Kate Writes and Reads: My books

Jess’s advertisement on the library notice board has brought four ‘scribblers’ to her writing class. On Saturdays for the next few months Tina, Clarissa, Madeleine and Neil sit round Jess’s table and get to know each other – and more about themselves. One of them is not a beginner; one decides to have a career change; another discovers an unexpected talent for romantic-novel-writing; and two of them

find real-life romance.

First published as a serial in The People's Friend in 2021.

Happy Christmas Eve and other stories

Fourteen previously published stories, six Christmassy ones! Pantos! Presents! Paperchains!

and much more.

Family Stories Boxset

Three serials first published in The People's Friend:

The Ferryboat

The Family at Farrshore

A Time to Reap

(also available singly, see below; boxset has three for the price of two)

Still Rocking and other stories
Twelve feel-good stories including What Prue Didn't Know, winner of the Scottish Association of Writers' Woman's Short Story Award March 2020, published here for the first time; plus eleven stories previously published in Woman's Weekly, The People's Friend and The Weekly News.

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Jinty's Farm

An everyday story of farming and gin-making.
Jinty’s Farm on the east coast of Scotland has been in the Watson family for a hundred years and Isla would like to mark that. A party could be a joint celebration with the opening of a visitors’ centre she and Kerry are setting up to sell their craft gin – a venture regarded with scepticism by their husbands. Meanwhile, Rosalyn is having boyfriend problems, and Isla uncovers what may have been a romance between Jinty and a Polish soldier when she reads wartime entries in the farm diary.
First published as a serial in The People’s Friend.

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

A Time to Reap

It’s April 1963 in the Scottish Highlands. Elizabeth Duncan, widowed with two small daughters, is the farm manager on the Rosland estate, the job previously held by her husband, Matthew. Following a hard, snowy winter, her working life is made more difficult by the unpleasant estate factor. Elizabeth enjoys support in the small community from family and friends, including her cousin Peggy and local vet Andy Kerr. The arrival of an American visitor at Rosland House unsettles her but, after Matthew’s mysterious death, a new relationship has been the last thing on her mind.

However, as she dances at the annual estate ball in September, that may be about to change …

First published as a serial in The People’s Friend.

Also available from libraries in large-print.
FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Stella's Christmas Wish
Published as a e-book by Black & White Publishing

Six days before Christmas a family crisis brings Stella back from London to the Scottish Borders – and to Ross, the man she left fifteen months earlier. However, bumping into Ross turns out to be the least of her worries. Where has her sister disappeared to?

And what secret is her granny keeping from her?

'Thankfully, Kate Blackadder keeps Stella’s Christmas Wish on the right side of syrup. This is a lovely, heart-warming festive read. Blackadder writes confidently and with a great sense of pace.' (bookloversbooklist)

‘ … if you are looking for a Christmas story then I recommend this one.’ (Bookaholicswede)

‘ … This is a charming Christmas novel that will be appreciated by anyone who likes the work of Kate Hewitt or Rosamund Pilcher. A ‘feel-good’ love story set over the Christmas season, and a heart-warming testament to the importance of family.’ (Fictionophile book blog)

Also available from libraries in large-print.

The Ferryboat

When Judy and Tom Jeffreys are asked by their daughter Holly and her Scottish chef husband Corin if they will join them in buying The Ferryboat hotel in the West Highlands, they take the plunge.

The rundown hotel needs much expensive upgrading – and what with local opposition to some of their plans, and worrying about their younger daughter, left down south with her flighty grandma, Judy begins to wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake.

First published as a serial in The People’s Friend.

I enjoyed the cast of characters all at different stages in life, all facing their own dilemmas.

(Amazon reviewer)

Also available from libraries in large-print.

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

The Family at Farrshore

Cathryn is delighted to join an archaeological dig at Farrshore, in the Scottish Highlands. Apart from her professional interest in the Vikings, she’ll be distanced from her recently ex-boyfriend, Daniel. Canadian Magnus Macaskill, is in Farrshore for his own reasons, including tracing his ancestry.

As they spend the summer lodging with Dolly MacLeod and her husband JD, Cathryn and Magnus, and his son Tyler, are drawn into the extended family and to each other. But how will Cathryn react when Daniel reappears?

First published as a serial in The People’s Friend.

I was quickly drawn in and definitely wanted to know how it was all going to play out.

(Amazon reviewer)

Also available from libraries in large-print.

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

The Palace of Complete Happiness and other love stories

Fourteen stories previously published in Woman's Weekly and The People's Friend.
Two for Joy/Bonnie Prince Charlie/Sam Something/Summertime Blues/A Green Wedding Dress/ Please, Mr Postman/Ae Fond Kiss/A Parallel Universe/See You Later, Alligator/And Pomona Came Too/Making a Scene/Meet Your Match/For Love or Money/

The Palace of Complete Happiness.

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Three's a Crowd and other family stories

Twelve stories previously published in The People’s Friend, Woman’s Weekly, and Woman’s Day:

Class of ’64 / Hide-and-Seek for Astronauts / In my Dreams / Celia’s Surprise / ‘Are We Nearly There?’ / The Generation Gap / The Night the Band Played / The New Eighteen / New Tricks, Old Tricks / Bicycles for Two / Seeing Natalie / Three’s a Crowd.

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Another World and Other Stories

Eleven previously published stories, nine of which have won or been placed in competitions:

The Real Thing / Four in the Morning / The Ties that Bind / Home before Dark / The Shimmering Shores / Angel / Lucky Tatties / Second Best / Booty and The Beast / Pittenweem / Another World.
FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Capital Christmas Stories, published December 2018