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

My Festive Reads: My Family Bookish Traditions

My Family Bookish Traditions

at Christmas

When my oldest daughter was a baby, I bought a copy of The Night Before Christmas to read to her on Christmas Eve, which is a tradition we've followed ever since. Twelve years later, we have two more books added to the Christmas Eve TBR pile, as well as a book to read at the beginning of the festive period.

The book that started off our Christmas Eve reading is pretty standard - The Night Before Christmas. Our copy is a lovely hardback version with pretty, traditional illustrations.

We also have Another Night Before Christmas, an updated version of the festive story by Carol Ann Duffy. The story has the same basic formula but it's set in a more modern age. I love the fun, quirky illustrations in the book.

Our final Christmas Eve book is Santa Is Coming To Oldham. There are versions of this book for different towns and it's fun to read about familiar streets and landmarks in the story.

Our latest Christmas book tradition is The Elf On The Shelf. Originating in US, The Elf On The Shelf is a story of a little elf from the North Pole who visits a family in the run-up to Christmas, leaving each night to report back to Santa on how the children are behaving.

As well as the book, you get your own little elf, which you can hide or put in a pose each night, ready for the children to discover in the morning. Like in the story, the elf visits Santa at the North Pole to report on behaviour, so it's a great bargaining tool during December!

Our elf is called Loki and this is the second year he's visited us. This year we read the book on 30th November so that the tradition of finding him in the morning could start on 1st December.

I post our elf pictures on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest if you'd like to see what Loki's getting up to this year.

My Festive Reads is a feature celebrating all things bookish and Christmassy.

Click here to see all My Festive Reads posts





My Festive Reads: The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas by Carole Matthews

Lucy and her friends, Chantal, Nadia and Autumn are all bound by their love of chocolate, often meeting in the chocolate-themed shop and café, Chocolate Heaven, which Lucy manages. Lucy adores her job but it often leaves her exhausted and she feels she is neglecting her partner, Aiden. And their relationship is strained further when her ex arrives back on the scene.

New mum Chantal is also exhausted as she tries to get to grips with parenting. Her baby is five months old and she feels being parents should bring her and husband Ted closer together but it sometimes feels like they are more like housemates than a married couple.

Nadia is trying to come to terms with the death of her husband while raising their son on her own. Luckily she has her Chocolate Lover friends on hand to help and support her, as well as Jacob, a friend she can sometimes see a romantic future with.

And then there's Autumn, who is grieving after recently losing her only brother. While her friends are there for her, Autumn feels her fiancé is lacking in support and doesn't seem to care that she is struggling. They're supposed to be planning a wedding, yet Autumn feels like they're drifting further and further apart.

I haven't read any of the previous Chocolate Lovers series (The Chocolate Lovers' Club and The Chocolate Lovers' Diet) but I quickly got to grips with the storylines that had happened before. Carole Matthews seamlessly wove the past storylines into the present so that I felt like I was up to date with the characters without having a huge amount of info thrust at me all at once. I loved the setting of Chocolate Heaven and the array of chocolatey goodies on offer made me want to dive into the pages so I could indulge with Lucy and her friends!

There are four main characters in the book, which could have felt overwhelming, but I felt like I got to know each of them and it was easy to keep up. Although there is a lot of sadness within the book due to some of the characters' circumstances, I still thought it was a fun, feel-good book and I liked the bond between the four women. Out of the four of them, I thought that Nadia and Autumn were the closest, especially with Autumn helping out with childcare. I did wonder how it was all going to turn out with Nadia as she has a gorgeous friendship with Jacob but he also has a past with Chantal and I hoped Nadia would get a happy ending after all she's been through.

Although I did enjoy the book, I wish there had been a much bigger injection of Christmas. Apart from at the end, it didn't feel very festive to me, which was something I was looking forward to after reading Carole Matthews' previous Christmas book, Calling Mrs Christmas, which was very festive. Having said this, the chocolate overload did go some way to ease the lack of festivity! Another slight niggle I had with the book was the constant use of Lucy's nickname for her partner, Aiden. She refers to him as Crush and I'm not sure why but it bothered me, especially when she used it while speaking aloud to her friends. Perhaps it's because I haven't read the previous books where he was Lucy's crush.

Overall I thought The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas was a fun read full of friendship and romance.

My Festive Reads is a feature celebrating all things bookish and Christmassy.

