Sheila Roberts' On Strike for Christmas is a humorous, heartwarming novel about a community of women who are tired of feeling unappreciated for all the hard work they do at Christmas ― so they stage a boycott. At Christmastime, it seems as though a woman's work is never done. Trimming the tree, mailing the cards, schlepping to the mall, the endless wrapping― bah humbug ! So this year, Joy and Laura and the rest of their knitting group decide to go on strike. If their husbands and families want a nice holiday―filled with parties, decorations, and presents―well, they'll just have to do it themselves. The boycott soon takes on a life of its own when a reporter picks up the story and more women join in. But as Christmas Day approaches, Joy, Laura, and their husbands confront larger issues in their marriages and discover that a little holiday magic is exactly what they need to come together. Sheila Roberts gives the best gift of all in this funny, heartwarming novel that touches the very core of Christmas spirit. “Sheila Roberts makes me laugh. I came away inspired, hopeful and happy.” ― Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author of A Good Yarn and Christmas Letters “At last! An author who writes her way straight to the heart of every woman. This is the book to give your best friend, your mom, your sister, even your grandmother. Sheila Roberts gives us one of the most frank, funny and unforgettable books of the year. She writes with all the sweetness of Debbie Macomber, the uproarious humor of Jennifer Crusie and a touching honesty all her own. Prepare to spend the day in your bathrobe, with your fuzzy slippers on and a nice cup of tea, enjoying an irresistible read.” ― Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Winter Lodge “Hilarious...a fun and festive debut.” ― Library Journal “Roberts' witty and effervescently funny holiday novel will warm hearts. Realistic characters populate the pages of this captivating story, which is a great escape from the holiday hustle and bustle.” ― Romantic Times (Top Pick) Sheila Roberts is the author of On Strike for Christmas, Small Change, The Snow Globe, Bikini Season , and other bestselling books. Before settling into her writing life, Roberts did lots of other things, including owning a singing telegram company and playing in a band. Now, when she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences, she can be found writing about the things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate. She lives on a lake in Washington. On Strike for Christmas By Roberts, Sheila St. Martin's Griffin Copyright © 2007 Roberts, Sheila All right reserved. ISBN: 9780312370220 Chapter 1  Glen Fredericks slapped the back of his last departing Thanksgiving dinner guest. “Good to see ya. Thanks for coming.” “Hey man, great time,” said the mooch. “Thanks for having me.” “No problem. We’ll do it all again at Christmas,” Glen promised. Behind him, Glen’s wife, Laura, suddenly envisioned herself going after her husband with the electric carving knife he’d used earlier on the turkey. “In your dreams,” she growled. She stepped around Glen and shoved the front door shut. Having made contact with a hefty male hind end, it didn’t shut easily, especially for a woman who was five feet two and a hundred and nineteen pounds, but she managed. “Hey,” Glen protested. “What was that all about?” “You need to ask?” Laura gave her overchewed gum an angry snap. He did this to her every year, and every year he promised that next year things would be different. But they never were. “Mama, Tyler’s in the frigerator,” called five-year-old Amy. Laura marched toward the kitchen, Glen trotting after her. “Today might have been your idea of fun, but it sure wasn’t mine.” No woman in her right mind would volunteer to have her house turned into the city dump by the invasion of family, friends, and Thanksgiving freeloaders her husband had invited into their home. Before the invasion, this room had looked great, decorated with little gourds, cute ceramic pumpkins, and her two prettiest vases filled with mums. Now everywhere she looked she saw a mess. CDs lay scattered on the floor in front of the entertainment center. Her new leather couch was littered with a plastic football, Glen’s socks, magazines, and an open can of nuts (half-spilled). Glasses and bottles were strewn every which way across her coffee table. The little hand-painted, wooden Pilgrim couple that she’d set out on the sofa table now lay on their sides as if taking a nap, not that you could really see them anyway in the litter of napkins and appetizer plates and other party leftovers. And it was hard to ignore the towel on the carpet, evidence of an earlier wine spill mop-up. People said you shouldn’t have cream-colored carpet when you had little kids. Well, people were wrong. She managed to keep the carpet clean just fine with two kids. It was Glen’s moocher co-worker who was the problem. And