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Displacement
From the Scottish Hebrides to the Middle-East, Displacement is a soul-searching journey from grief to reclamation of self, and a love-story where romance and realism meet head-on.
Divorce, the death of her soldier son and estrangement from her daughter, leave Hebridean crofter, Rachel Campbell, grief-stricken, lonely and lost.
Forced retirement leaves former Edinburgh policeman Jack Baxter needing to find a new direction for his life.
When Rachel meets Jack in dramatic circumstances on a wild winter’s night on the island of Skye, a friendship develops, despite very different personalities. Gradually their feelings for each other go beyond friendship. Something neither of them feels able to admit. And it seems unlikely they’ll get the chance to because Rachel is due to leave for several months to visit family in Israel – where she aims to re-root and reroute her life.
Set against the contrasting and dramatic backdrops of the Scottish island of Skye and the contested country of Israel-Palestine, Displacement is a story of life-affirming courage and love.
Divorce, the death of her soldier son and estrangement from her daughter, leave Hebridean crofter, Rachel Campbell, grief-stricken, lonely and lost.
Forced retirement leaves former Edinburgh policeman Jack Baxter needing to find a new direction for his life.
When Rachel meets Jack in dramatic circumstances on a wild winter’s night on the island of Skye, a friendship develops, despite very different personalities. Gradually their feelings for each other go beyond friendship. Something neither of them feels able to admit. And it seems unlikely they’ll get the chance to because Rachel is due to leave for several months to visit family in Israel – where she aims to re-root and reroute her life.
Set against the contrasting and dramatic backdrops of the Scottish island of Skye and the contested country of Israel-Palestine, Displacement is a story of life-affirming courage and love.
- GenresFiction
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2014
6 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stormont
6 books2 followersAnne writes contemporary fiction where her all-too-human characters face up to challenges that involve love, loss and some of life's biggest questions. Her novels are available in bookshops and online.
She blogs at http://putitinwriting.me and her website is at http:// www.annestormont.co.uk .
She describes herself as a subversive old bat, but she does try to maintain a kind heart.
When not writing, she enjoys gardening, hiking and riding pillion on her husband's motor-bike. She enjoys travelling and has visited every continent except Antarctica.
She believes – indeed she knows from personal experience – that there is life after fifty and she writes thoughtful, grown-up novels where the main characters are sometimes older but definitely no wiser.
Anne also writes children's fiction under her other name Anne McAlpine.
She blogs at http://putitinwriting.me and her website is at http:// www.annestormont.co.uk .
She describes herself as a subversive old bat, but she does try to maintain a kind heart.
When not writing, she enjoys gardening, hiking and riding pillion on her husband's motor-bike. She enjoys travelling and has visited every continent except Antarctica.
She believes – indeed she knows from personal experience – that there is life after fifty and she writes thoughtful, grown-up novels where the main characters are sometimes older but definitely no wiser.
Anne also writes children's fiction under her other name Anne McAlpine.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 15, 2014
We are proud to announce that DISPLACEMENT by Anne Stormont is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
September 1, 2020
Displacement is an addictive emotionally satisfying read, from the stark beauty of Skye to the richness of the Israeli setting and the captivating, relatable characters.
Rachel's life finally implodes after her mother's death. Still reeling from her husband's infidelity, her son's death destroys her, and her daughter's anger leaves her believing that life is over. Jack retired after a health scare is following a dream in Skye. He misses his career and wonders if his relationship with a married woman is his only choice.
Jack and Rachel have a serendipitous meeting, but have they met for a reason?
The characters are authentic and easy to empathise. Rachel comes to terms with devastating loss and learns to forgive herself for events beyond her control. Israel is enlightening, and the setting and political climate explored well.
The dynamic between Rachel and Jack is believable, in an engaging heartwarming read of loss and love.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Rachel's life finally implodes after her mother's death. Still reeling from her husband's infidelity, her son's death destroys her, and her daughter's anger leaves her believing that life is over. Jack retired after a health scare is following a dream in Skye. He misses his career and wonders if his relationship with a married woman is his only choice.
Jack and Rachel have a serendipitous meeting, but have they met for a reason?
The characters are authentic and easy to empathise. Rachel comes to terms with devastating loss and learns to forgive herself for events beyond her control. Israel is enlightening, and the setting and political climate explored well.
The dynamic between Rachel and Jack is believable, in an engaging heartwarming read of loss and love.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
October 26, 2016
A love story for grown-ups
Displacement by Scottish writer ANNE STORMONT is a love story for grown-ups that harbours all the teenage angst and uncertainty we remember from that time.
Rachel Campbell's life has been restricted by looking after her parents whose needs have pulled her back to her native Skye. When her mother dies and Rachel is alone, the enormity of her accumulated loss overwhelms her. In rapid succession, she has lost her husband to divorce, her son to death, her daughter to self-righteous blame and her parents to old age. She goes out into the dark Skye night where, in trying to rescue a sheep, she falls into a burn. Rachel is pulled from certain death by incomer Jack Baxter who has been alerted by her sheep dog.
The long slow process of Rachel's recovery starts here and encompasses a fascinating cast of characters and an engaging juxtaposition of the landscapes of Skye and Israel. A deeply moving family drama, satisfying romance (with one or two naughty bits), it is set in the real political worlds of Skye and Israel. The book is also a testament to the healing power of friendships - both old and newly made. I loved it.
Displacement by Scottish writer ANNE STORMONT is a love story for grown-ups that harbours all the teenage angst and uncertainty we remember from that time.
