Scottish author Ailish Sinclair

October 21, 2023November 25, 2023

Dark and Romantic Books from Scotland

Dark and romantic books - Tendu: Dancing in the Castle by Ailish Sinclair

I write dark and romantic books – contemporary romance and historical fiction – often set in the area of Scotland where I live, Aberdeenshire. My historical novels combine little-known dark events with love stories. There are witches, bears, kidnappers and Romans to be found in them, detailed here. My contemporary work is much, much naughtier, though still dark, and available now.

I take a LOT of photos as is evidenced throughout the site.

Here on the blog, I write about castles, history, stone circles, dance, living with chronic illness, and writing. See my about page here.

A Dancer’s Journey – a contemporary series

A Dancer's Journey, a 3 book series by Ailish Sinclair. Dark and romantic books.

These books are so naughty that I’m a little worried nobody will be able to look me in the face again after reading them. But not that worried. They’re heading out into the world anyway.

When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland…

See the series page here on the site for full blurbs and quotes

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

A Dancer's Journey Series by Ailish Sinclair - dark and romantic books

Posts about the background, inspiration and writing of these stories:

Dance Research in the Dungeon
Working Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes Dark
Pointe Work and a Red Leotard
Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance
A Snaggled, Barbourous Place
Diabolical and Deranged: Writing and Blood
There’s also this strange little post about what the characters of A Dancer’s Journey get up to when I’m away from the keyboard.

Historical Dark and Romantic Books

My historical novels combine little-known dark events with love stories and a hint of magic.

The historical novels of Ailish Sinclair

SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: ancient battle, neurodiversity and forbidden romance.
THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR: witchcraft, a stone circle, a castle and six chapters of medieval Christmas.
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE: kidnapping, friendship and chocolate.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Further Insight into my life and work

The article Researching Historical Fiction: Immersing Oneself in the Past on the Women Writers, Women‘s Books site.
10 Mystical and Magical Sites in Aberdeenshire on the official tourism site for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland from the Press and Journal.
Doctors and Deadlines: Writing with Chronic Illness
Walking the Witchy Ways of Aberdeen
A Book Seven Years in the Making

Newsletter, Updates and ARCs

Go here to sign up for occasional emails that always include exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. They’re a bit more intimate than the blog. If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

Reviewers can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.

A Dancer's Journey: dark and romantic books

December 1, 2023December 1, 2023

Serenity and Snowberries

The sun is low as we approach the end of the year; the loch, serene. The snowberries, also known as ghostberries or waxberries, are out in the woods like little lights in the dark.

Skies are dramatic at the beach but, again, somehow serene.

dramatic skies over the beach: snowberries and serenity

And that’s what I wish for us all in December and on into 2024. Serenity. Peace. Joy. The good things. And lots of them.

A New Review of Fireflies and Chocolate

I was quite touched to see this thoughtful review of Fireflies from writer Gemma Brooke this morning: “Elizabeth has a lilting Scottish accent, so rich and natural I can hear it easily in my head. She speaks to us directly, and she’s a charming storyteller, though she goes through some troubled times... Dark days and nights lie ahead for Elizabeth, but there is light in the darkness: her own strong spirit, and good people around her (along with some thoroughly despicable characters, sadly quite believable).“

Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair

Book on Amazon

The Latest Books

A Dancer's Journey series by Ailish Sinclair

When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland.

She’s soon dealing with her boyfriend’s obsessive ex, the strange research taking place at the castle school and her own ever-evolving relationship issues.

Amalphia works hard to be the best dancer she can be, but as tension builds within the old walls of the castle, she begins to wonder if she will ever escape the dank dark of the dungeon…

Dark, witty, sexy and fun, Tendu is a compelling and seductive story of love, dance and obsession.

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Series on Goodreads

About Page

See my About Page

Newsletter, Updates and ARCs

Reviewers can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 24, 2023November 24, 2023

The Dark of the Castle

The dark of the castle. That’s where we begin. In Cabriole. Which is out today.

Cabriole by Ailish Sinclair — Black coffee and dark chocolate

It’s the second title in the series, and also the notorious one.

The main character, autistic dancer Amalphia, won’t tell you that things are a bit dark in her world. She’s rather an unreliable narrator at the start of the book. But the story soon moves. In fact, it travels around quite a bit.

the dark of the castle: out the door we go! — Out the door we go! Photo taken at Fyvie Castle

From the blurb

After a traumatic year at the castle, Amalphia Treadwell travels back to London to start her professional life, putting dark and difficult things firmly behind her. Or so she believes… See full blurb here

London

I took the next photo the last time I walked through Chinatown in London. Cakes like this don’t actually feature in the novel, but I think they express lightness and fun. There is plenty of that in the tale too.

Excerpt

Justin and Amalphia meet in Chinatown at one point. Quote slightly edited to avoid a spoiler:

“Phi, keep going,” urged Justin. “You can’t say something like that and go quiet.”

Between large mouthfuls of food, I detailed the time in New York, the following week… and the present: the horrible, sticky, itchy present.

“I’m a bit shocked,” he admitted. “It’s a lot to take in.”

There’s a few places like this in the book:

And this question is explored:

Cabriole by Ailish Sincalir, starting in the dark of the castle

So, there we are. A Dancer’s Journey. It’s in paperback, Kindle and on Kindle Unlimited. Two out… One to go (December 22nd)

Series on Amazon

Series on Goodreads

From emmalolly13 on TikTok: “This series has a special place in my heart… I feel so blessed to continue reading Amalphia’s story… Her journey with love has been rough… this is such a soul-touching series.”

See the Wee Writing Lassie’s new blog series about my favourite dancers here

There’s more about these stories in the posts below:

The Publishing Journey of a Ballet Novel
Pointe Work and a Red Leotard
Working Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes Dark
A Snaggled, Barbourous Place
Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance
And there’s also this slightly strange little post about what the characters of A Dancer’s Journey get up to when I take a rare day off from writing.

About Page

See my About Page

Newsletter, Updates and ARCs

Bookish people can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 23, 2023November 23, 2023

Blue Loch at the End of Autumn

We’ve reached the cusp between autumn and winter. The blue loch reflects dark skies. There’s pumpkins and wind and rain and piles of leaves everywhere. Autumn is almost over.

And yet, we still have brighter days and blue skies. Sometimes.

Sisters at the Edge of the World

The main characters are fiercely bonded chosen sisters, one of them neurodivergent.
The story is set in 1st century Scotland and features the battle of Mons Graupius between the Roman invaders and the Caledonian tribes.
There’s romance, but it’s rather complicated romance this time.
The stone circle is still there in all its glory.
The castle is not, obviously, but there is a great round house where it will be one day. And a wee hoosie in the woods.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Sally Cronin featured SISTERS as a new book on her shelves here.

“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

Read the article New novel highlights Roman history in North East from Grampian Online.

Excerpt

Quote from SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

Newsletter, Updates and ARCs

Bookish people can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.

My About Page

Read my bio and see all the social links and articles here.

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 20, 2023November 20, 2023

Sunrise over Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill is the largest sand dune at Fraserburgh beach. There are different theories as to how it got its name. One is that it looks a little like a crouched tiger. The other involves actual tigers. It’s said that four fighting tigers were used to ward off Viking invaders in the past, and that the animals were then buried where the dune is now.

Whatever the truth, Tiger Hill is beautiful.

Sunrise

Yesterday’s sunrise was beautiful too. It lit up the town.

I loved the pinks and blues of the sky.

sunrise over Fraserburgh beach near Tiger Hill

TENDU Aesthetic

The Wee Writing Lassie made this TikTik for TENDU, capturing many elements of the story:

@the_wee_writing_lassie
Check out my new post “The 8 1/2 Overly Pretentious Questions for Ailish Sinclair: The Second Question” weewritinglassie.home.blog/2023/10/21/the… #WritingCommmunity #authorlife #ballet #dancer
♬ Set Fire to the Rain – Adele

An Autistic Dancer, a Byronic Hero and an Obsessive Scientist

Read my series A Dancer’s Journey. There’s ballet. There’s lots of naughtiness. And there’s peril!

