The Mince Pie Mix-Up: Fun Facts

The Santa Clause

One of my favourite festive films is The Santa Clause. It’s a fun film centring around family with a sprinkling of magic, which is what I hope The Mince Pie Mix-Up is too, so I decided to take inspiration from the film when naming my characters. Most of the names – even down to Miller the dog - were inspired by The Santa Clause films.

Bite-sized

The Mince Pie Mix-Up started off as a much shorter novella at just over 22,000 words. My editor suggested I expand the story, which gave me the chance to develop the characters and story more.

Christmas Through Your Eyes

The book was initially inspired by the song ‘Christmas Through Your Eyes’ by Gloria Estefan. Although the song is about seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child again, it sparked the idea of experiencing Christmas in somebody else’s shoes

Working title

The Mince Pie Mix-Up’s working title was ‘Christmas Through Your Eyes’, due to the song inspiration.

The Green Teapot

The Green Teapot – and some of its staff and customers - have appeared in some of my short stories – The Chocolate Box, Pumpkin Pie at The Green Teapot and Mince Pies at The Green Teapot.

Magical fairy

The Mince Pie Mix-Up is my second book to feature a life-altering wish and a magical fairy, with Everything Changes But You being the first.

Christmas in July

I wrote a lot of the book during the summer, so to get me in the festive mood I drank my tea from a Christmas mug and stuck a mini Christmas tree ornament on my pin board.

Festive swears

Calvin’s boss, Perry is quite an angry man who doesn’t treat his staff very well. He swears a lot, but as I didn’t want my festive book to be littered with swears, I came up with the idea of replacing the swears with festive-themed words instead. This was a lot of fun!

Hartfield Hill

Hartfield Hill – where the book is set – is a fictional village where some of my short stories are set.

Benvenuti

In the original version, I didn’t know what a ‘Benvenuti’ was. It was simply an important campaign Calvin was working on. Once I started to develop the story further, I had to come up with a whole campaign!

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…


Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iTunes

The Mince Pie Mix-Up: The Goodreads Quiz

I've created a little quiz over on Goodreads so if you've read The Mince Pie Mix-Up, you can test your knowledge.

If you haven't read The Mince Pie Mix-Up, you can still take the test and take lucky guesses. OR you can download the book, enjoy (hopefully) and then take the test.

The test is right here

and you can download the book here

Let me know how you get on. I got 10/10 *smug face*

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…


Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iTunes

The Mince Pie Mix-Up Quiz: Which Character Are You?

There are lots of different characters in The Mince Pie Mix-Up - but which are YOU most like? Take the quiz to find out!


Choose the answer which most applies to you (A, B, C or D) then tot up which you picked most and read on to find out who you match up with.


It's the morning of 1st December - what are you most likely to be doing?


A) Sorting breakfasts, making sure PE kits are in bags and packing lunches. All while making sure the kids only eat ONE chocolate from their advent calendar.


B) Who cares what the date is? Is 1st December supposed to mean anything to me?


C) The same thing as any other day - I'll be sat in traffic on my way to work. So much for comfort and joy.


D) I'll be packing for my Caribbean cruise. The cruise isn't for a few weeks yet but there's so much to organise!


What will you be having for Christmas dinner?


A) We're pretty traditional: turkey with all the trimmings (including sprouts).


B) I haven't even thought about Christmas dinner yet. I have deadlines to meet, you know!


C) Whatever the wife cooks.


D) I'll be on my Caribbean cruise, maybe even eating at the captain's table!


What's on your wish list this year?


A) I've almost run out of my favourite perfume, so some more would be nice.


B) To meet these looming deadlines and make a healthy profit.


C) I'm a man of simple tastes. A new pair of slippers will do so I can sit and read my newspaper in comfort.


D) The Caribbean cruise was at the top of my list, followed by a new extension and kitchen (which my fabulous hubby has bought me). Other than that, I'd quite like something pretty and obscenely expensive from Tiffany's. And maybe a new car. I bought my hubby one for Christmas - surely I deserve an upgrade too!


Where would you most like to spend Christmas this year?


A) At home, with my family


B) Somewhere where they don't celebrate Christmas so I can get on with my work in peace.


C) In the pub with my mates.


D) On a Caribbean cruise, of course!


Do you believe in Father Christmas?


A) I believe in the magic of Father Christmas and the joy he brings.


B) I don't have time for these silly questions.


C) Erm, no.


D) No and neither does my daughter. I make sure she knows where her gifts come from - me and her father. We didn't spend all that money for some fictional fat bloke in a suit to take all the credit!


What's your favourite festive film?


A) The Snowman - it reminds me of childhood Christmases


B) A Christmas Carol - but only the beginning. I can't stand the soppily after ever bit.


C) Elf. It's hilarious.


D) I don't have time to sit and watch silly films. I have a Caribbean cruise to prepare for!


And your favourite festive song?


A) Gloria Estefan's 'Christmas Through Your Eyes'. I'd love to experience Christmas as a child again and have fun without all the hassle.


B) The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York'.


C) Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day' and then I could relax without ever having to go to work.


D) Kylie Minogue's 'Santa Baby'.

So which character from The Mince Pie Mix-Up are you?

Mostly As


You're Judy.
Judy's busy during the festive period, juggling family life with work and Christmas shopping. She loves Christmas but she would like a little bit of help from her husband to ease some of the stress.


Mostly Bs

You're Perry.
Perry doesn't dislike Christmas. He'd just rather it didn't exist as it's nothing but a distraction for his employees.


Mostly Cs

You're Calvin.
Calvin enjoys Christmas because it means he gets a bit of time off work to relax. He doesn't like all the nitty gritty bits of Christmas - shopping, wrapping gifts, writing cards - but luckily his wife is so good at organising all that stuff so he doesn't have to.


Mostly Ds

You're Abby.
If Abby could buy the spirit of Christmas, she would. Abby enjoys the benefits of Christmas (presents) but she doesn't necessarily like all the planning and cooking involved.

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…


Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iTunes

The Mince Pie Mix-Up Playlist

I love Christmas music, so it was such a joy to put together the playlist for The Mince Pie Mix-Up. I’ve listed my chosen songs below but I’ve also put together the playlist on Spotify, which you can listen to using the Spotify box below. So grab a mince pie and a mug of hot chocolate and let’s get our Christmas on!

1. The Christmas Song (Bing Crosby)

2. Step Into Christmas (Elton John)

3. All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey)

4. Baby It’s Cold Outside (Lady Antebellum)

5. Jingle Bell Rock (Daryll Hall & John Oates)

6. Fairytale of New York (Kirsty McColl & The Pogues)

7. Last Christmas (Wham!)

8. Walking In A Winter Wonderland (Bing Crosby)

9. Merry Christmas Everybody (Slade)

10. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day (Wizzard)

11. Driving Home For Christmas (Chris Rea)

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…


Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iTunes

The Mince Pie Mix-Up: A Book In Pictures

From planning and typing out the words 'Chapter One' to seeing your book on sale, the journey of a book is a pretty long and sometimes arduous one. I took photos along the way, which I thought I'd share here on the blog.

3rd November 2014 - Chapter One of The Mince Pie Mix-Up (although it wasn't called that yet)

I've been waiting a long time to do this - signing a two-book deal with Carina UK

July 2015 - revisions of The Mince Pie Mix-Up. Summer isn't very festive so I've had to create a cosy Christmas atmosphere myself with festive music, a Rudolf mug and a little silver Christmas tree decoration hanging on the pin board next to my desk

At my desk with my festive mug

Making notes for myself during my revisions

The cover for The Mince Pie Mix-Up

The Mince Pie Mix-Up has been revised and edited, the acknowledgements and dedication have been written. It's time for a final read-through to make sure I'm happy with all the changes. This is when I see how the book will be set out when released

6th November 2015 - Publication Day of The Mince Pie Mix-Up and I get to see the book on my Kindle!

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…


Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iTunes

The Mince Pie Mix-Up: An Introduction To The Neil Family

As we're just over two weeks away from the publication of The Mince Pie Mix-Up, I thought I'd introduce you to the stars of the book - the Neil family!

Judy Neil

Judy is a mother of two who works part-time in the village tea room as well baking on the side to earn some extra, well-needed cash. This means she’s often up at the crack of dawn, whipping up batches of mince pies during the festive period.

Judy loves her husband, Neil but she sometimes wishes he would help out more at home – or at least appreciate what she does for the family.

 Calvin Neil

Calvin works in marketing for an intolerant boss who has a tendency to yell and swear and offer threats of unemployment. After a hard day at work followed by the rush-hour traffic, Calvin wants nothing more than to sit in his chair with his newspaper.

Calvin loves his wife, Judy but he sometimes wishes she wouldn’t nag quite so much and realise how hard he works to support their family.

 Scott and Charlie Neil

Scott is Calvin and Judy’s oldest child. He loves sport – especially football – and his band.

Charlie is the youngest member of the Neil family. She loves ballet, sweet treats and anything girly.

Both children wish that their dad would spend a bit more time with them. But will they notice when their parents switch places this Christmas?

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…


Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iTunes