Just Some Spring Flowers

spring flowers - crocus in the garden
In the garden

It’s good to see the spring flowers. And the sunshine. As illness recedes a little along with the winter.

SISTERS

Ethereal and spellbinding

Romans + Celts = some rather complicated romance!

Set in 1st century Scotland, the novel features a neurodivergent main character, chosen sisters, fierce warriors and the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes.

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    My About Page

    castle roof

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

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    Witches’ Brooms in the Trees

    Looking for witches' brooms in the woods

    The witches’ brooms of this post are actually deformities in trees, often caused by a fungus. I rather like them, both their appearance and their name, probably because of interests like this. However, none are to be found on the gnarly, wizened hazel trees by the loch.

    We have to venture deeper into the wood, and gaze up at the high branches of the birches, for that.

    Witches’ Brooms

    There they are!

    witches' brooms on birch trees

    They are often mistaken for nests.

    Witches’ Knickers

    No witches’ knickers today. And that’s good, as those are just plastic bags caught in trees or on fences, and not photogenic at all.

    Historical Novel Society Review

    Sisters at the Edge of the World cover

    SISTERS has been reviewed for the Historical Novel Society here.

    “The setting is ethereal and spellbinding as our main characters walk a fine line between what has been and what is to come. A beautiful tale of ancient wonders and kindred souls.”

    Most highlighted bit of the book:

    quote from SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD by Ailish Sinclair

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

    Newsletter and Updates

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

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    The 18th Century Letter Seals of Lord Pitsligo

    Eighteenth Century Letter Seals

    Those are the beautiful letter seals of Lord Pitsligo, a man I have written about before:

    letter seals

    His forward thinking ways inspired aspects of the Laird in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR, and a similar set of letter seals feature in FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE.

    Letter Seals Quote from FIREFLIES:

    Excerpt from FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE featuring letter seals.

    Research

    The seals were shown to me by a direct descendant of Lord Pitsligo while I was researching FIREFLIES. I got to hold them and turn them on their hinges, which was wonderfully informative and exciting. It was great to connect to the time of the book like that too.

    Label on Lord Pitsligo's letter seals

    The Book

    Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair, out 2021

    FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle, and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!

    See the publisher’s Press Release here

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

    “Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick

    Jacobite wine glasses at Culloden visitor centre
    More research: Jacobite symbolism on wine glasses at Culloden

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    Walking the Witchy Ways of Aberdeen

    cobbles, or cassies, as they are called in Aberdeen
    Galllus Quines. Wonderful street art in Aberdeen honouring those persecuted for witchcraft.
    Gallus Quines

    The Quine Shrine: witchcraft in Aberdeen

    I ran through St Nicholas Kirkyard, and down and round Correction Wynd, an old medieval lane in Aberdeen, to see this recent street art. I was due to meet people for breakfast, but determined to see the ‘Quine Shrine’ first. The reason being? That first part, on the left, honours those who were persecuted for witchcraft in Aberdeen, and one tile names a few of them, including the three women I chose to write about in The Mermaid and the Bear.

    Tile naming some of those accused of being witches in Aberdeen, Scotland

    Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

    The spellings are different, because spellings weren’t set back then, not like they are today. I chose to go with the way the names are recorded in the Survey Of Scottish Witchcraft from Edinburgh University. It was there that I learned, contrary to popular belief, that only a tiny proportion of those accused were midwives or folk healers; a mere 9 of the 3837 ‘witches’ in Scotland were midwives, and only 141 had some mention of healing in their cases (see the background page of the database).

    In my fictional account of these women’s lives, one of them is a midwife and healer, but this is not the reason for the accusations brought against the three quines.

    So, with the quine shrine admired and appreciated, on to breakfast:

    Turmeric Latte
    Turmeric Latte

    The Tolbooth

    Now fortified, off to gaol we go! It’s difficult to get good pictures in
    the 17th century Tolbooth, what with it being so dark due to having windows like this:

    Tiny and narrow window in a 17th century prison
    Let the sunshine pour in!
    Chain in the Tolbooth Museum, Aberdeen
    A chain hangs from the wall

    Prosecutions for Witchcraft in Aberdeen

    I think I did a better job with photos the last time I was there, blogged here. That was when I first read these words:

    text, detailing some history of witchcraft in aberdeen

    I remember feeling overcome and distressed by the information, but it was then that I decided I was definitely going to write the book. Here’s that steeple, or its replacement, standing tall against the blue sky:

    Steeple and clock of St Nicholas Kirk in Aberdeen

    Back in 1597, there were two large bells in the original steeple. Now there’s an impressive carillon, and it started to play while I was eating my lunchtime chocolate ice cream in the kirkyard. This is not as creepy and strange as it sounds; there are benches and lots of people go there for lunch! I took a short video, so you can hear the bells.

