I’ve known Lindsay for several years, formerly as a member of my local writers group, and have listened to her reading early passages from this book, so it has been thrilling to see her complete and bring this novel to publication, knowing how long she has worked on it.
‘Banshee’, a cold war aviation thriller by Lindsay Rumbold, published 2024 by Resolute Books
My 5-star Review
This Cold War Spy Thriller story is set in Warwickshire in an area roughly approximating to Gaydon and is written in two timelines: 2022 alternates with 1964. I liked the way the story was structured in this way: I found it increased the mystery and the suspense.
In 2022 a hidden RAF bunker is discovered underground by a digger preparing to clear the land to build a new Wind Tunnel Facility; in the bunker is a skeleton in a suit, and lots of classified RAF Security Papers. Alex Farnsworth of the RAF is asked to investigate the identity of the skeleton, in collaboration with Warwickshire Police.
In 1964 Tony, a Vulcan pilot on the RAF base, has discovered a dangerous flaw in his aircraft and he is furious. The story continues from here, between the two timelines 60 years apart, and the tension builds up as it becomes clear in 2022 that these buried papers are even now to be regarded as Top Secret, UK Eye Only. It also becomes clearer and clearer that the skeleton belonged to a murder victim, but the investigation into his background and situation involves ever more complex webs of espionage, revenge and betrayal; and there is always the temptation to leave well alone.
The author is herself an aerospace engineer and the depth of expertise and minute knowledge of Vulcan aircraft, bomb bays and secret weapons that she weaves into her novel is astonishing. Alongside this, the story contains at least thirty-three different named characters over the two timelines, in the RAF, the police, MI5, and amongst diplomats and spies. I advise the general reader to hang in there, for the human interest side of the story becomes much more intense and compelling: the identity of the 1964 murderer; the inescapable evidence of sabotage by a double agent embedded in the RAF, leading to tragedy; and the need to uncover and expose the truth about two spies, both past and present.
In 1964, Gordon Thompson, Junior Engineering Officer, is the key protagonist; and Alex is our main viewpoint focus in 2022. I liked both of them and was keenly following their progress and the challenges that came their ways. Throughout the story I feel I learned an enormous amount, and gained insights into the constant need for vigilance at the highest level in a world where double agents are ever present.
I loved the way in which the complex puzzle is finally unravelled, finding it ingenious and ultimately both poignant and moving. I felt particularly engaged by the theme of long-held secrets coming to light many decades later through the involvement of the next generation, and perfectly integrated with a spur-of-the-moment decision by one individual sixty years before. To me the ending was sad, contained a satisfying element of poetic justice, and gave me so much to reflect upon and to speculate about, especially the subsequent destiny of one particular key character!
Highly recommended to lovers of Cold War spy thrillers.
I have a physical pile of TBR books and many on my kindle. The popularity of ebooks is said to be almost taking over that of physical books, but many kindle readers will admit to downloading ebooks then forgetting they’re on the kindle, waiting to be read.
Sometimes I have a frenzy of downloading ebooks from Amazon. An author friend is bringing out a new book and I’m keen to read and review it, but then… another author friend brings out his or her new book, and the same applies there, and then two or three others want me to read an advance copy for a blog tour, and yet another has just opened up pre-orders, so I definitely want to read that, and so on. So, apart from deadlines for my slot on a blog tour, which book do I choose to read next?
Since I frequently review my kindle library, I don’t forget what’s there, but have often been aware of shifting priorities in terms of ‘what to read next’. I’m conscious that people may buy my books from me at fairs and author talks and book festivals, but when do they get round to reading it? Now? Two weeks time? A year’s time? That’s the true test, and something over which we have no control. Sometimes, as a reader, I’ll start a few books and make my choice based entirely on what grabs me about the first page, and whether it suits my mood, and jumps out at me as the thing I need to read now.
Some people might get their book recommendations from Twitter but I find so many recommendations from book bloggers and fellow authors that I’m never at a loss for new reading ideas!
