 Holly is one of my very favorite plants. No only is it easy to take care of, evergreen, and provides food and shelter for wildlife, it's gorgeous in winter. We have a postage stamp sized lot filled with oak trees, yet I've added five holly trees to our landscape. Frankly, I've been a bit upset because our new lawn service guys trimmed them ruthlessly a few weeks ago. I had not asked them to do so. Now the birds and I have far less holly branches and berries to make use of. But I expect we'll get through it and can only hope that in typical holly fashion they will respond by growing stronger and fuller than ever.
I doubt that many medieval citizens worried about someone over-trimming holly trees and bushes. If on a grand estate, the gardeners would have known it would be used for decoration. Rural peasants could find it growing abundantly in the wild -- free holiday decor. But why decorate at all and why use holly? Looking over my research, it seems that to many cultures -- Romans, Celts, Norse -- it was a symbol of fertility and eternal life. It's evergreen, after all. The Romans also associated it with Saturn, the god of agriculture, harvest, and fertility and used it to decorate their homes for the Saturnalia celebration. It was such a popular holiday that rather than attempt to abolish it completely, Pope Gregory the Great changed it to the Christian celebration of Christmas. Holly was still abundant and evergreen and the berries still red and so it continued to be used for decking the halls. Over time, the spiky green leaves were to be compared to Christ's Crown of Thorns and the red of the berries as a symbol of His blood. The holly tree was as sacred to the Druids as the oak. It was said that the oak controlled the light (daylight) in summer while the holly controlled it in winter. Druids held that holly had protective powers. While they considered it sacrilege to cut down the trees, folks were allowed to cut boughs and branches to set inside their homes for protection. Since holly is apparently lightening-resistant, both the Celts and the Norse associated it with their thunder gods, Taranis and Thor respectively. They planted the trees near their dwellings for added protection against lightening and evil. I don't know why I'm surprised that holly has been used in and around homes for over a millennium. I love it. Why wouldn't anyone else? Be sure to visit medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis for more medieval fun! Happy Medieval Monday!
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 I could not read this book fast enough! It’s such a great idea for a gothic cozy mystery series. Gwyn Camm has inherited an old house in Salem Massachusetts from her Aunt Ethel, an avid fan of gothic mysteries. On the quiet, snowy winter’s night, missing her beloved aunt, Gwyn cozies up with one of those mysteries. Before we know it, we are swept with Gwyn into the novel. One moment we are in the old house in Salem and the next, to quote the book, we are standing “on a sloping lawn in front of a Gothic Revival mansion hewn from somber gray stone”, on the banks of the Hudson River in upstate New York.
Judith Sterling manages the transition with infinite finesse. The writing is fabulous. I loved Gwyn from the start. She’s smart and sweet, pragmatic but also open-minded, and just a little bit lost. You can’t help but care about her, and she’s the perfect heroine for this series. And it’s SO CREEPY! The author has the Gothic chill factor down to an art. I was both tense and relaxed the whole time I was reading, completely absorbed in the story. The twists and turns and finely-drawn descriptions hold you there. You are inside the novel, just as Gwyn is. As for the mystery, I was shocked by the ending. I did not see it coming. Wow. I can hardly wait to see where Gwyn finds herself next. Highly recommended for cozy mystery and gothic mystery lovers. Thank you for this wonderful new series, Judith Sterling!  Happy Medieval Monday! Happy Thanksgiving Week! I can hardly believe that the holidays are upon us! I am grateful for so many things and look forward to celebrating with loved ones. Preparations, of course, can be really hectic, and sometimes they don't go as planned. Check out this scene from Tremors Through Time.  Lachlann stood with Deidre and Jackson beside the hospital bed and stared down at his friend and landlord, fighting panic. The doctor had assured them that he would be all right. A kitchen fire…Joe had been trying to cook too many things at once, preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, plus cooking up a big batch of fried chicken for lunch. Somehow, he’d hit the handle of the frying pan, catapulting boiling oil all over his shirt and, if that wasn’t bad enough, he had been close enough to the gas stove for his shirt to catch fire. He had first and second degree burns on his stomach, chest, right arm, and right hand. “I’ve ruined Thanksgiving,” he groaned as the three of them stood there. “Nonsense, Joe,” Deidre said briskly. “As long as you’re all right, we’ll have plenty to be thankful for.” “I’m going home for Thanksgiving. Ain’t none of us going to spend it here in this hospital. But what are we going to eat?” “Don’t worry, Joe. We’ll manage,” Lachlann assured him. His voice sounded shaky, even to himself. “We’ll be fine,” Jackson agreed. “It’s a holiday,” Joe persisted. “I’ll cook,” Deidre said, “using your recipes. Rest now, cher, because I’ll be bothering you tomorrow.” Jackson agreed to go home and clean while Lachlann and Deidre stayed with Joe through the night. Lachlann was more grateful than he could express for her calming presence. Fire. Just thinking about it made his insides coil. He pulled a chair close to the bed while Deidre sat nearby on the sofa. “Lachlann, Joe’s going to be all right,” she said quietly. “He has some bad burns. He’ll be in pain for a while. But it could’ve been much worse. Joe’s tough. He’ll be okay.” “What about infection?” She shook her head. “They’ve given him antibiotics, and his burns have been cleaned and covered with antibacterial cream. When he goes home, we’ll make sure they stay that way until his skin is healed.” He nodded, silently reminding himself that it was the twenty-first century. Deidre rubbed his arm soothingly. He covered her hand with his own. “Until you…” His voice shook and he stopped. “Joe is family to me. He gave me work, a home, food, advice when I needed it.” “None of us are going anywhere,” she said firmly. It was a long, miserable night. He dozed in a chair, his feet propped on another. Suddenly, Allasan was in front of him, angry. “Lachlann, go to Inbhir Nis! I want the dye! You’ll only be in my way here!” Her face loomed close to his. As he stared at her, it Anastasia Abboud 104 became covered with boils. “Och,” he murmured. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Allasan.” She didn’t answer, only looked at him accusingly. Fire lit her hair and began searing her face. He shouted. A soothing voice, a calming touch dispelled the image. He shifted uncomfortably and kept dreaming. For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy holiday season ahead!  I'm delighted to welcome author Diana Rubino. Her latest book Now and Always is a time travel romance and on my TBR list! Let's learn a bit about her literary life! Welcome, Diana! 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I always enjoyed biographies. My favorite series was Trixie Belden—much like Nancy Drew. She and her friends lived in Sleepyside NY and solved mysteries. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? Biographies, books about American history, and for fiction—historical murder mysteries, novels set in any time during American history or British history, especially the Tudors back to Arthurian times, and legal thrillers, especially John Grisham. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I had a notebook of short stories as a kid—in college, my journalism professor encouraged me to write my first novel; to me it was daunting writing something that long, but I studied numerous how-to books for novelists, went to novel writing classes, and made it happen. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? My first historical novel, The Jewels of Warwick. I thought it was my grand masterpiece! 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? The art and craft of storytelling has always fascinated me, because it goes back to prehistory. The people in my books inspire me, because they were great achievers, and made a difference in the world. 6) What’s your writing space like? I sit at my computer with windows facing northwest and glimpse a deer or a turkey, or even a skunk or a rabbit, at times. I’m surrounded by my bookshelf stuffed with reference books and portraits of my favorite historical figures. That sounds lovely and inspiring! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I write in the afternoon, and my goal is 2,500 words a day. If I can write more, it’s a bonus! 8) Congratulations on your new/upcoming release. Please tell us about it. How did you come up with the idea for your book/series? My latest title is a time travel romance where the modern heroine goes back to England in 1485. I wrote it in the mid-90s, it was published, went out of print, and I recently gave it a complete overhaul. I’m glad I did! I got the idea because I wanted to write a time travel set in Richard III’s time, so I placed my heroine Leah there with Richard III’s bed as a portal, which sits on a Ley Line in my story. (Very strange things happen on Ley Lines; no one knows the reason for this phenomenon—it could be the earth’s magnetic field.) The bed actually exists, and I went to see it, in Donington-le-Heath Manor House in Leicester, England. (but it’s really not on a Ley Line). I knew I had to write a story around it! It sounds fab! I can hardly wait to read it! 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? I now write biographical novels about people who shook things up. My next story, which is awaiting a pub date, is about Edith (Mrs. Theodore) Roosevelt. 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? My mission is to make readers forget their troubles for a while, escape into another time and place, and maybe get a few laughs along the way. And my advice to aspiring authors—NEVER give up on your dream! That is wonderful advice! I couldn't agree more. Thank you for sharing your time and talent. Wishing you continued joy and success.  The present: Historic preservation architect Leah Halliday falls asleep in the bed once owned by King Richard III. It sits on one of many mysterious Ley Lines that crisscross England. She wakes up in the same bed, but in King Richard’s time, 1485. 1485: Hugh Radcliffe, trusted knight of King Richard, believes Leah is his bride Matilda. The king arranged the marriage, and Hugh never set eyes on her before now. According to Leah’s history books, Hugh was executed for treason and drowning his first wife. When she meets Andrew Gilbert, another time traveler from the 21st century, she learns that Hugh’s>treason and drowning of his wife was a setup by a Welsh clan, the Griffins, who’s hated Hugh’s family for centuries. As she falls in love with Hugh, she finds out he’s innocent. She puts her life on the line to clear his name and get back home--with him. They do live 'happily ever after' -- but in what century? Excerpt from Now and Always "Come with me, Hugh. We may never get another chance," she pleaded, and he sat on the bed next to her. "I must go to battle, Leah," he declared, “but I cannot leave your side until I convince you. And since you are even more stubborn than I, this shan’t be easy. You know I cannot live without you. Surely you can wait a few more days." "Hugh, you'll die, I know you will.” Tears choked her voice. “Don't go to battle just to die, please, I lost one husband, don't let me lose another!" "But I am not truly your husband...yet." "You never will be if you go to battle!” She grasped his arm. “Please, Hugh, Richard will have understood. Come with me." "Nay.” He gave a resolute shake of his head. “I cannot and will not.” As they spoke she pulled him down with her into the center of the bed. She reached his lips with hers and their mouths locked in desperation, neither wanting to let go. His arms enveloped her. She wrapped herself around him, bringing him farther into the feathery deepness. Together they floated and drifted. She felt that strange