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Marie Laval joins my Christmas Countdown!

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , ,

Next up on my Christmas countdown is Choc Lit author, Marie Laval, with her festive read, Bluebell’s Christmas Magic…

Welcome to my blog, Marie. I love the cover and have your book on my to-be-read list, as I can’t wait to read it, perhaps you could tell me how your characters will be spending Christmas?

Thank you very much, Carol, for welcoming me on your blog for this special Christmas countdown! My heroine Cassie Bell loves Christmas. She loves it so much her grandfather often says she must be an elf in disguise and he even bought her a silly green hat with red pompoms. In Red Moss, Cassie’s little Cumbrian village, Christmas is taken very seriously indeed. There is a Christmas Fair, a grotto with a different Santa every year, and a standup comedy competition at the local pub that Cassie’s granddad has won for the past fifteen years. Unfortunately Stefan Lambert, the grumpy Frenchman Cassie has been hired to look after during his stay at the local manor house, has completely different ideas about Christmas. In fact, he has travelled all the way to the Lake District to forget all about Christmas… Will Cassie change his mind, and his heart?

OO I love the sound of this, and for a bit more of a teaser for those who are tempted, here’s the blurb: 

A gorgeous new Christmas story from the author of best selling novel Little Pink Taxi
A flick of a feather duster and a sprinkle of Christmas magic …
Cassie Bell is used to mess. Her cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning, is well known in the Cumbrian village of Red Moss. However, now it’s almost Christmas and Cassie has a slightly messier situation to deal with than she’s used to.

She’s been hired to help Stefan Lambert, an injured army helicopter pilot who’s staying at the local Belthorn Manor whilst he recovers. Stefan resents Cassie’s interference and is definitely not looking for Christmas cheer. But Cassie prides herself on sparkling surfaces – so, can she bring some festive sparkle to Stefan’s life too?

Click to buy the book.

So with your character’s divided over how to spend Christmas, I am intrigued to know how you will be spending this festive season… 

This year, I am hoping to spend the Christmas holidays at home in Lancashire with my family. On Christmas day, we usually have a lovely lunch, followed by ice-cream (Poires Belle-Hélène are my favourite!) before having a good laugh at the crackers my daughter makes herself, and which include jokes, Christmas compliments and New Year improvement tips! After the meal, we usually collapse on the sofa and watch a comedy or two.

That sounds a lot of fun and makes me wonder what my children would include if they were left in charge of the Christmas crackers!

Before you go, Marie, I have five quick questions for you from my Christmas selection:

Christmas jumper or posh frock? Christmas jumper, and very loose and comfortable leggings!

Real or artificial Christmas tree? Definitely a real tree. We have had the same three for the past four years. It lives in a tub in the garden, and comes back inside for the festive season! We use the same decorations, but buy a new one every year.

Mince pie or Christmas pudding? Neither! Being French, I had never eaten either mince pies or Christmas puddings before coming to live in England, and they’re still not my favourite treats. Instead, I bake shortbread or chocolate biscuits, or my mother’s almond macaroons, and chocolate Yule log, of course.

Best cracker joke? The jokes my daughter makes up when she does her own Christmas crackers. I used some of them in Bluebell’s Christmas Magic. Here is one of them: ‘What did the policeman say to the naughty Christmas pudding? I’m taking you into custardy.’

Favourite Christmas song? For me, nothing can beat ‘Last Christmas I gave you my heart’ by Wham.

What a great idea with your tree, and I have a liking for macaroons too 😉

Thank you so much for joining in with my Christmas countdown and I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas. And here’s a joke for your daughter: Why was the snowman staring at the carrots? Because he was picking his nose! xx

About the author:

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie Laval now lives in Lancashire with her family. She works full-time as a modern languages teacher and in her spare time she loves writing romance and dreaming about romantic heroes. She writes both historical and contemporary romance and best-selling Little Pink Taxi was her debut romantic comedy novel with Choc Lit.

She belongs to Authors on the Edge and writes short stories for the best selling Miss Moonshine’s anthologies. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors. Her native France, as well as her passion for history and research, very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’!

You can find out more about Marie here:  Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Don’t miss author Hannah Pearl on my blog on Monday 2nd December, for more festive fun. xx

Lexi Rees joins my Christmas Countdown!

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I am delighted to welcome the Chindi Authors’ Author of the Week, Lexi Rees, to my Christmas Countdown! Lexi writes for children and is celebrating her forthcoming release, Wild Sky.

