Spotlight
with author Ruth A. Casie
Good morning to everyone! Today I have a
new-to-me author to share with you all. I have yet to read Ms. Casie’s work,
but I absolutely fell in love with this cover when I saw it. And when I
realized that Carina is the publisher, I knew that I had to feature it. For
those of you who don’t know, Harlequin is the parent company of Carina Press.
That right there is clout. *nods* It is kind of an automatic, no? Harlequin.
Hmmm. Yes. Definite feature. Not like I even have to give that one a thought.
So how about we find out what Carina has in store for us with this author.
Please allow me to welcome to the blog:
**RUTH
A CASIE**
**BIO**
Ruth A. Casie is a
seasoned professional with over twenty-five years of writing experience but not
necessarily writing romances. No, she’s been writing communication and
marketing documents for a large corporation. Over the past years,
encouraged by her friends and family, she gave way to her inner muse, let her
creative juices flow, and began writing a series of historical fantasies. She
lives in Teaneck, New Jersey, with her husband. They have three grown children
and two grand-children.
Discover strong men and
empowered women as they face unexpected challenges. Watch their stories unfold
as they encounter magic, danger, and passion. Join them as they race across the
pages to places where love and time know no bounds. Ruth hopes they become your
favorite adventures.
You can find out more about Ms. Casie in the following places:
**THE
GUARDIAN’S WITCH**
Genre: Historical
Fantasy
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of Publication:
July 1, 2013
ISBN: 978142689577
ASIN: B00CC68G88
Number of pages: 360
pages
Word Count: 71,000
Cover Artist: Angela
Waters - Millennium Promotions, Inc
**BLURB**
England, 1290
Lord Alex Stelton can’t resist a challenge, especially one with a
prize like this: protect a castle on the Scottish border for a year, and it’s
his. Desperate for land of his own, he’ll do anything to win the estate—even
enter a proxy marriage to Lady Lisbeth Reynolds, the rumored witch who lives
there.
Feared and scorned for her second sight, Lisbeth swore she’d never
marry, but she is drawn to the handsome, confident Alex. She sees great love
with him but fears what he would think of her gift and her visions of a traitor
in their midst.
Despite his own vow never to fall in love, Alex can’t get the
alluring Lisbeth out of his mind and is driven to protect her when attacks
begin on the border. But as her visions of danger intensify, Lisbeth knows it
is she who must protect him. Realizing they’ll secure their future only by
facing the threat together, she must choose between keeping her magic a secret
and losing the man she loves.
Buy Links
**EXCERPT**
CHAPTER ONE
Northumberland, England,
1290
“You
won the wager with His Majesty,” said Lord Bryce Mitchell astride his Arabian.
He cantered down the forest trail with Alex Stelton, the newly minted Lord of
Glen Kirk Castle.
“The entire court placed odds on whether I would succeed.” The two
men slowed their horses to a walk. Alex glanced at Bryce. “Did you lose much?”
He refocused his attention on the trail ahead. “You should have put your coin
on me. I only wager when I’m certain of the results.”
“After one year of holding the old stones against the Scots, he
actually gifted the castle and his ward to you.” Bryce shook his head.
The ring of surprise in Bryce’s voice and evident disbelief on his
face amused Alex. “His Majesty is a man of his word. Did you have any doubt?”
asked Alex, his head cocked to the side with one eyebrow raised. His face split
into a wide grin.
“About the king being a man of his word or of you holding off the
Scots?” Bryce colored his smooth retort with a smirk.
The two friends looked at each other, exploded into laughter, and
continued on until they reached the crossroads where they brought their horses
to a halt. The tower of Glen Kirk Castle, bathed in the setting sun, peeked
through the trees still some three miles to the north. Alex surveyed his new
holding. His chest swelled with pride. Mine.
“Though Edward did make you pay.”
Alex was peeved by Bryce’s patronizing tone. He masked his
emotions until they were as unreadable as stone.
“Yes, you could say that.” Alex tried his best dismissive tone.
Best he forget the king’s retribution for now. There would be time enough to
deal with it later.
“Could? Surely you knew if he lost the wager he would find some
way to make you pay. He doesn’t lose gracefully at anything, but to actually
marry you to his ward by proxy. I can still see the apoplectic look on your
face.”
“Yes, Bryce— what about the look on my face?” demanded Alex. His
voice sounded strident even to him.
Bryce turned all shades of purple trying to conceal his mirth but
he said not one word more. Instead he diverted his attention and polished the
gold clasp, embossed with the Mitchell coat of arms, on his cloak.
Alex bristled at being the center of anyone’s jest. He didn’t take
it well from his brothers, although the six of them only teased to vex him.
Even though he was the youngest, his brothers deferred to him. They knew his
worth and, it appeared, so did the king.
His teeth clenched at the thought of his proxy wedding and his
humiliation. He knew he had to take a wife. He had to make his own way in the
world. The Stelton holdings were extensive but not enough to provide him with
an income. He’d have done anything to prove himself worthy of a holding of his
own. Maybe even marry. Perhaps even Lisbeth. He never thought he would marry on
the whim of the king. He had tried to argue, but there was no arguing with
Edward. Faith, the king all but patted him on his head and sent him off like a
new page. A page. He raked his hand through his hair.
With a nod of his head, Bryce motioned toward Glen Kirk in the
distance. “Marrying Lisbeth does secure your claim to Glen Kirk.”
Lisbeth. He had lived at Glen Kirk for a year and hardly saw her.
The only way he knew she was near was the little charms she left or the
serenity that surrounded them. She kept herself in the forsaken hunting lodge
and managed to elude him at almost every turn.
On odd twinge of disappointment hung round him. She hadn’t been
like that years ago when they encountered each other at court. She had laughed
and didn’t have a care in the world. Four years later he wouldn’t have known it
was her if she hadn’t presented herself at the castle. The impish girl had
grown into a poised beauty. Dark hair fell in long waves down her back. Her
slender body was punctuated with soft curves that couldn’t remain hidden by the
black mourning gown. Large green eyes stared at him from under a fan of long
dark lashes. Even with her dour expression her full lips tempted him. He moved
uncomfortably in his saddle. How things change. How people change.
“You do know you’re the envy of everyone. Not because the king
gave you Wesley’s treasured Glen Kirk or daughter.” Bryce turned serious. “You
inherited Wesley’s brewer and ale recipe. That should give you some
compensation. I understand it’s a long-held family secret. Wesley was all about
family.”
Family. He let his mind wonder. It landed on memories of his early
days at court with his parents and siblings. He enjoyed the candor and tumult
around the table in their assigned apartment. How he would appreciate that
safety and security today in the midst of a court filled with politics and
intrigue.
“I intend to leverage our close friendship,” said Bryce, “I’ll
sample each batch and make certain it retains its high standards.”
Alex grinned at his friend’s declaration. Lord Wesley and Lady
Darla Reynolds had been close friends of his parents. They didn’t bring their
daughters to court often but Richard, their son, was always with them and
became close to the tight-knit band of Stelton boys. Richard’s death on the
Welsh battlefields had been a shock to them all. He and Wesley had spent a good
deal of time together consoling each other over a good many tankards of ale.
It was only a short time after Alex left for the Welsh Wars
himself that he heard of Wesley and Darla’s fatal accident. He felt their loss
deeply. Now in a twist of fate their beloved Glen Kirk and daughter were his.
“Have you sent word to her?” Bryce’s question hung heavy in the
air.
Alex broke away from his musings. “No, I
will tell her when the time comes.”
**GIVEAWAY**
Historical romance mixed with paranormal?
Yes, please! Combining my first love (HR) with my love I never knew I had (PN)
is sheer genius! You get a touch of the old mixed with a bit of the new. Love
it! And of course it has been placed on my TBR list! How could it not? I hope
you all feel the same.
I am so thrilled to have had the chance to
share this book with you all. I want to thank Ms. Casie for spending some time
with us today. And of course, my thanks to all of you for joining us as well. I
hope you all enjoyed getting to know a bit about Ms. Casie and her book.
Remember to show your support and buy a copy of this book for yourself if you
enjoyed what you experienced here today. This is, after all, the best way to
show support. Everyone have a wonderful day! I’ll see you soon. But until next
time …
HAPPY READING!!!
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