Friday, November 25, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving

This Week's Newsletter
YA Romance Whodunit
Ashleigh's YA Reads           Ashleigh's Romance Reads          Ashleigh's Whodunits

This week's newsletter contains the following features:
(Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read)

What's new with Ashleigh?

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers. How was your holiday?

Last month, I invited my parents to spend Thanksgiving at my house with my husband and our children. A few days later, my mother invided my aunt and uncle, so the party moved to my parents' (much, much larger) house. Then, more of my family found out about our small gathering and by yesterday we had 21 people sitting around the table.

Our holiday was much like every holiday with my family. I was in high school before I learned that our traditions were not the same as others. To get an idea of what Thanksgiving is like in my family, here is an excerpt from Hartfield Chronicles.

“What’s your Thanksgiving like?”

Pat tensed slightly. “You mean, how does CAVEmen celebrate Thanksgiving?”

I traced Pat’s hand, shaking my head. “No, how does the Irish McGregor family celebrate Thanksgiving? My family’s Italian. We have a seven-course meal.”

Walter’s eyes grew wide. “You’re kidding me!”

Pat snickered at the awe in his brother’s voice.

I smiled across the car. “Nope. Uncle Tony makes the stuffed mushrooms appetizer. Then, Papa makes stuffed artichokes. My mom makes the antipasto.”

Walter frowned. “What’s that?”

“It’s a meat salad, but my mother makes it into this elaborate tower like her grandmother taught her. You would love it.”

“You’re making me hungry.” Pat turned to his brother. “Doofus! Pass me some cookies.”

Walter threw the bag across the car as I tried to picture Thanksgiving dinner in my head.

“After the antipasto, we have Nonna’s manicotti. Wait . . . I’m missing something. Oh yeah. The salad comes next. Then the turkey and stuffing. Aunt Lily makes the yams with mini marshmallows and apples and nuts. There’s corn and other assorted vegetables. Dinner rolls. Then, Papa goes and takes a nap, and my cousins and I wake him up when it’s time for dessert.”

Walter leaned forward in his seat. “Okay. Here’s what we’re gonna do. When we get to your house, I’m gonna stay with you. I’ll bunk with your brother. It’ll be fine. Pat, tell Mom and Dad that I’m staying with Melinda, and I’ll be home on Friday. Tell them about the seven courses. They’ll understand.”

We laughed all the way to the highway.

You can more in Episode 59 of Hartfield Chronicles.

How about you? How did you celebrate Thanksgiving?

It's Black Friday!

I spent last weekend setting up my new online store. It's better than ever. Now, you can order signed paperbacks or ebooks directly from my website!

To celebrate, I'm having a Black Friday special: Everything is 25% off.

25% off coupon

Click the coupon to check out the new store!


Hartfield Chronicles

Hartford Chronicles
Season 4 of Hartfield Chronicles has arrived!

When Melinda is invited to join a new dance class, she sees this as her big break, a chance to advance her skills. Before she can accept, however, another kind of break stops her in her tracks.

Pat wants to be the supportive boyfriend, but his efforts seem to be making Melinda uncomfortable. He can’t go to his own friends for advice, because they can’t understand.

After Melinda calls for another type of break, she and Pat must examine their relationship to determine whether they are meant for each other.

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 Friday.

Here's what you missed:

(Click on the chalkboard to read)
Episode 105
Hartford Chronicles
Episode 106
Hartford Chronicles
Everyone is snowed in Pat & Walter have an uncomfortable conversation with their father and a game of Truth or Dare reveals unwanted secrets

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As a thank you, you will receive access to bonus chapters from the Hartfield Chronicles.

Announcing the New Hammerhead Club

Hammerhead Club

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.


Free Books


Felony Melanie


Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner's Cabin
A prequel story sets 10 years before Sweet Home Alabama

Before Melanie Smooter became hot fashion designer Melanie Carmichael, she was known as Felony Melanie, the teenage troublemaker of Pigeon Creek, Alabama. Aching to escape the boredom of small-town life, she gets into many reckless adventures. Her boyfriend, Jake, is always by her side – and the local sheriff is usually close behind.

Now check out the new series featuring “Felony Melanie” a decade before the events of the movie Sweet Home Alabama.

Sign up for our newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner's Cabin. These first two chapters from the novel Felony Melanie in Pageant Pandemonium stand alone as a short story.



Fireflies


Fireflies
A steamy paranormal romance with plenty of sarcasm.

Bridget had never considered herself special, odd definitely. Until Declan, that is. With magic, mystery, and romance involved this is a novel about discovering your hidden potential and breaking past limiting beliefs.

In my frenzy, I ran into something without realizing it. Big hands closed over my shoulders as I gripped the chest they belonged to. Under other circumstances, I’d be elated. Green eyes stared back at me, his reddish hair hidden beneath a baseball cap, huge frame swallowing mine easily.

Bridget had never considered herself special, odd definitely. But nothing worth looking at twice. And she had never cared to be looked at twice either.

Until Declan, that is.

Then one night Bridget is approached by a strange (and large) dog. Rescued by Declan, he reveals that Bridget may be special after all, a goddess even. And the dog has been sent to protect her.

Does she have the strength to defeat a powerful witch and her three sons? Why is Declan involved in magic and mystery anyway? And can she save Ruad, her handsome mentor and the God of Knowledge into this new world? As they dig deeper, they uncover that they all have more in common than just their troubled pasts.

