Today it’s my pleasure to welcome Indie author Kiltie Jackson to share her Five’s with us. Kiltie lives with six cats and one grumpy husband who she usually refers to as Mr Mogs! Her writing genre is Feisty Female Fiction – stories where the leading ladies are strong, funny and caring and who see love as a partnership, not a submission.
Kiltie’s debut novel, ‘A Rock ‘n’ Roll Lovestyle’ was released in September 2017. It was never Kiltie’s intention to write a series but the stories just kept brewing and so that’s kind of what happened. The fourth book in the Lovestyle series, ‘A Timeless Lovestyle’, was released on the 15th April 2020.
The full series is available in both e-book or paperback on Amazon and is also on Kindle Unlimited
Over to Kiltie
Which 5 pieces of music/songs would you include in the soundtrack to your life and why?
The best place to start with this one would be right back at the beginning so ‘Born to Be Wild’ by Steppenwolfe would have to be the background tune as I make my first appearance upon an unsuspecting world. My Chinese star sign is a Fire Horse and we are notorious for being wilful and very independent. When I passed this piece of information on to my Wee Mammy, her reply was, “Well, they sure got that one right!”
Next up would probably be ‘Do-Re-Mi’ from The Sound of Music. To say I grew up with this song would be an understatement – the Wee Mammy went to see it six times at the cinema while I was still being “cooked”. It’s a miracle I didn’t pop out singing it! From as far back as I can remember, I have loved this film and the soundtrack. I’ve been to Salzburg three times – I wish it was more – and both the film and its location featured heavily in my debut novel, ‘A Rock ‘n’ Roll Lovestyle’.
When I hit my early twenties, I upped sticks and moved from Glasgow to London, so ‘London Calling’ by The Clash would slot in here rather well. I was a smidge too young to fully embrace the whole punk music era as it happened, but I certainly identified with the rebellious attitude behind it. I’m a person who, if someone says, “You can’t do that” will reply with, “Oh, yeah? Just you watch me!” So, when the Wee Mammy said London wasn’t for me… Well, I was there for thirteen years – I think it fitted me just fine.
The next number on this soundtrack of my life would have to be ‘What’s New Pussycat’ by Tom Jones which would fit in with my passion for our little furry feline friends. Home is known as Moggy Towers and even though we have no towers, we do have plenty of moggies – six to be exact! The Wee Mammy was scared of cats when I was young and I grew up with dogs but, once I’d left home and had my own little pad, it didn’t take long for me to acquire a little furry purry and I’ve been smitten with them ever since. I do concur that six is a little more than what might be considered normal but when one of your chums runs a cat rescue, well… Need I say more?
And now for my final choice… I’ve been racking my brains trying to think of a fifth option but, when you’re a total music lover, it’s really hard to pick just one. However, the mention of Tom Jones above brought to mind another one of his tracks and I’m having it! ‘Delilah’ by Tom Jones is the final number on my little soundtrack. I adore this song. While the subject matter is a bit dark – jealous bloke killing his faithless girlfriend – the melody is so uplifting and, whenever I hear it, I sing my little-shrivelled heart out! It makes me smile, it makes me happy and it’s always good to finish on a high note, wouldn’t you agree?
What 5 things (apart from family and friends) you’d find it hard to live without.
Books! I could not live without books. Now, you’re probably thinking, “It’s a book blog, of course you’re going to say that…” but I can assure you that this is for real. I began reading when I was three years old and I’ve rarely been without a book since. I was the child who grew up with the words, “You’ve always got your nose in a blooming book,” ringing permanently in my ears. In fact, I was so bad (or good, depending on your perspective) that the Wee Mammy had to filter my Christmas and Birthday presents to ensure I opened the books last because, if I opened them first, all the other gifts would be ignored as I’d begin reading them straight away.
Cats. Or pets in general but, for me, it’s cats. I think sharing our homes with living, non-humans, is a great enhancement to our general wellbeing. Also, you can have a complete conversation with yourself and, if questioned, just say you were talking to the cat!
Vaseline! Yes, you read that correctly – Vaseline! The greasy jelly stuff we slather on babies’ bottoms to prevent nappy rash. It is also great for preventing dry lips and I’ve been applying it to my chops since I was a teenager. Unfortunately, after a time, it becomes a bit addictive and I can’t go anywhere without a small tin of it about my person. I do, however, have nice, smooth, lips so it’s worth it.
Confectionary. I have purposely used this word as it pretty much covers all things of a sweet, sugary, nature. I confess to having a really sweet tooth and am more than happy to pass my time in the company of chocolate, sweeties or big gooey cakes. In fact, it would be fair to say that I’ve rarely met a cake or sweetie that I didn’t like. Which is also the reason why my waistline is decidedly more generous than I would like it to be!
My hot water bottle. I grew up in Scotland and, for a time, went to school up in the Highlands. The boarding house didn’t have the best form of heating so, in order to keep warm in the colder months, my fellow housemates and I would often be found walking about with one arm wrapped around our hot water bottles, clutching them tightly as we tried to squeeze as much warmth out of them as possible. Today, I have a house with very good central heating but I don’t like it. I can’t stand the stuffy sensation of a room that’s too warm and I find myself unable to breathe. I much prefer to snuggle up under a quilt or a throw with my hot water bottle to warm me up. Hot water bottles are very comforting and I believe they are seriously underrated by today’s society.
Can you offer 5 pieces of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Study and work harder at school. The fifteen years of effort is nothing compared to the fifty-plus years you’ll spend regretting that you didn’t.
Believe in your ability to do whatever you put your mind to.
Don’t be afraid to tell people to sod off when they try to dictate how you should live your life.
Do the secretarial studies course at school. A good standard of typing will stand you in much better stead through life than knowing why grass is green.
