March Madness for MARCH 16th Welcomes Author Ruth Barrett "Base Spirits."
Bio:
Ruth Barrett was born in Pointe Claire, Quebec, and now makes her home in Stratford, Ontario. Between then and now, she studied English Literature at Trent University and the University of Leeds, and classical acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Ruth pursued an acting career in Toronto where her love of the stage saw her perform in everything from Shakespeare to sketch comedy, eventually settling into voice-over work. Transforming herself into a writer has provided a rewarding new way for her to explore character and spin tales. Ruth has published numerous short stories in various anthologies and periodicals, and she formed her own Spirited Words Book Co. in Summer 2011. 'Base Spirits' is her first novel. Look for a batch of short stories coming up soon!
Ruth pursued an acting career in Toronto where her love of the stage saw her perform in everything from Shakespeare to sketch comedy, eventually settling into voice-over work. Transforming herself into a writer has provided a rewarding new way for her to explore character and spin tales. Ruth has published numerous short stories in various anthologies and periodicals, and she formed her own Spirited Words Book Co. in Summer 2011. 'Base Spirits' is her first novel. Look for a batch of short stories coming up soon!
Back Cover Blurb:
‘Murder has took this chamber with full hands
And will ne’er out as long as the house stands.’
~A Yorkshire Tragedy, Act I, Sc. v
In 1605, Sir Walter Calverley’s murderous rampage leaves a family shattered. The killer suffers a torturous execution… but is it truly the end? A noble Yorkshire house stands forever tarnished by blood and possessed by anguished spirits.
Some crimes are so horrific, they reverberate through the centuries.
As an unhappy modern couple vacation in the guesthouse at Calverley Old Hall, playwright Clara, and her scholar husband, Scott, unwittingly awaken a dark history. Clara is trapped and forced back in time to bear witness to a family’s bloody saga. Overtaken by the malevolent echoes, Scott is pushed over the edge from possessive husband to wholly possessed…
Inspired by a true-life drama in Shakespeare’s day, this is itself a play within a play: a supernatural thriller with a historical core.
Only one player can survive.
5 star Amazon review
An engrossing first novel from Ruth Barrett, November 16, 2011
Her obvious love and understanding of Shakespearean times adds yet another layer of authenticity to Barrett's narrative, transporting the reader from the opening passages and holding us in her grasp through the centuries and back again. Like the historical events which reverberate so horrifically into the lives of Clara and Scott, Base Spirits stays with the reader long after the final pages are consumed and the bedside light extinguished, lingering in the dark, just on the edge of our senses. Base Spirits is an excellent read and achievement, marking a highly promising start to this exciting new authors' arrival on the literary landscape.
An engrossing first novel from Ruth Barrett, This review is from: Base Spirits (Kindle Edition)
By grounding Base Spirits in actual past events, Ruth Barrett lends her story a credibility which permeates through the centuries and into the modern day telling of an already troubled relationships' final days. It's this mix of fact and fiction which Barrett expertly intertwines to create an imaginative, engaging story. The reader is compelled to not simply observe from afar, but to take this terrifying, supernatural journey along with Clara Ravenscroft and Scott Atkinson - the married couple at the centre of the story - as they unwittingly explore the darkest depths of the human condition.Her obvious love and understanding of Shakespearean times adds yet another layer of authenticity to Barrett's narrative, transporting the reader from the opening passages and holding us in her grasp through the centuries and back again. Like the historical events which reverberate so horrifically into the lives of Clara and Scott, Base Spirits stays with the reader long after the final pages are consumed and the bedside light extinguished, lingering in the dark, just on the edge of our senses. Base Spirits is an excellent read and achievement, marking a highly promising start to this exciting new authors' arrival on the literary landscape.
Amazon Kindle e-book link:
Link for paperback version:
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Combining a natural writing talent, a love and knowledge of English literature and history and an acting talent, must be a boon to any budding author. So I can't wait to read Ruth Barrett's debut novel, Base Spirits.
ReplyDeleteSounds like another compelling novel, Soooz.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting - I'm intrigued by Ruth's journey from acting to writing. Another fascinating author whose book I'm looking forward to reading! Thanks Sooz & Ruth ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great story!
ReplyDeleteI read the start of this book on Anthonomy , and was very impressed by it then. I look forward to reading the whole book! So glad you've published it Ruth. Wishing you heaps of success!
ReplyDeleteInteresting bio and great title - another goodie for readers. Good to see a sense of history folded in to the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone who commented! I hope you enjoy my novel. Thanks, Soooz, for having me along for the Madness this month!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in the promotion folks.
ReplyDeleteThe names are in the hat...and...The winner of "Base Spirits" is Sheila Mary Taylor!
Congratulations, Sheila. You book will be on it's way shortly.
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