http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:07:11 -0800 MyBB http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=655 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:51:15 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=655
One of the bad guys, while swearing allegiance to her master, (Satan worshippers?) slid her hand under her foot and her other hand on top of her head, signifying that she belonged to him from head to toe.

I think possibly the cat and the alpha male wanna-be-boyfriend were both red-headed, as I remember the phrase "ginger tomcat".

At one point the heroine is talking on the phone and the above-mentioned guy was distracting her by circling his finger on her hip.

I hope that rings a bell with somebody I wish I could remember more. Anyhow, I'm working my way through your list of greatest gothics, hehe, so I'm soooo happy I found this forum. Thanks!!]]>
One of the bad guys, while swearing allegiance to her master, (Satan worshippers?) slid her hand under her foot and her other hand on top of her head, signifying that she belonged to him from head to toe.

I think possibly the cat and the alpha male wanna-be-boyfriend were both red-headed, as I remember the phrase "ginger tomcat".

At one point the heroine is talking on the phone and the above-mentioned guy was distracting her by circling his finger on her hip.

I hope that rings a bell with somebody I wish I could remember more. Anyhow, I'm working my way through your list of greatest gothics, hehe, so I'm soooo happy I found this forum. Thanks!!]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=654 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:14:41 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=654
Bloody deeds and Gothic nightmares

In the Footsteps of Dracula: A Personal Journal and Travel Guide / Steven P. Unger. New York: World Audience, 2010. Edited by M. Stefan Strozier. ISBN 978-1-935444-53-4.

The Introduction to Unger’s travelogue describes the work as follows: ‘In part, In the Footsteps of Dracula: A Personal Journal and Travel Guide is a memoir for the armchair traveler, with pictures and descriptions of every site that is closely related to either Bram Stoker's fictional Count Dracula or his real historical counterpart, Prince Vlad the Impaler. The memoir is divided into sections that first follow in the footsteps of the fictional Count Dracula, and then in the footsteps of Vlad the Impaler from his birth to his death and burial, Part V, titled "Nuts and Bolts: A Practical Guide to the Dracula Trail". "Nuts and Bolts" includes an itinerary for the entire Dracula Trail, with recommended lodging and restaurants; as well as detailed transportation directions and the cost for traveling from one location to the next in sequence. The Dracula Trail begins and ends in London for the English portion and in Bucharest for traveling in Romania.’

Clearly, this book is extremely well organized and logical in its presentation. It is also extremely well written – the reader is swept along for the ride through the relatively unspoiled Romanian countryside, while the exploration of English sites takes place at a slightly more leisurely pace, in keeping with Bram Stoker’s research orientation. Steven describes his intention with this work as that of ‘stripping away the layers of myth about Count Dracula and Prince Vlad the Impaler to find the reality within’.

Steven’s close familiarity with the text of Dracula enables him to compare elements of the novel that are incongruous with the Transylvanian reality, due to Bram Stoker never having visited the area of which he wrote in such glowing mythical terms. Throughout this guide, he quotes relevant parts of the novel that tie in with his personal observations of the unfolding landscape – definitely enough to entice the avid reader back to savor the original source once more.

The detailed description of Vlad Dracula’s rule on the Wallachian throne serves, in blood-drenched style (accompanied by appropriate authorial warnings of the graphic nature of such text), to contextualize the legend of Dracula. Though the references to graveyards, churches and historic ruins abound, due account is also taken of the exploitation of the Dracula legend by the tourism industry in both England and Romania. Not that the author himself does not benefit from such enterprise, as he avails himself of the hospitality of numerous hotels and bed and breakfast establishments. Though giving full praise where such is due, as with the Bed & Breakfast Coula in Sighişoara, which he rates as ‘hands down my favorite place to stay in my favorite town in Romania’, he also does not hesitate to advise about those that he finds to be not so appealing.

In the Footsteps of Dracula is filled with full color photographs of the people and places that Unger encounters on his travels. From the quaint fishing village of Whitby, where the novel Dracula was conceived and partly written, to the rugged Carpathian montane landscape surrounding the Borgo Pass, the site of Count Dracula’s ‘vast ruined castle’, Steven captures the essence of his environs. By identifying key components of the photos, which he relates to Bram Stoker’s text, their contents take on special significance and meaning for the reader. In his depiction of multiple Romanian street scenes, Steven encapsulates the medieval other-worldly feel of such towns as Tărgovişte and Sighişoara through which he travels. His inclusion of numerous photographs of young people garbed in Gothic attire, most of whom were captured while attending Whitby’s annual Gothic Festival, will no doubt also appeal to the younger reader.]]>
Bloody deeds and Gothic nightmares

In the Footsteps of Dracula: A Personal Journal and Travel Guide / Steven P. Unger. New York: World Audience, 2010. Edited by M. Stefan Strozier. ISBN 978-1-935444-53-4.

