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Chuffed to be mentioned on Lizzie Lamb’s latest fabulous blog!
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
Leaving a special hero is always heartbreaking …
When I started writing Dark, Highland Skies I thought long and hard about the hero: Hector Strachan, known as ‘Tor. I’d already created heroes with typical highlander colouring: dark hair, blue eyes and fair skin that blisters at the first touch of the summer sun. (see Ruairi Urquhart in Tall, Dark and Kilted). Some of my choices were influenced by Jamie Frazer in Outlander – who could resist the combination of auburn hair and blue-grey eyes. Then I thought, no, Tor is going to be more like his Viking ancestors who harried the west coast of Scotland and left their DNA behind: tall, blonde – the image of a young Robert Redford sprang to mind. Well, a girl can dream, can’t she!
It appears that readers and reviewers have fallen for Tor, too. Here’s what they’ve said …
It’s great to see our military heroes so well understood, with life…
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The Secrets We Keep
Loving this blog from Lizzie Lamb about fellow author Jo Lambert’s brand new novel. Sounds brilliant!
Jo Lambert’s latest novel
After her father’s tragic death, abandoning thoughts of university, Hayley has supported her mother with the day to day running of the Estuary House Hotel in Kingswater. Now, she is ready to return to her studies, but before that there’s a summer to enjoy.
Hayley has no idea how much the two young men she is about to meet will influence her future. Adam Davenport, wealthy and entitled, arrives on his father’s luxury motor yacht, livening up the quiet town with his on-board parties. But it’s photographer Nick Pallister, staying at the hotel while working on an assignment for the Cornish Tourist Board, who captures her heart.
As the end of summer approaches, Nick unexpectedly checks out, taking steps to make sure he cannot be traced, leaving Hayley to face the fact she has merely been a summer fling. Days later, Adam takes a taxi into…
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Hip Hip Hooray – it’s publication day
My dear writing chum, Lizzie Lamb’s latest novel out today! Check out her wonderful blog…and don’t miss this fabulous book, total bargain, just for today!
My beta reading team have enjoyed reading Dark Highland Skies and I loved writing it. My husband checked through the final edits before I sent the manuscript to Sarah at Goldcrest Books to have it formatted for Kindle and the cover added.
Cheekily, he gave marks out of ten! But did add how much he’d enjoyed reading it and wondered what I’d be writing next. Good question . . .
So – what is Dark Highland Skies about? Read the blurb and find out more
The starting point for the novel was a visit to Mallaig and the Silver Sands of Morar in 2021. I stood on the beach on a…
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Breaking News – Dark Highland Skies available for pre-order
Latest novel from dear writing chum Lizzie Lamb … just know it’s going to be a smash! X
Dark Highland Skies is now available to pre-order
99p/$1.19 until Tuesday February 14th – Valentine’s Day
Then £3.50/ $4.21 a download
FREE on #KindleUnlimited
Paperbacks available for £8.99. FREE postage to PRIME subscribers
So, what is the novel about? Here’s the blurb . . .
I am often asked where my ideas come from and the honest answer is: I don’t know! Something – a place, a photo, a tune will be enough to set me dreaming: “I wonder what would happen if ….” However, for Dark Highland Skies I can recall the exact moment when something triggered the chain of thoughts which would become Dark Highland Skies. That trigger was the Silver Sands of Morar and a small wooden bothy I saw near Camusdarach, Arisaig. I put the two together and came up with the location of Halley’s great-uncle’s bothy near Mallaig. Then I wondered – what would bring…
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Lizzie and Dave’s Newsletter 2023 – #2 – July to December
Delighted and thrilled by the honourable mentions here, dear chum.
Yes indeed, what a way we have come since our debut novels published in 2012.
Can’t wait for Dark Highland Skies to hit the shelves … it’s going to be another smash hit for you, I just know it!
Thelma and Louise head for the RNA conference in Telford, Shropshire.
