Goodbye 2014 - Hello 2015

Here we are. The last day of 2014.

Every year I think it flew by, then I look back and remember all the things I did and realise it was pretty jammed packed. For 2015 I might even do the cookie jar thing, by placing happy memories into the jar.

Today I ticked Ice skating off my bucket list. I think I've only done it once before as a child, and today, thirty odd years later, I went ice skating with my kids. I'm relieved to say I enter 2015 without any broken bones! Or bruises - I didn't fall over. Plenty of wobbles, but no falls.

They were much better than me - as I clung to the sides going round the rink - hence not falling over. Then I realised, kids have no fear. They don't care if they fall over - but I do!

Kieran had a seal, and Ben just went for it. Both had a few falls but they got back up and skated again. The only time I left the sides of the rink was when Kieran let me use his seal. (Next time - if there is ever a next time - I'm getting one of those things for me too!)

I'm not very good with New Year resolutions however, this year, I've set myself one: to get a passport. Mine expired a few years ago, and I haven't been abroad in ten years now, and I love flying. And how is Mr Aquarius going to whisk me off on a surprise mini break if I don't have a passport?

I'm also adding "to try and write more" - but this is always easier said than done. I need a third book, as I don't have any in hand written. So I need to knuckle down and write.

I already have a couple of things to look forward to in 2015! Once Plus One is a Lucky Number finishes in the 12 Days of Kindle Amazon sale - it has 6 days left, on the 8th January my second book, One Fine Day is published... you can preorder now :) and later on in January we are seeing the theatrical production of War Horse at the Bristol Hippodrome.

On that note, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and may 2015 bring you much happiness! And book sales (if you're an author).

Twelve Days of Christmas... I mean Kindle

Some advent calendars have a door on the 25th December and so I thought this would be a great opportunity to share with you that Plus One is a Lucky Number has been selected for Amazon's 12 Days of Kindle. 

So exciting! It's the first time Plus One has featured in any promotion.

It is at the sale price of 99p - so if you received a new eReader or Kindle for Christmas... why not download your first eBook?

Remember if you don't have a Kindle, you can download the Kindle software for your Tablet.

Buy links: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.  x x x x

Teresa x 

Advent Calendar - Day 24

One Yule Log

It's Christmas Eve! It is Christmas Eve!

Yesterday I spent the day baking mince pies - with the help of the boys; icing a Yule Log (I cheat and buy a chocolate swissroll and ice it); making brandy butter, and jellies. Fizzy jellies for kids made with lemonade and fizzy jellies for adults made with Prosecco.

Today I am going to relax - well as much as I can but we do have an afternoon walk along the seafront planned, weather permitting. What I haven't done will now have to be forgotten. To be honest I have plenty of food, so I shouldn't stress.

Two helpers

And so, with this blog post, I would like to wish all my friends and readers a very Merry Christmas, and may 2015 be full of nice surprises and promise, and as little of the bad, boring, reality stuff as possible.

33 mince pies... well, now 31

Advent Calendar - Day 23

Only two more sleeps! Come on, you must be excited now. My kids are driving me crazy.

I'm pleased to say I've found Nigella Lawson's website hold's her Mulled Cider recipe which is in her Nigella Christmas... I recommend you have this on the go while you're cooking your Christmas dinner. I know I will be! Mulled cider helps with the festivities.

And so, for the 23rd door, I thought I would cover my new book that is out in eBook 8th January, 2015 - One Fine Day.

It's based around Autumn and Christmas, but it isn't a Christmas story, and it has an element of a superhero theme running through it.

One Fine Day - blurb:

Just a boy standing in front of a girl…

Steve Mason returns from Hollywood after 15 years to catch up with his sister, Ruby. He’s miserable because the woman he was planning on marrying has dumped him.

He’s now worried that with his A-list celebrity status he won’t find a woman who genuinely loves him. Ruby devises a plan to disguise Steve, so that he is unrecognisable as the famous Hollywood actor, in a hope to help him find true love. It worked for Clark Kent, right?

As Steve searches for his not-so-perfect woman and has a taste of normality, his relationship develops with his sister. But will he find the right woman before he has to head back to his real life in Hollywood?

One Fine Day Links:

Amazon UK Paperback ~ Amazon UK Ebook ~ Amazon US ~ Add On Goodreads ~ Harper Impulse

My inspiration for Steve Mason is Bradley Cooper - now you have this image in your head, you should surely enjoy. 

Advent Calendar - Day 22

There are not many doors left. I finished wrapping all of my presents over the weekend. This week I will be mince pie making etc.

So who do I have behind door 22?

It's Harper Impulse author, Nikki Moore is celebrating a book release today! It's her second book in the #LoveLondon series, New Year at The Ritz. 

New Year, New Love… or Old Love, New Start?

Everyone keeps telling Frankie Taylor that a new year is a time for new beginnings. She's not so sure. Single for just over twelve months, she's been more than happy on her own, thanks very much!

At least, that's what she thinks until she receives a note on New Year’s Eve inviting her to follow the clues, and her heart, across Knightsbridge.

But who's behind the romantic adventure? Old flame Christian who she loved for years and was always there for her, or new admirer and work colleague Zack, who has the habit of turning up in all sorts of unexpected places?

There's only one way she's going to find out…

Available to buy as an ebook at http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Year-Ritz-Love-London-ebook/dp/B00PFBTMSK for just 99p!

More books in the #LoveLondon series coming soon!

Released from December 14 to May 15 by HarperImpulse;

Bk 1, Skating At Somerset House (Short Story) Released 4 December 2014

Bk 2, New Year at The Ritz (Short Story) Released 22 December 2014

Bk 3, Valentine's on Primrose Hill (Short Story) Coming January 2015

Bk 4, Cocktails in Chelsea (Short Story) Coming March 2015

Bk 5, Strawberries at Wimbledon (Short Story) Coming April 2015

Bk 6, Picnics in Hyde Park, (Novel) Ebook Coming May 2015, Paperback July 2015

Advent Calendar - Day 21

Merry Christmas! 

My name is Angel Nicholas and I'm behind door number 21! I write romantic suspense for Harper Impulse from my humble abode in an Idaho valley, but I also adore baking! A fairly recent favorite is this amazing pumpkin pie. I know what you’re thinking. “Pumpkin pie? That’s so…ordinary.” Trust me, there’s nothing remotely ordinary about this pie. From the buttery, bakery-worthy crust to the thick, creamy center to the dulce de leche drizzled across the top, this pie will have you and your guests reaching for seconds! Without further ado…

Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie with Dulce de Leche Walnut Streusel
Yield: one 9-inch pie

Walnut streusel:

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in nuts.  Cover and store in refrigerator until ready to use.

Crust:

1 cup unsalted butter

6 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add flour, 1/4 cup of sugar and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
2. Turn dough onto a well-floured surface and knead together until smooth. Roll dough with a floured rolling pin to ¼-inch thickness.  Gently lay dough inside spring-form pan and press up the sides.  Allow a little of the crust to overhang the edges of the pan.  Place dough-lined pan in the freezer and freeze until dough is stiff. 
3. Preheat oven to 400F.

Pumpkin pie filling:

1 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon fine salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

4 eggs, lightly beaten

29 ounces (one large can) pure pumpkin puree

12 ounces (one can) evaporated milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk in eggs, then pumpkin; beat until smooth. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, and vanilla. Pour filling into frozen pie crust.  Cover edges of pie crust with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield if you have one.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.   Bake pie for 1 hour, then top with walnut streusel. Bake for 25 minutes more, then tent a piece of aluminum foil over the pie so the streusel does not over-brown.  Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the pie is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.  Cut away overhand crust if desired. Allow pie to cool completely then thoroughly chill in the refrigerator overnight.

Serve:

16 oz. prepared dulce de leche

1. Just before serving, warm dulce de leche in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop until loosened.  Drizzle about ½ cup over the top of the pumpkin pie. Transfer the remaining dulce de leche to a gravy boat and serve alongside pie.

Note: The leaves were cut from a ready-made refrigerated pie crust I had languishing in  my refrigerator.  I baked them separately (400F for 12 minutes) and lay them on top of the pie for decoration.

I found the recipe about three years ago. What I’ve shared here is the current version of the recipe that’s all over the internet. I don’t do the maple leaves or the walnuts in the streusel topping—I’m allergic to walnuts—but the topping is just as delish without! Especially with all that yummy dulce de leche drizzled on it! Enjoy! J

   Amazon UK          Barnes & Noble          iTunes          Google play          Kobo

Advent Calendar - Day 20

Door number 20 opened! Not long now. Only more four more doors to go!

