Tag Archives: Medieval Monday

Medieval Monday ~ DAUGHTER OF THE KING

03 Monday Dec 2018

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday! It’s Week Five of our “Family” theme, and I’m excited to feature an excerpt from Daughter of the King (Book 3 in the Derbfine Series) by the amazing Ashley York.

If you’re following my excerpt from Flight of the Raven, you can find the fifth snippet on Ashley’s blog: https://www.ashleyyorkauthor.com/blog

Now, let’s enjoy her fifth snippet:

“We’ll be wed.”

He tipped his head. “Is there a distinction?”

“I will not only be yers. Ye will be mine.”

She sensed his intake of breath rather than heard it. Darragh took her hand, gently leading her away from the others.

“And how d’ye treat what is yers?”

A note from Ashley: I loved writing about Brighit and Darragh. Follow along next week when I’ll be visiting Sherry Ewing’s blog: https://sherryewing.com/blog/

Remember to visit Ashley’s blog and comment on my snippet for a chance to win Flight of the Raven (or if you already have a copy, your choice of another of my books)!

A little more about Daughter of the King:

A mistaken identity. A gruesome murder. The uniting of two powerful clans.

Trained as a warrior…
Brighit of Clonascra is the only daughter of the fearsome overking, Sean, but despises the trappings and demands of womanhood. She’s far more comfortable training for battle than preparing a meal. Long held alliances require she set aside selfish dreams and take Darragh as her husband. The union intended to promote peace between the clans is interrupted by the shocking murder of a neighboring king and she quickly discovers there are far worse things than being wed.

Trained to be king…
Darragh of Drogheda has no wish to follow in the path of his father, Tadhg, but he is an obedient son and supports his father’s plans. His marriage to Brighit, however, will be no hardship at all since he finds her most intriguing especially when she fights him at every turn. A she-warrior indeed. Her persistent dismissal of him merely blows the fire aflame and sets him down the path to discovery of all her most tightly held secrets.

When she stands accused of the murder, can they finally come to an agreement that will give them each what they truly desire?

Check out Ashley’s books here: https://www.ashleyyorkauthor.com/books

See you next Monday!

Walmart eBooks and Medieval Monday Video

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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If you’re a Walmart shopper, I’ve got good news for you!  Walmart and Kobo have partnered to create Walmart eBooks, and a few of my books are available there.  Here are the titles and links:

THE CAULDRON STIRRED ~ https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Cauldron-Stirred-eBook/575741101

FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN ~ https://www.walmart.com/ip/Flight-of-the-Raven-eBook/577350992

SHADOW OF THE SWAN ~ https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shadow-of-the-Swan-eBook/946761489

In other news, thanks to the talented Ruth A. Casie, we have a new Medieval Monday YouTube Video!  Check it out:  https://youtu.be/FCfavlg01JU

Hope your week is going well.  The weekend is in sight!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ A WAGER FOR THE WIDOW

26 Monday Nov 2018

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday! It’s Week Four of our “Family” theme, and I’m thrilled to feature an excerpt from A Wager for the Widow by the talented Elisabeth Hobbes.

If you’re following my excerpt from Flight of the Raven, you can find the fourth snippet on Elisabeth’s blog: https://elisabethhobbes.co.uk/

Now, let’s enjoy her fourth snippet:

Edmund broke his reverie as he threw himself on to the bench and slung an arm around Will’s shoulder. Will greeted him with a distracted smile, the intrusion into his thoughts unwelcome.

Edmund picked up a bottle of wine and filled two goblets to the brim. ‘You look weary, Will, ‘he commented. ‘Was my father particularly demanding tonight? Did he agree to buy the wine?’

‘No, he wasn’t—and, yes, he did. He recognised the quality straight away. With a little more money to invest I could earn well from this vintage alone,’ Will answered. He sighed deeply. ‘It’s a pity my stake is so small.’

They drank contentedly for a while, discussing the upcoming feast, Rob’s successful wager and impending marriage. Rob retrieved his kestrel from the perch by the fire with a bow and a few brief words to the ladies, then joined his brother and friend. Lady Peyton’s eyes followed him as he crossed the room and Will saw her expression change to a frown as she saw where he was heading.

