Nearby, Dobbin neighed a sad farewell. Dr Quikke moved over to make a fuss of him. “Ah what’s wrong with ya?” Quikke asked the giant horse, who whinnied in disconsolation. “You’re such a troublemaker, I despair.”
I still hadn’t seen a great deal of evidence of Dobbin’s challenging behaviour. “I think he’ll miss Rudie,” I told Dr Quikke. “Maybe you should find him a friend.”
Dr Quikke turned his nose up at that suggestion. “Do you not think one horse is enough for me to cope with? And so expensive. I’m not made of money.”
“Perhaps a donkey?” Finbarr suggested, smiling at the giant Shire horse as Dr Quikke made horrified noises. “You’d love a little donkey friend, wouldn’t you Dobbin?”
“Poor Dobbin already has a friend who’s an ass,” I mumbled under my breath as Millicent appeared at my elbow.
“You know, Alf, I’m thinking that parcel rightly belongs to you.” I followed the direction of her gaze towards the trees at the end of the drive. “It’s your land after all.”
“I’ll investigate.” Curious to find out what we’d been gifted, and anxious to get away from Dr Quikke, I set off. I nodded at Luppitt as I moved past the merry musicians. “Please play something,” I said. “Let’s keep the party going.”
I’d almost reached the drive when the opening bars of Santa Claus is Coming to Town drifted towards me. If you’ve never heard Bruce Springsteen on Crumhorn and lute, I suggest you haven’t actually lived.
I couldn’t be sure where the box had landed, so I had to search. I peered into the dark shadows at the foot of the first oak tree. The daylight had virtually faded now, and the light of the bonfire, while casting a glow in the sky, didn’t reach the treeline.
Nothing to see.
I moved to the second one and this time I caught a glimpse of something gold. That had to be it.
But as I moved towards it, it moved; grew taller.
I should have been afraid—memories of the shimmering globes of The Mori were never far away—but something about the warm energy this particular package emitted caused any brewing fear to evaporate. Instead of rushing for cover, I stepped towards it; inquisitive to see what it would be.
It elongated. Filled out. Became a figure.
A figure in a black cloak and a tall black hat. With dark shining eyes, and a smirk.
My breath caught in my throat.
“Silvan?”
“Who else?” he asked and held his arms open. I threw myself forwards, nearly knocking him over. “Steady, Alfhild. I’ve come a long way.” He smelled of somewhere exotic, of sand and warm winds, dusky flowers and… yak urine.
“But…” I stepped back and stared at the sky through the skeletal canopy above us. The sleigh and its occupants were long gone. “How?”
“I hitched a ride from an old friend.” Silvan pulled me close again and buried his face in my hair. “Dang, Alfie. I’ve missed you.”
I squeezed him tight, my heart beating hard with excitement. “I’ve missed you too. I was afraid—”
“You need never be afraid.” His standard response.
“—that you wouldn’t come,” I finished.
“I honestly didn’t think I’d make it, but I wanted to be here.”
“Everyone will be so pleased!” Taking his arm, I dragged him back towards the bonfire. As if on cue, Ned and Zephaniah started to let off fireworks.
Silvan and I stood at the edge of the lawn, arms wrapped tightly around each other and watched as the very stars began to explode in the sky above us. My wonky inn, lit from within, provided the perfect backdrop to this most glorious of holidays.
Over by the bonfire my great-grandmother, eyes streaming, sneezed and coughed along to the music. The last of the ghosts to go down with ghost influenza, she stood tall, a warrior to the last. Silvan and I watched as Dr Quikke sidled up to her, a glass potion vessel in hand, his top hat cocked at a jaunty angle. Gwyn batted him away, but with Millicent nodding enthusiastically, he persisted until he’d persuaded her to swig a draught from the neck of the bottle.
“What a homecoming.” Silvan grinned and squeezed me to him, tight.
I pulled away a little and smiled up into his mischievous eyes. “You’re the greatest gift I could ever wish for.”
“I know,” he replied, entirely deadpan, but then his face cracked, and that familiar grin appeared. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
“Oh it is now.” I beamed and reached up to pull his head to mine.
Ain’t Nothing but a Pound Dog
* * *
Toby dog suddenly has plenty to say for himself.
The only witness to the brutal murder of his owner, Toby is hexed by a woman with evil intentions. “Speak to none but me,” she tells him.
* * *
Wretched and misunderstood, he’s incarcerated in the local pound. With a death sentence hanging over his head, Toby has almost given up hope.
* * *
But then he meets Clarissa. Not only is she a witch, she’s a local investigative journalist, and—amazingly—she can understand what he says too.
* * *
Finally, he’s found somebody who believes his story.
Can Clarissa save Toby? Will they identify who killed his owner and why?
* * *
And will Toby ever eat his fill of sammiches?
* * *
Find out in the first instalment of this brand new paranormal cozy dog mystery series from the bestselling author of the beloved Wonky Inn books.
* * *
Pre-order Ain’t Nothing but a Pound Dog now!
* * *
On sale 26th December 2019
If you have enjoyed reading Witching in a Wonky Winterland, please consider leaving a review.
* * *
Plans are on hold for further Wonky stories, so please let me know if you want any more!
* * *
Reviews help to spread the word about my writing, which takes me a step closer to my dream of writing full time.
* * *
If you are kind enough to leave a review, you could also consider joining my Author Street Team on Facebook – Jeannie Wycherley’s Fiendish Street Team. As it is a closed group you will need to let me know you left a review when you apply.
* * *
You can find my fiendish team at
www.facebook.com/groups/JeannieWycherleysFiends
* * *
You’ll have the chance to Beta read and get your hands-on advanced review eBook copies from time to time. I also appreciate your input when I need some help with covers, blurbs etc. We have a giggle.
* * *
Or sign up for my newsletter
eepurl.com/cN3Q6L
to keep up to date with what I’m doing next!
The Wonkiest Witch: Wonky Inn Book 1
* * *
Alfhild Daemonne has inherited an inn.
* * *
And a dead body.
* * *
Estranged from her witch mother, and having committed to little in her thirty years, Alf surprises herself when she decides to start a new life.
* * *
She heads deep into the English countryside intent on making a success of the once popular inn. However, discovering the murder throws her a curve ball. Especially when she suspects dark magick.
* * *
Additionally, a less than warm welcome from several locals, persuades her that a variety of folk – of both the mortal and magickal persuasions – have it in for her.
* * *
The dilapidated inn presents a huge challenge for Alf. Uncertain who to trust, she considers calling time on the venture.
* * *
Should she pack her bags and head back to London?
* * *
Don’t be daft.
* * *
Alf’s magickal powers may be as wonky as the inn, but she’s dead set on finding the murderer.
* * *
Once a witch always a witch,
and this one is fighting back.
A clean and cozy witch mystery.
* * *
Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in this fantastic new witch mystery series, from the author of the award-winning novel, Crone.
* * *
Grab Book 1 of the Wonky Inn series, The Wonkiest Witch, on Amazon now.
The Wonkiest Witch: Wonky Inn Book 1
The Ghosts of Wonky Inn: Wonky Inn Book 2
Weird Wedding at Wonky Inn: Wonky Inn Book 3
The Witch Who Killed Christmas: Wonky Inn Christmas Special
Fearful Fortunes and Terrible Tarot: Wonky Inn Book 4
The Mystery of the Marsh Malaise: Wonky Inn Book 5
The Mysterious Mr Wylie: Wonky Inn Book 6
The Great Witchy Cake Off: Wonky Inn Book 7
Vengeful Vampire at Wonky Inn: Wonky Inn Book 8
Witching in a Winter Wonkyland: A Wonky Inn Christmas Cozy Special
Please consider leaving a review?
If you have enjoyed reading The Great Witchy Cake Off, please consider leaving me a review.
* * *
Reviews help to spread the word about my writing, which takes me a step closer to my dream of writing full time.
* * *
If you are kind enough to leave a review, you could also consider joining my Author Street Team on Facebook – Jeannie Wycherley’s Fiendish Street Team. As it is a closed group you will need to let me know you left a review when you apply.
* * *
You can find my fiendish team at
www.facebook.com/groups/JeannieWycherleysFiends
* * *
You’ll have the chance to Beta read and get your hands-on advanced review eBook copies from time to time. I also appreciate your input when I need some help with covers, blurbs etc. We have a giggle.
* * *
Or sign up for my newsletter eepurl.com/cN3Q6L to keep up to date with what I’m doing next!
Midnight Garden: The Extra Ordinary World Novella Series Book 1
Beyond the Veil
Crone
A Concerto for the Dead and Dying
Deadly Encounters: A collection of short stories
Keepers of the Flame: A love story
* * *
Non-Fiction
Losing my best Friend: Thoughtful support for those affected by dog bereavement or pet loss
* * *
Follow Jeannie Wycherley
Find out more at on the website www.jeanniewycherley.co.uk
* * *
You can tweet Jeannie
twitter.com/Thecushionlady
* * *
Or visit her on Facebook for her fiction www.facebook.com/jeanniewycherley
* * *
Sign up for Jeannie’s newsletter
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More Dark Fantasy from Jeannie Wycherley
* * *
Crone
A twisted tale of murder, magic and salvation.
* * *
Heather Keynes’ teenage son died in a tragic car accident.
Or so she thinks.
* * *
However, deep in the countryside, an ancient evil has awoken … intent on hunting local residents.
* * *
No-one is safe.
* * *
When Heather takes a closer look at a series of coincidental deaths, she is drawn reluctantly into the company of an odd group of elderly Guardians. Who are they, and what is their connection to the Great Oak?
* * *
Why do they believe only Heather can put an end to centuries of horror?
* * *
Most important of all, who is the mysterious old woman in the forest and what is it that feeds her anger?
* * *
When Heather determines the true cause of her son’s death, she is hell-bent on vengeance. Determined to halt the march of the Crone once and for all, hatred becomes Heather’s ultimate weapon and furies collide to devastating effect.
* * *
Crone – winner of a Chill with a Book Readers' Award (February 2018) and an Indie B.R.A.G Medallion (November 2017).
* * *
Praise for Crone
* * *
‘A real page turner, hard to put down.’
‘Stunningly atmospheric! Gothic & timeless set in the beautifully described Devon landscape .... Twists and turns, nothing predictable or disappointing.’
* * *
– Amazon reviewer
* * *
‘Atmospheric, enthralling story-telling, and engaging characters’
* * *
– Amazon Reviewer
* * *
‘Full of creepy, witchy goodness’
* * *
– The Grim Reader
‘Wycherley has a talent for storytelling and a penchant for the macabre’
* * *
– Jaci Miller
Beyond the Veil
* * *
Upset the dead at your peril… Because the keepers of souls are not particularly forgiving.
* * *
Death is not the end. Although Detective Adam Chapple has always assumed it is.
* * *
When his ex-wife is killed, the boundaries between life and death, fantasy and reality, and truth and lies begin to dissolve. Adam’s main suspect for the murder, insists that she’s actually his star witness.
* * *
She claims she met the killer once before.
* * *
When she died.
* * *
As part of his investigation, Adam seeks out the help of self-proclaimed witch, Cassia Veysie who insists she can communicate with the dead. However, the situation rapidly deteriorates when a bungled séance rips open a gateway to a sinister world beyond the veil, and unquiet spirits are unleashed into the world.
* * *
Can Cassia and Adam find a way to shore up the breach in the veil and keep the demons at bay?
* * *
With time running out and a murderer on the loose, the nightmare is only just beginning …
* * *
Praise for Beyond the Veil
* * *
‘A 5-star winner from Queen of the Night Terrors’
* * *
– Amazon reviewer.
* * *
‘Really got my heart pounding’
* * *
– Amazon reviewer.
* * *
‘A nerve racking, nail-biting, spine tingling, sweat producing, thrilling storyline that keeps you on a razor’s edge the entire tale’
* * *
– ARC reviewer.
* * *
‘Female Stephen King!’
* * *
– Amazon reviewer.
More Dark Fantasy from Jeannie Wycherley
Crone
A twisted tale of murder, magic and salvation.
Heather Keynes’ teenage son died in a tragic car accident.
Or so she thinks.
However, deep in the countryside, an ancient evil has awoken … intent on hunting local residents.
No-one is safe.
When Heather takes a closer look at a series of coincidental deaths, she is drawn reluctantly into the company of an odd group of elderly Guardians. Who are they, and what is their connection to the Great Oak?
Witching in a Winter Wonkyland: A Wonky Inn Christmas Cozy Mystery Page 15