Enjoy a kiss on the London tube in the first book, TENDU. Romp up and down the castle stairs. Dance in a stone circle. Attend a Ceilidh in the great hall. Have your brain studied in the dungeon. All fun, I assure you. Well, not quite all…

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

Page with blurbs and quotes

There’s more about these stories in the posts below:

The Publishing Journey of a Ballet Novel
Pointe Work and a Red Leotard
Working Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes Dark
A Snaggled, Barbourous Place
Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance
And there’s also this slightly strange little post about what the characters of A Dancer’s Journey get up to when I take a rare day off from writing.

Chosen Sisters, Romans and Romance

Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance.

See the press release here

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.

See my About Page

Sign up to the mailing list for news about my life and writing, and exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 18, 2023November 29, 2023

Running into the Forest…

I walk into the forest along the gnarly loch-side path.

Most of the leaves have fallen now – we’ve had that first frost – but I spy something golden and bright at the end of the tunnel.

I run towards it.

And I go right in.

Back against the trunk…

Look up:

And breathe…

Tendu: Dancing in the Castle

Dance, danger and desire collide in TENDU, a seductive tale set in the mystical landscape of Scotland. Will love conquer all?

Amazon UK

Amazon worldwide

From emmalolly13 on TikTok: “This series has a special place in my heart… I feel so blessed to continue reading Amalphia’s story… Her journey with love has been rough… this is such a soul-touching series.”

Keep up to date with all my news, leafy and otherwise, by signing up to the mailing list. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always contains some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

Read all about little old me here!

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 15, 2023November 15, 2023

Chocolatey Books and Colourful Trees

Hot chocolate. Chocolate cake. Chocolatey books. I love these things. I need them. Especially in winter, and we’re nearly there now. This is the last post of the road to winter series; I’ve finally used up all the pictures!

Some colour clings on, though many trees are bare.

It looks like this wee tree lost all its leaves at once:

An oak and a beech at Strichen Community Park:

My Most Chocolatey Books

Fireflies and Chocolate: chocolatey books

FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the 600 children and young people who were kidnapped from Aberdeen during the 1740s and sold into indentured servitude in the American Colonies. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s proper derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!

I was really delighted when I learned that the publisher had used an image of a real 18th century chocolate cup on the cover.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society

Tendu by Ailish Sinclair: chocolatey books

Enjoy a kiss on the London tube in TENDU. Eat chocolate cake in Covent Garden and Scotland. Romp up and down the castle stairs! Dance in a stone circle. Attend a Ceilidh in the great hall. Have your brain studied in the dungeon. All fun, I assure you. Well, not quite all…

“If you enjoy mentions of chocolate and lots of cake, this book is for you.” From a recent review.

Amazon UK

Amazon worldwide

excerpt from Tendu by Ailish Sinclair: chocolatey books

Keep up to date with all my news, chocolatey and otherwise, by signing up to the mailing list. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always contains some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

Read all about little old me here!

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 14, 2023November 14, 2023

Strichen Lake in Aberdeenshire

Today we have beautiful Strichen lake for my wee road to winter journey or blog series as it has become. And yes, it is called a lake, not a loch, which is a little unusual for up here.

Reflections on the lake.

The swans make it a little balletic. For me, anyway.

The Strichen Community Park Facebook Page always has lots of seasonal photos and news about the park and lake.

Tendu is out, and Cabriole is almost here (November 24th)!

The first two titles of A Dancer's Journey

And the third title, Fouetté, releases in December. Phew! These aren’t just the naughtiest books I’ve ever written, they’re the longest, being about 50% longer than my historical titles.

I’m trying to keep up with the reviews that keep popping up in unexpected places. Mick_the_knife had this to say on Threads: “My Kindle is fully charged and waiting to welcome Cabriole with open arms. Tendu was a romp and a roller coaster and it possibly contributed to my sleep deprivation for a couple of weeks!”

They’re in paperback too. Nice big chunks of books.

