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Judith Sterling

~ Award-winning Author

Judith Sterling

Monthly Archives: December 2019

Reflection and Resolution on New Year’s Eve

31 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Guardians of Erin, Happy New Year, Judith Sterling, medieval romance, New Year's Eve, New Year's resolutions, Return of the Raven, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Spear Alight, The Sword Unsheathed, time travel romance, YA paranormal fantasy, young adult series

It’s hard to believe we’re saying good-bye to 2019.  Didn’t it just arrive?

For me, 2019 was a busy year, with many challenges but so much more good than bad.  I’m grateful for all of it, and for you.

As for New Year’s resolutions, I intend to write the final books of my two current series–Return of the Raven (medieval romance) and The Spear Alight (YA paranormal fantasy)–by the end of 2020.  And if all goes to plan, we’ll see the release of The Sword Unsheathed (Guardians of Erin, Book 3) in the first quarter of the year.  I’ll be revealing the cover soon!

I want to thank each and every one of you for following my blog, and I hope you have a beautiful and blessed 2020.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Medieval Monday ~ FOR THIS KNIGHT ONLY

30 Monday Dec 2019

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Barbara Bettis, excerpt, For This Knight Only, Judith Sterling, Knights of Destiny, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Night of the Owl, romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood

Welcome back to Medieval Monday!  Our theme of “Celebrations” continues, and I’m excited to have the talented Barbara Bettis here today.  We’re featuring For This Knight Only from her Knights of Destiny series.

If you’re following my excerpt from Night of the Owl, you can find the seventh snippet on Barbara’s blog: http://www.barbarabettis.com/index.php/blog/

Now, let’s enjoy her seventh snippet:

Sliding his hand down to cover hers, Roark led her to the side, away from curious ears. He would make one last effort.

“Understand lady, I do this for your protection.” His low voice was fierce. “Luck has been with you. For whatever reason, no one has used the kind of force needed to capture this place. Once word about your brother is out, they will come.

“It won’t take much, believe me. I’ve overrun castles manned by more fighters than you muster, and I have done it with fewer soldiers. I’m here now, and I will defend you and your people. Consider their safety, if not your own.”

Is Roark at last making a reasonable argument? See next week on Cathy McRae’s blog: https://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Read last week’s snippet here: http://ruthacasie.blogspot.com/

A little more about For This Knight Only:

He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him.  If only either had a choice.  It’s a marriage only love can save.

Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin.  

Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord.

But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ THE HIGHLANDER’S CRUSADER BRIDE

23 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Cathy MacRae, DD MacRae, excerpt, Hardy Heroines, historical romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Night of the Owl, romance series, The Highlander's Crusader Bride, The Novels of Ravenwood

Welcome back to Medieval Monday!  Our theme of “Celebrations” continues, and today I’m featuring Cathy MacRae’s The Highlander’s Crusader Bride, the third book in the Hardy Heroines series.

If you’re following my excerpt from Night of the Owl, you can find the sixth snippet on Cathy’s blog: https://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Now, let’s enjoy her sixth snippet:

“Ego congelo vos in matrimonium in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen,” Father Sachairi concluded.

Arbela jerked her gaze to the priest and Alex’s shoulders shook. Caelen made to rise, but Arbela did not budge. He sent her a look of surprise.

“’Tis a bit late to balk, my lady,” he murmured.

To read Cathy’s seventh snippet, follow her next week to Laurel O’Donnell’s blog: http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html

A little more about The Highlander’s Crusader Bride:

Born in the Holy Land only a few years after the Third Crusade, half-Armenian, half-Scot Arbela MacLean is a true daughter of the desert, beautiful and untamed. Trained to be a warrior to avoid her gentle mother’s fate, Arbela has honed her skills with Turkish bow and arrow, sword, and throwing darts—and dreads the day her father chooses a man for her to marry.

After more than thirty years in the Holy Land, Donal MacLean, Baron of Batroun, is recalled to Scotland, the last son available to take up leadership of clan MacLean. He brings with him knights, treasure, trade—and a daughter of marriageable age.

Caelen MacKern, known as the Bull of the Highlands, is cynical about women. His first marriage formed an alliance, and he did not grieve when his spoiled, immature bride passed away. He has agreed to marry again—against his better judgement—for the men, means, and coin to recover from a devastating pestilence that all but wiped out his clan.

