Tag Archives: Time Travel

Medieval Monday ~ and the winner is…

31 Monday Dec 2018

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Thanks to everyone who participated in our Medieval Monday hop! I sincerely appreciate everyone who left me comments. I’ve combined all the names and a random comment was generated as the winner of an eCopy of To Follow My Heart. And the winner is: Sherry Otis!

Congratulations Sherry! Please email me at Sherry@sherryewing.com so I can get your information in order to send you an eCopy of To Follow My Heart.

Be sure to follow my blog or on social media so you can keep up to date with Medieval Monday, First Kiss Friday, or when I have a new release. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s support and wish you a prosperous New Year!

Happy Holidays from the Bluestocking Belles & a giveaway!

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

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Happy holidays, my lovelies! I would like to extend the very best to you and your families for this holiday season from the Bluestocking Belles. Welcome to our blog hop in celebration of our holiday box set, Follow Your Star Home. My gift to you is a short story of what happened to the ring after Thomas returned it to his father.

If you’ve read my novella in the set, One Last Kiss, you’ll certainly remember Jade Calloway’s friend, Zoe.

Zoe & the ring

Zoe’s breath hitched. She must be dreaming. How else could she possibly be walking through an ancient hall in a medieval castle? She moved forward, or more like floated, so she knew she must have been sleeping.

She watched the scene play out before her as though she watched it on a flickering movie screen. She smiled when she saw her friend Jade conversing with a knight at the raised dais. The name Thomas skimmed across her mind and Zoe knew her friend had found her soul mate whether Jade knew it yet or not. But how was any of this possible?

A feeling of being watched washed over her and she suddenly turned as though a force beyond her control made her do so. Startled, she came face to face with a handsome stranger. A knight of olden days to make any fair maiden lose her heart in the instant their glances met. Tall with black hair that fell below his broad shoulders, the knight continued to watch her with sparkling blue eyes as though he knew some secret she was not privy to.

“Mademoiselle,” the knight murmured before taking her hand and raising it to his lips. His eyes searched hers until they assessed her clothing… her very modern day clothing.

Zoe suddenly felt out of place. “Sir…” she allowed her unfinished words to linger in the air between them.

“Morgan… at your service,” he replied. He looked around the room before he took her arm and placed it in the crook of his arm.  A jolt of heat raced up her hand at the contact. “You appear lost. Mayhap you are one of the new ladies come here to attend the Lady Amiria?”

Zoe’s eyes widened. “Lady Amiria? As in the lady of Berwyck Castle?”

“Is there any other who could measure up to such a name?” he chuckled. “Let me escort you to her. She will be able to ensure you are properly attired. You must have traveled a long way in order to be here.”

“Sir Morgan, I need you to take me to Kenna. Is she here?” she asked quietly. Kenna would be able to explain everything… after all… the woman was her great-grandmother, several generations removed that is.

“She must still be outside. We had several men who were injured in the lists this day. Come, I can take you to her hut,” Morgan said, as he began ushering Zoe from the hall.

He grabbed at a cloak thrust into his hand by a servant and placed it upon her shoulders. She shivered when he closed the clasp at her neck. “Thank you,” she murmured, suddenly feeling shy in the presence of this very handsome knight.

“You are most welcome, Lady…” he gave her this lopsided grin that completely transformed his rugged face making him appear several years younger.

Zoe laughed realizing she had not given her name. “Zoe. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Morgan,” she answered him as she thrust her hand forward for him to take.

He looked at her offering oddly before taking her hand in his calloused one. Warm heat seared straight to her heart and Zoe watched his eyes widen at their contact. He raised her hand once more towards his lips but instead kissed the inside of her wrist. Her toes curled and she swore such a sensation had never before consumed her of this magnitude.

“The pleasure is mine, dear lady. Perchance once you have concluded your business with our healer, you would allow me to accompany you to the table to break your fast.”

Zoe smiled. “I would love to, kind sir,” she said. I could get used to this kind of treatment.

He opened the door of the hall and Zoe walked outside only to stare in wonder at what she saw: snow falling upon a full-blown medieval castle in all its glory. She should have been watching where she was going but she was so preoccupied with the view and her companion that she completely missed the steps in front of her. She began to tumble forward while a scream tore from her lips.

