Bonanza Buzz Busts by Cynthia Reese

What would you do if you found a huge pile of cash? Would your sudden jackpot jolt you with joy, or would the buzz quickly bust?

Would you jump for joy? Would you throw your hands up in the air? Would you toss around the dollars? Would you plan on that cruise you've been wanting to take?

In my novel SECRET SANTA, which comes out in November, my heroine finds that pile of cash. But for her, it's no cause for celebrating.

As I was writing the book, I would talk about the idea of finding a big heap o' cash to people I met. And every one of them said, "That wouldn't be a problem for me!"

In my heroine's case, the money is from her dad, and there is no explaining its source. That is the problem. Where did it come from? How did her dad get it?

So if you found that slush pile and you weren't sure what the money's origin was, what would you do? Would you turn it over to the police? Even if it meant that a family member would come under suspicion?

Or would you do what other people have suggested to me? Pay off that credit card bill? Finish paying down your student loans? Put the money away for a rainy day? 

Would it bother you that you didn't know where the money came from?

So which camp do YOU belong to? The "spend it with abandon" or the "worry until you do the right thing" one?