Vibrant Imaginative People

December 2022, Issue No.14

Your VIP Newsletter from Soulla's Writing Room

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Hello and welcome to your last VIP newsletter of 2022!

How has your Christmas and festive holiday break been? For me, though a welcome break, it felt like it had come too quickly and disappeared even faster still. Full of family gatherings and good food, jollies at the piano and around the table playing charades, quizzes and card games, Christmas has been a good time to sit and be grateful for the year which I have been blessed with.

You have been a wonderful support too. Yes, you. With your little messages of encouragement and tales of your own life. It’s been good to hear from you and I hope that 2023 continues to be a good year for us both – for our love of life, our creativity, our joy of family and our thirst for discovering and reading new books.

For me personally, one special review for THE VILLAGE HOUSE has ended my year of fabulous book reviews on a high and I am sharing it here because it really is an author’s dream review.

It's great isn't it? But if you read a book and leave a review, remember too, it doesn't have to be long or perfectly written. A review, is a review, and I am truly grateful for each and every one.

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Katianna's New Year in The Village House

I wanted to share an excerpt with you, which appears towards the end of THE VILLAGE HOUSE since it is set on New Year's Eve. I hope you enjoy it.

"Katianna would never have dreamed of spending New Year’s Eve in Cyprus, in her own village house. Life was the best it could be, and she flitted from room to room humming a tune out loud, her steps light and her heart lighter still. Chatter and laughter filled the village house with life again. Through the shutter-framed windows, the old olive tree twinkled adorned with Christmas lights.

Finally, taking her seat around the table Katianna felt herself close to tears as she took in the activity around her. Sofia placed a footed bowl, filled with light pastry cases oozing with a cinnamon and vanilla cream laced with brandy, in the centre of the table which added a magnificent twist to what would still have been a deliciously festive feast.

Savva poured the wine and Angie finished laying the table. Jamie, a secret expert baker, took the most beautiful crispy fig-filled mince pies out of the oven.

‘This all smells delicious,’ said Katianna and she breathed in the festive aroma of sweet figs and cinnamon.

‘Looks like a master bake off,’ laughed Sofia.

‘Now that’s an idea,’ said Jamie.

    They all sat around the table, each chair a proud testament to the Phini chair project. The fire spat and snapped in the stone hearth and Katianna felt the tears stinging for a moment. She fingered the edge of her yiayia’s blanket hanging on the back of the chair before taking her seat.

‘That roaring fire will definitely keep the kallikantzaroi away,’ said Polis and, noticing Angie’s and Jamie’s confused expressions, he explained the old folk story about the mischievous little imps and their efforts to spoil the days between Christmas and Epiphany by climbing down the open chimneys.

They made a toast and laughed at the tale, smiling as they tucked into their fayre, hardly talking for not wanting to miss even a single sensational taste across their tongues..."

I'd love to hear about some of your Christmas and New Year traditions and stories passed down through your family. Drop me a line and who knows... your story may just trigger a whole new book.

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Two For Joy

On the book news front I have a double celebration announcement.

Firstly, Alexander and Maria is being republished by Kingsley Publishers and will be released soon with a new front cover. And of course, for those of you who have already read the Advanced Reader Copies of A Palette of Magpies, my next book is almost ready to go to my publishers over the next few weeks.

I received some wonderfully constructive feedback for the book which has allowed me to strengthen the story in one or two places as well as given me scope for improving one particular aspect too. I am indebted to those of you who read and gave me notes and equally to those who absolutely loved the story as it was. You've been amazing!

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Christmas Cheer, Christmas Love and Christmas Laughter

I have lost count of how many Christmas gatherings I have had which began back in November but each and every one of them made me feel so lucky to be a part of the group of people around me.

they made me feel loved, feel love and I gave love back.

Isn’t that what this life is all about, especially at Christmas?

From family gatherings to one-on-one afternoon tea and writing sessions, from Mayfair bar shindigs and Christmas Eve fun and games… this year has ended in exactly the place I wanted it to end, full of love and peace and joy in my heart... and I just have to shout about a beautiful Christmas read, CHAOS AT CHRISTMAS COVE, by Tina-Marie Miller which I highly recommend!

This life is not an easy one, but I am so glad to be living and breathing, so glad to be making the choices that are right for me, so glad you’re here with me. Thank you.

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VIP Member Spotlight

A wonderful VIP Member Spotlight to end the year on as author Mimi Francis releases a brand new book today: OUR TWO-WEEK ONE-NIGHT STAND

Mimi included me in her newsletter a few weeks ago in support of THE VILLAGE HOUSE book's release and now it's my turn to help her out. Our community of authors, readers and booklovers is a truly supportive one and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

Congratulations Mimi and I hope you'll join me in wishing her the best of luck.

Here's the back cover blurb to entice you in:

"One night turns into two weeks when their worlds unexpectedly collide.

Cecily Devereaux knows better than anyone that being the daughter of a billionaire can make it hard to trust people. Every relationship she’s ever been in turned out to be nothing more than an attempt to get her father’s money, and after a failed engagement, she vows to stay away from commitment. Shifting her focus to enjoying herself, she finds satisfaction in one night stands, defying her father’s demands, and spending time in her adopted hometown of Lakeside, Montana. Cecily doesn't need anything else. Until Lincoln Dunn strolls into her life.

With no business to run, no woman in his life, and nothing tying him down, Lincoln Dunn is at a crossroads. He’s free to do whatever he wants in New York City and that is exactly what he is doing. Uninterested in relationships, he runs through women with no regrets. Tourist Cecily Devereaux is just supposed to be one of those women … until he comes to Lakeside and finds her again.

In the third installment to the Lovers of Lakeside series, two complicated people who aren’t looking for love fall into a sexy, steamy relationship. When feelings neither of them want to face come to the surface, which one of them will admit their feelings first?"

You can find her at mimifrancis.com or on Instagram and Facebook @author.mimi.francis and I hope you'll connect with her and her writing soon.

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I can't quite believe that 2022 is almost over...

but it is with a huge ball of excitement that I welcome 2023 in with you and hope you're just as excited to see what the New Year will bring. I'm hoping for new opportunities as a writer, to be better at listening to my body and my mind, to continue to enjoy the beautiful relationships forged in real and virtual life, and most of all to sharing our good times together. To family and friends.

I wish you all a wonderful New Year and however you choose to spend it I hope you feel love, peace and joy.

Sending you a big hug and kiss and a

shower of beautiful fireworks

With lots of Soulla xxx



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