Write Christmas
Thommy Hutson
Published by: Rosewind Books
Out December 1st 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy
“[A] heartwarming fantasy … Christmas enthusiasts will find this hits the spot.” ~Publishers Weekly
A contemporary, holiday fantasy with a new twist on A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life.
Abby Nicholson used to love Christmas. Until she didn’t.
After leaving Winter Glen, the small town famous for its Christmas celebration and her family’s greeting card company, Abby is forced to return to the home she left behind when the unexpected passing of her father thrusts the business into her hands.
Turning her back on the magic of the holiday beloved by her father and the town, she decides to sell the business. Signing the paperwork with the very pen her father used to create it, she is shocked to discover her hometown has become a whole new world.
One where Christmas has vanished!
Now stuck in a place devoid of hope, joy, and the spirit of the season, Abby sees family and friends altered in the most terrible of ways.
Determined to set things right, though unsure how, Abby takes out her father’s pen and begins to draw. When she realizes her art is coming to life, she sets out to recreate the holiday and bring back the most wonderful time of the year.
But some are determined to keep an iron grip on the town and will do anything in their power to stop her.
Excerpt:
Lolo stared and shook her head. “You young people think you know everything. Wait and see. You’ll learn,” she said as she walked away. Without turning back, she yelled, “One way or another.”
“Oooh, boy, she showed fine form and spirits today, I’d say,” Darla said.
“I’m just glad she thought I was young,” Abby said. “But all this talk of the company, and Cameron, it’s… I don’t know.”
Darla struck a serious tone. “Walk with me, hon.” She grabbed Abby’s arm and the two started off.
“This sounds serious,” Abby remarked.
“Well,” Darla started, “you’re not being at the office right now has me hoping you came to tell me you’ll finally step into your dad’s shoes and emcee the tree lighting? Even Lolo, with all her grousing, will be there.” She flashed a hopeful smile.
Instead, Abby flashed her coffee and bagel.
“Or, you got breakfast and wanted to say hello.”
“Ding, ding,” Abby said.
Darla took a deep breath. “Well, you can’t blame a gal for trying to bring you back into the fold.”
“Folding’s for laundry, Darla.” Abby tried to keep things light. Even though these were the conversations, the talks, the lectures she’d heard through the years since her father passed on, somehow listening to Darla was tolerable. From time to time.
“Oh, honey, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Heck, they even wrote a song about it,” Darla said.
Now came the part where Abby had to give the same answer a different way. Not everyone was built the same. “Sometimes wonderful things lose their luster.
“Or, maybe they need another chance to shine. Take a look around. You can feel the joy. You can’t tell me that’s manufactured.”
Abby scanned the town, even though she didn’t need to. Darla was right. No matter where she glanced, people were talking, smiling, and waving. Helping each other out. Children played in the snow. Every moment recalled for Abby what she’d felt as a little girl. She’d helped put up lights. She’d decorated trees. She’d tied ribbons on wreaths. The snow angels she’d made were the best in town, or so her dad had said. She grinned, but it faded,
everything does
Darla went on and on, the excitement in her voice palpable.
Abby felt like she was home with her mother watching a QVC saleswoman pitch Christmas instead of handmade silk scarves.
even christmas is for sale
“Holiday magic is in the air, Abby. We all feel it. If you can’t right now, then I guess I’ll have to do whatever it takes to believe enough for the both of us.”
Abby centered herself. She wanted to tread lightly. “I know you love Christmas, but—” She stopped herself. Her next words felt right, but she couldn’t actually say them. Not to Darla.
“Go on, honey. I’m the mayor of a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business even when the knowin’ shouldn’t be knowed,” Darla said. “I can take it.”
Abby sighed and turned around. There was no other way to be clear than to ask the hard question. “Do you want to be defined by Christmas? Have you ever thought what you could be without it?”
Darla’s hazel eyes grew wider than Abby had ever seen them. The woman let out a shocked laugh. She stumbled over her words. “Well, no, I … That’d be like a black and white rainbow. And nobody wants to see one of those after a storm. I will admit you raise an interesting point, so I’ll see it and raise you a question.”
Abby didn’t feel ready for whatever her friend was about to say.
Darla continued. “Have you ever thought what you could be with Christmas? One day you’ll see it again. Feel it. I don’t know how and I don’t know when, but I promise.”
Abby stopped. She wanted to say something smart, something to end all the chatter and whispers of who and what she should and could be. It overwhelmed her. “Oh, Darla.”
The words came forth because there were no other words—not after so long, after so many times.
But then—
“Oh, Darla.” This time she uttered the phrase as she stepped back. Her jaw went slack at the sight before her eyes.
Author Bio:
Thommy Hutson is a bestselling, award-winning author, screenwriter, producer, and director.
A graduate of UCLA, he began his career co-writing the story for the Warner Bros. animated hit SCOOBY-DOO IN WHERE’S MY MUMMY? He followed that with co-writing the concept and additional material for CHILL OUT, SCOOBY-DOO!
As an author, Thommy crafted a limited-edition coffee table book detailing the making and legacy of horror icon Wes Craven’s 1984 classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A trade version followed from Permuted Press/Simon & Schuster. His novel, the teen thriller Jinxed, (Vesuvian Books) is the first in a trilogy that has been called “A must-read for classic horror fans … Hutson could easily take on the mantle as the next Lois Duncan.” Hutson was named on the 7 Essential LGBTQ Horror Authors for Your Summer Reading Lists.
Thommy wrote the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original film, A CHRISTMAS FOR THE BOOKS, which was the highest-rated scripted program the night it premiered. He co-scripted the teen thriller INSTAFAME (Lifetime), wrote a screenplay for an audio holiday project, and is in development on a family feature film. In addition, Thommy produced the critically acclaimed feature THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, an insightful relationship drama starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. He also produced DREAMWORLD, a quirky, romantic dramedy. He has also worked as a staff writer on a Hulu web series.
A member of the Producers Guild of America, a Saturn and Home Media Magazine award-winner, and an aficionado of holiday films as well as teen movies from the 80s and 90s, Thommy continues to develop unique, compelling, and provocative projects across multiple genres for film, television, publishing, and home entertainment.
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hosted by:
If the things I drew came to life, things would become very weird very fast, as I have the drawing skill of a primary school kid
Same, no skill and a bit of a warped sense of humor. 🙂
That cover has me curious.
Thanks for being on the tour! 🙂
Love the cover, synopsis and excerpt, this sounds like a great read. Thank you for sharing the book and author details
Congratulations Wanda on winning the giveaway!