I am delighted to be on this blog tour with a guest post ~ thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for organizing.
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Genre ~ Twentieth Century Romance
Publication date ~ February 20, 2023
Get your copy on ~ Amazon
Add to your never ending TBRĀ ~ goodreads
Guest post from Susan with Reflections of Christmas:
Whilst researching for my novel SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS, set in the 1920ās, I investigated the
traditions of a British Christmas. I was intrigued to discover how many similarities could be found
with Christmas in the 2020ās, one hundred years later.
Itās hardly surprising when you think about it ā only a hundred seasons of goodwill have passed since
those times and more importantly, we are lovers of tradition. Customs, practices, memories and
traditions are handed down from generation to generation. Thereās a good chance your great, great
grannyās recipe for fruit cake has been recorded and give or take a few minor adjustments – itās still
the same.
The way we layout the table for the āmain eventā no doubt includes a throwback to the table you sat
at as a child, possibly the only time a serviette graces your dining table. We love traditionā¦and why
not? Oh, the timing of the Christmas lunch may have transitioned to commence after the monarchās
speech, instead of before ā but that event, although not around in the 1920ās, is amazing to behold
as several generations gather around the television and surprisingly, listen carefully to the monarchās
addressā¦itās called tradition.
A photograph of a 1920ās living room shows a real Christmas tree, still preferred by many today. It
was adorned with glass baubles, string beads and glittery garlandsā¦. very similar to our modern tree
decorations. One notable difference was the lighting system. Although electric tree lights were
available a hundred years ago, they were more the luxury of the upper classes. Many homes in the
early 1920ās did not boast electricity supplies, so real candles were usedā¦er hum!ā¦ close your eyes
health and safety!
Rooms were decorated with paper streamers often handmade paperchains. In the centre, hanging
from the chandelier or light fitting ā probably a gas lamp- hung a honeycomb paper bell, which
folded flat for storage. Oh, this brings back memories. As a child of the Fifties, I remember these. We
had them in various sizes ā large for the middle of the ceiling, medium size in the corners, suspended
from the wooden āpicture railā and small ones to hang with a piece of thread on the branches of the
tree! From the 1920ās to the 1950ās not much changed in the Christmas dĆ©corā¦of course there had
been another world war in between these decades.
One marked difference, however, was the timing of the emergence of these decorations. In most
cases they did not make an appearance until Christmas Eve —unlike the tendency to ābeginā
Christmas in November these days. My heart goes out to the lady of the house ā poor soul ā all those
preparations, not to mention the food.
Simon, the main character in Spanish House Secrets, buys a gramophone as a gift for his family. A
new gadget of the dayā¦how we still love a new gadget at Christmas. I recall a new gadget making its
first appearance in our home in the 1980ās, I was married by then. It was a microwave ā what a
revolution!
But as I noted the gifts in the 1920ās scenario, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The children
received a stocking, usually left hanging at the bottom of their bed. Not a fancy stockingā¦oh, no –
probably a knee length, woollen stocking. In the bottom there was an orange, or similar sized fruit.
Then it was stuffed with sweets, candies, nuts and a small toyā¦a taster for the big gift, lying under
the Christmas tree, not to be touched until everyone was ready!
I laugh because my eight- or nine-year-old self applied detective skills when entering the sitting
room and noted the fruit bowl was missing an orange on Christmas morning. My parents had
overlooked that tiny detailā¦but I didnāt tell them for another year ā I was not going to be a āspoil
sportā!
Book blurb:
In 2019 Graceās memories from childhood are stirred by the sound of a melody. Her home in 1950ās England was a Spanish House. A house with secrets.
1920ās Englandā¦loveable, likeable Simon receives a letter on the eve of his twenty-first birthday. A letter that will change the course of his life.
Dainty, demure Olivia has so much to be thankful for: a doting husband, a beautiful house and a thriving businessā¦but a nagging doubt. In the last years of the Roaring Twenties this doubt is compounded by the discovery of a discarded item.
Elise has known many harsh blows in her young life. Returning to her home in Madrid in 1922, she knows she must pick herself up and move on. Can she continue to live in this Spanish House? The arrival of a visitor creates a new dimension for her.
Spanish House Secrets is a story of love, life, loss, jealousy and forgiveness set in the twentieth century.
Purchase Links
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1915338875
Author Bio ā Susan Gray lives with her husband in northeast England. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. After a career in primary teaching, she embraced retirement fulfilling her ambition to travel, attend Wimbledon and write a novel. She enjoys reading, walking, crafting, doing puzzles, catching up with friends over a coffee and being a gran. She has written several novels ā Spanish House Secrets is the first to be published.
Social Media Links ā
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42479586
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