Contemporary and Historical Fiction from Aberdeenshire

The Mermaid and the Bear by Ailish Sinclair. Historical Fiction from Aberdeenshire
Fiction from Aberdeenshire

I write unconventional romance and historical fiction, often set in Aberdeenshire, the area of Scotland where I live. My historical novels combine little-known dark events with love stories. There are witches, bears and Romans to be found in them, detailed here. I have two contemporary series, the spicy, spicy Dancer’s Journey and the coming-of-age Castle Dancers.

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

Here on the blog, I write about castleshistorystone circlesdance, living with chronic illness, and writing. See my about page here.

Castle Dancers Series

Contemporary fiction from Ailish Sinclair: the Castle Dancers Series. Contemporary and Historical Fiction from Aberdeenshire

From book 1, Ariel: Dancing on TV

The night before Ariel, a sixteen-year-old girl with a deformed hand, starts at the most prestigious dance school in Scotland, her mother tries to kill her.

Torn from a life where she never fitted in, Ariel quickly becomes the focus of a reality TV show. In the castle school, she forms deep friendships and meets Alexander, the best looking boy she’s ever seen. Together, they unravel the mysteries of the castle’s shadows and confront the demons of Ariel’s past.

Can she rise above a lifetime of pain and embrace the possibilities of fame and love that beckon to her?

‘Ariel: Dancing on TV’ is a mesmerising tale of resilience and the pursuit of a brighter future against all odds.

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon UK

Castle Dancers Series on Amazon Worldwide

A Dancer’s Journey – unconventional romance

A Dancer's Journey, a 3 book series by Ailish Sinclair. Unconventional romance. Contemporary and Historical Fiction from Aberdeenshire

My dance background and love of history and spicy stories are what inspired this wild mix of romance and ballet set between a Scottish castle and London.

There are no cliffhanger endings in this series; each book completes a story, but then there is more. So much more. Read all the blurbs here

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…

A Dancer’s Journey Series on Amazon UK

A Dancer’s Journey Series on Amazon worldwide

Historical Fiction

The historical novels of Ailish Sinclair.

Amazon UK

Amazon Worldwide

Further Insight

Newsletter and Free Story

You will receive a free short story in e-book form 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… 

The Performance, a short story by Ailish Sinclair. Get it free for newsletter sign-up.

New Books and Special Offers

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

Simple things: white pointe shoes and a prayer plant.

Shortest Day, Longest Shadows

Berrybrae Stone Circle on the shortest day of the year

It’s the shortest day of the year today, the Winter Solstice. It always feels reflective to me, this marker on the turn of the wheel, the earth, the sun. The photo above was taken at Berrybrae Stone Circle here in Aberdeenshire on another, sunnier, shortest day.

Northern standstill moon as seen from Aberdeenshire, close to the winter solstice 2024, the shortest day

And that’s the Northern Major Lunar Standstill, taken a few days ago. This is when the moon reaches its most northerly rising position on the horizon. It happens every 18.5 years. The southern one occurred in June, and it’s thought that our recumbent stone circles up here are aligned to that southern moon rising. So, it feels special to me.

There have been some great skies recently.

winter skies near the shortest day of the year.

I like that some things are coming to fruition now in this dark time of the year, things that generally take me a long time to complete. And, as ever, it has been years in the making. A new book series. It’s finally ready. Just about.

This is the quiet time of the stories, the time when it’s only me and publishing professionals that have seen the manuscripts.

My heart is safe and hidden on this shortest day as I look up at the sky.

trees and sky

But soon…

Castle Dancers Series by Ailish Sinclair

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

About Page

Ailish Sinclair

See my About Page

Newsletter

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.

There will be a free short story going out in the next mailing (probably between Christmas and New Year). The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…

Short story: The Performance

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