All Lydia’s ever wanted is a perfect Christmas…

So when her oldest friends invite her to spend the holidays with them, it seems like the answer to her dreams. She’s been promised log fires, roasted chestnuts, her own weight in mince pies; all in a setting that looks like something out of a Christmas card.

However, her winter wonderland is about to be ruined by the ghosts of boyfriends past, present and potential future. She’s snowed in with her current boyfriend, her old flame and a hunky stranger. Well, three (wise) men is traditional at this time of year…

This is Scarlett Bailey’s debut novel and if you’ll pardon the pun; it’s a cracker! The Night Before Christmas is exactly the sort of read that I like to curl up with at this time of year but despite the huge number of Christmassy releases it still felt fresh and I definitely think Scarlett is one to watch on the Chick Lit front.

The story is told in the third person which I felt made it stand out as a little bit different from many of the books I’ve read recently that focus on a lead female, telling the story from her point of view. This is still very much Lydia’s story but I liked the different perspective . I also liked Lydia; she’s a bit of a romantic at heart but also a career girl and it was interesting to see the different sides to her character; romantic movie and book lover, focused career girl barrister, friend and girlfriend. Lydia is very idealistic in many ways, dreaming of a ‘perfect’ Christmas to make up for the horrible ones she suffered as a child.

As the book begins and she heads for her friends’ picture perfect hotel in the snowy Lake District with her boyfriend Stephen (who is carrying an engagement ring) it looks like everything might be about to finally work out for Lydia, but of course things don’t quite go according to plan once the couple arrive at their destination! I loved the nod to A Christmas Carol in this book as Lydia not only has to deal with her present boyfriend (who she’s not sure she wants to marry) but upon arrival is confronted with a past boyfriend who broke her heart and the added confusion of a hunky builder who could just be her future love!  I loved the romance of the story and wondering who Lydia would eventually end up with made for fun reading even if she does make some big mistakes along the way!

In addition to Lydia and Stephen there is a great supporting cast in the book as Lydia’s three closest friends, their partners and children gather for Christmas. Friends Jo, Katy and Alex made me smile as I could see exaggerated versions of my own university friends in them and I loved the banter between the four female characters. Bailey captured the dynamic between them and their partners really well and I thought Katy’s children were fab, making me laugh with their off the wall comments and straight to the point questions. I also loved the fact that all of the characters, especially Lydia, were flawed and made mistakes and the wrong choices during the book.

This is the book to choose if you are looking for a festive story that is set completely at Christmas as the main part of the story runs from 21st-27th December. It’s also the book for you if you’re looking for a lovely romantic festive read that focuses on what Christmas is really about; being with the people you love. A great debut and I’m already looking forward to reading more from Scarlett!

5/5

Today I’m welcoming fellow blogger Sharon from Jera’s Jamboree. Sharon is an avid reader and reviews a great variety of books on her blog: http://shazjera.blogspot.com/ She also writes for http://loveahappyending.com/ with a her regular Shaz’s Stars feature. Welcome Sharon!

Two sisters…two very different lives.

Alison’s American dream is in tatters. Her highflying career is on the skids in the financial meltdown. Her Upper East Side apartment is now way beyond her means. But pride prevents her from telling her family back home just how bad things are. Olivia is fraught trying to juggle family, career, preparations for Christmas and organize a surprise party for their mother’s seventieth birthday. How she envies, and sometimes resents, her sister Alison and her life of excitement and affluence in New York.

Coming home is the last thing Alison wants to do, especially now that she’s met a rather attractive, sexy, down to earth neighbour who doesn’t believe in ‘non exclusive dating’ unlike her wealthy boyfriend, Jonathan. But family ties are strong. Alison and Olivia sort their differences, the party throws up a few surprises and Christmas brings changes for Alison that she could never have imagined before coming home.

The first chapter sets the scene for us with Alison Dunwoody in New York.  She has her own challenges to face with the loss of her career and alongside that, the loss of the high-flying life she’s worked so hard for.

Next, we meet older sister Olivia Dunwoody, still living in the village where they were born, married with young children and working part-time.  She also faces challenges in how to co-ordinate everything, which leaves no time for herself.  She resents Alison from her perceptions of her life without cares and worries.

Two very different challenges …

In her new apartment, Alison gets to know temporary neighbour JJ Connelly.  At the airport, before they get too close, JJ tells Alison something from his past.  Whilst in Ireland, they meet briefly and their bond becomes closer.

