December 24
Hi, my name is Zoe Donovan. I’m a newly engaged animal rescue worker. It’s Christmas Eve, and as I do every year, I’ve carved out a little time just for me. The snow is falling gently on the busy sidewalk as holiday shoppers scurry from one brightly lit store to the next. I know this might seem odd, but while I like to complete the bulk of my shopping early, every Christmas Eve I make a solitary trip into town to shop for people I’ll most likely never meet.
The tradition began when I was just a small child. It was Christmas Eve and my grandmother and I had attended morning services at the Ashton Falls Community Church. After the service the pastor mentioned to my grandmother that he’d just been informed about a family in need. My grandmother, who was the type to help anyone anytime, immediately volunteered to provide what she could for the family. I had plans of my own with my best friends, Levi and Ellie, but Grandma insisted that Christmas was about giving to those souls who crossed our paths. I wasn’t happy about it at the time, but I canceled my plans and the two of us went into town.
Neither Grandma nor I had ever met this family, but we had a handwritten note letting us know what type of gifts they’d requested. Most of the items were practical, such as a warm winter coat and heavy wool socks. I hadn’t wanted to be bothered with the errand, but as we shopped for people we would never meet, I found a deep joy I didn’t know I was missing. That special shopping trip turned into an annual event for the two of us, and now that I’m an adult, I continue the tradition in memory of the special woman who taught a little girl the true meaning of Christmas.
I bought my gifts and viewed the windows along Main Street before heading over to Zoe’s Zoo. I’ve always wanted to come down to the Zoo at midnight on Christmas Eve to see if the animals do in fact talk to one another. My guess is that they do, and how wonderful it would be to hear what they had to say. I imagine the bear cubs would tell me to keep it down because they were trying to sleep, and the kittens in residence would talk about what fun it would be to climb the Christmas tree my assistants, Jeremy and Tiffany, had erected in the lobby. The dogs who are visiting would most likely want to have a chat to ensure that I’d find them forever homes with wonderful people who would love them as much as they had always loved the humans in their lives.
After spending some time with my animal friends I returned home to my fiancé, Zak, and our forever animals, Charlie, Bella, Marlow, and Spade. Charlie, a terrier mix, is my best friend and confidant. He’s been with me through thick and thin, and I really don’t know what I’d do without him. Bella is Zak’s dog, a large bundle of fur who was displaced when her mom was forced into a retirement home. Marlow and Spade are both rescues I brought home temporarily but who ended up staying.
I kissed Zak and greeted the animals, then headed upstairs to wrap the last few gifts I’d picked up. Marlow loves to unroll the ribbon and Spade will crawl into any box or bag he comes across. Bella seems content to watch the festivities from her bed near the fireplace, and Charlie, like always, lends a paw to help when it comes time to tie up the ribbons. As my animal friends and I share a quiet Christmas Eve moment, I take a deep breath to embrace the smell of the pies Zak has baking in the kitchen. I know that my family and friends will be arriving soon for our annual dinner, but for now, in the instant, I will embrace the quiet and give a silent prayer of thanks for all that I have and all that is to come.
You can read more about Zoe in Christmas Cozy, the 11th book in the “Zoe Donovan” mystery series, published by Kathi Daley. The first book in the series is Halloween Hijinks.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on December 31 for the chance to win either a print or kindle copy of CHRISTMAS COZY plus this lovely mug. The print and mug giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The kindle copy is open to everyone.
Meet the author
Kathi Daley lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and Bernese mountain dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t writing, she likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese), and garden (planting and planning, not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she’s not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.
Stay up to date with her newsletter, The Daley Weekly. There’s a link to sign up on both her Facebook page and her website, or you can access the sign-in sheet at: http://eepurl.com/NRPDf
I love Kathi’s Christmas Cozies…please enter me..
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I loved the blurb about Zoe with Zac and the dogs. I can relate with Zoe and her best friend, her dog, for a long time. My dog was my best friend for quite a while. I love the flow of your words. Thank you for this chance to enter the giveaway
Kathy Daley is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. It seems that each sequel gets better and carry through the characters personalities and quirks extremely well. servedogmom@yahoo.com
I would like a print copy and I’m excited by the cup.
Iamshortanote@yahoo.com
I would love a print copy. And the cup is really nice.
What a wonderful tradition. Christmas, Cozies and Cats always make a wonderful combination.
