Of mince pies and rescue cats...
Christmas is almost upon us and I am completely disorganised
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM MY TREE TO YOURS…
Every decoration on this tree has a story from the angel on the top which has survived from my childhood through to the latest addition (a Raffles Hotel bauble). What is missing this year are the pretty glass baubles which I left off in case Fig took to indoor tree climbing (so far, so good!).
Christmas has sneaked up on me this year. Even the Christmas tree went up on 4 December instead of the 1st!
And, worst of all, there is no Christmas baking to be found. In the days of yore, the traditional pudding would have had its obligatory 8 hour steaming on ‘Stir Up Sunday’ - but none of the family really eat Christmas pudding these days. And as for the gorgeous boiled fruit cake with marzipan and heavy icing - my bathroom scales baulked at that one. I did some baking at my son’s with my grandchildren but accidentally left the White Christmas and biscuits (cookies) at his place. That leaves the mince pies… The fruit mince is macerating in the fridge and I will trot out ‘Aunty Hetty’s’ secret family pastry recipe later this week. It’s not that secret… you can read about Aunty Hetty and the family tradition HERE. Mind you they are so popular, I end up giving most of them away.
So I better hop to it. It is our turn to host this year and I like to do it properly… there is silver to polish and tablecloths to iron. The turkey and ham are ordered and in lieu of the steamed Christmas pud, I make a far-more-appropriate-for-our-climate Icecream Pudding which is very popular. Our sons and their families will be coming and my 94yo mother wouldn’t miss Christmas lunch for anything. There will be 11, including our 4 young grandchildren (ages 3-8) at our table and it will be glorious chaos.
Chaos in part championed by our lovely little rescue cat, Fig. I always knew it would be a special cat to take Toby’s place and we are completely besotted with Fig. He wants to know exactly what we are doing and he loves food… any food… particularly human food. I swear he inhales his dinner!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES
I will be selling and signing books at the Indie Author Book Fair at lovely Barwon Heads on Sunday January 12. Click HERE for more information.
March 29 I will be attending Australian Romance Readers - A Romantic Rendezvous in Melbourne Event. Tickets are on sale now. Click the button below for more information and booking. If you are coming along and would like to preorder any of my books, the link is HERE
IN OTHER NEWS
This is just a reminder that the audiobook for AGONY IN AMETHYST is now available. Retailers can be found at this link, or you can buy directly from me (for a little bit cheaper). Still waiting on Audible.
And a note to my readers in Canada who ordered the print book from me… Unfortunately, many of the Canadian orders got caught in the postal strike (which I think is now coming to an end). I hope your books get to you soon!
DEALS ON BOOKS
It is a good time to pick up some of my books with special pricing.
A CHRISTMAS LOVE REDEEMED (my seasonal Regency romance novella) is on sale for $1.99 (Australia/NZ only)
GUARDIANS OF THE CROWN (Box set) is on sale on Kobo** for 30% price reduction from Dec 19-31
AND THEN MINE ENEMY is part of a Kobo Boxing Day Sale from Dec 25 to Jan 5 for just 99c (UK/ Aus and NZ only)
And what am I reading/listening/watching…?
Reading: I have finished War and Peace and I am looking forward to catching up with the books in my towering TBR pile in the new year. I have been reading THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. I might be missing something but I’m not sure why it is considered a great American classic. Happy to be enlightened.
Listening: Back to Mick Herron and the last of the Slow Horses
Watching: Day of the Jackal, Rivals and some really bad Christmas movies… and a few really good ones (The Man who Invented Christmas topping my list of faves this year)
What’s your favourite read/ listen/ watch for the month?
That is all from me… please feel free to comment directly on the Substack post :-) I love hearing from you and if you are not already a subscriber, consider subscribing to my posts and look out for a link to a free download of the Harriet Gordon prequel novella THE UMBRELLA in your inbox :-)
All the very best for the Christmas festivities… and here’s to a happy and healthy 2025!
Best wishes
Alison
PS ** Kobo has a similar set up to Kindle Unlimited. For a subscription you can download ebooks and unlike KU, it also include audiobooks!
When will Agony in Amethyst be available on Audible?