BOOKENDS CHRISTMAS | IF YOU HAD TO BUY A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR ONE OF YOUR CHARACTERS, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU GIFT THEM?

Christmas is the time for giving! So we’ve asked our authors, what would you give to one of your characters and why?

Jo Thomas, author of Coming Home to Winter Island

I think Ruby in Coming Home to Winter Island could definitely do with a new coat. She spends her whole time in any coat that is hanging by the back door. And maybe some of those lovely sheepskin boots. He can be cold in that big old house during the winter months.

Jill Mansell, author of It Started With a Secret

My last book was Maybe This Time and loads of people who’ve read it have particularly loved a relatively minor character called Paddy, who may need to return in a future novel. As he’s rather naughty and distractingly attractive, I think I’d better buy him a diary so he can keep all his discreet romantic entanglements in order and not get himself accidentally double-booked.

Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You

I have a real soft spot for Joel. He has a huge heart, and is a lover of dogs, so I’d sponsor him a guide dog puppy as a gift.

Linda Green, author of One Moment

It would have to be Kaz from One Moment. Kaz is one of those unsung heroes of life. She grew up in a home blighted by domestic violence and alcoholism. She’s brought up her younger brother Terry, who has schizophrenia, on her own since he was ten-years-old. She works long hours in a café for the minimum wage but always has a ready-smile for others and helps everyone she can. When she falls on hard times, there really is no-one to look out for her. Apart from 10-year-old Finn, of course. Kaz is a talented artist, but never had the opportunities to develop her talents, so I’d buy her some artist materials and enrol her on art evening classes. She’d be absolutely made-up with that.