Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon
by Helen Hollick with Kathy Hollick
You’ve heard me talk about my fascination with folklore, and British folklore in particular. What drives these stories, and what do they tell us about ourselves? One day, after collecting as many folktales as I can encounter, I hope to have some insight.
Today, I’m delighted to share my blog with Helen Hollick. Her new book, Ghost Encounters, is available for preorder now. I’ve already reserved my copy; here’s your opportunity to get yours! Take it away, Helen…
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. 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 the 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)
Book Links:
Pre-order the e-book on Amazon
https://mybook.to/GhostEncounters
Paperback published February 28th – e-book will also be available on Kindle Unlimited
MORE ABOUT GHOSTS
We wrote Ghost Encounters because we wanted to show that not all ghosts are hostile, because there are animal ghosts as well as people – and because we wanted to share this beautiful part of England’s West Country – and some of its history – in a slightly different (maybe quirky!) way!
A belief in the Afterlife is as old as human language and ritual superstition. Sparked, of course by the unexplainable and fear of the unknown.
There are stories of individual ghosts and ghost armies. Of ghost ships and frightening hauntings. We’ve all heard of the Flying Dutchman, and the Marie Celeste. (And the Black Pearl of course, with her skeleton crew!) Sailors of the past were well known for being superstitious. (They still are, come to that.) ‘Scratch a Stay’ for good luck. No whistling on deck. Often in the earlier days, no women on board for women brought bad luck. (I guess the several women who efficiently disguised themselves as men didn’t count?) Green, for some sailors was unlucky. Tattoos had different meaning, safe passage home, safe voyage, and again, ‘good luck’.
Was Admiral Lord Nelson superstitious I wonder? Did he believe in ghosts? Probably not, he was a highly religious man (despite having a wife and a mistress!) but before we had scientific explanations for natural phenomena, superstition must have played a big part – and ghosts, or at least unexplained ‘presences’ must have been encountered, and probably feared.
St. Elmo’s fire, also known as witchfire, is a good example of something natural which could have evoked a fear of a ghostly presence aboard a ship. It is, in fact, a weather phenomenon, where luminous plasma is created by a corona discharge from a rod-like object such as a ship’s mast pointing into an atmospheric electric field. The blue or violet glow, often accompanied by a hissing or buzzing sound, is proportional to the strength of the electric field and therefore especially noticeable during thunderstorms.
St. Elmo was the patron saint of sailors, so it was believed that his fire warned of an imminent danger, and was regarded with awe and sometimes considered to be a good omen. But the appearance must have conjured ideas of ghosts and spirits to a crew under strain during a storm or fight at sea.
Strange noises, whales, for instance, must have caused alarm for sailors. If the unexplained can create superstitious fear for us in the 21st century, think how it must have been for ancient sailors!
Ashore, go into any old pub and you can bet your next pint or glass of wine, that it has at least one ghost for the landlord to boast about. Most individual landlords are quite happy with their friendly ‘residents’, for their presence does seem to attract curious tourists!
For more about the ghosts who linger in North Devon… read, and enjoy, Helen and Kathy’s book!
ABOUT HELEN
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.
Her historical fiction spans a variety of periods and her gift lies in her ability to bring historical figures and settings to life, creating an immersive experience that transports readers into the past. Her stories are as compelling as they are convincing.
Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in the UK with her Arthurian Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which became a USA Today best-seller. 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
When not encountering friendly ghosts, Kathy’s passion is horses and mental well-being. She started riding at the age of three, had a 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 to aid calm relaxation and promote gentle healing.
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.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Website: https://helenhollick.net/
Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick
Bluesky: @helenhollick.bsky.social
Blog: supporting authors & their books https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/
Monthly newsletter : Thoughts from a Devonshire Farmhouse
https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/2024/01/thoughts-from-devonshire-farmhouse.html
Kathy’s Official Website:
