Category Archives: Writing

New release from Award-winning author Judith Sterling – The Spear Alight (Book 4 in the Guardians of Erin)

It’s always a fun day when one of my Wild Rose Press sistahs comes to visit. Today I have Award Winning author Judith Sterling on the blog. She has a brand new addition to her GUARDIANS OF ERIN series, THE SPEAR ALIGHT which dropped today!!! I’m so tickled she stopped by to let us know a little about the book.

So without further adieu….. Here’s Judith!

The Spear Alight (Guardians of Erin, Book Four)

By Judith Sterling

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

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

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

Freeing my hand, Kian grinned. “Welcome to the fourteenth century.”

            I lifted my gaze to the top half of the stone keep. A shuttered window caught my attention. Aengus is there.

            Hugh had given us a good idea of where to go, but how I determined his son’s precise location, I can’t say. Maybe I knew because I needed to know. Or maybe our souls were bonded in a way that defied all logic.

            I pointed to the window. “Up there, right in the middle. Let’s jump up and go through the wall.”

            We leapt into the air and paused at the third-floor level. Like ghosts, we floated through stone and entered the medieval bedroom. Then we lowered ourselves until our feet touched the plank floor. Tapestries, oak furniture, and a crackling fire on the hearth made the chamber feel homey and inviting.

            “Awesome,” Kian breathed.

            Aengus’s sleeping form drew my gaze. He lay on his back, with his bare and beautifully sculpted arms and chest visible above the fur coverlet. His golden hair was longer, touching his shoulders. I couldn’t look away.

            Fortunately, my brother could. “I think the manuscript is over there.” He went to investigate.

            I crept toward the bed. Aengus. I’m so sorry. I love you. Compelled beyond rhyme or reason, I leaned over and pressed my lips to his.

            I’d intended a quick kiss, but my mouth lingered, savoring an experience it might never have again. His lips were softened by sleep; his breath was warm with a trace of spices. Mulled wine? Maybe.

            “Ash, I got it. We have to go.” Kian waited close by.

            Regretfully, I ended the kiss and straightened. I’ll always love you.

            Aengus stirred beneath the covers. “Caer,” he murmured. His eyes opened.

            Crap! Any second, he might shift into the Otherworld and see me. I seized my brother’s hand as Aengus sat up in bed. “Hurry, Kian!”

            The next instant, the room was quiet. The Otherworld twilight remained, as did the medieval furnishings, but the fire and the man were absent.

            A sense of loss swept through me. “Funny how empty a room can seem.”

            “I’m sorry, Ash.” Kian squeezed my hand, then released it. “It’ll be okay.”

            I turned to him. “Will it?”

Buy Links

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PJXRS59

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Alight-Guardians-Erin-Book-ebook/dp/B09PJXRS59

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Spear-Alight-Guardians-Erin-Book-ebook/dp/B09PJXRS59

Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09PJXRS59

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spear-alight-judith-sterling/1140834499

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-spear-alight/id1602045174

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60176927-the-spear-alight

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-spear-alight-guardians-of-erin-book-4-by-judith-sterling

Judith Sterling is an award-winning author whose love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Whether penning medieval romance (The Novels of Ravenwood) or young adult paranormal fantasy (the Guardians of Erin series), her favorite themes include true love, destiny, time travel, healing, redemption, and finding the hidden magic which exists all around us. She loves to share that magic with readers and whisk them far away from their troubles, particularly to locations in the British Isles.

Her nonfiction books, written under Judith Marshall, 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 Links

Website – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/

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

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

BookBub –  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judith-sterling

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

The Wild Rose Press – https://www.thewildrosepress.com/bookauthor/judith-sterling

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Jennifer Wilck, The Wild Rose Press and Scarred Hearts. New Release: Unlock My Heart

I love when one of my author friends comes to visit me and today I have a real treat for you. Jennifer Wilck has a brand new book from The Wild Rose Press out now. UNLOCK MY HEART is book two in the Scarred Heart series and this one proves to be another winner, just as A RECKLESS HEART was ( which, btw, was a 5 star + read for me!) I have it on my Kindle and I’m starting it tonight!

Sit back and read a little about this newest story from a fabulous storyteller.