Develop an unbreakable habit of exercising daily – you’re going to need it to offset all the confectionary you’re going to eat!
Tell us 5 things that most people don’t know about you.
I have funny feet. My middle toe is longer than my big toe. This is perfect when wearing stiletto heeled shoes, not so great for trainers and sandals.
I have a saxophone up in my loft that I can’t play because I’ve never had the patience to learn to read music.
I have two small scars on my back – one on the left and one on the right and they’re practically level with each other. I tell people that’s where the batteries go!
To the best of my knowledge, I’m only allergic to one thing but I don’t know what it is! There‘s an ingredient which is used in some shades of brown’ish lipsticks that I react to and I end up looking like I’ve had an argument with my botox provider and I lost! Bee-stung lips is an understatement – more like I’ve done a dozen rounds in the ring with Anthony Joshua!
I’ve only ever danced on pub tables when I’ve been sober!
Tell us 5 things you’d like to do or achieve.
I would dearly like to live in Salzburg. I previously mentioned my love of this city and this is one of my biggest desires. It is a really beautiful part of the world and I adore it although I need to work harder on my German as it is nicht sehr gut! (Not very good!)
Being able to travel more would also be nice. Having six mogglets, however, keeps us confined to barracks with few opportunities for holidays away. All of our little posse are rescue cats and I can’t bear the thought of placing them in a cattery just so I can go off on a jolly. Unfortunately, the lovely neighbours who used to come in to do feeding and cleaning have moved so we’re a bit stuck for now.
I would really, really like to have a Baby Yoda. The real deal – not a pretend toy. However, as it’s a fictional, CGI character, I think it would be fair to say this one ain’t ever gonna happen!
A dinner date with Ryan Reynolds would not be declined…
Finally, I’d like to see one of my books made into a film. That would be rather nice.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today Kiltie. I’m a Sound of Music girl as well having seen it more times than I care to remember and I invariably want to cry when I hear ‘Edelweiss’. I also love Salzburg and on my first visit in the 80’s found myself re-creating the scene in the summer house (I suspect now you’re not even allowed to go in, let alone skip across the furniture!). I’m with you on telling people to sod off (for the right reasons), if only we had that confidence when we were younger. Sorry that Baby Yoda is never going to materialise but I hope you get to tick off some of your other desires – Ryan Reynolds would be nice!
Kiltie’s Books
(NB This post features affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but there is no charge to the purchaser)
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Lovestyle (Lovestyle series book 1)
Not everyone wants to be famous…
Sukie McClaren is a thirty-something singleton. She’s a cat lover, a Sound of Music Fanatic, and a happily independent, woman with a razor sharp tongue. She enjoys her anonymity so when she is sent to Salzburg on a business trip, all she is hoping for is some time to see the locations in her favourite film. Befriending the worlds number one rock star is the last thing on her mind.
Pete Wallace is a cynical, reclusive rock-star and the world’s Number One, male solo artist. After a three year hiatus, he’s preparing to go back on the road again. A week in Salzburg, schmoozing with the music press, is one of his worst nightmares. Making new friends is the last thing on his mind.
When Pete and Sukie meet, sparks fly, but despite Sukie’s reservations over his fame, their friendship flourishes. However, when life throws up a cold, calculating Italian, intent on seeking vengeance, Sukie has to make tough decisions.
Could their new friendship die, before it has a chance to bloom?
An Artisan Lovestyle (Lovestyle series book 2)
When falling in love is the only way to stay alive…
Elsa Clairmont was widowed barely five years after marrying her childhood sweetheart. She has struggled to come to terms with the loss and, six years later, has almost ceased to live herself. She does just enough to get by.
Danny Delaney is the ultimate ‘Mr Nice Guy’. He’s kind, caring and sweet. A talented artist in his teens, his abusive mother ruined his career in art and he turned his back on his exceptional gift. Now, he does just enough to get by.
On New Year’s Eve, both Danny and Elsa are involved in unrelated accidents which leads to them having to make some serious lifestyle changes and face up to the consequences of their actions. They need to begin living if they want to keep living. Will they succeed in altering the paths of their lives? Will they find love before it’s too late?
An Incidental Lovestyle (Lovestyle series book 3)
It only takes one small incident to change your life…
Jenny Marshall is your stereotypical, middle-aged, spinster. She works in a library, has two cats and likes cake. She has her dreams but not the courage to chase them.
Jeff Rowland fell in love at first sight with Jenny four years ago but hasn’t seen her since. When they bump into each other again, he realises his feelings haven’t changed.
When Jenny’s car breaks down on a cold winter’s day, it sets off a chain of events which brings them together in a way neither could ever have imagined. Both, however, have dark secrets in their past which begin to seep into their present.
Will these secrets bring them closer together?
Or will they shatter their relationship beyond repair?
A Timeless Lovestyle (Lovestyle series book 4)
Can love really be timeless?
While taking a cooling stroll alongside the river, on a hot, summer’s day, Molly Smythe stumbles and falls in. Unable to swim, the strong current pulls her down into the deep, murky depths. The year is 1860. When Charlie Rowland comes to Molly’s rescue, and pulls her from the water, she finds herself in the twenty-first century.
Charlie knows there’s something different about Molly and gains her trust, whereupon she shares her new secret with him. Molly needs to prove she is telling the truth but no one can find any record of her, or her family’s, existence in the nineteenth century. With Charlie’s help, she sets out to find what happened to her family, while not knowing if she will ever see them again.
Unfortunately, neither of them anticipated falling in love and now Molly must decide between saving her family or staying with the man she loves.
How do you choose between love and duty?
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A middle toe longer than the big toe is allegedly a sign of great intelligence 😊
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I’m sure Kiltie will be delighted to hear that x
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