Countdown to Christmas Day 24: My favourite Christmas book(s) by Jody

My final Countdown to Christmas feature is from fellow blogger Jody talking about her favourite Christmas books. 

Christmas is without a doubt one of my favourite times of the year. Not just because of all the 
gorgeous decorations, the sparkly lights, the delicious food, and the entertaining TV specials, but also because of all the amazing novels that focus on this particular festive time of the year! Within the chick lit genre there are many lovely Christmas novels, simply too many to mention here today, but I’ve tried to come up with 10 that you don’t want to miss out on! 

Lisa Dickenson – ‘The Twelve Dates of Christmas' (2013)

This is, without a doubt, my favourite 2013 Christmas release. The novel tells the story of Claudia, who suddenly finds herself alone and unhappy the weeks before Christmas, which eventually leads to her going on twelve special dates in order to find the spark back in her life. Lisa Dickenson is an incredibly funny and amazing author, and if this book doesn’t get you into the holiday spirit, I seriously don’t know what will!

Carole Matthews – ‘Calling Mrs. Christmas’ (2013)

Carole Matthews is without a doubt one of the queens of chick lit. She has written various Christmas novels, but my favourite so far has to be ‘Calling Mrs. Christmas’, which was released this year. The novel focuses on Cassie Smith who has started her own business: ‘Calling Mrs. Christmas’. The business is getting more and more successful, bringing Cassie on a trip to Lapland with the gorgeous Carter... Christmas won’t be Christmas without a lovely festive Carole Matthews story to enjoy!

Countdown to Christmas Day 24: Festive Fun Q&A with Liz

This morning I'm joined by fellow blogger Liz who reviews at Liz Loves Books for a festive fun Q&A.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
The first time I remember going out in the snow! I also remember I had red "santa" wellies on!

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Being away. 9 days of being looked after by someone else!

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow? 
My family is changing this year due to a break up. I'm looking forward to creating my new family traditions - I think one of them is going to be "anyone but me" when it comes to cooking Christmas Dinner!

Countdown to Christmas Day 23: Festive Fun Q&A with Evie Hunter

Tonight's Countdown to Christmas guests are authors Caroline McCall and Eileen Gormley, who collectively write erotic fiction under the pen name Evie Hunter, who have joined me for a festive fun Q&A.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
Eileen: Waiting up all night long, and sneaking down to the sitting room to see if Santa has come yet. Getting an old-fashioned rocking horse and refusing to get off it.

Caroline: Getting a rocking horse for Christmas when I was about four. I called him Neddy. It snowed that year too, which was great. I remember trying to catch the snowflakes on my tongue.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Eileen: A family Christmas in a new house. We’re going to be moving house in the next couple of weeks, so are hoping we’ll be there in time for Christmas.

Caroline: Catching up with family and friends. I have been the world’s worst sister/friend this year. Writing three books and three novellas in a year seriously messes with your social life.

Countdown to Christmas Day 23: Festive Fun Q&A with Sarah

The first of today's Countdown to Christmas features is a festive fun Q&A with fellow blogger Sarah.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory? 
I can remember getting a bike for what I think was my 5th  birthday. I absolutely loved it. I loved Santa that year!

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas? 
Spending time with my family and eating lots of delicious food.

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow? 
We all get together after Christmas dinner to watch a film and probably fall asleep!

Do you do the whole traditional Christmas dinner or have alternative? 
Definitely a traditional dinner. I never used to be a fan of them but I’ve recently fallen in love with Yorkshire Puddings and Roast Potatoes. You can’t forget the pigs in blankets either. Delicious!

Countdown to Christmas Day 22: Festive Fun Q&A with Elle Field

Tonight's Countdown to Christmas feature is a festive fun Q&A with author Elle Field.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
One of my earliest Christmas memories involves my parents, my brother and I going away to the coast for Christmas - I can only have been three or four years old. I was terrified that Father Christmas wouldn't know that we weren't at home that Christmas and I'd wake up to find no presents under the tree... not that we had a tree in the hotel room! Thankfully, he must have got the memo we were away and found the right chimney for me because I, thankfully, had gifts galore to unwrap that Christmas morning!

