New Book Release: December 2022

 

Merry Christmas! And merry book release!

 

STAY WITH ME, the long-anticipated sequel in my Waters of Time series, hits shelves today!

 

The previous two books, Come Back to Me and Never Leave Me, are a pair and involve the Creighton family with sisters, Marian and Ellen, each getting a book.

 

This newest book, STAY WITH ME takes readers on a new adventure with a new family, the Huxhams. Siblings Sybil and Dawson each get an adventure in the Middle Ages. STAY WITH ME is Sybils story. And Dawson’s journey, Wait For Me, releases in May of 2023.

 

Essentially STAY WITH ME is a standalone with references to previous characters from earlier books, but none are integral to understanding the plot. So if you pick up this book without having read the previous ones, you’ll be fine.

 

Similar to the other books in the Waters of Time series, STAY WITH ME takes place in both the present and the past with the element of time-crossing a prominent feature. Ancient holy water combined with a coma is still the vehicle for time traveling. And, of course, going into the past remains very dangerous, including the possibility of never recovering from the coma.

 

This book like the rest in the series is slightly heavier on the sizzle (compared with my regular historical romances). The passion and chemistry between the characters is heated, but it all remains clean.

 

Early reviews are rolling in and readers are saying this:

 

“With a spell-binding plot and a romance that sizzles off the page, readers will gladly get lost within Sybil and Nicholas' story. I absolutely loved the hero! Definitely one of my top book heroes.”

 

“Wow! I am so glad Jody Hedlund continued the Waters of Time series! Sybil & Nicholas were such intriguing characters from the previous books and were just begging for their stories to be told. This book does not disappoint! I admit I stayed up past 1:30 am reading because it was so hard to put down.”

 

“I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down. It captivated me with its suspenseful and intriguing storyline, intelligent writing, great characters, nonstop action, and clean but intense romance. As soon as I finished, I was ready to re-read it again.”

 

I hope that you’ll dive into the twisting waters of time in the pages of STAY WITH ME. To find out more, visit the book page here: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/stay-with-me/

 

New Book Release: October 2022

 

Another sweet but sizzling cowboy romance hits shelves this month! Falling for the Cowgirl is now available!

This is a standalone novel in the McQuaid family saga, which means you don’t have to read the other books in the series for this one to make sense. But I have a hunch you’ll love all of the McQuaid stories, so do yourself a favor and start with Book #1, A Cowboy for Keeps.

 

Falling for the Cowgirl is the story of Ivy, the only girl in the McQuaid clan. As a result of being the lone female, she’s quite the tomboy. In fact, at the start of the story, she’s participating in cowhand competitions (the old-fashioned way of saying rodeo), but since women aren’t allowed to be involved, she’s disguised herself as a young man.

 

Well of course, the dashing hero, Jericho shows up at a competition and recognizes her behind her disguise! And boy-howdy, does he have a lot to say to Ivy and her involvement in the dangerous stunts. Sparks start flying right away and never stop!

 

Here’s what a few early readers are saying about this romance:

 

“The fast-paced, action-packed plot along with compelling, memorable characters lasso your attention and keep you reading! Sizzling, but clean, romance with lots of tension and awkward moments is delightfully entertaining.”

 

“The story was fantastic, the romance was swoony, (the second-chance romance element was so sweet!) There's hidden identities, a bit of mystery, suspense, family, ahhh I loved it all!”

 

“This story is sweet romance and delightful angst and explosive chemistry and conflict all through, and the ending took me by surprise. Whether or not you've read the other books in this series, you can dive into Ivy's story and not feel behind; the author is great at setting the stage and keeping each book in the series complete in itself.”

 

“Picked this up to read the first few chapters before bed time....and ended up staying up way past my bedtime and read until I reached the conclusion because I could not put it down. Jody has done it again! *chef's kiss* “

 

To find out more about Falling for the Cowgirl visit my website at: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/falling-for-the-cowgirl/

 

New Book Release: September 2022

 

ENTRUSTED is now available! This is book six and the grand finale of the Knights of Brethren series!

