Today, I begin the first episode in a series of strange tales from my book Paranormal Warwickshire. Warwick Castle is, of course, the first thing many people think of when Warwick comes to mind. And no wonder: when I researched for my forthcoming book ‘A-Z of Warwick‘ (due out in November 2023 and now onContinue reading “Strange Tales From Paranormal Warwickshire part 1: Warwick Castle”
Category Archives: SC Skillman Author
Book Review: ‘The Spirit Engineer’ by AJ West
The Spirit Engineer by AJ West: This fictionalisation of a true story was probably one of the creepiest tales I’ve ever read. The Spirit Engineer by AJ West was published in July 2022. Its creepiness does not come from the purported spirits conjured up by the deceptive Goligher family in 1920s Belfast, but much moreContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Spirit Engineer’ by AJ West”
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 ‘The Shadowing’ by Rhiannon Ward
Today, I’m pleased to share with you my review of another of my Christmas book gifts: a gothic novel published in 2021 by Orion Books. The Shadowing by Rhiannon Ward is both a captivating read and a learning experience. I read this book in one evening and it gripped me throughout. Variously described on AmazonContinue reading “Book Review ‘The Shadowing’ by Rhiannon Ward”
Book Review: ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ by Liane Moriarty
Today I’m pleased to share with you my review of a book I greatly enjoyed. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty is set in the idyllic landscape of New South Wales, Australia. The TV adaptation appeared on our screens in 2021 as a TV mini series starring Nicole Kidman and shifted the action to theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ by Liane Moriarty”
The Tower of London in Bloom
I loved our recent visit to the Tower of London where we enjoyed wandering through the Tower through a moat filled with wildflowers. Superbloom celebrates the Platinum Jubilee year of Her Majesty the Queen. 20 million seeds were planted and the result is astonishingly beautiful and moving. Superbloom will be on till September 2022 –Continue reading “The Tower of London in Bloom”
A-Z of Warwick nearly complete
I’m pleased to report that my new nonfiction book A-Z of Warwick will soon be complete. Again, as for my previous two books Paranormal Warwickshire and Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire the research has been fascinating. The book will uncover some intriguing stories about the town of Warwick, past, present and future; and will contain 100Continue reading “A-Z of Warwick nearly complete”
Book Reviews: ‘Heaven is For Real’ by Todd Burpo and ‘Eye Can Write’ by Jonathan Bryan
Recently two related memoirs have come into my hands within a short space of time. The first, Heaven is For Real I picked up from a secondhand book sale at a local Warwickshire Open Gardens event. The second, I bought at a writing conference in the Hayes Centre, Swanwick, just this weekend (3-5 June 2022).Continue reading “Book Reviews: ‘Heaven is For Real’ by Todd Burpo and ‘Eye Can Write’ by Jonathan Bryan”
Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire blog tour
This week Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire goes on tour through seven book blogs. Thank you to Ruth Leigh who began the tour and to Ritu Bhathal who looks at the book on her blog. Both bloggers have shared lovely reviews of the book. On 11th May, it’s the turn of Joy Margetts. Shelley Wilson followsContinue reading “Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire blog tour”
Folklore in Action at Book Launch
On the day of writing this blog post I shall be launching my new book Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick. Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire is published by Amberley, and the book deals with strange stories from around Shakespeare’s county, stories which cover many topics: folklore, ancient ceremonies, spooky experiences, intriguingContinue reading “Folklore in Action at Book Launch”