Monday, September 9, 2019

And the winner is....


I am pleased to announce that Jennifer Wilck (who is also a romance author)  is one of winners of the Summer 2019 Bad Guys and Villains edition of Medieval Monday. She wins an e-copy of Lady of Steel.

And for those who missed it, here is the full excerpt where my hero, Fawkes de Cressy wreaks vengeance on sick, creepy villain, Mortimer:


“God’s teeth! Look at that!” Reynard called.
Alarm prickled along Fawkes’s spine as he saw knights pouring out through the castle’s portcullis. He slowed his mount and motioned for the men behind him to do the same.
“Jesu,” he breathed. “Have they been warned? Did they know we were coming?”
“It would seem so,” Reynard responded. “The information we had when we were in London was that Mortimer never leaves Valmar. And yet, that is surely him.”
The knight leading the force wore a green surcote emblazoned with a gold lion rampant. The familiar device aroused Fawkes’s fury and hatred. This was his enemy. The man had who tried to kill him. The man who had humiliated and abused Nicola. Mixed with the fury was a grim satisfaction. How shocked Mortimer would be when he discovered King Richard had given Mordeaux Castle to Fawkes.
“What should we do?” Reynard sounded panicky. “Do we charge? Or wait for them to come to us?”
“We wait,” Fawkes said. “Mortimer hasn’t fought a battle in years, perhaps never. He’ll want to negotiate.”
Fawkes’s prediction was confirmed when the troop of knights halted a few paces away and their leader raised his helm. Although he immediately recognized the hated face, Fawkes knew a moment of shock. Mortimer’s face was puffy and red, and his eyes appeared as mere slits in the bloated flesh. He looked little like the youthful and vigorous man Fawkes recalled.
“It’s you!” Mortimer bellowed. His eyes were wide with shock.
“Yea, it is I, Fawkes de Cressy. Your assassin failed. I left his body to rot beneath the walls of Acre.” He took a step forward and drew his sword. “Now I have returned to repay you for your treachery.”
Mortimer made a hoarse, derisive sound. “You’re naught but a puling squire, a stable boy. You’re not worth the effort of killing.”
Fawkes fought the urge to forget the rules of combat and rush forward for the kill. He forced himself to speak with calm. “I’m a knight now, exalted by the King of England himself. Richard also gave me the writ to Mordeaux. I challenge you to a fight to the death. For Mordeaux and Valmar, and for the lady who rightfully possesses the two castles.”
“You’re still mooning over my bitch of a wife?” Mor­timer’s smile widened, giving his face a grotesque, toad-like appearance. “The slut hardly recalls you with fondness. She’s the one who warned me of your arrival.”
For a moment, Fawkes stood stunned, disbelieving the words he’d heard. Then reason returned. He smiled back. “Nay. She wouldn’t. Even if she cares naught for me, she hates you enough that she would never try to save you.”
“You think not? Do these words sound familiar?” Mortimer clasped his hands and quoted in a gleeful falsetto, “My dearest lady. At last I’ve come to save you. My forces will reach Mordeaux Castle in a fortnight... ”
Fawkes’s gut wrenched as his own words rang out mockingly. No. She wouldn’t. It was a trick. Somehow Mortimer had found the missive. He might have inter­cepted it before it even reached Nicola.
“Ah, it’s gratifying to see the poisonous viper strike an­other victim.” Mortimer’s voice rang out, rich and mocking. “For too long she has reserved her torments solely for me. I vow, my wife is the devil’s handmaiden, an evil, cunning Eve, a witch from hell. I would give her to you gladly, with my blessing, but unfortunately, the lands are hers. To main­tain my claim, I must endure her foul presence in my house­hold.” Mortimer straightened. “I accept your challenge. I will kill you and carry your heart back to my wife. Perhaps the sight of it will please her, hea­then sorceress that she is.”
Fawkes sought to recover himself. It was a trick. The bastard meant to demoralize him. He would not succumb.
They both dismounted and handed off their horses, and then drew their swords. Mortimer moved toward Fawkes with a stealth and ease that belied his corpulent form. They circled and parried, assessing. Fawkes felt the battle fever surge through him. He’d waited nearly four years for this moment. Every man he’d killed, every opponent he’d struck down, had worn Mor­timer’s ugly visage.
Now, at last, he faced his true enemy. Mortimer had tried to murder him. He’d humiliated him and mocked him. Even worse, this man had hurt and debased Nicola.
He lunged. His blade caught Mortimer’s arm. Mortimer retreated and parried the next blow. Again and again, cold steel grated against cold steel. Fawkes felt no fatigue, no fear, nothing but exhilaration. His body, honed in a dozen battles, sang with speed and strength. His legs easily carried him out of reach of Mor­timer’s blade, and his sword arm struck out with deadly precision.
His opponent was weakening, the movements of his bulky body growing sluggish. Mortimer’s breath came in harsh rasps. As if watching it from far away, Fawkes observed his blade striking nearer and nearer to Mortimer’s mail-clad body. Blood dripped from a wound on Mortimer’s left arm and another at his hip. Any moment he would falter and Fawkes would land the killing blow. Victory was so near he could almost taste it.
“Is she worth it, you fool?” Mortimer panted. “If you kill me, you’ll have to face Richard someday and tell him why. Do you think he’ll be pleased you took my life over a woman, and a perfidious, scheming slut at that?”
“She was never a slut, you bastard!” Fawkes pressed his advantage, feeling his hatred grow fiercer and more consuming. "You sent me to her! You used her like a piece of livestock!”
Mortimer lost his balance and fell. Fawkes loomed over him, panting in rage. “Whatever she’s done, you’ll never defame or degrade her again.” With a savage thrust he drove his sword into Mortimer’s neck.
Mortimer’s blue eyes bore a look of surprise as the wound spouted blood. Watching the red liquid flow out, Fawkes was reminded of other deaths, so many deaths. He felt vaguely queasy. He leaned over and cleaned the blade of his sword on the grass. Behind him he could hear his soldiers cheering. He had waited for this moment for so long, but now that it was here, it didn’t seem real.
Someone clapped him on back. Reynard spoke, “It’s over, Fawkes. You’ve done it. Now all that is left is to claim everything that was Mortimer’s. First, Mordeaux, then Valmar and your new wife. How does it feel, my friend? You’re a wealthy man now. A real lord. Mordeaux appears prosper­ous, and Valmar was always a rich demesne. You’ll have to pay some sort of fine to the king, I’m guessing. That is, if Richard ever makes it back to England.”
Fawkes pulled off his helm and looked down at his blood-spattered hands. “I need to wash. There must be a well in the castle.” He started off.


