Walter and the Secret Keeper

Since the beginning of time there has been a battle between good and evil. ‘Gildens’ have been using lies and deceit to corrupt people and guide them down the path of evil; while ‘Heralds’ have been emulating love and compassion to lead people down the path of good.

The most enduring of these Heralds is Santa Claus.

The Tale

Everyone knows the story of Santa Claus. He lives in the North Pole with the elves. On Christmas Eve, he flies through the sky in a sleigh pulled by flying reminder. He delivers presents to all the good children and leaves a lump of coal in the stockings of all the bad children.

The Truth

Most people believe Santa Claus is just a fairy tale. A story told to children at Christmas. The truth, however, is that Santa Claus is real and like you’ve been told, he does exist. Unlike in the fairy tale though, Santa does not live forever.  For centuries the legacy of Santa Claus has been passed down from parent to child.  In fact, other than some special ‘abilities’ Santa Claus is just like everyone else. What he does have, is some pretty amazing items that transform something ordinary into something extraordinary.

Historical Information

Nearly eighteen centuries ago Saint Nicholas began secretly leaving coins in shoes and dropping gifts down chimneys. Saint Nicholas’ selfless actions, generosity and acts of good have continued through his decedents. When Saint Nicholas died on December 6 in the year 243 he was survived by his son and daughter. Since then, every generation of Frost family has had two children. The first child was a son, and the second child was a daughter. At least that’s the way it was until Ivy Frost gave birth to not one son, but two, twins.

Walter and the Secret Keeper – Summary

Walter

Walter is a shy, lonely boy whose lived in Kings Village all of his life. Despite this, he’s never really had a best friend. If truth be told, he’s never really had any friends. That’s why Walter is excited to meet the Frost family when they unexpectedly move into town. Walter becomes friends with Chris, the younger of the Frost twins. As their friendship grows, Walter see’s things happen around the Frosts that cannot be explained.

Through this friendship, Walter learns the truth about Santa Claus, but the truth isn’t all he discovers. With the assistance of his new friend, they uncover an evil plot that if not stopped, could destroy the Frost family, devastate the town and endanger the lives of everyone living in it.

The Frosts

The Frosts, like their ancestors before them, have dedicated their lives to bringing joy into the world. For centuries the knowledge, skills and expectation of being born into the lineage of Santa Claus has been passed down from parent to child

Nicky Frost had spent his life preparing to become the next Santa Claus. When a tragic and mysterious accident ends Nicky’s life, Nikolas, the elder of the Frost twins, becomes the next blood-heir destined to become Santa Claus.

Nikolas is different. He’s unlike any blood heir before him. He doesn’t want to give selflessly like his ancestors have done for centuries. He feels the time has come to reveal the truth. He believes his family should use their abilities to gain wealth and power, instead of working all year just to give everything away without any recognition. Although only twelve, Nikolas secretly begins to plan for the day when he will reveal the truth and begin his quest for the power and wealth he deserves.

Ivy’s Decision

When Nicky Frost dies, his sister Ivy, decides her children should experience life outside of the cold, isolated North. Her father, the current Santa Claus, agrees to the move, but only if her children, Nikolas, Christopher and Noelle continue their training. The Frost children need to fully understand the expectations of being born into the lineage of Saint Nicholas. Ivy and her family move to Kings Village, a small, quiet, southern town. Kings Village seems ideal. It is seasonably warm year-round and has an old, abandoned coal mine beneath it. Access to coal is essential since it’s placed inside the socks of naughty children on Christmas Eve.

To help disguise their identity and abilities and have somewhere to conduct their training without being discovered the Frosts open a toy-chocolate shop.

The building the Frost move into is old and dilapidated. It was built many year ago by the mining company. When the mine closed the occupants packed up their belongings and move on. The poorly constructed house has been vacant ever since. The years of neglect have rendered the building virtually unlivable.