The Introduction to Unger’s travelogue describes the work as follows: ‘In part, In the Footsteps of Dracula: A Personal Journal and Travel Guide is a memoir for the armchair traveler, with pictures and descriptions of every site that is closely related to either Bram Stoker's fictional Count Dracula or his real historical counterpart, Prince Vlad the Impaler. The memoir is divided into sections that first follow in the footsteps of the fictional Count Dracula, and then in the footsteps of Vlad the Impaler from his birth to his death and burial, Part V, titled "Nuts and Bolts: A Practical Guide to the Dracula Trail". "Nuts and Bolts" includes an itinerary for the entire Dracula Trail, with recommended lodging and restaurants; as well as detailed transportation directions and the cost for traveling from one location to the next in sequence. The Dracula Trail begins and ends in London for the English portion and in Bucharest for traveling in Romania.’

Clearly, this book is extremely well organized and logical in its presentation. It is also extremely well written – the reader is swept along for the ride through the relatively unspoiled Romanian countryside, while the exploration of English sites takes place at a slightly more leisurely pace, in keeping with Bram Stoker’s research orientation. Steven describes his intention with this work as that of ‘stripping away the layers of myth about Count Dracula and Prince Vlad the Impaler to find the reality within’.

Steven’s close familiarity with the text of Dracula enables him to compare elements of the novel that are incongruous with the Transylvanian reality, due to Bram Stoker never having visited the area of which he wrote in such glowing mythical terms. Throughout this guide, he quotes relevant parts of the novel that tie in with his personal observations of the unfolding landscape – definitely enough to entice the avid reader back to savor the original source once more.

The detailed description of Vlad Dracula’s rule on the Wallachian throne serves, in blood-drenched style (accompanied by appropriate authorial warnings of the graphic nature of such text), to contextualize the legend of Dracula. Though the references to graveyards, churches and historic ruins abound, due account is also taken of the exploitation of the Dracula legend by the tourism industry in both England and Romania. Not that the author himself does not benefit from such enterprise, as he avails himself of the hospitality of numerous hotels and bed and breakfast establishments. Though giving full praise where such is due, as with the Bed & Breakfast Coula in Sighişoara, which he rates as ‘hands down my favorite place to stay in my favorite town in Romania’, he also does not hesitate to advise about those that he finds to be not so appealing.

In the Footsteps of Dracula is filled with full color photographs of the people and places that Unger encounters on his travels. From the quaint fishing village of Whitby, where the novel Dracula was conceived and partly written, to the rugged Carpathian montane landscape surrounding the Borgo Pass, the site of Count Dracula’s ‘vast ruined castle’, Steven captures the essence of his environs. By identifying key components of the photos, which he relates to Bram Stoker’s text, their contents take on special significance and meaning for the reader. In his depiction of multiple Romanian street scenes, Steven encapsulates the medieval other-worldly feel of such towns as Tărgovişte and Sighişoara through which he travels. His inclusion of numerous photographs of young people garbed in Gothic attire, most of whom were captured while attending Whitby’s annual Gothic Festival, will no doubt also appeal to the younger reader.]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=653 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:21:34 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=653 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=652 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:17:27 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=652 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=651 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:37:46 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=651 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=650 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:51:36 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=650
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In 1967 thirteen year old Susan Harding worships her sister's delinquent boyfriend, spoiled nineteen year old Darrin Darvell; but Darrin is as heartless as he is rich. At a drunken bonfire party Darrin molests Susan, causes her sister's death, and escapes into the night.

Thirteen years later Darrin returns to find Susan an emotionally damaged basket case haunted by her past. When Darrin reveals that he's returned to heal old wounds Susan believes her prince has finally come to make amends; but Susan is being used again in Darrin's most selfish and demonic game yet. As Darrin's insane plot devours their lives Susan struggles to determine who is the healer and who shall be healed.

********************************]]>
************************************

In 1967 thirteen year old Susan Harding worships her sister's delinquent boyfriend, spoiled nineteen year old Darrin Darvell; but Darrin is as heartless as he is rich. At a drunken bonfire party Darrin molests Susan, causes her sister's death, and escapes into the night.

