Southern Lights by Liz Arncliffe is a found family, contemporary romance about the power of resilience paving the way for an ultimate comeback.
Reserved teacher, Sloane Sullivan’s life has lost all color since losing her wife. She’s tired of only seeing shades of gray so she embarks on a year-long stint in Australia hoping to get her life back on track.
Actress Ava James keeps her flings brief and safe, that is until her world is upended when the woman she spent a sexy morning with just days earlier turns out to be the one renting her mother’s guest cottage for the next year!
After the initial awkwardness abates, a tentative friendship blossoms promising something much deeper. If only they could each get rid of their ghosts.
Writing
Southern Lights is a deeply emotional and visually rich story. The way color is used as a symbol to reflect Sloane’s journey through loss and healing adds a layer of depth to the narrative. Her decision to travel and seek out new experiences as a means of coping and rediscovering joy makes this a powerful story about resilience and transformation.
The vibrant portrayal of Australia’s scenery in Southern Lights enhances Sloane’s emotional journey. The vivid descriptions and keen observations make the landscape almost a character in itself, reflecting and influencing Sloane’s inner transformation. The contrast between the physical beauty of the Australian setting and the emotional turmoil Sloane experiences adds layers of meaning to the narrative. It’s fascinating how the setting can mirror and sometimes even propel a character’s growth.
Grief, as a central theme in Southern Lights, adds emotional depth and complexity to the story. The profound insights and observations surrounding grief and loss are relatable and I found myself highlighting often.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
The relationship between Sloane and Ava in Southern Lights is a beautifully crafted element of the story, especially given their initial meeting. The slow, deliberate development of their friendship, built on vulnerability and trust, adds a layer of authenticity and relatability. Their connection is essential to both characters’ journeys, providing them with the support and understanding they need to navigate their ghosts. I appreciate the slow, deliberate pacing because it shows respect for the complexity of their emotions and makes their romance more meaningful and profound.
Sloane’s immersion into Australian life and culture adds a charming and adorable dimension to Southern Lights. Her efforts to embrace and explore her new surroundings, while managing her responsibilities as a high school English teacher, bring a sense of adventure and warmth to the story. This piece of her journey shows her determination to rebuild her life and find joy in new experiences, despite the heavy weight of grief.
Shame is like a “toxic friend” that has shadowed Ava for nearly two decades. This shame has a profound impact on her relationships and career. The strength it takes for her to acknowledge the shame, sit with it, and try to move past it shows the strength of her character. Her willingness to allow Sloane into the lives of both herself and her daughter is a testament to her ability to lean into vulnerability.
Ava’s daughter Grace is a delightful addition to the story. Her innocence and precocious nature paired with her fanciful fashion sense bring a refreshing breath of fresh air. Grace’s presence in the story helps to balance the heavier themes with lightness and hope. Grace’s relationship with Sloane encourages Sloane’s healing because she is able to break down barriers immediately and offer insights only a brilliant child can.
Heads Up
Loss of a spouse. Covid.
The Conclusion
Southern Lights explores the multifaceted nature of grief—how it can shape a person, lead to unexpected insights, and ultimately guide them toward healing. The story offers a delicate balance between the sorrow of loss and the hope that comes with new beginnings. Majestic Australia serves as a place where healing happens and as a catalyst for acceptance, leaning into vulnerability, and trust. Sloane and Ava’s relationship allows each of them to evolve highlighting the strength of their connection and the impact they have on each other’s lives. It’s a beautifully passionate tale with powerful insights, vivid descriptions, and captivating characters. Grab your copy immediately!
Excerpt from Southern Lights by Liz Arncliffe
“Charlie! Charlie, no!” A woman rushed toward them from the walkway that bisected the small park above the beach. To Sloane’s American ears, the woman’s pronunciation of Charlie sounded very much like Cholly, and she felt something akin to joy for the first time in a long time. Sloane just managed to grab Charlie’s collar before he could dash off toward whatever it was he was pursuing, and the woman rushed over to attach a leash.
“I’m so sorry! I’m so, so sorry!” the woman said. “He gets overly excited about the bin chickens some mornings,” she explained as if Sloane was supposed to know what bin chickens were.
Sloane sat back up, looked around, and assumed the woman was referring to the large, pale bird lurking near the trash cans up the hill. Charlie, meanwhile, sat down and waited patiently for Sloane to acknowledge his presence with ear scritches, which she was all too happy to provide.
“Y’all call ibises bin chickens?” Sloane continued to scratch behind Charlie’s ears.
The woman tilted her head in a small and brief gesture of surprise. “You’re American. On holiday?”
“Um, sort of. But I fly out later today.”
“Yes, ibises are known as bin chickens because they root around in the bins. Your accent—I can’t place your accent. Southern, but something else.”
Sloane wasn’t sure if this was a question or not, but she answered anyway. “Appalachian. Southern Appalachian.” She let her gaze wander down the woman’s body. She might not be seeing much color these days, but she could certainly see shapes, and this woman had a lovely shape.
She realized she was being a bit too conspicuous in her ogling and she looked up just in time to see the woman’s lips twitch upward into a smirk.
“It’s adorable.” The woman smiled fully into Sloane’s upturned eyes, and motioned to the spot beside Sloane as if asking for permission.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-3-96324-944-0
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
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