The December Witches by Jennifer Claessen Blog Tour

 I am beyond happy to be a part of the blog tour for Jennifer Claessen's novel The December Witches. Take a look at the blurb:

 December is Clemmie Merlyn’s favourite month as it usually begins with birthday cake and gifts. But as she turns thirteen, it begins with a Clemmie, and Clemmie alone amongst all witches, is full of magic. So full of magic she might not make it to the end of the month. As the snow spirals down, anxious Clemmie and the young hags will have to find some way to stop her exploding.

Because someone, or something, has chosen Clemmie and made her their One True Witch. But magic is meant to be shared and no-one can survive being filled to the brim with starry power. Can the Merlyn and Morgan covens finally take on the ancient twisted magic of their ancestors? And can they do it in time for Christmas?

Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar Blog Tour

 I love Christmas and I don't think it should be exclusive to December.

I'll be honest, I read this book way back in July as I was in need of some warm and cosy feels, and that's exactly what Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop had to offer.

Following on from Kiley's other novel The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday. Featuring many of the same characters (I've since read this book too) I can say with certainty that this story can be read as a stand-alone without the need to know previous characters back stories.

With just two weeks until Christmas, everything in Clove Lore should be perfect. But the latest holidaymaker to the Borrow a Bookshop is feeling far from festive…

Icelandic ex-bookseller Magnús Sturluson might be surrounded by love stories in the Bookshop, but he’s nursing a sadness that not even fiction can fix.

When Alexandra Robinson finds herself stranded in Clove Lore, she finds a safe place to hide from heartbreak. After all, all that’s waiting for her at home is a cheater boyfriend and the memories of her parents. As Alex finds herself embraced by the quirky village community, she finds her tough exterior thawing – and as she grows closer to Magnús, she finds an equally soft heart under his gruff shell.

It seems that Clove Lore is working its magic once again – until a great flood on Christmas Eve brings devastation in its wake. It’s up to Magnús and Alex to batten down the hatches and help bring the village back together again, while also introducing the locals to the Icelandic tradition of the jólabókaflóð – Yule book flood – where families and friends gather on Christmas Eve to exchange books and read together.

But can Magnús and Alex truly rescue the ruins of the village, and salvage their Christmas spirit? Or is there another complication lurking even closer than they thought?

Christmas Must Reads

 If you know me then you'll know that a) my favourite time of the year is Christmas and that b) I'm a sucker for a good romance. So when you have. festive cheer and love all rolled into one book then it is 99.9% certain that I will fall in love with that story.

Now I know many of you are thinking that it is too early to mention the C word, but seen as I already have I shall carry on with my post.

Having been gifted some promising Xmas themed books via Netgalley recently, I thought it was only fair that I share those that I think will be Christmas must reads with you all. So here are my top three:

One Family Christmas by Bella Osborne

A big family. A whole lot of secrets. A Christmas to remember…

This year, Lottie is hosting one last big family Christmas at the home she grew up in – just like her Nana would have wanted.

But when her relatives descend on the old manor house, Lottie gets more than she bargained for. Every family has its secrets, but in this family, everybody has one!

So, between cooking a Christmas dinner, keeping tensions at bay and a stray dog out of mischief, she has plenty on her plate (and not just misshapen sausage rolls and a frozen turkey). And then her first love shows up – nine years after he walked out of her life.

Can Lottie make their last family Christmas one to remember… for the right reasons?

Elf for Christmas

ad we were kindly gifted an elf and accessories for this review however all thoughts and opinions are my own

Christmas is a truly wonderful time of year. Filled with festive cheer, it is a time when many traditions are upheld. From writing letters to Santa to visiting the man himself, every family has their own ways of enjoying this jolly season.

One of the most modern traditions has something to do with elves, you may have seen a few of them floating around on social media.

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of welcoming a new member to our elf family, the Elf for Christmas. This sort of present isn't primarily just for Christmas, it is in actual fact an Elf for December, especially if you partake in the tradition that is Elf on the Shelf (something that I'm now into my seventh year of joining in with.).

Now when I was sent my previous Elf for Christmas my children were informed that he was a new Nanny for our baby elf that had also arrived that year. Two years down the line and Nanny is still around - looking after our littlest elf as well as being a tad mischievous.

Dreamworks Toothless Hatching Dragon - How to Train Your Dragon The Hidden World

My children are huge fans of the How to Train Your Dragon films (as am I). So when we got wind of a certain toy, which is going to be very popular, the kids were more than a little eager to get their hands on it.

Much like a certain other hatching egg, the Toothless Hatching Dragon is an interactive toy which you first need to hatch out of its impressively big shell. My eldest daughter made the comment that she could now be the mother of dragons - if you watch Game of Thrones you will understand just what she was inferring.

Revealing Rainbocorns Big Bow Surprise and Sparkle Heart Rainbocorn

My children (and I) were very lucky last year when we were one of the first people to open and play with what was then a brand new collectable, Rainbocorns. These adorable plushies from ZURU proved to be so popular that they are back again this year but bigger and better than before. Revealing Rainbocorns Big Bow Surprise and not forgetting their tiny counterpart Sparkle Heart Rainbocorn.

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis Blog Tour

Yes I did just say the word December in a blog title when it is still only December but it's for a good reason I promise. Author Rosie Curtis is releasing her latest novel, We Met in December and I've been lucky enough to read this rather entertaining book ahead of its release.

Two people. One house. A year that changes everything.  

Twenty-nine-year-old Jess is following her dream and moving to London. It’s December, and she’s taking a room in a crumbling, but grand, Notting Hill house-share with four virtual strangers. On her first night, Jess meets Alex, the guy sharing her floor, at a Christmas dinner hosted by her landlord. They don’t kiss, but as far as Jess is concerned the connection is clear. She starts planning how they will knock down the wall between them to spend more time together.

But when Jess returns from a two-week Christmas holiday, she finds Alex has started dating someone else—beautiful Emma, who lives on the floor above them. Now Jess faces a year of bumping into (hell, sharing a bathroom with) the man of her dreams…and the woman of his.

I'll admit it.

I'm a sucker for a good romance novel especially ones that are guaranteed to leave me feeling lighter hearted after reading it.

Eating, Drinking and Being Merry #weeklyroundup

Hello everyone and a merry festive period to you all. This is a late in the day post as I actually got lost to what day of the week we were on. It's that weird limbo between Christmas and New Year isn't it where we're all completely stuffed but still eating our weight in chocolate and when we know we should get out of the house and go for a nice walk or something but actually we are more than content staying in our pyjamas and making the most of lazy days indoors.

Today is actually the first day where I've had nothing planned. We've been ice skating, out for dinners, visiting family and spent time catching up with friends but today is now dedicated to my sofa. I have my laptop on my lap, a drink one side and a box of biscuits on the other and I'm trying to make a start on some posts for January because I can all predict that the first month of the year will be a busy one.

But before all of that, let me catch you up on some of my favourite things from the last few days of December . . .

Get Ready to Feel Pampered This Festive Season With Find Me a Gift

It's the most wonderful time of the year but also the most stressful time for some of us. December is a busy month and one that sees many of us not only rushed off our feet but also worrying about things like where will we find the money for that massive list of presents requested, just where is everyone going to fit on Christmas day (those spare chairs come out to play) and how will we overcome all those dates, events etc slotted into the diary? 

I don't know about you but this festive season I'd like to feel pampered instead of put out and that's where Find Me a Gift have kindly stepped in.

A Letter From Santa, Lapland Letters Review

Christmas really is a magical time of year. I've always been a big kid when it comes to the festive period and as my children get older I have repeatedly tried to find ways to keep that magic alive for them as long as I possibly can. One thing that I have done on a few occasions is organise letters to arrive from the man in red and this year I have had the pleasure of working with Lapland Letters to bring the written word from Santa to my youngest two girls.

Lapland Letters promise to make your Christmas season more fantastical than ever. Their Santa Letters are honestly one of a kind, from the moment your child receives their letter 'through the post' the real magic of Christmas can actually start. These are authentic Personalised Santa letters and each one is unique to your child in so many ways, many more than others, making Christmas more believable than ever!

Every letter from Father Christmas is designed and presented in a way that makes you more excited for the season ahead. The letter itself is addressed to your child and comes complete with an official Lapland Letters stamp and an official seal, this sleigh mail is absolutely guaranteed to put a smile on it's recipients faces. My children's letters are actually being delivered through our front door as we speak.

Celebrating 15 Years of Elf the Movie with New Look

Christmas literally is my FAVOURITE time of the year. I am one of these annoying people that is ridiculously organised and has all their presents bought and wrapped before December even arrives just so that I can really enjoy the festive period without any of the stress of spending money I'm not sure I've got. And of course part of that enjoyment comes from watching all of my best loved Christmas films and near the top of my list happens to be Elf the Movie.

'Son of a nutcracker.'

Can you believe that film is now fifteen years old? That's older than my eldest daughter, yet it still feels like yesterday when I was sitting down for the first time ready to be injected with some festive cheer. And you know the sign of a good movie when all these years later I'm still watching it with the same excitement, sharing that joy with my children. The only difference is now I can quote most of the lines as we view it.

A Tipple for Christmas - The Summerton Club

When it comes to Christmas gifts for adults, I don't think you can go wrong with an alcoholic drink, I mean we all like a good tipple over the festive period don't we! And this is where The Summerton Club can help.

SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY A WHOLE NEW MASTERPIECE EACH MONTH

They invest their time sourcing unique and interesting aged brandies, rums, whiskies and so much more from all around the world. This means their members can sit back, relax and simply enjoy the drink when it arrives.

Stocking Up For Christmas with Wicked Uncle

As we near the second half of November, you can't deny that Christmas is coming. Now if you're like me, you'll already have most things bought and be rather organised for the occasion but I know I'm in the minority there. So if you the opposite and you've barely started and you are in need of some inspiration, I'm here to help, or rather Wicked Uncle is.

I was lucky enough to work with Wicked Uncle a couple of years ago and since then this is a company who have gone from strength to strength.They stock a wide range of toys that would be suitable for any occasion such including the all important Christmas. 

On their site you'll find everything is divided up into age and gender but they also make sure that you can search by interest too because we all know that girls and boys can play with whatever they like. And with new products added on a weekly basis in the run up to Christmas, there is something for everyone to be discovered.

Man in Red by Tom Sundercombe Book Review

If you are a regular visitor to my blog then you'll know just how much I love Christmas and everything related to that festive period, even better when my other favourite thing is involved, which of course is books. So when I was asked to review Tom Sundercombe's latest picture book release, Man in Red, well, there was no way I could turn down an opportunity like that!

Once upon a midnight dreary . . .  A magical tale is born. Find out more about this mysterious Man in Red . . .

This is wonderfully light-hearted tale that makes us see Santa in a different way. I mean we all thought he was a man that was good but one little girl seems to have other ideas.

Win a Lego Advent Calendar - Competition

My girls are huge Lego fans. They've gone through many stages, starting with the bigger Duplo blocks and gradually moving on to all of the different themed sets. A big favourite for them is Lego Friends, my youngest is a huge Star Wars fan so she's rather keen to collect more of them and then of course there's the recent Harry Potter releases. Christmas is coming up and my eldest has unsurprisingly written this on her wish list.

Talking of Christmas, have you ever purchased one of the Lego Advent calendars? We had one a couple of years back and the pieces that you attain each day are really good. The kids still use them amongst all of their other sets and I've been known to use the Lego Christmas tree as part of my decorations during the festive period. 

Now the guys over at Gratisfaction are currently running a competition where you could win one of 50 Lego Advent calendars. All you need to do is sign up to the Gratisfaction UK newsletter and you will be in with a chance of winning!

Win a Lindt Bear Advent Calendar - Competition

Ok, now that we are nearing the end of October I think we're safe to start mentioning the 'C' word, that is Christmas. It always comes round faster than we're prepared for doesn't it!

If I'm honest I love this time of year and I always try to be as organised as possible, this includes buying presents whenever I spot a bargain. I've already purchased my own advent calendar (Reese's) for fear that that they might sell out before December arrives.

And the lovely people at Wow Free Stuff seem to be just as forward thinking as me and they want to help you guys get ahead with your festive preparations.

They currently have a fantastic competition running where you can enter and to have a chance of winning one of ten of the very yummy Lindt Bear Advent Calendars, and who wouldn't love to be counting down the days to Christmas one of those, anyone else think this chocolate makes the ideal breakfast during December?

Elf on the Shelf 2017 Round Up 4

It's nearly time to say goodbye to our elves for another year but before we do here is a final weeks worth of ideas for you store ready for next years antics.

Day seventeen

The count down is on!

Elf on the Shelf 2017 Round Up 3

With just over a week to go until Christmas I'm ever so slightly excited at the prospect of presents, good food and time with family. Are you prepared or panicking right now? However while we wait the elf antics continue.

Day ten

These elves must be quiet as a mouse because they managed to change the kids bedding last night into something a little more festive and they didn't even notice!

Why I Love Portable North Pole (and a reader discount)

Way back in 2013 I reviewed the Portable North Pole, back then I was creating free personalised videos and even then my kids were in awe, it just added that little bit more magic to Christmas. 

Portable North Pole 2017 lets you create highly personalised video messages delivered directly from Santa in just a few minutes on the web, smartphone or tablet. Watch your child's (or friends or other family members!!!!) smile light up the minute Santa greets them by name and shows their picture. PNP brings the magic of the North Pole Village to life and lets kids be kids a little bit longer as they see real-life Santa’s home, the magical reindeers, and the hustle and bustle of the elves.We want to work with you to showcase PNP and the joy it creates.

Elf on the Shelf 2017 Round Up 2

Week two of the Christmas countdown and we're back with more inspiration for those mischievous elves. Have yours been naughty or nice so far?

Day three

Now I like to make my house festive but the elves have taken it a step further this year by making my bathroom Christmas ready too.