Book Spotlight: The Cross of Ciarán by Andrea Matthews

 

When a fifth century pagan priest is unearthed in Ireland fifteen hundred years after being entombed, archaeologist Caitlin O’Connell is convinced it’s the find of the century. The body is in perfect condition, right down to the intricate tattoos adorning the Celt’s skin. In fact, if scientific data hadn’t proved otherwise, she would swear he hadn’t been interred more than a few hours.

Eager to discover more about the mysterious Celt, Caitlin accompanies the body back to the New York museum where she’s employed, but before she has time to study him, the priest disappears without a trace.

Rumors surrounding the event begin to circulate and result in the excavation’s benefactor pulling the plug on the entire expedition. The rumors are not far off the mark though.

After being buried alive for betraying his goddess and his priesthood in the dawning age of Christianity, Ciarán wakes to a strange new world. Alone and frightened in an unforgiving city, he stumbles upon the only thing familiar to him and seeks sanctuary within the church walls. With the help of the parish’s pastor, Father Mike, Ciarán slowly grows accustomed to his surroundings, though he’s plagued by dark dreams and the disturbing sensation that an evil from his past has followed him into the future.

But a more immediate danger lurks on his doorstep. Caitlin is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery concerning her missing Celt, and when she meets her Uncle Mike’s new handyman, Ciarán Donnelly, she’s convinced the handsome Irishman knows more about the theft than he’s letting on.

Yet, even she can’t deny the attraction between them, simmering below the surface and blurring the lines between her personal and professional life.

But will Ciarán’s secrets draw them together or shatter their future forever.

Buy Links:

 Universal Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/mBl5XN

 This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

 Amazon UK Series Buy Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08BWRW1WC

 Amazon US Series Buy Link:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BWRW1WC

 

Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science, and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history.

She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen hundred year old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century.

Andrea also writes historical mysteries under the pen name I. M. Foster. Her series A South Shore Mystery is set in the early 1900s on Long Island. She is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.

Author Links:

Website:  www.andrea-matthews.com

Twitter:   https://www.x.com/AndreaMatthewsAuthor

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/andreamatthewshistoricalromance

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/andreamatthewshistoricromance

Threads: https://www.threads.net/andreamatthewshistoricromance

Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/andrea-matthews

Book Spotlight and excerpt: Shake Loose the Border (Thunder on the Moor, Book 3) by Andrea Matthews

 

With Will and Maggie’s wedding just a week away, the last thing they need to stumble upon is Johnnie Hetherington’s dead body tied to a tree, especially one that’s so close to their cottage. Recognizing it as a sure sign that Johnnie has betrayed the family once too often, Sergeant Richie Carnaby gathers Will and his family together for questioning, though it seems obvious only a fool would kill a man on his own land. Then who did murder the rogue, and why?

Feeling confident it wasn’t any of the Fosters, Richie allows Will and Maggie’s wedding to proceed, but the couple has barely exchanged vows when the Armstrongs attack in force. Geordie is determined to rescue his niece from the clutches of Will Foster, whether she wants to go or not. And if he happens to make her a widow in the process, so be it. Will senses the danger and implores Dylan to get Maggie away to safety, no matter where — or when — that may be.

Though Maggie protests, Will assures her he will follow as soon as he is able. Yet how can that be possible when Dylan whisks her back to the twentieth century? Sharing her fears about Will, and unable to forget his own love, Annie, Dylan attempts to return to the past one last time despite his growing concerns over the disintegrating amulet stone. But will he make it in time to rescue Will, or will the villainous Ian Rutherford, who has already killed in cold blood once, win the ultimate battle and see Will and Maggie separated forever?

Trigger Warnings:

Sex and violence

Follow the tour HERE

 

Buy Links:

 Available on #KindleUnlimited.

 Universal Amazon Link

 ¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨) ✮ ( ¸.•´✶

 

EXCERPT

 

Father Michael smiled cautiously as he gazed out to the congregation. “If there be anyone here knowing of just cause or impediment why these two shouldna be joined together, speak now or forever hold thy peace.” All eyes searched the horizon while the Foster men and their kin gripped the hilts of their weapons. What if Johnnie Hetherington had gotten word to her family? They could ambush with hardly any warning, and the Fosters’ with nothing more than their swords by their sides.

 

Maggie’s heart pounded as she scanned the crests of the gentle fells. How peaceful they looked, and yet . . . Will could die there in her arms. She could be a widow before she ever really became a bride. Still, all seemed quiet.

“So be it, then.” Father Michael leaned over and kissed Will on the cheek. 

Maggie thought that a bit odd. Wasn’t Will supposed to kiss her? Will must have seen a look of confusion on her face, for he bent toward her and whispered. “’Tis a sign that he’s blessed our union and declared us husband and wife.”

 

“Well, go on, then, lad,” the priest said. Will didn’t hesitate. He took her in his arms, and at long last, their lips touched once more.  

 

Maggie clasped her arms tightly around his soft collar, never wanting to let him go, but a horde of young men who had been standing off to the side snatched her from his embrace. They pushed and shoved one another, plucking at her garters and ribbons and ripping them from her body. Maggie screamed, her temper flaring. Though she tried to shove them away, she was nearly knocked to the ground. Two rowdy boys reached up her skirts, triumphantly capturing blue garters, while three others tore the ribbons from her arms.

 

Terrified about what they might try to take next, she looked to Will, but he didn’t seem in the least bit bothered. He just stood there, watching it happen, and that made her even more furious. If they ripped her dress, she’d have them drawn and quartered, each and every one of them. She kicked wildly as one young man even had the nerve to run his hand along her thigh.

 

At long last, Will and Betty came to her rescue, shooing the boys away. Taking her hand, Will led her into the church, where they would attend Mass for the first time as husband and wife. Maggie could barely control her anger. It must have showed, for Annie took her aside to help straighten her clothing.

“What is it that’s upsetting ye so, Maggie?”

“What is it? I was just accosted by those little reprobates, and nobody seemed to care, not even Will! Do you know where one of them put their hand?”

“He only wanted a garter, Sister. Do they no’ do that where ye come from?”

Maggie could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, but this time it was from embarrassment. Of course, it was just another silly custom, and like it or not, if she was going to live in the sixteenth century, she had better get used to them. 

Andrea Matthews

Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian, and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen hundred-year-old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century. Andrea is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.

 Social Media Links:

 Website   Twitter   Facebook   Instagram   BookBub   Amazon Author Page   Goodreads

Spotlight on Andrea Matthews, author of Ride with the Moonlight (Thunder on the Moor, Book 2)

After rescuing sixteenth-century Border reiver Will Foster from certain death at her family’s hands, time traveler Maggie Armstrong finally admits her love for the handsome Englishman, though she can’t rid herself of the sinking suspicion that her Scottish kin are not about to let them live in peace. What she doesn’t expect is the danger that lurks on Will’s own side of the Border. When news of their plans to marry reaches the warden, he charges Will with March treason for trysting with a Scot. Will and Maggie attempt to escape by fleeing to the hills, but when Will is declared an outlaw and allowed to be killed on sight, they can no longer evade the authorities. Will is sentenced to hang, while Maggie is to be sent back to her family. Heartbroken, she has no choice but to return to Scotland, where her uncle continues to make plans for her to wed Ian Rutherford, the wicked Scotsman who she now realizes murdered her father in cold blood. With Will facing the gallows in England, and herself practically under house arrest in Scotland, she continues to resist her uncle’s plans, but her efforts are thwarted at every turn. Will’s family, however, is not about to stand by and watch their youngest lad executed simply because he’s lost his heart to a Scottish lass. A daring plan is set into motion, but will it be in time to save Will’s life and reunite the lovers? Or will Ian’s lies prompt Maggie’s family to ensure the bond between them is forever destroyed?

Trigger Warnings

Violence, sexual content.

 Buy Links:

 This novel is available on #KindleUnlimited

 Universal Amazon Link

 ¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨) ✮ ( ¸.•´✶

 Andrea Matthews

Fun Facts

(Stuff you may or may not already know!)

I used to be a docent at a living history museum. I can cook a roast turkey over an open hearth, make a pie in a beehive oven, and learned to quilt by hand. It took me an hour to get dressed in the morning, but only about ten minutes to shed it when I got home.

 

I was also a Civil War reenactor and once took part in large reenactments at Bull Run and Antietam. I have to say, when the boys spent the night in camp, my friend and I opted for a room in the local hotel.

 

I was on my college fencing team for four years, and once went La Belle with an Olympic champion. She got the last touch, which ultimately is the only one that counts. I remember it well, though I’m sure I didn’t leave her with much of an impression.

 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

I try to collect a few items that are prominently represented in my books. I have a burgonet and a basket-hilted sword from the Thunder on the Moor. I keep them on my mantle, where I can look at them for inspiration if I need to.

 

My ancestors came to America at different stages. On my father’s side, I have ancestors that came over in 1636 with the Winthrop fleet, while my mother’s ancestors included Potato Famine Irish. I love researching my genealogy and learning little stories about those who came before me. Sometimes they even spur my imagination to come up with another story. I got the idea for the Thunder on the Moor series while researching my husband.s genealogy. The idea of the Border Reivers intrigued me, so of course, I had to use Foster as my hero’s last name. 

¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨) ✮ ( ¸.•´✶

Andrea Matthews

Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian, and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen hundred-year-old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century. Andrea is a member of the Romance Writers of America.

 Social Media Links

 Website   Twitter   Facebook   Instagram   BookBub   Amazon Author Page   Goodreads

 

Book Spotlight and Excerpt: Thunder on the Moor By Andrea Matthews

 

Maggie Armstrong grew up enchanted by her father’s tales of blood feuds and border raids. In fact, she could have easily fallen for the man portrayed in one particular image in his portrait collection. Yet when her father reveals he was himself an infamous Border reiver, she finds it a bit far-fetched—to say the least—especially when he announces his plans to return to his sixteenth-century Scottish home with her in tow.
 
