Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to Hellisay. Whether you have just discovered the island or are already wondering what happens next, here are some of the questions readers ask about the books, the world, the author and the inspiration behind the series.
The Hellisay Series
What is the Hellisay series about?
Hellisay is a cosy and spicy Scottish island romance series about love, friendship, humour, folklore, and the unexpected ways that people can find their place in the world.
Set against the backdrop of a remote Scottish island, the stories combine contemporary romance with island life, close-knit communities, beautiful surroundings and a touch of the unexpected.
Each book has its own story and characters, while also contributing to the wider world of Hellisay.
What genre is the Hellisay series?
Hellisay is a cosy and spicy Scottish island series, combining elements of romance and Scottish humour with a strong sense of place.
The books are character-led and relationship-focused, with the island itself playing an important part in the stories.
What does “cosy island romance” mean?
It is probably the simplest way to describe what makes Hellisay different.
The stories combine the emotional heart of romance with the lush escapism of fantasy, but place them in a warm, atmospheric island setting. Expect beautiful landscapes, community, friendships, relationships, folklore, and plenty of time spent getting to know the people who call Hellisay home.
Is Hellisay a romance series?
Romance is an important part of the Hellisay stories, but it is not the only thing happening on the island.
Alongside romantic relationships, the books explore friendship, family, community, personal journeys, and the magical folkloric elements that make Hellisay what it is.
Do I need to read the Hellisay books in order?
The books are designed to work as individual stories while forming part of a larger series.
For the best experience, reading them in publication order allows you to discover Hellisay and its characters as the world develops.
How many books will there be in the Hellisay series?
The first Hellisay story is the beginning of a planned multi-book series.
As the series develops, readers will discover more of the island, its inhabitants and the wider world surrounding Hellisay.
Are the Hellisay books standalone stories or one continuing story?
Each book focuses on its own characters and story, while the books are connected through the wider world of Hellisay.
That means you can enjoy the individual romantic journey in each book while also discovering more of the island as the series progresses.
The Island of Hellisay
Is Hellisay a real island?
Yes—but there is an important distinction.
The real Hellisay is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The Hellisay found in these books is a fictional island, inspired by the landscapes, atmosphere, and character of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.
Is the Hellisay in the books based on a real place?
The fictional island draws inspiration from real Scottish islands in the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Highlands of Scotland, and Scottish folklore.
The Hellisay of the books is its own fictional place, created to give the characters and stories a setting with a strong sense of identity.
Where is the real Hellisay island?
The real Hellisay lies in the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland.
Although the island itself is uninhabited, its name, and connection to the surrounding Hebridean landscape provided an evocative starting point for the fictional world of the books.
Why did the author choose a Scottish island as the setting?
The Scottish islands offer a combination of dramatic landscapes, strong communities, changing weather, isolation, and a deep sense of history, identity, folklore, and Scottish culture.
They also create a natural setting for a story where the environment is more than just a backdrop. In Hellisay, the island itself is part of the experience of living there.
How much of Hellisay is inspired by real Scottish island life?
The atmosphere, culture, landscape, events, folklore, and inspiration come from real Scottish islands, particularly the Hebrides, but the island and its stories are fictional.
Readers may recognise elements of island life, events, landscapes, and Scottish culture, but Hellisay is ultimately its own place.
The island—her events and her stories—are a blend of real places, real moments, and real chaos the author has experienced. Hellisay is not one Hebridean island, nor a region of the Highlands. She is all of them—and none of them.
The World of Hellisay
What is the world of Hellisay like?
Hellisay is a place where island life and folklore exist side by side.
It is a world of windswept landscapes, beautiful coastlines, close-knit communities, old stories, and people whose lives are often more connected than they realise.
The island provides the setting for the romances, friendships, and adventures at the heart of the series.
What role does the island play in the stories?
A very big one.
Hellisay isn’t simply somewhere the characters happen to live. The island shapes their lives, identities, relationships, and experiences.
Its landscape, community, events, and sense of isolation all contribute to the atmosphere of the books and help make Hellisay feel like a character in its own right.
