Welcome, Everyone, to my humble blog/website.

Here you will find all separate pages about my novels, the reviews, and links to where you can buy the books. There’s the latest news, links to my podcast, articles and blogging of other fantastic books.

But first …. here’s my little ditty to get you into the Christmas spirit. And the word that you need for this scavenger hunt is under the story.

P.S. It’s a little bit graphical.

Home Comforts

Christmas was fast approaching, something that Sarah Jane was not looking forward to at all. It was to be her first Christmas away from her family and wonderful England.

Sarah Jane had lived in Greece for the past eight months with her boyfriend Kostas, whom she had met while holidaying in Kavos, Corfu. During their time together, Sarah Jane’s months were filled with new adventures and experiences, so she didn’t have much spare time to think about her family or England. Only now, December had arrived, and Christmas suddenly seemed daunting.

 The closer the holidays came, the more Sarah Jane thought about her home and all the things she took for granted and now missed. Greece had their own traditions, but unfortunately, they didn’t include roast turkey and Christmas pudding. What it did include was a Christmas dinner of egg and lemon soup with boiled chicken – yummy.

Within no time, Christmas Eve arrived, and Sarah Jane was feeling very unhappy. She was upset with herself for not choosing to go home for Christmas and upset with Kostas for not making an effort.

“You’ll have to get used to it if you’re going to stay here.” He had told her.

The thing was, Kostas had been to England. He had experienced a typical English Christmas, so surely he understood how she was feeling and how homesick she was? But then, she couldn’t lay all the blame on him. It seemed that even her own family back home had forgotten her.  No presents, not one card. It was as if Christmas didn’t exist, and she wished the holidays would just come and go.

Already, she had made up her mind that it was going to be her worst Christmas ever.

Sarah Jane felt needed cheering up; it seemed even Kostas was avoiding her because of her moods. So that miserable Christmas Eve, she decided to visit her friend. Mary lived locally and was married with far too many children. She had survived many dreary Christmas. Sarah Jane hoped she would get some tips on how to endure the holidays and even a little support. However, all Mary could say was:

“You’ll get used to it. You wait until Easter; it’s fabulous; parades, big celebrations, you’ll love it.”

 But Sarah Jane didn’t want to wait until Easter. With a heavy heart, she left Mary’s and started to make her way back home.

She knew she needed to make an effort even if her heart said otherwise, and she didn’t want to spoil the holidays for Kostas and his family. 

She settled for a couple of drinks and a cuddle on the sofa with Kostas. However, as she neared the house, she felt a change. Home suddenly felt warm and inviting.

Sarah Jane stood speechless at the open door. Frank Sinatra’s familiar Christmas tune poured out into the street.

Her living room was covered in Christmas decorations. Tinsel and streamers showered every wall, and to her right, she saw the best-looking Christmas tree ever. It was adorned with beautiful garlands and twinkling lights, and her lungs filled with the scent of fresh pine. Underneath the tree were the missing presents and cards. Sitting on a seasonal-dressed table were mince pies, a bowl of mixed nuts, and a bottle of Moet chilling on ice.

Sarah Jane felt so happy; she thought she’d burst. Instead, tears flowed down her cheek.

Kostas had spent most of the day finding a suitable tree to chop down. The live turkey that had been hidden away was now sitting proudly on a plate prepared and ready for cooking. 

The postman had delivered the presents a week before. He hid them in the attic, knowing Sarah Jane would never go up there.

“Kostas, I – oh my God, how did you?  … I didn’t know – thank you. Oh, thank you so much.”

She ran to where he was standing, which happened to be under a bough of mistletoe.

“Merry Christmas, my darling,” he said. 

And as it happened, it was the merriest she’d ever had.

NORTHPOLE

Now please go to Fiction For The Soul to get your next word.

If you get lost, go to https://karenjmossman.com/2022/12/01/festive-blog-hop-2022/