The Write Stuff with... Della Galton

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Della Galton, whose latest book Moonlight over Studland Bay was published last month, to the blog to talk about her alternative Christmas last year.  Welcome Della.

A motorhome, an odd dinner and a dog field – our alternative Christmas

I write novels with quirky characters because I’m quite quirky myself – write what you know LOL – but should Christmas arise in my novels, my characters invariably have quite traditional Christmases. Whereas I do not.

Last year my partner and I headed off to Cornwall in our motorhome on Christmas Day with our three dogs – two terriers and a staffie cross.  It’s a very large motorhome!  We had Christmas lunch parked in a layby on Bodmin Moor. More precisely we had part of our Christmas lunch as I’d got the timings wrong. More of that later.

We’d also booked a dog field for 12.00 midday – so the dogs could have a good run around and be tired while we ate dinner – and the same dog field at 3.00 pm for a repeat performance.

We arrived at the dog field at midday – surprisingly it was fully booked and we waited for a guy who looked just like Robbie Williams to come out with his two German Shepherd dogs. Maybe it was Robbie. Maybe he was having an alternative Christmas too! 

Dog fields by the way are big fenced fields you can hire by the half hour or hour where dogs can run freely. One of our terriers spent the whole hour trying to escape! 

Festive Giveaway: Win a Surprise Bookish Bundle

I don't know about you but I'm glad that this strangest of years is almost over, although sadly it doesn't look like that we're going to be returning to any semblance of normality any time soon, so I've decided to host a giveaway to bring someone a little festive cheer. 

Cover Reveal: Christmas with You by Sheila O'Flanagan

This lunchtime I'm delighted to be taking part in the cover reveal for Christmas with You by Sheila O'Flanagan which is due to be published on 19th October.  As many of you know I have read most of Sheila's books over the years including this one when it was previously published as A Season to Remember but this has now been updated and new stories added so I know new readers are in for a treat.

So without further ado here is the gorgeous cover for this festive short story collection.

Emma's Review: Christmas at the Little Village Bakery by Tilly Tennant

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

It’s time to get toasty by the fire with a glass of mulled wine and a slice of chocolate yule log sprinkled with a little romance. Welcome to Christmas at the Little Village Bakery. 

Snow is falling in Honeybourne and Spencer is bringing home his American fiancée Tori for a traditional English Christmas with all the trimmings. But when his hippie mum and dad meet her high-maintenance parents, sparks of the wrong sort start to fly. Then Spencer bumps into his first love Jasmine and unexpected feelings come flooding back. 

Millie is run off her feet with Christmas orders at the Little Village Bakery and new baby Oscar. Thank goodness her cousin Darcie is here to help her. Although she does seem to be rather flirty with Millie’s boyfriend Dylan. 

Will Darcie ever find true love of her own? And is marrying Tori a terrible mistake for Spencer if his heart is with someone else? 

Amazon Link: Kindle 

Guest Post: My Favourite Christmas Songs and Movies by Stella Newman

Today it's my stop on Stella Newman's blog tour to celebrate the publication of her festive short story A Pear Shaped Christmas with a look at Stella's favourite Christmas songs and movies... dare you not to sing along ;-)

I love a neat list of Top Tens at this time of year but there are only four Christmas songs I genuinely like, and three films. (I a a fan of Bond, The Pink Panther, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, etc - but technically they’re just films you watch at Christmas, not films about Christmas.)   So on that basis, here are my top seven…

Fairytale of New York
As my upstairs neighbours will tell you, I’m a huge fan of karaoke.  They’ll also tell you I have a terrible voice.  Still, come the festive season, that doesn’t stop me from drunkenly belting this out in my living room like Shirley Bassey’s more confident little sister.   Those lyrics, those harmonies, that emotion!  One of the greatest pop songs ever written - I could listen to this 365 days a year.  

White Christmas
Of course it’s an obvious choice - but then again it’s the best selling single of all time for a reason.  It’s also the single that’s been most covered by other artists.  What other song could you imagine being recorded by singers as diverse as Bob Marley, Barbra Streisand, Rick Astley, Crash Test Dummies and Cee Lo Green?  Probably not the second best selling single of all time - Candle In The Wind…

Fictional Characters in Panto: Cora’s Christmas Kiss – The Panto!

