Concentric-Ringed Fortresses: Crazy Things I Learned Researching Books
The castle which forms the principal setting for In the Company of the Dead is primarily inspired by Caerlaverock Castle in the Scottish Borders, but I modified it to suit my needs. One of the...
View ArticleSt Andrews and Fernie Castle: Touring Scotland with Ciara Ballintyne
In 365 from days from the time of posting this, we will be landing in London… Squee! The countdown is on. But the trip isn’t all about me, and hubby has asked to do some things he’d like. So I’m...
View ArticlePlate Mail: D&D Myth? – Medieval Weaponry and Accoutrements
If you’ve ever played Dungeons & Dragons, you are familiar with plate mail. If not, all you really need to know is that it is basically the best armour you can buy, short of magically enhanced...
View ArticleThe Glass Demon by Helen Grant: A Review by Ciara Ballintyne
Lin is dragged from England to backwater Germany by her father, Dr Oliver Fox, obsessed with the discovery of the famed Allerheiligen glass, a set of stained glass windows missing for hundreds of...
View ArticleThe Crannog Centre and Library of Innerpeffray: Touring Scotland With Ciara...
So after my initial excitement that the date of our departure had rolled around, marking 366 days until we leave for Scotland, I am now faced with the depressing reality it is almost one year to the...
View ArticleChinese Snow: Crazy Things I Learned Researching Books
Apparently humanity discovered explosives a lot earlier than I thought. Whether this is a testament to our ingenuity, or our seeming desire to find a better way to rapidly self-destruct, I’m unsure…....
View ArticleVivify End of Summer Sale – Only Until Sept 7! Fantasy Books 99c and Free
Thanks for joining Vivify in their first End of Summer Sale. All deals are valid September 1st -7th please check prices before purchasing! Nicholas Andrews Secrets of the Stonechaser Only .99 cents!...
View ArticleThe Highland Club and Dunrobin Castle: Touring Scotland with Ciara Ballintyne
We’re booked! Just this week I made our reservation for the Glenlochy Apartment at The Highland Club at Fort Augustus. The ‘club’ is really a large set of independently owned, self-catering apartments...
View ArticleJoin Ciara Ballintyne’s Advance Copy Review Team
Do you love epic fantasy? If so, I’m giving you the chance to join my review team. In return for agreeing to write an honest, critical review, I will provide team members with the opportunity to...
View ArticleBrandon Sanderson, You Have A Sexy Brain
The Way of Kings is littered with intellectual ideas – a fact I missed the first time I read it, presumably because I was too distracted by the story. That is, itself, a good thing, as it means the...
View ArticleWhy Everyone Hates the Twelfth Doctor
OK, maybe not everyone. Not me. But a great many people. And perhaps hate is too strong a word – maybe really really dislike? I only recently caught up on Doctor Who, and I was way behind (waaaaay...
View ArticleTop 5 Major Discworld Characters
I love the Discworld books. Always a good rollicking romp, and sometimes a welcome relief from the intensity of ‘the world is ending’ in other fantasy. I like to read Discworld between The Wheel of...
View ArticleAm I Sarene from Brandon Sanderson’s ELANTRIS?
Never before have I been struck by a character so much like me. Sure, I frequently see characters I can relate to, particularly INTJ characters making hard and distasteful decisions, but not much...
View ArticleThe Old Man of Storr and the Fairies: Touring Scotland with Ciara Ballintyne
174 days! 174 days! In less than 6 months, I’m going back to Scotland! Yes, yes, I am excited. Very excited. Here’s some of the things on our itinerary while on the Isle of Skye. Old Man of Storr The...
View ArticleAre You the Chosen of the Death Goddess? #ITCOTD Personality Quiz
To celebrate the upcoming release of In the Company of the Dead on April 25, I have created a new personality quiz to introduce you to the gods of this new world. So…are you the chosen of the death...
View ArticleThe Loch Ness Monster: Touring Scotland with Ciara Ballintyne
It seems like our trip is now fast approaching, with our departure date in roughly five months—and boy did January fly! Last time we were in Scotland, we didn’t really do the whole Loch Ness Monster...
View ArticleIn the Company of the Dead – Valentine’s Day Cover Reveal
I am pleased to present the cover art for upcoming epic fantasy, In the Company of the Dead. Genre: Epic Fantasy/Romantic Fantasy Release Date: 25 April 2016 Credit is due to the cover artist, Sam...
View ArticleIN THE COMPANY OF THE DEAD Available for Pre-Order on iBooks
With two months to go until the release of In the Company of the Dead, it’s now available for pre-order on iBooks! About In the Company of the Dead: Only a fool crosses a god, but Ellaeva and Lyram...
View ArticleThe Maps for IN THE COMPANY OF THE DEAD
I’m excited to share with you the maps from In the Company of the Dead, courtesy of Worlds Beyond Art. The world of In the Company of the Dead: Floorplans of Caisteal Aingeal an Bhais (Castle of the...
View ArticleHow To Pronounce Aut Agere Aut Mori: Crazy Things I Learned Researching Books
OK, I stuffed up. So the kingdom of Ahlleyn in my upcoming release, In the Company of the Dead, is loosely inspired by Gaelic and Scottish culture. I say ‘loosely’ because I’ve essentially used those...
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