Christmas

Novel Kick’s Book Club: The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

Published December 1, 2021 | By Laura

HarperCollins, Nov 2017

It’s December! It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the last month of 2021.

I know it’s been a bit of a strange year. I am really determined to find my Christmas spirit though.

December is my favourite month. Beautiful lights adorn buildings.

I get to have an advent calendar (which you’re never too old for.)

I can play Christmas music as much as I like and I finally get to put up the Christmas Tree, watch Christmas movies and most importantly sit down with my favourite Christmas themed novel.

Cecelia Ahern creates such magic in her novels that I get completely drawn into them. I’ve always loved this novel but over the last few years, it’s gained new meaning to me which is why it was chosen for this month’s book club.

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern follows Lou Suffern who wishes he could be in two places at once. His constant battle with the clock is a sensitive issue with his wife and family.

Gabe is the homeless man who sits outside Lou’s office. When Lou invites Gabe into the building and into his life, Lou’s world is changed beyond all measure.

A Christmas story that speaks to all of us about the value of time and what is truly important in life.

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Book Review: Christmas at Aunt Elsie’s by Emily Harvale

Published November 8, 2020 | By Laura

A distant relative. A blizzard. A Christmas of surprises.

Lottie Short isn’t looking forward to Christmas. Her boyfriend has dumped her and she’s also lost her job. Lottie and her beloved spaniel, Merry, are facing the festive season – and a bleak future, alone.

But a Christmas card and round-robin letter give Lottie hope. And as the first snowflakes fall, she’s on her way to the tiny seaside village of Seahorse Harbour to visit her distant aunt. She’ll stay in a cosy B&B and get some bracing, sea air. That might lift her spirits.

What she doesn’t plan for is a blizzard, her aunt taking a fall, or the dramas unfolding all around her. But at least there’s a warm welcome at Aunt Elsie’s cottage … and a roaring log fire in the village pub.

That’s not all that might bring a rosy glow to Lottie’s cheeks. Asher Bryant, the local vet is pretty hot, and Lottie also hits it off with another visitor to Seahorse Harbour. This festive season might be better than she hoped.

And when Lottie gets more than one surprise this Christmas, perhaps she and Merry won’t be spending the New Year on their own.

I was so pleased to be invited onto the one day blog blitz for Christmas at Aunt Elsie’s by Emily Harvale.

Reading Emily’s novels is like being under a warm blanket with a hot chocolate. Bliss. Although, maybe not Elsie’s hot chocolates. Those things sound lethal. LOL.

I’ve become such fan of Emily’s novels over the last couple of years and so I couldn’t wait to curl up with this latest book. The first in the Seahorse Harbour series, Summer at my Sisters is one of Emily’s books I’d not got around to reading (an oversight that will soon be rectified,) but I didn’t feel like I was playing catch up as Christmas at Aunt Elsie’s can be read as a standalone.

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Christmas Gift Guide 2019: Stocking Fillers for Writers and Readers

Published December 17, 2019 | By Laura

It’s that time of year. In fact, it’s my favourite time of the year.. Christmas.

I am one of those people who likes finding presents for family and friends. I will sit for hours trying to find the perfect something – a gift they would like.

As I have been doing my own shopping, I have found some perfect stocking fillers related to writing or books so I have put together a gift guide.

If you’re struggling to find a present for the writer or reader in your life (or, if you want to observe the law of Christmas present shopping where you should buy something for yourself as well as for others. OK, I made that up but it’s a nice tradition to start right?)

I have tried to find things that are under £20 so let’s get straight to the guide.*

Literary Cat Mug – The Literary Gift Company – £13.99.

Words can’t describe how much I love this mug and it is going on my Christmas list for sure. This mug features nine cat silhouettes and kitty related quotes from people like Emily Bronte, L.M Montgomery and Winston Churchill.

It’s so pretty and for anyone who wants to know, it’s microwave and dishwasher safe too. If, like me, you or your gift recipient is a writer, reader or cat lover (or all three,) this mug is perfect.

100 Books Scratch Bucket List Poster – Gift Republic via Not on The High Street – £12.99.

I love these type of posters and really want one. This one in particular compiles a hundred of the best novels and, if you’ve not already guessed, you can scratch off the books as you read.

This poster features classic novels like Murder on the Orient Express and Great Expectations to more recent books like The Help, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Handmaid’s Tale. This would make a great reading challenge for the new year if you or someone you know have wanted to read some of the greats but haven’t know where to begin.

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Novel Kicks Gift Guide For Readers

Published December 16, 2018 | By Laura

The tree is up and decorated, Christmas lights have taken over my house and the Christmas novels and mugs have come out.

As my favourite time of year approaches, I, like everyone else am Christmas shopping. I want to continue my tradition of doing a ‘book lovers’ gift guide (a writing themed one will come later in the week.)

If you’re still looking for a gift for the bookworm in your life, I hope the suggestions below may prove to be the perfect present.

First of all, for anyone you know (or for yourself as it is Christmas gift buying law that you should buy a present for yourself,) that is a fan of Twilight. It’s been ten years since the first film was released and to mark this occasion, a 11 DVD box set has been released (or 6 discs if you prefer Bluray.)

The Twilight Complete Collection 10th Anniversary Special edition includes the four movies and their bonus content. It also includes an additional three hours of bonus content including ‘Twilight Tour: Ten years on’ which is a tour around the filming locations with a cast member. As well as this, there are cast interviews, a red carpet feature and a talk with Stephanie Meyer.

It is the perfect Christmas present for any Twilight fan.

(The Twilight Complete Collection 10th Anniversary Special edition is out now on DVD and Bluray.)

On

I had a chance to briefly visit the British Library recently. Having never been before, I absolutely fell in love with the building. Having a look at their shop online, they have many things that would make perfect gifts for readers.

One thing I did pick up on my visit was The Christmas Card Crime. It is a collection of stories that explores the darker side of the festive season (I love this cover too.)

Other products include homeware and stationery. Letters To My Future Self caught my eye. This is a great idea and would make a lovely stocking filler.

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Book Review: Not Just For Christmas by Natalie Cox

Published November 26, 2018 | By Laura

Charlie hates the holidays, and this year is shaping up to be her worst yuletide ever.

Her boyfriend has left her for his personal trainer, her flat is out of bounds after a gas leak, and her mother has gone to spend Christmas in Melbourne with her fifth husband.

Finding herself single, mildly concussed and temporarily homeless, Charlie hesitantly agrees to dust off her wellies and spend the festive season in Devon, looking after Cosy Canine Cottages, her cousin Jez’s dog-care centre.

However, her plans for a quiet rural Christmas with only the four-legged friends for company are dashed as soon as she meets Malcolm the deaf Great Dane, Hugo, his gorgeous (but engaged) owner, and Cal, the undeniably attractive but unbearably haughty and patronising local vet.

I am very happy to be kicking off the blog tour for Not Just For Christmas, the new novel by Natalie Cox which is due to be released in paperback on 29th November by Orion.

Not Just For Christmas focuses on Charlie. Having just become single, she then has to move out of her flat when it gets damaged in a gas leak. Her mother is in Melbourne, her father in Russia, Charlie has no choice but to go and spend Christmas in Devon with her cousin, Jez. She soon finds herself alone though running Cosy Canine Cottages.

The setting for this novel drew me in to begin with. I love to visit Devon and this brought back memories of lovely holidays I have spent there and the friendliness of the residents.

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