pull, that spinning sensation she'd felt that long-ago night. As her eyes closed, her body floated in spacetime, a portal not of her world or any other world; a void they both entered. She found her voice and said, "Hugh, are you with me?" "Aye." He hadn't actually spoken it, but she knew he was there. "I am with you. But please let me go back. I must join the king, I must." She grasped him, her fingers clamped around his arms. He was still with her. "No, Hugh, come with me, you no longer belong here." Then, ever so slowly, he began slipping away. "Hugh! Stay with me!" she shouted. "I cannot, I am falling." "No! Oh, God, no!" She clutched at his arms, his hair, his doublet, yet he kept slipping away; that same force bringing her forward was pulling him back. He grabbed her arms, but his fingers lost their grip. She felt him tugging at the watch. It slid off her wrist, scraping her knuckles as he grasped at it. Her last connection with him was now broken as the force tore them apart. "Hugh!" she screamed one last time, flung her arms out to him, but clutched only emptiness. He was gone.  A Note from the Author
I wanted to write a time travel set in Richard III’s time, so I placed Leah there with Richard III’s bed as a portal, which sits on a Ley Line. (very strange things happen on Ley Lines; no one knows the reason for this phenomenon—it could be the earth’s magnetic field.) I’m really big on justice and fairness, and wanted to use that as one of the story’s themes. So I have Leah use her knowledge of what she knows about Hugh Radcliffe from history books to clear his name, save him from being falsely accused of treason and a horrible death on the battlefield. I like Leah because she’s adventurous and even though she tries hard to survive in this difficult and dangerous time, she puts her life on the line to save Hugh, who she’s grown to love. I identify with her because I’m rather adventurous; I went to live in London by myself after college graduation (even though it wasn’t the 15th century!) at times it was scary, but I knew my courage would pay off. What I like about Hugh is that he’s honorable; he doesn’t want to leave his call to battle to join Leah in the 21st century until he’s fought in the battle. He’s also a gentleman, and was very devoted to his wife and son before they died. He’s perfect for her because he’s the ‘pre-incarnation’ of her late husband Matt, the love of her life. This is the secondary theme, how true love and our souls can transcend the time continuum. I’d already written two books set in this time with Richard III as a minor character; for these books, I read some great books about Richard including The King’s Bed by Margaret Barnes and Crown of Roses by Valerie Anand. I took several trips to England and went to Richard’s favorite haunts, his residence at Middleham, where he died on Bosworth Field, and the Richard III Society helped me a great deal, especially the former President, Peter Hammond and his wife Carolyn, the former Librarian.  Happy Medieval Monday! I just finished reading Jennifer Ivy Walker's thoroughly medieval, thoroughly mesmerizing romance The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven. Steeped in medieval legend, I thought it an obviously perfect subject for Medieval Monday and that it would be interesting to learn about the author's literary life. Following is our interview, Literary You, then information about the book, tantalizing excerpt included, and my review. For more of our magnificent, Medieval Monday, be sure to visit authors Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis. They always have something beautifully medieval to share. Literary You Welcome, Ivy! 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I enjoyed stories about medieval knights and ladies, such as tales of King Arthur, Lancelot, and Robin Hood. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I love paranormal, medieval, and historical romance! Me, too! 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I discovered I had a knack for writing when I was eleven—the same year I started studying French. I realized I had a passion for the French language, history, literature, and culture as well. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? A short story about my cocker spaniel in seventh grade. That is just too sweet. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? Growing up, I lived far from friends, so Nature was my companion, and being alone a lot fostered my imagination. Later, I learned to sew and make jewelry, so in addition to writing, I create other things as well. As a French teacher, I used creative instructional methods—such as puppets, Theater in the Classroom, music, art, history, and literature to enhance my students’ learning. 6) What’s your writing space like? I redecorated a spare bedroom, furnishing it with light aqua French antique furniture, huge pink roses, and lots of plants in the two sunny windows. 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I prefer to write during the day when it’s quiet and peaceful. 8) Congratulations on the publication of The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven. What a splendid book! How did you put it all together and how did you come up with the idea for this new series? When I earned my MA in French literature, I discovered the medieval legend of “Tristan et Yseult”. I have always loved Arthurian myth, and when I discovered that Tristan was a Knight of the Round Table and friend of Lancelot, it gave me the idea to do a paranormal fantasy adaptation of that medieval French legend, incorporating the French version of Arthurian myths. You have done so seamlessly. 9) I realize that you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? Yes, The Lady of the Mirrored Lake -- book 2 of my trilogy-- will be published on January 23, 2023. The conclusion of the trilogy, entitled The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight, is expected to be published in April 2023. I have nearly completed another novel, Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle, which I hope will be selected for the “Christmas in the Castle” series that my publishing company, The Wild Rose Press, is launching. It all sounds amazing! 