Tag Archives: Festive Fun

Hannah Pearl joins my Christmas Countdown!

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

Today, I am delighted to have fellow Ruby Fiction author, Hannah Pearl, joining my Christmas countdown, with her fabulous, heartwarming festive read Daisy’s Christmas Gift Shop!

Welcome to my blog Hannah, I love your gorgeous cover and I am excited to know how your characters will be spending Christmas…

Evie will be spending the day with Jake. Her cousin Charmaine will cook. Charmaine will complain about having to do so on her day off as she’s a chef so she’ll have been busy making Christmas dinners for work parties for the last month, but she knows no one else could make anything as tasty. Jake certainly can’t be trusted to bake without setting fire to the kitchen. Jake’s dad, sister and niece will be there so the day will be full of love, laughter and Guinness.

Karen will be looking forward to Hogmanay, but will doubtless raise a glass of whisky on Christmas Day when she thinks about how her life has changed since her last birthday.

Daisy will be spending the day with her brother Ben, her dad, her best friend Lily and Ben’s best friend Eli. You’ll have to read my first ever Christmas book, Daisy’s Christmas Gift Shop, to find out whether she and Eli will be kissing or killing each other under the mistletoe!

OO what a tease and the blurb is not giving much away either:

Struggling to find the perfect Christmas gift? Step into Romantic Daze …

Daisy Kirk is a sucker for a love story, which is why she opened up her gift shop – because there’s nothing that makes Daisy happier than when she’s helped a customer achieve their own ‘happily ever after’ by finding the perfect Christmas gift for their loved one. And she absolutely does not just sell ‘soppy presents and frilly pants’ as her brother’s infuriating best friend, Eli, is so fond of suggesting.

The sad fact is that whilst Daisy is helping others with their love lives, hers is non-existent. But when unusual circumstances take Daisy and Eli on a road trip from London to rural Wales, will she finally get the happily ever after to her own Christmas love story?

Buying links: Amazon UK | Amazon.com | Ruby Fiction

I can’t wait to find out how Christmas turns out for Daisy and Eli, in the meantime why don’t you tell us how you will be spending this festive season?

Hopefully with a big family get together. I somehow ended up volunteering to coordinate a Secret Santa for about twenty relatives a few years ago. It went well and I’ve been organising them ever since so I assume a chunk of the day will also go on making sure that everyone has a gift to open!

 I’ll try to make sure I fit in a rest at some point, often when many of my family go out for a walk, to make sure that I can last for as much of the day as possible.

 There are usually too many of us to sit down for a formal traditional meal but we’ll make sure we fit in a roast dinner at some point during the holidays, albeit that I’ll have mine with veggie sausages instead of turkey!

 Well done on organising the Secret Santa, it sounds like you have Christmas all wrapped up (sorry I couldn’t resist). Before you go, I’d love you to answer five quick questions from my Christmas selection:

Christmas jumper or posh frock? Christmas jumper. I don’t think I could look smart if I tried any more so might as well embrace it and go with something fun.

 Real or artificial Christmas tree? Real. We had an artificial tree for about ten years and my daughter loves it so much she now puts it in her room, but I love a real tree. I always feel a bit sad when it’s time to get rid of it. It adds so much colour and cheer to the room.

 Mince pie or Christmas pudding? Both.

 Favourite Christmas film? Die Hard. (Now you’re being controversial – I’ve heard arguments over whether this is a Christmas film.)

 Cracker hat or no cracker hat? No hat, they barely fit over my hair!

 Favourite Christmas song? Slade. Merry Christmas Everybody.  It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve heard Noddy Holder belt out Merry Christmas!

 Must watch Christmas TV? Doctor Who and Strictly.

Thank you so much for joining my Christmas countdown, and I love the fact you got carried away and answered seven of my Christmas selection questions. I wish you and your family a fabulous festive season! xx

About the author:

Hannah Pearl was born in East London. She is married with two children and now lives in Cambridge.

She has previously worked as a Criminology researcher, as a Development Worker with various charities and even pulled a few pints in her time.

In 2015 she was struck down by Labrynthitis, which left her feeling dizzy and virtually housebound. She has since been diagnosed with ME. Reading has allowed Hannah to escape from the reality of feeling ill. She read upwards of three hundred books during the first year of her illness. When her burgeoning eReader addiction grew to be too expensive, she decided to have a go at writing. In 2017 she won Simon and Schuster’s Books and the City #heatseeker short story competition, in partnership with Heat magazine, for her short story The Last Good Day.

Hannah is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association.

Discover more about Hannah Pearl here: Twitter |  Blog | Ruby Fiction

Also by Hannah Pearl:

Evie’s Little Black Book

Is hunting down every man you’ve kissed the answer to finding Mr Right?

When Evie is invited to the wedding of the guy she’d fancied throughout her teens, it’s the final straw. What’s wrong with her and why can’t she keep a man?

In between consoling herself with ice cream and chocolate, and sobbing her heart out to her cousin Chamaine, Evie has a brainwave – and it all centres around her ‘little black book’ (well, more floral patterned notebook really) – which contains the details of every man she’s ever kissed or dated. Perhaps the cure for her disastrous love life has been nestled within its pages all along …

Does Evie’s little black book really hold the answers, or will she learn that exes are exes for a reason?

Publisher: Ruby Fiction
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.com

It’s My Birthday

Oh boy, another birthday…

Karen could be excused for crying on her birthday, especially as it’s the first one since her husband got on a plane to the States and never came back. Then there’s the fact that her workmates were practically bribed to attend her birthday meal. But when a restaurant double booking leads to her sharing a table with single dad Elliot and his daughter, things start looking up.

As Karen gets to know Elliot she experiences feelings she thought she’d never have again. But is it enough? Or will the thing that destroyed Karen’s previous relationship also ruin things with Elliot?

Publisher: Ruby Fiction
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.com| Ruby Fiction

Don’t miss author Angela Britnell joining my Christmas Countdown, on Thursday 5th December! xx

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

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