Sherry Ewing's Blog, page 57

Medieval Monday with Ceci Giltenan& a Giveaway

Welcome to our tenth week of our first encounter Medieval Monday theme. Are you still comments on our blogs to be in the running for our giveaway? Let’s hope so. I’m happy to welcome Ceci Giltenan and her snippet from Highland Redemption. Happy reading and don’t forget to leave her a comment!

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Excerpt:

Tomas remembered Father James. He was exceedingly kind and Lady Katherine had adored him. Tomas had known he must have surely passed away by now, but his heart ached a little anyway. Almost without thinking, he made the sign of the cross and said a silent prayer for his soul.

Vida had a slightly bemused look on her face. “That was kind of you.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Saying a prayer for the soul of a stranger. It was kind.”

A stranger. Right. Tomas had to be more careful. “I…uh…I have known priests who were dear to me. And I suppose it never hurts to pray for the soul of a priest.”

“Nay, I don’t suppose it does. But it was kind of you anyway.”

Blurb:

Tomas’s life changed forever when at the age of seven he was adopted by Laird and Lady Maclan ending the abuse he’d suffered at Ambrose Ruthven’s hand. He’d never looked back and never intended to

But fate had other plans…

Now, nineteen years later, he runs headlong into his past. The Ruthvens are in trouble and Tomas is in a position to help them. But can he set aside his hatred for Laird Ruthven for the good of the clan into which he was born?

Fate always adds a twist…

Laird Ruthven’s daughter is not what Tomas expected. Vida Ruthven is sweet, smart, and utterly irresistible.

Now, Tomas must choose between being the savior or taking the ultimate revenge.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Redemption-Duncurra-Legacy-Novel-ebook/dp/B071NL216N

Follow along next week on Elisabeth Hobbe’s website: https://elisabethhobbes.co.uk/. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win an e-copy of Highland Redemption or another e-book of your choice by Ceci Giltenan.

You can also find my next snippet from For All of Ever at CeCi’s blog here.

Filed under: Medieval Monday Tagged: #Amwriting, #MedievalHop, Be My Guest, Historical Romance, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance

First Kiss Friday with my guest Regina Jeffers & a Giveaway!

Today on First Kiss Friday, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Regina Jeffers who will be sharing a bit of history and an excerpt from, The Earl Claims His Comfort. Read on and enjoy!

In most historical romances, the idea of a peerage passing from one male in the family to another is part of the plot line. But exactly what was the procedure when a peer holding a title passed?

First, let us clear up some misconceptions. The first of those is the difference between an heir apparent and an heir presumptive. The heir apparent can only be the peer’s oldest living son or the oldest of his grandsons ( son of the oldest son), if the peer’s oldest son is deceased. What’s most important to remember is that “if a man inherits a peerage, it is because he is the eldest surviving legitimate male who can trace a direct (father to son) lineage back to an earlier holder of the peerage. In other words, he doesn’t inherit because he was the brother or the cousin or the uncle of his predecessor, but because his own father, or grandfather, or great-grandfather, or great-great-grandfather, etc., was an earlier holder of the peerage. [“Eldest” in this context doesn’t mean that he happens to be the oldest of several different living men who can trace a direct line back to an earlier holder of the peerage, but rather that his line is the eldest, i.e., eldest son of eldest son; and all other lines senior to his have died out.]” (“Hereditary Peerages” https://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles03.html)

Letters patent customarily state the order of descent, usually through the male line. Only legitimate children (meaning the parents are married at the time of the child’s birth—not necessarily the time of his conception) are permitted to succeed to a peerage. This means that the peer has NO choice as to whom will succeed him. He CANNOT disown his heir. Without a son as the heir apparent, most patents will have the peerage become extinct. Occasionally, the letters patent will permit a brother or nephew or cousin to inherit (as in the case of Admiral Lord Nelson), and rarely females/daughters may inherit. All is determined by how the the letters patent are worded. Nothing can be changed after the patent by which the peerage was created are signed.

Meanwhile, an heir presumptive can be the peer’s brother, uncle, cousin, etc. The heir presumptive will never be the heir apparent. He can NEVER be presented with one of the courtesy titles associated with the peerage.

What of tradition? If a peer dies, his heir does not automatically assume the peerage’s seat in the House of Lords. For several reasons, there is a “waiting” period. The most obvious reason to wait is to determine if the deceased peer’s widow is pregnant. This would also be in effect if the heir apparent likewise dies, as in, for example, a father and son killed in a carriage accident. If so, the heir presumptive must wait to determine if there is to be a child and if that child is a son.

