Blurb:
PhD student Ardyth Nightshade has renounced men and
pursues her twentieth-century career with single-minded focus. When fate whisks
her to medieval England, she meets her match in a man whose passions mirror her
own. Can she sacrifice ambition for a love she never sought?
Hugh, Lord Seacrest confounds all who know him. He
refuses to marry without a meeting of minds and hearts, and no lady has even
approached his ideal…until Ardyth. But she's an odd one, with unique skills,
shocking habits, and total conviction she needs no man. She also harbors
secrets, and in the midst of rumors, plots, and murder, trust is fragile.
A woman outside of her time. A man ahead of his.
They must take a leap of faith to forge a bond that will shape history.
Excerpt:
Ardyth
looked from one tunnel entrance to the next, and then the next. The ledge in front of them was
substantial. It ran along the rock wall
to the right, all the way to the mouth of the cave, winding around it to
continue along the outer cliff.
Again,
she pointed. “Where does that lead?”
“Shouldn’t
you be doffing your clothes?”
Her
eyes narrowed. “In other words, you
don’t intend to answer my question.”
He
grinned. “Clever, aren’t you?”
She
returned his smile. “I like to think
so.”
“If
you’re stalling because you cannot swim—”
“Oh,
I can swim.” She could hardly wait to
feel the cool water on her skin.
He
folded his arms, and his intense, gray eyes held a dare. “Then show me.”
“Hold
this.” She handed him the folded
smock. Get ready to eat crow, buddy!
Quickly, she removed her boots, hose, and tunics. When only her thin, white chemise remained,
she stole a peek at her skeptical host.
He stared at her bare feet.
She
sighed. “I know. My feet are hardly attractive. In fact, I’ve always thought my toes
resemble…”
He
raised his eyebrows. “What?”
Astronauts.
But I can’t tell you that.
“Nothing.”
His
eyebrows settled again, but the orbs beneath them seemed to glow with a new
light. “I beg to differ with your
opinion. Your feet are quite…lovely.”
She
almost laughed, until heat flooded her cheeks.
I’m blushing? “Thank you,” she muttered. With an inward groan, she started toward the
water. For crying out loud! He only
complimented your feet. Your pale,
crazy, NASA-evoking feet. Get a grip!
The
ocean breeze caught the hem of her smock as she stepped into the surf. Foamy water—colder than she would’ve
liked—enveloped her feet. Thank God for the heat of the sun! But this was the closest she’d come to a bath
in days, and she was determined to prove her skills to the man who
underestimated her at every turn. She
waded forward, and the brisk, undulating water swallowed her calves, knees,
thighs, and hips.
“Lady
Ardyth!”
She
turned. Her dry smock in his hands, Hugh
stood with feet well apart on the wet sand.
“You
needn’t prove your courage further!” he called above the lapping, swishing
voice of the sea. “Come back before—”
“Courage
isn’t the point! Swimming is!” The level of the surrounding water lowered to
her thighs, signaling a coming wave.
She
turned just as it crested and dove headfirst into it. Completely submerged in the chill, rushing
water, she headed left and allowed herself to rise to the surface. She swam freestyle for several strokes, then
flipped onto her back and floated with abandon.
After a minute or two, she flipped over, and swam in the opposite direction. Then she stood with the water at her ribs,
waited for the next wave, and indulged in bodysurfing, which carried her with a
whoosh back toward shore.
Satisfied,
she straightened, knee-deep in the water.
Her wet chemise clung to her frame, and she knew Lord Seacrest was
getting a lordly eyeful. Her nipples
were rock-hard from the cold.
She
rolled her eyes toward the bright, blue sky.
My kingdom for a bra! And throw in a pair of underwear, too! But both articles of clothing were back at
Nihtscua and not likely to appear anytime soon.
For the first time since plunging into the surf, she regarded Hugh.
Eyes
wide, her dry smock clutched in his hands, he stood as if frozen. Only his gaze moved, traveling from her
breasts to the apex of her thighs.
She
pulled the smock away from her flesh as best she could and advanced toward him,
stopping an arm’s length away. “I told
you I could swim.”
He
blinked. Then his full, sensual lips
curled into a smile. “Indeed, you did.”
“And?”
“And
what?”
“You’ve
doubted me twice already. Perhaps you
owe me an apology.”
His
eyes widened, then relaxed. “Perhaps I
do. Pray…forgive me.”
The
words couldn’t have come easily, and the fact he’d said them made her
grin. “I forgive you. This time.
But I ask respectfully that you not underestimate me again.”
For
two seconds, he hesitated. “ʼTis a
reasonable request, and I shall endeavor to honor it.” He gave her a quizzical look. Then he shook his head and chuckled. “Is there anything you cannot do?”
She
thought for a moment. “I’ve never ridden
aside. If I’m going to ride something, I
spread my legs.” The instant the words
left her mouth, she cringed inside. Good God.
That came out all wrong!
Humor
curved his lips, but his eyes smoldered.
Did his thoughts mirror hers? He
took a step closer, and his masculine aura invaded her personal space. “Tell me more.”
Buy Links
Author Bio
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
The Wild Rose Press – https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/judith-sterling
The Captivating
Quill – https://www.thecaptivatingquill.com/Author/Judith-Sterling
A little extra…
The hero and heroine’s mutual love of history reflects
my husband’s and mine. You might say
history brought us together because right around the same time, each of us
decided independently to move from different parts of the country to Virginia,
specifically to seek work at Colonial Williamsburg. Nowadays, we work (respectively) at The House
of the Seven Gables and The Witch House in Salem, MA. There’s a lot of
both of us in Night of the Owl. That’s why the release date (Oct.
21, 2019) is perfect; it’s our 19th wedding anniversary. As if that isn't
enough, I wore my hair almost exactly like the cover model's on the big
day. Neither my publisher nor the cover artist knew about either
coincidence. Pretty cool, right?!
That is incredibly cool! Leave any comments or questions below while I look up the other Ravenwood books. I think I may have a new obsession.
Thanks so much for having me here today! :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jennifer!
DeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristal!
DeleteSounds so interesting and I love the tie in with your persoal life. Best of luck D. V.🦉
ReplyDeleteAww...thanks so much for your kind words. :)
DeleteAnother wonderful book Judith. Congrats and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks a million, Tena!
DeleteBest of luck with Night of the Owl!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen!
DeleteI love this excerpt! Continued good luck with this terrific book, Judith:)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Barb! :)
DeleteAnother wonderful story, Judith! All the best! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mary! :)
DeleteLoved the excerpt. Best of luck with sales and promotion.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad. Thank you!
DeleteGreat excerpt! Best of luck with your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Christine!
Delete