‘Why does my dear sister keep glaring at you?’ Edmund asked suddenly, turning his head to Will. ‘Every time she glanced your way during dinner she looked as though she wished she had a sharper knife. Surely you can have done nothing in the hour or two she has been here to incur her displeasure?’

‘You must be imagining things, Edmund. What could I have done?’ Will asked innocently. He took a deep draught from his goblet.

Rob leaned forward on his bench. ‘Will, you’re hiding something, I can tell.’

What is Will hiding? Head over to Sherry Ewing’s blog next Monday to discover the answer: https://sherryewing.com/blog/

For the previous excerpt from A Wager for the Widow visit https://www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com

Remember to visit Elisabeth’s blog and comment on my snippet for a chance to win Flight of the Raven (or if you already have a copy, your choice of another of my books)!

A little more about A Wager for the Widow:

“I suppose a kiss of gratitude is out of the question?”

Widowed Lady Eleanor Peyton has chosen a life of independence. Living alone on her rocky coastal outcrop, she’s cut herself off from the world of men—until William Rudhale saves her life and demands a kiss!

As steward to Lady Eleanor’s father, Will knows the desire he burns with is futile—but he’ll still wager he can claim Eleanor’s kiss by midwinter. Yet when the tide turns Will realizes vulnerable Eleanor is far too precious to gamble with. Can he win his lady before it’s too late?

Buy links

Amazon: viewbook.at/WagerforWidow

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-wager-for-the-widow-elisabeth-hobbes/1121093242?ean=9781460384640

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/a-wager-for-the-widow-mills-boon-historical-1

Mills & Boon: https://www.millsandboon.co.uk/p45341/a-wager-for-the-widow.htm

See you next Monday!

Medieval Monday ~ TO FOLLOW MY HEART

19 Monday Nov 2018

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday! It’s Week Three of our “Family” theme, and I’m excited to feature an excerpt by my dear friend and bestselling author, Sherry Ewing’s To Follow My Heart: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time (Book 3).

If you’re following my excerpt from Flight of the Raven, you can find the third snippet on Sherry’s blog: https://sherryewing.com/blog/

Now, let’s enjoy her third snippet:

Fletcher very kindly held her chair out for her. It wasn’t something that hadn’t been done for her before at any high class restaurant, but, somehow, the gesture seemed more significant sitting here in a place of honor at the same table as the lord and lady of the hall. Once she was seated, the conversations in the room resumed to full volume. Fletcher sat down beside her, and Jenna felt dwarfed sandwiched between him and the gentleman next to her. She surmised this was the very same Riorden that Katherine had told her about, since she was placed to his left. He nodded to her when she took her seat, and Jenna almost swooned when she saw how handsome he was. Were all the men in this castle graced with such stunning good looks?

The food began to arrive on huge platters, sometimes carried by two servants, to feed the multitude of people who filled every table in the hall. There were so many individuals here, she likened it to a great big huge party where everyone was celebrating some special occasion. As the bounty began to fill the space in front of her, she began to wonder if the table would hold the weight of so much food.

Be sure to leave a comment for Sherry below for a chance to win an eCopy of To Follow My Heart, The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time (Book 3). A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Medieval Monday, December 31st.

Catch last week’s excerpt here: www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com

Follow her to next week’s blog (November 26) here: http://www.marymorganauthor.com

Don’t forget to visit Sherry’s blog and comment on my snippet for a chance to win Flight of the Raven (or if you already have a copy, your choice of another of my books)!

A little more about To Follow My Heart:

Love is a leap. Sometimes you need to jump…

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 Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TWTF15
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/29jPdiT
iBooks: http://apple.co/247Nb53
Kobo: http://bit.ly/20Cc08b

See you next Monday!

Medieval Monday ~ DRAGON KNIGHT’S SHIELD

12 Monday Nov 2018

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Welcome back to Medieval Monday!  It’s Week Two of our “Family” theme, and I’m thrilled to feature my dear friend and award-winning author, Mary Morgan’s work, Dragon Knight’s Shield (Order of the Dragon Knights, Book Four).  Don’t you love this cover?!

