#AtoZChallenge: M is for Mother

Posted on April 15, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

Being a Mother is my most important job. That might sound a bit cheesy, but it is absolutely true. I never saw myself as the maternal type, before I had children.

I had this vague idea that I would one day have a family, but I never considered the full implications. It is just something that people do, you know?

Well, I am learning fast that being a mother is bloody hard work, especially in a society that encourages you to spend time with your children, while simultaneously telling you to go and get a job.

#AtoZChallenge Badge M by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge M

#AtoZChallenge: M is for Mother

I look at my own mother now and wonder how she did it all back when we were children. My mum has raised three children to be very independent spirits (my sister is a wandering hippy, and my brother is an adventurous entrepreneur). She had a successful career in middle management, moving from property sales into local authority social services, with a few odd jobs in-between when we were younger. And she is there for us now, whenever we need her, for advice and assistance, and babysitting. If I can be to my children what my mum is to me, then I will be a very happy mother!

And then there are my other babies; my beloved books and stories. Download your free copy of my LGBT fantasy short story “It’s Complicated (A Redcliffe Short Story).” Thank you.

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #mummymonday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, mother writer, pagan mother, parenting, Random Musings, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: L is for Love

Posted on April 14, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

Love Hurts. Love Kills. Love Redeems. The Darkness of Love.

Those are the titles of my first four published novels. Does that tell you a little bit about my experiences of being in love? I think so.

Now, before you get all sympathetic, let me tell you that I am actually happily married. It isn’t perfect, but it is real love, of that I am sure. My husband loves me, and I love him. We love our children. We love our dog (who is our third child). We love our friends and family. Heck, I love the whole world!

#AtoZChallenge Badge L by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge L

#AtoZChallenge: L is for Love

All of my stories have elements of love within them. It is the thing that consumes me every day, whether I am consciously aware of this fact, or not. Everything that I do for my husband and my children is born of my love for them. Love just is. Simple as that. It is a force that you cannot describe, and it exists in many different forms. My novels and short stories centre around romantic love between characters, and mutual love between friends and family members. It is equally important either way. Just like in real life.

You can see how I approach themes of being in love, and of loving other people, by downloading your free book, LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels). Thank you.

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #freeforallFriday, a redcliffe novel, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, Love, Love Hurts, love kills, love paranormal romance, love redeems, loves books, Random Musings, the darkness of love, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: K is for Kinky

Posted on April 13, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

Ha ha, that got your attention, didn’t it? Today I want to lighten the mood a little. I am conscious that my blog posts may have seemed a little dark and depressing, or maybe a little aggressive, as I poured out my feelings of frustration and impatience about the perceptions of housewives and freelance writers in today’s world.

I am not simply a mother and writer, however. Oh no. I am a wife, and we all know what husbands and wives get up to when they find five minutes of peace from the children…

#AtoZChallenge Badge K by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge K

#AtoZChallenge: K is for Kinky

Now, I cannot go into too much detail because my mother might be reading this post (sorry Mum!). But lets be honest: most of us do have a kinky side to our personalities. It might not necessarily be expressed through sex. It could be expressed through writing. It could be expressed through art. It could even be something that just exudes from a person who is naturally quite fun and flirty. My husband and I can be very kinky, let me tell you. It doesn’t matter how grumpy we are with each other in every day life. When we have alone time, we make the most of it, in very intimate ways. I will leave your imagination to run wild… Have a lovely day, now!

If you would like to see just how kinky I can be, then read My Vampire Boyfriend (A Redcliffe Short Story Anthology). Be warned, there are some rather explicit scenes in there! Thank you.

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "My book is now available. Get it from your favourite online book store." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest with the moon behind him. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "My Vampire Boyfriend (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green including phone and iPad download images for tablet, iPhone, and android book readers.
LGBT fantasy short stories set in Cornwall. My Vampire Boyfriend (The Redcliffe Novels) by Catherine Green.

Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #mummymonday, A-Z Blog Challenge, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: J is for Journey

Posted on April 12, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

“Just a small-town girl, living in a lonely world…”

Yep, that just about sums me up! But I didn’t choose Journey as my #AtoZChallenge theme just to talk about the band and that famous song. No, what I mean is that we are all on a journey. Everybody is unique, and our experiences are very personal and very special.

Sometimes we neglect to acknowledge just how special we are. Sometimes we decide that our journey in life is unfulfilling, or unpleasant, or maybe simply boring.

#AtoZChallenge Badge J by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge J

#AtoZChallenge: J is for Journey

Well, then it is up to us as individuals to fix the problem. Nobody will swoop in and rescue you from a perceived black hole. Nope. You must do it yourself. That is a big life lesson for me on this journey. And I am still taking steps to rescue myself. As for everyone around me in desperate situations… well they will fit in where they can, or wait until I am able to devote some time to them. Simple. Have a lovely day, now!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #mummymonday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, author, british, catherine green, mind body spirit, Random Musings, Spiritual, spiritual growth, UK | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: I is for Impatient

Posted on April 11, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

Most people think of me as a very calm and contained person. Outwardly, I suppose I am. Inwardly, however, I am a whirl of chaos, currently ruled by impatience.

I am impatient with my children when they get under my feet. I am impatient with my husband when he won’t do the jobs I request around the home. I am impatient with myself most of all. Sometimes it turns sour, and I have to rein myself in, other times I simply laugh at myself for letting silly things upset me.

#AtoZChallenge Badge I by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge I

#AtoZChallenge: I is for Impatient

At the moment, I am mostly impatient with the very slow development of my career. Once I decided to be a professional writer, I set about applying for paid writing jobs in all sorts of places. I managed to get one or two very low paid jobs, and eventually I quit those because there were not worth my time or effort. I am trying very hard to sell my books, but I fear my efforts will not succeed until I can afford to pay someone to do the job for me. So I am looking for another regular job just to earn a bit of money. Unfortunately, this is not so easy when I have to source childcare and travel arrangements on a zero budget. I am living the catch-22 situation that so many fellow mothers in the UK are dealing with (and a small number of fathers). I can’t speak for other countries, but I would be interested to hear your feedback.

A crazy, irrational emotion

Being impatient is just one more of those crazy, irrational emotions that I live with at the moment. There are a lot of things happening around me that I feel helpless to remedy, even though in many cases I can see a reasonable solution. My work attempts are waning now as I take a step back to reassess the situation and decide where my priorities ultimately lie. I mean, my children are my priority at the moment, that is true, but so are my books. They are a part of me, just as much as my offspring. And I am impatient because I need the world to read my stories, fall in love with my characters, and support me as I continue to write and publish more wonderful works. Now, hurry up, I have work to do!

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #mummymonday, A-Z Blog Challenge, Business, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: H is for Housewife

Posted on April 9, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

Being a housewife is a role that still doesn’t quite sit right with me. I mean, yes, I adore my children, and I am very fortunate to be in a position where I am home with them every day. I never wanted to be a housewife.

Growing up I saw my mum going out to work and still being available for me and my siblings when we needed her. I was encouraged to be an independent woman when I left education. Of course, the reality changed dramatically when I fell in love and decided to get married. Darn these emotions!

#AtoZChallenge Badge H by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge H

#AtoZChallenge: H is for Housewife

I often liken myself to a favourite movie character, Shirley Valentine, from the film of the same name. There are lots of Shirleys in the world, I realise. We are not all dowdy, downtrodden housewives, contrary to popular misconception. In fact, being a housewife is something to take pride in. We work damned hard to raise our children as happy, healthy, intelligent individuals. We work hard to make our homes nice places to live and play. None of this is recognized in the wider world, of course. If I could only receive some sort of “housewife benefit” as a token gesture of the work I do, then I would feel a little more validated. As it stands, my husband’s wage barely covers our household expenses, and so I find myself in the position of needing to seek paid work that I can fit around my children, since we also cannot afford childcare.

Yes, it is a double edged sword, indeed. I am not a domestic goddess by any stretch of the imagination. I have no interest in dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets or any of that stuff. To me, those jobs are menial necessities. I do take pride in a clean house, but it takes a lot of effort for me to put in the time and labour for the job. And at the moment my priority is tending to my children, and building my freelance business. Fellow housewives, come and share your experiences. What does it mean to be a housewife in the 21st century?

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #mummymonday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, family, Random Musings, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: G is for Ghost Hunter

Posted on April 8, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

I’ve seen things. Scary things, funny things, even cute things! I am a ghost hunter, and I absolutely love the pursuit of the hidden world.

Before I had children I was out almost every weekend, sometimes on both the Friday and the Saturday night, doing ghost hunts. I worked with a group called North West Spirit Seekers (now defunct), and then I tried a few new companies as well. Overnight ghost hunts are just amazing, at least to me.

#AtoZChallenge Badge G by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge G

#AtoZChallenge: G is for Ghost Hunter

Ghost hunting is the reason I call myself SpookyMrsGreen. It seems to fit, because every time somebody mentions a haunting, my ears prick up and I get all excited. I live in a row of terraced houses that are haunted, and I am not the only resident to experience the activity. My neighbour and I even converse with our resident ghost as a matter of daily routine! During my ghost hunt adventures I have seen a disembodied face in an abandoned nightclub. I have seen a white mist apparition in the garden of a stately home. I have lots of photos featuring light anomalies and orbs, and some of those are not even from official ghost hunts. Spirits follow me around!

You could call me nosy, I suppose. I mean, I am basically prying into the lives of dead people when I go in search of ghosts. I have learned that not all spirits are keen to speak with the living. Some of them just want to go about their routines as they did when they were alive. Others are very happy to talk. Some take great pleasure in frightening people. They are basically humans without a physical body. And they are free to go anywhere they choose. Now that is a scary thought! You can see my ghost hunter diaries in previous blog posts. Try out my epic ghost hunt at Bodelwydden Castle in North Wales to get you started.

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

image of a group of ghost hunters conducting a séance and table tipping experiment in a dark room. Ghost Hunter Diaries: Table Tipping Experiment at Bodelwydden Castle with Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Table Tipping Experiment at Bodelwydden Castle

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #freeforallFriday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, Ghost Hunter Diaries, mind body spirit, Random Musings, Spooky Stuff, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: F is for Friends and Family

Posted on April 7, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

I am blessed to be surrounded by a very loving family, and a wonderful circle of friends who will always be there when I need them. In fact, I would go so far as to say I am abundant in friendship, which is a fabulous feeling.

Since having children, my local group of friends has grown enormously. Funny how I managed to find time for socializing in my home town when I wasn’t commuting for miles to my old day job!

#AtoZChallenge Badge F by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge F

#AtoZChallenge: F is for Friends and Family

Friends and family are incredibly important. We all know this, and we all acknowledge this fact. However, sometimes we do lose our way. We neglect to keep in touch with our friends. We drift away from our families. Sometimes we do this intentionally, for personal reasons. Sometimes we simply become so wrapped up in our day to day lives, that we forget to pay attention to these vital relationships. I am guilty of this just as much as everyone else. The fact remains, that when it really matters, I can count on my friends for support. And I know how much my family members love me. And I love you all in return. Kisses!

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #freeforallFriday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, family, mind body spirit, Random Musings, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: E is for Empath

Posted on April 6, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

Being an empath is something that I took a while to accept. I always felt emotional for other people, but I was led to believe that it was hormonal, and my feelings were often dismissed.

Outwardly I was a happy, healthy, cheerful girl. Inwardly I was often in turmoil, but I could not express it. I am the quiet one. I am the one who listens and rarely voices an opinion. I feel very deeply for the world around me, but it is a physical, emotional feeling.

#AtoZChallenge Badge E by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge E

#AtoZChallenge: E is for Empath

I had never heard about being an empath until I began to work with North West Spirit Seekers. Through them I got to work with many esteemed mediums and experienced paranormal investigators. Gradually I began to understand what these strange feelings were that I couldn’t put a name to. I feel emotions from other people, and if I see someone crying, I usually start crying in sympathy with them. It can be very embarrassing sometimes!

When I was younger I tried to hide these deep emotions. I absolutely refused to cry in front of other people, not even my family. Gradually I learned that I had to let it out or it would consume me. Sometimes a good cry, a big scream, or even a hearty laugh can make us feel better. It is our body’s way of offloading all of the energy that we absorb from the busy world around us. I always feel better after releasing in this way. Have you tried it?

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #freeforallFriday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, author, books, british, catherine green, mind body spirit, Random Musings, Spiritual, spiritual growth, UK, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: D is for Daydreamer

Posted on April 5, 2016 by SpookyMrsGreen

Ah, how wonderful it is to daydream! It sometimes feels like my only form of escape, the one activity that keeps me sane on those days when I feel every inch the downtrodden housewife.

I know I made my choice to live like this, and I know the reasons why, but still I yearn for a little something more. And then I remember how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family and a safe and easy life, and the whole cycle starts all over again. Daydreaming is far better.

#AtoZChallenge Badge D by vampire writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#AtoZChallenge Badge D

#AtoZChallenge: D is for Daydreamer

One of my favourite daydream scenarios is the one where I own my VW Camper van, the classic bus that we associate with hippies and dreamers. Ah yes, I can just see her tootling down a winding country road, with me behind the steering wheel, my children and dog sitting beside me. We will travel all over the UK, and beyond, in search of adventure and mystery. I want to visit old stone circles and historic buildings. I want to discover hidden caves, beautiful countryside walks, and fabulous beaches. I want to use all of the history of the British Isles to further embellish my novels and stories.

And then one of my children starts to scream, another one throws something across the room, the dog begins to bark at nothing, and I snap back to reality and find myself standing at the kitchen sink with a bowl full of dirty dishes. A quick fix of the situation, pacify the children, back to the kitchen and my daydream can resume… It’s a wonderful life, and all that!

Could I tempt you to read my new short story, The Wolf and the Fairy, available to download now? It would make me very happy, and bring me one step closer to achieving my dreams… Thank you!

See you tomorrow, for the next letter in the #AtoZChallenge.

Text reads, "The Wolf and the Fairy - download now! A magical tale of love and betrayal." Image of a man and woman about to kiss. She has claw marks on her face and is brightly coloured. He appears in greyscale colour and his shirt is ripped. Fairytale werewolf fiction. 3D book cover image for The Wolf and the Fairy by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
Contemporary adult Gothic fairytale “The Wolf and the Fairy” by Catherine Green.

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Posted in #AtoZChallenge, #freeforallFriday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, mind body spirit, mother writer, Random Musings, Spiritual, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments