Tales’ Spring day out!

Happy Spring guys! Sharing with you Tales from the Manor’s first day out! 🌸🥰 Do you often bring books out with you on adventures? Spring & summer are ideal for those floral, or beachy ☀️ holiday shots, the perfect opportunity to get out and soak in the sunshine ~ and who can tell these are in London 😲 🙌🏻 (Specifically round the Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens area which should be in bloom for the following few weeks.)

Once the roses hit, I’ll try to capture some more to share with you, fitting for ‘Tales’, which incidentally is set during a cool, June day!🌹😍 But for now, let’s appreciate these beautiful cherry blossoms…

Tales’ & Cherry Blossoms

Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens

Behind the scenes 😂

What signs of Spring do you have in your area? Share down below! 👇

Until next time friends! ❤

‘Caskets of ice’ ~ vote for your favourite quote #1

Happy Thursday! How are you spending the day? The sun has decided to make its appearance, so for that I’m grateful! 🌞 How’s the weather where you are?

Coming to you today with a selection of quotes across my series, predominantly from Book 1 ‘Caskets of Ice‘ to start the ball rolling. (Quotes from ‘Tales from the Manor‘ were uploaded recently, see above in tabs!) Pop over to my Instagram post & stories and you’ll be able to vote for your favourites there too ❤

Hopefully they are able to provide an unbiased range (from different characters, different settings) for you to get a feel of my creations! Ha!

Here we go!

Peter

Alysia

A Dedication

Which was your favourite quote? If you’d like to see more of my writings let me know (especially in their poetry form and I can think about creating more art for them!) Stay tuned for more quotes coming soon 🙂

Stay safe friends! x

‘Tales from the Manor’ ~ vote for your favourite Quote! #1

Hello friends and happy end of Feb! Spring is in the air, and I for one cannot wait for the weather to warm up in chilly old England! To celebrate the arrival of Spring, I am starting a new series where I post some of my favourite quotes from ‘Tales of the Manor‘. For each of the characters, you’ll be given a chance to vote your favourites below in the comments! As the weeks pass, you’ll be seeing some unseen gems from the ‘Caskets of Ice’ series too. Hope you enjoy!

So without much ado, let us begin! ❤

For more info about ‘Tales from the Manor‘, the link to access is below:

Have a great rest of the week, and don’t forget to wrap up warmly! x

Reader reviews for “Tales from the Manor”

Hello friends, another Monday dawns! Hope you’re all staying warm and having a great start to the week 🥰 Today, I’ll be sharing some of the very lovely reviews I’ve received from those who have read “Tales from the Manor” ~ I cannot thank you enough! And if you would like to- please head on over to Goodreads/Amazon to give a review and share your thoughts, experiences, or anything you’d like future readers to know. The link is provided below as always 🤗

And so let’s begin with review number 1!

“Chills… goosebumps… get me out of the manor…

How Kate managed to tie in psychological trauma into manor terrors is phenomenal. Each short story shines on its own and I was on the edge of my seat reading each one. Not to mention, the stories are derived from true events (my personal fav when it comes to horror).

The characters each has a unique tale to tell. Though I have my favourites, each one is special. I don’t want to spoil anything but I’d go back to the psychological elements they entail. This book is more than just fictional horror stories (which is once again, my fav kind!). It makes you question your own fear and ask whether it has manifested in any way similar to the characters’ (I better stop now or I might spoil everything).

If you want a cosy yet thrilling read, I highly recommend Tales from the Manor! You’ll see what I mean!”

~ Lyn

“The book is split into 5 stories, all set in the grotesquely gothic Hartshaw Manor. At first I thought the stories were only connected by the location but as the book goes on it becomes clear that there is much more than that connecting these creepy tales.

Each story is told from a different characters point of view but they all have a dream-like quality. The narrative is split into little sections, the slight disconnect helps time move forward quickly and sporadically. It’s difficult to know if the events are truly happening or if they’re just a dream. I was questioning all the way to the end! It really messed with my head and I loved that!

I really enjoyed each story and each character, but it’s the ending that really blew me away. I’ll say nothing more because I don’t want to spoil it but it is so clever!

And the writing in this is so beautiful. The author truly captures what I mean when I say that I love the beauty in horror! The juxtaposition between the terrifying scene and the beautiful, lyrical words to describe it. It’s so well done!

I love the little afterword at the end from the author too. I was focused mostly on the horror of the situation so I appreciated the few notes at the end pointing out some of the nuances I wouldn’t have thought about.

