Susan Buchanan's Blog, page 13

Christmas shopping online v high street - on Monique McDonell's blog

Hi all
Was sure I had posted this here already, but I've been having blog problems, so here it is - retail park or independent bookstore, local merchant or Amazon. What  do you think? And what's possible where you are?
http://moniquemcdonell.weebly.com/2/post/2013/12/a-christmas-guest-post-from-author-of-the-christmas-spirit-susan-buchanan.html

Guest post on Jera's Jamboree - what's Christmas really all about?

I was delighted to return to Jera's Jamboree, this time talking about how to enjoy Christmas, without getting knee deep in debt and whilst remembering what's important.
http://jerasjamboree.com/2013/12/18/jeras-jamboree-guest-post-susan-buchanan/

The Christmas Spirit on Elf on a (Book) Shelf Countdown to Christmas

Evening all. Since I'm a big fan of the Christmas movie, Elf, it seems appropriate to be the opening act on fellow author, Julie Valerie's, Elf on a (Book) Shelf Countdown to Christmas today with The Christmas Spirit - plus special extract! http://wp.me/p318Hj-CL

Enjoy!

Sooz's 41st Birthday Post

Well, it’s that time again - birthday time! Hurrah! I am now 41! It does, however, seem a wee bit of an anti-climax after being 40. I know some people dread milestones, but both when I turned 30 and 40, I had no such qualms. On approaching 40 I was 6 months pregnant and had just released my second book, The Dating Game.So what was it like being 40? Amazing, magnificent, wonderful - and I’m not kidding. OK, a lot of this we can attribute to ‘life begins at 40’ and in my case literally. Antonia was dragged into the world (she was very cosy in the womb) on 22nd March and after that the world became a different place for me on many levels. But the first two months were great, too, as I marketed my newly released book and started writing What If. Seven months into my pregnancy and I really wasn’t writing so much - turns out baby Antonia was back to back, which I can tell you is freakin’ painful, so months 7-9 were uncomfortably spent on a Swiss ball! I spent the first few months of motherhood in a state of love and complete bewilderment and being perpetually tired, but it’s amazing how you adapt. Then it was baby massage, Rhymetime at the library and walks with my girl. They really should extend maternity leave in the UK...I’m an older mum at 40, but I’m glad I waited - every moment I have with Antonia is amazing and I appreciate every second. I swapped going out to dinner for bathtime with Antonia and working out for playing games with the baby - peek a boo never fails to amuse.  I’m so glad I can work from home and be there to capture every smile, tentative crawl, puzzled expression as she tries to slot shapes into a sorter.Anyway, I suppose what I’m trying to say is being 40 has been brilliant. I eventually even got around to writing another book, quite by chance, The Christmas Spirit and it has really got me in the mood for Christmas, a time of year I really love and all the more special this year, as it will my cherub’s first. I am pretty sure I will be more excited than her, but she’ll grow into that - she has my genes after all. So, what about being 41? I just hope it’s as great as being 40, but it has a hell of a lot to live up to! By the time you read this, if I’m lucky, I will be having a massage or a facial - my dad is babysitting for a few hours to let me have some ME time! Then I aim to read before coming home to birthday hugs from the bambina.I thought I’d do the European thing and give you a present on my birthday - so an e-copy of my first novel, Sign of the Times and an e-copy of The Dating Game are up for grabs.
All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog telling me your best birthday in the past five years and what made it special. I’ll choose the two I like best and announce the winners on Dec 18th.Right, off to blow out the candles on my cakebye for nowSooz
 
 

A playlist for The Christmas Spirit on Change The Word blog

That's right - a whole host of songs - mainly Christmas ones - on one interview. I had a great time making this - some are directly mentioned in the novel, others are simply pertinent to the story.
Hope you enjoy listening to them. Have them on whilst wrapping your presents or something!
Enjoy!
http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/2013/12/playlist-for-christmas-spirit.html

The Christmas Spirit on Evolved Books - and another extract

Yep, another extract to whet your appetite over on Evolved Books - just a little (or not so little) something to get you in the Christmas spirit.
http://evolvedworld.com/2013/12/christmas-spirit-susan-buchanan/

Chick Lit Goddess Guest Appearance

Hi everyone
should have posted this yesterday, but in all the excitement of our promo #chicklit4xmas trending on Twitter, I clean forgot to post this on my blog. A special excerpt of The Christmas Spirit today over on Chick Lit Goddess' blog - enjoy!
http://chicklitgoddess.com/blog/

BestsellerBound Recommends - Guest Spotlight for New Releases (The Christmas Spirit) and The Dating Game giveaway

Yep - another interview - different questions, different answers and another giveaway! I'm giving 2 lucky readers the chance to pick up a copy of The Dating Game.
Plus, check out what I think about camping in the woods, spa days, concerts and more!
http://quietfurybooks.com/bestsellerboundrecommends/new-release-spotlight-interview-giveaway-the-christmas-spirit-by-susan-buchanan/

Five Fun Facts about Sooz - Clippings In The Shed

Yep, the fabulous Francine LaSala, she of The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything fame, has hosted me on her blog with 5 fun facts about yours truly. I'm pretty sure I haven't shared this info before!
http://clippingsintheshed.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/five-fun-facts-susan-buchanan/

Interviewed by N E David - The Christmas Spirit, Hogmanay and more!

Here you go folks!
ow.ly/mY0lr