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Bithia Mary Sheppard was born in Kilgefin, County Roscommon, Ireland, the only daughter of an Anglican Church of Ireland rector. She was educated at Rockferry, Cheshire and in Tours, France. Her initial fame rested as a horsewoman with the Kildare Hunt. In 1871, she married John Stokes Croker, an officer in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and later the Royal Munster Fusiliers.In 1877, the couple moved to Madras and then Bengal. They would spend 14 years in India.Bithia only began writing at the age of 33 and in her life wrote 42 novels and 7 volumes of short stories. Within her short story creations are much anthologized ghost, supernatural and macabre tales. Many of her novels reveal a side of Empire that is undeniably of its time and a fine example of both talent and observation.After her husband's retirement at the rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1892, the couple moved to County Wicklow, then London, and finally Folkestone, where her husband died in 1911.Bithia Mary Croker died at 30 Dorset Square, London, on 20th October 1920.

Let's be clear. We are all equal under the law. However, even in these more modern times that is not an absolute and still remains a distant ambition for many. In the days when Britain ruled the waves and bestrode the world as its policeman and plunderer in chief it also subjugated half of its own people to second class status. Women were chattel and property. There were some exceptions based on wealth and birthright but for the overwhelming majority your lot was to fall in with the rules and do as you were told. Many did.But whilst male society sought to place obstacles in the path to equality, it could not deny their literary talents, which many times they circumvented by using male pseudonyms. However, the soaring sales of magazines and periodicals during the Victorian Age meant they had voracious appetites for literature, whatever the sex of its gender.Dozens of authors appeared to fill the need. Narratives had new ideas. Characters were emboldened by societal changes and the female voice taking responsibility.The women included here are talents that dazzle. Put them up against anyone and they rise to the top. Whether they remain with an avid readership today or faded to obscurity with the passing of the times their quality remains undimmed. They still speak to us with a clear and unique voice.

The anthology'The Eerie Christmas: Ghost Stories, Supernatural Mysteries & Gothic Horrors'invites readers into a spine-chilling journey through tales imbued with supernatural intrigue and gothic allure, deftly capturing the spectral essence of the Yuletide season. This collection curates an array of styles, from atmospheric gothic horrors to clever mystery narratives, each uniquely situated within the rich tapestry of Victorian and Edwardian literature. The diversity of narratives ensures that each story stands out, providing a haunting reflection on the Christmas season through mysterious apparitions, ghostly encounters, and the constant play between the seen and the unseen. Within these pages, illustrious voices such as Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle intertwine with those of M. R. James and Mary Elizabeth Braddon, crafting a chorus of narratives that explore the eerie intersections of mortality, morality, and the macabre. The anthology showcases narratives that echo the historical and cultural fascinations of the 19th and early 20th centuries, with each author contributing their own sensitivities to themes of suspense and otherworldliness. The collection aligns with the literary movements of its time, reflecting gothic and speculative sensibilities that continue to captivate modern audiences. This collection is a treasure trove for those seeking to explore the nuances and depths of supernatural storytelling, offering a unique opportunity to engage with a variety of narrative styles and themes within a single volume. Readers are encouraged to immerse themselves in this anthology to gain insights into the cultural and historical contexts of these chilling tales and to participate in the dialogue between renowned authors of ghostly and gothic fiction.'The Eerie Christmas'promises an educational and thrilling experience that will resonate with anyone who appreciates the art of the spectral narrative.

The Darkness of Christmas Eve offers a compelling exploration of the uncanny underscored by the eeriest nights of the year. This anthology assembles a tapestry of stories that oscillate between haunting eeriness and rich, atmospheric tension, capturing the multifaceted essence of the holiday season entwined with suspense. Rooted in Victorian and Edwardian sensibilities, the collection transcends its genre by inviting readers into stories replete with philosophical musings and Gothic overtones. Standout pieces craft intriguing worlds where mystery, the supernatural, and human psychology intertwine, masterfully transporting readers to an era where shadows are lengthened and realities blurred. The contributors to this anthology are luminaries and pioneers of Gothic, Victorian, and late 19th-century literature. Collaborating as cultural and literary architects, these authors paint vivid portraits of an era steeped in industrial change and societal uncertainties. Published works by renowned figures like Arthur Conan Doyle and Louisa M. Alcott blend seamlessly with unsettling narratives from lesser-known voices, showcasing a spectrum of unnatural forces. Together, these narratives interpret the intricate relationship between human emotion and the darker allegories of Christmastime, bridging the historical and literary ambiance of their era. Readers are invited to traverse vast landscapes of Victorian mystery and Edwardian intrigue in The Darkness of Christmas Eve. This anthology constitutes a rare opportunity to engage with a collection that seamlessly intertwines literary brilliance with historical context, setting a stage for thoughtful contemplation on the spookiness that imbues the festive season. Embrace the ghostly cadence within its pages and the unique dialogue fostered by its diverse contributing voices. This volume promises not only to educate but also to offer captivating glimpses into the psyche of iconic literary figures as they navigate the macabre and mystical.'} ✉

