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Judith Sterling

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Judith Sterling

Tag Archives: new release

WISHES UNDER A HIGHLAND STAR by Mary Morgan

14 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights, Historical Scottish Fantasy Romance, Judith Sterling, Mary Morgan, new release, Order of the Dragon Knights, Scotland, the fae, Wishes Under a Highland Star

It’s been quite a while since my dear friend Mary Morgan visited us, and I’m excited to welcome her back this morning! We’re spotlighting her recent release, Wishes Under a Highland Star: A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights, which has already garnered some wonderful reviews. Here’s the story:

As chieftain for his clan, Alex MacFhearguis struggles with the burden of an unwanted responsibility. With the midwinter feast approaching, he flees his castle to find comfort and solitude within the forest. Yet on his quest, Alex stumbles into a world filled with magic, mysteries, and a woman with beguiling eyes who could capture his heart.

When half-Fae Aine Fraser makes a powerful wish, her simple request unlocks the magic she possesses and brings forth a Highlander into her world. Though the man has lost all his memories, she finds her attraction growing for this brooding warrior with each passing day. Unable to deny her feelings, Aine risks everything when she confesses her greatest secret.

Can a beauty who wished for a champion tame the beast of Leòmhann Castle?

Sounds like a magical read! Tell us a little more, Mary.

Hello, Judith! I’m thrilled to be back on your lovely blog today! Thank you for allowing me to share a wee bit about my new historical fantasy, Wishes Under a Highland Star.

With this particular story, I’ve woven my fictional Fae realm within the mists of Scotland, specifically the Great Glen in the Highlands. These misfit people—part Fae and human—live in Taloch Castle. In order for them to exist in the Scotland of mortals, they must train to harness their magic. Taloch is a special place to learn, guided by Elders and other knowledgeable Fae. Once the Elders deem these misfit Fae are ready, they call forth a traveler from beyond the mists to assist these Fae on their journey.

Let me show you a glimpse into what happens when a half-Fae lass makes a powerful wish…

“What have ye done, Aine Fraser!” Her uncle’s voice bellowed behind her.

The void around her snapped with a resounding clap of thunder, sending her slamming against a tree. As she fought for air, Aine dropped her sgian dubh to the ground. A great humming filled her head, and she placed her fingers to her temple. Doing her best to rid the last remnants of pain, she tried to steady her breathing.

Etain rose and barked at the intruder.

“Silence!” ordered the man.

Yet the wolfhound would not be deterred and moved to Aine’s side.

Aine lifted her head to meet her uncle’s harsh glare.

“I will not ask ye again.” His stance was one she had never witnessed. He kept his hands fisted by his sides while his eyes flashed silver.

Aine never feared her uncle. Until this moment.

She swallowed. “I made another wish.”

Her uncle slashed the air with his hand. “Nae! Ye did more this time!”

Confusion marred her thinking. “I do…not understand.”

“A wish is a simple request under the stars,” he snapped, pointing a warning finger at the wolfhound when she uttered a low growl.

Frowning, Aine argued, “But that is what I did, Uncle Eamon.”

“By the hounds of Cúchulainn! Ye ken there was more to the words ye spouted. Ye drew the power within ye and used magic.”

Aine’s heart beat rapidly against her chest. Was her uncle correct? Did she violate a vow she took years ago not to use magic in this village? She clenched her hands by her sides, recalling how the power surged inside her. Never before had she felt her body so alive with the elements and the ancients. She believed her request purely made from her heart, spoken to the Guardians of the stars.

Unsure of how to respond to her uncle, she lifted her head to the stars. Their previous splendor now shadowed by the mists drifting by. And within her soul she knew the answer.

Resuming her attention to her uncle, she clasped her hands together. “My apologies for the grave mishap.”

“Why?” he demanded harshly.

“I grew weary waiting for a traveler,” she responded truthfully. “The more I spoke, the more the words flowed from me.”

Raking a hand through his hair, he paced in front of her. Ancient words poured forth from him—ones she understood well since her father had used them toward the end of his life in his lessons with her.

