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Judith Sterling

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Judith Sterling

Tag Archives: historical romance

An Interview with Author Sherry Ewing

01 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Author Interview, historical romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Never Too Late, Sherry Ewing, The Bluestocking Belles, The Malala Fund, The Piper's Lady

I’m delighted to have Sherry Ewing here today!  She and I are both part of the Medieval Mondays crew.  We’ll give you a sneak peek at The Piper’s Lady, one of eight novellas in the Bluestocking Belles’ 2017 box set, Never Too Late.  25% of the proceeds benefit their mutual charity, The Malala Fund.  But first, let’s get to know Sherry a little better.

At what age did you write your first story? I remember being in grade school. Certainly that was several lifetimes ago.

Which genre was the first to hook you? Historical Romance – The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

What was your first published book? If My Heart Could See You, a medieval romance, in July 2014.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming? Research? Outlining? Writing? Editing? I really like those little ah-ha moments when everything all of a sudden clicks inside my head.

What are you working on now? I have several projects I’m working on for my Knights of Berwyck series.

Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? Why? I love the medieval time period mostly because I’ve always dreamed of handsome knights. I used to tell my kids I was born in the wrong century and wrong continent.

Have you ever dreamed about a character you created? I have. They also tend to wake me up at all hours of the night voicing their opinions. Sometimes they’re like misbehaving children.

If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be? I would have a conversation with my daughter who passed away in 2013. She would have been sixteen.

I’m so sorry for your loss, Sherry.  If only I could grant you that wish.  If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be? Besides the medieval time period, I would love to have seen the royal court of Queen Elizabeth I.

Yes, that would be amazing!  If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose? Outlander

If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request? To turn back time so I could spend more of it with my daughter and family.

Again, I wish I could make that happen for you.  Unfortunately, I’m neither a fairy nor a godmother.  For what it’s worth, I’m sending you love and a long-distance hug.

Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: rain
Eye color: green
Foreign language: I wish!
Song: Too many to count but for writing, Whisper of a Thrill from Meet Joe Black
Book: A Rose In Winter by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Movie: Gone With The Wind
TV show: The Big Bang Theory
Cuisine: Japanese
Cookie: Snickerdoodle
US location: San Francisco, CA

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? Sherlock Holmes
Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen
A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Ghost
English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? Scottish Highlander

A little about The Piper’s Lady

True love binds them. Deceit divides them. Will they choose love?

Lady Coira Easton spent her youth traveling with her grandfather. Now well past the age men prefer when they choose a wife, she has resigned herself to remain a maiden. But everything changes once she arrives at Berwyck Castle. She cannot resist a dashing knight who runs to her rescue, but would he give her a second look?

Garrick of Clan MacLaren can hold his own with the trained Knights of Berwyck, but as the clan’s piper they would rather he play his instruments to entertain them—or lead them into battle—than to fight with a sword upon the lists. Only when he sees a lady across the training field and his heart sings for the first time does he begin to wish to be something he is not.

Will a simple misunderstanding between them threaten what they have found in one another or will they at last let love into their hearts?

Heat rating: PG

A peek between the pages

Garrick once more captured the woman in his arms as they fell to the ground in a heap. In a repeat performance, he rolled to bear the impact ’til she was captured beneath him. Hazel eyes stared at him in wonder, and his heart lurched in his chest.

“Sir Garrick…” His named passed her lips in a breathy whisper.

“Lady Coira…” he answered, and afore common sense returned to him, he leaned down and placed his lips upon her own.

By God’s Bones, he must be mad, he thought even as her arms pressed their way over his shoulders and wrapped themselves around his neck. His mouth moved over hers gently for he did not wish to scare her. ’Twas an exploration… a first-time meeting of two souls as their breaths exchanged with one another. He was lost ’til a low throaty moan escaped her and brought him back to the reality of what he was doing.

He broke off their kiss and jumped up as though he had been burned, which was not far from the truth. Bloody hell! If Coira were in truth Morgan’s lady, the knight would skewer him alive and see his head placed on a pike outside Berwyck’s gates for taking such a liberty. He would not think of what Lord Dristan would do to his remains since the lady was also under his watchful eye.

He began cursing and pacing back and forth ’til he realized he had left the lady of his musing lying on the hard ground. She had propped herself up on her elbows and was watching him intently. He came to her and held out his hand to help her rise. Her fingers slipped into his palm, and he once more forgot about everything else but the lady he pulled up to stand.

Her knees gave out, and she once more fell into his arms as they stumbled up against the very oak that began the downfall of his life as he knew it. Garrick reached out to steady them whilst her back was up against the solid trunk. He clearly had no sense left in his head whilst he rested his arm above her head and stared down at the beautiful woman who was beginning to claim his heart.

“Coira…” he murmured. “’Tis a beautiful Gaelic name, but I am surprised ye are called such for an English woman.”

“’Twas my mother’s doing. She told me years afore she died that she and my father had travelled to Scotland, and she fell in love with the country and its people. She said I was a wonderful reminder of their time together.”

