A DEMON’S WITCH, The Book that Started It All!

Good morning! Beginning today, Friday, and thereafter for the next few Sundays,  I will be showcasing my published books beginning with my debut novel published in 2015, A DEMON’S WITCH, (e-book is on sale for 99 cents – limited time) through the last one, A MAGIC REDEMPTION, released Dec. 2019.  Then maybe a sneak peek into the first book to be published in 2019!   What inspired A DEMON’S WITCH you ask and what made it different from most paranormal romance you read?

A Demon’s Witch, was born in a hair salon from a song. I was talking with my hairdresser, Jen, one Saturday about the things she sees and hears in her line of work and my imagination took off. She laughed as I bounced ideas off her. I remembered a 1960’s era song about a hairdresser named Bruce. A little more brainstorming with Jen and my hubby then A Demon’s Witch was born.  After that the what if’s began.

What if the hairdresser is really a ruggedly handsome demon overlord. Now tell me if that isn’t different. LOL

What if a powerful witch breezed into his salon and the attraction was undeniable?

What if  the witch’s brother just happens to be the demons overlord’s hired enforcer?  Will they survive discovery and make a life together?

What if the salon is multi-species catering to mortals and paranormal creatures alike is located in Washington DC? Flaming manicure bowls, Fried hairdryers,  a magic portal in the basement make it a bit different.

Adds a new dimension to our concept of DC, doesn’t it? Or maybe you just thought DC was full of demon’s and creatures that go bump in the night to begin with. LOL

Click on the cover to read more or purchase.

What’s A Demon’s Witch about:  Well…I’ll tell you.

It’s about family, blood or otherwise. Its about doing the right thing for maybe the wrong reasons. Keeping secrets is not always the best action, especially when preternatural powers are involved.  A Demon’s Witch takes you into the realm of magic & paranormal, with surprising & suspenseful twists & turns.

What did the 5-star reviews have to say about A Demon’s Witch?

“I thoroughly enjoyed this sexy paranormal story with excellent world building and well developed characters. The author has created a clever setting by making the headquarters of the demon a trendy hair salon in Washington DC. It makes for some entertaining situations. Enter a feisty witch who knocks the demon off his feet and turns his carefully ordered world upside down.”  L. Williams  – 5 Stars

“This debut novel by Tena Stetler is phenomenal! She created a unique paranormal world filled with witches, wizards, demons, fairies, and a few other surprises. Absolutely loved the chemistry between Bruce and Angelique! I was swooning the moment Bruce entered the scene. ”

‘A Demon’s Witch spicy romance has it all intrigue, humor, thrills, danger and a splash of magic to keep you on the edge of your seat.”

A peek between the pages of A Demon’s Witch!

A feeling of dark foreboding, like storm clouds forming on the horizon before a violent storm, washed over Bruce as he maneuvered the SUV into the parking lot behind The Krystal Unicorn.

Tristian was already there and it wasn’t to give his report. Bruce could feel the fury in Tristian’s magic signature hanging in the air. A silver tipped arrow penetrated the windshield, split the arm securing the rearview mirror, and stuck in the headrest a quarter inch from Bruce’s neck. Blue liquid oozed from the tip and a stream of red mist escaped from the other end of the arrow.

“Hold your breath and don’t open the door or windows. The influx of fresh air will spread the poison.” He hissed though his teeth not daring to take a breath.

Air pressure inside the vehicle changed, Angie’s head felt like it was going to explode. Bruce. She whispered into his mind, a benefit of being mated.

I know, just a few seconds more, I’ve got it handled. His deep smooth voice floated reassuringly in her mind, as he reached over caressing her shoulder.

The pressure eased and the red mist sucked in on itself disappearing along with the oozing liquid. He pulled the arrow from the headrest, fingering the hole in the upholstery.

Through gritted teeth, Bruce growled. “His first mistake was that he missed me. His second deadly mistake was he risked your life. That is unforgivable.” Those two things also told Bruce that Tristian wasn’t thinking clearly, fury was coloring his judgment. That gave Bruce an edge, though the attack caught him off guard. He hadn’t expected Tristian’s attack to put his sister at risk.

The console between them lowered to seat level. He hoped to add fuel to the fury burning inside Tristian. Bruce put his arm around Angie’s waist and pulled her against him, his lips pressed against hers then gently covered her mouth as his tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips. He drew back, touched his lips to hers again trailing them down to the pulsing hollow of her neck and whispered, “You’re going into the shop now, Willow is waiting just on the other side of the door. Please stay there, you’ll be able to remain in my mind just don’t interfere. I need your presence there as a calming one. Willow can help you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know. There wasn’t time to explain how everything works and I’m not exactly sure myself. Only that I can feel you in my mind and I assume you can feel me in yours.”

“Yes, it’s a weird sensation,” Angie said a tremor in her voice.

“We’ll learn together to use it to our benefit, now is as good a time as any to practice.”

She snorted, “Sure, our lives are on the line. No big deal.” She threw up her hands.

“That’s the spirit.” He grinned raising his head and cupping her trembling chin in his steady hand, not taking his eyes off hers. “Believe me when I tell you, I won’t kill your brother. Although he is making it damn difficult. Nor do I believe he will kill me. Though that is his intention, right now. So put those thoughts out of your mind, they won’t help either of us.”

Available at:

Amazon.comAmazon UK   Amazon AU   Amazon CA    KoboThe Wild Rose Press. Walmart.com and Barnes & Noble.

 

I love to meet new readers and chat with them or other authors. So please check out my social media links below. Talk with you soon! 

Website: https://www.tenastetler.com

Authors’ Secret’s Bloghttps://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/

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Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author

Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/TenaStetler     

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler

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Amazon:  www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler

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The Good, Bad and Ugly – Reflections of 2018

This time of year, I always look back to see what my successes were and what I could have done better. 2018 was my least favorite year of all time. Beaten only by the year my mother passed away twenty years ago.  Now there were some shining moments too; which I clung to tight just to get me through this year.

Let’s start with the good:

I met all my goals for 2018. Yeah! <Fist pump>

Book four, AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT, and five, A MAGIC REDEMPTION, in A DEMON’S WITCH SERIES were published in August and December. Exciting times but promo was crazy.

My third book, A Witch’s Journey became Amazon’s #2 best seller in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Yep I was stoked. What happened to the United States ranking, I’ve no idea.

I was featured twice August and December in HEA column of USA Today the latest being an exclusive excerpt from A MAGIC REDEMPTION in December. As a writer, that is a dream come true.

Hubby and I enjoyed a few fantastic camping trips over the summer and early fall.  During the next to last camping trip we learned the company my husband worked for had been sold and he would have to find another job.  Yeah it kinda ruined the trip to our favorite spot Rocky Mountain National Park. But there’s always next year.  However, same day he was offered a job with another company but dealing with the six month non-compete sucks.  Which leads me to…

The bad:

My father-in-law passed away in January 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Settling the estate long distance was difficult to begin with, not to mention the interference from relatives.

Due to Alzheimer’s, my mother-in-law is in a nice memory care facility but it’s located 2500 miles from our home. Because of her deteriorating condition, she can’t be moved.

A favorite aunt passed away mid-December.

Though my books usually get stellar reviews, there were a couple reviews that were not and those bother me even though I read them only once.  Yes I know publishing is a tough industry and writing is subjective… but still…

The Ugly:

Right now the world around us is scary and very dark. Kindness is in short supply, negativity is everywhere, and it’s always someone else’s fault.  I can remember when you owned your mistakes and stepped up to correct them. I’m hopeful 2019 will bring about changes that will put our country and world on a better path.

So I’m going to put aside the bad and ugly and start 2019 with a renewed enthusiasm for accomplishing my New Year’s goals.  

  1. Hopefully receive a couple new book contracts.
  2. Meet my writing goal of 5,000 words written each week.
  3. Set aside more quality time with friends, family, and my dog, parrot and turtle.
  4. Relax and enjoy many camping trips.
  5. Exercise regularly. This is always a tough one for me. I tend to let deadlines and obligations control my schedule.
  6. Take control of my schedule and stick to it, barring emergencies.