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? As a high school teacher, I used puppets to illustrate the medieval legend of “Tristan et Yseult”, which my advanced students read as part of our study of the Middle Ages. We used to listen to the soundtrack of the French musical “Tristan et Yseult”, and we would watch the French version of the film with James Franco and Sophia Myles. I always took my students each year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play I had written, Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête, an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of Tristan et Yseult and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a magical Celtic fairy and a dangerous, wicked witch.  My debut novel, The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven--the first of a trilogy-- is a paranormal fantasy retelling of that same medieval French legend, interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic. Thank you for sharing your time and talent. I’m looking forward to reading The Lady of the Mirrored Lake. Wishing you continued joy and success. Thank you very much! Merci beaucoup!!  In this dark fairy tale adaptation of a medieval French legend, Issylte must flee the wicked queen, finding shelter with a fairy witch who teaches her the verdant magic of the forest. Fate leads her to the otherworldly realm of the Lady of the Lake and the Elves of Avalon, where she must choose between her life as a healer or fight to save her ravaged kingdom. Tristan of Lyonesse is a Knight of the Round Table who must overcome the horrors of his past and defend his king or lose everything. When he becomes a warrior of the Tribe of Dana, a gift of Druidic magic might hold the key he seeks. Haunted and hunted. Entwined by fate. Can their passion and power prevail? Excerpt L’ Amour Fou Taking another gulp of ale, Tristan turned to Lancelot and searched his knowing eyes. “I don’t know if she even exists, Lancelot, but I want a woman who makes me feel alive! I want her kisses to arouse my passion, her heart to sing to mine. I want a muse to inspire my song, a lady to whom I would pledge my sword—and my life.” Tristan shook his head and sighed. “Is such a love even possible?” The First Knight of Camelot responded with a sad smile. “It is indeed possible, Tristan.” Lancelot turned his pensive gaze to the vast expanse of sea. “In French, we call such a love l’amour fou--a passion so intense… it can drive you mad.” Lancelot glanced back at Tristan, a forlorn smile reaching his intense blue eyes. “When you find such a woman, Tristan, the love she gives you fills every empty hollow in your soul. She completes you; she invigorates you; she thrills you. And, when you consummate such a love, the exquisite blend of the spiritual and physical realm will satisfy you more than the finest wine or the greatest victory in battle. The love she gives you with her body will transport you to the stars, and you will never experience a greater joy.” And, though he smiled, Tristan saw that the First Knight emanated loneliness, suffering, and sorrow. As Lancelot returned his gaze across the faraway sea, Tristan knew that the White Knight of Avalon longed for the beautiful blond queen of Camelot  About the Author Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French. As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch. Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic. Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.  My Review I’ve just returned from a magical land, from the mists of Avalon and the company of Tristan and Iseult, Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake, and the Tribe of Dana (Tuatha de Danaan), to name a few. Jennifer Ivy Walker has woven a beautiful, truly magnificent tale of good and evil, magic, legend, and romance. I’m not sure if I can choose a favorite aspect of this extraordinary book. The lore and legends are treated respectfully, lovingly, but new threads are added, creating a new story. Then there's the reverence that the (good) characters hold for nature and its healing powers. The book partly reads as a flowing treatise on clean-living, medieval-style. You can taste the freshness of the foods, smell the fragrance of the forest and herbs, and feel the peace of the surroundings – until it’s all disrupted. The evil in the book is scary and pervasive. Both Tristan and Issylte have lost all that was dear to them. But how are their fates entertwined? I’m not going to ruin it for you here. But I don’t think it will come as a surprise to say that Issylte is forced to leave her homeland because her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen, wants her dead. The Evil Queen and her cohorts are deadly and relentless. I would say that there’s no rest at all, but that wouldn’t be true. The author weaves peace, beauty, and healing with murder, avarice, and treachery. It’s amazing, and I can hardly wait for the next in series. For a delicious plunge into medieval lore, legend, and romance, do yourself a favor and pick up The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven by Jennifer Ivy Walker.  I’m thrilled to welcome one of my favorite authors, Judith Sterling, whose new gothic paranormal mystery Trip the light Phantasmic launches today! Judy, thank you for sharing launch day with us! I just have a few questions… 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I loved reading (and writing!) ghost stories and mysteries. My favorite book in elementary school was Weeny Witch by Ida DeLage; in middle school, it was Moon Eyes by Josephine Poole. My overall favorite series while growing up was the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? For the past few years, I’ve mostly alternated between cozy mysteries and traditional gothic romances. 3)Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? My mom taught me to read and write early on, so I was writing stories—albeit simple and short—before kindergarten. I wrote my first chapter stories in elementary school. Honestly, I can’t recall a time when I didn’t want to be an author. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? Probably Mysteries of the Judson House, a chapter book I wrote when I was eleven. I bound it with thick poster board, and a talented friend (who was also eleven) did the cover art. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I guess it’s that divine spark which lives inside and around each one of us. It’s a palpable force that has always been there. Some ideas I can trace to a word, a song, a location, etc., but many just pop into my mind. Sometimes the fabric of a story seems to weave itself, if you know what I mean! 6) What’s your writing space like? I write in our dining room, which often feels like Grand Central Station. My twin boys, who recently turned eighteen, can get pretty loud, so I’ve had to hone my focus to accomplish anything! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I used to write only at night; it’s the time when I feel most alive. When my boys came along, I got used to writing during the day. Family time is a priority, and I also work part-time as a tour guide at the 17th-century Witch House here in Salem, Massachusetts. So nowadays, I write whenever I can. I don’t have any rituals, but I feel that when I sit down in front of the computer, with hands poised above the keyboard, it’s a signal to the universe that I’m ready to create. Perfect! 8) Congratulations on Trip the Light Phantasmic! I can hardly believe… I love your romances, but this is so exciting! How did you come up with the idea for the book? How did you come up with the title? Please tell us all about it. Is this the first in a series? Thank you! Believe it or not, I wrote the detailed outline for this book almost seven years ago, and it has been waiting in the wings while I completed my other two series. It’s kind of sad that nine other books pushed it aside, but now its time has finally come. The title just popped into my head while I was writing the outline, and it’ll make more sense once you read the book! As for the idea, it might have its roots in my childhood. I’ve had lucid dreams for most of my life, and when I was ten, I experienced what could only be called “serial dreaming” over a two-week period. On the first night, a mystery worthy of Nancy Drew began to unfold. I was the detective, and each successive night, I dreamed the next “chapter” of the story. At the end of the fortnight, I solved the mystery my mind—and who knows what else—had cooked up. Also, I’ve always thought it’d be cool to somehow leap into the world of a beloved story and play the heroine’s role. There will definitely be more Gothic Gwyn books. In fact, this may be the series I write for the rest of my life. I think you've said it exactly right - "its time has finally come". I like to think there is a right time for everything. And your dreams - that's astounding to me. 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? Ideas for the next book in this series are starting to flesh out. I hope to have a detailed outline finished by the end of the month and start writing Chapter One in December. 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I’m so grateful for your enthusiasm and support, and I sincerely hope the book makes readers happy. Thank you for having me here today! I'm so very glad you've allowed me to host you today of all days! Once again, congratulations on your new release and for sharing launch day with us. I wish you much joy and success! And now, let's enjoy a little Trip the Light Phantasmic! Gwyneth Camm has just inherited her great-aunt’s house in Salem, Massachusetts, along with an extensive collection of gothic romance novels. As a PhD student who prefers “serious” books, Gwyn has always avoided pulp fiction. Now, in honor of her beloved Aunt Ethel, she gives one of the gothics a try…and promptly falls asleep. When she wakes, she finds herself inside the story, thrust by forces unknown into the heroine’s role. There’s magic afoot, and the only way back to her own life is to play her part and solve the mystery. When fiction becomes fact, anything can happen… Excerpt I stepped out into the crisp, fresh air of an autumn evening and inhaled deeply. To my eyes—and lungs—the terrace was Heaven, illuminated by electric lights whose glow reached partway down a wide stone staircase. Darkness hid the rest of the grounds and whatever else lay beyond. I turned to my savior as he closed the doors to the dining room. “How can I thank you enough?” “By telling me the real reason why you wanted to leave.” He closed the distance between us. His broad shoulders looked sturdy, dependable. “I’m not sure you’ll like it.” “I still want to know.” “I’m sensitive to cigarette smoke. I was okay with it for a while, but then I had to get out of there.” He performed a little smile. “You sound just like…” I held my tongue, expecting him to elaborate, but the wait was wasted. “You were saying…” He shook his head as though shaking off a memory. “Never mind. Why didn’t you tell the truth?” “I didn’t want to seem rude. But I suppose I did anyway.” “You’ll have to forgive Mother. She’s had her share of tragedy.” He took a deep breath, then sighed. “She was once a prima ballerina…world-famous. Until she married my father. They were happy for a time. Then she had an accident and was paralyzed from the waist down.” “How horrible.” He nodded. “Being confined to a wheelchair is…difficult for her, perhaps harder than for most.” Out of nowhere, an icy gust swiped me. I shivered and rubbed my bare arms. “You’re cold.” He removed his jacket and placed it around my shoulders. Though haunted by the smell of smoke, it infused me with his warmth and an odd sense of intimacy. He lingered behind me. “Thank you.” Twisting around, I looked up into his finely chiseled face and detected a hint of interest. His pupils expanded. “It’s the least I can do.” Oh yeah? What more could you do if I let you? Best not to think about that. A slight movement at one of the windows caught my eye. Penny, the maid, watched us from inside the house. Before I could acknowledge her presence, she dropped the curtain, hiding herself from view. Okay. That was interesting. Edgar followed my gaze. “What is it?” “We had an audience.” “Oh?” “Penny was watching from that window.” I pointed to the one in question. “Ah, Penny. I’ve known her a long time, and she’s a curious girl. Of course, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had company.” I turned to face him. “Meaning?” “This house has many eyes, and they’re always watching. You’d do well to remember that.” Dude, you just upped the creep factor by half. “I’ll try.” I doffed his jacket and handed it back to him. “Thanks for this. I’m going now.” “Where to?” “My room. I know it’s early, but—” “You’ve had a long day.” You have no idea. “Yes. Should I go back through the dining room?” “Better not. Roland will still be smoking. Go through the drawing room, over there.” He indicated the other set of French doors. His eyes held understanding, and if I wasn’t mistaken, regret. “Good night, Gwyn.” “Good night.”  