DARK HIGHLAND SKIES
Graphic courtesy of Sharon Booth – writer – sharonboothwriter.com
Halley Dunbar has always loved the stars. As a doctor of astrophysics, she knows more about them than most. But she also has a secret, one that could change everything. When Halley returns to Scotland to arrange her great-uncle’s funeral, she meets Tor Strachan. Tor is haunted by the past. He was a soldier in Afghanistan, where he witnessed a tragedy that scarred him for life. He suffers from PTSD and flashbacks that make him feel like he’s back in the war zone.
Their encounter on the silver sands of Morar sparks a connection that neither of them expected and they find themselves drawn to each other, despite their differences and fears. Can they overcome the obstacles that stand in their way? Or are they doomed forever to remain star-crossed lovers?
Find out in this beautifully written, romantic novel set that will take you on a journey of love, loss and hope.
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 had me absorbed all the way. Don’t miss this one! You won’t be disappointed.
I loved the main characters and their interaction, the dialogue was so lovely and realistic. I really enjoyed the plot, I felt quite emotional reading parts of it which is down to the skill of Ms Lamb.
Wondering if this novel is right for you?
Why I Write by Lizzie Lamb
Manythanks to Morton Gray for hposting me on her fabulous blog today. I really like how Morton arrnaged the page, giving me and my books the best chance of reaching new readers and writers,.
I am delighted this week to welcome Lizzie Lamb, author of Dark Highland Skies to my blog. Today, Lizzie is going to talk about why she writes Scottish contemporary romance. Over to Lizzie …
I write to escape from the here and now. This was especially true during Covid when I hid away in my study and travelled every day to the mythical, magical west coast of Scotland in my imagination. The result was Dark Highland Skies which was published on Valentine’s Day 2023 and been well-received by readers and followers. (See blurb and extract below)
Why the west coast of Scotland and contemporary romance?
Let me explain . . .
I was born in the Central Belt of Scotland and all I knew of the highlands was what I had seen on video:The Ghost Goes West,I Know Where I’m GoingandLocal Hero; or read in…
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Five on Friday with Lizzie Lamb @lizzie_lamb #RespectRomFic
Thanks to Jill for having me on her fabulous blog. I especially like how she found videos of my fav pieces of music. If you have time, go over and read the whole blog, it’s amazing.
Today I’m delighted to feature author Lizzie Lamb who writes romantic, feel good novels largely set in her beloved homeland of Scotland.
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Dark Highland Skies by Lizzie Lamb #NewRelease #Romance
Very thrilled to have LizAnne review my novel and post on Amazon. I hope you will take a moment to check out her review and to download my latest novel. Thank you.
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.
My Review
The best thing about Lizzie Lamb’s Scottish romances are the strong characters featured. In Dark Highland Skies, successful astrophysicist Halley Dunbar travels from her home in Hawaii…
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Release day: Dark Highland Skies
A great shout out on this fabulous blog. So nice to think that word of my novel is spreading as far as the antipodes. Thank you to ARRA for featuring me on their blog along with a othe authors I read and admire.
Today is the official release of Dark Highland Skies by Lizzie Lamb (ebook and print, self-published). Here’s the blurb:
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 behind her research and the world she knows, encountering 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, turning her world on its head and she discovers, not the exoplanet she’s spent her career searching for, but the one man capable of making her happy. However, there are obstacles in the way and it becomes clear that 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…
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Hip Hip Hooray – it’s publication day
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 beautiful summer’s day and wondered how it would look in the depths of winter. I turned, and in my mind’s eye, I saw my heroine, Halley Dunbar, slither down the bank to the beach. There she is rugger tackled to the ground by the hero, Tor, who . . . . You can read the opening paragraph here – and I hope you will feel compelled download a copy and read on.
Picking up the
nearest sturdy branch she prodded the ground in front of her and edged forward, forgetting about everything other than reaching the beach without breaking her neck. Luckily, the moment she set foot on the silver sands the clouds parted, and the pale gibbous moon showed the way to the old salmon bothy. Straightening, Halley looked across the loch towards
the lights on the far shore and despite her earlier resolution, memories
crowded in thick and fast. Voices. Laughter. The touch of a hand on her
skin. A Judas kiss. Now she could finally admit that putting her uncle’s
affairs in order wasn’t the only reason for making this trip.
She had ghosts to lay.
There’s nothing more for me to add other than I loved writing this novel and I hope you will love reading it. Do remember to leave a review and to share your thoughts with me on Amazon or Goodreads. I’m just about to start writing #8 but I’ll tell you more about that in future blog posts.
Bye for now, Lizzie
Breaking News – Dark Highland Skies available for pre-order
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 Halley all the way from Hawaii to this remote corner of Scotland? The answer popped into my head: to organise her great-uncle’s funeral. Then I started writing.
