Ailish Sinclair's Blog, page 19
December 7, 2023
The Loch of Fyvie in Winter
Ducks on the Loch of FyvieIt may not be quite correct to call the Loch of Fyvie a loch. It’s a man-made body of water, and the family from the nearby castle always called it a lake. It is, however, usually referred to as a loch now. And it’s beautiful. No debate there.
The colours of winter suit it well.
There are many magnificent old trees round the loch.
I love them.
Gnarly:
Peering through the branches…
And between the trees…
We’ll be heading through that gate to Christmas in the castle soon. There will be music and history and baubles. And maybe a ghost…
Historical Fiction
My historical novels all involve dark events, romance and a little magic and snow…
SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD opens on a snowy winter solstice.THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR has 6 chapters of medieval Christmas.FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE features Christmas in Colonial Pennsylvania.They’re all available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.
The Latest Books
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 unconventional love, dance and obsession.
Series on Amazon UK
Series on Amazon worldwide
Series on Goodreads
About Page
See my About Page
Newsletter, Updates and ARCsGo 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 JarThe post The Loch of Fyvie in Winter appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
December 6, 2023
The Frozen Loch – Colour in Thawed Places
The frozen lochBelow is a post from 2022. The books I mention working on are out now.
The Frozen LochI 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!
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
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.
About Page
See my About Page
Newsletter, Updates and ARCsGo 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 JarThe post The Frozen Loch – Colour in Thawed Places appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
December 5, 2023
A Frozen Loch
Frozen lochI’m up early to light the fire so that the room warms up a bit before writing.
I’m still cold. And still moaning about the temperature (-9 yesterday, -3 today, so slightly better).
But beauty cannot be ignored.
A Fictional Frozen LochIn SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, Morragh uses the pink of a frozen pool to calm herself.
Excerpt“I stop now to properly observe and feel the gentle pink shade of the water. I try to breathe it in, to let it take me. All calm. All calm. But pink is not what I sense in the dwelling beyond the water. There’s no calm to be found there at all.”
About SISTERS
Having explored 16th century witch trials in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR and 18th century child kidnappings in FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE, author Ailish Sinclair has now travelled far back in time to the Iron Age and the Roman invasion of Scotland.
From the provocative opening scene to the later dramatic and devastating events of the story, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a book that will continually surprise, delight, and sometimes shock the reader. The novel features the beautiful hill of Bennachie, and the stone circles of Aberdeenshire, along with the cliffs and caves of Cullykhan Bay.
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society Review
The Latest Books
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 ARCsGo 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 JarThe post A Frozen Loch appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
December 4, 2023
Winter in Scotland: let it snow
It’s raining here in Scotland this winter, but I’m thinking about snow. I’m still a bit monstrous, but I’m thinking about pretty things, sparkly things, Christmas baubles and frost and ice.
Winter in ScotlandThat’s the loch in Strichen Community Park above, and below.
And then stones. I think about them a lot. Witchy ones in the half light of approaching snow:
Bronze Age ones. The Memsie Burial Cairn:
And circles. Of course, those.
My thoughts go to the woods of Delgatie Castle…
I would like to be marching along those paths.
Just look at the fluffy trees…
Closer to home, there’s the field.
Track newly cleared by the farmer:
And then there’s a fox!
And deer bottoms…
I mustn’t forget frost at the beach. I love the crunch of the sand.
The low winter sun shines through.
Here’s hoping we get some snow soon.
ReviewsSally Cronin features a selection of books (including SISTERS), from personally recommended authors, that she believes will make wonderful gifts for friends, family and you. See her wonderful Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair here.
Interesting review of The Mermaid and the Bear, assessing it on the first five sentences alone, here from Jennifer Starks.
Historical Fiction
My historical novels all involve dark events, romance and a little magic and snow…
SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD opens on a snowy winter solstice.THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR has 6 chapters of medieval Christmas.FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE features Christmas in Colonial Pennsylvania.They’re all available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.
