Ashley Worrell's Blog

Of all the bookish eras, the medieval period gets the worst rap. Hollywood, Enlightenment snobs, and the Victorians dragged them… and they can’t even defend themselves. 😅 I’m here to bust some myths and prove medievals are actually the coolest—and that books set in this time period are criminally underrated. 🏰🔥

I’ve put together a blog post covering the five things my readers say keep them from enjoying medieval-set books. Let me take your hand and tell you the truth: the medievals were actually some of the most forward-thinking, faith-filled people who ever lived.

Nevertheless, “I don’t normally read medieval BUT” is one of the most common comments I get on my Hebridean Shield books, and then I see the same readers will read Regency & Victorian (which is a head scratcher, because the Victorians were lowkey kinda crazy—I kid I kid).

Anyway, I saw this comment over and over—so I finally asked my readers why they don’t read medieval.

Here’s what they told me:

Myth 1 : I don’t read Medieval because… “Medieval People Were Unhygienic”

Imagine my relief, because actually, that’s mostly a Victorian myth. Victorians had rigid, image-obsessed ideas of “respectability” and painted medieval life as dirty. In reality, medieval people:

Took bathing seriously (sometimes up to an hour a day)

Used public bathhouses and private tubs regularly

Changed linen undergarments often

Had healthier teeth than we do (no refined sugar = less rot)

Their morals were rooted more in biblical right and wrong (and grace) than in social image—so Victorians saw them as “loose” and “germy”… and we inherited the “gross medievals” stereotype.

Myth 2 : I don’t read Medieval because… “They didn’t have access to toilets/clean water.”

Not true. Medieval people had:

-Chamber pots

-Latrines

-Private toilets & garderobes

Chamber pots were carefully stored, emptied, and cleaned—not tossed out the window in some gross free-for-all. Waste was usually taken to a manure pile or cesspit. Publicly relieving yourself was not acceptable (in fact there is a record in the 14th century of a young beggar being hit and killed while relieving himself in the middle of the street, and he was labeled “savage.” )

The Victorians on the other hand, yeah, they had urination deflection rails on the sides of buildings because they were corroding the sides of buildings with their public urination. No I’m not joking, a few survive today. (Read it here: The Urine Deflectors of Fleet Street).

As for water, many people (especially in rural areas) had access to clean wells and springs. At Moy Castle, for example, drinking water came from a deep wellspring in the lowest level of the castle.

Myth # 3 - I don’t read Medieval because… “The Medieval times were dark, demonic, & corrupt.”

Mostly this is a Hollywood invention. I get it. It’s a lot less interesting to create a film where it essentially looks like they’re normal people living in normal homes. And that’s what they were! Medieval castles, homes, and chapels were full of color—painted walls, bright fabrics, candles, stained glass.

Their art drew straight from Scripture, making chapels centers of beauty, creativity, and worship.

Did they use gothic elements in their architecture (think gargoyles, eavesdroppers, monsters, etc.) Yes! Does that mean it was demonic, no. Medieval people were incredibly bold in their faith. Medieval Christians weren’t afraid of “dark” themes—they used them to talk about Jesus, sin, and the contrast between human brokenness and God’s goodness.

There are many examples, especially in Celtic Christianity, where pagan holidays and symbols were used as a teaching tool, using things that people knew and were familiar with to explain the mysteries of God. So before you light a torch against “pagan” symbols… remember that these were evangelistic tools - ex. Headstones, wedding rings, the trinity symbol, the triskelion, etc. I think that’s pretty cool. Just as God reclaimed and redeemed, that is what the medievals did for the people and everyday ordinary life around them.

No darkness, no understanding of light. ✨

Myth # 4 - I don’t read Medieval because… “The Medievals were superstitious/pagan/held witch trials.”

Up until the late 15th century (the end of the medieval period), the idea of witches and witchcraft as we think of them now was basically unknown in the medieval world. They had a concept of “magical” things, creatures, and pagan practices, but largely viewed these as misguided superstition. They weren’t afraid of it, because they knew it didn’t hold real power. They trusted in God. And in short, they felt pity for people who placed their faith in such things.

The ideas of “dark magic,” spells, casting, and working with demons come from Malleus Maleficarum, a treatise against witchcraft published in 1486 that did lead to trials in the 16th and 17th centuries. Witches and witchcraft were later romanticized by the Victorians, Hollywood, and the neopagan movement that began in the 1940s (and never really existed). The medievals viewed these things as delusional.

Myth #5 - I don’t read Medieval because… “Women held no power/no rights/were treated so bad.”

