Monday, October 28, 2024

Book of the Week: The Bookseller's Ghost by Sharon Bradshaw #ParanormalFiction #Ghosts #Horror #RecommendedReading




The Bookseller’s Ghost

The Ghosts from the Bazaar Series

by Sharon Bradshaw


Shall you sleep tonight? Perhaps your thoughts will turn instead to a boy calling from beyond the grave? His shadow could easily walk across your bedroom wall, if you close your eyes. There won't be any explanation for it... Not in the darkest part of the night.

The Bookseller's Ghost explores the spectres that haunt us. Glimpsed in dark corners, and ancient places like Calvington Hall in The House On The Fens. Or the churchyard in The Curse Of Ezekiel Marlow. An Archaeologist meets someone he knew long ago, but is all as it seems? Paranormal love also lives on in Lost On The Moor, and Ben's Tale. Children play with Imaginary Friends. Whilst other spirits exist only in memory, or the inexplicable. Reaching out, to touch the fear within us.

"When the candle is burning low, the wind howling beyond the window and door, it is time to read The Bookseller's Ghost. Montague Rhodes James (1862 - 1936), the master of ghost stories, was the inspiration behind the eleven tales in this collection. Also, Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849), and Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870)." Eerie, dark, and chilling... The Bookseller's Ghost is the first book in The Ghosts From The Bazaar series.


Praise for The Bookseller’s Ghost:


Author Bradshaw eerily sets the scene for the chills to come in this spooktacular collection of ghostly tales. Readers are swept into stories of the bizarre and macabre, giving a glimpse of a paranormal realm surrounding us.


Are the happenings real, or simply stirs of our imagination? Do the spirits reach out to calm us, or deliver a warning, or vengeance from beyond? Each story delivers a different perspective, with chilling results!

~ Amazon 5* Review


I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of realistic, believable ghost stories that read like true encounters rather than from the vivid imagination of author Sharon Bradshaw. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading her other historical novels.

~ Amazon 5* Review


These eerie ghost stories are quite enjoyable, in part because they invoke imagery to relay fearfulness rather than shock value. Whispers in the night really can bring forth a sense of fear in an old-fashioned way that's delightfully frightening. Kudos to the author for taking this approach. Highly recommended for lovers of things that go bump in the night!

~ Amazon 5* Review



Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Join The Coffee Pot Book Club on #WriterWednesday as bestselling author Helen Hollick asks, should characters have to be likeable? #HistoricalFiction #WritingTips #WritingLife


Do Characters in historical novels have to be likeable people?

by Helen Hollick

The reader’s Amazon comment or direct email that asks: “Did the author / you intend to make everyone in this novel so disagreeable?” is an interesting one. 

Most novels have at least one likeable lead character and one unlikeable person. A Goodie and a Baddie to spark against each other. And in most novels it's obvious which is which. The hero, usually, is the Goodie, his counterpart is the Baddie. In old westerns it was always easy to tell the difference (even in black and white movies) because the Good Guy wore the white Stetson, the Bad Guy had the black one.

Characters in novels reflect real life (usually) so we need Good Guys and Bad Guys to make a story believable, although in real life most people are not entirely one or the other; most of us have bits of both within us. There are exceptions: I would count Mother Teresa as a Good Guy (girl?) and there are plenty of names I could suggest as Bad Guys. (I'll leave you to fill in the blanks, depending on your political leanings.)

Several years ago now, I had just such an email relating to my novel The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK.) The US edition became a USA Today Best Seller, and is still doing well all these years later. It is the story of Emma of Normandy, married at a young age (probably between 12 - 16) to Ă†thelred (the Unready) in 1002, and then to Cnut of Denmark, becoming Queen of England twice, and mother of two kings, Edward the Confessor and Harthacnut.

It was a difficult novel to write, for one thing I had already written its sequel, Harold the King (UK title) / I Am The Chosen King (US title). I would not recommend writing novels in this reverse order! For another thing, back then in 2001, my best friend had unexpectedly died, and I found it so hard to get my head round starting such an epic tome.

The comment sparked a very good-natured discussion between the sender and myself. This person made a few good points, not all of which I agreed with for the novel is historical fiction, based on the few known facts blended with my intuition and a good dollop of interpretation and 'make-it-up'. Primarily, we write fiction, not history – sticking to the facts, however, will be another theme for another day: in this instance I'm talking about the characters, and how we portray them.

