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Judith Sterling

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Judith Sterling

Tag Archives: The Witch House

Spooky Halloween Bookish Giveaway ~ GUARDIANS OF ERIN

01 Saturday Oct 2022

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award-winning books, Guardians of Erin, Ireland, Jonathan Corwin, Judith Sterling, literary giveaway, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, paranormal fantasy series, Salem Massachusetts, Salem Witch Trials of 1692, Spooky Halloween Bookish Giveaway, The Cauldron Stirred, The Spear Alight, The Stone Awakened, The Sword Unsheathed, The Witch House, young adult series

Happy October! The weather has turned chilly, and here in Salem, Massachusetts, we’re already packed with tourists. It’s the busiest time of year, and when I’m not writing, editing, and promoting my books, I teach Salem’s witch trial history at The Corwin House, aka The Witch House. All that aside, I’m inviting you to check out the Spooky Halloween Bookish Giveaway at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven. There are more than thirty prizes this month! I’m giving away an e-copy of the complete Guardians of Erin YA paranormal series. If you’re a fan of the paranormal and/or Ireland, this prize is right up your alley!

See all the prizes here. If you want a particular one, be sure to mention it when entering the giveaway.

Good luck, and have a magical month! 🙂

Happy Halloween!

31 Sunday Oct 2021

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Halloween, Jonathan Corwin, Judith Sterling, Salem Massachusetts, Salem Witch Trials of 1692, The Witch House

Happy Halloween! It’s my favorite day of the year, but wouldn’t you know…I’ll be working all day. Thankfully, I enjoy my job as a tour guide at The Witch House, the 17th-century home of Jonathan Corwin, one of nine judges for the Court of Oyer and Terminer during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. We’ve been sold out all month, and I’m guessing today will be a bit (if not a lot) crazy!

Stay safe and enjoy yourself! 🙂

Happy Halloween!

31 Thursday Oct 2019

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Halloween, Joseph Vargo, Judith Sterling, Salem Witch Trials of 1692, The Witch House

Today is my favorite holiday: Halloween!  It’ll be a busy one, too, despite the rain.  I’m working all day at The Witch House, the 17th-century home of one of the 9 judges during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.  All month long, tourists have been asking me if there’s paranormal activity in the house (80% of which is original to 1675).  I’ve experienced quite a bit in the house…all good stuff, though.

Last October, I wrote a blog post about some of my experiences and one of the spirits I believe visits from time to time.  Since I wrote the post, many events have occurred to reconfirm what I wrote again and again.  If you’re new to my blog, click here to read that original post.

Time to get this day started.  The Joseph Vargo art above really sets the mood, doesn’t it?  Wishing you a safe, fun, and spooky Halloween!  🙂

A Release Date for NIGHT OF THE OWL and a Post about Salem, MA

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

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Guardians of Erin, historical romance, Judith Sterling, Kathryn Hills, medieval romance, Night of the Owl, paranormal fantasy series, Salem Massachusetts, The House of the Seven Gables, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Sword Unsheathed, The Witch House, time travel romance, worldwide release, YA series

The worldwide release date for Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood, will be October 21, 2019!  It happens to be my husband’s and my 19th wedding anniversary and smack dab in the middle of Salem, MA’s busiest season!  Because I work at The Witch House and my husband works at The House of the Seven Gables, we’ll be right in the thick of things!

Speaking of Salem, author Kathryn Hills has written a wonderful post about it.  I’m one of the Salem residents she featured, and you can read it here.

That’s all for now.  I’ll let you know when Night of the Owl is available for preorder.  And I should have news about The Sword Unsheathed, the third book in my Guardians of Erin YA paranormal fantasy series, soon.

Wishing you a great Wednesday!  🙂

The Latest News

13 Tuesday Aug 2019

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audiobook, Guardians of Erin, Jonathan Corwin, Judith Sterling, medieval romance, Night of the Owl, romance series, RONE Award, Salem Massachusetts, Salem Witch Trials of 1692, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Stone Awakened, The Sword Unsheathed, The Witch House, YA paranormal fantasy, young adult series

I’ve had a lot of deadlines lately!  August 1, I sent my editor the completed manuscript of The Sword Unsheathed, the third book in my Guardians of Erin young adult paranormal fantasy series.

Two days ago, I turned in the final galley for Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood medieval romance series.  I hope to reveal the cover for that book soon!

Today, I’m working all day at The Witch House (the 17th-century home of Jonathan Corwin, one of the 9 judges during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692).  But tomorrow, I’ll be listening to–and marking corrections for–18 chapters’ worth of audio files for the audiobook of The Stone Awakened, the RONE Award-nominated second book in my Guardians of Erin series.

