THE 12 DARES OF CHRISTA

Christa is a holiday junkie. What's not to love? There's decorations! Exchanging gifts! Caroling and hot cocoa! The spirit of hope! But thanks to her parent's recent separation, Christa's favorite time of year is now filled with heartache. And when her mom announces that she is taking her on a trip to Europe over winter vacation, Christa knows she should be excited.

She just can't imagine spending the yuletide season away from home-and without her dad. However, waiting at her hotel in Italy is a special package from her father: the first of twelve dares that take Christa to landmarks in three beautiful countries, and introduce her to people who will show her that hope is still alive in the strangest of places.

Funny, genuine, and feel-good to the core, THE 12 DARES OF CHRISTA is Marissa Burt's fifth novel.

As a girl, Marissa was forever getting notes sent home from teachers about reading novels during class, and she would still rather read a good story than do just about anything else. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband, four children, and heaps of books. Marissa Burt is the author of STORYBOUND, A SLIVER OF STARDUST, and A LEGEND OF STARFIRE.