 

How about sharing some of your  New Year’s goals? Did you make your 2018 goals?  Wishing you and yours Love, Laughter and Happy New Year! See you next year.  I love saying that. LOL  

 

 

 

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Sharon Ashwood Author of Gifted-Dark Forgotten Series

Happy Holidays and welcome to Sharon Ashwood. Did someone say Supernatural holiday carols? And what about Gifted a new novella by Sharon Ashwood? Who says the holiday season is just for humans?

Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what  Gifted – fifth book in the Dark Forgotten Series. and supernatural holiday carols is all about.  Thanks for joining us! Psst… don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter for giveaways.

 

 

Supernatural Holiday Carols!

Who doesn’t like a playlist of
holiday favorites?  Whether you’re
rocking around the Yuletide tree or mixing punch in your festive cauldron, no
party is complete without a soundtrack of traditional and contemporary tunes.
We consulted with the good folks over at CSUP—the station that puts super in
supernatural—to get their most-requested numbers for the season. 
Here we go with the countdown:
1.       God Rest Ye Hairy Gentlemen
2.       Silent Night, Howly Night
3.       Here Comes Santa Claws
4.       Jingle Hells
5.       We Three Kings Disoriented Are (aka the mummy song)
6.       O Come, All Ye Fateful
7.       The Little Dragon Boy
8.       It Came Upon a Midnight Drear
9.       What Child is This? (Theme from The Gingerbread House in the
Woods)
10.     The First Nom Nom (the werewolf did say)

 

For those of you planning a
sing-a-long this season, drop by the station for song sheets and a hot drink
between now and New Year’s Day.  Our
doors are always open! As for whether you ever leave again, your mileage may
vary.
 
About Gifted: The Dark Forgotten
Who says the holiday season is just for humans?
For all the holly-jolly times, family gatherings are complex no matter who—or what—you are. When you’re hunting for the latest “it” toy to stuff a stocking, it doesn’t matter if you’re alive or Undead, fanged or furry—you’re just as desperate to be the cool dad. And then there are the family grumps who never send cards, the ones who eat all the good candy, and those who drool and dig up the neighbor’s yard.
No, the Yuletide Season isn’t for the faint of heart—and sometimes it’s downright demonic—but holiday miracles make it all worthwhile. Chance encounters and unexpected forgiveness remind us that joy doesn’t come in a gift-wrapped box.
This novella from the Dark Forgotten world catches up with favorite characters for a fresh take on the holidays. Those visiting the world for the first time will understand why Chicago Tribune called it “simply superb.”
Grab this book and return to the world of the Dark Forgotten. Santa Claws is waiting!
 
“Don’t you want
to go see Santa Claws?”  Errata Jones
asked in her husky, teasing voice.
“Meh,” Perry
Baker replied, still grumpy at the prospect of crowds and gift-giving
decisions. Plus, it was cold, gray, and rainy—a typical December day in the
Pacific Northwest.
“Where’s your
boundless holiday spirit?” She turned into the parking lot outside the Fairview
Sports and Recreation Center. It was the final day of the Yuletide Holiday
Market, an arts and crafts event by and for the local supernatural community.
“Counting today, there’s only three shopping days till Christmas.”
“I really hope
you’re not going to make me sit on Santa’s knee.”
“I don’t think
so, darling. That would be weird, even for us.”
Errata swung her
Jaguar coupe into the last parking space, beating out a massive pickup by a
whisker. The truck made a sound like a startled dinosaur as it lurched to a
stop on the frosty pavement. Turning off the Jaguar’s ignition, Errata smoothed
her chin-length, jet-black hair, then glanced in the rear-view mirror, looking
pleased with herself. Perry twisted in his seat to see the pickup driver turn a
Christmassy scarlet and lurch off. 
Perry willed his
heart to resume its normal rhythm.
Errata was a werecougar, and there were reasons cats shouldn’t drive.
Werewolves like him were another matter. Wolves appreciated order, including
stop signs. Cats did things because they could—like pester him into going to
this stupid craft fair. 
That’s what he
got for befriending a feline. He cast her a sidelong look, taking in her high
cheekbones and smooth, golden skin. It was all he could do not to reach over
and stroke her hair, but that would be crossing a boundary. She’d made it clear
from the start that cats walked alone.
Errata finished
preening and gave him an arch look. “Shouldn’t you be shopping for your human,
what’s-her-name?”
Perry released
his seatbelt. “Her name is Tiffani. With an i.”
“Tiffani. Of
course it is.” Errata patted his cheek with a pitying look. “Come on. First
fifty guests get a goodie bag.”
“She’s fun,”
Perry said, sounding defensive even to himself.
“Humans
generally are,” she said agreeably. “You should buy her something really nice.”
“Men don’t shop
before December 23rd,” he protested as he got out of the car.
“Friends don’t
let friends give their sweethearts, even ones named Tiffani with an i, gift
cards.”
“But gift cards
make sense.”
Errata flung the
end of her scarf over her shoulder with a flick of one gloved hand. “Be
grateful you have me to watch over you.” She clicked the locks and swept toward
the entrance of the building, leaving Perry to catch up.
“Cats,” he
grumbled. “What do you want for Yule?”
“Not a gift
card.”
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author Sharon Ashwood is a novelist, desk jockey and enthusiast for the weird and spooky. She has an English literature degree but works as a finance geek. Interests include growing her to-be-read pile and playing with the toy graveyard on her desk. As a vegetarian, she freely admits the whole vampire/werewolf lifestyle would never work out, so she writes her adventures instead.
Sharon is a winner of the RITA® Award for Paranormal Romance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and is owned by the Demon Lord of Kitty Badness.
Tumblr (The Prattler) http://rowanashart.tumblr.com/