“Ye must miss them. I am sorry for their passing along with yer brother’s.”

“I seem to be alone in the world now,” she answered softly. Garrick did not miss the small catch in her voice.

He reached out and ran the back of his finger along her cheek. “Ye are not completely alone, lass,” he replied, and although he hated to say the next words, he knew he must. “Ye have Morgan. ’Tis obvious he cares for you.”

Where to purchase Never Too Late

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2xwo2uE
iBooks: http://apple.co/2yY4gXC
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/750339

More about Sherry

Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. A bestselling author, she writes historical & time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Beau Monde & the Bluestocking Belles. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist.

Where to find Sherry

Website & Books: www.SherryEwing.com
Bluestocking Belles: http://bluestockingbelles.net/
Hearts Through Time: http://heartsthroughtime.com
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TrWtoy
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sherry-ewing
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SherryEwingAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.Goodreads.com/author/show/8382315.Sherry_Ewing
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sherry.ewing
Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/SherryLEwing
Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/Sherry_Ewing

Sign Me Up!
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2vGrqQM
Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/799623313455472/

Thanks so much for joining me today, Sherry.  Wishing you all the best!

 

Medieval Monday ~ “First Encounter” in THE VIKING: BRON

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Tags

Bambi Lynn, historical romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Soul of the Wolf, The Viking: Bron

Welcome back to Medieval Monday and Week Two of our “First Encounter” theme! 

Remember, if you follow along and comment on every snippet of a particular encounter, you could win the mother lode:  14 e-books from the authors of Medieval Monday!

If you’re following the moment when my hero and heroine meet in Soul of the Wolf, you can find the second snippet on Bambi Lynn’s blog:  www.bambilynnblog.wordpress.com

The first snippet appeared last week on Ruth A. Casie’s blog:  http://ruthacasie.blogspot.com/

Now, let’s check out Bambi’s second snippet from The Viking: Bron:

Now that he thought back on it, he could not remember if he had ever gotten a good look at Wulf’s house guest. She could be hard to look at, growing harder as the years passed. And she was a Frankish maid. He would have to sleep with one eye open.

See what happens next on Lane McFarland’s blog on Monday, August 21!  Here’s the link:  http://lanemcfarland.com/blog/

A little more about Bron:

After escaping the brutal tyrant who holds her under his boot, Leda’s newfound hope is shattered to discover her safe-haven to be nothing more than a den of brutal Norsemen, intent on conquering all of Francia and claiming its riches for their own. When she is offered as a bed slave to the fiercest Viking of them all, she despairs to realize freedom comes at a price.

Brondulf Adilson has struck terror into his enemies for as long as he can remember, to include the women who share his bed. Shunned for his frightful appearance, he doesn’t expect compliance from his new thrall and is resigned to forcing her to his will.

But the beauty he finds himself saddled with turns out to be anything but meek and compliant.

Buy the book:

 

Medieval Monday ~ “First Encounter” in THE GUARDIAN’S WITCH

07 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

historical romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, Ruth A. Casie, Soul of the Wolf, The Guardian's Witch

We’re starting a new round of Medieval Monday, and this time, you could win big!

The theme is “First Encounter,” that moment when the hero and heroine first meet.  Every Monday for the next 14 weeks, I’ll feature a snippet from a medieval romance and tell you where to find the next bit of the story.  If you follow along and comment on every snippet of a particular “first encounter” (14 in all) you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a collection of e-books from the authors of Medieval Monday.

THAT’S 14 FREE E-BOOKS!

My excerpts are from Soul of the Wolf.  Ruth A. Casie is sharing the first one today on her blog.  Here’s the link: http://ruthacasie.blogspot.com/

But for now, let’s focus on Ruth’s snippet from The Guardian’s Witch, Book One in The Stelton Legacy:

“There aren’t many left in service. The king’s protectors scared them away.” Ann gave the linen a final tug.

“You mean the rumors of the curse.” Bryce’s voice held a bitter edge of cynicism.

“No, not because of the rumors, which are ridiculous, but because over the last two years no one in this castle has cared about the village or the people,” she dipped her head toward Alex. “Except for him.”

“Bryce?” Alex’s whispered words went unheard. Exhausted and in pain, he fought to open his eyes, to no avail. He would not surrender control. Instead he struggled to take in bits and pieces of the conversation.

See what happens next on Lane McFarland’s blog on Monday, August 14!  Here’s the link:  http://lanemcfarland.com/blog/

A little more about The Guardian’s Witch:

England, 1290

Lord Alex Stelton can’t resist a challenge, especially one with a prize like this: protect a castle on the Scottish border for a year, and it’s his. Desperate for land of his own, he’ll do anything to win the estate—even enter a proxy marriage to Lady Lisbeth Reynolds, the rumored witch who lives there.

Feared and scorned for her second sight, Lisbeth swore she’d never marry, but she is drawn to the handsome, confident Alex. She sees great love with him but fears what he would think of her gift and her visions of a traitor in their midst.

Despite his own vow never to fall in love, Alex can’t get the alluring Lisbeth out of his mind and is driven to protect her when attacks begin on the border. But as her visions of danger intensify, Lisbeth knows it is she who must protect him. Realizing they’ll secure their future only by facing the threat together, she must choose between keeping her magic a secret and losing the man she loves.

Buy the book:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZgvmDw

BN: http://bit.ly/ZQkCuY

iBook: http://bit.ly/TGWiBook

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-guardian-s-witch

The Maidens of Medieval Monday – a video!

01 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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historical romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, medieval romance

I’m so grateful to be part of the Medieval Mondays group.  Check out the video!

Medieval Monday with Ruth A. Casie

26 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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guest author, historical romance, Medieval Monday, Ruth A. Casie

Welcome to another Medieval Monday!  My guest today is bestselling author, Ruth A. Casie.  She’s here to tell us why she writes historicals.  Take it away, Ruth!

Years ago when I worked for a large bank I did a lot of international business travel. I can remember my first overseas assignment very clearly. It was a two week trip to five European cities. I brought six paperbacks thinking I would catch up on my reading—there was never enough time to read at home. We had three small children. Settled in my seat, I finished a book and a half by the time I landed in Brussels.

Client calls with local bank directors filled my days, but after business hours and over the weekend I was on my own. I filled the time with walking tours, sometimes in groups other times using the track provided by the hotel. Each time I came face to face with history; the Grand Place in Brussels, the Place de la Concorde in Paris, and Hampton Court in England.

As I went on to the different cities I tried to hear the sounds, smell the aromas, and see the sights from a different perspective, a different time. Stories by Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux, Johanna Lindsey and Lynn Kurland had me enthralled along with Clive Cussler. I know he’s not exactly romance but his Dirk Pit stories always start with some historical fact or thread that’s crucial to solving the mystery. I read my books at night and visited places where I imagined the stories unfolding.

Historical facts mixed with chivalry and magic are the most compelling stories to me. The romance of the middle ages with knights and princesses and their myths of druids, fairies, and fae tossed in for good measure all drew me in. Time travel stories and the ability to visit the past, protect the future, or simply experience a different time were the most compelling stories. Personally, I want my fiction based on fact but I don’t necessarily want the cold truth of reality. I know that history doesn’t always end with a happily ever after but taking a little poetic license to alter history just a bit to make it all work out is what I enjoy reading—and writing.

More about Ruth

Ruth A. Casie, a USA Today Bestselling Author, writes historical fantasy and contemporary romances for Harlequin, Carina Press, and Timeless Scribes. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and international bank product and marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. When not writing you can find her home in Teaneck, NJ, reading, cooking, doing Sudoku and counted cross stitch.

You can reach her at http://www.RuthACasie.com and join her newsletter, on Twitter @RuthACasie, at her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/RuthACasie or at Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ruthacasie/

 

Worldwide Release

12 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Tags

historical romance, Judith Sterling, medieval, Soul of the Wolf, The Novels of Ravenwood, worldwide release

Today’s the day!  It’s the release of Soul of the Wolf, the second of The Novels of Ravenwood.  Hope you have as much fun reading it as I had writing it!https://amzn.com/B06WP4GSCR

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

14 Tuesday Feb 2017

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Amazon pre-order, Flight of the Raven, historical romance, Judith Sterling, medieval, Soul of the Wolf, The Novels of Ravenwood

In perf5.000x8.000.inddkeeping with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Soul of the Wolf (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book Two) is now available for pre-order on Amazon.  The worldwide release date is April 12, 2017.

A Norman lady shows a Saxon sorcerer there’s no greater magic than love.

Pre-order now!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, EVERYONE!

 

Contracted Sequel

15 Tuesday Nov 2016

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Flight of the Raven, historical romance, medieval, sequel, Soul of the Wolf, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Wild Rose Press

I just contracted Soul of the Wolf, the sequel to Flight of the Raven.  It’s the second of The Novels of Ravenwood and takes place in Northumberland in the winter of 1101.  For those of you who read the first book, Soul of the Wolf is Wulfstan’s story.  He must solve an ancient riddle and bring light to a troubled land.  And of course, he’ll find love along the way.celtic-wolf-high-res-cropped

History: It’s Alive!

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

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Flight of the Raven, historical romance, publishing, Soul of the Wolf, The Novels of Ravenwood

With my second book of The Novels of Ravenwood series turned in to my editor, I’m moving on to the third one.  I’ve already created a rough outline, so this week is all about research.  My story is set in northern England in the spring of 1102.  Imagination is a powerful thing, so every detail is important when creating a world in which readers will not only step foot but live.  Maybe I’m influenced by my love of old movies or the fact that I live in Salem, Massachusetts, the Halloween capital of the world, but I can almost hear Dr. Frankenstein’s maniacal cry, “It’s alive!  It’s alive!”  It’s my job to breathe life, love, and a hint of magic into history.  With any luck, I’ll fashion a world that makes readers want to get cozy and stay for a while.

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