It has been eight years now since I published my first novel, Burning Embers, and what a journey it has been since then, through the publication of six more novels. By far the most rewarding aspect of the journey has been connecting with my readers, whether through my newsletter, this blog or Facebook, or the lovely emails that I receive.

Your support and encouragement have been wonderful. When I hear that a reader enjoyed a novel – fell in love with the characters, the place – then it makes me want to write more and more. Looking back, that is how I came to writing in the first place: I wrote stories to entertain my classmates at school. Now, I write for myself, of course, to tell the stories that are in my heart; but it is such a joy to share them and touch others too. A joy, and a privilege.

It is a tradition in my family to light candles at Christmas, and to make a wish before blowing them out. I have made a wish for you, my readers: that you will know comfort and contentment; that you will be safe and secure, keeping in good health; that you will feel peace and compassion in yourself and for others.

Most of all, I have wished for you to have that which is at the very heart of Christmas: I have wished for you to have faith. That this difficult time shall pass; that we will come together again; that next Christmas we will be closer.

Merry Christmas to you all. I will leave you with my favourite Christmas carol, ‘O Holy Night’, composed in 1847 by Adolphe Adam and translated into English in 1855 by minister John Sullivan Dwight: ‘Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming…’

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.