**Christmas with Orenda Books** featuring Roxanne Bouchard @OrendaBooks @RBouchard72 #Giveaway #BookBundle

Another day closer to Christmas, and personally I can’t wait, I’m one of those people who just love to give presents. If you are still frantically running around looking for gifts, sorry I can’t help you there! but I can encourage you to put your feet up, grab a mince pie and a glass of sherry and see what author Roxanne Bouchard had to say when I put my Christmassy questions to her.

What is your favourite Christmas memory? 

In December 2011, I was crew on a sailboat near Bequay, which is a little island South of St-Vincent in the Carribean. My skipper and I were invited, by a sailor’s group in a little cottage for Chrismas Eve. When I arrived, a new friend came to me with a box.

—Do you mind wearing the red suit and playing Santa Claus for my two kids? They know all our friends and I’m afraid they will recognize them. So, if you don’t mind…

In the night, near the lamppost, he gave me the box.

—Here’s the kit.

He showed me a little house on the other side of the gravel road.

—Maybe you can ask there to put the suit on. Thank you!

He left.

I crossed the gravel road and walked to the little house. There were two old women a little drunk on the patio. 

— Merry Chrismas, ladies, may I put a Santa’s outfit on in the house, please?

—Yes, yes…

—Go to the bedroom!

They showed me the room and I went there alone. I took a pillow in the bed and I dressed myself. When I came back in the kitchen and then, in the patio, I found the place empty. The old women had strangely left me alone in the house.

I walked to the party, knocked on the cottage’s door and did Santa’ s job with the kids. Then, I left the place to the little house to take off the suit.

But when I arrived on the gravel road, I understood why the old women had left the house: there were a lot of neighbors with kids along the road! They were all there… to see the real Santa Claus walking on the island!

What was your best ever Christmas present?

Each year, my mother and father bless me. Still, at 47, I kneel to receive this precious gift.

 

What was your worst ever Christmas (story about a) present?

When I was young, my parents gave me a small oven for kids in which, I cooked my first chocolate cake. But just after my first recipe, my older brother came to me and said:

— I’m curious about your oven… 

He took it in his hands. That same brother had, a week earlier, sawed in half his GI Joe figure to know how it was made.

— You know what? I have an idea! We’ll unscrew the back panel, just to see how it works, O.K.?

He went in the workshop and came back with a screwdriver and pliers.

I have never been able to cook another cake in that oven, but my older brother became a really great engineer. 

 

Favourite Christmas tipple?

In Quebec, we have Caribou. There is a legend that this alcohol is originally made with caribou’s blood. Don’t worry: today, we make it with wine or port. This is an aromatic alcohol that we can drink cold or hot. 

• 30 ml (2 c. à soupe) de brandy

• 30 ml (2 c. à soupe) de vodka

• 75 ml (1/3 tasse) de porto

• 75 ml (1/3 tasse) de xérès

Put the ingredients in a pot, heat a little and enjoy.

 

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

For the past few years, on Chrismas Eve, my husband make a fire outside and the whole family goes out to drink a glass of warm caribou in the winter night.

 

Where will you be spending Christmas?

In Joliette, Quebec, with my family.

 

What are you hoping for this Christmas?

I hope all the family will be together and healthy.

 

Have you got a Christmas message you would like to share with readers and bloggers?

May I suggest something?

I suggest that everyone send a Christmas card to someone who is alone to offer solidarity and a little warmth in this peaceful night.

About Roxanne Bouchard

French-Canadian Roxanne Bouchard is a multi-award-winning author and playwright from Quebec, Canada, and We Were the Salt of the Sea is her first novel to be published in English. She is currently writing an essay on literary creativity, and plotting the next Detective Sergeant Joaquin Moralès investigation, which will be published in English in 2020. Follow Roxanne on Twitter @RBouchard72 and on her website:

www. roxannebouchard.com.

Books published by Orenda Books

My thanks to Roxanne Bouchard for writing this post and taking part in this feature.

Giveaway

The giveaway includes all the books featured in the above photo, 18 fabulous books in total. The competition is open to UK residents only. Competition will close on midnight on the 19th December and please note the prize will be sent directly from the publishers (hopefully in time for Christmas) and you must be following my blog.

To enter click on the link and good luck Orenda Books Christmas bundle 📚🎁🎄

My Chronicle Book Box #BookSubscription #Monthly @MyChronicleBB #Review #DiscountCode #CrimeMysteryBox #Mychroniclebookbox #NovemberBox

Today I’m thrilled to be sharing my thoughts on The Crime & Mystery monthly book subscription box for November from https://mychroniclebookbox.com/ not only that but followers of my blog can get a 10% discount on their first box (details can be found further down this post). The Crime & Mystery monthly book subscription box, has everything you love about a quarterly book subscription box, but monthly!

**Please note I have not received payment for reviewing this book subscription, but I did receive a box in return for a honest and unbiased review**

I must admit I have been eagerly awaiting this box, I couldn’t wait to see what founder Louise of My Chronicle Book Box  had come up with. When it arrived it felt like Christmas, as you are never sure what lies inside these beautifully packed parcels.

Once again I was amazed at the amount of thought that had gone into this box, each gift has been carefully selected and fits the theme of the book. I’m sure you are eager to see what lies inside so without further ado, here we go……..

First up……..

As with the previous box, it comes with a welcome letter and this month’s theme is Cheating. Lying. Murder?  I loved the print with the book quote, which I’m going to frame and put on my bookshelves. There’s a Q&A with author Nicci French. There’s also a sample of Tidelands by Philippa Gregory.

