In 2014 we bought a vintage caravan off EBay and went on a tour of Scotland to research my third novel - SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS. In particular I wanted to visit Holy Loch where the USS Proteus had been anchored, servicing nuclear subs in the early sixties. Vital details in my novel, and I wanted to get it right.
The 350
mile drive to Scotland is a long one, especially if you’re towing a caravan. We
finally reached the shores of Loch Lomond later that same day and set up camp.
The setting was idyllic and my heart swelled because my feet were on Scottish
soil, my own country. One I had left when I was eleven years old but which
forever remains in my heart.
In fact, our
trip was so inspiring that I got ideas for my next Scottish-themed novel – HEART OF THE HIGHLANDS, while
exploring Castle Stalker, Appin and surrounding area. We
returned this spring and had a two hour guided tour of the castle by the owner.
As you can imagine, it provided perfect inspiration for the castle I feature in
#4. Making the most of the weather we travelled as far north as Oban and Fort
William and then headed back down to the west coast. We couldn’t believe our
luck when we rolled up the blinds each morning to find it was still glorious
weather. A bit of a contrast to our second trip in June when we were almost
washed away in the Kyle of Lochalsh. But that’s Scotland – you go for the
romance and the scenery, not the weather,
Next stop was Gourock and the ferry over to Dunoon. Or, DOON
THE WATER, as they say in Scotland. We drove along the coast of Holy Loch and
visited Hunter’s Quay where some of the most voluble anti-nuclear protests took
place in 1961, the setting for the scene where the heroine’s aunt is hosed off
the deck of the Proteus, setting a chain of events in motion which will impact
on all their lives fifty years later.
It was there, on the side of Holy Loch that I found my
perfect writers’ retreat. In an ideal world, I’d buy the house and spend most
of my summers there – just as well we have our caravan as back up. (much
cheaper and more practical!)
During this research trip, I spent the days exploring the
beautiful countryside and the afternoons writing, tweeting and blogging.
Luckily, I have a very supportive and understanding husband and he doesn’t mind
if I set the agenda for our trips away. He’s quite happy to immerse himself in
a gory crime novel or surf EBAY. Travelling with us was our Hahn’s Macaw,
Jasper; he appeared to enjoy every minute of his road trip. It's simpler to
take him along with us as trying to organise a parrot sitter is a nightmare.
There is a naughty parrot called PERSHING featured in SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS. He's
based on Jasper our Macaw, although infinitely worse behaved! In my novel. He
(the fictional parrot) flew into the heroine’s aunt’s tent when she was
protesting at Greenham Common in the 80’s.
Recently, I have really got into the OUTLANDER series based
on the Diane Gabaldon and I was able to visit two of the sites where they
filmed the series; Falkland and Culross, Fife. Check out my Pinterest board if
you want to learn more about my OUTLANDER obsession. I have other boards which
you may find of interest, including one for Scotch
on the Rocks. Warning, both boards contain MEN IN KILTS. Just saying . . .
I hope you enjoy my photographs and visit Scotland one day.
Failing that, read Tall, Dark and
Kilted and Scotch on the Rocks – both written with love.
SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS
Where the men are men and the women
are glad of it!
ISHABEL STUART is at the crossroads
of her life.
Her wealthy
industrialist father has died unexpectedly, leaving her a half-share in a
ruined whisky distillery and the task of scattering his ashes on a Munroe. After discovering her fiancé playing
away from home, she cancels their lavish Christmas wedding at St Giles
Cathedral, Edinburgh and heads for the only place she feels safe - Eilean na
Sgairbh, a windswept island on Scotland’s west coast -where the cormorants
outnumber the inhabitants, ten to one.
When she
arrives at her family home - now a bed and breakfast managed by her left-wing,
firebrand Aunt Esme, she finds a guest in situ - BRODIE. Issy longs for peace and
the chance to lick her wounds, but gorgeous, sexy American, Brodie, turns her
world upside down instead.
In spite of
her vow to steer clear of men, she grows to rely on Brodie. However, she suspects him of having an
ulterior motive for staying at her aunt’s B&B on remote Cormorant Island. Having
been let down by the men in her life, will it be third time lucky for Issy? Is she
wise to trust a man she knows nothing about - a man who presents her with more
questions than answers?
As for Aunt Esme, she has secrets of
her own . . .
BOOT CAMP BRIDE- by Lizzie Lamb
Romance
and Intrigue on the Norfolk marshes
Take
an up-for-anything rookie reporter.
Add a world-weary photo-journalist. Put them together . . . light the blue touch paper and stand
well back! Posing as a bride-to-be, Charlee Montague goes undercover at a boot
camp for brides in Norfolk to photograph supermodel Anastasia Markova looking
less than perfect. At Charlee’s side and posing as her fiancé, is Rafael Ffinch
award winning photographer and survivor of a kidnap attempt in Colombia. He’s
in no mood to cut inexperienced Charlee any slack and has made it plain that
once the investigation is over, their partnership - and fake engagement - will
be terminated, too. Soon Charlee
has more questions than answers. What's the real reason behind Ffinch's interest
in the boot camp? How is it connected to his kidnap in Colombia? In setting out
to uncover the truth, Charlee puts herself in danger ... As the investigation
draws to a close, she wonders if she’ll be able to hand back the engagement
ring and walk away from Rafa without a backward glance.
