Hello everyone! Today I am pleased to welcome author John Amory to the blog. John is here to talk to us more about his new short story, A Christmas Caroler.  John has also brought a copy to give away to one lucky reader. Please join me in giving him a big welcome!

As much as we may hate to admit it, many of us equate the holidays with gifts. It’s okay; it doesn’t make you a bad person to admit that when you think about Christmas, you think about all the wonderful presents you’ve received and/or will hopefully receive this year. We’re told constantly by holiday songs, the Rankin/Bass TV specials, bell ringers, seemingly just about everyone and everything, that the holidays are about more than just gifts… but that doesn’t make them any less fun to give and receive, right?

So that’s what I want to talk about today: gifts. As much as we like to say that Christmas is about love, cheer, faith, or whatever, it’s the gifting that seems to freak us out the most every year. Black Friday shopping will soon be starting on Good Friday if they push the start times back any further. It’s all about finding the perfect gift to show each person in our lives how much we care about them. Of course, sometimes the most perfect gift can’t be bought in a store, as any host of Hallmark Channel films can tell you. The best gift I ever got was last Christmas when my partner commissioned a painting for me. Months earlier we had gone to a gallery opening for a local artist in New Hope, PA, and I fell in love with his fun, colorful, cartoonish point of view. Three months later, my partner gave me a one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable gift of a painting from this artist depicting myself in New York City, where I had just enjoyed a short run of a new play I’d written; over the head of the figure mean to be me was a marquee with my play’s title on it. The painting is now one of my favorite possessions and hands-down the best, most thoughtful, most unique gift I’ve ever received.

Now, as my gift to you, I’m going to be giving away a copy of my new young adult novelette A Christmas Caroler. You can find out more about the release below, and you can even pick up a copy for yourself if you don’t feel like waiting for the contest to end (don’t forget you can also gift ebooks via Amazon and Nook!) at any of the buy links listed. But to get yourself a free copy, just leave a comment telling me what the best gift you’ve ever received is. Good luck, and happy holidays!


Blurb

a christmas carolerJeremy Walsh is a high school senior who’s got big plans for his future — namely, to perform at Carnegie Hall. But before he can get there, he needs to secure the solo in his renowned high school choir’s Christmas concert and get into college. Everything seems to be on track until a cute new student, Zach Brooks, shows up and ruins all of Jeremy’s plans by snatching the solo out from under him. With his college auditions looming and the Christmas concert fast approaching, Jeremy has more on his plate than he can handle. Can the magic of the Christmas season bring Jeremy and Zach together?


Author Bio

John Amory is from New Jersey, yet is somehow not involved in the mob. He is part Italian, though. He has BA and MA degrees in English and can sometimes be found teaching composition to college students. If you don’t find him there, check Starbucks. A Christmas Caroler is his first YA publication, though he has several adult short stories available. Connect with him on Twitter @JohnAmory or visit him on GoodReads at www.goodreads.com/JohnAmory.

Buy Links:


Giveway

John is offering up a copy of A Christmas Caroler to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment for your chance to enter. The contest closes on Thursday, December 19th at 11:59 pm EST.  

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
  • If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
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