Writing 'Emma' (to use something easy for the novel, rather than the two different titles) took a lot of effort to keep the story straight and the characters coordinated. In a nutshell, Emma was fighting for her own survival, not England’s. She wanted the power the position of Queen gave her. I doubt she gave two hoots for the people she was Queen over. But did any of the Kings (and Queens) of that time put the people first, I wonder? (And the same can, alas, be applied to too many world leaders of today.)

My sole intention with 'Emma' was to explore why she and her firstborn son, Edward (the Confessor), so apparently loathed each other. And why she also, apparently, just as much disliked Æthelred, her first husband. Then in part two, why she seemed to be content – even in love – with Cnut? Annoyingly, the written histories of the past do not mention these things. (Very frustrating for modern-day authors!) Although Emma's own autobiography (The Encomium Emmae Reginae, written c.1041) is remarkable by obliterating several facts, one being the total absence of any mention of her husband, Æthelred.

So, apart from sticking to the facts of what we know happened, I wanted to explore why they happened, which meant looking closely at what made those characters 'tick'. And mostly, they turned out to be disagreeable people.

The person writing to me said: "It was impossible for me to establish any kind of empathy with her [Emma]. I don’t understand a woman who doesn’t love her own children, and her greatness seemed to consist solely of underhanded manipulation of all at her disposal."

Which rather missed the point of history as it did happen. Nearly all the kings of the past 'manipulated', one way or another, as did several queens or dowager queens, or favourite mistresses. 

The commenter went on to say: "I am curious to know if it was your aim to present everyone in their worst light."

My answer went something like this:

"This is English history, and historical fiction is supposed to follow the facts as much as possible, and unfortunately, this period is... disagreeable! I needed to explore how Emma managed to cling on to her crown: women did not have rights, not even queens. The only way she could keep her power was to be as strong and as manipulative as everyone else. (The men!)"

Edward hated his mother. This is fact. Was it because she abandoned her two sons to many years of exile in Normandy? But was that abandonment to save their lives – or to retain her position as Queen? It is also fact that she preferred her later-born son, Harthacnut, sired by Cnut. Why?

And why is it so unacceptable for a woman to not like her own child? It is a sad thing, but many don't, even today, and I would assume because of the difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth, many a woman in the past resented the children they were forced to give birth to.

Cnut himself was not always a pleasant man, although he became a respected king. And as for Æthelred...

Cnut

I ended my response with: "I’m sorry, but I can’t change the reality of history."

To my surprise, I received an answer:

"Perhaps to say I disliked the book is too strong. I was unsettled by it. I think the reason it bothered me so much was because it wasn’t blunted by fiction. Your book was historical fact fleshed out with fiction, not fiction fleshed out with fact. I think it confused me how I was supposed to feel about the characters. I couldn’t identify with them. I had a hard time identifying with Emma as a heroine when I didn’t like her as a woman. I suppose I’m too used to reading fables and myths where the complexities of human nature can be neatly set aside for the archetypical heroes and villains."

The sender's final word thoroughly cheered me: "I just wanted to say that my discomfiture was not your failing. I wished I had half your writing talent and dedication to produce such a complex novel!"  

So, historical fiction is fiction, much of it is made up because we don’t know the facts, but what facts we do know should be used with integrity. Maybe readers are not meant to like some of the people from the past? I detest Duke William of Normandy, for instance, nor can I have any empathy whatsoever with Henry VIII, even given the historical context of the machinations by his advisors in order to curry favour, and his desperation to sire a living son. (I've always found it ironic that one of our (arguably) greatest queens of the past was his daughter.) And look at Richard III, the diversity there in actual history and fiction!

With Emma, and such characters, do you have to like a person to read about what happened in the past? If so, there would be very few Tudor novels... Or do people read this period to understand what happened and why? Or to sympathise with those poor women – although to be fair, several of them were just as manipulative in their own way. Their plotting and planning backfired, that's all.

Edward the Confessor was badly treated by his mother, but he treated others as badly when he was king, and he was useless at the job, which was another reason why I wanted to write this novel, to explore why he was so useless.

Emma? I admire her. I think she was courageous and resilient to survive as she did. But do I like her? Hmm, probably not.

Perhaps, though, more important than the question, 'Do characters need to be likeable?' is this question: "Has this novel set you thinking? Will you remember the characters and the historical context that they were set in?"



