Hi,

December is upon us, and the temperature has plummeted here in southern Ireland. Clear skies and beautiful sunrises quickly dissipate an early frost, but a cold blast from the north is apparently bringing snow on its heels. This reminded me of a little ditty we used to sing as children:

The north wind doth blow and we shall have snow,

and what will the Robin do then, poor thing?

He'll sleep in the barn to keep himself warm,

and tuck his head under his wing, poor thing.

Christmas trees are stacked in garden centres and the shops are filled with Christmas bling. Children are busy writing their Santa lists and parents are tearing their hair out wondering how to afford all these goodies. I remember the day (yep, I am that old) when our tiny Christmas stockings contained a few small gifts including the traditional pencil, rubber and pencil sharpener, an orange and a ball of string or elastic bands. It was all part of the fun. And we would have a single 'big' present, such as a doll or a toy train. Christmas at home started when school broke up after the school nativity play, which we took very seriously (I never got to play Mary - I was usually one of the sheep). The tree was decorated a few days before Christmas with ornaments and tinsel carefully stored from previous years. Then, after pulling the crackers and wearing silly hats during the turkey dinner, we would gleefully seek the silver sixpence in the Christmas pudding...

Suggested Recipe for Christmas Cheer

For the best Christmas ever, cook the children's mobile phones for a

good eight hours until tender, and serve with real conversation.

(A small lane near Fursdon in in Devon, where I used to live)

AUTHORLY NEWS

The second book in my Bookouture women's fiction series has been read and approved. The editor said, 'Well! That was SUCH a treat to read - a real transporter of a novel, a gripping, beautiful, totally immersive story. Well done! All my very best, and huge congratulations…' She then proceeded to provide a fairly intensive editorial commentary on tweaks that would just help (in her words) to keep the bar high... I will be sending out a brief email in mid-January when 'The Irish Key' is up for pre-order, in the hopes that some of you loyal supporters will provide a little kickstart...

And here is the cover for the first book, which sets the trend:

Meanwhile, The 'Suffer the Little Children' series is still seeking reviews:

(Click the image to go to Amazon)

Follow me on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/chrislewando

As always, if you review one of my books online (preferably on Amazon), and send me a link to the review - hit return on this email - I'll let you have another e-book free. But do make sure to tell me which book you would like to read. My compilation Death of a Dream is now a free download from my website (link at the foot of this mail).

Review links:

The Silence of Children: Amazon Bookbub Goodreads

The Price of Children: Amazon Bookbub Goodreads

The Loyalty of Children: Amazon Bookbub Goodreads

Apologies for the varying covers on Goodreads.

I can't work out how to change them!

*** BOOKS FREE OR ON OFFER (mostly) ***

AND AUTHOR SWAPS

Click on the image - some are free, some not.

Action and Adventure

Thriller

Kidnapped!

Mystery Thriller

* * *

I don't have time to read every book that comes via a book funnel, or a 'swap' promotion with another author, so if you get a sample, a badly written book, or anything else that you find irritating, let the author know, by way of a review; don't shoot the messenger! But if you discover an exceptionally good book, let me know so that I can read it, too...

Even if you choose not to take any of the books from the offers, do please click on some links - it would help my 'share' statistics. I have been refused entry to some promotions as my share rate isn't high enough; book funnels are dominated by some very aggressive authors. I admit to being a social mediaphobe and live in the hope that writing quality beats the ability to bludgeon my way into readers' kindles.

Happy Reading

www.chrislewando.com

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