Wading Through Life...
I’ve been immersing myself in some gothic-esque TV shows and movies as I work on book 2 of my contemporary southern gothic series to put me in the right frame of mind. I thought I’d share some of these with y’all this month. They’re perfect for a cold winter’s night with hot chocolate (shot of Bailey’s anyone?) and a fuzzy blanket, joined by one or more of my kitty babies to keep me warm. Some awesome options:
Haunting of Hill House (series-Netflix)
I do a rewatch of this series every couple of months. The characterization of this family is stunning. They are all SO flawed, yet I’ve come to love each of them. Then the setting and hidden ghosts…lovely!
Coco (movie)
I recently watched this with my daughter, who was re-watching it. Now—skeletons are my jam, so a whole movie of talking skeletons is right up my alley! But the music, the themes, all of it spoke to me.
We Bought a Funeral Home (series-Discovery+)
This is a reality show about a family who moves into an old funeral home to renovate it into a family home. The mother’s style is over-the-top gothic and I absolutely love it. Then all the neighbors curious about what they’re doing…the speakeasy in the basement is awesome!
These are all adding to the misty, gloomy atmosphere and ghostly activities of my second contemporary gothic novel.
What are your favorite atmospheric, spooky TV shows or movies featuring ghosts, supernatural themes, or just gothic style for a cold night in front of a fire?
Take Care,
Dani
Hot Irish Romance for a Cold, Cold Night...
STRIKING A CHORD Backstage Pass series
He has fame beyond his dreams … now he needs her to make it all complete.
Sean Rosslair, Irish drummer, is now a US rock legend. One with a craving for control—and his new PA’s sultry voice and smokin’ BBW body have him demonstrating what happens to naughty girls. Meghan Adams finds herself begging for more of Sean’s discipline. But can he share all his erotic secrets before a hidden enemy puts him out of commission—permanently?
Sean Rosslair has made his dreams come true, and then some--despite his turbulent break from a family who considered image more important than anything. Now Sean has a new goal--getting up close and personal with his new assistant, whose smokin' sexy voice makes him ache to show her what else he can do with his hands. But one look in her clear, innocent eyes tells him she's the kind of woman he should never have.
When Meghan finally exposes her plus-size presence to her new, uber-sexy boss, he doesn’t react the way she expects. She takes her punishment for her white lie well—too well. Meghan can’t refrain from begging her boss for another spanking … but when he takes her with him to his wealthy family's lovely Irish estate, this Southern girl finds herself surrounded by secrets. In the midst of Sean's painful past, can she let go enough to embrace romance with a rock star?
Caution: Contains crazy families, dark secrets, and a hero who knows how to transform pain into pleasure--get your copy of Striking a Chord today!
Amazon
All Other Retailers
What’s better than spooky season in America’s spookiest town?
As many of you know, my daughter and I recently went on a girls’ trip to Salem, MA. I don’t travel often, but I love it so! This was her first flights, so it was fun to experience that with her. Salem, MA, is actually a smaller town than I thought, and a lot of the tourist spots are in a very close area. The leaves had just started turning that week, which added to the autumn feel along with the cold temperature (hence my weapons of creation sweatshirt). I got to see enough spooky decorations to make my creepy-loving heart happy! But I also learned so much about Salem’s history and their current focus on tolerance, diversity and inclusion. Here are some of the highlights: Architecture: I love the “feel” that architecture lends a place. Salem (and Massachusetts in general) felt very New England/American historical with some quirky stops along the way.
Atmosphere: Let’s get real! We were there to celebrate Halloween, which Salem does all October long.
Some other fun things we did!
This trip inspired me so much to really think about atmosphere and the feel of a place, along with the unjust persecution and why this happened. All of the cool things that we saw and everything I learned fed my creativity in a big way! Inspiration has been hard to access easily during the pandemic, which added to my difficult case of Writer's block. From the "Feel" of Salem, the historical information, visual fodder, and architecture, it all came together to boost my creative energy and refill the well. Yay!
I'm also grateful that I experienced this place with my daughter. We share a love of spookiness, so these are memories we will both cherish.
I hope you enjoy a chance to see it too. Spooky season was wonderful this year and lasted extra long! But it gave me lots of thinking time, then and into the fall. How about you? Also, do you find travel boosts your creative juices?
Take care,
Dani
The most frequent question authors are asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” Well, the idea for my upcoming contemporary Gothic series has been long brewing, but when it came to the setting – I have real life inspiration.
I had counted down the minutes and it was finally here – the long postponed trip to celebrate our anniversary with my husband. Last year was our 25th, but we had to put off our big celebration until this spring.
But I’ll admit, as authors often do, my trip had a dual purpose. Research! A huge part of my upcoming Gothic series is a grandiose, atmospheric prep school and I needed something sweeping and grand for story inspiration.