The Forever Queen (US title) https://viewBook.at/ForeverQueen

A Hollow Crown (UK title, e-book only) https://viewBook.at/HollowCrown



Join our...

#HistoricalFictionChat

We hope that you do not only find our advice helpful, but also join our weekly chat, right here, and on social media!


Today’s #HistoricalFictionChat Question:


Should main characters have to be likeable for you to enjoy historical fiction? *


Let us know in the comments below, or on Twitter, IG, FB, Bluesky or Threads!





Helen Hollick


First accepted for traditional publication in 1993, Helen became a USA Today Bestseller with her historical novel, The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK) with the sequel, Harold the King (US: I Am The Chosen King) being novels that explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 

Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy is a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she writes a nautical adventure/fantasy series, The Sea Witch Voyages. She has also branched out into the quick read novella, 'Cosy Mystery' genre with her Jan Christopher Murder Mysteries, set in the 1970s, with the first in the series, A Mirror Murder incorporating her, often hilarious, memories of working as a library assistant.


Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales and Life of A Smuggler. She lives with her family in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon, enjoys hosting guests on her own blog ‘Let Us Talk Of Many Things’ and occasionally gets time to write...

Connect with Helen:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • 




Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Have a sneak peek at Meantime in Greenwich by Hannah Keens #RomanticFiction #RomanticComedy #ContemporaryRomance #FreeOnKindle #RecommendedReading



⭐ Free Kindle Spotlight! 


Meantime in Greenwich

Love, Laughter & Happily Ever After

by Hannah Keens



*Meantime in Greenwich is free on Kindle today!*

Publication Date: September 10th, 2024
Publisher: Hartsmile Books
Pages: 274
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Can an orphaned astrologer and a widowed astronomer put aside their differences to find love?

After Stella’s parents died, she spent her childhood in an orphanage so she fears loving anyone in case she loses them. Her only solace in life is astrology.

Benedict’s wife died in childbirth, so he has raised his son alone. When he meets Stella, he is overwhelmed by guilt. And as a respected professor of astronomy, can he really allow himself to fall in love with an astrologer?

Find out whether love is written in the stars for Stella and Benedict in this English romantic comedy.




  From Chapter One:

So much for the trusty old London Underground. The Jubilee line train had been stuck for a sweltering half an hour while Stella McElhone checked and rechecked the time. When they eventually chugged into Westminster, the driver announced over a tinny-sounding tannoy that the train was terminating and the whole line was being suspended. Passengers were advised to change to the Circle and District lines. Determined not to spend another minute trapped below ground, Stella shot out of the train and legged it up the escalators, barely noticing the brutalist architecture in the deep well of the station. Once out of that austere environment, she bolted towards the River Thames, just in time to catch the river bus from Westminster Pier. It would take a good forty minutes, but short of an act of piracy, the boat would at least get her to Greenwich on time.
The impromptu summer-evening jaunt proved to be a delight, with the London skyline reeling past, only not quickly enough for her liking. Once the boat moved downriver from the London Eye, it took an age for St Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard to pass from sight, but then the boat moved beneath Tower Bridge and at last gathered pace as it navigated the loops and bends of the river that separated north and south London.

When the twin domes of the old naval hospital hoved into view, Stella knew Greenwich was close. On arrival there, she disembarked and dashed along the pier into a lovely borough of south-east London. She ran towards the park, her dark hair swinging behind her. That evening, she was attending a night sky showing at the planetarium, with a lecture afterwards from a visiting astronomer. Her destination was only about half a mile away, but if she didn’t get a move on, she’d be late and make a bad entrance.

At the other side of the leafy park, she reached a hill, graced with the seventeenth century Royal Observatory. This then, was the home of Greenwich Mean Time, by which the world had once set its clocks. The observatory resembled a domed palace, its red brick façade burnished by the evening sun. At the top of the hill, Stella stood back to avoid being flattened by a flood of boisterous schoolchildren surging past. Once certain there was no further risk of being trampled, she made her way to the main entrance and had her ticket scanned by an assistant who pointed her in the right direction.

In the courtyard, she paused to catch her breath. Because the observatory was on relatively high ground, she could see a fair amount of the London skyline that she’d just cruised past in the distance. Beneath her feet, she found the unassuming metal strip that represented the prime meridian, which marked nought degrees longitude. She couldn’t resist taking a minute to place her feet either side of it, so she was standing with one foot in the east and one in the west.

