Going full circle…or wreath. The completion of the Merry Chrissy novel series

An early sketch of Chrissy I drew on October 7, 2012. More than a year before I started writting the first “Merry Chrissy” book.

On November 1, 2013 in a hotel room in New Hampshire, I began what I considered an unusual journey; Writing a book. The most complex writing I have ever done in my life was the occasional assignment in college. I’ll admit it, I’m not the most avid reader on earth, but as I started with some simple doodles of a silly Christmas-obsessed girl with an ornament dangling on her ponytail, I felt something more was needed. She needed some background, some substance and a story. More than 4 years later, my blue sky ideals have finally become a reality. Over the course of 3 novels, Chrissy Deigh changes from a silly and at times naive, 9-year old Christmas fanatic who is desperately clinging on the belief of Santa being real to an almost 11-year old that is on a mission as the first ever girl and kid Santa. Of course, some things didn’t pan out ideal-wise. Would it be neat to have a pet penguin instead of a magical talking pet mouse or would it be awesome to see Chrissy visit a convention of fake Santa Clauses instead of going through “Santa Boot Camp” training with a mean trainer that makes her go to the limits? I may never know.

As I turned older while writing these books, not only Chrissy changed, but the world has too – sometimes for better and recently for the worst. When I started writing these books, the world, particularly online through social media has become a lot more nastier and meaner. I really didn’t want to make a political statement on this book series, but looking at the past with a clear, critical lens shows its a product of that time. I wouldn’t consider it an “outdated” product, but a product that asks the reader, no matter what the odds or whatever wrenches are thrown at you, good will triumph over evil.

Chrissy Deigh on the surface feels like a simple girl with simple aspirations. She wants to be accepted for who she is and of course meet the real Santa Claus. Her peers in 4th grade certainly won’t treat her with kid gloves and at times grown ups will do the same. Much like real life, people and the world may treat you like an outcast, a loser or even worse. To put it kind of bluntly, if you’re going through some…umm “stuff”, I hope you relate to her struggles. It may not be the same as being accepted for your odd obsession with all things Christmas, but its certainly for those “weirdos” who never seem to fit in right in society.

3 books later, I constantly ask myself, “why did I write these stories”? I write them for the underdogs and so called “losers”. The rejects, misfits, outcasts, childish, nerds, anyone who is NOT considered normal. I like the holiday season for the music, happiness, good food, family and friend gatherings and cookies. It doesn’t feel as materialistic to me as an adult. Chrissy is the personification of the Christmas Spirit. The feeling you get when you trim the tree, unwrap those presents or ride in a one horse open sleigh. Those “feels”!

Merry Chrissy’s story has finally finished production after 4 long years! I hope you enjoy it the heck out of reading it!. The first two “Merry Chrissy” adventures are out right now. The final adventure, “Merry Chrissy and the Triumph of the Spirit” will be released on November 25!

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“Merry Chrissy and the Triumph of the Spirit” release date, synopsis and launch info.

Hi. RH here, with a long overdue update on “Merry Chrissy and the Triumph of the Spirit.” The 2 year journey writing and drawing Chrissy’s final adventure is finally coming to an end. I’m now adding the finishing touches; ensuring that both the eBook and paperback versions are as perfect as possible.

So, to all the readers, when do you expect to begin reading “Merry Chrissy and the Triumph of the Spirit.”?

Saturday November 25, 2017.

You can pre-order NOW at the following.

Amazon

iBooks

Google Play

Kobo

The paperback will be available on or around the same date on Amazon. Still putting the finishing touches on that.

Remember, this book is NOT a stand alone story. That means you need to read the first 2 “Merry Chrissy” adventures to get up to speed. If you’re NEW to the world of “Merry Chrissy”, start with “Merry Chrissy and the Naughty or Nice Truth” then “Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” before taking on the final book. Best yet, you don’t have to wait until 11/25 to read them as they’re are available NOW to read.

Let’s give you a synopsis of what’s going to happen in the third and final “Merry Chrissy” adventure.

““NEVER STOP BELIEVING!”

The FINAL adventure in THE MERRY CHRISSY NOVEL SERIES!

Chrissy first found out the “Truth,” then discovered new “Awakenings,” but will she “Triumph” in the end?

Chrissy’s world has changed. She and her family are under constant watch by security as sinister forces from the North Pole remain a threat. Despite such threats, 10-year-old Chrissy still wants to enjoy her summer vacation with friends. From joyrides with her angel wings to magical mid-air summersaults, the “Christmas Spirit” continues to find ways to have fun with her Christmas magic.

And just when you thought Chrissy would be done with working for North Pole Incorporated, an unusual loophole in the rules will make her the youngest Santa…ever. That’s right, she has to fill in for the big guy in red! With training non-stop from learning how to fly with 8 reindeer on a sleigh to placing each package with loving care under the tree, young Chrissy has a lot of preparation in store…and a LOT of cookies to munch on! Will she triumph or falter under the pressure of delivering all those presents in ONE night? Find out in the thrilling conclusion of the “Merry Chrissy” saga!”

Keep an eye out on the Merry Chrissy and Ronald Hennessy social media for updates and more reveals.

The 3rd and final Merry Chrissy Adventure: Title and book cover unwrapped!

I’ve been on a very, merry long road. I spent nearly two years on Merry Chrissy 3 (and four years total on the trilogy) making this book series a reality. Back in 2013 when I started writing the first book, “Merry Chrissy and the Naughty of Nice Truth”, I didn’t even know I would make it to the 3rd. It was my first novel. I was nervous, doubtful and uncertain about the whole reason for doing this thing. Despite that, my mind said I had to write a story about a Christmas obsessed 9-year old girl and boy I did. More than 200,000 words, 250 illustrations, 112 chapters and 3 covers later, the making of the adventures of Chrissy Deigh and friends are finally coming to an end. All I have to do now is the finishing touches before this book is released later this year. 

Of course, you didn’t come here to see me talk about making a book. You want to see the cover art and title, right? Let’s unveil the title to Chrissy’s 3rd and final adventure.

Merry Chrissy and the Triumph of the Spirit

Right now, I’m going to keep most of the story under wraps. However, there is one thing I certainly can’t keep hidden from you guys. Let’s say that Chrissy has a new job title…SANTA Chrissy. 

“Merry Chrissy and the Triumph of the Spirit” will arrive November 2017! Keep checking this site and my social media for updates.

Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings #RevealWeek: Release details and more on Merry Chrissy 3

At long last, the sequel to my first Christmas novel will finally be “unwrapped” (With a name like “Merry Chrissy”, I don’t do a “release”.) After almost nearly two long years of countless revisions, sketches and illustrations done, I’m finally ready to let to world know when “Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” will be “unwrapped”. Get ready folks, the moment of truth is finally upon us.

Here we go!

“Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” will be “unwrapped” in THREE phases.

It will be unwrapped FIRST for iBooks (iPad, iPhone, Mac only) before any other platform on Saturday, December 10.

All other digital storefronts (Amazon Kindle, Google Play, Kobo and Nook) will have an unwrapping date later on Monday, December 26. (The day after Christmas.) Pre-orders are NOW available.

The paperback version will be available only through Amazon in 2017. Pre orders are NOT available yet.

As for Merry Chrissy 3, the FINAL installment in the Merry Chrissy series. I expect to release that book in 2017. Right now, I have no concrete date for release, but expect it around the holiday season. There is still a lot of work to do on that one, but I feel I’m getting closer to completion compared to a year ago when it was the rough draft.

Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings #RevealWeek: Introducing Poinsettia

After quite a magical adventure in “Merry Christmas and the Naughty or Nice Truth”, 9-year old Chrissy Deigh is completely heartbroken that the most magical day of the year will be 1 year away once again. Christmas Day may be over, but Chrissy’s story is just getting started.

There are 4 brand new characters in the second installment of the Merry Chrissy series. Today, I will introduce Poinsettia. You can see my other characters reveals in the blog archive.

She can get carried away too.

Poinsettia brings a warm southern charm and style to the North Pole. A country girl by heart with a southern twang. As a former lister, Poinsettia returns to train new recruits the ways of checking the list of kids 1-92. Little do people know, there is a deeply upsetting issue that Poinsettia is unable to reveal. Let’s just say that Chrissy is not the first kid ever to work for the North Pole. (Did I say too much?)

Author’s Notes

Poinsettia’s attitude is different from most workers of the North Pole. She’s quite friendly, to the point of being too friendly at times while greeting people. (Go ahead and ask Chrissy and tell her why?) Her wardrobe speaks for her southern sensibilities. Flannel shirt, shorts and cowboy boots. Of course, you can’t forget that Poinsettia on her ponytail. Despite a tragic incident involving a former trainee, Poinsettia is still devoted to upholding the traditions of North Pole Incorporated.

“Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” is a middle grade novel for ages 9 and up. It will be available for purchase December 2016. Go to merrychrissy.com or follow my social media for the latest updates.

Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings #RevealWeek: Introducing Silver Bells

After quite a magical adventure in “Merry Christmas and the Naughty or Nice Truth”, 9-year old Chrissy Deigh is completely heartbroken that the most magical day of the year will be 1 year away once again. Christmas Day may be over, but Chrissy’s story is just getting started.

There are 4 brand new characters in the second installment of Chrissy’s Christmas Adventure. Today, I will introduce Silver Bells. You can see my other characters reveals in the blog archive.

Must’ve made a bad first impression.

Silver Bells is a worker from the “Wish Fulfillment” (a department that answers letters to Santa and fulfills the wishes of kids 1-92) division of North Pole Incorporated. Compared to the “red” collar Toyland (a department that sets up and delivers toys direct to Santa’s sleigh), Silver’s white collar line of work involves answering letters…lots and LOTS of letters from kids all over the world. With only a few years of experience under his belt, the young man straight outta of Harvard is enlisted by new C. E. O. Missy “Mistletoe Toel to a brand new and challenging task: To be the chaperone for Chrissy Deigh, the first ambassador of North Pole Incorporated.

“Ambassador” or glorified “Babysitter”?

Author’s Notes

One of the first sketches of Silver.

Silver is a very laid back, yet worry wart of a character. He is always at odds with both of his bosses; Both the C. E. O. who is somewhat cold and dismissive over his advice and Chrissy who often has her way around with her little antics. An avid video gamer, he is never away from his portable gaming console. Perhaps video games are the only thing that keeps him sane from his demanding job. Despite that, he is a very talented writer and his letter to a very important child will be a major factor in the story. This is a character to watch out for.

“Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” is a middle grade novel for ages 9 and up. It will be available for purchase December 2016. Go to merrychrissy.com or follow my social media for the latest updates.

Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings #RevealWeek: Introducing Partridge Pear

After quite a magical adventure in “Merry Christmas and the Naughty or Nice Truth”, 9-year old Chrissy Deigh is completely heartbroken that the most magical day of the year will be 1 year away once again. Christmas Day may be over, but Chrissy’s story is just getting started.

There are 4 brand new characters in the second installment of the Merry Chrissy series. Today, I will introduce Partridge Pear. You can see my other characters reveals in the blog archive.

Partridge showing off his bling to Chrissy.

 

Partridge Pear is a character that is very much determined to be a successful businessman and dissatisfied with the taste of failure. Following in the footsteps of his father who helped modernize the North Pole as “North Pole City”, Partridge controls a vast business empire that’s exclusively involved with the “Merry Metropolis”. His magical power company founded by his father keeps the city running and from freezing to death at the same time with a shield of magic surrounding the city limits. His consumer electronics division however is lagging behind a hip and plucky upstart. 

Flying in the darkness.

Partridge’s trump card to steal attention (and business) away from his competition is a revolutionary product that allows people to use Christmas Magic in daylight. (Christmas magic in the world of “Merry Chrissy” can only be used at night.) Thanks to some connections, Partridge enlists the help of none other than Chrissy Deigh to push and promote the wearable magical bracelet.

Author’s Notes

One of the first sketches of Partridge.

Partridge is a graying man in his 60’s who’s accomplished a lot in his life. He inherited a business from his father that is doing well, but not well enough to his standards. He realizes that the extraordinary popularity of Chrissy in the North could lead to something bigger. He harnesses the excitement about this magical Christmas girl just to promote his brand new product which is rather exploitive I might add. You may think he’s a “Steve Jobs” type of person, but I consider him more of a “Steve Ballimer” type of person…without the angry outbursts laced with curse words and jumping up and down like a monkey.

“Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” is a middle grade novel for ages 9 and up. It will be available for purchase December 2016. Go to merrychrissy.com or follow my social media for the latest updates.

Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings #RevealWeek: Introducing Ava

After quite a magical adventure in “Merry Christmas and the Naughty or Nice Truth”, 9-year old Chrissy Deigh is completely heartbroken that the most magical day of the year will be 1 year away once again. Christmas Day may be over, but Chrissy’s story is just getting started.

There are 4 brand new characters in the second installment of the Merry Chrissy series. Today, I will introduce Ava to the world.

The stoic and silent.

Ava is a new student that suddenly enrolls in Chrissy’s elementary school without warning. Initially, Chrissy and Tyler try to figure her out. With a emotionless face, she is somewhat aloof and introverted; Always glued to her tablet. She doesn’t even start any conversation or display a single emotion when she’s teased at by her classmates. Chrissy tries her hardest to be friendly with her, but she never appears to want to talk…until all of a sudden she starts warming up to Chrissy and Tyler; talking about mundane school things. 

Not much of a hugger it seems.

As the story progresses, Ava becomes a bit more suspicious about Chrissy. Why is she so fascinated with Christmas? Why does she need to be away so much on the weekends? A Christmas “conspiracy” website that Ava frequents seems to ask a lot about what’s really going on the the North Pole? Could she be on to something?

Author’s Notes

The first ever sketch of Ava

Ava on the outside is just a normal kid, but the inside is another story. She’s a lot smarter than most people take for granted. A perfect contrast from Chrissy’s silliness and happy-go-luckiness, she is all truth and logic. Once the reader advances chapter by chapter, you’ll really begin to find out what Ava truly is all about.

“Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” is a middle grade novel for ages 9 and up. It will be available for purchase December 2016. Go to merrychrissy.com or follow my social media for the latest updates.

Introducing Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings #RevealWeek! Plus Merry Chrissy 1 book updates

Wow. Been such a long time since I updated the blog. Its for a very good reason. Over the course of nearly two years, I’ve been hard at work on the sequel to “Merry Chrissy and the Naughty or Nice Truth”. Writing a book while working on a full-time job is certainly a tough task. I’m glad I endured the many tireless days and nights, adjustments here and there and the many illustrations that will accompany the story. This story as with all of my stories is a truly 100% individual effort. No publishers, no agents, no promotional budget and certainly no advance. Of course, its now up to the reader to discover the world of Merry Chrissy.

 Updates on the 1st Merry Chrissy book

In an effort to keep the storyline in check with the sequel and forthcoming Merry Chrissy 3, some editing was done to the the first title originally released in 2014. Most changes with the story were cosmetic and minor, nothing too jarring. The bigger changes made were primarily with presentation. Namely with the quality of the illustrations in the digital eBook versions. Illustrations now have descriptions for accessibility. The eBooks were revamped from the ground up. If you have purchased “Merry Chrissy and the Naughty or Nice Truth” online before, the the FREE update will be available to download now. Of course, if you haven’t purchased the first book yet, I HIGHLY recommend doing so. The sequel “Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” starts where the first one ends. Reading the first book is absolutely crucial to fully understand Chrissy’s second adventure.

Merry Chrissy 2 #RevealWeek

I’m introducing 4 new characters that will be featured in the newest Merry Chrissy adventure. Starting on Monday, December 5 and ending on Thursday December 8, a brand new character will be “unwrapped” for the world to see. On Friday December 9, the release or “unwrapping date” for “Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” will FINALLY be revealed. (Hint: It will be released in December, but sooner than you think depending on the type of device you have).

A Delayed Awakening.

In the past few months, I’ve been preparing to get my second novel and 4th overall project, “Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” for release this holiday season. While a lot of the work has been finished, the important parts of the book — namely editing and proofreading will take longer than expected. The edit and prooreading processing costs money and time, both which I don’t have much of (especially when you’re saving it for the future). It is with great sadness that I must delay the release of “Merry Chrissy and the After Christmas Awakenings” to 2016. While this is being delayed, it not only gives me time to focus on those two major steps with tender loving care, it also gives me the opportunity to make adjustments to the first release and start work on the upcoming 3rd installment that will close out the “Merry Chrissy” saga. Who knows, if I play my cards right, I can release BOTH Merry Chrissy 2 AND 3 in the same year!

I can’t give you any promises that will happen, but I’m aiming for it. It’s going to be a lot of writing and drawing between now and the end of next year, but I hope doing so will ensure that the Merry Chrissy saga is given the attention it deserves.

I started with picture books of Maddie Mckenszie back in 2012 and moved on with Merry Chrissy as a simple NaNoWriMo project in 2013. I’m staying in this game and I will never, ever give up on my dreams. If I have to wait a little longer for this project to be perfected, so be it.