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Judith Sterling

~ Award-winning Author

Judith Sterling

Monthly Archives: February 2021

5++ stars for RETURN OF THE RAVEN, plus best seller news!

25 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Amazon best seller, Booksprout, Diana Gabaldon, Flight of the Raven, Guardians of Erin, medieval romance, Night of the Owl, paranormal fantasy, Paranormal Romance Guild, PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards, read and review, Readers' Favorite, Return of the Raven, Shadow of the Swan, Soul of the Wolf, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Spear Alight, time travel romance, YA series

N. N. Light’s Book Heaven has given my new release 5++ stars! I’m so excited! Here’s a bit of the review:

“This is the crown of excellence…A brilliant conclusion to the series, [it] is a must-read. It can be read as a standalone, too. Fans of Diana Gabaldon will swoon over Return of the Raven.”

If you’re interested, you can read the whole review here.

Wonderful things have happened recently with this series. In previous posts, I mentioned Shadow of the Swan‘s five-star review from Reader’s Favorite and Night of the Owl‘s second-place win in the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Awards. But a couple of weeks ago, Flight of the Raven had some real success at international Amazon stores. It became the #1 best seller in medieval historical romance in Canada and Australia, and it reached #2 in the UK. It was also #82 in Canada’s whole Kindle Store. I couldn’t believe it!

Flight of the Raven is still available to reviewers on Booksprout for a limited time. If you’re interested, check it out here.

That’s all for now. I need to get back to writing The Spear Alight, the fourth and final book in my Guardians of Erin series. Have a beautiful day!  🙂

 

 

Medieval Monday ~ A HIGHLAND AUTUMN

22 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, A Highland Autumn, excerpt, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance Lovers, medieval romance series, Scottish historical romance, Seasons of Scotland, Sophia Nye

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, I’m featuring the first book in Sophia Nye’s Seasons of Scotland series: A Highland Autumn. Isn’t this cover lovely?

If you’re following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #3 on Sophia’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Sophia’s third snippet:

His lesson with Adelina yesterday morning had been trying at best. His plan to be as uninterested as possible dissolved far too quickly in her presence. Indeed, in a matter of minutes she had him so deep in conversation that he had nearly told her about his mother, his sister, his niece. He had come so close to confiding his deepest fears in her that it terrified him. He had only met the woman two days ago!

Blessedly, Lady Sybilla had given him an easy escape before he could do something he might regret. Ronan knew he wouldn’t always be so lucky. He needed a plan. Could he somehow manage to avoid her?

See last week’s snippet on Sherry Ewing’s blog: https://www.sherryewing.com/blog

Follow along next week on Jenna Jaxon’s blog: https://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/

A little more about A Highland Autumn:

When a fiery, red-haired Englishwoman falls for the laird’s charming, off-limits son, their passion ignites a fire that threatens to engulf the clan.

Ronan Calder, eldest son of Clan Calder’s laird, is going to stay as far away from marriage as he can get. After losing his mother and beloved sister during childbirth, Ronan knows there is no way he could ever inflict such a fate upon any woman. Things get a little complicated when he meets the enchanting new scholar and mistakes her for his future bride.

Adelina Matheson has every intention of becoming the first female scholar at Oxford, and the quick wit to prove it. The only thing she’s missing is permission to attend lectures. When the masters challenge Adelina to serve as advisor to a Highland laird in exchange for entry, she is left with little choice. She agrees to the challenge – surely she can manage such a simple task to prove herself.

Except that once Adelina arrives at Calder Keep, she realizes that nothing about her task is simple. She must battle her alarming attraction to the laird’s handsome son while enduring the laird’s beastly temper. The only other Englishwoman is also her competition for Ronan’s affection, and the entire clan is under threat of attack at the upcoming Samhain celebration. Can Ronan and Adelina put aside their personal troubles and save Clan Calder, or will they doom the entire clan?

Buy the book:

Amazon

That’s it for this week. See you next Monday!  🙂

Worldwide Release of RETURN OF THE RAVEN

17 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Amazon gift card, Amazon giveaway, end of series, excerpt, inspiration for hero, inspiration for heroine, Jennifer Wilck, Judith Sterling, Mary Morgan, medieval romance series, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, new release, Return of the Raven, Silver Dagger Book Tours, The Novels of Ravenwood, time travel romance, worldwide release

Today’s the day! Return of the Raven, the last of The Novels of Ravenwood, is now available worldwide. Although it’s sad to say good-bye to beloved characters and their world, I’m excited to share this final story with you. It ties the whole series together and answers lingering questions from the previous four books. Still, like the others in the series, Return of the Raven can stand alone.

