Sea Mage: The Nightshade Guild by Louisa Bacio
Give a Spooktacular welcome to Louisa Bacio author of Sea Mage:The Nightshade Guild. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Louisa Bacio and Sea Mage. Plus 5 Things NOT to Do While Ghost Hunting. Psst… don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of the post!
Sea Mage: The Nightshade Guild
About the Author:
than 40 novels, novellas and short stories, including the paranormal The
Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf series and Winter Solstice Ménage. Watch
for her upcoming Sea Mage in The Nightshade Guild series.
She shares her household with a supportive husband, two teenagers growing too
fast, and a multitude pet craziness. In her other life, Bacio teaches college
classes in English, journalism and popular culture.
It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Sea Mage!
Visits: 50
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Louisa Bacio, Paranormal Romance, Sea Mage by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Friday the 13th 2021, Here it Comes – Be Warned! #Writerslife
Friday the 13th
In a year of “what else can possibly go wrong?” August, Friday 13th, 2021 has arrived. As dawn’s early light swept in my bedroom window, I peeked from beneath the covers hesitantly wondering what the day would bring. Never being one to be overly superstitious, I found this feeling unnerving. The date associated with bad luck, black cats, towering ladders not to walk under, and scary happenings creates a perfect storm for the superstitious! I’m not one of those, at least I wasn’t, I long ago embraced Friday the thirteenth, and all things thirteen probably because it wasn’t done in my household.
My mom was the queen of superstitious. She avoided walking under ladders, tossed salt over her shoulder when she spilled some, never broke a mirror to my recollection, and would walk or drive blocks out of her way to avoid allowing a black cat to cross her path. Until that fateful day I brought home the cutest solid black kitten with the bluest eyes. Named him Panther after my high school mascot. He blessed us with his presence for twenty-two years. I miss that cat! He was my lucky charm.
The irrational fear of the number thirteen has been given a scientific name: “triskaidekaphobia”; and this the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, from the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή, meaning “Friday”), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς, meaning “thirteen”). Yeah it’s probably more than you wanted to know. LOL
Ever wonder what started this Frrday the 13th Fear?
Knights Templar
The predominant 20th-century theory suggests that it stemmed from an event that occurred on Friday, October 13, 1307, when thousands belonging to an influential religious military order called the Knights Templar (officially, the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon) were arrested for blasphemy and other affronts at the command of France’s king, Philip IV. Many were later tortured, coerced into making false confessions, and executed.
When the knights were burned at the stake in Paris, the order’s leader, Jacque de Molay, cried out, “God knows who is wrong and has sinned. Soon, a calamity will occur to those who have condemned us to death.” The holy warrior’s curse and wrongful death put a hex on Friday the 13th through the ages.
Norse Mythology
Do you know the story of Loki? (No not Thor’s brother) At a dinner with 12 of the Norse gods, Loki was not invited. However, the trouble-maker showed up, fighting ensued, and one of the most popular gods (Baldur) was killed that day.
Now that I’m on a roll, got more Friday the 13th fun facts!
Wonder why the mere mention of 13 is considered unlucky? Look no further than Friday the 13th. Today, modern skyscrapers will often skip the 13th floor–going straight from 12 to 14. Similarly, airlines often avoid the number altogether for airplane rows and arrival gates.
Weddings dates, new job starts, going on a trip, or any other auspicious occasions are usually planned to avoid the 13th day of the month — especially Friday the 13th — to ensure good fortune.
The number 13 has been associated with bad luck since the time of Christ, when the Last Supper was attended by Jesus and his 12 apostles. Judas, who would ultimately betray Jesus, was believed to be the last and 13th member to arrive.
Famous people born on Friday the 13th include actors Christopher Plummer, Steve Buscemi, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, director Alfred Hitchcock and Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Franklin Roosevelt had such an irrational fear of Friday the 13 that he would avoid traveling on Fridays.
For Stephen King, (the famous horror author) the number 13 is scary. Yep he has triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13). But when the date falls on a Friday, it’s horrifying. Such a double-whammy of fears has its own name: paraskevidekatriaphobia. Imagine that!
Jack the Ripper claimed his final victim on Friday the 13th in 1888.