Arms of steel wrapped around her to break her fall and her arms automatically went around his neck as though holding onto Morgan was the only thing that kept reality and her dream from colliding. His lips parted and she watched when his head began to bend forward to steal a kiss. She had never wanted anything more in her entire life.

“Zoe!”

Their lips were but a breath away. Quickly they broke apart but Zoe still clung to Morgan’s arm, afraid that if she were to let go she would lose him to Time.

“Zoe… you must needs go home!” Kenna’s voice rang out in the inner bailey.

Morgan pulled her close, even while Zoe knew she was beginning to return to her own place in time. “Stay with me…” he murmured against her ear. “I just found you and cannot let you leave me so easily.”

Zoe reached up to cup his cheek, rubbing her thumb against his five o’clock shadow. “I would stay if I could,” she whispered. “Remember me…”

“Always.” He took her hand and once more placed a gentle kiss into her palm. “Come back to me, Zoe,” he said before leaning forward to kiss her.

It was everything she would ever want in a first kiss and as she tightened her arms around this handsome knight she gave herself into the moment… that was until her eyes snapped open and she found herself staring up at the ceiling in her apartment. A sob tore from her throat while she flung off the covers to sit at the edge of her bed.

“Why!” she yelled out in frustration only to see a vague vision of Kenna standing before her. “Why? Why would you show me him and then not let me stay?”

“Dearest granddaughter… I showed you nothing other than what you desire but you are not finished with your work in this time and until you are, you must stay here.”

“But what about Morgan?” she asked while tears ran down her face.

“You will know when it is the right time and place for you to find each other again. He will be waiting for you to come home…”

Zoe reached out for the woman who had been a constant in her life yet lived century’s ago. Before her grandmother faded from view, a soft golden glow began shimmering in her hand. She blew a kiss and a twinkling trail like starlight went towards Zoe’s bedside table. Zoe stared in wonder when a golden ring took shape. She reached over to clasp the ring to her chest and smiled knowing she would one day see Morgan again.

***

And in another place in time, Morgan awoke to still feel the lips of Zoe upon his own. He reached up to feel them still tingling from the contact. He began to dress to seek out Berwyck’s healer knowing Kenna would have the answers he stood in need of. He needed to find Zoe no matter the cost. Even Time itself would not keep them apart!

The Holiday Blog Hop Giveaway!

Did you enjoy Zoe & Morgan’s dream together? I sure have an idea for a full story for them after I take care of a few other characters who are vying for my attention. Be sure to leave me a comment here and to follow the Viking star ring to each of the Belles’ websites to be in the running for our giveaway. You can learn more about it here at the Belles’ website along with the sale we’re running until December 15th: https://bluestockingbelles.net/follow-your-star-blog-hop/. The more you comment on each site, the better your chances to win!

Follow Your Star Home

Divided sweethearts seek love and forgiveness in this collection of seasonal novellas.

Forged for lovers, the Viking star ring is said to bring lovers together, no matter how far, no matter how hard.

In eight stories covering more than a thousand years, our heroes and heroines put this legend to the test. Watch the star work its magic as prodigals return home in the season of goodwill, uncertain of their welcome.

Amazon US  |  iBooks |  Kobo |  Nook | Smashwords

Amazon AU | Amazon BR  | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon ES | Amazon FR | Amazon IN | Amazon IT | Amazon JP | Amazon MX | Amazon NL | Amazon UK

First Kiss Friday with Sherry Ewing

09 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in 2018, First Kiss Friday

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Today on First Kiss Friday, I’d like to give you an excerpt from my medieval/time travel, One Last Kiss: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novella which is my contribution to Follow Your Star Home: A Bluestocking Belles Collection. When I had the opportunity to write a time travel for this year’s Belles anthology, I jumped at the chance because… you know… I love a good time travel, don’t you? Enjoy this first kiss scene with Jade, a modern day woman, and Thomas, one of my Knights of Berwyck. Happy reading!

Excerpt:

Jade was unsure what madness had overcome her to be kissing a man she barely knew, but, in many ways, she felt as though Thomas had always been a part of her. Crazy as it may seem to even have such thoughts, she gave in to the invisible energy surrounding and pulling them together.

The moment their lips touched, everything changed. Where before she felt as though she were being forced into something she didn’t want, now, it was as if this was where she was always meant to be. With Thomas… in his arms… kissing him with all the love she could muster up for another human being.

Their kiss ended just as quickly as it had started. Their breaths ragged, they could only stare into each other eyes. Thomas reached down to caress her cheek, and a sense of wonderment filled her, knowing she had truly crossed time. He gave her a half smile as though he had heard her thoughts before he leaned down to taste what she now freely offered. It was as though they were now in control of their destiny.

Thomas deepened their kiss, and she heard his moan of pleasure even as she held back one of her own. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been kissed before, but there was a reason she had remained single for so long and not married right out of high school like so many had done. No man had ever stepped into her life that seemed to be the other half of herself or just the piece of her that had been missing. She had sworn to herself she would never settle, but with Thomas, she had an instant connection she knew she would never find again in any other man. In an instant, the universe tilted as though they became as one, almost as though Zoe’s words pulled them together from across the centuries.

As though she watched the scene in a movie theater, his arm wrapped around her waist, and he held her even tighter, bending her over. He made her swoon as no other man had ever done before. Her hand reached up and took ahold of his hair. Gosh, she never wanted to let him go. Emptiness surrounded her when he abruptly tore his lips from hers and pushed away from her. The cooler air of the room coming into contact with her flushed skin caused her to shiver.

He muttered something, possibly in Gaelic, giving Jade the impression he was of Scottish descent. But whatever his words meant, Jade couldn’t understand any of them. He began to pace the room, much like she had done but moments before. She went to him and gently laid her hand upon his arm.

“What’s the matter?” she asked, almost afraid to hear his answer.

He stared at her hand for several minutes until his words exploded from his lips. “St. Michael’s wings! Where did you come by this?” he growled out before taking her hand and inspecting the ring she couldn’t seem to get off her finger. He began to pull at the shiny gold band, but it wouldn’t budge for him any more than it had moved for her.

Roughly, she tore her hand from his. “Stop that. You’re hurting me,” she shouted.

“I did not mean to cause you harm, but how came you by this ring?” he questioned again, his frown deepening.

Gazing down at the object of his concern, she held the ring close to her chest, hugging her hand as though it was wounded. If anything, the jewelry was her one way to return home, or so she guessed. She could not let him have it. Not at any cost, no matter the thoughts that had just gone through her head about the two of them belonging together.

His angry stance told her much, causing her thoughts to jumble around inside her head. She almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of her whole situation if it were to be believed. Time travel? Please… Yet how could she possibly wrap her head around the fact she appeared to be in some bedchamber in a medieval castle, let alone come to care for a complete stranger with just one kiss?

Follow Your Star Home:
A Bluestocking Belles Collection

Divided sweethearts seek love and forgiveness in this collection of seasonal novellas.

Forged for lovers, the Viking star ring is said to bring lovers together, no matter how far, no matter how hard.

In eight stories covering more than a thousand years, our heroes and heroines put this legend to the test. Watch the star work its magic as prodigals return home in the season of goodwill, uncertain of their welcome.

Blurb for One Last Kiss:

Sometimes it takes a miracle to find your heart’s desire…

Banished from his homeland, Thomas of Clan Kincaid lives among distant relatives, reluctantly accepting he may never return home… Until an encounter with the castle’s healer tells him of a woman travelling across time—for him.

Dare he believe the impossible?

Jade Calloway is used to being alone, and as Christmas approaches, she’s skeptical when told she’ll embark on an extraordinary journey. How could a trip to San Francisco be anything but ordinary? But when a ring magically appears, and she sees a ghostly man in her dreams…

Dare she believe in the possible?

Thrust back in time, Jade encounters Thomas—her fantasy ghost. Talk about extraordinary. But as time works against them, they must learn to trust in miracles.

Can they accept impossible love before time interferes?

Follow Your Star Home is available now. 25% of the proceeds benefit the Belles’ mutual charity the Malala Fund.

Buy Links:

Amazon US  |  iBooks |  Kobo |  Nook | Smashwords | Amazon AU | Amazon BR |  Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon ES | Amazon FR | Amazon IN | Amazon IT | Amazon JP | Amazon MX | Amazon NL | Amazon UK

An author’s interview with her characters

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in 2018, New Releases

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Today I’d like to take a few moments to sit down with two very special people in my life, Thomas of Clan Kincaid and Jade Calloway from One Last Kiss in the Bluestocking Belles box set Follow Your Star Home. I’ve pulled them forward to the present to have a bit of a chat with your morning coffee. Since Time is fickle, we best right to it…

Sherry: You seem a little out of sorts, Thomas. What seems to be troubling you?

