Bookouture Christmas: Interview With Fiona Valpy & Giveaway

Christmas interview with Fiona Valpy

Fiona Valpy has written one of my favorite Christmas novels, The French for Christmas. It's a wonderful book and I'm delighted that she's answered my Christmas questions.

1) What's your favorite Christmas memory?

There are so many wonderful moments from when my children were little, seeing the magic through their eyes. But perhaps my favourite was when “Santa” had left a letter, beside the plate of mince-pie crumbs and the carrot with the reindeers’ tooth marks on, saying that he’d got a bit stuck coming down the chimney and the cats had had to help pull him down. The children gave the cats so many extra cuddles that year, as well as a large helping of turkey, by way of saying thank you for rescuing Christmas.

2) What's your favorite Christmas song?

“Joy to the World” – because you can never have too much joy.

3) What are your 3 favorite Christmas reads?

My first is the poem “’Twas the night Before Christmas” which I used to read to my children on Christmas Eve as one of our family traditions.

The other two would have to be books by two of my fellow-Bookouture authors, (and it’s hard to choose because there are so many lovely ones out there): Jenny Hale’s “Coming Home for Christmas” and Sue Watson’s “Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake” are definitely up there.

4) What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?

An engraved silver heart for my charm bracelet from my two sons. I wear it every day. They live at opposite sides of the world now, but I always have that little bit of them with me wherever I go.

5) What does your ultimate Christmas look like?

It definitely features a big, noisy crowd of family; a tree decorated with a colourful mish-mash of ornaments (including home-made ones) with a heap of presents beneath it; a roaring log fire; copious amounts of Christmas baking; a large turkey with all the trimmings, washed down with a bottle of fine French wine; a lot of laughter and a lot of hugs. And the final, perfect, magical touch would be waking up to a deep fall of snow on Christmas morning.

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About Fiona Valpy

Fiona Valpy spent seven years living in France, having moved there from the UK in 2007.

She renovated an old, rambling farmhouse with her husband, developing new-found skills in cement-mixing, interior decorating and wine-tasting.

All of these inspirations, along with a love for the place and the people, found their way into the books she wrote there.

Giveaway:

The winner of this giveaway will receive a digital copy of The French for Christmas together with a beautiful French countryside real flower necklace made by Meeliki Creations. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.