Ailish Sinclair's Blog, page 5
May 5, 2025
Apple Blossom – the Flowers of May
Apple blossom has such a sweet and delicate scent. It was my Grandmother’s favourite flower, and it always makes me feel happy when it blooms. This particular tree produces small yellow fruits that are waxy and intensely fragrant.
Today’s apple blossom is the first in a series of tiny flower-based blog posts. I’ll do them daily for a while.
Historical FictionVideoI 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.
Newsletter and Free StoryYou 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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About Page
See my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Apple Blossom – the Flowers of May appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
May 3, 2025
Staring Out to Sea from Dunnottar Castle
A cliff-edge viewDunnottar Castle sits high on the cliffs near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. It’s scenic and sprawling and, though peaceful now, it boasts a turbulent history.
Great HallHistory of Dunnottar CastleDunnottar was attacked by Vikings in the ninth century, and captured by William Wallace in 1297. Kings and queens loved to visit: Mary Queen of Scots, James VI, and at one point during my own visit, I was standing in the bedroom of Charles II.
The Old SmithyGhosts!Though I didn’t meet them, there’s said to be a lassie in a green plaid searching for her lost Pictish children, a young deer hound, and a Scandinavian military gentleman who likes to stare out to sea.
I understand the need to stare across the ocean. The seascape at Dunnottar is mesmerising.
Seeing across the sea…The elevated position of the castle means you can see across miles and miles of silvery sea. The window below is located in the Whigs’ Vault that held imprisoned Covenanters in 1685. It’s a dark and terrible place. I had to reach out to the air and the sky and the light.
A dark windowViews, views, everywhere…
Sea and cliffsBut it’s time to go. It’s time to walk back up the many, many steps that seemed so inconsequential on the way down…
DunnottarFor more information on the wonderfully atmospheric Dunnottar Castle visit the official site.
My Historical Novels
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
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
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
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
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
Newsletter and Free StoryYou 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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Staring Out to Sea from Dunnottar Castle appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
April 20, 2025
Walking the Dunes
Walking the dunes. Here we go.
Despite the grasses, standing among the hilly dunes feels a little like being in a lunar landscape. It’s so different from the sandy beach below.
Looking through to the sea, and then heading on up to Tiger Hill, the largest sand dune at Fraserburgh.
Fireflies and Chocolate
Torn out of an isolated life in a Scottish castle, Elizabeth embarks on a determined quest to return home. Exhilarating adventures unfold on the high seas, love blossoms, and the chocolate, purchased in Benjamin Franklin’s printing shop, is delicious!
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.
Newsletter and Free StoryYou 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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Walking the Dunes appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
April 13, 2025
Unfurling Ferns, Marsh Marigolds and a Dragon
Spring moves on. The woods are full of unfurling ferns. I love the look of them at this stage. They’re like poised fairy-tale creatures waiting to strike.
The pond is full of tadpoles and marsh marigolds. No poising. No striking.
And here’s the dragon from Castle Fraser again. Just because.
Signed Paperbacks in the Shop
I don’t often mention these – mainly due to the fact that I have to take them down when I’m ill as it’s too difficult – but all my books are there in paperback. There’s discounts when you buy a whole series or all three historicals. Unfortunately, it is very expensive to post books outside of the UK, but there are signed bookmarks too.
And, of course, they’re all on Amazon worldwide.
Newsletter and Free StoryYou 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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Unfurling Ferns, Marsh Marigolds and a Dragon appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
April 12, 2025
Iron Age to the Jurassic
Cave at Cullykhan Iron AgeFor this small time-travelling post, we start at beautiful Cullykhan Bay, once the site of an Iron Age Fort. The fort features in SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, as does a slightly adjusted version of the cave in the photo above (also, see video below).
The Iron Age is generally thought to have ended in 43 CE in Britain when the Romans arrived. That happened a little later up here in Northern Scotland.
The cave known as the Deil’s Lum or Hell’s ChimneySound on to hear the seagulls as I walk up into the cave.
@ailishsinclairThe JurassicClimbing to the Deil’s Lum at Cullykhan Bay. This cave features in my upcoming book SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. #booktok #ukbooktok #caves #scotland #aberdeenshire
♬ original sound – Ailish Sinclair
Now we’re looking for squirrels in Aden Park.
We find dinosaurs.
Behind a yew tree.
In the Mansion House window.
Jurassic ParkAnd back to the Iron Age:
From the misty hills of ancient Scotland emerges a tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for freedom. Join Morragh in SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD for an unforgettable journey.
Set in the 1st century, the story includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. There’s a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!
Paperback and Kindle on Amazon
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
Newsletter and Free StoryYou 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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Iron Age to the Jurassic appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
April 5, 2025
Pretty in Pink
The garden is all pretty in pink just now. There are polyanthus all through the grass.
And the flowering currant is, well, flowering… as the pink bench glows in the distance.
FOUETTÉ: Dancing with the PastFOUETTÉ goes nicely with the ‘pretty in pink’ theme of this little post, but it’s also the book where Alexander, the titular character of my latest release, first shows up. He’s still very much on mind. Is he looking after that castle properly?
Amalphia Treadwell thinks she’s living her happily ever after.
She’s achieved fame, fortune and notoriety. She’s blissfully happy in her unconventional marriage and is very excited about the plan she’s just made with her best friend Justin.
When she encounters a mysterious child, a child who desperately needs her help, she knows that life will never be the same again.
Amalphia explores the deeper, darker places of her world, encountering long-forgotten danger and uncovering truths that might have been better left unknown.
Beginning six years after the end of the previous book in the series, the third and final part of Amalphia’s journey is a steamy tale of love, dance, obsession and forgiveness.