Adrienne and I gave a talk to other RNA members at the conference on how to become a successful indie author. It was one of the hottest summers on record and I just about melted in the heat. It was great to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. However, I was keen to return home to start work on the final edits of DARK HIGHLAND SKIES.
Before leaving for the conference I gave my study a massive clear out and came across my old New Writers’ Scheme badge. I am now a full member of the RNA but the badge served to remind me how far I’ve come since I published my first novel in 2012. At the conference I met up with fellow RNA member and dear friend Jessie Cahalin
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A Girl. A Ghost. A Castle. A Hot Laird.
One of my favourite authors, favourite books!
I thought I’d revisit GIRL IN THE CASTLE to remind myself how much I loved writing it. While I was over on Amazon I re-read readers’ reviews and thought I would share a couple with you.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin . . .
“She has a unique gift for creating settings and dialogue that capture Scottish colour, language, humour, and beauty, while realistically including the cold, the rain, and the chill of an ancient castle on a remote island. As someone who has not only lived in Scotland, but also in a medieval castle, I think she’s absolutely nailed that one.”
“Oh my goodness! I read this book to myself with a Scottish accent (I’m from Manchester). What a great setting, a castle with its own moat, Henriette is a historian with a doctorate using all her girl power to rebuild her career and reputation following a…
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Summer at the French Café – cover reveal! #SummerAtTheFrenchCafé @AvonBooksUK @BlakeFriedmann
Gorgeous cover … can’t wait for this one, bring it on!
It’s cover reveal day!
And isn’t this gorgeously summery?
I love this rendition of Kat walking Angelique around Parc Lemmel, the wonderful place where she works, with everything from a book café to lakes, wild walks to manicured gardens, amusements and rides. I quite expect Noah to leave his station at the kayak slipway and stroll over to greet them.
Here’s the official blurb:
Sparkling sun, strolls in the gorgeous French countryside, that first sip of cool, crisp wine – Summer is Kat’s favourite season. And this year should be no exception…
As soon as Kat Jenson set foot in the idyllic French village of Kirchhoffen, she knew she’d found her home. Now she has a dreamy boyfriend, a delightful dog and the perfect job managing a bustling book café in the vibrant Parc Lemmel.
But when she learns her boyfriend isn’t all he…
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My Top Reads in 2021 ~ January to June
Thrilled to be featured on Lizanne’s blog, along with some of my favourite authors. Such a privilege …
This year my reading included familiar favourite authors and exciting new discoveries. I was introduced to Elly Griffiths‘ Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries which combine murder investigation with archaeology as well as humour and bitter sweet relationships. Here is my review for The Crossing Places
I was pleased to find the wartime books written by Lissa Evans. In The Crooked Heart and V for Victory we meet Vee and young Noel, two misfits in a dangerous world set in a tale of pathos and humour.
I was happy to return to some of the authors I could rely on for a good read. I managed to catch up with A Single Threadby Tracy Chevalier and The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris.
I enjoyed reading a second dual time book, set in Europe by Rose Alexander, Out of the MountainsShadow and another tense contemporary drama, Daria’s…
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Meet Lizzie Lamb, finalist of the RNA Indie Champion 2021
Great interview with one of my fave authors … the wonderful Lizzie Lamb!
Welcome, Lizzie!
Having just listened to your interview on radio Leicester I wondered what it was that swayed you away from fantasy and faerie folk of your younger years to the romance genre?
Growing up in Scotland with the Ravenscraig Steel Works literally at the bottom of my garden I, along with my friends, created an alternative reality. In the nearby woods we went in search of faeries under toadstools, nyads at the bottom of wells and dryads in the trees. Having no luck in finding them I started reading historical novels, starting with the Prisoner of Zenda, Robert Louis Stevenson, Walter Scott, Rosemary Sutcliffe, Margaret Irwin et al. Via their work I discovered the romance of history, castles, knights and feisty princesses prepared to give any dragon a run for its money. Having found my milieu, I never looked back until . . . I read my first Jilly…
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Adrienne Vaughan 