reading Archives - Page 3 of 5

June 21, 2025October 14, 2025

Wandering Barefoot Along St Combs Beach

Wandering barefoot. Along the sand. At St Combs beach.

Tiptoeing between the sandworm castings.

Feeling the smoothness and solidity of the rocks.

Bending down to look at some wee sea snails.

Leaping over seaweed.

A sand storm blows up on the way back.

But the skies stay dramatic at St Combs.

Reviews for TENDU

“This book has so much representation in its characters with autism, dyslexia, medical issues and LGBTQ+ characters…” Emma-Louise on Goodreads and TikTok
“Knowing there are two more books in the series made it easier to accept that the tale was coming to an end. It can be so hard to finish a book when you are loving the story so much.” Molly on Amazon.com

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

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…

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Reviews for The Mermaid and the Bear

The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair

There’s a great review of The Mermaid and the Bear over on The Inquisitive Inkpot: “This is where I connected with Isobell: I connected with her when the fragility of her world suddenly mirrored the fragility of mine. So to speak, I met her in the details.”

And another here on Instagram: “The author has written such a triumphant tale of love, bravery, and true magic for these women and all women.”

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.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

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

My About Page

Writer’s Tip Jar

June 14, 2025September 16, 2025

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

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May 19, 2025August 18, 2025

Beautiful Trees Seen on a Walk

I’ve spotted so many beautiful trees lately while out walking. Their newly opened leaves draw the eye, all bright and intense and lit up by the sun. Above is a copper beech, and below, copper and green together.

Beautiful trees: copper and green beeches.

Then there was this lovely horse chestnut:

I don’t think I’ve ever inspected a horse chestnut flower up close before, but they’re quite stunning.

And, back home, the tree peony is in flower. It smells like beef and onions 🙂

New Booktok Review for TENDU

✨POV: You thought it was just another ballet book… then it emotionally body-slammed you in pointe shoes 💔
Slow burn, enemies to lovers, fate, and a Scottish setting that delivered. See the video here

https://www.tiktok.com/@bookboundandblushed/video/7505850344040172805

TENDU: Dancing in the Castle (book 1 of A Dancer’s Journey)

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

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

Amazon UK

Amazon worldwide

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story when you sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter (the story can be read in a browser too).

The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

When Ariel returns home from dance college, her mother expects her to perform the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in a pink, sequined tutu in front of many, many party guests. Ariel adjusts the costume and choreography to expose dark truths about her life, but, as it turns out, this is not the biggest performance of the night…

New Books and Special Offers

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May 7, 2025May 7, 2025

Beautiful Bluebells – the Flowers of May

They’re everywhere through the woods, and all over the garden too. Beautiful bluebells. Blue, pink, and sometimes even white. Their heady aroma fills the air as they herald the arrival of summer.

My Latest Series

Meet Ariel and her classmates, Bubbles and Alexander, along with a whole cast of vibrant characters, as they experience love, life and adventure at the most prestigious dance school in Scotland.

Each book in this coming-of-age series delves into the personal struggles and heartfelt romances of a different student over the course of a school year. As the spotlight shifts its focus within the old walls of the castle, there are television shows to be made and dark truths to be faced.

Join these young dancers as they whirl through their challenges, forge unbreakable bonds, and discover the power within themselves. Are you ready to travel to Northern Scotland, step into the castle school and dance through the deep dark of the dungeon?

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon UK

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon Worldwide

Latest review: I’ve just finished Alexander, the last instalment of the whole sequence. What a ride! Great characters, plenty of good storylines and a magical setting. Highly recommended! On Instagram.

Latest review of my dance-related novels

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story when you sign up for my occasional, more-intimate-than-the-blog newsletter (the story can be read in a browser too).

The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

New Books and Special Offers

If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

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See my About Page here

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July 31, 2024July 31, 2024

Straw Bales on the Horizon

This is just a short follow-up post to my last harvest one. Straw bales are appearing! They’re the less scenic variety, the ones for solid fuel heating, I think.

But, peering from the trees, I captured one being made.

Fireflies and Chocolate

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!

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Further Insight:

Review from the Historical Novel Society
Review from Barb Taub here
Some Eighteenth Century Letter Seals
Historical Hot Chocolate which shares the opening of the book.
The Cumberland Stone near Culloden Moor
Witchcraft, Kidnapping, and the Cobbles Between

Fireflies and Chocolate, the new historical novel from Ailish Sinclair — Fireflies and Chocolate aesthetic

Go here to sign up for my occasional emails. They’re 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.

