Hello and welcome! Hello, my lovely - I’m Lilac Mills (though you might also see me writing as Liz Davies or Etti Summers), and this little corner of the web is where I share bits of my life, my creative process, and stories that warm the heart. If you've come here after reading one of my books, thank you. It means so much to me. If you're new, I'm so glad you’re here. Either way, I hope you’ll feel at home here. Want to be notified whenever I write a new blog post? Why I wri

The many hats of Lilac Mills. Or, what authors get up to in addition to writing their books.

Discover the best new festive romance books for winter, with cosy Christmas love stories, snowy settings, second chances and feel-good happy-ever-afters.

And how can authors and agents best work together? I began my author career way back in 2012, when self-publishing had only just appeared on the distant horizon, and for most writers the only way to become published was via the traditional route, where more often than not an agent was essential to unlock the gates of the majority of publishing houses. Then Smashwords and Amazon KDP arrived on the scene and changed the publishing landscape forever. Ten years on, I had books pu

Finding your tribe as a writer can make all the difference. Discover why author friends matter, and how your writing community can offer support, inspiration and friendship.

From ancient Welsh castles to fictional Scottish fortresses, discover why castles make unforgettable settings for romance novels, and why readers never tire of falling in love within their walls.

One of the questions I'm asked quite often is whether I prefer being traditionally published or self-published. The answer is... neither. Or perhaps more accurately, both. I've been lucky enough to experience both sides of the publishing world, and I genuinely enjoy them for different reasons. They each have their own advantages, their own frustrations, and their own challenges. I don't see them as competitors. To me, they're simply two different ways of getting my storie

Why do readers love flower shop romances? Discover the charm behind this feel-good theme, plus 10 delightful flower shop books to add to your TBR.

Step into Honeycombe Bay, a charming Devon seaside village of golden sands, pastel cottages, and unforgettable romance. Discover why readers are falling in love with this heartwarming coastal romance series.

Have you noticed that there’s been a change in the book scene in the UK over the past couple of years? I mean, romance readers have always been enthusiastic about their favourite genre, but now they’re getting something that I never thought I’d see – bookshops dedicated entirely to romance novels! For a long time, us romance readers often had to head straight for a single shelf tucked away in the corner of a general bookshop. And that’s if the bookshop actually had a dedica

Romance author Lilac Mills explores why handwriting plays a vital role in her creative process.

The married (or marriage in crisis) trope in romantic fiction.

As a romance author who has has been referred to as 'prolific' on several occasions, I get asked all the time: How do you write so fast? With over fifty heartwarming romance novels and novellas published under three pen names - both traditionally and self-published - I’ve learned some effective strategies to boost my writing speed while maintaining story quality.

Discover the real-life inspiration behind Sweet Meadow Park, a heartwarming series of cosy small-town romance novels by Liz Davies. From daily dog walks and wildflowers to bandstands and woodland wildlife, explore how a beloved local park inspired the pretty setting of Sweet Meadow Park.

Cosy, uplifting romance novels set in Scotland, perfect for readers who enjoy warm stories, charming settings, and feel-good escapism.

Pantser vs plotter - why it’s not an either/or choice. Lilac Mills shares her discovery writing process and why mixing methods works best for her.

Do you need the perfect setup to write? Learn why writing anywhere, with anything, beats waiting for the “right” place or tools.

Okay, so the disclaimer on all my books says something along the lines of... 'This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblence to an actual person, living or dead... is entirely coincidental.' It's kind of true in that I don't wholly base a character on one person. Not really. Okay, maybe just a bit... My characters tend to be romancenste

Readers often want to know what my favourite trope is, and I must admit to having a soft spot for single parent romance. Which is probably why I've written a couple of books featuring single mums - and dads! Single parenthood reflects real life, whether it be a mum who is bringing up the kids on her own, a dad who is struggling because he doesn't see his children every day, or even a dad who is the primary (or sole) care giver. So here are the stories I've written where

Many readers want to know whether I set my books in real places or are the settings entirely fictional. My answer is – ‘that depends…’ Not helpful, but true. Take my Island Romance series, for instance; all three books are set on the island of Tenerife, part of the Canaries in the Atlantic. The island is real and so are all the locations mentioned. If you're interested, I've written a blog pos t where I talk about the scenery and places that appear in the books. Even the v

I don't know about you, but as soon as Christmas is out of the way, my thoughts turn to spring, especially during the seemingly endless dark, dank days of January. I find myself looking for signs that spring is on its way - whether it be the almost imperceptible lengthening of the days, or the tiny new shoots poking through the soil. When I see the first catkins on the trees I get quite giddy - and don't get me started on the cute little lambs! Spring is all about fresh start

I love incorporating animals into my writing because, let's face it, many of us have them and they're part of our families. My first uplifting romance - Sunshine at Cherry Tree Farm - was inspired by the loss of my little Westie. You can read about that here, if you like. The book acted as a catharsis, encouraged me to adopt Poppy, my adorable cockapoo. Millie is the pooch on the left, by the way. Then when writing about Nell, the Border collie in The Tanglewood Flower Shop,

Explore how embroidery, sewing, pottery, and even sea glass found their way into the Scottish Isle books.

A pottery fail that inspired a Scottish island romance.