 

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It was wonderful having you with us today.  Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Gifted!

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Judith Sterling Author of The Stone Awakened

Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Judith Sterling, author of  The Stone Awakened, just released and The Cauldron Stirred.  Book one and two of Guardians of Erin series. Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets  find out a little about Judith and see what Stone Awakened and The Cauldron Stirred are all about. Thanks for joining us! Psst… for the first five persons to leave a comment, you’ll win a digital copy of The Cauldron Stirred, first book in Guardians of Erin Series. 

Judith, what inspired this particular story?  The whole Guardians of Erin series—which will have four books in total—was inspired by my deep love for Ireland and paranormal experiences during my travels there.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?  Watching classic Christmas movies with my family.  Because The Stone Awakened takes place around Christmastime, I had to include in the story some of my favorite Irish Christmas traditions, like wearing “ugly Christmas jumpers” and reading James Joyce’s The Dead.

What does Christmas mean to you?  Quality time with loved ones and magical memories from childhood.

Do you keep the Christmas spirit all year?  If we’re talking about love, compassion, and a belief in magic and miracles, then yes!

How long have you been writing?  My mom says I wrote my first story at age 3, and by 5th grade, I was writing chapter stories.

What’s your favorite part of being an author?  Knowing my stories make people happy.

Tell us a little about writing this story.  Was it fun or difficult?  Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?  So much fun!  I’m a plotter and really have to be.  I plan out whole series before writing the individual books and need to place my clues to the mysteries just right!  Still, my characters surprise me, sometimes through action and often through dialogue.

 SPEED ROUND

Favorite Christmas movie:  Christmas in Connecticut

Favorite Christmas book:  A Christmas Carol

Favorite color:  periwinkle

Stilettos or flipflops or elf shoes:  elf shoes

Coffee or tea or hot chocolate:  hot chocolate

Ebook or audiobook or paperback:  paperback

Pencil or pen or candy cane:  pen

Favorite Christmas Carole or song:  White Christmas

All-time favorite Christmas present:  Nancy Drew books

Favorite dessert:  chocolate mousse

Christmas Candy or Cake:  cake

Favorite thing to do to relax during the holidays:  watch movies

Champagne or gin or eggnog:  eggnog

Paranormal or Historical:  Both!  I can’t choose!

Wonder Woman or Top Model or Tinkerbell:  Wonder Woman

Favorite Christmas or holiday TV show:  A Charlie Brown Christmas

Hot or cold:  cold

POV:  third person

I’d die if I don’t have:  a functioning toilet

How about a couple questions for the Hero (Aengus):

What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you?  The night I first met the woman I’ve loved for more than a millennium.

What do you consider most important in life?  Keeping loved ones safe from harm.