Some
reviews for Boot Camp Bride
-
Loved it
-
Another sparkling read, full of passion and laughter, but
with a sinister undertone that keeps you turning the pages.
-
A definitely great read, as was Lizzie's Debut book, Tall
Dark & Kilted... roll on book 3!
-
That good I read it twice!
-
The dialogue between the two main characters, rookie
journalist Charlee Montague, and world-weary photographer, Rafael Ffinch is
brilliant and full of repartee.
TALL DARK AND KILTED – by Lizzie Lamb
A contemporary romance set in the
highlands of Scotland
Fliss
Bagshawe longs for a passport out of Pimlico where she works as a holistic
therapist. After attending a party in Notting Hill she loses her job and with
it the dream of being her own boss. She’s offered the chance to take over a
failing therapy centre, but there's a catch. The centre lies five hundred miles
north in Wester Ross, Scotland. Fliss’s romantic view of the highlands
populated by Men in Kilts is shattered when she has an upclose and personal
encounter with the Laird of Kinloch Mara, Ruairi Urquhart. He’s determined to
pull the plug on the business, bring his eccentric family to heel and eject
undesirables from his estate - starting with Fliss. Facing the dole queue once
more Fliss resolves to make sexy, infuriating Ruairi revise his unflattering
opinion of her, turn the therapy centre around and sort out his dysfunctional
family. Can Fliss tame the Monarch
of the Glen and find the happiness she deserves?
Some
reviews for Tall, Dark and Kilted
-
this story is full of romantic Scottish themes; Kilts,
bagpipes, scenery, Gaelic whisperings, Clan Urquhart tartans and Strathspey
reels. Definitely an enjoyable read.
-
I really
couldn't put it down. Makes me want to buy my hubby a kilt.
-
No complications just a relaxing story that drags
you in to the end. Quite sad to finish it
-
You won't be disappointed ladies and men, you
could learn a thing or two.
-
I truly enjoyed this book. I stumbled across it
on Twitter. I was looking for a light read. However, I had trouble putting this
one down.
Boot Camp Bride - Romance and Intrigue on the Norfolk
marshes - November 2013
http://bit.ly/BCBLLamb
Tall, Dark and Kilted - Notting Hill Meets Monarch of the Glen - 2012
http://bit.ly/TDKLLamb
https://www.amazon.com/author/lizzielamb
Hocus Pocus 14 short story anthology
Lizzie’s Links
Amazon
page: http://tinyurl.com/mpcv6bn
twitter:
@lizzie_lamb twitter:
@newromantics4
Lizzie BCB: http://bit.ly/BCBLLamb
Lizzie
TDK: http://bit.ly/TDKLLamb
June
Cowboy: http://bit.ly/EGCJKearns
June 20’s
G: http://bit.ly/20sGJKearns
Mags
Gazelle: http://bit.ly/TofGMagsC
Mags
Cherry: http://bit.ly/CherryMagsC
Ade
Hollow: http://bit.ly/HollowAV
Ade
Change: http://bit.ly/ChangeAV
Ade
Secrets: http://bit.ly/SecretsAV
Morning Rachel and fellow bloggers and readers. Somewhat bleary eyed after an online party last night to launch SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS. Great fun and a (relatively) painless way to get news of a new book out there. As you can probably tell from my post, I love Scotland and I hope that, through my novels, you can experience some of the romance and mysticism which makes up that wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteMorning, Lizzie!
ReplyDeleteI've loved all of your books, but having bought a paperback copy of Scotch on the Rocks, I'm well into the story and think it's absolutely the best yet!
I love the story, setting, characters - the historical links. I want to move to that island and live with those people! Fabulous.
June - thanks. I was a bit anxious because I'm going more and more down the historical route but I still want to write romantic comedy. I hope I've succeeded in doing both.
DeletePS. Thanks so much for posting links to all our books, Rachel!
ReplyDeleteMorning Lizzie, enjoyed reading of your adventures. I love Scotland. Lots of luck with your latest novel.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Margaret. It was never really my intention to write Scottish-themed novels other than Tall, Dark and Kilted. Turns out I was wrong. I think that, as I write more of them, I'm enjoying integrating history with a contemporary setting. If that makes sense. Good luck with your own writing 😊
DeleteI've never visited Scotland, but will do so at some point. It sounds so fascinating and I look forward to reading more about this beautiful place in your book. I'm so pleased that Jasper will be making an appearance through Pershing.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your latest novel.
Thank you Georgina it's quite different to Jersey. Something about the West Coast of Scotland that really gets into your blood. I can't wait to return just as I can't wait to get down to writing number four. All in good time, eh. Good luck with your own launch in a few weeks.
DeleteWhat a great post! Lizzie, your trip sounds fantastic. I've only been to Scotland once and that was waaaaaay back for a few days with a friend. We were mainly in Edinburgh which was lovely, but we did get to see Loch Lomond (I will have to dig out my snaps!) and I remember thinking how stunning it was. I love your novels and the vivid descriptions you portray so well. I'm certain Scotch on the Rocks will be another gem of a read. Congratulations on your success! :) Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment Jan. I think the west coast of Scotland is a magical place even in the rain . I always come back inspired and ready to do some writing! So it's a case of mission achieved !
Delete