Are there magical or supernatural elements in Hellisay?
A little bit.
Scottish folklore is woven into the world of Hellisay, alongside the more familiar experiences of relationships, friendships, and everyday island life.
The folklore elements are an important part of what makes the island unique and contribute to the island having a magical, indulgent, and escapist feel to it.
What themes are explored in the Hellisay books?
The series explores themes including love, friendship, family, belonging, identity, community, and finding your place in the world.
The stories also explore what happens when people are forced to confront things they thought they understood—about themselves, each other, and the island they call home.
Will characters from earlier books appear in later ones?
The books exist within the same wider world, so readers can expect connections between the stories as the series develops.
Discovering familiar faces, seeing how different characters’ lives intersect, and viewing the world through different characters’ eyes are all part of the fun of returning to Hellisay.
Will there be more stories set in the world of Hellisay?
The current plan is for the Hellisay story world to be a multi-book series.
There are further stories and ideas in development, so the island may have more secrets—and more stories—to reveal.
About the Author
Who is the author of the Hellisay series?
The Hellisay series is written by M.A. NicNèill.
The books combine a love of romance and fantasy books with the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
You can find out more about the author on the About Author page.
What inspired the author to write Hellisay?
Hellisay grew from a love of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and the particular atmosphere they create—remote landscapes, strong communities, cultural identity, dramatic weather, and the feeling that every island and region has its own stories.
Drawing from their family roots in the Outer Hebrides, that sense of place became the foundation for a fictional world where romance, folklore, and cosy and spicy escapism could come together.
Why did the author choose the name Hellisay?
The name comes from the real Scottish island of Hellisay.
The real island is uninhabited, but its name and location provided the inspiration for the fictional Hellisay created for the series.
What inspired the characters in Hellisay?
The characters are at the heart of the series.
Their relationships, personalities, friendships, and individual journeys are what drive the stories, while the island provides the environment in which those relationships develop.
Her people are chimeras of unforgettable folk the author has encountered: a spark from one soul, a laugh from another, a slice of gossip over a cuppa, a bit of borrowed banter, and the occasional personality or physical trait shamelessly stolen from family and friends—don’t worry, they changed the names.
What inspired the magical elements of the series?
The magic and folklore-driven elements of Hellisay is part of what makes the fictional island distinct from the real places that inspired it.
It allows the stories to explore familiar human experiences—love, belonging, friendship, and change—through a slightly fantastical lens.
What can readers expect from the author’s future plans?
More stories, more characters, and more of the Hellisay world.
The wider story plan extends beyond the first book, with further ideas already taking shape.
Reading Hellisay
Who would enjoy the Hellisay series?
Hellisay is written for readers who enjoy spicy romance but also want a strong sense of place and cosy escapism.
If you like character-driven stories, Scottish settings, unique voices and identities, island communities, and romantic relationships woven through a wider story, you may feel at home on Hellisay.
What can readers expect from a Hellisay book?
Expect romance, island life, friendship, community, folklore, humour, and plenty of lush atmosphere.
Each story brings its own characters and romantic journey while opening another door into the wider world of Hellisay.
Where can I buy the Hellisay books?
The Hellisay books are available through Amazon.
Visit the individual book pages on this website to find the latest editions and purchase options.
Are the Hellisay books available as ebooks and in print?
Hellisay books are being published in multiple formats, including ebook and print editions.
Availability can vary by title and territory, so check the individual book page or Amazon listing for the latest options.
Are the Hellisay books available through Kindle Unlimited?
Where a Hellisay title is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, it will be available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers through Amazon.
Check the current Amazon listing for the latest availability.
Where can I find Hellisay news and release updates?
The best way to keep up with Hellisay is to follow the author on social media or join the Hellisay mailing list.
That is where you’ll find news about upcoming books, release dates, behind-the-scenes content and other updates from the island.
That is where you’ll find news about upcoming books, release dates, behind-the-scenes content and other updates from the island.
Still curious about Hellisay?
There is only one way to really discover the island.
Come and see what is waiting for you on Hellisay.