Supernatural Thrillers is an enchanting anthology that immerses readers in the kaleidoscopic world of the supernatural, bridging the mundane with the extraordinary. This diverse collection masterfully juxtaposes the gothic with the whimsical, the macabre with the visionary, encapsulating a literary tradition that spans the fantastical to the eerie. Each story is a testament to the era's fascination with the supernatural, offering a variety of styles from psychological intrigue to ghostly apparitions. Standout narratives within this compilation reveal the timeless allure and complexity of spectral storytelling, inviting readers to traverse forgotten pathways and haunted locales. The anthology is a confluence of luminary authors, whose distinctive voices and literary prowess highlight the transformative nature of supernatural fiction. Figures such as Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Nathaniel Hawthorne connect through rich textual dialogues that resonate with contemporaneous cultural and literary movements, from Victorian ghost tales to Edwardian contemplations on human nature. These esteemed authors bring forth an array of cultural insights and narrative innovation, crafting landscapes populated with phantasmagoric inhabitants. Their collective oeuvre underscores the anthology's thematic depth, reflecting on humanity's perennial questions through the lens of the supernatural. Supernatural Thrillers is an indispensable volume for both the aficionado of supernatural fiction and the curious explorer of literary history. It offers an extraordinary opportunity to engage with a multiplicity of voices that illuminate the varied interpretations of supernatural elements. As readers delve into this collection, they are encouraged to appreciate the spectrum of storytelling techniques and cultural reflections, while also participating in the rich dialogue forged between these masterful authors. With its breadth of insights and educational value, this anthology is set to enchant and provoke thought, ensuring its place as a cornerstone of supernatural literature exploration.

The Horrors for Christmas Eve presents an eclectic tapestry of chilling narratives, weaving together the eerie and the enchanting within the festive season's twilight. This anthology captures the Victorian, Edwardian, and early 20th-century fascination with the supernatural, blending gothic thrills, macabre folklore, and speculative realms. Here, the festive spirit turns spectral, blending classic ghost stories with subversive tales of human psychology and morality, each piece a thread in the broader narrative of literary horror. Some pieces unravel slowly with suspense, while others jolt with unexpected twists, collectively encapsulating the haunting allure of classic Christmas Eve storytelling. Bringing together the literary prowess of esteemed figures from Dickens to Stevenson, this collection reflects the rich tradition of ghostly tales that once accompanied the Yule logs of bygone eras. The contributing authors hail from varied backgrounds, each bringing their unique voice to explore the anthology's central themes with distinct historical and cultural nuances. Aligned with the sentimental and often speculative zeitgeist of their times, these narratives reveal how different writers channelled societal fears and existential musings into Christmas-night spectres, revealing cornerstones of gothic and horror traditions across diverse literary schools. This anthology is a treasure trove for readers seeking to embark on an interwoven journey through a multitude of stylistic landscapes. It offers a chance to appreciate the delicate interplay between horror and festivity, serving as an educational portal to the transformative power of storytelling in evoking profound emotional responses. Plunge into a realm where the familiar warmth of Christmas Eve intertwines with the chilling echoes of the unknown, and experience an enduring dialogue among master storytellers who redefine what it means to be haunted by past and present shadows.

In'The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries', readers are invited to embark on a literary journey through a rich tapestry of yuletide enigmas and festive thrillers. The anthology brilliantly captures the diverse spectrum of storytelling, from spine-tingling suspense to heartwarming revelations, set against the backdrop of the holiday season. The collection's breadth is remarkable, featuring iconic pieces of mystery intertwined with the festive spirit, illuminating the intersection between the curious and the celebratory. Engaging narratives draw the reader into multiple worlds where Christmas becomes the canvas for plots rich in intrigue and surprise. The anthology showcases a stellar assembly of literary titans, each contributing their distinctive voice to the theme of Christmas mysteries. Authors such as Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Wilkie Collins, among others, lend their genius to this eclectic collection, offering tales that reflect both the Victorian passion for the supernatural and the modern penchant for crime-solving narratives. Through their works, these authors echo historical and cultural motifs relevant to their time, inviting readers to explore how these diverse voices converge to encapsulate the dual nature of Christmas as both a time of wonder and an opportunity for unraveling mysteries. This volume is a treasure trove for those eager to explore the confluence of mystery and mirth within a single tome. It is a unique compilation that encourages readers not only to appreciate the individual brilliance of its contributors but also to engage in the larger conversation that these stories collectively inspire.'The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries'is highly recommended for its educational merit and its ability to entertain, offering a multidimensional lens on the traditional holiday narrative. Readers will find this collection a compelling invitation to ponder the myriad ways in which holiday festivities can intersect with the enigmatic and the unexplained.'}

Dark Christmas captures the chilling essence of winter's most haunting nights with a collection that weaves together tales of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. This anthology traverses the literary landscape from Gothic fiction to the ghost story genre, presenting a medley of narratives that enrich the Yuletide with a spectral twist. Each story immerses the reader in the atmospheric tension emblematic of 19th and early 20th-century literature, as seen in the vivid settings and psychological depth of the characters. Diverse in its storytelling, it brings forth standout pieces that subtly blend the macabre with the festive, echoing the duality of the holiday season itself. The book unites a prestigious array of literary figures including the likes of Dickens, Stevenson, and Conan Doyle, whose contributions have immortalized them within the annals of literature. While these authors are renowned individually, together, this collection underscores their collective ability to delve into themes of fear, morality, and the unknown that defined much of the period's literature. Additionally, the anthology reflects the broader cultural fascinations with the Victorian supernatural and Edwardian innovations in literary form, providing a stage for both prominent and underexplored voices from varying genres and backgrounds. This masterful compilation is an invitation for readers to enter a universe where traditional stories become intricate discussions of the eerie and the enigma. For both enthusiasts of classic literature and curious newcomers, Dark Christmas offers an educational foray into the seamless blend of past and present narratives, leaving the reader enriched by its multiplicity of themes and united by the dialogue between epochs it creates. Venture into this darkly festive realm and discover the interconnected threads of time, society, and imagination that bind these tales together.