Uncle Eamon halted his steps and studied her. “Ye are one of the oldest here, my Aine,” he stated in a gentler tone, adding, “Ye ken the edicts more than the others. Ye are not allowed to use magic to call forth someone beyond the veil. Only when I and the elders judge ye are ready. Then I shall wield the magic to either call someone to ye or send ye out into their world. Can ye honestly say ye had nae knowledge of what ye were doing?”

Her shoulders slumped. She had failed again. This was why Aine was not ready to venture outside the village. To do so would bring harm to the others, specifically her brother. Did they not all depend on her to lead a life without magic? And what if she left with the traveler and something happened to her beyond her village? If she dared to use her magic, death might be her punishment, and her brother would be doomed to face another loss.

Aine’s heart ached. As always, her lack of patience proved to be her greatest failing.

“Perchance I am not meant to go beyond the veil, Uncle.”

Available from these retailers: https://books2read.com/u/31DeYa

More about Mary:

Multi award-winning 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. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and 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 fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books.

Connect with her here:

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram | BookBub | Audible | LinkedIn

Thanks again for sharing your new release with us, Mary. I wish you all the luck in the world with it!

Curl Up with a Book Month Giveaway ~ N. N. Light’s Book Heaven

01 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Tags

cozy mystery, Curl Up with a Book Giveaway, gift cards, gothic cozy, Judith Sterling, literary giveaway, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, new release, The Gothic Gwyn Mysteries, Trip the Light Phantasmic

There’s nothing quite so cozy as curling up with a good book, especially at this time of year. N. N. Light’s Book Heaven has a fantastic giveaway this month with more than thirty prizes: new releases, backlist titles, and gift cards. You might even win my new release, Trip the Light Phantasmic.

Check out all the prizes here. If there’s a particular one you want, be sure to mention it when entering the giveaway here. Good luck, and have a magical holiday season! 🙂

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! 🙂

TREMORS THROUGH TIME by Anastasia Abboud

19 Tuesday Jul 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Anastasia Abboud, medieval romance, new release, The Wild Rose Press, time travel romance, Tremors through Time

Please welcome the lovely Anastasia Abboud! Her recent release, Tremors through Time, is a time travel romance that’s getting rave reviews, and I can’t wait to read it myself. Here’s the story:

She’s made mistakes and paid the price, but Deidre Chisolm is no quitter. She’ll never again be a fool for a man, not even her gorgeous new neighbor with his haunted eyes and strange accent. She’ll be friendly, but nothing more.

Lachlann has to go back to fourteenth-century Scotland. He can’t forsake his family, his son. But when a beautiful, kind, funny lady buys the house next door, he’s never been so drawn to anyone in his life. Would she believe his story? After years of struggling through nightmares and flashbacks, headaches and illiteracy, dare he ask her to help him return?

A peek between the pages:

Lachlann sauntered across Deidre’s driveway just as she was locking her front door. She turned toward him, smiling. He froze. She was wearing a saffron-colored leine, or tunic, underneath a blue, fitted surcoat. He should have known! She was a woman from his own time. His heart and head began to pound as he stared at her.

“Lachlann?” Deidre’s voice reached him, soft and hesitant. “Don’t you like my costume?”

Costume. Of course, it was a costume. He struggled to regain his voice as his heart rate calmed. “It’s great,” he managed, giving himself a mental shake. Fool!

“Thank you,” she replied, her voice still uncertain. She looked at him inquiringly. “I surprised you, didn’t I? I’m sorry. I should’ve warned you. I like to wear something fairly authentic in case I run into some of my students.”

“You do look authentic.” He managed a wink. “Bonnie as well.”

She blushed. “You’ve probably seen lots of costumes like this in Scotland.”

“Not so many, and none in Texas.”

It was a wonder to him that he was still standing. Her costume, as she called it, was perfect. She might have fallen through time like himself. It was an even greater wonder that he had not yet carried her off to bed. He’d never wanted anyone as he wanted her.