Bet you didn’t know months that begin on a Sunday will always have a Friday the 13th. I kid you not,
To sprinkle a little good cheer on this Friday the 13th, heaven knows we need it, take a peek at A Witch’s Journey Series. There are twists, turns, elements of mystery but this is a story about magic, power, love, second chances, and redemption. Not to mention several 5-star reviews!!
In A Witch’s Journey, The McKay Magic is legendary. But when Pepper inherits the property little known secrets emerge.
A heart warming tale, A Witch’s Holiday Wedding, Pepper and Lathen are torn in too many directions, with a covert mission thrown in, will they make it to the alter?
As wildlife rehabilitator, Gwen and veterinarian, Brock at Salem Sanctuary discovery the consequences of Hidden Gypsy Magic, the series continues.
Join the magical adventures, pick up the series today! https://buff.ly/2p28qJU UK links https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tena-Stetler/e/B014E0PEPM
One more good thing about this Friday the 13th is the Paranormal Romantic’s Celebration. Come join in the fun, games, giveaways at Paranormal Romantic’s Fan FB Party.
Visits: 287
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog and tagged A Witch's Holiday Wedding, A Witch's Journey, A Witch's Journey Series, black cats, Friday the 13th, Hidden Gypsy Magic, ladders, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Timetravel by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Return of the Raven by Judith Sterling – Interview
Give a warm welcome to Judith Sterling, author of Return of the Raven (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book Five). Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Judith and Return of the Raven. Let’s start with Judith.
Have you ever cried while writing a book?
I cried while writing this one! Especially the last two chapters. I can’t tell you what happens in the scenes, but I needed some long hugs from my husband—and numerous tissues—to recover.
How did you do in English as a kid?
Straight “A”s all through school and college. Other than history, it was my favorite subject. Call me a nerd, but I used to read the dictionary for fun, even in elementary school.
Before I had a family, I wrote late at night, usually from midnight until 5:00 a.m. I’m a real night owl! Once I had kids, I wrote while they were at school. Since COVID, I have to write while they’re home, and that’s a tall order. My desk is in an alcove of the dining room; basically, Grand Central Station. I need to use super focus to get things done.
How did you come up with the title?
It just popped into my head and seemed the only appropriate title. The meaning is both literal and symbolic, and it applies to more than one character. (I can’t say more, or I’d give things away!)
Who do you see as a hero/heroine in your life?
My mom. She’s strong, steadfast, loving, and intuitive.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
An author. Always.
What is your favorite drink? It’s a three-way tie: sweet iced tea, hot tea with cream and sugar, or chocolate milk. If we’re talking alcohol, I’d probably go with a frozen strawberry margarita.
Do you ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a factory?
No! Been there, done that. I held many secretarial and administrative assistant jobs and even worked as a reservation sales agent for Delta Air Lines. Creativity took a back seat to repetitive tasks. Now I love being an author and teaching history as a tour guide at The Witch House here in Salem, Massachusetts.
A little about Return of the Raven.
Margaret, Lady Ravenwood, is trapped in a loveless marriage and firmly entrenched in the medieval world. Along comes Griffin Nightshade, a historian from the future whose soul resonates with hers. He persuades her to return with him to the 1950s, but heeding her heart means courting danger from a curse that could spell her doom.
Haunted by his parents’ sudden deaths, Griffin knows all too well the pain born of love lost. He guards his emotions, but Margaret delves deep and goes straight to the soul. She’s hard to resist…and harder to set free.
The heart’s desire and history’s demands don’t always agree. Yet true love is eternal.
Do you have set times during the day that you write?
A peek between the pages of Return of the Raven.
Dressed in blue-striped pajamas, Griffin stood in front of his bed. His gaze shifted back and forth between two books. Usually, he was a decisive reader, but tonight was different. He’d had Margaret on the mind the entire time he perused the library shelves, and even now, the sound of her bathwater filling the tub next door plagued his focus.
Nevertheless, he’d narrowed the choice to two books: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles or Dennis Wheatley’s The Devil Rides Out. He’d read both before and enjoyed them immensely, so he couldn’t go wrong with either one.
So what’s it going to be? Murder on the moors or black magic on Salisbury Plain?
