Ashleigh Stevens's Blog, page 8
October 6, 2023
Fantasy Book Blast
A Special Announcement
We all love free books. So, I wanted to let you know about a one-day, Stuff Your E-reader event! Over 130 FREE Fantasy books in so many sub-genre.
Check it out!This flash deal is TODAY ONLY, so grab them while you can!
October 4, 2023
A Weekend At Munson Manor -- Episode 10
Munson Manor
This newsletter contains the following features: (Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read) A Weekend at Munson Manor Free Books Other Books on Sale Join My Newsletters A Weekend at Munson Manor
A Weekend at Munson Manor is an interactive Choose Your Own Path story. Each episode, readers vote for the path they would like to take. Together, we will follow the path with the most votes.
Click here to readthe story so far.
Bryce scribbles something in his notebook before turning back to you. “What do you think happened to the body?” How do you respond?
I’m not convinced Charles is really dead. I think there’s a secret passage and whoever killed Charles moved the body when we all went to answer the door.Detective Bryce looks at you like you have two heads. “A secret passage? Really?”
You shrug. “You asked. That’s my opinion. It’s a classic trope in murder mysteries.”
“A classic what?” He waves a dismissive hand. “Nevermind. This isn’t one of your little murder mystery novels. This is an actual crime. With a real dead body. And frankly, I find your flippant attitude suspicious.”
He closes his notebook with a snap. “You’re staying here this weekend?” When you nod, he frowns disapprovingly. “I will have Gibson escort you to your room. You are to stay there for the rest of the evening. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
He is halfway to the door when he turns back to you. “And no one is to visit with you, either.”
Without waiting for your response, he opens the study door and peers into the hallway. You remain in your seat while the detective has a brief conversation with the officer. Eventually, the detective turns his attention back to you.
“Doctor? Gibson will escort you upstairs.”
You enter the hallway to see the officer at the foot of the staircase. As you join him, you see the detective returning to the dining room. Probably grabbing another witness to interrogate.
You walk to your room in silence, the officer in your wake. When you open the door, he peers in. You raise your eyebrows. “Everything okay?”
Gibson nods. “Just making sure it’s empty. You’re to remain here for the evening.”
“Yeah. The other guy said.”
Without another word, the officer closed the door behind him, leaving you alone in your room.
Sitting on the edge of your bed, you contemplate the events of the evening. You’re obviously in the middle of a mystery. Two, really. But are they the ones you are supposed to be solving this weekend?
Confused, you change into your nightclothes. Even those have been provided for you this weekend. Light blue cotton pants and a button-down top. Not something you’d wear at home, but not entirely uncomfortable.
Why, though? Why did Mr. Munson provide pajamas for the weekend? Did he intend for something to happen during the night? Is it still going to happen?
You are too full of questions to retire for the evening. It’s still too early, anyway. You wish you had a book. Too bad you’re confined to your room. A house like this probably has a fantastic library. Filled with mystery novels.
With a sigh of resignation, you flop onto your bed. If this were a genuine mystery, you wouldn’t be sitting in your room right now. What would you be doing?
Possibly talking with the other guests. But what if it were later at night and everyone was in their rooms? Then what would you be doing right now?
Certainly not sitting here bemoaning not having a book. You’d probably make a list of what you know about the mystery and potential suspects.
To do that, you’d need paper. Maybe there’s some in the desk. Jumping to your feet, you open the drawers, immediately finding an old-fashioned fountain pen and a box of stationary. Taking a sheet, you sit at the desk and start writing.
Everyone you met tonight, except the police, is a suspect. Even the chef and housekeeper. In fact, they and Mr. Kline were the only ones not in the dining room when Charles was killed. You place a star beside each of their names.
Beside each name, you write what you remember about each person, making a special note of Mr. Kline’s story. You heard Charles tell Mr. Munson everyone was here and later learned Mr. Kline was upstairs. Was he lying about being told to remain upstairs? Maybe he just didn’t want to join everyone for dinner. Maybe he was using that time to hurt Charles.
He’s also the one that said Charles was dead. Maybe he was lying. Maybe Charles got up and walked away. But why? Why not come find everyone and tell us that he was fine? Or accuse someone of attacking him?
Unless he really was dead. But then, why would someone move the body?
Because Charles wasn’t supposed to die. Whoever attacked him only wanted to hurt him. Maybe scare him. Not kill him. And now that he’s dead, the attacker got scared and moved the body.
But how? A secret passage is the only answer. This old house has to have one somewhere. If only you could go looking for one.
Frustrated, stretch your arms above your head, forgetting the pen is still in your hands. When you drop it, it rolls behind the wardrobe.
Shaking your head at your own stupidity, you crawl on the floor. But your hand won’t fit under the wardrobe. Hoping it’s not too heavy, you get to your feet, wrap your arms around it, and move it forward a couple of inches.
It slides easily. As if there were felt pads on the bottom to facilitate moving it. As you take a step back, you realize why.
There is a gaping hole behind the dresser. What is on the other side?
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Late For Work -- Episode 10
Work
This newsletter contains the following features: (Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read) Late For Work Free Books Other Books on Sale Join My Newsletters Late For Work
Late for Work is an interactive Choose Your Own Path story. Each episode, readers vote for the path they would like to take. Together, we will follow the path with the most votes.
Click here to readthe story so far.
Dr. Mike is looking at you expectantly. How should you answer him?
Sure. I’d love to help you this weekend. I don’t think we know each other well enough yet. Maybe we should have dinner together again first? I’d love to help, but I think we should wait and see if your dad signs the contract.Dr. Mike nods. “Yeah, no. I was just kidding, anyway.” He glances at his phone. “It’s, uh, getting late. I’ll call you tomorrow and we can schedule that second date.”
Before you can process what just happened, he’s standing at the front door. Grabbing your things, you nod. “Yeah, sure.”
It’s not until you’re in the elevator that you realize he never asked for your number. He isn’t going to call you, is he?
You spend the walk home replaying the evening in your head. Everything seemed to go so well. He even invited you back to his apartment. You thought for sure he was going to ask you to spend the night.
Not that you would have said yes. Never on a first date. Especially when it wasn’t even a date. But, still. It would have been nice to be invited.
Instead, he kicks you out when you don’t agree to help him unpack boxes? What kind of guy does that?
One that’s definitely not worth the trouble. Good thing you learned this about him now before you became too emotionally involved.
Although it would have been nice if you could spend more time with him. Disappointed, you return to your apartment, crawl into bed, and try to forget this disaster of a day.
When the alarm on your phone wakes you in the morning, you silence it with a frown. Did you actually meet Dr. Mike yesterday, or was it just a dream? You glance at the readout. It’s Tuesday. Yesterday definitely happened.