If you live in the UK, today is the last day for first class post. So if you haven't sent your Christmas cards yet, or you have that last minute present you want to send get them in a postbox near you before 12 Noon. (Presents need to be taken to the post office, and I suggest you get there before 11.30am).

I am working in a Post Office today. So please empathise with me as I believe it will be a very busy morning. (Yes I'm clever and have scheduled this post.)




Are you ready? Have you got all your Christmas cards written? Presents wrapped? Do you need a helper?

Advent Calendar - Day 19

Day 19 has a message from Harper Impulse author,  Zara Stoneley.

Christmas is…..
You know it’s the perfect Christmas when…
Santa fell down the stairs and dropped all the presents… but nobody woke up.
You’ve mucked out the horses, broken the ice on the troughs and been feeding them dates for an hour when you realise you meant to put the turkey in the oven first.
There’s a cat up the Christmas tree, where the angel used to be.
You realise that skewering the chestnuts was not inspirational but a recipe for disaster.
All that’s left of the mulled wine is mulled fruit.
You’ve managed to squeeze 14 people round a table that normally seats 8 and nobody minds.
All the sprouts have gone.
There’s a queue for the mistletoe.
Even the dog is quiet for the Queen’s speech.
The guests have gone and a good long walk, man, dog and me under a clear starlit night is a beautiful end to a busy day…

Here’s hoping you have a great Christmas, whatever you’re doing and whoever you’re with.

Zara x

Book blurb – Stable Mates

‘Fans of Fiona Walker will love this book’ – ThatThingSheReads

Welcome to tranquil Tippermere, an idyllic village nestled deep in the Cheshire countryside. Home to lords and ladies, horsemen and farmers, and plenty of secrets and scandals…

Leaving a scumbag ex behind her, Lottie Brinkley has hotfooted it out of Spain and back home to the country in serious need of some flirtatious fun to soothe her aching heart.

Luckily for her she’s spoilt for choice with not one but three eligible bachelors offering a steamy romp in the hay! But faced with the attentions of roguish eventer Rory Steel, the smiling Irish eyes of hunky farrier Mick O’Neal, and mysterious newcomer Tom Strachan, how can she possibly choose?

When billionaire landowner Marcus James drops dead unexpectedly, his WAGish wife Amanda threatens to sell the heart of the village and sets her sights on Tom! It seems things are heating up for little Tippermere… both in and out of the saddle.

Advent Calendar - Day 18

My kids have two days left at school (including today.)

So what is behind the 18th door?

We have The Adventures of Jillian Spectre by fellow Harper Impulse author, Nic Tatano.

He says: "Looking for a clean paranormal young adult novel featuring a positive role model without the dystopian setting? Check out The Adventures of Jillian Spectre..."

What a gorgeous cover!

Advent Calendar - Day 17

Gratuitous Eye Candy 

What's behind door number 17? 

Apart from the gratuitous eye candy picture, I thought I'd share my favourite Christmas films! 

Back in November, when it was my weekend to have the boys, we went to see Nativity 3 - Dude Where's My Donkey? 

I will say it's not as good as Nativity or Nativity 2, however my kids did thoroughly enjoy this film and want a class room assistant like Mr Poppy. In fact they want Mr Poppy!

So here are my favourite Christmassy films, in no particular order... 

Home Alone - just another childhood favourite, plus I love the houses all lit up with the fairy lights. 

The Santa Clause - I'm a fan of Tim Allen from his Home Improvement days, so this really is a fun movie.

Santa Claus: The Movie - as a child I loved this film! It tells us how Santa gets around the world and everything. I was never sure of Dudley Moore though. 

Nativity 2 - Danger in a Manager - Hilarious and it has David Tennant. What more would you want? Below is the trailer. It's a must watch! 

And if you want more adult movies, Rom Coms there's Love Actually, The Holiday... There are probably more great Christmas movies that I've missed off - please share your favourites! 

Advent Calendar - Day 16

Christmas Cake won by Ben

Not long now! The kids only have a few days left at school. Today is their Christmas dinner. They've gone to school wearing their Christmas jumpers, and have a cracker for the table. It's all getting rather exciting on day 16 of the advent calendar!

The tree is now decorated... decorations are up... just the last presents to be wrapped and I've promised to make mince pies this year.

Good job I didn't make a Christmas cake, as Ben won this one at his school Christmas Fair by guessing its weight - he was the closest with 3kgs. It is heavy! I had to carry it home from school as we'd walked.