Now, dressed in such a familiar manner, she suddenly seemed more tangible than ever. She looked magnificent, the clothing emphasizing her generous breasts and hips, her deep red tresses flowing freely down her back.

His mouth went dry as he wondered how he might persuade her to dress like this more often.

Their eyes met. To hell with time.

He stepped toward her.

Buy the book:

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub | Website

A word from Anastasia:

For me, playing is the best — playing outdoors in nature or in my garden, experimenting in the kitchen, spending time with those I love. I also enjoy disappearing into a good book, attempting crafts, learning, writing, exploring, discovering. I especially like to mix it up and have yet to perfect any of it; and I’ve come to realize that perfection’s not the point. It’s all wonderfully fun. That’s the point!

​I prefer authentic and natural, be it food, lifestyle, people. I passionately enjoy both history and science, and certainly sociology to a degree, and I am most truly a romantic.

​​
My husband and I have been married for over forty years. We reside near Houston, Texas, surrounded by loved ones. We have a blast with our little grandchildren.

​I thank God for this wonderful life.

Where to find her:

Website

FaceBook

Twitter

Instagram

Goodreads

BookBub

LinkedIn

Amazon

Thanks so much for joining me today, Anastasia. Wishing you continued success with the book! 🙂

STRONG ENOUGH by Jana Richards and a Giveaway!

24 Tuesday May 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Amazon gift card, Child of Mine, contemporary romance, family life fiction, giveaway, Jana Richards, new release, romance series, Silver Dagger Book Tours, Strong Enough, The Masonville Series, To Heal a Heart, Unexpected

Today, I’m delighted to feature Jana Richards’s new release, Strong Enough. It’s the fourth contemporary romance in The Masonville Series, and I’m guessing you’ll need a box of tissues handy when you read it! Here’s the story:

Love can make you stronger, if you let it.

Charlotte Saunders has a full life–a rewarding career as a nurse, meaningful volunteer work at a dog shelter, and family, friends and pets she adores. But no matter how hard she tries, she can’t forget the horrible event that’s haunted her for ten years.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Damon Greyson now helps others who have suffered trauma. His experience and intuition alert him to trouble in Charlotte’s past, and he wants to help her, if only she’d let him.

As they work together to help veterans suffering from PTSD and neglected dogs needing loving homes, their feelings for each other deepen. But when the trauma from Charlotte’s past roars back to life, both are forced to confront their painful histories—or die trying.

A peek between the pages:

She looked away. “I’m sorry. I hate women who use tears to get what they want. It’s just that yesterday the shelter had to put down some dogs. There was this one old dog, Shep….” She shook her head, unable to finish.

He squeezed her elbow before letting her go. “I’m sorry, Charlotte.”

She nodded and again Damon sensed her vulnerability. Charlotte tried to give off an aura of strength. She was the caregiving nurse, the person others looked to for help. But who helped Charlotte?

After a few breaths, she straightened her shoulders and faced him, her composure once more back in place. “How long do you think it will be?”

“You mean until the retreat is up and running?” When she nodded, he blew out a breath. “I don’t know. My building’s in worse shape than I first thought.”

“If there’s anything I can do to speed up the process, let me know.”

“You know anything about unplugging sewer lines?”

She made a face. “You’re on your own, Greyson.”

Don’t I know it. “Hey, you asked. From now on I’ll only request your help when it comes to dogs.”

She chuckled. “Good plan.”

This time Charlotte’s smile was genuine, and for a moment Damon couldn’t breathe. He found himself wondering what it would be like to have the full force of her smile directed at him on a regular basis, and to know there was real affection for him behind the smile. The longing he experienced at that thought shocked him.

Better not to allow such thoughts to take root. Despite all the work he’d done over the years to overcome the harm done to him in the past, he still had questions. Would it ever be possible for him to have a normal, loving, long-term relationship with a woman? So far, the longest relationship he’d had lasted only six months.

Maybe he’d always be damaged goods.

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60582342-strong-enough

Other books in the series:

Single dad Ben Greyson wants only to retain custody of his two stepdaughters. A dysfunctional childhood has made family the most important thing in his life. When his late wife’s parents sue for custody, a desperate Ben is left with two choices – run away with his girls or marry his next-door neighbor.

