inspiration

Dark Highland Skies ~ (Lizzie’s Scottish Romances)Dark Highland Skies ~ #Scottish Historical Romance #Review @lizzie_lamb

/ Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 2 Comments

Astrophysicist Halley Dunbar has spent her career searching for the one-in-a-billion exoplanet outside our solar system capable of sustaining life. Required to travel to Lochaber, Scotland to arrange her great-uncle’s funeral, she leaves the world she knows behind and encounters people who make her realise there’s more to life than searching for something that might not exist.

Laird’s son, Tor Strachan rocks up, and she discovers the one man capable of making her happy. However, there are obstacles in the way, and it becomes clear that Afghan veteran Tor must confront his demons before he can be the man Halley deserves. As for Halley, she has secrets of her own; ones she can’t share with anyone – not even Tor.

A good man is hard to find.

Early Reviews for Dark Highland Skies

“I knew by the end of Chapter One that Halley Dunbar was another of Lizzie Lamb’s fabulous heroines who was going to make me laugh out loud, root for her all the way and feel every emotion going. Lizzie’s portrayal of Scotland and all things Scottish, from the landscape to the mannerisms and customs is outstanding. Janet Brigden

“Another unputdownable Highland tale from the Queen of Scottish contemporary romance – 5 Stars
When Halley Dunbar returns to the Highlands of Scotland to say her final farewells to her beloved uncle, memories, past prejudices, and strong emotions are reawakened − despite her determination to stay grounded in the present and focused on her future. Adrienne Vaughan

“I love Lizzie Lamb’s novels. You can guarantee there will be not only a handsome kilted hero, but also a feisty heroine. There is also a certainty that they will be surrounded by a great supporting cast (some you’ll love, others you won’t) and, of course, stunning Scottish countryside. Highly recommended.” Jo Lambert

Our Review

From the very first page, I wondered why a dedicated astrophysicist would travel thousands of miles, leaving Hawaii for a man she hasn’t seen for twenty years?

Or was something else calling her?

I visited Scotland when I was a child and looked forward to experiencing more of the Scottish way of life. The glorious descriptions in Dark Highland Skies took me back there in no time at all. This was when I made a mental note to read more of Lizzie’s stories!

It is always interesting to see and feel the growth of a relationship first-hand. Judging their progress and their failings.

We judge them against some internal chart. None of us is an expert in romantic endeavours, but we always have an opinion, don’t we?

I enjoyed the way both characters show their true feelings, not always to each other, but at least we knew what was going on. This is one of the best romances I have ever read, as the electricity between Tor and Halley was brilliantly captivating.

But how can their romance come to anything if they prefer to live at opposite ends of the world?

Lizzie Lamb

Hi, I’m Lizzie and I like writing about the ‘moment’ when the hero and the heroine fall in love. That, and trying to track down the all-elusive hero-in-a-kilt, is what gets me in front of the computer each morning. Since 2012 I’ve published six novels: Tall, Dark and Kilted, Boot Camp Bride, Scotch on the Rocks, Girl in the Castle, Take Me, I’m Yours and Harper’s Highland Fling. My latest novel, Dark Highland Skies is due to publish February 2023 and I’ve loved writing it. I organise the Leicester Chapter of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and present workshops on indie publishing to new writers. My feel good/uplit novels would be very happy to sit alongside Jilly Cooper, Jenny Colgan, Jill Mansell and Carole Matthews on your bookshelf.

I love writing because it’s given me the chance to celebrate everything I love about my homeland – Scotland, and to share those feelings with my readers. When I’m not writing, I spend summer with my husband touring Scotland in our caravan researching my next novel and avoiding the midges.

Slainte Mhath.

To Write…

/ Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 1 Comment

That is the question…

At the end of last week, I summoned up a ton of enthusiasm for my so-called writing life and the future of my current WIP. I say so-called, for it hasn’t amounted to much so far this year. There have been a few lively patches of activity, which I thoroughly enjoyed, followed by periods of other such business.

Commonly called life, although I really wish it wouldn’t bother me as I can do without it. This week, for instance, has filled up over the weekend with repairmen, doctor visits and a visiting relative, culminating in Milo’s vet appointment for the snip and chip.

It could be worse, I suppose, as the minute the weather gets warmer, I will need to show my face out there and go through the motions of being a gardener. It has to happen soon, I suppose.

All this lack of writing progress has happened because I have lost my early morning window. This was when I would be the only one awake, and for at least two hours, the writing world would be my oyster.

I have tried to cultivate an evening slot, but I am so tired by then that it hasn’t happened yet. It is beginning to look like I must choose between promoting and/or advertising to get the job done.

Of course, all of this is most distressing, as I have always managed to cope with as many irons in the fire as needed.

Added to all of this is the certain knowledge that time is definitely speeding up.

There used to be time to think, for a start…

Time for Memory… #Poetry

/ Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 9 Comments

Time for Writing…

Today, I am spending time with my WIP, hoping to discover the magic that I know hides between the pages…

Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend, and we will see you on Monday…

Jaye’s Days…

/ Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 23 Comments

This might be a new year and all that, but am I the only one who feels like
their magic spark has gone out?

I have been blaming this feeling on health and other problems, but maybe
something else is going on?

We are constantly told that reading more will make us better writers and
that we should blog with enthusiasm to build up our presence on the web. But I
find that some of the things we do seem counterproductive and time-consuming.
Confusion is not a happy place to be, so my brain has rooted out its thinking
hat. Not sure if that might be an oxymoron!

Don’t get me wrong, reading does make me think and probably improves my
vocabulary, but sometimes I end up reading too much, taking time away from my
writing. When I first started blogging, I read everything I could get my hands
on, desperate to learn the secrets of the black magic box of the blogosphere.

And admittedly, I learnt a lot.

Just lately, though, I have noticed a slight change in my attitude to all
things blog related. It suddenly dawned on me that, as bloggers, we are trying
far too hard to be the best at what we do with our constant searching for the
golden egg. And because we are so busy running around like headless chickens,
we are losing sight of our focus, the real reason we blog in the first place.
We might even be missing the plot or choosing all the wrong moves.

I have been worried that there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to
do everything. With the increasing amount of emails and time spent on social
media, there isn’t much left for writing or blogging, come to that. Not to
mention any new ideas that need to be explored or any of our other interests.

It could be time to step away and have a long hard look at what we do. Time
to prioritise and cherry pick what we really want to concentrate on, or even
find different ways of doing it. Don’t ask me what, for my brain hasn’t gone
that far, yet. I just know it is time for something new, exciting even. How
about that?

Life might be different when the weather settles down, but I doubt it. I
think we must concentrate on what we can do and do well, instead of chasing so
many rainbows…

What does everyone else think?

 

 

WIP WEDNESDAY: White

/ Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 10 Comments

It’s been ages since I wrote a WIP Wednesday post. So when I saw this POST this morning by Staci Troilo, it prompted me to share a little of what I am currently writing.

The way Staci does this is to choose a random word and then find a passage that fits. It can be the actual word, a synonym, or a theme.

The word of the day is WHITE.

And here is the passage I chose:

This is currently a mystery and I am loving it, time to get back to writing it, I think…

Stepping into Spring…

/ Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 9 Comments

As yesterday was the spring equinox, I decided to take a walk in our garden.  My dizzy problem had returned, and I hoped the fresh air would help. This problem is a regular visitor who usually gives up after a day or two.  I had given up trying to write as wearing my glasses made it worse, so I took them off and was stumbling around the garden like an idiot. But every time I saw a flash of colour I took a picture.

I am dictating this as the keyboard is a blur, so I apologise for any discrepances.

The first flash of colour I spotted was the yellow forsythia, which for some reason, is growing in the hedge that runs down our garden, separating us from the neighbours. I rather like it there.

This Japanese quince is a bonsai, currently awaiting repotting.

Not sure what these are called, but they appear all over the place.

Such a lovely colour…

And finally, I must add my little orphan, this white azalea. I have had him for a long time; he never seems to grow but always blooms around Christmas. These flowers are the fourth to arrive; all the others were knobbled by the weather!