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Having the time to relax and recharge with great company, great food, and a great book (or two) to read. 

Countdown to Christmas Day 22: Festive Fun Q&A with Lisa

This morning it's the turn of  fellow blogger Lisa, who reviews at LeeLeeLoves, to answer a few festive fun questions as part of my Countdown to Christmas features.

Hey Sharon, Merry Christmaaaaaas!

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
One of my favourite Christmas memories is when we had two Christmases, who wouldn’t like that? It wasn’t all happy though! I was around seven years old and Dad was being deployed on exercise for eight months, he was leaving a few weeks before Christmas so Mum and Dad made us a mini pre Christmas. We were given one present each, Mine was a paint set, it had a huge tub of purple glitter paint inside and by the time Dad got my letters the paint inside had melted in the heat, I can imagine him with purple glitter paint on his uniform!

I still wonder to this day how mum managed that Christmas with three kids building all of our fiddly toys and Dad being away.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Some time off relaxing with Christmas films and books, hopefully while it snows outside! It will probably involve chocolate cake too, at least I hope it will! 

Oh and cats, fluffy cats. 

Countdown to Christmas Day 21: Festive Fun Q&A with Rosie Fiore

Tonight's Countdown to Christmas feature is a festive fun Q&A with author Rosie Fiore who has just published her Christmas novella, Holly at Christmas.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
My dad in his red (-ish) dressing gown with a cotton wool beard, pretending to be Santa and coming to our bedroom window on Christmas Eve. My sisters and I weren’t fooled, even when we were really tiny, but we appreciated the effort. 

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
My older son (21) coming home from uni, and going shopping for the Christmas tree with him and my younger son (4). Then we’ll all decorate the tree together, and the tinsel wars will begin. My older son thinks it’s vulgar, my husband loves it. It’ll go on and come off the tree a number of times.

Countdown to Christmas Day 21: Festive Fun Q&A with Louise

The first of today's Countdown to Christmas features is a festive fun Q&A with Louise who has done a guest review for me but also reviews at She Loves to Read.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
As my husband works away a lot of the time and I live a long way from my mum, I am really looking forward to spending time at home with my family with no pressure or work commitments. Also, as my little girl is nearly 3, this is the first year she really understands about Christmas so it is magical seeing Christmas through her eyes for the first time. 

Do you do the whole traditional Christmas dinner or have alternative? 
Well it’s the first time I will be cooking a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings so am hoping it will all turn out well – do takeaways open on Christmas Day?! 

Countdown to Christmas Day 20: My Favourite Christmas Book(s) by Liz Harris

Something a little different for you tonight as part of an extra Countdown to Christmas feature, author Liz Harris is here to talk about Christmas books.

When I told Shaz that I’d like to write about a Christmas book for her blog I’d intended to write about that definite Christmas novella, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, published 1843 (useful quiz knowledge!). But when it came to it, I had second thoughts. I decided that most people already knew the story of Scrooge, and it would be much more fun to find a novel that was new to me, and perhaps to Shaz’s readers, too.

So, interpreting ‘Christmas book’ to mean book set at Christmas, I began to search for a contemporary novel with a story line that was tied up with Christmas.

What I wanted: a romance; a Christmas setting; a fairly modern tone; strong characters; a 
story line that made me want to turn the page.

Countdown to Christmas Day 20: Festive Fun Q&A with Shaz

Today's first Countdown to Christmas feature is a festive fun Q&A by fellow blogger Shaz from Jera's Jamboree who is always supportive of other bloggers so richly deserved her win as Romance blogger of the year at the Festival of Romance in November.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
My earliest memory was actually leading up to Christmas. I remember feeling unwell and going downstairs one evening to find my mum knitting and sewing dolls clothes. They were beautiful. She told me they were for a friend’s child which I accepted (even though I felt VERY envious). Of course on Christmas day I realised that they were for me. I can remember feeling stunned (it was in those days when you believe everything your parents told you hahaha). Mum had given up so much time to make those beautiful outfits. A treasure trove and a treasured memory.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
My eldest being home for three weeks from Uni! Life just isn’t the same without him …

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow? 
On the Solstice we go out gathering our greenery for decorations. It’s fun no matter the weather!

