Book Review: The Scarlet Thread (Gaslamp Gothic #7) by Kat Ross

The Scarlet Thread (Gaslamp Gothic #7)
by Kat Ross

June 24, 2022

Sherlock Holmes meets The X-Files in this Gilded Age paranormal mystery series readers call "page-turning," "stay-up-all-night," "witty, smart, and a little sexy."

Bloody Mary Worth.

Say her name thirteen times in a mirror and you might see the face of your future husband.

Or, less happily, your own shrieking demise.

December 1889. When society girls start dropping like flies at the start of the Winter Ball Season, Harrison Fearing Pell lands her first juicy case since she was suspended from the Society for Psychical Research. And the prime suspect is the very same client who landed her in the soup last time—criminal prodigy and all-around nuisance James Moran.

The victims appear to have been scared to death. But is the real culprit the ghost of a vengeful dead girl—or something even worse? As Harry digs deeper into Mary’s unsolved murder thirty years before, the icy hand of the past reaches into the present. What is the significance of the scarlet thread wound around the victims’ fingers? Is there a connection to the mesmerism fad sweeping New York? And if he’s innocent, why is James still such an insufferable bastard?

Moran’s connections to the city’s seedy underworld might be the key to untangling the mystery—assuming Harry can find the answer before she ends up killing him herself.

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Gaslamp Gothic is an enchanting series featuring shifting points of view. Described by Ross as a “loose collection” these books tackle similar themes, interwoven stories, and intersecting characters. Readers have been gifted a full cast of rich characters and imaginative tales throughout the series. The Scarlet Thread marks the return of paranormal investigator Harrison “Harry” Pell and her loyal partner and companion John Weston. Together the pair attempt to explain the seemingly unexplainable in late 1880s New York City. In The Scarlet Thread, Harry is called upon to solve the seeming serial murders of a tight group of young debutantes. Before long, Harry and John realize they aren’t chasing a human suspect, but the horrific and mythical entity known as Bloody Mary.

As a child, the Bloody Mary tale terrified me. Being in a dark room with a mirror was out of the question. I even begged my dad to remove a mirror in my room as I wholeheartedly believed Bloody Mary reached through the glass and pulled my hair while a slept. When I discovered Mary was the subject of the newest installment in one of my favourite series, curiosity and enthusiasm won out over irrational childhood fear. My bravery was rewarded.

In this installment, Ross characteristically delivers an enthralling, entertaining and charming story. The suspense and action are engaging and the relationship and character building ever so satisfying. Ross paints a rich picture of New York in a bygone era. Her characters are immensely likeable, even the unscrupulous James Moran. Harry is a heroine of a time long past, but very much suitable for the 21st century. She’s fiercely independent, honorable, and charming. She’s determined to forge a path of adventure and enlightenment but isn’t afraid to seek help and friendship along the way.

Kat Ross is a must-read author and Gaslamp Gothic is not to be missed. The next installment will also feature Harry and John and they research the beast of Loch Ness. I anxiously anticipate this next installment. I highly recommend another Ross series, Lingua Magika. The uniquely fascinating sci-fi western trilogy wrapped earlier this year.

Five Sheep

Bianca Greenwood

 

About the Author:

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Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.

Book Review: All Down But Nine (Lingua Magika #2) by Kat Ross

All Down But Nine (Lingua Magika #2)
by Kat Ross
December 10, 2020

342 pages

HARD TO CATCH. HARDER TO KEEP.

Lee Merriweather has fled across the line into Pedro Braga’s jurisdiction, an untamed desert too vast for even the ruthless Guardia Territorial to keep any semblance of order. The Carnarvons want him dead or alive – and with Lee’s attitude, the first seems most likely.

The trail south runs straight through two thousand miles of badlands. To find him, Ruth and Sebastian must survive sabotage, bloodthirsty bandits, and fresh horrors at the Reverend Jolly’s church in New Jerusalem. The hardships draw them into a passionate affair, but loyalties are put to the test when they finally reach the capital of Aguadulce and all hell breaks loose.

Ruth has privately vowed to stop Sebastian from killing Lee, even as the young savant seems bent on his own destruction. And he’s just a pawn in a game with higher stakes than anyone realizes. One that goes beyond empires. One that encompasses worlds.

The phantoms are the key. But can Ruth uncover the truth in time to save them all?