If you’re following my excerpt from Flight of the Raven, you can find the second snippet on Mary’s blog: www.marymorganauthor.com

Now, let’s enjoy her second snippet:

Hearing the door closed, Angus slumped down against the stone wall. The druid’s visit left him raw with emotions. Hanging his head in his hands, he thought back to the night of Meggie’s death, shoving aside the vision of her lifeless body, he brought forth the image of the Guardian. Closing his eyes, he could see her in all her beauty and then she spoke. Across the sea, their destiny awaits. A love will meet through time and space. To right a wrong within this place. Beneath the gate to test your fate.

Deirdre was sent to him across the veil of time. A test—one he had failed to see.

Follow along next week on Barbara Bettis’ blog: http://barbarabettis.blogspot.com/

For a chance to win a signed print copy of Dragon Knight’s Shield, please leave a comment.  And don’t forget to visit Mary’s blog and comment on my snippet for a chance to win Flight of the Raven (or if you already have a copy, your choice of another of my books)!

A little more about Dragon Knight’s Shield:

Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him.

Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight.

Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?

Buy Links: AMAZON | BN | KOBO | iTunes

See you next Monday!

Medieval Monday ~ THE GUARDIAN’S WITCH

05 Monday Nov 2018

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Medieval Monday is back!  I’m teaming up with seven amazing authors of medieval romance, and every Monday for the next eight weeks, we’ll share excerpts from each other’s books on our blogs.

This round’s theme is “Family” in honor of all the family holidays during the next two months.  Each excerpt will be broken into eight snippets; mine will be from Flight of the Raven (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book One).  My excerpt highlights brotherly trust, support, and love…tough love, in this case.  Sometimes, only a trusted sibling can open one’s eyes.

Each Monday, I’ll feature a snippet from another author’s book and tell you where to find the next bit of the story.  I’ll also let you know where to find my snippet.

On the last Monday (December 24), I’ll feature the final snippet from my own excerpt here on my blog.  If you follow along and comment on the snippets from Flight of the Raven, you could win a digital copy of the book.  If you already own a copy, you’ll have your choice of any one of my other books, fiction or nonfiction.  I’ll announce my winner on Monday, December 31.  The other authors will also award prizes to commenters, so you have lots of chances to win!

USA Today bestselling author Ruth A. Casie is featuring my first snippet on her blog: https://www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com

I’m featuring hers from The Guardian’s Witch, Book One of the Stelton Legacy. Let’s take a look!

“Jamie,” Tom called. “We captured six English. They were tracking Alex.”

Jamie and Alex sat in the main room of the hunting lodge. They looked up from a large parchment map on the table.

“Your brothers?” Jamie waved his hand at the six men accompanied by highland guards.

“Yes, I thought they would follow.” Alex left the table to welcome them.

“Alex.” Cameron came forward. “With the carnage we passed on the trail, we arrived at the conclusion you’ve made at least one friend here. We thought about going back but we knew we would upset Mother if we arrived without you.”

The excerpt continues next week on Sherry Ewing’s blog: https://sherryewing.com/blog/

Don’t forget, commenters each week will be entered into a drawing for a free digital copy of The Guardian’s Witch.  And visit Ruth’s blog to comment on my snippet for a chance to win Flight of the Raven or another of my books!

A little more about The Guardian’s Witch:

Will he come in time or must she trust in her magic and risk exposure as a witch to save them both?

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.

Check out Ruth’s books here:

https://ruthacasie.com/books.html

See you next Monday!

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

Medieval Romance ~ an excerpt from FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN

04 Monday Jun 2018

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For those of you missing Medieval Monday, here’s another excerpt from the first of The Novels of Ravenwood.  Enjoy!

William stood before the cold hearth with his back to the door. His commanding presence diminished the sweeping arch of the vacant fireplace.

“Leave us,” he ordered without turning. “Shut the door behind you.”

The heavy, oak door slammed shut. The stone walls reverberated from the force of it.