There really is so much to this little book. It is gripping, gothic, horrifying, disgusting, disturbing and psychologically twisted. I loved every single page.

My only warning would be to proceed with caution, or you may find yourself waking in the night to little green flies crawling all over your skin.”

~ Samantha

“This is a perfect book to read on a rainy day at home (or any other weather, of course)!

Kate created a world that is spooky yet familiar to all of us because sometimes our fear is a projection from our internal world. I was very much immersed in the creepy manor when I read. I actually really enjoyed how it manifested in the manors through paintings, dolls etc.! It’s crazy, I know.

Particularly loved the Kary chapter. I was instantly hooked and wanted to know what actually happened in the past…I won’t spoil it for you.

5 out of 5, I definitely recommend it!”

~Wendy

Though I can only include a small selection here, I appreciate each and every one of you have taken the time to read, be immersed in the world, and are so eloquent in expressing your thoughts in your reviews!


I hope you enjoy this little collection of cosy, gothic short stories that conjure up the image of old manor houses and days snuggled by warm country fires; nestled deep in the English countryside. Lose yourself for a moment.

Follow me… for things are not as they seem. And the power of what you can’t see – can be truly wondrous indeed. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222142687-tales-from-the-manor

Synopsis:

Inspired by true events…

In these five stories, the gothic awaits. From eerie oil paintings that come alive, devilish dolls, and a sinister game of hide and seek; there are more than creepy crawlies that lurk in the crevices of Hartshaw Manor. The secrets the structure holds will keep anyone up at night. But is it the work of mischievous spirits, or are they merely horrors conjured from their own frenzied imaginations?
Join Dinah, Peter, Kary, Tony and Violet as they each spend an unforgettable night deep in the folds of the British countryside.

Read on if you dare, because we’ve saved the best till last….

Home of the Book Stack

On this chilly, wintry Monday afternoon, what better way to celebrate all things cosy than with a book stack? If any of you follow my Instagram you’ll know I like to create (sometimes precariously tall!👀) leather bound stacks, and most recently, vintages (which, can also pose a risk as they’re all different sizes and weights!) 📚 Beware candles (and noses!) 🕯🐽

Here’s a selection that made it over the years. Which is your favourite? Vote below!

@canterburyclassics
Leather bounds
Vintages
Christmas Edition

If you have any questions about any of the books above then feel free to drop a comment or use the contact me page, and I’ll be happy to answer them! And especially for you vintage lovers, some of the titles may also be up for grabs (tab above)!

Stay warm and safe friends, until next time 🙂

Kate ❤

The Nightmares ~ Artwork & Christmas Read!

Brr, it’s cold outside (typical UK!) so what better way to celebrate than by reading something gothic & cosy over Xmas? ❤

What are your fav book features? I made sure to add gold foiling & ribbons inside my little hardcover creations! It doesn’t change the content, but it certainly adds a little happiness to the reading experience I think! 🙂

Showcasing the little horrors artwork for ‘Tales from the Manor’ that correspond with each of the stories in the book. Which are your favourite? 🙂

If you’d like to get your hands on a copy & have it delivered in time for Christmas (either for you or a loved one!) scroll below. The full link can also be found in ‘Tales from the Manor’ tabs!

Nightmares abound… (Violet)
The Doll ~ (Kary)
Night at the Carnival ~ (Tony)
The Crypt ~ (Peter)
Serving of Greenflies ~ (Dinah)
The Grandmaster ~ (Tony)

Paper, hardcover & e-book versions are all available for you to choose from! ❤ If you are based in the UK and would like a signed copy, feel free to send a message over in the ‘contact me’ page.

Stay warm friends! Kate x

Celebrating Christmas ~ Tales & the festive spirit

Christmas is finally around the corner! Are there any festive books on your radar?

They say to write what you want to read and this time I was really yearning for that gothic, historical cosy feeling, with a bit of the uncanny (also to try my hand at writing a psychological horror!) Especially as the cold, dark, winter months are upon us!

I was inspired by more traditional folk tales, as well as some more of the unique eerie, Victorian Literature based around this season! You’ve got your dolls and dream terrors, but also more fantastical, gothic romance.

If you end up picking ‘Tales from the Manor‘ either for yourself or a loved one this Christmas, firstly thank you! and secondly, I hope you enjoy this journey.

Let me know if you’ll be reading ‘Tales from the Manor‘ (I’ll probably be dipping into it during the Xmas week!) & we can do a buddy read together! 🙂

Festive book tree using my hardcover creations!

