Book Title: Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon

Author: Helen Hollick with Kathy Hollick

Publication Date: 27^th February 2025

Publisher: Taw River Press

Pages: 201

Genre: Non-Fiction (with a bonus of two short stories)

Twitter Handles: @HelenHollick @cathiedunn @marymichaelschmidt

Bluesky Handles: @helenhollick.bsky.social @cathiedunn.bsky.social

Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #GhostEncounters #Ghosts #NorthDevon #FriendlyGhosts #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/02/blog-tour-ghost-encounters-by-helen-hollick-and-kathy-hollick.html

Book Title & Author Names:

Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon

Helen Hollick with Kathy Hollick

Blurb:

Everyone assumes that ghosts are hostile. Actually, most of them are not.

You either believe in ghosts or you don’t. It depends on whether you’ve encountered something supernatural or not. But when you share a home with several companionable spirits, or discover benign ghosts in public places who appear as real as any living person, scepticism is abandoned and the myth that ghosts are to be feared is realised as nonsense.

It is a matter for individual consideration whether you believe in ghosts or not, but for those who have the gift to see, hear or be aware of people from the past, meeting with them in today’s environment can generate a connection to years gone by. Kathy and Helen Hollick have come across several such departed souls in and around North Devon and at their 18th-century home, which they share with several ‘past residents’.

In GHOST ENCOUNTERS: The Lingering Spirits Of North Devon, mother and daughter share their personal experiences, dispelling the belief that spirits are to be feared.

Ghost Encounters will fascinate all who enjoy this beautiful region of rural South-West England, as well as interest those who wish to discover more about its history… and a few of its ghosts.

(Includes a bonus of two short stories and photographs connected to North Devon)

cover design: Avalon Graphics
cover artwork: Chris Collingwood

Ghost Encounters

Excerpt 4:

Descriptions of a ghost or spirit can vary from an unseen but felt presence, a translucent, barely visible shape, or a lifelike form. Most docu-drama supernatural TV shows portray ghosts as anything from an unexplained noise – things that go bump in the night – to something terrifyingly paranormal. Many of these shows are, however, nothing more than excitement-catching pseudoscience-drama. Why are these investigations always conducted at night? Spirits are not confined to the hours of darkness. (Or do ghost Equity unions forbid daylight appearances on commercial TV?) Darkness, of course, magnifies the fear. What could be normal in daylight can be terrifying at night.

Organised ghost tours are popular and are good fun as the guides know their history, are excellent storytellers and provide an evening of interesting entertainment, usually ending at a local hostelry. Devon has several such tours, as do most major towns – London, York, Bath etc. But most ghost tours merely recount exciting stories, and cannot always be taken as legitimate supernatural occurrences.

For most pseudo-encounters, the pleading of, “Is there anyone there?” is a clichéd remnant from the Victorian era when paranormal amusements were popular. Any genuine Medium or Spiritualist are automatically aware of a presence and do not need to ask!

We moved from London to Devon in 2013. It was not long before we realised we were not alone. There are other residents from previous years dwelling in our 18th-century farmhouse, or encountered around the farm. All of them are friendly and welcoming, and are regarded by us as our extended family.

Find out more – and meet a few ghosts – in Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/GhostEncounters

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bios:

ABOUT HELEN HOLLICK

Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen might not see ghosts herself, but her nautical adventure series, and some of her short stories, skilfully blend the past with the supernatural, inviting readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur.

In addition to her historical fiction, Helen has written several short stories, further exploring themes of historical adventure or the supernatural with her signature style. Whether dealing with the echoes of the past or the weight of lost souls, her stories are as compelling as they are convincing. Through her work, she invites readers into a world where the past never truly lets us go.

Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in the UK with her Arthurian Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which, The Forever Queen (USA title – A Hollow Crown in the UK) became a USA Today best-seller. Her Sea Witch Voyages are nautical-based adventures inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy. She also writes the Jan Christopher cosy mystery series set during the 1970s, and based around her, sometimes hilarious, years of working as a North London library assistant.

