New review for Christmas Evie

 

I am pleased to announce that there is a new 5 Star review up on Goodreads for Christmas Evie

Thank you J. P. Nix, I am so glad you enjoyed my debut rom com

WestWord newsletter

Here is the latest newsletter for my followers to peruse:

News, opportunities and more Your monthly WestWord round up MARTHA LANE SEP 26 Photo by Daria Kraplak on Unsplash Hello everyone, I’m starting this month’s email with a huge congratulations to Erin Dawkins and Fiona Dignan whose stories The Pit and All The Other Mothers are this year’s Best of The Net nominations. Both very different, but such wonderful pieces! Good luck to both of you with the next stage of the process. This month we have three beloved submission opportunities returning; our annual Christmas Countdown, The First Chapter Competition and The WestWord Prize. Alongside your final chance to submit to a WestWord themed edition, the deadline for which is fast approaching. Submission details for all of these can be found below. October is going to be a busy month, full to the brim with workshops! We have everything from deep dives into craft to generative workshops designed to inspire you. So whether you want to hone your craft or perhaps try something new, we have the workshop for you. As always, happy writing! Deadlines Our final edition of WestWord is also open for submissions. Send us your stories, micros and flash fictions exploring the theme MIRROR. A man trims his beard in a magnified mirror and spots something strange, a child takes the copycat game to concerning lengths, a woman fills her house with reflective surfaces after a breakup. Reflect your characters in fascinating ways. Deadline: 30th September. Gift givings gone wrong, conifers stolen in the dead of night, the woman who wraps herself up rather than deal with her in-laws… As the nights draw in it seems only right that we open submissions the Christmas Countdown! What better way to celebrate the festive season than with a literary advent calendar? Ten seasonal stories starting 12th December — and in true advent style the prizes are revealed when the story is published. Send your stories (up to 1,000 words) by 25th October. The First Chapter Competition is back! 2027’s judge is Imogen Pelham, an agent who’s list of authors is remarkable. This is the perfect development prize for anyone working on an adult or YA novel. Imogen loves unforgettable characters, literary thrillers, and smart women’s fiction. She is particularly drawn to literature that examines what it is to be human. Send your opening chapter (up to 3,500 words) for a chance to win feedback and more from Imogen. You have until 31st January 2027. First chapters aren’t all we’re after. The WestWord Prize is open for entries! Judge Gaynor Jones is joining us this year. Gaynor’s writing CV is as impressive as her stories. If you aren’t familiar with her work, I really encourage you to seek it out. Enter a flash fiction of 1,000 words or less. Deadline: 31st May 2027. There is no theme for this competition, just send us your best! Always open Mini Memoir We’re looking for pieces up to 1,500 words — true stories told with the precision, resonance, and craft of the best short fiction. Mini memoir sits in that particular sweet spot where a single moment, relationship, or fragment of lived experience is held up to the light to reveal universal truths about being human. Flash Focus Two flash fictions (up to 750 words) are chosen each month for Flash Focus. All writers selected will also have an interview about the story that will run alongside it. There is no theme for this one. Monthly Micro On the first Monday of each month a prompt is posted, you then have a week to comment with a 75-word micro. The winner (randomly selected so everyone who participates has equal chance) gets a free ticket to a WestWord workshop of their choice. Short Story Spotlight For longer stories of up to 5,000 words. All those stories published will be accompanied by an author interview. There is no theme but we suggest reading previously published stories to get a feel of what we like. Coming soon 100 Word Stories Can you tell a story in exactly 100 words? Then this submission slot is for you. Long Short Stories For those of you who have more to say. Our new submission slot is for much longer short stories, think of the epic sagas and emotional journeys you can take us on in 5000-10,000 words. If you’re a member of the WestWord Community you now get one free submission a year included with your membership. Workshops Easy as 1, 2, 3: Tackling the Triptych Sunday 11th October 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM BST A triptych is three associated pieces of art, music or text that work together to create a bigger picture. Join Martha Lane as she explores the techniques we can use to create stories full of connected threads. This workshop is included with WestWord memberships. Join here or just book separately and come along. Crafting Satisfying Story Endings Tuesday 13th October 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM BST How many times have you read a flash, a story, a novel even and the ending feels