LOVE & LOSS & HOPE FOR LOVE: A THEME IN MY NOVELS

 In both my novels The Skye in June and City of Redemption - love plays an important role: the passion of it,  the loss and pain, life dreary without love and the hope to regain it. Although very different in plot, love runs through the themes. They are not romance novels because there is so much more in them.

In "City of Redemption" the main character, Liz,  is in pain from the great loss of her husband who had been her only love since they were young teens: ' "Liz wasn’t going to let Cailean get away from her. For a couple of months they strolled in parks, holding hands and kissing or when her mother was out, spent time in her cramped apartment. Liz, at fifteen, and nineteen-year-old Cailean, fell in love. When he landed a good job, he asked her out on a proper date. Liz was thrilled when he revealed they were going to hear Ruby Murray, a popular singer, who sang one of Liz’s favorite songs, “You Are My First Love.” Theirs was a dream date come true. To Liz’s ecstatic surprise, they sat in the front row. The song’s words touched her heart. The singer sang about how she and her lover would make their love last forever. Liz believed the message was meant for her and Cailean. Later, after the excitement of it all, the young couple quietly made love in Cailean’s boardinghouse room––the first time for either of them. Nine months later, Patrick was born."  5 star reviews at Amazon.com 

  Cathy MacDonald isn't happy in her marriage to Jimmy MacDonald, but they have children and her religion says no divorce! Once Cathy had a love, now gone.  'The Skye in June  “I can see your future. Love beckons to you,” the woman said, motioning to Cathy’s empty teacup. The gypsy lifted the cup close to her face and circled it around from the left to the right. Her dark eyes peered at the leaves clinging inside it. The loud sounds of people and trains caused them to huddle close. Cathy heard her say something about crossing a gold bridge and love. After a moment of listening, she gave the gypsy a few coins and sent her on her way. She then hoisted her heavily packed handbag on her shoulder and bent down to pick up the suitcase. A hand reached it before she did.
 
“Let me help you with that,” the red-haired man in the Navy uniform said in the soft voice of a Scot from the Highlands.
 
“Oh! Thank you,” Cathy said, pleased at his attention.
 
“I’m Malcolm Macleod. And you are?” he asked. 

The loud noise of trains pulling into the station drowned out her answer." 

Five star reviews on Amazon and more comments at june ahern dot com comments