C.A. Verstraete's Blog, page 57
October 10, 2016
October Frights 1: Lizzie Borden, Guilty or Innocent?
Today is Day 1 of the October Frights Blog Hop!!!
Be sure to stop by all 29 blogs for some freaky fun, free fiction, prizes and more!!
To kick off my blog today I'm sharing some thoughts on the infamous Lizzie Borden case.
** Contest: There'll be a new question each day. Comment here on the blog to win a spooky skeleton hand bracelet! Must include email to contact you. Contest ends 10/15.
When Life Turns into a Horror Show By Christine Verstraete
One of the review quotes someone gave me got me thinking: what would you do if your life turned into a horror show?In the case of Lizzie Borden, going from a normal, if not staid and rather boring life as a Sunday School teacher and spinster, to someone accused of and on trial for murder was a real life nightmare. Let’s be honest: it was a horror show come to life.Whether you believe her guilty or innocent, It’s bad enough becoming involved in such a heinous crime, much less being accused as the perpetrator. Crime, of course, was as real in 1892 as it is now. But a woman, especially a well-brought-up woman and daughter of a respected (if not well-liked) business leader, brutally hatcheting her parents to death? To the Victorian mind, it may have seemed too horrific to consider. Impossible. Improbable that a woman could do that. The all-male jury couldn’t—and didn’t—convict her of a crime that would’ve sent her to the gallows.The defense, of course, railed on the mistakes in the case—the lack of real evidence other than a broken hatchet head that couldn’t be, and wasn’t, officially linked to her or really anyone else. The traipsing of police and other people in and out of the crime scene. The lack of use of the new technology of fingerprinting. The lack of any blood found on her person. Those facts, and maybe Victorian sensibilities, resulted in her being declared not guilty.What’s most interesting to me is that throughout the trial, except for a brief fainting episode, Lizzie never showed her emotions to the public. She never broke down or shed a tear.That takes someone strong. (Strong enough to kill, maybe?) But when your life is on the line, when you’re facing life or death, wouldn’t you do the same? Of course to those who say she did it, her lack of public emotion made her look cold and unfeeling.So, did she do it? Today, forensic tests have revealed the blood that soaked into the floors and walls, both upstairs and downstairs—perhaps where she or someone else washed off the evidence? Still, is it proof that Lizzie did it? Or as various theories claim, was she covering for someone else?We’ll never really know, of course. But even if she was innocent, the public seemed to decide anyway that she was indeed guilty and treated her as a social pariah. Why she chose to remain in her hometown when she could’ve gone anywhere is a mystery, though it’s perhaps not too surprising. Maybe it was her thumbing her nose at those who judged and considered her a killer; maybe it was the fear of moving away from familiar surroundings. Already in her 30s, she was perhaps set in her ways and with the murder and trial behind her, had already had enough upheaval and yes, horrors in her life. She wanted to live quietly in her new home.In reality, even if she was found not guilty, as long as she stayed there, in that home, in that town, she remained a prisoner. Was it a small atonement for her sins? You decide.
Today's Question: Did Lizzie do it? Was she guilty or innocent - and why?
* Another great review! "...Battling zombies is dirty work and this book does not shy away from this fact. Full of action, blood and gore, made this a well written, exciting story. If you like history meets fantasy than this is a great book to read. Move over Elizabeth Bennet, there is a new zombie hunter in town." -- Yvonne at Theresa Derwin's Terror Tree
Read my take in
Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter:
Every family has its secrets…
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become... zombies? (Read with Kindle Library and Kindle Unlimited)
An InLinkz Link-up
Be sure to stop by all 29 blogs for some freaky fun, free fiction, prizes and more!!
To kick off my blog today I'm sharing some thoughts on the infamous Lizzie Borden case.
** Contest: There'll be a new question each day. Comment here on the blog to win a spooky skeleton hand bracelet! Must include email to contact you. Contest ends 10/15.