There’s no doubt, the first page is the hook. So we writers cannot really complain when literary agents and commissioning editors apply exactly the same principle with our own submitted manuscripts!
Here’s what’s on my current reading carousel on my kindle. I began each of these books but have now settled on one which hooks me right now and which I need to read all the way through as my top priority, before I return to one of the others.
Whose Body? by Dorothy L Sayers
Whose Body? by Dorothy L Sayers
A fellow author who writes cosy crime blogged about Dorothy L Sayers, saying she is up there with the best of the golden age cosy crime writers with her main protagonist Lord Peter Wimsey. I was then reminded once again how shocking it is that I’ve never read Dorothy L Sayers – so here is her first book in the genre. I must say, so far, I’m a bit mystified by the character of Lord Peter, who seems irritatingly facetious, but I’ve read enough to know that his character becomes much more complex later. That intrigues me, so I’ll definitely come back to this novel.
Father Brown: Essential Tales by G.K. Chesterton
Father Brown Essential Tales by GK Chesterton
Inspired by the wonderful TV drama series Father Brown, starring the brilliant actor Mark Williams, I thought it was about time I read some of the original stories by G.K. Chesterton, a great author whose wisdom I’ve read and known about for years. Sometimes classic fiction or nonfiction pass you by only because of the tidal wave of other books to grab your attention, but I have long known about Father Brown, and now is the time to become acquainted with the original character. So far I find the style a bit wordy, but can see Father Brown’s genius in alighting upon solutions, and I’ll return to the stories better prepared for the author’s literary style.
Strraight as a Jalebi by Ritu Bhathal
Straight as a Jalebi by Ritu Bhathal – I loved Ritu’s first book in The Rishtay Series, Marriage Unarranged, and am curious to see how the author handles the subject of gay relationships within the tightly knit, marriage-orientated Indian community in Britain. Again, I feel the mood must be right to thoroughly engage in this story, so once more, this is one for me to return to.
Becoming Queen Bathsheba by Amanda Bedzrah
Becoming Queen Bathsheba by Amanda Bedzrah – a look at the story of King David’s adulterous pursuit of Bathsheba, from the woman’s point of view. I listened to an interview with the author on a podcast, and that was the first time I’d heard of her, and of this book. Once more I feel this is a novel awaiting the right moment for me to read and absorb.
The Art of Life by SL Russell
The Art of Life by S.L.Russell (published Resolute Books 2024) – recently published, this is the latest offering from seasoned fiction author SL Russell who writes moving, challenging stories of contemporary dilemmas from the point of view of women in different key professions or vocations.
Fen Bailey, the main protagonist of this novel, is outwardly well placed in a financially comfortable marrriage with a grown up son and daughter both doing well but she longs to escape from her disparaging, unsympathetic husband who has no interest whatsoever in her creative calling as an artist. I began to feel the pull of this novel on the first page, as I engaged with Fen’s feelings – and it did lead me to reflect how lucky I am to have a husband, a son and a daughter, who are encouraging and supportive in my compulsion to be a writer, and an artist.
Now this story has me hooked, and I’ll read right through to the end, as Fen discovers a strange and lonely rundown art school in Yorkshire, which promises to give her the space and freedom to realise her dream of painting a lifesize canvas with very big themes, based on images from The Book of Revelation.
Why not join me on my writing and publishing journey, and sign up to receive my monthly newsletter packed with news and insights from the writing and publishing world, and gems from my research discoveries. Plus you’ll be the first to hear when I have a new book coming out.
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About Me
Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK.
My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)
In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’ve just delivered a fourth book to the publishers: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary gothic fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.
In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.
I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!
Today I share my entry on the book recommendation website shepherd.com. With Shepherd, you can explore, discover, read. It’s a brilliant idea for readers to find books based on themes, tone, plot elements and many other variables more subtle than broad genre categories.
The best books about the paranormal or the supernatural with a creeping sense of unease
I have been fascinated by the paranormal since I was young: always a lover of ghost stories, I have long felt the spiritual resonance in certain places; the energy and spirits of the past remain trapped within the fabric of certain buildings and the land, waiting for the sensitive to come along. I developed this passion by reading classic and modern-day ghost stories, going on ghost tours, and visiting haunted places. I listen to and record people recounting their experiences of real-life encounters. I write nonfiction books about the paranormal, specifically about Shakespeare’s ghosts and spirits in his county of Warwickshire, and novels that develop this theme.
I felt this story reaching out into my thoughts and my life while I was reading it, so I couldn’t wait to get back to it, and in this unsettling weirdness lies its power. I was utterly gripped by the author’s slow build-up of fear, grief, and madness in the family; I felt haunted by the house’s invisible ‘something bad.’ I had to get back to this story at every opportunity, and I would wake up thinking about the characters and wondering what would happen to them. What is this book about?
I imagined myself in the desolate place on the Essex coast where the main protagonist had gone, and I felt an invidious sense of dread as the atmosphere built up. The air of supernatural menace seems to breathe out of this story: the threat and the fear crept into me as if I were there myself, knowing something terrifying would happen, willing the main protagonist to get out and save themselves but knowing that I, just like them, would be held fast by those invisible and supernatural tentacles. What is this book about?
I felt this was one of the creepiest tales I have ever read. Its creepiness penetrated my own mind with its portrayal of perverse behavior among the living, the increasingly deranged mental state of the main protagonist, and the fervor of the Goligher Circle as they purported to contact the dead.
Pity and terror combine in this story; my empathy was with those they lured, drawn by their grief and despair. Primitive emotions are stirred up by the threat of supernatural danger; I felt shocked by the ingenious plot twist near the end. What is this book about?
I found this story enchanting. It utterly gripped me throughout with its compelling atmosphere of mystery, sheer horror and creepiness, and fascination with the idea of spirit photography. I felt captivated by the two main female characters and their developing intimate, emotional, and tense relationship.
My heart and soul were with these two women and the author’s beautiful craftsmanship weaving through the characters and story an intelligent and powerful debate about life after death. What is this book about?
I felt a powerful sense of tragic history and increasing pity and fear as this story progressed with its brooding, fateful, gothic atmosphere and hints of the supernatural in a gloomy, coastal house in Ireland. I became swept up by the gathering intensity and intrigue and the multiple shocks that arise from the main protagonist’s discoveries. I was absorbed in this compelling, thought-provoking story and captivated by its ingenious plot. What is this book about?
A little girl lost. An ill-omened spiritual healer. A raven with its eye on a prize.
A Passionate Spirit is a modern gothic novel set in the present-day Cotswolds. Zoe is an idealistic young woman who leads a creative retreat with her priest husband and suspects a beautiful and mysterious guest of evil intentions. Only when the eerie visitor seduces the priest and all the guests with miracle healings does our heroine unmask this High Priestess and find herself forced to confront awesome supernatural power. She must risk death if she is to save the sanity of them all.
Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK.
My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)
In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’ve nearly completed my fourth book for Amberley: Paranormal Gloucestershire. My new novel, a contemporary gothic fantasy called Director’s Cut, is currently with agents.
In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.
I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!
If you’ve enjoyed reading this why not sign up to join me on my writing journey. You’ll receive my monthly newsletter straight to your inbox in which I share gems and snippets from my research discoveries, news and insights from the writing and publishing worlds, and you’ll be the first to know when I have a new book coming out.
And if you’re a regular reader of this blog and would like to support me on my writing journey you can buymeacoff.ee/scskillman and I’d be very grateful.
Today I’m delighted to be a stop on the blog tour for the latest novel in Val Penny’s Edinburgh crime fiction series: ‘Hunter’s Rules‘. I’ve loved these books since I read the first in the series: The DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Val Penny has an Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store.
Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories,nonfiction books, and novels. Her novels are published by SpellBound Books Ltd.
Val is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and their cat.
Author Photo of Crime Fiction Novelist Val Penny
BLURB
A bloody scene brings Hunter and Meera’s romantic plans to an abrupt end.
A young woman attacked in a hotel lift has life changing injuries. Her wounds match those inflicted on two women who were murdered.
When Hunter is identified as a suspect in the case, he must establish his innocence to lead his team and solve this bloodcurdling crime.
Is the same person responsible for all three crimes? Will the girl in the lift finally identify who is targeting these young women ?
Hunter will stop at nothing until he catches the unhinged killer.
MY REVIEW
In ‘Hunter’s Rules’ I enjoyed yet another fast-paced journey alongside Val Penny’s characters as she develops their relationships with each other over the course of this series: the police and their banter; the loveable rogues Frankie and Jamie who always seem to graze very close to breaking the law but instead end up helping their pal, ‘Blondie’, in the police; Jamie’s jailbird ‘pop’, Ian Thomson, constantly advising his son over the phone; Arjun Mansoor, the much-feared criminal whose long-term prison sentence does nothing to prevent the operation of ‘his long reach’, and the evasive, slippery interviewees who always have something to hide which they don’t want anyone else to know about, but which hampers the police in finding the murderer.
This story opens with the discovery of a young woman in a lift at Edinburgh’s most prestigious hotel, the victim of a gruesome attack by, we presume, a psychopath with a fetish for collecting human eyes. Hunter and his beloved, Meera, once again find their romantic plans disrupted by a vicious murder demanding their immediate attention; and the familiar team at Police Scotland whom we have grown to love, begin their lightning-speed teamwork. The story powers along with Val Penny’s now-familiar blend of humour, racy dialogue, insights into the distorted criminal mind, and cat-and-mouse interviews in the unsavoury surroundings of the police interview rooms, accompanied by very dodgy coffee.
One of the many aspects that give this novel its edge are the intermittent passages in the mind of the killer: set out in italics; they show the killer pleased with his handiwork, seeking to get close to the recovering victim, often just giving the police the slip by a hair’s breadth: this device ratchets up the tension.
A dramatic and shocking denouement rewards the reader in this the latest of Val Penny’s popular DI Hunter Wilson crime series.
Please include the hashtag #HUNTERSRULES when you are sharing your posts
Why not sign up to join my mailing list? You’ll receive my monthly newsletter straight to yoiur inbox . I share gems and snippets from my research discoveries and news and insights from the writing and publishing worlds, plus you’ll be the first to know when I have a new book coming out.
Author Photo of SC Skillman
Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK.
My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)
In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’m now researching a fourth book for Amberley: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.
In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.
I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!
Book Blog Tour for YA Dystopian novel ‘Downstream’ by Maressa Mortimer.
Today I’m pleased to be taking part in the Blog Tour for Maressa Mortimer‘s new YA novel: Downstream, the third in her Elabi Chronicles. These books are set in a dystopian world exercising control over the hearts and minds of their citizens. Downstream may be found here on Amazon.
Here are the blurbs for Books 1 and 2 in The Chronicles of Elabi.
Book 1: Walled City
Gax is a young adult who enters the city-state of Elabi undercover as a missionary. His mission is to infiltrate a society that does not allow for beliefs or emotions. Elabi has a culture based on logic and factual thinking, and a view of relationships Gax comes up against when he tries to share the Gospel. His own worldview is challenged when the city’s control hinders his evangelism, limiting his opportunities to reach out to share his faith with the people in this first book of the Elabi Chronicles. Will Gax survive long enough to spread the Gospel, or will he be sent beyond the Hills?
Book 2: Beyond the Hills
Macia Durus, daughter of the well known Brutus Durus AMP, works hard to achieve a life of honour and prestige in her beloved Elabi. When a so-called “friend” challenges her priorities, Macia’s confusion threatens her carefully constructed plans. And her decision to investigate a forbidden book could have serious consequences for Macia as well as her family, turning their lives upside down.
About the Author, Maressa Mortimer
Maressa is a lovely fellow author I’ve met several times – we’ve met up at writers’ conferences and festivals and writers and shared our writing journeys and supported each other on those journeys, on and offline. Maressa has also helped me in my research for my forthcoming book on Gloucestershire, since that is where she lives!
