For me, writing stories set, well, wherever they're best set, is a form of cultural curiosity that is uniquely Scottish - we're famous for travelling in search of adventure.

An Aunt is a safe haven for a child. Someone who will keep your secrets and is always on your side.

Today women have the rights and equality our Victorian sisters could only dream of, and with those privileges comes the responsibility of standing up and being counted.

It may take a village to raise a baby, but hell! it takes an army to produce a book.

Historical fiction of course is particularly research-heavy. The details of everyday life are there to trip you up. Things that we take for granted, indeed, hardly think about, can lead to tremendous mistakes.

Researching books gets you into nothing but trouble.

I find it inspiring to actively choose which traditions to celebrate and also come up with new ideas for traditions of my own.