Jamie Garven wants to be a mother. She’s intrigued by her handsome new neighbor and falls in love with his little girls. Then Ben is faced with losing his children, and Jamie agrees to marry him for a chance at motherhood. They’re determined to show the world, and the girls’ grandparents, two loving parents.
Their marriage of convenience turns into unexpected love. But Ben interprets Jamie’s efforts to save their family as betrayal—they could lose everything, including each other.

**On Sale at Amazon for .99cents June 3 – 17!!**

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * WildRosePress

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57013622-unexpected

Two souls in pain, two hearts in need of rescue.

Garrett Saunders’ world changed two years ago on a road in Afghanistan. Back home, he feels like a stranger. As he struggles to find his place in the world, he meets a horse destined for the slaughterhouse and a woman bent on rescuing the strays of the world, including him.

Blair Greyson moves to Masonville to look after her ailing grandfather and give her rescue horses a home. Right away she butts heads with a surly former Marine. Despite a rocky start, they come to an agreement: Blair will board Garrett’s rescue horse and he’ll help with repairs around her farm.

Garrett finds purpose working with Blair—and falls in love with her. But she’s hiding a secret. Can she forgive herself and accept Garrett’s love, or will she let guilt and regret continue to rule her life?

**On Sale at Amazon for .99cents May 20 – June 3!!**

Add to Goodreads

Amazon* Apple* B&N* Google * Kobo * TheWildRosePress

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53209383-to-heal-a-heart

Is Lauren’s love for Cole stronger than her fear of scandal in her hometown?

Lauren didn’t intend to sleep with her brother-in-law Cole on the day of her husband’s funeral. But now that she is pregnant, she’s not sorry. Cole’s given her a baby, a long-wished-for miracle. He’s been her friend forever, though she never told him or anyone else how unhappy her marriage to his cheating brother was. And she’s afraid to tell the small town that considered her husband a hero that the baby isn’t his.

Cole’s been in love with Lauren since he was sixteen. It kills him that everyone believes the baby is his dead brother’s. All he wants is to claim the baby, and Lauren, as his own. Though she marries him, will Lauren’s heart ever be his?

Lauren must tell the truth or risk losing Cole. Is her newly-discovered love for him greater than her fear of scandal in her hometown?

Add to Goodreads

Amazon* Apple* B&N* Google* Kobo* TheWildRosePress

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43517277-child-of-mine

About the author:

When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.

In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.janarichards.com

Where to find her:

Website: http://www.janarichards.com

Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274.Jana_Richards

Newsletter: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

There’s a giveaway too! Check out the Silver Dagger Book Tour and enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

Good luck to everyone, and best wishes to Jana! 🙂

UNLOCK MY HEART by Jennifer Wilck

08 Tuesday Mar 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

billionaire boss, Cinderella, computer genius, contemporary romance, damaged hero, hearing impaired, Jennifer Wilck, new release, Scarred Hearts, Unlock My Heart

I’m excited to have Jennifer Wilck here today! Her latest contemporary romance, Unlock My Heart, sounds like a great read, and the characters are sure to work their way into readers’ hearts. Here’s a bit about the story:

Abby Marlow, computer security expert, lands a job at the best IT security firm in the country. Her sole focus is financial independence so she never has to rely on others again, especially a man. But why does her boss make her wires short circuit?

Ted Endicott, CEO and founder of the IT security firm, is hard of hearing. Although an expert in his field, he’s still uncomfortable admitting his difficulty hearing to his clients or employees. So why is he willing to accept Abby’s help?

As Ted and Abby work together, barriers fall away, and soon the lines blur between colleagues and lovers. But a security glitch in a client’s system indicates one of his employees is the hacker, and all signs point to Abby. Can they get past the suspicion and find a future together?

A peek between the pages:

“You always run alone?”

She pointed to a nearby jogger. “I’m not alone.”

“But you’re not with anyone.”

Standing this close to him, she wished for things she shouldn’t. “No, I’m not.”

“How far are you going?”

“The end of the trail and back.” Or however long it

took to get him out of her mind.

He put his helmet on. “Come on, I’ll keep you company.”

“It’s not necessary.” Clearing her mind would be impossible with him next to her.

“It’s safer this way.” He looked down the trail.

His desire to protect her sent warmth curling up and down her spine. It had been a long time since anyone was concerned about her. All of a sudden, the idea of company appealed to her. Touching his arm— and trying not to squeeze his bicep like you would if you tested the ripeness of a peach—she waited for him to turn. “You’re welcome to join me if you want. If you can keep up.” She winked and raced away, his bark of laughter a brief punch in the silence behind her.

She no longer kept an easy pace, easing into the morning. This time, she sprinted hard. The slight whir of his bike wheels warned her as he reached her a few moments later.

“You’re pretty fast, but I’d suggest you slow down.”

She turned toward him. “Out of pity for you?”

His lips twitched, and his nostrils flared, but he kept his humor reined tight. Instead, he cycled next to her, his head turned slightly toward her. “The only pity I ask for is please don’t make me carry you home when you’re too tired to continue.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, sir.” She made sure he could read her lips.

He grinned, and the last of her tension disappeared. He accepted her teasing.

“Oh, you’ll pay,” he said.

He rode ahead, and she thought for sure he would leave her in the dust. But he turned around, a gleam in his eye, and returned to her side. When they reached a part of the trail farther on, he pulled ahead a little and skidded in a puddle, splashing her legs.

She gasped and looked at her mud-spattered shins and ignored the twinkle in his eye. “You play dirty—literally.”

Ted stopped while she paused to clean her legs off. Given the opportunity—two could play this game—she took her mud-streaked hands and wiped them on his chest. She drew in a breath and realized her mistake. Sure, she’d repaid him for splattering her with mud, but a sudden awareness of his body overrode her satisfaction. His muscles were hard, and she wondered what the rest of him felt like. Her pulse pounded in her ears, and her gaze shifted to his lips. What would it be like to kiss them?

She jerked and pulled her hand away. No. She jumped at the strangled sound from the mouth she’d considered kissing and raised her glance to his eyes. His surprise mirrored her own.

Mistake, mistake, mistake! An internal voice blared a warning. She’d intended for it to be like when she and Max, her best friend from childhood, challenged each other as kids. In fact, when he teased her, Ted reminded her of Max—something about the glint in his eye and the “need to win” coupled with concern. But she hadn’t counted on the sexual component.

She closed her eyes. She was not like her mother. She wasn’t.

“Abby?”

She stilled. Maybe he couldn’t see her. Right, and maybe unicorns are real.

“Yes?”

“Open your eyes.” She opened them. “Let’s get breakfast.”

Intrigued? Buy the book here or at the following online stores:

Amazon | B & N | Apple | Kobo

More about Jennifer:

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.

Where to find her:

Website | Facebook | Newsletter | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub

Thanks for clueing us in about your new release, Jennifer. Wishing you all the best with it!

GUARDIANS OF ERIN 99-cent sale!

25 Friday Feb 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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books on sale, Guardians of Erin, Ireland, Judith Sterling, new release, supernatural, The Cauldron Stirred, The Spear Alight, The Stone Awakened, The Sword Unsheathed, YA paranormal fantasy, young adult series

Good news! With the release of The Spear Alight fast approaching, the first three books in the Guardians of Erin series are on sale for 99 cents for a limited time. Buy them at Amazon here, and you’ll be ready for the final installment, hitting stores on March 7, 2022. Here are the basics for all three:

Ashling Donoghue never dreamed moving to Ireland would rock her perception of reality and plunge her into a mystery that brings legend to life.

At seventeen, she’s never had a boyfriend, but she feels an immediate connection to Aengus Breasal, the son of the wealthy Irishman who’s invited her family to stay at his Killarney estate. For the first time in her life, a guy she likes seems attracted to her.

But Aengus is secretive, with good reason. He and his family are the Tuatha Dé Danann, ageless, mythical guardians adept at shifting between this reality and the magical dimension known as the Otherworld. Evil forces from that world threaten the Breasals, the Donoghues, and all of Ireland. Ashling must open her heart, face her fears, and embrace a destiny greater than she could ever have imagined.

Since moving to Ireland, Ashling Donoghue has tackled one challenge after another. Now the mystery of her parents’ disappearance seems unsolvable. Are they dead or only missing? No one—not even the godlike Breasals—has a clue. Hope and fear war inside her, but she’s determined to find answers and stay strong for her siblings. Even as she hones newfound powers, her banshee-in-training sister Deirdre needs her support.

Ashling could use a little help herself. She’s struggling to navigate her first romance, and while Aengus Breasal stirs her body, mind, and soul, his nemesis Lorcan does too. Both men harbor secrets about her past life as Caer. One has ties to Aoife, the scheming wind demon whose influence is on the rise.

As the Stone of Destiny awakens, so does the conflict within.

Ashling Donoghue is no closer to finding her parents than she was the night they disappeared. But hope returns as her brother Kian channels the Sword of Light, revealing past-life secrets and truths long suppressed.

The more she learns, the greater she fears the darkness that drowns the Netherworld also drives her. Is Aengus her true love, or is it Lorcan? Does her future wait in shadow or the light?

One point is clear: the threads of her past-self are woven inextricably into the tapestry of her soul. An impossible choice looms before her, and all the while, evil is poised to strike.

Have a great weekend, and happy reading! 🙂

THE SPEAR ALIGHT ~ Available for Preorder

09 Wednesday Feb 2022

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Guardians of Erin, Ireland, Judith Sterling, new release, preorder alert, The Spear Alight

The Spear Alight, the final book in my Guardians of Erin series, is now available for preorder! The release of this book will be bittersweet. I’ll truly miss the characters and their adventures in Ireland. But you can still tag along and see how it all ends. Here’s the story:

Ashling Donoghue has almost lost hope of finding her missing parents. As her faith wanes, her love for two men waxes, rending her heart and causing friction in the Breasal household. The time has come to make a choice, to create a future untarnished by doubt. But how can she embrace the light when lured by the soft seduction of shadow? 

At last, her brother Conall channels the Spear of Illumination. He’s a natural shapeshifter, and he sees through illusions in both the material world and the Otherworld…not a moment too soon. An ancient evil has surfaced, and it threatens all worlds.

Only the Donoghues can save Ireland. They must face their greatest fears and act as one to fulfill their destinies as guardians of Erin.

A peek between the pages:

            All aspiration toward sleep left me. I needed company. Now.

            Lorcan.

            Bad idea. Far worse than waking up my sister. But he wouldn’t judge. In fact, he’d probably be glad to see me. Me, Ashling Donoghue, pariah and maven of mistakes. I’d made a million of them. What was one more?

            I imagined the interior of Lorcan’s tent at Dun Aengus on Inishmore. Then I flexed my will and was there, surrounded by rich colors, sumptuous fabrics, and perforated hanging lanterns. The intricately patterned Persian carpet felt soft and soothing to my bare feet.

            Was he in bed? There was one safe way to find out. “Lorcan? Are you here?”

            “Ashling?” His silken voice, warm and rousing, flowed from the bedroom and washed over me.

            “Yes. It’s me.”

            A heartbeat later, he appeared between the drawn, red curtains that separated his bed from the main section of the tent. He wore a black velvet dressing gown and an expression of mingled surprise and pleasure. With relaxed strides, he closed the gap between us. “You’re the last person I expected to see tonight.” His heated gaze roamed over me.

            Too late, I realized I was wearing a thin, white night shirt that refused to cover anything below my upper thighs. I grabbed the hem on both sides and pulled downward…in vain. “I never planned to come.”

            “Why did you?” His shoulder-length black hair looked as luxurious as his robe. I stifled the urge to touch both.

            “I needed a friend.”

            “Haven’t we traveled beyond the bounds of friendship?”