About the Author Judith Sterling is an award-winning author whose love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Through gothic paranormal mystery (The Gothic Gwyn Mysteries), medieval/time travel romance (The Novels of Ravenwood) and young adult paranormal fantasy (the Guardians of Erin series), she loves to whisk readers away from their troubles and remind them of the hidden magic all around us. 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.   Today, I’m pleased to welcome author Michelle Godard-Richer. Her new romantic suspense Fatal Hunt was just recently published and has been receiving great reviews. Having just finished reading the book, I’m more eager than ever to learn more about her writing life. Welcome, Michelle! 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I stumbled upon The Chronicles of Narnia in the school library as a child and fell in love with this series. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I like a wide variety of books. I read fantasy, horror, true crime, thriller, historical and time travel romance. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? From the time I learned to read I wanted to write my own stories. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? I was really young, but I remember learning about fables in school, and then writing a bunch of my own and bringing them to my grade four teacher, Ms. Fredricks. I love that you remember your teacher's name! :) 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I have ideas and stories running through my head all the time and I like to escape my world by diving into theirs. 6) What’s your writing space like? I like to write in my living room on a recliner with a lap desk, my Macbook, and lots of coffee. I usually have one of my dogs next to me and they sometimes try to contribute their own ideas with chin typing. LOL! That's too cute! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I don’t know why, but I can’t write without coffee beside me. I usually open whatever I’m working on, edit the last few pages, and then I’ll start writing. My most productive time seems to be from 10AM until 2PM. 8) Congratulations on Fatal Hunt. How did you come up with the idea for the book? Please tell us all about it. Every book for me starts with a combination of ‘what if’ questions. With Fatal Hunt, I started with one question. What if a mob boss that Jon betrayed as an undercover agent found out where he was living with his family? Mobs are notorious for revenge hits, and some have a far reach. The rest of the story spiraled from there. Spirals, indeed! What a suspenseful masterpiece you've written! 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? Once you’ve reached the end of Fatal Hunt, the need to go backwards becomes apparent. I have a prequel written, Fatal Witness, that is under contract and coming in 2023. I’m writing the sequel and final book of the trilogy now. As a reader, all I can say is "Love it! Excellent!" 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? In between thrillers, I decided to try my hand at a different genre. The result is Back in Time Jelly Beans, a time-travel romance, releasing in 2023 as part of the Jelly Bean and Spring Things line through the Wild Rose Press. Michelle, thank you for sharing your time and talent. Wishing you continued joy and success.  Be the hunter. Never the hunted. After being widowed and surviving the wrath of a serial killer, Jessica believes her misfortunes are over. She’s reunited with her first love, Jon, and together, with her son Bryce, and a baby on the way, they’re living their happily ever after on their ranch in Montana. That is until secrets, lies, and a formidable foe from Jon’s past emerge to shake the foundation of their relationship, forcing them to flee for their lives. Excerpt from Fatal Hunt Jessica’s limbs weighed a ton. She forced her heavy eyelids open. After a split second they shut on her again. She lay on something soft, and an engine droned around her. Where am I? What happened? Then she remembered her fruitless struggle in the hospital room. Willing her head to the side, she forced her eyes open again. Her kidnapper sat in a chair across from her reading a newspaper. He looked over the top of his paper and smiled. "You’ll be groggy for a while longer. Go back to sleep.” Too tired to fight, she gave into the void sucking her down.  About Michelle Growing up as an only child in a small town, I dreamed of becoming an author. My father laughed and said okay, but you might be broke. I shrugged my shoulders and kept clacking on the keyboard of our home PC, delighted when my words appeared on the small monitor, a staple of early ’90s technology. In high school, when it was time to decide on a future career, I chose to pursue an Honours Degree in Criminology at the University of Ottawa, but at the back of my mind, the dream of writing for a living persisted. Fast forward fifteen years, and as a happily married woman and proud mother to two children, four dogs, and a cat, my dream came true. For information on upcoming releases please visit my website: michellegodardricherauthor.com Twitter: @MGodardRicher Facebook: Michelle Godard-Richer Author Instagram: michellegodardricherauthor Tiktok: @mgodardricher  My Review: Fatal Hunt by Michelle Godard-Richer Author Michelle Godard-Richer does not kid around when it comes to suspense! From beginning to end, Fatal Hunt holds the reader in an iron grip of nonstop action and tension! Every time I thought it was safe to draw a breath, a new terror – or something or someone else – would grab hold!
The characterization is sublime. All of the characters are finely drawn -- the good, the bad, and those in the middle! I instantly fell in love with the main characters and found myself sitting at attention (not relaxed – it’s that good) as Jessica, Jon, and Bryce pushed through one terrifying incident to the next. There are twists and turns and completely unexpected occurrences. There’s familial love and romance, too. This story checks lots of boxes! Michelle Godard-Richer has written a masterful romantic suspense. Five stars!  Sorcerers? Healers? Priests? Political leaders? Who were the druids? They are often painted mysteriously, but they were an active and important part of Celtic life for centuries. They formed the highest level of society and performed the duties of teacher, doctor, priest, and judge. Since they wrote nothing down, information about the druids only comes from outside sources. As modern studies and theories differ wildly from one another, for this introduction I am going to stick to more traditional assumptions. They are believed to have been around for centuries, even for thousands of years. The earliest records of them come from Romans in the third century BCE, but it is believed that their origins are much older. They lived in what is modern Ireland, Great Britain, and France. They were naturalists, debatably polytheistic pagans. They revered the natural world. The term “druid” could come from old Celtic words meaning “oak-seer” or “oak-knower”. They considered oak trees as sacred and held ceremonies in oak groves. It's possible, maybe even likely, that they believed in reincarnation. Surprisingly, while they might have made use of stone circles, evidence has come to light that Stonehenge existed long before the first Druids. Their teachings and beliefs were passed along through oral tradition, learned by memorization. Julius Caesar mentioned that the lessons could last as long as twenty years! While there were surely some bad eggs, as in any society, they were generally counted on as moral philosophers, healers, judges, and leaders. There were both male and female druids. The Romans noted that they performed human sacrifice, but those writings or accusations are often dismissed as scurrilous propaganda. However, there is some evidence that ancient Celtic tribes did perform human sacrifice, so the council is out on this one. Obviously, I like to think they did not. In Irish mythology, druids are connected to the Tuatha de Danaan. Stories with druids abound, such as Deidre of the Sorrows and Finn MacComhall and the Fainna. They were considered to have great gifts of healing and prophecy. Early Christian monks wrote about them, recording their practices and the ancient, Celtic laws called the Brehaon laws. The monks wrote about divination and supernatural powers. Romans marked the beginning of the end of the druids' power, although it took centuries. Christianity further diminished their status. In their lifetimes, Druids could not have been so mysterious or elusive, important as they were to Celtic society. But their legacy is mysterious, shrouded in the mists of time. For more Medieval Monday magic, be sure to stop by Mary's Tavern and Barbara Bettis' blog. Happy Medieval Monday!  Originally uploaded by Spone at French Wikipedia.