 

Not so fast Ashling, I have a couple questions for you too. You are the Heroine right? Yes…

What is most important to you in life?  Giving something positive to the world.

What is your biggest fear?  That the lure of darkness will eclipse my natural affinity for the light.

 

Click on cover to read more or purchase.

Judith tell us a little about The Cauldron Stirred (Guardians of Erin, Book One):

Ashling Donoghue never dreamed moving to Ireland would rock her perception of reality and plunge her into a mystery that brings legend to life.

At seventeen, she’s never had a boyfriend, but she feels an immediate connection to Aengus Breasal, the son of the wealthy Irishman who’s invited her family to stay at his Killarney estate.  For the first time in her life, a guy she likes seems attracted to her.

But Aengus is secretive, with good reason.  He and his family are the Tuatha Dé Danann, ageless, mythical guardians adept at shifting between this reality and the magical dimension known as the Otherworld.  Evil forces from that world threaten the Breasals, the Donoghues, and all of Ireland.  Ashling must open her heart, face her fears, and embrace a destiny greater than she could ever have imagined.

 

How about for The Stone Awakened (Guardians of Erin, Book Two):

Since moving to Ireland, Ashling Donoghue has tackled one challenge after another.  Now the mystery of her parents’ disappearance seems unsolvable.  Are they dead or only missing?  No one—not even the godlike Breasals—has a clue.  Hope and fear war inside her, but she’s determined to find answers and stay strong for her siblings.  Even as she hones newfound powers, her banshee-in-training sister Deirdre needs her support.

Ashling could use a little help herself.  She’s struggling to navigate her first romance, and while Aengus Breasal stirs her body, mind, and soul, his nemesis Lorcan does too.  Both men harbor secrets about her past life as Caer.  One has ties to Aoife, the scheming wind demon whose influence is on the rise.

As the Stone of Destiny awakens, so does the conflict within.

 

Can we have a sneak peek between the pages of  The Stone Awakened?

Thunder shook the night as the Dullahan’s black stallion reared beneath him on the sweeping lawn below. The horseman thrust his severed head toward the sky and called out the names of those he hunted.

“Dylan Donoghue! Maeve Donoghue!”

 Powerless to stop him, I watched from the bedroom window. The glass panes infused my palms with the chill of death itself. Out of sight, my parents screamed, then fell silent. The sound of laughter followed.

 Exultant. Spiteful. Malignant.

 Aoife! The wind demon whose foul plot shattered my family with a single blow.

Hate and despair welled inside me. “No!”

“Ashling, wake up!” My sister shook me awake.

She switched on the lamp between our beds, and I scanned the room. The same sash windows as in the dream. The same luxurious décor in shades of periwinkle, white, and gray. Even my slippers beside the bed were the same. But the night was quiet, and there was no immediate danger.

Deirdre tucked her long, blonde hair behind her ears and gave me a knowing look. “Another nightmare about the Dullahan?”

Nodding, I wiped the sweat from my brow. “And Aoife.”

“Sounds almost as bad as my dream the night he took Mom and Dad.”

“We don’t know he took them.”

“We don’t know he didn’t.”

“They’re not dead!” Dread clutched my heart, and I pushed out a long breath to calm myself. “They can’t be.”

Buy Links: Amazon   Barnes and Noble   The Wild Rose Press

About the Author:

Judith Sterling’s love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Flight of the Raven, Soul of the Wolf, and Shadow of the Swan are part of her medieval romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood. The Cauldron Stirred and The Stone Awakened are part of her young adult paranormal series, Guardians of Erin.  Written under Judith Marshall, her nonfiction books—My Conversations with Angels and Past Lives, Present Stories—have been translated into multiple languages. She has an MA in linguistics and a BA in history, with a minor in British Studies. Born in that sauna called Florida, she craved cooler climes, and once the travel bug bit, she lived in England, Scotland, Sweden, Wisconsin, Virginia, and on the island of Nantucket. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her husband and their identical twin sons.

You can find Judith on her Social Media:

Website – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/judithsterlingfiction/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16291161.Judith_Sterling

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MT3KB7L

The Wild Rose Press – https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/2212_judith-sterling

It was wonderful having you with us today.  Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with  The Stone Awakened and The Cauldron Stirred!

 

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