Thomas: You bring me to this futuristic world of yours, and you must needs ask why I appear cross? You of all people should know I do not care for this crossing Time business.

Jade: Don’t let his growl get to you, Ms. Ewing. Thomas just wants to return home, don’t you dear?

Thomas: Aye.

Sherry: I appreciate you indulging me and my whim, but my readers wanted to learn a little more about you.

Thomas: Readers? What nonsense are you spouting, my lady?”

Jade: She’s our author, my love. She created us.

Thomas: My father and mother would have to gain say you on that account.

Sherry: Tell us about the ring that brought Jade to you from across Time.

Thomas: I do not wish to discuss it. ’Tis been a source of contention for most of my life.

Sherry: But it’s the reason Jade is with you today.

Jade: It really was a miracle. I still can’t believe I now live in the 12th century.

Thomas: The ring may have brought my lady into the past but the love we share is what keeps us together. Time would not be so cruel as to take her from me.

Sherry: You seem to have adjusted well, Jade. Any regrets?

Jade: Considering the final result was to fall in love with his handsome knight, how could I possibly have any regrets? There really isn’t anything that I’ll miss in modern day, San Francisco other than maybe baseball. Tell me, did the Giant’s make it to the World Series this year?

Sherry: I’m afraid not.

Jade: Oh, that’s too bad.

Thomas: Base… ball?

Jade: I’ll tell you about it later.

Sherry: What about you, Thomas? Any regrets of not having a woman to love from your own place in time?

Thomas: If, as you say, you are the means by which I now have Jade in my life, then nay, I have no regrets. I would cross Time itself, if need be, to find her again. My lady means all to me, and I am forever thankful to have her to share my life.

And with his vow, I watched Thomas lean forward to kiss Jade before they faded from view to return to their own place in time. I believe I can honestly say that I’ve given them their happily ever after, don’t you?

If you’d like to read more about their story in One Last Kiss, be sure to pick up Follow Your Star Home and see for yourself how a ring forged from Viking ancestors brings couples together throughout time.

 

Follow Your Star Home
A Bluestocking Belles Collection
Release Date: November 4, 2018

Join our Facebook Release party on Sunday,
November 4th from 2:00 – 9:00 EDT here.

Divided sweethearts seek love and forgiveness in this collection of seasonal novellas.

Forged for lovers, the Viking star ring is said to bring lovers together, no matter how far, no matter how hard.

In eight stories covering more than a thousand years, our heroes and heroines put this legend to the test. Watch the star work its magic as prodigals return home in the season of goodwill, uncertain of their welcome.

25% of proceeds benefit our mutual charity the Malala Fund

One Last Kiss: The Knights of Berwyck,
A Quest Through Time novella

Sometimes it takes a miracle to find your heart’s desire…

Scotland, 1182: Banished from his homeland, Thomas of Clan Kincaid lives among distant relatives, reluctantly accepting he may never return home… until the castle’s healer tells him of a woman traveling across time…

Dare he believe the impossible?

Present Day, Michigan: Jade Calloway is used to being alone, and as Christmas approaches, she’s skeptical when told she’ll embark on an extraordinary journey. But when a ring magically appears, and she sees a ghostly man in her dreams…

Dare she believe in the possible?

Buy Links for Follow Your Star Home:

Amazon US  |  iBooks |  Kobo |  Nook | Smashwords | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Medieval Monday with yours truly, Sherry Ewing

30 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by in 2018, Medieval Monday

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Welcome to our last Medieval Monday for this round. This theme was Author’s Choice. If you’ve been following along for the past 13 weeks, were you able to guess at my theme? Be sure to leave me a comment to be in the running for this themes giveaway. Here’s the last snippet for Only For You: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Book 2).

Excerpt from Only For You:

 Katherine felt slightly miffed that he would be ordering her on what she could or could not do, but if it got her out of this room before she threw up, she was all for it. She tugged on his sleeve to get his attention, and he leaned down so she could whisper in his ear. “I don’t trust her, Riorden.”

She felt his lips as he kissed her forehead. “She is naught but a woman, my dear, and no longer has any hold on my heart. Rest assured.”

“I will not rest assured anything, darling, until you send her on her merry way,” Katherine huffed. “Be careful.”

