I’m so thrilled to be staying in with Anne Stormont today because I feel as if I’ve ‘known’ Anne forever. She has been such a wonderful supporter of Linda’s Book Bag that I’m delighted to welcome her here today.

If you’re an author who’d also like to stay in with me to tell me about one of your books, please click here for more details.

Staying in with Anne Stormont

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag, Anne. Thank you for agreeing to stay in with me as I feel I’ve known you for ever.

Which of your books have you brought along to share with me and why have you chosen it?

I’ve chosen Displacement. I chose it as I still feel very close to it and its characters. This could be because I’m currently writing its sequel, Settlement. And I’d like to introduce readers of this blog to the main characters Rachel and Jack and their story.

(Brilliant – so blog readers can soon get their hands on two books featuring Rachel and Jack.)

What can we expect from an evening in with Displacement?

You’ll be transported to the beautiful and wild landscape of the Isle of Skye and then to the heat and edginess of the contested land of Israel-Palestine.

(Crikey – that’s some journey!)

You’ll spend time with former Edinburgh policeman Jack, and with children’s book writer, illustrator and crofter Rachel. And you’ll follow the growing relationship between this – on the face of it – mismatched pair.

The supporting cast should prove good company too. They include Jack’s six-year-old granddaughter Poppy, and Rachel’s good friend, Morag, who are keen to see Jack and Rachel get together. Then there’s Jack’s friend and sometime lover, Bridget, and Rachel’s Israeli suitor, Eitan, who’d like to keep them apart.

Because the theme of the book is displacement, you’ll be prompted to think about certain political issues such as the plight of refugees and the consequences of war, but you’ll also be confronted by personal issues such as bereavement and divorce. All-in-all you can expect an emotional and hopefully heart-warming time in two relatively unusual settings – from a book that’s probably best described as contemporary fiction in the romance-plus genre.

(I love the sound of Displacement Anne. I think it sounds a perfect book for me.)

What else have you brought along and why?

Two things:

I’ve brought a bottle of Talisker malt whisky from the distillery on Skye. This is a favourite drink of Jack’s and I’m rather partial to it myself. I’ll pour us a wee dram each and we’ll say the Scots Gaelic toast – Slainte Mhath (pronounced slanje va) which means Good Health –  before enjoying this smoky, peaty flavoured amber liquid.

(I’m not a big spirits drinker Anne but this does sound delicious.) 

And I’ve also brought along some delicious Middle-Eastern snacks. There are olives, homemade hummus and falafels and some tasty bread. They actually go rather well with the whisky. Enjoy!

(Now you’re talking. I love Middle-Eastern food!)

Thanks so much for staying in with me to tell me all about Displacement Anne. It sounds a wonderful read.

Displacement

A story of love, courage and hope

Divorce, the death of her soldier son and estrangement from her daughter, leave Hebridean crofter, Rachel Campbell, grief stricken, lonely and lost.

Forced retirement due to a heart condition leaves former Edinburgh policeman Jack Baxter needing to take stock and find a new direction for his life.

When the two of them meet in dramatic circumstances on a wild winter’s night on the island of Skye, a mutually supportive friendship develops between them, despite their very different personalities.

But with Rachel due to be in the Middle East for several months and Jack already in a relationship, it seems unlikely they’ll get the chance to take their relationship any further – much as they might want to.

Set against the contrasting and dramatic backdrops of the Scottish island of Skye and the contested country of Israel-Palestine, this book tells a story of love, home and heritage and what happens when these are threatened at a political and a personal level.

Displacement is available for purchase on Amazon UK and Amazon US

About Anne Stormont

Anne Stormont writes contemporary women’s fiction. So far she has published two novels Change of Life and Displacement. She is currently working on a sequel to Displacement which will be out in 2018. She has also written a children’s novel called The Silver Locket published under the name of Anne McAlpine.

Anne is a Scot and she has recently moved from the Isle of Skye to the Scottish Borders. She has travelled the world and has visited every continent except Antarctica –where considering her penchant for penguins she really must go. Anne was a primary school teacher for 36 years and is also a wife, mum and grandma.

She says she is a subversive old bat but maintains a kind heart.

You can find out more about Anne on her author websites: Anne Stormont and Anne McAlpine. She has an excellent Blog. You’ll also find Anne on her Facebook Author pages: Anne Stormont and Anne McAlpine and can follow Anne on Twitter @writeanne.