The author's screenplay adaptation of Christmas Karma won the 2016 Writers Guild of America West Diversity Award. Included in the Prize-Winning Literary Fiction Series from LaPuerta Books and Media Christmas Karma is a touching and witty tale about the travails of a dysfunctional family around the holidays, narrated by an angel who has a wicked sense of humor. Main character Willa Nawicki is bewildered by a series of curious karmic events that literally ring her doorbell during the frantic season, awakening years-old resentments and stimulating ever-more-intense personal confrontations. These bizarre visitations include a grizzled old man claiming to be her father, who has been missing for some thirty years but now says the title to the family home is in his name – and now he wants the place back. As the angel observes, “The surest way to invoke the laughter of the universe is to make plans, particularly devious ones.” "This homage to Anne Tyler is a Christmas parable for the rest of us - whether faithful, backsliders, slackers, or just I-don't-knowists." - Thomas Page, author of The Man Who Would Not Die "A fun yet thoughtful story with quirky characters, twists and turns of plot, philosophical musings that fit perfectly against the action, and resolutions that may or may not be karmic...who's to tell? A good read for Christmas, any holiday that brings families together, or actually, any other time at all." - Pamela Jaye Smith, author of Show Me the Love! All Kinds of Love for All Kinds of Stories "All of life's lessons should be so funny and entertaining. If you don't believe in angels or ghosts, just think of it all as 'magical reality.'" - Marilyn Anderson, author of Never Kiss a Frog: A Girl's Guide to Creatures from the Dating Swamp and How to Beat a Bully (the book and the movie) "A funny, charming and unexpected tale of holiday dysfunction at its best. A Christmas treat all wrapped up in cactus, Southern California style. You never know who will ring the doorbell next at Willa's house, but you know they bring a touch of magic." Lian Dolan, bestseller author of Helen of Pasadena I wrote Christmas Karma after I'd gone through a series of personal losses. I think in those situations everyone experiences a whole spectrum of emotions, from bewilderment, to anger, and even at times some relief that your dear one's suffering is over. And then I thought about how, if the soul is truly immortal - and, if so, it can't ever be hurt, harmed, or endangered - wouldn't it have a sense of humor? You don't need to have any particular brand of religious faith - or any at all - to enjoy this book. Most of all, please don't take any of it too seriously. And if you post reviews - and I hope you will - please hold back the spoilers! If the sometimes bewildering plot twists entertained you, you'll understand why it wouldn't be, ah, good karma to give the game away. And thanks for reading Christmas Karma . May it bring you some welcome tears and laughter. Gerald Everett Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Santa Monica, California. Christmas Karma is his ninth book for LaPuerta. His first was the tongue-in-cheek business title How to Lie with Charts. His previous humorous novels include the "boychik lit" series of Rollo Hemphill Misadventures, as well as Mr. Ballpoint, a father-son comedy based on the true story of the Pen Wars of 1945. Jones is a top reviewer on Goodreads.com and hosts a weekly book review segment on KRLA radio in Los Angeles. He blogs about fiction and humor at BoychikLit.com. The LaPuerta imprint and its logo - an open door - symbolize unlimited access to knowledge, opportunity, innovation, fascination, and delight. Recipient of multiple book awards in mystery and literary fiction,  Gerald Everett Jones is a freelance writer living in Santa Monica, California. He recently returned from a two-year residence in Kenya. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Women's National Book Association, as well as a board member of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He is a Film Independent (FILM) Fellow. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University, where he studied under novelists Peter Boynton  (Stone Island) , F.D. Reeve  (The Red Machines) , and Jerzy Kosinski  (The Painted Bird, Being There) . Learn more at geraldeverettjones.com.