You guys are going to LOVE this one. In 19th century America, could a woman independently own land apart from their husband’s authority—no. HOWEVER medieval women inherited, owned, and transmitted property and titles even independently while being married. Women could inherit kingdoms and thrones. Women could stand in as regent for their husbands and sons. Women ran their households—meaning they ran all of it, finances, repairs, courts of law. When lords left it was their wives that assumed their lordship and managed their estates and clans. If their estates were besieged, then they raised armies and constructed defenses, and men were perfectly willing to take orders from her.

Medieval women also commanded a tremendous amount of spiritual respect. They didn’t have to pretend to be men, they were uniquely feminine leaders.

IN CONCLUSION…

Hey, maybe the medieval period is still not for you, but I hope this little blog has served to show you that the medievals lived in a time far more advanced and complex than posterity gives them credit for. When I write in this time period I always try to make them feel like real, normal people because that’s what they were.

Love,

Ashley

01.

What does The Splendor of Fire explore?

This novel was an exploration about grief and suffering, and the question: where is God in the midst of it? I also wanted to explore why suffering happens, and for what purpose. First, are we handed suffering by God? If we are, then is it to punish us? If not for punishment, does suffering have inherent purpose?

02.

Where are we after book one, The Radiance of the Moon?

Hector and Cara have escaped the Wolf’s lair at Lochindorb, and Léo has given his life for theirs. Or has he? This book picks up in the forgotten pit prison of Lochindorb, where one man is having his reckoning with God.

03.

What can you tell us about the MacKinnon family and their role in this story?

Léo has two half-brothers (Niall and Fingon) and a half-sister (Elspeth). Elspeth is dead. The consequences of her death will be meted in chapter one.

The second third of the book will deal with Niall and Léo’s relationship.

The last third of the book will foreshadow the growing storm between Fingon and Léo.

To add, Léo has a “stepmother” in Malvina. Malvina has survived being quite wronged by her husband and is justified in some or all of her feelings toward Léo. Of all the siblings, and his stepmother, I believe I would be most frightened of Malvina (in this novel).

Léo will have to come to terms with his relationships with all of his family members in order to succeed in the mission God gives him.

04.

What is the significance of fire in this novel?

Fire has so many different purposes, but again and again in scripture, God uses it to prove, refine and purify. It is used as an illustration to demonstrate one’s own commitment and passion, but also to mete out justice.

05.

We’ve seen Léo’s character evolve in book one from enemy of Hector to friend. How does he continue to develop in this book?

At the beginning of Radiance, everything feels raw to Léo. He, at one time, considered Hector to be his brother, but Hector’s flight from France rips open a wound (Leo’s abandonment by his brothers at age seventeen).

Hector is well aware of Léo’s past, but as a lost and addicted man, he cannot see beyond his next drink so he makes a selfish choice to flee. When Léo comes to Mull, Hector desperately wants to prove he’s a different man—but Hector falls short again and again. At the same time, he is honoring the mission God gives him—even though it causes a deepening of their rift.

Léo has a spiritual gift of discernment, and although he is initially disgusted, something causes him to come back to Mull. In protecting Cara, Léo realizes that Hector is actually acting unselfishly. He recognizes that the old Hector and the new Hector are the same man, and Hector needs both his struggles and the Spirit to be who God made him to be. That is why he ultimately forgives Hector, protects him, and restores him with the words, “that’s what brothers do.”

As Hector had to go on his own journey in book one to reconcile his past and his future, Léo knows immediately at the start of Splendor that the time has come to remember all the things he is trying to forget. Unlike Hector, however, Léo is not at a place of being completely empty or surrendered.

The beginning third of the book tackles Léo’s surrender to God when he doesn’t want to let go.

06.

Léo’s family history plays a major role in his character arc. How does this continue to affect Léo’s situation/future?

As close as Hector and Lachlan were in book one, the MacKinnon siblings are as far apart as can possibly be. Their dynamic is down to the sins of their father— Colm MacKinnon. Thirty-two years prior, Colm met a young French courtier at the Scottish court in Edinburgh—Blanche d’Audrehem. Taken with her beauty and kindness (so different than the woman he is married to) he purchases her from her uncle Arnoul d’Audrehem and brings her back to his home as his consort (mistress/leman).

Blanche and Léo’s story of survival, and their existence in the home of Colm’s wife and legitimate family, sows the seeds of The Splendor of Fire.

07.

How does Léo continue to cope with the loss of his wife in Splendor?

Théa represents peace to Léo. She enters his life in a similar way to Cara entering Hector’s. Her family and her morals have given Léo a taste of what life should be like, a promise of what should be, and yet, in the happiest moment of their lives, she passes away.

Of all the things Léo cannot reconcile, this is the most unyielding evidence to him that God has forgotten and abandoned him.

He begins the story thinking of Théa, and of Cara, and wishing that things had worked out differently. In his mind, he wants another woman exactly like Théa.

