Jonathan is at a crossroads in his life; disillusioned with his work as an accountant he is about to launch his first book, but was it wise to give up his job just before Christmas? As he and his girlfriend, Catherine, set out for a couples Christmas with their usual friends, at a rented house in Llangollen, their relationship is heading for a crisis. And he already has unresolved issues with ex-wife Denise and their teenage daughter, Lizzie.
There are many complications with his book trilogy, due to the incompetency of the publishing company and he is concerned about Catherine’s grandfather Gwilym, who is rapidly developing Alzheimer’s. He cherishes Gwilym’s small bookshop on the seafront and doesn’t want it to close. Could he find a solution to all these problems?
There are some delightful observations about the difficulties of publishing a book. Tangerine Press and editor, Eden Edwards, act as if they are on the ball as a prestige company but it is all smoke and mirrors. It doesn’t take the reader long to identify the online bookseller, Marathon, where Jonathan searches for his sales figures.
For a novella, this story packs in many strands: of parental and romantic relationships, of friendship and community spirit. Set over three Christmas seasons, 2015 -2017, we see Jonathan find a way through his problems, gaining wisdom and appreciating his friends and family. He acquires a dog called Frodo and sets out on a new life. There is a satisfying conclusion which keeps you guessing and even leaves the way open for the possibility of a follow-up book. A warm, rewarding book for the Christmas season, set in a realistic, inviting location.
Away for Christmas can be purchased from Amazon UK
About My Books
Fiction which does not fall neatly into a pigeon hole has always been the most difficult to define. In the old days such books wouldn’t be allowed shelf space if they didn’t slot immediately into a commercial list.
As an author I have been described as a combination of literary-contemporary-romantic-comedy-rural-realism-family-saga; oh, and with an occasional criminal twist and a lot of the time, written from the male viewpoint.
No question my books are Contemporary. Family and Realism; these two must surely go hand-in-hand, yes? So, although you’ll discover plenty of escapism, I hope you’ll also be able to relate to my characters as they stumble through a minefield of relationships. I hesitate to use the word romance. It’s a misunderstood and mistreated word and despite the huge part it plays in the market, attracts an element of disdain. If romance says young, fluffy and something to avoid, maybe my novels will change your mind since many of my central characters are in their forties and fifties. Grown-up love is rather different, and this is where I try to bring that sense of realism into play without compromising the escapism.
Lizanne lost in a good book 
Thank you for such a wonderful, thoughtful review.
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Thanks, Jan. I have now edited my spelling of novella!
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