The Latest Books
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 unconventional love, dance and obsession.
Series on Amazon UK
Series on Amazon worldwide
Series on Goodreads
About Page
See my About Page
Newsletter, Updates and ARCsGo 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 JarThe post Winter in Scotland: let it snow appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
December 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.
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 ChocolateI 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).“
The Latest Books
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 ARCsGo 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 JarThe post Serenity and Snowberries appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
November 28, 2023
Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle
I love Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle. Really love it. I know I’ve talked about how Aikey Brae is my favourite, and that is true. But this one comes in a close second. It’s another circle that I’ve been visiting for decades, often starting a day out with a quick walk round the stones.
Castle in the woodsThe approach is through woodland, and I like the wee castle that has appeared in recent years.
The path then leads up the hill and out to the stones.
Loanhead of Daviot
It’s a happy feeling circle, this one. They all have their own distinct atmosphere. Of course, maybe it’s just my own response to these places that I’m feeling. But then, isn’t everything that? A bit, at least. I once felt so happy at Daviot that I danced around in my bare feet and broke a toe on a hidden stone in the grass.
It always seems to be sunny there when I visit.
I picked up a fallen oak leaf from the adjacent ring of small stones that was used as a cremation cemetery in the distant past. The leaf is on my desk now as I write.
Daviot has been quite well excavated, with many cremation burials found (see the Historic Environment Scotland site). And there is, or was, a second circle across the valley. Only the large recumbent and flankers remain now. You can just make them out below, by the densest part of the tree line. You should be able to click the image to see a larger version.
As is my way (see the older post Things I Stole from Castles), I took these two circles and put them in SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD.
Quote from the bookWe hold hands as we walk down and then up the short grassy valley that lies between the two circles. The stones we arrive at are overgrown with all manner of plant life. There are healing herbs that I recognise, wee flowers too, and spiny stems that look rather forbidding. Keep out, they say. Stay away. Leave the stones in peace.
ReviewsReviews are coming in for Sisters.
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
And 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.”
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…
Read the article Aberdeenshire in Roman times takes centre stage in author’s latest book from AberdeenLive.
An Autistic Dancer, a Byronic Hero and an Obsessive ScientistRead 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
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.”
About Page
See my About Page
Newsletter, Updates and ARCsGo 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 JarThe post Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
November 26, 2023
Shipwrecks of Aberdeenshire
Let’s begin by walking barefoot along the sands between St Combs and Scotstown. There are many shipwrecks to be seen there. Aye, aye, me hearties! Prepare yersels for the photos.
Shipwrecks
I don’t know the name or date of this first wreck. It’s wooden and relatively small and sometimes entirely covered by the shifting sands that it, no doubt, fell victim to. It’s well bedecked with seaweed.
Close by is a large metallic boat. It’s usually more submerged than this. I *think* it’s the HMS Erne. She ran aground in 1915 and broke her back.
We get to go right up to it.
Barnacles
And touch the barnacles.
And wonder if that’s a treasure chest…
The Excelsior of LaurwigA bit further on, between Rattray Head and Scotstown, lies a much more well documented ship: the Excelsior of Laurwig, a Norwegian barque that was wrecked in 1881. It’s rather impressive.
Not a ShipwreckThere is another, somewhat different, wreck on this bit of coastline, sometimes to be seen wedged into the sand:
Cruden BayNow, let’s head to Cruden Bay and see if we can find any more shipwrecks.
Trip, trap, trip. trap, across the bridge. To find…
Is it a wreck? I’m not sure. It may be part of a defense from WW2. It’s not very boat-shaped…
But it’s a great beach on which to finish our walk.
An Autistic Dancer, a Byronic Hero and an Obsessive ScientistRead 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
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.”
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
“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.