flat?In this workshop we’ll look at endings in flash fiction specifically, and how to land that end with emotional resonance even with the constraint of a reduced word count. WestWord members can attend this workshop at a discounted rate. Homespun Stories Sunday 1st November 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM GMT Stories of domesticity are an important part of the literary landscape, peering behind closed doors is fascinating, and the unassuming everyday items that fill our homes can be as inspirational as any far-flung travels. Use easily accessible prompts to create wonderfully rich stories set in the home. This workshop is included with WestWord memberships. Join here or just book separately and come along. Writing Compelling Conflict in Flash Fiction Tuesday 10th November 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM GMT It’s extremely difficult to have a story without conflict, the push and the pull is what drives plot forward. And the resolution (or lack of) is what shapes the ending. However, conflict in flash fiction works a little differently. Without the space to build tension slowly you have to compress everything and work within the confines of immediacy. WestWord members can attend this workshop at a discounted rate. Friday Flashing Every Friday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM BST Join Debbi Voisey for focused flash fiction development that will sharpen every aspect of your writing. Each session features a reading, associated writing prompts and a chance to take your flash writing to the next level. These sessions are included in a WestWord membership or you can pay as you go. If you have your own idea for a workshop, get in touch. Courses The Writing Sangha The Writing Sangha is a community space for paid members of The Mindful Writer. Including weekly writing prompts, themed writing sessions, private chat and regular Zoom sessions delving into Taoist, Five Element Wisdom and Yoga Nidra meditation. All with writing at its core. This month’s zoom session is The Unfolding: Metal Season and the Art of Letting Go, happening Friday 30th October, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM GMT. A Year of Mindful Writing Over twelve months, you’ll explore what it really means to write mindfully: with intention, authenticity, vulnerability, fearlessness, and compassion. Each month builds on the last, weaving together craft, self-inquiry, and spiritual practice to help you become not just a better writer, but a more present and honest one. This isn’t a course about rules and techniques. It’s about understanding why you write, what you’re writing towards, and how to get out of your own way so the work that wants to come through you actually can. Applications close in December 2026. Journalling Courses The Mindful Writer has three self-study courses developed to help you use mindful writing and therapeutic journalling as tools for genuine inner transformation. Each one is rooted in Amanda’s training as a therapeutic journalling practitioner and mindfulness mentor, and in her own ongoing practice — these are approaches she lives by. Work through them at your own pace, returning to any session whenever you need it. Each course includes teaching, guided writing prompts, and a meditation or mindfulness practice. There are three courses, From Limiting Beliefs to Limitless Self: A writing journey from wounded to whole, Cultivating Self-Compassion: A journalling journey to being kinder to yourself, and Ageing Gratefully: A journey to embracing the wisdom and joy of your elderhood. Other Opportunities Flash fiction writers, top tier literary zine Smokelong is opening up their free submissions on 30th September. Successful submissions receive payment. Horror writers rejoice, Trash Cat Lit wants horror flash (up to 1,000 words) with a ‘biohazardous flavour’. Clear guidelines can be found on their website and the eagle eyed readers might recognise on of the guest judges, WestWord member Joyce Bingham! You have until 11th October for this one. The National Poetry Competition is open for entries. You have until 31st October to enter one of the biggest UK poetry competitions. Boasting big name judges and a whopping top prize of £5,000. Prompt Write a telephone conversation between two people. Remember they cannot see each other so your dialogue will have to work harder to convey emotion. Once you’re happy with the conversation. Split it into two. Choose which side of the conversation you are going to show your reader. Edit so that you are including enough clues for the story to develop and trust your reader to fill in the gaps. Please help us support UK homeless charity, St. Mungo’s and buy a copy of our flash anthology, Dislocation. If you buy direct using the QR code or button below it means far more money reaches the charity, since we’re not paying 55% of the cover price to retailers. The direct orders are available for shipping in the UK and US only. If you want to buy from a bookstore then it is available in Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Amazon, and can be ordered in by independent stores. Buy the paperback direct © 2026 Amanda Saint

