Gothicked (Gothic Novel Lovers) discussion

Hi All,

I'm new to this group and happy to have found it. I love Gothic novels, an avid fan of the late great Barbara Michaels, and now have a new favorite author, Simone St. James.

I am also an author, and write what I call New Gothic Romance, i.e., contemporary romance with the haunting elements of the classic Gothic novel. I know most Gothics are set in the past, placing them in the historical category as well as Gothic.

My question is: Any other readers out there like me? Who want to read haunting, ghostly stories set in present day? Suggestions as to books/authors/groups I might seek out?

Thanks in advance!

Claire Gem
Author of Phantom Traces

Oh, yes, I'm one of your twins!--Joanna McKethan, book:A Deadly Provenance|18002754]

I looked it up! Too bad it's not available in Audio version: I usually listen on my commute. Have you looked into ACX.com? You can do it free if you find a narrator who will accept a 50/50 royalty split. An excellent deal!

I love me some new gothic! Have you read Susanna Kearsley? She's a contemporary author, though her books usually have two storylines, one contemporary, one historical.

Yes I Love All things Gothic, but am more partial to those books published in the 60s and 70s (yet were set in times anywhere from 1800s up to time book was published). That being said, I would check out modern Gothics. Give me a few titles and I'm off...

I've always loved the gothics since I first started reading novels. I would love gothics set in present day.

I agree! Jennie Melville, Susan Howatch, Catherine Gaskin, Mary Stewart, Anne Radcliffe, Joan Aiken, Marilyn Ross, Virginia Coffman, Dorothy Daniels, Anne Maybury, Norah Lofts, Barbara Michaels, Norah Lofts, et al.

Rosie wrote: "I've always loved the gothics since I first started reading novels. I would love gothics set in present day."
A great idea!

Skye, Rosie,
At the risk of appearing self-serving, I've written 2 contemporary Gothics, set in southern France, under my pen name Sarah W Sparx. I'm a Mary Stewart wannabe - though I don't pretend to come near the high bar she set ("The MoonSpinners" is my favourite of hers) - so my books have no shapeshifters or vampires and only the faintest whiff of a ghost.
I keep an eye out for contemporary Gothics but don't find much on Amazon, and if there is something it's usually trad-published and often relatively expensive. I've tried Susanna Kearsley but not fallen in love with her. I'd be grateful for others' recommendations of stories set in the last 20 years or so.

Sarah, let me see what I can discover: I have a few unread gothic-type of novels from Good Reads Authors, but I believe they are set in the 50s. I will let you know, and like you, I adored Mary Stewart----The Moonspinners, Touch Not the Cat, My Brother Michael. They are wonderful reads.

Sarahws wrote: "Skye, Rosie,
At the risk of appearing self-serving, I've written 2 contemporary Gothics, set in southern France, under my pen name Sarah W Sparx. I'm a Mary Stewart wannabe - though I don't preten..."

Your books look great! I just bought both of them.

Thanks so much, Dola. I hope you have at least half as much fun reading them as I had writing (and researching) them!

I'm loving hearing from everyone. May try a couple of new books, myself. And I'm looking into audio. I also have novelette-length books out, Veiled in White and Yuletide Folly.

Hi All. Wanted to share a couple more gothic authors for kindle, I happily stumbled upon on amazon.
Camille Olster
Terry Lynn Thomas

Enjoy!

Thanks, Michelle

Florence Hurd wrote some great Gothics as well. Add her to the list!

Thanks, Michelle; I will check all three out.

I checked out Florence Hurd, and I have read several books by her.

Florence Hurd is my favorite gothic romance author from back in the day. In my opinion Rommany is her best book. I also write Gothic Romance, The Ghost of Emily Grey and The Reincarnation of Anna. Both of which are set in 1969. That's not exactly contemporary, but I can't classify it as historical either because that would make me feel really old.

Renee, I read that and another by Hurd, do you have links to your books?

Skye wrote: "Renee, I read that and another by Hurd, do you have links to your books?"

Yes, thank you for asking, Skye! This is the link to my author page on Amazon: goo.gl/y5gWBf. You might have to copy and paste it.

I also maintain a virtual vintage library on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest under the name, Gothic Romance Remembered, where I showcase the classics. I go beyond just the cover art, displaying both the front and back of the books, including the descriptions.
I hope you'll check it out.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm happy to help.

Renee

Thanks Renee:
I don't use social media, but I am on Pinterest under the name of skyecaitlin, and I will check out your link ( I only purchase from B and N, however).

Ahhh, Renee: I have this thing called 'cover love,' and your books and titles look exquisite.
Are your books on B and N? I only read print copies and nothing in e book format.

Your pinterest board is splendid!

Skye wrote: "Ahhh, Renee: I have this thing called 'cover love,' and your books and titles look exquisite.
Are your books on B and N? I only read print copies and nothing in e book format."

My e-books are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, making them free for subscribers. Participation in the program requires selling exclusively with Amazon. However, I sometimes have promotional print copies available. I'll be sure and let you know when I do. Is there a particular title of mine that you'd be interested in receiving?

Any of them ( the covers are lovely). I can let you know and you can PM me.

Are you continuing with your saga? I like the cover of The Ghost of Emily Grey, The Grave of Katherine Embry, and The Reincarnation of Anna. This is the family saga.

Yes, the saga sweeps several generations of the Thorne family. I am currently in the process of completing the next book in the series: The Haunting of Delilah. These books can be read as stand alones, which is something I personally appreciate when I'm reading a series. There are a surprising number of Gothic Romance readers today and many who favor the vintage style. I read them voraciously growing up and, as an author, I am devoted to re-imagining the era by adhering to their basic style and structure. That's why I love this group, but I am not sure that we are supposed to be touting our own work here. Thanks for your interest in my books, Skye. I appreciate it very much, and I'll follow up with you in a PM soon!

Renee, your saga sounds great. How long have you been writing? I also write, but not in this genre. Like you, I adored gothic novels growing up, and it's amazing how many writers there were, too.
This group just recently got active; I belong to many other book groups, but evidently there are many of us, and we seem to have enjoyed the same writers.

Skye wrote: "Renee, your saga sounds great. How long have you been writing? I also write, but not in this genre. Like you, I adored gothic novels growing up, and it's amazing how many writers there were, too.
T..."
I've been writing for almost 30 years, but Gothic Romance only for the last twelve years. Are your books published. In what genre do you write?

Thirty years? That's a long time: I have been writing since I was very young. I adored Nancy Drew and anything to do with ballet.
I have so many works in progress; vignettes, and a few memoirs that I am desperately trying to fictionalize. I used to write a Features column in a local newspaper about skin/ hair care. I give you so much credit.

Thank you, Skye. I hope you have plans to publish your work. It sounds like writing is very important to you. Thank you also for adding my books to your reading list! I'll let you know when I have extra copies to give out.

I need to resume writing, Renee ( I work all the time), but meeting people like you gives me inspiration. Please let me know when you have extra copies of your books.

Renee wrote: "Florence Hurd is my favorite gothic romance author from back in the day. In my opinion Rommany is her best book. I also write Gothic Romance, The Ghost of Emily Grey and The Reincarnation of Anna. ..."

Another fan for Florence Hurd here!

Love, love, love Legacy and The House on Russian Hill.

Hi Hannah! I loved Legacy too. I read it twice and I read Rommany 3 or 4 times. She really had a unique storytelling voice. Legacy is so haunting, isn't it? Have you read Rommany yet?

Renee wrote: "Hi Hannah! I loved Legacy too. I read it twice and I read Rommany 3 or 4 times. She really had a unique storytelling voice. Legacy is so haunting, isn't it? Have you read Rommany yet?"

Legacy was wonderfully atmospheric. I first read it as a teen and it creeped me out big time! When I re-read it, it still stands the test of time (and my advancing age : )

No, I haven't read Rommany, but I'll get to it one of these days!
Glad to hear it's a good one.

I also love Florence Hurd!

Someone recently posted how they are writing a Gothic set in Romania. Please let le know when it is released! I am a bit obsessed with all things Romanian and Transylvania too! If anybody knows of any other Gothics set in these areas please tell me too! :)

Hi Hannah:
I also like Florence Hurd and read Legacy and Rommany!

Hi Michelle & Skye!
Glad to see there are others who love Hurd. I feel like she was quintessentially "gothic" when gothics were big in the 1960s and '70s

And we are all rediscovering them together. Right now we're reading Victoria Holt.

I would like to share if its ok with you ladies some ebooks I just recently purchased.Althou we are very limited to Victoria Holt books..I did get 2...The Indian Fan,and Time of The Hunters Moon and 2 ebooks of Jean Plaidy..Murder Most Royal,and The Lady in The Tower.Here in Canada..the Jean Plaidy ones are more costly for the ebooks..anywhere from 11.99 to 24.99

GO girl!!!!!!!!

I wish I could go more Skye..lol!Eventually I will get Victoria Holts "Bride of Pendorric" but Im torn between Jean Plaidy books as well:)I read The Lady in the Tower many years ago,so now I can read it again on my ereader:)I loved that story!!!!

I more than understand, Marian; you are so well versed in historical fiction and non-fiction, so it makes sense to me.

Probably when Im finished "My Cousin Rachel" I will get at.."The Lady In The Tower"..I just HAVE to Skye..lol!You know me:)))

Yes, I know you!!!!! I have never read VC under Jean Plaidy, but you know that my favorites are under the name of Philippa Carr.

Marian wrote: "Probably when Im finished "My Cousin Rachel" I will get at.."The Lady In The Tower"..I just HAVE to Skye..lol!You know me:)))"

Is this about Anne Boleyn?

It sure is Skye:))

I thought it might be. It sounds like something I would like, then; she does an excellent job writing about Anne in several of the Carr books.

And so is Murder Most Royal actually..it has both Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard.I think...