Friday, May 9, 2025

A Change in the Release Schedule

I've been working on A Cup of Conflict (Justice #10) for the past few weeks. I've known since Sister Darys was skulking in the background of A Hint of Thief (Justice #9) that she had more than one secret. Doesn't every member of that particular Temple?

She finally deigned to tell me as I was trying to get to sleep on Monday night. Apparently, Thief clergy like whispering their secrets in the dark. Unfortunately, it meant a little reworking of the beginning of A Cup of Conflict.

Yeah, I'm a little ticked that she waited until I was over half-way finished with the novel, too.

What does this all mean as far as the release schedule for the second half of 2025?

The release for A Cup of Conflict has been move to June 16th. And since I'm focused on finishing that book, I'm looking at pushing the Kickstarter for The Books of Apep series to October, i.e. Witchtober.

It makes sense in a way since Aset/Isis is the most powerful sorceress of the Egyptian pantheon. (Not to be confused with the god Heka, who is the personification of magic in the ancient religion.)

The only problem right now is obtaining more gold-plated Isis charms for the bookmarks I'm making while rewatching Supernatural for an hour or two in the afternoons. (Yesterday was "Tall Tales", one of my favorites since it's the first appearance of Richard Speight, Jr.)

The Selket-damned tariffs are also going to interfere with my launch of the 10th anniversary editions of the Justice series next year. I had plans. Big plans. *sigh*

So that's what's going on here at Casa Harden. Thankfully, I have plenty of coffee, tea, and tequila to get me through the summer. I just need some more flavored creamer for the coffee.

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

The Enchanted Bakery Is Here!

It's official! The first two stories of The Enchanted Bakery are here!

Chefs, Shrooms, and Sherry


Tabitha Abbot and her adopted sister Everleigh are thrilled to start culinary school. But with three summer internships at the professor’s famed restaurant Finito on the line, a group of bullies in their class led by Sherry Kincaid aim to drive the Abbot girls out of the culinary program.

Tabitha promised their mom no magic at college, but Everleigh didn’t. Tabitha finds herself torn between protecting her rivals from her irate sister and wanting a little witchy revenge herself. Because in real life, there’s no such thing as a fairy godmother to save you from your enemies.

Amazon
                                                       Apple
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                                                       Google Play
                                                       Kobo
                                                       Smashwords


Cakes, Cookies, and Conjuring


When mega-corporation Apollo Coffee & Tea open a store across the street from The Enchanted Bakery, Tabitha Abbot fears it will be the end of her family’s business. Especially when the slimeball co-owner tries to buy her out.

But Tabitha’s adopted sister Everleigh is determined to fight back. While Tabitha nixes any hexes, Everleigh recruits some unconventional help to show that money can’t buy everything, but excellent desserts can sway anyone.

Amazon
Apple
Barnes and Noble
                                                       Google Play
                                                       Kobo
                                                       Smashwords

Friday, April 25, 2025

When a Company Does Too Much For You

Some of you might remember my joyous experiences of installing a new hard drive in my work computer last month.

In the process of reinstalling Windows 11 and MS Office, Microsoft decided to update with the latest versions instead of the ones I purchased.

Okay. Fine. Wasn't expecting it, but hey, I didn't have to purchase new copies, right?

OH MY FUCKING GODDESS!!

In their efforts to help me, they tried to shove everything through OneDrive and forced through the IMAP email protocol.

It's taken a lot of extra time to root out the OneDrive by hard links. I'm still working on it.

But even worse was IMAP. It wants to download all of my email folders and files back to the original email servers so I have copies available to all my devices. Sounds like a good idea.

In theory.

In reality, IMAP copied THOUSANDS of emails I need to keep for business reasons. The worst was my main author email address. When I got the domain email address years ago, I didn't need too much space. I still don't. And it's really not worth upgrading to the next largest package offered because I clean out that address's server on a regular basis.

But when fourteen years of business communications get copied back the email server, it maxed out my allocated space in very quick order.

I think I've finally got everything fixed. *fingers crossed*

However this is the same email address where your contacts from my websites' contact page sends your notes. So if you've tried to send me any communication through the websites' contact page, your message is in the ether and unretrievable.

Please contact me again, unless your question is about A Cup of Conflict. I swear I'm working on it!

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

A New Week and a New Short Story

Good afternoon, everyone!

Things have been busy with editing and double-checking things for next week's releases. However, I was finally able to get some words written yesterday. I know it's cliche, but lately, I've had to get out of the house to get any significant writing done.