 

More things to do in London this week

With thanks to Country and Town House:

September 25, 2026   |    Weekly 25 September Dear Reader, Is politics the new theatre? It certainly felt that way when I piled into the Lyceum on a Monday night a couple of weeks ago to see Anthony Scaramucci in conversation with Tina Brown. I'm not sure Shakespeare would have packed out the stalls like that. Judging by the oversized popcorn tubs and mini prosecco bottles, this audience was settling in for a show – even though the conversation centred on very real, very current events and people. Well, let's be honest, one person, who is causing the biggest global rupture of our lifetime. We find the whole thing filthy yet mesmerising. It brings out our basest selves, yet we can't look away. We're complicit in the Trump media frenzy, which is exactly how he wants it. The Mooch wouldn't be a household name without him. I'll be asking him what he makes of all this and more when I interview him next week for our Christmas issue. Subscribe to Country & Town House to read all about it. C&TH’s Top Reads Of The Week CULTURE How Nigella Lawson Became A National Treasure Everyone is talking about the new Bake Off judge – but what was her path to stardom? STYLE An Insider Look At The Sense And Sensibility Costumes C&TH goes behind the scenes with the film’s costume designer, Grace Snell, at Chelsea Arts Festival  TRAVEL Why Locals Are Gatekeeping Their Favourite Places From Tourists Could this be the rebellious solution to overtourism? INTERIORS Emma Petrides On Creating Joy In The Living Room C&TH takes a seat on the Elizabeth Scarlett founder's sunny yellow couch to hear all about her upcoming projects FOOD & DRINK This Is Britain’s Best Pub A microbrewery in Tamworth has taken home the prestigious title at the Great British Pub Awards CULTURE The Harvest Moon Will Light Up The Sky This Weekend Here’s how to see September’s full moon CULTURE Immersive Reading: Can This TikTok Trick Fix Your Slump? This BookTok trend involves reading whilst listening to the audiobook, but does it actually work? Spotlight: ‘I Tried A Brain Gym’ Alice B-B takes her brain for a workout The ‘Edge’... Have you got it? Mine comes and goes. Someone who understands edge is performance psychologist and cognitive specialist Natalia Ramsden, founder of Sofos, a neuroscience-based performance consultancy. Which is how I find myself sitting in the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s vast penthouse wearing what looks like a hideous 1920s swim cap but is, in fact, a qEEG brainmapping cap with 24 electrode channels. With tools, tech and psychology, Ramsden has created a ‘brain gym’.  I feel like a teen slacker gripping a gaming console and working through standardised tests that feel more like 1980s Amstrad games, while the swim cap measures my brainwave frequencies. While collecting data – measuring my attention, processing speed, inhibiting control and executive function – Ramsden also uses her psychologist skills and years of experience to gather personal information about me and my hopes, dreams and challenges. A week later, I go through my results with Ramsden. I don’t have the chronic hypervigilance she usually sees in high-achieving clients. ‘But it seems it takes a lot of your energy to switch from an inward, contemplative state to an aroused, focused, “doing” state.’ I agree. Among other things, she suggests ways to structure my days, including cues to shift into deep focus: star jumps and brisk movement, cold water on my face, dancing to 90s house music. I’m into it. I’d like to do more of the training, because even though I’m not sharp-elbowing up a corporate ladder, who doesn’t want edge? sofosassociates.com  Book A Day At Newbury Racecourse C&TH Partnership Experience the excitement of Newbury Racecourse, one of the UK's leading racing and entertainment venues. From world-class Flat and jumps racing to unforgettable live music performances, Newbury offers fantastic days out throughout the year. Its popular Party in the Paddock concerts bring big-name artists to the stage after racing, creating a unique atmosphere for racegoers and music fans alike. Looking ahead to 2027? General sale opens on Thursday 12 November, but you can sign up now for priority access and be among the first to secure tickets for Newbury’s biggest racedays and concerts. Register today and don't miss out on the best prices and availability. newburyracecourse.co.uk Staying In Forever… Property of the Week Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has listed his New York penthouse for $25 million. Located between the SoHo and Tribeca neighbourhoods, The Penthouse at 39 Crosby spans over 6,000 sq ft (plus another 3,400 sq ft outdoors), offering a level of space and privacy rarely found in downtown Manhattan. And with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two powder rooms and a roof terrace offering panoramic views of the New York skyline, it’s just as lavish as you’d expect from one of the word’s greatest football legends. On the market for $25 million, sothebysrealty.com Competitions Win a one-night stay for two people at Louma Country Hotel in Dorset Win a £100 gift card from sustainable cleaning brand Seep Win a four-night stay for two people at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Good News Tate Britain has joined forces with the Royal Horticultural Society to encourage young people to connect with art, nature and climate action. A new learning programme will take place in a purpose-built classroom within Tate Britain’s Clore Garden, due to open in spring 2027, offering free workshops throughout term time for primary, secondary and SEND schools.  Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