The questions which I had to resolve came thick and fast. Who is Halley Dunbar? Why has she stayed away from a place and a great uncle she loves, for almost twenty years? Tapping my pencil on my notepad, I glanced up and spotted a book on my shelf: The Observer’s Book of Astronomy. I’d received it as a prize for good exam results many moons ago (pardon the pun) and, in another life, I would’ve loved to study astronomy. So Halley, born in the year Halley’s Comet was circling the solar system. became an astrophysicist searching for a exoplanet capable of sustaining life. Something that might not exist; just like the love of a man worthy of her.
Which brought me to the hero, Hector Strachan (aka Tor) the laird’s son. I gave him a background in the army, in electronics and explosives and brought him home from Afghanistan badly wounded, suffering from PTSD and with demons to overcome. Can Halley help him heal his scars, mental and physical? Can Tor convince Halley that he’s the one man who can make her happy and persuade her to reveal why she’s stayed away from a place and a great-uncle she loves? If you want to know the answer to those questions, you’ll need to buy a download or a paperback and all will be revealed.
As my beta reader Isabella T. put it: “a hero in a kilt and a uniform, what’s not to like?
Another reviewer said: Lizzie is the queen of Scottish contemporary romance. Her uplifting stories are the perfect retreat from a world of troubles.
Click on the QR code or follow this link to pre-order a copy of Dark Highland Skies for 99p. This price won’t be repeated and, after Valentine’s Day a download will cost you £3.50, or equivalent. And, should you enjoy Dark Highland Skies there are four more of my Scottish-themed romances and two other contemporary romances to download.
And, just before you go, two requests . . . . please, consider leaving a review. Reviews are the life’s-blood of indie authors and make Amazon sit up and take notice of us.
Please click the FOLLOW on my page to keep up to date with new releases and price changes.
Thank you very much for reading my blog. See you next time
Lizzie
Lizzie and Dave’s Newsletter 2023 – #2 – July to December
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 who has worked so hard on behalf of the NWS. We talk frequently over the phone but it was lovely to be be able to spend quality time together. If I’m looking a bit peely-wally (i.e. wan, as they say in Scotland) its because the extreme hear triggered a cluster of migraines. Doh.
August 2022
O
Once home we celebrated Mother-in-Law Betty’s 94th birthday. Betty is a great supporter of my work and is always one of the first to read my new novel. Long may she reign. Carole Matthews crocheted Betty this fabulous blanket for her bed for her birthday.
August 11th was our 49th wedding anniversary and to celebrate we headed for Oxford and the Pre-Raphaelite Exhibition at the Ashmolean. We had afternoon tea on the roof terrace overlooking the Randolph Hotel – often featured on Morse, and from where Dave longs to be recruited for MI5. We spotted the Didcot Hoard (AD 54) of Roman coins which set Dave thinking about becoming a detectorist, again. Finally – a Scottish connection – we found a portrait of Flora MacDonald.
September 2022
We (Dave, Maisie, Joan and I) had two mini breaks during September. One, to Salt Mill to see the Hockney Exhibition, had long been on our bucket list. Sadly, while we were there HM the Queen passed away – may she rest in peace. Then to Whitby where we met up with Maggie to celebrate a BIG BIRTHDAY. Shan’t say any more or I might live to regret it. As an added bonus, I was able to meet up with Sharon Booth and Jessica Redland in Scarborough where we exchanged novels and chatted about books, publishing and all things connected. Since then Sharon has been snapped up by Storm Publishing and Jessica has a new book coming out.
October/ November 2022
I was thrilled to be shortlisted for Indie Champion a second time. I didn’t win but there’s always next year, right? I was interviewed on Radio Leicester by Ben Jackson which was great fun. What is they say about ‘a face made for radio’?
My novel had its final read through and proof read before being sent over to Sarah at Goldcrest Books. She is a fantastic publisher, easy to work with and has uploaded all my books on to Amazon. I also got in touch with my cover designer Gail Bradley and, fingers crossed, Dark Highland Skies will be available to pre-order late January 2023. It is my intention to update the covers of all my novels over the course of 2023, with Gail and Sarah’s help.
December 2022
Here are some random images from December when I managed to post off all my Christmas cards, in spite of the Royal Mail’s worst efforts. The table is set in the conservatory morning coffee and I was able to bring out my Emma Bridgewater Christmas Collection. My sister Phyllis sent me some beautiful hand made cards but, due to the postal strike, they arrived too late for 2022. I’m saving them until next year! Who knows, you might even receive one.
What does 2023 hold in store?
Well, to have Dark Highland Skies on pre-order. See cover and blurb below. All I need is the Amazon link and I’ll share that with you as soon as I have it. I hope you’ll fall in love with my hero Tor and root for my heroine, Halley, as I did when writing it. August 2023 will see us celebrating our Golden Wedding anniversary. We hope to spend it caravanning in Scotland and, on the actual date (August 11th), stay at the Fife Arms in Braemar.