Thirteen years later Darrin returns to find Susan an emotionally damaged basket case haunted by her past. When Darrin reveals that he's returned to heal old wounds Susan believes her prince has finally come to make amends; but Susan is being used again in Darrin's most selfish and demonic game yet. As Darrin's insane plot devours their lives Susan struggles to determine who is the healer and who shall be healed.

********************************]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=648 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:47:34 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=648
Born in 1824, Collins was a contemporary of notable authors such as Dickens, Bronte and Poe. (It seems all the best authors lived and wrote around the Victoria era.) Collins was an opium addict and his knowledge of its effects may have inspired one of his characters in The Moonstone.]]>
Born in 1824, Collins was a contemporary of notable authors such as Dickens, Bronte and Poe. (It seems all the best authors lived and wrote around the Victoria era.) Collins was an opium addict and his knowledge of its effects may have inspired one of his characters in The Moonstone.]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=647 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:53:42 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=647
It's not Green Darkness by Anya Seton. I have that one. And it's not Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine, although I've read that one since.

Any other ideas of what it might be? This has been driving me nuts for years!]]>
It's not Green Darkness by Anya Seton. I have that one. And it's not Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine, although I've read that one since.

Any other ideas of what it might be? This has been driving me nuts for years!]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=646 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:05:36 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=646 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=645 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:33:04 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=645
I always felt like the 'odd man out' when I would say I love gothic romances. People would say, "Oh, you like vampire books" and I'd say, "no, no, that's not what gothic romances are" and I'd get frustrated and stamp my feet and my face would get red... and well, it was just ugly.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi, and that I'm really really happy to find others (I hope like me) out here!

Maureen]]>
I always felt like the 'odd man out' when I would say I love gothic romances. People would say, "Oh, you like vampire books" and I'd say, "no, no, that's not what gothic romances are" and I'd get frustrated and stamp my feet and my face would get red... and well, it was just ugly.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi, and that I'm really really happy to find others (I hope like me) out here!

Maureen]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=644 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:29:47 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=644

I am a romantic suspense author (I call myself that, because honestly I didn't think people would understand if I said I was a 'Gothic romance' author).

If you have a moment or two, please take a peak at my two Romantic suspense (aka Gothic Romance ) novels.

Victory Cove - http://www.amazon.com/Victory-Cove-ebook/dp/B0030IM7BY

Megan Summers thought that she was safe in the remote coastal village of Victory Cove. For a year she hid in seclusion, preparing for the battle ahead by building her own target range and practicing adaptability in the darkened halls of Wakefield House. But, today a stranger appeared on her doorstep. Was he it? Was he her executioner?

For Jake Grogan, his trek to Victory Cove started out with a cryptic letter from a woman who after thirty-five years of silence identified herself as his mother. He was told to locate Wakefield House, the home of his grandmother. Jake found the sinister residence on the outermost crag of the ocean, but the woman who answered the door was not elderly. She was young, attractive, and looked like she would do about anything to get him off her doorstep.

Jake Grogan came to Victory Cove to discover his past. Megan Summers came to Victory Cove to escape hers. Inside Wakefield House their lives collide, and on the edge where land and sea meet, they wage a battle and struggle to survive the night.

WIDOW'S TALE - http://www.amazon.com/Widows-Tale-ebook/dp/B00147RWB8

Serena Murphy was losing her mind.


Every night Serena stood on the deck of O'Flanagans Tavern, searching Maine's rugged coast for a sign of her husband's body. Though he was pronounced lost at sea, Alan Murphy still haunted her as only his malevolent spirit could. In the loft above her tavern, Serena hears footsteps pace across her living room floor, yet when she turns, no one is there.

Alan would not let a little thing like death stop him from tormenting her. If she could just find his body, surely this torture would stop.

It had been ten years since Brett Murphy saw his sister in-law, although the separation was by design, to avoid temptation. Now Brett was in Victory Cove, not to declare his feelings for Serena, but to discover the truth about his brother's death. In doing so, he must battle Serena's ghosts, both real and contrived.]]>

I am a romantic suspense author (I call myself that, because honestly I didn't think people would understand if I said I was a 'Gothic romance' author).

If you have a moment or two, please take a peak at my two Romantic suspense (aka Gothic Romance ) novels.