Here’s a picture of us during a meet-up at a Stroud cafe.
Authors SC Skillman and Maressa Mortimer meet over coffee in Stroud, Gloucestershire December 2022
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Maressa grew up in the Netherlands and moved to England soon after finishing teaching training college. Married to Pastor Richard Mortimer, she and Richard live in a Cotswold village with their four children. She is a home-school mum, enjoying the time spent with family, travelling, reading, and turning life into stories. She wants to use her stories to show practical Christian living in a fallen world.
Author Maressa Mortimer
BLURB
Radio signals have been picked up that might reveal the location of Downstream. Macia longs to find her mother there and tries to persuade her friends Gax and Cecilia to join her in the search. But is it a dangerous mistake or a mission from God? Many difficulties await them and they will need to trust God as they encounter darkness and danger, reaching out with the Light.
My Review
Young Adult Dystopian novels are among my favourite genres and I’ve read several trilogies: The Hunger Games, The Declaration Trilogy, The Maze Runner, The Newland Trilogy being just some of them. So I expect a sinister, chilling scenario in which the main character battles injustice, crimes against humanity in some kind of ‘brave new world’ run by an autocratic Party which controls individuals through tight repression, secrecy, and ruthless punishments for failure to comply.
In Book 3 of Maressa’s trilogy, the three main protagonists, Macia, Caecilia and Gax, are teenagers with the courage to rebel and defy the prevailing order, and they source their strength from the loyalty and love of their allies. Maressa’s trilogy is outstanding for the fact that it is underpinned by a strong spiritual theme.
Macia is setting off on a quest to locate Downstream and find her mother; her journey will take her through the jungle, the river, and the village of Colchuyni which can only be reached via the town of Aniquist. It is dangerous, risky and challenging, and she will need jungle survival skills. Her friends Gax and Caecilia agree to go with her, and they all spend a long time preparing. They are taking books with them in huge rucksacks and will need to walk across mud flats which can only be crossed again one year later.
Once in Aniquist, they find a friend, Riu, who helps them. Riu eventually becomes my favourite character, along with the pair of ferrets whom the group adopts! We learn Aniquist is ruled by a macabre religious sect, compulsory for all. Because they resist this, Gax is abducted and beaten up by the Chief Elder of the Cult. His friends rescue Gax and escape into the jungle, pursued by fanatic Elders from the Cult.
From here on, there is a very strong sense of the geographical terrain as they struggle through the jungle dogged by murderous Elders, crocodiles, and numerous physical survival challenges – all very vividly and convincingly depicted.
How they come through peril and adversity makes up the fast-paced plot of the book, together with the horrifying discoveries they make when they do meet up with Macia’s mother and little brother, learn the terrible consequences of breaking away from Elabi, and come ever closer to the sinister truth of the true nature of the mysterious and much-feared Downstream.
The intense narrative drives the story forward through shocking revelations and further suffering. To avoid plot spoilers I cannot reveal the ultimate outcome but I will admit I loved the ending!
Look out on the socials for the hashtag #DOWNSTREAM
Why not join me on my writing journey and sign up to receive my monthly newsletter straight to your inbox. I share gems and snippets from my research and news and insights from the writing and publishing worlds. Also you’ll be the first to hear when I have a new book out.
And if you enjoy reading my blog posts here, please do buymeacoff.ee/scskillman – I’d be very grateful.
About Me
Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK.
My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)
In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’m now researching a fourth book for Amberley: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.
In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.
I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!
Author and Blogger SC Skillman at the British Library in London
Today, I’m pleased to share my reviews of two outstanding young adult novels, books 1 and 2 of The Newland Trilogy published by Resolute Books in 2023 and 2024.
The three novels in The Newland Trilogy, a YA Dystopian Trilogy by E.M. Carter published by Resolute Books
I received ARCs of these two excellent novels, for my honest review. Here are my reviews of these first two books in the trilogy.
‘Repression Ground’ by E.M. Carter, book 1 in The Newland Trilogy published by Resolute Books 2023
Repression Ground
This story is set in a nightmarish post-pandemic world in a country called Newland – which, we are to understand, is future England. The pandemic is known as “the Scourge”. Life prior to that is now known as “the Before” and the brainwashed inhabitants of Newland know nothing about the past – so this resonates with present-day “rewriting of history” by the propagandists of autocratic and tyrannical regimes. However, to my mind, the extent of their ignorance does suggest a time gap of several generations between the dystopian world of the story, and our present-day society.
This is a world of tight control, taken to extremes, and there are many graphic descriptions of relentless child abuse, psychological, emotional and physical, in a Training Institution known as “Ashton Training House”. Institutional abuse is rife here, in a society with a ruthlessly-enforced One-Child Policy using a squadron of NForce Officers. All electronic media is Prefixed with N for Newday – so we have NPhones, NSlates, NCom, NBook and NDOS 7 – Newday Operating System 7. I was delighted to see, however that one of the main protagonists has consummate skills in IT and is able to break into these systems!
The Party who control this society are inspired and motivated by their ultimate authority, the Illumen. Children in Ashton Training House are known only as Girl or Boy followed by a single letter of the alphabet and a surname composed only of the trade or business of their father. Everyone is judged entirely accordingly to their Productivity. Only when the children grow to adulthood as full Productives are they entitled to receive a name.
The Unproductive get removed to a mysterious and sinister location euphemistically known as the Home. Those who rebel find themselves in the hideous “Compound Think”. Within Ashton Training House, the children are punished by incarceration in The Think, supposedly to make them bring their views into line with The Party; but in reality, solitary confinement in a bare cold room.
The main protagonists are three teenagers: Amy, Carys and Jacob. The teachers in the Ashton Training House are mainly sadists: Miss Warden and Miss Principal, and many others. The institution’s gardener is also highly malevolent as are the majority of the adults who control the children, though Trainer One is a bit more reasonable and kind.
Jacob is an ally to Carys, has plenty of spirit and high technical gifts, and plans to mastermind their escape into The Outside where Carys hopes to go to the Home and find her parents (sent there years before).
How Jacob and Carys manage their escape, along with their friend Amy, and other friends they hope to rescue too, forms the thrilling substance of this story. They survive many crises, on several occasions slip the net despite traumatic recapture, and penetrate Compound Think to carry out more rescues. Along the way they start to have their eyes opened about past freedoms, the lies they have been told, the history that has been falsified and the propaganda they have believed. Ultimately they will discover the true nature of the Home, and what happened to their parents and all others who were taken there.
This is a tense and compelling novel – and it is strong stuff. For anyone sensitive about child abuse, or indeed with experience of it, this would make for a challenging read. The writing is sharp and crisp, and extremely vivid. The story made me re-think some of my own attitudes to control of human behaviour in a community. There is plenty to reflect on here, both about our present world, and about the possibilities ahead if certain paths are followed and extremists have their way. Highly recommended.
‘Rebellion Ground’ by E.M. Carter, book 2 in The Newland Trilogy, published by Resolute Books in 2024
Rebellion Ground
This is book 2 in E.M. Carter’s YA Dystopian trilogy, and in this strong, tense, driving narrative, the author sends our three teenage heroes away from the authoritarian city and out into the areas devastated by the New Day regime, inhabited only by groups of rebels and dissidents who have learned to survive in harsh conditions.
When the trio save the life of an apparent stranger, they are lured back to the hellish Compound at the centre of Newland, where they meet the repulsive and chilling head of the regime. They are divided, then coerced into serving the regime in the glaring eye of Newland media. But not all of them: you will need to read the book to find out who escapes, and who has to face the dual challenges of physical survival and the cruellest betrayal of friends.
In this second book I found the comparisons with The Hunger Games were very strong, so it is safe to say that fans of that hugely successful trilogy will love this!
Highly recommended: a powerful story opening up to us one possible chilling future we may never believe will happen… but which we humans are perfectly capable of straying into without even recognising what we are doing.
Highly recommended novel from an inspiring author.
Why not join me on my writing journey and sign up to receive my monthly newsletter straight to your inbox in which I share gems and snippets from my research discoveries, news and insights from the writing and publishing worlds, plus you’ll be the first to know when I have a new book coming out.
About Me
Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK.
My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)
In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’m now researching a fourth book for Amberley: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.
In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.
I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group! And if you’re a regular reader of these blog posts and would like to support my writing journey, please buymeacoff.ee/scskillman.
Author SC Skillman in The British Library, London.
I had vowed I would never get back into the water, but of course, this was always going to be the outcome. I never really had a choice. When out of work actress Rey Levine is offered her dream acting role, she knows she has to make it work. But there’s a catch: the film […]
I’m pleased to announce that I’ve just signed a contract to write a fourth book for Amberley which is Paranormal Gloucestershire.
Woodchester Mansion, Nympsfield, Gloucestershire (photo credit Jamie Robinson)The Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton under Edge, Gloucestershire (photo credit Jamie Robinson)View of The Ancient Ram, Wotton under Edge, from the main road (photo credit Sheila Robinson)
I’ve already begun visiting some of the fascinating locations in Gloucestershire which have a rich history and are surrounded by many curious tales.
Gloucestershire is 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 sensitive continue to feel the presence of spirits of the past absorbed into the fabric of places as diverse as the Iron Age burial chamber of Belas Knapp Long Barrow, the prisons at Gloucester and Littledean, and the 12th century Ancient Ram Inn at Wotton under Edge. In this book I will also be looking at the stories behind the hauntings at Sudeley Castle, Chavenage House, St Briavels Castle, Woodchester Manson and Owlpen Manor.
Many report unsettling experiences at the Abbeys in Gloucester and Tewkesbury, the villages of Prestbury and Arlingham, and in the Montpelier and Pittville areas of Cheltenham. I visit eerie locations and unearth a selection of chilling tales shared by visitors. With everything I investigate in Gloucestershire I will question further to clarify the surprising or less well-known aspects, and unearth the quirky elements that may underlie what is known about the hauntings of this fascinating county.
Why not sign up to join me on my writing journey and receive my monthly newsletter direct to your inbox in which I share gems and snippets from my research discoveries, news and insights from the writing and publishing worlds and new cover reveals. Plus you’ll be the first to know when I have a new book coming out.
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Working at 1 Portland Place opposite Broadcasting House (BH) at London W1A, we often saw well-known presenters and personalities.
Broadcasting House, London W1A
We’d be queueing up for lunch in the canteen at the top of BH and I’d see a familiar media figure in the queue just ahead of me, and think, ‘He looks much smaller and more ‘ordinary’ in real life’. It’s true that people always appear much sharper, brighter, larger-than-life on television and cinema screens; and we can put that down to the skills of the lighting directors, make-up artists and camera operators!
However, I can say that when I met Cliff Richard face-to-face at a reception in the crypt at All Souls, Langham Place (across the road) he looked just as good as I expected!
All Souls, Langham Place, London W1A
That came about because my producer was away for a few days and an invitation came in from the Scripture Union for him to attend a reception to launch Cliff’s new initiative, a series of readings on cassette from John’s Gospel called ‘Start the Day.’ I lost no time at all in inviting myself instead of my producer; I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity to meet Cliff.
I found myself in the same group as Cliff with our flutes of champagne and chatted to him for a couple of minutes as a representative of BBC Radio; he was very natural, pleasant, and attractive and I was thrilled to meet him.
Cliff Richard in the 1970s
In BBC Schools Radio religious programmes, we sometimes recorded live on location in All Souls. School parties from all over the UK would be invited and the church would be packed with teachers and eager children. At the time Michael Flanders and Donald Swann were very popular comic song-writers and entertainers, and I was stationed just outside the door of the vestry where Donald lay in wait ready for the moment when the presenter introduced him.