When the novelty wore off, she headed for the planetarium, which stood in stark contrast to the buildings surrounding it, and the modern bronze monolith reminded her of a sawn-off telescope. Inside a light and airy reception area, Stella found her fellow attendees. Despite a few dozen people being present, the place was as quiet as an old library and she felt that even her clothes were too loud. Her pink jumper was positively shouting and drowning out a surprising number of outfits made from tweed. She peeled off her jumper and hung it over one arm. Who would wear tweed in this heat? And such pallor, even in July. These were not people who went outside in the daytime.

By the looks of things, there was no one here under fifty, let alone thirty, and she tried not to look as disappointed as she felt. Life in London was lonesome and she’d hoped to make some new acquaintances. It had been a mad rush to get here, but now she regretted not dawdling and saving herself from what was obviously going to be death by small talk. When a passing waiter came within arm’s reach, she swiped a glass of red wine and clutched it for security. It wouldn’t matter if she got purple teeth as it was unlikely she’d be smiling at anyone this evening.

One mouthful of wine – all right, three mouthfuls of wine – and she’d force herself to speak to someone. Apart from Ernie the doorman at her building, she hadn’t spoken to anyone in real life for days, if not weeks. Fuelled by wine, she approached a trio on her left, which included an elegant blonde woman, who looked reasonably close to her own age. Next to her was a man with loopy brown hair, wearing a corduroy suit in a shade best described as quinoa. Finally, there was a woman clad in a puce knitted dress, complete with a wool scarf wrapped three times around her throat. Something about people interested in astronomy must attract them to warm clothing, which made sense if they spent a lot of their nights outside viewing the sky. Carefully, so as not to startle them, she made her approach.

‘Greenwich is a lovely part of London, isn’t it?’ she said.

‘If you like that sort of thing,’ said the blonde woman, managing to peer down her nose at Stella, even though they were the same height. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse us.’

The woman ushered her two companions across the room towards a row of trestle tables covered with pretty canapés. There, the three of them stood, not eating or even looking at the food, and continued their conversation unmolested.

This charming behaviour was not entirely unexpected. Stella had only been in the city for a few weeks but was already getting used to Londoners’ way of not speaking to anyone, or looking at anyone, unless – or even if – their lives depended on it. She sipped her wine and looked about for other likely targets for her cringe-making opening gambits, but everyone was clustered in tightly drawn conversational knots that made it clear she wouldn’t be welcome in any of them.

The prospect of standing about nursing a glass of wine for the next fifteen minutes was not especially appealing. Her best bet would be to lurk in the ladies and check her hair, but she could hardly spin that out for a whole quarter of an hour. Instead, she placed her glass on a nearby table and set off in search of the library.

Years ago, she’d discovered that the first Astronomer Royal had cast a horoscope to determine the best time for the construction of the Royal Observatory, and she wanted to see it in person. Imagine all those astronomers who loathed astrology doing their best work in a building conceived according to astrological principles. There was a copy of the chart on the observatory website, but it would be great to get a look at the real thing, assuming astrologers weren’t barred from the library or forced to wear a bell around their necks or something.

An assistant informed her that the archives were held in another building at the opposite side of the park, which had closed some hours ago. Not to worry. Stella soon came up with another idea and made her way to the planetarium entrance, hoping to get in early and take her seat. Plan B was thwarted when she found the doorway barricaded with a red rope suspended over a bright yellow sign informing her that cleaning was in progress.

A quick listen revealed no hint of anyone hoovering. Perhaps whoever was in there was quietly peeling chewing gum from underneath seats or removing whatever other sticky detritus schoolchildren were inclined to leave behind them. More likely the sign was just an oversight and the caretakers had long gone. Surely no one would mind if she crept in a bit early. A quick glance over one shoulder confirmed there was no one watching her, and even if anyone did spot her, she had a valid ticket, so it wasn’t really trespassing, as such. Before she could change her mind, she stretched out a furtive hand to unhook the red rope.

‘Breaking and entering?’ said a voice from the dark void beyond. ‘You could get six years for that. Fourteen if the judge doesn’t like the cut of your jib.’





Hannah Keens


Hannah Keens is an English novelist. She writes sweet romantic comedies that will leave you with a smile in your heart. Welcome to a world of love, laughter and happily ever after.

Connect with Hannah:
Website • Twitter • Instagram  LinkTree