Amazon Giveaway ~ THE CAULDRON STIRRED

25 Thursday Oct 2018

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Happy Thursday!  The weekend is almost here, and it’s going to be a busy one in Salem, Mass.  I’ll be working extra hours at The Witch House.  After all, Halloween is just around the corner!

I wanted to let you know…I’m doing another Amazon giveaway, this time of The Cauldron Stirred.  The second book in the series, The Stone Awakened, is nearing publication, and soon I’ll reveal the cover and blurb.  But for now, you can enter to win a copy of the first.  It’s the perfect #Halloween read, with ghosts, a headless horseman, and all manner of creepy creatures from Irish lore.  The climax of the story even takes place on Halloween!  (Of course, it had to because that’s my favorite holiday!)

Here’s the link to enter:  https://www.amazon.com/ga/p/417e6e6a619ce9f9

Good luck with the giveaway.  Wishing you a lovely day and a fun weekend ahead!  🙂

An Interview with Micki Miller, Author of A SCANDALOUS REQUEST

24 Wednesday Oct 2018

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I’m excited to have a fellow “rose” (published by The Wild Rose Press) here today!  Please welcome Micki Miller, author of A Scandalous Request.

At what age did you write your first story? Does it count if it was before I learned how to write? I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t conjuring stories in my head. When I was too young to write, they usually began with “what if.” Actually, my stories still often get their start that way. One time in school the teacher told us to write a paper, the life story of a fictional person. I was so excited! My fictional character was a detective. I had him surviving all kinds of dangerous situations while solving crimes. My paper received a C. The teacher said I’d written a fictional story, not the life story of my fictional person. Fortunately, she liked the paper enough so I didn’t fail the assignment.

Which genre was the first to hook you? After I graduated from children’s books, the first story I truly loved was Paper Moon by Joe David Brown. It was the first “big” book I ever read. It was in my hands at every chance. For a reason I’ll never understand, and was too wise to question, all the reading annoyed my father. By the time I finished the book, he’d given me such grief, I was finished reading, for years. At eighteen I moved out of my parents’ house. Reading was still a bittersweet memory until a good friend, Mike Campbell, told me about a book he’d read. He told me he’d ditched two days of school to finish it. I couldn’t stop thinking about that book. It kept at me until I finally bought it: The Stand by Stephen King. My love of reading was mine again. I was grown and on my own, and I will never go without books again.

What was your first published book? The Marshal’s Pursuit. A scene kept playing in my head, so I finally surrendered to it and wrote the book. When I got to the love scenes, as usual, I held back, too embarrassed to let go. Then I thought, Well, everything I write gets rejected, so, have some fun and go for it. About ten minutes after I signed the contract, it struck me: Oh, my friends are going to read this!

I know what you mean; there are quite a few love scenes in my medieval romances, and even my parents have read them! What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming? Research? Outlining? Writing? Editing? My favorite part is polishing. In the early stages of a manuscript I spend so much time berating myself, my work, my skills, that when it’s finally all together and I’m proud of my work, I love putting on the finishing touches. It feels SO good.

I love that too! What are you working on now? The second and third books of my Request series. The series is set in London, early nineteenth century. I also have plans for the next two books after the series. One, family drama? I’m not yet sure how to categorize it. The other is a romantic comedy. Also, I have two other stories lurking in the back of my head. Both of those are quite dark.

I love the Regency Era, and London makes a great setting for your Request series! Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? Why? Las Vegas. It’s my hometown. It’s a city with endless stories, both real and in my mind’s fiction. I used it for the setting in The Darkest Sum. On the news one night, I saw a story about tunnels that run underneath the city. It put a story in my mind, but before I even wrote the first word I realized the story needed a creature. And it had to be a monster with real purpose and reason. The romantic comedy I’m working on is also set in Las Vegas.

Have you ever dreamed about a character you created? All the time. The ones that cost me sleep, though, are the ones who glide through my dreams so fast I can’t quite catch hold of them. 

