Meena Mason’s Podcast

From a certain vantage point, it would be accurate to say Kessa made a muck of things; perhaps to even declare that statement as an understatement. However, in this case, that vantage point offers hindsight, which is, of course, 20/20. It must also be said that although vantage points provide a superior view, they do not include the entire picture.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Abigail paused, peering back at her. The odd expression on her face was rendered eve...

After a successful spying excursion, the king has yet another assignment for Kessa. But this one has her on edge like none before. Will she be able to go through with it?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“General?”

“Come in.” Rakull’s attention did not deviate from whatever he was doing.

A woman squealed in protest as the Rynannonian soldier propelled her through the tent flap.

“I caught her spying around the camp, sir.”

After a successful spying excursion, the king has yet another assignment for Kessa. But this one has her on edge like none before. Will she be able to go through with it?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“General?”

“Come in.” Rakull’s attention did not deviate from whatever he was doing.

A woman squealed in protest as the Rynannonian soldier propelled her through the tent flap.

“I caught her spying around the camp, sir.”

The vacation to Daisyfield was very successful… from a spy’s perspective, from a sister’s or friend’s not so much. In fact, Kessa’s choices were so distressing that Aquestria saw fit to shackle her with a chaperone. Having a chaperone definitely hampers the lifestyle of a spy.  

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Craning his neck upward, he spied her sitting placidly on a tree branch, surrounded by fresh, spring buds.

“There you are, kid! Do you know how lo...

Having succeeded in weeding out the core of corruption in Daisyfield, Kessa returns to the inn. Unfortunately, her battles are far from over.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“Let’s look at the bright side, shall we?” Kessa interrupted. She attempted a sincere tone, but came across a touch snarky. “The viper’s head has been chopped off. Our good captain, here, will restore order. Daisyfield will flourish again. I’m alive. Enough said!”

Employing the old adage, “Seek and ye shall find,” more than adequately, Kessa winds up entangled in the very weeds she wished to root out.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

She followed the darkly clad individual, who moved with alarming speed to Daisyfield’s outskirts. Off the road, through a field, and past a copse of trees, she spied her quarry sneaking into a derelict, boarded up barn. The minute she left her hiding spot to pursue, she sensed a presence behind her.

Teaser for Chapter 15 of The Thief's Tale

Kessa’s investigations seem to have drawn the watchful eyes of those behind the trouble in Daisyfield. Oh, and then there’s Pantheus.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“Good, sir,” Clint approached the man with a confident swagger that irritated Kessa because she had an inkling what was in store.

The man dropped the map to observe who had addressed him.

Clint gestured to the map. “Need help?”

Relieved to have some assistance the...

Teaser for Chapter 13 of The Thief's Tale by Meena Mason

In the port city of Daisyfield, Kessa navigates both the problems plaguing the area and the qualms impacting her relationships. Was juggling ever a tick in her list of attributes?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

After spending the afternoon at the beach, Kessa ambled up the dock toward The Salty Inn. The day had flown by. She couldn’t believe it was dinnertime. Peeking into the dining room, she saw her family was already seated and engrossed in conve...

A family trip to Daisyfield with Pantheus sounds ideal. Rest, relaxation, a soothing swim are just what Dr. Finesse would order. But there’s no rest for the covert it seems.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Cacophonous hoofbeats frightened the beggars back in time to avoid being trampled. The horseback riders were garbed in uniforms that identified them as Daisyfield guards.

               “Round them up,” an authoritative voice boomed through a full helm.

               Several guards dismounted and marched toward the ter...

Although Kessa might consider herself a bit of a social outcast, she certainly didn’t act like one at her sister’s celebration party. Nor was she treated like one. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Kessa’s deliberation was diverted by the drink tray. She was in the midst of arguing personal misgivings about partaking, when she heard a condescending voice declare,

“Hey, blondie, best to avoid the spirits after your performance...

While recovering from her jaunt in the wilderness with Quinn and the Birthday Aches and Pains surprise, Kessa meets Malieous, who apprises her of the ceremony that will announce Captain York’s successor. But it turns out the ceremony has more than one revelation.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Casually scrutinizing the guard, Kessa and Quinn followed, awed by the sheer size of the tent’s interior, plus the amount of people already crowded within. With a slight gesture...

Narrowly escaping two harrowing entrapments should be cause for elation, jubilation even, but for Kessa it’s the opposite. Perhaps it has to do with her family and friends forgetting her birthday. Or did they? Maybe her friends have cooked something up that she won’t forget.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

She spent several moments contemplating this before bitterly complaining, “All I can say is it isn’t the way I planned to celebrate my eighteenth birthday; that’s for sure.”

Thomas’...

What’s the popular saying for escaping one dangerous situation only to face a worse one? Out of the frying pan into the fire is certainly an apt idiom for the circumstances Kessa finds herself in upon waking up the morning after fleeing her kidnappers.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

While the trap hadn’t completely crippled her, it had certainly lamed her. The night’s rainstorm provided slippery footing as well. Those factors, in addition to the soreness the king’s beating a...

An evening of celebration takes an unexpected turn when Kessa and Quinn are kidnapped. How will they get out of this pickle?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Suddenly, Quinn was sucked under the water and when he didn’t resurface that certainly sped up Kessa’s limbs. Nearing the spot where he’d disappeared, Kessa felt something wrap around her ankle, yanking at her. She kicked and struggled as more tendrils wrapped around her legs, pulling her under. The water...

Turning eighteen is usually a celebratory time – a time to one day look back on and sigh with pleasant nostalgia. Not so for the young spy. Her eighteenth birthday was anything but a day to look back on with a smile.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

The sun rose hot and volatile on Kessa’s eighteenth birthday. So far, the summer had been a real scorcher. The grass was brown and brittle, even the trees wilted. Rumours that crops w...

A sound beating – probably an understatement! At least, Kessa is no longer in the dark about Casyius’ punishment. Battered and bloody, she makes her way to the doctor’s office (Thomas in tow) to not only seek healing but also to discover Charlo’s true fate.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Loman almost bumped into a blue haired girl as he rounded the corner. Thomas recognized Torrent, the girl Kessa had defeated to win Mud Mania. A malevolent smile was plastered...

Casyius’ malicious cunning is revealed. Can the relationship between Thomas and Kessa ever recover from the damage caused? Never mind that, it seems that Casyius has more in store for the young, determined spy. Will she ever recover?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

With a fierce snarl, Kessa lunged forward, her chair scraping against the floor with the effort.

“Retract those claws, kitten. Nothing’s been done yet. I’m simply jogging your memory to your sworn allegiance…

Kessa says goodbye to Fervour and heads for Cyrene, hoping that Casyius will overlook her decision to defy him. One can always hope, right?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“Kessa?”

She blinked open her eyes and looked up into Aquestria’s concerned face.

“Are you all right?” Aquestria asked.

Sitting up, Kessa glanced around. Realizing she was in the middle of the road where she’d first seen the dog, only there was no dog now...

All the sweat, blood, bruises, sprains, and tears bestowed during Mud Mania would hardly be worth it if there weren’t a magnificent celebration at the conclusion.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

“Did you take any strange substances at the party?” Charlo questioned. “You watched your plate and goblet closely, right?”

                Incredulous, Kessa blurted, “Yes! Routine, doctor.”

“You didn’t bump your head while swimming or anything, did you?”

“No!”

“Hmm.”

“Come on, Charlo. Spill the bea...

Mud Mania is all wrapped up with a pretty, little crown on top. Time for the winner to step onto that center podium and wear that crown. Goodness - what winners have to endure!

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

The king stood up, waiting for the crowd to quiet prior to pompously traipsing down to the podiums. The mayor of Fervour and one of his councilmen, draped in colourful regalia that reminded Kessa of peacocks, trailed the king, cer...

Mud Mania is drawing to a close. But before the conclusion of an exciting and action-packed tournament, Kessa has a difficult decision to make. Will she satisfy the king or follow her heart and her integrity?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

The final day of competition arrived much too quickly, in Kessa’s opinion. The remaining six wrestlers and their standings were: Candy Cane, Violet Crush, Torrent, Blue Dawn, Pine Cone, and Clare. In Mud Mania’s history only three other competitors had h...

An invitation to dinner is usually a welcome delight for Kessa. Food is, after all, her best and favourite ally. Hayland Green’s dinner invitation, however, borders a precarious pitfall. Should she fail to keep her identity secret, it could spell disaster. But if one thing is for certain, fully occupied dinner tables are as loaded with secrets as they are with food and conversation. All Kessa has to do is steer the secret unravelling conversation away from her. Easy for a clever spy, right?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Mee...

Particularly good spies discover the most secretive of plots and schemes, which Kessa (a particularly good spy) has done. Discovery is only a slice of a spy’s assignment pie, however. Now, Kessa gets to prove just how good a spy she is by how she twists this particular plot to her advantage.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Kessa dodged the tiny throwing stars flying in her direction. She avoided the one aimed at her head and felt a sha...

Teaser for Chapter 13 of The Thief's Tale by Meena Mason

Mud Mania has begun. Kessa’s mud wrestling skills will not be the solitary skills put to the test, particularly when an unexpected spectator shows up on the royal dais. Triumph in the mucky ring is a possible tick on Kessa’s ever growing to do list.     