If you can’t wait for my new novel to be published, or if you haven’t read any of my previous novels, click on this QR Code which will take you straight to my Amazon page.
Lizzie and Dave’s Newsletter 2023- take #1 – January- June 2022
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2023 – I wonder what the year has in store !
First of all, let me apologise for not blogging for quite some time. Life and writing novel #7 got in the way but I’m now on top of thing (famous last words). So, I would like to bring you up to date on everything (well, almost) that we did last year. So, grab a cup of coffee, kick back and enjoy. Although this is primarily MY BLOG, I wouldn’t have accomplished half of what I have without the love and support of my husband Dave. Here he is wearing the T-shirt I bought him for Christmas and (above) I’m in my favourite velvet dress from Seasalt – where else?
January 2022
Having survived Christmas and our third dose of the Covid and flu vaccines, we decided to forget all about the pandemic and get on with life. I sat down to finish and then edit the manuscript of DARK, HIGHLAND SKIES with a view to publishing later 2022. One morning I awoke to find BT digging holes in the pavement in front of our house and discovered this image by our front gate. The hero in my new novel is Hector (TOR) Strachan and I took this as I sign i should get on with finishing the book. Spooky – right?
February 2022
I hosted a writers’ workshop with Adrienne and Jocelyn which covered planning, character arcs and proofreading amongst other things. On a cold, dark February evening Adrienne and I gave our first author talk of the year to members of Hallaton WI. As usual, Dave played roadie and accountant and used my ‘sum-it-up’ machine to collect money from the ladies who attended. Adrienne and I regaled the audience with tales of the amusing and sometime bizarre things which had happened to us on our journey to publication . . . such as bumping into Dustin Hoffman on Kensington High Street.
March 2022
I was able to celebrate my birthday with friends for the first time in two years and life felt as if everything was slowly returning to normal. My niece Vicky who teaches English at Uppingham Independent School invited Adrienne and I to talk to sixth formers about the ins-and-outs of writing a novel. The jays returned to the garden and cheekily eyeballed us through the window to tell us that spring was on the way. We had our first caravan outing of the year at Chew Valley, Bath where I met up with fellow author Jo Lambert.
Dave took me to my first – and possibly last, auto jumble. I purchased a Fortnum and Mason basket and we spent more money on the entry fee, coffee, burgers and ice cream than we made selling stuff. While he was wheeling and dealing (ahem) I managed some writing in the back of the van on MacBook. So glamorous – not!
April 2022
The highlight of spring was heading south to a campsite near Milton Keynes. There we met up with Carole and Kevin, rejoined the National Trust and explored Buckinghamshire. One of the highlights was a visit to Waddesdon Manor and Ascot House – well worth a visit. The location where we camped only allowed five caravans and banned dogs, so in the morning we were treated to the site of hares grazing just outside the door to the van. Precious.
I love this selfie of the four of us at Stowe, which is Pride and Prejudice personified. Our niece Vicky has also taught at the school there !!
May / June 2022
This slideshow is a record of our time in the Isle of Wight where I arrived with a humongous cold (NOT COVID – I tested) and which hung around for most of the month. We spent most of our time with sister Phyllis and husband Andy before heading for Exeter and our niece Hannah’s wedding. I bought the white trainers for my hols, almost killed myself crossing the road in Shanklin whilst wearing them and donated them to charity shop when I returned home. Whilst we were there, our street held a Jubilee Party for HM The Queen.
The art work I bought in Bembridge which personifies the IOW for us.
So, that’s me until the next blog post which will take us through to the end of the year and contain news about my forthcoming romance – Dark Highland Skies.
In the meantime, here’s a link to my other six novels which are available for download on all Amazon sites, Kindle Unlimited subscribers and as paperbacks.
Bye for now, Lang May yer Lum Reek .
Monday Merry Meet: Author Sharon Booth
Always lovely to read a blog post about Witches and Fantasy.
It’s a new week and to help shift the Monday blues, we’re excited to host our first author visit at The Enchanted Emporium. Yes, it’s the Monday Merry Meet, and our visitor today is romance author, Sharon Booth.
Sharon has published twenty-three books, and is one of Rosa’s favourite romance authors — she’ll be here shortly I’m sure, when she has recovered from a fan girl moment – and is followed by Willow and Amber, thanks to her witchlit series based in the Yorkshire town of Castle Clair. With witch sisters and their familiars in a town where magic brews, they were hooked. With the upcoming release of her novel, it’s the perfect opportunity for a chat.
Monday Merry Meet: Author Sharon Booth
Amber:Hi Sharon. Willow will be with you shortly. She’s just finishing brewing the novel dream time draught…
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Lizzie Lamb - author 