Some of the loveliest things can be found hanging over fences and in our gardens (and I don’t mean talkative neighbours!) No, I mean flowers, and so here is an uplifting gallery of them to cheer the spirits. Sometimes, for my weekly blog post, I just include my photos. But don’t forget I also sendContinue reading “Flowers to Cheer our Spirits – and to send an Author and Artist Out to the Summer Festivals Again August 2023!”
Category Archives: SC Skillman Author
Book Review: ‘How the Irish Saved Civilization’ by Thomas Cahill
How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill has the subtitle: ‘The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe.’ I loved the title of this book and was led to read it after I visited Tintagel; the Roman remains and exhibition at St Albans; andContinue reading “Book Review: ‘How the Irish Saved Civilization’ by Thomas Cahill”
BLOG TOUR My review of Hunter’s Blood, the new book in the Edinburgh Crime Series by Val Penny
Today I’m delighted to be reviewing Val Penny‘s latest Edinburgh crime mystery as part of her blog tour. Hunter’s Blood is published by Spellbound Books. I met and chatted with Val at a writers conference at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, and found her an ebullient character. Her Edinburgh crimes give me a new conceptContinue reading “BLOG TOUR My review of Hunter’s Blood, the new book in the Edinburgh Crime Series by Val Penny”
Book Review: Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly, and introducing a new upcoming series of Jane Austen Short Stories by Ruth Leigh
Today I offer my review of a provocative book for Jane Austen fans. Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly is published by Vintage. I also introduce you to a new book of Jane Austen short stories, coming soon. As a keen reader of Jane Austen’s novels I was intrigued to read Helena Kelly’sContinue reading “Book Review: Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly, and introducing a new upcoming series of Jane Austen Short Stories by Ruth Leigh”
Book Review: ‘A History of Women in Medicine’ by Sinead Spearing
A History of Women in Medicine: Cunning Women, Physicians, Witches by Sinead Spearing is published by Pen & Sword. I was fascinated to read this book, as I have myself for some time been considering writing a nonfiction book on the subject of the Anglo-Saxon ‘cunning-woman’. Sinead Spearing is “a psychological historian specialising in theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘A History of Women in Medicine’ by Sinead Spearing”
How I Came to Write ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’
I have often been asked how I came to write Paranormal Warwickshire. It began soon after my arrival in Warwickshire twenty eight years ago, through the experience of visiting many of Warwickshire’s iconic locations. A fellow writer, Sue Vincent, a great traveller throughout our country and its historic, sacred and mysterious sites, who has nowContinue reading “How I Came to Write ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’”
A Visit to Warwick Castle 1st April 2023
Today I share a few photos from Warwick Castle which I visited again the other day to see the new trebuchet being fired, and to update some of the information I give in my chapter on the Trebuchet in my forthcoming book A-Z of Warwick. A-Z of Warwick will be published on 15th November 2023Continue reading “A Visit to Warwick Castle 1st April 2023”
The Power of a Writers’ Conference – Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference 2023 in Cumbernauld near Glasgow
I’m just back from an amazing Writing Conference in the Hilton Hotel, Spa and Golf Course near Glasgow – and what a packed, exciting weekend it was! I was invited to the conference by the Scottish Association of Writers, to judge the Nonfiction Writing Competition and to give a workshop on Writing Literary Nonfiction. SoContinue reading “The Power of a Writers’ Conference – Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference 2023 in Cumbernauld near Glasgow”
Booksigning at Vintage Crafts and Gift Fair in Dorridge Village Hall Saturday 11 March 2023
One of the good things for an author about hiring a stall at a craft fair is the company of fellow creatives. So many imaginative and beautiful crafts and gifts were on display at this fair, organised by Ultimate Girls Night Out, who run vintage-themed events, fairs and markets across the Midlands area. A bonusContinue reading “Booksigning at Vintage Crafts and Gift Fair in Dorridge Village Hall Saturday 11 March 2023”
Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire Part 2: Guy’s Cliffe
Today I continue my series with the second episode: the mysterious ruined manor house off the Coventry Road, Warwick. The land at Guy’s Cliffe has been a magnet for Celtic hermits, holy people, and legendary heroes since well before the Norman Conquest, and for medieval historians and the Warwick earls later. The combination of wildContinue reading “Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire Part 2: Guy’s Cliffe”
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