“There is nothing for you to worry your pretty head about, my sweet.”

“Ha! You obviously haven’t heard about the fury of a woman scorned,” she replied sourly. She took one last glance at Riorden before she reluctantly left the hall without him. A feeling of unease overcame her. She had the notion the green eyed monster of jealousy would be rearing its ugly head to taunt her far sooner than she would have expected!

Blurb ~ Only For You:

Sometimes it’s hard to remember that true love conquers all only after the battle is over…

Katherine de Deveraux has it all or so she believes when she begins her life with her husband Riorden. But as she starts to settle into her duties as the Countess of Warkworth Castle, she finds that an easy life is not only difficult but downright dangerous to her well-being.

Consumed with the haunting memories of his father, Riorden must deal with his sire’s widow who just happens to also be his ex-lover. Yet how could he know just how far Marguerite is willing to go in order to have the life she feels they were truly meant to live?

Torn apart by circumstances neither Katherine nor Riorden could ever imagine, Time becomes their true enemy even while Marguerite continues her ploy to keep Riorden at her side. With all hope lost, will Katherine and Riorden find a way to save their marriage and have their happily ever after ending, or will Katherine be whisked back to where Time truly feels she belongs?

 Buy Links ~ Read for #FREE in Kindle Unlimited:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MLVECd

AU: http://bit.ly/1EQxFBo

CA: http://amzn.to/1BUjhZj

UK: http://amzn.to/1CBMCHX

First Kiss Friday with For All of Ever

06 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in 2018, First Kiss Friday

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On today’s First Kiss Friday, I’d like to give you an excerpt from my medieval time travel, For All of Ever (which is also in the box set Hearts Across Time). In this scene, Riorden has just “rescued” Katherine after she was skinny dipping with her friends in a pond. Happy reading and enjoy their first kiss.

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Excerpt:

The smile she gave him disarmed him to his very core. Afore common sense could prevail, he grabbed her about her waist and brought them chest to chest. She gasped as they made contact, skin to skin. She lovingly wound her arms around his neck. He swore she gave him the most seductive purr he had ever heard in his entire life. ’Twas most pleasing to his ears.

“Do you feel it, Riorden?” she asked huskily.

He gave a brief laugh, since he certainly felt all kinds of sensations, especially a part of him rising to the occasion. “What?” he asked. He easily held her with one arm whilst his free hand moved a stray lock of wet hair from her face.

“Your heartbeat next to mine,” Katherine whispered, ever so softly.

He was momentarily startled at her words until the reality of them hit him full force. They were actually his own words spoken from his heart when they were both nothing more than shadows of what might have been. It humbled him whilst he did indeed feel her steady heartbeat next to his own. They were no longer ghosts, but flesh and blood. She had crossed time for him, and he vowed he would keep her forever by his side.

“Aye, my dearest Katherine, I feel it, too,” he replied profoundly, and watched in fascination whilst the pulse at her throat ticked rapidly. He was pleased to know he had such an effect on her, since the same held true of him. He felt her clasp her arms around his neck more fully as she molded her body to his own. It was almost his undoing.

“Isn’t it wonderful when dreams come true,” she added whilst she began to trace the planes of his face.

Riorden trembled beneath her gentle touch. “Aye, my lady, ’tis indeed most wondrous.”

“Will you do me a favor?” Katherine asked timidly.

“Aye, my lady, anything you wish. I am yours to command.”

“Anything?”

“Aye.” He did not trust himself with an attempt at a longer response whilst she looked at him with those scorching aquamarine eyes.

“Then kiss me,” she begged. Her words lingered in the air between them. “Please…”

His resolve to remain a gentleman vanished abruptly with her plea. His head swooped down and his mouth took possession of hers in a ravenous kiss. ’Twas as if he was starving, and only she could satisfy his hunger. His tongue plunged into her mouth and danced in tune with hers. He moaned at the contact. She moaned in response. His hands roamed down her backside and brought her closer, if that was at all humanly possible. He felt every glorious inch of her and knew in his heart he had found his soul mate. She was the other half of him, making him complete. She was what he had always been missing in his life. She was perfect for him, and she was his.

He deepened their kiss and felt as if time no longer had meaning to them. Time. He vowed Time would not steal her back and take her from his life. He broke their kiss. She took his lower lip and gave it a small nibble. Merde! Where did she learn to be such a seductress?