Walter begins to suspect there’s more to the Frost’s than what there appears to be when he stops by to see Chris a week after they move in.  The old, abandoned, dilapidate building they moved into is completely changed. It has been transformed into a shop that looks almost brand new, an impossibility given the state the building just a week ago.

Additional Summary Coming Soon…

Flake is constantly playing tricks and pranks on the other elves. He is likable, but also irritating in his lack of attention span.

It doesn’t take long for the elves to tire of Flake’s pranks. Their increased unresponsiveness forces Flake to expand the sphere of his trickster-ways to people outside of the Frost household.

The unsuspecting residents of Kings Village are quick to blame friends and neighbors for the well-meaning, and often funny, jokes. However, when events start to happen that destroy buildings and risk the lives of people in the town things take an unexpected turn.

 

Glisten is wise beyond her years. Unlike most elves, she is soft-spoken and serious.

Glisten is the keeper of elf history. She transfers her knowledge to other elves through storytelling and songs.

Being elves, if they get hurt or sick, they are unable to seek traditional medical services while living in the South.  Glisten assumes the role of ‘healer’ using ancient techniques and herbs she brought from the North.

Spence is one of the elves who moved to the ‘south’ with the Frost family.   He is intelligent, but impulsive. He acts without thinking about the consequences. His brash, compulsive behavior often puts him, and everyone around him, in danger.

He lacks the ability to sensor his comments during polite conversation.

His unfiltered comments are often what everyone is thinking at the time, but would never say out loud.

He is seldom invited to social gatherings, but typically shows up anyway.

Hiding that fact your family is descendants of Santa Claus is no easy task.  Especially when you live with elves, build millions of toys each year and secretly deliver them to children all around the world. This, however, is something the Frost family must do… 

Mrs. Frost wants more for her children. She wants them to have the opportunities she and her brother never had. She believes the best way do this is to let them grow up in a ‘normal’ town. To make friends their own age. To understand they have choices and not just obligations. The Frost family decides to leave the cold North, where their ancestor’s have lived for centuries, and move to a southern part of the world.

Kings Village is perfect. It’s small, quiet and warm. It has an old, vacant building they turn into a toy store and chocolate shop. There is also an old, abandoned coal mine beneath it. As you know, one essential part of the gift-giving process is having access to coal. Traditionally, bad children receive a lump of coal instead of a present. IMG_0420

Odd things start to happen in Kings Village shortly after the Frost’s Arrive. Small things at first, things barely noticeable. Slowly things start to get worse. Some incidents include: A vandalize warehouse, the destruction of the school and the death of one of the residents.

Something is happening beneath the town. Someone, in the dark tunnels below, has set a plan in motion that, if not stopped, will destroy the town and kill everyone in it.

I am a writer, at least that’s what I keep telling myself.  I started drawing pictures as a way of connecting with my characters.  I recently started adding my ‘illustrations’ (term used very loosely) to my writing as a way to help others visualize the characters in my head, to the ones I was trying to describe on paper (I know, technically it’s a computer screen, but it doesn’t read as well using that term).

I going to state the obvious – I am not a professional artist/illustrator. However, I do think visuals help enhance a story for books focused on younger readers (and to some degree, older readers).

A few writers of children’s books have contacted me about the character pictures I have on my site.   I would be happy to draw a couple (1 or 2) free illustrations for a new writer if you:

1. Are an unpublished/unrepresented writer of stories for younger readers (Many of us are trying to get published and the best way for us to reach that goal is to help each other out)
2. Can provide a fairly detailed description of what you are looking for (I can only do characters, not scenes)
3. Have less artistic ability than I do
4. Have very low expectations

Me:

1. I like to draw, so theses would be provided with NO past, present or future obligation, financial or otherwise. (I know there can’t be ‘past’ obligation, but it’s a general catch-all phrase)
2. Contacting\requesting me for a picture does guarantee one will be drawn. I may, or may not, choose create a picture for you, depending on various factors. Mainly, if I can actually draw it
3. I’m just trying to do something nice, so please don’t judge to harshly

You can see more examples of my work on my website at:

https://publishquest2017.com/
Feel free to contact me to review
Cody

Nearly eighteen centuries have passed since Saint Nicholas began secretly leaving coins in shoes and dropping gifts down chimneys. Saint Nicholas’ selfless actions, generosity and acts of good-will have continued through his decedents. When Saint Nicholas died on December 6 in the year 243 he was survived by his son and daughter. Since then, every new generation of Frosts has had two children. The first child is a son, and the second child is a daughter. At least that’s the way it was until Ivy Frost gave birth to not one son, but two, twins.