I loved the Dunwoody Christmas family traditions and they way these scenes are written, you feel as if you a part of it.  Their mother Esther is very intuitive as to her daughters personalities and what they feel/want from life.  Esther’s relationship with husband Liam is close and loving.

During her trip home, Alison can re-evaluate her life surrounded by the love of her family.  She returns to New York with a different view of her life and what family and values mean to her.

In a way I was disappointed with Coming Home.  I must have imagined hints where none existed as I was waiting for something to happen and at the end, felt the story hadn’t actually gone anywhere.  I didn’t feel any ‘passion’ as it felt like I was skimming the surface.  I feel more could have been made of Alison and JJ’s relationship.  Having said that, I am a great one for family life and there’s enough of this to have kept me reading.

Coming Home … for Christmas is a light read and at 252 pages in length, a quick and easy read.  So if you want to do some relaxing in-between those frantic Christmas festivities then this is the book for you.  It’s also easy to put down, pick up and carry on with the story.

2/5

My son Max is three and this Christmas is the first year that he’s really understood what it’s all about. Needless to say he’s very excited! We’ve been having a lovely time in the build up to the big day reading Christmassy stories and today Max and I are going to share five of our favourites with you.

Tickly Christmas Wibbly Pig by Mick Inkpen

It’s Christmas, and Big Aunt Larlie is coming to stay! But – oh no! She’s brought her knitting needles and lots of balls of wool. Big Aunt Larlie has already given Wibbly Pig a tickly scarf and some very itchy gloves. Is another tickly present on the way?

Max likes: The lovely pictures, the tickly bits and Wibbly Pig.

Mum thinks: This is a fun story featuring one of Max’s favourite characters. As with all Wibbly Pig books the illustrations are very cute. A nice story but not the most Christmassy of the books we have.

The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allen Ahlberg

It’s Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings. There’s a card for Baby Bear, a jigsaw for Humpty Dumpty, a game for Mr Wolf – and lots more envelopes which YOU can open up to peek at the festive surprises inside!

Max likes: The envelopes, the games – especially the jigsaw and letterbox viewer at the end.

Mum thinks: A gorgeous book with a lovely story and lots of entertainment in the envelope inserts. Slightly flimsy if subjected to an overenthusiastic three year old but a book to enjoy for a long time.

Dear Santa by Rod Campbell

When Santa receives a letter he sets to work trying to find the perfect present. But each time he wraps it he has second thoughts!

Max likes: The lift up flaps, shouting out the presents and ‘reading’ the book to Mum as he knows it off by heart

Mum thinks: We got this one last Christmas and it is still being enjoyed this year. A Christmas version of Dear Zoo with lovely colorful pictures and nice sturdy flaps to lift (we have the board book version). I love that Max can now ‘read’ this to me.

Father Christmas Needs a Wee by Nicholas Allan

“Father Christmas needs a wee.

He’s been drinking drinks since half past three . . .”

At each different house that he visits Father Christmas drinks and eats all the goodies left out for him. Before long he really, really, really needs a wee. So much so that he even forgets to leave the presents behind. But he dashes back, delivers all the pressies and flies home at high speed to avoid an embarassing accident . . . there’s just one tiny problem . . . he’s lost his house key!

Max likes: The counting presents bit, the part when Father Christmas loses the key and listening to the story on the CD that came with the book.

Mum thinks: I wasn’t sure about this one at first but it has really grown on me. This is a fun Christmassy play on numbers and I like the rhyming story. We have a version with a CD where the story is read by Bernard Cribbins which is fab. We now spend ages deciding what will be left out for Father Christmas to drink when he visits!

A Very Mater Christmas by Frank Berrios

Lightning McQueen and Mater enjoy the holidays in Radiator Springs!

Max likes: Mater and Lightening McQueen playing in the snow, spotting the other Cars characters and the sparkly pictures

Mum thinks: A very pretty picture book but not much of a story. Max loves it though because all of his favourite characters are present. The Disney illustrations are gorgeous.

So that’s what we’re reading this year but we’re always on the look out for more Christmassy books to add to our collection. What are your favourite children’s Christmas reads?

