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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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Why ebooks? Accessibility!

I read ebooks and Iโ€™ve enjoyed the switch. Of course many textbooks are more affordable and conversely, sometimes research tomes are better suited to the physical shelf. So, why do I prefer ebooks (and Kindle preference here) is the light-weight tablets and easier physical reading process. As part of my disability, I often get cramped… Continue reading Why ebooks? Accessibility!

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Irish Myth: Tuatha Dรฉ Danann

John Duncan's Riders of the Sidhe (1911) In the mythic Otherworld of Irish Gaelic folklore, the Tuatha Dรฉ Danann are a powerful race, often described as semi-divine beings possessing extraordinary skills in magic and warfare. According to the tales and legends, they arrived in Ireland in a mist and introduced significant shift in culture and mystical knowledge.… Continue reading Irish Myth: Tuatha Dรฉ Danann

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Fox Folklore

Pinterest Image FOX IN MYTHOLOGY: Many cultures around the world depict the fox in their myths and lore extensively.  In Mesopotamian mythology of the early centuries, you will note how everyone regarded the fox as a sacred animal that belongs to the Goddess Ninhursag. The fox was her loyal messenger. FOX IN FOLKLORE: The Finnish… Continue reading Fox Folklore