Author Deborah Jay speaks about lock-down and book recommendations.

Thanks to Deborah Jay (from Scotland, UK) for sharing how they’re coping with living in lock-down, we hope you guys are keeping safe and well!

I’m currently in lock-down with my partner, Kimberley, and our 9 dogs, most of whom are rescue dogs from Spain.

Since we’ve been in lockdown, we’ve found time to do all the things we’ve been putting off for ages – decorating and getting the vegetable garden into shape for planting. The house will come out of this looking smart for the first time since we moved in, and we should be self-sufficient for vegetables and most fruit by the end of this growing season. Something we’ve always planned to do, but never had the time while working.

I’ve also taken some time to read and really enjoyed Wake-Robin Ridge by Marcia Meara. There was a beautiful inevitability to the romance, with a wonderful emotional redemption for the hero. There’s a bit of a ghost story, and a murder mystery to keep things exciting, and it’s also really, really well written.

My home office doubles up as a home gym, so there’s the corner of some gym equipment too, which I’m using a lot at the moment to keep fit. Sitting down all day is not good for the figure!

You’ll see a couple of my dogs in the picture. Bestie, a Spanish Galgo is laying down, and Dyson, a Spanish Podenco on his feet. We called him Dyson because he can hoover up just about anything!

If I was to share any tips or advice, I’d definitely say to stay active, especially in fresh air, be that a garden or permitted exercise. There’s nothing so good for the brain, body and spirit as being outdoors in the cleaner air this lockdown is providing. Oh, and read lots of books when you’re inside – the imagination can take you away from all the stress and anxiety.

Are you writing anything new at the moment?

Yes, I’m still writing! The Prince’s Heir – book #4 in my Five Kingdoms fantasy series. This wraps up an epic story of good versus evil that has been building over the first 3 books, leading towards the final confrontation between the two halves of a dual-natured deity, and finally brings together the couple who found each other in book #1 only to be torn apart by circumstances. It will also be an epic size, so I’m anticipating a release early next year.

However, each book is a complete story, so no need to wait for the last part to release before getting started!

I’m also working on book #2 of my Caledonian Sprite series. It’s paranormal but not strictly urban fantasy as it doesn’t take place in a city. The lead character, a water sprite, is sassy and fun to write, which is a delight in these difficult times. It’s set in the Inverness area of the Scottish Highlands, which is where I live. This one should be out towards the end of this year.  

About Deborah:
Deborah Jay writes fantasy and urban fantasy featuring complex, quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read.

Fortunate enough to live not far from Loch Ness in the majestic, mystery-filled Scottish Highlands with her partner and a pack of rescue dogs, she can often be found lurking in secluded glens and forests, researching locations for her books.

THE PRINCE’S MAN (#1 The Five Kingdoms), winner of a UK Arts Council award, and an Amazon Top 100 Hot New Release, is her debut novel. Book #2 THE PRINCE’S SON and book #3 THE PRINCE’S PROTEGEE are also now available.

Urban fantasy, DESPRITE MEASURES, is the first in a projected 5 book CALEDONIAN SPRITE SERIES, and a stand alone short story SPRITE NIGHT is now available.

Deborah has also published a multi-author SFF anthology THE WORLD AND THE STARS, which includes her SF story, PERFECT FIT.

She also has non-fiction equestrian titles published under the name Debby Lush.

The best place to find Deborah is at DeborahJayAuthor.com