            My stomach trembled at the memory of our passionate kiss. Stop it! I huffed. “That never should’ve happened.”

            “But it did, because it had to.” His ice blue eyes held my gaze. “You belong to me. We belong to each other.”

            “Aengus would disagree.”

            “If he were here, but he isn’t.” He reached for my left hand and turned it over. Gently, he caressed my palm with the pad of his thumb.

            “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?” My palm tingled.

            “You are the answer. Nothing and no one else.”

Preorder the book:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

I hope you’ll enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Incredibly, we have less than a month to go before the release! 🙂

FRIENDS TO THE END ~ A New Release by C. L. Colyer

29 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

action adventure, Allan Woodrow, C. L. Colyer, Cherie Colyer, children's fantasy, Friends to the End, ghosts, haunted cemetery, middle-grade novel, new release, paranormal, The Wild Rose Press

Please welcome sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) C. L. Colyer! She’s here to talk about her new release, Friends to the End. I love the cover, don’t you? Let’s sit back, relax, and learn all about the author and her inspiration for this middle-grade story, which bestselling author Allan Woodrow has called “a compelling, gripping, nail-biting page-turner.”

Hello, Judith! Thanks for having me on your blog!

I write across genres, with most of my published titles being young adult paranormal romances/thrills. But I have always had a love for children’s fantasy. Bring on the ghosts, vampires, witches, and weird. I’ll gobble up these stories, cheering and gasping right along with the characters. It’s because I love these stories so much that I enjoy weaving together my own.

Friends to the End is the third middle-grade novel I penned, but the first to be published. The inspiration behind this story was two-fold. The adventure came first. I envisioned four friends creeping around an ancient old house, trying not to draw attention to themselves as they searched for a way out. Who they were hiding from and why they were in danger came to me quite out of the blue as I drove by a road not far from my house. Tucked between the homes on what would otherwise be a peaceful rural road is the second most haunted cemetery in Illinois. I passed this road everyday as a teen as the bus took me to school. I’d heard the stories of apparitions seen floating above graves or walking down the road. This cemetery quickly became the inspiration for my fictional town.

But Friends to the End isn’t just a ghost story. Zach, my kind-hearted and brave (even though he doesn’t realize it just yet) protagonist is dealing with the loss of his best friends. His personal jury was born by the overwhelming and heartbreaking loss of innocent lives that happen in Chicago and other cities everyday. Having lost his best friend to the violence, Zach battles the ghosts in his past as he battles the all too real ghosts in the book. He’ll need to be brave if he hopes to make it out alive.

A little more about the book:

Zach doesn’t believe in ghosts…but he should.

Twelve-year-old Zach is convinced he’ll never be happy without his best friend Jeremy by his side. But both of their lives changed with a bang five months ago, and as far as Zach’s concerned, it’s his fault Jeremy will never see his twelfth birthday.

When Zach moves with his family to a Chicago suburb, he quickly becomes friends with a group of thrill-seeking kids trying to find a disappearing haunted house. But Zach’s not worried. He doesn’t believe in ghosts, so he follows them into a wild, dangerous encounter that becomes a battle to decide what’s real and what’s not.

A peek between the pages:

We stopped a few yards from the cemetery, our mouths hanging open and our eyes wide.

“Please tell me you see that,” I whispered.

“If you mean the white lights floating above the ground,” Josh said, “we see it.”

“They’re orbs,” Morgan corrected, as if knowing the proper name for the glowing spheres made it okay to see them.

“Orbs?” Josh asked.

“Spirits of the dead,” I replied, remembering what Morgan had told me.

Dom scooted his bike closer. “Maybe we should ask them if they’ve seen the house.”

“Seriously?” Morgan asked.

“Yeah.”

Morgan shook her head, causing her ponytail to swing from side to side. “Oh, no! I learned my lesson the last time we were here. I’m not stepping one foot off the shoulder of the road.”

“Your right foot is in the grass,” Dom said, shining his flashlight on her sneaker.

Morgan scowled and repositioned herself to have both feet on concrete.