He reluctantly began to lower her back down the length of him, never taking his eyes from hers. He could tell by the look she gave him, she was disappointed. Wondering what she would do next, he had to remember to inhale when she surprised him by reaching out her hands to place them on his chest. He gave a sharp intake of breath as air rushed into his lungs whilst her fingers began to slowly explore his muscles, moving ever downward on his stomach.

“My God. You must be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen,” she murmured in awe, biting her lower lip.

’Twas taking everything within him not to smother that delicious mouth of hers in another searing kiss. “A man cannot be called beautiful, my lady,” Riorden managed to choke out.

Katherine stopped her fingertips and laid her palms fully upon him. He sucked in his breath yet again, when she leveled her exquisite bluish-green eyes on him. “Oh, but you are…” Her words trailed off and hovered between them. She gave a tiny smile that could only be termed intimate before she continued touching him.

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For All of Ever: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time series Book One

Sometimes to find your future, you must look to the past…

Katherine Wakefield has dreamed and written of her knight in shining armor all her life. Never finding a man to measure up to the one of her imagination, she and her three closest friends take a dream vacation to England. Yet, strange things begin happening while visiting Bamburgh Castle, but how could they have known they’d find themselves thrown back more than eight hundred years into the past?

Riorden de Deveraux travels to Bamburgh answering the summons of King Henry II knowing his past life is about to catch up with him. But nothing prepares him for the beautiful vision of a strangely clad ghost who first appears in his chamber, let alone the fact he begins having a conversation with her.

Centuries are keeping them apart until Time gives them a chance at finding love. But there are obstacles threatening the fragile bit of hope that Riorden and Katherine can remain together. Will the past of one consume what their future may hold, or will Time take the decision from them and hurtle Katherine forward to where she truly belongs?

Read it for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Buy Links:

Amazon US | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

For All of Ever is also a part of a special box set entitled Hearts Across Time. It has Katherine and Riorden’s complete journey that includes Only For You. For links, see my book tab above.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

14 Wednesday Feb 2018

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Happy Valentine’s Day to all my lovely readers!

As a romance writer, today is a day I celebrate the happily ever after’s I’ve created for my characters. This day is all about love and happy couples.

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If you’ve read my work, you know I’m all about pulling my characters apart before I bring them together. Sometimes it’s the villain, whether male or jealous female, or Time itself that creates the obstacle.

But no matter what is driving my plots forward, you can be sure that by the time you reach the last page of my books, you’ll have a big sigh moment and maybe even shed a tear or two that love has won the day.

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Lovers throughout time have had their images painted to reflect the mood of the romance they hold dear to their hearts. As an author, I’ve had my own ups and downs when it comes to cupid’s arrow. Until that next knight in shining armor finds me, I continue to have hope that his armor hasn’t turned to rust and he’ll turn up when I least expect him.

So until we meet again between the covers of my books, my Knights of Berwyck and I wish you and yours a very Happy Valentine’s day.

You can find all my books on the tab above. Read them all for #FREE in #KindleUnlimited!

Throughout time, it has never been too late for love…

12 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by in 2017

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Welcome, Time Travelers, to 1181.

You’ve arrived in the year of my novella, The Piper’s Lady, which appears in the Bluestocking Belles’ box set Never too Late. I hope you enjoyed your visit to 1814 when you traveled to Vauxhall & Drury Lane via Susana Ellis’s blog last week here. Did you leave her a comment for our giveaway? Be sure to do so along with leaving one for me here on my blog! But we have lots of time traveling to do so read on…

You’ve now found yourself in medieval, England… Sorry about the war, harsh living condition, and bad drinking water but there is a lot more happening at the time of my story…

Ruler of England
Henry II (1133-1189) is king of England in 1181, and he’s part of the good news. He’s building up our court systems and seems to be very big on the rule of law, something that may catch on. He and Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) had eight children but of course they haven’t all lived to adulthood. One who did is known as Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199). Unfortunately, several of them have led revolts to secure the succession and are eager to acquire power and lands.

Their mother, Eleanor is one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Western Europe at this time. Henry II might be called a ruthless ruler in his determination to restore the lands and privileges of his grandfather Henry I, but he has done a good job of strengthening England’s borders with Wales and Scotland. He’s also used the country’s wealth to fund a long-running war with his rivals in France.