If an obvious heir is available (with no question of waiting) the new peer is not presented by his new title right away. Likely, the estate servants, solicitors, and other who serve him, will call him by his new title, but as a matter of courtesy to the widow and any children, he is not summoned to the House of Lords until after the funeral. This was not a legal matter, but more a matter of etiquette. However, because it was not a matter of law, but of custom, there was a wide variation in the observance. After the funeral and the will are addressed by the executor, the new peer sends a petition to the Lord Chancellor, asking that a writ of summons to the House of Lords be sent so he can take his seat in the current or next session of Parliament. The heir must PROVE to the HOL that his parents were married at the time of his birth, that he is the son they delivered from the mother’s pregnancy, that he is 21 years of age (reached his majority), and that he is a member of the Church of England.

If no son exists, the heir presumptive must assume the burden of proof. He follows the same procedure, except that he must also prove that he and his father and all others between him and the deceased were legitimate descendants of the original holder of the letters patent and that they are dead. Once the proofs are accepted, a writ of summons is sent to the new peer for him to take his seat in the House of Lords.

So what happens if the heir held an honorary title of viscount or such at the time of the peer’s death, would the HOL call him to the House under that title? The answer is NO.

He would only be called to the House of Lords in his father’s barony—if the father had one.

He would be a viscount socially, but a baron in Parliament.

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Image Citation: Woman and children mourning at a gravestone, via The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1822. Dirge Magazine. http://www.dirgemag.com/victorian-post-mortem-photography/

 

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Introducing The Earl Claims His Comfort: Book 2 in the Twins’ Trilogy, releasing September 16, 2017, from Black Opal Books – a 2016 Hot Prospects finalist in Romantic Suspense

Hurrying home to Tegen Castle from the Continent to assume guardianship of a child not his, but one who holds his countenance, Levison Davids, Earl of Remmington, is shot and left to die upon the road leading to his manor house. The incident has Remmington chasing after a man who remains one step ahead and who claims a distinct similarity—a man who wishes to replace Remmington as the rightful earl. Rem must solve the mystery of how a stranger’s life parallels his, while protecting his title, the child, and the woman he loves.

Comfort Neville has escorted Deirdre Kavanaugh from Ireland to England, in hopes that the Earl of Remmington will prove a better guardian for the girl than did the child’s father. When she discovers the earl’s body upon a road backing the castle, it is she who nurses him to health. As the daughter of a minor son of an Irish baron, Comfort is impossibly removed from the earl’s sphere, but the man claims her affections. She will do anything for him, including confronting his enemies. When she is kidnapped as part of a plot for revenge against the earl, she must protect Rem’s life, while guarding her heart.

Excerpt:

Excerpt from the end of Chapter 4 and the beginning of Chapter 5…Miss Comfort Neville and Lord Remmington have successfully fought off two attackers, who meant him harm.

Scrambling to recover the gun he dropped upon the bed when he tumbled backward, Rem staggered toward the open portal. There was a second assailant somewhere in the house, and he must find the man before the culprit brought harm to Miss Neville or the child. Stumbling through the opening, the sight of Miss Neville wielding a heavy cooking pot and standing triumphantly over the crumpled form of darkly clad attacker brought Rem up short.

She glanced to him with real concern crossing her features. “Please tell me you did no additional harm to your leg,” she said in a breathy voice.

Rem could not help but smile. “I am not a complete incompetent in such matters.”

She still held her pot high, as if to strike the man another time. “No, just a complete hoodwink to test your recovery.”

For some insensible reason, her remark did not sit well with Rem. Perhaps it was because he desired her good opinion. He ignored her lofty accusation as his eyes narrowed. “Would you have me accept my attacker’s intent?” he demanded testily.

The woman’s mind never ceased to amaze him. Rather than arguing with him, Miss Neville giggled, as if in alarm. “I would have you remove this cookery from my grip. I do not think my fingers can be pried free.”

With a shake of his head in disbelief, Rem crossed to her and scooped Miss Neville into his arms. He tugged the pot from her grasp to set it on the table beside her.

“All is well,” he cooed, as she snuggled deeper into his embrace. Rem realized she trembled from fright, as well as from relief.

“I feared I failed you,” she confessed.

Rem’s lips grazed her temple. “On the contrary,” he whispered. “We are quite an invincible pair. I find you the most remarkable woman of my acquaintance.”

“Why would someone make two attempts on your life, my lord?” the lady pleaded. “Assist me to understand.”

“I wish I knew the answer,” Rem whispered. “But know I mean to untangle the mystery.”

Rem’s embrace tightened about her, edging Miss Neville closer. Her heat warmed his body from chin to abdomen. The rightness of her in his arms nearly knocked his defenses off kilter. His emotions screamed with disorientation. He told himself his reaction was that of any man to the temptation of an exceedingly handsome woman, but Miss Neville’s uneven breathing invaded his reason. He used his fingers to lift her chin so he might look upon the woman’s countenance. The lady’s brilliant eyes sparked with recognition. Despite being the type of woman he customarily avoided, Rem realized he wanted her more than he thought possible.

