Author: Nancy Atherton

Top Ten Tuesday No.4 | Series I Want to Start (within my focus of Horror October!) #OTBHorrorOctober

Posted Tuesday, 21 October, 2014 by jorielov , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

"Top Ten Tuesday" hosted by The Broke & the Bookish

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Want to Start (within my focus of Horror October!)

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[Official Blurb] Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature / weekly meme created by The Broke & the Bookish. The meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke & the Bookish. We’d love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your Top 10 Lists!

[Topic of 21 October 2014: Top Ten Series I Want to Start (sub-focus Horror October)]

( all the links in the list itself re-direct to author websites and/or fantastic fiction for series info )

One: (Ghost Story) – the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton (about the series)|Although I discovered this series at my local library and via a good friend of mine out in California (the very same friend who recommended I watch “Gaslight” as mentioned on my Top Favourite Classic Horror Films List) — I must confess that my progression through the series has become bogged down due to life & time escaping through the hourglass at such a fast clip as to not allow me the grace to devour the installments! I finally secured a copy of the first novel Aunt Dimity’s Death from a library book sale which gave me more motivation to read the series in full! Being that my attempts have been start/stop, I felt it warranted inclusion! I will be expanding my thoughts on this series during the fortnight but for now, I simply wanted to say as far as ‘ghost stories’ go, this is the best series I have found!

Two: (Ghost Story) – the Haunted Bookshop series by Alice Kimberly (about the series) |I am not sure about you, but I positively grew up wandering around Indie bookshoppes; IF I wasn’t in a library, that is! Laughs. The idea that a bookshoppe could become haunted simply appeals to me due to the fact I think there are a lot of clever things a writer can do to fuse the idea with the reality of the situation within the story’s arc! This series is written by the team behind my beloved Coffeehouse mysteries (Cleo Coyle is their pen name), and I have a feeling I’m going to love how they spin these together as well! They tend to write cosies this side of hard-boiled, but ohh! You just do not want to put their books down!

Three: (Cosy Mystery leant into a Hard-Boiled Suspense) – the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn (about the series) |I stumbled across Ms. Raybourn’s blog online several years ago, where she wrote about the Lady Julia Grey series, her style of writing, and her research behind the stories she enjoys writing. I cannot remember the specifics, but something in my readings of her site, drew an air of mysterious curiosity to read the Grey novels! I simply never had the proper chance to fetch them out of my local library to where time would allow me the pleasure of soaking into them! I have checked out the first novel a handful of times; boomeranging it back unread. The worst moment for a reader who wants to dig into a series is losing time with a borrowed book! I know my time is nearing to where I can put heart and mind into focus on Lady Julia Grey!

Four: (Thriller – Espionage) – the India Black series by Carol K. Carr (about the series) | Historical settings are always going to be a true interest of mine, but when you combine a spy novel within the historical context of intrigue, I cannot foresee what I wouldn’t appreciate reading! I stumbled across this series through my local library one day whilst seeking out mystery series to read. The reason I wanted to include it on this particular list is for the main reason that these mysteries are classified as ‘thrillers’ moreso than they fall under the ‘cosy’ side of the genre I love so much to consume! I love a bit of adventure and when adventure can be turnt deadly with implications where other people’s lives are at stake where a singular person can have the power or the influence to affect their lives directly,… wells, let me just say the premise will perk an interest!

Five: (Ghost Story) – the Nina Tanleven series by Bruce Coville (about the series) |Whilst participating in Horror October, I decided to see if I could expand past the series I knew of before the event, and quite happy stumbled across this one! I love the fact it is a Middle Grade novel series, as I am always most keen on reading Children’s Lit! Middle Grade is what I generally refer to as Juvenile Fiction, but apparently it has a new way of being defined! Either way, this series looks too adorable for words!

Six: (Supernatural Suspense) – Lockwood & Co series by Jonathan Stroud (about the series) | I honestly never heard of this series until I read the book review by Rinn @ Rinn Reads for Horror October! I know absolutely nothing more than what Rinn shared of the series on her blog, and I must say she gave such a compelling argument for reading it, she convinced me! I love how it is a YA series, as I personally would love to explore more YA & MG titles for this particular extension of the genres! THANK YOU, Rinn! :)

Seven: (Historical Thriller Suspense) – the Charles du Luc historical mystery series by Judith Rock (about the series) |For the life of me, I cannot remember how I came to realise this series existed; consider it an unexpected discovery, as I am always browsing for books! I love uncovering bookish sites online as much as I browse bookshoppes IRL! I am always on the scout at my local library as much as I’m deep in the virtual stacks online, sorting through the card catalogue locally & for ILL’ing (inter-library loaning). This series has a chilling aspect to them, which is why I consider them equally ‘thriller suspense’ and I think after reading them I’ll find them quite a bit haunting as well; as far as the overall feeling I’ll find myself having by the conclusions!

Eight: (Ghost Story) – the Ghost Hunter series by Victoria Laurie (about the series) |A good friend of mine out in California brought this series & the Abby Cooper series to my attention! We love writing about the books we are reading by postal mail, and are known to exchange lists with each other of the writers who have our full attention at any moment in time! We share a beloved passion for Aunt Dimity (of which I mentioned a moment ago!), and unfortunately, my letters full of Dimity recollections have been halted by my inability to consume Dimity as quickly as my friend! One day I will surprise her mailbox! Until then, I intend to sort out a way to ILL both of these series by Ms. Laurie as they intrigue me to say the least!