Emma studied the sheen of his straight, black hair, the proud set of his shoulders, and the wide, leather belt which cinched his ebony tunic at the waist. An eternity might’ve passed while she waited for him to acknowledge her presence. When at last he turned, his dark eyes blazed.

Her stomach lurched. “Y-you wished to see me?”

He glowered at her in silence. A chill of foreboding ran through her, but she stood her ground.

A full minute later, he still hadn’t spoken. Her patience waned. If he expected her to read his mind, he could think again.

She cleared her throat. “You obviously need time to collect your thoughts, so I’ll leave you to them.”

“You will stay right here,” he ruled in slow, measured words. His scorching gaze belied his smooth tone of voice. “I sent for you to discuss your betrayal.”

She swore under her breath. Someone must’ve divulged her plan to stay celibate. If only she’d told him sooner.

“I can explain,” she said.

“Save your breath. There’s only one explanation.”

“You said ‘discuss.’ A discussion requires two opinions.”

“An opinion laced with lies doesn’t count.”

“But if you—”

“Silence!”

His shout echoed off the prison walls. Her stomach churned, but she clamped her lips shut.

“Now,” he said, lower in pitch, “listen and learn. A traitor can challenge the king’s reach, but only a fool underestimates mine. My men know this. Legions of Saracens—alive and dead—know it. Wulfstan will know it too.”

“What has Wulfstan to do with this?”

William grunted. “You play innocence well.”

“Truly, I know not whereof you speak!”

“I speak of your escape…tonight…with Wulfstan.”

“What?”

“My squire was in the mews while you were plotting your little scheme.”

“Holy Mother!” Frantically, her mind snatched up the pieces of what was said and where. “’Twas Gertrude’s idea.”

“A welcome one, reportedly.”

“I considered it, but—”

“So you confess.”

“No! Your spy heard but part of the conversation. In the end, I chose you.”

He snorted. “Right. And I sell genuine relics of the saints.”

She glared at him. With quick, deliberate steps, she closed the space between them.

“Then I’ll fetch my purse, for I speak the truth.”

“I am no fool.”

No, she thought, but you’re a veritable god of arrogance.

A lord of intimidation, too. Why else would he summon her to the prison tower? With dispatch, her desire to explain the curse, and its implications to their wedding night, died.

For an instant so brief she might’ve imagined it, his expression changed. He looked almost…wounded.

“Does the thought of marrying me so disgust you?” he asked.

His dark, infinite eyes became her world. “Not at all.”

Large, warm hands clasped her upper arms. “Is Wulfstan your lover?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

“Tyrant.”

His mouth claimed hers. She wrenched her head to the side, tried to break away. His grip tightened. His lips demanded more.

Emma thought fast. She couldn’t match his physical strength. But maybe, if she didn’t resist, didn’t react in any way, he’d release her.

She willed herself to relax. Almost at once, his lips slackened. They became softer, gentler. Intrigued, she relaxed further.

His lips brushed hers and left a tingling warmth in their wake. She liked the sensation, but the longer he fed it, the more she wanted the full pressure of his mouth. A low sound of protest vibrated deep in her throat.

William moaned, and his hot tongue nudged her closed lips. A curious action. Not unpleasant, though, so she opened her mouth. His tongue slipped inside and began a slow, thorough exploration. In response, she flicked her tongue against his.

He groaned. The sound was raw, exciting. His hands burned a path from her arms down to her hips. His tongue darted deeper, faster. Her mouth tingled. Heat tantalized her belly. Never had she felt so alive.

Hope you enjoyed the excerpt! Here’s a little more about the book:

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

Lady Emma of Ravenwood Keep is prepared to give Sir William l’Orage land, wealth, and her hand in marriage. But her virginity? Not unless he loves her. The curse that claimed her mother is clear: unless a Ravenwood heir is conceived in love, the mother will die in childbirth. Emma is determined to dodge the curse. Then William arrives, brandishing raw sensuality which dares her to explore her own.

William the Storm isn’t a man to be gainsaid. He’ll give her protection, loyalty, and as much tenderness as he can muster. But malignant memories quell the mere thought of love. To him, the curse is codswallop. He plans a seduction to breach Emma’s fears and raze her objections. What follows is a test of wills and an affirmation of the power of love.

If you feel the urge to buy, here are the links:

Amazon http://buff.ly/2eRAwRW

Barnes and Noble http://buff.ly/2eWWIx3

The Wild Rose Press http://buff.ly/2eRuYXX

Happy Monday, everyone!

Medieval Romance ~ an excerpt from FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN

21 Monday May 2018

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Just in case you’re suffering withdrawal symptoms while Medieval Monday is on hiatus, here’s an excerpt from the book that started it all…Flight of the Raven, the first of The Novels of Ravenwood:

For a long moment, Emma stared into William’s eyes. Then she cleared her throat and whirled around to face her worktable. His gaze burned a trail of desire down her back, following her two long braids to the provocative curves where they stopped.

God’s teeth, he cursed inwardly. How shall I wait until tomorrow night?

Battling his instincts, he claimed a space beside her at the table’s edge. He watched intently as she placed a handful of leaves in a mortar.

“So this is your work,” he said.

“Aye.” Her gaze was fixed on the task. “The people depend on me, and I’m happy to serve.”

She wrapped her delicate fingers around a thick, stone pestle. The action did nothing to ease his condition. He had to make conversation, or he’d have his bride on the table faster than a Turk wielded a scimitar.

He pointed to the small pile of red berries beside a cluster of twigs. “What are those?”

“Hawthorn branches and their fruit. You’ve probably tasted the berries in jellies and sauces, but a powder made from the seeds is good for the heart. Don’t expect to see the blossoms in any of the local cottages, though. ‘Tis bad luck, I’m told.” Her wide grin proved she didn’t share the belief.

He couldn’t help grinning back. “I didn’t recognize the plant, but I’ve heard the legends. The ancient Greeks and Romans thought it protected them from evil spirits.”

“Ah, so you listen to legends too. I thought you only made them.”

He didn’t know whether to laugh or take offense, but at least his blood had cooled. His gaze dropped to the leaves she bruised in the mortar. “What’s that there?”

“Mandrake. It can be deadly, but in moderation, it makes a soothing ointment. ‘Tis likewise a stimulant.”

“How so?” He pretended ignorance. This plant had inspired its own tales.

“It encourages the act of—“ she broke off and looked at him. Her amethyst eyes were large, hypnotic.

A new shaft of desire sliced through him. “What does it encourage?”

She opened her mouth, but no sound escaped.

He lowered his gaze to her full, sensual lips. Their natural shade was a deep pink. Almost purple. The upper lip was unusually plump, as ripe and tempting as its counterpart.

In a hushed voice, he continued, “You were saying…”

“I was?”

“You were. Mandrake encourages…”

“Passion.”

He inched toward her. He would kiss her, teach her the meaning of the word.

Hope you enjoyed the excerpt!  Here’s a little more about the book:

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

Lady Emma of Ravenwood Keep is prepared to give Sir William l’Orage land, wealth, and her hand in marriage. But her virginity? Not unless he loves her. The curse that claimed her mother is clear: unless a Ravenwood heir is conceived in love, the mother will die in childbirth. Emma is determined to dodge the curse. Then William arrives, brandishing raw sensuality which dares her to explore her own.

William the Storm isn’t a man to be gainsaid. He’ll give her protection, loyalty, and as much tenderness as he can muster. But malignant memories quell the mere thought of love. To him, the curse is codswallop. He plans a seduction to breach Emma’s fears and raze her objections. What follows is a test of wills and an affirmation of the power of love.

If you feel the urge to buy, here are the links:

Amazon http://buff.ly/2eRAwRW

Barnes and Noble http://buff.ly/2eWWIx3

The Wild Rose Press http://buff.ly/2eRuYXX

Happy Monday, everyone!

Medieval Monday Winner!

07 Monday May 2018

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A big thanks to everyone who followed along with our “Author’s Choice” theme for this round of Medieval Monday.  I enjoyed hosting my fellow authors and loved the comments many of you left about my snippets.  My winner, Lori Dykes, already has her copy of Shadow of the Swan.  Happy reading, Lori!  And happy Monday to all my followers.  Look for Medieval Monday to return soon!