Click video below to see the book in more detail:

Lots of love, Kate x

The Count of Monte Cristo ~

I always loved “The 3 Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo” is another by Alexandre Dumas. It’s a powerful book about loyalty, commitment, determination, strength of spirit, of seeking justice and yet not giving up hope. And along with that, if you like sword fights, revenge, disguises, deception, then it’s right up your alley!

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.”

No truer words said! As the main character finds out, he finds his ‘truth’ in the most unexpected way, through the people he meets that come into his life only briefly and teaches him something at the moment he needs it the most. 

Edmond Dantes is unjustly framed for treason and sent to a prison fortress for 14 long years. A fellow prisoner is able to teach him all he knows, to figure out his purpose and to plan his vengeance on his duplicitous ‘best friend’ who stole is life, and love. With the secrets to the treasure of Monte Cristo, he is able to re-instate himself in society as the mysterious Count, surrounded by wolves in disguise, he learns to keep his enemies close….

So, no matter what, we must endure. Nothing is perfect in life or happens as we expect, it’s about our mindset when we face disappointment and adversity, and how we act that counts.

*

“When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever.”

~ The mystery of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ ~ 🖤🌹

‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is definitely a tale about escapism- Christine spends her whole life being coached by a ‘mysterious voice’ that mentors her to do better and achieve beyond what she thought possible, when she finally steps through the mirror and meets the man behind the voice, her illusion shatters and she is repulsed by his deformed face. 💀

Instead, she goes for her childhood sweetheart Raoul, and, the phantom realises that despite all he’s given her, she still turns away in horror. She pities him and yet still agrees to lay a trap, by going along with his grand plans for her on the stage, but in the end, his jealousy still destroys them (and the opera house which is also his home.) 🎼🎭

We see him as the villain of the story, but we also feel sorry for him, hiding away with no love and kindness- and perhaps it’s this forced solitude & space to develop his talents that turns him into a musical genius. There are many things to learn from it, that you can’t force love, that you can’t expect too much from anyone, yet also the power of forgiveness and also dedication throughout a lifetime. 🖤🖤

Another thing I love about the Phantom are the aesthetics, the opulent backdrop & historical references- after all it’s a theatre, the masquerade balls, the grandness, and of course, the amazing soundtrack!! Andrew Lloyd Webber really transformed it and made it his own- hence why it still stands the test of time. 👰🏻👻🎞⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

~ 𝔔𝔲𝔬𝔱𝔢 𝔠𝔬𝔯𝔫𝔢𝔯~

“They played at hearts as other children might play at ball; only, as it was really their two hearts that they flung to and fro, they had to be very, very handy to catch them, each time, without hurting them.”

“And, despite the care which she took to look behind her at every moment, she failed to see a shadow which followed her like her own shadow, which stopped when she stopped, which started again when she did and which made no more noise than a well-conducted shadow should.”

The world of Beatrix Potter

The tales of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle & Mr. Jeremy Fisher are probably two of my favourite (who am I kidding they’re all my favourite, ha)

🐸’s solitary life, talking to himself, his fear of being swallowed up by a giant creature of the deep when he’s innocently fishing upon a tranquil pond; and the motherly Mrs Tiggy Winkle, 🦔 her hospitality and helpfulness to do others washing in her little snug home in the hillside … but she still lets a visitor in.

I had the fortune of visiting Beatrix Potter’s home Hill Top Farm in Ambleside a few summers ago… it was cozy, with a quaint garden, cabbage/ carrot 🥕 patch and little lanes leading to the village that gave inspiration for her characters! Well what struck me was that the post box was miles away & she was very isolated (Back in the day when she wouldn’t be driving around or waiting for an hourly bus!) the map 🗺 inside this book shows an overview of all the areas around…

It was interesting to wander around the dark wooden panelled corridors of her house, see the little toy figurines in their cabinets, it all struck me as quite small and dark…. and tightly fitted, she would have to stoop down to cross the thresholds of many a doorway. But the solitude and tranquility suited her best, and that’s where I can relate!

Her ability to illustrate using watercolour her stories and antidotes of her woodland pets really are an inspiration and she never lost faith in the wonderful world she brought to life. Not only this but the stories showcase the best of the British countryside (I also started learning the theme song to the 90’s TV show on the piano- “Perfect Day” by Miriam Stockley) 🤓

In the end, she left her legacy to the National Trust after her death, including almost all the original illustrations of her books. Definitely a recommend to visit her home if you’re also a Potter fan like me! And since I owned most (but not quite all) her stories in their traditional white covered versions, this collection will definitely hold a special place in my heart! 🙂

My old and very faded portrait I’ve had since a young kid! ☝️