I can’t believe how quickly this year is passing and here we are celebrating a Christmas book! It’s a real pleasure to feature Ruby Basu today as she tells me all about one of her books and I’d like to thank Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to be part of the blog tour.

Staying in with Ruby Basu

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Ruby and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Thank you for inviting me.

It’s a pleasure. Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I’ve brought along The Twelve Wishes of Christmas, my debut novel which was published on October 13 last year so it’s out for a first birthday celebration.

What can we expect from an evening in with The Twelve Wishes of Christmas?

In The Twelve Wishes of Christmas Sharmila inherits the chance to experience a small-town American Christmas but she needs to complete items on a festive wish list to get her full inheritance. Zach must stop her if he wants to keep his family’s legacy. As they spend time together amongst the twinkling town lights and fallen snow, they learn to open up their hearts to the close-knit community and each other.

Oo. I like the sound of this one. How did you come up with the premise?

The book is my homage to Christmas movies, particularly those by Hallmark. I was watching a Christmas film and started thinking about what the story could look like with a South Asian-British protagonist. I wanted to explore the fish out of water theme not only in terms of place but the festive activities.

Great idea! What else have you brought along and why?

I’ve brought along some hot chocolate and marshmallows and a warm blanket to keep cosy while we watch some Hallmark Christmas movies. After the movies I have a jigsaw for us to work on while we listen to some Christmas carols. All of these are activities Sharmila got the chance to do when she had her dream holiday in the American small town of Pineford.

I rather think I’d like to meet Sharmila. Thanks so much for staying in with me to chat about The Twelve Wishes of Christmas and happy book birthday! You get the hot chocolate made Ruby and I’ll give Linda’s Book Bag readers a few more details.

The Twelve Wishes of Christmas

She’s here for the perfect Christmas escape…

When Sharmila discovers her late friend, Thomas, has gifted her the holiday of her dreams, she can’t pack her bags fast enough. Arriving in Pineford, it’s everything she’d ever hoped for and more.

But she’s in for another surprise, because Thomas has left her with one last request: if she completes his Christmas wish list of festive activities, her chosen charity will receive a big donation. Or so Sharmila thinks.

…He’s there to reclaim his family’s legacy

Little does she know, she’s set to inherit Thomas’s estate too, much to his nephew Zach’s disbelief. Determined not to see his family’s legacy left to a stranger, he’s come to Pineford to do whatever it takes to stop Sharmila from fulfilling that list.

When Sharmila and Zach meet, neither are prepared for sparks to fly. For Sharmila’s sworn off love, and Zach doesn’t trust her. But with every passing wish they find themselves growing closer. And amongst the twinkling town lights and fallen snow, Sharmila can feel her heart opening up to Zach. But when she learns he’s been keeping a secret from her, can Sharmila forgive him and get the happy-ever-after she’s always wished for this Christmas?

The Twelve Wishes of Christmas is the perfect book to snuggle up with on those cosy wintry nights. Perfect for fans of Heidi Swain and Jo Thomas.

Published by HQ Digital, The Twelve Wishes of Christmas is available for purchase through the links here.

About Ruby Basu

Ruby lives in the beautiful Chilterns with her husband, two children, and the cutest dog in the world. She worked for many years as a lawyer and policy lead in the Civil Service.

As the second of four children, Ruby connected strongly with Little Women’s Jo March and was scribbling down stories from a young age. A huge fan of romantic movies, Star Wars, and Marvel, she loves creating new characters and worlds while waiting for her superpowers to develop.

For more information visit Ruby’s website, follow her on Twitter @writerrb01, or find her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.