She was fine boned with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose. In the pale light of the banked fire, her hair lacked the spark of red noticeable in the daylight. Even so, an otherworldly halo surrounded her. Rem could not explain what provoked him to act upon his desire. Mayhap it was Malvern’s voice in his head, encouraging Rem to claim a bit of happiness, or mayhap it was simply pure insanity. Slowly he lowered his head to brush his lips against hers. Although he had yet to taste her, Rem recognized the desire melding them into one.

“My lord,” she groaned as he edged her deeper into his embrace.

And then the moment ended as quickly as it began.

“Miss Neville!” Deirdre called. The child’s voice echoed through the servants’ hall.

Rem shoved Miss Neville from his hold and took a step back. He could see the confusion crossing the woman’s features, but she recovered quickly. By instinct, she turned to capture Deirdre into her arms as the child burst into the room only a few steps ahead of Elda and Sally.

“I am fine,” Miss Neville assured as she nestled Deirdre closer. “His lordship and I are unharmed. Just a couple of men down on their luck, looking to steal a meal and something to pawn. Likely they did not expect the house to be occupied .”

Rem was thankful for the banyan for it covered the remains of his desire. Through a still husky voice, he instructed his servant, “Sally, you go out to the barn, and tell Peter to hustle up to the main house and inform Sir Alexander and Lord Malvern that I require their assistance post haste. Afterward, I wish Peter to fetch Mr. Underwood to tend these men.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Elda, you return Miss Deirdre to her room.” Rem leaned forward to caress the child’s cheek. She was the spitting image of her mother, at least the image Rem still retained of Miss Pillips, except for her eyes, which he was sore to admit were of the nature of the ones he viewed in the mirror each day. “You were very brave to rush to Miss Neville’s rescue, but both the lady and I wish you safe. You go with Elda, and as quickly as we secure these two intruders, both Miss Neville and I will come to your quarters and answer all your questions.”

The child’s bottom lip trembled, but she asked, “How will you climb the stairs, my lord?”

“Have no care,” he told the child in sympathy. “For you, I will conquer even the steepest mountain. Moreover, if worse comes, I will order my servants to carry me above stairs. What good is it to be an earl if one cannot wield a bit of power.”

With remarkable maturity, the child straightened her shoulders, and her gaze met Rem’s. “You are very good, my lord. I’d think your servants would perform the task gladly.”

Rem thought of Mr. Flood, but he kept his opinions to himself. He would find a means of removing control from Flood’s hands without usurping a long-time servant. Rem blamed himself for permitting Flood so much control. He had turned his back upon his home seat. He had performed his duties to the employment of the villagers and the upkeep of the estate, but he had never sown the seeds of loyalty that belonged to his father and brother. It was difficult to build connections when one was never in residence. The acknowledgment was a poor excuse.

After her proclamation of his goodness, Miss Deirdre hugged him about the legs before accepting Elda’s hand. As odd as it would sound to others, Rem wished to call the child back and claim a bit of her innocent loyalty, for it had been too long since he knew such kindness.

“Your attentions prove well for her, my lord,” Miss Neville said as she stood slowly to glance about the room. “We have ourselves another conundrum, your lordship.”

“We will begin by securing my assailants’ hands and feet before they come to, and then we will discuss what just occurred,” he instructed.

“Nothing occurred, my lord.”

Rem’s frown lines deepened. Before the attack, he had dreamed of seducing her, and then she was there before him and so vulnerable he could not resist capturing her into his embrace. He had known the woman only a sennight, and she had already shredded his well-honed defenses. Since Delia’s desertion, Rem had carefully constructed walls about his emotions and his heart, and he did not approve of what he was about to do, but he did it, nonetheless.

Catching Miss Neville’s hand, he jerked her into his arms. At the same instant, Rem lowered his head to claim her mouth in desire. Although her awkward need announced the woman an innocent, he fused their lips in a heated exchange. When she gasped, Rem’s tongue invaded her mouth, demanding she return his passion. Surprisingly, the woman clung to the silky banyan and his shoulders, and she pressed her luscious curves against the flat planes of his body.

Pure unadulterated want warmed every bone in his body, and it took every ounce of his renowned discipline to withdraw his mouth from hers. The thought of tossing his attacker out into the kitchen for Malvern and Sir Alexander to question, while he carried Miss Neville into the small bedroom and to bar the door, caught him with its intensity. It was insanity that he practiced, but all Remmington wished was to mark Miss Neville as his.

“There. Now you cannot claim nothing occurred,” he whispered huskily against her temple.

The woman swayed against him. “Remind me to avoid future arguments with you, my lord,” she murmured.

“Do not tell the others, but know that I find you quite fetching when you offer your opinions,” he said with an ironic chuckle. “Now, assist me with our intruders before the marquess and Sir Alexander find us clutching each other so intimately.”

His words unsettled her composure. She flushed with color before stepping from his arms. At length, she opened her mouth to offer an apology, but Rem halted her words with his warning. “If you mean to offer me your regrets, Miss Neville, I will tolerate none of them. Our intimacy was the first time I have felt alive in some five years. Do not spoil it with false forgiveness.”

He spoke the truth. Even when he had kissed Miss Lovelace, Rem felt only the pleasantness of finding a comely female in his embrace. At the time, he thought the response enough to bring him happiness. Now, he doubted anything less than a love relationship would satisfy him.

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Angel Comes to the Devil’s Keep: Book 1 of the Twins’ Trilogy – a 2017 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense finalist -a SOLA’s Eighth Annual Dixie Kane Memorial Award finalist for Historical Romance

Huntington McLaughlin, the Marquess of Malvern, wakes in a farmhouse, after a head injury, being tended by an ethereal “angel,” who claims to be his wife. However, reality is often deceptive, and Angelica Lovelace is far from innocent in Hunt’s difficulties. Yet, there is something about the woman that calls to him as no other ever has. When she attends his mother’s annual summer house party, their lives are intertwined in a series of mistaken identities, assaults, kidnappings, overlapping relations, and murders, which will either bring them together forever or tear them irretrievably apart. As Hunt attempts to right his world from problems caused by the head injury that has robbed him of parts of his memory, his best friend, the Earl of Remmington, makes it clear that he intends to claim Angelica as his wife. Hunt must decide whether to permit her to align herself with the earldom or claim the only woman who stirs his heart–and if he does the latter, can he still serve the dukedom with a hoydenish American heiress at his side?

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Meet Regina Jeffers

With 30+ books to her credit, Regina Jeffers is an award-winning author of historical cozy mysteries, Austenesque sequels and retellings, as well as Regency era-based romantic suspense. A teacher for 40 years, Jeffers often serves as a consultant for Language Arts and Media Literacy programs. With multiple degrees, Regina has been a Time Warner Star Teacher, Columbus (OH) Teacher of the Year, and a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar and a Smithsonian presenter.

Every Woman Dreams: https://reginajeffers.wordpress.com

Website: http://www.rjeffers.com

Austen Authors: http://austenauthors.net

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Regina-Jeffers-Author-Page-141407102548455/?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/reginajeffers

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Regina-Jeffers/e/B008G0UI0I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1479079637&sr=8-1

Also on Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Now for the GIVEAWAY. I have two eBook copies of The Earl Claims His Comfort available to those who comment below. The giveaway will end at midnight EDT on Monday, October 9.

Filed under: First Kiss Friday Tagged: Be My Guest, First Kiss Friday, Historical Romance

Medieval Monday with Nicole Locke & a Giveaway!

It’s week nine for our Medieval Monday blog hop and today’s guest is author Nicole Locke. Nicole is sharing a snippet from her novel Her Christmas Knight so be sure to read on and leave her a comment to be in the running for our giveaway. Enjoy!

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Excerpt:

The seal slipped in her suddenly damp hands. She knew that nose. She had broken that nose. Reluctantly, against her will, she raised her eyes to his again. He was still studying her.

She felt permanently latched to him. She could not move even to let air into her lungs. Oh, she didn’t want to, but she knew those eyes. And they knew her. There was no confusion in their blue depths, there was only…waiting.

But he couldn’t be the man she knew. She hadn’t heard from him or seen him for more than six years. She’d thought him dead. She wanted him dead.

‘Hugh?’ The name escaped before she knew she still had a voice, and the corner of his lips lifted.

She knew that crooked smile. She knew that smile all too well.

Blurb:

A knight to protect her—this Yuletide 

By order of the English king, Alice of Swaffham searches London nobility for the traitor dealing information to the Scots. Little does she know that the mysterious spy she seeks is the man she once loved and thought she’d lost forever…

If Hugh of Shoebury felt unworthy of Alice before, as the Half-Thistle spy he can never claim her heart. Now he must fight to keep not only his dark secrets—and Alice—safe from a vengeful king…but also his burning longing for her at bay!

 Buy Links:

Amazon: myBook.to/Lovers-n-Legends6

Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/authors/24841_nicole-locke.html

Next Monday, Nicole is at Elisabeth Hobbes’s blog here.

You can also find my snippet on For All of Ever on Nicole’s blog here.

Filed under: Medieval Monday Tagged: #Amwriting, #MedievalHop, Be My Guest, Historical Romance, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance

First Kiss Friday with Caroline Warfield.

This First Kiss Friday, my dear friend Caroline Warfield brings us a scene in which the weary physician, Salvatore, can’t resist stealing that first kiss. You don’t want to miss Caroline’s upcoming release, Lady Charlotte’s Christmas Vigil. Happy reading and enjoy!

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Excerpt:

“Salvo?” a muffled voice queried from the bed.

He started to back out. Too late.

Lottie sat up, her cotton nightclothes white in the moonlight. “What is it? Are the boys worse?” She pulled the covers back and swung over to sit on the edge. The movement pulled her gown high over one knee and gave him a view of graceful feet and a slender leg.

“Don’t get up, Lottie. Are you well?” He raised the candle to see her face better. The purple smudges under her eyes hadn’t abated.

She looked back, puzzled. “Well enough. Why did you come?”

His eyes scanned her, from the glorious hair to the tips of those graceful toes. He tried to remind himself of his professional demeanor, but diagnosis played no part in this scrutiny.

“Salvo?” Lottie asked, her voice thick.

“I’m sorry, Lottie. You should not be embroiled in my family’s crisis.”

She pulled her gown down to cover herself. He suspected she blushed rather in the semi-darkness, but he couldn’t pull his eyes away.

“I don’t mind. It feels good to be needed. Besides, David looks better every day. I have you to thank for that.”

His feet moved into the room before he could tell them to stop.

She frowned at him. “You look exhausted. You can’t care for patients all day and stay up all night. Let me take over with the boys.” She rose. “You get to your bed.”

He had her in his arms before either could take another breath.

“Thank you,” he breathed against her mouth, just before he kissed her.

Lottie pulled back and gasped. He would have pulled back then, but a second later, she moved closer and pressed her mouth to his. He tasted her gently, but didn’t probe. He cupped her face, so he would not pull her up against his arousal, though he yearned to drag her close. He kissed her eyes and down her cheek before setting her away from him.

Lottie raised trembling fingers to her mouth. “Salvo?”

“That was shameless of me, but I can’t regret it.”

 

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About the Book

  Love is the best medicine and the sweetest things in life are worth the wait, especially at Christmastime in Venice for a stranded English Lady and a handsome physician.

 Lady Charlotte clings to one dream—to see the splendor of Rome before settling for life as the spinster sister of an earl. But now her feckless brother forces her to wait again, stranded in Venice when he falls ill, halfway to the place of her dreams. She finds the city damp, moldy, and riddled with disease.

As a physician, Salvatore Caresini well knows the danger of putrid fever. He lost his young wife to it, leaving him alone to care for their rambunctious children. He isn’t about to let the lovely English lady risk her life nursing her brother.

But Christmas is coming, that season of miracles, and with it, perhaps, lessons for two lonely people: that love heals the deepest wounds and sometimes the best dreams aren’t the ones we expect.

Preorder now at

Barnes & Noble |  Amazon

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About the Author

 Traveler, would-be adventurer, former tech writer and library technology professional, Caroline Warfield has now retired to the urban wilds of Eastern Pennsylvania, and divides her time between writing and seeking adventures with her grandbuddy and the prince among men she married. Her new series sends the children of the heroes of her earlier books to seek their own happiness in the far-flung corners of the British Empire.

 

 

Find Caroline on the Web:

Website http://www.carolinewarfield.com/

Amazon Author http://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Warfield/e/B00N9PZZZS/

Good Reads http://bit.ly/1C5blTm

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/carolinewarfield7

Twitter https://twitter.com/CaroWarfield

Email warfieldcaro@gmail.com

Newsletter:   http://www.carolinewarfield.com/newsletter/

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caroline-warfield

Filed under: First Kiss Friday Tagged: #BellesInBlue, Be My Guest, Bluestocking Belles, Caroline Warfield, First Kiss Friday

Medieval Monday with Barbara Bettis & a Giveaway!

Please help me welcome to Medieval Monday my guest, Barbara Bettis. Barbara will be sharing a snippet from her novel, The Lady of the Forest. Be sure to leave her a comment to be in the running for our giveaway. Happy reading and enjoy!

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Excerpt:

“Who are you?” he rasped. “And what are you about here?”

“The lord of Stonehill sent word to watch for a stranger.”

Her tone had deepened, roughened. Did she really believe he’d think her a boy?  “And he said to attack this stranger, bind him like prisoner?”

“He did.”

An unwelcome suspicion wormed into Henry’s aching head. “Why?”

“He said the man is a traitor to England and must die.”

BLURB:

He must pursue his enemy; she must protect her people. Can their love survive the duties that drive them apart?

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate’s past catches her.

When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

AMAZON  TWRP

Follow along next week at Elisabeth  Hobbs’s: https://elisabethhobbes.co.uk/    Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win an e-copy of The Lady of the Forest.

Find my snippet of For All of Ever, on Barbara’s blog here.

Filed under: Medieval Monday Tagged: #Amwriting, #MedievalHop, Be My Guest, Historical Romance, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance

First Kiss Friday with Judith Sterling

Today on First Kiss Friday I have author Judith Sterling and her first kiss scene from her novel Flight of the Raven. We hope you enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading and enjoy!

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Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I can explain,” she said.

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

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

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

“But if you—”

“Silence!”

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

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

“What has Wulfstan to do with this?”

William grunted.  “You play innocence well.”

“Truly, I know not whereof you speak!”

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

“What?”

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

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

“A welcome one, reportedly.”

“I considered it, but—”

“So you confess.”

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

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

She glared at him.  With quick, deliberate steps, she closed the space between them.  “Then I’ll fetch my purse, for I speak the truth.”

“I am no fool.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No.”

“Liar.”

“Tyrant.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blurb:

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.

Buy Links:

Buy at The Wild Rose Press

Buy at Amazon

Buy at Barnes and Noble

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Author Bio:

Judith Sterling’s love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Flight of the Raven and Soul of the Wolf are part of her medieval romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood. The Cauldron Stirred is the first book in her young adult paranormal series, Guardians of Erin.  Written under Judith Marshall, her nonfiction books—My Conversations with Angels and Past Lives, Present Stories—have been translated into multiple languages. She has an MA in linguistics and a BA in history, with a minor in British Studies. Born in that sauna called Florida, she craved cooler climes, and once the travel bug bit, she lived in England, Scotland, Sweden, Wisconsin, Virginia, and on the island of Nantucket. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her husband and their identical twin sons.

Social Media:

Website – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/judithsterlingfiction/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16291161.Judith_Sterling

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MT3KB7L

The Wild Rose Press – https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/2212_judith-sterling

 

Filed under: First Kiss Friday Tagged: #Amwriting, Be My Guest, Blog, Historical Romance

Medieval Monday with Mary Morgan & a Giveaway!

Welcome back for the seventh week in our Medieval Monday First Encounter theme. Today’s guest is Mary Morgan with a snippet from her novel, Dragon Knight’s Axe

Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 3. Don’t forget to leave Mary a comment to be in the running for our giveaway! Happy reading and enjoy…

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Excerpt:

Fascination…

 Tripping over a fallen log, Fiona fell flat on her face. “Ouch!”

At once, strong arms pulled her up. His face so close, she could see the dimple in his chin beneath the shadow of his beard. Yet, it was those lips that caught her attention—full and sensual. Lips that could devour a woman. A slight tremor ran down her spine.

Releasing her, he backed away.

“Thanks,” she mumbled. What is wrong with you, Fiona? Did you hit your head?

He drew forth his dirk. “Hold your arms out.”

Confused, Fiona complied. In one swift slice, he cut through her bonds. Rubbing at her wrists, she smiled up at him. “Thank you…again.”

Dragon Knight’s Axe

Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 3

Blurb:

Alastair MacKay, a battled-scarred Dragon Knight flees to the sea to separate himself from his fae-given power connecting him to the land. But it is on land that he rescues a woman from a slave trader in Ireland. It is through Fiona he steps back inadvertently into a world filled with magic—taking on the role of protector and at the same time leading him on a journey to confront his greatest regret and fears.

Research assistant, Fiona O’Quinlan loves translating ancient artifacts at Trinity College. When she falls asleep on an archeological dig, she awakens in another time. She soon discovers a Dragon Knight’s relic has been entrusted into her care. Determined to return the artifact to the Great Glen, Fiona is unprepared for the danger ahead—losing her heart and soul to Alastair “Beast” MacKay.

Will their love be strong enough to soothe the beast and heal the man? Or will Death swing its axe, leaving them lost for all eternity?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Knights-Axe-Order-Book-ebook/dp/B00Y5756TO/

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragon-knights-axe-mary-morgan/1122070231/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dragon-knight-s-axe-1

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dragon-knights-axe/id996720081?mt=11

Follow along next week on Elisabeth Hobbes’s blog: https://elisabethhobbes.co.uk/

Leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of Dragon Knight’s Axe by Mary Morgan.

You can also find the next snippet from For All of Ever on Mary’s blog here.

Don’t forget to continue following and commenting on our blogs for your chance to win the eBooks from our current theme.

Filed under: Medieval Monday Tagged: #Amwriting, #MedievalHop, Be My Guest, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, Romance

First Kiss Friday with guest Angela Quarles

It’s First Kiss Friday and any day I can have Angela Quarles on my blog is going to be a great day. I just love her books! Today Angela is sharing her first kiss scene from her latest release, Must Love More Kilts. I’ve been waiting for this release since her last book so I can’t wait to dive in and read it. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Happy reading and enjoy!

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Excerpt:

They were under attack!

Now Fiona’s stomach roiled for more reasons than just the motion of the ship as she and Duncan scrambled across the deck of the galley, Duncan pulling her along.

Near the mast, he lifted a plank on the deck and shoved her into the dark recesses between the rowing benches. “Stay here,” he barked.

Numb to do anything other than obey, she squatted. Muffled musket fire sounded outside, as well as the occasional boom of a cannon, rocking the ship.

He jumped into the space with her and crouched, rooting around. He pulled a sword out. “Here, take this.” He tossed it to her, and she caught it in trembling hands. “But remain here, aye? Don’t be coming out until I tell ye.”

Another explosion rocked the ship, the sound louder than any of the previous ones. The ship lurched to the side, and she fell back against the wooden bench.

Caught off guard, Duncan rolled toward her. He grabbed a bench seat, but his forward momentum swung him toward her, his face serious, his gaze holding hers.

Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit.

They were under attack!

It seemed like that was all her mind could do, repeat that phrase—and holy shit—over and over, while her heart beat louder than the exploding cannon and icy fear gripped her stomach.

She clamped down on the bench with one hand, resting against it, the sword gripped hotly in her other hand as chaos raged up above.

He must have thought she looked ready to raid the enemy ship instead of raiding the future for the biggest bottle of Tums, because he continued, “I mean it, Fiona. We’ll outrun them. We must, for they have cannon, and we do not. To be safe, though, pray for the wind to die.”

Somehow she found her voice. “Die? Don’t we need…?” She breathed fast and hiccupped. “Don’t we need the wind for the sails?”

“They do, aye.” He pointed to the benches on either side of them. “But we can row. They can’t. Never fear. If we cannot outrun them, we’re equipped to handle the swine if they dare board us. I’m betting they won’t be having the nerve.”

She nodded. “But I reserve the right to leave if the ship starts to sink.” A watery grave was not for her if she could help it.

He crouched closer to her, her knees touching his shins. He grabbed her face, his eyes searching hers for a beat. On a groan, he swooped down and pressed a quick but fierce kiss on her lips. “We’ll not be sinking.” His eyes and voice were full of conviction. With that, he leaped out, replaced the plank, and left her in complete darkness, only broken when the orange light of distant cannon fire bled through the cracks.

She touched her lips with trembling fingers, his warmth and taste still lingering there, she’d swear. And she concentrated on that sensation instead of the fear touching, clawing, her everywhere else.

Blurb

What if your husband turns out to be the man sent to kill your ancestor?

A choice to make…

Highland Games fanatic Fiona Campbell believes her only value is her family’s history, myths, and legends. So when she travels back to 1689 Scotland and discovers she’s the Fiona of family legend, you’d think she’d be excited. And she is. Except that the legendary warrior she’s to save her ancestor from is the hottie in a kilt she just handfasted.

A heart to heal…

Duncan MacCowan once trusted his heart to the wrong woman, but when a strange lass drops into his life and pries opens his heart again, he impulsively handfasts her. Yet before he can finish spinning fancies of their domestic bliss, she flees on the night of their wedding, leaving him even more convinced that he can’t trust his instincts where his heart is involved.

A family legend that will tear them apart

Fiona wants to shake her fist at Fate—she finally meets the man of her dreams but can’t have him because of the family legend? Not cool, Fate, not cool. Duncan believes he’s just terrible at picking women and destined to be alone. But as the heat of their attraction flares, how far can they tempt Fate for love?

Buy Links

Amazon: http://bit.ly/AMZ_MLMK

Nook: http://bit.ly/BN_MLMK

Kobo: http://bit.ly/KO_MLMK

iBooks: http://bit.ly/IB_MLMK

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Bio:

Angela Quarles is a RWA RITA® Winner and USA Today bestselling author of time travel and steampunk romance. Her steampunk, Steam Me Up, Rawley, was named Best Self-Published Romance of 2015 by Library Journal and Must Love Chainmail won the 2016 RITA® Award in the paranormal category, the first indie to win in that category. Angela loves history, folklore, and family history. She decided to take this love of history and her active imagination and write stories of romance and adventure for others to enjoy. When not writing, she’s either working at the local indie bookstore or enjoying the usual stuff like gardening, reading, hanging out, eating, drinking, chasing squirrels out of the walls, and creating the occasional knitted scarf.

Author Links

Website: http://bit.ly/VMFK00

Blog: http://bit.ly/WkQbXG

Join my mailing list: http://bit.ly/1sde3Qi

Twitter: http://bit.ly/Se5gQ0

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/VMFT3L

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1qRhgHQ

Filed under: First Kiss Friday Tagged: Be My Guest, First Kiss Friday, Historical Romance, Scottish Romance

Medieval Monday with Judith Sterling & a Giveaway!

It’s Medieval Monday and I have author Judith Sterling here with our week six excerpt from her novel Soul of the Wolf (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book Two). Don’t forget to leave Judith a comment to be in the running for our First Encounter giveaway opportunity. A winner will be randomly chosen once all weeks in this blog hop are finished. Read on and enjoy!

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Excerpt:

Impatience goaded him.  “Lord Nihtscua,” he continued.  “And you are?”

She regained her composure and advanced toward him, halting an arm’s length away.  “Lady Jocelyn de Bret.”

So ’twas she.  His stomach twisted.

“I see,” he said.  But he wished he didn’t.  A man could lose his soul staring into the warm, inviting depths of her eyes.

Soul of the Wolf – Blurb

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.

Buy Links

Buy at The Wild Rose Press

Buy at Amazon

Buy at Barnes and Noble

Find Judith’s snippet next week at the blog of Barbara Bettis here.

