Minister Tim LaHaye, co-author of the megaselling Left Behind series of apocalyptic novels, has signed with Kensington for three new books, to be co-written with novelist Gregory Dinallo (Final Answers). The deal, signed by Kensington president Steven Zacharius, publisher Laurie Parkin and editorial director Kate Duffy with agent Joel Gotler of the Intellectual Property Group in Los Angeles, calls for the first book, a collection of stories called Come Spring, to appear next February. The arrangement grew out of discussions between Gotler and Kensington chairman Walter Zacharius about LaHaye writing something on the spirit of Christmas for the house, and the idea expanded to include two other books. The Christmas title, The Best Christmas Gift, will be published next October, and a third book, one centering around the notion of Christian reunion, is tentatively set for summer 2006. The hard/soft deal includes world rights plus first serial, audio, book club and large print.