About Us
LINDSAY J KINGETT
The inspiration for Secrets of Mistletoe Hall began in childhood — with curiosity, and with Christmas.
As a child, I had a questioning mind. I loved the magic of Christmas, but even then, I sensed that the true magic was not in the toys or the sparkle — it was in family. It was in the togetherness, the feeling of being held inside something warm and shared. That, to me, was where joy lived.
After the age of eight, Christmas became less about presents and more about time together. My parents did not have much money, even though we had explored the world through my father’s work. Toys were few, but imagination was plentiful. One year, my mother carefully recycled my old doll and turned her into a bride doll — and I loved her. That simple act taught me something I would carry forever: that magic is not something you buy, but something you make with care and intention.
At the bottom of our beds, we had pillowcases, filled with little gifts, a mandarin and selection boxes. And growing up with two brothers made it all the more special — they helped me believe in Christmas, helped keep the wonder alive.
The best part of all was family time at my grandparents’ house. It felt glamorous to me then — my nana’s best China with her creamy coffee was such a luxury, her beautiful tree which inspired all of us in my family to continue the tradition, cousins, uncles, and aunties filling every room. I was the youngest, watching it all with wide eyes, feeling safe, included, and full of wonder. Those memories are still some of the most precious I hold.
When I was ten, my parents divorced — and from that point on, Christmas was never quite the same again. The shape of it changed. The gathering changed. Like many children, I carried a quiet wish that things could stay the same, that the table would always be full, that the house would always feel whole. When that changed, I learned early that some magic has to be carried inside, rather than around you.
Perhaps that is why Mistletoe Hall came to life.
Alongside this emotional truth was another thread: my curiosity. Having travelled widely at a young age, I understood time, distance, and the logic of the world. The idea of Santa visiting every home in one night didn’t feel wrong — but it felt incomplete. I believed there had to be a deeper explanation, something hidden and clever that honoured both magic and reality. A system, a secret, a quiet structure behind the wonder.
And so, I began to imagine one.
I have always believed in a deep, mystical magic — the kind that lives in intention, in love, and in shared belief. I believe that when children are allowed to live in a magical world, their imagination can soar — and that imagination is not escapism, but preparation. Each child must be given the chance to decide what is right and wrong, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. This is how wisdom grows.
A child is a small being, but they are never meant to grow alone. They need a village — people, stories, and places that help shape them gently. Mistletoe Hall is my way of creating such a village on the page — a place where children are supported, trusted, and guided without being controlled.
The story is also shaped by a belief close to my heart: that differences and disabilities are not reasons for a child to be overlooked, but invitations to understand them more deeply. Obstacles are not endings — they are part of the journey. Strength comes in many forms, and some of the bravest paths are the quietest ones.
At its heart, Secrets of Mistletoe Hall is about this:
That magic is real — but it is not loud.
That family is the first and greatest gift.
That children are wiser than we often realise — if we trust them.
And that the world is full of hidden doors, waiting for those curious enough to look.
I wrote this story for the child I was, for the family that shaped me, and for the children still growing — so they might step into the world with wonder, courage, and deep roots.
Lindsay.J.Kingett