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#HistFicThursdays - Gothic Horror - The Lady Who Dances in the Ashes

One of the problems – or, perhaps, the best things – about Gothic Horror is that it does tend to be sad. Usually, there are at least one or two characters who don’t deserve whatever is happening to them, or who have done something which is being punished in a way which does not in any way fit the crime. M.R. James’s writing is perhaps a constant reiteration of the old proverb, “curiosity killed the cat”, but curiosity in itself isn’t a bad thing; while Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker’s Dracula finds himself in the initial dangerous situation through no fault of his own. Perhaps the saddest story in this anthology is The Lady Who Dances in the Ashes , which was first published by Sley House in Tales of Sley House 2022 . Here is the story of a man who is facing professional and financial ruin as a result of suggesting that mental health patients can be treated in the community rather than institutionalised. He is one of the most sympathetic narrators you will find in the book, but he bad...

Fantastic Fantasy Feasts Book Launch


Maybe outlaws have driven you from your home, or maybe the wyverns have destroyed everything you know.​
Whatever the reason, you are alone in the wilderness and you need to eat. You need this recipe book before those hungry vultures seize their chance.​

A tongue in cheek tale of fantasy cuisine.


This book was written as a Christmas present for my brother and 3 of my sisters. We used to have super fun times playing Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and I knew the old handbook back to front. My favourite section was the Bestiary and I'd include the weird and wonderful creatures in my story of the time.

I also loved creating characters. There's something quite thrilling about the role of a dice, and really, really hoping that you get a good enough WS (Weapon skill) to become a warrior. I wanted to be an elf when I was little (I think the phase came after wanting to be a mammoth) so it was a good opportunity for me to fulfil this life dream.

(The mammoth would be a bit harder...I'm still waiting for that one...)

So, last Christmas, I wrote a funny little book about fantasy cooking, using all my knowledge of fantasy books and roleplay to inspire me. This book is a tribute to all the amazing fantasy worlds out there.

And I can't believe it's been launched today. I've not plastered it about as much as I probably should. My next book is the one I will be really putting some umph behind. This is merely a bit of fun!

As such, it is available as FREE on Smashwords, and on the Crowvus website. If you like to buy your books from Amazon, then it is 99p.

So, please, go on and check it out. I'm not usually one to boast, but I'm very proud of this wee book. If you have a dry sense of humour, it will certainly appeal to you!

Oh, and don't forget to leave a review. I will love you forever!

Subscribe to the Crowvus Call-Out and get sneak peaks here.

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