• Welcome!
  • My Books
  • My Blog
  • Interviews, Articles, and Guest Blogs

Judith Sterling

~ Award-winning Author

Judith Sterling

Tag Archives: excerpt

TRIP THE LIGHT PHANTASMIC ~ Release Day

11 Friday Nov 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

amateur sleuth mystery, Anastasia Abboud, Author Interview, excerpt, gothic cozy, gothic mystery series, gothic paranormal mystery, Judith Sterling, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, new release, new series, The Gothic Gwyn Mysteries, Trip the Light Phantasmic, worldwide release

Today’s the day! Trip the Light Phantasmic is now out and about, and I’m so excited about this new series. I hope you have as much fun reading the book as I had writing it. N. N. Light’s Book Heaven is spotlighting it here. In addition, author Anastasia Abboud interviewed me, not only about this new release but about writing in general. Check out her feature here.

Once again, here’s the blurb:

Gwyneth Camm has just inherited her great-aunt’s house in Salem, Massachusetts, along with an extensive collection of gothic romance novels. As a PhD student who prefers “serious” books, Gwyn has always avoided pulp fiction. Now, in honor of her beloved Aunt Ethel, she gives one of the gothics a try…and promptly falls asleep.

When she wakes, she finds herself inside the story, thrust by forces unknown into the heroine’s role. There’s magic afoot, and the only way back to her own life is to play her part and solve the mystery.

When fiction becomes fact, anything can happen…

I shared an excerpt a couple of days ago, but here’s another peek at the story:

The down comforter’s gentle weight soothed my tired frame. My thoughts drifted, and I hovered on the edge of sleep.

Bang!

I lurched upright. The nightlight’s glow bathed the room in blue. I was alone, and all was still.

Bang!

A door slam? Possibly. The noise came from downstairs, toward the back of the house. The library.

Frowning, I slipped out of bed. I tiptoed down the stairs, avoiding the spots that creaked the most. When I reached the bottom, I peered down the hall. A sliver of light spanned the width of the wooden floor. Its source was the library, whose door was ajar. I distinctly recalled turning off that light and leaving the door fully open before heading upstairs for the night.

My heart beat faster. Doors didn’t close themselves. Neither did lights switch themselves on. There must be an intruder.

With haste and not a little horror, I checked the front door, then the back. Both were still locked. Hmm. Okay.

I crept to the library and paused outside it. The silence within was absolute.

Only one choice led to an answer. Here goes nothing. I held my breath and peeked inside. The room appeared to be empty, apart from Aunt Ethel’s legion of books, her comfy chair, the large antique table she’d used as a desk, and…

A single paperback, lying in the center of the wide-plank floor.

“Where did you come from?” Obviously, from one of the built-in bookcases. But who placed it there?

I entered the room and approached the rogue book. Crouching, I picked it up. Then I stood and examined the cover. A scantily clad, windblown woman fled a dark, looming house. The title read Thornehaven.

A gothic, the genre Aunt Ethel preferred above all others. She had hundreds of them, from different periods, but the majority were published in the 1960s and ʼ70s.

My lips curled into a reminiscent smile. How many times had she sat snug in that chair, devouring one of these novels? Too many to count. I often kept her company, ensconcing myself at her desk to work on jigsaw puzzles.

Words I’d spoken as a teenager echoed in my mind. “But Aunt Ethel, you’re an English lit professor. Why are you reading gothic pulp fiction?”

She gave as good as she got. “You love gothic architecture and solving puzzles. Why aren’t you reading it?”

It was a fair question. I told her I preferred “serious” books and fitting together real-life clues: events which orchestrated key moments in history; the links between different languages, alive and dead; and the ultimate linguistic puzzle of how the human mind stored and computed all language. I joked with her about the tendency of gothic covers to feature a damsel in distress wearing a flowing gown of some sort. I was no doomed heroine, quivering with need for a man to come and rescue me. Not then and definitely not today.

I glanced down at my current attire. But I am running around in the middle of the night, wearing a nightgown. Grinning, I shook my head. She should see me now.