Helen, husband Ron and daughter Kathy moved from London to Devon in January 2013 after a Lottery win on the opening night of the London Olympics, 2012. She spends her time glowering at the overgrown garden and orchard, fending off the geese, helping with the horses and, when she gets a moment, writing the next book…

ABOUT KATHY HOLLICK

Diagnosed as severely dyslexic when she was ten, Helen pulled Kathy out of school at fifteen to concentrate on everything equine.

When not encountering friendly ghosts, Kathy’s passion is horses and mental well-being. She started riding at the age of three, had her own Welsh pony at thirteen, and discovered showjumping soon after. Kathy now runs her own Taw River Equine Events, and coaches riders of any age or experience, specialising in positive mindset and overcoming confidence issues via her Centre10 accreditation and Emotional Freedom Technique training. EFT, or ‘tapping’, uses the body’s pressure points to aid calm relaxation and to promote gentle healing around emotional, mental or physical issues.

Kathy lives with her farmer partner, Andrew, in their flat adjoining the main farmhouse. She regularly competes at affiliated British Showjumping, and rides side-saddle (‘aside’) when she has the opportunity. She produces her own horses, several from home-bred foals.

She also has a fun diploma in Dragons and Dragon Energy, which was something amusing to study during the Covid lockdown.

Authors’ Links:

Helen:

Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenHollick

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.hollick

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/helenhollick.bsky.social

Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/helenhollick

Blog: supporting authors & their books https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

Monthly ‘newsletter’: Thoughts from a Devonshire Farmhouse.

https://thoughtsfromadevonshirefarmhouse.blogspot.com/

Kathy:

Website: https://www.white-owl.co.uk/

Facebook: North Devon – Taw River Equine Events https://www.facebook.com/groups/1491518561152309

I just found out my interview is live with The Bookish Magazine! The link is below. Thank you!

Author Mary L. Schmidt on Helping Children Tackle Grief

Book Link

From Amazon:

The Cat Court Judge represents parents with children who may do something naughty. Cat Court helps parents and preschool teachers reinforce positive behaviors in children through the cats that the Judge sees. As children grow, they learn how to manage their emotions and conform to the expectations of the world around them. Sometimes, children can do something naughty to express their feelings or to achieve their goals. Often, children don’t understand the impact of their actions and the effect they have on other adults and children. Children can learn social and behavioral skills with other children and adults in an imaginative court setting where cats are on trial for doing naughty things like playing without using the bathroom, playing rough, eating too many treats, breaking things, and starting fights. This book teaches children in a friendly manner that they can still have fun if they do the right thing.

My Review:

Cat Court is a truly adorable and enchanting read for both children and adults. The theme is unique and the story is enchanting. Children will love the rhyming and the antics the cute cats get into. Parents will find themselves laughing along with children. Lessons are learned along the way, and each cat is judged fairly by Judge Cat. Children will learn that the consequences happen if you do something wrong. A story for the entire family.

Book Link

From Amazon:

In the quiet town of Wormwood, life moves slowly—until mysterious newcomers arrive, unearthing buried secrets and igniting tensions among the townsfolk. Jordy, grappling with prophetic warnings he can’t explain, senses an ominous force brewing beneath the surface. As relationships fray and suspicion rises, Wormwood becomes the stage for a supernatural storm that threatens to unravel the community.

This gripping tale weaves elements of small-town intrigue, spine-tingling suspense, and the supernatural, delivering a narrative that keeps readers hooked until the final page. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and paranormal mysteries, Wormwood invites readers into a world where every shadow hides a secret, and every secret has a price.

My Review:

First and foremost, I loved the Christianity found within the townsfolk of the community in which this novel is set. The small town camaraderie that can exist is awesome. Sometimes, bad things happen in a small town. They are shocking when it happens, and reasons why are never truly understood. These types of things hit the entire town hard, the family more so. That said, supernatural phenomena occur throughout this story and it good ways. With good, comes bad. Some quite bad. Faith is the cure whenever anything bad happens or people move in and become terrorists. Four stars due to grammar and need of serious editing.