Newsletter and Free StoryYou will receive a free short story when you sign up for my occasional 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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About Page
See my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Pretty in Pink appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
April 3, 2025
Castle Fraser in Spring
Daffodils blowing in the windHaving abandoned my fictional castle to Alexander, I felt the need to seek out a real, physical example. So, off to Castle Fraser I skipped.
First I encountered a carved castle in the woods. And a dragon!
There were small spots of colour in the walled garden:
And then, at last, a glimpse of the castle…
Through the trees…
And there it was.
Beautiful Castle Fraser. The earliest parts of the building date from 1450. See the National Trust site here
I perused the two shops in the courtyard – gift and second-hand books – then ventured back through the woods.
The wind was blasting across the field as I walked up the side to see the stone circle. I didn’t go in as that would have involved trampling the farmer’s crop, but you can just make out the stones on the horizon below. There’s a post on a previous visit to the Castle Fraser circle here.
Alexander’s Castle
When Alexander turns eighteen, he learns that he has inherited a castle, the one that houses the dance school he attends, to be exact. He’s always wanted a do-over, a chance to fix the broken parts of himself and his life. Could this be it?
Instead of allowing the school to continue on as normal, Alexander throws the students and teachers out and claims the castle as his own.
At first he’s lonely. At first he’s hesitant. Will he have any friends left after this? The events of his uncle’s televised wedding at the castle prove that, while Alexander definitely still has friends, his broken ankle is actually the least damaged part of him.
Within the ancient castle walls, a world of dark family secrets is revealed. Join Alexander as he dances on the edge of sanity and survival, navigating through the flames of his turbulent past to forge a new future.
@castle.dancers6Newsletter and Free StoryAlexander: Dancing with Fire – book 3 of the Castle Dancers Series When Alexander turns eighteen, he learns that he has inherited a castle, the one that houses the dance school he attends, to be exact. He’s always wanted a do-over, a chance to fix the broken parts of himself and his life. Could this be it? Instead of allowing the school to continue on as normal, Alexander throws the students and teachers out and claims the castle as his own. At first he’s lonely. At first he’s hesitant. Will he have any friends left after this? The events of his uncle’s televised wedding at the castle prove that, while Alexander definitely still has friends, his broken ankle is actually the least damaged part of him. Within the ancient castle walls, a world of dark family secrets is revealed. Join Alexander as he dances on the edge of sanity and survival, navigating through the flames of his turbulent past to forge a new future. #MemeCut #Memes #newreleases #youngadultfiction #booktok #zacefron #Meme #MemeCut
♬ original sound –MissSniper_Xtina
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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Castle Fraser in Spring appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
March 31, 2025
When You’ve Inherited a Castle…
No, it’s not me that’s inherited a castle. (But how great would that be?) It’s Alexander. He’s eighteen today, and the castle that appears in so many of my books is his now. What will he do with it? Well, that’s the book, that’s the story, but also… it’s the end. The end of the series, really the culmination of two series.
Alexander hasn’t just thrown his friends and family out of the castle school; he’s shown the author the door too. It feels like I’ve finally finished writing that great building.
Pictured is the great house at the Logie Estate near Forres in Moray.
It’s time for me to relinquish any responsibly I had towards the castle, and have fun running around beautiful places. I can stand still for a while and appreciate the softness of redwood bark…
And gaze at carved squirrels:
Front and back.
Browsing book shops. I can do lots of that too (also at the Logie Steading).
The castle is in safe hands. I can relax 
When Alexander turns eighteen, he learns that he has inherited a castle, the one that houses the dance school he attends, to be exact. He’s always wanted a do-over, a chance to fix the broken parts of himself and his life. Could this be it?
Instead of allowing the school to continue on as normal, Alexander throws the students and teachers out and claims the castle as his own.
At first he’s lonely. At first he’s hesitant. Will he have any friends left after this? The events of his uncle’s televised wedding at the castle prove that, while Alexander definitely still has friends, his broken ankle is actually the least damaged part of him.
Within the ancient castle walls, a world of dark family secrets is revealed. Join Alexander as he dances on the edge of sanity and survival, navigating through the flames of his turbulent past to forge a new future.
Newsletter and Free StoryYou 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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post When You’ve Inherited a Castle… appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
March 29, 2025
Spring is Springing Hard this Year
Spring. Springing hard. Flowers everywhere. Colours and brightness and blooms. It feels a bit astonishing, though these plants must spring up every year. I was in hospital last time, though, so I missed all this.
A perfect patch of purple stars:
And a perfect dusk stroll:
And then, on Monday, the latest series completes… This also feels astonishing when I think about where I was last year, and a little strange. What to do now?
Castle Dancers
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
@castle.dancers6Newsletter and Free StoryThe 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 k**l 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. #youngadultfiction #dance #ballet #booktokseries #youngadultbooktok
♬ Don’t Worry – Lumine
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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Spring is Springing Hard this Year appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
Spring is Springing Hard This Year
Spring. Springing hard. Flowers everywhere. Colours and brightness and blooms. It feels a bit astonishing, though these plants must spring up every year. I was in hospital last time, though, so I missed all this.
A perfect patch of purple stars:
And a perfect dusk stroll:
And then, on Monday, the latest series completes… This also feels astonishing when I think about where I was last year, and a little strange. What to do now?
Castle Dancers
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
@castle.dancers6Newsletter and Free StoryThe 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 k**l 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. #youngadultfiction #dance #ballet #booktokseries #youngadultbooktok
♬ Don’t Worry – Lumine
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 OffersIf you would like to hear about new books and special offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
About PageSee my About Page here
Writer’s Tip JarThe post Spring is Springing Hard This Year appeared first on Ailish Sinclair.