The festive challenge from Shaz was to cast some of your own characters in a panto. So these are the characters in my brand new festive story, Cora’s Christmas Kiss. Here goes…

Cora Strachan is Dick Whittington. Yes. I know Dick Whittington was a boy, but we’re living in different times now, and it’s sort of traditional to have pantomime boys played by girls in tights, so I think it’ll be fine. 

Cora came to London to make her fortune. She’s had some good times, and some really hard ones, but she’s still here, and somehow a part of her still believes that the streets might really turn out to be paved with gold.

Mrs Atkins is the pantomime dame. Fulsome of bosom and not to be messed with, Mrs Atkins in the story rules over all things festive at Golding’s Department store with a rod of iron. She keeps errant elves, and misbehaving children in check, and I have no doubt that she’d be just as happy giving a misbehaving pantomime prince a clip around the ear if she needed to.

Flash Giveaway: Win these Snow Crystal trilogy books by Sarah Morgan

In the spirit of Christmas I have decided to host an extra giveaway for existing followers (blog, Twitter or FB page) to win my paperback copies of the three books in the Snow Crystal trilogy by Sarah Morgan, Sleigh Bells in the Snow (read once), Suddenly Last Summer (bought secondhand) and Maybe this Christmas (new) as I also have all 3 books as eBooks :-)

Once upon a time Kayla loved Christmas

Now she’s more dedicated to her job than decking the halls, and can’t wait for the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ to be over.

Until she arrives at the enchanting Snow Crystal ski resort, determined to win gorgeous owner Jackson as a marketing client.

But wooing Jackson professionally quickly turns personal as they spend flirty festive nights in this glittering winter wonderland.

With snowflakes swirling and sleigh bells ringing…could Jackson be the one to make Kayla fall back under the Christmas spell?

Fictional Characters in Panto: A.L. Michael casts Driving Home for Christmas

Well, no doubt, when considering the characters from my new Christmas book, Driving Home for Christmas, and how they could fit into Panto, I had some doubts. Firstly, I don’t know panto that well, beyond each year taking a bunch of less than enthused brownies and girl guides to watch something in the church hall. But there seem to be some themes, and some of the characters I knew instantly would fit.

Presenting Auntie Anna as the Fairy Godmother

Anna is exactly what you’d want in a fairy godmother; she’s wise, loving, never sees a problem she can’t fix and tends to meddle in your life in order to make it better. She’s the reason my main characters Megan and Skye decide to go home for Christmas to see their estranged family. Anna is fun and fabulous, and more than a little sneaky. She took Megan and Skye in when Megan was disowned by her parents as a pregnant teenager, and is now giving her back her family for Christmas. Who needs a magic wand?

Jeremy as The Dame

Jeremy isn’t a main character, but I love him, and he fits the role of Dame so well. Living with Anna and Megan and Skye as a lodger, he’s a playwright by day and a drag queen by night. He’s thoughtful, a constant presence in the women’s lives, supporting Anna and her old actress friends in creating a Gatsby Christmas for them, as well as being there as a shoulder to cry on for Megan, and recommending great books to Skye to make sure she has a well rounded education. He’s fabulous, fun and talented, and he’ll tell you the truth, no matter what, usually in a sassy and to-the-point kind of way. Just what you need in a dame. Plus, his makeup skills are fantastic and he’s excellent with the glitter.

Fictional Characters in Panto: Where's a Fairy Godmother When you Need One?

The Fictional Characters in Panto features are certainly proving very popular so today I'm pleased to welcome Margaret James with her casting.

It’s Christmas and that means pantomimes, doesn’t it? Well, here in the UK it means pantomimes, stage shows in which traditional fairy tales are loosely – sometimes very loosely – reinterpreted as opportunities for famous and not-so-famous celebrities to do their party pieces, excuses for the loud and out-of-tune community singing of current pop songs, and chances for the smaller children in the audience to get up on stage and be acutely embarrassed in exchange for a lollipop or one of the celebrity’s latest CDs.

My novel The Wedding Diary features the tag line where’s a fairy godmother when you need one. The fairy godmother is a key character in the pantomime of Cinderella, and my version of Cinderella was certainly lots of fun to write. 