With a sigh, you get ready for your day. Today will definitely be better than yesterday. You will find a way to get the Mitchell lawyers to understand they are spending more than he is earning. You will finish calculating mid-year bonuses for the Cromwell account. And you will land the Yeager account.
That would make Dr. Mike your client. Maybe it’s better that you left things the way you did last night.
When you reach the coffee shop, you have no problem finding a parking space. Yes, today is definitely going to be better than yesterday.
Unfortunately, Dr. Mike isn’t waiting for you inside. While in line to order, you scan the room, but he’s not there. Waiting for the barista to make your coffee, you stare at the doorway until your eyes hurt. But he never appears.
A short time later, you arrive at work not only early, but before your boss. You even finished your coffee without spilling a single drop. Definitely signs that things will go well today.
Until you check your email. There are four emails from the Mitchell lawyers, two from each of the founders. As promised, you provided them with a spreadsheet, highlighting their income and spending in two different colors. You even created additional charts, sorting their spending into categories and suggesting ways they could save money. Apparently, they didn’t appreciate your effort and are threatening to find a new accounting firm. And, of course, they copy your boss on all of them.
With a sigh, you send a message to Karen asking if you can discuss this with her before you respond. She immediately sends you a meeting request. You note the time as you accept. You have an hour. Maybe if you can finish the Cromwell account, your job will be in less jeopardy.
About five minutes before your appointment, Karen sends you a new meeting request. She now wants to see you in the conference room. As soon as possible.
Swallowing hard, save your work and gather your two active projects. The Cromwell bonuses are finished. Sure, they’re not as much as last year’s, but the advertising agency had a difficult year. You’ve printed the Mitchell spreadsheet, highlights and all.
As you head to the conference room, you practice your speech. You’ve triple-checked the account. You thought your suggestions were helpful and didn’t realize the lawyers would be so opposed to them. This is the first time you’ve dealt with clients who were so unreasonable and—
No. You probably shouldn’t use the word unreasonable. Stubborn? Obstinate? Adamant. That might work.
This is the first time you’ve dealt with clients who were so adamantly opposed to your suggestions and—
You stop abruptly in the doorway to the conference room, forgetting everything you were about to say. Now you understand why Karen rescheduled the meeting here. Your boss is sitting at the table, but she’s not alone. Who is with her?
The Mitchell lawyers The Doctors Yeager Free Books Would you like some free books in exchange for a review?
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The Detention Adventure - Episode 10
Adventure
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The Detention Adventure Free Books Other Books on Sale Join My Newsletters The Detention Adventure
The Detention Adventure is an interactive Choose Your Own Path story. Each episode, readers vote for the path they would like to take. Together, we will follow the path with the most votes.
Click here to readthe story so far.
What is the elder’s response?
“Sadly, no. The nectar can only strengthen that which is within us.” “I’m not sure. No human has ever consumed it.”Well, there goes that idea. You frown at Ayaldwitha. “So, why are we here?”
The old man shrugs. “I wanted to give you a tour of Maguth. And to show you the last place I saw Driman.”
“The guy from my world?” When the elder nods, you send him a curious look. “What happened to him?”
With a sigh, Ayaldwitha sits on a nearby rock. You settle on the ground across from him.
He sighs. “It was long ago. Probably about ten, twenty years into the Dragon Wars, if memory serves. Driman had been living with us for so long, he hardly spoke your language anymore. I served my time in the Dragon Wars and was home for a season before returning to the front.”
You frown. “Why would you go back?”
The elder shrugs. “I had no choice. Each village in the kingdom sent warriors. We fought until we died or others relieved us. Then we rested at home until we were called to fight again.”
You don’t know what to say. You can’t imagine being in that position. Shifting uncomfortably, you stay silent as you wait for Ayaldwitha to continue his story.
He is in no rush. The two of you listen to the sounds of the forest for a while before he finally breaks the silence.
“Driman, of course, didn’t fight in the Dragon Wars. He spent his days working on his spell. The one that would take him home.”
“Did he ever figure it out?”
The elder nods. “Yes. We used our magic to help him remember the words. But he had trouble getting them to work. He said it was because magic in your world was dying.”
There is something about the old man’s tone. “You don’t think that’s true?”
He sighs. “When I first met Driman, I was thrilled to meet a human. But as the years went on, I started to question whether he really had magical abilities. On his last day, he came here to drink the nectar of the Furth Maguthes.”
“I thought you said that doesn’t work on humans.”
The old man nods. “It doesn’t. But Driman didn’t believe me. He was convinced it would strengthen the magic already in him.”
“Did it work?”
The elder shakes his head. “Of course not. Driman is not an elf.”
“So, how did he get home?”
Ayaldwitha shrugs. “No idea. One moment he was here. The next, he was gone. Despite his boasting, part of me always thought perhaps someone else’s magic brought him here. And when that person was ready to return him to your world, he disappeared from ours.”
“But who?”
The old man sighs. “No idea. Every so often, especially in his older age, he mentioned being an apprentice. I sometimes wondered whether his master sent him here. Or maybe he was touching something he shouldn’t have and ended up here?”
Your hand automatically goes to your pocket. The necklace is still there. You pull it out, showing it to the old man across from you.
“That’s what happened to me. I touched this and the next thing I knew, I was standing in your forest.”
“May I see that?” The elder holds out his hand.
Nodding, you pass it to him. He examines it carefully, a wistful smile on his face. “I remember this necklace. It never left Driman’s neck. He claimed it was the source of his power, his furth maguthes, if you will.”
You scrunch your face in disbelief. “So, if I wear that, I’ll have magic powers?”
“You can try.” The old man returns the necklace to you with a smirk that clearly indicates he doesn’t think it will work.
Not that you do either. And you’re not exactly in a rush to get home. But you’re curious. If somehow you end up back in the library, you can always just wish yourself back here, right?
Placing the necklace around your neck, you close your eyes and imagine the book you were holding when you first touched the necklace. You picture yourself holding the book in the library.
No, wait. You don’t want to go back to detention. You picture yourself holding the book in the school parking lot.
Squeezing your eyes as tightly as possible, you listen carefully to the sounds around you. You can still hear the noises of the Maguthian forest. But you hear people shouting. They sound a lot like your classmates.
You focus on those voices, but they do not grow stronger. Nor do the sounds of the forest grow weaker. It is almost as if it caught you between the two worlds.
Opening your eyes, you take in your surroundings. You’re still sitting on the forest floor near the Furth Maguthes. The Ayaldwitha is still across from you.
But he is no longer looking at you. You turn your head to see what has caught his attention.
And gasp in disbelief. What do you see?
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September 26, 2023
Downloading Free Books
This week's newsletter contains the following features:
(Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read)
What's new with Ashleigh? Choose Your Own Path Hartfield Chronicles Free Books Other Books on Sale Ashleigh's Reading Challenge Upcoming Events Join My NewslettersWhat's new with Ashleigh?
Last week, I participated in a stuff your e-reader event and gave away over 1000 free copies of my scifi medical romance. I enjoy these giveaways so much, I'm participating in two more in the next few weeks. I'm not telling you when they are, but you can expect an email from me the morning of the event.
Unfortunately, since I was traveling (without internet!), I wasn't able to participate as a reader in this last event. Actually, now that I think about it, these events keep happening on days I'm unable to stuff my e-reader. Not that I need it. My TBR is still out of my control.
But I still would like to know more about the reader side of the event.
Have you participated in any of these 200+ book giveaways?
How many books do you typically download?
Do you read them all or are you collecting them for a rainy day? Join the discussion here
In other news, Monday was the release of our derby books. Of the 100 authors who participated this year, 45 published stories by Monday. I am so excited about how many of us made it to this final stage. If you havent had a chance, check out the books. Can you figure out which is mine? Choose Your Own Path Stories
The Detention Adventure is an interactive young adult story.
Start at the Beginning Episode 9: You Don't Care What's In The Bowl
Late For Work is an interactive romance story.
Start at the Beginning Episode 9: That Murder Mystery Movie
A Weekend at Munson Manor is an interactive mystery story.
Start at the Beginning Episode 9: The Body is Missing Hartfield Chronicles
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Wednesday.
Start at the Beginning Beginning of Season 6 Episode 140:Babysitting her neighbor is more difficult than Melinda anticipated Free Books
Free Story
Wished
A clean Young Adult romance about popularity, gamers and fairies
Because your fairy godmother knows best
Popularity is everything, and Honey Hawkins knows it.
So why is she having romantic dreams about happily ever after with Micah Jones, the biggest nerd in school? Even worse, how did she get tangled up with the mysterious online gamer, SplinterM, who knows how to charm her to the core of her popular-loving heart?
If Honey is going to maintain her social status, she's got to get out of this dork dilemma without her friends finding out. Because everyone knows happily ever after is with the popular Prince Charming, not the King of the Nerds.
Free Story
A Mermaid's Wish
Prequel
Humans Meet Mermaids.
What happens when a young human boy meets a mermaid? Will they become friends or will he tell the wrong person?
Free Story
The Cutest Puppies in the World
A Men Who Stitch Mysteries Short Prequel
Yodelers, geriatric Zumbaers, crafts, and . . . a basket of puppies?
Obadiah (Di) Goode is having a weird day. As the only African-American in the less-than-stellar Prospector’s Rest, North Carolina Sheriff’s Department, he’s used to being sent out to take his colleagues’ lunch orders. Even if the local talent can be a little odd, discovering a basket of newborn puppies on the department doorstep is not the usual sight at the town’s annual Crafts Fête.
Still, now that they’re here, he and MacBeth (Mac) Welles, the woman Di’s been sweet on since they were both in the playpen together, will have to try to discover where these pooches came from, all while helping the town vet look after their new fuzzy friends.
Against the background of a tiny mountain town caught in the frenzy of the fête, Di and Mac will brave the festival’s many odd sights and sounds to solve the mystery and help the puppies find a home.
Move to Prospector’s Rest, NC, where the craft stores nearly outnumber the people and one man with a very embarrassing pastime and an ability to knit works with the woman he loves to try to keep the peace in this funny prequel to the Men Who Stitch cozy mystery series.
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Other Books on Sale
Click here to read more
Available for Free
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Basketballs and Mistletoe
All's Fair in Love and Sports Series
Too many basketballs and not enough kissing.
All Matt Bailey wants is to focus on his position as starting point guard for the varsity basketball team. When an epic kiss and a social media scandal forces him into the arms of the beautiful and spunky Trina Wynter, he finds himself in a fake relationship with a girl just crazy enough to think she can take on the world.
When Trina gets cut from the girls’ basketball team, she thinks her senior year is wasted, until a closetful of basketballs and two hundred sprigs of mistletoe bring every athlete in Grand Haven High School together for a good cause, and a great excuse for more kissing.
Basketballs and Mistletoe is a stand-alone novella in the All’s Fair in Love and Sports Series.
Click here to read more
Last Frontier
Book Seven of the Rim Chronicles
There’s only one man who makes Dr. Karin Vexley supremely uncomfortable, and he has just transferred to her ship. Finding out this nasty bit of news, is a revelation and a warning. Karin wants to shut out the former and ignore the latter. The child prodigy has packed a lot of accomplishments into her tender twenty-one years, but shutting out the man who says she looks like a gorgeous angel, is not going to be one of them.
Those two seemingly innocuous words, gorgeous angel, threaten to unleash a flood of memories that Karin does not want to deal with. It’s what her father used to say to her mother. It’s the last thing child-Karin remembers of her parents on that fateful day on Dracken’s World, when they took the (speedy) ride down a shaft on their way to work—as mining engineers.
Today, Karin is a Chief Medical Officer on the latest Devon-class prototype starship, the UGS Trevor Meridian. Her friend, Kitaya, serves beside her – often literally since all Fleet crew members are encouraged to train for double or triple classification. Their current mission is as curious as it’s troubling. It will take them to the most dangerous and volatile region in the Federation-held starfields, the Neutral Zone. It is a space corridor filled with leftover wreckage from the battles and skirmishes that had gone on for hundreds of years. It is a strip that separates the free worlds from those captured by the dreaded Shoultain enemy; a marine race of humanoids that, in spite of their obvious physical differences, are not that much different from humans. Once there, they’re expected to do something that makes everyone on board – including the Captain, Gallen DeWynter, acutely uncomfortable.
Their orders are to hunt for and capture as many enemy crew patrols as possible. The Federation has layers and layers of strict laws dealing with treatment of captured enemy crew. But those who are waiting in the wings for the Meridian to carry out her questionable mission, aren’t concerned with ethics. And they certainly aren’t concerned whether such a dangerous mission will be without casualties.
Click here to read more
Available for Free
on Kindle Unlimited
A Foul and Frightening Tail
A Talking Cat Cozy Mystery
A celebrity target. A criminal pack. The only way to catch these perps is to go off leash…
St. Mateo, the Caribbean Islands. Sophie Carter is still desperate to prove herself. Despite her track record of sniffing out killers, the aspiring reporter fears she has a high hill to climb before she hits it big. So she quickly collars the chance at a once-in-a-lifetime scoop when a famous actress’s assistant is found murdered.
Relying on a helping paw from her talkative feline sidekick, Sophie uncovers a dog-napping conspiracy with an astonishing tie to British royalty. But the duo’s suspicions bristle when their prime suspect points them to the dead woman’s diary and a freshly dug pile of shady secrets.
When fate throws Sophie a bone, can she bring the culprit to heel before she writes her own obituary?
You may also be interested in these books
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September 13, 2023
Organizing your TBR
This week's newsletter contains the following features:
(Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read)
What's new with Ashleigh? Choose Your Own Path Hartfield Chronicles Free Books Other Books on Sale Ashleigh's Reading Challenge Upcoming Events Join My NewslettersWhat's new with Ashleigh?
Like many of you, this is a busy time of year for me. As a homeschooling parent, I spend much of August preparing my children’s curriculum for the upcoming school year. We start after labor day, and it generally takes a couple of weeks to get into our routine. By then, I need to start making Halloween costumes and preparing for a child’s birthday party. When we turn the page to November, it’s Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s. Sometimes it feels as if my holiday season starts with Labor Day.
Needless to say, I don’t get a lot of writing done during this time period. Instead, I use the time to catch up on my reading. And right now, I certainly don’t have a shortage of reading material. I participate in a local book club, beta read for other authors, and serve as a judge for several editorial book awards. As you can imagine, my TBR is fairly large.
Over the years, I have tried several methods to keep track of all the books I want to read. I especially like being able to share my TBR on my website. But, I have not found a good way to do this.
I have tried clicking “want to read” on my GR profile and even found a way to share that, but I can’t sort that by genre. I have created spreadsheets with links to the images and posted that on my website, but I usually forget to update it. The only method that seems to work is to list each book on my to-do app, adding tags for genre and length. Unfortunately, this method can be very labor intensive and the list cannot be shared.
So my question this week is:
How do you organize your TBR? Join the discussion here
In other news
Did you notice the new banner? This November, I will be launching my new books for middle grade readers, including another Choose Your Own Path Adventure. If you're interested in joining this new newsletter,
Sign Up Here!Choose Your Own Path Stories
The Detention Adventure is an interactive young adult story.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I did it again. I sent the email with faulty links. I noticed immediately and sent out a second email. So, if you didn't get a chance to vote, make sure you're using the second email!
Start at the Beginning Episode 8: A Child Late For Work is an interactive romance story.
Start at the Beginning Episode 8: A Movie Sounds Perfect
A Weekend at Munson Manor is an interactive mystery story.
Start at the Beginning Episode 8: Someone is Blocking Your View Hartfield Chronicles
Season 6 of Hartfield Chronicles is here!For Hartfield students, Spring Break means two weeks away from campus. Pat has so many plans: earning his pilot's certificate, the Hollywood premiere of Tomodachi, auditioning for a new movie, and spending time with the friends in L.A. that he hasn't seen in months. Melinda's only plan, however, involves being bored for two weeks at home. After an adventurous night babysitting, however, her parents have a surprise for her: she can join her friends in L.A.
Melinda can't wait. There are so many things she wants to see. But most of all, she's looking forward to seeing who Walter and Pat become when they become Wally and Patrick McGregor.
But L.A. isn't exactly the experience Melinda expects. Between Hollywood parties, Pat's ex-girlfriends, crazy fans, and paparazzi around every corner, Melinda questions whether she would be better off back in Connecticut.
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Wednesday.
Here's what you missed: Episode 137
Pat takes his flight test Episode 138 
Melinda and Walter go shopping Want to get notifications
when the next episode is released?
As a thank you, you will receive access to bonus chapters from the Hartfield Chronicles.
Membership benefits:
Read new episodes 4 weeks in advance Receive new episodes directly in your inbox Access to new bonus chapters every season Each month you are a member, $1 is added to your club credit. This credit can be used to purchase e-books and signed paperbacks at the Ashleigh Stevens Bookstore. Credits never expire. Join now! Free Books[image error]
Free Story
A Curse of Gold and Beauty
A clean romance fairytale retelling
What if Rumpelstiltskin and the miller’s daughter fell for each other?
Meg is cursed, bewitched with breath-taking beauty at the cost of absolute obedience to her father. Rhys, her best friend, is also cursed. He is able to spin straw into gold, but each pump of the treadle exacts a terrible price. Two souls were never so perfect for each other, but fate seems determined to pull them apart.
When the King holds Meg hostage and demands gold, she must decide… Is she willing to let Rhys suffer if it saves her own life or will she accept the King's punishment and let Rhys go free?
[image error]
Free Story
Boss's Little Secret
An Enemies to Lovers Second Chance Romance
I had a plan and dreams, but now I'm stuck with my gorgeous bosshole... and a baby we didn't plan for.
I was working my way up the corporate ladder, defying all odds. Things were going well until I saw him. Asher Vance.
His arrogance and entitlement left a bitter taste in my mouth. He was everything I couldn’t stand.
It wouldn’t have been so awkward if we weren’t high school sweethearts whose relationship went sour.
Despite our differences, our chemistry was unavoidable.
There was another side to him, someone sweet and charming.
His captivating eyes made me unable to escape his allure.
Then just as I was starting to move on, two pink lines on a pregnancy test stared me back in the face.
I stood at a crossroads, teetering on the brink of uncertainty. Would Asher stay, or would fate once again conspire to pull us apart?
[image error]
Free Book
Dark Harvest
A Newcastle Novel
It's just a story. Right?
Driven from Salem, Massachusetts, at the height of the witch hunts, a coven calling itself “Sohm” has found a new home in the forest outside of Cooke’s Creek, Vermont, next to William Fletcher’s humble farm. Within those woods, revenge will be theirs.
Soon after their arrival, strange events begin to happen.
Fields smell of death.
Livestock are slaughtered by unseen hands.
The water turns bad.
The church-going townspeople begin to turn on each other.
A diabolical being beyond comprehension has been summoned.
What was once a peaceful hamlet of God-fearing people has turned into a sadistic community of deception, backstabbing, and violence.
Will good triumph, or will evil permanently take root?
Would you like some free books in exchange for an honest review?
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Do you have Kindle Unlimited? These books are free for you!
Other Books on Sale [image error]
Click here to read more
Available for Free
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The Last of the Silver Wings
A YA Dragon Fantasy Series
Below Nadine’s medieval village, the fragile peace that dragons and mankind had died to forge, is about to shatter.
A power-hungry King bent on revenge discovers the legend of a darkened dragon heart. The story explodes into a plot to eliminate the church hierarchy that destroyed his mother. He must have a dragon hatchling.
Nadine wakes to the screams of her village being destroyed by dragon fire, as the last dragon mother exacts her vengeance at this cruel betrayal of mankind. And she takes hostages.
The message is clear, “Return the hatchling or watch the villagers die in the ancient tunnels.”
Ripped away from an age of innocence, this epic fantasy thrusts Nadine into a world of kings, queens, and dragons. The stakes for victory are high.
The Chronicles of Nadine is an action-packed adventure series set in a time where the struggle for world domination is real. It weaves politics and religion into the lives of a series of well fleshed out characters, who call to each of us to reckon with our own inner demons.
This series has the complexity of Game of Thrones with the moral compass of Francine Rivers.
The Last of the Silver Wings, the first in the series, is an action-packed Medieval Fantasy novel that speaks to our most basic fears and aspirations.
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Available for Free
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The Summer Sisterhood
Family Tides Series
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as Claire, Charlotte, and Rachel set foot on a seemingly perfect paradise. But paradise quickly reveals its dark secrets, leaving our heroines on edge. In their cozy beach house, they form an unbreakable bond, until a shocking revelation threatens their sisterhood. As tensions rise, readers are left wondering which path they'll choose.
Amidst exploration and laughter, the women stumble upon a hidden secret that tests their loyalty. A thrilling cliffhanger keeps readers hooked, desperate to see how Charlotte handles this impossible choice.
When a boating trip takes a dangerous turn, the women find themselves stranded on a deserted island. As they fight for survival, their inner demons surface, captivating readers who yearn for their fate on the isolated shores.
Discovering an underground bunker uncovers a haunting past, and a mysterious observer keeps them on their toes. A spine-chilling cliffhanger draws readers deeper into the plot, revealing a nefarious conspiracy that entangles the island's inhabitants.
The women's pursuit of truth takes a dangerous turn when Claire confronts her haunting past. With a heart-stopping twist, they fall into the clutches of their captors, leaving readers anxiously awaiting their escape. Will they unmask the true intentions of their captor and make it out alive?Get ready for a gripping tale of friendship, secrets, and survival. Each cliffhanger leaves you hungry for more as these brave women navigate the treacherous twists and turns of their island adventure.
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Click here to read more
Available for Free
on Kindle Unlimited
Boudin and Bloodshed
Book 2 of the Small Town Girl Mysteries
Remy Robichaux is missing…or is he?
Evangeline Delafose has settled back into small-town life, yearning to solve another case. The sheriff has offered her a missing person investigation because, well, no one actually believes Remy Robichaux is missing.
Follow Ev as she takes on her next mystery, with her frustrating but loveable private investigator by her side. And, of course, a bit of insider info from the quirky residents of her small town.
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August 30, 2023
Back from vacation backlog
Ashleigh's YA Reads Ashleigh's Romance Reads Ashleigh's WhodunitsThis week's newsletter contains the following features:
(Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read)
What's new with Ashleigh? Choose Your Own Path Hartfield Chronicles Free Books Other Books on Sale Ashleigh's Reading Challenge Upcoming Events Join My NewslettersWhat's new with Ashleigh?
As you know, last week we went away on vacation. As usual when we take week-long trips, Mr. Stevens and I brought our laptops so we could work at night when the kids went to bed. However, as is often the case when we go on vacation, I was so tired at night, I couldn't do anything but sleep. I couldn't even join Mr. S by the fire.
Not that it mattered. We had no internet. So, while I might have been able to write, I couldn't do any research or catch up on correspondence. You have no idea how relieved I was to have sent out my newsletter in advance!
Although I managed to sneak in some writing during the (seven hour) drive home, I didn't really get much work done.
And then Monday morning came around. I sat at my desk for a moment, intending to do one quick task then grab breakfast. Except for one quick trip to the kitchen for coffee, I didn't leave my desk for 5 hours. And when I did (to grab lunch at 2 pm), I still felt woefully unproductive. It wasn't until about 9 at night where I finally was able to say to myself, "Okay. I'm all caught up."
Unfortunately. I often feel this way. I enjoy spending time with my family on our vacations. I love unplugging and enjoying the moment. But the more i unplug, the greater the backlog of work when I return.
I'm not even going to ask if this happens to you. I'm fairly confident it happens to nearly everyone. (Unless, maybe, you have a personal assistant.) But my question to you this week is:
How do you handle the seemingly endless backlog when you go away? Join the discussion hereChoose Your Own Path Stories
The Detention Adventure is an interactive young adult story.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No one has voted on a path for this story yet. If you would like to continue this story, please visit the link below and comment on a path or vote using the email that you received last week. If there are no responses by next week's email, we will not continue with this story at this time.
Start at the Beginning Episode 7: Sleep Sounds Fantastic Late For Work is an interactive romance story.
Start at the Beginning Episode 7: It's Dr. Mike
A Weekend at Munson Manor is an interactive mystery story.
Start at the Beginning Episode 7: Someone Killed the Butler Hartfield Chronicles Season 6 of Hartfield Chronicles is here!For Hartfield students, Spring Break means two weeks away from campus. Pat has so many plans: earning his pilot's certificate, the Hollywood premiere of Tomodachi, auditioning for a new movie, and spending time with the friends in L.A. that he hasn't seen in months. Melinda's only plan, however, involves being bored for two weeks at home. After an adventurous night babysitting, however, her parents have a surprise for her: she can join her friends in L.A.
Melinda can't wait. There are so many things she wants to see. But most of all, she's looking forward to seeing who Walter and Pat become when they become Wally and Patrick McGregor.
But L.A. isn't exactly the experience Melinda expects. Between Hollywood parties, Pat's ex-girlfriends, crazy fans, and paparazzi around every corner, Melinda questions whether she would be better off back in Connecticut.
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Wednesday.
Here's what you missed: Episode 135
Melinda reads Pat's new script Episode 136 
Pat and Melinda discuss the new movie Want to get notifications
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As a thank you, you will receive access to bonus chapters from the Hartfield Chronicles.
Membership benefits:
Read new episodes 4 weeks in advance Receive new episodes directly in your inbox Access to new bonus chapters every season Each month you are a member, $1 is added to your club credit. This credit can be used to purchase e-books and signed paperbacks at the Ashleigh Stevens Bookstore. Credits never expire. Join now! Free Books[image error]
Free Story
A Curse of Gold and Beauty
A clean romance fairytale retelling
What if Rumpelstiltskin and the miller’s daughter fell for each other?
Meg is cursed, bewitched with breath-taking beauty at the cost of absolute obedience to her father. Rhys, her best friend, is also cursed. He is able to spin straw into gold, but each pump of the treadle exacts a terrible price. Two souls were never so perfect for each other, but fate seems determined to pull them apart.
When the King holds Meg hostage and demands gold, she must decide… Is she willing to let Rhys suffer if it saves her own life or will she accept the King's punishment and let Rhys go free?
