January 2026 – Happy Penguins
Why are penguins such a popular bird? I believe we associate them with being relaxed, happy, living in the present, taking life as it comes. Of course life isn’t really like that for penguins in the wild, but it certainly is for the King and Humboldt penguins living on Penguin Shore at Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water in…
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Christmas 2025 – Festive Decorations at Our Local Warwickshire National Trust Properties
As Christmas Day draws near we have been out to see the lavish and imaginative decorations currently transforming the rooms of our nearest National Trust properties, Charlecote House and Baddesley Clinton Manor, Warwickshire. Of all National Trust houses Baddesley Clinton is my favourite: it’s the one I can imagine living in – or the place…
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Sea, Beach, and Sky on the North Cornish Coast
Today I return to the subject of the sea. I was there a few weeks ago, and how one can long for the sea, especially living in the middle of the UK as I now do! This area of Warwickshire has many joys – close to major historic sites such as Kenilworth Castle, and areas…
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Christmas Ghost Stories – MR James
Christmas is, by tradition, a time for ghost stories. And MR James is my favourite writer in this genre. James was himself a devotee of mystery fiction and particularly a fan of Sherlock Holmes. But he is, of course, best known to us as the greatest writer of traditional English ghost stories. Ruth Rendell famously…
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Great Review of Paranormal Gloucestershire by Shelley Wilson Author
Here is a lovely review of my new book. I particularly like the fact that Shelley now plans to visit a particular restaurant I featured in the Cheltenham section. Yes you can use my book as a tour guide and also as a guide to haunted eateries and watering holes throughout Gloucestershire ! Book Blurb:…
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Discover ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ by SC Skillman
Announcing my latest book, ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ which is out on Monday 15 September 2025! ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ is my fourth book for Amberley Publishing and is now available through all online retail stores and also through your local high street bookstore. You’ll find it in Waterstones branches and it can be ordered through indie bookshops too…
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Remembering a Visit to Dennis Severs’ House, Spitalfields, London
Last week I watched a new video by my favourite online historian, Dr Kat (see her YouTube channel ‘Reading the Past’.) Her latest one is all about the Huguenots, our first refugees, and Dr Kat refers to Dennis Severs’ House. I couldn’t resist reblogging my account of our visit there, to this beguiling, enchanting museum.…
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New Book Out Soon! Paranormal Gloucestershire by SC Skillman
Today, I’m delighted to share news that my next nonfiction book will be released by Amberley on 15th September 2025. ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ explores a county rich in beauty, history, and a high level of spiritual, mysterious, and paranormal activity. With a profusion of haunted inns, castles, houses and landscape features, the presence of the past…
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The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020
Currently the UK news and social media are focussing on Raynor Winn and the truthfulness or otherwise of certain accounts in her highly successful nonfiction book ‘The Salt Path’ (first published by Penguin 2019). Out of this has come a fascinating discussion about our expectations of truth and factual accuracy in memoirs and nonfiction books.…
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Book Review: Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
Today I review a new Australian novel. This novel is set in a Catholic community in the Monaro Plains, south east of Sydney. The weary first person narrator, separated from her husband, moves there from Sydney, initially for a short-term retreat. Having left and returned home, she later returns permanently. The most fascinating thing about…
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Feast of Colour and Sensory Delight at Tulleys Tulip Garden
Here are a few photos from our visit to Tulleys Tulip Garden at Hatton Country World, Warwickshire, a few days ago. Complete with a Dutch windmill and delicious Dutch mini pancakes (poffertjes) we enjoyed our experience without travelling to Holland! I can also attest to the fact that the 10 tulip stems I bought from the…
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And after the writing?
Writers write, yes? So what about all the other stuff – publicity, marketing etc? Once upon a time – when I was first published – the author’s job was simply to deliver the manuscript on time, to the agreed length and basically close enough to what was written on the contract. Then you sat back…
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Review of ‘Ghosts of the British Museum’ by Noah Angell
Today I share my review of ‘Ghosts of the British Museum’ by Noah Angell, which I read over Christmas and New Year. This author seems to have two agendas: 1) to share a vast array of ghosts and spirit experiences at the British Museum and 2) to decry those cultural thieves and looters at this…
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Review of ‘Miss Austen’ by Gill Hornby
I found this book review fascinating, as I discovered it the morning after I viewed the 1st episode of the BBC mini series of ‘Miss Austen’. In this book review by the creator of the blog site, The Home Place Web, I learned more about the original novel ‘Miss Austen’ by Gill Hornby, and how…
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Berlin December 2024 – Insights From the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall
Just before Christmas 2024, we visited Berlin and explored that fascinating city. There are so many diverse aspects to Berlin in December: the fun & excitement of the Christmas markets, crazy light displays, exquisite craftwork in festive shops, the amazing Humboldt Forum art museum, the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the opportunity to reflect upon the worst…
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Book Blog Tour: YA Dystopian Novel ‘Redemption Ground’ by E.M. Carter
Today I’m pleased to be reviewing the final novel in The Newland Trilogy by E.M. Carter, a thrilling YA Dystopian Trilogy published by Resolute Books. BLURB An awakening nation. A deadly appointment. A race against time. As rumblings increase throughout Newland, Carys, Amy and Jacob find themselves prisoners of the regime in different ways. Midwinter…
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Book Review Blog Tour: ‘A Right Cozy Christmas Crime’: an anthology of cozy crime stories compiled by Wendy H Jones
I’m delighted today to be a stop on the blog tour for this new anthology of stories ‘A Right Cozy Christmas Crime’ edited by Wendy H Jones and published by Scott & Lawson in time for Christmas 2024. I’ve been reading much more of the cozy crime genre lately, as a fan of Fiona Feitch…
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Book Review: ‘The Art of Life’ by SL Russell
Today I’m pleased to bring you my review of the latest novel from contemporary fiction author SL Russell, The Art of Life. Published by Resolute Books in August 2024 this is a compelling and deeply moving story I can recommend to all readers, and not only artists and art lovers. I’ve only just finished reading…
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