Suspecting it’s just his way of getting her to accompany him on yet another archaeological dig, Maggie agrees to the expedition, only to find herself transported four hundred and fifty years into the past. Though a bit disoriented at first, she discovers her father’s world to be every bit as exciting as his stories, particularly when she’s introduced to Ian Rutherford, the charming son of a neighboring laird. However, when her uncle announces her betrothal to Ian, Maggie’s twentieth-century sensibilities are outraged. She hardly even knows the man. But a refusal of his affections could ignite a blood feud.
 
Maggie’s worlds are colliding. Though she’s found the family she always wanted, the sixteenth century is a dangerous place. Betrayal, treachery, and a tragic murder have her questioning whether she should remain or try to make her way back to her own time.
 
To make matters worse, tensions escalate when she stumbles across Bonnie Will Foster, the dashing young man in her father’s portrait collection, only to learn he is a dreaded Englishman. But could he be the hero she’s always dreamed him to be? Or will his need for revenge against Ian shatter more than her heart?

¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨) ✮ ( ¸.•´✶

Excerpt

Maggie’s heart lodged in her throat. No matter what the risk, she needed to get to her uncle’s cottage and retrieve the amulet, and her grandmother’s ring with it. Without another thought, she sped down the dimly lit staircase. Fierce fighting raged all around her, causing such turmoil she doubted anyone would notice one girl slipping amongst the clashing swords. But someone did notice, and Alasdair whirled her around with such force her head spun. 

“Where are ye going, Cousin? Get yerself upstairs; ’tis safest there.”

“No, I can’t—”

Before she could utter another word, a Foster blade came down upon him, and he had all he could do to block it.

Maggie seized the opportunity and hurried outside. She headed for her uncle’s cottage, clusters of burning thatch now lighting its roof in an eerie glow. A filthy arm grabbed her around the waist, but she wiggled out of the scoundrel’s grasp, shoving the rogue so hard he landed on his behind. Another tried to take hold of her skirt, but a swift kick in his privates put him in his place. By the time she’d reached the cottage door, three more scoundrels stood nursing various body parts. 

That’ll teach them to mess with Rabbie Armstrong’s daughter. Giving herself a mental pat on the back, she turned toward the flaming roof and groaned. From the look of things, her troubles were just about to begin.   

Though the dampened moss sizzled and cracked, the underlying layer of reeds and hazel twigs caught easy enough, and the flames threatened to engulf the entire roof. The heat from it burned her cheeks and made her eyes water. She raised her hand to shield herself from it, but she needed something more. Searching the yard in desperation, she spied the bucket Emma kept by the door. Right away, she recalled her fire-safety training. In one swift movement, she pulled the plaid from her shoulders and plunged it into the lukewarm water, soaking it well before wrapping it tight around her face. 

Somehow she found the courage to enter but stopped for a moment to survey the situation. Sparks and patches of burning thatch fell from above, setting parts of the staircase on fire. Here and there, thick wooden support beams buckled while white hazy clouds billowed from the floor above. She swallowed hard, climbing the crumbling steps with care. Her legs trembled, and her heart pounded out a deafening rhythm against the thick linen kirtle, but at last she made her way to the rooms above.  

Smoke filled the upper chambers, smoldering embers dropping from every direction like a fiery spring rain. Only the stone and turf of the walls kept the entire structure from going up in a ball of flames, and yet Maggie would not turn back. Her precious items lay on the bedside table, and she had every intention of retrieving them. Using a great deal of caution, she inched her way toward them. The floor below her creaked and sagged until, with a sudden crack, one of the boards gave way. The jagged wood scraped along her leg, and though she couldn’t suppress a cry, she managed to pull free and crawl away without falling to the ground below. With bile rising in her throat, she pushed herself the last few feet to the table and ran her fingers along its top, groping for her cherished possessions. “Stay low,” she whispered over and over, almost like a mantra, but even so, the dense fog of soot and ash stung her throat. The heat was so intense it penetrated the once-moist cloth, and she began to cough. 

A washbasin sat on the table. Would it be too hot? She stuck her finger in. No, warm but tolerable. She poured the contents over her face, dampening the rag once more, and took a tentative breath. Her coughing eased, and she continued searching the tabletop until she felt the smooth gloss of the amulet’s stone and the delicate curve of the ring she’d left beside it.  Hanging the amulet around her neck, she slipped the ring on her finger and headed back downstairs, careful to dodge the large chunks of fiery debris that fell at her feet.

Her coughing had worsened again, and she tripped over the last three steps, unable to control the movement of her legs any longer. You’re the daughter of Robert Armstrong. Are you going to let a little smoke be the end of you? With a defiant lunge, she grabbed on to the rickety banister and pulled herself up, shoving her body toward the front door.

Buy Links

This novel is available on #KindleUnlimited.

 Amazon UK   Amazon US  Amazon CA   Amazon AU  Barnes and Noble (paperback only)

Andrea Matthews

Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. In fact, it was while doing some genealogical research that she stumbled across the history of the Border reivers. The idea for her first novel came to mind almost at once, gradually growing into the Thunder on the Moor series. And the rest, as they say, is history…

Connect with Andrea 

Webpage  Twitter    Facebook   Instagram   BookBub    Amazon Author Page   Goodreads