It’s another First Kiss Friday and my guest today is Judith Sterling who has an excerpt from Shadow of the Swan. It’s always a pleasure to have Judith and her marvelous characters on my blog. We hope you enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading!

Excerpt :

Robert wanted to sweep Constance up in his arms and carry her to the bed, but caution was key.  “Are you sure about this?”

Her plump lower lip trembled.  “I-I’m a little scared.”

“Don’t be.  You can stop me at any time, and I’ll keep you apprised of my every move.”

She nodded.  “All right.  I trust you.”

Never had a woman tugged so at his heart.  Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead.  “Just a kiss,” he said against her skin.  “The same as any other night, but this time, we’ll add more.”  He kissed her right cheek, then her left.  “And now your mouth.”

Her lips were soft as rose petals.  He brushed them with his so lightly she’d feel only a whisper of flesh.  “I’m going to pull you closer, and I want you to open your mouth.”

“Why?”

“I would taste you.”

Her bare back was smooth and cool beneath his palms.  She opened her mouth, and he slipped his tongue inside.

Spiced wine.  Sweet breath.  A timid tongue, which grew bolder by the second as his tongue schooled it.

The give and take of their kiss was everything he’d imagined.  For his mind had conjured this moment hundreds of times before.

He withdrew his tongue, and she murmured in protest.  He chuckled.  “Hold on, my sweet.  I would kiss more of you.”

Shadow of the Swan by Judith Sterling

Blurb:

Lady Constance de Bret was determined to be a nun, until shadows from the past eclipsed her present.  Marriage is the safest option, but she insists on a spiritual union, in which physical intimacy is forbidden.  Not so easy with a bridegroom who wields unparalleled charm!  But a long-buried secret could taint his affection and cloak her in shadow forever.

Back from the Crusades, Sir Robert le Donjon craves a home of his own and children to inherit it.  From the moment he meets Constance, he feels a mysterious bond between them.  When she’s threatened, he vows to protect her and agrees to the spiritual marriage, with the hope of one day persuading her to enjoy a “real” one.  She captivates him but opens old wounds and challenges everything he thought he believed.

Two souls in need of healing.  Two hearts destined to beat as one.

Buy Links:

Amazon https://amzn.com/B078JYQDTX

Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-of-the-swan-judith-sterling/1127751024?ean=2940158925597

The Wild Rose Press https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5561-shadow-of-the-swan.html

iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shadow-of-the-swan/id1332023091

Amazon Audio https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Swan-Novels-Ravenwood-Book/dp/B07CMKMMWN

Audible https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Shadow-of-the-Swan-Audiobook/B07CMDCL7D

Author Bio:

Judith Sterling’s love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Flight of the Raven, Soul of the Wolf, and Shadow of the Swan 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