If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be? The list is long and difficult to narrow down. I have a problem with decisiveness, so how about one dead, one living? They would be George Carlin and Judge Judy.

Interesting choices! If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be? I’ve started making notes on a story where the character lives ten years, from age 20 to 30, over the course of several decades. That’s what I’d like to do. Then I could go everywhere.

If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose? I’d love to hang out with Spenser, from the Robert B. Parker series. Or maybe Milo, from Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series. Ooh, or one of about a million historical romance novels. There goes my indecisiveness again. Sorry.

LOL. No problem! I understand. If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request? I wish everyone would be nice to each other, and to all animals. I know that sounds childish, but you asked. The cruelty in this world weighs on me. The Darkest Sum was somewhat cathartic in that the story let me address some of the things I think, and hope others feel, too.

I love your answer; it’s not childish at all.  If only that fairy godmother did exist! Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites.

Sound: Rain. Especially when I’m writing or reading.

I love that too! Eye color: All the colors have beauty I can appreciate.

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): A Scottish brogue makes me melt.

One of the things I loved about living in Scotland! Of all the Scottish accents, I particularly like the one spoken in and around Fife. Song: Depends on my mood. I listen to a variety of music, but I love most subgenres of rock.

Book: Both in my writing and my reading, I’m a genre-hopper. I owe a gratitude to Paper Moon and The Stand, (and Mike Campbell). Oh, and a special thanks to Dinah Hafen for giving me my first historical romance novel, Judith McNaught’s Once and Always.

Movie: I love a good romantic comedy, or action hero movie. As with books, I enjoy a
variety of stories, but I can’t tolerate a tear-jerker. I get enough of that in the news. 

TV show: Breaking Bad, Judge Judy, Walking Dead, Orange is the New Black, Better
Call Saul, Monk, Meet the Press. Clearly, I don’t do well when I can only pick
one, lol. I’m starting to think I deserved that C.

LOL. Cuisine: I’m vegan, so, pretty much anything that’s vegan.

Cookie: Same answer as above.

US location: My hometown of Las Vegas will always have my heart. No place in
the world can compare. I’ve been living in Michigan for a while now and
I have to say, with the masses of trees, the rivers, the lakes, the great many
lovely little towns, it’s impossible not to love it here. I even like the winter,
which earns me some strange looks from those who hate it. Autumn,
though, oh! It could be fall most of the year and I’d be happy.

Fall and winter are my favorite seasons! Foreign location: Someplace with castles.

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Tea.

Cake or pie? Pie, but I wouldn’t say no to a slice of cake if it was vegan.

Halloween or Christmas? Halloween has an easier pace, and as I said earlier, I love the fall. So, I have to go with Halloween.

Halloween is my favorite too! Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes, though I have to give proper credit to Nancy Drew.  

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Can’t choose.

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? I’m picturing my sweet husband as a vampire, holding his cape-draped arm in front of his nose and mouth, peering at me over his arm like Bela Lugosi. When I stop laughing, I’ll give you an answer.

LOL. English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? Scottish highlander. Again, that accent.

I hear ya! Thanks so much for joining me today, Micki, and best of luck with your new release! Here’s the scoop on A Scandalous Request:

London 1812

After fleeing the clutches of her vile brother-in-law, Rose Evans finds refuge in the home of her dear friend, Lord Ashton Sennett. They come to an agreement, a marriage of friendly convenience. Since another holds claim to Ashton’s heart and body, he seeks to see that Rose experiences all life has to offer. And so to Lord Darington, he makes a most scandalous request.

Burke Darington, Third Earl of Blackwood and an austere, solitary man, can scarce believe his ears. Apparently, his whispered reputation has earned him an outrageous solicitation–Lord Sennett wants him to seduce his wife. Though Burke finds Rose fascinating, sweet, intelligent, and with a unique bent toward independence, she is also innocent. She deserves better than to be fouled by a tainted man.

A seduction, a shooting, and an unexpected matter of the heart, throw two wounded souls into a sensational scandal.