Countdown to Christmas Day 19: Carmel Harrington

The latest participant in my Countdown to Christmas feature is author Carmel Harrington who's answering a few festive questions...

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
Actually one of my earliest is when I was probably about 4 or 5 years old. I shared a room with my brother John who is a year younger than me. We had bunk beds. I can remember us both lying in our beds whispering that we had to go to sleep before Santa arrived, but too excited to close our eyes. We had been warned, if Santa sees you are awake, there will be no presents! Anyhow, Santa must have heard our excited whispers and to warn us that he was on his way, we heard sleigh bells ringing outside our door. I cannot express the excitement we both felt. Santa was on his way. John climbed down from his top bunk and jumped in with me and we both fell asleep quickly before the big man in red came into our room. Now, if I hear sleigh bells ring, it reminds me of that moment. 

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
It has to be the children’s faces when they see their Santa sacks. This is the first year that Amelia (almost 4!) really gets Santa and she is beyond excited. It’s going to be really special. Rog, my husband and I are like kids ourselves planning every detail. 

Countdown to Christmas Day 18: Festive Fun Q&A with Carol

Today I'm delighted to welcome fellow blogger Carol, from Dizzy C's Little Blog, to take part in a festive fun Q&A.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
Christmas Eve, putting a mince pie and milk out for Father Christmas and a carrot for the 
reindeer. Then not being able to sleep for worrying about a stranger coming down the chimney.

Do you do the whole traditional Christmas dinner or have alternative?
For several years we had beef rather than turkey for dinner, but last year and this we are plumping for a turkey crown.

What’s your favourite Christmas song or carol?
Slade – Merry Christmas Everybody , Carol has to be Silent Night

Countdown to Christmas Day 17: Festive Fun Q&A with Holly Martin

Today's Countdown to Christmas feature is a festive fun Q&A with author Holly Martin who has had an amazing year, winning the short story competition to feature in the Sunlounger anthology, publishing her debut book The Sentinel and winning a book deal with Carina UK.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory? 
My earliest Christmas memory was my brother getting Star Wars figures for Christmas and leaving them on the floor whilst he opened his other presents and Bob, my old dog, chewed Darth Vader’s head off and one of Han Solo’s legs. To be fair to him anything left on the floor was his, so he probably thought it was his Christmas present. My brother wasn’t too happy, I thought it was hilarious.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
I love that family time, chatting, spending time together, playing games. It also means two weeks off work and I love that time of seeing friends and family, of having time to read a good book or five, of staying indoors when the weather is lousy, or having cold crisp walks and lunch in the pub if the weather is dry. It’s about spending time with my favourite people, in which ever form that takes.

Countdown to Christmas Day 16: Festive Fun Q&A with Nicola May

I can't believe there's just over a week to go until Christmas, this morning's Countdown to Christmas feature is a festive fun Q&A with author Nicola May.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
Looking to the bottom of the bed to see if Father Christmas had ‘been’ – always had a pillow 
case full of presents

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Taking a whole week off relaxing my brain

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow? 
Carved ham and boiled eggs for breakfast

Do you do the whole traditional Christmas dinner or have alternative? 
Always traditional

Countdown to Christmas Day 15: My Favourite Christmas Book(s) by Caroline Finnerty

This evening's Countdown to Christmas feature is a guest post by Irish author Caroline Finnerty talking about her top picks for Christmas reads.

Christmas is my all time favourite time of year. All those lazy days of catching up on your to-be-read pile by the fire, the only thing you need to move is your hand to turn the page or to fish a sweet out from the tin of Roses. Here are a few of my picks if you’re looking for a warm read to cosy up with over the Christmas. I hope you enjoy them!

The Gift by Cecilia Ahern

Lou Suffern wishes he could be in two places at once. His constant battle with the clock is a sensitive issue with his wife and family. When Lou invites Gabe, a homeless man who sits outside his office, into the building nd into his life, Lou’s world is changed beyond all measure…

Cecilia Ahern is queen of the modern day fairytale and this book is exactly that, with all of the magic of Christmas thrown in. There is a message about what really is important in life at its heart. Think ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ for the modern day.