September 24, 2026   |    Daily 24 September Staying In… Read Stations by Louise Kennedy After her debut Troubles novel Trespasses was Women's Prize shortlisted in 2022, Irish novelist Louise Kennedy is finally back with her unflinching follow-up, Stations. Where Trespasses traces about six months in 1975, Stations’ scope is much broader, skipping a couple of days, then a few months, then a year or two until it can stretch all the way from 1989 to 2007. Describing her debut novel as an unintentionally ‘plotty book,’ Stations embodies Kennedy’s more vibes-based manner of working. ‘I don’t plot or plan,’ the author shares. ‘If Stations has a plot, it’s maybe just about the choices that one girl – who then becomes a woman – makes over the course of her life, and the people who are important to her at various stages, who come and go, and what they help her learn about herself. A lot of it is about regret. I’m almost 60, and I don’t know anybody my age who doesn’t grapple with that often.’ Read the full interview here. Stations, £20, is out today. Going Out… Celebrate The Mid-Autumn Festival Also known as the Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is an East Asian tradition dating back thousands of years. It’s held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which falls this year on 25 September (tomorrow). The event is marked in a number of ways, from moon gazing to lanterns, but food is also a big part. Mooncakes are the festival’s most famous tradition: round sweet or savoury pastries with a flaky crust and sweet filling, symbolising togetherness and harmony. Try them for yourself at Peninsula London, which is renowned for its extra special mini egg custard mooncakes – first created in 1986 at The Peninsula Hong Kong. They’re made using a special recipe created by pastry chef Yip Wing Wah, which is now patented and owned by the Peninsula brand – each box sold comes with a special QR code proving its authenticity. People really do queue around the block to buy them; in 2011, in fact, the crowd of eager customers at The Peninsula Hong Kong was so large that it famously blocked off an entire level of the hotel. £38 for a box of four, peninsula.com  C&TH Partnership Book A Teenager-Friendly Family Trip Travelling with teens? Plan a holiday the whole family will love with Scott Dunn. The luxury travel operator can help establish that much-needed balance between spending time together and giving your children space to explore on their own – complete with hands-on experiences, real culture and big firsts. Whether it’s ziplining through Costa Rica’s cloud forest, surfing on the Sri Lankan coast or sailing round the Greek islands, these journeys blend independence with expert planning – you’ll all make memories to last a lifetime. scottdunn.com Staying In Forever Property of the Day Not only was she a brilliant actor, but like many celebrities it turns out that the late Diane Keaton was also an experienced house flipper. Having sadly passed away last year, Keaton’s final real estate project was a four-bedroom beach house on Laguna Beach in California, now for sale. On the market for $10.3m, luxrerealty.com Little Luxury Air fryers can be bulky and unsightly, but the new launch from SMEG is an appliance you’ll want to show off. The AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer features SMEG’s signature chic design, available in black, white, emerald green and storm blue – but it’s not all style over substance. The air fryer offers two dedicated cooking modes: Crispy, for golden, evenly browned results, and Juicy+Crispy to keep food tender inside. Better still, the non-stick ceramic coating is made without PFAs, and the basket can be popped in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. £199.95, smeg.com Competition This competition gives you the chance to win a night in the Cotswolds with Arlington & Row, staying at the magnificent Kingscote House, a Grade II listed country house within the Matara Estate near Tetbury. Enter here. Pssst… Four London hotels have been awarded new Michelin keys – an award spotlighting excellent hotels – in the 2026 list. Find out what they are here (and the four that have been downgraded). Whatever You Do, Don’t… Forget to gather a few conkers this autumn season. According to ancient folklore, putting a few around the house is supposed to repel spiders – and some even believe they can help shield your home from negative energy. Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