So there’s a lot going on!  I’ll have more news soon.  In the meantime, I’m wishing you a lovely day and week ahead.  🙂

 

Paranormal Talk and a Giveaway on “Sorchia’s Universe”

13 Thursday Dec 2018

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Guardians of Erin, Jonathan Corwin, Judith Sterling, literary giveaway, Novel Magic, paranormal activity, Salem Massachusetts, Sorchia DuBois, Sorchia's Universe, The Cauldron Stirred, The Stone Awakened, The Witch House, winter solstice, young adult series


I’m a guest on author Sorchia DuBois’s blog today, and the post is all about the paranormal…specifically, activity at The Witch House, the 17th-century landmark where I work.  If you didn’t catch my October post about the goings-on there, you’ll want to check it out here!

We’re also giving away five e-copies of The Cauldron Stirred in anticipation of the release of The Stone Awakened (Book 2 in the series).  You can enter the giveaway through midnight on December 21, the perfect date because the winter solstice plays an important role in the second book!  The winners will be announced later that day on a follow-up post, which will feature an excerpt from The Stone Awakened.  Enter the giveaway here!

Hope to see you there!  🙂

NetGalley News ~ THE STONE AWAKENED

01 Saturday Dec 2018

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Christmas in Salem, Guardians of Erin, Judith Sterling, medieval romance, NetGalley, Night of the Owl, paranormal fantasy, The Cauldron Stirred, The House of the Seven Gables, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Stone Awakened, The Witch House, young adult series

The Stone Awakened, the second book in my Guardians of Erin young adult paranormal fantasy series, is now available to read and review on NetGalley through December 15, 2018.  If you’re interested and haven’t read the first book (The Cauldron Stirred) yet, send me a message, and I’ll set you up with a copy!

Here’s the link to NetGalley:  https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/154273

Besides all the prep work for this upcoming release, I’m busy writing Night of the Owl, the fourth book in my medieval romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood.  I’m also working limited hours at The Witch House, and last night, I helped out with a couple of the food tours which are part of the “Christmas in Salem” event this weekend.  Salem’s period homes are looking lovely and festive, especially The House of the Seven Gables!

Well, I’m off to help my family decorate our home for Christmas.  Wishing you a relaxing weekend and a fun holiday season ahead!  🙂

 

Halloween Fun, a Paranormal Update, and an Interview for TV

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Chronicle, Ghost Adventures, Josh Gates, Judith Marshall, Judith Sterling, paranormal activity, Salem Massachusetts, The Witch House

Happy Halloween!  I worked all day at The Witch House (a stylized picture of which is pictured above).  Now my husband and I are getting ready to take our kids trick-or-treating.  Things are hopping here in Salem!  When we get home, we’ll settle down in front of the TV to watch the live Ghost Adventures event hosted by Josh Gates on The Travel Channel.  Should be a fun night!

If you read my recent post about the paranormal activity at The Witch House, here’s a quick update.  One of the bed warmers circled again yesterday.  Then today, the bed warmer in the other bedroom started circling.  I wonder what Margaret–and any other spirits who are hanging around–think of all the tourists who’ve filtered through The House during the past month.  We’ve been super busy!

The Boston TV show Chronicle interviewed me earlier this month regarding the supernatural happenings at The Witch House.  Here’s the link to watch it:

https://www.wcvb.com/article/the-witch-city-salems-dark-haunted-history/24288040?fbclid=IwAR3EIp80vD_2mIpEF1l67Oy72wttcCYyAhTFYnhqqP_meWr_8wu3jHGGJw0

Of course, I figured out who was contacting me via the bed warmers after the interview occurred.

Well, it’s time to trick-or-treat.  Wishing you a fun and safe Halloween night!

Serendipity and the Supernatural at The Witch House

23 Tuesday Oct 2018

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author, Jonathan Corwin, Judith Sterling, Margaret Gibbs, Museum of Fine Arts, paranormal activity, Salem Massachusetts, serendipity, supernatural, The Witch House


Every October in Salem, Massachusetts is interesting, but this one stands out, especially where I work: The Witch House, the home of 17th-century witch trials judge Jonathan Corwin. My connection with the place started years ago.

When I was ten years old, living in central Florida, the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 fascinated me. I vowed to go to Salem one day, and when I was 25, I simply packed my bags and moved here. The bus I took into town stopped right in front of The Witch House, and when I alighted, I smiled, for it seemed a perfect introduction to the “Witch City.” Everything fell into place.  Within two days of my arrival, I secured a place to live and four part-time jobs.

After five wonderful years in Salem, I regretfully moved away. But five years ago (15 years later), it called me home again. My husband Dan, a museum professional, was looking for a job, and something told me to check the New England Museum Association’s website. When I did, I learned The House of the Seven Gables was hiring. Dan applied for the job, and they immediately flew him up for an interview. Less than a week later, he was hired, and we moved to Salem. We searched high and low for a place to live, in and around Salem. The only place available that we could afford was a condo right across the street from The Witch House. And wouldn’t you know…the first new friend I made once moving back to town happened to be the director of said house.

