It’s December 24th and the last day of my Countdown to Christmas feature so I’d like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has taken part, provided giveaways, commented or read my posts. I hope you have all enjoyed the Countdown as much as I have.

Over the last 24 days I’ve blogged 35 posts, including 8 author interviews, 5 guest author posts and 5 festive book reviews. I’ve given away 23 books to 19 lucky readers and I’ve had so much fun getting ready for Christmas. So, as my final post, I thought I’d answer some of my own questions about the festivities and invite you to join in with your answers to any or all of the questions in the box below.

What is your favourite Christmas party tune?

I’m a big fan of Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses to liven up any party

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

A real Christmas Tree (can’t beat that smell!), a big cosy chair, a mug of mulled wine and my fleecy slippers and it would be snowing outside.

Which is your must see Christmas film?

Serendipity or The Santa Clause!

What’s your favourite Christmas treat or recipe?

A snowball!

Which two books would you like to find under the Christmas tree this year?

There are so many books on my wish list but two that I’d really like to read soon are The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles and Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore.

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

As you’ve probably gathered, I love everything Christmassy from decorating the tree to reading festive books, buying and wrapping presents and spending time with my family but my favourite personal tradition is settlling down on Christmas Eve with the anticipation in the air and watching a cheesy Christmas film with lots of treats to nibble then putting out a drink and snack for Santa and Rudolph and tucking myself up to wait for Christmas morning. I still get ridiculously excited and I’m ten times worse now I have little ones to get excited with me!

I’ll be taking a little break after today but will be back on New Year’s Eve with my top ten books of 2011 so please join me then!

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!

Amanda x

My final Countdown to Christmas guest is Mel Sherratt. I met Mel a couple of times this year at bookish events and not only is she a lovely lady with great taste in shoes and the blogger behind the brilliantly titled High Heels and Book Deals; she has also just released her debut novel, sexy crime thriller, Taunting the Dead. Mel has kindly agreed to let me turn the tables on her today and subject her to my festive questions! Welcome Mel.

You’ve just released your first novel (congratulations!); do you think you’d ever be tempted to write a Christmassy book or a novel set at Christmas?

Thank you, and thank you for having me as part of your Countdown to Christmas. Yes. I love Christmas and the romance of it all. I started writing written women’s fiction before I wrote crime thrillers and I’ve recently published another ebook under a pen name and it’s doing really well, selling over 4000 copies so far. The great thing about ebooks is that you can choose what and when you want to write. I’ll probably write one next year.

You are known for your love of high heels; what are your top tips for surviving the Christmas parties wearing killer heels?!

Gel cushions, definitely. And a pair of flat shoes to slip into for the journey home, if your handbag is big enough!

And following on from that do you have a special pair of Christmas heels you’d like to share with us?

For the party season, it has to be these. Comfort wise they are great, even though they are high. And they go with any little black dress.

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

Best book – This year it would be Belinda Bauer’s new book, out in January, FINDERS KEEPERS. I’ve really enjoyed her previous two.

Best book related – That would be a book deal with a mainstream publisher. Despite self publishing TAUNTING THE DEAD, it will always be my ultimate dream.

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

I love the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when the weather is cold and dark and I can snuggle up on my settee. For some reason, it seems okay any time that week to crack open the Baileys, grab a handful of chocolates and settle back with a good book. Bliss.

If you could spend Christmas anywhere, where would it be and what would you be reading?

I’ve never wanted to go away at Christmas. I prefer to stay at home. I love the hustle and bustle and, yes, the chance of snow. This year I shall be reading THE MURDER WALL by Mari Hannah, out next April. I’ve kept it especially for my Christmas tradition.

What is your favourite Christmassy film?

Home Alone – ‘keep the change you filthy animal!’

And finally … what can readers look forward to next from Mel Sherratt?

Hmm, that’s a tricky one. I’ve written six novels so far. Three of them are in a series called The Mitchell Estate. Predominantly, it’s for women lovers of crime – the tagline I use is real women, real problems, real crime.  I might bring those out as ebooks in the New Year. I also have two follow ups for my character, DS Allie Shenton, from TAUNTING THE DEAD. And a great idea for a psychological thriller. And maybe I might reveal my pen name too…

Merry Christmas!

Thanks Mel and Merry Christmas!

You can find out more about Mel and her books at: www.highheelsandbookdeals.blogspot.com

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

My guest today is Pauline Barclay author of Satchfield Hall, Mangnoila House and Sometimes It Happens. Pauline lives in sunny Lanzarote and in her guest post today shares her experiences of Christmas on the island. Welcome Pauline.

Christmas in the Sun by Pauline Barclay

When I think of Christmas, images of snow scenes, pine Christmas trees decorated with coloured balls, log fires crackling as flames leap up the chimney and streets decked with lights and decorations spring to mind, but living in a sunny climate can be rather different. For a start the temperatures are more likely to give you sunburn rather than frost bite. Here on Lanzarote, where we live, Christmas is not as obvious as in many northern European countries, though each year it becomes a little more festive and commercialised than the previous year. Though not with freezing temperatures!

This year the shops started adding their Christmas goodies as early as November, though what you see in the shops is a long way from what you’d expect to see in the UK. Chocolates are one of the main features in the supermarkets and huge joints of Serrano hams which hang on hooks around the store.

One of the traditions on the island is the planting of hundreds of red poinsettias on roundabouts, verges and in municipal gardens; their vibrant red leaves add a special festive splash to the sunny island. Model nativity scenes are also popular down here, particularly with many hotels creating a Lanzarote style display in their entrance gardens. Eye catching for guests and passers by to stop and admire.

The open air shopping centre in Puerto del Carmen, Biosfera, takes on the full spirit of Christmas with thousands of lights and a huge Christmas tree and through the audio system, traditional and popular Christmas songs play.

The island has many nationalities, residents and visitors who celebrate Christmas differently. For the Germans, Scandinavians and Spanish their Christmas feast is Christmas Eve, for the British it is Christmas Day and for the local Lanzarote people it is a mixture between their own traditional festival on 5^th January, The Three Kings and Christmas.

In the Canary’s and across Spain it is the traditional parade of The Three Kings on 5^th January, El dia de Reyes as the fiesta day is known. On Lanzarote it is still marked with a cavalcade of camels carrying three kings through numerous towns on the island.  The kings throw sweets and small gifts to children and followers. It is also the time when gifts are exchanged, the children getting most of their toys on this day.  A special cake is also eaten and every bakery on the island will be busy making this cake for El dia de Reyes. The cake, known as the Roscon de Reyes, looks like a large doughnut and is filled with lashings of cream and nearly always includes a small statue of a King. Truly delicious!

The island is also a place where many people arrive for Christmas; some to get away from the traditional Christmas back home, but all to enjoy the weather. Normally at this time of the year it is warm and sunny, beautiful enough to sit on the beach. Last year it was the hottest December for several decades, not only did the turkey roast, but so did everyone else!

Over the years our Christmas has varied, some years we have gone away, others out to a British restaurant and some staying at home with friends, but so far we have always sat out on the terrace eating our traditional Christmas feast. Our Christmas feast is very traditional and these days you can buy most things on the island to make it truly festive.

This is just a little insight in to our Christmas in the sun, but whatever your plans are for your Christmas, I hope it will be filled with happiness, love and friendship. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas.

Thanks Pauline!

You can find out more about Pauline and her novels on her website at: www.paulinebarclay.co.uk and on her blog at: http://paulinembarclay.blogspot.com

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/