Click here to see all My Festive Reads posts



My Festive Reads: Guest Post by Darcie Boleyn

Wish Upon a Christmas Cake

I absolutely adore Christmas and one of my favourite things about the festive season is the preparation. For me, this involves all the usual things —like buying gifts, planning menus, making chutneys, sweet mincemeat and a Christmas cake—but it also includes watching Christmassy movies and reading Christmas books.

Wish Upon a Christmas Cake came about when I had an image of a baker preparing for Christmas in her busy shop. I had a vision of a strong independent woman who is haunted by her past. She has what appears to be the perfect extended family, but as with all families, all is not as perfect as it seems to be. I pictured her heading off to a big family Christmas (that she expects to be difficult following the recent loss of her granny) then being surprised when her ex love is there with his two children. Christmas is a time when emotions run high, so what better time to bring together two characters with a complex history and a love that never really died?

This year there are so many wonderful Christmas books out that I’m spoilt for choice. I’ve already read My Big Fat Christmas Wedding by Samantha Tonge and Bella’s Christmas Bake Off by Sue Watson and I’m currently reading Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin. I have lots more on my Kindle and will work my way through them over coming weeks!

Hope you have a magical Christmas and enjoy many fabulous festive reads in the run up to the holidays!

Love,

Darcie XXX

 

Author Bio

Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.

Author Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/darcieboleyn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/public/Darcie-Boleyn

Blog: https://darcieboleyn.wordpress.com

https://pinkinkladies.wordpress.com/darcie-boleyn/

Book links:

AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wish-Upon-A-Christmas-Cake-ebook/dp/B0150UO9XS

AMAZON.COM: http://www.amazon.com/Wish-Upon-Christmas-Darcie-Boleyn-ebook/dp/B0150UO9XS/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

My Festive Reads is a feature celebrating all things bookish and Christmassy.

Click here to see all My Festive Reads posts

Blog Tour: A Merry Mistletoe Wedding by Judy Astley

 

 

Thea and Sean have been together for nine months, dividing their time together between Thea's London home and Sean's in Cornwall. They've spent a blissful summer together in Cornwall but now it's time for Thea to return home to London in time for the new school term and her teaching job. Conducting a long-distance relationship can be tough but Thea loves Sean so when he proposes and suggests a wedding at Christmas in Cornwall, marking a year since they met, she says yes and the preparations begin. But with blasts from the past and family issues, Thea's Christmas wedding may not happen at all.

 

A Merry Mistletoe Wedding is the follow up from Judy Astley's It Must Have Been The Mistletoe, which was my favourite festive read last year, so I was looking forward to catching up with Thea, Sean and her family. It Must Have Been The Mistletoe was full of festive atmosphere so I was expecting a cosy Christmas read this year too but the focus wasn't really on Christmas at all this time round. It was mentioned as Thea and Sean prepare for their Christmas Day wedding but the majority of the book takes place between September and November. But although the book wasn't particularly festive, I did enjoy it immensely.

 

It was great to catch up with the characters from It Must Have Been The Mistletoe and see where life has brought them several months later. Last year I found the character of Charlotte brash and a bit annoying but I'm so glad she was brought back again. Charlotte is still brash but I loved her this time round and I think if you scrape away the layers of perfume and exuberance, you find a really good-hearted woman. Of all the characters, she was my favourite, closely followed by Thea's father, Mike. Mike refuses to grow old gracefully and I like his attitude and his humour and I found myself laughing out loud at some of his scenes.

 

There are quite a lot of characters and we see the run up to Christmas and the wedding through several eyes. I enjoyed this aspect of the book as we get to catch up with everyone and see how they're coping with life and the Christmas/wedding preparations. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Thea's sister-in-law Rosie as I thought she was a great character and we only see the odd flashes of her. I'm not sure I'd like to be on the receiving end of her often tactless observations but she's brilliant on the page.

 

Although A Merry Mistletoe Wedding is a follow up to It Must Have Been The Mistletoe it works very well as a standalone (although having loved the first instalment, I would highly recommend both). The book is well-written and full of fun and charm and I was completely drawn into the story. I do wish the depression element had been dealt with a bit more sensitively by some of the characters and I did miss the festive atmosphere created previously but overall I thought A Merry Mistletoe Wedding was a fantastic read.



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

November In Pictures

You can see more photos over on Instagram