A Scottish Christmas with Cathie Dunn.

The days are ticking down to Christmas! Welcome to A Writer’s Mind’s third annual WHAT EVERY WOMAN WANTS BENEATH HER CHRISTMAS TREE blog event. Today I’m thrilled to welcome over talented author, Cathie Dunn. She just happens to live in one of my most favorite places on Earth. You guessed it… Scotland! Be sure to comment for a chance to win an eCopy of her latest title, Dark Deceit.

YULETIDE NOTE: I encourage you to leave a comment for a chance to win each featured author's given prize (Include email addy). Their individual winners will be announced in a comment after their post. In addition, be sure to enter the Rafflecopter provided after each post as often as you like for a chance to win the grand prize, three $30 Amazon Gift Cards, 12+ ebooks and over six print novels. Three winners drawn and announced December 26th, 2012. Click on 'Ready to be Served?' at the top of this blog to find the itinerary.

Let’s hear from Cathy…

Thank you for hosting me, Sky! It’s a pleasure to be here talking about my favourite season...

I love Christmas!

There, I said it. Why, you ask? Well…

First of all, there are the Christmas markets. I grew up surrounded by towns and villages with stunning Christmas markets running from a short weekend to the whole month of December. Yes, sometimes even beyond Christmas. It must be worth their while setting up that ice rink, after all. A warm glow spreads through towns - and through your blood as you sip from your steaming mug of mulled wine. Colourfully decorated stalls sell handmade crafts, pottery, needlework and Christmas cookies. And, of course, plenty of stalls selling delicious food, so you can keep up your strength as you browse the dizzying variety of potential presents. Add a sprinkling of snow, and it’s a picture perfect setting.


And speaking of snow, I just love the stuff. The more the better. For me, snow means the ideal winter. Living in Edinburgh, Scotland, rain and gales usually lash against the windows (pretty much all year, but colder this time of year, obviously) but just now and then we get a few days of snow. That’s when I’m at my happiest. Long walks across snow-covered landscapes, wrapped up warm, and followed by a beer or wine by the fireside in a cosy pub.

Ahh, open fires. Love them! We have a fireplace in our (otherwise rather draughty) cottage which keeps us warm in the evenings. It’s part of winter, the scent of peat and burning logs. Have you ever tried fire roasted marshmallows? Yumm!

As for the cottage, a decorated tree, light chains hung over picture frames, a wreath hung outside the front door, and candles lit for added warmth make it an inviting home this time of year. Our two kitties curled up by the fire, Christmas carols in the background, the scent of home-baked cookies wafting through the house, and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings accompanied by a nice bottle of wine or two.

All that fuss for a meal for two? Yes. Just hubby and me.

My in-laws live 200 miles away in the Highlands, my mother 1,000 miles the other way. So it’s just the two of us and the cats, but we make the most of it. Chatting, talking to our family over the phone, cuddling the cats (not forgetting their Christmas treats, of course!), unwrapping presents, watching TV specials, relaxing after our lovely meal, with leftover turkey sandwiches to look forward to for the next three days...

But Christmas is also a time for reflection, for thoughts of others, alone out there, and for loved ones lost. Remembering is as much part of Christmas as the food, the tree and the decorations.
Did I mention I love it all? Yes!

Wishing you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Blurb for Dark Deceit:

On his return from battle at Lincoln, Geoffrey de Mortagne, under-sheriff of Gloucester and spy for the Empress Matilda, assists a dying knight caught in an ambush. Promising to look after the welfare of the knight's only daughter, Geoffrey stays at her manor, investigating the murder. Keen to join the Empress on her progress through England, he is torn between his oath and his duty.

Left to defend her manor following her father's death, Alleyne de Bellac reluctantly accepts Geoffrey's support. As she doesn't trust the taciturn stranger, she asks Will d'Arques, an old friend, for help. But loyalties change. Her life in danger and her inheritance at stake, Alleyne must decide which man to trust.

Discover England and Normandy divided by a brutal civil war, where vows are broken as allegiances waver.

Visit Cathie Dunn at her Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Purchase Dark Deceit at Amazon, Amazon UK and Crooked Cat Books

Sky here. Okay, I’m just going to say it… can I move in with you, Cathie? *grins* Yes, I love my New England Christmases but I’d be willing to suffer through a holiday or two in Scotland with you. After all, I love Christmas just as much! Such a fabulous post. Thank you for sharing a bit of your Christmas with us. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

Readers, don't forget to comment for a chance to win Dark Deceit. Then be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below for more chances to win!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c587a91/