It’s not often I come across a novel so strong that it reaches out into my thoughts and life while I’m reading it so that I can’t wait to get back to it. Sarah Waters, however, is one novelist who does indeed write stories like this. In The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, the centralContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters”
Category Archives: modern Gothic fiction
Book Review: ‘The Winter Guest’ by W.C. Ryan
I was engrossed by this historical novel set in Ireland in 1921 among The Troubles that exploded in 1919 in the Irish War of Independence after the First World War. The Winter Guest by W.C. Ryan brings our investigator and first person narrator Tom Harkin to the atmospheric, crumbling and haunted ancestral mansion of theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Winter Guest’ by W.C. Ryan”
Book Review: ‘Madam’ by Phoebe Wynne
This gothic novel Madam by Phoebe Wynne held me captive throughout, despite some reservations about the plot and development of ideas. The author builds a strong feeling of creepy, sinister, weird claustrophobia in an exclusive independent girls’ school on the Scottish coast. The main protagonist, Rose, has just been appointed to the highly paid postContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Madam’ by Phoebe Wynne”
Fiction Genre: What is it Exactly?
As a writer, I believe we should be willing to explore new areas, and to step outside our comfort zone. And that applies very closely to our lives as readers too. I read a wide variety of books, both non-fiction, and fiction of all genres. I admit I do like psychological insight but I believeContinue reading “Fiction Genre: What is it Exactly?”
Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and Director’s Cut: Works in Progress
Hello! On today’s blog I share what I’m up to at the moment – writing, researching, editing, promoting. I have two books on the go, which makes life interesting! Firstly, I’m working on my new non-fiction book for Amberley Publishing, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire. The fully completed manuscript has to be delivered by the endContinue reading “Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, and Director’s Cut: Works in Progress”
Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Today I share a review of this historical gothic fantasy set in1950s Mexico. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a rich feast for lovers of gothic sinister-mansion stories. Creepy, disturbing, sensuous, all the tropes are here. The story takes our main protagonist, Noemi Taboada, a lively socialite, into a truly menacing setting in a mountainContinue reading “Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia”
Christmas Market at Shakespeare’s School on Saturday 8th December 2018
I’m looking forward to being part of the Christmas Market at King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 8th December 2018 from 12.30-3.30pm. This was the school where Shakespeare studied in the famous Schoolroom between the years 1571 and 1578. So he won’t be at there in person but he may well be inContinue reading “Christmas Market at Shakespeare’s School on Saturday 8th December 2018”
GDPR Compliance on SC Skillman Blog
Thank you to all of you who read and enjoy my blog posts. I greatly appreciate those who support me by following, reading, liking and commenting. I hope to continue providing you with short inspirational blog posts about any subject that catches my eye! It’s been a busy few days as I have been listeningContinue reading “GDPR Compliance on SC Skillman Blog”
Inspiration, Motivation and Keeping To The Path
On 7th September 2017 on the seventh day of my Mystical Circles blog tour, MJ Mallon published an article by me on her blog which has the wonderful title of Kyrosmagica. This is the seventh in a series of blog posts in which I re-publish the articles on that blog tour. So with my thanksContinue reading “Inspiration, Motivation and Keeping To The Path”
Genre: What is it Exactly?
On 2nd September on the second day of my Mystical Circles blog tour, blogger Jenny in Neverland hosted a guest post from me on her blog. This is part of a series when I shall be re-blogging those articles from that blog tour. So today’s post is the article Jenny first published, called: Genre: whatContinue reading “Genre: What is it Exactly?”
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