Leigh Goff

Writing Enchanting Ever-Afters

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Thumbs Up on These Treats!

A recipe from Sharon Ledwith who shares her family’s recipe.

Cookies are high up on my family’s snack list. Heck, some would consider them a breakfast. These oatmeal cookies can be served as both. They are so easy to make, and you can use only chocolate chips, raisins, or leave out both if you prefer. Make the combo your own.

Did I mention these tasty morsels possess soft centers, crispy edges, and a mind-boggling chewy texture? Well, I just did. Wink. Face it. These cookies are a family favorite for a reason, and now they can be your family’s favorite, if you dare to wander into the uncharted territory of baking from scratch.

With a prep time of 15 minutes, chill time of 1 hour, and cook time of 10 minutes, they’re the perfect cookies for impromptu bake sales for your kids. Eat them either warm and fresh or prepare these treats in advance for family gatherings or a much-needed dessert when someone pops by unexpectedly. You’ll be glad you did.

Thumbs up Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour, leveled

½ tsp baking soda

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1½ tsp vanilla extract

1¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ cup raisins

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium size bowl. Set aside.

Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes.

Add egg and vanilla. Mix until creamy and well combined, about 1 minute.

Blend in flour mixture and mix on low speed just until incorporated, about 30-60 seconds. Stir in the oats until combined.

Then add the chocolate chips and raisins and mix until well distributed. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Scoop 16 equal-sized balls (about 2 tablespoons/45g) of cookie dough, roll into even balls, and place 6-8 cookies, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart, on each prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with your fingers. Bake one sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes or until edges of the cookies are set and lightly browned, and the centers look under-baked, pale, puffy, and dry.

Remove baking sheet from the oven and let cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, or until firm enough to move. Transfer them to a wire rack and let cool completely. The cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

While you’re waiting for the cookie dough to chill, pop on the kettle or turn on the coffee pot and settle into your favorite chair with one of my books. May I suggest a nostalgic visit to mysterious Fairy Falls or perhaps go back in time with The Last Timekeepers? Just remember to keep some cookies for yourself. After all, you deserve a break from the craziness of the world.

Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel adventure series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and the award-winning teen psychic mystery series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, reading, researching, or revising, she enjoys anything arcane, ancient mysteries, and single malt scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her spoiled hubby, and a moody calico cat.

Learn more about Sharon Ledwith on her WEBSITE and BLOG. Look up her AMAZON AUTHOR page for a list of current books. 

BONUS: Download the free PDF short story The Terrible, Mighty Crystal HERE


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Champagne, Candles & Chapters — The Glam Author Life

Every evening I slip into something alluring, yet comfortable (even if no one sees it), light a ridiculous number of candles that smell like a Gilded Age library, pour a glass of something bubbly (or sparkling water with lemon if it’s a Monday), and open the laptop like it’s a book of magic.

The desk is cleared of chaos. Only the pretty notebook (a birthday gift from my sister) beside my MacBook Pro, the silver pen that makes every word feel important, and a vase of stunning peonies remain. Autumn🍂 playlist from Spotify on. 

I don’t wait for inspiration—I dress for it, and I create it around me. Because if I’m going to live inside my characters’ stories for hours, I might as well look and feel like the heroine of my own. And when the words finally start flowing? That’s the real glamour. The kind you can’t buy in a store, only earn one page at a time.

Now, go glam up your own space and grab one of my books. They’re designed to make your TBR stack look as fabulous as your nightstand.

What’s your favorite “main character” writing ritual? Drop it in the comments—I’m always collecting aesthetic inspiration.

Buy Link: AMAZON

ABOUT ME

Leigh Goff-150 RET

As a writer, I’m driven to create stories with courageous heroines who prove that true strength and beauty lie within. My stories are designed to sweep readers away, and maybe help them discover a little bit of themselves along the way.

I have three published young adult novels–Koush Hollow, Bewitching Hannah, and Disenchanted. I’m a graduate from the University of Maryland, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

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Fall Girl Dinner with a Southern Sip

There’s something about autumn evenings that calls for low-effort magic—the kind where you assemble a plate of seasonal snacks, mix a proper Southern cocktail, light a candle, and listen to a story that feels as layered and mysterious as the changing leaves.

Enter my perfect fall girl dinner, designed to pair with Koush Hollow. Picture this–a simple cheese boardwith:

  • Crisp apple slices (Honeycrisp or whatever’s local and in season) 
  • A wedge of creamy brie with a drizzle of honey
  • Thick slices of warm, crusty bread 
  • A scoop of toasted pecans with dark chocolate chips 
  • Handful of dried cranberries for that sweet-tart pop

No cooking required beyond a quick toast of the nuts, if you’re feeling fancy. Just assemble while listening to the audio version of Koush Hollow.  

The cocktail:

Hollow Harvest
In a rocks glass filled with ice, stir together: 

  • 2 oz bourbon 
  • 3 oz fresh apple cider 
  • ½ oz fresh lemon juice 
  • ½ oz honey (or maple syrup) 
  • A dash of Angostura or cinnamon bitters

Garnish with a thin apple slice and a cinnamon stick. It’s crisp, lightly spiced, and just mysterious enough.

Why does this pair so perfectly with the book? 

Jenna’s world is full of glittering secrets, bayou mysticism, and the uneasy beauty of a Southern town where nothing is quite as it seems. The dinner mirrors that vibe—simple on the surface, but with rich, contrasting flavors that linger. The crisp apples and earthy pecans nod to the natural world Jenna fights for, while the creamy cheese, hint of sweetness, and smoky-sweet bourbon cocktail echo the seductive pull of the Diamonds & Pearls. It’s the kind of plate (and glass) you can linger over while the story unfolds, perfect for those pages where the atmosphere thickens, and the truth starts to surface. BUY LINK

So dim the lights, queue up the book, and dig into both the snacks, the sip, and the story. Koush Hollow is waiting—along with its witches, secrets, and bayou magic.

Happy reading/listening (and sipping),

Leigh


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Autumn Magic in a Cup✨

There’s something spellbinding about the first crisp autumn afternoon. The air turns cooler, golden leaves crunch underfoot, and the only acceptable thing to do is to curl up with a steaming pumpkin spice latte while the world outside softens into that dreamy, half-enchanted haze.

That’s exactly the mood Disenchanted was made for. 

In Leigh Goff’s YA novel, sixteen-year-old Sophie carries the weight of a powerful witch bloodline she’s desperate to hide—until a dangerous encounter pulls her into forbidden territory, dark family secrets, and a love that could cost her everything. It’s witches, curses, ancestral magic, and that delicious tension of wanting someone you’re not supposed to want. Perfect fuel for those of us who live for stories that feel both cozy and a little dangerous. 

Picture this ideal fall ritual: 

  • A pumpkin spice latte (or oat-milk chai if you’re feeling fancy) cradled in both hands 
  • Oversized sweater that somehow smells like cinnamon and old books 
  • Soft fairy lights or a single candle flickering nearby 
  • Maybe a playlist of gentle indie folk or rainy-day piano 
  • And Disenchanted open on your lap or Kindle

Other ethereal fall favorites that pair beautifully — a walk through a golden-leafed park at dusk, cinnamon-sugar apple cider donuts, fuzzy socks that match the season’s mood, journaling under string lights, or simply staring out the window while the world turns amber. These small, sensory pleasures make the magic on the page feel even more alive.

Whether you’re thirteen and discovering your first witchy romance or older and still chasing that same flutter of enchanted possibility, Disenchanted delivers the perfect autumn escape—equal parts heart, heritage, and quiet defiance.

Grab your paperback or e-book copy here: Disenchanted

This season, treat yourself to the full ritual. Pumpkin spice in one hand, a story that lingers in the other. You deserve a little enchantment.


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Why August Feels Like the Most Enchanted Month

August hits different. The sun is still blazing, but there’s a shift in the air—like the world is whispering secrets right before everything changes. Summer isn’t quite over, yet fall is already casting its shadow. It’s the ultimate liminal month, and if you ask me, it’s pure witchy magic.

First, there’s the golden-hour glow. The light gets thicker, almost honeyed, turning ordinary backyards into magical realms. Late-summer storms roll in with dramatic flair, thunder cracking like spells being cast. Then comes the harvest energy—Lammas vibes on August 1, when traditions say the first loaves are baked and the veil feels just a little thinner. Even the nights start stretching, hinting that cozy, mysterious season is coming.

And don’t forget that back-to-school electricity. New notebooks, sharpened pencils, fresh starts… it’s basically ritual preparation. You’re shedding your summer skin and stepping into a new chapter, which is exactly what magic is all about—transformation.

This is precisely why August is the perfect time to dive into DISENCHANTED, my YA fantasy novel. In a world where enchantments rule and star-crossed love runs deep, my protagonist, Sophie, discovers that breaking free of a true love curse is harder than it seems. And similar to Sophie’s magic, sometimes the enchantments dissipate when you least expect it, like when the season shifts—when the light changes and you’re forced to see things as they really are. August captures that exact moment: the beautiful, uneasy, exciting space between what was and what’s next.

If you’re craving a story full of hidden magic, reluctant heroes, and a swoony romance, DISENCHANTED is your late-summer spell. Perfect for reading on a warm evening when the crickets are loud, and the sky still holds that last bit of light.

Grab a copy here, light a candle (or just turn on your reading lamp), and let August work its witchy charm on you before the leaves start turning! ✨


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Why Teens Need Honest YA Stories Right Now

Hey there, fellow book lovers and stressed-out teens,

Being a teenager today is brutal. Between school pressure that feels like it decides your entire future, the constant comparison game on social media, figuring out who you are while everyone else seems to have it all sorted, and that quiet voice in your head wondering if you’re enough…it’s a lot. You’re expected to have your life mapped out, stay positive 24/7, and somehow still have time for friends, crushes, and not completely falling apart.

That’s exactly why I wrote my YA novels.

These stories don’t hand you perfect characters with flawless lives. They follow real teens navigating anxiety, heartbreak, identity struggles, toxic friendships, first love, and the messy courage it takes to stand up for yourself (and others). You’ll meet protagonists who feel invisible one day and discover their voice the next. Characters who mess up, breakdown, screenshot texts they regret, and still keep going.

The big theme running through every book? You are not broken for struggling and your story is worth telling.

In a world that loves to tell teens to “just calm down” or “it’ll pass,” these novels say the opposite: Your feelings are valid. Your questions about the future matter. The way you see the world is important. Whether you’re dealing with family drama, fighting for something bigger than yourself, or simply trying to survive junior year, these books are your reminder that you’re stronger than you think, and brighter days and better people are waiting.

If you’re craving YA that gets it, start here — BUY LINK

What’s one thing you wish more YA books talked about honestly? Drop it in the comments.

#YAReads #TeenBooks #MentalHealthMatters #BookTok


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✨Magic, Romance & Renewal Before Classes Begin

End of Summer Checklist: Magic, Romance & Renewal Before Classes Begin


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End of Summer Checklist: Magic, Romance & Renewal Before Classes Begin

Summer is slipping away like fireflies at dusk—make these final weeks count. Before the books pile up and the alarm clocks return, carve out time for joy, mystery, and gentle self-care. Here’s your enchanted end-of-summer checklist.

✨ Magic

  • Watch the sunrise or sunset with intention—journal what you want to release and what you want to call in for the new semester.
  • Take a full-moon walk and whisper your dreams to the night sky.
  • Read Disenchanted, Bewitching Hannah, and Koush Hollow—these spellbinding stories are the perfect bridge between summer magic and academic focus. Aim to finish all three before syllabi land in your inbox. BUY LINK

❤️ Romance

  • Plan a dreamy date night: picnic under the stars, stargazing with a loved one, or a sunset drive with the perfect playlist.
  • Write a love letter (to yourself or someone special) sealed with wax and a pressed flower.
  • Dance barefoot in the grass or living room with your summer fling to slow, sultry music—no audience required.

🧖‍♀️ Renewal

  • Declutter your space and wardrobe—make room for fresh energy and cozy fall layers.
  • Treat yourself to a DIY spa day: face mask, herbal bath, and your favorite playlist.
  • Meal prep nourishing foods and hydrate like the magical being you are.

Print this list, check it off with colorful pens, and savor every golden moment. Summer’s end isn’t goodbye—it’s a soft transition into a new chapter filled with possibility. You’ve got this. Now go make it memorable. 🌙


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Wednesday Special Spotlight Red, White, and Enchanted: Celebrating America’s 250th Through the Streets of Wethersfield

Wednesday Special Spotlight Shines On The ever-engaging Leigh Goff who brings us her latest captivating YA novel and dedication to a recently …

Wednesday Special Spotlight Red, White, and Enchanted: Celebrating America’s 250th Through the Streets of Wethersfield


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Novel Settings

By C.D. Hersh

One of the most asked questions to authors is, “Why did you set your book there?” For us it started with a car commercial. In the commercial, a grandmother is telling her granddaughter that she met grandpa under a tree. Then the two hug the tree and in a subsequent scene are joined by the child’s parents. As they leave the area, the car passes a sign marked Woodstock.

Honestly, we don’t even remember the make of the car that was being advertised, but we did remember the tree hugging scenario and the Woodstock sign. When Donald proposed the setting of Woodstock to me (Catherine) I was like, What???? It wasn’t a place I expected him to go. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. After all, who doesn’t like a walk down memory lane? I was into folk music in the Sixties. I sang and played Peter Paul and Mary songs on my guitar so many times I could have done it in my sleep, and I liked rock ‘n’ roll. And maxi coats and the cool threads. Since we’re both musicians, it was a short leap to making our hero and heroine musicians, too.

Because Rose, our heroine, is a music teacher, who plays several instruments, we decided to give her a love of all music, including classical. To broaden her horizons, we introduced classical music rebels into her music lexicon.

In one of the scenes, she is wandering around the festival grounds when she happens on another female hippie playing her flute and twirling to the melody. Rose decides to join in and plays a counter melody on her flute. Then the hippie begins playing “Bach’s Minuet in G”, to which Rose creates a counter melody.

We were so intrigued with the idea of two flutes playing Bach’s Minuet in G that we decided to compose the counter melody Rose played. If you click on the audio link, you can hear what we heard in our minds when we created this scene.

Now that you’ve heard the music in our heads, we hope you’ll enjoy an excerpt from our story.

The Soul Mate Tree . . . An ancient legend spanning eras, continents, and worlds. To some, it’s nothing more than a dream. To others, a pretty fairy tale handed down through the generations. For those in critical need of their own happy ending, a gift.

Our book, Can’t Stop the Music, is a blast back to the Sixties and Woodstock. For college senior and hippie wannabe Rosemary—Rose for short—a teaching job is within her grasp, but she wants more. She wants love, the kind of love that has bound her parents for so many years. When she’s dumped by her current boyfriend because her morals can’t bring her to give in to free love, she finds herself at Woodstock in the middle of the biggest free-love, music festival of the Sixties. Alone, again. Until a magical tree grants her wish and she finds the man of her dreams—and loses him before she really knows who he is.

Dakota meets the girl of his dreams at Woodstock, but a jealous wannabe girlfriend drives them apart before he can discover Rose’s last name and where she comes from. After he sees a disappearing tree that promises him true love, a frantic search to find Rose comes up empty-handed.

Magic and music brings them together at Woodstock in 1969. Misunderstandings tear them apart. Will two flower children find one another again, or live with missed opportunities? 

Short Excerpt:

As they made their way to the festival site, Rose and her friends grooved to the music coming from the stage. 

When they reached the makeshift bridge over the road, someone yelled, “Hey beautiful! You with the red hair.” 

She looked around to see if there was anyone else with red hair. Then she glanced up and spotted two guys, one blond and the other dark-haired, leaning over the side of the bridge. 

“Yeah, you,” the blond called out as he caught her gaze. 

Willow halted beside her. “He’s cute. How about him?” 

Rose looked away, her gaze landing on the other guy. 

He jabbed his companion in the ribs. “Quit trying to pick up every girl you see.” Then he leaned farther over the rail. “Don’t pay any attention to him. He’s high.” 

“So, she’s not beautiful?” Willow yelled to the hippie. 

She poked her friend. “Stop it, Willow, you’re making a scene.” In spite of her protest, her gaze remained on the dark-haired guy. 

He rested his elbows on the rail and stared back at her. The intensity of his expression shot heat into her belly. 

“I didn’t say that, just that she shouldn’t pay attention to him.” He flapped a hand at his blond buddy, then tapped his own chest with his thumb several times as if to say, ‘Choose me!’ 

Does he want me to pay attention to him? Her heart thumped in rhythm to his jabbing thumb. 

“Take that one,” Willow whispered. “He’s the real cutie.” 

Before she could respond, the crowd pushed them forward. When they reached the other side of the bridge, she looked back, searching for the dark-haired hippie, but the spot where he’d stood was empty. 

Just my luck. I see someone who’s intriguing and he disappears.

With a sigh, she continued the trek to the festival grounds.

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after, and that’s why they write romance.

In addition to writing Catherine and Donald love antiquing, traveling, singing, and going to the theatre. Catherine is also an avid gardener and has drawn Donald into her garden as a day laborer. They figure the couple who plays together and works together, stays together—and that’s just what they aim to do.

Second Editions Coming Soon:

Ghosts and Gardenias

The Promised One The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 1
Blood Brothers The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 2
Son of the Moonless Night The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 3
The Mercenary and the Shifters The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 4

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