Victory Cove - http://www.amazon.com/Victory-Cove-ebook/dp/B0030IM7BY

Megan Summers thought that she was safe in the remote coastal village of Victory Cove. For a year she hid in seclusion, preparing for the battle ahead by building her own target range and practicing adaptability in the darkened halls of Wakefield House. But, today a stranger appeared on her doorstep. Was he it? Was he her executioner?

For Jake Grogan, his trek to Victory Cove started out with a cryptic letter from a woman who after thirty-five years of silence identified herself as his mother. He was told to locate Wakefield House, the home of his grandmother. Jake found the sinister residence on the outermost crag of the ocean, but the woman who answered the door was not elderly. She was young, attractive, and looked like she would do about anything to get him off her doorstep.

Jake Grogan came to Victory Cove to discover his past. Megan Summers came to Victory Cove to escape hers. Inside Wakefield House their lives collide, and on the edge where land and sea meet, they wage a battle and struggle to survive the night.

WIDOW'S TALE - http://www.amazon.com/Widows-Tale-ebook/dp/B00147RWB8

Serena Murphy was losing her mind.


Every night Serena stood on the deck of O'Flanagans Tavern, searching Maine's rugged coast for a sign of her husband's body. Though he was pronounced lost at sea, Alan Murphy still haunted her as only his malevolent spirit could. In the loft above her tavern, Serena hears footsteps pace across her living room floor, yet when she turns, no one is there.

Alan would not let a little thing like death stop him from tormenting her. If she could just find his body, surely this torture would stop.

It had been ten years since Brett Murphy saw his sister in-law, although the separation was by design, to avoid temptation. Now Brett was in Victory Cove, not to declare his feelings for Serena, but to discover the truth about his brother's death. In doing so, he must battle Serena's ghosts, both real and contrived.]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=643 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:01:53 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=643 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=642 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:35:04 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=642
http://tinyurl.com/yaxsthk

Gothmeister]]>
http://tinyurl.com/yaxsthk

Gothmeister]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=641 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:25:07 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=641

Hoping to like what I find here.




Zing]]>

Hoping to like what I find here.




Zing]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=640 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:07:43 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=640 Ace 1969
[attachment=287]]]> Ace 1969
[attachment=287]]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=639 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:05:46 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=639 [attachment=286]]]> [attachment=286]]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=638 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:50:13 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=638
Gothmeister]]>
Gothmeister]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=637 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:44:59 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=637 I discovered gothics a while back when a friend gave me one as a joke. It was The Shrouded Walls, by Susan Howatch, and I fell in love from the first page. Immediately, I grabbed as many as I could find from the used bookstore, but alas, they weren't nearly as good. I ended up getting one of Howatch's non-gothic novels. She's a hell of a writer, and I thought maybe her gothic was only reflective of her skill, and not the genre as a whole, and I gave up for a while. But then I tried again, and I got another good one, followed by a bad one, and then...a good one! I'm learning to spot stuff I'll like from the first page.

There's something about the atmosphere and the isolation that appeals to me. Also, the characters (in the ones I like, anyway) tend to be cerebral and active at solving the mysteries around them. Like me, they tend to be caught in a battle between logic and sentimentality.

Also, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is one of my favorite movies ever. I love independent women who can love, but who don't need a man.

I do write, but mostly science fiction/fantasy/horror.

Glad to be here!
Elizabeth C]]> I discovered gothics a while back when a friend gave me one as a joke. It was The Shrouded Walls, by Susan Howatch, and I fell in love from the first page. Immediately, I grabbed as many as I could find from the used bookstore, but alas, they weren't nearly as good. I ended up getting one of Howatch's non-gothic novels. She's a hell of a writer, and I thought maybe her gothic was only reflective of her skill, and not the genre as a whole, and I gave up for a while. But then I tried again, and I got another good one, followed by a bad one, and then...a good one! I'm learning to spot stuff I'll like from the first page.

There's something about the atmosphere and the isolation that appeals to me. Also, the characters (in the ones I like, anyway) tend to be cerebral and active at solving the mysteries around them. Like me, they tend to be caught in a battle between logic and sentimentality.

Also, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is one of my favorite movies ever. I love independent women who can love, but who don't need a man.

I do write, but mostly science fiction/fantasy/horror.

Glad to be here!
Elizabeth C]]> http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=636 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:26:59 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=636 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=635 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:53:42 -0800 http://www.gothicromanceforum.com/showthread.php?tid=635