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Celebrate release day for MIX & MATCH

It’s been a long time coming, but the day is finally here! I’m so excited about this first in a new series book that I am giddy.

It’s a bit of a departure for me because the book is a sweet romance. Just one brief kiss, but a lot of character emotion, development, and storyline. We’ll see how the readers like reading no sex from me (LOL!)

Early reviews have been lovely and you can read some of them here:

Bookbub

Goodreads

Hope you enjoy Jasmine and Donovan’s story. I hope to have book 2, LOVE MATCH Layla and Cody’s story available on August 31, 2022- International Matchmaker day! Stay tuned

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1 week until MIX and MATCH releases! I’m getting giddy!!!

I’m so excited! MIX AND MATCH has only 7 more days in the waiting room before it releases into the romance reading world!

Have you preordered your copy yet? No? Well, let me help you with that: MIX AND MATCH

And here’s a little tease to whet your reading appetite:

Intrigued? I certainly hope so!!

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Author appearances are back! Yay!

After almost 2 years of not being able to appear at book signings and author/reader conferences, I’m so happy that in 2022 I’ve already got 3 book signings and meet & greets planned. Hopefully, in 2023 I’ll be able to double that number.

For now, here’s the list of where you can meet me, buy a book, take picture, and just chat with me in 2022.

ROMANTICONN 2022

Date and time

Sat, July 16, 2022

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT

Location

Trumbull Marriott Shelton

180 Hawley Lane

Trumbull, CT 06611

Get tickets to attend here: ROMANTICONN2022

About this event

This event will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the premier Marriott Hotel in vibrant Trumbull, CT that combines small-town New England character and charm with local attractions. It is about an hour from NYC, a short drive from Metro North Railroad, and offers easy on and off highway access. New York or Connecticut airports are easily accessible. We hope you’ll join us for another crazy journey into fangirling, book-boyfriends, and love for all things related to BOOKS! Come create memories with authors and friends.

TNTNYC22

Dates October 13-16

Location: The Hilton Garden, Staten Island, NY

“Staten Island is just a ferry ride away from Manhattan and is known as the borough of parks. It’s the home of the Staten Island Yankees, Mr. Pizza’s Pasta House, Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices and the Satan’s Knights clubhouse, Big Nose Kate’s! It is also the home of the Tempted and Tantalizing Author Event, featuring some of your favorite authors and models.

Property Of Parrish Productions, LLC by Janine Infante Bosco proudly presents the fifth annual signing in Staten Island, New York. Join us for the “Final Ride” at the Hilton Garden in on October 13, 2022 thru October 16, 2022 complete with a MC meet and greet scheduled for the night before, a cocktail reception for readers and authors and a few other surprises. If you thought we went big before, wait until you see what we do for our final ride in New York before take the party to North Carolina!

Get Tickets to Attend here: TNTNYC2022

Fall In Love New England 2022

Dates: October 21-22, 2022

Location:

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade ,

181 Boston Post Rd W,

Marlborough, MA 01752, USA

Register to attend here: FILNE2022

About this event:
​Romance fan readers meet, discover, and fangirl out to your favorite 50 fabulous attending 2022 romance authors from all over the United States and Canada. Two days of romance-themed games, author spotlights, author panels, and book crafts that will have you laughing out loud celebrating why we love reading the romance genre.

Peggy here – I can’t wait to meet you all again, or for the very first time! LOL. Remember that line from The Birdcage?? Heehee

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RomantiConn 2022 – coming soon!

I am sosososo stoked to announce that I’ll be one of the authors participating in ROMANTICONN 2022!! Taking place at the Trumbill, CT Marriott Shelton on July 16, 2022

Just look at this amazeballs list of authors who will be present to sign and sell their books, speak with readers, take photos with and talk about all things romance and book-related!

Tickets to attend this fabulous event for July 16, 2022 are on sale now here: EVENTBRITE

Can’t wait to see you all on July 16!

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#coverreveal for the new Louise Stevens #cozymystery DIAMONDS, DUNES, & DEATH

I’m so stoked today to help one of my favorite authors, LOUISE STEVENS, reveal the cover to her upcoming Port Sunset mystery DIAMONDS, DUNES, & DEATH.

