Sharing her five photos with me today is author Chrissie Bradshaw. Chrissie’s debut novel, A Jarful of Moonbeams is out now, but you can read more about that at the end of the post. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy these delightful – and rather moving – photographs. I have to say, my guests never cease to amaze me, and it’s a real privilege to be given a glimpse into their private lives in this way. Today’s post is no exception, and I’m very grateful to Chrissie, and to all my guests, for being so generous and open for this feature. 

I have followed this series with interest and I’m delighted to be part of Sharon’s ‘five photos’ theme. Oh, but it was a struggle to pick out five! However, I did and here they are.

The holiday snap with my dad – I’m the one with a headful of curls.

The first holiday I remember was in Blackpool when I was five. My dad was all for womens’ education and their rights and was very proud that I was the first in the family to go on to further education. He was a soldier in WW2 and then worked as a miner and died of cancer at 54. On my 55^th birthday, it seemed strange to have lived longer than my dad and, now that I’m his age, I often wish I could chat to him about life.

The photo booth pic with my good friend Viv- I’ve gone long and straight in the hair department.

This was taken when we were nineteen and in our first year of college in Manchester. Our generation did not have phones for selfies so this was a rare ‘selfie’ of us. We had no hair straighteners either so hair was straightened with a regular iron under a layer of newspaper. We’ve kept in touch throughout Viv’s moves from Ireland to Scotland and then Texas and we always pick up exactly where we left off. I love her like a sister.

The triumphant photo – I’m growing my hair.

This was taken by my daughter, Rhona, five years ago. I had been through chemo and hair loss and I had survived. We were about to go out for Mothering Sunday when she persuaded me to ditch the itchy wig. I can see the wig hovering on the dresser in the background. I was grateful for it but, since this pic, it’s never been worn again. I don’t dispose of it though, just in case. I’ve been diagnosed with cancer twice and my dad died young so I try to appreciate every day and love life… I said try!

The family pose- I’m the second down with the windswept tresses.

Every time we all meet up, we take a photo in this pose. It’s because Lisa, the youngest and skinniest sister is always at the front hiding the heavier weights. How we suffer for our vanity in this crouch position! I chose this particular one in the family pose because we were spending a weekend at ‘Holy Isand’ (Lindisfarne) and it’s one of our favourite places. Indie author L J Ross set her first thriller there and that is well worth a read. I love Northern writers!

The day I met Marian – I’m the awestruck ‘Number One fan’ with caught-in-the-rain-hair.

One wet night last year, Marian Keyes came to Waterstones in Newcastle  and she chatted about her writing and her books for over an hour and we had wine!  I love her books and her humility and her friendliness and she even brought ’himself’. I just had to include this photo because, to me, she is a role model and I would just love to entertain readers in the way she does. I think I’ll always be  a reader first and a writer second.

Thank you so much for sharing these photos, Chrissie! I’ve absolutely loved looking at them and reading the stories behind them. 

Chrissie Bradshaw, 2016 winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Assocation’s Elizabeth Goudge writing trophy, is a seasoned tea drinker and a tenacious trainer of her welsh terrier, Oscar. She has always loved match-making a book to a reader. Writing the kind of book she loves to read takes this a step further. When Chrissie is not writing or reading, you will find her walking the troublesome terrier on the beach, trying to avoid the gym and spending time with her family and friends.

Her debut novel, A JARFUL OF MOONDREAMS, a contemporary story about family relationships, secrets and how dreams can come true is available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback. The paperback can be ordered from all good book stores. It features sparring sisters, family secrets and a romance or two over an eventful summer.

You can buy A Jarful of Moondreams here.

Shocking secrets are about to spill out of a jarful of ‘moondreams’. This Egyptian jar is where the Moon family, Teri, Cleo and Alex, place special memories and their dreams for the future. Is this the summer where the two sparring sisters learn to get along? Who will find love? Will their dreams come true ? A modern family saga that starts in Northumberland but takes the reader on holiday to Italy and Egypt during the Moon family’s eventful summer. A page turner with drama and romance. 

‘ A JARFUL OF MOONDREAMS spills over with longing, love and life. The exploration of sibling rivalry will make sisters all over the world laugh and cry….at the heart of this novel is an issue that will resonate with many women-what does it mean to be a mother?’ Mags’ 5 star review.  
‘ …lovely storyline and likeable characters. It will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. This is a very accomplished debut novel.I am really looking forward to her next book.’ Book literati 5 star review.

Chrissie’s second novel, THE BARN OF BURIED DREAMS, will be available in October.

Does holding onto memories make you a hoarder? Does liking a drink make you a bad mother? Two sisters are struggling. Erin has buried herself away in the family home and left her stage career. Heather is juggling babies, work and marriage and running on wine. Yes, their mother’s death has left a huge hole in their lives but can they help one another to move on and follow their dreams.

Find Chrissie on Twitter as @ChrissieBeee

Follow her blog here. 

Like her Facebook page.