The Ulster Cycles are a part of Irish mythology, and this novel depicts characters from the old stories in a new and creative light. While much is taken from these oral stories, this novel is a historical romance loosely based on them. With magic, mystery, and romance involved this is a novel about discovering your hidden potential and breaking past limiting beliefs so you can live your best life.



Twisted Wedding


Twisted Wedding
A Deliciously Addictive Cozy Murder Mystery

A lavish wedding, guest list full of secrets and a bride plunged to her death.

Ivy Stone is excited to spend a weekend helping her friend manage a gorgeous wedding on a private Scottish isle. Before the couple can say ‘I do’ the bride falls to her death and speculations abound. Is it an accident? Suicide? Or murder?

Trapped together while the investigation is underway, Ivy finds herself in a thickening plot of intrigue among the bridesmaids, guests, and a mysterious stranger lurking on the isle.

While dodging flirtation, sampling delicious dishes and falling in love with Monty the pup, our amateur sleuth discovers everyone on the island has secrets. Some they are willing to kill for.

One twist leads to another as Ivy races to unmask the true culprit. A murderer in their midst no one ever suspected.

____________

A deliciously addictive cozy mystery full of charm and intrigue with bonus recipes included!


Would you like some free books in exchange for an honest review?

Tales to Review - Ends 12/1 - All Genre

Want more free books? Check out these giveaways!

Bookmarks are for Quitters - Ends 11/30 - Romance Coming of Age Giveaways - Ends 12/2 - YA
Take a thrill ride - Ends 12/2 - Mystery Mystery & Thriller Giveaway - Ends 11/30 - Mystery
Don't Buy My Books! - Ends 12/24 - All Genre Black Friday Cyber Monday Freebies - Ends 11/28 - All Genre

Do you have Kindle Unlimited? These books are free for you!

Black Friday Books - Ends 11/26 - All Genre Young Adult KU Reads - Ends 12/31 - YA

Other Books on Sale


Travel Rangers


Travel Rangers:
Mission to Australia:

Picture books about Australia have never been so fun!

Do your kids love exploring new places and getting lost in their imagination?

Travel Rangers: Mission to Australia is the first book in the Travel Rangers series, taking adventurous readers on a mission through Australia, where they will swim in the Great Barrier reef, climb the iconic Sydney Harbour bridge, meet some new animals, and even learn some fun Australian words and phrases.

Perfect for kids ages 4-9 years old who are ready to become Travel Rangers with Kayden, Bella, James, and Hannah and uncover the many wonders of Australia with each page they turn.

Created to teach kids about other cultures and countries, this series is both parent- and teacher-approved with a healthy dose of learning and cultural immersion amidst equal parts of fun. Teachers will especially love the included lesson plans!



Silver Savage


Silver Savage
A SciFi Alien Romance

Jakkar
After losing all our females, I didn't think life could get any worse until I was stripped of my crown and exiled by my twin brother. With my world in turmoil, my spirit mate crashed into my life when I needed her the most. She was not of Valose but a stranger from another world.
Newly awakened, my ancillary heart beats for one reason only—to keep her safe. Now I must protect her from old enemies as well as new yet what came with her posed a unique danger that can't be fought with swords. There was nothing I wouldn't do for her. Unfortunately, what she wanted the most would tear apart my very soul.

Lily
I thought the abduction had been bad enough, but the crash-landing nearly killed me. Stranded on an alien world, all I wanted was to find a way to get myself and the other girls home. When the solution presented itself in the form of a kilt-wearing, hopeless romantic with serious muscles, sexy elf ears, and the belief that soul mates truly existed… Well, I was no longer in a huge rush to leave.

Author Note: The Warriors of Valose Saga is meant to be read in order. Each book does have a HEA. However, this is a saga and titled accordingly because the story takes place over a lengthy period of time. Also, a glossary of Valosian terms has been added, and the italics removed from alien words.



The (un)Orthodox Christmas


An (un)Orthodox Christmas
a twisty and uplifting holiday cozy mystery

Some believers observe Christmas in January.
Some cops work homicide at that time…

Provence baker Julie is headed to a charming Riviera village to meet the family of her gendarme boyfriend.
Gabriel’s folks can’t wait to get to know her.
Trouble is, he hasn’t told them she’s an amateur sleuth.
Nor has he warned Julie just how odd and rowdy they are, or that she’ll have to face them alone while he’s called out on a murder investigation.
Needless to say, she gets sucked into Gabriel’s family feud—and his case!
The latter suddenly explodes into a hot emergency.
A race against the clock is on.
Lives are hanging in the balance...

With a killer on the loose and Gabriel’s relatives on fire, can the duo keep it together to solve the mystery?


You may also be interested in these books

Black Friday Cyber Monday 99c sale - Ends 11/28 - All Genre Mystery & Thriller Sale - Ends 11/30 - Mystery
Mystery thriller and suspense reads - Ends 12/23 - Mystery Free & 99c Sweet Romance - Ends 11/27 - Romance
November Book Parade - Ends 12/2 - All Genre Romance Sale - Ends 12/1 - Romance
Women Authors Celebration Sale - Ends 12/31 - All Genre Tasty Treats - Ends 12/1 - Romance
Romance a New Read - Ends 12/31 - Romance

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Check out my books

Adjusting to a New Life A New Home Innocent Bystander Camp Piquaqua Elephant on My Chest
Mooncrossed Kayaks, Kisses & Monsters One Night in Sedona

Or visit my bookstore to purchase a signed paperback.

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