Witchcraft and a Handsome Laird
Taking place mainly in a fictional 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
Review from Tonya Ulynn Brown: “Before I go any further, I just have to say, this is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read…“
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
Kidnapping, Slavery and Friendship
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
“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society Editor’s Pick
Newsletter, Updates and ARCsGo 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.
About Page
See my About Page
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Shipwrecks of Aberdeenshire appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
November 24, 2023
The Dark of the Castle
The dark of the castle: photo taken in Corgarff CastleThe dark of the castle. That’s where we begin. In Cabriole. Which is out today.
Black coffee and dark chocolateIt’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.
Out the door we go! Photo taken at Fyvie CastleFrom the blurbAfter 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
LondonI 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.
Cakes in ChinatownExcerptJustin 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:
The London ColiseumAnd this question is explored:
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
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 NovelPointe Work and a Red LeotardWorking Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes DarkA Snaggled, Barbourous PlaceChosen Sisters: Friendship and DanceAnd 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 ARCsGo 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.
Bookish people can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post The Dark of the Castle appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
November 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.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
Newsletter, Updates and ARCsGo 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 offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Bookish people can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.
My About PageRead my bio and see all the social links and articles here.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Blue Loch at the End of Autumn appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
November 22, 2023
The Neolithic Stone Balls of Scotland
The Neolithic stone balls are about the size of tennis balls.The Neolithic stone balls of Scotland are rather beautiful things. They’re mainly found in Aberdeenshire, sometimes buried beside stone circles. The carvings on them are varied, and some of them have knobs. Yes, we could have a lot of fun with the balls and knobs of this post, but let’s not go there 
The exact use of the balls is unknown. Many of them are lacking signs of wear and tear, so they’re not generally thought to have been weapons.
The above stones are in the Arbuthnot Museum in Peterhead. I took the picture in 2020, right before lockdown, having just become well enough to go out and about again. I posted on Twitter about including such a stone in my – then – work in progress.
SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is set well after the date of these balls. They’re estimated to be 5000 years old. But Morragh knows that it’s an old object. She calls it the ‘ancestor stone,’ and sometimes it travels about with her.
Excerpt from SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLDI am before the Calgach and we look into one another’s eyes. It does not hurt too much, this looking, this time. He does not question me or try to interrupt what I am doing. I lay the knife in front of him, still looking into his eyes, and then the stone ball which makes a large hollow echoing sound as it connects with the table, silver sickle encircling it.
Further ReadingYou can read more about the Neolithic stone balls on the National Museum of Scotland site here. Below is the stunning Towie ball which is part of their collection.
Recent Reviews
SISTERS is an unusual book with an unconventional narrative voice, as is noted by the following two men in their reviews.
Tom Williams: “Is it a romance? Well, there’s a boy and a girl but, if they’d had Facebook in the Bronze Age, their relationship status would best be described as ‘complicated’.” See whole review here.
Andrew G Lockhart: “Morragh walks in a mystic and magical realm, but one which recaptures the wild simplicity and beliefs of the peoples of pagan Scotland.” See review here.
And then MERMAID got a great review from Louisa Blackburn: “I really, really like the way the accents are written. I talked about them enough to where my mom asked me, “Are you reading the story, or are you listening to it?” I read the book, but the accents were written in a way that I knew what everyone sounded like.” See the whole review here.
We’ve had balls and knobs, so why not baubles too?
Dance, danger and desire collide in TENDU, a seductive tale set in the mystical landscape of Scotland. Will love conquer all?
“You will cry, you will laugh, at one point you may even clutch your pearls…” Goodreads review
My historical novels all involve dark events, romance and a little magic… SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD opens on the winter solstice. THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR has 6 chapters of medieval Christmas. FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE features Christmas in Colonial Pennsylvania.All my books are available in paperback, kindle and on kindle unlimited.
Newsletter, Updates and ARCsGo 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 offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
Bookish people can apply for Advance Reader Copies of future books here.
Writer’s Tip JarThe post The Neolithic Stone Balls of Scotland appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