Buy links:

Amazon
B & N
iBooks

Join us for the next edition of Medieval Monday coming soon. In the meantime, here's a video recap of the great books featured in this summer's edition:

https://video214.com/play/Mwpu4IcsSPeMc8TQn6XIQg/s/dark 

Monday, September 2, 2019

MEDIEVAL MONDAY--The Coup de Gras




Here it is, the final snippet of my "Villains and Bad Guys" excerpt for Medieval Monday and your last chance to comment to win an ebook copy of LADY OF STEEL:

     “She was never a slut, you bastard!” Fawkes pressed his advantage, feeling his hatred grow fiercer and more consuming. "You sent me to her! You used her like a piece of livestock!”
     Mortimer lost his balance and fell. Fawkes loomed over him, panting in rage. “Whatever she’s done, you’ll never defame or degrade her again.” With a savage thrust he drove his sword into Mortimer’s neck.
     Mortimer’s blue eyes bore a look of surprise as the wound spouted blood. Watching the red liquid flow out, Fawkes was reminded of other deaths, so many deaths. He felt vaguely queasy. He leaned over and cleaned the blade of his sword on the grass. Behind him he could hear his soldiers cheering. He had waited for this moment for so long,but now that it was here, it didn’t seem real.
     Someone clapped him on back. Reynard spoke, “It’s over, Fawkes. You’ve done it. Now all that is left is to claim everything that was Mortimer’s. First, Mordeaux, then Valmar and your new wife. How does it feel, my friend? You’re a wealthy man now. A real lord. Mordeaux appears prosperous, and Valmar was always a rich demesne. You’ll have to pay some sort of fine to the king, I’m guessing. That is, if Richard ever makes it back to England.”
     Fawkes pulled off his helm and looked down at his blood-spattered hands. “I need
to wash. There must be a well in the castle.” He started off.

To read the rest of Fawkes and Nicola's story:

Amazon
B & N
iBooks

Monday, August 26, 2019

Things are really heating up as we near the finale of Medieval Monday. This week I feature a snippet from Judith Sterling's exciting tale, SHADOW OF THE SWAN. 

