I apologize if you read this yesterday, but as our family is recoving from Covid this week, I wasn’t up to writing something new today.
Since it is now 2024, it is time to officially end Ashleigh’s 2023 Reading Challenge. Everyone did an incredible job. We had 22 participants, many of whom met at least half their reading goal. Together we read 1780 books. That’s incredible!
Despite the success of this challenge, I have decided not to continue with it at this time. It may return next year, but I have some other ideas I am looking to try.
However, I am still setting several reading goals for myself this year. I would like to expand my horizons by reading more books outside of my favorite genre. Also, since I will be focusing on my editing and publishing this year, I am reducing my reading goal to 50 books. That’s one a month for my book club and another one or two each month for fun.
How about you?
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.
Free Books
Wedding of the Torn Rose a fast-paced fantasy adventure with mystery, action, and magic
As torn petals of a rose fall, a hero must rise in a race against destiny.
What starts as a fairy tale rescue spirals into an intricate web of dark fantasy laced with intrigue and magic. After the downtrodden merchant Kaine saves the runaway Princess Lydia from an unexpected monster, he feels inexplicably drawn to her. Lydia’s uncanny knowledge of his deepest secrets looms over him, suggesting she knows more about him than he has revealed.
However, there is little time to investigate this mystery. The princess is betrothed to the magic wielding Throatian Kingdom, and Lydia’s father has rewarded Kaine with a job offer he cannot refuse.
As the rehearsal dinner for Lydia's arranged wedding unfolds, tension simmers amidst foreign customs and whispered conversations. The Throatian Royal family, draped in magic, is keen to forge an alliance with the Darian Kingdom. Meanwhile, Lydia, now fully aware of her royal responsibilities, summons Kaine for a private meeting in the chilling stillness of the graveyard. Her impending wedding signifies more than a pact of sword and sorcery, and something else—dark and twisted—stirs in the shadows.
With time dwindling short, and the ceremony happening the next day, will Kaine unshackle himself from his past to embrace the guardian he is destined to become? Or will the ties binding him to Lydia be torn apart like petals in the wind?
Journey with Kaine and Lydia as they attempt to prevent a war and save a kingdom in the first volume of the Symphony of Crowns and Gods series.
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Adjusting to a New Life Hartfield Chronicles Book 1
Melinda knew adjusting to high school would be difficult. But will she flunk out before she even has a chance?
Two hours away from home, Melinda quickly learns that her new boarding school is much more challenging than her public middle school. Her new friends and teacher must become her family. But Melinda never expected the assignments to be this difficult. How will she have time to make new friends if she's constantly studying?
And then there's the boys. For the first time in her life, boys are interested in her as more than a friend. But, will she even have a chance to have a relationship? Or will the coursework become so overwhelming that she will fail out before she has the chance?
When an old friend re-enters her life, Melinda must learn how to balance school with her social life if she wants to succeed at Hartfield.
When you finish reading Melinda's story, flip the book over to read Pat's story.
Patrick McGregor is one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood. But sometimes, he just wants to be a normal sixteen-year-old.
Pat thought missing the beginning of the school year to film a new movie on location in Hawaii sounded ideal. But, for the first time in his life, his family isn't around to keep him company. A demanding film schedule and lackadaisical tutor don't help combat the homesickness.
When a family member falls ill, Pat must examine the true meaning of family.
