This humorous short story will appeal to anyone who's attended an office Christmas party. Tina is clearing out files and bringing scrap paper to dump in a big bin, when she literally bumps into Brian. He's a new appointment and he's not used to the Miami heat. But sun or no, Tina loves her Christmas season and Brian's already noticed the tinsel in her cubicle. He asks if she'd mind helping him find decorations for his apartment.

Tina's pleased to help, but takes the season of goodwill more seriously than Brian realises, for she's locked in a bidding war for a knitted reindeer sweater on-line. The annual party is coming up, and she's won the sweater award five years in a row. Not even the distraction of a good- looking co-worker is going to get in her way. The REINDEER WARS are under way!

I thought the story was great fun, and the contrast between Brian cautiously trying to get to know the bubbly, attractive co-worker and her single-minded determination was perfectly achieved. We've all seen - and worn - Christmassy clothes, from ties to sweaters to scarves, and it really is that one time of the year when we have an excuse to wear something silly, even in the workplace. This short piece is light but I found it a good introduction to the author, who has aired more serious themes in her full- length work.

The author Liese Sherwood-Fabre has previously written 'Corazones', an anthology of love stories, and 'Saving Hope' about a female microbiologist in Russia trying to stop the spread of a new virus and save her daughter.