Meaning, the information you give me will become known to the group, so please, don’t send me anything you don’t want someone else to know.  No “most embarrassing moments,” thank you. Then once you send your information, mum’s the word.  Don’t tell a soul what you sent.  Please send your info ASAP, to: (Insert your email address here).”

3.  Comprise your game.  List the items one-by-one, mixed up so that each person’s items are not listed together, and leave a blank at the end of each one.  You should come up with enough things to fill the front and back of one page.  Here’s a sample of a few items from a game I hosted at one of my recent parties.  (In fact, to create your own game, you can simply replace the items that I’ve written down with items that are provided by your own guests.): 

1.  Find someone who once ate 12 pizzas at one setting just to win a bet. __________

2.  Find someone who is a U.S. Patent Holder.  ___________

3.  Find someone who loves roller coasters and Elvis. ______________

4.  Find someone who was born outside the US. _________

5.  Find someone who kept their high school mascot, “Sam the Ram,” at their house. _______

6. Find someone who was the Valedictorian of their high school class.  __________

7. Find someone who saw the movie Patton with a French waiter who could not speak English. __________

And on and on.

4.   Once everyone has arrived, pass out your icebreaker game, along with pens or pencils.  Okay, yes, honestly, you will have a few people who moan and groan.  But don’t let them deter you!  Simply plaster a smile on your face and tell them to do it anyway!  Rules of the house.

Here’s the write-up that I always use at the top on the first page of my icebreaker:

“Find the answers to the following by asking the people around you if they happen to meet the criteria for each item below.  Then write that person's name in the blank for that particular item.  You need only find one person for each item, and you must actually ask the person the question, even if you already know someone who meets the criteria on certain items.  Also, you can only ask one person one question at a time, and if they don’t happen to meet the criteria of the question you asked them, you must move on to question another person, either with the same question or a different question. You do not need to ask the questions in order.  You can use your own name to fill in a blank if you fit the criteria.  The first person to complete the form will win a prize.  You may not work in teams or get your answers from anyone else’s sheet.  Have fun!”

Here’s the beauty of the game—everyone gets to talk to everyone else at the party.  And since you’re given a specific “task” as well as the exact questions to ask, even the shyest person can be made to feel comfortable.  The game is over when someone fills out the form with the right names.  (Yes, you should check it against an answer sheet that you’ve kept hidden in a drawer nearby.)  And of course, you as the hostess should then read through the entire list of items, announcing the person’s name at the end of each one.  It’s a chance to let your guests “shine” for a moment, thus making the party even more fun for them.  It’s also a good idea to award some kind of really goofy prize to the winner.  After that, you can let the conversation just flow, since you’ve already given everyone plenty of conversation starters!

Another good game to play is the White Elephant gift exchange.  Prior to the party, ask everyone to bring a Christmas ornament in the $12-$18 range.  And here are the instructions to play this fun, holiday favorite. 

https://www.whiteelephantrules.com/ 

Keep in mind, these games work well for small to mid-sized groups.  They’re probably not a good option if you’re hosting a gigantic party.  But either way, they’re a great way to get a party rolling, help people meet each other, and have a lot of fun.  I hope you get a chance to try out both of these.  Happy entertaining, and a very Merry Christmas to you!

---

Synopsis

As the top salesperson for Pfunn Party Supplies, Carol Frost doesn’t exactly know how to have fun herself these days. Though she wasn’t always such a humbug. Once upon a time, she was famous for hosting Christmas parties that were filled with everything from laughing guests and luscious hors d’oeuvres, to artfully iced sugar cookies and creatively decorated Christmas trees. To top it off, she even wrote a bestselling book that became the authoritative tome on Christmas party entertaining at the time—The Complete, Total, Ultimate, Everything-You-Might-Possibly-Want-to-Know Guide to Hosting the Best Christmas Parties Ever.

Yet that was long ago, before her life changed and she stashed her tinsel and twinkle lights away once and for all. And while Carol soon learned to settle for her boring but comfortable existence, an old friend knows that Carol isn’t really living up to her potential. An old friend who . . . well . . . now enjoys her eggnog in the afterlife, you might say. To goad Carol into going back to her former party-hosting ways, said friend sends three of her specter pals to pester Carol. Then, much to Carol’s annoyance, she is visited by the Ghost Hosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future on a plane filled with plenty of holiday revelers. And though Carol only wants to be left alone, the Ghost Hosts have other plans. Instead, they take her on an adventure that wasn’t exactly on her itinerary . . . or printed on her ticket stub. From that moment on, Carol’s life will never be the same. Provided, of course, she survives the jingle-bell rollercoaster of a ride and makes it home in time for Christmas . . .

About the Author

CINDY VINCENT, M.A. Ed., was born in Calgary, Alberta, and has lived all around the US and Canada. She is the creator of the Mysteries by Vincent murder mystery party games and the Daisy Diamond Detective Series games for girls. She is also the award-winning author of the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Caper novels and the Daisy Diamond Detective series. She lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and an assortment of fantastic felines.

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Giveaway

Put together your own best-ever Christmas party with this fun “party in a box” giveaway! Enter for a chance to win a package with the following prizes: a signed copy of Yes, Carol…It’s Christmas! by Cindy Vincent, two Betty Crocker sugar cookie mixes, two cookie cutters, a four-pack of sprinkles, a strand of Christmas lights, and two glass ornaments. Due to shipping costs and varying international laws, this giveaway is open to US residents (age 18 or older) only. Void where prohibited. Good luck!

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