Category Archives: gothic and paranormal

An Interview with Author Betty Bolté + an Excerpt from “Charmed Against All Odds”

I am thrilled to have Betty Bolté join us today on the blog. Betty writes in several genres, and she is one of the authors I share duties with in the Common Elements Romance Project. You can learn more about … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, book release, contemporary, contemporary romance, eBooks, gothic and paranormal, Guest Post, paranormal, publishing, research, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Revenants, Coming Back from the Dead

Soon, I will stand in my driveway and hand out candy snacks to those brave enough to enter my small cul de sac, where few turn on their lights for the Trick or Treaters. And once more, my thoughts again … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, customs and tradiitons, eBooks, George Wickham, gothic and paranormal, historical fiction, Jane Austen, legends and myths, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, religion, suspense, vampires | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Revenants, Coming Back from the Dead

A Closer Look at “The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy”

When writing any mystery, the author cannot just have a murderer and a victim. He/She must also have suspects, red herrings (false clues), motives, and deception. There must be a balance between the suspense and the story’s pace must be … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, gothic and paranormal, Industry News/Publishing, Jane Austen, legends and myths, Scotland, Ulysses Press, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

17th Century Witch Hunter, Matthew Hopkins

 Matthew Hopkins was born in Wenham Magna, Suffolk, England. He was a Folk Figure, becoming England’s notorious “Witchfinder General,” active during the English Civil War. He was said to have exploited the fear and unrest of the times for his … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Church of England, gothic and paranormal, legends, medieval, mystery | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Scotland’s Merrick Murder Hole and The Old Grey Man

  This article first appeared on the Dark Jane Austen Book Club Website on March 11, 2013.  The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy Shackled in the dungeon of a macabre castle with no recollection of her past, a young woman finds … Continue reading

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, mystery, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Scotland, spooky tales, Ulysses Press, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Scotland’s Merrick Murder Hole and The Old Grey Man

Northanger Horrid Novels ~ Are They Real?

Northanger Horrid Novels thoughts from Regina Jeffers… I have highlighted these books previously, but at a recent event, I was again asked if Austen made up the names of the books in Northanger Abbey. So, I will again  introduce our … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, British history, castles, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Getting Ready for October: The Screaming Skull of Bettiscombe Manor

Bettiscombe is a small village and civil parish in west Dorset, England, situated in the Marshwood Vale 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Beaminster. Dorset County Council’s 2012 mid-year estimate of the population of the civil parish is 70. This … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, castles, customs and tradiitons, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency personalities | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Getting Ready for October: The Screaming Skull of Bettiscombe Manor

Legend of the Church Grim and Its Appearance in Harry Potter

The Church Grim, Kirk Grim, Kyrkogrim (Swedish) or Kirkonväki (Finnish) is a figure from English and Scandinavian folklore, said to be an attendant spirit, overseeing the welfare of its particular church. English Church Grims are said to enjoy loudly ringing … Continue reading

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Exquisite Excerpt from “Vampire Darcy’s Desire”

Excerpt from Regina Jeffers’ “Vampire Darcy Desire” Vampire Darcy’s Desire presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a heart pounding vampire romance filled with passion and danger. Tormented by a 200-year-old curse and his fate as a half-human/half-damphir, Fitzwilliam Darcy vows to live … Continue reading

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The Hound of Hergest Court, Inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Hound”

Hergest Court, found in Kington, Herefordshire, was once a fine home, but it is but a “shadow” of its former greatness. However, its decline appears appropriate when one considers the history of the building and of its owner. Many people … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, gothic and paranormal, Great Britain, legends and myths, Living in the UK, mystery | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments