A Phantom of the Opera romance by Kathleen A Jones writing as H D Kingsbury. “The Opera ghost really existed. He was not, as was long believed, a creature of the imagination of the artists, the... More > superstition of the managers, or a product of the absurd and impressionable brains of the young ladies of the ballet, their mothers, the box-keepers, the cloak-room attendants or the concierge. Yes, he existed in flesh and blood, although he assumed the complete appearance of a real phantom; that is to say, of a spectral shade.” So wrote a journalist named Gaston Leroux, but what if Leroux got the details wrong? In "Variations on a Theme of Leroux," the author takes this tale of Gothic romance and puts it on its head. Within the pages of this book, you will find a story of romance, suspense and passion, but with a twist. It is the Phantom’s story as it might truly have been.< Less
On September 23, 1909, a writer by the name of Gaston Leroux published the first installment of Le Fantôme de l'Opéra in Le Gaulois. The story ran through January 8, 1910, and was not... More > much of a success, even when it came out in book form. There were times when it even went out of print. Then a man by the name of Andrew Lloyd Webber came along and wrote a musical based upon Leroux’s book. From that time on, sales of the book skyrocketed. This year, Erik—the mysterious Phantom of the Opera—observed his centennial anniversary. To help celebrate this auspicious event, the members of The Write Stuff, an online community of readers, writers and lovers of all things Phantom, held a writing contest. This book is the result of this contest, and a labor of love by all involved. Inside, you will find drabbles, ficlets and short stories that celebrate Erik in all his incarnations—from mysterious and monstrous, to romantic and fluffy.
All you are asked to do is read and enjoy!< Less
Welcomed to Phantom Variations, Volume 2: Further Tales from the Worlds of the Opera Ghost. Yes, worlds because there are as many settings for Erik’s story as there are authors with... More > imaginations. In this anthology, The Write Stuff is offering a second volume featuring further tales about Erik, Christine, Raoul as well as some new characters, too. There’s something for everyone, from drabbles, ficlets and one-shots to short stories as well as a couple novellas. Genres range from humor to horror, from drama to romance, from 19th century Paris to Occupied France of World War II, with ALL proceeds benefitting the American Porphyria Foundation. So sit back in your favorite comfy chair and join us on a journey to the many worlds of the Opera Ghost, and help some good people at the same time.< Less
"The Men of Battery H" is unique among Civil War regimental histories. It focuses on the individuals who made up the Battery and is a compilation of biographical and genealogical... More > information for each of the men who served this unit. The book is illustrated with over 250 photographs of gravesites, as well as wartime and post-war portraits. With the sesquicentennial of the Civil War upon us, what better way to remember these men than by making this information available to genealogists, descendants and researchers alike.< Less
We all like to play “what if,” so…what if Erik and Christine began their relationship not with deception, but honesty? This short piece tells the story the way many of us wish... More > Leroux had written it.< Less
A Phantom of the Opera romance. In "Variations on a Theme of Leroux," we were introduced to Erik duBois, the reclusive man once known as The Phantom in the Opera, and the woman who became... More > his salvation, Christine Daaé. At the end of the book, they were married -- but that is not the end of their story. In "The Gift," H. D. Kingsbury and Elizabeth Hunter Duke join forces to bring us four more stories featuring family duBois – stories that range from romance to humor.< Less
The Ancestors of Larry Eugene Flowers is a compilation of family stories, research notes, theories and speculation. Information is documented where it is available, and speculation is clearly... More > identified as such. This is not an attempt to create a professional genealogical record, but is an informal family history. This is a work in progress, still being written as new information is always coming to light.< Less
The Ancestors of Dolores Ann Walker was compiled and published by Kathleen Ann Jones, October 2008. This book includes genealogical information on the following families: Bengela/Bendzela, Jaffke,... More > Lieder, Schroeder, Vessely, Walker, Zupke, with an appendix for the Taube families who are related by marriage to the Zupke and Jaffke families.< Less
The Ancestors of John Patric Jones was compiled and published by Kathleen Ann Jones, October 2008. This book includes genealogical information for fourteen generations and includes information on the... More > following families: Backus, Beckert, Bull, Cary, Crane, Green(e), Griswold, Hart, Hazen, Hibbard, Hills, Jones, Leahy, Newell, Olmstead, Palmer, Porter, Prentice, Rice, Riddle, Rudd and Wood.< Less
A Phantom of the Opera romance by Kathleen A Jones writing as H D Kingsbury. “The Opera ghost really existed. He was not, as was long believed, a creature of the imagination of the artists, the... More > superstition of the managers, or a product of the absurd and impressionable brains of the young ladies of the ballet, their mothers, the box-keepers, the cloak-room attendants or the concierge. Yes, he existed in flesh and blood, although he assumed the complete appearance of a real phantom; that is to say, of a spectral shade.” So wrote a journalist named Gaston Leroux, but what if Leroux got the details wrong? In "Variations on a Theme of Leroux," the author takes this tale of Gothic romance and puts it on its head. Within the pages of this book, you will find a story of romance, suspense and passion, but with a twist. It is the Phantom’s story as it might truly have been.< Less
HDKingsbury is, in real life, a retired telephone company supervisor who is now able to devote her time to history and literature. She is actively involved in the Civil War community and is past-president of the Greater Toledo Civil War Roundtable. She is also fascinated with Ancient and Medieval history, and is a card-carrying member of the Richard III Society, American Branch.
In addition to a fascination with history, HD is also a voracious reader whose tastes range from non-fiction to fiction, from first-hand accounts of Civil War soldiers, to Gothic Victorian literature, and to modern-day paranormal romances. She is particularly fascinated by "The Phantom of the Opera" phenomenon. Her love of all things Phantom began many years ago when, as a teenager, she fell in love with Claude Rains as Erique Claudin. The rest, as they say...is history!
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