Spring Musings

I’ve been hibernating over the winter and after yesterday’s clear blue sky and rise in temperature for the final day of February I feel I can really get going. Not that I’ve been sitting around doing nothing. I’ve turned over a lot of reading pages over the past two months, published a new book, written 24K of the next Colville novel, and the opening paragraph of the fourth Shackleton saga. Read on for more detail:

Working backwards the main excitement this week was being interviewed by fellow author L K Wilde. http://www.lkwilde.com We had such fun talking about our lives as authors, the way we work and the things we enjoy. There were a lot of coincidences, not least that I’ve lived, and she is currently living, on the same street in Cornwall albeit in different decades!

There’s a huge amount of laughter and you can catch up with the interview here on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcea_mVEmzU

The books I’ve read have been a motley crew from different eras – Brendan Behan – 1958, Caitlin Moran – 2021, Rose Tremain – 2018, Jocelyn Playfair – 1944, Jennie Godfrey – 2024, David Nicholls 2024, John Banville – 2023, Philip Pullman – 2017, Anthony Trollope – 1870, and John Sutherland – 2021,

This last one “Monica Jones, Philip Larkin and Me” was the background to the poet Larkin’s relationship with his girlfriend Monica. Definitely a turbulent relationship and a fascinating account. If you’re interested in Philip Larkin this has got to be a “must read”.

My latest read was fellow #RNA (Romantic Novelists’ Association ) member Lizzie Lamb’s “Winter Sky in the Scottish Highlands” sequel to “Dark Highland Skies“. Astrophysicist Halley Dunbar meets Tor Strachan the laird’s son. Both have secrets that will surely have to come out. There’s generational and familial conflict too set in a contemporary timeline.

I really enjoyed “Dark Highland Skies” and am delighted to be meeting the characters again in “Winter Sky…” [ No spoilers here, but trust me, both novels are extremely well plotted.] Authentically set in Scotland with castles, kilts, a Dower House, and lots of other Scottish references. The Ghillies’ Ball took me back as in my youth all dances included the “Gay Gordons” and the “Last [usually slow] Waltz”. Lizzie was the “Romantic Novelists’ Association Indie Champion” in 2023, a well-deserved award. http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPCXV79L

My latest publication is the third Shackleton saga book. It’s been out just over a month and has been really well received. For those of you looking forward to book four, don’t worry, I have the opening paragraph typed up and my visit to the Cumbrian archives booked in for May.

Just a reminder if you’ve read any of my books and enjoyed them please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. “I enjoyed this book ” and some stars is fine, no need to write more unless you want to.

Until next time –

Lorna.