research, Writing

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

research, Writing

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

Writing

Carmilla: Week 3

III. We Compare Notes We followed the cortege with our eyes until it was swiftly lost to sight in the misty wood; and the very sound of the hoofs and the wheels died away in the silent night air. Nothing remained to assure us that the adventure had not been an illusion of a moment but the… Continue reading Carmilla: Week 3

research, Writing

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

events, Long Fiction, Writing

New Release: Bluebells

The first novella In the Devils Garden trilogy, Bluebells, is available for order from PS Publishing! There are gorgeous deluxe hardbacks, special signed hardbacks with trade paperbacks and ebooks available soon. Order here Want to know more about Bluebells? Check out the description here If youโ€™re interested in the โ€˜behind the scenesโ€™ of writing In… Continue reading New Release: Bluebells

reads, Recent Reads

The Crimson Road

โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ ** I received an ARC for an honest review ** Description Violet Zennor has had a peculiar upbringing. Training as a fighter in underground arenas, honing her skills against the worst scum, murderers and thieves her father could pit her against, she has learned to be ruthless. To kill.  Until the day Hedrek Zennor… Continue reading The Crimson Road

reads, Recent Reads

Black History Month Reads

Black History Month (1 February - 1 March) recognises and celebrates the struggles and vibrancy of African-American authors. Some of the issues tackled in the books I've read or currently reading include the slave trade, war, refugees, social inequality and marginalisation. So check out all these amazing books from gothic horror, speculative fiction, dark academia,… Continue reading Black History Month Reads

research, Writing

Urban Legend: Amazon Vampire

๐Ÿ“ท = Reportedly Camille Monfront Urban legends are strange folklore borne from rumour, fascination and eventually, legend. That's what seems to be the case with the urban legend surrounding 'Camille Monfort' or the "Amazon Vampire," where this striking female figure became a legend in 1896 in Belรฉm, Brazil. In the late Victorian era, Brazil was… Continue reading Urban Legend: Amazon Vampire

reads, Recent Reads

This Ravenous Fate

** I received an ARC for an honest review ** โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Description SOMETIMES TRUE LOVE DEFIES DEATH ITSELF. New York, 1926. Reapers - once-human vampires - stalk the shadows.  The Saint family has reigned over the city for years, protecting its inhabitants through their thriving reaper-hunting enterprise. But reluctant heir Elise Saint faces a chilling… Continue reading This Ravenous Fate