    Lunchtime bells

    Pinterest

    I’ve made a Pinterest board for the book, though it does seem to be rather focussed on the cheerier parts of the story.

    pinterest board for  the novel, The Mermaid and the Bear, by Ailish Sinclair
    Pinterest board

    I am Weather Obsessed

    And on another cheery, or perhaps laughable, note, I was recently mentioned in the Evening Standard as an example of a ‘weather obsessed’ Briton.

    Ailish Sinclair in the Evening Standard.

    I must go now. I have to check on the weather!

    The Mermaid and the Bear

    Cover of Ailish Sinclair's 'The Mermaid and the Bear'

    The book that came from it all is out now in paperback and kindle.

    Amazon UK and Amazon Worldwide

    Other bookshops (and libraries) can get it too!

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

    Newsletter

    Go here to sign up for my (roughly monthly) newsletter. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always includes some exclusive photos.

    My Other Books

    Sisters at the Edge of the World cover

    Set in 1st century Scotland, my latest novel, 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

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

    Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair, out 2021

    FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!

    See the publisher’s Press Release here

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

    Review from the Historical Novel Society

    ballet novel, TENDU, by Ailish Sinclair

    See my About Page here

    An Explosive Loch for the New Year

    an explosive loch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

    The loch seemed to look explosive yesterday when I walked down to its banks.

    I do like the pink and blue colours of January. It’s so mild, too. Not a hint of frost or ice left.

    In the woods:

    trees by the explosive loch

    And, just before sunrise, at the beach:

    beach at sunrise

    Sisters has a lovely new review from Ashley over on the Adventures in Literature Blog.

    Told in first-person, all from Morragh’s perspective, be prepared to experience everything as she does. From her awakening out of muteness, to her embracing of her role as the spiritual leader of their tribe and eventually to her transition to the next stage. I will admit the final chapters had me emotional.See the whole review here.

    Read my books for free

    All my novels are on Kindle Unlimited, Amazon’s lending service, and that always has a 30 day free trial, though some people are being offered 3 months for free just now. See all the books here. Also in paperback.

    kindle unlimited

    Newsletter

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    My About Page

    Ailish's feet

    See it here.

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    Historical Hot Chocolate and 75 Words

    Historical Hot Chocolate... not quite.

    That’s not historical hot chocolate there; it’s totally modern and topped with ice cream, and was rather delightful on a snowy day.

    To see the historical version being made we have to go to one of the YouTube channels I used during the research and immersion phase of writing FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE.

    Elizabeth, the main character, uses a slightly simpler method, back in the 18th century, in this quote from the book:

    “I shave slivers of chocolate from the block and stir them into hot water over the fire. I add sugar and mix until it is all well blended. Then I pour it all into the pot with the warm milk and whisk and whisk until it’s frothy and perfect.”

    Whatever century you’re in… yum!

    The first 75 words of the novel were up on Paragraph Planet in 2021. I took a wee screen shot:

    Openeing of FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE by Ailish Sinclair
    The Mermaid and the Bear cover

    FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the 18th century kidnapped children of Aberdeen and is choc full of historical hot chocolate!

    Not to be forgotten, my debut novel THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR features the Scottish witchcraft accusations and a love story.

    Paperbacks and kindle: Amazon UK or Amazon Worldwide

    “Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick

    Fireflies and Chocolate teaser

    The Rocking Stones of Auchmaliddie

    The rocking stones of Auchmaliddie

    The Rocking Stones of Auchmaliddie, situated near the village of New Deer in Aberdeenshire, are thought to be the remnants of a recumbent stone circle. Only the large recumbent and one flanker remain. They are made of white quartz which lights up under the moon and sparkles in the sunlight. What an impressive circle it would have been when whole! Most recumbent circles in the Grampian region are aligned to moon cycles so moonlight quite possibly featured in their use.

    They are still beautiful, I think. Even in driving hail, as they were when I visited recently.

    close up of the quartz of the rocking stones of auchmaliddie
    The quartz.

    The black line there is comprised of straw bales wrapped in plastic. The stones are located at the edge of a field.

    The rocking stones of Auchmaliddie.

    Folklore of the Rocking Stones

    Local folklore suggests that the stones, also known as the Muckle (huge) Stanes of Auchmaliddie, were once placed on top of one another. It is said that if a person were to stand on them and tell a lie the top stone would tip.