It’s a big day, so you can find me at a number of places. I’m starting a month-long tour with Silver Dagger Book Tours. Check it out here and enter to win a $15 Amazon gift card.

N. N. Light’s Book Heaven is doing a new release spotlight here.

Author Mary Morgan is hosting me on her blog, where I’m talking about how it feels to finish a series. We’d love for you to join us here.

And last but not least, author Jennifer Wilck is hosting me on her blog, where I’m revealing the inspiration for my hero and heroine. Read all about it here.

Now, here’s the story:

Margaret, Lady Ravenwood, is trapped in a loveless marriage and firmly entrenched in the medieval world. Along comes Griffin Nightshade, a historian from the future whose soul resonates with hers. He persuades her to return with him to the 1950s, but heeding her heart means courting danger from a curse that could spell her doom.

Haunted by his parents’ sudden deaths, Griffin knows all too well the pain born of love lost. He guards his emotions, but Margaret delves deep and goes straight to the soul. She’s hard to resist…and harder to set free.

The heart’s desire and history’s demands don’t always agree. Yet true love is eternal.

A peek between the pages:

Held in the ballroom of a nearby hotel, the after-party boasted a band of musicians, savory food, a variety of drinks, and a three-tier, white-frosted cake. After consuming a sizeable portion of said cake and a goodly amount of fruit punch, Margaret sat beside Griffin against the wall, watching the other guests and the happy couple interact.

The bride and groom took to the dance floor and moved as though they were one body, which in essence they now were. Frank and Hannah also danced, talking and laughing as they often did around the manor.

Oh to be so happily joined with another. If only…

There it was again: the recurring, inevitable “if only.” Her nights were full of them. She lay in bed staring up at the darkened canopy, wishing he were there beside her. Perhaps ʼtwas wanton and wrong, or by some standards, ridiculous.

But the heart wants what it wants. Hers wanted Griffin. Not just for a day or even a year but forever. She loved him. ʼTwas as simple—and as complicated—as that.

He turned to her now, and his warm, brown eyes sparkled with an invitation. “Shall we dance?”

Her stomach dropped. “I don’t know how.”

He gestured to the dancing couples. “Look at the other women. And see that little boy and girl? If they can do it, so can we. You’ll put your left hand on my shoulder, and your right hand will hold mine. Then you’ll move your feet when I do. Don’t worry. I’ll guide you.”

“Well…” The need to touch him, to feel his hands on her again, outweighed her doubt. “I’ll try.”

He led her to the dance floor, and she did as he instructed. Leisurely, they began to move.

Always the teacher. What might I learn in your bed?

Heat flushed her cheeks. Thankfully, the dance was slow; perfect for a beginner such as she. But the gentle pace enfolded them in a mantle of intimacy.

“This song is called ‘When I Fall in Love.’” His voice was soft and low.

“Fall?”

He nodded in silence.

Aye, ʼtis very much like falling. Like stepping off the side of a cliff. Once you take that step, there’s no turning back and no stopping what’s to come.

What would come of her feelings? Heartache? “The melody is pleasing.”

“I’ve always thought so.”

She looked up at him and gazed into his eyes. “You were right. Dancing isn’t as difficult as I thought.” A grin escaped her lips. “Of course, ʼtwould be easier in different shoes.” Her “kitten heels” turned every step into a dare.

His smile stole her breath. “They’re not very practical, are they?”

“No. Nor are they comfortable.” She longed to kick them off and wiggle her cramped toes, but that must wait till later.

“You look lovely, though.”

Suddenly, the discomfort seemed worthwhile, and her heart shifted to a rhythm livelier than their dance. “Thank you. You look good yourself.”

“Thank you. You smell nice, too. Roses?”

“Aye.” His scent seemed an intoxicating mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon, and musk. “A new bubble bath.”

“I trust you had a better experience this time around.”

She gave him a rueful grin. “Easier perhaps, but not better. You weren’t there.”

His eyes darkened, beckoned her into their depths. “Meg.” He sounded breathless.

Her heart fluttered. “I should’ve made some excuse to summon you again. Would you have come?”

“I would have.”

“Would you have helped me from the tub?”

“If you needed help.”

Everything else in the ballroom faded into insignificance. There was only him. “What if I needed another kiss?”

His gaze dropped to her lips. “No one needs a kiss.”

“I beg to differ.” She needed so much more than that. Her stomach quivered. “But mayhap I should beg for something else.”

“Such as?” His husky voice caressed her ears.

“Use your imagination, Griff. You’ll think of something.”

He pulled her closer. The heat of his body mingled with hers. “You really shouldn’t say such things.”

“Why not? I’m thinking them.” And feeling things I never dreamed I could. Until you.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You’re dangerous.”

She winced. “And you’re on my foot.”

“Oh!” The pressure on her toes eased as he removed his foot. The song ended, and they stilled. “Forgive me. I’m a bit…flustered.”

You’re also irresistible. “I know how you can make amends.”

“How?”

“Kiss me.” She held her breath.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA |Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Books | Apple

 

Medieval Monday ~ A KNIGHT IN RUSTED ARMOR

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, A Knight in Rusted Armor, Bambi Lynn, excerpt, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Medieval Romance Lovers

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and today, I’m featuring the multi-talented Bambi Lynn and her Knight in Rusted Armor. Don’t you love that title?

If you’re following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #2 on Bambi’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Bambi’s second snippet:

Thorin’s bay had much more speed and the distance between them was soon diminished. Thorin lashed out with his lance. On the first try, he nicked the man’s elbow. His horse swerved just in time to miss Duhurst as he once again fell into the dirt.

Infuriated, Thorin sailed from his horse and stormed over to where Lord Duhurst lay flat on his back. Barely straining against the weight, Thorin jerked him up by his armor, snatching his helmet off in the process. He balled up his fist as best he could with the metal gauntlet covering his hand. As he poised to berate the man for his cowardice, he realized the crowd had come to its feet.

A little more about Knight in Rusted Armor:

Allys Stone would risk repute as a ruined woman to gain control of her life. Thorin Svenson would battle the most skilled knights in the realm to win her. Theirs is a love story of fairy tales and wild passion, a battle of wills as well as brawn.

Allys wants to choose her own husband, one who loves life and laughter as much as she does. One who considers her a partner instead of a possession. She has never had any choice but to live by her father’s decisions, and now he’s offering her as grand prize in a tournament.

Thorin must win the hand of a nobleman’s daughter to regain the wealth and position of his family. Consumed by guilt, he will risk his very life to win. Not even her attempts to sabotage his victory will get in his way.

Buy the book:

Amazon

That’s all for this Medieval Monday. See you next week!  🙂

Great News on Valentine’s Day!

14 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Tags

Judith Sterling, Night of the Owl, Paranormal Romance Guild, PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards, The Novels of Ravenwood, Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!! I’m sending love to you all, and I want to share some great and unexpected news with you. Night of the Owl won second place in its category in the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Awards!

Thank you so much to everyone who voted. You can check out all the winners here!

Have a beautiful day!  🙂

SPIRIT IN TIME by Julie Howard

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Julie Howard, mystery series, paranormal, paranormal series, Spirit in Time, Spirited Quest Mysteries, The Wild Rose Press, time travel

I’m excited to welcome back Julie Howard today! She’s a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press), and her latest release is part of the series, Spirited Quest Mysteries. Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Here’s the scoop on Spirit in Time:

Time travel isn’t real. It can’t be real. But ghost-blogger Jillian Winchester discovers otherwise when an enigmatic spirit conveys her to 1872 to do his bidding.

Jillian finds herself employed as a maid in Sacramento, in an elegant mansion with a famous painting. The artwork reveals another mystery: Why does the man within look exactly like her boyfriend, Mason Chandler?

Morality and sin live side by side, not only in the picture, but also within her. As her transgressions escalate, she races the clock to find the man in the painting, and hunt down a spirit with a disconcerting gift.

But will time be her friend or foe?

A peek between the pages:

“Are you a ghost?” A young girl stood where the guard had been only minutes before. She spoke matter-of-factly, her dark eyes alive with curiosity.

The house was still whole, she was alive, and the world hadn’t ended. Jillian scanned the room for damage, then blinked. This must be a dream. The long dining table—bare just moments ago—was now laid for a meal. Glasses sat upright, forks and spoons lined up in perfect order, and a tall flower arrangement appeared unscathed. A crystal chandelier above the table remained perfectly still.

The guard and Asian man were nowhere in sight.

The girl, dressed neatly in a calf-length white pinafore embellished with pink ribbons, didn’t appear rattled by the cataclysmic jolt.

“What happened?” Jillian asked, still crouched on her knees. “Are you okay?”

“You don’t belong here. Mother will be angry.”

Even though the floor had ceased to shake, the roiling continued in her head. Might this very real looking girl be a spirit? Most apparitions wavered in some manner, their appearances paler and less there than the tangible world around them. This child appeared solid in every way, from the tips of her shiny chestnut hair to the toes of her lace-up black shoes.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple

More about Julie:

Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime series, and Spirited Quest. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild, editor of the Potato Soup Journal, and founder of the Boise chapter of Shut Up & Write. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.

Where to find her:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Twitter | Instagram

Wishing you all the best with your new release, Julie!  🙂

 

FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN and THE CAULDRON STIRRED ~ Available on Booksprout!

09 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Booksprout, Flight of the Raven, free reads, Guardians of Erin, Judith Sterling, medieval romance series, paranormal, read and review, The Cauldron Stirred, The Novels of Ravenwood, YA series

Good morning! I just wanted to let you know that the first books in my two series–The Novels of Ravenwood and Guardians of Erin--are available on Booksprout for a limited time. Grab your free copies now! As a reminder, Flight of the Raven is “spicy,” and The Cauldron Stirred is sweet. Here are the links to both:

How eager would the bridegroom be if he thought he could never bed the bride?

Find out here!

Ashling Donoghue never dreamed moving to Ireland would rock her perception of reality and plunge her into a mystery that brings legend to life.

Learn how here!

Happy reading, and have a beautiful day!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ RETURN OF THE RAVEN

08 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, blog hop, excerpt, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance Lovers, medieval romance series, Return of the Raven, The Novels of Ravenwood, time travel romance

Welcome to a new round of Medieval Monday! Our theme is one that will keep you warm this winter: “First Kiss.” The participating authors and I have each chosen an excerpt from a medieval romance and divided it into 14 snippets, which we’ll be sharing on our blogs. Every Monday for the next 14 weeks, I’ll feature one snippet and tell you where to find mine.

Today’s snippet is from my own excerpt, from the soon-to-be-released time travel romance Return of the Raven. It’s the fifth and final installment of The Novels of Ravenwood. Visit Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook for links to other authors’ snippets. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, without further ado, here’s Snippet #1:

Margaret performed a half-hearted smile. “Thank you for showing me the ruins this morning.”

“ʼTwas my pleasure.” Griffin held his tongue as she crossed to the door, then couldn’t hold back. “Are you sure you’re well?”

She paused on the threshold but didn’t turn. “Perfectly well. I’ll sup with you all later.” Without a backward glance, she stepped into the hall and moved out of sight.

Clunk. Her bedroom door was closed.

All afternoon, she stayed in her room. It wasn’t until teatime that she emerged, and while he and the caretakers engaged in an animated discussion, she consumed her potato soup and Cornish pasty in relative silence. Thankfully, they ate in the kitchen instead of the formal dining room; otherwise, her reticence would’ve made for an awkward meal.

Follow along next week on Bambi Lynn’s blog: www.bambilynnblog.wordpress.com

A little more about Return of the Raven:

Margaret, Lady Ravenwood, is trapped in a loveless marriage and firmly entrenched in the medieval world. Along comes Griffin Nightshade, a historian from the future whose soul resonates with hers. He persuades her to return with him to the 1950s, but heeding her heart means courting danger from a curse that could spell her doom.

Haunted by his parents’ sudden deaths, Griffin knows all too well the pain born of love lost. He guards his emotions, but Margaret delves deep and goes straight to the soul. She’s hard to resist…and harder to set free.

The heart’s desire and history’s demands don’t always agree. Yet true love is eternal.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA |Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | Apple

Remember, the first four books in the series are on sale for 99 cents for a limited time at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. If you haven’t read them, now’s your chance to catch up on the story before Return of the Raven hits stores on February 17th.

Thanks for joining me today. Have a lovely week, and I’ll see you next Medieval Monday!  🙂

Please vote for NIGHT OF THE OWL!

06 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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award-nominated, Judith Sterling, medieval romance series, Night of the Owl, Paranormal Romance Guild, PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards, The Novels of Ravenwood, time travel romance

Good morning! Voting is now underway for the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Awards!  NIGHT OF THE OWL is up for the award in the following category:

Romance/Fantasy/Paranormal/Suspense/Time Travel/Historical/ Magical/Western/Native American/Gothic

I’m up against 9 other books, so please consider voting. To cast your vote, you must be signed in to your Google account. Voting will continue through February 12th. Here’s the link!

Thanks so much for your support. Enjoy your weekend!  🙂

Toasty Reads Bookish Event ~ N. N. Light’s Book Heaven

02 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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#mustread, #toastyreads, #winterreads, e-books, Flight of the Raven, John Madormo, Judith Sterling, Judy Ann Davis, literary giveaway, McKenna Dean, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, Robert Herold, Roni Denholtz, Sharon Buchbinder, Tammy B. Tsonis, The Novels of Ravenwood, Toasty Reads Bookish Event

I’m excited to be part of the Toasty Reads Bookish Event at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven! You can enter to win an e-book bundle of all 12 books featured, including my offering, Flight of the Raven.

Check out all the must-read books here. Then enter the giveaway!

Open internationally.

Runs February 2 – February 9, 2021.

Winner will be drawn on February 10, 2021.

Good luck to all!  🙂

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