The Purrfect Pet Sitter joins my Christmas Countdown!

Today, I am joining my Christmas countdown with The Purrfect Pet Sitter!

“But that’s not a Christmas book!” I hear you cry.
“Oh, yes, it is!”
“Oh no, it isn’t!”
OK, so technically it isn’t a Christmas book, because it is set from September to New Year’s Eve. However, it does include a family Christmas, amid the snow-covered French Alps. And here’s a teaser about what my characters get up to …

After a difficult year, Lisa Blake is back in her hometown, anticipating a traditional Blake family Christmas – complete with Bing (their not so attractive artificial tree), wonky cracker hats and the Queen’s speech. But, with a holiday home in France, Lisa’s parents have other ideas.

While Lisa has to admit that Samoëns in the snow is beautiful, can the festive season go without a hitch when there are family secrets to be revealed, and a visit from an unexpected guest on Christmas Day?

A picture perfect Christmas in Samoëns!

For those who’d like to know a little more, here’s the blurb for The Purrfect Pet Sitter:

When Lisa Blake’s life in London falls apart, she returns to her hometown rebranding herself as ‘the purrfect pet sitter’ – which may or may not be false advertising as she has a rather unfortunate habit of (temporarily) losing dogs!

But being back where she grew up, Lisa can’t escape her past. There’s her estranged best friend Flick who she bumps into in an embarrassing encounter in a local supermarket. And her first love, Nathan Baker, who, considering their history, is sure to be even more surprised by her drunken Facebook friend request than Lisa is.

As she becomes involved in the lives of her old friends Lisa must confront the hurt she has caused, discover the truth about her mysterious leather-clad admirer, and learn how to move forward when the things she wants most are affected by the decisions of her past.

My own Christmas is filled with family fun and tradition …

On Christmas Eve, I visit my eldest daughter and make mince pies with all four of my children and my two gorgeous grandchildren. In the evening, my son puts out a carrot for Rudolph, a homemade mince pie, and a glass of milk for Santa. He then lays out his Christmas sack, while his older sisters do a very good job of joining in 😉

Christmas Day starts around 7am, when the children wake us. Once downstairs to many oohs and ahs about the fact Santa has been, the children open their main presents and then start on the gifts in their sacks, all sitting around the floor while we attempt to stop the dog eating the wrapping paper.

After breakfast, my dad visits to exchange presents, followed by my mum and sister. During this time, we also phone relatives, listen to Christmas music and play games the children have received.

Once the family leave, we have a traditional roast dinner, with all the trimmings, cooked by my husband. In the afternoon the dog gets a walk, before we catch up with our eldest daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, to exchange gifts. It all makes for a busy day filled with family and festive fun.

This is a very old picture but one of my all time festive favourites!

Finally, I am very excited to get to answer five of my quick questions from my Christmas selection:

Multi-coloured decs or co-ordinated Christmas tree? Ours is very much a multi-coloured affair, with random decs made by the children spanning almost thirty years making an appearance on the tree each year.

Must read Christmas book? I read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas with my children, every Christmas Eve.

Cracker hat or no cracker hat? No cracker hat, my head is too big for them 🙂

Best cracker prize? The mood fish is always a coveted prize in our house.

Angel, fairy or star on top of your Christmas tree? We have an angel, purchased from Woolworths (yes she’s been around a while). The children take it in turns to put her on top of the tree determined by a list we keep since the great Christmas angel debate ensued!

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