research, Writing

Dullahan

The Dullahan is a headless rider on a black horse carrying carries his own head under one arm. Usually, the Dullahan is male, but there are some female versions. The mouth of the head has a rictus grin and the eyes move constantly. The Dullahan also has the power to see across the countryside even… Continue reading Dullahan

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Revival

Publisher’s Description In a small New England town, in the early 60s, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister, Charles Jacobs. Soon they forge a deep bond, based on their fascination with simple experiments in electricity. Decades later,… Continue reading Revival

research, Writing

Scottish Kelpie

In Scotland, a kelpie is a shape-shifting water spirit living in lakes and pools. They’re defined as demons appearing specifically in the shape of horses. However, some legends say they can also assume human form. In human form, the kelpie still retains its hooves. Thus, the kelpie is seen as a malevolent entity. Almost every… Continue reading Scottish Kelpie

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Damnation Games

*** I received an ARC in return for an honest review *** Publisher’s Description Alan Baxter, editor of Damnation Games, believes horror is the genre of honesty. ‘With horror, there’s no shying away from brutal reality to supply a happy ending. Even when the evil is overcome, it seldom happens without cost. Survivors are rarely… Continue reading Damnation Games

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The Bloody Chamber

Publisher’s Description From familiar fairy tales and legends – Red Riding Hood, Bluebeard, Puss in Boots, Beauty and the Beast, vampires and werewolves – Angela Carter has created an absorbing collection of dark, sensual, fantastic stories. Review I read the classic The Bloody Chamber and Other Tales by UK author Angela Carter as part of… Continue reading The Bloody Chamber

research, Writing

Dark Beira: Queen of Winter

In Scottish mythology, Beira or Dark Beira is the great mother of the gods and goddesses. She’s also known as the Cailleach, or the Cailleach Bheur in the Gaelic traditions of Ireland and the Isle of Man. Donald Alexander Mackenzie usually described her as being very tall and very old but could be terribly fierce… Continue reading Dark Beira: Queen of Winter

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The Haunting of Hill House

Publisher’s Description Four seekers have arrived at the rambling old pile known as Hill House- Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of psychic phenomena; Theodora, his lovely assistant; Luke, the future inheritor of the estate; and Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman with a dark past. As they begin to cope with… Continue reading The Haunting of Hill House

research, Writing

The Mari Lwyd

In the darkest months of the Welsh year, a white horse appears at your front door. It is mysterious and menacing Mari Lwyd. The Mari Lwyd has a horse skull for a head and lights or baubles for eyes. Her mane is made of colourful streamers, sometimes made of holly and ivy. She is covered… Continue reading The Mari Lwyd

Short Fiction, stories, Writing

Year Four Release

Year Four Year Four, an anthology of dark drabbles was published on January 6th by Black Hare Press. Three of my dark folklore drabbles are featured and a flash fiction piece. If you’re interested in purchasing an ebook or paperback copy of Year Four, more details are available here

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Sabella

Publisher’s Description On the rosy sands of a distant Earth colony, Sabella lives a quiet life in her isolated home—carefully hiding her vampirism from society. Sabella may not be undead, but she is painfully allergic to sunlight, possesses supernatural strength and speed, and feeds on fresh blood. In her youth, Sabella seduced a number of… Continue reading Sabella