When Nicky Frost is killed in a tragic accident Nikolas, the older of the Frost twins, becomes the next blood-heir to become Santa Claus. Nikolas is different. He doesn’t want to give selflessly like his ancestors have done for centuries. He feels the time has come to reveal the truth. He believes his family should use their abilities to gain wealth and power, instead of working all year just to give everything away without any recognition. Although only twelve, Nikolas secretly begins to plan for the day when he will reveal the truth and begin his quest for the power and wealth he deserves.

I am currently seeking an agent or publisher who sees the enormous potential in the Secret Keeper books.  Walter and the Secret Keeper is complete at approximately 100,000 words.  I am looking for an individual I can partner with long-term. I welcome comments, suggestions and editorial advice.  I believe that any writing project, whether it’s a three hundred page novel or a one page business letter, improves through collaboration with others.

If you would like more information on the Secret Keeper, or to request a complete overview or the manuscript in its entirety please contact me at publishquest@gmail.com.

Cody Pelletier

Although the main thread of the Secret Keeper books is based on a concept associated with a specific belief, the content of this story is not solely based on any single group. It is important for readers of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures to identify with characters and plot lines within the the story.

As this story developed a conscious effort was made to include diversity of characters, cultures, traditions and beliefs.

Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) AKA Santa Claus was a real person.   He lived in the early part of the 4-century.   His habit of secret gift-giving led to his being known in modern times as Santa Claus.

Below are some known facts about the man we know today as Santa Claus.  What is not written, but according to some just as true, is that Saint Nicholas had a son and a daughter.  For centuries the knowledge, abilities and magical relics have been passed down from parent to child.  Like many families, each generation tried to surpass the accomplishments of the previous one.   As people often do when they’re telling a story, they made little changes in their family’s history. They added tiny details to the facts. What started out as something ordinary evolved into something extraordinary.  What began as a simple act of secretly dropping coins down chimneys and leaving trinkets in shoes became a world-wide gift-giving extravaganza, and yes, they still do it all in one night.

Known facts:

Born: March 15, 270
Location: Asia Minor (Modern Day Turkey)

Died: December 6, 343 – Age 73
Location: Myra, Turkey (Modern Day Demre)

The tomb of Saint Nikolas became a very popular pilgrimage site. As a result of ongoing battles between the Byzantine Empire and Seljuk Turks the city was temporarily lost to the Turks in August, 1071. Many feared the access to the tomb would be lost. It was said the remains in the Myra tomb exuded a watery liquid that smelled like rose water. The liquid is called manna. Manna is believed to have miraculous powers. The Italian cities of Venice and Bari vied for the remains. In May of 1087 sailors from Bari broke into the Myra tomb and stole the remains inside and brought them to Bari. Due to the fear of getting caught, they only took about half of the bones. The bones that remained in the tomb were taken by Venetian sailors and brought to Venice (Modern day science confirms the half in Venice and half in Bari do, in fact, belong to the same person).

Today (2016), the relics continue to secrete the rose water. A vial of rose-water is collected each year.

We’ve all heard the statement ‘Truth is stranger than fiction’.   Some of the best fiction writing is based on true events or real characters.  The holiday related stories are no exception to this fact.  Below are a few of the ‘true’ legends told around the world.  The Secret Keeper Series does, or will, incorporate these stories and/or characters  into the plot lines.  As you’ll see, these truths are definitely stranger than fiction.