You can find my snippet this week on Judith’s blog here.

Don’t forget to keep following our first encounter theme and to comment. Thanks for stopping by!

Filed under: Medieval Monday Tagged: #MedievalHop, Be My Guest, Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance

First Kiss Friday with Elisabeth Hobbes

Please welcome my guest Elisabeth Hobbes to another First Kiss Friday. Today Elisabeth is sharing the first kiss scene from her novel Redeeming the Rogue Knight. We hope you enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading!

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Excerpt:

Lucy Carew is about to go to bed when her night is disrupted by the arrival of two men demanding refuge: the brother she hasn’t seen for years and a mysterious stranger who has been injured.

She barred the way, finally revealing her poker and brandishing it like a sword.

‘Come, little dove,’ the injured man slurred, grinning crookedly. ‘Be sensible and we all might live.’

Lurching forward unexpectedly, he raised his left arm and knocked the poker out of her hand. He staggered, as if this had taken the last of his strength, and fell forward towards her. Instinctively Lucy reached her arms out to catch him, her hands sliding beneath his armpits. She stepped backwards and found herself wedged between him and the wall, his weight crushing her. She yelped in pain as something sharp scratched her left shoulder through her thick wool dress. She looked down to see the head of an arrow protruding from the man’s right shoulder.

‘He’s really hurt!’ she exclaimed.

‘Don’t let me die unmourned, dove,’ the man slurred, his voice deep and husky.

Before Lucy could think how to reply he had reached his left arm to the back of her head, tilted it back and covered her lips with his.

The kiss took Lucy by surprise, the rough beard scratching at her cheek and lips teasingly, sending shivers through her. His mouth enclosed hers, his lips firm and his tongue seeking hers with a fierceness that left her weak. Her mind emptied as desire lurched in her belly and without intending to she was kissing him back. If he could kiss like this when close to death, what would his touch be like when at full strength?

She came to her senses almost immediately and jerked her head away. His mouth followed, greedily seeking her out again, and his good hand slid from her neck down her body, fumbling at her breast.

A kiss she could tolerate, but the groping was too much. Outrage surged inside Lucy and now she had her wits about her. He was not the first of her customers who had tried to force attentions on her and was likely not to be the last. Injured or not made no difference. She twisted her leg until it was between his and brought her knee sharply upwards.

The man gave a whimper of pain and crumpled on to her, his eyes rolling back in his head. He went limp and Lucy realised, aghast, that he was close to passing out. Her hand shifted against his back and touched feathers. The fletch of the arrow was sticking out. Guilt swept over her that she had done such a thing to a wounded man. She bit her remorse down. She had not asked for her home to be invaded, or to be kissed. He had brought it on himself.

She supported him as best as she could, but he was a tall man and broad with it, and was crushing the breath from her as she leaned against the wall. Even by the feeble light of the fire, the man looked as pale as a wraith with a waxy sheen to his brow. His hair was matted to his cheeks. He must have bled from his wound, but against the darkness of his cloak it was impossible to tell.

‘I’m sorry,’ she murmured, reaching to brush the hair from his face. His forehead was cold to the touch and her fingers came away damp with his sweat. He opened his eyes.

‘Do you have wine? Anything stronger?’ he moaned.

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Redeeming the Rogue Knight blurb

The spy who sought refuge…

When injured spy Sir Roger Danby comes asking for shelter at her inn, Lucy Carew is wary. He may be strikingly handsome, but the disgraced single mother has learnt the hard way with men like him. Against her better judgement, she gives him refuge.

Sir Roger has never been at the mercy of a woman before, and he’s never met one as mysterious and bewitching as Lucy. He hasn’t come looking for redemption, but Lucy is a woman who could reach in and touch his closely guarded heart…

Buy Links:

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5XJ4G4

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XFY3HFS

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BIO:

Elisabeth’s writing career began when she entered her first novel, Falling for Her Captor, into Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest.  She finished in third place, was offered a two-book contract and hasn’t looked back!  She has since written five novels for Harlequin Mills & Boon with settings ranging from the turbulent events of post- Norman Conquest Cheshire to the thrilling tournaments of fourteenth century York.

Elisabeth is a part time teacher and full time mum to two children.  She spends whatever spare time she has reading and is a pro at cooking one-handed while holding a book.  She loves ginger mojitos and hot & sour soup, though not at the same time.

Elisabeth lives in Cheshire because her car broke down there when she was house hunting and she never left.

Redeeming the Rogue Knight is Elisabeth’s fifth medieval romance for Harlequin and tells the story of Roger, the ne’er do well brother from The Blacksmith’s Wife.

Website: https://elisabethhobbes.co.uk/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElisabethHobbes/

Twitter https://twitter.com/ElisabethHobbes

Filed under: First Kiss Friday Tagged: Be My Guest, First Kiss Friday, Historical Romance, Medieval Romance