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June 22, 2024June 22, 2024

The Garden is Wild

The garden is wild. It’s overgrown. But beautiful. I’m not sure why I take so many photos on overcast days. But I do. And here they are 🙂

bee on delphinium - the garden is wild — Bee on Wolf’s Bane

the garden is wild - Pyrenean lily — A Pyrenean Lily

The only Iris that will grow here is the wild one:

Some more contained plants to finish:

Perennial sweet pea — A Perennial Sweet Pea

A Dancer’s Journey: wild like the garden

A Dancer's Journey Series by Ailish Sinclair

Angsty romance
Lots of naughtiness!
A neurodivergent heroine and a Byronic hero
Set in London and Scotland
Unconventional love and a secret relationship
A castle, a dungeon and a stone circle

Series on Amazon UK

Series on Amazon worldwide

About Page

See my About Page here

Go here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include some exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

Writer’s Tip Jar

February 5, 2024February 5, 2024

Snowdrops in the Garden

The snowdrops have arrived, and with them the knowledge that spring is on the horizon.

They can be found nestling by old trees.

Small clumps of beauty abound in the garden. There are carpets of them in the woods, but I don’t have a recent picture. I will endeavour to take one before their short season is done.

I love the blue-grey of their stems and their perfect white blooms. Snowdrops rule the land at the moment, being the only flower, the only brightness, on the ground.

SO MANY FEELINGS

Cabriole received a beautiful review from Molly on Amazon and Goodreads. She does warn of spoilers at the start, so I’ll just quote a couple of her more general comments here:

I couldn’t put this book down. It was so good I didn’t even stop reading while brushing my teeth… I laughed out loud many times! I cackled twice. I cursed at characters in my head a few times. It’s truly one of the best books I’ve ever read and made me feel SO MANY FEELINGS.

Read the series that’s been shocking people! It’s available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.

Amazon

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

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…

On the flat stone of Aikey Brae Stone Circle

About Page

See the Page here

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

Writer’s Tip Jar

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024

Dreich Days and Squelching Feet

It’s dreich here, as we say in Scotland.

Grey. Rainy. Dull.

The woods are still beautiful, though.

I like the witches’ brooms in the trees. And the wintry light.

my favourite forest path on a dreich day

The path through the forest is still a favourite place, and while the squelching of my feet is not entirely unpleasing, and I do like using the word dreich, I will welcome the brighter days when they arrive.

A New Review of Mermaid

I was quite touched by this insightful review on The Book Keep blog recently:

Not only a tribute to Scotland and its history, Ailish Sinclair’s debut novel, The Mermaid and the Bear, further excites, warms, and grips us with a tale about the dichotomies of human nature.

First and foremost, this is achieved by an entrancing blend of evocative literary styles. With mention of witchcraft and the imagery of misty woodlands and a gray, imposing church steeple, Mermaid’s mood is reminiscent of a classic Gothic novel; and yet, here and there, soaked in the colors of bright holiday feasts, pristine snowy landscapes, and a pink stone castle, the air of a Medieval fairytale shimmers with a dreamlike quality.

Mermaid on Amazon

My 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

September 28, 2023November 24, 2023

Into the Woods…

It’s three weeks until TENDU releases (update: out now). It’s been a long time coming, and a lot of my heart is in that book. I need to go into the woods.

So, here we go, through different times and places, for the lush calm of the trees and the quiet stillness of the loch.

The hill behind the loch:

I need ancient stones too. Trees surround Berrybrae stone circle:

Berrybrae features in one of my sillier nocturnal TikTok/YouTubes (medication still preventing sleep):

On to a different woodland and another stone circle. The remains of Dunnideer:

And finally, Huntly Castle appears at the end of a tree-lined drive, just like the castle in the book does, though the fictional one is not a ruin.

Quote from TENDU:

Two majestic stone pillars, one topped with a mermaid and the other with a fearsome-looking bear, loomed large for a second and then were gone. It was properly dark between the densely packed trees that lined both sides of the single-track road. Everyone was quiet, looking ahead, awaiting the first view of the castle.

It burst into sight, all pink and floodlit at the end of the forest tunnel.

Tendu: Dancing in the Castle

Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?

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, steamy and fun, Tendu is a compelling and seductive story of love, dance and obsession.

Amazon UK

Amazon worldwide

Newsletter and Updates

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 offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.

About Page

Read all about little old me here!

Writer’s Tip Jar

September 12, 2023September 12, 2023

Butterflies, ARCs and Lots of Words

Every morning. Every evening. Lots of words. Checking, checking, checking. Not just me. Others too. Lots of eyes.

Peacock butterfly in between lots of words

There are hundreds of these peacock butterflies in the garden just now. Their wings look like paintings. I love the colours.

And ARCs. Advance reader copies. I’m doing those this time. Bookish people can apply here if they like.

Historical Fiction

I’ve been forgetting to mention these books, and all their many words, lately, so here they are.

They combine little-known dark events with love stories and a hint of magic.

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.

“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Newsletter and Updates

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 offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.