When Life Turns into a Horror Show By Christine Verstraete
One of the review quotes someone gave me got me thinking: what would you do if your life turned into a horror show?In the case of Lizzie Borden, going from a normal, if not staid and rather boring life as a Sunday School teacher and spinster, to someone accused of and on trial for murder was a real life nightmare. Let’s be honest: it was a horror show come to life.Whether you believe her guilty or innocent, It’s bad enough becoming involved in such a heinous crime, much less being accused as the perpetrator. Crime, of course, was as real in 1892 as it is now. But a woman, especially a well-brought-up woman and daughter of a respected (if not well-liked) business leader, brutally hatcheting her parents to death? To the Victorian mind, it may have seemed too horrific to consider. Impossible. Improbable that a woman could do that. The all-male jury couldn’t—and didn’t—convict her of a crime that would’ve sent her to the gallows.The defense, of course, railed on the mistakes in the case—the lack of real evidence other than a broken hatchet head that couldn’t be, and wasn’t, officially linked to her or really anyone else. The traipsing of police and other people in and out of the crime scene. The lack of use of the new technology of fingerprinting. The lack of any blood found on her person. Those facts, and maybe Victorian sensibilities, resulted in her being declared not guilty.What’s most interesting to me is that throughout the trial, except for a brief fainting episode, Lizzie never showed her emotions to the public. She never broke down or shed a tear.That takes someone strong. (Strong enough to kill, maybe?) But when your life is on the line, when you’re facing life or death, wouldn’t you do the same? Of course to those who say she did it, her lack of public emotion made her look cold and unfeeling.So, did she do it? Today, forensic tests have revealed the blood that soaked into the floors and walls, both upstairs and downstairs—perhaps where she or someone else washed off the evidence? Still, is it proof that Lizzie did it? Or as various theories claim, was she covering for someone else?We’ll never really know, of course. But even if she was innocent, the public seemed to decide anyway that she was indeed guilty and treated her as a social pariah. Why she chose to remain in her hometown when she could’ve gone anywhere is a mystery, though it’s perhaps not too surprising. Maybe it was her thumbing her nose at those who judged and considered her a killer; maybe it was the fear of moving away from familiar surroundings. Already in her 30s, she was perhaps set in her ways and with the murder and trial behind her, had already had enough upheaval and yes, horrors in her life. She wanted to live quietly in her new home.In reality, even if she was found not guilty, as long as she stayed there, in that home, in that town, she remained a prisoner. Was it a small atonement for her sins? You decide.
Today's Question: Did Lizzie do it? Was she guilty or innocent - and why?
* Another great review! "...Battling zombies is dirty work and this book does not shy away from this fact. Full of action, blood and gore, made this a well written, exciting story. If you like history meets fantasy than this is a great book to read. Move over Elizabeth Bennet, there is a new zombie hunter in town." -- Yvonne at Theresa Derwin's Terror Tree
Read my take in
Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter:
Every family has its secrets…
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become... zombies? (Read with Kindle Library and Kindle Unlimited)
An InLinkz Link-up
October 9, 2016
#Halloween #Fiction: #Horror Haiku!
To kick-off some Halloween fun, today I'm welcoming fellow author Anita (A.F.) Stewart, who just released a cool new book with, yes, horror haiku!
I admit not knowing much about this genre, but I think I'm hooked. Her new book, Horror Haiku and Other Poems is a visual and fictional treat. Little horror tidbits accompanied by great photos. Its 122 pages of bite-sized pieces of gore you can chew on and enjoy, one bloody word at a time.
Horror Haiku and Other Poems
Words linger... In the darkness of shadows, in the distant screams. They whisper past the drip, drip of blood. The strange beauty of words hide, waiting for you. Embrace the horror.
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/670469Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXG0W6LAmazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01LXG0W6LGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32490474-horror-haiku-and-other-poemsiTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/horror-haiku-and-other-poems/id1162837455?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/horror-haiku-and-other-poems
About the book:
Horror Haiku and Other Poems by A.F. Stewart:
Venture past safe reality, into the world of terror told in verse. Horror Haiku and Other Poems brings forth surreal dread and spins it in artistic countenance. From small chilling bites of poetry, to murky morsels of fright, come find where the words haunt you, where they live and die.
* Check out the preview!
I admit not knowing much about this genre, but I think I'm hooked. Her new book, Horror Haiku and Other Poems is a visual and fictional treat. Little horror tidbits accompanied by great photos. Its 122 pages of bite-sized pieces of gore you can chew on and enjoy, one bloody word at a time.
Horror Haiku and Other Poems
Words linger... In the darkness of shadows, in the distant screams. They whisper past the drip, drip of blood. The strange beauty of words hide, waiting for you. Embrace the horror.
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/670469Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXG0W6LAmazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01LXG0W6LGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32490474-horror-haiku-and-other-poemsiTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/horror-haiku-and-other-poems/id1162837455?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/horror-haiku-and-other-poemsAbout the book:
Horror Haiku and Other Poems by A.F. Stewart:
Venture past safe reality, into the world of terror told in verse. Horror Haiku and Other Poems brings forth surreal dread and spins it in artistic countenance. From small chilling bites of poetry, to murky morsels of fright, come find where the words haunt you, where they live and die.
* Check out the preview!
October 7, 2016
October Frights Coming Monday!
Almost here!!
29 blogs - horror and paranormal authors in...
The October Frights Blog Hop!
Gruesomely ghoulish fun from October 10-15th with paranormal and horror authors. Participants will be posting stories, excerpts, promoting current, upcoming and new releases, and offering prizes and giveaways!
Get the details, rules and sign-up here:
2016 October Frights Blog Hop
Check out the 29 participants!! See you then! It's gonna be fun!!
An InLinkz Link-up
29 blogs - horror and paranormal authors in...
The October Frights Blog Hop!
Gruesomely ghoulish fun from October 10-15th with paranormal and horror authors. Participants will be posting stories, excerpts, promoting current, upcoming and new releases, and offering prizes and giveaways!
Get the details, rules and sign-up here:
2016 October Frights Blog Hop
Check out the 29 participants!! See you then! It's gonna be fun!!
An InLinkz Link-up
October 3, 2016
Last Stop - Bewitching Book Tour Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter
*Today's the last day for the book tour.
** Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter is still on sale - 99 cents for Kindle! (Or get it on Kindle Unlimited too!)
Every family has its secrets… One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become... zombies? #KU
There should be a new review up, too.
Monday: October 3 - Top Ten Zombies/Horror Books & MoviesCreatively Green Write at Home Mom http://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/
October 3 ReviewReading Authors
http://readingauthors.blogspot.com/
* See another great review at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
September 28, 2016
October Frights Blog Hop Coming!
Come join me and a host of other horror and paranormal authors in...
The October Frights Blog Hop!
Gruesomely ghoulish fun from October 10-15th with paranormal and horror authors. Participants will be posting stories, excerpts, promoting current, upcoming and new releases, and offering prizes and giveaways!
Get the details, rules and sign-up here:
2016 October Frights Blog Hop
What's Coming here on the blog?
I'm gonna try :* Some flash fiction* Drabble Wednesday* Surprises!
I like AF Stewart's idea at Are You Afraid of the Dark?
She's doing:
· A Flash Fiction story or two· A look at my upcoming poetry book, Horror Haiku and Other Poems · An October Frights version of Drabble Wednesday· A post on the number 13 in folklore (not as boring as it sounds)· A peek at the Brain to Books Cyber Convention and their horror events, tentatively called the Blood Spring
· Plus, I'll have some giveaways for my new book and a poster of the book cover
Check out the participants!! See you then! It's gonna be fun!!
An InLinkz Link-up
The October Frights Blog Hop!
Gruesomely ghoulish fun from October 10-15th with paranormal and horror authors. Participants will be posting stories, excerpts, promoting current, upcoming and new releases, and offering prizes and giveaways!
Get the details, rules and sign-up here:
2016 October Frights Blog Hop
What's Coming here on the blog?
I'm gonna try :* Some flash fiction* Drabble Wednesday* Surprises!
I like AF Stewart's idea at Are You Afraid of the Dark?
She's doing:
· A Flash Fiction story or two· A look at my upcoming poetry book, Horror Haiku and Other Poems · An October Frights version of Drabble Wednesday· A post on the number 13 in folklore (not as boring as it sounds)· A peek at the Brain to Books Cyber Convention and their horror events, tentatively called the Blood Spring
· Plus, I'll have some giveaways for my new book and a poster of the book cover
Check out the participants!! See you then! It's gonna be fun!!
An InLinkz Link-up
September 26, 2016
Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter Bewitching Blog Tour + #Mystery Monday!
** Today has several events: **
I'm talking Lizzie and writing at Kristina Stanley's Mystery Monday blog!
Today also begins the Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter Release Tourwith Bewitching Blog Tours!
Here's the schedule. Stop by the different blogs each day for some really different posts about Lizzie, prizes, reviews & more!
