That’s a pretty cool visual, don’t you think?  My friend Gale Martin created it to publicize a fabulous prize package that she, our fellow author Meredith Schorr and I are hosting to help you relax your way through the holiday season.

I think everyone will agree that relaxation is in pretty short supply this time of year!

So… on to the important stuff:  What do you win?

• Signed copies of Blogger Girl, Don Juan in Hankey, PA, Grace Unexpected, and Next Year I’ll Be Perfect;
• Lavender chamomile bubble bath, relaxing lavender foam bath, and patchouli and sweet orange foam bath;
• A lush lavender bath scrubbie; and
• A $10 Amazon gift card.

And even more important:  How do you enter?

Just follow this link ( http://galemartin.squarespace.com/ho-ho-ho ), sign in, and a random winner will be chosen on December 15th!

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I don’t know about you, but when I want to relax, grabbing a good book is high on my list of priorities.

It is the slot above watching Dirty Dancing or The Princess Bride for the 8 millionth time, and a slot below taking a nap.

When reading for relaxation, I’m pretty careful to make sure I pick appropriate books and authors.    For instance, Stephen King is not really known for calming frayed nerves.  I would probably give him a pass.

I also wouldn’t pick up my copy of  The Tempest when I need something to help me unwind after a hard day at work.   Shakespeare was a pretty good storyteller, but it takes a lot of concentration to get through all that iambic pentameter.

Luckily, there are certain books and authors (ahem… Kilmartin, Martin and Schorr among them… ahem…)  who are perfect when I need to de-stress.  They lure me into the worlds they’ve created so that I can lay down the burdens of real life for just a little while.  Some of my favorites include:

• Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
• Emma Who Saved my Life by Wilton Barnhardt
• Princess Bride by William Goldman
• The Copper Beech by Maeve Binchy
• Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger
• Nightlife by Rob Thurman

So, follow the link to our contest and sign in.  The worst thing that could happen is that you discover three new authors and find yourself forced to relax during this busy season.  Good Luck!!