Tag Archives: Shadow of the Swan

Silver Dagger Book Tours ~ THE NOVELS OF RAVENWOOD

24 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Happy Friday!  Today, I’m kicking off a month-long blog tour with Silver Dagger Book Tours, featuring the first four books in my medieval romance/time travel series, The Novels of Ravenwood.  There are excerpts and more, and you can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card.  Check it out here!

A little about the books themselves:

Flight of the Raven (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book One)

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.

See more on Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon | Apple | B&N | Google | Kobo

Soul of the Wolf (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book Two)

A Norman loyalist, Lady Jocelyn bristles when ordered to marry Wulfstan, a Saxon sorcerer. She nurses a painful secret and would rather bathe in a cesspit than be pawed by such a man…until her lifelong dream of motherhood rears its head.

A man of magic and mystery, Wulfstan has no time for wedded bliss. He fears that consummating their marriage will bind their souls and wrench his focus from the ancient riddle his dying mother begged him to solve. He’s a lone wolf, salving old wounds with endless work. But Jocelyn stirs him as no woman ever has.

Their attraction is undeniable. Their fates are intertwined. Together, they must face their demons and bring light to a troubled land.

See more on Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon | Apple | B&N | Google

Shadow of the Swan (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book Three)

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.

See more on Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon | Apple | B&N | Google | Kobo

Night of the Owl (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book Four)

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.

See more on Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon | Apple | B&N | Google | Kobo

A big thanks to Silver Dagger Book Tours for organizing everything. 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Holiday Gift Guide ~ N. N. Light’s Book Heaven

13 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

N. N. Light’s Book Heaven has put together the ultimate booklover’s gift guide for the holidays.  Two of my books–The Stone Awakened and my new release, Night of the Owl–are featured in the guide, along with other great reads.  Check it out here!

Happy shopping, and happy Thursday!  🙂

NIGHT OF THE OWL Available for Preorder and the First 3 NOVELS OF RAVENWOOD on Sale

05 Saturday Oct 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood, is now available for preorder.  Release day for this time travel romance is October 21, and I’m so excited to share it with you.  Preorder your copy today!

Amazon https://www.amzn.com/B07YCX3R2B

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Owl-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B07YCX3R2B

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Night-Owl-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B07YCX3R2B

Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Night-Owl-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B07YCX3R2B

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-the-owl-judith-sterling/1133653973

And now through October 17, the first three books in The Novels of Ravenwood series are on sale for only 99 cents.  This is your chance to catch up on the story before the fourth book’s release!

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079J1QGV1

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Novels-Ravenwood-3-Book/dp/B079J1QGV1

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Flight-Raven-Judith-Sterling-ebook/dp/B01JVH2GFO

Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/judith%20sterling/_/N-8qa

iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/judith-sterling/id954939489?mt=11

Happy reading, and happy Saturday!  🙂

 

Medieval Monday Winner!

09 Monday Sep 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

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

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

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

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

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!

Medieval Monday ~ DRAGON KNIGHT’S RING

19 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! I’m thrilled to have my dear friend Mary Morgan here today. We’re featuring her medieval romance, Dragon Knight’s Ring, the fifth book in her Order of the Dragon Knights series.

If you’re following my “Bad Guy” excerpt from Shadow of the Swan, you can find the ninth 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:

Meggie gasped. “You monster!”

“Ye have yet to ken the real one.” Opening his arms wide, Lachlan started to chant. His eyes blazed red, and his fingers lengthened into misshapen claws.

“Now!” roared Angus.

“Hold on Meggie,” ordered Adam and grasped her hand with the ring within his. Holding their joined hands high, he quickly looked at her. “Whatever happens, wait until the dragons appear. Do not let go!”

Follow along next week on Ruth A. Casie’s blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a signed print copy of Dragon Knight’s Ring.

A little more about the book:

Crusader, Adam MacFhearguis is on one last quest to the standing stones in Scotland where he seeks to bury the past. However, a silent prayer sends him to an unknown future and to his beloved Meggie. When he uncovers a shocking revelation, Adam questions everything about the woman he thought he knew and loved. He may have traveled the veil of ages, but time is now his enemy.

Margaret MacKay lives a life in the future without the memories of her past—her death. When Adam arrives at her door confessing he knows her, she is confused and wary. With each passing day, she yearns to learn more from this stranger. Yet, when a truth is revealed, can she trust the man to unlock the chains from her mind and heart?

Will love free the bonds to unite the two lovers who were doomed centuries ago? Or will evil finally claim victory over the Dragon Knights?

Buy Dragon Knight’s Ring here:

Amazon | BN | Kobo | Apple iBooks

Enjoy this Medieval Monday video, and I’ll see you next week!

Medieval Monday ~ DAUGHTER OF THE OVERKING

12 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! I’m excited to have award-winning author Ashley York here today. We’re featuring her medieval romance, Daughter of the Overking, the third book of The Warrior Kings series.

If you’re following my “Bad Guy” excerpt from Shadow of the Swan, you can find the eighth snippet on Ashley’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 Ashley’s “Bad Guy” snippet:

“Let me get ye a—”

She shook her head, the movement causing shooting pain behind her eyes, and suddenly the room grew blurry all around her.

“No accident. He was murdered.” The tall man’s words were met with stunned silence.”

“Who would wish him dead?” Tadhg asked.

A little more about Daughter of the Overking:

A mistaken identity. A gruesome murder.

Trained as a warrior…

Brighit of Clonascra despises the trappings and demands of womanhood and is far more comfortable training for battle. 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 be king, 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 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—secrets that could cost him his life.

Buy the book here!

Check out our Medieval Romance Lovers page on Facebook and enjoy this new Medieval Monday video:

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ FOR THIS KNIGHT ONLY

05 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! I’m thrilled to have my friend Barbara Bettis here today. We’re featuring her medieval romance, For This Knight Only, part of her Knights of Destiny series.

If you’re following my “Bad Guy” excerpt from Shadow of the Swan, you can find the seventh snippet on Barbara’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 Barbara’s “Bad Guy” snippet:

Looking smug, Paxton added, “As for Sir Martin and his three, the king believes they died defending him. I, myself, am recovering from wounds at a snug little farmhouse with excellent ale stocked by a charming widow.”
John nodded once. “That is the story, then. Go home. Clean yourself up and rest.”

Paxton had turned when he heard, “You identified Cantleigh?” At a nod, John drawled, “Was anything found on him?”

Incriminating evidence, perhaps? Are you becoming careless in your panic?

To brush up on last week’s installment, visit Barbara on Ruth A. Casie’s blog and comment to be entered in a drawing for a free eBook.

Follow along on Cathy MacRae’s blog next week and comment there, too, for a chance to win.

A little more about the book:

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.

Buy the book:

Amazon

See you next Monday!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ THE HIGHLANDER’S WELSH BRIDE

29 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,


Welcome back to Medieval Monday! I’m excited to have my friend Cathy MacRae here today. We’re featuring her medieval romance, The Highlander’s Welsh Bride, the fifth book in her Hardy Heroines series.

If you’re following my “Bad Guy” excerpt from Shadow of the Swan, you can find the sixth snippet on Cathy’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 Cathy’s “Bad Guy” snippet:

A Welsh princess on the run from King Edward’s army, Carys finds herself embroiled with pirates pillaging the western coastline of Scotland. She has escaped their clutches twice before. Has her luck at last run out?

Hanna pointed to the approaching ship. “The langskip is light and fast. See how tall and narrow the bow and stern are? ’Tis also clinker built, and the midsection is quite wide. ’Twill be very fast and stable even in these waters. But they know our ship could withstand any force they tried against her. If they can drive her onto the beach, they can board and fight us on even footing.”

“There is no us . . .. Ye and Carys . . ..” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Shite.”

“Your vocabulary is not improving, sonr min. Pay attention. We must avoid the shoreline at all cost.”

“I know how the Norse fight. Ye dinnae need to tutor me in battle tactics.”

Follow the excerpt next week to Mary Gillgannon’s blog: https://marygillgannon.com/
Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook (kindle) of The Highlander’s Welsh Bride!

A little more about the book:

It was over. Prince Llywelyn was dead, his soldiers fleeing before King Edward’s army. Carys, a distant cousin to the prince, herself a princess of Wales, had picked up arms alongside her husband more than a year ago. Now homeless, her husband buried beneath the good Welsh soil, she seeks shelter in the north, far from the reach of Longshanks’s men. Carys and Wales would never be the same again.

Birk MacLean has been ordered to take a bride and produce an heir. He grows weary of the lasses paraded before him, women of delicate nature and selfish motives. He desires a wife strong enough to help lead one of the most powerful clans in Western Scotland.

One like the Welsh woman sitting in his dungeon, arrested for poaching MacLean deer.

Can Birk convince Carys marriage to him is preferable to a hangman’s noose? And will the heard-headed Scot be worthy of a Princess of Wales?

From the towering Welsh mountains to the storm-swept Scottish coast comes a tale of betrayal and loss, deceit and passion. An epic tale of honor and the redeeming power of love.

Buy the book:

Amazon

See you next Monday!  🙂