Buy the book here: http://a.co/d/hRPFmLs

Serendipity and the Supernatural at The Witch House

23 Tuesday Oct 2018

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Every October in Salem, Massachusetts is interesting, but this one stands out, especially where I work: The Witch House, the home of 17th-century witch trials judge Jonathan Corwin. My connection with the place started years ago.

When I was ten years old, living in central Florida, the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 fascinated me. I vowed to go to Salem one day, and when I was 25, I simply packed my bags and moved here. The bus I took into town stopped right in front of The Witch House, and when I alighted, I smiled, for it seemed a perfect introduction to the “Witch City.” Everything fell into place.  Within two days of my arrival, I secured a place to live and four part-time jobs.

After five wonderful years in Salem, I regretfully moved away. But five years ago (15 years later), it called me home again. My husband Dan, a museum professional, was looking for a job, and something told me to check the New England Museum Association’s website. When I did, I learned The House of the Seven Gables was hiring. Dan applied for the job, and they immediately flew him up for an interview. Less than a week later, he was hired, and we moved to Salem. We searched high and low for a place to live, in and around Salem. The only place available that we could afford was a condo right across the street from The Witch House. And wouldn’t you know…the first new friend I made once moving back to town happened to be the director of said house.

In March of this year, for the first time since my twins were born, I sought a job outside the house. I’d made a little money as an author but needed a real paycheck. Lo and behold, The Witch House needed tour guides. I love history, so the job was a perfect fit.

I knew the place had paranormal activity even before I started working there. Nothing negative and not all the time, just someone (or many “ones”) making their presence known from time to time. I’d heard the stories from other employees, and once I spent a little time upstairs in the two bedrooms, I felt a quiet companionship with whomever popped in and out. Then a month ago, things took an intriguing turn.

Each bedroom has a fireplace and a bed warmer hanging in front of it. They hang straight and still, no matter what happens around them. A month ago, I saw the bed warmer in the children’s bedroom move by itself in a continuous circular motion. Two days later, the bed warmer in the master chamber followed suit. That second time, I grabbed the handle, stopped it, and walked away, only to turn back around and find it circling again. I checked with the other tour guides, and no one had ever seen that happen. I figured someone just wanted me to know he/she was there.

A little over a week ago, my husband and I took our fourteen-year-old boys to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We explored the galleries for hours, reveling in paintings and artifacts and a special exhibit on Winnie the Pooh. Eventually, we grew tired and started to leave, but as we passed a sign for the Lower Ground level exhibits, I stopped short.

I had to go down there. I didn’t know why, but the urge was overwhelming.

We went downstairs and found 17th-century artifacts, including a room from the period which felt like “home” to all four of us. Then I turned and did a double take.

Before me hung two portraits from 1670: one of Robert Gibbs; the other of seven-year-old Margaret Gibbs (shown below). A thrill ran through me, for I see small copies of these portraits every day at The Witch House. (The children’s mother, a wealthy widow named Elizabeth, married Jonathan Corwin in 1675, and they moved into the Essex Street house in Salem. Soon afterward, twelve-year-old Margaret died.) When we went to the MFA that night, I had no idea the portraits were there. I was beyond grateful for the impulse which sent me down the stairs to find them.

Fast forward to three nights ago. I dreamt that I was walking through The Witch House.  I sensed a young girl of the period (late 17th century) hovering in the corners of the rooms, then drifting beside me.

“I love this house,” I said aloud.

Invisible yet palpably present, she laid her hands on my shoulders and spoke in a soft, sweet voice. “And I love you.”

A rush of love, well-being, and “rightness” washed over me. When I woke, I knew I’d experienced more than a mere dream.

Then yesterday, while I was working in The House, a tourist approached and asked if I’d experienced any paranormal activity there. I told her about the circling bed warmers. She revealed she was a psychic medium and had sensed heightened energy in the house. She’d communicated with the spirit of a little girl named Margaret who felt particularly drawn to me. She asked if I wanted to go upstairs so we could make contact together. Of course, I said yes!

Up in the children’s bedroom, we stood in front of the fireplace. The medium spoke. “Margaret, Judy’s here. Will you move the bed warmer again for her?”

Slowly but surely, the bed warmer moved.

The medium turned to me. “She says she likes you because you’re so kind. She’s not here all the time but comes and goes. She was happy here.”

Two things more I confirmed: (1) Margaret had encouraged me to find her portrait in the MFA; (2) she had visited me in my dream. Later in the day, I was back upstairs and felt drawn to the children’s bedroom. When I stepped inside, I knew I wasn’t alone. The bed warmer moved yet again.

It was an eventful day! I connected a few dots and felt embraced by history, welcomed by a past inhabitant of the home I adore.

SHADOW OF THE SWAN on NetGalley and a Meeting with Vincent Price’s Daughter!

19 Friday Oct 2018

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My third medieval romance is available on NetGalley.  That’s a free read for NetGalley members now through Halloween!  Check it out here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/131427

Speaking of Halloween, I’ve been working extra hours at The Witch House, the 17th-century home of witch trials judge Jonathan Corwin.  ‘Tis the season for long hours here in Salem, Massachusetts, and my husband is just as busy at The House of the Seven Gables.  By the way, I had the privilege of meeting Vincent Price’s daughter, Victoria, at The Gables a few nights ago.  Such a lovely woman, and she had great things to say about her dad!

I have two days off for the rest of October, and today is one of them.  So I’ll be working on Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood.  Enjoy your weekend!

NIGHT OF THE OWL ~ An Excerpt

13 Saturday Oct 2018

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It’s a rainy day here in Salem, MA, so I’m staying indoors, baking an apple pie, and writing more of Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood.  Time travel plays a large role in this one!  Here’s a peek at the first pages of this work in progress:

Northumberland, England
July, 1986

For the love of God, stay awake! It’s not much farther. Ardyth Nightshade gripped the steering wheel of her rental car and yawned, bringing welcome tears to her dry, scratchy eyes as she continued driving north.

The morning traffic was unremarkable. Nonexistent compared to rush hour in Chicago. Even so, driving on the left side of narrow roads flanked by stone walls waiting to crush one at the slightest mistake required all the focus she could muster. If only she’d been able to sleep on the plane!

Excitement forbade it, on both the overseas flight to London and the connecting one to Newcastle. Ruled by adrenaline, she’d daydreamed the hours away. A PhD student in Medieval Studies couldn’t ask for a better summer job than the one she’d landed. Not only would she work as research assistant to Professor Henri Seacrest, but after two long decades, she was finally returning to her father’s ancestral home. Memories from childhood—some vague, others clear and resonant—had made Nightshade Manor synonymous with magic. She itched to see the place again.

Now she was paying for her eagerness, running on fumes and sporting dark circles under her eyes. She cast a second glance at the rearview mirror, in the hope that her first was too critical.

It wasn’t. Long but limp blonde hair. Shadows beneath her brown eyes. Next to no redeeming makeup. She’d worn only foundation, just enough to keep from scaring small children on the flight, and then the airline lost her makeup case. Better that than her clothes, but still…

At least she wore a new skirt and blouse. Travel had wrinkled them a bit, but there was no possibility of ironing them now. No way to cover the fresh scuff on her right shoe either.

With a sigh of acceptance, she returned her attention to the road. I’ll make one hell of an impression on my new boss. If I can keep my eyes open long enough to get there.

Like a beacon of mercy, the ruins of Nihtscua Castle—her ancestors’ earlier home—came into view. High on a throne of rock, the ancient keep held vigil over the modern town of Prestby, the merger of the medieval villages of Preostbi and Nihtscua. Most of the buildings dated to the 18th and 19th centuries. Relatively new to a history buff like her…and her professors…and PhD candidates like…

No!

She refused to blight her summer with thoughts of her ex-boyfriend. This was her time, her adventure. Afterward, she would return to the university trailing clouds of glory, and no one would interfere with her academic career. Not even that rank-stank piece of—

Let it go!