Rachel Campbell's life has been restricted by looking after her parents whose needs have pulled her back to her native Skye. When her mother dies and Rachel is alone, the enormity of her accumulated loss overwhelms her. In rapid succession, she has lost her husband to divorce, her son to death, her daughter to self-righteous blame and her parents to old age. She goes out into the dark Skye night where, in trying to rescue a sheep, she falls into a burn. Rachel is pulled from certain death by incomer Jack Baxter who has been alerted by her sheep dog.
The long slow process of Rachel's recovery starts here and encompasses a fascinating cast of characters and an engaging juxtaposition of the landscapes of Skye and Israel. A deeply moving family drama, satisfying romance (with one or two naughty bits), it is set in the real political worlds of Skye and Israel. The book is also a testament to the healing power of friendships - both old and newly made. I loved it.
September 22, 2025
Displacement, Anne Stormont's Romance Plus Is More Than a Love Story
As you read Displacement, you identify with the heroine's emotions and how she reacts to her situations. Her new neighbor, Jack, described her to his daughter as a nutcase at the beginning of the book. She's reclusive, tearful, and short-tempered with even her best friend.
But slowly, as Jack wins her trust, he discovers an accomplished woman weighted down with sorrow and begins to fall in love with her. After her near-death experience, Rachael's brother and her close friends convince her to get help. She realizes with the help of a counselor that she is not coping with her losses and moving forward with her life.
Over the course of the book, you watch how Rachael reaches out to life and responds to the people around her. You notice how she interacts with Jack's granddaughter, who recognizes her as an author. A Palestinian innkeeper advises her in the middle of a sleepless night. Eitan, a rogue Israeli artist friend of her brother, helps her move slowly out of her stagnated grief. As Rachel starts healing from multiple life stresses, her new friendships with Jack and Eitan add meaning to her life.
As you read Displacement, you identify with the heroine's emotions and how she reacts to her situations. Her new neighbor, Jack, described her to his daughter as a nutcase at the beginning of the book. She's reclusive, tearful, and short-tempered with even her best friend.
But slowly, as Jack wins her trust, he discovers an accomplished woman weighted down with sorrow and begins to fall in love with her. After her near-death experience, Rachael's brother and her close friends convince her to get help. She realizes with the help of a counselor that she is not coping with her losses and moving forward with her life.
Over the course of the book, you watch how Rachael reaches out to life and responds to the people around her. You notice how she interacts with Jack's granddaughter, who recognizes her as an author. A Palestinian innkeeper advises her in the middle of a sleepless night. Eitan, a rogue Israeli artist friend of her brother, helps her move slowly out of her stagnated grief. As Rachel starts healing from multiple life stresses, her new friendships with Jack and Eitan add meaning to her life.
January 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this lovely, thoughtfully written and well executed novel. The author wrote with such a vivid sense of place - from the dramatic scenery of Skye to the heady smells and flavors of Israel - and really captured how the experience of a very different place and culture can be transformative and long-lasting. The characters are sympathetic and complex. I was drawn in to their stories and truly wasn't sure how they would all end up! An entertaining read.
January 15, 2017
I loved this book as it followed Rachel's journey through her despair at the death of her mother and son. Anne Stormont writes real characters who have a great deal of depth and the changing scenery between Skye and Israel, plus my empathy for Rachel made it a compelling read.
Read
April 25, 2017A fresh take on the romance genre with a large dollop of intelligence.
Rachel has baggage. Her son died in combat, her marriage collapsed and since her parents' death, she feels very much alone. She works her croft on the Isle of Skye and manages. Just manages.
Jack is an ex-detective, retired early from the force and preparing to do up an old property on the island. He has baggage of his own. After he meets Rachel in unconventional circumstances, a friendship begins, which has the potential to become something more.
Until Rachel goes to Israel.
She decides to discover more about her Jewish heritage and visits her brother in Israel, where she meets Eitan. His charm and interest help thaw the permafrost around her emotions while the political situation arouses her anger.
When she returns to Skye, her nascent relationship with Jack must be rebuilt. However, the foundations have shifted.
A delightful, evocative and believable tale of rediscovery through the eyes of two complex characters. Two-dimensional chick-lit this is most certainly not. Stormont tackles politics, grief, loss, familial love, friendship in rural communities and mature relationships with clear-eyed observations. Her descriptions of Skye and Jerusalem come to full sensory life and a dry humour bubbles through the dialogue, making this an absorbing, enjoyable read you are sorry to leave. I hope this will not be the last of these tales. Like Alexander McCall Smith, I can see this becoming a well-loved series of an unusual community.
Rachel has baggage. Her son died in combat, her marriage collapsed and since her parents' death, she feels very much alone. She works her croft on the Isle of Skye and manages. Just manages.
Jack is an ex-detective, retired early from the force and preparing to do up an old property on the island. He has baggage of his own. After he meets Rachel in unconventional circumstances, a friendship begins, which has the potential to become something more.
Until Rachel goes to Israel.
She decides to discover more about her Jewish heritage and visits her brother in Israel, where she meets Eitan. His charm and interest help thaw the permafrost around her emotions while the political situation arouses her anger.
When she returns to Skye, her nascent relationship with Jack must be rebuilt. However, the foundations have shifted.
A delightful, evocative and believable tale of rediscovery through the eyes of two complex characters. Two-dimensional chick-lit this is most certainly not. Stormont tackles politics, grief, loss, familial love, friendship in rural communities and mature relationships with clear-eyed observations. Her descriptions of Skye and Jerusalem come to full sensory life and a dry humour bubbles through the dialogue, making this an absorbing, enjoyable read you are sorry to leave. I hope this will not be the last of these tales. Like Alexander McCall Smith, I can see this becoming a well-loved series of an unusual community.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews