Claire Gillies

Well, hello there! I thought it was time to introduce myself to new followers. Thanks for coming along! I'm an author of feel-good women's fiction set in Scotland. I'm from the Highlands, so you'll see quite a few hills and the seascapes from this account.

Currently, I'm drinking coffee the size of my head (excluding this photo, of course) because I am editing book 3 in the Arlochy series and need to get it completed by the end of the month for my editor!

What's Arlochy, you ask? Well... Arlochy is a fictional Highland village where the Robertson family lives. It's a rom-com with family at the core.

Book 3...for which I still need to decide on a title. In fact, I'm still brainstorming the perfect name and would love to hear your input. While "Highland Ties" is under consideration, I'm open to suggestions!

But, oh man, this editing is sloooooooow. I hate editing; I'd prefer to write a whole other book than edit an existing one! Which reminds me, I am writing a new book too, entitled "The Vintage Wardrobe Explorer," which is another feel-good read but with magical realism vibes too.

Anyway, nice to meet you! I better get off social media now and write! C x

My new book - “Threads of a Highland Heart" 🍂 What really happens after 'happily ever after'?

A feel good read this autumn. Check it out if you like family dynamics, life of a dressmaker, love problems and the Scottish highlands!

Embrace those cozy autumnal vibes – curl up with my new book, with a cuppa or your choice! I recommend a coffee from Glenfinnan Coffee Co. where you can also grab a copy of the book! 🎃📖

☀☀This morning, it finally happened! ⬇⬇

After four months of dedicated writing every weekday morning, I finally reached the finish line and wrote Book 3 in the Arlochy series!!

In the hushed hours of dawn, with the house still asleep, I penned the most beautiful words to an author - 'the end.' I have to say I even cried, but more for the ending than because I had finished it!

What a way to kickstart the weekend! I'm looking forward to a glass of wine and savoring something special tonight to celebrate this milestone. Woo! I can't believe it - I'm done! 📚✨
Any suggestions on how to celebrate with a toddler?

Now....for the editing! 😆

🥳❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Lori was quite alright living in New York working for a fashion label place in Manhattan, until she got a pleading phone call from her sister, asking her to come home to Scotland, to help her with her wedding plans. All very well but she had to face an ex boyfriend from her younger years, and also she will be leaving behind a boyfriend in New York. Tricky, very tricky.

This was such an entertaining read with plenty of dramas, dolphins, dolphins? Yes dolphins was definitely a treat worth reading about, alot of kayaking, along with wedding plans and nothing like your good ol' home cooking. Gran, was the one that was a dab hand of that, with her scones, roast beef, fluffy potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings. Twists and turns kept my attention.

The author gives us a beautiful description of Scottish village life, along with the "och" , "wee" and "aye" with also a taste of a Scottish game that's quite facinating.

All in all this was such a relaxing, easy read, in bonny Scotland that I'm definitely giving this a 5 star review/rating.

Genre - contemporary, chick lit, romance, womens fiction

Thank you goes out to the author, Claire Gillies an Indie Author who gave me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Claire Gillies was born and raised in the Highlands of Scotland.

Claire splits her time between Scotland and Australia with her lovely Irish husband and their son. She is a cat lover (without the cat) and takes her other interests very seriously - a connoisseur of coffee, cake and gin!

>>cover reveal!!

***New cover reveal coming soon***
⬇FREE READ⬇
Want to read the new book 'Threads of a Highland Heart' in exchange for an honest review. Say 'yes' or message me directly and I'll send you the details!

Hey there, lovely people! 🌟 It's time to break the ice and give a warm welcome to all my fabulous new followers. I'm Claire Gillies, and today I'm coming to you from my kitchen, looking like I just ran a marathon—thanks to the unexpected heatwave in the Highlands! 😅 Can you believe it?

Now, let's talk about the real reason we're here: BOOKS! 📚 Last year, I released my novel, "From Scotland with Love." It's a heartwarming rom-com that will whisk you away to the enchanting Scottish highlands. But guess what? The story doesn't end there! 🌿

I'm thrilled to announce that the next installment in the Arlochy series is on its way, and it's called…. "Threads of a Highland Heart."
This gem will be hitting the shelves later this month, if I can get more organised ! 📆

But wait, there's more! Alongside the series, I also have a standalone book called "On the Edge." It’s about one woman’s journey of self discovery which takes her on an adventure to the Orkney isles (it will keep you on the edge of your seat…pun intended 😉).

You can find my books on Amazon, where the virtual shelves are eagerly waiting for your clicks. And for those lucky souls traveling to the West Highlands, I'll have some signed copies available at (horsebox🐴)

Join me in the Arlochy series and discover the true Highland spirit 🌄🌊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Have you read my book 'From Scotland with Love'? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙
Want to read something before the next book's release?
Download the FREE short story - May Queen (& signup to my newsletter on the below link:⬇⬇⬇

Join Newsletter & Get FREE Ebook

Starting again!

Before I start that creative project Mindset - fears and doubt

Behind Your Art : How To Accept Criticism As A Creative.

"What they are saying is affecting me, even though I told myself time and time again it wouldn’t."

http://clairegillies.com/behind-your-art-how-to-accept-criticism-as-a-creative/

Between creative projects – where to go from here? I’m at this stage and have already planned my next steps to avoid bad habits, would you like some inspiration? Let’s chat…
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http://clairegillies.com/between-creative-projects-where-to-go-from-here/

Two words an author loves best? You tell me! 🍾🍻🎊
Just finished my first draft of a romance set around Halloween season. It’s taken me 6 months to write, today I got down the last of the words before I put this away for a wee while. I usually give myself a couple of months away from a first draft before I start edits!
So for now, it's time to acknowledge my effort and to give myself a pat on the back! 😁

"I’m almost there, I’m at the finishing line – let’s say I have one more mile to go in a marathon…I can taste it – the end is in sight.
Then I made it, it’s done…now what?"
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The trap we fall into when finishing a project
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http://clairegillies.com/the-trap-we-fall-into-when-finishing-a-project/

Saying Yes In Life & Your Creative Endeavours…

"It’s time to say yes, not think about ‘what if’s’….just do, and see where it leads. Something comes from motion, nothing comes when you’re still."

⬇⬇Read the blog⬇⬇
http://clairegillies.com/saying-yes-in-life-your-creative-endeavours/

The Art Of Healing : How Being Creative Helped Me…
✍️New blog post⬇

http://clairegillies.com/the-art-of-healing-how-being-creative-helped-me/

"I see how important rituals are as part of the creative process."
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Make Daily Rituals For Your Creative Time.
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http://clairegillies.com/make-daily-rituals-for-your-creative-time/

Get your signed copy of On The Edge at the lovely Salen Jetty Shop

"This is definitely a book I will be revisiting again and again!" Tina, Amazon customer.

Feel-good, women's fiction - The story:

Catherine MacGregor spends life daydreaming her way out of the perils of a dead-end job, and a dwindling love-life. Rather than face imminent redundancy, Cat finds herself giving up her life in the city, and moving to a remote Scottish island for a fresh start.

Unlocking her passion for art, things have never looked better, until the handsome but elusive musician Patrick Flannagan takes to the stage, complicating her best-laid plans.

Cat’s past could be catching up with her at last. Can she unlock her own secrets, and learn to love again, in time to save her brave new beginnings?

Brighten your day with some uplifting reading from the very talented local author Claire Gillies. Available in store on the gift shelf. ❤️

FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE : The Movie
Jean
Meet the eldest of the Robertson sisters, Jean.
Playful, busy single mum of two, with a quiet side. Jean has her own relationship problems, but has spent most of her life being the ‘responsible sister’.

