Surprise, Surprise... It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Christmas giveaway

Are you the type of person who loves surprises or who loathes them? I love surprises and have organised quite a few in my time, I really do love to plan surprises for people, but it’s rare that anyone can surprise me, usually because I am so organised with planning my own events, birthdays etc., but I also know people who really don't like to be surprised. So, imagine getting two huge surprises within the space of 11 days - honestly, I was absolutely speechless! Unusual for me I know! The first one was when my dear friends Sheena & John arrived in Malta for a week to attend my book launch, always there for me no matter what and if you’ve read my book then you’ll know all about them. Then just four days after they left my youngest daughter arrived to celebrate my birthday, which I am so happy to share with my granddaughter, so the surprise was for both of us. Shocked was an understatement as I hadn’t got a clue! If you read my last blog you will know that I was anticipating a quiet November it was anything but.…

I know it’s only November, but it is the end of the month and here in the GILSON household it's all set for Christmas - well I still have presents to wrap and more baking to do but all the decorating is done and most of the gifts are bought. I have to be organised as I have to play Santa in two countries and that will start at the beginning of December, of course loving Christmas as I do that’s a real treat for me! I do like to make it last for as long as I can. This is my favourite decoration this year as it was made for me by my granddaughter, she knows that I love pink and unbeknown to her I had decided to add a bit of pink to my tree this year for a change, so it was just perfect! I am well aware though that Christmas isn't a happy time for everyone, there are many who find this time of year difficult, for whatever reason, so be kind to all as you never know what someone else may be going through.

Following my book launch, the book is continuing to sell well, and I thank you all for your continued love and support in this venture and the fabulous feedback, which has been overwhelming. It's quite amazing isn't it to realise how people actually see you and it's a real boost to your self-esteem, since it's usually very different to how you see yourself. On this note I would like to say that if you feel like telling someone that they inspire you or that you admire something about them or even that their hair looks great then do it, you never know the power of your words, you could just make someone's day. As I have said many times, I really put this book out there in the hope that it would resonate with others and hopefully help someone else out there who may be struggling with their feelings following a trauma, I firmly believe that it will help. The book is also now available in hardback and available on Amazon worldwide, links below. I have a supply for anyone in Malta who would like one, just message me. The proceeds are going to charity and so far I have donated to Action Aid in their support of their #ShelterFromViolence campaign, this is a monthly donation and also to a local refuge here in Malta, Dar Merhba Bik Foundation, which provides safe shelter for women and children in Malta.

I had always intended to donate the profits from the book to charity but as November 25th is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women it seemed fitting to donate to these charities first this month. I will also be donating to the Salvation Army, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Crisis which I do every year at Christmas time. Things are hard for many right now so I am pleased that my writing can help me to continue with this. If you have read my book, you will perhaps understand why I am such a feminist and why I will fight for women's rights as long as I have breath! We must continue to stand up, shout from the rooftops and be heard so that change can happen, so that maybe the powers that be will act, and so that all women going through domestic violence can be protected and helped to regain their own personal power once more, we all deserve happiness and more than that we all deserve peace.

Finally, the Christmas giveaway - it’s been a while since my last giveaway! So, I've decided to give away a copy of my book to two lucky winners, however I appreciate that many of you have already bought it so you can also gift it to anyone of your choice, it is Christmas after all! To be in with a chance to win everyone that is already signed up to this newsletter will get one entry, however if you also share a post about my book on your Facebook or Instagram page, for each share you will receive an additional 5 entries to the prize draw as well. So, if you share on both you will receive 10 entries. The draw will take place on 11th December, and I will then notify the winners and also post on Facebook and Instagram with their permission.

2022 was a very special year for me personally and I am very grateful for all that it has blessed us with. Although a little early this year I wish all of you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a blessed New Year 2023, I hope it will be a good one for all of us, may it bring you all your heart desires. Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJXY64HG America - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJXY64HG Australia - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BJXY64HG Canada - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BJXY64HG Germany - https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BJXY64HG France - https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0BJXY64HG Netherlands - https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BJXY64HG Italy - https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BJXY64HG Spain - https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0BJXY64HG Japan - https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BJXY64HG