Series page here on the site

On Amazon

Series on Goodreads

TENDU: When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her charismatic new teacher, she has no idea of the danger that lurks in his school in Scotland…

And then on into CABRIOLE: After a traumatic year at the castle, Amalphia Treadwell travels back to London to start her professional life, putting dark and difficult things firmly behind her. Or so she believes…

Cabriole by Ailish Sincalir — Cabriole: Dancing in the City

Sign up to the mailing list for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

My About Page

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 13, 2023November 13, 2023

Strichen Stone Circle in Aberdeenshire

I walked past the sign to Strichen Stone Circle on my road to winter journey on Saturday. That’s actually as close as I got to the stones. It was just a wee trip out.

Strichen Stone Circle

I’ve been many times before, though, so here we go.

Every time I’ve visited this site, it’s been a dull day. But the stones are still majestic and bold.

recumbent and flankers at Strichen Stone Circle

This circle was knocked down in the 19th century, then put back in the wrong place, then built into a folly, then excavated, and finally placed back in its original position in 1982.

recumbent stone at Strichen Stone Circle

The recumbent looks like it may have been used for something at some point, to hold a post possibly?

You can see the old burnt-out Strichen House from the circle.

A Stone Circle in Books

A stone circle appears in all my books, the new naughty ones too, but it is particularly important to the people of SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. The stones of Aikey Brae feature on the cover.

Sisters at the Edge of the World by Ailsih Sinclair

Set in 1st century Scotland, the novel includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The story features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance…

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society

Elizabeth Felt, a lecturer in English at the University of Wisconsin, had this to say about it: “The tone of this book is amazing. At the beginning, the narrator is mute, and the book feels so quiet, so in touch with the earth and stone and air and water… Amazing writing. Excellent story. Highly recommend.” See the whole review here.

Article: Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.

quote from SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD by Ailish Sinclair — The most highlighted part of the book

Pointing you to some more stones

And A Dancer’s Journey:

Sign up to the mailing list for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. If you would rather just hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

Scottish author Ailish Sinclair at Berrybrae Stone Circle

My About Page

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 12, 2023November 12, 2023

Fedderate Castle in Aberdeenshire

I stopped to take a photo of Fedderate Castle near New Deer on my little road to winter journey. It dates from 1474, but there’s not much left of it today. The castle is a protected monument now, but before it gained that status, there was an attempt to blow it up as it was seen “as an impediment to agriculture.” It stands tall, a beautiful and distinctive shape in the landscape. The over-wintering crop around it is only slightly impeded, I think.

Medieval re-enactor Andrew Spratt took an older image of mine and created this rather wonderful GIF of the castle through the ages and the seasons:

Fedderate Castle near New Deer, Aberdeenshire (Scotland) @AilishSinclair image & reconstruction of L-Plan Keep held by Irvine and Gordon families. Plan is very much like Neidpath in the Borders. #FedderateCastle #ScottishCastles #HistoryRebuilt pic.twitter.com/w6bJu4369V
— Andrew Spratt (@andrewsp2009) September 28, 2023

Fedderate Castle on Canmore

The Mermaid and the Bear

If you like castles, Scotland, history, witches, stone circles and Christmas done medieval-style, you might like THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR. There’s also a love story.

“A delight from end to end…” Undiscovered Scotland

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland from the Press and Journal.

Keep up to date with all my news by signing up to the mailing list. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always contains some exclusive photos. If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

A celebratory dance in a stone circle. Ballet foot en pointe.

My About Page

Writer’s Tip Jar

November 11, 2023November 25, 2023

The Road to Winter

We’re firmly on that road to winter now. There’s been no frost or snow, but it’s coming.

I went out. Briefly. I took some pictures. Quickly. My current illness/medication situation is still preventing sleep and making me a bit hyperactive, and I thought I might attempt some daily blogging this week. So, there will be some seasonal Scottish photos being shared over the next few days.

First Review of Cabriole

Cabriole, the second book in the Dancer’s Journey series, is out now. This is the notorious one, the one that a publisher wanted me to change. To be fair, they did assure me that it wasn’t because they were bigoted or prudish, but because it had to have set tropes to fit their romance line. But still, I have wondered how people would react to this more unusual story.

Series page here on the site

Series page on Amazon