Italy

Befana, An ugly, but Kind old witch that delivers presents on the eve of Epiphany – January 5

Ukraine
Spinata, the oldest and wisest spider, leads a group of spiders that set out during the night to cover the Christmas trees of poor people with spider webs. In the morning the sun shines through causing the web to look like silver and gold tinsel

Mexico
Legend: Two poor children left a bare bouquet of weedy branches. The other children laughed at their gift. The branches began to sprout clusters of red star-shaped flowers. The flowers became known as Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of the Holy Night).

Norway
At Christmas people hide their brooms. People believe the witches search for brooms to be used for flying around. Hiding the broom will keep evil spirits out of the house.

Austria
Krampus is a nightmarish horned demon known as “Santa’s Enforcer” or “Holiday Devil. Krampus visits bad children and leaves Coal and Birch Twigs called “Ruten.” Ruten bundles cause pain and suffering.
Krolley is Krampus’s younger brother. Krolley was treated horribly by his brother, but instead of turning bad he is good and caring.

Iceland
Yule Lads – 13 troll brothers who live in a cave deep in the mountains. They are led by Gryla. Gryla eats bad children. They have a pet Yule Cat (Wildcat) he eats people who have not gotten new clothes for Christmas

Greece
Kallikantzaroi: Evil underground goblins that surface during the twelve days of Christmas to torment mortals. They like to enter homes through chimneys and doorways. Easily foiled – Leaving a colander outside the doorway will keep them from getting in. Burning stinky shoes will keep them from coming down the chimney.

France
Pere Fouettard – “Enforcer”
Legend: An innkeeper who killed three rich boys for the money they carried. He cooked them into stew. St Nicholas brought the boys back. Pere has been a servant ever-since

Iraq
Families gather with lighted candles to build a bonfire of thorn bushes. People sing as the bushes burn. If the thorns turn to ashes good-luck is granted for the next year. When the fire dies out, people jump over the ashes and get one wish. The bishop blesses one person with a touch. That person touches the person next to them until everyone has been blessed.

Everything you’ve heard about Santa Claus is true – but that’s only part of the story.

People believe Santa Claus is just a fairy tale. A story told to children at Christmas. The truth, however is that Santa Claus is real and like you’ve been told he does fly through the sky in a sleigh pulled by reindeer to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.

Santa Claus does exist, but he does not live forever. For centuries the legacy of Santa Claus has been passed down from parent to child.   In fact, other than some ‘special abilities’ Santa Claus is just like everyone else. What he does have, is some pretty amazing items that transform something ordinary into something extraordinary.

Nearly eighteen centuries ago Saint Nicholas began secretly leaving coins in shoes and dropping gifts down chimneys. Saint Nicholas’ selfless actions, generosity and acts of good have continued through his descendants. When Saint Nicholas died on December 6 in the year 243 he was survived by his son and daughter. Since then, every generation of Frost family has had two children. The first child is a son, and the second child is a daughter. At least that’s the way it was until Ivy Frost gave birth to not one son, but two, twins.

The Frosts, like their ancestors before them, have dedicated their lives to bringing joy into the world. For centuries the knowledge, skills and expectation of being born into the lineage of Santa Claus has been passed down from parent to child.

Nicky Frost had spent his life preparing to become the next Santa Claus. When a tragic and mysterious accident ends Nicky’s life, Nikolas, the elder of the Frost twins, becomes the next blood-heir destined to become Santa Claus.

Nikolas, however, is not all he appears to be…

Walter is a shy, lonely boy whose lived in Kings Village all of his life. Despite this, he’s never really had a best friend.  Walter is excited to meet the Frost family when they move into town. Walter becomes friends with Chris, the younger of the Frost twins. Through this friendship, Walter learns the truth about Santa Claus, but the truth isn’t all he discovers. Things begin to happen around him that cannot be explained. With the assistance of his new friend, Walter uncovers an evil plot that if not stopped, could destroy the Frost family, devastate the town and endanger the lives of everyone living in it.