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Pantheus’ blue eyes met Kessa’s, and suddenly her heart was pounding, and her knees felt weak.

“Good luck out there,” he said.

Charlo, perceivin...

Consequences are Kessa’s least favourite force of nature. You reap what you sow is an expression that only tickles her fancy when it’s a good harvest. Certainly, not alone there; she is alone in sneaking into Cyrene’s dungeon and living to tell the tale, though telling the tale was never on her to do list, and for good reason. Although mum was the word, Clandestine Services caught wind of it (duh), and she must bide her time while they decide just what those consequences will be.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read b...

Once again, displaying that her emotions often get the better of her, Kessa strides impetuously into a bad decision. Having snuck into Cyrene’s infamous dungeons, she’s chosen to go head-to-head with the dungeon keeper. Should she be at all surprised when he makes the best of the situation – at her expense?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Kessa had snuck through the various levels of Acara’s infamous prison undetected, until she’d finally located the dungeon keepers’ offi...

Teaser for Chapter 12 of The Thiefs Tale

Actually, excited about preparing for her next assignment, Kessa is ready for training. But when a wrench or two is thrown into the mix, she finds herself unbalanced and decides to rush headlong down a path she will come to regret.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Dr. Charlo Finesse opened her office door to see Kessa standing there ready for training.

After she’d exchanged salutations with her trainee, Charlo fished, “I see an unfamiliar fire behind...

Amberle Lestroy is in Cyrene’s dungeon, but King Casyius is not concerned with rewarding or even acknowledging Kessa. Not only that, he already has her next assignment lined up. Kessa, already feeling grimy from the king’s last request, now balks at his desire to literally toss her into the mire. She’ll have to wrestle her way out.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Donning their hoods, they marched straight to the throne room where they found Casyius slouched in the throne...

It’s a nice night for a daring rescue, at least, according to Augustus’ devout fan base. Flip the coin to the escort, and it’s a nice night to thwart a daring rescue. Which shall prevail? And is it really a win?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

The volleys of fire arrows had ceased, and for several seconds, their flames flickering and Kessa sneaking about were the only things moving. Not for long. Several figures, darkly dressed and hoode...

Teaser for Chapter 11 of The Thief's Tale

Wounded by Lord Aguilon’s perceived snub, Kessa decrees that what is good for the goose is good for the gander, and, in lieu of a bandage, pursues distractions powerful enough to keep her mind off him. Served up on a platter, in the form of a caged wagon, Augustus, the handsome rapscallion who nearly succeeded in robbing the town mint from under Pantheus’ nose, fits the bill. Talented, charming, and devious, he makes for a tantalizing diversion to be sure. But if she isn’t careful, he might end up giving Kessa a bit more than she bargained for.  ...

Ah, to be rivetted by the courageous deeds of Aquina’s Lord Aguilon whilst feasting at his dinner table. A capable storyteller, a handsome lord, adventures fraught with cunning and danger, delicious food: what more could company ask for? What more could Kessa ask for? Apparently, a good deal more.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt: 

“Please, join us, Captain.” Pantheus pulled out a chair and called for the servant to bring an extra plate of food.

                “Thank you. I am feeling a w...

This is the teaser for Chapter 10 of Meena Mason's, The Thief's Tale, audio book. 

If Anandrill Forest had wedding bells, they’d be peeling madly, and Kessa would be resentfully plugging her ears. Yes, the day she’s dreaded more than an empty stomach has finally arrived. Aquestria is about to become Lady Fayne, married to the infamous dungeon keeper, and Kessa’s bane. But, even on a unique day such as this, Kessa isn’t completely free of her devotion to Clandestine Services. Crime never pays, and it never stops. In the case of the latter, neither does Kessa.

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. C...

*Spoilers Ahead*

Kessa struggles with the bombshell that her sister and Lord Fayne are dating. If she thought that news was devastating; the announcement of their engagement is nigh cataclysmic. Impetuously, Kessa craves a near death experience to help her cope. What she gets is a meeting with the king. What’s the difference, really?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Excerpt:

Rationalizing that Thomas had told her to downplay her aptitudes and skills around people she knew; Kessa discarded her emotional saf...

Another challenging task under her belt, Kessa sits back to enjoy the spoils of her hard work. Believing her cleverness and generosity will provide a window through which she can crawl to improve her relationship with Aquestria, she finds reality is much crueler. Rumours, like leaves caught in a whirlpool, have been circulating, dampening the sisters' rapport. What happens when one of the rumours happens to be true?

Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason

Chapter 19 Excerpt:

The sixteen-year-old blonde spy hum...