Judith Sterling has written the fifth and final book in the Ravenwood series. I've asked her a few questions.
1 – When did you first get the urge to write?
I started writing when I was three, and by fifth grade, I was writing chapter stories.
2 – What happened to your first ever manuscript?
It was a romantic suspense novel, still saved in my documents. I queried countless agents and publishers with it. One agent offered to represent me, but I told him no. That “no” has haunted me ever since because afterward, it took me 20 years more to find a publisher.
3 – What do your family and friends think of your passion for writing?
It’s always been a part of me, so they accept it completely.
4 – Have you ever used someone you know as a character in a book?
I’ve used elements of people I know, including myself, but each character has his/her own identity.
5 – Tell us about this book.
Margaret, Lady Ravenwood, is trapped in a loveless marriage and firmly entrenched in the medieval world. Along comes Griffin Nightshade, a historian from the future whose soul resonates with hers. He persuades her to return with him to the 1950s, but heeding her heart means courting danger from a curse that could spell her doom.
Haunted by his parents' sudden deaths, Griffin knows all too well the pain born of love lost. He guards his emotions, but Margaret delves deep and goes straight to the soul. She's hard to resist…and harder to set free.
The heart's desire and history's demands don't always agree.
Yet true love is eternal.
6 – Give us an example of a favorite scene.
They moved to the long gallery, and Griffin settled on one of two plush chairs near the fire.
Margaret sank onto the other chair and glanced at the dormant piano. “Won’t you play?”
“No. Tonight, we’re going to talk.”
Her gaze darted to the mullioned windows, as though she might escape through them. A second later, it returned to him. “About what?”
“You know what. The vision.”
“Griff, I’m not—”
“I cannot stand it any longer. You’ve been a changed person ever since you saw…whatever the hell you saw. Unburden yourself and tell me about it.”
She looked to the crackling blaze, then back at him. “I saw two moments in time. The first…” She fell silent.
Jeez! What is it? “Go on.”
“You and I were standing right there.” She motioned toward the center of the oriental rug before the fireplace. “Garbed in the same clothes we’ve worn all day.”
His gaze roamed over her. She looked positively fetching in her gray slacks and violet sweater. “So you think you saw tonight? And we were standing.” He flashed a wry grin. “Gripping drama indeed.”
She gave him a pointed look. “Not just standing. We were kissing.”
His stomach lurched. Kissing?
“Say something, Griff.” Her gaze held his.
“I don’t know what to say.” Or do. Jesus!
She laced her fingers together in her lap and looked down at them. “I see. The very idea appalls you.”
His throat tightened, but he owed her an honest response. “No.”
She looked up again, her violet eyes alight. “Then it appeals to you.”
He raised his hands. “I didn’t say that.”
“Well, what are you saying?” she huffed. “Either you want to or you don’t.”
“ʼTis more complicated than that.”
“Hogwash.” Her mesmeric eyes held passion barely restrained.
God help him, he wanted to kiss her. Her lips, her soul called to his with a force that was both primal and noble.
He shook his head. “You are the most vexing woman I’ve ever met.”
“Am I?” She cocked her head to the side. “Well, at least I’ve made an impression. And apparently, you found no fault with my body last night.”
He hardened at the memory of her wet, shapely body. “Quite the opposite.”
“But you’ve never kissed me. Perhaps that is where my charms fail.”
“A flawed theory if ever I heard one.”
“Is it?” She stood and moved to the center of the carpet. Her eyes held a dare. “Then let’s test it.”
Sure. Let’s strike a flint and see just how badly we get
burned.
“Griff…if nothing else, we must fulfill the moment Woden’s Pond revealed to me. I know in my heart that future is now.”
Breath held, he hesitated. Oh, to hell with it! He jumped from the chair and closed the distance between them. The heat of the fire—and in her gaze—goaded him to action. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close, then lowered his mouth to hers.
7 – Is this book part of a series?
Yes. It’s the fifth and final installment of The Novels of Ravenwood. However, it can stand alone.
8 – Where can we buy your book?
Amazon https://amzn.com/B08RYD2GW8
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8
Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8
Barnes
& Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/return-of-the-raven-judith-sterling/1138556276
Apple https://books.apple.com/us/book/return-of-the-raven/id1547199256
9 – Tell us a little about yourself.
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.
10 – How can your fans contact and follow you?
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/authors/judith-sterling
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Sandra!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to have you here. It was also a pleasure to read Return of the Raven.
DeleteI understand being haunted by saying no to someone. I always wonder about what would have happened if I did things differently. But I'm glad you're part of the garden, even if it took a long time to get here. :)
ReplyDeleteAww...thank you, Jennifer. I suppose if we'd done things differently, both of us might be somewhere else right now. No matter what, I'm glad to know you. :)
DeleteEnjoyed the interview AND excerpt, Judith. Wishing you continued success with 'Return of the Raven'. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks a million, Mary! I'm so glad you joined us today. :)
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ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Judith and Sandra. Love the cover of your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Darlene! Debbie Taylor did the cover. :)
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