 

Then there were the bookish themed gifts……

• A handmade Liquid soap called partners in crime, which smells Devine, it’s a blend of  pink grapefruit and Neroli.
• A cruelty free bath soufflé scented with lavender and fennel seed, I love a soak in the bath so this product is perfect.
• A decorative key which I’m going to use as a book mark as it’s got a lovely little tag with a quote on it.

And if that wasn’t enough you also get a hardback signed copy of The Lying Room by Nicci French. I have never read a book by this author (I know it’s shocking!), but this books been on my ‘wishlist’ ever since I read the book description so I can’t wait to read this one.

 

I think these boxes are worth every penny, when you consider you get a signed book and other book related gifts. The books are beautifully wrapped,  there’s so much thought put into these boxes, I really am impressed. Not only do you get fantastic value for a monthly subscription fee of £25, UK delivery is also now FREE!

I’m not sure I could justify buying them every month  though, as I buy a lot and I mean a LOT of books each month, but I would definitely buy the odd one and if I was looking for a book related gift for a bookworm this would definitely be my first choice. These are the perfect gift for me (hint! hint! family and friends 😂🙈) and anyone who enjoys reading crime and mystery books.

For more information and how you can subscribe, please visit https://mychroniclebookbox.com/ 

If I have tempted you to buy a box here’s a bonus, courtesy of My Book Box Chronicles….if you include the discount code CAFE10 it will give you 10% off your first box.

@MyChronicleBB

https://www.facebook.com/mychroniclebookbox/

https://www.instagram.com/mychroniclebookbox/

My Chronicle Book Box #BookSubscription #Monthly @MyChronicleBB #Review #DiscountCode #CrimeMysteryBox #Mychroniclebookbox #OctoberBox

I was invited to be an Autumn Ambassador for My Chronicle Book Box, so today I’m thrilled to be sharing my thoughts on a brand new book box from https://mychroniclebookbox.com/ not only that but followers of my blog can get a 10% discount on their first box (details can be found further down this post). The Crime & Mystery monthly book subscription box, has everything you love about a quarterly book subscription box, but monthly! Before I share my thoughts on October 2020’s Box, here’s some information about the boxes.

Monthly Book Subscription Box – Gift Options

£27.78 Inc. VAT

The first theme is ‘there’s a new Detective in Devon’ and will feature The Long Call by Ann Cleeves.

Each monthly box will contain a signed hard copy first edition new release, 1 – 3 luxury bookish goodies and author interview.

Your first box will be the October 2019 box, shipping around 15th October 2019. Boxes will then ship around the 15th of each month

Choose the length of the subscription 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.

Gift cards can be sent out with your own message printed on and explaining what has been gifted and when the boxes or boxes can be expected. Choose a design for any occasion and tell us where to send it, direct to the recipient or would you like to receive it to pass on?

Please note I have not received payment for reviewing this book subscription, but I did receive a box in return for a honest and unbiased review.

There is nothing more exciting than receiving a gift in the post, and it’s even more exciting when it’s a book subscription, every bookworms dream. Personally I think these boxes would make the perfect birthday/Christmas or just a gift for someone special or even yourself!

First up I love the box, the blue and white theme looks fresh and inviting and perfect for a male or female I couldn’t wait to take a peek inside.

The first thing I noticed was how perfectly wrapped everything was, and in keeping with the box.

And then the unwrapping, I must say the gifts inside exceeded my expectations, they were all of a very high quality.

I did have one small quibble, I would suggest moving the card to the bottom of the box as it contains details of all the bookish gifts included, there is a warning saying **spoilers ahead** but it caught my eye immediately, so I spotted what one of the gifts was.

First up the book, beautifully and individually wrapped, in a heavy quality coloured paper which is secured with a string bow.

So what bookish gifts lay inside?

First up a signed  hard back, first edition of The Long Call by Anne Cleeves. The first book in a detective crime series set in North Devon. I haven’t read a book by this author before, so for me the beauty of these boxes is that it gives you the opportunity to read books that you might have missed out on. I also love that it’s also a signed copy, so this one will be added to my treasured signed book bookshelf.

 

what else was in the box?

Its obvious Louise has thought long and hard about the gifts to include with this book, and all the gifts fit perfectly with the theme of the book. Included were the following…

An author interview on sturdy card rather than paper, and I loved the photo on the front.

A Devon inspired candle from https://happypiranha.com/ I do love my scented candles, so this was the perfect gift for me. It’s in a tin rather than a glass jar, which I prefer, it’s  hand poured, and exclusive to this box, it smells beautiful, it’s fresh rather than floral, I immediately thought of the sea, and I can’t wait to light this one (and it has a 35 hour burn time)

Two glossy postcards, printed on high quality card of Devon, I love photos of the sea, I always find they evoke happy memories and relax me. I think these postcards will make excellent bookmarks as they are so sturdy, so an added bonus.

My overall thoughts

 I think My Monthly Box Chronicle is onto a winner here, it’s obvious a lot of thought has gone into each box, they have definitely been packed with love and care. From the book, to the themed gifts there wasn’t anything in this book that I won’t be able to find a use for.

Personally I think it’s worth every penny, especially when you consider each box contains a signed first edition. I did think especially for the bookworms amongst us there is a chance you may receive a book you already have, but then I would keep the signed copy and give my other copy away, or keep both!  I love browsing bookshops, but there was something extra special about receiving a book subscription in this post, it felt like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one.

If you have never had a book subscription before and are seriously considering giving it a try then  I would definitely go for My Chronicle Book Box first.

If I have tempted you to buy a box for someone or even yourself, here’s a bonus, courtesy of My Book Box Chronicles….if you include the discount code CAFE10 it will give you 10% off your first box.

If you would like to know more about the founder of My Book Box Chronicles, you can read my interview with her here…interview with My Box Chronicles