My heroine Cat doesn’t exactly sit at home in the kitchen while her ugly sisters (in Cat’s case her friends Tess and Bex) go off to the ball. But at the start of the story poor Cat has just been dumped by a heartless rascal and she’s feeling very sorry for herself. As for Prince Charming – in this case he’s a builder who specialises in restoring stately homes and he’s not remotely rich or famous, but he is very gorgeous and you can’t have everything – my Prince Adam needs a lady in his life. But he’s already had his heart broken by one daddy’s little princess and he hasn’t much inclination to look around for another one. 

Guest Post: Tanya's Christmas Memories

Well when I volunteered to write a Christmas Post for Sharon I thought it would be easy but there are so many great Christmas’ to choose from.  Christmas for me means time spent with people I love, we play card games and board games together and of course over indulge in food.  We are also lucky/unlucky enough to celebrate many birthdays within 6 days of Christmas. 

Three Christmasses really stand out for me.  Two of them being the girls first Christmas with us in 2002 and 2005. I remember watching Sian (now 12) feeling her stocking at the end of her cot with the biggest smile on her face.  We were sat downstairs watching her on the TV monitor as we couldn’t sleep any longer and was so excited we got up to have a coffee and open our stockings to each other.  I am still like that now and hardly sleep Christmas Eve as I can’t wait to see the girls’ faces.

Christmas Giveaway: Win a copy of The Parisian Christmas Bake Off by Jenny Oliver

I was recently sent a paperback copy of The Parisian Christmas Bake Off as a thank you from the lovely peeps at Carina UK but as I've already read and reviewed the eBook last year I have decided to share the love and offer it as another Christmas giveaway prize.

Welcome to the most celebrated patisserie competition in Paris – ready, steady, bake!

Watching snowflakes settle on the Eiffel Tower, Rachel Smithson’s cosy English village feels very far way – as, thankfully, does her commitment-phobic ex, probably already kissing someone else under the mistletoe. But Rachel hasn’t come to Paris to mope she’s come to bake. Hard. 

Fictional Characters in Panto: Linda Mitchelmore casts Cinderella from To Turn Full Circle

The latest author to accept the Fictional Characters in Panto feature challenge is Linda Mitchelmore. 

The bottom line is that TO TURN FULL CIRCLE is a pure, Cinderella, rags to riches story.

CAST

CINDERELLA – Emma Le Goff. This pantomime could have been written for Emma Le Goff. The story opens with her in borrowed clothing which is too big for her, and none too clean. She is mentally strong and feisty – well, she has to be with all that’s happened to her. She can’t dance at the beginning of the story but she finds someone who can. Will a turn around the dance floor turn her head away from Seth and towards Matthew Caunter. Hmm … we shall see.

PRINCE CHARMING – It’s rare for a man not to know how handsome he is but this can be said of Seth Jago. He would walk over hot coals for Emma Le Goff, never mind search high and low for her to return a glass slipper. He goes travelling and has one teensy fall from grace but then, he’s a man. And he redeems himself in the end.

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to pop by and wish you all a merry christmas wherever you are, at home with family and/or friends, or at work.  Hope you have a fun filled day and have been totally spoilt with lots of fab books ;)

As you can see from the photo above I have been totally spoilt, think my friends know I love caramel chocs... I might just about have enough to last until my birthday in Jan LOL

Countdown to Christmas Day 6: Home made gift ideas by Emma Hannigan plus a fabulous giveaway

Today Countdown to Christmas feature is a guest post by multi-talented author Emma Hannigan talking about how home made marvels make magnificent presents! 

Short of cash? Need something to keep the little ones busy on cold gloomy afternoon? Maybe you want to give your friends or colleagues something a little bit different this Christmas. Why not make some decorations and gifts! Everyone adores and appreciates the thought and effort of a hand crafted present.

I love to bake so every year I make trays of brownies mince pies and all the traditional fare. But if you’re not the next Nigella and don’t have a bakers touch, why not try a crafty option? If you’re not creatively inclined my third option might suit you better! 

I cannot stress how much friends appreciate a gift that’s unique. My pressies usually include a book but one of these ideas might appeal too!

