Ghost of Christmas Present

Brief Description: Patrick Guthrie, a widowed public school drama teacher, will do whatever he can to make the money for a life-saving operation his ten-year-old son needs--including begging on the streets of New York. Biographical Note: Scott Abbott attended New York University. His first script, "My Father's Keeper," earned him a place in the American Film Institute screenwriting program, as well as semi-finalist recognition in the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship Screenwriting Awards, the annual competition run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Amy Maude Swinton is a native of New Mexico. She has a theater background and is a certified sommelier. Review Quotes: "Like the beloved classic "Miracle on 34th Street", Scott and Amy's timeless Christmas tale works its way into our hearts and charmingly inspires us to see beyond ourselves and embrace the true spirit of Christmas all year long. '"Into the breach, dear friends".'"--Maura Dunbar, EVP/Chief Content Officer, Odyssey NetworksReview Quotes: "I simply could not stop reading "The Ghost of Christmas Present". I experienced so many emotions as the story unfolded. I felt anger for the injustice and cruelty this world can bring upon the innocent. I wanted to write a check and magically fix the entire situation. I felt urgency as the reality of Patrick's circumstances seemed to be crushing him and his every effort to do whatever he had to do for his child. I felt so proud of the brave little 8-year-old boy who knew exactly what kind of man his father was. I was moved to tears as I saw a man who had nothing left to lose risk getting thrown in jail to finish what he started, as he had resolved that his son deserved a better life. Those tears turned to joy as I finally came to the conclusion of this book . . . still in the parking lot of ESPN regional television studios. The street lights now on, having finished the read by interior car light, I immediately called my wife and my son to tell them I love them. Not that I enjoy having a good cry or anything, but books like this serve to remind us of the blessings that we so often take for granted. Blessings that any good father would be moved to do "anything" to protect."--Kevin Carter, College Football Analyst, ESPN; 14-year NFL Veteran; Founder of The Kevin Carter Foundation that serves children and their families like Braden and his father PatrickPublisher Marketing: It's the fourth Wednesday of November, and Patrick Guthrie is giving thanks. He's giving thanks that his eight-year-old son, Braden, will finally have a procedure on his heart that will cure him of the same life-threatening condition that took Patrick's wife several years earlier. But when Patrick suddenly loses his job teaching drama at a New York City high school, his already desperate financial situation becomes dire. Rebecca Brody, a social worker, shows up at his door with a judge's order for him to appear before the city's family court to determine if Patrick is financially fit, and Patrick realizes he is in danger of losing his son. Patrick knows that he must somehow make it through the holiday season to a new job waiting for him in the new year. He also knows that Ted Cake, his former father-in-law, blames Patrick so much for the death of his daughter that he, a rich and disagreeable man, is the one pushing the city to call the custody hearing and give the boy over to him. Now Patrick has only three weeks before Christmas to somehow make enough money to pay his bills, present himself to the family court as a fit father, and keep Braden in his life. It's when Patrick sees a charming beggar on the subway dressed up as a crazy alien that he gets an idea. In true Dickensian holiday spirit, Patrick makes use of his old acting skills and his love of "A Christmas Carol "and takes to the streets in the guise of the Ghost of Christmas Present. Making a midtown corner his performing stage, he begins to touch and change the lives of all those who come his way, including Rebecca Brody and the bitter and heartbroken Ted Cake. *** The train stopped at a station where the signs read Thirty-fourth Street. The doors opened and Patrick waited for the commuters to disembark before he got off. He walked to the stairs as the morning light from the street shone and the sounds of Broadway bounced down into the station in echoing waves. He caught sight of himself in the plastic window of the token booth, where the transit workers shook their heads at his appearance. Perhaps he had gone too far with the costume. Perhaps he had gone too far thinking he should even attempt this madness. Perhaps what was worst of all was thinking he could save the semblance of a life that he could carve for himself with Braden. Maybe Braden would be better off without him in his daily life. Maybe . . . Patrick shook off the thought as the noise of Broadway waited for him above. He drew in a breath and exhaled. "Into the breach, dear friends." He began to climb the stairs. Review Citations:

Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2012 (EAN 9781451660395, Hardcover)

Library Journal 10/15/2012 pg. 71 (EAN 9781451660395, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Abbott, Scott Scott Abbott is company builder, business developer, growth producer and best-selling author and speaker. Contributor Bio:  Swinton, Amy Maude Amy Maude Swinton is a native of New Mexico. She has a theater background and is a certified sommelier.