God, however, may have other ideas. Léo may not need the soothing comfort of a peaceful stream, but instead the ardent fire of challenge.

08.

What does Léo love about his home in the Scottish Isles? What does he hate?

If Léo was honest with himself, he loves Skye more than any other place on earth because it reminds him of his mother. All his memories of her are held within a garret room in the forgotten corner of a castle. Although it is a painful place, Léo is also strangely comforted by it.

However— he hates the constant reminder of being on the outside while on Skye, and he hates the brutality of the Isles in comparison with the refinement of France. In France, he knows his place and his role. On Skye, he knows his place and role—but he is not tempted in any way to claim it because of what he has experienced there.

09.

What can you tell us about Moira Allen?

Moira was a complete joy to write, and much closer to my own inner thoughts and personality than sweet and quiet Cara. Moira is a mystery to everyone, including herself. She knows that she was rescued from the sea but is unable to remember anything about herself except her true name and her rough age. She doesn’t know where she came from, or what she was made for. Her ordeal at sea robbed her not only of her family, but her ability to speak.

To cope with her lack of voice and her rejection by others, she has withdrawn from the world—spending her time in treetops sketching and observing everything around her. Raised by a loving couple that encouraged her talents, she has learned to communicate limited thoughts using signs, sketches, and gestures.

When a new prisoner is placed under her father’s care, Moira uses her abilities to save his life and then to learn more about him, and eventually, to try and free him.

Because she was not raised with everyone else in society, she lacks fear about what most others would have anxiety about. Because she has been her own companion, she is confident in her decisions—maybe to a fault. The culmination of her strengths, and ultimately her weaknesses, will make her uniquely positioned in order for God to work.

10.

What do Léo and Moira find in each other? Why are they drawn together?

Moira recognizes that Léo is different than his brothers right away. There is a tenderness in him, and he doesn’t overlook her (though he is pretty judgmental by virtue of genetics, I think). She is totally infuriated by him at times. Léo is not an easy character to get along with, but there is something in her heart that is telling her not to forget him—and virtually from the moment they meet, she cannot forget.

In Moira, Léo is totally challenged. She is unafraid of him and unaffected by the shallow things he’s used in the past to charm women. She enjoys a good argument, and she enjoys being right—two things Léo also loves. Whatever Cara and Théa were—Moira is the opposite. Yet he also begins to unravel things about her that Moira does not even see in herself, qualities that make her valuable and hard to ignore.

They’re drawn together like flame and pitch, meaning when they connect they cannot help but ignite.

11.

Without spoilers, can you tell us what challenges Léo and Moira will face in this book?

Léo and Moira will be challenged by each other, Secondary to that, they have a mission to complete for the Shield. They both have very different ideas as to how to complete that mission. :) The MacKinnons and the Wolf are still out there, and they need dealing with—but the Shield is at an extreme disadvantage to begin with. They are outmanned and outmaneuvered in the beginning of this book.

Hopefully that gives you an idea of how this will unfold without any spoilers.

12.

Are Hector and Cara in this book?

Yes, they are both in the book. Hector more so than Cara, but you will get an update on Hector, Cara, Margaret, Eamon… and then where they’re headed next towards the last third of the book.

13.

What is Hector’s aim going into the second book in this series?

Hector has just delivered a black eye to the Wolf and humiliated him in his own keep. The Wolf is more determined than ever to find a foothold in the Isles, and equally so, the Beithir (Hector) is ready to meet his challenge and beat him at his own game. But first, Hector’s priority is to save his friend.

This book is the setup for the continuing fight against the Wolf, and the secondary villain for the rest of the series… you may figure out who the second baddie is by the end of Splendor…

14.

Can readers expect any unexpected alliances in this book?

There is one in particular, but I can’t reveal too much without giving the plot away. However, I will say it features Iain MacLeod, our drunken impressionist from Radiance. He is always so much fun to create. In my mind, he’s the David Tennant of the series.

15.

What is Hector’s team up to in this book?

Hector, Iain, David, Calum, Murdoch, Angus, and Moira (the Shield) are all working together to figure out how to get Léo out of prison. At the same time, they are all working to keep tabs on the Wolf and slow his advance upon the Isles, so that Léo isn’t permanently imprisoned under a new king and regime.

16.

How did you write this book?

I wrote the first draft in about 30 days back in the early summer of 2023, I knew exactly the story I wanted to tell with Léo and where I needed to go. I began my first chapters sitting on the shores of Beaufort, SC, staring out at a lonely and desolate sea and not eager to write about being stranded in a prison—but knowing that’s the story I needed to tell.

After draft one was completed, it was heavily revised, just as book 1 was. I find I’m a better editor and reviser than initial drafter. I enjoy both, but really love to edit. Each book I probably did about 16-20 drafts a piece—reading and correcting the entire manuscript content from beginning to end.

Unlike book 1, this is a story told in three parts. Keep that in mind, what you think this book might be will change radically by part two. :)

17.

What inspired this book?

As book 1 was very loosely based on the book of Ruth, this book is very (very) loosely based on the story of Joseph. For both novels, I would not say they are a retelling because they take some major liberties and divergences with the material. In book 1 I had read through the book of Ruth and noticed that although Ruth was married to her first husband for ten years, she had never produced offspring (at least that is mentioned—so no heir, which is grounds for divorce under the law). That got my brain moving about how you could tell this story through the eyes of Boaz (as he has no heirs or offspring either), because Ruth would probably not have been an ideal choice of wife (notice that the closer kin rejects Ruth and her situation to protect himself) so it would have been a faith pick for Boaz.

For Joseph, I noticed that God revealed all kinds of things to him about where he was headed—but never his brothers’ cruelty, nor that he would spend two years in prison. I thought about Joseph and how he must have felt sitting in prison, wondering why instead of seeing his dream of ruling over his brothers come to fruition, quite the opposite had happened. I thought that could make for a very interesting story, and so I wove the foundation for that into book 1 as well.

18.

How much of your own experiences feature in this novel?

In comparing Radiance and Splendor, Radiance is far closer to my own personal experiences in life. However, there are aspects of both Léo and Moira’s stories that are drawn from things I’ve been through. The fact that this book was not as personal as book one gave me a lot more creative freedom to have fun with it and take some risks. Hopefully they pay off.

19.

The titles of your books are intriguing. Can you shed more light on how you came up with them?

The titles come from a portion of Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, an old Irish prayer of invocation calling upon God’s strength and protection. Midway through the prayer, St. Patrick calls upon the evidence of God’s power in the natural world, and the titles are directly drawn from this. I did change the order of the things Patrick calls to mind in order to fit the arc of the entire series from darkness to light.

There is something about ancient houses of worship and ancient prayers that give me a feeling of fortitude and I wanted to reflect that in my series, because God is unchanging. He is the same now as He was then.

20.

What’s next for the Shield?

We’re headed to the tribal island of Jura, and will learn more about Hector’s cousin Calum. As a gift to my readers, I’ve revealed the titles for the entire series in the beginning of this book. Each story will feature a different member of the Shield, and how God is working in them and through them to forge a new future for the Kingdom of the Isles and his mission for the advancement of His story.

As I am about to give birth to my daughter, my once-firm dates for release are now pretty fluid, but I have done my best to give you an idea as to when each book will be ready for publication. My goal is now 2 per year. If I can get a handle on life, I’d love to do a novella per year as well.

Dear Reader —

Hello from the writing bunker. Wow, has it been a long time. It’s been a crazy year, Radiance released back in February and has performed far, far beyond my wildest dreams. Sales have been steady and constant, and the feedback from everyone has been 100% positive (what? I didn’t even know that was possible.)

And all I have to say is, this is direct evidence that there is indeed a God (thee God) sitting in heaven because I have contributed virtually nothing to marketing this book or helping it succeed. Why? Because this has been the craziest year of my entire life. Some of it I can share, some of it I will keep private, but let’s start with book launch season….

February/March…

Radiance launches, yay… I learned doing ARCs are not for me, and the launch that is much more my style is doing a big, fat book and audiobook giveaway and not asking for any reviews, or having any expectations at all.

I intended to do pretty book mail packages and lots of extras…and due to budgetary constraints, that just didn’t happen. Oh well. Maybe next time. Such is the life of a single-income family.

Radiance performed far, far beyond my expectations. Between KU, Audible, and print, we’ve outsold the “typical” lifetime indie numbers. Meaning what an indie author can expect to sell in the lifetime of their book, we’re already beyond that.

The audiobook, if you were eagle-eyed, even made it to the #1 spot on Amazon for my category. Pretty cool!

April

I learn that my son has been struggling with a medical issue for the last nine years, and never told anyone. We start the process of trying to get him into see a specialist/surgeon. In the midst of that we are completing FAFSA, financial aid, scholarships, etc, trying to figure out how in the world to afford the massive college tuition bill staring me down. See the above. Single-income family…finances are usually a headache.

May

After a routine Bojangle biscuit makes me want to puke, I start to realize that I haven’t felt 100% in weeks. I pick up a pregnancy test during a pharmacy visit to pick up other meds. I go to the bathroom and take it. As the window starts to activate I realize that the control line is on the wrong side, and then the actual control line starts to appear. What? I mean…WHAT? I am 39 years old. My oldest son is graduating in three days. I am literally about to cross the parenting finish line. What is happening?

I call my sister and have a literal freak out on the phone, feeling like Sarah from the Bible. My youngest son is 15. How am I going to do this? How am I going to afford this? Isn’t my body too old for this?

Three days later, oldest graduates with honors. Yay… I cried through the whole thing.

June

I go to my first OB appointment, knowing they will do an ultrasound to confirm. I am not entirely convinced this is pregnancy and not a menopausal trick of my ancient and dusty ovaries. I can’t remember exactly how far along I am but I think I might have last been fertile in March. MARCH. (Why in the world did I not recognize the signs before May…I have no idea).

I lay down on the table and chuckle to the lady…ha ha ha my kids are fifteen and eighteen….I don’t think this is real. Not sure there’s a baby in there.

The sentence is still hanging in mid-air when she touches the doppler thing to my belly and a big-screen image of my baby pops up on the screen, literally waving at me. It’s a full-grown baby. At least it looks that way to me—-and this baby is ACTIVE. Jumping, flipping, waving, dancing. My mouth is on the ground.

The ultrasound tech chuckles and says, “oh there’s a baby in there alright.”

Said waving baby. Notice the smile. It knows it's funny.

July

Whew. I’ve done it. I’m halfway through the year. I’m not sure I can take much more of 2024. And I am SO sick. And beyond tired. Like I cannot keep my eyes open for more than an hour at a time. Turns out when you’re a geriatric pregnancy (thanks for that terminology medical community) everything hurts. Everything is tired. Everything is doing what it can to just function.

I develop dumb-dumb brain. I cannot think. I cannot keep my thoughts organized. All writing ceases. All work ceases. I am literally in bed all day everyday with symptoms akin to sea-sickness. It’s been a while since I was pregnant, but this is WAY different than my last go around with said 15 year old teenager.

Meanwhile, my oldest son finally gets in to see a specialist at our local alternative hospital. And the process is like pulling teeth. We get a diagnosis by being persistent. He is told he will be scheduled for surgery. And…then we don’t hear from them.

Midway through this month I find out after 2 boys, and 2 miscarriages, I am having a girl. More on this in the next blog.

My sister comes to visit. On a trip up to Pretty Place I have a near death experience with my youngest son in the front seat, when a car comes around a steep mountain curve and flips about fifteen times right in front of me and comes to a stop only a few feet from my car. I stay with the people trapped and injured in the car til paramedics arrive. I never find out if everyone survived. If you’re reading this, I hope you all are ok!

August

Please God, let this year get easier. One of our cars takes a crap. I spend weeks trying to find something else that can fit me and three kids with no money. We find a car after days of trying. Meanwhile I have to pay an ENORMOUS global fee to my OB. This is new. Wasn’t a thing fifteen years ago when I was pregnant with my youngest.

An ultrasound at Maternal Fetal Medicine (high risk doc) reveals my daughter has inherited her grandfather’s intense dislike of medical professionals, and my stubbornness. She has nestled in a bad position and will not cooperate or move. They cannot see what they need to in her heart. They send me home and tell me to rest and try again in a month.

Oldest son starts college. It’s rough on him and me. But we manage.

Then, oldest son is scheduled for surgery after weeks of not hearing anything. Woo hoo.

September

Oldest son’s surgery is rescheduled the day before he is supposed to go in. Doc had an emergency. Won’t be back until December. We can’t get him in again until the day you are supposed to have your baby. Obviously that won’t work so surgery is rescheduled for January. Oldest son is still in discomfort. Jesus take the wheel.

Ultrasound appointment with MFM goes much, much better. Different tech, MUCH less pain. They see all the chambers of her heart, her blood flow, the blood flow in the umbilical cord. She has flipped to a breech position, which isn’t ideal, but a whole lot better. Baby girl cooperates but I have to flip back and forth on each side several times so they can see what they need to. She punches the tech the entire way through the ultrasound, which this tech finds funny and not annoying (God bless it).

The day oldest son’s surgery was supposed to happen a person in my family whom I provide care for has a meltdown of epic proportions. In one week, paramedics come and take this person to the hospital by ambulance twice. If you know what the journey has been here, just be assured it’s a huge struggle. I have a total emotional break because this year has just been a little too much I sob and throw a pot of potatoes. It doesn’t make me feel better. I call my sister who prays over me and things begin to get better.

I ask for prayers on instagram and God reminds me He’s been here because He doesn’t get lost and doesn’t need to be found—-and oh I don’t know Ashley, maybe you try surrendering? So I do.

Thanks to prayers… this person is now on their way to getting in-patient care but we have a long row to hoe. Continued prayers for permanent care are so needed. With the baby coming, I have hit the limit of what I can do.

And…. now it’s time to launch book 2, The Splendor of Fire….

LOL are you thinking, book? What book? Ah…. welcome to my world. That is where I’ve been dear reader. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I’ll share more in my next blog about the writing process on this book, which will be a much more fun read.

Love,

Ashley

Meet Guy Barnes.

…In which I open my audiobook up for auditions and hit the ding-dang jackpot.

I am sitting on the sofa with my oldest son (17) and we are listening to audiobook auditions. As I’m scanning a long list of auditions (and laughing at some), I come to the sixth one in and see a little message that says something humble like, hi I hope you like it.

Luke and I open it and click straight to the action sequence to get an immediate feel for the narrator. And out of my computer speakers comes… “DRRRRooooP. THE. RRRRROOOCK-ah.” My oldest son and I look at each other and just went “WHOA” at the same time. My younger son (14) put his Nintendo Switch down (I know guys, this is serious) and went “Mom, you wrote that?” — Ok. I immediately know this is different, my kids who are chronically embarrassed of me, now think I’m cool for about 5 minutes.

This guy nailed every accent, every bit of emotion, every cozy piece of general narration. Unlike every other audition he got the ferocity in Hector’s voice, and the underlying emotion that was driving him. It will be a moment I will never forget, because a character who exists only in my head was suddenly coming right out of my speakers.

So who was it? Guy Barnes.

A native of Worthing, Sussex, Guy had his start in music at an early age. “I saw Elvis on the telly when I was 4 years old in the film Fun In Acapulco I fell in love with music and knew I’d have a lifelong affair with it. I got my first real guitar in 1980, it was this beat up old nylon string and I tried taking guitar lessons at school but the idea of having to learn scales and classical music for grades just wasn’t something that interested me, I wanted to be Elvis— and Elvis didn’t play Bach. Of course I would come to regret not sticking with it but I was young and stupid so my education with guitar playing came from playing along to records in my bedroom.”

All that homegrown practice would pay off as Guy can now melt your face off on guitar.

Within a few days of receiving completed chapters I started noticing that Guy has an incredible vocal range. He can hit the guttural depths of Hector’s voice, and the lilting vulnerability in Cara’s. If you investigate Guy’s YouTube channel you’ll see what I mean. His narration is haunting, his singing voice is powerful, and his ability to engage with an audience is a gift. (See video below, I had to smile. I think we’re seeing a bit of his actual personality shine.)

In addition to being an incredible vocalist and musician (stage name, RIDER), at his heart, Guy—like me—is a writer.

“I wrote music from the moment I could hum a tune and I knew from a very early age that I wanted to write big chorus driven songs so naturally my biggest passion was the big rock bands and I soaked up.

“Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Europe, Ozzy, but also loved the great singer songwriters like George Michael, Burt Bacharach, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John and as such seemed to end up writing songs that were rock but very singer songwriter at the basic level and learned early on I wanted to write songs that in their barest form stood up by themselves, I seem to write depending on mood and guitar based songs tend to be rock and piano based songs tend to be ballad.”

So who has he written for? Independent artists, Universal Records, Warner Brothers, Sony Entertainment…to name a few.

In his spare time, Guy is an actor, and of course, there is his narration. He received the 2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Narration for Max and the Spice Thieves by John Peregine and the 2021 Audiobook Adrenaline Award for Best Historical Fiction Narration for A Brothers Oath, The Hengest and Horsa Trilogy Book 1.

So how on earth did I score Guy to narrate Radiance?

I’ve got no idea. That’s the honest truth. You see, Guy lives in Portugal. He’s not local. There’s no way in any imaginable scenario that we would have ever crossed paths. I guess that’s the beauty of living in the internet age—but also that’s the amount of trust I’ve put in God as I’ve walked through this process. You see, a few days after posting my audition I was a bit discouraged. It is a challenging piece of writing—Scottish, French, and Irish accents, a lot of hard to pronounce words, and well—it’s not fluff. It’s grit. It’s my own story. The monstrousness in Hector, his greatest mistakes, and the trauma in Cara, her pain and desire to overcome. I heard some great auditions, but it just wasn’t what I hoped for.

Guy and I messaged back and forth before I selected him and it was there I came to learn that, like me, Guy’s a little broken, too. He’s overcome some hard stuff and lived to tell the tale, and it comes through with tremendous power and direct precision in the way he gives Hector a voice. The heartbreak he’s survived is resonant in Cara’s voice, and in her longing to be complete.

I heard it. I felt it. I understood it. That is what makes Guy so rare and special.

Not only that, but he’s just a cool person. The man is a motorcycle enthusiast (to put it mildly), he’s tattooed (like yours truly), he’s jammed with guitar legend Scotty Moore and played the actual guitar Elvis palmed off Scotty during the ‘68 Comeback Special. He’s got the edge I’m looking for. The kind of person who would probably not be chosen by Christian publishing to narrate my book. He’s got something to say, not just a voice, but a message. And that’s what I wanted.

Not to mention we have pretty similar taste in music, which I feel like is a good foundation for most friendships and partnerships (when other kids were learning Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, I knew all the lyrics to Father Figure and Faith by George Michael—I felt like his mention of George and Elvis was a sign. Will I be able to talk him into learning some Marshall Tucker Band, Juliana Theory, and Biffy, we’ll see. I’ve got 9 books to persuade him).

There’s literally no one more perfect to narrate this series. And I really do believe in this—just like in everything else so far—God found him for me. And somehow we were able to create a partnership, and a burgeoning friendship.

As much as I would love to keep him all to myself—the man’s gotta eat. So please, author friends, if you’re looking for a tremendous narrator please contact him at:

Instagram

Website

Audible

ACX

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music

Soundcloud

Love always—

Ashley

“You lift me up on the wind; you make me RIDE on it,
    and you toss me about in the roar of the storm.” — Job 30:22

Where are you in the publishing process?

Manuscript is now out for the final edit! I hope to have it back by Thanksgiving, then FINAL draft (finally the off ramp!) and I expect to have it formatted and ready to print by Christmas. ARC Reading will be happening mid-January-Feb.

When is the release date?

Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Why? So you get a chance to enjoy it during the St. Patrick’s Day season. I drew inspiration for my entire series from St. Patrick’s Breastplate, that is how I chose my release date. It’s my way of giving a wink to God, that prayer has meant the world to me the last two years. You could say I’m a fan. :)

Will it be available for preorder?

The e-book is now live for preorder (which you can do here). You can also add it to your Kindle Unlimited library.

Paperbacks and hardcovers will not be available for pre-order. This is Amazon indie criteria. We all hate it. It is what it is.

What formats will the book be available in?

E-Book, Paperback, Hardcover and…Audiobook. I am in the process of getting my narrator now. The audiobook will likely release over the summer, or closer to fall.

Is this a series?

YES! This is a planned 8 book series of the Hebridean Shield, with room for novellas, and I’ve also planned 1 prequel to release before the final book.

Can you tell me anything about the second book yet?

YES! I am pleased to announce that the second book, The Splendor of Fire, is complete and is planned for release in Fall 2024. Watch this space in the spring for the cover and blurb.

What are you working on now?

Book 3. Or… it’s working on me. Some days I can’t tell. It’s nearing completion…and has been for months, I keep tweaking.

Can I be an ARC Reader?

Sure can! Sign up here.

In which I reflect on 39 years of crashing and burning…and rising again.

Papa & Me (I think)

The 80s - A time of cartoons, clip on mustaches, and lots of love.

Dear Ashley, 3 —

You’re three old and life is really easy, but it’s about to get a little wild. Dad just got a job with the government, and it’s going to take you a lot of places. You’re gonna leave South Carolina and Grandma and Papa— and you’re not going to forget how much you don’t like living away from them. When you finally settle down in Danville, Illinois, you’re going to pack your flowery suitcase that’s as big as you are and make a runaway attempt… then realize you don’t know how to get back to Papa’s house or how to spell…so running away might not be a good idea.

You’re living and going a few other places in between, but eventually you’re going to end up in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, and it won’t be so bad (although you’ll be dramatic and think it is). Each and every time you start a new school your twin will be right across the hall, and ready to give you a comforting hug at recess when that kid Matt tells you you’re an idiot everyday. Rachel won’t ever go anywhere, so don’t freak out when scary stuff starts to happen a few years later, it’s going to be ok.

When you’re 14 you’ll be living in Northampton, Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet the boy you’re going to marry. He will read the Hobbit for you because you really think it’s a snooze, and he kind of likes you. He’ll make sure you pass your English benchmarks… all without having to read more than page 1 (he’s a keeper Ashley).

Don’t worry when that kid who takes you to the prom breaks your heart and calls you fat when you’re 17. He’s a turd, and you’re actually kind of pretty. But you’ll figure that out next year when that kid who read the Hobbit for you begins to fall in love with you.

Your love story with him will be rich and deep, but also nuts. No, really. You run away again (you can spell now) when you’re 18 and marry him. I know. Where will you live? What will you eat? What about health insurance? —All minor details. At least you’ll think so then. But it’s ok, it will all work out in the long run. The way long run.

When he joins the Army and goes to Iraq a few years later, don’t worry. He’ll survive. You can probably put your phone down and not take it everywhere with you. Seriously, take a minute to relieve yourself in peace. You never get a phone call from the middle east when you’re in a public bathroom. You’ll think you screw everything up during this time, and you both are going to make a whole lot of mistakes, but hang in there and give yourself grace.

Remember those dreams you had about being a mom to a little girl? Well forget all that, because you’re going to have boys. Yep. Two of them. No girls. I promise you though, as you hold your first little boy in your hands and say his name, and he opens his eyes and looks at you—you’re going to fall in love. He’s more than you could have ever possibly imagined. His smiles, his laughter. The way he trusts you more than anyone and goes on to make you proud—-you didn’t want girls, believe me.

A few years later you’re going to make the biggest mistake of your life. My sweet Ashley—I wish I could hold you close and tell you it won’t be scary, but it will be. The sky will be green and the grass will be blue, nothing will make any sense. Everything you touch will seem to fall apart… but that’s God trying to get your attention. Out of it though, you’ll get your second boy. The sunny little ray of light that will be a balm of peace to your whole household. He’ll be the one who makes everyone laugh, and the comforting friend everyone needs. Being a boy mom is incredible then.

It’ll get better for two years, and then it’s going to get a whole lot worse. I know. How is it possible? Why you? What will happen? There won’t be any reasons why. I wish I could tell you don’t look for the answers, but I know you will. In all the wrong places.

Wow…you’re probably reading this letter and thinking…oof this is how my life turns out? Oh no! But hang on.

When you’re 37 you’re finally going to become a believer in Jesus. Not a knower of Jesus. What’s the difference? Well… you knew who He was before, but this year you are going to believe what God says about Himself, and you. You’ll have a season on your knees, wishing things were different, but God is going to tell you something: You’re my child. You’re loved. Trust me with your future. You’re forgiven. And the best one… no one can ever pluck you out of my hand.

It will change you. For the first time, sin will fall away, pain will turn to comfort, and all those questions you had won’t matter anymore. You’ll know His presence, and that will matter much more than answers.

So Ashley—Here you are. 39. You finally got yourself together. But for now… go back to Papa’s lap and let him sing and tell you stories. You’ll remember them all your life and how much he loves you. Hug Mom, and Dad, and Rachel… and just know… you’re gonna be ok.

Love,
Ashley, 39.

A little blog about St. Louis:

In which I close opened trad publishing doors like a ding-dong (or am I?)…

At the end of August I traveled out to St. Louis for the ACFW Conference, fully expecting to make industry connections and maybe get a foot in the door with an agent or editor. But while I was there, I didn’t get anything out of it I was expecting. After meeting with a few agents and being invited to submit my full manuscript, I was excited about traditional publishing...at least for a little while.

Not too long after, the thought of sending query letters, preparing submissions, and wooing the publishing world began to feel like a bad idea for someone who struggles with fear of man, people pleasing, and is trying to maintain sobriety. A niggle of doubt continued to prod me while I was out there, and I began to have concerns about walking through traditional publishing doors that were opening to me.

As much fun as it was to mingle with people in the traditional Christian publishing world, the best connections I made on my trip were writers within the indie publishing world. Business minded, content, and fully in control of every decision regarding their written works —I related to these authors and began to think that indie publishing might be a good path for me.

When I got back home I reached out to the connections I made. Beyond wanting to learn how it’s done, I wanted to sit at their feet and learn how they use their autonomy to conduct ministry and outreach, finding the one who needs their words.

It was Spirit-check time. Why was I doing this? Who was I trying to please? I knew in my soul that if I wasn’t trying to please God first, and trying to help my reader, my book was just a bunch of words. And that, perhaps, is the biggest reason I’ve decided to publish indie.

I’m really excited, and whew, a bit intimidated as I do all the things— finalize edits, form an LLC, submit for copyright, purchase ISBNS, set up vendor and author profiles, select a cover artist, prepare a launch plan… but honestly, it’s not that much harder than traditional publishing to do’s. Just different.

So that’s that friends! My book will be in your hands by the end of February, just in time for St. Paddy’s Day. :)

In the meantime, I am actively looking for people to help me with my launch and ARC readers/reviewers, so if you think you could spare time to read & review I’d be very grateful, send me a DM or an email and let me know so I can get you on my list. And if you’re reading this—-thank you already, for joining my newsletter, for supporting me, for praying for me.

Until next month—

Ashley

“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” -Psalm 43:3-5

I’m so pleased to share that book one of my series has semi-finaled in the 2023 ACFW Genesis Contest. I am totally shocked, y’all. I can’t believe this is happening. Except I can, because God has been blowing my socks off for a while now. My goal in writing this book was to let Jesus work in my heart and to make a few friends along the way, so I’m in overflow territory. — Thank you to my friends at ACFW Upstate SC for their support, love, friendship & help.

I’ll be heading to St. Louis at the end of August to see how it all turns out, so I’ll keep you posted. And be sure to check back in September to find out all about my books. I can’t wait to share them with you!

P.S. I’m sorry the image above is so big, I can’t figure out how to make it smaller. :D