Christmas Giveaway 2: Win a copy of the dog stars by Peter Heller

Thanks to the generosity of Caitlin at Headline I'm pleased to be able to offer you the chance to win a copy of the dog stars by Peter Heller.

Hig, bereaved and traumatised after global disaster, has three things to live for - his dog Jasper, his aggressive but helpful neighbour, and his Cessna aeroplane. He's just about surviving, so long as he only takes his beloved plane for short journeys, and saves his remaining fuel.

But, just once, he picks up a message from another pilot, and eventually the temptation to find out who else is still alive becomes irresistible. So he takes his plane over the horizon, knowing that he won't have enough fuel to get back. What follows is scarier and more life-affirming than he could have imagined. And his story, THE DOG STARS, is a book unlike any you have ever read.

MIRA and Mills & Boon Christmas giveaway

Thanks to Roisin at Midas PR I have a lovely selection of MIRA and Mills & Boon Christmas books to giveaway to you lovely readers. Even though it's likely to cost me more in postage I've decided to share the love and offer this as 4 separate prizes instead of one prize.

Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs 

Can a single moment change your entire life?
 

International lawyer Sophie Bellamy has dedicated her life to helping people in war-torn countries. But when she survives a hostage situation, she remembers what matters most - the children she loves back home.
 
Haunted by regrets, she returns to the idyllic Catskills village of Avalon on the shores of Willow Lake, determined to repair the bonds with her family.
 

There Sophie discovers the surprising rewards of small-town life- -including an unexpected passion for Noah Shepherd, the local veterinarian. Noah has a healing touch for anything with four legs, but he's never had any luck with women - until Sophie.

Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe by Fiona Harper

This Christmas, ex-WAG Louise Thornton is starting her new life, away from the paparazzi - and her cheating husband. Un-manicured, back on carbs and holding herself together courtesy of some seriously good foundation, Louise will make things perfect for her son, right up until he leaves for his dad's on the big day. Then she'll be free to curl up and cancel Christmas. 

But it turns out escaping the fame goldfish bowl comes with some perks: peace and quiet, no baying press, plus regular battles with her Mr Darcy-esque new neighbour to keep her edge. And the best thing about a real, country Christmas is that there's always lots of mistletoe to be found...

Introducing the Christmas Creche

As I'm sure you've all heard, some of your favourite writers including Scarlett Bailey, Abby Clements, Victoria Connelly, Miranda Dickinson, Michele Gorman, Belinda Jones, Carole Matthews, Talli Roland and Julia Williams have all given birth to festive little bundles of joy. It's wonderful when so many friends have book babies around the same time, because that means they can grow up together and be best friends too. 




To help the tots cement their friendships (and to get a bit of peace and quiet - those deadlines aren't getting any easier!), the authors have enrolled them in the Christmas Creche*, where the ultra-capable Miss Dewey will look after them for a few hours a day until the Christmas holidays. And to keep the mothers from pestering her, she has kindly agreed to document what her charges get up to.

Poor Miss Dewey! She doesn't know what she's in for - these little ones already know their minds, that's for sure. 

Readers can follow the Christmas Creche short stories over the next six weeks by popping over to the creche now, where Miss Dewey has posted the first story, or by following any of the writers on twitter or Facebook. 

Follow the writers to keep up with all the fun

Scarlett Bailey Twitter: @ScarlettBailey / Facebook: Scarlett Bailey

Abby Clements Twitter: @AbbyCBooks / Facebook: Abby ClementsBooks

Victoria Connelly Twitter: @VictoriaDarcy / Facebook: VictoriaConnelly

Miranda Dickinson Twitter: @wurdsmyth / Facebook: Miranda Dickinson Author

Michele Gorman Twitter: @expatdiaries / Facebook: Michele Gorman Books

Belinda Jones Twitter: @vidabelinda / Facebook: BelindaJones Travel Club

Carole Matthews Twitter: @carolematthews / Facebook: CaroleMatthews

Talli Roland Twitter: @TalliRoland / Facebook: Author TalliRoland

Julia Williams Twitter: @JCCWilliams / Facebook: JuliaWilliams

*That's nursery in North American!