Amazon

Ruth and Sebastian are in pursuit of the elusive and talented criminal Lee Merriweather. It becomes clear quickly that while Merriweather is reckless, the Reverend Jolly is downright diabolical. And while Ruth and Sebastian’s entanglement becomes far more intimate than either of them expected, their disparate loyalties are put to the ultimate test. This wild west meets steampunk fantasy series is not to be missed. This has been one of my favourite new series in recent memory.

Lingua Magika is an outstanding, wildly creative series. Its original combination of genres and wholly unique premise have made for a completely fantastic series so far. Ross’s writing is grippingly entertaining, thoughtful, and intelligent. The duty-bound Ruth is a beautiful combination of innocence and experience. Her undaunting determination makes her an admirable main character. Sebastian is a sexy, understated partner for Ruth. Their partnership, however, is tenuous at best. The Reverend Jolly is a truly chilling villain with endless creativity for mayhem. The danger he poses is completely terrifying.

I don’t want to give anything away for readers who haven’t read the first installment. By the end of the book, Ross has set the table for an explosive conclusion to the series, Devil of the North. I am endlessly curious.

Book Review: A Feast of Phantoms (Lingua Magika, #1)

Five Sheep

Bianca Greenwood

 

About the Author:
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Goodreads 
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.

Book Review: Balthazar’s Bane (Gaslamp Gothic, #6) by Kat Ross + giveaway

Balthazar’s Bane (Gaslamp Gothic, #6)by Kat Ross
July 31st 2020
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Retelling
A bungled murder.
A ridiculous quest.

And a hero with extremely dodgy credentials.

Christmas 1889. Count Balthazar Jozsef Habsburg-Koháry tries to lead a simple life.

Oh, he enjoys a few hobbies.

Collecting ancient Egyptian artifacts. Hunting necromancers with a wire garrote. Impersonating dead Hungarian nobility. Seducing an endless string of women who never suspect the price of the count’s attentions.

But considering what Balthazar used to be like, these pursuits are harmless. And surely he deserves a reward for assassinating the elusive necromancer John Mortlake in the middle of Cairo’s teeming bazaar. What could be better than a holiday cruise up the Nile with his secretary Lucas Devereaux?

There’s just one thing that might ruin his mood.

If, for example, someone stole the talisman that’s kept him alive for two thousand years.

That would really suck.

Unfortunately for Balthazar, he just killed the wrong necromancer – one with a vengeful daughter and huge debts to some very shady djinn. To get his mojo back, he and Lucas must find a legendary sword and liberate a desert kingdom of magical misfits. For centuries, the people of Al Miraj have sought a valiant champion willing to face the wrath of the arch demon Fulad-zereh!

What they get is Balthazar.

But the gods always did like a good joke.

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Kat Ross continues to utterly impress with everything she writes. I’m currently deeply invested in both her Gaslamp Gothic and Lingua Magika series. Balthazar’s Bane, the sixth installment in Gaslamp Gothic, entranced me from start to finish. I understand Balthazar is a character featured in another of Ross’s series, however, I was best acquainted with him in Dead Ringer (Gaslamp Gothic #5). 

Count Balthazar Jozef Habsburg-Koháry is a counterfeit count with a Dorian Gray-esque ability to retain his youth. Befitting Balthazar’s appetites, he siphons life essence from his sexual partners during their climax via a powerful talisman. When a mysterious woman seduces the seducer and absconds with the talisman, a chain of events forces Balthazar and his long-suffering secretary Lucas Devereaux to travel to the mythical desert kingdom Al Miraj. Balthazar becomes the kingdom’s reluctant champion in a battle against a powerful demon holding a centuries-long grudge. 

Balthazar’s Bane is a delightful adventure story with plenty of action and intrigue. The setting and scope of the story are deeply imaginative and descriptive. Balthazar is a likable antihero whose questionable choices lead to questionable paths. His charm, however, is irresistible. The peripheral characters wonderfully support Balthazar in his quest. There is something for every reader in this epic tale. What I adore about this series is Ross’s adept ability to shift perspective from book to book. She lets characters and storylines simmer while treating readers to a whole set of figures and adventures. This grants an enjoyable, rare richness to the series. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in Gaslamp Gothic.

Five Sheep

Bianca Greenwood

 

About the Author:

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Goodreads
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
5 ebook copies of the Gaslamp Gothic Box Set (which contains the first 5 books) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second look Book Review: A Feast of Phantoms (Lingua Magika, #1) by Kat Ross

A Feast of Phantoms (Lingua Magika, #1)

by Kat Ross
February 18th 2020
272 pages
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk, gaslamp,
Lingua Magika is Kat’s latest series, a fast-paced Western steampunk fantasy with a dash of romance and adventure! A Feast of Phantoms is Book #1, with at least two more to follow.

THE JOB
It was supposed to be simple.

Help Marshal Sebastian Hardin escort his prisoner one stop on the railway to Charter Oak.

Just one stop.

But when that prisoner is a savant who talks to ghosts, even the simplest plans have a way of falling apart.

THE LAW
Sheriff’s Deputy Ruth Cortez always does the right thing. Lucky Boy is a company town, dependent on the rich and powerful Carnarvon family. Besides which, the charismatic Sebastian Hardin isn’t an easy man to say no to. When his transport derails in the middle of the prairie, Ruth begins a relentless manhunt that leads straight into the dark heart of the Carnarvon empire.

THE FUGITIVE
Lee Merriweather favors sharp suits and fast trains – especially when he’s stealing them. At the ripe old age of 18, he’s managed to become the most wanted criminal in three territories. Lee can’t resist playing cat and mouse with a small-town deputy, but what starts as a game becomes deadly serious.

THE FIXER
Sebastian Hardin is the Carnarvons’ right hand, loyal to the death and willing to keep any secret to protect the family. They want Lee alive, but with the young savant’s disturbing abilities it won’t be an easy proposition. Whoever catches Lee gets the keys to the kingdom and the Carnarvons aren’t the only ones hunting him down. Sebastian has enough problems without falling for Deputy Cortez – but you can’t always choose who you love.

THE PHANTOMS
They terrorized the settlers until Calindra Carnarvon learned to speak their language. Her empire relies on controlling their telekinetic powers, but Lee Merriweather could destroy it all. And not even Lee suspects the shocking truth of the phantoms’ real nature.

Goodreads-Amazon

A paranormal wild west meets steampunk aesthetic in A Feast of Phantoms the first stellar installment in Kat Ross’ new trilogy. In the Lingua Magika world, phantoms are a potential plague on humankind, and savants – those who can control phantoms with language – are boss. The series opener follows Ruth Cortez, a small-time deputy with a huge sense of righteous justice and bravery to match. Ruth is absconded from her town, Lucky Boy, to assist the highly reputable chief of special services, Sebastian Hardin, as he transports a dangerous fugitive by rail to the big city to face justice. When Hardin’s operation is literally derailed, Ruth independently forges on with an unparalleled determination to seek justice. 

Ross has easily become my new favourite author. I fell in love with her work while reading her Gaslamp Gothic series. A Feast of Phantoms is a wildly imaginative fresh perspective on a classic trope. The creativity within is top-notch. I enjoyed every second of this read and the new, wild world brought forth. Ruth is a stellar character with loads of potential. I cannot wait to see her character bend to the complexity of the world that’s not so black and white. Sebastian Hardin is written with a barely contained sex appeal waiting to explode. I eagerly anticipate book two. 

At the end of the book, readers are teased with book two of the planned Lingua Magika trilogy, All Down But Nine, set for a late December 2020 release. Readers anxious for more Kat Ross will not have to wait quite that long. The author assures me Balthazar’s Bane, book six in the Gaslamp Gothic series, is nearly complete. 

Five Sheep

Bianca Greenwood

 

About the Author:
Website-FB-Twitter
Goodreads 
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.

Book Review: A Feast of Phantoms (Lingua Magika, #1) by Kat Ross + giveaway

A Feast of Phantoms (Lingua Magika, #1)

by Kat Ross
February 18th 2020
272 pages
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk, gaslamp,
Lingua Magika is Kat’s latest series, a fast-paced Western steampunk fantasy with a dash of romance and adventure! A Feast of Phantoms is Book #1, with at least two more to follow.

THE JOB
It was supposed to be simple.

Help Marshal Sebastian Hardin escort his prisoner one stop on the railway to Charter Oak.

Just one stop.

But when that prisoner is a savant who talks to ghosts, even the simplest plans have a way of falling apart.

THE LAW
Sheriff’s Deputy Ruth Cortez always does the right thing. Lucky Boy is a company town, dependent on the rich and powerful Carnarvon family. Besides which, the charismatic Sebastian Hardin isn’t an easy man to say no to. When his transport derails in the middle of the prairie, Ruth begins a relentless manhunt that leads straight into the dark heart of the Carnarvon empire.

THE FUGITIVE
Lee Merriweather favors sharp suits and fast trains – especially when he’s stealing them. At the ripe old age of 18, he’s managed to become the most wanted criminal in three territories. Lee can’t resist playing cat and mouse with a small-town deputy, but what starts as a game becomes deadly serious.

THE FIXER
Sebastian Hardin is the Carnarvons’ right hand, loyal to the death and willing to keep any secret to protect the family. They want Lee alive, but with the young savant’s disturbing abilities it won’t be an easy proposition. Whoever catches Lee gets the keys to the kingdom and the Carnarvons aren’t the only ones hunting him down. Sebastian has enough problems without falling for Deputy Cortez – but you can’t always choose who you love.

THE PHANTOMS
They terrorized the settlers until Calindra Carnarvon learned to speak their language. Her empire relies on controlling their telekinetic powers, but Lee Merriweather could destroy it all. And not even Lee suspects the shocking truth of the phantoms’ real nature.

Goodreads-Amazon

I read my first Kat Ross book “Dead Ringer” a few months back. I knew then that I had found someone in my top 10 go-to authors for a good read. This book is the first of a new trilogy about a post-apocalyptic world run by 2 factions...both with great abilities to control phantoms (or as I see them: major and minor demons. Sorry Kat, don’t mean to rename!) Those trained to speak the most phantom languages (polygotes) control a whole lot of power and maybe some of them are a little tired of being controlled.

By a stroke of bad luck, Ruth Cortez (an 18-year-old sheriff’s deputy) gets drafted to help transport a notoriously dangerous polygote by train to the Carnarvon City. Naive, ethical, loyal and insightful, Ruth proves that her position as Deputy in her small town of Lucky Boy is well deserved. She becomes the major player/pawn in this manhunt for the notorious renegade(because, yes, he escapes the train!). Is he good or bad? She has to decide while still performing her duties to the letter.

It took only a minute to acclimate myself to the new world and characters then I was hooked on this soft-spoken intuitive young girl that wants nothing but to return to her small town and neighbors. BUT...she’s not afraid to kick some butt!

Hop on this train and ride because there are many memorable events and scenery. I am so looking forward to the next installment!

Getting 4.25 “class x” sheep!

Jeanie G

About the Author:
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Goodreads
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.

Giveaway:

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL) 

The new ebook Boxed Set of the first five Gaslamp Gothic books

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sheep Reviewer Bianca Greenwood's Top 5 reading discoveries of 2019 + giveaway

My Top 5 Reading Discoveries of 2019 

Sheep Bio

2019 was a year of personal game-changing discovery. I’ve embraced a fitness tracker, menstrual cup, and facial serum, all the while sharing my discoveries with an evangelical fervor. This year has also been one of my favourites in books. I was captivated by several series and compelled to read like a fiend, completing over 51 books this year. I’m so excited by some of this year’s reads, I wanted to share my top picks with I Smell Sheep community. So while not all these book/series were released in 2019, they were new to me this year. 

#5 Touch of Smoke, Karissa Laurel

Bianca's review

Released in February this year, Touch of Smoke is a standalone novel that had me enthralled from start to finish. It’s part paranormal romance, part mystery. The characters in this book are superbly developed and the storyline is imaginative. Laurel is a first-rate storyteller. I’ve always enjoyed Laurel’s strong female characters. The author’s Norse Chronicles is another great series to check out.

#4 The Girl in Red, Christina Henry

Bianca's Review

This book is part of Henry’s anthology series, wherein she re-writes classic fairy tales or folklore. It can be read as a standalone. Each entry in this series has been a fabulous read and Girl in Red is no exception. It’s a post-apocalyptic rewrite of Little Red Riding Hood. It’s suspenseful, dark, heartbreaking and heartwarming. While the post-apocalyptic trope is not my fave, Henry won me over with her complex, non-linear storytelling, and formidable main character, Red.

#3 Dark Court Rising series, by Bec McMaster

Bianca's Review

McMaster’s brand-new series premiered with book one, Promise of Darkness, released this year. This was perhaps the most entertaining book I read all year with memorable characters and a complex storyline. It’s a fantasy story loaded with fae court intrigue. It’s also sexy as hell and features my favourite new book boyfriend. I am impatiently waiting for the rest of this series to roll out. 

#2 Dark Maji series, by Kel Carpenter and Lucinda Dark

amazon

I discovered this dark fantasy series last July and was most pleased the entire series was included with my Kindle Unlimited subscription. There are currently three books released in this series, with the fourth due in early 2020. I adore the relationship dynamics in this series. The plot and setting are immensely creative and unique. The action is riveting. The series is quite dark at times, particularly book three. For me, however, it’s just the right amount of dark. I’m eagerly anticipating book four. 

#1 Gaslamp Gothic series, by Kat Ross

Bianca's Review

Gaslamp Gothic is another series, while not new in 2019, I discovered this past summer. It’s a smart, imaginative Victorian-era collection. There are five books in the series. I’m currently reading the most recent installment, Dead Ringer. Gaslamp Gothic is a masterclass in genre-blending; combining horror, mystery, crime, comedy, fantasy, history, and romance in a wonderfully addictive read. I ran the gambit of emotion while reading this series and was wholly riveted the entire time. There is something within Gaslamp Gothic for every reader. This is fresh historical fiction with contemporary relevance. For its entertainment value, complexity, and intelligence, it’s my top pick for 2019.

GIVEAWAY

One winner will get an ecopy of their choice from Bianca's top five list.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Series Review: Gaslamp Gothic Series by Kat Ross

"Gaslamp Gothic is a masterclass in genre-blending; combining horror, mystery, crime, comedy, fantasy, history, and romance in a wonderfully addictive read." - Bianca Greenwood (I Smell Sheep Reviewer)

The Necromancer’s Bride (Gaslamp Gothic, #4)by Kat Ross
May 31st 2019
Acorn Publishing
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Retelling
Forgiveness is not Gabriel D’Ange’s strong suit.

A self-appointed soldier of God with a penchant for ruthlessly punishing his enemies, he vanished after Anne Lawrence stabbed him with his own dagger.

The smart thing would be to let him go.

Unfortunately, Anne’s life isn’t just lonely without Gabriel. It’s insufferably boring.

Determined to heal the rift between them, she goes in search of her tempestuous former lover, black parasol in hand and daeva magic crackling at her fingertips. But Gabriel has his own plans afoot and Anne finds herself drawn into one of his tangled webs, much against her better judgment.

Gabriel’s nemesis has reappeared in Brussels, a vile slaver who’s plundering the Congo Free State with the blessing of King Leopold. Gabriel might be willing to give Anne a second chance, but not until Jorin Bekker’s head is lying at his feet.

Back in London, the quasi-reformed necromancer Balthazar sets his sights on the same quarry. He holds a very personal grudge against Bekker — and killing him might be the only way to keep Gabriel D’Ange from Balthazar’s own throat.

When the hunters collide at a lavish gala thrown by the king, Anne learns just how far she’ll go to save the man she loves.

Note: The Necromancer’s Bride is the sequel to A Bad Breed, which should be read first.

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Gaslamp Gothic is my newest series obsession. In preparation for this review I went back to the beginning and started with book one, The Daemonic. I was easily swept up in the Victorian-era tale of Harrison Fearing Pell an amateur detective and her colourful cast of supporters. ‘Harry’ is single-minded and recklessly brave in her search for the truth. She is a formidable character; a thoroughly modern rewrite of the repressed Victorian lady. As I dove into the series, I came to adore Kat Ross’ writing and her lovable characters.

The series weaves in and out of the lives of three principle characters; Harry, Lady Vivienne Cumberland, and Ann Lawrence. These women are all truth-seekers set on bravely unravelling the mysteries of the real and paranormal universe. They face terrifying foes of both the human and supernatural variety. While Ross’ male characters are magnetic and well-developed, they play a crucial supporting role to these clever, courageous women. The Necromancer’s Bride centres on Ann Lawrence and the enigmatic, fanatical necromancer Gabriel D’Ange. I’d be doing a disservice to readers and the series, if I revealed too much about this installment. While the first two books stand alone, The Necromancer’s Bride builds on A Bad Breed, book three. But please. I implore you. Start with book one. You won’t be sorry.

Gaslamp Gothic is a masterclass in genre-blending; combining horror, mystery, crime, comedy, fantasy, history, and romance in a wonderfully addictive read. I ran the gambit of emotion while reading this series and was wholly riveted the entire time. There is something within Gaslamp Gothic for every reader. This is fresh historical fiction with contemporary relevance.

The Daemonic (book one) is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. The Thirteenth Gate (book two) is free with author newsletter sign up. Book five, Dead Ringer, is set for release December 13 of this year. I can’t wait.

I give the entire series Five Sheep

Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:
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Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.