House of a Thousand Hearts

The last thing Amelia Ashcroft ever expected out of her life was for Amon to return to it. To Amelia, her uncle was as good as dead, and dead he should’ve been if he expected any form of an apology from her. But when a letter arrives bearing his name, an explanation, and an opportunity to improve the lives of her and her children by returning to the family estate, Amelia cannot help but answer. By carriage, Amelia and her children cross into the English countryside, but it isn’t long until she finds the land isn’t how she remembers it. Houses sit forgotten and towns abandoned, while strange roots twist out of the earth, like the ancient veins from some long buried beast. Amelia holds out hope her once-powerful family’s estate remains untouched by the blight, but when she arrives, she finds far worse things have befallen it. Her uncle Amon is different as well. He’s no longer the man she once loved and trusted above else. And the house, the family estate, has not only changed, but appears to have been anticipating her long-awaited homecoming. “House of a Thousand Hearts” is both a standalone story and an integral part of the “Bones of the Earth” universe. August 2015: Entire story has been rewritten and professionally edited. Previous owners should contact author for the sizable update.