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Free Book
Dark Secret Lie
A Twisting Psychological Thriller
Emma’s life turns upside down after finding her husband murdered at their home. With no evidence left at the crime scene and no known motive, Emma is determined to find the person responsible.
However, her husband’s death uncovers a secret that leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about him.
Emma believed she was in a loving and trusting relationship with Kendrick.
She thought of them as just another couple living a normal life.
However, Kendrick had a dark secret, one that got him killed.
Detective McKinley is working the case, as he continuously communicates with Emma throughout his investigation, he pleads for her to stop trying to play detective, as every clue she finds puts her life and those around her at risk.
He wants her to trust this murder case to the police before it’s too late.
Emma understands that her life is at risk, but she can’t quit now. She must find out who Kendrick was and why he got killed.
She needs answers and she is willing to put her life on the line to uncover the truth.
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The Last of the Silver Wings
A YA Dragon Fantasy Series
Below Nadine’s medieval village, the fragile peace that dragons and mankind had died to forge, is about to shatter.
A power-hungry King bent on revenge discovers the legend of a darkened dragon heart. The story explodes into a plot to eliminate the church hierarchy that destroyed his mother. He must have a dragon hatchling.
Nadine wakes to the screams of her village being destroyed by dragon fire, as the last dragon mother exacts her vengeance at this cruel betrayal of mankind. And she takes hostages.
The message is clear, “Return the hatchling or watch the villagers die in the ancient tunnels.”
Ripped away from an age of innocence, this epic fantasy thrusts Nadine into a world of kings, queens, and dragons. The stakes for victory are high.
The Chronicles of Nadine is an action-packed adventure series set in a time where the struggle for world domination is real. It weaves politics and religion into the lives of a series of well fleshed out characters, who call to each of us to reckon with our own inner demons.
This series has the complexity of Game of Thrones with the moral compass of Francine Rivers.
The Last of the Silver Wings, the first in the series, is an action-packed Medieval Fantasy novel that speaks to our most basic fears and aspirations.
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Click here to read more on Amazon
Available for Free
on Kindle Unlimited
Mr Fake Husband Grump
a small-town, enemies to lovers, sweet romcom
Me marry Mr Grump… Not in a million years.
The opportunity of a lifetime involved a trade: life in Seattle for a Florida swamp.
My mission. To drain the swamp and build a luxury golf course spa resort.
No problem. Only Mr Grump on a Harley Davidson has made it his mission to save it.
Nick Anderson, my biker adversary, just happens to be my university professor crush from years ago.
And he is only more handsome with age.
At a surprise visit from my Japanese boss, words are lost in translation. He thinks that Nick and I are married.
But the pretense turns out to be a classic win/win.
We must appear as a devoted couple until we both get what we want.
No problem. I can pretend.
Although, being so close to my ex-crush means my feelings aren’t fake.
I need to keep my game face fixed and focus on the spreadsheets… not the bedsheets.
Mr Fake Husband Grump is a pulse-racing closed-door standalone clean romance, loaded with laughs and sizzling chemistry, but no bedroom scenes.
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Claws and Conundrums
The Misadventures of a Cat Detective
Claws, Conundrums, and a Curious Cat... Unleashing Cryptic Puzzles!
Little did I know that a mischievous tabby cat would become my ticket to freedom, using his uncanny ability to grant me visions and help me solve a perplexing murder where I’m the prime suspect!
As a discouraged New York City bookstore owner, I receive a mysterious letter claiming that Mr. Livingstone is leaving his sinister mansion in Picklesquare to me.
Greeted by the estate lawyer and neighborhood scapegoat when I arrive, I have to spend the night to clear things up with Mr. Livingstone.
Chaos erupts when I stumble upon the lifeless body of Anna, the estate's lawyer, the next morning. Faced with suspicion by the cute Detective Grey, the stoic cat leads me to the clues that will clear my name.
Danger looms as the cat and I form an undeniable bond and Detective Grey turns into an unlikely partner.
With each vision, we get closer to unmasking the truth and exposing the malevolent forces behind the pain hidden in the mansion walls. Together, we delve into a web of intrigue, avoiding the watchful eyes of the real killer.
But meddling with the supernatural has consequences and we may not get out of this one unscathed…
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August 23, 2023
A Weekend at Munson Manor - Episode 7: Someone Killed the Butler
A Weekend at Munson Manor is an interactive Choose Your Own Path story. Each episode, readers vote for the path they would like to take. Together, we will follow the path with the most votes.
Click here to readthe story so far
You glance at the people around you before turning your attention to Mr. Munson. “Should we call an ambulance? Or is this part of the game?”
Mr. Munson steps forward. “Yes.”
His voice is shaky, and you aren’t sure which question he is answering.
What do you think?
Charles is an actor pretending to be dead. This isn’t part of the game and someone killed the butler.Mr. Munson swallows hard. “Everyone. You should return to the dining room. I will call the police.”
Mr. Giles rubs his hands together. “Fantastic. I love a good mystery.”
Professor Mills bits her lip. “Oh. Has the gave started? I thought Charles was hurt for real.” She leans closer. “Are you just pretending?”
Mr. Rollins looks ready to commit murder himself. “Ugh! For the last time—”
Mr. Munson steps forward, patting the air with his hands as if that can calm the room. “Please. Charles needs medical attention. I will call the EMTs.”
Mr. Rollins rounds on your host. “You too? There are no such things as paramedics! You’re going to call the local funeral home, to transport Charles to the hospital for treatment.”
Mr. Munson removes a cell phone from his pocket. “No. I’m calling 9-1-1. Charles needs medical attention.”
All the blood drains from Professor Mills’s face. “So, this is real? Charles is …”
Mr. Munson nods. “Yes. Now, please return to the dining room. I’m sure the police will want to speak with everyone.”
You do as instructed, following the other guests to the other room. Mr. Munson closes the door behind you all. You can only assume is he is calling for help. Thankfully, you can no longer see the butler. Although his image may be burned into your memory for quite some time.
You are halfway to your seat when you realize you are too jittery to sit. You continue to the wall before turning and walking back to the partition between the two rooms. As you do more laps, you notice the other people in the room.
Mr. Rollins is standing in the corner closest to the hall door. You nod to him as you turn around for your next lap. He is glaring at the opposite end of the room, where Professor Mills is speaking quietly with Mr. Kline. Judging by the way she is wringing her hands, you assume they are discussing what you all just witnessed.
At the table, Miss Lewis is sitting in Mr. Munson’s seat, speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Giles. No one is eating, although Mrs. Giles seems to be nursing her drink. She turns to you as you pass.
“What about you, doctor? What do you think happened?”
You shake your head mournfully. “I honestly don’t know. Maybe Charles was placing the gong on the mantle and he fell. Bumped his head. Maybe he’s not even dead.”
Mr. Giles turns to the other side of the room. “Mr. Kline. You found Charles. Are you sure he’s dead?”
Mr. Kline nodded. “Yes. I checked for a pulse.”
Professor Mills bites her lip. “But how? I didn’t see any blood.” She looks around. “Did any of you?” When no one replies, she resumes wringing her hands. “I can’t believe it. He’s dead. What if the police think one of us had something to do with it?”
Mr. Rollins harrumphs. “You don’t think that’s real, do you? What’s the point of the weekend? To solve a mystery.” He points toward the parlor. “Well, there’s the mystery. Now we have to solve it.”
Professor Mills takes a step forward. “You heard Mr. Munson. Charles wasn’t supposed to get hurt. Besides, if this was all part of the game, why would he call EMS using his cell phone?”
Mr. Rollins didn’t have an answer. With a smirk, Professor Mills flounced to her seat at the table, downing the rest of her water in one gulp. As she sets in on the table, Mr. Rollins seems to find his voice.
“Well, even if this is real, it’s still a mystery. Who hurt Charles?”
You glance around the room. “It couldn’t be any of us. We were all here.”
Miss Lewis points at Mr. Kline. “He wasn’t.”
As you all turn to look at the late arrival, he throws his hands in front of him in defense. “I didn’t kill him!”
Mr. Rollins glares at him. “You were the one who found him. We only have your word for it that he’s dead. Maybe you did kill him and we just caught you in the act!”
Professor Mills huffs out a breath. “Seriously. You are way to into this.” She turns to Mr. Kline. “Mr. Munson said you couldn’t make it. Where were you?”
“I was eating up in my room.” With a sigh, he sits in your seat at the head of the table. “When I arrived, my folder told me I was supposed to stay in my room. Charles would come get me and take me out a back staircase. I was supposed to go outside and around to the front, pretend to arrive late.”
Mr. Rollins narrows his eyes. “Why?”
He shrugs. “I’m not exactly sure. It was just part of the script.”
Professor Mills gestures to the parlor. “So, why did you leave your room?”
“The instructions in my folder. They said that if I heard the gong, I should proceed to the parlor. I heard it, so I went. Charles was on the floor. I checked his pulse, saw he was dead. I was about to call for help when you all rushed in.”
The sound of the doorbell interrupts your conversation. You all exchange glances, then rush to the door. Mr. Munson is already in the hall. He opens the door.
Who is on the other side?
Police officers Paramedics with a stretcher Someone is blocking your view so you have no idea You received this email because you have subscribed to one of Ashleigh's mailing lists. If you would no longer like to receive these emails, please unsubscribe here.
Late for Work - Episode 7: It's Dr. Mike
Late for Work is an interactive Choose Your Own Path story. Each episode, readers vote for the path they would like to take. Together, we will follow the path with the most votes.
Click here to read
the story so far
You never heard anyone enter the room. You glance up with a smile. Who do you see?
Dr. Mike Your exYou smile at Dr. Mike as he settles across from you. “I don’t know about you, but I was hungry.”
Dr. Mike nods. “I just couldn’t decide what to get. Everything sounded so good.”
You nod. “This is one of my favorite restaurants.”
“Good to know.” Dr. Mike holds up the bottle of wine. “Shall I?”
When you nod, he pours the chardonnay into two glasses. After passing you one, he raises the other.
“To new friends.”
You repeat the toast, a ping of disappointment settling in your stomach. Just friends? Meaning there is no chance of more?
With a sigh, you sip the wine. Of course there is no chance of anything more. If everything went according to plan, Dr. Mike will be your client by this time tomorrow. More than friends would be … unethical.
Dr. Mike puts down his glass and glances around. “No chopsticks?”
You shake your head. “You do realize they don’t really use chopsticks in Thailand, right?”
Dr. Mike frowns. “They don’t? Then why do the restaurants always have them on the plates?”
“For the Americans who expect it. But you’re supposed to eat Thai food with a fork.”
You reach for yours to demonstrate. Except, you don’t have one. Frowning, you glance across the table.
Dr. Mike is smirking. “Forget something?”
Although you’re annoyed, you try to act nonchalant. “I’m not the one who went upstairs. I think you’re the one who forgot something.”
Shaking his head with a smile, Dr. Mike gets to his feet. “Be right back.”
As you watch him leave, you let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. Why are you so nervous? You’re acting like you’re back in high school. This isn’t even a date. Just dinner with a potential new client. Maybe when Dr. Mike returns, you should discuss work.
You’re still contemplating safe topics of conversation when he returns. After passing you a fork and spoon, he sits, gesturing to the food. “Eat. Please. It’s probably already cold.”
You take a bite of your noodles. Nope, still warm. Not fresh off the stove hot, but definitely still warm enough to eat. Across from you, Dr. Mike is sipping his soup. He looks at you between spoonfuls.
“So, how long have you been working at Mackenzie & Associates?”
You do the math in your head, sighing at the sum. “Eight years? I got an internship there my senior year of college. They hired me after graduation.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
With a shrug, you take a large bite of noodles to avoid answering.
Dr. Mike laughs. “That fun, huh? But I get it. Probably not a great idea to admit you hate your job to a new client.”
“Potential new client.” You point at him with your fork. “Your father hasn’t signed a contract yet.”
“He will.”
You nod. “And I don’t hate my job.” How can you explain it? Sipping your wine, you consider what you do each day. “It’s just—okay. This is going to sound stupid, and I really shouldn’t be telling you. But I hate dealing with the clients.”
“You’re right. You probably shouldn’t be telling me that.”
Since Dr. Mike is smiling, he’s probably not offended. But you still feel you need to justify yourself. “I enjoy working with numbers. I was the math nerd in school that loved algebra. When I’m balancing accounts, I can see everything so clearly. But as soon as I try to explain to a client that they’re overspending or something? Sometimes I wish I could just crunch numbers and let someone else handle the clients.”
Dr. Mike smirks. “But then, we would have never met.”
You frown. “I literally bumped into you three times today. I think we would have met.”
“Two and a half. You managed *not* to get your coffee on me at the coffee shop.”
Talking with Dr. Mike is easy. By the time your meals are gone, you feel as if you’ve known him for years. As you clear the table, he gestures to the couches. “Would you like to stay awhile?”
Of course you want to keep talking. There is still so much you want to know about Dr. Mike. And not as a potential new client. You follow him to a sofa, looking around the room with a frown.
“I’m probably jinxing it by saying this aloud, but this is a fantastic lounge. Why are we the only ones here?”