Nine: (Parapsychological Suspense) – the Witchcraft mysteries by Juliet Blackwell (about the series) |This is another series my Cali friend recommended to me, and what I like about her recommendations, is that she understands who I am as a reader to the level of what I can handle (intensity wise) and what I would enjoy reading overall! I loved the fun spiritedness of the character in this series (from what I gathered online) and am quite eager to read her adventures!

Ten: (Parapsychological Suspense) – Beaufort & Company mysteries by Mary Stanton (about the series) |Whilst visiting a library out of my local area, I came across this interesting premise of a suspense series that takes on parapsychological elements. I am still on the fence as far as knowing which direction the series will head in overall, as I’m always worried that a series like this might lean more dark than light, but I’m always game to try a series, and this one at least captured my eye for ingenuity!

Extras:

(Haunting & Ethereal) – the novels of Simone St. James (about the books) |As soon as I found the novel The Haunting of Maddy Clare I promptly turnt in a purchase request at my local library! I simply had to consume this novel! Then, of course as the fates would have it, the novel was not acquired as there was a hiccup in the plans for my library to acquire it. This can happen time to time (as it happened with Mao’s Last Dancer and several other titles over the years) but it’s always a bit frustrating! Meanwhile, I’ve visited the author’s website, follow her on Twitter, and quite happily can announce that the novel came in via ILL just the other day! I was worried it wouldn’t get here in time for Horror October — so I can happily mention now that I will at least be able to start reading this before the fortnight has concluded!

(Paranormal Intrigue) Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye mysteries by Victoria Laurie (about the series) |Please read my comment for the Ghost Hunter series!

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

This Top Ten Tuesday is part of my participation of:

#OTBHorrorOctober badge created by Jorie in Canva

Reader Interactive Question:

I am simply dying with bated breath: what are your favourite psychological suspense, cosy horror, cosy horror suspense, OR parapyschological series that are not overly violent, gory, or explicit in nature? Do you have any recommendations for Children’s Lit selections? And, are any of the writer’s I’ve mentioned today ones you’ve stumbled across yourself!? 

{SOURCES: Jorie Loves A Story badge created by Ravven with edits by Jorie in Fotoflexer. Horror October banner provided by Oh! The Books for participants to promote the event on their book blogs; used with permission. #OTBHorrorOctober badge for Jorie created by Jorie in Canva. Lists on Riffle are embedded due to codes provided by Riffle. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2014.

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Posted Tuesday, 21 October, 2014 by jorielov in Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Top Ten Tuesday

#OTBHorrorOctober | Schedule of Events & Bookish Delights of a Cosy Horror Girl! {1st Year Participant}

Posted Saturday, 18 October, 2014 by jorielov , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Horror October 2014

Calendar of Events on Oh! the Books Host Site

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

{ Reading Selections for Horror October 2014 }

 Focus One: Psychological Suspense | Thriller:

(note: all book synopsis links re-direct to Riffle>

  1. A Stitch in Time by Amanda James <synopsis> (moving to 1st November for SFN)
  2. The Anatomist’s Wife by Anna Lee Huber <synopsis>
  3. Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber <synopsis> (moved to November)
  4. A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber <synopsis> (moved to November)
  5. The Rose in the Wheel by S.K. Rizzolo <synopsis> (moved to #IndieWriterMonth)
  6. Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Amanda James <synopsis(moved to #IndieWriterMonth)
  7. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronté <synopsis> (on hold)
  8. Up Close by Henriette Gyland <synopsis> (moved to #IndieWriterMonth)
  9. Blood for Blood by S.K. Rizzolo <synopsis(moved to #IndieWriterMonth)
  10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronté (Part II of my journalling) <synopsis> (on hold)
  11. The Ripper’s Wife by Brandy Purdy <synopsis>
  12. Category 5 by Paul Mark Tag (synopsis) (previously read(moved to #IndieWriterMonth)
  13. Prophecy by Paul Mark Tag <synopsis>(moved to #IndieWriterMonth)
  14. White Thaw: The Helheim Conspiracy by Paul Mark Tag <synopsis>(moved to #IndieWriterMonth)

Focus Two: Cosy Horror | Cosy Horror Suspense (including ghosts):

  1. Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman <synopsis>
  2. An Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman <synopsis>
  3. Old Haunts by E.J. Copperman <synopsis>
  4. Sinking Down by E. Chris Garrison <synopsis> (moved to SFN)
  5. The Visitors by Rebecca Mascull <synopsis> (moved to #IndieWriterMonth)
  6. Dance Until Dawn by Berni Stevens <synopsis> (moved to SFN)
  7. Dracula by Bram Stroker <synopsis> (moved to SFN)
  8. The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James <synopsis> (moving to November)
  9. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill <synopsis> (re-scheduled for 2015)
  10. Ghost Stories by Edith Wharton <synopsis>
  11. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson <synopsis> (re-scheduled for 2015)
  12. The Door through Washington Square by Elaine Bergstrom <synopsis(re-scheduled for 2015)

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

The following is the tentative schedule for my 1st Participation in Horror October. Most of the schedule should remain as it is seen, however, there could be spontaneous changes to the line-up &/or I might include a few extras as I go through the fortnight!

Read More

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • Horror October Bingo
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Posted Saturday, 18 October, 2014 by jorielov in #HorrorOctober, Anthology Collection of Stories, Blog Hop, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Blogs I Regularly Read, Book Blogosphere Regular Haunts, Classic Horror, Cosy Horror, Cosy Horror Suspense, Cosy Mystery, Crime Fiction, Ghost Story, Ghosts & the Supernatural, Good vs. Evil, Haunting & Ethereal, Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller Suspense, Horror, Horror October Bingo, Horror-Lite, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Library Find, Light vs Dark, Local Libraries | Research Libraries, Psychological Suspense, Reading Challenges, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense