The Gothic Trim discussion

What're ye currently reading? Anything that's a must-read?

I'm reading The Lost Heiress of Hawkscliffe by Joyce C. Ware, and I'm pleasantly surprised by its rich historical facts & perfect prose and the main plot-line littered with possibilities.

You never know what you'll get with the Zebras. Sometimes they're horrible (Lady of Seven Emeralds...SNOOZE) & sometimes they're awesome (Blackmaddie...OMGWTF! :D).

Sarah wrote: "You never know what you'll get with the Zebras. Sometimes they're horrible (Lady of Seven Emeralds...SNOOZE) & sometimes they're awesome (Blackmaddie...OMGWTF! :D)."

I concur--it had so much potential to seriously be a thrilling ride, but somehow, all of the characters got off the trail and it derailed into the cloudy filaments of oblivion. -.- Although it DID break some typical Zebra 1990s norms with the heroine frolicking about in her room, writhing in her dead cousin(step sister)'s gossamer silks and concubine cymbals, then later on in the hero's room, too. >:D

Hahaha. Oh, Zebra...you & your writhing heroines. :D

Did you review this one yet?

p.s. It makes me giggle to see the little 'mod' sticker below our avatars. Like we're somehow the responsible adults around here.

I haven't really even attempted at a review, but I may mark it up to a 4 star. I feel like it was a bit above the typical Zebra, or Zebra Gothic content/writing.


>:D We're only responsible for one another in the event of the most lethal Walking Dead .gifgasms. :D Lol

Sometimes a book earns that extra star just by being different from its peers. *nod*

Mmmmmmmm....WD gifgasms. >:D

Sarah wrote: "Sometimes a book earns that extra star just by being different from its peers. *nod*

Mmmmmmmm....WD gifgasms. >:D"

I like infodumpy sometimes. It's a sad study support system, though. :O

It all depends whether the infodumping is a subject you enjoy. (So apparently you enjoy learning about...rugs? :D)

Sarah wrote: "It all depends whether the infodumping is a subject you enjoy. (So apparently you enjoy learning about...rugs? :D)"

Ottoman Turkish stuff, too. /whines Actually, I love the idea of learning to sew things(or how this are hand-made/woven) so yeah, it really does. All I've ever known about rugs is how to clean them. LOL >:D

I don't think I've even learned that much. When the vacuum isn't enough, I'm at a loss. :D

Blackmaddie -- I'm finally back to reading it, and the last bit of WTF I read was unparalleled in any other BR/Gothic I think I've e'er had the pleasure of reading. o.o WOW...it was some type of lovechild of Deliverance & the heroine look-alike fuck-interest from The Flame and the Flower. O.O

You warned me, Sarah..... you warned me. o.o

I'm so very sad that Innes didn't write anymore gothics. *insert limpid-eyed panda gif*

Sarah wrote: "I'm so very sad that Innes didn't write anymore gothics. *insert limpid-eyed panda gif*"

;_; Does that mean none of her HFs were as risque?

We shall find out! I picked up one of her 'mainstream' Zebras from PBS, but no idea whether it's anything close to Blackmaddie's level of violence & tawdry happenings. You should pick up one of her other Zeebs & we can do an authorial buddy read. :D The one I got is JEWEL, but I also want SECRET TOUCH...I'm going to swap for that one soon, just to have it on-hand.

Sarah wrote: "We shall find out! I picked up one of her 'mainstream' Zebras from PBS, but no idea whether it's anything close to Blackmaddie's level of violence & tawdry happenings. You should pick up one of he..."

I only have Dream Lover on hand, BUT I can easily fetch Secret Touch to test Innes' backlist. I cannot help but LOVE Charlotte from Blackmaddie; especially her inner-monologue and tough-as-nails stance on everything. Sometimes, I was shoor Blackmaddie was the mental driver of that outfit, but hell - if that's the case, I fucking love her too. >:D

Blackmaddie's role is as ambiguous as that creepy little spawn o' satan kidlet. >:D The extent of supernatural happenings is never clearly explained away, so I can definitely believe Maddie was a protag alongside Charlotte. They were both fabulous characters.

Sarah wrote: "Blackmaddie's role is as ambiguous as that creepy little spawn o' satan kidlet. >:D The extent of supernatural happenings is never clearly explained away, so I can definitely believe Maddie was a..."

YEAH, it's generally an ancestor or spirit returned to send subliminal messages or conqueror new tenants. Not Blackmaddie--she's just like, oh..you're here--well, there are even more evil LIVING creatures here than I am! XD

Blackmaddie wanted to be saved from those creepers living inside her snarky walls -- so she did the only thing a broody castle can, & willed a broody horny heroine to help her out. :D Presto -- now she's got better tenants. We applaud your plan, Blackmaddie!

Sarah wrote: "Blackmaddie wanted to be saved from those creepers living inside her snarky walls -- so she did the only thing a broody castle can, & willed a broody horny heroine to help her out. :D Presto -- n..."

I wish all Gothics were written in Silver Devil and Flesh & The Devil style. Gosh, those are iconic. Blackmaddie will never be truly rid of - that tomb has no real potential without her.

Lol, flashback to naked baby in robes. o. o WTF.

Look, it's a creepy satanic spawn smackdown: Baby Luke vs that kid from The Omen. :D

I took a small break because I get distracted too easily (reading a lot of books at once kind of), but re-reading Barbara Michaels Search the Shadows

Erin *The Paperback Stash* wrote: "I took a small break because I get distracted too easily (reading a lot of books at once kind of), but re-reading Barbara Michaels Search the Shadows"

I've not read any BM yet. Is she as reliable as Holt?

A few of her stuff is as gothic but most of it is more contemporary mystery type stuff. It doesn't have the same level of romance in most of hers as straight goth like Holt. I personally love her but found her when I was a teen and didn't know what Goth was.

Erin (Series Addict) wrote: "A few of her stuff is as gothic but most of it is more contemporary mystery type stuff. It doesn't have the same level of romance in most of hers as straight goth like Holt. I personally love her b..."

Okay, good to know. I'll save her for when I'm in a Mary Stewart/rom suspense mood.

I read a few good ones lately. The Winter Bride and Darkness at Morning Star! Both are historical. What's everyone been reading?

Winter Bride is a good one, most definitely. :D

In 2017 I read Wychwood (by Nicole St John) & loved it...one of my few 5-star books last year. I also really enjoyed House of Tragedy (by Arlene Fitzgerald)...it's a contemporary 70s gothic & htf in paperback, but worth the effort; it struck me as Anne Rice Lite. 😇