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…

graphic courtesy of Sharon Booth – writer – sharonboothwriter.com

WHAT REVIEWERS HAVE SAID ABOUT DARK HIGHLAND SKIES

I have enjoyed this author’s previous novels but with this one I can’t help feeling that with Dark Highland Skies
she has risen to another level.

I loved the blisteringly hot chemistry between Halley and gorgeous leading man, ex-soldier and hugely charismatic Tor Strachan, who has his own demons to face

Both Halley and Tor have demons to face, and falling in love was never part of the plan for either of them, but the sparks between them are soon flying, and their electricity positively crackles on the page.

It had a mixture of feelings including love, loss, grief, regret, longing, desire, oh the list is long! Full of family dynamics, a past full of regret, shame and secrecy

The Characters, each and every one, were portrayed in a most believable way that…

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…

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…

There’s something about a cold day in December, the sky growing dark, the fire lit, candles glowing, a glass of red wine and a good book. Christmas is approaching and it’s already the shortest day. I’ve always been fascinated at the old traditions and history of the seasons and festivals, particularly those destroyed by conventional religion. And the Winter Solstice has something really magical about it.

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year – the day that has the shortest periods of daylight. It’s always been a cause for celebration because it means that we’ve reached a turning point – that the days will slowly get longer and we’re on our way to spring (even if it doesn’t feel like it). Our ancestors always knew how to throw a celebration and the winter solstice was a great excuse. There are some fascinating traditions associated with the point…