I covered Christmas cakes in day 5 of this Advent Calendar... but I wasn't to know that on the 6th I'd win this cake. lol!

Is there any other favourite recipes you like to use with the run up to Christmas? I can't wait to get the mulled cider going...

Last night I went carol singing with Kieran at the school which reminded me I wanted to share a Christmas song on my blog. The song is not necessarily Christmassy, but the video is, I do love this song by Frank and Nancy Sinatra, however Robbie and Nicole do a good job, too (in my opinion).



Tomorrow... films!

Advent Calendar - Day 15

Samantha Birch is behind door number 15 with a Christmas true story that’s short enough for your tea break…

Later on people would ask me when I realised there was something going on, and it was now, as my boyfriend got up from his chair.

It was December 24^th and we were in the middle of lunch at Las Iguanas on London’s South Bank. Outside, the remnants of last night’s snow were turning to slush, and the reams of fairy lights strung along the railings were flickering into life.

I shot him a smile over my menu.

“Just popping to the loo.” He tried to sound casual about it, and he would have got away with it, too, if he hadn’t reached down and pulled his coat off the back of the chair.

I watched, brow furrowed, half expecting him to head for the exit, but he did indeed disappear in the direction of the men’s bathroom, all the while clutching his coat.

Fifteen minutes later I was watching him over my glass as he thanked the waitress and took his plate right out of her hands. Something wasn’t right, I knew, but it was too risky to speculate about what.

He and his distractions were probably the reason that 30 seconds after my plate was set down I was flapping my hand feverishly in front of my face and mainlining Diet Coke. I hadn’t paid attention to the number of little chilli symbols that had been printed next to my order.

Don’t make a big thing out of it, Sam, I told myself. I didn’t want to admit why at the time, but I must have had an inkling what was going on.

After lunch, we left a tip, and as I pulled on my sequinned grey beanie I leaned forward slightly to see the ‘thank you’ doodle he was doing for the waitress on the receipt — she’d been surprisingly kind about his red-faced girlfriend choking out the words “Can I… order… something… else please?” over the inferno-flavoured beef chilli.

Out on the South Bank, I slipped my arm around his back and moved to lean my head on his chest. He flinched, backed away bit, shot me a brief look of panic and then opted for grabbing my hand. The look of panic only worsened when we reached Caffé Vergnano 1882 a few doors down, where the waiter apologised that they were closing early for Christmas Eve.

We sauntered back the way we’d come. The fairy lights were getting brighter against the darkening sky and the ground was a deeper shade of grey where the slush was dissolving into puddles.

“Sam,” he said, and I felt the panic grip me, too. My heart threw itself against my ribcage. “You know I think you’re amazing…”

And suddenly the words came pouring out of him, and the tears came streaming down my face, and finally it had happened, and what I realised I’d suspected was becoming real. Passing tourists stopped and stared at us — a few even took photographs of my boyfriend in a puddle on one knee.

“Of course I will!” I said through the blur. Then I realised he was blinking up at me wordlessly.

“Sorry?” he said after a moment. “What did you say? I blacked out.”

“I said ‘of course I will’!” I laughed at him, and then he was up, and the precious little diamond solitaire on my finger.

As he slipped the box back into the pocket of his coat — the pocket that was at about forehead height whenever I leant my head against him — I saw it catch on the fabric, and then I traced its route with my eyes as it fell through the hole in the bottom, and into the lining of his coat.

Image by Terry Li Photography

The High-Street Bride's Guide Blurb:

Brides-to-be, this one’s for you!

You can say your vows in a catwalk gown so beautiful it reduces your mum to tears (and not because she paid for it).

You can style a reception so stunning your guests won’t believe you didn’t hire an A-list planner.

And you can sprinkle the day with personal touches that make everyone feel like you gave them special attention before they even got there. Without spending a house deposit on it. Honest.

Samantha Birch has written for GLAMOUR, Brides, You & Your Wedding and Cosmopolitan Bride. She knows a thing or two about planning a wedding on a budget, how much you can expect to pay for everything and where to go to get it for less. And she’s put it all down here.

Here are the buy links:  eBook ~ Paperback

My Twitter for the book is @HighStreetBride or for me as a writer is @SamBirchWriter

Advent Calendar - Day 14

The 14th door! Only 11 days to go...

All the boys' presents are wrapped, and hidden in the garage.. just need to do the family ones now.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping or have you not even started?

This year, working in a Post Office, I decided to send a few Christmas cards, but I've only sent to close friends and family that I don't see so often. It's too much expense, and for those that I see regularly, I'd rather have a drink with and share a merry Christmas.

In my other defence, it aggravates my RSI lol!

Today I'm putting up the Christmas decorations! I'm saving the tree for the boys, as they want to help, so it will be donning its lights, but we will leave the rest until tomorrow.

Do you have any favourite decorations, ones that need to be put up every year, traditionally?

If I see decorations with the boys' names on then I like to buy them. But I will only get them if I can find both names as I like to treat them equally. Can't get one without the other. They come as a pair.


And because this blog is lacking some eye candy... look who's helping me... Mr Aquarius... if I can wake him up!

Advent Calendar - Day 13

Saw this on Facebook and thought ain't that the truth!

Day 13 - Christmas is getting closer!

When do you put up your Christmas tree?

Do you have a fake one or a real one?

I've always had a real tree... I love the smell and just the whole freshness of them, but they do need to go in later to last the Christmas period. Now I live in a much smaller house, unfortunately even the smallest of trees wouldn't fit in my lounge, so last year I bought a fake slim-line Christmas tree. It stands over 6 feet, and actually, once decorated, looks fab!

My tree last year. 

I should be putting up my Christmas decorations this weekend, hopefully! The boys want to help me decorate the tree, so we will be doing it Monday :)

Not long now... are we feeling festive yet?

Advent Calendar - Day 12

Day 12 of my Advent Calendar brings you Becky Black. 

I've known Becky for approximately nine years now. She is responsible for encouraging me to write! Yes, so it's all her fault. Becky and I beta-read for one another. 

This is one of many books Becky has published. With this blog post you get a book cover and eye-candy all rolled into one :) 

Red Dragon #1: The Company Man by Becky Black

M/M Science Fiction erotic romance from Loose Id

Cover by Scott Carpenter.

Blurb

The Red Dragon is a ship in trouble. It was once the pride of the Outer Spiral Trading Company’s fleet, but is neglected and fallen from its old glory. It’s a ship in need of love – and a new captain.

Alyn Evans is a man in need of a new challenge. He’s an ex-warship captain and peace has put him out of a job. A man of his experience should have no trouble commanding a merchant ship…he thinks. But of all the challenges he faces on his first trip out, the hardest one is keeping his hands off his gorgeous and fascinating company rep, Jarvez Kashari.

Jarvez Kashari is a man with a plan. He’s determined to make a name as the company’s best trader and thinks reviving the fortunes of the Red Dragon is the perfect opportunity to prove himself. Jarvez travels light, sacrificing personal relationships to focus on his ambitions – until he meets Alyn Evans. Falling in love was not part of the plan.

It’s four months to Earth. Four months for Alyn to juggle passengers, prisoners, suspicious officers, a resentful crew and the intensifying relationship with Jarvez. Four months in space with a traitor aboard…

Book page on my site: http://beckyblack.wordpress.com/bookshelf/red-dragon-1-the-company-man/

Excerpt Page http://beckyblack.wordpress.com/bookshelf/red-dragon-1-the-company-man/excerpt-the-company-man/

Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17933166-the-company-man

  

email: beckyblackbooks@gmail.com

website: http://beckyblack.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/beckyblackbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethc.fb

Live Journal: http://becky-black.livejournal.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/beckyblackbooks/

Advent Calendar - Day 11

Day 11 of my Advent Calendar, and I want to cover Christmas lights.

Last year we went to Trinity Close in Burnham-on-Sea to see the lights. It is done to raise money for charity and it really is spectacular! These are just some of the photos I took from last year's visit.

I'm hoping to take the boys again this year.

Do you have Christmas lights outside your house? I remember years ago watching Home Alone and loving the houses all completely lit up. And now we seem to be doing it more and more over in the UK too. Today, I'm hoping my dad is going to come over and help me put up my Christmas lights outside my house. :)







Christmas is getting closer... who's getting excited?

Advent Calendar - Day 10

Keeping on the theme of Christmassy book covers for Day 10 of my Advent Calendar, we have Nikki Moore's Skating At Somerset House. 

Grab a glass of mulled wine, put your feet up and read a wintry Christmas story. 

Book Blurb: 

There’s nothing Holly Winterlake loves more than Christmas and skating, so working as an Ice Marshall at London's Somerset House is a dream come true.

Noel Summerford hates the festive season and is a disaster on the ice, so taking his godson to Somerset House is his idea of the nightmare before Christmas!

Things are bound to get interesting when these two collide…

With a forty foot Christmas tree, an assortment of well meaning friends and relatives, and a mad chocolate Labrador, will this festive season be one to remember … or forget?

Available to buy at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skating-Somerset-House-Love-London-ebook/dp/B00P5V4T4C

Advent Calendar - Day 9

Day NINE! We're really getting into this Advent Calendar malarky now!

How about a free read?

15 Harper Impulse authors  - myself included - have put together an anthology of Christmas short stories. They all start with the same paragraph written by the competition winner, Georgia Beyers.


You can download it for free on Amazon UK / Amazon US.

Happy Christmas Reading!

Advent Calendar - Day 8

It's the 8th of December... only 17 days until Christmas...

Have you written your wish list to Santa yet? What would you wish for?

The boys sent their letters off to Santa a few days ago. We await his reply. Maybe I should write mine?




Dear Santa, 

I've tried to be good all year... honest. Those other times it was the wine's fault.

And my friends led me astray...  

On the proviso that you do consider that I've been good enough to receive some gifts, here are some of the small things I would love for Christmas... if you can fit them on the sleigh...

I would really like; a brand new Range Rover in gold... 






A pair of diamond earrings... Still haven't managed to land myself some of those.

And Tom Hiddleston - now that's not too much to ask, surely? He's a nice man, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to be wrapped up and left under my tree... no?

Okay, if all that's a bit hard to organise at short notice, and I really haven't been that good... then I'd be happy with a few extra book sales... and the film rights sold. Ha ha! (A girl can dream!). 

Otherwise, Santa, may my friends and family be happy, with luck on their side, and for the next year to run smoothly, with continued happiness and none of those little annoying complications and stresses that life likes to throw at us. 

Lots of Love, Teresa x x 

p.s. there will be plenty of mince pies and sherry at this house on Christmas Eve x 

Advent Calendar - Day 7

And look what's behind door number seven of the Advent Calendar... 

Harper Impulse author, Georgia Hill with a Christmas message for you:

If you’re the one in charge of making Christmas happen in your house, it can all get a bit frenetic. It can be impossible to find some time to yourself.

In between the present wrapping and the mince pie making, my favourite Christmassy thing to do, if I can, is watch While You Were Sleeping. It stars Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman.

I light the wood-burner, switch on the tree lights, grab a dog or two and settle down to 2 hours of seasonal bliss. Makes me laugh. Makes me cry. And Bill Pullman, as the son desperate to begin his carpentry career, is gorgeous. Despite the 90s hair. See the picture of lovely Bill in character as Jack. He’s loyal, he’s moral and he’s good with his hands!

Try and get some time to yourself this year. Pour a glass of Baileys, open the choccies and enjoy ...

Happy Christmas everyone!

Blurb: Say it with Sequins: The Complete Series

Who Dares Dances is a reality TV show with a difference. Not only do contestants have to learn to dance, they also face a series of bizarre challenges. But these challenges are nothing compared to the scandals happening on – and off – the ballroom floor!

As the celebrities get closer to both the winners’ trophy and their professional partners it’s all to dance for… Will they score the perfect ten or is romance destined to be a dance disaster?

Say It With Sequins is fun, flirty and FAB-U-LOUS romantic comedy for lovers of Strictly Come Dancing!

E-book available. Paperback out 18th December. Available for pre-order NOW!

---

Advent Calendar - Day 6

What's behind door number six of the Advent Calendar...

Christmas jumpers! 

I've got mine out and ready to get into Christmas spirit. Today is our school Christmas Fayre... I'll probably be wearing one of these today.

Do you have a Christmas jumper? If so, please share!

Advent Calendar - Day 5

What's behind door number five of the advent calendar...

Not that long ago I had Debbie Johnson on my blog talking about her new book Cold Feet at Christmas. 

This is a lovely Christmassy book cover. And look - cake! But without the calories. 

I haven't made a Christmas cake this year. I decided to leave it, as I love so many other cakes... Stollen, Panetonne... (those I'm not brave enough to make) and I wanted to bake/make some different cakes/desserts this year. 

Last year's Christmas cake

Do you like traditional Christmas cake? Or do you enjoy something else?