     A male voice rang out, “Forgive the intrusion.”
     Dominy twitched and spun around. “Cedric.”
     The bald priest stood at the chapel entrance. “Archdeacon.”
     “Priest.” From his tone, Dominy clearly meant to belittle his cousin.
     Father Cedric stepped forward. “I would speak with Lord Ravenwood’s guest.”
     “I don’t see why—”
     “Alone.” The priest’s voice echoed like a choir of angels off the vaulted ceiling.

Shadow of the Swan, the novels of Ravenwood, book 3:

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

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

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

Buy links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iBooks
Kobo 
Audible

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win digital copies of the first three books in The Novels of Ravenwood series, and follow along next week on Judith Sterling’s blog:
https://judithmarshallauthor.com/blog/

And for the next excerpt from my medieval Lady of Steel, visit Judith's blog:  https://judithmarshallauthor.com/blog/

Monday, August 19, 2019

This week's Medieval Monday features a snippet from Sherry Ewing's Scottish time travel, One Last Kiss. (Isn't the cover beautiful?)

     “Did you not take heed of my earlier words, dear lady? I am Gaillard de Rowen, and as soon as I may gain permission from Lord Dristan, you shall be my wife.”
      An unladylike laugh escaped her. “Yeah… sorry, buddy, but that’s not happening.”

Be sure to leave a comment for Sherry to be in the running for her giveaway – an eCopy of One Last Kiss. A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Medieval Monday, September 9th.

Miss last week and a chance to comment? Check it out here:
https://RueAllyn.com/blog

Follow Sherry to next week’s snippet (August 26 th ) here:
https://bambilynnblog.wordpress.org

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 an encounter
with the castle’s healer tells him of a woman traveling across time—for him. 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. 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?

One Last Kiss is a medieval/time travel in Sherry Ewing's Knights of Berwyck series. It first appeared in the Bluestocking Belles’ 2018 box set Follow Your Star Home. This novella is now available for individual sale. 

Buy Links:

Amazon US  |  Apple Books Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo

And for those of you following the Medieval Monday excerpt of Lady of Steel, this week's snippet is featured on Sherry's blog:  https://sherryewing.com/blog/

Monday, August 12, 2019

Medieval Monday--THE HIGHLANDER'S ENGLISH WOMAN

This week's snippet is from Ruth Casie's exciting Scottish romance, The Highlander's English Woman

Be sure to leave a comment to be in the running for Ruth's giveaway – an eCopy of The Highlander’s English Woman. A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Medieval Monday, September 9th.

      Jamie didn’t care for bullies or being baited by them. He wouldn’t fight.
      “Here, here Bryce. That’s enough.” Richard grabbed his neighbor’s arm but Bryce shook him off. Reeve pulled Richard back.
      “Enjoy the spectacle. It’s time he learned his place,” Reeve said.
      “Stay out of this,” Bryce screamed at Richard, then turned to Jamie. “Fight, or are you a puny coward, too?”
      Jamie said nothing. He held his fists at his side and stepped back again.
      The fight started in the yard, progressed to the field, and finished near the pond. A small group of people followed and urged Jamie to defend himself. The next punch caught the Scotsman in the chest. He didn’t flinch.
      “You should be lying on the ground by now. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Jamie pulled up his arms to protect his face as best he could against the onslaught of punches. He didn’t retaliate. 
      His face cut and bloodied, he still didn’t strike back. 
      “Fight, damn you,” Bryce shouted and followed with a quick barrage of solid body punches.
      He held his position and didn’t fight back.

Follow Ruth to next week’s snippet (Aug 19) here: https://bambilynnblog.wordpress.org

Miss last week and a chance to comment? Check it out here: https://www.ashleyyorkauthor.com

Laura Reynolds is in love with her long-time friend, Jamie Maxwell Collins. She adores his playful sense of humor, caring nature as well as his strong sense of family and honor.

Jamie lives across the border in Scotland. Outwardly carefree, he hides a dark secret. He can’t involve Laura in this deception. He can’t give her hope for a future together.

Laura stumbles upon Jamie’s secret. In her heart of hearts she knows Jamie is innocent. Their relationship in tatters and with no hope of reconciliation, she plays a deadly game to exonerate Jamie, she agrees to a political marriage. She has no idea the entire game has been orchestrated by her future husband, Jamie’s greatest enemy.


Buy Links: Amazon |B&N  | iBooks | Kobo

And for this week's snippet of Lady of Steel, visit Ruth Casie's blog:  www.RuthACasie.blogspot.com

Monday, August 5, 2019

This Medieval Monday the Heroine Is Welsh!

This week's Villains and Bad Guys snippet features my favorite kind of heroine, a Welsh princess!  Cathy McRae's The Highlander's Welsh Bride, sounds wonderfully exciting. Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook (kindle)!

A Welsh princess on the run from King Edward’s army, Carys finds herself embroiled with pirates pillaging the western coastline of Scotland. She has escaped their clutches twice before. Has her luck at last run out? 

A sailor dragged a long, deep chest across the deck. He unlocked it, opened the lid and dispensed weapons to the crew. Hanna slipped from the aftcastle to the deck, joining Carys at the chest. Birk ground his teeth as the startled sailor glanced up, seeking permission to arm the two women. Without waiting for his sanction, his mother and wife slipped daggers as long as their forearms into sheaths at their sides. Hanna plucked a short sword from the chest. Carys also selected a short sword and grabbed a bow and quiver of arrows from a passing soldier. Brody handed the weapons to her without fuss. He knew Carys could fight. He’d learned of her skills firsthand that day in the forest, and again when she’d bested his laird in the yard at Dairborrodal.

Follow the excerpt next week to Barbara Bettis’ blog:
http://barbarabettis.blogspot.co.uk/

It was over. Prince Llywelyn was dead, his soldiers fleeing before King Edward’s army. Carys, a distant cousin to the prince, herself a princess of Wales, had picked up arms alongside her husband more than a year ago. Now homeless, her husband buried beneath the good Welsh soil, she seeks shelter in the north, far from the reach of Longshanks’s men. Carys and Wales would never be the same again.

Birk MacLean has been ordered to take a bride and produce an heir. He grows weary of the lasses paraded before him, women of delicate nature and selfish motives. He desires a wife strong enough to help lead one of the most powerful clans in Western Scotland.One like the Welsh woman sitting in his dungeon, arrested for poaching MacLean deer. Can Birk convince Carys marriage to him is preferable to a hangman’s noose? And will the hard-headed Scot be worthy of a Princess of Wales?

From the towering Welsh mountains to the storm-swept Scottish coast comes a tale of betrayal and loss, deceit and passion. An epic tale of honor and the redeeming power of love.

Buy link: Amazon: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B07KNYTMPK

And for the next excerpt from Lady of Steel, visit Cathy's blog:  https://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Medieval Monday--THE VALIANT VIKING

Welcome to Medieval Monday, the Villains and Bad Guys edition.  This week's snippet is from Bambi Lynn's exciting story, The Valiant Viking.

     Boddi studied him, considering the challenge. Finally, he shoved her to the ground at Rolf’s feet. Sharp pain seared her already bruised hands and knees.
     He made no move to help her up. Broken and dejected, she stood carefully and cowered behind him.
     Boddi scanned the line of captives, his gaze landing almost immediately on Rheda. She broke from the group, causing a moment of chaos. She ran for her life towards the woods surrounding the village but was quickly apprehended by some of Boddi’s men. They dragged her back, biting and clawing. They laughed at her struggle.
     The muscle in Rolf’s jaw twitched.

Can a foundering seaside village survive the onslaught of marauding Vikings bearing down on them?

Desperate to save her village from a band of Norsemen sweeping down the coastline, Kaylla catches her first ray of hope when she discovers one of the pillaging heathens washed ashore. Perhaps they can use this captive to bargain for the safety of their village. Rolf Bloodhands, sole survivor of a traitorous attack on his king’s fleet, assures her that his kinsmen will not spare the easy conquest of their waning village for the life of one man. Instead he teaches them the basics of defense and combat with the meager weapons they have available. If they fail to stave off the invaders, the few villagers left will either be killed or enslaved.

With only two days to prepare for an invasion sure to decimate her village, Kaylla is shocked by her attraction to the hunky Norseman she has enslaved. Who knew fear of imminent death could drive an innocent woman to explore the oldest sins known to man.

BUY LINK:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BMZFFU2/

Click here to follow along next week by visiting Rue Allyn. 


And for this week's snippet of LADY OF STEEL, visit Bambi's blog:  www.bambilynnblog.wordpress.com