Spotlight #Author #Interview ~ Judith Sterling
Please make welcome a sister rose from The Wild Rose Press, Judith Sterling! I'm delighted to have her here today. We're talking about life, books, and what's she working on at the moment.
The Tavern is serving mead, apple cider, and Cornish pasties. Oh, and this lovely picture of Judith was taken in Cornwall.
Now, let's meet Judith...
MM: Welcome, Judith! So happy to have you join us in the Tavern! Describe a typical writing day. Are you a morning, afternoon, or night-owl writer?
JS: In a perfect world, I’d work all night, but with twin boys, I write during the day while they’re at school.
MM: Night writing seems to be a favorite among the creative world. Can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?
JS: At the moment, I’m writing the third book in The Novels of Ravenwood series: Shadow of the Swan. The second, Soul of the Wolf , will be released April 12, 2017. There will be five books in all.I’m also editing The Cauldron Stirred , the first in a four-book YA series, Guardians of Erin.
MM: Oh, my! You're a busy lady! So happy to hear there will be more books. What inspires you when you’re writing?
JS: Art, history, travel, the paranormal, and language itself. The rhythm of words is like music to me, which is probably why I studied linguistics! I’ve written stories since I was three years old, and I can’t imagine anything better than being an author.
MM: I totally agree with your statement about "the rhythm of words." Beautiful! What’s your favorite item on your writing desk?
JS: Pictures of my twelve-year-old boys.
MM: Perfect! Now, just for fun. Do you prefer...
Champagne or Beer? Champagne, but I’m not opposed to hot chocolate or a cup of tea!
Southern drawl or Scottish burr? Scottish burr. I lived in Scotland for a year and studied at the University of Aberdeen, so I LOVE all types of Scottish accents.
Kilt or Leather pants? Definitely the kilt! For our wedding, my husband actually wore a dress kilt, complete with sporran, ghillie brogues, and dagger.
Print book or e-reader? There’s nothing like the feel of a real, flesh-and-blood (okay, paper and ink) book in your hands!
Thanks, Judith! Wishing you all the best!
Blurb from FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN ~
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.
Excerpt ~
His grin was sensual by nature and mischievous by design. “Have you no enthusiasm for the coming festivities?”
She stifled a grimace. “Festivities,” she said. “Is that what you call them? If you want a festive night, you’d do better to invite jugglers and mummers to prance about the chamber.”
His black eyes smoldered. “No, my bride. You and I will devise our own entertainment.”
The power of speech deserted her. Yet she kept her composure during the toasts and as the people cheered the bride and groom for the last time. Then William rose to his feet.
The dreaded moment had come. In a daze, she stood. Her eyes sought Meg, but the older woman was deep in conversation with Wulfstan and didn’t notice.
William guided Emma away from the table and out of the boisterous, oblivious hall. Once they were beyond observation, she pulled her hand from his arm and used her veil as an excuse to occupy her hands elsewhere.
She climbed the spiral, stone stairs as slowly as she dared, delaying the moment when the bedchamber door would close behind them. The stairwell torches were ablaze with flames that eagerly licked the shafts of wood. Behind her, William’s footsteps were as loud as thunder.
At the top of the stairs, the large, oak door stood wide open. There was no one inside the bedchamber, not a single soul to grant her one last pardon. Tilda had turned down the bed, and it loomed in the shadows, waiting.
On shaky legs, Emma crossed the rush-strewn floor and stood in front of the massive, arched fireplace. She studied the inferno roaring inside, refusing to look at William. Behind her, the door closed with a thud, and the bolt slid to with a scrape of finality. She heard and felt each crunching step as he came up behind her.
“My lady,” he murmured. “My wife.”
She couldn’t face him. “Aye,” her voice cracked. The fire looked wild, hungry.
“Would you like some wine?” he asked.
His breath warmed the side of her neck. A second later, his lips sealed the tender flesh with a kiss.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon https://amzn.com/B01JVH2GFO Barnes and Noble http://buff.ly/2eWWIx3
The Wild Rose Press http://buff.ly/2eRuYXX
Facebook http://buff.ly/2eWZMtf Author website www.judithmarshallauthor.com
More about the author ~
Judith Sterling is a pseudonym for Judith Marshall, whose 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.
