Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Maya Sterling is excited to move to Seattle. She wants to be closer to her siblings and her new friends, and a position with a temp agency fits the bill for her new life in the city. She doesn’t plan on walking in and finding a sexy British grouch for a boss, but his gruff nature doesn’t really bother her. In fact, she’s attracted to his rough-around-the-edges nature.
They quickly realize the attraction is mutual and steam up the office. But Maya’s position with Derek is temporary, and she knows she must maintain a professional distance to preserve her sanity.
Will they be able to resist each other? Or does fate have other plans?
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Prologue
Maya
“It’s so good to have you home,” Mom says with a smile as we sit on the back deck of my childhood home overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene. It’s a beautiful spring day, with a big blue sky and calm waters. I might have to take my paddleboard out this afternoon to enjoy it. “I’m so proud of you for traveling and seeing so many amazing things, but a mother wants her children close whenever possible.”
“I’m happy to be home,” I admit and lean over to rest my head on Mom’s shoulder, enjoying being here with her. “You’ve been feeling okay?”
My mom has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, but she’s doing much better than she was even a year ago. There was a time when I had to live here with my parents to make sure she didn’t hurt herself.
Now, with the help of medications, she’s been able to go back to a somewhat normal life.
At least, that’s what she and Dad have told me.
“Like I said every time you called from Europe, I’m just fine, honey.” She kisses my brow, and I raise my head to reach for my mug.
“It’s easy to say that to me when I’m six thousand miles away.” I sip my coffee and watch Mom as she frowns into her cup. “You can be honest with me.”
“I really am doing much better than before we switched medications, Maya. Of course, there are a few days every now and then when I’m reminded that I’m dealing with a monster of a disease. But I have no complaints.” She smiles reassuringly. “Now, tell me everything about Europe. I want to know how you spent each minute. It sounded like you were having such a wonderful experience.”
“I did.” I sigh in contentment and look out over the water. I’d just spent the better part of six months traveling around Europe. It was the adventure of a lifetime. “I think Ireland was my favorite, but Norway was a close second.”