š Season's Greetings
A festive message and two free e-books
Greetings from Northumberlandā¦
where time has almost run out. These shortest days have brought with them the greatest demands. I barely have time to get out this message - and Iām sure you barely have time to read it as you prepare for Christmas. So I will keep it brief.
With work wrapped up for the year, and a festive final weekend with the kids before Christmas, an unforeseen change of circumstance, which I will convey properly in a couple of weeks, has eaten up much of my time and almost all of my energy. Sleep should come easily, and yet it doesnāt. Let me assure you, though, that this change is a positive one, it is just one that brings with it many stresses and unknowns. I managed a couple of festive little trips over the weekend - particular highlights included a lovely meal with my other half and our kids together, the annual trip into Newcastle city centre to see the window display at Fenwickās department store, a trip around Wallington Hall, taking in house all decked out for a grand Victorian Christmas. Finally, I took my boys back to the grounds of Cragside to see the worldās tallest illuminated Christmas tree. Iād visited it with my oldest boy a couple of weeks ago, but my youngest joined us this time. The photos I captured at the first visit did no justice to the scene as it was in the afternoon and the lights didnāt stand out. This time, we visited at the late afternoon of the Winter Solstice, where the shortest day of the year really brought out the lights. The backdrop of Cragside House and its gardens was fantastic. The drive back over the foggy moors and winding roads was nerve-wracking, but fantastic fuel for the imagination, as I spotted the odd pinprick of light from isolated cottages out in the darkness. There was something warm about it all. It felt like home.
šŖ Sacrifices
As the season of Mammon has risen to its peak, my final sacrifices lie upon the great Amazonian altar. Will the all-seeing algorithm favour me in 2026? Only time will tell if my sacrifices were enough to appease the hungry god.
Scattered Ashes - FREE. Just tap here.
Dead Shore - FREE. Just tap here.
šŖ Offerings
Newton Webb has assembled your December reading list, full of Tales of Terror. Check it outā¦
Miranda Kate has rounded up a sack full of Free Books to Feed Your Horror Habit, and you can find themā¦
š Vibrations from Beyond
š§āāļø - new chapters of The Blood Caller coming to Paid each Monday into 2026.
And all that remains for me to do, is to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous New Year. Iām taking a break for a couple of weeks now. Iāll be in touch in 2026.
Sending best wishes and bad dreams,
Jack
Merry Christmas, Jack. Enjoy your break.