My research led me to America’s Largest Home—Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. The perfect place to refill my research well and spark creative ideas.
#1: Most of my research of the Biltmore had to do with the interiors (what kind of rooms? How many bedrooms? How are things arranged?). I wasn’t quite prepared for it to look and feel like a castle.
I can just imagine it in fog or a thunderstorm… Apropos, yes?
#2: My brothers-in-arms – brothers by choice, rather than blood—need a space to hang out and bond. Doesn’t this make a very elegant man cave?
#3: The ambience here is perfect for a prep school dining hall, even if it’s a little small. This school is a labor of love for these men – a chance to provide opportunity for those less fortunate. A way to make up for their own sins. Can you imagine the awe of eating here every day?
#4: I’ll admit – I wasn’t emotionally prepared for the library. It’s every book lover’s dream! I could have stayed for hours.
#5: Lots of touches the ad Gothic ambience. The creative hamster in my brain was working overtime. Imagine sneaking down this tunnel… creeping across the hall lit only by the flickering sconces… standing at the bottom of the stairs in the darkness wondering if something is coming down to meet you…
All around the Biltmore is beautiful and a must see. I found it inspirational. You see, research isn’t just about finding facts. It’s also an author’s need for new sights and unique experiences—oh, and hubby enjoyed it too. 😊
What’s the most inspirational place you’ve ever visited?
I'd love to hear from you!
Dani
She knew something incredible waited in the shadows of the abandoned mental institution, but she never imagined it would lead to love.
Jamie Dixon and her fellow video game developers set out to document the layout of the famed Harrington Institute for the Mentally Ill. Then an accident leaves her to explore the decaying buildings with only Ian, the one guy she’s crushed on since high school. Too bad he never seemed to notice she was a nerd of the girly variety.
But Ian Jameson has a secret agenda for coming to Harrington. As they uncover the ramblings of an abusive doctor, evidence of a secret prisoner and an obsession over an ancestral line, Jamie and Ian discover a passion that transcends their former workplace camaraderie.
Will the old trunk in the attic reveal a new kind of storm? Will his investigation into a long lost heir destroy the very love they’ve both been longing for?
Novellas in the Secrets of Covington Corner series in order:
Shadow Manor
Haunted Heritage
Dark Destiny
Holiday Storm
Amazon
B&N
Kobo
Apple Books
But I’ll admit, as authors often do, my trip had a dual purpose. Research! A huge part of my upcoming Gothic series is a grandiose, atmospheric prep school and I needed something sweeping and grand for story inspiration.
My research led me to America’s Largest Home—Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. The perfect place to refill my research well and spark creative ideas.
#1: Most of my research of the Biltmore had to do with the interiors (what kind of rooms? How many bedrooms? How are things arranged?). I wasn’t quite prepared for it to look and feel like a castle.
I can just imagine it in fog or a thunderstorm… Apropos, yes?
#2: My brothers-in-arms – brothers by choice, rather than blood—need a space to hang out and bond. Doesn’t this make a very elegant man cave?
#3: The ambience here is perfect for a prep school dining hall, even if it’s a little small. This school is a labor of love for these men – a chance to provide opportunity for those less fortunate. A way to make up for their own sins. Can you imagine the awe of eating here every day?
#4: I’ll admit – I wasn’t emotionally prepared for the library. It’s every book lover’s dream! I could have stayed for hours.
#5: Lots of touches the ad Gothic ambience. The creative hamster in my brain was working overtime. Imagine sneaking down this tunnel… creeping across the hall lit only by the flickering sconces… standing at the bottom of the stairs in the darkness wondering if something is coming down to meet you…
All around the Biltmore is beautiful and a must see. I found it inspirational. You see, research isn’t just about finding facts. It’s also an author’s need for new sights and unique experiences—oh, and hubby enjoyed it too. 😊
What’s the most inspirational place you’ve ever visited?
I'd love to hear from you!
Dani
Interested in another gothic read? Try Dark Destiny, a Secrets of Covington Corner novella.
She knew something incredible waited in the shadows of the abandoned mental institution, but she never imagined it would lead to love.
Jamie Dixon and her fellow video game developers set out to document the layout of the famed Harrington Institute for the Mentally Ill. Then an accident leaves her to explore the decaying buildings with only Ian, the one guy she’s crushed on since high school. Too bad he never seemed to notice she was a nerd of the girly variety.
But Ian Jameson has a secret agenda for coming to Harrington. As they uncover the ramblings of an abusive doctor, evidence of a secret prisoner and an obsession over an ancestral line, Jamie and Ian discover a passion that transcends their former workplace camaraderie.
Will the old trunk in the attic reveal a new kind of storm? Will his investigation into a long lost heir destroy the very love they’ve both been longing for?
Novellas in the Secrets of Covington Corner series in order:
Shadow Manor
Haunted Heritage
Dark Destiny
Holiday Storm
Amazon
B&N
Kobo
Apple Books
Sorry about the mix-up with the blog posts today! And of course I couldn't fix it because I can't get my phone to do the admin stuff here on Wordpress. But better late than never, right? I do hope y'all enjoy my little treat below!
I went on a little writing retreat last week near Nashville, TN (more on that in next week's post). While I was there, I took a little side trip. I'd always wanted to visit Belle Meade Plantation, which is an historic plantation that reached its peak in the horse racing industry. As I learned when I was there, all the thoroughbreds who have run (and won) major races over the last ten years or so can be directly linked to the bloodlines of this farm. How cool! I love this type of thing, especially houses, so the trip was extra fun!
My pictures aren't nearly as good as the ones on the website, but here's a bit of what I saw on this cool, windy spring day:
[caption id="attachment_1053" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Belle Meade Plantation-Main House[/caption]
The tour of the house lasted about an hour. What was really interesting was that our tour guides (yes, more than one!) all dressed in period clothing. Each set of rooms had it's own tour guide--all of whom were super knowledgeable and personable. I truly enjoyed listening to their stories about both the house itself and the Harding-Jackson families.
[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
One of the carriages on display in the original stables.[/caption]
There were quite a few carriages and sleighs on display in the stable house, with descriptions of how they were driven and what their purposes were.
[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="224"]
This is the dairy on the plantation, which was actually the second largest source of income, behind the thoroughbred stables.[/caption]
Touring the grounds allowed me to learn about the dairy business (they were one of the major suppliers of butter and milk to Nashville), one of the original slave cabins, and the mausoleum. The Jubilee project on the grounds chronicles the lives of the 130 slaves who worked the land, and almost half of them that stayed as paid servants after the Civil War.
[caption id="attachment_1056" align="alignleft" width="224"]
The doll house where children of the family played.[/caption]
The grounds had some of the largest magnolia trees I'd ever seen. Considering all the storms we have around here, I'm amazed none of the ones still standing have been split. I bet they are gorgeous in full bloom.
[caption id="attachment_1057" align="aligncenter" width="224"]
The back entrance to the dairy.[/caption]
I also enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting. Though I'm not much of a wine person, they had a couple that I enjoyed, including a blackberry wine that was deliciously sweet. While I enjoyed the tour itself, I almost enjoyed my drive over there more. Because of where my hotel was situated, Google Maps took me through some back roads and quiet neighborhoods to get to my destination. The houses along the way were So Awesome! Both old and new houses were all unusual and fancy. Gorgeous architecture that created scenery all on its own. I just regretted that I had no one to drive so I could take pictures. :)
I hope you enjoyed my little trip as much as I like sharing it with you. Have you visited any historic homes? Places you particularly enjoyed? I'd love to hear about them!
Dani
Belle Meade Plantation-Main House[/caption]
The tour of the house lasted about an hour. What was really interesting was that our tour guides (yes, more than one!) all dressed in period clothing. Each set of rooms had it's own tour guide--all of whom were super knowledgeable and personable. I truly enjoyed listening to their stories about both the house itself and the Harding-Jackson families.
[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
One of the carriages on display in the original stables.[/caption]
There were quite a few carriages and sleighs on display in the stable house, with descriptions of how they were driven and what their purposes were.
[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="224"]
This is the dairy on the plantation, which was actually the second largest source of income, behind the thoroughbred stables.[/caption]
Touring the grounds allowed me to learn about the dairy business (they were one of the major suppliers of butter and milk to Nashville), one of the original slave cabins, and the mausoleum. The Jubilee project on the grounds chronicles the lives of the 130 slaves who worked the land, and almost half of them that stayed as paid servants after the Civil War.
[caption id="attachment_1056" align="alignleft" width="224"]
The doll house where children of the family played.[/caption]
The grounds had some of the largest magnolia trees I'd ever seen. Considering all the storms we have around here, I'm amazed none of the ones still standing have been split. I bet they are gorgeous in full bloom.
[caption id="attachment_1057" align="aligncenter" width="224"]
The back entrance to the dairy.[/caption]
I also enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting. Though I'm not much of a wine person, they had a couple that I enjoyed, including a blackberry wine that was deliciously sweet. While I enjoyed the tour itself, I almost enjoyed my drive over there more. Because of where my hotel was situated, Google Maps took me through some back roads and quiet neighborhoods to get to my destination. The houses along the way were So Awesome! Both old and new houses were all unusual and fancy. Gorgeous architecture that created scenery all on its own. I just regretted that I had no one to drive so I could take pictures. :)
I hope you enjoyed my little trip as much as I like sharing it with you. Have you visited any historic homes? Places you particularly enjoyed? I'd love to hear about them!
Dani