C.A. Ashitey's Blog

Brands & Me…

What brands do you associate with?

I’ve never been one for clothing labels because I genuinely feel that they are costly and exploitative.

However,  when it comes to perfume, trainers, and detergent for laundry and dishes, I do!

I have two go-to perfumes:

Wanderlust by Michael Kors and Deep Red by Hugo Boss (which I had to revert to following the discontinuation of Intense Red – my absolute fave)!

In terms of washing up detergent, it has to be fairy liquid, and for laundry, it has to be Bold 3-in-1 pods.

For trainers, I’ve found Skechers to be a firm favourite, especially their slip-ins.

All time, fave album…

What’s your all-time favorite album?

This is an easy answer:

Meatloaf: Bat out of Hell

There are, of course, other albums that I have in my eclectic collection that I love, but for me, the Bat out of Hell album has all the hallmarks a true classic:

Great lyricsGreat musical composition Great vocalsRelatable scenarios Fantastic arrangement of songs that engage the audience A larger than life, unforgettable front manCross-generational appealMY ULTIMATE FAVE OF ALL TIME!!!

What would you wish for?

If you could have just one wish, what would you wish for and why?

My favourite types of food:

What are your favorite types of foods?

I have a varied palate and enjoy a range of foods such as:

Italian – Pasta dishes are my favourite, such as: chicken alfredo, spaghetti bolognese, macaroni cheese, and carbonara, but I also like pizza. Mexican – Chilli, enchiladas, tortillas, etc. Chinese – Sweet & Sour, Lemon chicken, Curry, Crispy beef, Beef & Mushroom, Chow Mein, etc.Indian – Lamb rezala is my absolute favourite, closely followed by Chicken Tikka Masala, garlic naan, and onion bhaji.West African – Jollof rice, goat stew with Fufu, plantain chips, etc.Thai – Green CurryEnglish: Traditional roast, rice pudding,  fish & chips, jacket potato,  pancakes, toad-in-the-hole, stew/casserole, etc.

I’d love to be more informed about:

Which topics would you like to be more informed about?

The things that really fascinate me:

The paranormal Clairvoyance MediumshipAstral travel Medicinal HerbologyMosaic creationAstrology

The more practical and mundane things like:

Car mechanics Plumbing (although I can change taps, washers & ballcocks)Electrics (although I can change fuses and plugs)Growing my own vegetables (I have only grown tomatoes so far)

IT’S OFFICIAL: LAUNCH

ISBN: 978-1-83794-829-1

The final chapter in The Magical Adventures of Poppy Trilogy is launching on:

THURSDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2025

PRE-ORDER NOW – Just £9.99!!

https://pegasuspublishers.com/books/coming-soon-_-october-2025

BLOOM: ODESZA & various artists

The best advice…

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

… “Don’t give up! You can do this!”

Holidays & Me…

How do you celebrate holidays?

When you mention holidays, my mind immediately scoots to the Wheel of the Year and the festivals I venerate:

My New Year falls 31st October – 1st November and is called Samhain (pronounced Sow-in). It is a time for reflection and remembering the loved ones that have passed.  It’s marked with candles, food, and autumn decorations and is one of my favourites. It’s also the time that the veil between worlds thins, so I always leave a candle burning in my window to guide my loved ones who’ve passed to my door.

Next comes Yule (Dec 20-23), incorporating the Winter Solstice. A time to celebrate the shortest day of the year and the return of the Sun.  It is accompanied by warm, soothing drinks, time with loved ones, sharing food, gifts, and treats to the glow of a Yule Log and a snow-covered tree, scented candles and oil burning.

Then comes Imbolc (Feb 1) – marking the beginning of spring. I use the time to revamp my home and re-cleanse it inside and out for protection and prosperity. I also set intentions at this time.

Ostara (Mar 20-23) is next, incorporating the Spring Equinox, filled with symbols of new birth and regeneration. Sweet treats, dream-setting, shedding things no longer serving my best self and new beginnings.

Then comes Beltane (May 1st – May Day) – halfway between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice – A fire & fertility festival and a time for marking the start of summertime with beautiful blooms and grounding in nature.

Next is Litha (June 21st – Midsummer), the time of the Summer Solstice when I celebrate the power of the Sun on the longest day of the year when the hours of darkness and light are equal.

This is followed by the first harvest of the year – Lughnasadh (August 1st – also referred to as Lammas) in honourvof the Celtic God Lugh.

Mabon (Sep 20 – 23) comes next, bringing the 2nd harvest along with the Autumn Equinox.  A time for balance and reflection.

And so the wheel has turned, and I prepare once again to greet Samhain.

Throughout the year, I focus on nature and the changing seasons, showing gratitude for the rich beauty of the earth, its flora, and fauna. Its bodies of water to which I have always been drawn and the rituals of grounding, cleansing, reflecting, releasing, and regenerating accompany my goal-setting as each full moon and new moon occurs.

Energy…

THE THINGS THAT GIVE ME ENERGY ARE:

Walking, especially in areas of nature where bodies of water are involved. 

Different types of food such as: chocolate, more chocolate, coffee, more coffee, savouries, and pasta.

Anywhere there is nature or music, especially when it’s a tune to sing or dance too.

I also find that spending time swimming or in the company of others with a similar mindset can boost my energy levels, too, although these don’t occur as often as I would like.

Oddly, I find my interest in cemeteries and their history also provides me with an energy boost.

I’ve had quite a few new followers recently. Thank you fo...

I’ve had quite a few new followers recently. Thank you for being here, and welcome to my developing page!


Hi
I am Carol Ashitey. I write fantasy fiction for children and YA, poetry, and more recently, adult crime… All of the kind with twists, turns, and adventure that draw in the reader.

I find beauty in nature and cemeteries, love my Celtic Pagan roots, and have a morbid fascination with all things dark, paranormal, and magickal. [image error] [image error]

I am from the UK and I have a very strong Bristolian accent despite leaving my home town and relocating to the Garw Valley in Wales in 2021.

I have been writing since the age of twelve. However, it was only in 2000 with an impromptu meeting via a friend at the home of author Dick King-Smith that I dared allow anyone to read my work.   However,  it would take me until the Covid-19 Lockdown to only seriously consider submitting a manuscript for publication.

I now have three published books in The Magical Adventures of Poppy Trilogy, a crime novel ready to go, and lots more to come

Enid and the Sacred Heart was my debut novel published 26 Nov 2020, followed by Beyond the Higher Lands 28 Mar 2024. Both currently receiving reviews!!

My final book in the Trilogy – The Edge of Darkness due out shortly (2025). 

So… if you fancy a bit of escapism with charming characters that undertake a quest to win the battle over good and evil, filled with magic and mayhem, please do check them out!

My prime time for writing is in the early hours of the morning (0000-0300 ) when the rest of the world is sleeping but I always have a notebook on me because ideas spring at the unlikeliest of times lol.  As a mother and grandmother (Gram Grams), life – balance is sometimes tricky, but my writing carries me into places where anything can happen, and I love that!!

I would like to thank all my followers for continuing to follow and support me on this rollercoaster of a journey! Feel free to follow me, leave comments, and ask me any questions you may have.

Don’t forget to check out my website for more info on me and to check out current promotions and chances to WIN some FREEBIES! LINKS BELOW:

https://cashiteyauthor.wordpress.com
https://cashiteybooks.wordpress.com
http://www.instagram.com/c_a_ashitey_author
https://linktr.ee/c.a.ashitey_author