Lovers

The tale of Tristan and Iseult is one of the favorite tales at this time. The story is a tragic one about the adulterous love between the Cornish knight Tristan and an Irish princess Iseult (Isolde). However terrible the ending to their story, we love it and believe it will have a substantial impact on Western art and the idea of romantic love.

The Lives of Lovers ~ What they ate…

My characters in The Piper’s Lady are members of the nobility and what they eat is far different from the food of commoners or even kings. They eat plenty of fresh game seasoned with exotic spices and display refined table manners, and have wine on a daily basis. Their servants and the lower classes drink ale or mead. Meals are usually a communal affair and my Knights of Berwyck gather in the Great Hall for their meals.

What they wore…

We care about fashion in 1181, just like your own time. Men wear an inner tunic or shirt with long tight sleeves and drawers or braies. Tailored cloth leggings called chausses or hose (separate garments for each leg) are often worn with an outer tunic that reached to their knees or ankles. A recent innovation the surcoat has been well received and is worn by both men and women.  The knights in my story, wear chainmail to go to war or practice in the lists. Full body armor, which you might think of when envisioning a knight in shining armor, won’t be introduced until later. Women wore an under tunic called a chemise (usually made of linen), over which is worn one or more long tunics (or gowns/kirtles). A close fit to the body, full skirts and long flaring sleeves are characteristic of my characters in The Piper’s Lady. They also wear a veil over their hair that was often parted in the center and hung down in long braids.

Where they live…

My characters from The Piper’s Lady live in a castle called Berwyck located at the England/Scotland border. Note:  although there is in fact a castle located at Berwick-Upon-Tweed, little remains of it in your century as the foundation was torn down to build other structures in the area during intervening centuries. As an author, I decided to change the spelling of the castle name and, as my time traveling ladies will attest, the castle will still be thriving in the future.

 Barriers to Love…

Marriage in 1181 usually happens to gain power, wealth and lands, at least for the nobility. Commoners have to seek permission from their master in order to marry or they will be punished. Lady Coira Easton and Garrick of Clan MacLaren from The Piper’s Lady also have had the problem that Garrick is not a knight. Since he holds no title, Coira’s cousin, Lord Dristan of Berwyck, may not give so readily his permission for the match. But love always finds a way…

 

Giveaway!

Comment on all eight blogs in the tour and be entered to win a $25 gift voucher from Amazon and a print copy of Never Too Late!

You can get to all eight blogs via the time machine page on our Bluestocking Belle’s website once all tour stops are published. Next week you’ll slip through time and find yourself in 1324 via Nicole Zoltack’s blog here!

Fare thee well, time traveler! Try not to land in the midst of the Black Plague, the Great Fire of London or the sack of Rome!

About The Piper’s Lady:

True love binds them. Deceit divides them. Will they choose love?

Lady Coira Easton spent her youth traveling with her grandfather. Now well past the age men prefer when they choose a wife, she has resigned herself to remain a maiden. But everything changes once she arrives at Berwyck Castle. She cannot resist a dashing knight who runs to her rescue, but would he give her a second look?

Garrick of Clan MacLaren can hold his own with the trained Knights of Berwyck, but as the clan’s piper they would rather he play his instruments to entertain them—or lead them into battle—than to fight with a sword upon the lists. Only when he sees a lady across the training field and his heart sings for the first time does he begin to wish to be something he is not.

Will a simple misunderstanding between them threaten what they have found in one another or will they at last let love into their hearts?

Buy Links:

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#MedievalMonday ~ Final chance at our Giveaway!

13 Monday Nov 2017

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Hello Gentle Readers and welcome to Medieval Monday. This week is a last chance to enter our First Encounter giveaway that we’ve been holding for the past several weeks.  If you’ve missed out on posting comments on any of my snippets, here’s your chance to do so. The more you comment, the bigger your chances to win. We’ll choose a winner next Monday for all the books featured in this theme. Everyone loves #FREE books, right?

Here’s a recap of my excerpts  and who’s blog they can be found on for my medieval & time travel novel, FOR ALL OF EVER: THE KNIGHTS OF BERWYCK, A QUEST THROUGH TIME NOVEL and good luck!

Week One: Cathy McRae

Week Two: Jenna Jaxon

Week Three: Ruth A. Casie

Week Four: Bambi Lynn

Week Five: Lane McFarland

Week Six: Judith Sterling Marshall

Week Seven: Mary Morgan

Week Eight: Barbara Bettis

Week Nine: Nicole Locke

Week Ten: Ceci Gilternan

Week Eleven: Laurel O’Donnell

Week Twelve: Ashley York

Week Thirteen: Elisabeth Hobbes

Week Fourteen: Sherry Ewing

Blurb:

Sometimes to find your future you must look to the past…

Katherine Wakefield has dreamed and written of her knight in shining armor all her life. Never finding a man to measure up to the one of her imagination, she and her three closest friends take a vacation to England. Yet strange things begin happening while visiting Bamburgh castle, but how could they have known they’d find themselves thrown back more than eight hundred years into the past?

Riorden de Deveraux travels to Bamburgh answering the summons of King Henry II knowing his past life is about to catch up with him. But nothing prepares him for the beautiful vision of a strangely clad ghost who first appears in his chamber, let alone the fact he begins having a conversation with her.

Centuries are keeping them apart until Time gives them a chance at finding love. But there are obstacles threatening the fragile bit of hope that Riorden and Katherine can remain together. Will the past of one consume what their future may hold, or will Time take the decision from them and hurdle Katherine forward to where she truly belongs?

Buy Links:
Amazon |Amazon AU | Amazon CA |   Amazon UK

Medieval Monday with yours truly, Sherry Ewing & a Giveaway!

06 Monday Nov 2017

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Gentle Readers: Today ends our First Encounter theme for Medieval Monday and instead of a small snippet, I’m going to give you the remainder of the chapter from FOR ALL OF EVER: THE KNIGHTS OF BERWYCK, A QUEST THROUGH TIME NOVEL (Book One). It is my hope that you’ve enjoyed this theme and getting to know the writing of some incredible medieval authors. Thanks to all who participated and the winner will be announced soon.

So, without further ado, I bring you my excerpt from FOR ALL OF EVER. Remember to leave me a comment here on my blog so you can up your chances at our giveaway. I hope you enjoy this excerpt as much as I had writing it. Happy reading!

Excerpt:

“I know not what you speak of, damsel. I wish you no ill will, but I cannot in all good conscience help you save your soul. Only God can forgive you of your sins whilst you were here on earth. You must atone for your sins to Him.”

“You don’t understand…” the ghost began, but Riorden held up his hand to halt any further words.

“Aye, you have that aright. I do not understand any of the past two days, nor do I wish to. I just want my life to return to the hellish circumstances put afore me of late that I must needs attend to. Those, I can comprehend and deal with, but not this…this absurdity with visions of ghosts, playing tricks inside my head. I say this to you again…be gone fair maiden, and may you rest in peace!”

She nodded her head, as if she finally understood his words to leave him be. But ’twas the tears coursing down her cheeks and the look of grief in her eyes that made him realize he had erred in not trying further to help her cause. He took a step forwards, but ’twas too late to offer her what solace he might afford her. He could already feel her slipping from his side.

She slowly backed away from him. “Oh God… I don’t even know your name,” she sobbed across his mind, and was gone.

“Katherine!” Riorden rasped out, for he felt an unfamiliar loneliness creep upon him as she vanished, yet again, afore his eyes. For one brief instant, when he had watched her crying, he had felt a connection to another he never thought would find him again. Her disappearance left him feeling bereft and out of sorts. Confused with his inner thoughts, he could only stand there in a daze. At least, he could tell himself he knew her name. Merde… what had he done?

 

Blurb:

Sometimes to find your future, you must look to the past…

Katherine Wakefield has dreamed and written of her knight in shining armor all her life. Never finding a man to measure up to the one of her imagination, she and her three closest friends take a dream vacation to England. Yet, strange things begin happening while visiting Bamburgh Castle, but how could they have known they’d find themselves thrown back more than eight hundred years into the past?

Riorden de Deveraux travels to Bamburgh answering the summons of King Henry II knowing his past life is about to catch up with him. But nothing prepares him for the beautiful vision of a strangely clad ghost who first appears in his chamber, let alone the fact he begins having a conversation with her.

Centuries are keeping them apart until Time gives them a chance at finding love. But there are obstacles threatening the fragile bit of hope that Riorden and Katherine can remain together. Will the past of one consume what their future may hold, or will Time take the decision from them and hurtle Katherine forward to where she truly belongs?

Buy Links:

Amazon US |Amazon AU | Amazon CA |   Amazon UK