research, Writing

Carmilla: Week 8

VIII. Search At sight of the room, perfectly undisturbed except for our violent entrance, we began to cool a little, and soon recovered our senses sufficiently to dismiss the men. It had struck Mademoiselle that possibly Carmilla had been wakened by the uproar at her door, and in her first panic had jumped from her… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 8

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Carmilla: Week 7

VII. Descending It would be vain my attempting to tell you the horror with which, even now, I recall the occurrence of that night. It was no such transitory terror as a dream leaves behind it. It seemed to deepen by time, and communicated itself to the room and the very furniture that had encompassed… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 7

Recent Reads, research, Writing

2025 Favourite Readsโ€ฆso far

This year has been a whirlwind of amazing books by established voices and incredible works from new authors. Enter Shepard to save the day! readers ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿป Iโ€™ve read 63 books so far this year but wantrd to share my favourite ones so far which have had the greatest impact on me. Writers ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿป Shepherd are… Continue reading 2025 Favourite Readsโ€ฆso far

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Carmilla: Week 5

V. A Wonderful Likeness This evening there arrived from Gratz the grave, dark-faced son of the picture cleaner, with a horse and cart laden with two large packing cases, having many pictures in each. It was a journey of ten leagues, and whenever a messenger arrived at the schloss from our little capital of Gratz,… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 5

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Carmilla: Week 4

IV. Her Habitsโ€”A Saunter I told you that I was charmed with her in most particulars. There were some that did not please me so well. She was above the middle height of women. I shall begin by describing her. She was slender, and wonderfully graceful. Except that her movements were languidโ€”very languidโ€”indeed, there was… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 4

events, research, Writing

New Book Release

I am super excited to announce this 6 October 2025, I can welcome Loki, Untangling A Tale into the fiction mythos. A dark fantasy Norse myth retelling follows how Loki changes throughout the myths. From brother, scapegoat to rebellious, Loki is a Trickster figure of enduring fascination! Available from all good bookstores and here

research, Writing

Slavic Folklore: Domovoj

A domovik (also called domovoj, domovoy) is from Slavic folklore and is a household spirit residing in every home. The domovik traditionally is bonded to the ancestral founder of the family and moves with them from household to household. A domovoj is typically portrayed as small old man with a gray beard. The household refer… Continue reading Slavic Folklore: Domovoj

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Carmilla: Week 2

I. An Early Fright In Styria, we, though by no means magnificent people, inhabit a castle, or schloss. A small income, in that part of the world, goes a great way. Eight or nine hundred a year does wonders. Scantily enough ours would have answered among wealthy people at home. My father is English, and… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 2

research, Writing

Avoiding Vampire Creation

Vampires, Burial and Death by Paul Barber includes a chapter which has been part of my current research rabbit-holes. This chapter looks at the various methods of body disposal and the cultural beliefs surrounding death and corpses particularly to the prevention of creating vampires or revenants. A summary of the relevant points: Summary The importance… Continue reading Avoiding Vampire Creation

research, Writing

Reviewer Hack!

Do you prefer to read ebooks? I do because I love reading so many different books at a time and my Kindle is my portable library. But if you also like to do reviews and youโ€™ve been given an electronic ARC version? You want to support the authors youโ€™re reviewing for or judging but I… Continue reading Reviewer Hack!