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April Aasheim
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A Dark Root Christmas: Merry's Gift: A Daughters of Dark Root Companion Novella Kindle Edition

by April Aasheim (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 151 ratings
**This magical novella is a prequel to The Daughters of Dark Root series and can be read alone ** When ten-year-old Merry Maddock makes a holiday wish on a shooting star, she has no idea how her life will change. Suddenly, she's become the parent to a strange baby owl, and the caretaker of what appears to be an enchanted tree. But will her wish for a family Christmas be granted? Or will her mother's desire for a year without a holiday win out? Magick, mystery, and family take center stage in this charming witchy novella featuring the Maddock girls when they are young. This 20k word novella is a prequel story to the popular Daughters of Dark Root series and can be read as a stand alone novel.
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  1. Print length
    87 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 25, 2015
  5. File size
    5.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B017TFU7KQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dark Root Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 25, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 87 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 151 ratings

About the author

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April Aasheim

April Aasheim

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***USA Today Best Selling Author. Avid Reader. Amateur Ghost Hunter. Author of Witchy Things.***

April Aasheim is an avid researcher, and a believer in all things magick. April lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family and her familiar: Boots the Cat.

Books by April Aasheim

(MAIN SERIES)

The Daughters of Dark Root Series.

Book 1: The Witches of Dark Root (2013)

Book 2: The Magick of Dark Root (2014)

Book 3: The Curse of Dark Root: Part 1 (2015)

Book 4: The Curse of Dark Root: Part 2 (2016)

Book 5: The Shadows of Dark Root (2017)

(DAUGHTERS OF DARK ROOT SEQUEL SERIES)

The Children of Dark Root Series:

Book 1: Inherited Magick: Coming Fall 2018

Book 2: Gifted Magick: Coming Fall 2019

(DAUGHTERS OF DARK ROOT PREQUEL SERIES)

ALCHEMY OF A WITCH-PART ONE: Calcination and Dissolution

ALCHEMY OF A WITCH--PART TWO: Separation and Conjunction

ALCHEMY OF A WITCH--PART THREE: Fermentation

ALCHEMY OF A WITCH--PART FOUR: Distillation and Coagulation

Dark Root Companion Short Stories and Novellas

Prequel: The Council of Dark Root: Armand (Novella, 2014)

Prequel: A Dark Root Christmas: Merry's Gift (Novella, 2015)

Prequel: A Dark Root Halloween: The Witching Hour (Short Story, 2016)

Prequel: A Dark Root Samhain: A Lesson in Magick (Short Story, 2017. Available in Witch or Treat multi-author anthology)

Prequel: A Dark Root Solstice: Aunt Dora's Dilemma (Short Story, 2017. Available in Jingle Bells and Spells Multi-Author anthology)

The Pumpkin Problem

Magick Mistletoe

The Reed Hollow Chronicles:

Touch of Light: A Baylee Scott Paranormal Mystery

Touch of Shadow: A Baylee Scott Paranormal Mystery

Touch of Lace: A Baylee Scott Paranormal Mystery Short Story (Available Summer 2018 in Spell or High Water)

Also available from April Aasheim:

The Universe is a Very Big Place (A quirky romantic comedy)

The Good Girl's Guide to Being a Demon (Part of The Woodland Creek Series).

The Last Soldier (A short story in The Ghost and the Cigarette.) June 2018.

Follow April Aasheim on Facebook:aprilaasheimwriter

Sign up for April's newsletter at aprilaasheimwriter.com to receive information on new releases, book promotions, contests and giveaways, and more about the author and her books.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
151 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a delightful holiday story, with one mentioning it's a cute read about witches in childhood. The storytelling receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how the tales add meaning to each other.

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14 customers mention "Readability"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, describing it as a delightful holiday story that brings great joy.

"...A Dark Root Christmas: Merry's Gift is a delightful holiday story, filled with omens of things to come and glimpses into the larger world of the..." Read more

"The magic of Christmas & the witches of dark root is so great to immerse yourself in! I can't wait to read the next installment." Read more

"...It is a short read but worth the time." Read more

"A sweet, poignant Christmas story about the witches of Dark Root when they were young...." Read more

6 customers mention "Storytelling"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling in this novella, with one customer noting how each story adds meaning to the others, while another appreciates how it provides glimpses into the larger world of the series.

"...story, filled with omens of things to come and glimpses into the larger world of the series...." Read more

"This is an enchanting short story of the Dark Root series of books. It is a standalone story with a happy ending...." Read more

"...is the way it takes you back and forth in time, each story adding meaning to the others. I am totally addicted to the witches of Dark Root." Read more

"An interesting tale about three sisters and their mother. Keeps the interest of the reader. Thanks to the author for a good tale." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • William J. Cook
    5.0 out of 5 stars Merry's Merry Christmas
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    For readers of the Daughters of Dark Root series, this novella is a must-read. It tells the story of Merry as a ten-year-old girl, just beginning to find her way in a world where "magick" is a part of every day life. Her sisters Maggie, Eve, and Ruth Anne are already forming their own opinions about the strange town they live in and the magick that surrounds them.

    When Merry finds a baby owl in the forest, it becomes her familiar. Unfortunately, the bird is not well, and Merry's healing powers are not mature enough to cure it. She would like her mother's magickal help, but "Miss Sasha," is becoming increasingly more sickly and withdrawn. She turns to her beloved Aunt Dora, but still the owl continues to weaken. Then she meets Larinda, her mother's cousin, and for the first time begins to get an inkling into Dark Root's troubled past. She may have to make "a deal with the devil" to cure her familiar.

    A Dark Root Christmas: Merry's Gift is a delightful holiday story, filled with omens of things to come and glimpses into the larger world of the series. It's a bit like a stocking stuffer or that dish of your favorite Christmas cookies Mom makes every year. Relax, pour yourself a cup of tea or glass of wine, and revel in it.
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  • Elizabeth D. Szulczyk
    4.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Miracles
    Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The magic of Christmas & the witches of dark root is so great to immerse yourself in! I can't wait to read the next installment.
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  • Ryan Schukei
    5.0 out of 5 stars Will Christmas be celebrated by Merry and her family?
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is an enchanting short story of the Dark Root series of books. It is a standalone story with a happy ending. Merry is the main character and presents us with the relationship between the sisters and their mother Sasha. It is a short read but worth the time.
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  • Liberrian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet
    Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A sweet, poignant Christmas story about the witches of Dark Root when they were young. Merry discovers the landing place of a falling star and discovers two gifts--a sapling and an owl. Her discovery leads to temptation and, finally, to the redemption of her family.
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  • marge270
    3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Good read
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  • Lola
    5.0 out of 5 stars Merry's wish
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I just loved this short story told from Merry's point of view as a child. One of the things I love about this series is the way it takes you back and forth in time, each story adding meaning to the others. I am totally addicted to the witches of Dark Root.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice little prequel
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this short glimpse of the early lives of the witches of dark root. It is short and a bit gloomy but it all comes around in the end. I have also read the first book in the series and I liked it very much. I hope the books get a bit lighter as they progress but even though they are not cheerful at times they both left me feeling good about them and wanting to find out where it goes from here.
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  • William Batie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book was such a wonderful example of Merry and her gifts. I really enjoyed reading a book just about her.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kay Smillie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A lovely Christmas story starring the witchy Maddock sisters, but mainly focussing on Merry. (Just because it is a Christmas story, doesn't mean you can't read it at any time!)

    It was everything you could wish for, mystery, fun, magick, good story, love, happiness and best of all...a beautiful baby owl who appeared like magic! It also shows you Merry's compassion and love for her Mother.
    Report
  • Sierra Larson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story of a family coming together
    Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I didn’t think this was going to be a very good book based on the first chapter, and I almost gave up on it because I found it pretty boring, but I gave it another chapter just in case and was pulled in.
    Report

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