Countdown to Christmas Day 15: Festive Fun Q&A with Cathy Bramley

Today's Countdown to Christmas feature is a festive fun Q&A with author Cathy Bramley... loved her response to where she'd like to spend Christmas!

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
One year my dream came true and I got a Potter’s Wheel. I ripped open the box and set it up straight away. Once we’d worked out where to put the batteries, I offered to make my Nanna a vase and optimistically chucked a small lump of wet clay in the centre as it span round. It flew off and stuck to the kitchen wall. I was only allowed to play with it outside after that.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Lots of things! My mum has had a health scare this year and I want to see her skipping about again, I can’t wait for all the Christmas lights to go on in our village, it makes it look really magical, and I can’t wait to finish my new book (deadline 20th  December)

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow?
My granddad always used to get under my Nanna’s feet for hours on Christmas morning making mulled wine. He used more utensils for that one thing than she used to cook Christmas dinner for sixteen! I always make Mulled wine on Christmas morning and raise a glass to his memory.

Countdown to Christmas Day 14: Festive Fun Q&A with Kirsty

The second of today's Countdown to Christmas features comes from the lovely Kirsty at The Love of a Good Book who's answering a few festive questions.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
I wouldn't say it's my earliest Christmas memory but every Christmas morning, after unwrapping our Christmas selection boxes. Me and my brother would swap our chocolates, a fudge for a curly wurly. 

We would then proceed to eat it for breakfast whilst opening the rest of our presents! 

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Seeing my niece open her presents. I love buying people gifts and seeing their reactions but the joy I get from seeing her on Christmas Day is hard to put into words. 

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow?
We all open a present on Christmas Eve night and I still go to bed in new pjs. 

Do you do the whole traditional Christmas dinner or have alternative?
Traditional. 

Countdown to Christmas Day 14: Festive Fun Q&A with Danielle

The latest participant in my Countdown to Christmas features is guest reviewer Danielle with a festive fun Q&A.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
Christmas was always massive in our family when I was growing up. We had a routine of always going to Newcastle to see a moving display in Fenwick’s (a local department store) window. The theme changed every year and it was a highlight of the year. It is still an event to this day.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Doing lots of festive things with my little boy. He’s four and at a lovely age to enjoy the magic!

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow? 
Apart from Fenwick’s window, we always go to Beamish Museum to visit Santa Claus. Beamish is a living museum set in the early twentieth century and they do Christmas so well. We also choose a new special bauble for the tree each year. Before the little one came along, we always attended Durham Cathedral on Christmas Eve, so atmospheric and haunting.

Countdown to Christmas Day 13: Festive Fun with Laura

This afternoon I am joined by fellow blogger Laura, who reviews at Laura's Little Book Blog, for a festive fun Q&A.

What’s your earliest or favourite Christmas memory?
It’s got to be waking up at 3am on Christmas morning when I was 5 and seeing that Santa had been as my stocking was full of presents. I was so excited that I went and woke my sister up and we unwrapped our presents together in my room. One of the presents was a Disney torch and we woke up my parents by shining it in to their room. I don’t think they were best pleased, but I was just so excited and wanted to go downstairs and open our other presents and see the evidence that Santa had drunk his milk, eaten his mince pie and given the carrot to Rudolph.

What are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
It will be my niece’s first Christmas this year so I can’t wait to celebrate it with her and for her to get incredibly excited about all the lights and the wrapping paper (because I know she will more excited about the wrapping paper than the presents!).

Do you have any family traditions that you always follow? 
We always put up the Christmas decorations together and we take it in turns where to host  Christmas. So every odd year it’s at my Aunties and every even year it’s at my Mum’s.

Countdown to Christmas Day 13: Festive Fun Q&A with Aven Ellis

This morning I am joined by author Aven Ellis who's answering a few festive questions in today's Countdown to Christmas feature. 

Do you do the whole traditional Christmas dinner or have alternative? 
The night before we usually have Tex-Mex: fajitas. On Christmas day either turkey or ham.

What’s your favourite Christmas song or carol? 
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve by Barbara Streisand.

What film do you hope to curl up and watch on Christmas afternoon? 
Since I have a seven year old, we watch a lot of cartoons. And sports! All three of us are sports nuts.