Thanks for sharing. I would love to win a print copy and the cup looks great,. janngrogan@yahoo.com Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
This sounds like a good book (and blast it another series to add to my kindle wish list!!)
oops forgot to say that if I am lucky I would be wanting the kindle copy as I am in the UK
Would love a print copy and the cup would be terrific. Thanks so much!
This is a series I am not familiar with and I would love a copy and a Christmas mug . I can use either print or Kindle..
What a lovely tradition.
Sounds wonderful, I would love a print copy and I just LOVE the mug 🙂
love holiday themed cozies; thanks for the chance !
If it wasn’t for Kathi I would have never learned about this genre of books. Love Kathi Daley. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone. 🙂
Kathi Daley always has a good read. I love to follow Zoe Donovan and her escapades.
I would love to have your autograph in one of your books and to be able to sit back and sip coffee of that great mug!
Sounds like another great Zoe adventure! Thank you for the contest!
I can not believe I did not know about this series. It sounds like the perfect one for me. I thank you Dru for bringing it to my attention. I love the thoughts Zoe has. My rescue Tyler is my partner now after losing my service dog Rufus. I love Bernies and would love to live in the mountain area that Ms Daley does. I am oh so jealous of her life and talent, lol. I would love to win a print copy, but either way I am going to have to get started on this series soon. Merry Christmas to all and thanks
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. I am fortunate enough now to be able to purchase your books, so please just take this as a simple holiday wish in a world that needs all the light and hope it can find.
Love Christmas! Love Cozies! Love coffee, love tea! Need a mug? Thanks for the giveaway.
Following Zoe on her adventures is always great fun. Thank you, Dru and Kathi, for the chance to win Christmas Cozy.
Sounds like a good read. Thank you for the chance to win.
Yes please Dru, I’d love to be able to read about Zoe and her friends. I could also use another coffee mug. LOL
YAY, would love to win!
Delightful Where does she find her Christmas Eve gifts recipients?
Happy Holidays! Thanks for hosting the contests.
I love Kathi’s books and would love to win this one!!
Love Kathi’s books and Love Zoe! Thank you for the chance and Merry Christmas!
I’d love, love, love this book and mug…what a great way to start the year!! 🍵☕📖
Kathi’s books are always so much fun!
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I love me a Christmas cozy!
Me too. Love Christmas stories! 😍😍🎄😍😍
Oh and Merry Christmas!!🎅🎅🌹🎅🎅
Oh I would love to win merry christmas
Thank you for this great giveaway!!!
Just meeting Zoe Donovan, but enjoying it immensely.
I would love to win this! I love this series! Thanks for the chance!
edtercross7304@yahoo.com
I love cozy mysteries and holiday stories!
I’d love a print copy and the coffee mug. Never too many good cozy mysteries or coffee mugs! Thank you for the chance to win them.
I need a cozy mystery–it is dark, damp, and cold here.
I have been wanting to read this story. I love these books. Thanks for the giveaway, can never have too many coffee mugs.
Merry Christmas!
Love Christmas stories and add a little mystery
Benglish@whro.net
I need a mug. I want a mug, can’t live without a mug!!!!
I love reading this series by Kathi. I just can’t keep up. She writes them quickly & publishes at Mach 1 speed! Woul love to win #11 and the coffe mug would be wonderful since I collect coffee mugs. Please enter me in drawing. Thank you & Mery Christmas!
I love both of Kathi’s series and eagerly await the new series coming soon!
And her series mugs look great on the shelf along with her books.
Love this series. Thanks for a chance.
I love the puppy with antlers on the cover. Thanks for the chance!
I always enjoy Ms. Daley’s books. I would love to win a print copy of this one. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
A new series for me and a mug. Can’t get any better than this.
The Christmas Cozy sounds like wonderful read. Please enter me in the contest. myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
I love mysteries about Christmas, and this one sounds so good. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I love finding a new author to enjoy
I think I found a new cozy series to read
Did not get a Christmas mug this year. Perhaps there is still time. Have been unlucky winning any books during Kathi’s blog contests but got some bookmarks.
what a great series of books!!!
A cozy mystery and a Christmas theme. Who could ask for more?
Haven’t read any of these but I’d like to. I like the cover with the animals.
Tahoe is beautiful and California is colder than usual all over 😛 I am ready for quiet and to get over this flu bug! A book and a mug of cocoa, coffee or tea would be welcome.
Plan to read more books in 2015.
I love the blurb. What an awesome Christmas tradition, love it. I really enjoy your books, and would love to win a copy, and one can never have too many coffee mugs. Thanks for the chance.
This is a good read.
contest is closed.