Ashes & Honey: A Novel

She never expected to inherit a house.She never expected to inherit a war.Rebecca has always lived quietly, helping others, keeping her head down, believing that kindness is enough to keep her safe. When an elderly neighbor leaves her everything, including a historic New Mexico home, Rebecca finally has something she’s never had before: security.But the inheritance comes with a shadow.Brentford Ortega IV, the rightful heir who was cut out of the will, is charming, polished, and quietly furious. What begins as subtle pressure soon becomes something far more dangerous. As Rebecca tries to rebuild her life—and open her home to women escaping abuse—she finds herself caught in a tightening web of manipulation, control, and escalating violence.As the walls close in, Rebecca must confront a truth she’s spent her life avoiding:Kindness alone does not stop predators.Ashes & Honey is a gripping domestic suspense novel about emotional abuse, coercive control, and the long road back to safety. Set against the intimate backdrop of a small New Mexico town, it explores how easily danger can hide behind respectability—and how courage is often quiet, imperfect, and hard-won.This novel is for readers who appreciate:Slow-burn psychological tensionStrong, compassionate female protagonistsStories of survival, resilience, and rebuildingEmotional depth without graphic violenceAlso by Wendy Sue Maggio• Mistin Lane – A gripping psychological suspense set in New Mexico• Margo and the Magic Glasses – A magical children’s story about truth and courage Read more