#AuthorInTheFestiveSpotlight Suzanne Snow | Snowfall Over Halesmere House | @snowprose @katrina_power @canelo_co

Today we have the aptly named Suzanne Snow stepping into the Festive Spotlight, as part of the blogtour for her latest book. I’ve read and enjoyed a few of Suzanne’s previous books set in Thorndale. Snowfall Over Halesmere House is the first in a new Love in the Lakes series. It’s on my Christmas reading list so watch out for my review soon.

First of all Suzanne, would you tell my blog readers a little about yourself?

Hi Joanne, thank you for inviting me to your Festive Spotlight! I live in Lancashire with my family and retrained as a horticulturist a few years ago. I spent five seasons planting redesigned gardens before becoming a full-time writer. I love reading, walking, theatre, and music, and it’s been a joy to see several new productions over the summer. I’m also looking forward to my first live ballet in December, and I think it’s going to be magical!

In a nutshell, what is your Christmas book about?

Finding family, community, and love after loss. Ella is searching for a new path and her temporary role at Halesmere makes her question the kind of life she really wants to live, and with whom.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

I didn’t, my publisher did! We tried a few different versions and I love this one, not least because it has snow in the title.

How do you plan to celebrate Christmas this year?

At home, with my family. I do most of the cooking, but everyone brings something. My dad makes the most amazing gravy and my brother-in-law the best trifle. We spend Boxing Day with my husband’s family, and we all pitch in with the meal.

You have £5 to buy a Secret Santa gift – what would you buy?

That’s very timely as Secret Santa is in Snowfall Over Halesmere House! I’m going to choose Stan from the book, and I’d give him a tin to store his beloved tea bags, preferably one with an elf or something funny on it.

What’s your favourite Christmas song?

Oh, that’s a difficult one! Please can I have two as they’re so different? If that’s allowed, then I’ll choose Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas as it’s such a fun party song. I’d also have O Holy Night because it’s beautiful and I love to sing it. We usually have a takeaway on Christmas Eve and watch Carols from Kings whilst we eat.

What’s your essential Christmas food or drink?

Roast turkey is top of my list, and we have sandwiches with champagne for supper on Christmas Day. My husband bakes a fabulous Christmas cake, and I make stock and then soup from the leftover turkey. I love sprouts and homemade mince pies. The list is growing!

What Christmas book are you looking forward to reading this year?

Karen Swan’s The Christmas Postcards, along with Donna Ashcroft and Sue Moorcroft’s recently published festive books. I also read Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory every year as it’s so charming and full of pathos. We never miss The Night Before Christmas, and read it together, even though our son is older now.

How can people follow you or connect with you on social media?

I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and it’s lovely to connect with readers there. I also have epilogues and behind-the-books content on my website; and subscribers to my mailing list can download Max’s opening chapter to Snowfall Over Halesmere House.

And finally, what’s your favourite Christmas tree decoration?

It’s impossible to choose! We’ve collected lots over the years and we add a couple of new tree baubles every Christmas. So many have been gifts, homemade, or ones my son chose, and we love to rediscover them when the boxes come down. One of the best is a wire coat hanger wound into the shape of a star and covered in red tinsel. My son made it in Reception, and we hang it every year in the hall.

Thank you, Joanne. I hope it’s not too early to wish you and yours a very happy Christmas!

Thank you Suzanne and a happy Christmas to you too. I love O Holy Night – such a beautiful song. We still read The Night Before Christmas too – it wouldn’t be right
without it even though our daughters are grown up now!
Snowfall over Halesmere House is published by Canelo Escape and available now.
You can order a copy here: Snowfall Over Halesmere House