Welcome to my blog, Lexi. My children and I have read your first book, Eternal Seas, and greatly enjoyed it. Can you tell us a little about Wild Sky, the second in the Relic Hunters series? 

Thank you, to give you a taster of Wild Sky, here are some early reviews:

‘This action-packed blend of magical fantasy with classic kids adventuring is a swashbuckling read for 8+ year-olds, peppered with soft line-drawings and propelled by a strong sense of urgency.’ – LoveReading4Kids

‘Non-stop adventure with an exciting blend of magic and dystopia. Sinister villains, strange magic and thrilling adventure. I loved it!’ – Claire Fayers, author of The Accidental Pirates series, Mirror Magic and Storm Hound

‘Raging seas, snowy lands, fortresses and monasteries – the quest for the relics continues at an exhilarating pace. You won’t put it down!’ – Jude Lennon, author of the Hal series and other books

And the blurb:

After delivering the pearl, Finn and Aria thought life would return to normal.
But with the survival of the clans still in peril, they must continue their quest.
Can they find the next relic before the forces of evil?
Not everyone is who they appear to be
And time is running out …

Wow! That sounds great, and as my blog is full of festive cheer at the moment, I must ask, does any of the action takes place over Christmas?

Wild Sky (published on 28thNovember) starts with my characters finding a riddle about the Cold Moon – the last full moon of the year. Unfortunately, this means they’re going to be sailing off on an impossible quest over Christmas itself. The world is effectively a child-friendly introduction to dystopia (no nuclear holocausts or anything distressing) and there is no reference to Christmas (or any other festivals) in it.

So a great all-year-round read, and I am sure a wonderful addition to the Christmas stocking list of all adventure loving, middle grade, readers.

Find Wild Sky on Amazon.

***To celebrate the publication of Wild Sky, Lexi also has a great giveaway running ENTER HERE!***

With your characters off on a quest, I am intrigued to know what you will be up to this festive season…

We have a pretty traditional family Christmas although now the kids are older it can start at a far more leisurely time than it used to! My brother is a doctor at Great Ormand Street Children’s Hospital so we don’t always get to do the family celebration on Christmas Day itself, but when we get together it always feels like it, even if it’s actually a few days later than everyone else!

I’m completely addicted to mince pies and start doing essential “research” into the best brand as soon as they first make an appearance in the shops, so my Christmas breakfast is coffee and mince pies.

Then we all gather at someone’s house. I’m lucky that my side of the family all live reasonably nearby – my husband’s side of the family are scattered across the globe. We take turns – I’m off the hook this year as I hosted last year. My catering responsibilities include the cranberry jelly, sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts, and bread sauce which hardly anyone eats but it reminds me of my granny so is compulsory.

Your Christmas sounds lovely, and I completely agree that good mince pie research is essential 😉 Before you go, I’d love you to answer some quick questions from my festive selection:

Mince pie or Christmas pudding? Both. Have you tried left-over Christmas pudding stir fried in butter? Yummy!

Favourite Christmas film? Them all! One a day in the run up, more if I can get away with it. It’s a Wonderful life is still a treat. Die Hard, Home Alone, Love Actually, Bad Santa, Rise of the Guardians. And don’t forget the panto! Oh yes we do. Even though the kids are far too old!

Multi-coloured decs or co-ordinated Christmas tree? Red, gold, bronze, green, white, sparkly errr I think that’s pretty matchy-matchy actually, although I suspect it’s classified as multi-coloured by most people.

Must read Christmas book? Narnia, of course!

Best Christmas gift? An AGA.

Worst Christmas gift? A set of pans. You can take the “she likes cooking” thing too far!

First Quality Street flavour to disappear from your tub? We don’t fight over our favourites but, as with the characters in my short story in the Chindi Christmas anthology the strawberry fondants are always left.

Sprouts or no sprouts? What do you mean no sprouts? Unthinkable! And not just for Christmas. As long as they’re not boiled to death they’re delicious. So many great sprout recipes – do you want one?

Haha, I love the fact that an AGA was acceptable but a set of pans wasn’t!

Thank you so much for joining my Christmas countdown and I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas. xx

About the author:

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south. She writes action-packed adventures and workbooks for children.

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children and, as well as her Creative Writing Skillsworkbook, she has an active programme of school visits and other events, is a Book PenPal for three primary schools, and runs a free online #kidsclub and newsletter which includes book recommendations and creative writing activities.