More than a little resentful at finding himself forced to remarry, Caelen’s proposal to Donal MacLean’s headstrong daughter nevertheless piques her interest. Each will receive what they want most from life—the ability to live as they please without interference from a meddling spouse. But their marriage of indifference will soon change to one of passion that neither Arbela nor Caelen could have predicted.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

See you next Monday!  🙂

An Interview with Jennifer Wilck, author of WAITING FOR A MIRACLE

19 Thursday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Author Interview, Hanukkah, holiday read, Jennifer Wilck, Judith Sterling, The Wild Rose Press, Waiting for a Miracle

I’m thrilled to have a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today to talk about her life as an author and her new release, Waiting for a Miracle.  Please welcome Jennifer Wilck!

At what age did you write your first story?

Oh my gosh, I’ve been writing since I was a little girl. But my first book was published by Whiskey Creek Press when I was thirty-six years old.

Which genre was the first to hook you?

I’ve always loved writing romance. I grew up reading Danielle Steele, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, etc., so when I decided to start writing, that’s the genre I turned to.

What was your first published book?

A Heart of Little Faith, published by Whiskey Creek Press. They went out of business, and I eventually self-published it. It’s available now as an e-book only on Amazon.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming?  Research?  Outlining?  Writing?  Editing?

I love when a character starts talking to me and I’m compelled to write it down.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on several projects. I was approached by a group of authors to join them in a self-publishing venture—we all write our own books but they revolve around a similar theme and legend. Mine comes out in the fall, so I’m busy writing right now. I’m also in the middle of editing a series of books that I need to figure out what to do with.

Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? Why?

I write a lot of Jewish characters, so many of my books are set in New York City or the surrounding area. It’s what I know best, so it comes easily to me.

Have you ever dreamed about a character you created?

All the time! I still dream about Gideon from A Heart of Little Faith.

Awesome! If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?

I’ve always been intrigued by Thomas Jefferson. I’d love to talk to him about his inventions. And I’d love to talk to my grandmother—I have some serious questions for her!

My husband and I used to work for Colonial Williamsburg, so I agree with you about Thomas Jefferson. He’d be a fun guy to talk to. If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be?

So many places and time periods! I’d love to go to Scotland in the middle ages, the US during the Revolutionary times, Jerusalem during Biblical times…

Cool choices! If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?

Lynn Kurland has two series that intertwine—the dePiaget Family and the MacLeod Family. They are time-travel romances and I’d love to explore them for at least a week if not longer.

If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?

Happiness for my family.

I want that for mine, too. Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: My girls’ laughter

Eye color: green

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): French

Song: “1000 Years”

Book: Jane Eyre

Movie: Dirty Dancing

TV show: MI-5

Cuisine: Anything I don’t have to cook

LOL. I love it! Cookie: chocolate chip–mine

US location: Block Island, RI

Foreign location: Paris

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Coffee in the morning, tea at night

Cake or pie? My mom’s apple pie

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Brontë sisters

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Depends on who he is.

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? Scottish Highlander

Thanks so much for joining me today, Jennifer.  Waiting for a Miracle sounds like a wonderful read, and I love the cover!  Wishing you all the best with it!

For all you avid readers, here’s the scoop on the story:

Benjamin Cohen, widowed father of six-year-old Jessie, is doing his best to hold it together through order and routine. The last thing he needs is his matchmaker mother to set him up with her next door neighbor, no matter how attractive she is.

Rachel Schaecter’s dream of becoming a foster mother is right within her grasp, until her meddlesome neighbor tries to set her up with her handsome son. What’s worse? He’s the father of her favorite kindergarten student! She can’t afford to let anything come between her and her dream, no matter how gorgeous he may be.

Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?

A peek between the pages:

Six-year-old bodies were good at many things— bouncing, hugging, and racing. Rachel was thankful they were also good at hiding her surprise. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her favorite student, and her student’s father, would be at her neighbor’s house the same night she was invited to celebrate Hanukkah.

She met the hard gaze of Jessie’s father across the room. Eyes narrowed as if he suspected her reasons for being here. His broad shoulders were stiff. His jean-clad muscular legs were spread apart in a solid stance. Square hands fisted at his sides, and one of them held a menorah. Did he plan to throw it or club someone with it?

Giving Jessie a last pat, she rose. With an arm around Jessie, she extended her other hand to her father. “Happy Hanukkah.”

“Ms. Schaecter.”

“Mr. Cohen.”

“Oh, please,” Harriet said, “Such formality between you two. Rachel, this is my son Benny. I mean Benjamin.”

Benny. Rachel filed the information away for later, along with his flushed skin at the nickname. Interesting.

“And Benjamin, this is my neighbor, Rachel. We’re not at a school event. You can call each other by your first names.” Harriet pointed at Jessie, who gripped Rachel’s hand so hard, Rachel’s fingers lost their circulation. “Except for you,” Harriet added. “You have to call her Ms. Schaecter.”

Jessie giggled. “Yes, Grandma.”

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

More about Jennifer:

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Where to find her:

Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/

Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck

THE STONE AWAKENED won Best Paranormal!

17 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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award-winning books, Best Paranormal of 2018, Best Paranormal of 2019, Guardians of Erin, Judith Sterling, N. N. Light Book Awards, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, The Sword Unsheathed, YA paranormal fantasy, young adult series

Wonderful news!  The Stone Awakened, the second book in my Guardians of Erin YA paranormal series, won Best Paranormal in the 2019 N. N. Light Book Awards.  I’m beyond excited and grateful for this award.  Now both books in the series have won it!

The Sword Unsheathed, the third book in the series, is moving toward publication.  I just saw the cover, and I’ll be sharing it soon.  Stay tuned!

Hope you’re having a good week and gearing up for a great holiday!  🙂

 

Medieval Monday ~ CAMERON

16 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Cameron, excerpt, Judith Sterling, Lane McFarland, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Night of the Owl, romance series, The Daughters of Alastair MacDougall, The Novels of Ravenwood

Welcome back to Medieval Monday!  Our theme of “Celebrations” continues, and today I’m featuring Lane McFarland’s Cameron, the first book of The Daughters of Alastair MacDougall series.

If you’re following my excerpt from Night of the Owl, you can find the fifth snippet on Lane’s blog: http://www.lanemcfarland.com/blog/

Now, let’s enjoy her fifth snippet:

“M’lady.” He stopped beside her and watched the revelers.

Stilted silence passed between them before she spoke. “Yer leg is doing well?”

“Aye, it is.” He rubbed his thigh. “It’s a wee bit sore, but it’s better.”

“That’s good.”

They turned back to the dancers. She searched for something to say, not sure where she stood with him. The last time she saw him, he had railed at her, making it clear he didn’t want her near him.

Follow along next week on Mary Morgan’s blog at https://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog

A little more about the book:

Determined to band Scots together against English tyranny, Laird Robert Graham seals a truce with his feuding neighbors, the MacDougalls. But after his brother is nearly killed in a treacherous attack, Graham kidnaps the laird’s daughter in an act of revenge.

Cameron MacDougall has devoted her life to the healing arts. She’s long rebelled against her father’s feuding ways, but when Robert Graham abducts her, she’s finds herself at the center of the dispute between their families. She expects the anger she feels, not the simmering attraction to the powerful warrior, or the love she develops for his clan.

Can she stop further violence between the clans with her escape? Or will she find her surrender leads to a lasting peace and her own heart’s desire?

Where to buy it:

Amazon

See you next Monday!  🙂

TO WEAVE A HIGHLAND TAPESTRY by Mary Morgan

12 Thursday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 24 Comments

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award winning author, Celtic paranormal, excerpt, fantasy romance, guest post, Judith Sterling, Legend of the Yew Tree, Mary Morgan, new release, Order of the Dragon Knights, Scotland, The Wild Rose Press, To Weave a Highland Tapestry

My dear friend and sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) Mary Morgan is here today!  We’re celebrating her new release, To Weave a Highland Tapestry, and she’s written a wonderful guest post about the legend of the yew tree.  Let’s read on…

In To Weave a Highland Tapestry, I considered it time to give the hero, Patrick MacFhearguis his own “happy ever after.” He’s been a huge secondary character since my first book and series, Dragon Knight’s Sword, Order of the Dragon Knights. I sensed he was brooding at his home in Scotland. What he needed was a wife and a purpose. In truth, he has been a favorite of mine since he stepped into the first story. I made his castle, Leòmhann, as the center of this love story, along with an ancient yew tree.