September 26 Guest Blog - Life in 1892Fang-tastic Books http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/
Tues: September 26 Spotlight - The Borden MurdersFuonlyknew http://fuonlyknew.com/
September 27 Guest Blog and Review - Lizzie's AnswersThe Silver Dagger Scriptorium http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weebly.com/
September 27 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmhttp://www.roxannerhoads.com/
Weds: September 28 Interview and reviewWhat's Beyond Forks? http://www.whatsbeyondforks.com/
September 28 Spotlight - The "Other" LizzieBooks,Dreams,Life http://staceyschneller06.wordpress.com
Thurs: September 29 ReviewRamblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com
September 29 Guest Blog - Getting Into ZombiesBooks Direct http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com
September 29 Spotlight - The Colors of LizzieRamblings of a Book Nerd www.booknerdramblings.com
Friday: September 30 Spotlight - Lizzie Borden, Romance - and Zombies?Eskimo Princess Book Reviews http://eskimoprincess.blogspot.com/
September 30 InterviewDeal Sharing Aunt http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/
September 30 Spotlight - Letter from LizzieMello and June, It's a Book Thang! http://mellojune.blogspot.com
Monday: October 3 - Top Ten Zombies/Horror Books & Movies Creatively Green Write at Home Mom http://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/
October 3 ReviewReading Authors http://readingauthors.blogspot.com/
September 23, 2016
Lizzie Fan? Get a Replica...
Interesting what you find...
If reading about the Borden murders isn't enough, how about a scale replica of the Borden skulls?
Handmade diorama, 7.5" x 3.5" wide, with a portrait of Lizzie herself, from Darkside Art on Etsy... Oh, and it's only $320... Quite the conversation piece...
Or read about about what happened that August morning in 1892... (and much cheaper for Kindle and in Print)
About Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter:
Every family has its secrets…
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become... zombies?
If reading about the Borden murders isn't enough, how about a scale replica of the Borden skulls?
Handmade diorama, 7.5" x 3.5" wide, with a portrait of Lizzie herself, from Darkside Art on Etsy... Oh, and it's only $320... Quite the conversation piece...
Or read about about what happened that August morning in 1892... (and much cheaper for Kindle and in Print)
About Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter:Every family has its secrets…
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become... zombies?
September 21, 2016
Barnes & Noble Horrorfest!
Barnes & Noble Horrorfest is coming up!
Friday, Oct. 21, 6-8 p.m.
Southland Center, 2710 S. Green Bay Rd. Racine, WI
* I'm in good company with:
John Everson, The Family Tree
Christian A. Larsen, The Blackening of Flesh
WD Gagliani,
Wolf's Blind
C.A. Verstraete - Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter
September 19, 2016
New & Upcoming Books #Horror #Mystery
Some fantastic new books out and coming out soon. Fun Reading!! I'll be featuring some of them later here on the blog and I'll be doing Halloween themed books too, so check back! Now, how to buy them all???
** Coming Soon:**
Canoe Cops vs. The Mummy, Stephen D. Sullivan - A madcap, 1930s-flavored adventure. And a mummy! You can't beat that! It's based on and inspired by the upcoming film of the same name by indie filmmaker Christopher R. Mihm. (Mihm also reads the book chapters online at his monthly podcast or see Stephen's website above to read the chapters.) Coming soon - details and links to come!
The Dead of Winter , Jean Rabe - a new mystery involving a Christmas card killer. Coming Nov. 1 - Now on Pre-Order!
Horror Haiku and Other Poems, A.F. Stewart - Love this concept and such a cool cover! 38 Haiku, 18 creepy little poems and photos, what's not to like? Coming Oct. 11. Details and links to come!
** Just Released: **
Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, C.A. Verstraete - What if Lizzie did do it... because she had no other choice? Hit #8 in Hot New Releases, Historical Fiction Fantasy and Top 100 in mystery, thriller, suspense categories on Amazon! Kindle and print.
* Want a print copy? There's a giveaway on Goodreads, ending soon! (US only.)
Matrimony in Miniature , Margaret Grace - The latest in the fun miniatures mystery series. It doesn't get any better than miniatures and a mystery! Print.
Murder Goes to the Dogs, Deb Baker - A Gertie Johnson Mystery - With dogs in the title and a German Shepherd on the cover, it sounds like a winner to me!
September 17, 2016
Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter Print is Here! #horror
Look what's here!!!
I got my first copies of the Print books!!! Oooh pretty!! Shiny!
If you like the smell and feel of new books, get Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter in print on Amazon (along with the Kindle version - which is #8 in HOT New Releases, Historical Fantasy Fiction - also on Kindle Unlimited)
And I found the print books at:Barnes & Noble.com
Books-A-Million
Happy Reading!
I got my first copies of the Print books!!! Oooh pretty!! Shiny!
If you like the smell and feel of new books, get Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter in print on Amazon (along with the Kindle version - which is #8 in HOT New Releases, Historical Fantasy Fiction - also on Kindle Unlimited)
And I found the print books at:Barnes & Noble.com
Books-A-Million
Happy Reading!
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