Margaret’s clear-toned voice penetrated the wall between their bedrooms. She was humming the first part of the sonata he’d played tonight. Not only did she have an ear for language; she also had one for music. She had perfect pitch, too, as did he, which allowed him to discern that she hummed the exact same notes he’d played on the Steinway. Her singing voice was just as lovely as he’d imagined it might be.
His brow furrowed. He had no business imagining anything about her, least of all her naked body slipping into a warm bath and—
Stop! He huffed and rubbed his mouth with his hand. Then he refocused his attention on the books for the umpteenth time. Come on now. Murder or magic? Magic or murder?
“Griff!” A note of panic tinged her voice.
Meg! In trouble!
He dashed into the hall and into her bedroom, then flung open the bathroom door. She stood in the bathtub, clad in bubbles whose brethren spilled over the side of the tub onto the floor. Luckily, the white foam covered all but her neck, head, and one shoulder.
“There’s too much of it.” She gestured to the mess and sent a cluster of bubbles flying through the air.
“I can see that. Are you hurt?”
“No, just unnerved. They kept building and building until I feared they might cover the entire chamber.”
“First, let’s turn off the water.” He reached into the sea of foam, found the faucets, and twisted each one in turn. “How much of the soapy liquid did you use?”
“The whole bottle.”
His eyes widened. “Well, that explains it. Only a small amount is necessary.”
“When Hannah showed me how to use it, she simply turned the bottle upside down to demonstrate pouring. I assumed all of the liquid was needed.” With a rueful expression, she looked around her. “Obviously not.”
She was adorable. And underneath those bubbles, she was nude. Time to go!
“Well, I’m glad ʼtwas nothing serious. I’ll just be going now.” With an about face, he headed for the door.
“Wait.”
Uh oh. What does she want now? He turned back around.
“I must know something, and you’re the only one who can help me know it.”
A warning bell pealed in his mind and urged his heart to quicken its pace. “What do you want to know?”
“Earlier, you called me attractive, but you haven’t seen all of me.”
Only by the grace of those bubbles! Did she intend to bare all? No…modesty would prevent that. But the look in her eye—that steady gleam of determination—made him nervous. “Surely you don’t mean—”
“I do. All of my married life, Evoric has mocked me and deemed me unappealing.”
“To him mayhap.” Or eunuchs. Otherwise…
Adamantly, she shook her head. “To all men. Or so he says.”
He is such a sleaze. “He’s just trying to make excuses for his own failure.”
“That may be, but I’ll never know for certain unless you look upon me yourself and give me your honest opinion.”
Dear God. How did I get myself into this mess? “I really think ʼtis better if—”
“Griff.” Her violet eyes pleaded with him. “I know I’ve asked a lot from you, but I need this. Otherwise, I’ll wonder about it the rest of my life.”
How could he deny her the chance to rebuild her self-confidence? He took a deep breath, pushed it out, and braced for what would come. “Very well. Show yourself to me.”
Buy Links
Amazon https://amzn.com/B08RYD2GW8
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8
Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/return-of-the-raven-judith-sterling/1138556276
Apple https://books.apple.com/us/book/return-of-the-raven/id1547199256
Author Bio
Judith Sterling is an award-winning author whose love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Whether penning medieval romance (The Novels of Ravenwood) or young adult paranormal fantasy (the Guardians of Erin series), her favorite themes include true love, destiny, time travel, healing, redemption, and finding the hidden magic which exists all around us. She loves to share that magic with readers and whisk them far away from their troubles, particularly to locations in the British Isles.
Your website: https://judithmarshallauthor.com/
Your facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judithsterlingfiction/
Twitter:
One Other link of importance: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16291161.Judith_Sterling
Title of current release: Return of the Raven
Buy link: https://amzn.com/B08RYD2GW8
Author name: Judith Sterling
Visits: 102
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Book Five, Judith Sterling, Novels of Ravenwood, Paranormal Romance, Return of the Raven by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.
Stranger Creatures by Christina Lynn Lambert
Give a warm welcome to Christina Lynn Lambert, author of Stranger Creatures Series. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Christina Lynn Lambert and her Stranger Creatures!
It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Stranger Creatures Series!
Visits: 61
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Christina Lynn Lambert, Paranormal Romance, romantic suspense, Stranger Creatures by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
