It names names. And it’s been hidden for over a decade.

She kept it. She never told anyone. Maybe she was waiting for the right moment.

Welcome back to the Stronghold. This month, we unseal the past—and it speaks directly to Maggie.

📁 THE REDACTED REPORT // New Intel Recovered

Tucked beneath the floorboards of the Orphan Home’s attic was a letter. Nearly lost.

It’s from Erasmus Thorne, husband of the Council’s leader eleven years before Harper’s Sending. It names a child. It warns of fear disguised as faith. And it begs Maggie, before she ever worked at the Orphan Home, to help stop the Sending.

This is the first time it’s ever been seen.

“They call it reverence. But it’s actually fear. And fear, Maggie, is contagious.”

READ THE LETTER
Password: Erasmus

🗣️ TELL THE WORLD. WIN THE FUTURE.

Did Sovereign wreck you in the best way possible?
Did you finish and immediately scream into the void (or your group chat)?

👀 Then we want to hear about it.

Post a review of Sovereign on your fave social media platform (TikTok, Insta, Bluesky—wherever your dystopian little heart desires)
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📱Tag AJ’s account in your post or story with #ajwhitneybooks
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✨You’re entered to win an early copy of Elysium when it launches.

This is your chance to join the rebellion early—and maybe, just maybe, get answers before anyone else.

🔗 Drop your review. Tag AJ. Claim your shot at glory.

👁️SPOTTED IN THE STRONGHOLD

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“The number of emotions I experienced during this book! I really thought I knew where this was going, and I was so wrong. REALLY looking forward to the next one. I need to know what happens next!!!”

– Sarah s.

Theories or reviews? Tag AJ for a chance to be featured next month!

🕯️WHISPERS FROM THE ARCHIVES

📖Currently Reading: The Standard Book of Anything by Andrea H. Rome — A cozy fantasy in which a young woman attempts to save her village from certain doom after its warding tree of protection crashes to the ground. Appropriate for all ages.

✍️Currently Writing: Never Say Neverland — a horror retelling of the classic Peter Pan tale, in which Pan is the villain and only Hook can save Wendy

Upcoming:

📍August 2: Harry Potter Pop-Up in Blue Springs, MO
📍October 4: The Witching Hour Book Market in Olathe, KS
📍November 8: Lit & Libations, Great Gatsby Edition in Pleasant Valley, MO

👉 Check the Events Page for details.

NEXT TIME IN THE STRONGHOLD:
A HIGHLY UNAUTHORIZED SURVIVAL GUIDE

There are rules.
There are lessons.
And then there’s what the Orphans actually say when the adults aren’t around.

We’re breaking curfew and opening the cellar door on something very unofficial:

🗝️ The Orphan Handbook — written by the Orphans, for the Orphans (and definitely not approved by Master Cowan).

This totally real, 100% non-sanctioned guide includes:

• What Mistress Heywood’s chore system actually looks like
• A ranking of hiding spots (tree canopy supremacy, obviously)
• Master Cowan’s nickname (brace yourself)
• Festival prep tips with ✨unhinged✨ accuracy

And if you thought 33’s doodles were just for notebooks… oh, babe. You’re not ready.

📬 Keep your eyes on the Stronghold next month.
One wrong look and you might find yourself marked as “High Horse” status.

Until then? Hide well. Whisper better. And whatever you do, don’t let the Caretakers find this.

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