September 23, 2026   |    Daily 23 September Staying In… Watch Brothers There’s a strange running joke between Texas-born Hollywood A-listers Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey: that they are secretly half brothers. Ignoring that the truth could be unveiled with a simple (and ubiquitous) DNA test, the duo has latched onto a surprising connection between their parents and run with it. And now we have Brothers, a kind of dramatisation of this discovery, with Harrelson and McConaughey playing themselves, surrounded by fictional families. In the works since 2023, despite being age-old friends, this is the first time Harrelson and McConaughey have starred side-by-side since True Detective in 2014. First two episodes streaming now, followed by new episodes weekly, on Apple TV. Going Out… Mark The Autumn Equinox There’s a slight chill in the air and conkers are beginning to appear in parks across the northern hemisphere, signalling a change in season. And while the meteorological calendar stipulates that autumn begins on 1 September, according to the astronomical calendar the shift isn’t until the autumn equinox – which falls today. So how to mark it out and about? Borde Hill’s restaurant Isca is easing into the new season with a four-course dinner, where astro-botanical alchemist Jemma Foster will be on hand to explore the symbolism of the botanicals included within each dish – and afterwards, guests will be invited into the walled garden to set an intention for the winter months ahead (23 September). Meanwhile, there are breathwork sessions taking place in Battersea Power Station’s Chimney Lift (select dates until 22 October), and Hackney sauna Eastway Baths is hosting a three-hour immersive workshop involving yoga, a south bath, sauna time and guided journaling (26 September). Here’s everything you need to know about the equinox, and other ways to get involved. C&TH Partnership Book A Bucket List Trip Looking for inspiration for the holiday of a lifetime? True Travel offers tailor-made luxury tours and safaris across the world. Right now, Africa is on the radar of its team of experts: soak up bird’s-eye views across the continent’s savannahs, lakes and mountains, spot the Big Five, and enjoy golden hour sundowners beneath the African sky. Expect total relaxation as True Travel’s team take care of every detail and reveal an Africa beyond anything you imagined. And while Africa may be on the forecast today, the team of specialists cover destinations across the globe, from the colourful streets of Vietnam to the wild landscapes of Argentina. Expect the unexpected, wherever you’re headed. true.travel Staying In Forever Property of the Day Just days after her 136th birthday (15 September), Agatha Christie’s Chelsea home has come to the market. A stone’s throw from the King’s Road, the crime writer lived at the Swan Court address for 27 years – and it is here that she plotted some of her most famous murders. Originally two flats, now transformed to one, this historic property has since been modernised.  On the market for £1,950,000. Find out more at sandfords.com Little Luxury British designer and wordsmith Bella Freud has brought her witty slogans to the beauty world, launching a brand-new collection for Boots called Glamorama. Think gold-plated ‘Art Lover’ hair slides, soap and a dish emblazoned with the words ‘Hunky Dory’ and a fragranced mood spray – plus our top pick: the red Oh Wow Compact Mirror. £20, boots.com Competition Going out this season? Now you can do it in style. This competition gives you the chance to win the ultimate Going Out Hamper, packed full of prizes. From overnight stays at Idle Rocks and The Bull Inn, to a vineyard tour and four bottles of Brut NV from Louis Pommery England, plus Eau de Parfum from Lalique and VIP tickets to Goldsmiths’ Fair, this isn’t one to miss. Enter here. Psstt… Three London hotels have been named among the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list: Claridge’s at number 13, Raffles London at The OWO at number 28, and The Connaught at number 39. But which hotel secured first place? Whatever You Do, Don’t… Order New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or Argentinian Malbec when dining out, says wine expert Tom Gilbey, as you’re likely to pay over the odds. ‘These are key wines that, as an owner of the restaurant, I know you’re going to choose and I will make a big margin on them,’ he tells us. ‘A good restaurant will also have really good house wines. So where people say go for the wine number two – no, the house wine is great.’ Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

