Spirited Essence Works

When I first created Aurora, our lovable musk ox with a heart full of curiosity, I had no idea how much joy she would bring to our family, and to readers who fell in love with her snowy North Pole adventure. But with Aurora’s Beach Adventure, I wanted to do something a little unexpected… I wanted to take Christmas out of the snow and into the sun.

And what better way to do that than a Christmas in July story?

This book was born on a summer afternoon when my kids and I were daydreaming about what Santa might do off-season. “Does he ever take a vacation?” one of them asked. And suddenly we were off, laughing about Santa in sunglasses, Mrs. Claus with flip-flops, reindeer on the beach, and elves trying to build sandcastles that don’t melt.

My kids definitely helped in the brainstorming. From suggesting silly character names to discussing funny scenes, their creativity helped shape the story. The crabs? 100% their idea. The seagull who steals Santa’s sandwich? Also them. (They’re very passionate about snack security.)

Once the story came together, the next step was visuals. Huge thanks to Sometimes We Get You Media (@sometimeswegetyou), whose incredible image generation capabilities helped me bring Aurora’s beachy world to life in a way that was vibrant, colorful, and totally magical.

Editing artwork became a fun challenge, adding just the right sparkle to the waves, making sure Aurora’s fur shimmered in the sun, and making every character expression full of personality. Every spread is packed with visual giggles and sweet surprises.

At its core, Aurora’s Beach Adventure is about trying something new—even if it feels a little scary or unfamiliar at first. Aurora isn’t sure about the beach. The sand feels weird. She can’t swim. But with the help of new friends (like Sunny the Sea Turtle and Finn the Dolphin), she finds the courage to enjoy something completely different from what she knows.

And of course, the story is full of humor, from a seagull with a sandwich obsession to sunscreen mishaps, and elves who decide that burying Santa in the sand is the perfect beach activity. It’s silly, joyful, and heartwarming, just like summer should be.

This is the second book in what I hope will be a growing series of Aurora adventures. Each story highlights not just fun and fantasy, but important values: teamwork, kindness, courage, and joy. A message that the cheer and joy from Christmas can be spread all year round. I’m passionate about writing books that kids want to read and that parents feel good reading with them.

Whether it’s rescuing Christmas or navigating waves and wobbly sand, Aurora continues to show that adventure can happen anywhere, as long as your heart is open to it.

Aurora’s Beach Adventure is now live on Amazon, just in time for summer reading or a little off-season Christmas cheer.

👉 Click here to get your copy!

Thank you for being part of this journey with me and stay tuned! Aurora has more adventures coming, and you never know where she’ll end up next.