Yew Manor

By Alan Loewen

Yew Manor lies outside Columbus, Ohio and its new owner, Robert DeMolay, does not yet know his new inheritance contains a gateway between a myriad number of worlds.

Given an opportunity to steward these worlds, he must make a decision that puts this world and all others in grim jeopardy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alan Loewen
• Release date: May 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476232348

Alan Loewen

Alan Loewen lives with his wife and three sons in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania sharing their home with a Sheltie named Socrates, a rabbit, a demented parrot lovingly dubbed, The Death Chicken," and far too many cats. You can always find him at CapClave and Anthrocon or else hiding in his office. "Alan Loewen believes in magic, and I'm not talking about the dark, Gothic stuff that gets spelled with a "k" at the end. I mean he believes in real magic, the kind that makes us look at the world and feel that sense of wonder we had when we were young. You can call it magic, fantasy, or myth, but it's based on the very cornerstone of his work: hope. Alan Loewen is handing out hope, and we're all the better for it if we grab some." - Donald Francis, author of Advent "Alan Loewen transports his readers into new worlds oddly familiar, yet full of surprises. Loewen is a magician with words. His stories always entertain and, when you least expect, take you by surprise." ~ Lynne Nave, Executive Editor; Stony Run Publishing Company "Alan Loewen's characters are unique and so are the twists each one takes in these stories. A good read!" ~ Emily Chase, author of Help! My Family's Messed Up! Wow, just wow! Loewen’s writing transports one to other worlds, worlds intricately woven of word and phrase, and leaves you wanting to explore further. ~ Teresa Ford, editor of Ethereal Tales "Captures the imagination, then sends it flying ... will sometimes stop you in your tracks, yet other times will cause you to step out to follow the tracks of others through time and realm alike." ~ Cynthia A. Conley, Independent Research & Freelance Writing Services

Book preview

YEW MANOR

by

Alan Loewen

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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Published by Alan Loewen on Smashwords

Yew Manor

Copyright © 2012 by Alan Loewen

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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When Robert DeMolay called to say he had inherited a house, at first I suspected an April Fool’s joke.

Robert explained a lawyer had contacted him with the unexpected news. My friend’s sudden benefactor was a great-uncle that he had never met and, as Robert was an only child with both parents deceased, it appeared ownership of Yew Manor was now his.

Robert then told me to my great delight that he would like me to accompany him to inspect the property. I immediately agreed, but knowing Robert’s style of driving, without hesitation, I offered my services as chauffeur.

After making phone calls to ensure that first, my employer, and then my fiancée approved of my sudden vacation, I loaded a hastily-packed suitcase in my 1964 Volkswagen Beetle and made the normal thirty-minute drive to Robert’s apartment in twenty-five. Robert had already inked out our journey on a roadmap from Baltimore, Maryland to Yew Manor outside of Columbus, Ohio estimating a journey of eight hours not counting stops.

So tell me, I said, as I settled back into the driver’s seat, What are the particulars of this specific windfall?

In the confines of my Volkswagen, Robert sprawled his lanky frame over the passenger seat. He scratched at his thinning blonde hair and shrugged.

My uncle’s lawyer will meet us at the house and give me more information. I have no desire to move to Columbus, so I plan on dumping the property on the market. You know me. Misogynist bachelor. Dedicated hermit. I’m happy in my apartment so after I get all the papers signed, we’ll return to Baltimore immediately.

The journey to Ohio passed without incident, but as we approached