The castle towered above as she braked before its entrance path. She couldn’t wait to explore the place again. Later, she promised herself. First things first.

She turned right and drove the short distance up the hill to the manor. The gates were open, so she went on through, followed the circular driveway toward the house, and parked right in front. Her pulse quickened as she stepped out of the car and gazed upward.

Nightshade Manor was everything an Elizabethan home should be: built of stone and crowned by a multitude of chimneys reaching toward the soft morning sky. Its large mullioned windows beckoned, and she hastened to the great oak door. She lifted her hand to knock, but the door swung open before she made contact.

A marvel of masculinity stood before her. It was as if the doorway existed for the sole purpose of framing his tall, broad-shouldered frame. His short black hair framed a clean-shaven face whose smooth, hard lines set the stage for a full, sensuous mouth and wide gray eyes. Despite his casual attire of jeans and a blue, button-down shirt, he oozed authority…and more sex appeal than she’d ever encountered up close.

She found her voice. “Professor Seacrest?”

He enfolded her upraised hand with both of his. Their warmth flowed into her as his steady gaze held hers.

“Please, call me Henri.” A French accent laced his words. “You must be Ardyth.”

I must? Argh! Don’t be an idiot. “Yes.”

She hadn’t expected him to be so young. Mid-thirties at most. Her father had made him sound quite distinguished, which he must be to convince her parents to let him spend the entire summer in their home while researching Anglo-Saxon sites. Of course, her mom and dad were currently back in Illinois, in the house where she’d lived most of her life.

Henri still held her hand. She looked down at it and cleared her throat.

Quickly, he released it. “Forgive me.”

That’s it for now.  What I’m writing today is much further along in the story, but I wanted to show you a snippet.  If you’d like to catch up on the whole Ravenwood story by reading the three previous books, click here for buy links:  https://judithmarshallauthor.com/my-books/

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!  🙂

N. N. Light’s Trick-or-Treat Binge-Read Giveaway ~ THE CAULDRON STIRRED

03 Wednesday Oct 2018

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October is here, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year! There’s a chill in the air, and the leaves shift into vibrant, fiery colors. Halloween–HUGE here in Salem, Massachusetts–is near, bringing flocks of tourists, creative decorations, tons of candy, and fun celebrating all things ghostly. In fact, I just participated in a paranormal investigation of the Veasey Estate, not far away in Groveland, MA. So much fun, and in Salem, there’s more where that came from!

But in quiet moments, as the wind shakes my windows, I love to curl up with a good book. N. N. Light feels the same way, and they’re hosting a spooktacular giveaway. No tricks, just treats for booklovers! Everything from romance to paranormal fiction will be given away, including one of my books, The Cauldron Stirred, which features both! So go on: indulge your inner kid and enter this giveaway. Good luck!

Trick or Treat Binge-Read Giveaway: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db775020/

Literary Giveaway Portal: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/literary-giveaway-portal

N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s Fall Bookathon ~ THE CAULDRON STIRRED

21 Friday Sep 2018

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The weekend is almost here!  But it’s not too soon to plunge into some young adult paranormal fantasy and revel in Irish lore.  The Cauldron Stirred, the first book of my Guardians of Erin series, is being featured on N. N. Light’s Book Heaven today as part of the ongoing Fall Bookathon.  (The second installment, The Stone Awakened, is coming soon!)  Read an excerpt from my book, and while you’re at it, make sure to enter the giveaway to win a $150 Amazon gift card!

Here’s the link:  https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/single-post/2018/09/21/Fall-Into-The-Cauldron-Stirred-by-Judith-Sterling-and-WildRosePress-yalit-giveaway

Hope you enjoy the excerpt and your weekend!  Good luck with the giveaway!

Guest Author Mary Morgan ~ OATH OF A WARRIOR

19 Wednesday Sep 2018

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I’m thrilled to have my dear friend and talented author Mary Morgan here today!  I’ve featured some of her work during our Medieval Monday rounds, and she’s featured excerpts from my medieval romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood.  But today, as a special treat, she’s written a lovely post to celebrate her recent release, Oath of a Warrior.  So I’ll just sit back and enjoy it with you.  Take it away, Mary!

Hello Judith!

Thanks for having me on your wonderful blog today!

OATH OF A WARRIOR, Legends of the Fenian Warriors, Book 2 is about second chances, healing, renewal, and those that tend not to fit within the rules of society. You first meet the hero in Dragon Knight’s Sword, Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 1. The Fae Warriors were prominent throughout this series, so I was thrilled to give them all their own stories. Rory MacGregor was the most tortured hero I’ve ever written, and I’ve chosen the first few pages of Chapter One to share with your readers. This opening scene reflected the anguish he kept hidden and never spoke about to anyone.

In doing research for Oath of a Warrior, I came across hundreds of cases pertaining to witches and the witch trials in Scotland. The records of Scotland’s witch trials spanned over a period of 200 years during the 16th and 17th centuries. However, I did find evidence of several women being burned, or executed in the late 15th century. This was a dark period in Scottish history, exposing a culture of fear and panic that cast a cloud over much of Scotland.

Some of the charges brought against these individuals ranged from belonging to a coven, receiving herbs from the Queen of the Faeries, and using charms against another person. It did not matter if you were a servant or upper class, either. If you wanted to rid yourself of someone, all you had to do was accuse the person of being a witch.

Erina was a wonderful character to write and one I knew who would appeal to Rory. She loved her garden and animals, tended to those who required healing, made love charms, and believed in the old ways. This was a perfect combination for any to accuse her of dealing in the black arts. Yet, she never saw herself as a witch. Only someone who was different. Sadly, even in this century, we tend to look at others who do not walk the same path as the majority as odd.

This recipe is one that I mentioned in the story. It’s a favorite of Erina’s. In 17th century Scotland, she might have made it with less sugar and more honey, or no sugar at all. I’ve adapted this recipe with all sugar. It’s delicious and perfect during the summertime or early autumn months.

Red roses symbolize passion, sacrifice, and love. It’s a perfect blend for my love story and this recipe.

 

Sounds delicious!  Thank you so much for joining me today, Mary.

Now, here’s a bit more about Oath of a Warrior:

“You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!”

Fenian Warrior, Rory MacGregor’s love conquests are legendary, but he has never spoken of the one mortal female who captured his heart. After his dark secret is finally revealed, he is ordered to return and seal the wounds left open by her death. Yet, he finds the timeline altered and swears an oath to rewrite fate, even if it brings about his own death.

Erina MacIntyre is known for her healing herbs and love charms. Determined to aid others, she refuses to listen to the whispers that call her a witch. When a Highlander steps forth into her path, he ignites a thread of strange familiarity and sparks a flame of desire she is unable to control.

Can the destiny of two lovers find love once more among the ashes of death and betrayal? Or will history repeat itself, leaving a scorching path of destruction for both mortals and Fae alike?


A peek between the pages:

“In the twilight moments before one wakes, be wary of the fragmented dreams of truth.”

~Chronicles of the Fae

Beneath the Hill of Tara, Ireland, Mid Autumn—the season of harvest and feasting in the Fae Realm

Smoke filled his lungs, strangling his pitiful cries for mercy. Dust coated his mouth, and his eyes burned, reminding him of the flames of dragon fire during raging battles. Repeatedly, they continued to pummel his face, while his hands and feet remained bound as he knelt on the ground. Some threw stones at his head and others spouted vile obscenities and spat on him. He choked back the copper taste of blood and attempted to reason with any one of his captors.

Did they not understand who he was? Did they not know he could boil the blood within their bodies and peel the skin from their bones? He, a great Fenian Warrior could obliterate their entire city!

But he would not. Death would come far more quickly if he harmed so much as a hair on their pathetic bodies. In truth, he was honored bound by an oath to these deplorable humans.

“Bind…me to…the stake,” he pleaded in a choked voice. “Take me.” Fighting the wave of panic and the pain slashing his body, mind, and soul, Rory blinked in an attempt to focus and faced his tormentor.

His captor grabbed a fistful of hair, forcing Rory to view the scene in front of him. “Your time will come, ye spawn of the devil. But ye will first watch how your witch shall die.”

“Nae a witch,” he hissed.

“Liar!” the man shrieked, spittle flying. “Did she not tell wee Alan the charms came from the faeries?”

“A lad’s tale to amuse his friends,” he argued, during fits of coughing spasms.

“Nae!” A woman protested, pushing through the crowds of people. She charged forward and delivered a slap to Rory’s face. “Ye are bewitched by the lass and spout lies about my son.”

She wagged a finger. “Ye should burn with her. Ye have the painted markings of the devil on your body.”

“Leave and go tend to your son,” ordered the man.

Hastily making the sign of the cross, she quickly departed.

“Please, have mercy,” begged Rory.

“Mercy,” he echoed. “So that she may return and cast her evil ways upon us? Nae. She has been found guilty of her crimes.” Releasing his hold on Rory, the man nodded to another.

Rory uttered a curse and looked at the woman bound to the burning stake. Eyes wide with fear gazed back at him as the flames took hold of her dress, licking a path up her body. Not once did she let out a scream of terror. Choking on the scent of burning flesh, he swallowed the bile threatening to heave and attempted to stand. He would not let her die like this. She had done nothing wrong.

Yet, the effort cost Rory when his captor shoved a blade into his side. Pain dulled his senses, and he fought to move forward.

He broke free from his bindings and heard the crowd gasp in horror. No longer caring if any witnessed his power, he lifted his arms, only to have another bash him over the head.

Rory’s last glimpse of the woman he had forsaken were her screams of his name before he succumbed into the dark abyss, praying death would take them both swiftly.

Awakening on a guttural cry, Rory turned and emptied what little he had in his stomach onto the ground. Gasping for breath, he waited for the spasms to settle within his body and rolled on his side. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he leaned against the cool crystal wall of his prison, and let his head drop back. Gazing upward, he watched as the stars glittered like diamonds against an inky velvet night sky.

The dream had once again come unbidden to him during his time spent in the Room of Reflection. Never once had he dreamt of her until he entered his imprisonment. Nae. He had banished the memories—tucked them away to a remote part of his being. Hardened himself against any emotions. Struck her name from any thought and vowed never to reveal to his fellow Fenian brothers his involvement in her capture, imprisonment, and death.

Where to buy Oath of a Warrior:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Oath-Warrior-Legends-Fenian-Warriors-ebook/dp/B07CZSXFYN/

BN (Nook): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oath-of-a-warrior-mary-morgan/1128772180?ean=2940162047865

iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/oath-of-a-warrior/id1388814969?mt=11

The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5920-oath-of-a-warrior.html

A bit more about Mary:

Award-winning Celtic paranormal 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. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling–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: http://www.marymorganauthor.com

BLOG: http://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog

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

An Interview with Christine Grabowski, Author of DICKENSEN ACADEMY

12 Wednesday Sep 2018

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I’m excited to have fellow young adult author Christine Grabowski with me today!  She lives in Washington State, one of my favorite places on earth.  We’re celebrating the release of her debut novel, Dickensen Academy.  So without further ado, let’s start the interview!

At what age did you write your first story? Age 44 (I had a lot of false starts as a kid.)

Which genre was the first to hook you? Middle grade, contemporary, e.g. think Judy Blume

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming? Research? Outlining? Writing? Editing? Editing. The blank page terrifies me, afraid I might not have any more ideas in my head.

I love editing too and do a whole lot of it before sending manuscripts to my editors! What are you working on now? A fairy-tale reimagining, loosely based on Sleeping Beauty. It is a YA contemporary suspense.