Allow me to take you back in time to ancient Scotland…

When the ancient MacFhearguis clan settled near the Great Glen in Scotland, the Chieftain wished to bless the land, and his castle known as Leòmhann—the lion. Druids came from far away, bestowing their approval over stone, land, and people. Afterwards, they took part in a grand feast. Drink and food overflowed in the Great Hall. The bards recounted the great tales. Minstrels played songs of past triumphs, and the dancing and feasting lasted for countless days.

However, another tale lay buried within the stone walls of Leòmhann and only those brave enough could relate the true account.

It was whispered there were those in the clan—weavers from an ancient order from the west—not happy with the Chieftain’s refusal to offer a gift to the Fae who had graced his land before him. He deemed their request foolish and banished these irritating women to the forest.

Saddened by this act from their Chieftain, the women grew concerned the Fae would not give their own blessing over this new land, leaving their people without a compassionate and wise leader. Regardless of his order to silence them, they sought another path to right this injustice.

Gathering around a bonfire on a moonlit Samhain eve, each woman brought with them one long golden thread from their looms. On a whispered prayer, they knotted them all together. Traveling deep into the forest far away from Leòmhann, they came upon a young yew tree. As they swayed softly, the women wrapped the knotted threads around the tree. After they were finished, they joined hands and sang out as one.

“Seasons will ebb and flow—battles shall be fought.

The loom of the land shall not see rebirth.

From left to right, the strands of time will knot and break.

Only when a weaver threads the true color on a winter full moon night, shall the land, stone, and clan be cleansed.”

Smiling, they embraced each other, deeming their prayer had been received by the Fae. As the leaves rustled beneath their feet, none of them ever fathomed that the true master weaver to claim the heart of a MacFhearguis would not appear for over eight hundred years.

And as the centuries passed, the legend of the Yew tree became more of a curse, and the land around Leòmhann suffered.

A little more about To Weave a Highland Tapestry:

Patrick MacFhearguis, hardened by battles won and lost, desires what he can never have—peace within his heart and soul.  Yet, the ever-meddling Fae weave a new journey for him to conquer—a task this highlander is determined to resist.

When skilled weaver, Gwen Hywel, is commissioned to create a tapestry for the MacFhearguis clan, she embraces the assignment. While seeking out ideas, she finds herself clutching the one thread that can alter the tapestry of her life and heart.

A man conflicted by past deeds. A woman with no family of her own. Is it possible for love to unravel an ancient past, in order to claim two badly scarred hearts? Or will the light of hope be doused forever?

A peek between the pages:

His kiss was urgent, demanding. Patrick thrust his tongue into her soft heat. The air swirled in a tempest of passion as the kiss deepened. No longer caring if anyone came upon them, Patrick continued to feast on her mouth.

“How many kissing boughs have our wives placed in this castle?” asked Stephen.

“In every nook, stone, and chamber. I would not be surprised to find one in the stables or lists,” replied Duncan.

Stephen laughed. “By the hounds, I do love Midwinter.”

Gwen stiffened against Patrick. Placing a finger over her mouth, he waited for the conversation to fade before relaxing his stance and stepping back. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as the men made their way into the feasting hall. Returning his attention to Gwen, he pulled her out of the alcove.

Her cheeks were stained a becoming pink, and full lips begged to be kissed again. Patrick raked a hand through his hair, doing his best to refrain from backing her inside the hidden enclosure again.

She giggled and stole a glance upward within the alcove. “Yes. We can blame it on the kissing boughs.”

He laughed nervously. “This is a first.”

“Are you confessing you’ve never kissed another under these boughs?”

Reaching for her hand, he caressed her fingers. “Never. Leòmhann has seen many a Midwinter feast, but no one dared to place these kissing boughs within the castle.”

She tilted her head to the side. Her joyful expression faded. “May I ask why?”

Once again, Patrick was reminded of the curse which surrounded his home. He looked down at her tiny hand. What could he offer Gwen? Why did he continue to pursue her without the promise of tomorrow? Should he confess all to her now?

She squeezed his hand. “If it’s too painful to talk about, I’ll understand. Let us enjoy this evening and not dwell on unhappy thoughts.”

Her words brought comfort to Patrick’s tortured spirit. Giving her a weak smile, he brought her hand into the crook of his arm. “Ye are correct. Let us welcome the light of Midwinter tonight.”

Patrick’s steps slowed as he guided them into the hall. The atmosphere was one of cheerfulness, laughter, and music. Greenery adorned the entire room—from wooden beams to tables. Children scurried past them in glee, and his heart leaped at the sight.

