Lydia Storm's Blog, page 3

Dark Shadows Fabulousness

What better way to wish the Dark and Stormy Blog readers a Happy Halloween then to feature the world's best vampire series ever.  Yes, better than Twilight.  Better than True Blood.  The series is Dark Shadows.  You can now watch every single one of the 1,225 episodes on Netlflix.
The 1960s gothic soap opera came into being when creator, Dan Curtis, had a dream about a young woman taking a long train ride to a spooky mansion.  The series features old school vampires, ghosts and witches with all the 19th century romanticism and restraint so painfully lacking in today's, show-it-all-leave-absolutely-no-mystery-what-so-ever, vampire media. 
The cobweb decked chandeliers, the deep mists, hidden family crypts and unfulfilled longings that create such an amazing atmosphere set the backdrop for one cliff-hanging episode after another.  I found myself hitting the Netflix Next Episode button like a little crack monkey after each installment. 
The earlier episodes are shot in black and white, which works wonderfully with the dramatic lighting and haunted vibe of the gothic sets.  The fact that the boom is often in the shot and the actors regularly flub their lines only adds to the entertainment value.
Tim Burton and Johnny Dep are clearly fans too, since they're scheduled to begin shooting their own feature adaptation of the cult soap in February 2011.  I'll be first on line to buy tickets when the film comes out! 
For more information visit the official Dark Shadows site: http://www.collinwood.net/

Happy Birthday Agatha Christie!

Agatha Christie's works are still as fresh and page-turning as they were when she first started writing almost one hundred years ago.  I recently re-read The Mirror Cracked and try as I would, I could not figure out who dunnit until the big reveal.  She was, quite simply, a genius.  Happy Birthday Agatha!  


AMAZING FACTS ABOUT AGATHA CHRISTIE:Born September 15th, 1890 Wrote 80 crime novels and short story collections, 2 autobiographies and 8 novels under the pseudonym Mary WestmacottUK's...

Which retelling of Dracula from Mina's perspective should I read next?

What's a gothic romance lover, like myself, to do when there are not one, but two recent novels out featuring Bram Stoker's Dracula story retold from Mina's perspective? 

The first is Dracula In Love by Karen Essex and the second is Dracula My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James. 
Dracula In Love sports a perfectly atmospheric cover with lots of lovely swirly mists and a Victorian heroine running through a graveyard.  It's also supposedly on the literary side with lots of...

Free book give-away contest

 Summer's lolling luxurious days may be coming to an end, but you don't have to give up a relaxing escape – even if it is between the covers of a book.  From now until Labor Day answer the question below to be entered to win a free copy of Moonlight On Diamonds.
CONTEST QUESTION:  What rare jewel is catching John and Nicholas's attention in the excerpt below?  Leave your answer as a blog comment to be entered to win.
Moonlight on Diamonds Excerpt
John met Veronica in the hotel lobby at a span

The Mist on a Dark and Stormy night!

Living in the shadow of the Adirondacks, as I do, I am privileged to enjoy many wild and wonderful thunderstorms each summer.  Recently, during a particularly dark and stormy night, with the lights flickering and threatening to go out altogether, the inspiration struck me to download Stephen King's 1980's novella The Mist.  I read the first sample chapter and was hooked.  I've had my nose stuck to my iphone ever since – even if the power goes out I can still read on! 
In short: Love The Mist...

Nancy Drew turns 80!

I think the first real mystery novel I ever read was Nancy Drew's Secret of the Old Clock.  I devoured the rest of the series and have been hooked on suspense ever since. In honor of Nancy's 80th birthday, here's a fun little post I found on: www.nancydrewsleuth.com
Enjoy!
TOP 10 CLUES ABOUT  NANCY DREW'S MYSTERIOUS HISTORY… 
1. Edward Stratemeyer, of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, created Nancy Drew in 1929.  
2. The first three books in the series: The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden...

Happy Birthday Daphne du Maurier

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..." 


Daphne du Maurier was born on this day in 1907.  She gave us Rebecca, arguably the best romantic suspense novel ever written.  


Happy Birthday Daphne!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Ghost Painting

I don't usually post until Friday, but this is too Dark and Stormy to pass up! The $37,000 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 'ghost' paintingThe Sherlock Holmes author bought this painting while mourning the death of his son in WW1A painting inspired by the psychic spirits of dead soldiers and bought by a grieving Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who lost a son in WW1 will auction as part of the Owston Collection in Sydney.Bonhams' sale will take place on June 25-26.The painting by William Francis (Will...

Happy Birthday Moonlight on Diamonds!

I can't believe it has been a year since the release of my debut romantic suspense Moonlight on Diamonds. Thank you so much to everyone who bought the book, came to a party or signing, or took the time to write a review on Amazon.  This has been a dream come true.


"Storm has written a book brimming with twists and turns."        - Romantic Times Book Reviews
"This is a book you will not be able to put down."         - You Gotta Read Reviews
"Moonlight on Diamonds is a pleasure to read, with...

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

In honor of National Poetry Month, here is a lovely Dark and Stormy poem.  Enjoy the gothic fabulousness! 

Annabel Lee
By  Edgar Allan Poe (published 1849)  

It was many and many a year ago,In a kingdom by the sea,That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of ANNABEL LEE;And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. She was a child and I was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love-I and my Annabel Leespan