Novel set in the DOLOMITES
GIVEAWAY: 3 copies of The Unwrapping of Theodora Quirke (set in Liverpool)
27th December 2020
We are delighted to be able to offer 3 copies of the brilliant, The Unwrapping of Theodora Quirke by Caroline Smailes. UK entries only, please.
“A Christmas Carol meets Stranger Things in this funny, sweary and moving festive story”

‘...funny and touching and utterly brilliant’ (Rachael Lucas)
‘...a remarkable, funny, truly redemptive read‘ (Miranda Dickinson)
Theodora Quirke has no reason to be merry. It’s bad enough that she has to work on Christmas Eve but now there’s a drunk bloke dressed as Santa and claiming to be St Nick hanging around outside her flat. Given he’s professing to be the giver of Christmas miracles and nearly 2000 years old, she’s wary.
Things get even more weird when St Nick insists he’s there to save Theo. And with the next St Nicholas Day somehow fast approaching, he’s even got a plan that’ll change her life forever.
It all seems pretty straightforward, apart for one awkward fact: Theodora Quirke doesn’t actually need saving.
HOW TO ENTER:
- You must be a member of TripFiction to be eligible to enter. You can easily join by going to www.tripfiction.com, scrolling down and clicking on the JOIN NOW tab. And we do check whether the winners are members!
- We wanted to know about the best present you received this year! Tell us in the Comments below by midnight, Saturday 9th January and the first three names out of the hat will be sent a copy each by the publisher. UK ONLY
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With thanks to Red Door Publishing
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A bottle of Orange Marmalade Gin. It’s my favourite!
My favourite present was the sponsorship of a pair of donkeys and a cushion featuring them! I can’t wait to visit the sanctuary.
My best present was my cosy bootie slippers, cos my feet tend to get very cold when I just sit and read.
My best present this year was a fleece hoodie which has helped keep me warm when I’m sat down reading.
a new watch
My best present was a new handbag for work so I can fit everything that I need in!
With no visitors or visiting the best present I opened on Christmas morning were the new window blinds that hubby and I had fitted in lieu of gifts this year! They replace miles and miles of net curtaining which I have hated ironing for years.
The best present was a copy of the Great Gatsby
The best present I received was a book!
I didn’t receive a best present this year because I didn’t receive any presents.
1 Comment
Oh I am so sorry to hear that. Can we send you a book perhaps to make up for it?
A new coffee maker ! Saves time and i can read more with my favourite brew happy new year
My best present was a Molton Brown advent calendar, the present that kept giving for 24 days xx
The best present I received was a Book Club subscription. Not only will I receive a book each month also, a book donation will be given to Book Aid International. It’s a gift that will keep on giving. My husband has done me proud
My best present was a fitness band to help me track my steps and how many calories I’ve burned
I was given a bottle of Salted Caramel Baileys.
Sadly it’s all gone now
A bit water bottle with a fluffy cover so I can keep warm whilst indulging my passion for reading
I received an Apple Watch, which will hopefully help me to move this 66 year-old body a little more this coming year.
1 Comment
Fingers crossed!!!!
I received a new camera so I can photograph birds 🙂
a gorgeous pair of trainers!
A back scratcher in the form of a skeleton arm – love it!
My best presie was a 2021 calendar with pictures of my 2 young grandsons each month of the year
I have received a pair of curling tongs for Christmas, you plug them in and heat them up and can then unplug them and they stay hot for an hour. Really handy as we have no plug sockets in the bathroom or near the mirror in the bedroom. So I can heat them up in another room and then use them in front of a mirror. I can also heat them up off the car cigarette lighter and tidy my hair before meeting friends and family.
1 Comment
What a nifty idea!
Some lovely jigsaw puzzles, got to pass lockdown somehow!
After finally moving house in November ( a slow process due to covid ) we didn’t have presents . Loved help my son build his lego though
Not having Covid19 was a bonus
Shakin Stevens new album. Annoys my husband like hell but I love it ! Brings back lots of memories. When Marie Marie starts took me back to the screaming at the city hall Newcastle. Marvellous
Best present, was diamond ear rings. Self explanatory why!