Unfortunately, being sick again last week did put a crimp in any actual words on the page.

To make up for it, I posted a new free short story called "The Fade". Let me know what you think!

Thursday, April 17, 2025

April Updates

If you haven't checked, I have updated my release schedule. Both of The Enchanted Bakery stories will be released on April 29th.

I haven't gotten much writing done because I've been fighting a stubborn UTI infection since the first of the month. It's hard to concentrate with pain and nausea. So I've been doing a lot of editing of the things I already have completed and updating older works that need to display the changes in my company.

I'm planning to get back to working on A Cup of Conflict over the weekend. It's roughly halfway done, and it's Anthea, so I shouldn't have much trouble getting back into the groove.

I just wish I could drink some caffeine. A little Irish Breakfast tea would help my mood immensely.

Monday, March 31, 2025

Sapphire - Chapter 4

I'm at my last stop of my two tour of the eastern seaboard. There's a certain quiet at this friend's house. She works in her office while I write in her dining room. Her cats are quietly napping the dreary afternoon away, and the birds are attempting to court before early evening brings thunderstorms.

And here is some proof that I'm actually writing.

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Allophane’s shoes took her and her companions to the green bricks surrounding the golden fountain in the royal palace’s main courtyard. For once, Beryl took a step before she caught her balance. In the past, Allophane had deliberately landed facing the fountain so her sister protector would land in the water because of her dizziness. However, Beryl would not stop taking shortcuts when it came to magic. No matter how many times Allophane offered to show Beryl how to enchant her own pair of shoes. She deserved the dunking if she was going to be so lazy.

But Jellia didn’t deserve to land face first in the fountain, so Allophane had adjusted her landing accordingly. She grabbed the girl’s arm to keep her from tumbling onto the bricks and harming herself. She trembled under Allophane’s touch.

“Are you all right, Jellia?” she asked gently. “I know traveling by enchanted shoes can be—”

The poor maid whirled away and expelled the contents of her stomach all over the pristine green bricks.

A soldier with a long green beard tucked into his uniform belt marched up to them and saluted. “Do you need assistance, Lady Allophane, Lady Beryl?”

“A mop,” Beryl said with a scowl.

“Greeting, Private Amby.” Allophane knelt next to Jellia. “Are you sure you’re all right, my dear? I’m so sorry. Traveling by my shoes often makes any companion I carry dizzy, but no one has ever become ill.”

The girl fished in a pocket and produced a handkerchief, which she used to wipe her mouth. “I’ll be all right, m’lady. I’ve never had vertigo that bad before.”

“At least Allophane didn’t dump you into the fountain,” Beryl said dryly.

“At least you remembered to hang on to my belt this time,” Allophane responded sweetly. She wasn’t going to let Bery get under her skin. Not today of all days. The protectors needed to provide a united front against the nobles for the princess’s sake.

Allophane turn to Private Amby. “Would you please escort Jellia to our rooms, Private? We wish to speak with the vizier immediately.”

“Immediately, my lady.” The soldier bowed again before he raised a silver whistle to his lips.

At the shrill sound, a matronly maid dressed in the green uniform of the palace household scurried down the steps from the wide-open gold-framed glass doors. She curtsied to the witches before she looked inquiringly up at Private Amby.

“Please assist Miss Jellia with taking the protectors’ bags to their suite while I escort the ladies to see the vizier.”

The palace maid bobbed her head and gestured for the witches to hand over their bags, which they did. However, Beryl leaned close to Jellia’s ear and whispered something. Jellia nodded and followed the green-clad maid into the palace.

Allophane gritted her teeth. She didn’t need to hear Beryl’s words to know her sister protector had ordered poor Jellia to not let the palace staff unpack their luggage. Such a command was embarrassing, both for the witches and for the royal household.

If this was the first salvo in Beryl and Willis’s plan to take over Oz, it chilled Allophane to her very bones. They simply couldn’t afford to antagonize any of the people of Oz if they wanted a peaceful transfer of power.

However, Private Amby didn’t hesitate at their request. “This way, m’ladies.”

Perhaps the situation was more dire than they presumed if the palace staff didn’t offer a chance to refresh themselves and simply obeyed the witches orders.

The soldier led the way through the open glass doors. He turned right, but he passed by the vizier’s office along the hallway.

Allophane’s heart pounded. Maybe Beryl and Willis were correct to be concerned about the nobles after all. The soldier led them toward Pastoria’s office. She never thought Vizier Meenor would stoop to seize the throne.

No. Allophane took a deep calming breath. She needed to be patient and analyze all the facts before she took any action. She’d feel better once the other witch protectors arrived.

The soldier stopped before the gold and emerald trimmed doors of the royal offices and knocked. A muffled voice said, “Enter.”

The soldier opened the door for Beryl and Allophane and waved them inside. To her surprise and relief, Locasta and Mombi along with Vizier Meenor sat at the huge round mahogany table inlaid with gold and emeralds around its edge.

He rose and greeted Allophane and Beryl warmly with kisses on both cheeks of each woman. “I’m so glad all of you are responding so promptly to the sad tidings I had to announce. I’ve sent for refreshments as we wait for the arrival of the Quadling and Winkie protectors. I hope you don’t mind that we use the monarch’s office for this meeting. I do

not intend any impropriety, but this is the only room except for the throne room and the royal dining hall to hold all of us for this meeting.” “I’d be more upset by you sitting on the throne for this meeting,” Beryl snapped.

“You must forgive my sister protector of Munchkin Country,” Allophane said to Meenor. “Beryl was greatly distraught by your news.”

“No, I’m irritated having to wait for the others.” Beryl crossed her arms and scowled.

A wry chuckle came from Locasta, her purple curls bouncing along with her humor. “Teleportation is so much faster. A pity the others dislike it so.”

“But flying is much less dizzying,” Mombi grumbled. Or maybe her dizziness had more to do with how tight of a knot her violet hair had been wound.

“However, it does have its advantages,” Allophane murmured as she took her chair at the table.

Beryl lowered herself into the seat between Allophane and Meenor’s. The monarch’s delicately carved chair opposite of Meenor’s place would remain empty until little Ozma came of age.

Allophane glanced at her fellow Munchkin Country protector. Beryl’s expression was carefully neutral, except her knuckles where she grasped the arms of her chair stood out even more whitely than her pale skin. Now, what in Oz has her so wound up? She hadn’t seemed all that concerned about Pastoria’s passing.

“We hope the princess is in good health,” Allophane said to Meenor.

He nodded. “The wet nurse expects to wean her within the next two months now that she’s started eating porridge and apple sauce.” His smile was rather melancholy. “Princess Ozma has a hearty appetite, and she’s growing by leaps and bounds.”

Beryl snorted. “Please don’t let her grow fat and lazy. The people won’t respect a ruler who literally cannot perform her duties as our liege.”

“The princess—” Mombi began hotly just as the doors to the monarch’s office burst open.

“The queen shall be respected within her own palace,” Glinda’s voice rang out as she entered the room.

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Another Delay and a New Chapter of Sapphire (The War of the Witches #1)

*sigh* I didn't get my editing done on Chefs, Shrooms, and Sherry ( The Enchanted Bakery #1). Life stuff has again interfered. I can't go into too much detail because I respect this person and their privacy. However, this particular family member was very supportive to me when I needed it nearly forty years ago, so I will damn well be there for them!

On the other hand, I finished the next chapter of Sapphire in an effort to distract myself. I hope you like it.

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Beryl supervised Jellia’s packing of a single carpet bag while she changed into traveling clothes. She hated traveling by Allophane’s silver shoes. The damn things were fast but stopping at their destination usually left her tumbling head over heels when they arrived. Still, the enchanted shoes were faster than the southern witches’ chariots drawn by swans or the western witches’ umbrellas.

Frankly, it didn’t make sense to waste the magic to create another pair of travel shoes when she could borrow Allophane’s. Her sister would definitely make her do the spell herself rather than enchant another pair for her. Even Beryl knew the energy created by just one of her lovers wouldn’t be enough for the spell.

She didn’t need Allophane’s disapproving looks if more than one peasant graced her bedchambers.

Once her own clothes and accessories were placed within her carpet bag, Beryl eyed her maid. “Jellia, pack a bag for yourself.”

The girl’s big green eyes widened. “Me?” she squeaked. “Surely, the palace has more than enough staff to suit your needs.”

“You must come because I will need to stay at the palace the entire time.” Beryl considered her options. “Did the royal messenger leave another letter for the governor?”

The girl hesitated for a moment before she gulped and nodded. She raised her chin. “It wasn’t hard to guess the contents of the letter, Lady Protector.”

Maybe Jellia was a little too smart. However, if that intelligence could be aimed in the right direction…

“The governor will have to make the announcement concerning the king’s death, if not today, then tomorrow morning.” Beryl exhaled and sat on the edge of her bed. “This is a delicate time for Oz with both the queen and king gone. Too many people will seek to control the princess. Her safety is of paramount concern to the witch protectors. The nobility will be careful about their word choices when I or any of my sisters are present. They won’t pay as much attention to our aides. Make sure you bring a civilian outfit for any errands you will need to run for me outside of the palace.”

“And to keep my ears open for you.” The maid nodded again. “I understand, m’lady.”

“Good.” Beryl rose to her feet, satisfied with the girl’s determination and loyalty. “Run along. I’m sure Allophane’s bag will be ready, and neither of us can dawdle.”

“Yes, m’lady.” Jellia curtsied and dashed off, presumably to her own room to gather her things.

Now that Beryl was alone, she pulled the sapphire key from her pocket and unlocked the chest that held her personal magical accoutrements. She selected a diamond bottle containing a syrup that would make a person malleable to her suggestions. A sapphire ring with a spell that could bring her back to the manor should the need arise. The last thing she desired was to be dependent on Allophane for magical transportation. Finally, she grabbed a paper envelope filled with dried and powdered belladonna berries.

Yes, eliminating the vizier would ensure the other witch protecters would take Willis’s suggestion that they should raise the princess a little more seriously. A mere mortal should be raising a royal child. Especially if the child in question had a single drop of her mother’s magical blood.

But magic hadn’t saved the queen from a childbirth gone wrong. It would be more prudent for one of the sisterhood to remain in the capital. Beryl smiled to herself. It was an idea she could convince the other witches would be prudent under the circumstances. And if they needed a little nudge to convince them she was the perfect candidate, well then, that was what her elixir was for.

* * *

A quarter of an hour later, Beryl tapped the toe of her right boot impatiently while she stood in the courtyard in front of the manse. She’d changed into traveling clothes. A dark blue wool jacket with a matching mid-shin-length skirt. Sturdy walking boots. A wide-brimmed hat decorated with a peacock plume.

Allophane finally came out of the front doors wearing a similar outfit, though hers was a royal blue. However, a wide buckled belt closed her jacket instead of buttons. Plus, she wore her enchanted silver shoes instead of boots.

“It’s about time, but we’re still waiting for my maid,” Beryl said in greeting.

Allophane’s eyebrows rose. “You want Jellia to accompany us to the capital?”

“We may need assistance.” Beryl lifted her chin. “We have no idea of the actual situation at the palace.”

Allophane nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you for anticipating the potential scenarios. In fact, Jellia might be more useful than you calculate. The palace staff are more likely to speak openly to her than to us.”

“Are you crediting me with having a good idea?” Beryl couldn’t stop the sarcasm dripping from her voice. Allophane always seemed to think she was better than anyone else. However, she never thought of Allophane as duplicitous. In fact, her sister protector always seemed rather naïve. Beryl would definitely need to be more careful around her fellow Munchkin Country protector if she wanted to see her plans come to fruition.

Several members of the household gathered around the courtyard to see the little group off. Beryl had no doubt the servants wouldn’t work the rest of the afternoon, knowing she and Allophane weren’t there to watch them.

Jellia raced down the steps of the manse with her own carpetbag in hand, slightly out of breath. “I’m sorry, Lady Beryl. I hurried as fast as I could.”

“Don’t worry, child,” Allophane said. “We’re pleased to have you accompany us.”

Beryl bit her tongue to keep from lecturing her fellow protector. Allophane was far too easy on the staff. They would merely take advantage if one didn’t constantly watch them. However, there was no sense in addressing the problem until they were alone. The staff would use any perceived disagreement to their benefit.

Allophane smiled at the girl before she looked at Beryl. “Are we all set then?”

She nodded curtly.

“Both you need to hold on tight to my belt,” Allophane instructed, but her attention was mainly on the maid. “If you lose your grip, you could be injured or killed. Do you understand, Jellia?”

The maid nodded briskly. “Hold on to your belt. Don’t let go.”

Beryl slung her own carpetbag over her shoulder and grasped Allophane’s heavy leather belt. The maid followed Beryl’s example. “Ready?” Allophane asked.

“Yes,” Beryl and the maid said at the same time.

“Here we go!” Allophane clicked her heels together three times.

Beryl was rather glad she’d pinned her favorite hat securely to her hair net as a whirlwind spun the trio into the air and westward.