Ready?

Ta daaaaaaahhh

Corgis and champagne? Yes, please!!!

Here’s a little about the story….

I’m Millie Wentworth and I never thought I’d be involved in another murder, but here I am smack dab in the middle of a crime wave at the swanky resort where I’m Assistant General Manager. It started with a major diamond heist and ended with a dead body on the beach.

When one of my grandmother Lulu’s group of fun-loving septuagenarian friends is a prime suspect it’s time for Lulu’s Crew, Spud the corgi, and me to get sleuthing and uncover the real criminals.

And because dodging mobsters, international jewel thieves, and solving crimes isn’t stressful enough, my hypercritical parents are in town too. My mother doesn’t approve of Lulu and me in the best of times, and these are decidedly not the best of times. Plus she’s already planning my imaginary wedding to my kinda-sorta boyfriend Scott.

All I need to do is catch a murderer plus a jewel thief and survive my parents’ visit. No problem, right?

Port Sunset Mysteries:
Book 1: Penthouse, Pools, & Poison **Best Cozy Mystery Finalist, N.N. Light Annual Book Awards
Book 2: Diamonds, Dunes, & Death releasing on April 28, 2022
Book 3: Sunshine, Selfies, & Smugglers Coming Autumn 2022!

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New #kindleVella episodes coming your way 3 times a week, starting today!

The outpouring of love and support I’ve received from my Kindle Vella story THE JANE AUSTEN MURDERS has prompted me to start putting up 3 episodes/chapters per week, starting today.

The first three chapters are free to read, the rest available for a small token fee from Amazon.

Are you a Kindle Vella reader?

Here’s the link to the Jane Austen Murders so you can start, or just continue with the story.

Homicide Detective Elizabeth Bennett and senior partner Frank Churchill are called to Longbourne College when the body of student Charlotte Lucas is found bludgeoned to death. Charlotte, a scholarship student had a healthy supply of designer clothes, jewelry, and a safe deposit box loaded with cash. Where did she get them? Charlotte had a very antagonistic relationship with her English professor, Dr. Darcy, and he soon becomes the primary suspect. But did he do it?

And I just found out today that the Jane Austen Murders has been named a TOP FAVE by kindle vella readers! That little gold crown above the cover is everything!!! LOL

And I have a few other stories also on Vella you might want to try:

VIndication

Someone is murdering teenage girls in Washington, DC. The FBI’s special division, the SPCD – the Sexual Predators of Children – has been working the case for the past 6 months. When a Senator’s daughter goes missing, the team, led by Tucker Petrie, has to call on retired profiler – and his past partner – Kella O’Brian. Reluctantly, she rejoins the team and they search for a link to the girls who have been abducted, then killed.

Death Between the Pages

A cheating husband. A group of widows. A hospital bed. A priest. What do they all have in common? Death.

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A new release from friend and author, M.J. Schiller is out today!

I love when someone I know has a new book release. M.J. Schiller‘s series Love and Chaos has a new addition, out today: ROCK OF SALVATION. Here’s a little glimpse to whet your reading appetite!

Sometimes it takes a bad boy to redeem a good girl. But will she end up being his Salvation in the end?

Jericho Tyler was comfortable in his role as the wild man of Just Short Of Chaos.

Different gorgeous women throwing themselves at him every night? What self-respecting hetero male wouldn’t dream of that? But when Salvation steps out of his shower and into his life, things start to change.

Oh, yeah. I knew the second I saw her that she didn’t belong backstage. And she didn’t belong with a man like me, for sure. But I didn’t let that stop me from seeing just how far she was willing to go to keep up her little naughty girl charade. And if she had something to prove, why not prove it with me?

Salvation Jones was not like the rest of her family.

In a parcel of toe-the-line, conservative preacher’s kids, she stood out like a piece of her costume jewelry at the Inaugural Ball.

I must have had a far-sighted stork reading the directions for my delivery. I was louder than they were. More boisterous. I got into more trouble. I’d heard, “Oh, Salvation,” in my mom’s disappointed voice for so long I began to think the O stood for Olivia, or something. It’s not like I meant to misbehave, but it just came naturally to me. I’d tried to be who they wanted; now it was time for me to truly be myself. They say, “Go big or go home,” so why not start out by seducing a rock star? And not just any rock star, the luscious, womanizing Jericho Tyler. Now that was somebody worth sinning for!