“My goodness. It’s beautiful,” observed Gwen, leaning against him. “And look, they’ve brought Meggie’s tapestry back inside the hall. The MacKays surely know how to celebrate.”

Within that moment, Patrick made a silent vow that one day he would see the same light enter his home. His heart soared at the possibility. With ye by my side, Gwen, I shall give ye this beauty.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B & N | Apple Books

More about Mary:

Award-winning Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling by writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.

Where to find her:

WEBSITE/BLOG:  https://www.marymorganauthor.com/

TWITTER:  http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor

FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/      

GOODREADS:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:  http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/

PINTEREST:  www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/

BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-morgan-2634a77a/

AUDIBLE AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.audible.com/author/Mary-Morgan/B00KPE3NWI

Best of luck with the book, Mary!  🙂

Great news!

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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award finalist, bestselling author, Guardians of Erin, Judith Sterling, Kathryn Knight, medieval romance series, N. N. Light Book Awards, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, Night of the Owl, paranormal, RONE Award, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Stone Awakened, time travel, time travel romance, young adult series

I’m honored and thrilled to announce that The Stone Awakened and Night of the Owl are both N. N. Light Book Award finalists in the Paranormal and Time Travel/Time Travel Romance categories, respectively.

I have no idea what will happen, but I’m thankful to be considered alongside such talented authors.  Congrats to all the finalists!

In other news, bestselling author Kathryn Knight has included The Stone Awakened in a blog post featuring RONE Award finalists and winners.  There are some great reads listed, and you can check them out here.

That’s all for now.  Have a lovely Wednesday!  🙂

TODAY, TOMORROW, ALWAYS by Peggy Jaeger

10 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

A Match Made in Heaven, contemporary romance, excerpt, guest post, Judith Sterling, new release, Peggy Jaeger, romantic comedy, secondary characters, The Wild Rose Press

I’m thrilled to have a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) here with me today.  We’re celebrating her new release, Today, Tomorrow, Always, and she’s written a lovely guest post about secondary characters who move the story along.  Let’s see what she has to say:

When I decided to write my first romance series, I knew I needed to have engaging primary characters the reader could root for. I also knew I needed great secondary characters who’d pop up from book to book and who, also, the reader would want to connect with.

In my Match Made in Heaven series, the second book of which – TODAY, TOMORROW, ALWAYS – is out now, that secondary character is 93-year-old O’Dowd grandmother, Nanny Fee.

Her real, full name is Fiona Bridget Mary Darcy Sullivan O’Dowd Heaven Scallopini because she’s been married 4 times and widowed 4 times, each husband’s passing more difficult emotionally than the one before it. Fiona hasn’t only let her romantic heart be guided to the matrimonial bed. In her younger years she was a classical pianist and traveled with a world famous symphony all through Europe where she had affairs  (between hubbies, of course) with a Duke, a Baron, an Earl and one or two other, lesser royals.  With her flaming and natural red, waist length hair, sparkling periwinkle colored eyes, a quick wit and a naughty mind, Fee can charm the pants off any man – and has! But she’s also fiercely loyal and protective of her granddaughters.

One of her many quirks is calling her granddaughters by the numerical number of their birth. Cathy is referred to as “Number One,” Maureen, “Number Four.” Her twin, Eileen was three, but she died. Colleen is the one scarred the most by the use of the numerical naming system because as the second child, she’s called  “Number Two,” a name she can’t stomach and really hated as a child. Especially since Nanny taught communion classes. Colleen was referred to one too many times as Number two in front of a classroom of her peers, and has been emotionally traumatized because of it.

The reason behind the numerical names is that Fiona and her daughter-in-law despise one another. When the girls’ mother named them all with the same sounding names (Cathleen, Colleen, Eileen & Maureen) Nanny thought it sounded obnoxious and voiced her opinion on the topic loud and long. To get back at her DIL, the number names were born. But Nanny didn’t figure in how the numbers would affect her granddaughters into adulthood.

I adore Nanny Fee and she plays a prominent role in TODAY, TOMORROW, ALWAYS, so when you read it, I hope you love her as much as I do.

The story in a nutshell:

Lawyer Cathleen O’Dowd wants to break free from her boring image. Widowed young, she’s toed the good-girl line but now wants a little fun and laughter in her days…and nights. Living in a small town, though, she can’t do anything that would tarnish her professional reputation.

Mac Frayne’s tragic past has turned him into a sullen loner. In town to write a book on the city’s founder, his plan is to get it done, then head home to his solitary existence.

When circumstances force them to work together, their opposing personalities clash, but the sexual attraction between them is palpable.

Can a simple affair with an end date be just the thing to brighten up their lives?

A peek between the pages:

His expression changed from wide-eyed with excitement to something entirely different. Something deep and dark and—gulp—wild.

He repeated my name, and before I could blink, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist and a torso I knew was as solid and defined as a redwood tree flattened against the front of me.

He dipped his head, those dreamy eyes dark now with desire, and zeroed in on my own like a laser pointer. Hypnotized by the naked need facing me, I took a breath—a physical and a mental one—and pushed up on my unshod toes until my lips pressed against his.

For a nanosecond, Frayne stilled. The notion that he didn’t want this blew across my mind. A beat later and the thought died as his arms tightened and he pulled me fully against his body.

And then kissed me back.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

More about Peggy:

Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance writer who writes Romantic Comedies about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them. If she can make you cry on one page and bring you out of tears rolling with laughter the next, she’s done her job as a writer!

Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, she brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she’s created the families she wanted as that lonely child.

When she’s not writing Peggy is usually painting, crafting, scrapbooking or decoupaging old steamer trunks she finds at rummage stores and garage sales.

A lifelong and avid romance reader and writer, Peggy is a member of RWA and her local New Hampshire RWA Chapter.

As a lifelong diarist, she caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she blogs daily about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go “What??!”

Where to find her:

Website/Blog

Twitter

Amazon Author page

Facebook

Pinterest 

Goodreads

Instagram

BookBub

You-Tube

Best of luck with the book, Peggy!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ THE PIRATE’S REDEMPTION

09 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

excerpt, historical romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Night of the Owl, Pirates of Britannia, Ruth A. Casie, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Pirate's Redemption, USA Today bestselling author

Welcome back to Medieval Monday!  Our theme of “Celebrations” continues, and today I’m featuring Ruth A. Casie’s The Pirate’s Redemption.

If you’re following my excerpt from Night of the Owl, you can find the fourth snippet on Ruth’s blog: http://www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com

Now, let’s enjoy her fourth snippet:

“I thought ye were hungry,” Moira said.

“In truth, I had to move you off the ship. If you licked your lips again, I’d never let you leave.” Gareth bent down and kissed her softly.

Her heart nearly burst. She put her hands on either side of his face, pulled him closer, and kissed him back.

“If ye kept yer shirt off, ye wouldna have been able ta make me leave.” She clamped her hands over her mouth. She was the chieftain of Clan MacDougall.

A look of surprise spread across his face. Moira wondered why, until Gareth threw back his head and burst into laughter.

“You bear the weight of the clan on your shoulders. I, on the other hand, bear the weight of a barrel of ale on mine. Let’s join the others.” He took her hand and led her along.

His hands were gentler than she had hoped, and his kiss, more powerful than she had ever imagined.

Follow along next week (December 16) for snippet #5 here: https://www.cathymacraeauthor.com

Please leave a comment below. Miss last week and a chance to comment? Check it out here: http://lanemcfarland.com/blog/

A little more about The Pirate’s Redemption:

After her beloved father dies, Moira MacDougall becomes chieftain of their small clan. She is tested on every level, not only by her councilors who question her every move, but also by an exiled Englishman who raids her village under the guise of a notorious pirate, Gareth Talbot.

He wants the secret weapon Moira possesses, and will do anything to get his hands on it—including committing murder so he can give it to King Henry to prove his worthiness and be welcomed home.

Moira will follow her destiny and do whatever is necessary to protect her clan.

The real Gareth Talbot is through with love. His last romance did not end well. He suffered a broken heart and doesn’t trust women.

Humiliated, Gareth goes to sea and becomes a captain for MacAlpin, the pirate king. When raids along the Scottish coast are blamed on him, he seeks revenge. Nothing less than death will do.

Moira and Gareth are on different missions but seek the same goal. Can they work together and eliminate their greatest enemy, and in the process, find the one thing they didn’t know they were searching for, true love?

Where to buy the book:

Amazon KU

See you next Monday!  🙂

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