Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho’s

by Adele Woodyard
Have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with family and/or friends? Survived the bargain hunting crowds of Black Friday? I certainly enjoyed the first, and leave the second to a daughter-in-law. Armed with lists, she hit the stores Thanksgiving night since she had to be at work by 6 a.m. on Friday. More power to her, I haven’t even made a list which seems to grow longer every year. But I’ll happily add a gift idea for either men or women readers who like fiction.
See Mommy Run by Laura Kennedy. Are you a current or former mother of teens? Ever feel like throwing in the towel? If so, this fast moving e-book is for you. $2.99; Amazon.com Kindle
Men in particular will like Beyond the Shadow of the Arch by Ken Dye. Written by a former homicide detective, the tale of international intrigue and bad guys with an eye on destroying St. Louis’ famous Gateway Arch, has the ring of truth. Paperback $17.95 Amazon.com
Final Payment, my mystery novel featuring murder among Tampa’s high society, is now available in Paperback, $12.50 on Amazon.com. For those who prefer their fiction in short doses, The Shell and the Starfish and other stories, also by Adele Woodyard, is $7.99 Paperback on Amazon.com $5.99 e-book on Barnes and Noble NOOK.
If the holiday spirit is not yet within your grasp, here’s some ideas to get the Ho-Ho-H0.s. up and running. For instance, Holiday Home Tours are popular this time of year. Often a fund raising event for a worthy cause, the trip consists of visiting certain houses that blossom with Christmas plants, trees strewn with lights and ornaments, and rooms filled with seasonal, and sometimes unusual, holiday decorations, for a fee. A recent tour in Dunedin had one house where the “trees” had thin “branches” made of dyed green goose and turkey feathers attached to wires and tiered to form a triangular frame. According to the retired art teacher who made them, German immigrants used to bring them to America in their suitcases.
Even before streets lined with houses decked in multi-colored lights, there are such public displays as Florida Botanical Gardens, Holiday Lights in the Gardens. Besides illuminating plants, and trees 500.000 miniature bulbs outline gators, flamingoes, and turtles, plus two laser-lit fountains.. You can stroll the paths from 5:30-9:30 p.m. nightly, now through January 1, 2013 for a requested donation of $2.00 adult. 12520 Ulmerton Rd. Largo . 727-582-2100. http://www.flbg.org
What is Christmas without the ubiquitous Nutcracker Suite playing somewhere. This time the classic Hoffman tale set to Tchaikovsky’s music becomes. John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker, presented by the Sarasota Ballet and full Sarasota Orchestra 7 p.m Fri. Dec..21, 2 and 7 p.m. Sat. Dec. 22, at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater. Tickets: $35-$75. 727-791-7400. http://www.rutheckerdhall.com

What Do YOU Want For Christmas?

by Adele Woodyard
That time already? We haven’t even voted yet. Or bought the food for our Thanksgiving dinner. True. But what else could I think of when a historic attraction from the little Florida town of Christmas just ordered some of my books? And since I spent Saturday at the Reading Festival in St. Pete, I can’t help but think the written word makes a welcome gift. So here’s what I can offer for you, your friends and family who prefer certain genres.
Mystery
Know one who goes for mysteries? Who enjoys trying to figure out who did the dirty deed? Who would relish the conflict between a feisty female reporter and a Tampa Police Dept. homicide detective? If so, FINAL PAYMENT is the book for them.
List: $12.50 (print); $9.50 Nook (Available in Nov.).
Short Stories
If they prefer to read books in small doses, why not a collection of short stories? THE SHELL and the STARFISH and other stories has fourteen tales, each one different from the next. It may be told by a man, or a woman, or both; young, old or middle-aged. It may be about love, marriage, crime, divorce, age, or really out of this world.
List: $7.99; $5.95 Nook
Travel
Have snowbird friends or family? If they’re planning to visit Florida—and like to save money (who doesn’t?) than FLORIDA “Freebies” and “Cheapies” 250 Daytrips for Little or No Money is a good gift for them. $10 is the top ticket price on these pages (tax not included) and they may well be surprised at how much they can see and enjoy, indoors or out, from the Panhandle to Key West, for so little or no money. (donations welcome, of course).
List: $9.95 (print only)
All are 6×9” paperback; print copies available at Amazon.com, and the following Tampa Bay bookstores or gift shops. Elsewhere in Florida, maybe one near you. Just ask. Or call me at 727-942-6992. E-books at B&N bookstore.
Tarpon Springs: Back in the Day Books, 727-937-5030; Miracles of the Sea, 727-938-3347
Dunedin: Enchanted Branch Gift Gallery, 727-736-5825
Largo: London Pride, 727-517-3550
St. Pete: Books at Park Place, 727-388-9093
Orlando: The Book Rack, 407-855-4077
Direct order: (no credit cards; checks only):
Adele Woodyard Palm Print Press P.O. Box 1743, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688