September 22, 2026   |      Staying In Watch New Great British Bake Off Nothing screams autumn like the return of Bake Off. The beloved baking show is back for a 17th season on Channel 4 tonight, complete with new judge Nigella Lawson, who features alongside long-time star Paul Hollywood. When asked what kind of judging style she’ll bring to the tent, Nigella said she aims for firm but fair. ‘I always try to look for the positive, because you don’t ever want criticism to be something that makes people feel inadequate, or that hampers rather than encourages,’ she explained. ‘It’s important to let someone know what they’re doing well, and what needs to be a bit better.’ Among this year’s cohort of bakers there’s Clara, a 24-year-old marketing executive from Hertfordshire; Gabe, a 32-year-old artist and drag king from the West Midlands; and Gary, 67-year-old retired garment technologist from Nottinghamshire. So who will impress in week one? Tune in at 8pm to find out. Channel 4, new episodes every Tuesday. Going Out See Ronnie Scott’s Jazz At 34 Mayfair Glamorous Grosvenor Square eatery 34 Mayfair is bringing back its six-week residency with Ronnie Scott’s, meaning Friday nights at the restaurant will be soundtracked by jazz. Inspired by the music and food scene of New York and taking place amid the Art Deco-inspired dining room, evenings will involve three 30-minute sets which guests can listen to while enjoying their dinner – the menu includes starters like shrimp cocktail and burrata ahead of steaks and seafood dishes. This year’s line-up includes names such as Sahra Gure (25 September), Polly Gibbons (2 October) and Cherise (9 October) – find the full programme and book here. Property Of The Day The proportions of a Georgian manor with the sensibilities of a contemporary home, this eco property is entirely off-grid. It is powered by (out of sight) solar panels, batteries and an air-source heat pump. During periods of low winter sunlight, a back-up generator ensures the batteries remain charged, giving the house complete resilience, energy security, and an A-rated EPC.  On the market for £2,000,000, bluebookagency.com  Little Luxury In need of some R&R, but short on time? Treat yourself to a pamper session at Chelsea salon Backstage, where the unique Smart Service allows you to enjoy up to four treatments at once: think hair, nails, brows and lashes, all in one visit. Sat right on the King’s Road, it’s a chic space with a friendly atmosphere, built around the principles of Ukrainian beauty – renowned for its meticulous attention to detail. Whether you pop in for a quick blowdry and manicure or settle in for a highlights touch-up and lash lift, expect to leave feeling transformed. backstagesalon.uk Competition Time Win a two-night stay at Pan Pacific London in a Walbrook Suite with City Views, a bottle of Taittinger Champagne in-room, access to SENSORY Spa & Wellbeing, and breakfast in Straits Kitchen on both mornings. Psssst… We have a first look at the three-part Christmas special for The Other Bennet Sister, which will give us a glimpse into Mary and Tom’s married life – played by Ella Bruccoleri and Dónal Finn. Whatever You Do, Don’t Fret about mispronouncing the Bayeux Tapestry – even historians say it differently, according to a panel of experts discussing the topic at Chelsea Arts Festival. Although broadcaster Hannah MacInnes said the truly correct version is the French By-aeux, exhibition curator Professor Michael Lewis explained: ‘I don’t think it matters too much. I’ve never found the French too offended when I’ve said it the way I say it.’ Here are some more fun facts we learned at the event. Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom