I'm delighted to welcome K.J. McGillick to my blog today.
Whispers Through The Canvas
Murder... Across The Fractured Corridors of Time.
Plunged into a centuries-old conspiracy,
unconventional art historian Rowan Southeil must race against time to stop an
ancient evil from rewriting history. When a young artist is murdered in a
chilling echo of medieval violence, Rowan finds herself drawn to a seemingly
unrelated clue - a 16th-century painting drenched in arcane symbols. Aided by
the victim's haunting presence, Rowan delves into the painting's mysterious
past, uncovering a dark conspiracy that stretches back generations.
Teaming up with the pragmatic Detective Lancaster,
the intuitive Rowan follows a daring journey through time, from the storied
halls of 16th-century Tudor London to the secretive 17th-century Vatican. As
she awakens powerful elemental forces within herself, Rowan must decipher the
painting's secrets - and the connection to the medieval-style murder - before
Lev Rubilov, a dark centuries-old occultist, can harness its magic to rewrite
history and restore a twisted vision of the past.
For fans of genre-blending thrillers like A
Discovery of Witches and Outlander, this captivating novel weaves
together mystery, the supernatural, and high-stakes time travel in a race
against the clock to stop an ancient evil. Whispers Through The Canvas is a
crime story, filled with action and adventure, within a historical fantasy
milieu. If you love kick-ass heroines who have a bit of life experience and
walk on the wild side of magic, this book is for you.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTHSC2H5/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTHSC2H5/
Author
Bio –
From the bustling courtrooms of
Atlanta to the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century England, Kathleen McGillick's
life and career have been a captivating blend of legal expertise, artistic
passion, and a thirst for adventure.
Fueled by an undergraduate and
graduate degree in nursing, Kathleen built a foundation of compassion and care.
This dedication to service later led her to pursue a Juris Doctorate, allowing
her to navigate the intricacies of the legal system for nearly three decades.
Her courtroom experience now breathes life into the intricate details of her
legal thrillers, ensuring every courtroom scene crackles with authenticity.
But Kathleen's story doesn't end
there. A deep fascination with art history led her to delve into the world of
renowned artists and captivating eras. Her particular passion for 16th-century
British history allows her to transport readers to richly detailed historical
settings, immersing them in the culture, politics, and societal nuances of the
time.
Driven by an unwavering dedication
to her craft, Kathleen has independently published eleven legal thrillers since
2018. Her commitment extends beyond solo creation, as she actively engages with
the writing community, honing her skills through workshops and courses led by
renowned authors.
And when she's not crafting
captivating narratives, Kathleen embarks on international journeys, soaking in
diverse cultures and experiences that further enrich her writing. This global
perspective adds another layer of depth and realism to her stories, allowing
readers to connect with characters and settings that transcend geographical
boundaries.
To delve deeper into Kathleen's
world and explore her captivating legal thrillers, visit her website at
kjmcgillick.com.
Social Media Links –
kjmcgillick.com
https://www.goodreads.com/kmcgillick
https://www.facebook.com/KJMcGillickauthor/
A Sublime Synthesis: Magic and 16th Century England (guest post by K.J. McGillick )
Ever since I could remember, I've been drawn to tales of
wizards, witches, and the mysterious unknown. At the same time, the rich
tapestry of 16th century English history has long entranced me with its
clashing ideologies, monumental events, and legendary figures. For me, there
could be no more sublime synthesis than wedding magic with the vibrant,
transitional era of the 1500s in England.
It was a bewitching period when the medieval firmly
intersected with the Renaissance - superstition coexisting with empirical
inquiry, ancient folklore clashing with humanist rationality. In many ways, the
16th century marked the peak of Western civilization's obsession with all
things occult and esoteric. The revival of Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and
neo-Platonic magic spurred the likes of John Dee and other learned men to
obsessively study the arcane. Debates raged between proponents of white versus
black magic, angel versus demonic conjuring.
Yet even as so-called "high magic" entranced the
intelligentsia and court nobility, faerie faiths and rustic traditions
maintained a stronghold in the popular imagination. One can envision villagers
whispering of witches blighting crops, dances with the fey folk under the full
moon, or rituals to summon familiars at the dead of night. The very same
circles where genteel pursuits of alchemy and astrology were practiced also
fostered a deep paranoia of the diabolical other.
Simultaneously, the Protestant Reformation's rejection of
Catholic doctrine opened the door for a renewed persecution of those mystics
accused of witchcraft - the "cunning folk," wise women, and crones.
Upheaval reigned as a Renaissance lust for scientific knowledge collided with
deep-rooted pagan traditions. Witch trials and moral panics gripped town after
town in their furor.
With its potent, romanticized backdrop of swirling cosmic
mysteries and earthly religious conflicts, there is arguably no richer crucible
to blend magic and history than 16th century England. Here was an era when the
roots of our modern world first manifested, yet a society still equally
obsessed with reasoned enlightenment and the alluring, unseen supernatural.
From the lofty towers of learned occult philosophers to the
damp, earthen hovels of the rustic wise woman, magic in all its forms infused
every stratum of 16th century English life and culture. The era birthed the
very notion of the "wise man" or "cunning man" - a
renaissance mage straddling medicine and the arcane. Such storied figures as
Thomas Allen, John Selman, and Mother Shipton were either revered or reviled
for their alleged command of preternatural powers.
In the synthesis of magic and the vibrant tapestry of
16th-century England, we discover a profound reflection of the human condition.
Through the lens of history, we uncover echoes of our own struggles with faith,
reason, and the unknown. In this sublime fusion, we find not only a window into
the past but also a mirror reflecting our deepest desires and fears.
My new book Whispers Through The Canvas blends all my genre
loves: Mystery, Magical Realism, Historical Fantasy,
and Time Travel.
No comments:
Post a Comment