In her spare time, she’s a keen crafter and spends a considerable amount of time trying not to fall off horses or boats.

Books by Lexi Rees:

The Relic Hunters #1, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids and is currently long-listed for a Chanticleer award.

And in case you missed it, here’s my review:

My children and I loved this tale of adventurers, Finn and Aria. Both characters capture the imagination as the quest and their unique role within it unfolds. Pippin – the small girl with a big personality – was a great addition to the cast of characters too.

Their world is brought to life through descriptive language that is aptly used to hold the focus of middle-grade readers. Finn and Aria’s abilities (and Aria’s bow and arrow) hooked my children in as they willed them to fulfil their potential within the story.

Having short chapters it is an ideal read for younger confident readers, and as a story to share.

Eternal Seas is a brilliant introduction to the fantasy genre and stepping stone for future readers of books like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. I loved the fact it had a futuristic setting but also harked back to an earlier time of magic and the reemergence of these powers.

As a parent, I thought it was a great read for my children – it has all the potential to become a classic, and as a teacher, I could see how I could use this book to discuss and inspire writing about imaginary worlds. I look forward to the next book.

The sequel, Wild Sky, is available for pre-order now.

Discover more about Lexi and her work here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram |

Don’t miss Choc Lit author, Marie Laval, joining my Christmas Countdown on Thursday 28th November!

Angela Barton joins my Christmas Countdown!

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , ,

Today, I am delighted to welcome fellow Apricot Plotter, Angela Barton, to my Christmas countdown!

With just a month to go until Christmas Day, Angela, I would love to know how your characters will be spending the festive season…

In Arlette’s Story, my characters’ are living through WW2 in France, so their Christmas’s are frugal with limited amounts of food.

Discover more about Arlette’s Story:

An emotional and beautifully written debut you will not want to put down.

One woman’s struggle to fight back against the enemy in order to protect the ones she loves.

When Arlette Blaise sees a German plane fly over the family farm in 1940, she’s comforted by the fact that the occupying forces are far away in the north of the country. Surely the war will not reach her family in the idyllic French countryside near to the small town of Oradour-sur-Glane?

But then Saul Epstein, a young Jewish man driven from his home by the Nazis, arrives at the farm and Arlette begins to realise that her peaceful existence might be gone for good …

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Ruby Fiction an imprint of Choc Lit

Link to buy the book.

In Magnolia House, my protagonists spend Christmas with friends and take a snowy walk in Hyde Park.

Discover more about Magnolia House:

When you open up your home and your heart …

Rowan Forrester has it all – the happy marriage, the adorable dog, the good friends, the promising business and even the dream home after she and her husband Tom win a stunning but slightly dilapidated Georgian townhouse in London at auction.

But in the blink of an eye, Rowan’s picture-perfect life comes crashing down around her and she is faced with the prospect of having to start again.

To make ends meet she begins a search for housemates, and in doing so opens the door to new friends and new beginnings. But could she be opening the door to new heartbreak too?

Publisher: Choc Lit
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Links to buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.Com | Kobo |

However, in my work in progress, my protagonist helps my hero to organise an art exhibition at The Rookery, which doubles as a Christmas party too.

“In the darkness, the marquee had turned from an enormous white tent, into a magical world of make-believe. The pathway leading from the gallery to the marquee was lined with dozens of silver lanterns, showering yellow beams along the coconut matting. An arch of fairy lights spanned the pathway, twinkling a warm welcome at the entrance. The band was now singing Sade’s Diamond Life, the singer’s voice flowing like warm treacle around the enclosure.”

Exciting to have a sneak peak of your WIP, Angela!

With plenty going on for your characters, I’d love to know how you will be spending Christmas…

I will just have moved back to England with my husband, having spent 20 months in France. I’m excited about making our house in Nottingham all Christmassy and maybe we’ll even get a little ‘help’ from our five-year old twin granddaughters. I love cosy evenings by the fire with the tree twinkling in the corner and the scent of cinnamon and mince pies wafting around the house. It’s also so special to catch up with family who live in different parts of the country. Oh, and bread sauce! Who could forget bread sauce and sprouts? Yum!

I hope you are soon settled and cosy in your new home. Before you go, I’d love you to answer five quick questions from my Christmas selection:

Real or artificial Christmas tree? It has to be real and smell of pine.

