Stories and photos from Scotland
Originally published April 2021.
At first I thought there was only a single line of daffodils in the snow. I stopped to take photos. Like I would do on any other day out. A day out just for fun. Not that there have been many of those lately.
I walked along the path and headed down the steps where I was met with this stunning bank of yellow.
Continue reading “Daffodils in Snow, and History Lessons”
I’m running along the woodland paths these days. Literally. I did so yesterday to avoid a noisy four-wheel bike. The low spring sun creates stripy shadows which flicker light and dark over your face as you run. Or walk. Or dance. Yes. I have been.
It’s better than swoon, which is what I was doing among the flowers last year. So far, so good this year. So far, no swooning.
And there are flowers, so many lovely flowers. I could almost swoon at their beauty. But I won’t 🙂
The Wee Writing Lassie has made a playlist for Ariel: Dancing on TV. I am most intrigued by this and will have to have a listen!
See the playlist here on Spotify
“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick (Fireflies)
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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…
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Read about little old me here.
It’s still wintry. Well, of course it is. January and February are generally the coldest months up here in Aberdeenshire. The days are short, so walks are often taken under a darkening sky, as in the crunchy scene above.
I’m still editing, proofing, editing. It feels like I’m wearing out my eyes…
But spring will come! Soon I’ll be posting another annual picture of snowdrops.
We’re not quite there yet, though…
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
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.
You will receive a free short story in e-book form when you sign up for my occasional, photo-rich, 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…
If you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
See my About Page
Gentle summer moments among the daisies…
Expansive skies over Aikey Brae stone circle.
Roses and buddleia growing together.
An old carving on display in Chalmers Hospital in Banff, spied during a short and gentle medical appointment.
Finding a wych elm, and new writing inspiration, in the woods. Two gentle summer moments at once 🙂
When dance student Amalphia Treadwell embarks on a secret relationship with her rich, handsome 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
New novel from Aberdeenshire author combines passions from Grampian Online.
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.
Writing is flowing and fierce. Walks are gentle. By the field. In the woods. I haven’t ventured far from home yet.
Trees are gnarly, and blog posts are short 🙂
The Manteith Collection comprises THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR and FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE. The books do not have to be read in order.
Book 1 (mermaid, 16th century) is set mainly in a castle belonging to the Manteith family and involves witchcraft accusations and romance.
In Fireflies (18th century) Elizabeth Manteith is kidnapped and transported to the American colonies as an indentured servant.
Bio, socials, articles and interviews.
Sign up to the mailing list for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. It’s a more intimate space than the blog. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
I am writing again. Finally.
I didn’t need any encouragement – I’ve been champing at the bit waiting to be well enough – but I did feel a little nervous. What if my brain was rusty? What if this resulted in me writing bilge? Utter bilge. Bilge that my rusty brain thought was good?
So when YouTube suggested these writing affirmations to me, I listened. They were rather nice – empowering, even – so I’m sharing them.
The affirmations start at 2.37 minutes in, if, like me, you want to skip the meditation/relaxation part. I listened while doing my morning mix of yoga and Pilates.
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…
My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this wild mix of unconventional romance and ballet set between a Scottish castle and London. There are no cliffhanger endings here; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more…
Series on Amazon UK
Series on Amazon worldwide
Bio, socials, articles and interviews.
Sign up to the mailing list for news about my life and writing, and some exclusive photos. It’s a more intimate space than the blog. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
A small update. About why I’ve been quiet. Things got darker fast, and I’m back in hospital.
Ten days in so far. No answers as to quite what my autoimmune body is doing yet. Hoping for success in suppressing it, though.
So, cannula in. Audiobooks on.
Normal service will be resumed at some point. But I don’t know when…
Scotland’s all misty lochs and magical forests and perfect boyfriends, right?
Series on Amazon worldwide
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…
My historical novels combine little-known dark events with love stories and a hint of magic.
See the page here
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
Back in the dunes again. Below the big sky. Between intense writing sessions.
Near the end of Fouetté, there’s a moment when Aleks is going to speak to a troubled character who needs help and counselling. He assures Amalphia that he can do this. My editor made a comment there at the side of the manuscript: “Can you, Aleks? Really?”
The events of the book that I’m working on now (a new series, hopefully coming later this year) were in the editor’s mind at that moment. And the answer to her question was, and is: no. Aleks couldn’t fix things. The troubled character’s actions and problems are giving me, and everyone in the story, including himself, an enormous amount of difficulty.
I find myself lying awake worrying about it all, like I haven’t done since the early stages of writing Cabriole. But I love him, that dear character, and it will all be okay in the end…
There’s been a lot of rain, so I’ve been squelching through mud again as I try to get various elements of that story straight in my head.
But there’s also been sunshine, and pink skies, and I know that really, all is well.
Read the series that’s been shocking people! It’s available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.
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…
Deanne Patterson on Tendu: It broke my heart and then healed it and made it sing. Full review here.
Molly H on Cabriole: It’s truly one of the best books I’ve ever read and made me feel SO MANY FEELINGS. Full review here – some spoilers.
Tom Williams on Fouetté: I galloped through it, loving every moment. Full review here – some spoilers, especially if you haven’t read Cabriole.
See the page here
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
Below is a post from 2022. The books I mention working on are out now.
I thought things might get less scenic once the ice and snow started to melt. My walk up to the loch 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.
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!
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
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.
See my About Page
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.
I loved visiting the Pink House in Banff with its gorgeous wee book nook.
Dancing among ancient stones in my ancient pointe shoes. That was fun.
Autumn was gentle and beautiful this year.
Visiting Bow Fiddle Rock was scenic and slippery.
Being diabolical: good, and not so good.
I had an interesting time exploring Provost Skene’s House in Aberdeen.
Getting A Dancer’s Journey out there into the world felt like a big moment. I enjoyed writing this Dark of the Castle post.
More recent favourite moments: Christmas at Fyvie Castle and walking round the frozen loch there.
Really, being well for large chunks of the year was the highlight for me. I got out. I got books out. It was good.
And then, the other day, this meme really made me laugh. I don’t know who to credit with its creation; it’s doing the rounds on Facebook. It looks like it might be from a book; if you know, do tell me.
So, I’m going to blurb my books this way. Feel free to do the same with your own, or any books you love, in the comments. Links welcome. No bashing of other authors or books, though. Not here.
Wishing you all a great 2024 with many marvellous moments!
See my About Page
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.