Woman's words author Sharon Thompson shares her favourite festive-themed books for gift ideas or your own reading inspiration.
Instead of sitting bored over the festive season or flicking through the TV why not switch off and explore some quiet reading material? To get us all Christmasy I thought I’d run through some of the fabulous books I’ve come across with Christmasy/wintery themes.
There’s also a giveaway for liking and sharing this article on social media. But you must mention Karin Bane and her book Their Mistletoe Baby in your comment on Facebook; so make sure to join in to win a copy of her book.
We would love to hear your own Christmasy read recommendations. Please comment or get in touch with yours. We have time to get good books now before the holidays.
1. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
As a crime writer, I love a good fictional murder. And one of the best crime writers of all time, is Agatha Christie. With the new film out why not try the book Murder on the Orient Express?
It’s all about when a murder occurs on the train Hercule Poirot is travelling on, and the celebrated detective is recruited to solve the case.
2. Every Time a Bell Rings by Carmel Harrington.
I love angels and Carmel’s books are emotive reads.
An angel gets its wings… Belle has taken all the Christmas decorations down. This year they won’t be celebrating. As foster parents, Belle and Jim have given many children the chance of a happier start in life.
They’ve loved them as if they were their own. They shouldn’t have favourites but little Lauren has touched their hearts. And now her mother is well enough to take her back and Belle can’t bear the loss. Hence, Christmas is cancelled.
So when Jim crashes his car one icy December night, after an argument about Lauren, Belle can only blame herself. Everything she loves is lost. And Belle finds herself standing on The Ha’Penny Bridge wishing she had never been born.
But what happens to a Christmas wish when an angel is listening…
You can pick it up today by following this link: http://amzn.to/2jGjB90
3. Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb.
Historical fiction at its best here.
New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor, has joined with Heather Webb to create an unforgettably romantic novel of the First World War.
When war pulled them apart, their words brought them together. Thomas Harding travels to the City of Lights, a packet of cherished letters in hand…letters that tell a story of love and loss, friendship and family, and the innocent hopes of a generation devastated by war.
This gorgeous book is available £1.99 UK Kindle deal, available until 31 Dec at this link:
More information about the book at: https://www.hazelgaynor.com/book/last-christmas-in-paris/
It’s available now in paperback, ebook and audio wherever books are sold!
4. Charity book – Dark Minds with Bloodhound Books UK. (My crime publishers’ charity book.)
It was released last Christmas (so I’m not included, unfortunately).
It features 39 different short stories by authors from across the field, including best-sellers such as LJ Ross, Anita Waller and Louise Jensen, as well as a host of other talent.
The book can be purchased on Amazon by following this link: http://amzn.to/2jnTrv0
Proceeds go to Hospice UK and Sophie’s Appeal. Check out the trailer for the collection of stories from best-selling authors; it’s very wintery and scary.
http://www.bloodhoundbooks.com/dark-minds/ (There is also a great competition with the publishers to win one book per month if you enter after buying the charity book.)
5. Karin Baine’s – Their Mistletoe Baby
What’s not to love when we have romance at Christmas with the most adorable cover – and a chance to win this book?
Karin is based in Northern Ireland and writes for Harlequin and is a Mills & Boon author. How gorgeous is this book?!
When handsome paediatrician Lucas Brodie walked out on his wife, Freya, at Christmas, he left her heart and hopes for a family shattered. This year, nurse Freya is determined to put the pain behind her by volunteering on a trip to take sick children to Lapland. But then she discovers Lucas is coming, too!
As they begin to fall in love again, Lucas wonders—could he give her a family after all? Can he put his past behind him? Perhaps an unexpected pregnancy could be the Christmas miracle to make Freya’s dreams come true…
You can pick up Their Mistletoe Baby on Amazon.
6. December Girl – Nicola Cassidy
This is talented writing from Nicola Cassidy. She is a new Irish author and this is her debut novel.
December Girl follows the tale of Molly Thomas, who is a feisty, independent soul, born on the Winter Solstice. At every stage of her life, she has faced troubles. As a young woman, her family are evicted from their home at Christmas. Molly swears vengeance on the jealous neighbour and land agent responsible, Flann Montgomery.
Then in 1896, her baby son is taken from his pram. While Molly searches the streets for little Oliver, the police are called but her baby is gone.
Why does trouble seem to follow Molly? And will she ever find out what happened to her child?
Pick up this great read on Amazon today!
7. Sharon Dempsey Little Bird
A Shockingly good read!
There are dark scenes of Christmas markets in this chilling read from Sharon Dempsey, a Belfast based writer. Little Bird is primarily about loss. Declan Wells, is left in a wheelchair in the aftermath of a car bomb.
Ten years after the car bomb his daughter is found murdered at a family wedding and Declan finds himself propelled into a nightmare of grief and desperation as he tries to find his daughter’s killer. This book is available on Amazon in paperback and for the kindle.
8. For children – Adam Saves Christmas by Benji Bennet.
Something magical for the children from Benji Bennet and Adam’s Cloud Publishing.
When Adam Visits the North Pole to deliver his letter to Santa Clause he learns of the terrible news that there is not enough Christmas magic for Rudolph to fly the sleigh and deliver the toys. Can Adam find enough magic in time to save Christmas Day with the help of his magical friends?
There are many books in the Adam series and there are good deals for bundles and you can personalise the books with messages from the author.
Hopefully this selection will get you started on a read-a-thon over the festive season.
Visit Sharon Thompson’s website on sharontwriter.com
Sharon is the co-founder of #WritersWise a trending, writers’ tweet-chat (www.writerswise1.wordpress.com).
Find Sharon on Twitter at @sharontwriter