My right arm began to tingle. The sensation crept down to my fingers and up my neck to the right side of my face. Slowly, I turned my head in that direction. If I didn’t know better, I’d think…

“Aunt Ethel?”

I felt half-foolish, half-hopeful that she stood there beside me, vying with the material world for my attention. Had she slammed the door and moved the book?

I cleared my throat. “I don’t know if you’re actually here or I’m imagining things, but what’s the deal with this book?” A new thought hit me. “Don’t tell me you’re still trying to get me to read gothics, even in the afterlife.” Again, I shook my head. “Nah, that would be crazy.”

A delicate, floral scent filled my nostrils. Lavender! She’d always used lavender soap.

“Oh my God. Is it really you?” Hot tears pricked my eyes. “I miss you so much. I…” A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed through the emotion. “All right. Have it your way. If you’re so determined I read this, I’ll do it.”

I sniffled. The lavender scent was gone, as was the tingling sensation. She’d made her point, and I’d made a promise. Done and done. With book in hand, I settled onto the cushioned chair and heaved a weary sigh. “Only for you, Aunt Ethel.”

I inspected the back-cover copy. “Linda Brett had come to Thornehaven to do a job, but the old house harbored secrets…and murder.”

It had potential. More of the plot waited below, but I decided to ignore it and let said “secrets” unfold in their own time. A lion’s yawn escaped me as I flipped the book back over and opened it. According to the copyright page, Thornehaven was published in 1966. The musty smell and yellowed pages confirmed it.

Yawning again, I turned to the first page of the narrative. How much I read, I can’t recall, but no more than a few paragraphs. Fatigue set in fast, crossing my eyes and tempting me toward sleep.

The next thing I knew, I stood on a sloping lawn in front of a Gothic Revival mansion hewn from somber gray stone. The place was massive and imposing, with numerous turrets and classic Gothic tracery, and it perfectly matched the description I’d read moments before. According to the story, the expansive property sat on the Hudson River in upstate New York.

Is this a dream? If so, it was more vivid than any I’d ever experienced. The faint, smoky trace of a bonfire haunted the air. The trees flanking the property displayed the red, orange, and yellow leaves of fall. They flaunted their bright colors in seeming defiance of the leaden sky, rustling in the chill wind which grazed my cheeks and raised goose bumps on my legs.

My legs. Why are they colder than the rest of me? I looked down, and the answer was clear. Apart from two charcoal gray suitcases, one on either side, only pantyhose shielded my limbs, which were thinner than they should be.

Whose legs are those? And what the hell am I wearing? An open coat revealed a blue knit suit whose skirt fell just short of my knees, and I wore matching, low-heeled shoes. I was a walking—well, standing—tribute to the mid-1960s. Wait a minute. That’s what the protagonist wore in the book.

And what did she do next? She picked up her luggage and proceeded to the manor’s entrance. I might as well do the same.

The suitcases were heavy, more substantial than a dream should allow. What does she have in these things? Slabs of granite?

As I lumbered forward, the front door opened to reveal a tall, thin, thirty-something woman in a black dress. Her short, dark hair had petal-shaped layers, giving the overall “do” the semblance of an artichoke. She looked me up and down and attempted a smile, then abandoned the effort. “Miss Brett, I presume? Welcome to Thornehaven.”

Buy the book:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo | Goodreads | BookBub

Thank you for your interest and support. Have a great weekend! 🙂

Holiday Gift Guide ~ TRIP THE LIGHT PHANTASMIC

09 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cozy mystery, excerpt, gothic paranormal mystery, holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, holiday read, holiday shopping, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, sneak peek, The Gothic Gwyn Mysteries, Trip the Light Phantasmic, upcoming release

Good morning! N. N. Light’s Book Heaven has already featured some wonderful titles in their 2022 Holiday Gift Guide, and there are more to come! Today’s guide is for mystery lovers, and my upcoming release, Trip the Light Phantasmic, might be just what you’re looking for. Check it out here!

Only two more days until the worldwide release of the book! Here’s a first look inside it:

I stepped out into the crisp, fresh air of an autumn evening and inhaled deeply. To my eyes—and lungs—the terrace was Heaven, illuminated by electric lights whose glow reached partway down a wide stone staircase. Darkness hid the rest of the grounds and whatever else lay beyond.