I’ve been settling down by the Christmas tree with some festive short stories this week. If you don’t want to read a full on Christmas novel or don’t have the time, there are a some great e-book Christmas short stories out now. Here are my favourites:

Tinseltown by Victoria Fox

Dom Judd is the hottest man in Hollywood. He’ll do anything to get out of being a sexy Santa in Hollywood’s famous Tinseltown parade…but can he persuade his brother to take the reins? Waitress Clare has just been dumped. Playing Rudolph is hardly going to help her single status – until she sees how drop-dead gorgeous Father Christmas is! Laney Allen has shot to fame, but hates the limelight – and it seems only Santa can help her overcome her stage-fright… As the snow falls and sleigh bells ring, whose Tinseltown dreams will come true?

I loved Victoria’s debut Hollywood Sinners when it came out earlier this year and Tinseltown is a fun Christmas treat with plenty of Hollywood scandal. Add this one to your list if you want to experience the festivities LA style with a hot Santa and a superstar who is scared of Christmas! This ebook also includes an extract from Victoria’s next book Temptation Island and is free to download from Amazon.

A Cornish Christmas by Nell Dixon

Adam wants Meg to be more than a friend but Meg has her reasons for not wanting to move their relationship forward. It takes a stray dog, an emergency at sea and a touch of Christmas to show Meg her true feelings.

This is a really sweet short romantic read and I didn’t want it to end. Despite only having a short time to get to know them, I thought the characters were excellent and the will they/won’t they aspect to Meg and Adam’s relationship had me gripped. The story takes place during the New Bay Winter Carnival weekend and the festive descriptions are lovely making this a gem to cosy up with and a quick read to get you in the Christmas spirit. A Cornish Christmas is the third in the series of ‘Short and Sweet’ New Bay stories following on from Making Waves and September Song. You don’t need to have read the others to enjoy this story but I had to download them after enjoying A Cornish Christmas so much!

Christmas the Following Year by Carole Matthews

When I finish a book, I always wonder what happened next and Carole Matthews has provided a lovely treat for fans of her latest book Wrapped up in You with a short story that takes place at the Christmas after Wrapped up in You ends. I loved reading what happened next to Janie, Dominic, Mike, Nina and the residents of Nashley. To get your hands on this free download just sign up to Carole’s newsletter on her website: http://www.carolematthews.com/sign-up-to-my-newsletter/

Santa, Maybe by Scarlett Bailey

When 31 year old Amy Tucker wakes up on Christmas Eve to find an attractive man dressed in a Santa suit in her bedroom the shock is nothing compared to her disbelief when he tells her he is actually Santa, produces an Elf outfit and tells her that if she wants her Christmas wish to come true, she must become his ‘little-ish’ helper for the night. Certain she must be dreaming, Amy agrees and sets off on the adventure of a life time, taking her on a magical journey and showing her the secret to making her dreams comes true is more incredible than she could have imagined..

I posted about this short story a couple of weeks ago; Scarlett Bailey is releasing part of it each day until December 24th as an advent calendar but I just had to mention it again here as it just so much fun! Scarlett did a little Twitter competition last week to win the chance to have a character named after you in one of the episodes and I won! My star appearance was yesterday and totally made my day. Catch up with the story so far at: http://adventcalendr.com/scarlettbailey/

Six Geese A-Laying by Sophie Kinsella

Christmas is approaching, and Ginny is looking forward to the birth of her first baby. It’s a pity her partner Dan is so useless, and she has to keep reminding him where he’s going wrong. Luckily she’s enrolled into the most exclusive antenatal class going – all the highest achieving, smartest mothers-to-be aspire to be taught by the legendary Petal Harmon. Like the other five women in the class, Ginny already knows exactly what she wants, and how she’s going to handle motherhood.But when they turn up for the final class it isn’t quite what they expect. As Ginny discovers what parenthood is really going to be like, she begins to realize the things that really matter…

This mini-short story is a quick fun read which gives a nod to the Christmas classic A Christmas Carol. The download also includes the first chapter of Sophie’s next book I’ve Got Your Number. It’s free to download from Amazon

Trisha Ashley is the best selling author of  fourteen novels. Last Christmas I read and thoroughly enjoyed her Twelve Days of Christmas and this winter Trisha is back with The Magic of Christmas. Trisha kindly agreed to answer my festive questions today. Welcome Trisha!

Tell us about your latest Christmas novel The Magic of Christmas

My latest novel, The Magic of Christmas, is a major reworking of an earlier novel, Sweet Nothings.  I always felt there was a lot more I’d wanted to put in that book, so I had great fun revisiting the village of Middlemoss and all its characters again!

Friendship is often an important theme in my books, and it is the support of her friends in the Christmas Pudding Circle that keeps Lizzie going as she struggles on towards the end of difficult marriage.  There is another village tradition, too, the annual Boxing Day Mystery Play, and both the preparations for that and the meetings of the Christmas Pudding Circle start months ahead, leading to an ever-faster toboggan ride towards Christmas.

Of course, there’s lots more going on, too – Lizzie is a keen cook and has quite a bit of rivalry going on with her husbands’ cousin Nick, who is a chef and cookery writer.  Then there’s the mystery of what Caz the gamekeeper up at the hall does with all the grey squirrels…

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

I always love the moment when I place the papier mache Father Christmas at the top of the tree.  One of my mother’s sisters bought him with her pocket money when she was four, so that makes him over eighty years old.

You’ve published a number of Christmas/winter novels but to have a book released in time for Christmas you must be writing and editing during the summer months; how do you get yourself in the festive spirit when writing out of season?

My Christmas novels are indeed written and edited during summer, so that I have become quite used to looking out at a sunny beach while writing about snow, cold and Christmas puddings!  But of course, while writing them I vanish into my own little trishaworld snowglobe, so getting in the mood isn’t a problem.

This year, however, I have been writing a spring/summer book at the right time of year – Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues, which comes out next May.

What is your top tip for surviving the festive season?

Have things the way you like them, not the way the magazines tell you they should be done – forge your own traditions. You can prepare and freeze all kinds of things in advance, including mince pies, which will only take about three-quarters of an hour to defrost at room temperature.

Twelve Days of Christmas featured lots of delicious food; what’s your favourite Christmas treat or recipe?

The Mincemeat flapjack recipe at the back of The Magic of Christmas is a great alternative use for mincemeat and so easy to do, you will wonder why you ever bought shop-made ones!

What are your favourite Christmas books and films?

I have to watch the film Love Actually, every Christmas, it’s perfect.  There are a lot of good Christmas-themed novels out there this year, too, and I hope to catch up with some of them when I have finished the editing of the new book and perhaps unpacked a few boxes (I have just moved house).  Carole Matthews Christmas book looks interestingly different, I’m looking forward to reading that.

And finally … what can readers look forward to next from Trisha Ashley?

Next May we are revisiting the village of Sticklepond, scene of A Winter’s Tale and Chocolate Wishes, in my new book Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues, so I have been having a lovely time finding out what has been happening with the characters from the earlier novels.

After that…well, you will just have to wait and see!

Thank you Trisha!

You can find out more about Trisha and her books, join her newsletter and post in her guestbook at: http://www.trishaashley.com/

Watch an interview with Trisha on YouTube

Read my review of Twelve Days of Christmas

Today my fellow blogger Alexa from Alexa Loves Books is my guest for the Countdown to Christmas feature. Alexa is from New Jersey and started her book blog in April 2011. She reviews young adult fiction, contemporary and historical romances. We have very similar taste in books so please do visit her site for lots of fab reading recommendations.

My Christmas Traditions by Alexa

I absolutely adore the holiday season.  When Christmas decorations start going up and the gorgeous window displays are installed, there’s always a rush of excitement and a jolt of joy in my heart.  I always feel more peaceful, more generous and very much more loved.

When Christmas rolls around, I tend to become quite traditional, because I grew up in a house where writing letters to Santa, putting up stockings, decorating the tree and going to church were just a few among the many traditions we embraced.

Though I no longer write to Santa, have no space for a tree I can decorate (as of the moment at least) or somewhere to hang a stocking, I have made a new tradition of my own: I watch Christmassy movies to get into the spirit of things.

Here are some of my favorite films set during the holiday season:

1.  The Grinch

2.  Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

3.  Home Alone

4.  Love Actually

5.  The Holiday

Another Christmas tradition I intend to keep: reading some of my favorite Christmas tales.  I used to do this with my family and it’s a tradition that I definitely want to continue with my own family in the future.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas stories:

1.  A Christmas Carol

2.  The Nutcracker

3.  The Night Before Christmas

4.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I love my two Christmas traditions, one old and one new, and I hope to be embracing them for many more years to come.  I wish all your readers a wonderful holiday season, filled with joy, laughter and love all around.  Happy Holidays everyone!

Thanks Alexa!