 I’m delighted to welcome my dear friend author Barbara Bettis to discuss her writing life and her latest book, Last Stop, Wylder. Welcome, Barb! Thanks, Anastasia. I love visiting you here— where I’m always hoping to see a handsome medieval knight slip through time. 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? Oh, goodness. I honestly read everything I could get my hands on. But my earliest recollection of favorites were myths and folk tales from around the world—including the Knights of the Round Table. Attitudes were different—or at least as they affected me—about reading material back then (the 1950s), so my parents were absolutely fine with whatever I wanted to read. Of course, ‘back then’ there were still books that were ‘censored’ so they weren’t readily available to kids. Like most of us, I did gobble up the Nancy Drew series, the Hardy Boys, Trish Belden. But I have to tell you about one book I read in high school. I don’t recall the name, I don’t recall the author. I only recall a scene where several high school kids were in a car that was going waaay too fast and crashed. The description of the accident scene tattooed itself on my mind—and affected my driving for years after. Oh, wow. The driving -- I would say that could have been a good thing, but it must have made you terribly anxious. Being cautious is one thing, being anxious and afraid something else. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I’m so lucky to have author friends who write in all genres, and I try my best to read their work as it comes out. That includes my fellow Roses. But if I have to choose, I’d have to say my first go-to is historical romance and historical fiction. I can get as lost in a research book as I can a novel. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I honestly can’t recall for either. It seems always to have been a part of me. Aww, I love that. Same here, I think. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? A poem in the first grade. It was just a little rhymed verse about a flower. In later years, much to my disappointment, I learned that I was not a poet. LOL. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I sincerely wish I had a touching, uplifting, and/or heartwarming answer. I don’t. I just hear and see stories in my mind. They can be triggered by something I read or someone I see or often a situation that clings to my thoughts. Sometimes an idea starts with a character in a situation; sometimes one starts with a situation that eventually populates with characters. Sometimes it’s the ‘What If’ or a ‘What would you feel like’ incident. Once I was inspired to plot a short story—which I never wrote, by the way—after watching a TV news reporter interview starving refugees in another country. Having been a newspaper reporter for years, I wondered what it would feel like to do that story. To get up at a hotel, have coffee, eggs, bacon-or a sweet roll, then go out to intercept a refugee caravan for an interview. Hearing about the deprivation, the starvation, the life-changing and life-threatening stories the people told. Seeing the hunger in the eyes of a child. Then hop in a car and go back to my world of plenty. What would it feel like if I were the refugee, being interviewed like that? Gosh, I’m really going on and on. Let me give you an idea that did result in my first published book. I was intrigued by mercenaries (Who knows why?). And I thought that surely all of them couldn’t be lawless, horrible, mean guys. How would one feel if he truly was a good person, wanting only to better himself, yet everyone was frightened and superstitious about him because of his occupation. I could see a defensive—but inside, bewildered—man sitting a horse with villagers backing away, leaving him in a vacant circle. Thus Giles “Silverhawk” was born. 6) What’s your writing space like? I think it’s neat—my family says, “Why don’t you decorate in here?” LOL! Nothing wrong with being tidy! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? Nope. Some days early, some days late. I’ve tried to establish a routine, but there are days my muse simply goes shopping and leaves me all alone, thinking one more cup of coffee will snap my imagination into action. It doesn’t. 8) Congratulations on your latest release, Last Stop, Wylder! You have broken into a new genre! You must know how much I love your medieval romances, but this is exciting! Was it difficult to research and write? Please tell us all about it. Thank you for that, Anastasia. The thoughts are sincerely returned! About the change--It was challenging because I had so much to clarify. I thought I knew, but I needed to verify so much about clothing, etc. Then getting to research women’s right to vote in Wyoming (they always could!!), early train service, frontier newspapers. I was surprised at how ‘modern’ some of my findings proved. But that’s a whole ’nother post 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? A couple of medievals are circling my mind, as is a Regency story. I’ve done narrative outlines of all of them, but haven’t settled on just what will be next. Right now, I’m ready to send off a short story to my editor. A medieval. Yahoo! 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I would! I’d like to thank every reader who spends his or her hard-earned dollars on my—and every author’s—books. We writers want to tell the stories filling our heads and hearts, yes. But we also want to entertain you. To make you chuckle, or scowl, or even swipe a tear—and remember our names. Happily. Barb, thank you for sharing your time with us today. I wish you continued joy and success. And now, about the book, Last Stop, Wylder.  A gunman’s word is his bond, and a lady’s trust can shatter. Gunman Morgan Dodd is headed to a new life in California, where no one knows his name. Or his reputation. Just one last job to raise money for his fresh start—gunhand for a railroad agent in Wyoming. Easy enough. Until he meets the woman who could change everything. After ending her engagement, Emily Martin longs for independence. She sets out for Wylder, Wyoming, to help her brother with his newspaper. But when she arrives, she finds he’s off investigating a story. Well, then! She’ll simply publish the paper herself until he returns. Emily’s prepared to face challenges, but not the dangerous stranger who ambushes her heart. The same man hired to destroy her livelihood. When a common enemy threatens, Morgan and Emily must find a way to defeat danger and save their budding love. But a gunman’s word is his bond, and a lady’s trust can shatter  Meet Barbara Bettis
Multi-award-winning author Barbara Bettis can't recall a time she didn't love adventures of daring heroes and plucky heroines. A retired journalist and college English and journalism teacher, she lives in Missouri where she tries to keep her grandchildren supplied with cookies. When she's not editing for others, she's working on her own stories with heroines to die for-- and heroes to live for. Website/Blog BookBub |
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