    The rocking stones of Auchmaliddie

    A Stone Circle, Destroyed

    The rocking stones have fared better than the stone circle that stood on the hill, just a mile or so away, at the other side of the village. In the 18th century it was smashed up and used in the foundations of the new manse. Bad luck is said to befall anyone who lives on the surrounding lands. The nearby farm is called Standing Stones. Below is the hillside where the circle would have been, Culsh Monument to the right.

    The Culsh Monument, New Deer, Aberdeenshire

    In other news, I did a wee interview over on Relationships are Complicated.com here.

    Quote from interview: My next historical novel explores the relationship between two chosen sisters who flee abuse together as young children. They are as close as two people can be and I am still working on conveying that closeness and the deep understanding that exists between these young women as they negotiate their own romantic liaisons with men, both approved and unapproved by their community, and as their Bronze Age society marches into war. (Now published. See SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD).

    If you liked this article on the Rocking Stones of Auchmaliddie, you might like to explore my other stone circle posts here.

    Or maybe my books, all of which feature a stone circle:

    Sisters at the Edge of the World cover

    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!

    “Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

    See the press release here

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

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

    Cover of Ailish Sinclair's 'The Mermaid and the Bear'

    Taking place mainly in a castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.

    See the press release here

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

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

    Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair, out 2021

    FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!

    See the publisher’s Press Release here

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

    “Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick

    feet

    See my About Page here

    Newsletter

    Go here to sign up for my occasional emails. They’re a more intimate space than the blog and always include some exclusive photos.

    Writer’s Tip Jar

    Christmas Reading and Gentle Colours

    loch, and Christmas reading.

    A little lull has been reached at the end of a hectic week. The colours of the loch are gentle, muted now at the darkest point of the year. I’ve seen a few blog posts about Christmas reading, such as this one here from Jacqueline Seewald. People are sharing the books they’re reading, and those that they’ve written, and I thought I’d join in.

    So, share away! What books are you reading over the next couple of weeks? And/or, which books of yours should we consider delving into just now?

    I’m reading Where There’s Doubt (romantic suspense/psychological thriller) by Terry Tyler and The Essex Serpent (historical fiction) by Sarah Perry. They’re both very good. My own books are down at the end of this post.

    Feel free to add to the previous sharing posts too. They will be brought to the front of the blog perennially, so won’t vanish into the abyss. Share Your Books and Writing, and also Share First Lines.

    Christmas Reading

    My historical novels all involve little-known dark historical events, romance and a little magic…

    Christmas reading from Ailish Sinclair
    • SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD opens on a snowy winter solstice in 1st century Scotland. The main character is neurodivergent, and has been non-verbal until that first scene of the book.
    • 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.
    • FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children of 18th century Aberdeen, and features Christmas in Colonial Pennsylvania.

    They’re all available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

    Signed copies from me

    Newsletter

    Go here to sign up for occasional emails that always include exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. They’re a more intimate space than the blog.

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    Walking on Balmedie Beach in my Slippers

    Balmedie Beach, walking on the beach

    On the way home from a hospital visit in 2020, I stopped at Balmedie beach.

    Balmedie Beach

    I crossed the boardwalk slowly, being careful not to catch my slippers in the gaps between wood. My foot is a lot better, though I still can’t wear proper shoes or put my heel right down on the ground, but I was determined to walk on the beach.

    Continue reading “Walking on Balmedie Beach in my Slippers”

    Colour in Thawed Places

    colour in the thawed places of the loch

    I thought things might get less scenic once the ice and snow started to melt. My walk was a little later yesterday, so the sun was just setting over the hill. And it was the melted places, the thawed places, that reflected the colour of that sunset.

    bright colour in thawed places

    Today it’s freezing again. The temperature is -8. So, fire and fingerless gloves on, off I go to write. I’m adding a new element to a scene in CABRIOLE, the sequel to TENDU, and it’s going to make everything just so much worse for everyone. The fun!

    Romans and Romance

    The main character in SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is neurodivergent, and has been non-verbal until the first scene of the book.

    Set in 1st century Scotland, this is a story of chosen sisters, fierce warriors, divided loyalties and, ultimately, love.

    “Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

    Amazon UK

    Amazon Worldwide

    Review from Terry Tyler: “It’s a fabulous story, a real page-turner and so well written. It made me think about the passage and circle of time, of the constancy of the land on which we live and the transient nature of human life. Loved it.

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

    Sisters at the Edge of the World

    All my books are available in paperback and kindle and can be seen on my Amazon Author Page

    Ailish Sinclair

    Newsletter

    Go here to sign up for my (roughly monthly) email newsletter. It’s a more intimate space than the blog and always includes some exclusive photos.

    Writer’s Tip Jar