In March of this year, for the first time since my twins were born, I sought a job outside the house. I’d made a little money as an author but needed a real paycheck. Lo and behold, The Witch House needed tour guides. I love history, so the job was a perfect fit.

I knew the place had paranormal activity even before I started working there. Nothing negative and not all the time, just someone (or many “ones”) making their presence known from time to time. I’d heard the stories from other employees, and once I spent a little time upstairs in the two bedrooms, I felt a quiet companionship with whomever popped in and out. Then a month ago, things took an intriguing turn.

Each bedroom has a fireplace and a bed warmer hanging in front of it. They hang straight and still, no matter what happens around them. A month ago, I saw the bed warmer in the children’s bedroom move by itself in a continuous circular motion. Two days later, the bed warmer in the master chamber followed suit. That second time, I grabbed the handle, stopped it, and walked away, only to turn back around and find it circling again. I checked with the other tour guides, and no one had ever seen that happen. I figured someone just wanted me to know he/she was there.

A little over a week ago, my husband and I took our fourteen-year-old boys to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We explored the galleries for hours, reveling in paintings and artifacts and a special exhibit on Winnie the Pooh. Eventually, we grew tired and started to leave, but as we passed a sign for the Lower Ground level exhibits, I stopped short.

I had to go down there. I didn’t know why, but the urge was overwhelming.

We went downstairs and found 17th-century artifacts, including a room from the period which felt like “home” to all four of us. Then I turned and did a double take.

Before me hung two portraits from 1670: one of Robert Gibbs; the other of seven-year-old Margaret Gibbs (shown below). A thrill ran through me, for I see small copies of these portraits every day at The Witch House. (The children’s mother, a wealthy widow named Elizabeth, married Jonathan Corwin in 1675, and they moved into the Essex Street house in Salem. Soon afterward, twelve-year-old Margaret died.) When we went to the MFA that night, I had no idea the portraits were there. I was beyond grateful for the impulse which sent me down the stairs to find them.

Fast forward to three nights ago. I dreamt that I was walking through The Witch House.  I sensed a young girl of the period (late 17th century) hovering in the corners of the rooms, then drifting beside me.

“I love this house,” I said aloud.

Invisible yet palpably present, she laid her hands on my shoulders and spoke in a soft, sweet voice. “And I love you.”

A rush of love, well-being, and “rightness” washed over me. When I woke, I knew I’d experienced more than a mere dream.

Then yesterday, while I was working in The House, a tourist approached and asked if I’d experienced any paranormal activity there. I told her about the circling bed warmers. She revealed she was a psychic medium and had sensed heightened energy in the house. She’d communicated with the spirit of a little girl named Margaret who felt particularly drawn to me. She asked if I wanted to go upstairs so we could make contact together. Of course, I said yes!

Up in the children’s bedroom, we stood in front of the fireplace. The medium spoke. “Margaret, Judy’s here. Will you move the bed warmer again for her?”

Slowly but surely, the bed warmer moved.

The medium turned to me. “She says she likes you because you’re so kind. She’s not here all the time but comes and goes. She was happy here.”

Two things more I confirmed: (1) Margaret had encouraged me to find her portrait in the MFA; (2) she had visited me in my dream. Later in the day, I was back upstairs and felt drawn to the children’s bedroom. When I stepped inside, I knew I wasn’t alone. The bed warmer moved yet again.

It was an eventful day! I connected a few dots and felt embraced by history, welcomed by a past inhabitant of the home I adore.

SHADOW OF THE SWAN on NetGalley and a Meeting with Vincent Price’s Daughter!

19 Friday Oct 2018

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free digital copy, Halloween, Judith Sterling, NetGalley, Night of the Owl, Salem Massachusetts, Shadow of the Swan, The House of the Seven Gables, The Novels of Ravenwood, The Witch House, Victoria Price, Vincent Price

 

My third medieval romance is available on NetGalley.  That’s a free read for NetGalley members now through Halloween!  Check it out here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/131427

Speaking of Halloween, I’ve been working extra hours at The Witch House, the 17th-century home of witch trials judge Jonathan Corwin.  ‘Tis the season for long hours here in Salem, Massachusetts, and my husband is just as busy at The House of the Seven Gables.  By the way, I had the privilege of meeting Vincent Price’s daughter, Victoria, at The Gables a few nights ago.  Such a lovely woman, and she had great things to say about her dad!

I have two days off for the rest of October, and today is one of them.  So I’ll be working on Night of the Owl, the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood.  Enjoy your weekend!

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