Sometimes it takes a bad boy to redeem a good girl. But will she become his Salvation in the end?

I stepped away from the door and peeled my sweaty shirt off. A shower was going to feel amazing. And I was moving in that direction, until I was brought up short, realizing my shower was already running.

Did Dex get our dressing rooms confused?

It wouldn’t be the first time something like that had happened. I started to cross to rap on the door and it opened, a big ball of steam rolling out. A form emerged through the mist. A beautiful, womanly form. As the steam dissipated, I got a better idea of what I was looking at. She stood with a towel wrapped around her and one twisted on her head. Her gaze lifted to mine.

“Oh.” Her mouth became a perfect circle for a moment. Then she cleared her throat. “Uhh…hello—” She stopped abruptly and ran a hand up the door frame. As what appeared like an afterthought, she cocked the opposite hip awkwardly, in a position that she seemed to think was sexy. And, while it had its merits, her shaky voice, in fact, her whole demeanor told me she was an amateur.

What sort of rebellious preacher’s daughter have we got here, pretending to be a dirty girl?

She wet her lips nervously, which was probably the most provocative thing she had done, even though she did that as if without thinking. “Hello, handsome.”

I stifled a laugh. Her come-on was straight from a movie. No, she didn’t belong here at all. “Okay. Get your clothes on.”

“But don’t you want to….” She gestured vaguely.

It suddenly irritated me. She waltzes in and uses my shower. If I’d done the same to her, I would have been arrested. That flash of anger made me want to embarrass her. I finished her sentence. “Slap the sheets? Screw? Get laid?”

It did knock her back a bit. She blinked. “Yes. All those. I guess….” She chewed on a nail.

I inwardly rolled my eyes. I’d put money on this chick being a virgin. I felt an urge to play with her. It was mean and beneath me, but I had a strong desire to see just how far she would go with this miserable charade of a seduction.

“Okay. Let’s get at it then.” I crossed to her in two big strides. “You won’t be needing this.” I plucked the towel from her and tossed it aside, then pulled her against me.

She gasped and fear shadowed her features. It made me feel sorry for her and wonder what her story was, but I needed to teach her a lesson.

“So, what are you waiting for?” An edge cut through my words, because now that I was near her, and could smell the floral innocence of her fragrance, see her pretty, pouty lips, look into what had to be the most doe-like, amazing eyes I had ever seen, my body awoke.

Oh, shit. I want her. I could so have her without a single worry about whether it was right or not. She was in my shower. But I already knew I wouldn’t do it. Couldn’t do it, to her.

I grasped her chin, tilting her head back. “I thought you wanted to do me?”

She blinked rapidly and I could feel her tremble, which freaking made me yearn for her even more. The towel on her head fell off, exposing red hair with a hint of curl to it.

Shit.

Redheads were my weakness. I brushed my lips over hers. “Come on.” I swallowed but kept trying to push her buttons without engaging mine. “What’s making you wait?” I ran my tongue around her lips and kissed them softly. “Isn’t this what you want?”

Holy shit! I haven’t felt this turned on in a long time, if ever. And it has to be for the virgin I’m unwilling to hurt. This sucks.

I angled my head and lowered my lips until I was a breath apart from her. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it? Huh?” My voice sounded husky. “You want to do it, right?” I kissed her again, longer this time, and deeper. I made the mistake of lifting my gaze to hers, and suddenly I felt weak. Because, in that one moment, I couldn’t see the little girl trying to pretend to be something she wasn’t. All I could see was the desire I had ignited in her.

Her nails raked the skin of my neck and scalp as she threaded her fingers through my hair. With a flick of her tongue, she lashed my lips. Then did it again, searing me with her mouth. Branding me. I let my hand drift down to brush along the skin of her hip. Each new contact with her stirred me all the more. In a rush, I scooped her up from beneath her thighs, and we banged into the wall. I brought my mouth to her neck, grazing her with my teeth, tasting her with my tongue. Her heat against my straining crotch made me even harder.

It was going to take all of my scarce self-restraint to resist her.

She’s somebody’s daughter. She’s somebody’s daughter. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. Although it freaking feels like she knows what she’s doing. She’s simply acting out. She’ll regret giving herself for the first time to a guy like me.

My entire being groaned.

She’s just another girl. Like all the rest. There’s nothing special about her, even if it feels a tad different this time. For me, it will be like every other time. I don’t need this. I don’t need her.

I pushed away, getting a glimpse of a killer body before turning from my temptation. But I could tell she was determined, and she wouldn’t leave unless I forced her to. Scared her. She was a novice. She would crumble. I could handle her. She was a kitten, and I was the king of the jungle. I was freaking Jericho Tyler.

Links:

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/Rock-Of-Salvation

Amazon:  https://mybook.to/RockOfSalvation

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rock-of-salvation-m-j-schiller/1138588067

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rock-of-salvation-3

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1548110155

Book One, ROCKED BY GRACE, is on sale for 99¢.

Book Two, ROCKED BY LOVE, is on sale for $1.99.

Book Three, ROCK IT TO THE MOON, is up sale for $2.50.

M.J. Schiller is a lunch lady/romance-romantic suspense writer. She enjoys writing novels whose characters include rock stars, desert princes, teachers, futuristic Knights, construction workers, cops, and a wide variety of others. In her mind everybody has a romance. She is the mother of a twenty-seven-year-old and three twenty-five-year-olds. That’s right, triplets! So having recently taught four children to drive, she likes to escape from life on occasion by pretending to be a rock star at karaoke. However…you won’t be seeing her name on any record labels soon.

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#SundaySnippet 1.23.2022

From the upcoming 3.1.2022 release of MIX & MATCH ( Heaven’s Matchmaker book1)

Van has just been on a pre-arranged date and he’s called Jasmine to tell her about it.

Unable to hold it back, she asked the question she really didn’t want an answer to. “Are you going to see her again?”

“Aye. Friday night. We’re going bowling.”

“Really?”

“Why do you say it like that?”

“Like what?”

“As if you can’t see me with a bowling ball in me hand. I’m a darn good bowler, I’ll have you know.”

“Just when you think you know a person,” she said, a twisted smirk blooming across her mouth.

He ignored the sarcasm, saying, “Kaitlyn plays in a league. A church one—”

“Surprise, surprise,” she muttered.

“And their next meet is this Friday.”

“What’s the name of her league, the Holy Rollers?”

She’d said it to make him laugh. But he just squinted at her.

“I’m kidding, Van. No shade, really.”

“I don’t know what that means, but you hit the nail on it with the name.”

“Wait. They really are called the Holy Rollers?”

His sigh was deep and long. “Aye.”

“Oh, my GOD!” The laughter peeling from her was uncontrollable. “I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to laugh, but…” She couldn’t finish because another ripple bubbled up from deep inside her belly.

Donovan peered at her through the phone and shook his head. The tiniest of grins tugged at the corner of his mouth then spread into a full, cheek-wide smile that had her happy she was on the bed and not standing because her legs had turned to mush.

“ ’Tis a bit much, isn’t it?”

“No. No, actually it’s perfect.” She swiped at her dripping eyes with the backs of her knuckles. “You’re going?”

“Aye.” He let out a breath and swiped a hand though the side of his head. “When I told her I’d played in university she was all agog and couldn’t wait to invite me. Seems no one she’s gone out with has shared her love of it. Apparently, her whole family are—”

“Holy Rollers?” She started giggling again.

If her father had been in the picture during her life, she imagined the look he’d have given her when she’d misbehaved would be identical to the one Donovan gave her right now. Brows knitted together, lips bent into an upside-down U, head tilted to one side and regarding her with a side-eye.

“Sorry. That one was too easy and I couldn’t resist.”

 “You’ve the humor of a ten-year-old.” He stopped, yawned, then covered his mouth. “Sorry, love. It’s been a long week and it’s tired I am.”

“Mr. Pot, meet Ms. Kettle, ‘cuz I hear ya. I’m all set to grab a shower and then crash. I’m on duty at six tomorrow and it’s another scheduled double for me.”

Intrigued? 3.1.2022

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