Three iridescent orbs floated over headstones. I thought about the movies that warned people to stay away from the light. Maybe they weren’t warning us about a bright beam of light, but instead small glowing balls. Maybe if one of them touched you, the spirit would take over your body. Maybe they were waiting for someone to be stupid enough to come closer. I suddenly wondered if I’d met anyone who’d been possessed by a spirit and immediately thought of Olivia and her strange habits.

Then I told myself I was being ridiculous.

Or was I? Think about it. How would anyone know if a ghost hitched a ride with the person in front of him or her?

Buy the book:

Amazon | B & N | Apple | Goodreads

More about the author:

C.L. Colyer found her love for writing in first grade when her class was sent to the library and asked to find a book for their first book report. While she doesn’t still have this book report, she’s very proud to say she got an A on it. Her favorite thing about the book was that it had no words. That’s right, not one! That gave her the freedom to interpret the pictures in any way she wanted and write her own story.

This sparked her love for writing essays. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she sat down and penned her first novel. This story has a special place in her heart because it’s the story that helped her discover her passion for writing. She has since written several books, many of which may never see the light of day, but all of which helped her learn to combine her passion for writing with her fascination with all things mythical.  You’ll find examples of this in her novels.

She lives in Illinois with her family.

Where to find her:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Thanks so much for joining us today, Cherie. Wishing you all the best with Friends to the End!

AS THE PAGE TURNS by Iona Morrison

11 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

As The Page Turns, Blue Cove Mystery, Iona Morrison, mystery series, new release

Today, I’m excited to feature Iona Morrison’s new release! As the Page Turns is her tenth Blue Cove Mystery. I loved the first book in the series, and I’ll soon begin the second. It may be a while before I get to this one, but I’m certain it’ll be another page-turner. Here’s the scoop on the story:

Peyton Reynolds has no idea that the gorgeous summer day she is enjoying is about to take a strange turn and embroil her and her boyfriend Jaxon Kincaid in another case. As the details emerge, it won’t take long for them to understand there is nothing normal about the murder Peyton has witnessed. An erratic suspect, a gathering of ghosts, and Peyton’s sudden disappearance will leave Jaxon scrambling for answers in the pages of a book left behind. They will have to think outside the box with help from the past to solve this one.

A peek between the pages:

Peyton awakened with a start. An odd scraping sound sent her imagination into overdrive. Was it outside? The scratching seemed loud enough to be coming from inside the cottage. Trying to focus in the dark, her eyes searched the room while she strained to hear the noise. The scraping sound came again. Nails on a chalkboard, tree branches against the cottage, or someone trying to force open a lock, back and forth it went, pausing only to begin again. She sat up quietly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Did Jessie hear it too? She reached for her phone. Slipping on her robe, she tiptoed over to the bedroom door to listen while reaching for a heavy vase on top of the dresser. “Ouch.” She heard Jessie yell out. Followed by something she couldn’t hear.

Without thinking Peyton opened the bedroom door and raced toward the lightened living room, ready to go to battle and save her cousin. Suddenly she was propelled backward when her body slammed hard into a solid object standing right in the way. The vase in her hand fell to the floor with a loud crash sending shards of glass in several directions. With the wind knocked out of her and no air to scream, she sprawled out helplessly on the floor imagining the worst. She was afraid to open her eyes.

Buy the book here!

About Iona:

I am a multi-published Amazon best selling author who writes romantic suspense with a touch of the paranormal. I enjoy writing fiction. The character development, their stories, and the twists and turns in the plot intrigue me. Once I let the characters loose, I can’t wait to see where they take me. I’m hooked from the first words on the paper, and I have to keep writing to see how the story ends. Layer by layer I build it until I come to the happy conclusion. I live in Colorado with my husband and family. I am a member of the RMFWPAL (Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Published Authors League) and The Colorado Author’s League. I have enjoyed becoming involved in my community as one of the many authors living in Colorado. I invite you to read one of my Blue Cove Mysteries and see for yourself why Blue Cove is a special and unusual place.

Wishing you all the best with the book, Iona! 🙂

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