I can see Bryce Dallas Howard play this part, I think she would make a perfect Jean in the 'From Scotland with love' movie.
Have you read it? Who do you think would make a good Jean?
From Scotland With Love - Out Now! https://mybook.to/9heEW

"Also known as burnout culture and grind culture, hustle culture refers to the mentality that one must work all day every day in pursuit of their professional goals."
☀☀☀
Step away from hustle culture & embrace your own authentic voice.
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http://clairegillies.com/step-away-from-hustle-culture-embrace-your-own-authentic-voice/

"Goals are important but sometimes it can get overwhelming to make my goals ‘good’ goals. It’s difficult to know what you want for a variety of reasons."

How To Make Goals When You Don’t Know What You Want?

http://clairegillies.com/how-to-make-goals-when-you-dont-know-what-you-want/

FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE : The Movie
Tammy
Lori’s younger sister. Fiery, fun, quick-tempered and a bit self-centred. Tammy's upcoming wedding to Alan proves more complications than just a simple country affair. Secrets and scandal lurk behind the charade!
I think Karen Gillan would make a perfect Tammy in the 'From Scotland with love' movie.
Have you read it? Who do you think would make a good Tammy?
From Scotland With Love - Out Now! https://mybook.to/9heEW

FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE : The Movie
Gran
Meet the head of the Robertson family, Mary:
Headstrong, the best cook in the area, kind and doesn't miss a trick. She took in her three granddaughters when their parents died in a tragic boating accident and gave them a loving, safe childhood.
Along with her sidekick Bracken, the collie dog, they create a cosy home that you want to be part of!
I could see Diane Ladd play this part. I think she would make a perfect Gran in the 'From Scotland with love' movie.
Have you read it? Who do you think would make a good Mary (Gran)?
From Scotland With Love - Out Now! https://mybook.to/9heEW

"The more we move, the more things we take on the journey. And over time the small day-to-day things that we accumulate can hinder us if we don’t address them."
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Putting Things Off Will Only Slow You Down..Take the plunge and get things done!

http://clairegillies.com/putting-things-off-will-only-slow-you-down/

FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE : The Movie
Michael
Meet our antagonist Michael: Lori’s long-term successful boyfriend in New York. From a long line of entrepreneurs and businessmen, Michael prides himself on his work ethic and due to his upbringing, has cultivated such genteel manners from years surrounded by distinguished company.

I could see Henry Caville play this part, I think he would make a perfect Michael in 'From Scotland with love' movie.

Have you read it? Who do you think would make a good Michael?
From Scotland With Love - Out Now! https://mybook.to/9heEW

FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE : The Movie

Callum Macrae

Lori’s first love Callum - Sulky, focussed, active and best-man at Lori's sister's wedding. Lori realises on her return home, that Callum Macrae had never forgiven her abrupt departure all those years ago.

I thought James Norton would make a perfect Callum - brooding but alluring…
Have you read it? Who do you think would make a good Callum?

From Scotland With Love - Out Now! https://mybook.to/9heEW

How to get back into good habits after a break?
☀️☀️☀️
"Me and my 'good habits' had indeed a good thing going on - but now I feel the rug has been pulled from underneath me leaving me discombobulated and exposed!"
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http://clairegillies.com/how-to-get-back-into-good-habits-after-a-break/

FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE : The Movie

Lori Robertson, our heroine - calm under pressure, pragmatic, yet shallow and a bit of a snob (if truth be told!).

Lori leaves her successful, glamorous New York life to go back to her home in the Scottish Highlands. Lori finds herself embroiled in her sister’s secrets, causing her to spend more time with Callum (her first love), forcing her to confront all she gave up.

I thought Jessie Buckley would make a perfect Lori.
Have you read it? Who do you think would make a good Lori?

From Scotland With Love - Out Now! https://mybook.to/9heEW

"Can you pick out three words that you would like to sum up 2023? See these as themes or words you'd like to guide you like a compass."
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Being Thoughtful Before Setting Your Goals For 2023
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http://clairegillies.com/being-thoughtful-before-setting-your-goals-for-2023/