The Night Before Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

(To celebrate the launch of ‘The Night Before Christmas‘, I’ve a SIGNED (and wrapped in Christmas paper) copy to give away at the end of this post)

All Lydia’s ever wanted is a perfect Christmas…

So when her oldest friends invite her to spend the holidays with them, it seems like a dream come true. She’s been promised log fires, roasted chestnuts, her own weight in mince pies - all in a setting that looks like something out of a Christmas card.

But her winter wonderland is ruined when she finds herself snowed in with her current boyfriend, her old flame and a hunky stranger. Well, three (wise) men is traditional at this time of year…

The cold weather is upon us, Christmas is a mere 18 DAYS away and so what better time to offer this festive giveaway! And Scarlett Bailey’s debut is a PERFECT book for this time of year. I LOVE that it is truly and absolutely set in the Christmas period (books that use ‘Christmas’ but don’t embrace it are a pet hate!) and that the pages are brimming with festivity. This is a novel to snuggle down with, to juggle with a mug of hot chocolate and a tin of Quality Street. I can promise that you’ll be left with a Christmassy warm glow.

Romantic, funny and packed with likeable characters - what are you waiting for? I absolutely recommend ‘The Night Before Christmas’ to you all.

Talking to Scarlett:

What are your top 3 Christmas films? My top three Christmas films are ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, what’s not to love the gorgeous James Stewart talking to a Christmas angel! ‘Miracle on 34th Street’, obviously Santa is real, duh… and ‘Holiday Inn’ which is actually quite a terrible film, but its got Bing singing ‘White Christmas’, which is my all time most favourite Christmas song. I do have to add a cheeky shout out to ‘Elf’, best Christmas film of recent years, love it.

And your all time favourite 3 Christmas songs? Oh, well ‘White Christmas’ (by Bing) that man had the touch, his vocal stylings always bring a tear to the eye, ‘Fairy Tale in New York’, for a song that is basically about bitterness and recrimination it’s awfully festive, and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’, sung by Jude Garland, which also brings a tear to the eye. Come to think of it, I’m a bit maudlin aren’t I? Pass the whiskey….

What will you be wishing for this Christmas? A life size chocolate model of Johnny Depp that comes alive when no-one else but me is around. OR an iPad. I think Magic Johnny Depp is a more realistic prospect.

Do you prefer a mince pie, Christmas cake or a dollop of sherry trifle? None of those things, I’m not a fan of fruit, even when its soaked in alcohol. I like a Chocolate Fudge Yule log (must include plastic robin and holly leaves) with a glass of Bailey’s on the side.

Will your Christmas tree be decorated in all one colour or a mix of memories? It will be festooned in tinsel, lots of cheap, nasty, sparkly tat, extending all the way back to my childhood, including the most vile, slutty 1970s Christmas fairy you have ever seen, but which I would not part with. I’m not a fan of wicker, twiggy, ginghamy, dried oranges, so called tasteful decorations. I think a tree should look like a Slade Christmas single in physical form.

Which 3 people would you like to spend Christmas with (living or dead)? Hmmm. James Stewart, Cary Grant and Gregory Peck. What? I’m a sucker for old style movie star leading men. They don’t make them like that any more. Sigh…

And do you, in any way, think Simon Cowell will end up in my Christmas stocking(s) this year? Listen, if I can get Magic Chocolate Johhny Depp, I don’t see why not.

I’ve a SIGNED copy ( wrapped in Christmas paper AND with a bow) of ‘The Night Before Christmas’’ by Scarlett Bailey to give away. Simply leave a ‘please pick me’ comment by 3pm (GMT) December 9, then I’ll pop all names in a mug and ask a small child to select a winner. This competition is open to all.

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About the author: Scarlett Bailey has loved writing stories since childhood. Before writing her debut novel, ‘The Night Before Christmas‘. she worked as a waitress, cinema usherette and bookseller. Passionate about old movies. Scarlett loves nothing more than spending a wet Sunday afternoon watching her favourite film back-to-back with large quantities of chocolate. Currently she lives in Hertfordshire with her dog, and very large collection of beautiful shoes.