Favourite Christmas film? I watch The Grinch every Christmas.

Multi-coloured decs or co-ordinated Christmas tree? Multi-coloured lights and baubles.

First Quality Street flavour to disappear from your tub? Plain chocolate orange creams.

Sprouts or no sprouts? I love sprouts!

I love the smell of pine too!

Thank you so much for joining my Christmas countdown and I wish you and your family a fabulous festive season back in England! xx

About the author:

Angela Barton was born in London and grew up in Nottingham. She is married with three grown up children and adorable five-year-old twin granddaughters. She is passionate about writing both contemporary and historical fiction and loves time spent researching facts for her novels. Having signed publishing contracts for three of her completed novels with Choc Lit’s new imprint, Ruby Fiction, Angela is excited to be working alongside such a lovely team.

Angela relaxes by making landscapes using free motion sewing on a machine and also designs and makes jewellery. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and Nottingham Writers’ Studio.

Discover more about Angela Barton here: Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Ruby Fiction | Angela is also a member of Apricot Plots.

Don’t miss children’s author, Lexi Rees, up next on my Christmas Countdown! xx

Kathryn Freeman joins my Christmas Countdown!

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , ,

Next up on my Christmas countdown is Choc Lit author, Kathryn Freeman, with her feel-good festive read, A Little Christmas Faith …

Welcome to my blog Kathryn, I have read A Little Christmas Faith, but for those who haven’t, how will your characters be spending Christmas?

The characters in A Little Christmas Faith celebrate the festive day in a seventeenth century mill in the Lake District – lovingly converted into a boutique hotel; The Old Mill hotel. What happens on the day does bear some resemblance to my own Christmas. There is a real tree (though Faith, owner of the hotel, has managed to cram a ten foot Normandy fir into her hallway), presents, turkeys, family … and most definitely chaos. Where it differs from mine, is the very heavy sprinkling of romance. (Then again, one year my husband did give me a life size cardboard cutout of Jenson Button.)

Check out the photographic evidence of Kathryn’s favourite Christmas gift below 😉 But first here’s a bit more about A Little Christmas Faith, starting with the blurb: 

Is it time to love Christmas again?

Faith Watkins loves Christmas, which is why she’s thrilled that her new hotel in the Lake District will be open in time for the festive season. And Faith has gone all out; huge Christmas tree, fairy lights, an entire family of decorative reindeer. Now all she needs are the guests …

But what she didn’t bank on was her first paying customer being someone like Adam Hunter. Rugged, powerfully built and with a deep sadness in his eyes, Adam is a man that Faith is immediately drawn to – but unfortunately he also has an intense hatred of all things Christmassy.

As the countdown to the big day begins, Faith can’t seem to keep away from her mysterious guest, but still finds herself with more questions than answers: just what happened to Adam Hunter? And why does he hate Christmas?

And as I’ve had the pleasure of reading the book, here’s my review:

“A fabulous, feel-good festive read that will leave you with that all important fuzzy feeling! Likeable characters come together in this delightful Christmas story of love, hope and new beginnings. Adam Hunter is a great male lead, perfect to snuggle up with over Christmas.”

Click here to buy the book.

So with your character’s Christmas all sorted, how do you plan to celebrate Christmas this year?

Christmas chez Freeman is a family affair; children, nieces, grandparents. Sometimes we’re at home, sometimes in Somerset. Always there are daft presents (mixed with a couple of serious ones), champagne, crackers, a huge turkey (if at mine, read over done turkey), the Queen’s speech, a real tree (if at my brother’s, read more trees than Santa’s grotto), a film everyone can watch (and will fall asleep during), and chaos. We also try and drag everyone out for a walk, and always receive an enthusiastic response from the teenage generation (‘do we have to?’).

Oh I do love a big family Christmas, it sounds great! Before you go, I must also ask you to answer five questions from my Christmas selection:

Christmas jumper or posh frock? I start out trying to be posh, but end the day in tracksuit bottoms with plenty of waistband give.

Real or artificial Christmas tree? Real, for the smell, for the look and for the memories as it’s what we always had when I was a child. Sweeping up pine needles is just part of the whole Christmas experience.

Best Christmas gift? That would have to be Jenson of course!

