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NEW RELEASE: Those Ghostly Victorians by Annette Siketa

  Those Ghostly Victorians by Annette Siketa ABOUT THE BOOK At its zenith, the belief in ghosts in the Victorian era bordered on the hysterical. From stately homes to deserted wells, no dwelling was complete without a resident ghost. Halls and mansions and even the odd palace or two, spawned a multitude of family legends, many of which still persist. Many people claimed to have direct contact with a ghost through an object such as a ouija board or a pen, the latter collectively known as 'spiritual writing'. For example, a secretary allegedly continued to take dictation from his employer long after the latter was dead. Whether it was through books, plays, or supposedly true stories, the influence of the supernatural was profound. And it is not difficult to understand why, especially in the 'lower class', the majority of whom were uneducated. With nothing but drabness and poverty on the horizon, events such as a windy night or a violent storm were likely to set the ima...

BOOK EXCERPT: THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT DICTIONARY by Annette Siketa

  THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT DICTIONARY   Annette  Siketa   © Copyright Annette Siketa, 2025   EXTRACT     Author’s Note.   I have no doubt that some readers will find some of the listings in this dictionary, offensive, and while I regret any discomfort this might cause, neither I nor anyone else has the right to censor history.  Therefore, no listing comes with an apology. Readers should bear the following points in mind:      • Words such as ‘bastard’, ‘gay’, and ‘queer’, are used in their original context. • Unless specified otherwise, all places  are located in   England . • Some quoted text could not be verified due to the passage of time.  In these instances, the text is quoted exactly as it appears in the source material. • Where a word has evolved into different meanings, the oldest known meaning is usually given first. •  As a general rule , some old, misspelt, and hyphenated words have bee...

BOOK EXCERPT: Edwin Phylis and the Tales within Darkness by Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

  EDWIN PHYLIS AND THE TALES WITHIN DARKNESS CHAPTER One Ugly Night A blanket of blackness descended upon the city. Bats swooped and swirled across the sky, leaving their silhouettes against the moon. The old wizard’s prophecy of tragedy was about to be fulfilled. The Feast of a Thousand Necks was imminent. Darkness descended upon Dempsey, a ravaged ancient city where godlessness stalked the streets. The hands of despair crippled the day, swallowed smiles and strangled thoughts. Mischief, however, was far from over. In this world of penitent dogs, the destiny of many rested on the shoulders of the bravest. Fate cuts off the weak. The mighty have fallen. No one takes anything to chance. Life fades on the face of the beautiful earth.  He who dares to win must not hesitate to wield his sword. The sword of honour, the pain of sorrow and the gain of valour are on a different level. But they all answer the call of man. Death is inevitable, but a swift strike might offer a ch...

CHEATING ISN'T A DEAL BREAKER-Toke Makinwa

  Dating: At 41, cheating isn’t a deal breaker for me — Toke Makinwa explains why she believes cheating is easier for women than men Media personality Toke Makinwa stirred debate on her latest podcast episode, addressing the double standards surrounding infidelity. She spoke candidly about her views on cheating, emphasizing that it is not a deal-breaker for her, but comes with its complexities. “I keep saying this thing, when I say people think that I’m encouraging cheating. Cheating is not a deal-breaker for me, but it comes with a catch-22, right?” Makinwa said. She added that societal narratives often unfairly portray cheating as predominantly a male issue. “As I grow older, I realize it’s not just men that can cheat. Why are we always making this men’s deal special by making it seem as if it’s only these men? Do you know how easy it is for a woman to cheat? “It’s even easier for us than for men,” she noted. Toke also addressed men directly on her podcast, commenting on e...