Guest Post With Lilac Mills

If you read my New Year goals in my last post, you will have noticed that in 2025, I hope to support other writers. One of the ways I like to do that is to invite them to write guest posts for the blog.

The first of my guests this year is a fellow Cariad and author friend, Lilac Mills. I'm always in awe of the number of books Lilac has written but as well as being a prolific writer, she is always ready to support others with her experience. Her latest novel Surprises on the Scottish Isle was published by Canelo on 23rd January. 

I've asked her to tell you about herself and her new novel. It's over to you, Lilac! 

My bio states that I love making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually), and that is so very true. I’ve always loved anything crafty or arty and have tried my hand at quite a few over the years. One of my earliest memories is Christmas time in the first year in school making paper lanterns, and angels using card and gold doilies – Father Christmases out of loo roll inserts!

I used to draw and paint a lot, but although my pencil drawings weren’t too bad, I can’t paint for toffee. See?

I’ve also made some of my own clothes in the past and even made loose covers for a sofa and chairs. I’ve done quilting (harder than I thought it was going to be), embroidery, cross-stitch and knitting. I was pleased with my cross-stitch results, but anything I knitted was always a disappointment. No matter how hard I tried, I could never get the tension right. 

And as for needle-felting… This is how far I got! I keep going back to it and giving it another try, but I’ve been working on this kit for nearly two years, so I don’t anticipate finishing it anytime soon.

I’d like to do more crafting, but I never seem to have enough time, so writing a series set in a craft centre was a real treat, and I wanted to pick those crafts that I want to learn more about or have another so at.

Surprises on the Scottish Isle features dolls’ houses and all things miniature because my daughter reminded me of the dolls’ house I renovated for her when she was tiny. She wanted to know whether I still had it, but unfortunately I don’t. But it got me thinking that it’s something I would like to do again one day, especially when I see one in a charity shop that needs some TLC, like this one. In the meantime, I had my main character, Tara, make dolls houses for a living instead.

The craft centre in the story is loosely based on one I used to visit often when I lived in the West Midlands (that’s a part of England, for non-UK readers), and I must admit that I stole shamelessly from it, from the layout to the gorgeous crafty vibes. The real one doesn’t have a castle, but it should! I love castles and the older they are, the better as far as I’m concerned. Their history fascinates me and I’ve visited many over the years, so the temptation to put one in my latest book was too great to resist. And you must admit, Scotland has its fair share of stunning castles! Nature and the natural world also feature quite heavily in the book, so I suppose I could say that I’ve combined all my favourite things into one gorgeous story!

But that’s not all. I can’t not mention the most important aspect of the book - the romance! I simply adored writing Tara and Cal’s story, and I hope readers will fall in love with it just as I have. 

Blurb:

Will they get a second chance at first love?

When newly divorced Tara McTaigh spots an advert for a studio to let in Coorie Castle’s craft centre, she packs up her Edinburgh life and moves to the Isle of Skye, eager for a fresh start.

Little does she know that the castle’s estate manager, single dad Calan Fraser, is the man who broke her heart back at university.

Thoroughly done with romance, Tara decides to ignore Cal and focus on building her business – creating dollhouses to commission. But Duncoorie is a small community, and the two keep bumping into each other…

Just as she is starting to open her heart once more to Cal, a change in his life puts everything on the line. When a surprise storm threatens Tara’s safety, will Cal realise in time that love is worth the risk?

BUYING LINK:

Surprises on the Scottish Isle was out on 23^rd January and can be ordered here: https://geni.us/SOTSI

BIO: 

Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don’t get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).

She’s been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she’s usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: https://www.lilacmills.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacMills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacmillsauthor

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lilacmills

Thank you, Lilac. I wish you good luck with Surprises in the Scottish Isle. You must be delighted with the wonderful reviews already coming in.

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you enjoyed finding out more about Lilac, the author behind the story, as much as I did. Writers, have you had a hobby that you've been able to use in your writing? Readers, what novel have you read where the author's hobby has piqued your interest to find out more? I'd love it if you commented. Thanks!

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For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on KINDLE UNLIMITED for those of you who subscribe?

Shortlisted for Romantic Saga of the Year 2024

'I was transported to stunning Sicily and enjoyed the senses evoked through the setting and food. The mystery woven into the novel is compelling, and I love the art theme.'