A bath caddy! I now don’t have the fear for reading in the bath!
1 Comment
That sounds like the perfect present for a book lover!
A Dartmoor 365 map showing the National Park split into 1 mile squares linked to a book giving a point of interest related to each square. m,ore local exploration in the new year.
My best present was that my Mother [100] and my sister and myself were well and could spend Christmas day together.
1 Comment
Oh my goodness, WHAT an age. Very special and necessary to get together!!!
an Agatha Christie book boxset, of Poirrot
I received Scotland Yard the game
Transit maps of the world by Mark Ovenden because it was my only present that was a surprise
The best present for me was our Zoom present opening party in the afternoon. Watching our grandchildren open their gifts. Their smiling faces – priceless.
1 Comment
Oh how lovely that must have have been!!!
A long hot water bottle! I’m always too cold so this will be great.
Being alive!
1 Comment
As simple as that. You are so right!!!
a giant bag of rhubard and custard sweet!
A handbag decorated with faux book spines. It’s amazing and I love, love, LOVE it. I’m @janesgrapevine on Twitter, and @lapsapchung on Instagram, I posted a photo of it on Boxing Day.
1 Comment
Handbag.. will take a look on insta!! How wonderful!
A handbag decorated with faux book spines. It’s amazing and I love, love, LOVE it. I’m @janesgrapevine on Twitter, I tweeted a photo of it on Boxing Day.
A surprise box of tasty Welsh goodies from my Brother and his Wife as they haven’t been able to see us all year.
My fluffy booty slippers
my slippers 🙂
The best present I received this year was a few hours with my brother and sister-in-law as I hadn’t seen them at all this year.
A bespoke lid for my bread flour bin. (True)
A bespoke lid for my bread flour bin. This really was my best present!
Best present was a new book Stephen King Salams Lot
The best present was from my husband. He bought me a lovely perfume.
The best present I got was a yellow scarf from my grandson. He said he thought it would suit me as it’s the colour of sunshine just like me
1 Comment
Oh, how lovely to hear that from your grandson. Keep smiling!!!
My best present was a new pair of grey sweatpants – perfect for wearing round the house (where I’ll be spending a lot of time as I’m in tier 4)
A Donald Trump toilet brush really love shoving his head down the toilet!
My best present this year was my new sofa, it is very comfortable and we can all fit on it!
My husband brought me ‘The Walt Disney Film Archives. the Animated Movies 1921-1968 – 40th Anniversary Edition’ Book. I love Disney so I was so pleased to unwrap this! Also surprised as he normally doesn’t buy me books as he says I have too many…..
A beautiful handmade pebbles picture and frame from my best friends 300 miles away.
Lots of books
A pair of Art Deco style earrings
Because of Home Alone Christmas this year, I still haven’t received many of my presents!
I think the best present was the realisation that I could spend Christmas alone & actually get in the Festive Spirit & enjoy myself!
Aided & abetted by an excellent takeaway Christmas dinner, some Zoom calls, social media & good books, I had a very relaxing, pleasant time!
That is a gift in and of itself!
1 Comment
Sounds like you took a very robust attitude and it sounds like it was manageable!!!
Two Waterstones book tokens! £100 each!!!!
Books, books & more books!
Ideally I would post a picture of my favourite gift this year. It came from my cousin and it is a 1000 piece jigsaw of Waterloo Station and celebrates a centenary of uninterrupted service in war and peace 1848 to 1948.
Here is a link to the item on a John Lewis website:
https://www.johnlewis.com/gibsons-waterloo-station-jigsaw-puzzle-1000-pieces/p216999
I managed to escape to Cuba for the Christmas period (loaded up with books set in Cuba – some great ideas on Trip Fiction!) and my best present was a box of holiday toiletries to take (sun cream, things that smell of coconut etc) from Mum, who I have now not seen for nearly a year 🙁