The Songs of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann
I gave Donald the signal: ‘You’re on, Donald,’ and he sped past and lightly sprung onto the platform straight to the piano and began playing ‘Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud’ for which he was renowned at the time.
Michael Flanders and Donald Swann, comedy due, ‘At The Drop of a Hat’ recording
We became used to working with nationally-known presenters, and one of them, famous for hosting a much loved religious programme on BBC TV, presented several of our programmes for schools. I had to do a private viewing for him of our new technology (which of course sounds almost primitive now!); that is, Radiovision. The BBC would supply a set of slides that accompanied a radio programme schools would purchase as a package, so teachers would play them in the classroom.
Our popular presenter came in, charming, good-looking and charismatic, and saw straightaway that he would be hosted by me for the next hour in the absence of my producer.
I’ll call him RG (not his real initials). He was well known among the secretaries for being flirtatious (if I put that politely). There we encounter the BBC culture at the time – and in many workplaces, I’m sure. There was a culture of, ‘He’s a bit of a lad, just laugh at it, don’t take it seriously.’ I won’t name here the hugely reviled BBC celebrity (someone else, I hasten to add) whose reputation eventually cast the BBC in a very bad light.
I certainly experienced a selection of moves from this handsome presenter’s repertoire during that radiovision showing. Fortunately some of my colleagues came in too to watch so I wasn’t left entirely to his mercy.
Afterwards, my producer said conversationally, ‘Was old R up to his tricks again in there?’ and we all laughed it off as we always did. I must say a good sense of humour carried us through at the BBC!
Why not sign up to receive my monthly newsletter straight to your inbox? I’d love to have you join us! I share gems and snippets form my research discoveries, news and insights from the writing and publishing worlds, and you’ll be the first to know when I have a new book coming out!
Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK.
My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)
In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’m now researching a fourth book for Amberley: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.
In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.
I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!
Today, I ‘m pleased to share my review of an outstanding new novel, published by Fairlight Moderns on 14 March 2024.
A paperback copy of the new contemporary novel, ‘Small Wars in Madrid’ by Anthony Ferner, published by Fairlight Moderns 14 March 2024
‘Small Wars in Madrid’ by Anthony Ferner is a novel that evoked a number of emotions in me as a reader; at different times, I felt shocked, moved, and a strong sense of illumination.
This contemporary novel set in Spain defeated my expectations. Although the main plot, and the blurb, tells of a traumatised Spanish naval officer trying to recover his identity and his marriage following a tragic episode in his career, much of it was about his confused sense of himself as a Jewish person brought up in an adoptive Catholic family. I found the novel compulsive reading and the subject matter totally fascinating.
I have often wondered exactly what it means to be a cultural Jew, one who may even be agnostic or atheist; and why it may mean so much to take part in all the Jewish festivals and customs regardless of faith. In this story, we find David re-negotiating his relationships with two committed and observant Jewish women: his wife, Margalit, and his newly-rediscovered biological mother, Elena. Alongside this he is also struggling to manage his trauma. I have had so many unanswered questions about the essence of Jewishness, and in this story Anthony Ferner opens up that experience in the most vivid and compelling way.
‘Small Wars in Madrid’ by Anthony Ferner
I learned many new things in reading this book; I loved the main protagonist, David, and especially his best friend Marce, his companion who suffered alongside him during an intense and terrifying period of their lives fleeing violent militia groups in Lithuania. Incorporated within the novel was a tense survival story which I also found totally gripping.
Highly recommended novel from an inspiring author.
Why not join me on my writing journey and sign up to receive my monthly newsletter straight to your inbox in which I share gems and snippets from my research discoveries, news and insights from the writing and publishing worlds, plus you’ll be the first to know when I have a new book coming out.
About Me
Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.
I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK.
My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)
In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.
My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’m now researching a fourth book for Amberley: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.
In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.
I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!
Author SC Skillman in The British Library, London.
Why did I love this book?
scskillman.com 