Another new departure for One More Page today as I’m welcoming the first guest reviewer to the blog! Please give a very warm welcome to Jess from Jess Hearts Books. I’m a big fan of Jess’s blog which covers a great mix of young adult and adult books so please check it out Welcome Jess!

Last Christmas is the kind of Christmas story that gets to the heart of Christmas and what it’s really all about. This isn’t a book about having the perfect Christmas, instead Julia Williams strips away the big fancy tree, expensive presents, extravagant Christmas dinner and all those other unnecessary trimmings that Christmas seems to have become and gets into the true spirit of the season with a story about the power of community, family, friendships and love.

The book centres around four characters. Catherine and her husband Noel, Marianne who’s fresh from a nasty break-up, and Gabriel who is staring single fatherhood in the face after his wife abandons both him and their young son. All four characters are linked in some way or another but the main thing they all have in common is that they had a rather rubbish Christmas last year and so the book alternates between the messy events that happened last Christmas and the present day. The present storyline runs from New Year through to the next Christmas making it not just a Christmas book but a book that can be enjoyed year round.

Although this book isn’t always told during the festive period Last Christmas is still sprinkled with Christmas Magic throughout. I loved the play with Christmassy names that Julia Williams used for her characters there’s a Noel Tinsall and Gabriel North to name a few as well as the village of Hope Christmas itself! That along with the events that happened last Christmas being key to what takes place in the present time not to mention the strange occurrences thanks to Hope Christmas’s very own guardian angel there are constant Christmas themes throughout.

The characters in this book have all had a tough time of it and you can’t help hope as the year goes on that this Christmas will be a better one for them. Last Christmas deals with sensitive issues such as mental illness, depression and dementia and so some parts are definitely a bit weepy. All four characters have lost their faith in the world and are understandably less than excited for Christmas thanks to their own personal problems. But as the book goes on you see them each re-gain their hope thanks to their friends, family and the lovely community of Hope Christmas itself. Love, hope and those special people who pick you up when your down being not only what Christmas is all about but important all year round is the overall moral to this story making this such a heart-warming read.

Last Christmas is packed full of very real down to earth characters that I could really connect with and reading about their lives was like being a fly on the wall in the homes of so many people I know. This is a book about Christmas in the form that so many of us have come to know it by as this stressful, expensive time of year. This book is about taking Christmas back to its roots making it a book that will appeal to both Christmas lovers and Scrooges alike. Overall this is a lovely and different Christmas tale that explores the season in its truest form.

4/5

Thanks Jess!

You can find out more about Julia Williams and her novels at: http://www.juliawilliamsauthor.com/

Don’t forget to visit guest reviewer Jess’s own blog at: http://jessheartsbooks.blogspot.com/

Scarlett Bailey, author of The Night Before Christmas is my guest today. The Night Before Christmas is Scarlett’s debut novel; I’m reading it at the moment and very much enjoying it. Scarlett is also doing her own Countdown to Christmas in the form of  a brilliant online advent calendar which contains a short story called Santa, Maybe. Scarlett is posting part of the story every day until 24th December – you can read it at: http://adventcalendr.com/scarlettbailey/ Welcome Scarlett!

Your debut novel, the festively-titled The Night Before Christmas is out now, could you tell us a little about the story and your inspiration for it please?

The Night Before Christmas is the story of Lydia, who is hoping to experience her first perfect Christmas ever, in a beautiful house in the Lake District surrounded by her friends and her boyfriend, who she happens to know has packed an engagement ring. But when an old flame turns up out of the blue, as her best friend’s latest beau, Lydia isn’t sure of how she feels about anything any more…. I hope there are a lot of laughs, the odd tear, a large amount of Christmas and a good deal of kissing. Oh and snow.

Your book is all about the perfect Christmas; what is your favourite Christmas tradition?

Interesting, like Lydia I didn’t really have many perfect Christmasses as a child, my family split when I was quite young and no matter where I was at Christmas there was always someone important missing. As an adult I think my favourite tradition is to just be with the people I love and who make me laugh, and to have a very large glass of Bailey’s (What else) at least once or twice a day.

Imagine you are settling down with a lovely Christmas read … what is your perfect Christmas reading setting/scenario?

A few years ago I stayed with some friends in a cottage in Suffolk for Christmas (this is where the turkey story in the book comes from) it was a sweet cottage, but freezing as the central heating was broken, (oh another story from the book!) We huddled together for warmth in front of a huge fire, there was no TV, so it was all talking, drinking and reading. That was pretty perfect.