Worst Christmas gift? In the early years of our marriage, my husband gave me a food processor. I can only say it must be love, or we’d never have made it to the next Christmas. He did learn from his mistake, see above 😉

Sprouts or no sprouts? Sprouts, because how can you have Christmas without them? I don’t actually like the things, but I can blame my parents for that, because apparently whether they taste bitter or not to you is all in the genes.

Wow, I never knew that about sprouts but I am claiming that for my excuse now too.

Thank you so much for joining in with my Christmas countdown and I wish you and your family a happy (and joyously hectic) Christmas. xx

About the author:

Kathryn says: “A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.”

You can follow Kathryn, and find out more about her work here: Facebook | Twitter | website |

Don’t miss author Angela Barton on my blog on Monday 25th November, for more festive fun. xx

The Purrfect Pet Sitter joins my Christmas Countdown!

Writing & Reading, , , , , , , ,

Today, I am joining my Christmas countdown with The Purrfect Pet Sitter! 

“But that’s not a Christmas book!” I hear you cry.
“Oh, yes, it is!”
“Oh no, it isn’t!”
OK, so technically it isn’t a Christmas book, because it is set from September to New Year’s Eve. However, it does include a family Christmas, amid the snow-covered French Alps. And here’s a teaser about what my characters get up to …

After a difficult year, Lisa Blake is back in her hometown, anticipating a traditional Blake family Christmas – complete with Bing (their not so attractive artificial tree), wonky cracker hats and the Queen’s speech. But, with a holiday home in France, Lisa’s parents have other ideas.

While Lisa has to admit that Samoëns in the snow is beautiful, can the festive season go without a hitch when there are family secrets to be revealed, and a visit from an unexpected guest on Christmas Day?

A picture perfect Christmas in Samoëns!

For those who’d like to know a little more, here’s the blurb for The Purrfect Pet Sitter:

When Lisa Blake’s life in London falls apart, she returns to her hometown rebranding herself as ‘the purrfect pet sitter’ – which may or may not be false advertising as she has a rather unfortunate habit of (temporarily) losing dogs!

But being back where she grew up, Lisa can’t escape her past. There’s her estranged best friend Flick who she bumps into in an embarrassing encounter in a local supermarket. And her first love, Nathan Baker, who, considering their history, is sure to be even more surprised by her drunken Facebook friend request than Lisa is.

As she becomes involved in the lives of her old friends Lisa must confront the hurt she has caused, discover the truth about her mysterious leather-clad admirer, and learn how to move forward when the things she wants most are affected by the decisions of her past.

Buying links: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay | Nook | in paperback from all good bookstores.

My own Christmas is filled with family fun and tradition …

On Christmas Eve, I visit my eldest daughter and make mince pies with all four of my children and my two gorgeous grandchildren. In the evening, my son puts out a carrot for Rudolph, a homemade mince pie, and a glass of milk for Santa. He then lays out his Christmas sack, while his older sisters do a very good job of joining in 😉

Christmas Day starts around 7am, when the children wake us. Once downstairs to many oohs and ahs about the fact Santa has been, the children open their main presents and then start on the gifts in their sacks, all sitting around the floor while we attempt to stop the dog eating the wrapping paper.

After breakfast, my dad visits to exchange presents, followed by my mum and sister. During this time, we also phone relatives, listen to Christmas music and play games the children have received.

Once the family leave, we have a traditional roast dinner, with all the trimmings, cooked by my husband. In the afternoon the dog gets a walk, before we catch up with our eldest daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, to exchange gifts. It all makes for a busy day filled with family and festive fun.

This is a very old picture but one of my all time festive favourites!

Finally, I am very excited to get to answer five of my quick questions from my Christmas selection:

Multi-coloured decs or co-ordinated Christmas tree? Ours is very much a multi-coloured affair, with random decs made by the children spanning almost thirty years making an appearance on the tree each year.

Must read Christmas book? I read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas with my children, every Christmas Eve.

Cracker hat or no cracker hat? No cracker hat, my head is too big for them 🙂

Best cracker prize? The mood fish is always a coveted prize in our house.

Angel, fairy or star on top of your Christmas tree? We have an angel, purchased from Woolworths (yes she’s been around a while). The children take it in turns to put her on top of the tree determined by a list we keep since the great Christmas angel debate ensued!

You can follow me, and discover more about my work here: Facebook | Twitter | website | 

I’ve loved joining in with the Christmas fun, don’t miss Choc Lit author, Kathryn Freeman, joining my Christmas Countdown, on Thursday 21st November! xx