Dr. Mike sends you a mischievous smile as he settles on the opposite side of your couch. “I may have bribed the doorman to keep everyone out so I could be alone with you.”
You can feel your face growing warm. It has nothing to do with the wine. But as you try to picture the doorman, you remember something. “Wait a minute! Your building doesn’t have a doorman!” Frowning, you hit Dr. Mike playfully on the shoulder.
He laughs. “You caught me. The truth is, I’ve never seen anyone here, especially during the week. Probably because there’s no Wi-Fi.”
His expression turns serious. “There’s also no television. I was going to suggest we watch a movie. I don’t suppose you’d want to come upstairs to my place?”
It’s getting late. And you just met Dr. Mike. Maybe going to his place isn’t the best idea. The night is still young. A movie sounds perfect. You received this email because you have subscribed to one of Ashleigh's mailing lists. If you would no longer like to receive these emails, please unsubscribe here.
The Detention Adventure - Episode 7: Sleep Sounds Fantastic
The Detention Adventure is an interactive Choose Your Own Path story. Each episode, readers vote for the path they would like to take. Together, we will follow the path with the most votes.
Click here to read the story so far.With a final puff on his pipe, the elder returns his attention to you. “It is getting late. I will have someone show you where you may spend the night.”
You aren’t tired. You want to hear about how the Driman guy returned to your world. That smoke and story really made you drowsy. Sleeping sounds like a fantastic idea.That smoke and story really made you drowsy. Now that Ayaldwita mentioned it, you can’t think about anything else. With a yawn, you nod. Sleeping sounds like a fantastic idea.
The elder signals to another elf, who hurries over. After a hushed conversation in a language you cannot understand, the younger elf gives a small bow and scurries away.
Ayaldwita gets to his feet. “You may stay in my home while you remain in Maguth. Gudram is preparing my edor.”
You send him a confused look. “Your what?”
“Edor. The place I spend the night.”
“Oh. Like your house?”
The elder shrugs. “I’m not familiar with that word. Come. I will show you and you can teach me your word for my edor.”
Smiling, Ayaldwita heads to the door. You rush to follow him outside.
Daylight has disappeared. The roaring bonfire has simmered to the size of a campfire. Stars dot the moonlit sky. You look for a familiar constellation, but you can’t find any. It doesn’t help that your knowledge of astrometry is limited to the Big Dipper and the Belt of Orion. The moon bobbing up and down above your head is also an inconvenience. It’s almost like it’s following you.
Frowning, you stop in your tracks to stare at the moon. Celestial bodies don’t bob up and down. And while they might move in the sky over the course of several hours, they’re not supposed to follow you.
But the orb above your head is definitely moving, though now that you have stopped, it appears to be following the elder, not you. It takes another moment, but eventually you realize that’s not the moon. That’s the same light you saw in the meeting hall. It must have followed you outside.
Ayaldwita glances over his shoulder, turning to face you when he sees you are no longer behind him. “Is everything okay?”
Nodding slowly, you point at the orb. “That light. I saw it in the hall, too. What is it?”
Puzzled, the old elf frowns at the sky. It seems to take a moment for him to understand what you mean. When he finally does, he gives a small chuckle. “Oh, you mean the leeoma? It is a ball of pure light energy. We use it to guide our way after nightfall. I suppose you would call it a lantern?”
You shake your head. “Lanterns are jars with fire inside, not energy. And we have to carry them. They certainly don’t float above our head.”
“Fascinating. I would love to see one. Perhaps you can conjure one for me before you leave. I so enjoy learning about humans. Anyway.” He gestures to a hut. “My edor. Welcome.”
The elder enters first, the ball of light dipping low enough to pass through the doorway before him. You follow, stopping just over the threshold.
The log cabin is nothing like you expected. Though the outside is made of logs, the interior walls are as smooth as those in your own home. Unlike your house, however, a large tree stands in the center of the room, extending through a hole in the ceiling. If you didn’t know any better, you would think someone built the cabin around the tree.
Four ropes extend from the tree, each going to another corner of the room. They look like clotheslines. On the one to your right hangs a brown tunic that looks nearly identical to the one the Ayaldwita is wearing. On the left hangs what looks to be a bedsheet, although you’re not sure how it could dry hung that way. Instead of being draped over the line, the ends are tied over the rope, leaving the center drooping. Behind it, you can see the younger elf, tying a second sheet to the line.
Ayaldwita gestures to him. “Gudram is preparing your bed.”
You raise your eyebrows at the elder. “That’s a bed?”
“Of course.” He cocks his head to the side, his expression a mixture of amusement, confusion, and curiosity. “Do you not have beds in your land?”
“We do. But they don’t look like that.”
“Really? What are they like?”
You frown. How are you supposed to describe something as basic as your bed? “Well, the outside, I guess that’s the frame? It’s all wood. It’s got slats at the bottom going across and the mattress—that’s the soft part—it sits on top.”
“That sounds complicated. Our bed is simple. I will show you.” Ayalwitha turns to the other elf. “Thank unc, Gudram.”
After the two elves hold a brief exchange, the younger elf gives a small bow and heads toward the door. When he reaches you, he nods, saying something with a smile.
You assume he’s asking you to move, so you step aside. As the elf leaves, you turn to Ayalwitha, pointing over your shoulder. “Uh, what did he just say?”
The elder chuckles. “Genihtsuma binnan awefecung cyst. Literally, it means overflow within good quality sleep. It is what we say before retiring for the evening.”
You make a face. “That’s a lot of words to say goodnight.”
“But then, does goodnight mean enjoy your evening before you retire or enjoy your dreams?”
You shrug. “It just means goodnight.”
Shaking his head, Ayalwitha stands beside one of the hanging sheets, gesturing for you to stand beside the other. When you do, he nods. Without words, he pulls one side of the sheet down slightly, turning to sit in it as if it were a swing. You mirror his actions in your own sheet. As he leans backward, he turns so his head is near the tree and his feet face the corner of the room. Kicking off your shoes, you do the same.
The fabric folds around you, but you do not feel trapped. The sheet is surprisingly comfortable. Almost like a hammock. And it’s angled slightly, so you don’t really need a pillow. Hopefully, you won’t roll out of it during the night.
The elder calls to you from the other hammock. “Genihtsuma binnan awefecung cyst.”
“Genny—” Ugh. There is no way you can repeat the saying. “Night!”
Exhausted by the events of the day, you close your eyes.
When you open them again, you are disoriented. What do you see before you?
A book A child You received this email because you have subscribed to one of Ashleigh's mailing lists. If you have voted on a path, you will be added to a new email list. If you would no longer like to receive these emails, please unsubscribe here.