What is your top tip for surviving the Christmas party season?

Remain slightly tipsy at all times, and make sure you’ve broken in your new high heels around the house for a few weeks before the big party. Oh and also keeps some mistletoe handy, you never know when you might bump into a likely candidate for kissing.

What is or would be the best book-related Christmas gift that Santa could deliver?

I have a yen to do some writing with a fountain pen. Its pure whimsy, I’m sure I’d get fed up with it quite quickly, but I’d rather like a fancy fountain pen to flourish.

Who is your favourite Christmas book/novel character?

I love a ghost story at Christmas, so although it is not strictly a Christmas book I love reading The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. Hard to think of a more atmospheric and unsettling ghost story to keep you up all night on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa.

You’re a fan of old movies; which is your must see Christmas film?

An Affair to Remember staring Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant. Oh my god, if you have never seen this film you must see it now. Its pure melodrama and romance and I adore it.

And finally … what can we expect next from Scarlett Bailey?

My second novel, which has just been retitled ‘Married by Christmas (there’s a scoop for you) will be out this time next year.

Thank you Scarlett.

Today I’m welcoming debut novelist Ali Harris to One More Page. Ali’s novel ‘Miracle on Regent Street’ is out now and is a wonderful festive read focussing on a vintage and timeless Christmas glamour. Ali is a self-confessed lover of all things Christmassy and kindly agreed to answer my festive questions. Welcome Ali!

Your debut novel, Miracle on Regent Street is set at Christmas and has a lovely festive feel to it; how did you get yourself in the festive spirit when writing out of season?

It was easy! I just plugged in my ipod and played my ‘Christmas playlist’ on a loop. It features solely Rat Pack Christmas classics and ‘Vintage Christmas’ tunes  – not a single Slade, Wizard, Cliff Richard or David Essex song in sight! I also switched on my many strings of fairylights that I have draped around the house (in my opinion fairylights are for life, not just for Christmas!) and I transported myself away into the most wonderful time of year! I actually came up with the idea for Miracle on Regent Street in November so I was able to wander around gorgeous department stores, snapping pictures of their windows and going to vintage Christmas fairs and call it ‘research’ for a couple of months before I started writing it in January 2010.

Miracle on Regent Street is largely set in a wonderful Department store; what  are your top tips for surviving Christmas shopping?

I’m the festive freak who saves all my Christmas shopping till the week before Christmas and does it all at once because I want to get that gorgeous feeling of walking round the sparkly streets of London, clutching handfuls of bags! It’s the only way to properly get me in the festive mood! For that reason I will never EVER be an internet Christmas shopper. It just isn’t the same! I also do all my wrapping on Christmas Eve whilst sitting in front of a roaring fire watching It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s a little tradition I have and my husband just accepts it now. So my only advice is to make a list and really think and plan what I’m getting each person before I go shopping so I’m not wandering around aimlessly. I do end up being a bit spontaneous as well, as I love that little moment of magic when you go into a store and happen upon the perfect gift for the perfect person.

What is your favourite children’s Christmas book/story?

There are so many at the moment as I’m reading them to my almost 3 year-old son. This is the first year he really gets Christmas so it’s really exciting. Our current firm favourite is The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. It’s such a classic, and my son loves it even without having ever seeing the beautiful film! I do have to stop myself singing Walking in the air as we’re reading it as I know this will seriously spoil his enjoyment! We also love Stick Man by Julian Donaldson which features a supporting role by Father Christmas as the end of the book. It’s a gorgeous story about a Stick Man trying to find his way back to ‘the stick family tree with his Stick Lady love and stick children three!’ It’s really poignant and I love the message about the importance of being with your family at Christmas.

What is or would be the best book-related Christmas gift that Santa could deliver to you?

Ooh, if he could magically retrieve all my old, original 1970s Enid Blyton hardbacks and deliver them to me I would be the happiest girl alive as I stupidly got rid of them all when I was a teenager! Luckily I kept some of my other favourite childhood books, like Anne of Green Gables, the Little House on the Prairie books and The Chalet School series, as well as all my Judy Blume’s – but I’ve spent the last few years scouring charity shops and vintage markets to try and find those lovely ‘70s Enid Blyton editions again so I can pass them on to my little boy and baby girl when they’re old enough to enjoy. I’ve got about 10 so far, but more would be lovely! And if they were my ones from childhood, even better!

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

Um, all of them? As you can probably tell, I love Christmas. But if I had to pick one it’d have to be carol singing on Christmas eve. I love a good sing song! Ooh but also, now I’ve got children I am totally getting back into the leaving a mince pie and a glass of something (red wine in our house) for Santa on the hearth!

You use vintage themes a lot in your novel; if you could spend Christmas in any era which would it be and where?

1950s New York. Can. You. Imagine…?!

Imagine you are settling down with a lovely Christmas read … what is your perfect Christmas reading setting/scenario?

Ok, picture the scene… It’s 7pm. My two little ones are in bed asleep and I’m in the lounge in front of a roaring fire. I’m already wearing my pajamas and I’m clutching a book in one hand (let’s see, maybe The Gift by Cecilia Ahern…) I have a large glass of cinnamon and spice infused mulled wine in the other, with a tin of newly opened Quality Street sat on my lap (with all my favourite purple and toffee ones all present and correct and ready for me to eat). Michael Buble is crooning Christmas songs softly in the background, my husband is preparing a roast dinner in the kitchen (I’m imagining it, ok?!) and my little dwarf lop eared bunny rabbit, Lulu is sitting on my feet. PERFECTION!

And finally … what can readers look forward to next from Ali Harris?

My second novel is going to be out in January 2013, I know it sounds a long way off but I promise it’ll be worth it! It’s called The First Last Kiss and it’s a sweeping love story about Molly and Ryan, a young couple who seem destined to be together until something unexpected tears them apart. The story follows the ups and downs of their relationship and switches between the past and the present day. Each chapter of the novel is a memory triggered by a kiss and the book examines if you can ever hold on to a love when you know it is slipping away from you. It’s a departure from Miracle on Regent Street in the sense that isn’t necessarily the follow-up novel that people may expect, but I hope they will love it all the same!

Thank you Ali!

You can find out more about Ali and Miracle on Regent Street at: http://www.aliharris.co.uk/ and at http://booksandthecity.co.uk/

Read my review of Miracle on Regent Street

Ten days into Countdown to Christmas already – the time is flying. Today I have the pleasure of welcoming the lovely Miranda Dickinson back to One More Page. As well as being a hugely successful author, Miranda is also a singer and songwriter so is expertly placed to provide today’s guest post on her favourite Christmas tunes.

One More Sleep Till Christmas – The Muppets (from The Muppet Christmas Carol)

I have to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol each year on Christmas Eve – it’s my favourite film and now a Christmas tradition! I love all the songs from the film but this one is my favourite. It sums up the excitement of Christmas Eve perfectly for me – plus, it’s sung by Kermit the Frog, so what’s not to love?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – James Taylor (from October Road)

James Taylor is a legend and I adore his voice and songs – I’d love to record a song with him one day (in my dreams!) I love this Christmas classic and his version is the coolest, smooth-jazz-tastic interpretation of the song I’ve ever heard. It’s always on my iPod at this time of year.

White Christmas – Bing Crosby (from Holiday Inn and White Christmas)

What can I say? You’ve got to love a bit of Bing at Christmas and this song is a fabulous classic. It also makes me laugh at the moment, because when I marry my fiance Bob next September I’ll be ‘Mrs B White’ (listen to the last line of the song to hear that name) and all my Christmases will be White from then on!

Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea

I love this song – the original, not the awful version on the Iceland ads at the moment! I’m doing some Christmas party gigs with The Peppermints (the band I sing with who inspired The Pinstripes in It Started With a Kiss) and we have this song in our mammoth seven-song Christmas medley. It’s so much fun to sing and really festive!

Sleigh Ride – John Rutter

This is a piece of classical music, not the more famous song of the same name (which I also love). I know this might sound mad, but you can imagine the horse’s hooves on the snow and sleigh bells jingling as the sleigh moves when you listen to the music! It’s one of the most evocative pieces of music I know.

Thanks Miranda

Miranda is kindly providing two SIGNED copied of It Started With a Kiss as a giveaway! To enter just leave a comment in the box below saying what your favourite Christmas tune is. Two winners will be drawn using random.org after the closing date.

UK entries only please. Entries will close at midnight on Wednesday 14th December. Good luck!

You can find out more about Miranda on her website at: http://www.miranda-dickinson.com/

Read my review of Welcome to My World

Read my review of It Started With a Kiss

Read my interview with Miranda

Buy It Started With a Kiss in paperback or for Kindle (Links go to amazon.co.uk)