I turned to my savior as he closed the doors to the dining room. “How can I thank you enough?”

“By telling me the real reason why you wanted to leave.” He closed the distance between us. His broad shoulders looked sturdy, dependable.

“I’m not sure you’ll like it.”

“I still want to know.”

“I’m sensitive to cigarette smoke. I was okay with it for a while, but then I had to get out of there.”

He performed a little smile. “You sound just like…”

I held my tongue, expecting him to elaborate, but the wait was wasted. “You were saying…”

He shook his head as though shaking off a memory. “Never mind. Why didn’t you tell the truth?”

“I didn’t want to seem rude. But I suppose I did anyway.”

“You’ll have to forgive Mother. She’s had her share of tragedy.” He took a deep breath, then sighed. “She was once a prima ballerina…world-famous. Until she married my father. They were happy for a time. Then she had an accident and was paralyzed from the waist down.”

“How horrible.”

He nodded. “Being confined to a wheelchair is…difficult for her, perhaps harder than for most.”

Out of nowhere, an icy gust swiped me. I shivered and rubbed my bare arms.

“You’re cold.” He removed his jacket and placed it around my shoulders. Though haunted by the smell of smoke, it infused me with his warmth and an odd sense of intimacy. He lingered behind me.

“Thank you.” Twisting around, I looked up into his finely chiseled face and detected a hint of interest.

His pupils expanded. “It’s the least I can do.”

Oh yeah? What more could you do if I let you? Best not to think about that.

A slight movement at one of the windows caught my eye. Penny, the maid, watched us from inside the house. Before I could acknowledge her presence, she dropped the curtain, hiding herself from view.

Okay. That was interesting.

Edgar followed my gaze. “What is it?”

“We had an audience.”

“Oh?”

“Penny was watching from that window.” I pointed to the one in question.

“Ah, Penny. I’ve known her a long time, and she’s a curious girl. Of course, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had company.”

I turned to face him. “Meaning?”

“This house has many eyes, and they’re always watching. You’d do well to remember that.”

Dude, you just upped the creep factor by half. “I’ll try.” I doffed his jacket and handed it back to him. “Thanks for this. I’m going now.”

“Where to?”

“My room. I know it’s early, but—”

“You’ve had a long day.”

You have no idea. “Yes. Should I go back through the dining room?”

“Better not. Roland will still be smoking. Go through the drawing room, over there.” He indicated the other set of French doors. His eyes held understanding, and if I wasn’t mistaken, regret. “Good night, Gwyn.”

“Good night.”

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

Medieval Monday ~ BETRAYAL

10 Monday May 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, bestselling author, Betrayal, excerpt, first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance Lovers, medieval romance series, Time Enough to Love

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! It’s hard to believe, but this is the final week of our “First Kiss” round. Last but certainly not least is bestselling author Jenna Jaxon’s Betrayal, the second book in her Time Enough to Love series. Isn’t the cover lovely?

For those following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, the final snippet is on Jenna’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all of the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Jenna’s last snippet:

“Nay, Alyse. Had I a sister, I would not kiss her in such a manner.” He chuckled then grinned at her. “However, as we do not yet live as brother and sister, I believed an un-brotherly kiss would be acceptable.”

Alyse paused, wavering, then shook her head. “My lord, I pray you test me not in this manner. Give me leave a while to act with only sisterly affection.”

With a sigh, Thomas good-naturedly kissed her hand. “Aye, gentle Alyse, I will bide my time,” he sent her a quick, devilish grin, “for now.”

Last week’s snippet is on Sherry Ewing’s blog: https://sherryewing.com/blog/

A little more about Betrayal:

After a night of passion with her betrothed, Sir Geoffrey Longford, Lady Alyse de Courcy is eagerly looking forward to her wedding. But when Geoffrey is forced to marry another, a heartbroken and possibly pregnant Alyse finds herself in her own private hell. She must either gamble with her reputation or marry someone she does not love.

A reputed connoisseur of women, Thomas, Lord Braeton, has dallied with many ladies of King Edward’s court, although he has favored none. However, as Geoffrey’s best friend, Thomas has sworn to serve and protect Alyse, an oath now sorely tested when he agrees to marry her—in name only—to guard her reputation. Yet, as they grow closer, and Thomas discovers Alyse’s sweet but spirited nature, he comes to desire a marriage in truth.

Can he overcome her memory of Geoffrey, or is Thomas doomed to burn with passion for a woman he can never possess?

Buy the book:

Amazon | Smashwords | B & N | Apple Books | Kobo

That’s all for this round of Medieval Monday! Thanks so much for joining us.

Medieval Monday ~ TO FOLLOW MY HEART

26 Monday Apr 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, A Quest Through Time Novel, excerpt, first kiss, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance Lovers, medieval romance series, Sherry Ewing, The Knights of Berwyck, time travel romance, To Follow My Heart

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, Sherry Ewing is here with To Follow My Heart, the third book in her time travel romance series, The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time.

For those following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #12 on Sherry’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Sherry’s twelfth snippet:

Her eyes begged him in silence to change his mind, but he could not take the chance of putting her in danger. With one last look at her, he made his way to the door and yanked the offensive portal open before speaking his mind.

See last week’s snippet on Anastasia Abboud’s blog: https://www.anastasiaabboud.com/grainsofsand

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

A little more about the book:

After a gut wrenching break up with her fiancé, Jenna Sinclair heads to the coast to do a little soul searching. To say everything is subject to change is putting it mildly. Her world is not only turned upside down, but pretty much torn asunder when she is pulled through a time gate on the beach beneath the Cliff House and transported more than eight hundred years into the past.

Fletcher Monroe, captain of the garrison knights at Berwyck Castle, has wasted too much time pining for a woman who will never be his. When he finally decides to move on with his life and focus on his duties, he is suddenly confronted with a woman who magically appears at his feet. This could either be the best thing that has ever happened to him or another cursed event in a string of many.  He soon finds he is wildly attracted to her, but she’s scared to death of him – not a very encouraging beginning.

From the shores of California to twelfth century England and back again, Jenna and Fletcher must find a way to reconcile their two different worlds before Time forever tears them apart.

Buy it here:

Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo

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

Medieval Monday ~ THE HIGHLANDER’S PIRATE BRIDE

12 Monday Apr 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, award winning author, Cathy MacRae, DD MacRae, excerpt, Hardy Heroines, Highlander romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance Lovers, medieval romance series, pirate romance, Scottish historical romance, The Highlander's Pirate Bride

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, award-winning author Cathy MacRae is here with her recent release, The Highlander’s Pirate Bride.  It’s the swashbuckling seventh book in her Hardy Heroines series. If you like pirates, rags-to-riches, and swoon-worthy Highlanders, you’ll love this romance on the high seas.

For those following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #10 on Cathy’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Cathy’s tenth snippet:

Pedr closed the final distance, his cheek nesting against the top of her head. “Promise ye’ll always fight for those less fortunate than ye,” he murmured, his breath stirring her hair. “Promise ye will always tell me what ye think.”

A strangled chuckle escaped her. “Ye have naught to fear. I dinnae dissemble well. And, my heart will always be with those in need.”

More about The Highlander’s Pirate Bride:

As the pirate The Black MacNeill, Rona MacNeill has stolen more than one English ship to keep her clan from starving. With Yule only days away, will the theft of the wrong ship land her in a hangman’s noose? Or the arms of a Highlander?

Rona MacNeill has done everything she can to help her small, impoverished clan—except marry for money. Her luck seems to lie in stealing ships, not attracting suitors. Only days before Yule, she seeks one last ship with stores to keep her people fed over the long, harsh winter. Too bad her luck has run out.

Pedr MacLean is happy to be the younger (by three minutes) son of Baron MacLean. His days are filled with running the family’s shipping business and sailing the world. His heart belongs to the sea—or so he thinks, until one of his ships is stolen, and the woman responsible turns his world upside down.

Drawn to Rona’s strength and love of the sea, Pedr will agree to her father’s demand—information on the whereabouts of his ship in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Will Rona find herself caught between a marriage of convenience and a hangman’s noose? Or will she discover something far more compelling?

Buy the book on Amazon!

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

Medieval Monday ~ THE LADY OF THE FOREST

05 Monday Apr 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, Barbara Bettis, excerpt, first kiss, Judith Sterling, Knights of Destiny, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance Lovers, medieval romance series, The Lady of the Forest

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, I’m excited to have Barbara Bettis here! We’re featuring a book from her Knights of Destiny series: The Lady of the Forest. I loved this story, and if you like medieval romance, you will too.

For anyone following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you’ll find Snippet #9 on Barbara’s blog. Remember, there are links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Barbara’s ninth snippet:

Kate froze at Henry’s words and felt the hard shape of his desire wane. Then she realized: She must have landed on his old wounds. She didn’t know whether to feel guilt for lingering on his warm, solid muscles, or offense at his outrageous behavior. Just as he grasped her arms to relieve the pressure of her elbows, she felt him tremble.

I’ve truly hurt him. Her residual desire evaporated, and heat shot through her cheeks, twin brands of shame. She’s acted the wanton, responding to his brief kiss with a hunger that shocked her, and now she’d caused him pain.

Humiliation seared a path in her nose. Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she made to move—and realized just what that rumble meant. He was laughing, the beast.

A little more about The Lady of the Forest:

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate’s past catches her.

When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

Buy the book on Amazon!

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

Medieval Monday ~ LACHLANN’S LEGACY

22 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, Ashley York, award winning author, excerpt, Highlander romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Medieval Romance Lovers, Scottish historical romance, The Order of the Scottish Thistle

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, I’m excited to feature Ashley York’s Lachlann’s Legacy.

If you’re following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #7 on Ashley’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Ashley’s seventh snippet:

“I’d not thought of it as such, but I’ll admit I find great comfort in the thought.”

“As ye should.”

His chest tightened with the truth of her words. Slowly, he nodded but words refused to come.

“He was yer sire, yer family, yer clan.” With her hand on top of his hands, she fisted his fingers around the precious metal. “Best to keep it safely tucked away.”

“Ye’re right.” He put the medallion back where it belonged. “My thanks for keeping it safe.”

More about Lachlann’s Legacy:

Hidden secrets could tear them apart as fast as their passion drove them together

On the Moray coast in Scotland…

Ethne’s genuine and caring nature makes her invaluable to her brother as his son’s caretaker, but he and his wife treat her as little more than their servant. When she learns their tribal leader would use her chaste status for his own purposes, Ethne plans to escape and reluctantly accepts the help of Lachlann—a handsome pilgrim she only just met at the local faire.

Despite her independent spirit, Ethne feels drawn to Lachlann. Her instincts say his intentions are honorable, but can she trust him with her heart?

Raised by his godfather with few clues to his family’s past, Lachlann values his freedom and the brotherhood of his highlander kin. Disguised as a pilgrim on a mission for the priory, he encounters Ethne, a warm, intelligent maiden whose courage in the face of a loveless marriage awakens an intense need to protect her.

Unfortunately, Ethne is one of the very people he must deceive to explore the cave system containing clues to the lost treasure he seeks. But he cannot abandon her to an uncertain fate—or deny the simmering tension between them.

With religious prejudice running high and both of them facing tests of loyalty, Lachlann and Ethne may realize the only way to fight for their futures is to surrender… to each other.

Buy the book here!

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

Medieval Monday ~ THE HIGHLANDER’S REWARD

15 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, Eliza Knight, excerpt, Highlander, Highlander romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Medieval Romance Lovers, medieval romance series, Return of the Raven, Scottish historical romance, The Highander's Reward, The Stolen Bride series, USA Today bestselling author

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, I’m excited to have USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight here! We’re featuring The Highlander’s Reward, part of The Stolen Bride Series.

If you’re following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #6 on Eliza’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Eliza’s sixth snippet:

He kissed her tenderly. From her tentative movements against him he could tell either this was her first kiss or she hadn’t done much kissing at all. He would take things slow, introduce her to the art. And with that thought, he realized how much he wanted to be the man who taught. He wanted to have her remember him alone when she thought of kissing.

More about The Highlander’s Reward:

Lady Arbella de Mowbray abhors the idea of marrying an English noble occupying Scotland. When she arrives in Stirling, she is thrown into the midst of a full battle between the Scots and the English. Besieged by rebels, she is whisked from her horse by a Highland warrior who promises her safety. But when he kisses her, she fears she’s more in danger of losing herself.

The last thing Magnus Sutherland wants is to marry the beautiful English lass he saved. As the laird of his clan, he has a responsibility to his clan and allies. But when Arbella is attacked by one of his own men, he determines the only way to keep her safe is to make her his. A decision that promises to be extremely satisfying.

Magnus brings Arbella to his home of Dunrobin Castle in the Highlands. And that’s where the trouble begins… Their countries are at war and they should be each other’s enemy. Neither one considered their mock marriage would grow into a deeply passionate love. What’s more, they were both unhappily betrothed and those who’ve been scorned are out for revenge. Can their new found love keep them together or will their enemies tear them apart?

“For fans of Highlander romance, this series is a must read!” ~ Night Owl Reviews, TOP PICK!

Buy the book:

Amazon | Apple | B&N | Kobo

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

 

Medieval Monday ~ THE LAST DRAGON

01 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

#MedMonSpring21, Daryl Devoré, excerpt, fantasy romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Medieval Romance Lovers, The Last Dragon

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, I’m featuring Daryl Devoré’s The Last Dragon. Such a cool cover!

If you’re following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #4 on Daryl’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Daryl’s fourth snippet:

“Do ye…” Derry’s words stuck in her throat. What if her powers scared Hawkyns? No. He did not scare easily. He fought and slayed dragons. But, what if her powers caused a question within him? No. He showed no sign of that. She’d healed him. He said he enjoyed being with her. He spoke true words.

Stop being a foolish one.

Hawkyns pulled his horse to a stop. “Do I what?”

She lowered her eyes and refused to meet his gaze. The gaze that already gave her the answer to her unasked question. And still she was too afraid to ask. Doubt clouded her senses.

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

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

More about The Last Dragon:

What do dragons, knights and romance have in common? Grab a copy of multi-published author Daryl Devore’s medieval fantasy romance – The Last Dragon and discover the answer.

A sorcerer craving dominance merged with a dragon, the power overwhelmed him causing him to split into three dragons. Demora ruled thought, but was lost in time. Yidithe offered protection, shining like the light of the sun. Ayrradex craved chaos, revelling in destroying souls.

Many knights died, attempting to slay the devil beast. One knight, Prince Hawkyns, did not fear death. He’d lost everything. Away on a mission when Ayrradex attacked his father’s kingdom, Penrythe, Hawkyns returned to find his noble father – feeble and defeated. His wise mother – crazed. His beautiful wife and unborn child – dead. Only a pile of ashes remained for him to bury. He knelt before his King and vowed to slay the devil-beast or be slain.

Derry was born with powers that terrified her parents. They delivered her to a nunnery to be raised in secret. Jathe, a wise sorceress, discovered the young girl and trained her to one day use the secret hidden in her soul.

Legends spoken around campfires hinted the sole way to destroy Ayrradex was when the hearts of a knight and a golden dragon became one. But after a vicious battle with Ayrradex, the golden dragon was thought to be dead.

Can Prince Hawkyns’s bravery and Derry’s powers end the reign of the devil-beast’s terror?

Buy the book:

Amazon ebook | Amazon print | Books2read ebook | Books2read print

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

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!  🙂

← Older posts

Recent Posts

  • Wintertime Reading Bookish Event ~ NIGHT OF THE OWL
  • New Year New Books Fete ~ TRIP THE LIGHT PHANTASMIC
  • New Year New Books Fete ~ N. N. Light’s Book Heaven
  • Happy New Year!
  • Two wins in the N. N. Light Book Awards!

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • December 2015
  • October 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • April 2014
  • April 2013
  • November 2012

Categories

  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Judith Sterling
    • Join 402 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Judith Sterling
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...