Tag Archives: Medieval Monday

Medieval Monday ~ FOR THIS KNIGHT ONLY

30 Monday Dec 2019

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

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

Now, let’s enjoy her seventh snippet:

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

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

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

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

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

A little more about For This Knight Only:

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

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

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

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

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ THE HIGHLANDER’S CRUSADER BRIDE

23 Monday Dec 2019

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

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

Now, let’s enjoy her sixth snippet:

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

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

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

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

A little more about The Highlander’s Crusader Bride:

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

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

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

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

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ CAMERON

16 Monday Dec 2019

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

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

Now, let’s enjoy her fifth snippet:

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

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

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

“That’s good.”

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

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

A little more about the book:

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

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

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

Where to buy it:

Amazon

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ THE PIRATE’S REDEMPTION

09 Monday Dec 2019

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

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

Now, let’s enjoy her fourth snippet:

“I thought ye were hungry,” Moira said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A little more about The Pirate’s Redemption:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to buy the book:

Amazon KU

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ TO LOVE A SCOTTISH LAIRD

02 Monday Dec 2019

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday!  Our theme of “Celebrations” continues, and today I’m featuring bestselling author Sherry Ewing’s To Love a Scottish Laird.

If you’re following the excerpt from my time travel romance, Night of the Owl, you can find the third snippet on Sherry’s blog: https://www.SherryEwing.com/blog/

Now, let’s read her third snippet:

He had no time to ponder the matter, for the very lady strolled into the hall with her brother and, Douglas assumed, the earl’s family. The resemblance was uncanny, and with the exception of the earl’s wife, they all had the same physical traits. But as he further observed Catherine from across the room, he could tell she was upset considering the pallor of her face. He knew the cause.

Follow along next week at Cathy MacRae’s blog: https://www.cathymacraeauthor.com

A little more about To Love a Scottish Laird:

Sometimes you really can fall in love at first sight…

Lady Catherine de Wolfe knows she must find a husband before her brother chooses one for her, but none of the knights and lords she knows have caught her eye. A tournament to celebrate the wedding of the Duke of Normandy might be her answer. She does not expect to fall for a man after just one touch.

Laird Douglas MacLaren of Berwyck is invited to the tournament by the Duke of Normandy. He goes to ensure Berwyck’s safety once Henry takes the throne. He does not expect to become entranced by a woman who bumps into him.

Before they can express their feelings, the Duke orders them wed to strengthen ties between his English supporters and the borderland, and then separates them by commanding Douglas’s escort to his home.

Yet, nothing is ever quite that simple. Not everyone is happy with the union of this English lady and a Scottish laird. From the shores of France, to Berwyck Castle on the border between their countries, Douglas and Catherine must find their way to protect their newfound love.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2UbuMKB

AU: https://amzn.to/2OvonVg

CA: https://amzn.to/2uzkwNO

NL: https://amzn.to/2JIZCGe

UK: https://amzn.to/2uzR3TI

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ MAREK

25 Monday Nov 2019

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday!  Our theme of “Celebrations” continues, and today I’m featuring Bambi Lynn’s Marek, the first book in her time travel romance series, The Knights of Stonebridge.

If you’re following the excerpt from my time travel romance, Night of the Owl, you can find the second snippet on Bambi’s blog: https://bambilynnblog.wordpress.com/

Now, let’s read her second snippet:

There was no corn or sweet potatoes, but Vale and Bryn had managed to hunt down a flock of birds, remarkably like turkeys. There was no end to the bread stuffing, gravy, even stewed cranberries. Kitty herself had been guiding the cooks for a week to prepare enough food for everyone. They had even baked over one hundred pumpkin pies for dessert.

A little more about Marek:

Boring accountant, Kitty Petty, struggles to get through each day one at a time since the brutal murder of her husband. She spends every free moment caring for her young daughter, until the night she wakes to find her bed on fire.

Kitty doesn’t know how she got to the year 1196, much less how to get back. But if she doesn’t, her daughter will be institutionalized. Having failed to save her child from the clutches of a madman, Kitty vows to protect her future. But going back to her time means risking her own life and separating her from the knight she has grown to love.

Marek Stone wants to protect his wife from the people of Stonebridge. Katherine has been declared a demon after her miraculous rise from the funeral pyre, and the villagers want justice.

Kitty must return if she has any hope of saving her daughter. However, the knight who loves her will do anything to make her stay.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ NIGHT OF THE OWL

18 Monday Nov 2019

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Welcome to a new round of Medieval Monday!  Our theme, “Celebrations,” is perfect for this time of year.  Every Monday for the next 11 weeks, I’ll feature a snippet from a medieval romance (mine and others) and tell you where to find the next bit of the story.

My excerpt–broken into 11 snippets–is from my new release, Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood.  Hugh, Lord Seacrest, and his mother have just welcomed the hero’s youngest brother, Sir Robert, and his new bride, Lady Constance, to Seacrest, and the scene begins in the great hall, where they’re sharing their first meal together since the impromptu wedding.  Also new to the table is Ardyth Nightshade, an independent woman from the year 1986 who has already caught Hugh’s eye.

Now that you know the basics, onward to the snippet!

Seated between Isobel and his mother at the high table in the hall, Hugh relished a bite of strawberry tart and turned his attention to Giles, who’d been a minstrel at Seacrest for more than thirty years.  From his position in the wraparound gallery, the gray-haired musician strummed his harp and began to sing.

ʼTwas a new tune, though the subject matter was old.  A treasure beyond measure, hidden in the sea cave beneath the castle.  Or so the story went.  Whispered around the hearths of nobles and commoners alike, rumors of the Seacrest treasure had existed since before Hugh was born.

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

A little more about Night of the Owl:

PhD student Ardyth Nightshade has renounced men and pursues her twentieth-century career with single-minded focus. When fate whisks her to medieval England, she meets her match in a man whose passions mirror her own. Can she sacrifice ambition for a love she never sought?

Hugh, Lord Seacrest confounds all who know him. He refuses to marry without a meeting of minds and hearts, and no lady has even approached his ideal…until Ardyth. But she’s an odd one, with unique skills, shocking habits, and total conviction she needs no man. She also harbors secrets, and in the midst of rumors, plots, and murder, trust is fragile.

A woman outside of her time. A man ahead of his. They must take a leap of faith to forge a bond that will shape history.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Where I’ll be on each Medieval Monday:

Nov. 25 – Bambi Lynn

Dec. 2 – Sherry Ewing

Dec. 9 – Ruth A. Casie

Dec. 16 – Lane McFarland

Dec. 23 – Cathy MacRae

Dec. 30 – Barbara Bettis

Jan. 6 – Ashley York

Jan. 13 – Mary Morgan

Jan. 20 – Laurel O’Donnell

Jan. 27 – Right here on my blog!

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday Winner!

09 Monday Sep 2019

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I’ve chosen a winner from the commenters of this round of Medieval Monday.  Congratulations, Cyndi Bennett!  You’ve won e-copies (gifted through Amazon) of the first three books in The Novels of Ravenwood series:  Flight of the Raven, Soul of the Wolf, and Shadow of the Swan.  Please email me at judithsterlingmarshall@gmail.com and let me know to which email address I should send the gift.

Thanks again to everyone who commented.  We’ll start a new round of Medieval Monday soon!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ SHADOW OF THE SWAN

02 Monday Sep 2019

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Today, I’m sharing the final snippet of my “Bad Guy” excerpt.  Hard to believe this round of Medieval Monday is almost over!

Remember to leave a comment below for a chance to win digital copies of the first three books in The Novels of Ravenwood series.  If I choose your name, you’ll get the full story so far, and you’ll be all set for its continuation in my upcoming release, Night of the Owl (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book 4).  I’ll announce the winner next Monday, September 9.

In last week’s snippet, Father Cedric of Ravenwood arrived on the scene just in time to cut short Archdeacon Dominy’s intimidation of Lady Constance.  Here’s what happens next:

            Constance held her breath.  Dominy threw her a scornful look over his shoulder, then left without another word.  As if on cue, the sun shone through the window, and the chapel brightened.

            She could breathe again.  “Thank you…Father Cedric, is it?”

            The priest nodded.  “And you’re Lady Constance.  Lady Ravenwood informed me of your arrival.  Do forgive my cousin.  He can be…difficult.”

            You’ve no idea how difficult!  “Did he tell you why he’s here?”

            “Given our history, I expect he came to gloat about his recent elevation to the archdeaconship.”

            “How long will he stay?”

            Depression overtook Cedric’s features.  “Through St. John’s Eve.”

            “But that’s more than a month away!”

             He shrugged.  “Apparently, he wants to grace us with his presence on the feast day. But let’s not dwell on our trials.  ’Tis quite fine out, and the orchard is in full bloom.  Would your ladyship accompany me thither?”

            The priest was a kind soul, through and through.  She could sense it.

            “I’d be happy to, Father.”

Constance has escaped the archdeacon’s clutches…for now.  But as I’m sure you’ve guessed, Dominy has a lot more up his proverbial sleeve.

A little more about Shadow of the Swan:

Lady Constance de Bret was determined to be a nun, until shadows from the past eclipsed her present. Marriage is the safest option, but she insists on a spiritual union, in which physical intimacy is forbidden. Not so easy with a bridegroom who wields unparalleled charm! But a long-buried secret could taint his affection and cloak her in shadow forever.

Back from the Crusades, Sir Robert le Donjon craves a home of his own and children to inherit it. From the moment he meets Constance, he feels a mysterious bond between them. When she’s threatened, he vows to protect her and agrees to the spiritual marriage, with the hope of one day persuading her to enjoy a “real” one. She captivates him but opens old wounds and challenges everything he thought he believed.

Two souls in need of healing. Two hearts destined to beat as one.

Buy the book or the audiobook:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Audible

Thanks for joining me for this round of Medieval Monday.  Be sure to comment below, and check in next week to see if you’re the winner!

Medieval Monday ~ LADY OF STEEL

26 Monday Aug 2019

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday! I’m excited to have Mary Gillgannon here today. We’re featuring her medieval romance, Lady of Steel.

If you’re following my “Bad Guy” excerpt from Shadow of the Swan, you can find the tenth snippet on Mary’s blog here. Remember to leave a comment there for a chance to win digital copies of the first three books in The Novels of Ravenwood series!

Now, let’s enjoy Mary’s “Bad Guy” snippet:

His opponent was weakening, the movements of his bulky body growing sluggish. Mortimer’s breath came in harsh rasps. As if watching it from far away, Fawkes observed his blade striking nearer and nearer to Mortimer’s mail-clad body. Blood dripped from a wound on Mortimer’s left arm and another at his hip. Any moment he would falter and Fawkes would land the killing blow. Victory was so near he could almost taste it.

“Is she worth it, you fool?” Mortimer panted. “If you kill me, you’ll have to face Richard someday and tell him why. Do you think he’ll be pleased you took my life over a woman, and a perfidious, scheming slut at that?”

A little more about Lady of Steel:

One rapturous hour sparks unforgettable passion between Lady Nicola and Fawkes de Cressy. The memory of their time together enables Fawkes to survive the perils of the Crusades and gives Nicola the hope and strength to endure a brutal marriage. But when Fawkes returns three years later, he finds Nicola enmeshed in a dark web of castle intrigue. Fawkes has also been altered by the hardships and cruelties of war, and Nicola fears to trust him with her secrets or her heart.

Surrounded by enemies, the battle-hardened knight and the aloof, wary woman must rebuild the bond between them. Only if they dare let the soul-stirring magic their bodies share grow into love can they escape the sinister plot that threatens to destroy them both.

Buy the book:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

See you next Monday, when I’ll feature the final snippet of my own “Bad Guy” excerpt from Shadow of the Swan.  Until then, here’s another look at our latest Medieval Monday video.  Have a lovely day!