Ooh…that sounds intriguing! Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? The secluded evergreen forest surrounding the academy. It was almost like a character with its own changing personality. In some scenes, including cross country practices and the romantic walks with Ben, the focus was on its beauty. I’d describe how the sunlight danced through the trees or the whimsical nature of a chipmunk. In other scenes, the forest took on a creepier tone such as when Autumn and her friends examined the perimeter fence, and when she and Ben were caught in the forest after dark. To quote Autumn’s thoughts, “The setting sun cast long shadows from the tall evergreen trees. Here I was in a beautiful prison, trapped outside too. The surrounding forest hid an enormous, secure fence…”

Love it! I feel the same way about the setting in my Guardians of Erin series. Have you ever dreamed about a character you created? Yes. I dreamed that I was on the campus and was hanging out with a group of students. That’s when I felt Dickensen Academy had truly become a real place to me.

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

If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be? I’d go back to the ’80s and raise my kids with limited technology.

I’m trying to do that now with my kids! If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose? I’d love to go to Hogwarts. I have no desire to fight Voldemort but would love to learn a few spells and fly around on a broomstick.

I’d be right there with you! Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites.

Sound: A Mourning Dove

Eye color: Blue

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

Song: “I Will Survive”

Book: Gone with the Wind

Movie: Titanic

TV show: Grey’s Anatomy

Cuisine: Mexican

Cookie: Chocolate Chip

US location: Maui

Foreign location: Paris

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Coffee

Cake or pie? Cake

Halloween or Christmas? Christmas

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Nancy Drew

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Vampire

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

Thanks so much for joining me today, Christine! And now, here’s the scoop on Dickensen Academy:

Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.

Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs.

When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?

Here’s a peek inside the pages:

“I feel like there’s something big we don’t know about. Something those students were protecting. I mean, really, why are we here?”

I thought it was just me who was confused. “Well…the recruiters said we’re creative and focused.”

“Yeah, that’s what Principal Locke said too.”

“And we have the right personality.”

Ben looked up at the sky, sighed then turned toward the forest. “What did he say…something about how it will soon become clear why we’re here, and there’s some ultimate purpose for our creativity?”

“I know. That whole creativity part was a bit bizarre.”

He shrugged. “It seems everyone is going with the flow. But I have so many questions.” Then he touched my arm to stop me, so I turned toward him. “I’m thinking they’re isolating us for some special reason,” he admitted in an embarrassed tone.

I tried not to laugh—he was acting paranoid. But I didn’t know Ben well. Maybe he was joking, trying to freak me out. Or was he hitting on me? The flutter in my chest moved to my stomach. I was already anxious about being away from home and whether or not I could hack the academics. I didn’t need to obsess about anything else. But I still had to know about Ben’s dream.

“So…I also had a dream about Dickensen before I accepted the offer.”

Ben’s head snapped toward me. “You did?”

A bit more about Christine:

Dickensen Academy is Christine’s debut YA novel. After graduating from the University of Washington, she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.

When she isn’t reading or writing, Christine can often be found running, skiing, or hiking. She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers, and their energetic wheaten terriers.

Where you can find her and her books:

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dickensen-academy-map-success/dp/B07G71747S

https://amzn.to/2P0qMGC

Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dickensen-academy-christine-grabowski/1129315140?ean=9781509221233

The Wild Rose Press
https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6044-dickensen-academy.html

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41065431-dickensen-academy

Amazon Giveaway ~ FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN and THE CAULDRON STIRRED

09 Sunday Sep 2018

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Good news!  I’m running two giveaways on Amazon through September 14, giving away digital copies of the first book in each of my series.

If you like medieval romance, you might enjoy Flight of the Raven, the first of The Novels of Ravenwood.  I’m currently writing the fourth in the series, Night of the Owl.  Click here to enter the giveaway:

https://www.amazon.com/ga/p/6371a933e82a717c

If young adult paranormal fantasy is more your thing, you might like The Cauldron Stirred, the first book in my Guardians of Erin series.  The second book, The Stone Awakened, is nearing publication.  More on that soon!  Click here to enter:

https://www.amazon.com/ga/p/9099a981c7cf0472

It’s okay to enter both.  Good luck!  🙂