Countdown to Christmas 7

I'm late today because it's been rather a difficult day -  a time when news from several sources has brought me up against the reminder that, although so much of the world  seems to be celebrating, buying and wrapping presents, enjoying parties, planning get-togethers,  selecting lots of lovely food and drink, there are others who are struggling with sadness and pain, illness and the shock of loss.


So I want to take a moment to think of   those of you who for whom this holiday time is not the joy and happiness it is for others - those of you whose Christmnas is touched with sadness and loss that has taken the sparkle from it.  Having lost my dear Mother in law earlier in the year, it's hard to have this first Christmas when I haven't selected a special gift for her or been able to make up the stocking that she always said she was  too olde for - but that her enjoyment proved you're never too old for a Christmas stocking!

To all of you who are dealing with something like this, perhaps the illness of a loved one, or a more recent loss - my heart goes out to you, and I send my sympathy and thoughts in the hope that they might help just a little.

So I think it's appropriate that the winner of today's prize giveaway - the copy of  Blind-Date Brides - is Alison, whose best 'gift' touched me so much.  And I also related so much to the  pencils with your name on them Alison - I had some of those once and I loved them too. Charlie pounced right on the cat treat on your name so he must have agreed.  Please send your postal address to me - as alway,  use the email at the bottom of the page.

Today's giveaway is a copy of another earlier title of mine - The Italian's Forced Bride.  (2006)

"As long as I want you, you stay — and you only leave when I give you permission to go."
Alice Howard spent six passionate months as Domenico Parrisi's mistress. But she knew he would never love her back and would soon discard her — so she left him.
But now Domenico wants her back in his bed, and his terms of possession are the same as before—until he makes a discovery that changes everything: Alice is carrying his child.

And the question? Well.seeign as I was talking about stockings - tell me - do you still have one - for yourself,  for the children? And if you do, what is it like - do you have a commercially made one or is it like the one I made for my son years ago  - a plain white pillowcase that I decorated with pictures and his name done in fabric paints?
And what sor of  things do you put into the stocking (sorry - perhaps I should say  - what does Santa put in the stocking?)

As you see, even dear old Sid the Cat always had a big stocking that he hoped Santa would fill with treats.

Big Blog Tour Day 5 - and one other

First of all a great big thank you to everyone who sent me messages of sympathy and understanding yesterday both on my blog and in private - they meant such a lot to me.. They reached out like a big warm hug and helped me through a  difficult day of loss.  I know that over the years Sid has touched a lot of people  when he has appeared on this blog - and there are plenty of you who have him to thank for your prizes in the past too. He was a force and will be so much missed.   But as so many of you said, he had a wonderful cat life from the minute he walked through our door - and we had a wonderful life with him.  A very special creature.

And  I found the perfect way to mark his memory - just as I had posted yesterday, a message came into my inbox from Born Free - a charity I've supported for a long time. They need emergency funds to rescue two adult black-maned lions  Major and General.  Kept near an army parade ground in Ethiopia, the brothers have not set foot out of their cramped 10m cage for ten long years. They each deserve a place of sanctuary, a refuge.  So  I  added up the cost of the food that I would no longer need to feed Sid for the next couple of years and sent that donation to the cause in his name. He would appreciate that. He was a lion of a cat himself.

So today there are two blogs for you to go and visit. 

I had forgotten that last week Amy from I heart Presents blog had asked me to write a post about the New Voices Workshop that I had done in Ashby on August 31st. I haven't yet got to writing about Haworth  and the workshop I did at the weekend - but as they say this was one I made earlier!  There are a a few writing tips too if you'd like them.

And today, as the next stage of the Big Blog  Tour, I'm heading South (my words are anyway) to join lovely and talented Talli Roland on her blog  for today.  I'm blogging about book covers - past and present - which of course gives me the opportunity to  have another look at - and post up again - THAT  cover!   (but also some not so good ones!)
There will also be another giveaway  - so I hope you'll join me there.