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Judith Sterling

~ Award-winning Author

Judith Sterling

Tag Archives: The Captivating Quill

NIGHT OF THE OWL ~ Worldwide Release on My Wedding Anniversary

21 Monday Oct 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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excerpt, Judith Sterling, medieval England, medieval romance, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, Night of the Owl, The Captivating Quill, The Novels of Ravenwood, time travel romance, wedding anniversary, worldwide release

Today’s the day: the worldwide release of my time travel romance Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood.  N. N. Light’s Book Heaven and The Captivating Quill are both spotlighting the book today.  Click on the links to read more.

The hero and heroine’s mutual love of history reflects my husband’s and mine.  You might say history brought us together because right around the same time, each of us decided independently to move from different parts of the country to Virginia, specifically to seek work at Colonial Williamsburg.  Nowadays, we work (respectively) at The House of the Seven Gables and The Witch House here in Salem, MA.  There’s a lot of both of us in Night of the Owl.  That’s why the release date is perfect; today is our 19th wedding anniversary.  As if that isn’t enough, I wore my hair almost exactly like the cover model’s on the big day.  Neither my publisher nor the cover artist knew about either coincidence.  Pretty cool, right?!

Here’s a little about the story:

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.

A peek between the pages:

            Ardyth looked from one tunnel entrance to the next, and then the next.  The ledge in front of them was substantial.  It ran along the rock wall to the right, all the way to the mouth of the cave, winding around it to continue along the outer cliff.

            Again, she pointed.  “Where does that lead?”

            “Shouldn’t you be doffing your clothes?”

            Her eyes narrowed.  “In other words, you don’t intend to answer my question.”

            He grinned.  “Clever, aren’t you?”

            She returned his smile.  “I like to think so.”

            “If you’re stalling because you cannot swim—”

            “Oh, I can swim.”  She could hardly wait to feel the cool water on her skin.

            He folded his arms, and his intense, gray eyes held a dare.  “Then show me.”

            “Hold this.”  She handed him the folded smock.  Get ready to eat crow, buddy!  Quickly, she removed her boots, hose, and tunics.  When only her thin, white chemise remained, she stole a peek at her skeptical host.  He stared at her bare feet.

            She sighed.  “I know.  My feet are hardly attractive.  In fact, I’ve always thought my toes resemble…”

            He raised his eyebrows.  “What?”

            Astronauts.  But I can’t tell you that.  “Nothing.”

            His eyebrows settled again, but the orbs beneath them seemed to glow with a new light.  “I beg to differ with your opinion.  Your feet are quite…lovely.”

            She almost laughed, until heat flooded her cheeks.  I’m blushing?  “Thank you,” she muttered.  With an inward groan, she started toward the water.  For crying out loud!  He only complimented your feet.  Your pale, crazy, NASA-evoking feet.  Get a grip!

            The ocean breeze caught the hem of her smock as she stepped into the surf.  Foamy water—colder than she would’ve liked—enveloped her feet.  Thank God for the heat of the sun!  But this was the closest she’d come to a bath in days, and she was determined to prove her skills to the man who underestimated her at every turn.  She waded forward, and the brisk, undulating water swallowed her calves, knees, thighs, and hips.

            “Lady Ardyth!”

            She turned.  Her dry smock in his hands, Hugh stood with feet well apart on the wet sand.

            “You needn’t prove your courage further!” he called above the lapping, swishing voice of the sea.  “Come back before—”

            “Courage isn’t the point!  Swimming is!”  The level of the surrounding water lowered to her thighs, signaling a coming wave.

            She turned just as it crested and dove headfirst into it.  Completely submerged in the chill, rushing water, she headed left and allowed herself to rise to the surface.  She swam freestyle for several strokes, then flipped onto her back and floated with abandon.  After a minute or two, she flipped over, and swam in the opposite direction.  Then she stood with the water at her ribs, waited for the next wave, and indulged in bodysurfing, which carried her with a whoosh back toward shore.

            Satisfied, she straightened, knee-deep in the water.  Her wet chemise clung to her frame, and she knew Lord Seacrest was getting a lordly eyeful.  Her nipples were rock-hard from the cold.

            She rolled her eyes toward the bright, blue sky.  My kingdom for a bra!  And throw in a pair of underwear, too!  But both articles of clothing were back at Nihtscua and not likely to appear anytime soon.  For the first time since plunging into the surf, she regarded Hugh.

            Eyes wide, her dry smock clutched in his hands, he stood as if frozen.  Only his gaze moved, traveling from her breasts to the apex of her thighs.

            She pulled the smock away from her flesh as best she could and advanced toward him, stopping an arm’s length away.  “I told you I could swim.”

            He blinked.  Then his full, sensual lips curled into a smile.  “Indeed, you did.”

            “And?”

            “And what?”

            “You’ve doubted me twice already.  Perhaps you owe me an apology.”

            His eyes widened, then relaxed.  “Perhaps I do.  Pray…forgive me.”

            The words couldn’t have come easily, and the fact he’d said them made her grin.  “I forgive you.  This time.  But I ask respectfully that you not underestimate me again.”

            For two seconds, he hesitated.  “ʼTis a reasonable request, and I shall endeavor to honor it.”  He gave her a quizzical look.  Then he shook his head and chuckled.  “Is there anything you cannot do?”

            She thought for a moment.  “I’ve never ridden aside.  If I’m going to ride something, I spread my legs.”  The instant the words left her mouth, she cringed inside.  Good God.  That came out all wrong!

            Humor curved his lips, but his eyes smoldered.  Did his thoughts mirror hers?  He took a step closer, and his masculine aura invaded her personal space.  “Tell me more.”

If that piques your interest, here’s where you can buy the book:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Wishing you a beautiful Monday and a great start to your week!  🙂

 

Summer, a Giveaway, and a Spotlight

21 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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beach reads, excerpt, Judith Sterling, literary giveaway, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Shadow of the Swan, signed print copy, Sun and Sand Giveaway, The Captivating Quill, The Novels of Ravenwood


Happy first day of summer!  Hope you find at least some time to relax this season.  If you’re looking for a beach read, there’s still time to enter my SUN AND SAND GIVEAWAY on Facebook.  You could win a signed print copy of any one of my books; your choice!  Remember to comment on the post pinned to the top of the page by 11:59 p.m. EST on July 6.

In other news, “The Captivating Quill” is spotlighting my award-nominated medieval romance, Shadow of the Swan, the third of The Novels of Ravenwood today.  They’re featuring an excerpt, and I’m telling why the book is close to my heart.  Check it out here.


By the way, Medieval Monday is starting up again this Monday, June 24.  Watch for excerpts from one of my books and from those of other talented authors of medieval romance.

Well, that’s it for now.  Have a lovely weekend!  🙂

The Captivating Quill ~ SOUL OF THE WOLF

01 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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excerpt, Facebook, historical romance, Judith Sterling, literary giveaway, medieval romance, Soul of the Wolf, The Captivating Quill, The Novels of Ravenwood

Today, the Captivating Quill is sharing an excerpt from my medieval romance, Soul of the Wolf, the second of The Novels of Ravenwood.  Check it out here!

Also, there’s still time (until 11:59 p.m. EST tonight) to enter my birthday giveaway for a signed copy of the book of your choice.  Just visit my Facebook page and comment as instructed on the top post.  I’ll be choosing a winner after midnight.  Good luck, and happy Wednesday!

The Captivating Quill ~ FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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excerpt, Flight of the Raven, Judith Sterling, magic, medieval romance, Night of the Owl, The Captivating Quill, The Novels of Ravenwood


I hope 2019 is treating you well.  I’m busy but content, and I trust I’ll meet all of my deadlines!  The nearest one is January 31, when Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood, is due in to my editor.

Today, “The Captivating Quill” is featuring an excerpt from the first book in that series, Flight of the Raven.  Click here to read it and learn about a magical “coincidence” when I first plotted the story.

Wishing you a lovely Wednesday!  🙂

A Warm Welcome to “The Captivating Quill”

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Christi Corbett, historical romance, honorary quill, Judith Sterling, Kimberly Lewis, McKenna Grey, MK McClintock, Samantha St. Claire, The Captivating Quill, The Novels of Ravenwood


I’m now an honorary quill on “The Captivating Quill,” a beautiful website created by a group of talented and prolific romance authors:  Christi Corbett, Kimberly Lewis, MK McClintock, McKenna Grey, and Samantha St. Claire.  I’m thrilled they’ve welcomed me and look forward to posting with them, particularly about my historical romances, The Novels of Ravenwood.

Click here to see my author page, and check out the site while you’re there.  They have a wonderful blog!  🙂

Recent Posts

  • PRG Reviewer’s Choice Nominee ~ TRIP THE LIGHT PHANTASMIC
  • Wintertime Reading Bookish Event ~ NIGHT OF THE OWL
  • New Year New Books Fete ~ TRIP THE LIGHT PHANTASMIC
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