8 December: 342

Today is the 342nd day of the year. 10 facts about the number 342:

1. The year 342 was a common year starting on a Friday, known at the time as the Year of the Consulship of Constantius and Claudius. In this year, a huge earthquake hit Cyprus and the Roman senate abolished gay marriage.
2. 342 Endymion is a large Main belt asteroid discovered by Max Wolf in 1892 in Heidelberg. It was the first asteroid to be named after a male god.
3. 342 is the second studio album by French avant-garde metal band Pin-Up Went Down.
4. The A342 is an A road in England that runs from Pewsham near Chippenham, Wiltshire to Andover, Hampshire.
5. In Roman numerals, 342 is written CCCXLII.
6. The London bus route 342 runs between Centennial Park and Tesco Brent Cross.
7. If you come across a Yellow, capsule shaped pill with 342 imprinted on it, it's Naproxen 500 mg which is used to alleviate back pain.
8. EN 342 is a standard in protective clothing which gives protection against a cold environment.
9. 342 Squadron was a Free French squadron in the RAF during World War II. It was also known in French as 'Groupe de Bombardement n° 1/20 "Lorraine'. The squadron flew low-level bombing and strafing missions over France and the Netherlands, in particular against V-1 bases in Northern France and selected sites connected with the preparation for D-Day.
10. Angel Number 342 is associated with brilliant figures in the world of art; people with an impressive creative capacity. It's a highly versatile number and people affected by it have a balanced humanitarian personality who always do what they can to help others, and they focus on the future.

A Very Variant Christmas

Last year, Jade and Gloria were embroiled in a bitter conflict to win back their throne and their ancestral home. This year, Queen Jade and Princess Gloria want to host the biggest and best Christmas party ever in their palace. They invite all their friends to come and bring guests. Not even the birth of Jade's heir just before Christmas will stop them.

The guest list includes most of Britain's complement of super-powered crime-fighters, their families and friends. What could possibly go wrong?

Gatecrashers, unexpected arrivals, exploding Christmas crackers and a kidnapping, for starters.

Far away in space, the Constellations, a cosmic peacekeeping force, have suffered a tragic loss. They need to recruit a new member to replace their dead colleague. The two top candidates are both at Jade and Gloria's party. The arrival of the recruitment delegation on Christmas Eve is a surprise for everyone; but their visit means one guest now faces a life-changing decision.

Meanwhile, an alliance of the enemies of various guests at the party has infiltrated the palace; they hide in the dungeon, plotting how best to get rid of the crime-fighters and the royal family once and for all. Problem is, they all have their own agendas and differences of opinion on how to achieve their aims.

Not to mention that this year, the ghosts who walk the corridors of the palace on Christmas Eve will be as surprised by the living as the living are by them.

Themes 

Christmas; superheroes; reunions; parties; life choices; shocking surprises; mistaken identity; kidnap and rescue.

Reasons not to read it

• It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
• Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
• It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
• There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
• Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
• Superheroes. Again.
• Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.

Available from Amazon and Amazon Kindle