 

I have to say, when I opened up a blank document to begin writing this last story, I honestly didn’t know how I was going to wrap up this series and bring all the loose ends together.

 

Of course, I knew I needed to tell Kristoffer’s story and continue the quest for the holy lamp (the relic that I introduced in book five). I also knew I needed to have the final epic battle with King Canute (from the neighboring country). But beyond that, I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to bring everything to a satisfying ending.

 

To make matters more complicated, not only had I developed an external threat to the Knights of Brethren (King Canute and his army of Dark Warriors), but I’d also thrown in an internal threat (possible betrayal from within the tight-knit group of knights).

 

With so much to resolve, you can only imagine my trepidation. But as always, I plunged forward with telling Kristoffer and Birgitta’s love story. And somehow along the way, they took over the storytelling, led me on a dangerous and delectable journey, and came up with an ending that defied anything I could have imagined—oh, wait, I did imagine it!

 

It's true that sometimes I forget the characters aren’t real people. They come to life so vividly, I just let them dictate the story so that by the time I write the climax, they’re fully in charge and somehow happen to create an ending that satisfies me.

 

I’m happy to report readers are satisfied with the series conclusion too! Here’s what they’re saying:

 

“What an amazing conclusion to this wonderful and entertaining series! I was completely captivated from the opening scene until the last page. I recently read Enflamed and loved it, but I think Entrusted is even better.”

 

“This book was just a wonderful conclusion to an amazing series. I have so loved this series and I am so sad to see it end.”

 

“This is the last book in the Knights of Brethren series and, OH. MY. GOODNESS, it is a story that will captivate you and hold you spellbound until the very end!”

 

“An absolutely perfect ending to an epic and romantic series, this book was SO good! Oh my gosh, I was completely enraptured reading it. I didn't even notice the passing of time because the story just pulled me in, and I didn't come up until I had finished it in one sitting. I LOVED this story!”

 

To learn more about ENTRUSTED head over to my website page here: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/entrusted/

 

 

New Book Release: August 2022

ENFLAMED is now available! This is the fifth sweet but sizzling romance in the Knights of Brethren series!

 

When I was writing this book, I didn’t realize that I included FOUR main tropes! But somehow the book ended up with these:

 

Friends to Lovers. Sir Espen has always kept Lady Sylvi at arm’s length all throughout their growing up years. Although he’s secretly held feelings for her, he’s never crossed the line in thinking that there could be something more between them.

 

Best Friend’s Sister. Not only is Espen friends with Lady Sylvi, but he’s best friends with her brother, Kristoffer. Kris would never approve of him looking at Sylvi in anything but a sisterly fashion. He most certainly wouldn’t approve of him falling in love with her.

 

Forbidden Love. As if the other obstacles aren’t enough, Espen and Sylvi are from different social classes. He’s the son of a poor fisherman, and she’s the daughter of a wealthy and prestigious noble family. She’s expected to form an advantageous marriage.

 

Marriage of Convenience. Espen agrees to help Sylvi escape the terrible matches her father has arranged for her. Of course, Espen can never say no to Sylvi, so when she proposes that they get married to thwart her father’s schemes, he reluctantly goes along with her plans for a marriage of convenience.

 

Join in reading this new love story and be swept away in the fast-paced adventure that involves a quest for an ancient holy lamp, a cliff-top lighthouse, and an imminent war with the neighboring king and his army of deadly Dark Warriors.

 

Early reviews are pouring in, and readers are loving Espen and Sylvi’s story:

 

“Enflamed has everything I've come to expect from this series - action, adventure, swoony knights, a steadfast leading lady, daring rescues, plot twists I didn't see coming, romance......ah the romance. Espen and Sylvi were the cutest, y'all.”

 

“I know I say this with each new YA book of Ms Hedlund, but this is my favorite! A sweet, slow burning friends-to-lovers romance in the midst of life-saving adventure.”

 

“LOVED this story, it was one of those you just couldn't put down until finished. Of all the knights of brethren, Espen has got to be my favorite for his humble start, and easy-going nature.”

 

To learn more about ENFLAMED head over to my website page here: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/enflamed/

 

 

 

New Book Release: July 2022

Do you like stories with an arranged marriage trope? Then you’ll love ENRICHED, the next sweet but sizzling romance in the Knights of Brethren series!

 

The long-awaited happily-ever-after for Torvald is finally here! As a close friend of the king, Torvald is on a mission to find the sacred chalice (aka holy grail) in an effort to help save the queen who is dying of a deadly disease.

 

In the midst of his mission, the strong, brooding knight is called home by his father to save his family estate by marrying a wealthy noblewoman. Vowing never to love a maiden, he steels himself against any feelings for his new wife. However, as strong as Torvald is, he can’t withstand Karina’s kindness and beauty.

 

Join in reading this new love story and be swept away in the fast-paced adventure that involves a dark forest, a dangerous troll-like creature, and a chalice rumored to bring about healing.

 

Early reviews are pouring in and readers are loving Torvald and Karina’s story:

 

“I LOVED this book! This series is so amazing! Each book blends believable fantasy with clean, heartfelt romance, mystery and plenty of action. This is definitely my favorite book so far! I love grumpy/sunshine and marriage of convenience tropes and this book combines the two brilliantly.”

 

“Y'ALL. Jody Hedlund has once again knocked it out of the park with Enriched, the next installment in her Knights of Brethren series. It is so good. So so so good.”

 

“Of all the incredible heroes and heroines featured so far in this delightful series, I think Torvald and Karina have to be the sweetest.”

 

To learn more about ENRICHED head over to my website page here: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/enriched/

 

 

COVER REVEAL!

 

 

After the overwhelming enthusiasm for more books in my time-crossing series, Waters of Time, I’m excited to announce TWO more books are slated for release!!

 

Book 3, STAY WITH ME, releases Dec. 6, 2022, and Book 4, WAIT FOR ME, releases May 9, 2023.

 

STAY WITH ME continues the adventures with the miraculous holy water and gives Sybil Huxham and Nicholas Worth their happily-ever-after!

 

I’m thrilled to pieces with the way the cover turned out! I love the balance of modern and medieval, the movement of the hair (representing the motion of time), the bokah dots (representing water drops), and the green tones (representing the color of water).

 

And without further ado, here is the lovely cover (courtesy of Roseanna White Designs). 

 

 

Here's a little more about the book:

 

As a private investigator, Sybil Huxham has seen her fair share of bizarre occurrences. But nothing in her career has been more perplexing than the miracles she’s witnessed as a result of people drinking ancient holy water. When she discovers more of the rare holy water, she experiences strange overlaps with a nobleman in the Middle Ages who is languishing in a dungeon, accused of treason and condemned to die. To save his life, she finally crosses to the past completely.

 

Nicholas Worth has never met a woman quite like Sybil, and as the two run for their lives into the Weald, they find refuge among a community of outlaws. With both of their reputations on the line, they have little choice but to marry. As they get to know each other, an undeniable attraction develops. But danger and disease chase after them, drawing ever closer. Will they be able to escape the threats? And will Sybil choose to stay with Nicholas in the past, or will she be ripped apart from him forever?

 

The book is available for pre-order here: Amazon (And have no fear, it will be in both ebook and paperback!)

 

To find out more, visit my website here: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/stay-with-me/

 

 

New Book Release: June 2022

 

 

Another sweet but sizzling medieval romance? Yes, please!

 

ENSNARED is a new adventure in the Knights of Brethren series. And this particular story involves Gunnar, another of the king’s elite knights. He and his fellow knight, Torvald, are on a mission to find the sacred chalice for the queen to help heal her of a deadly bleeding disease.

 

This quest takes Gunnar home where he reunites with the maiden he’s always secretly loved, Mikaela, who happens to be a lowly bondservant in his brother’s home. The problem is, Gunnar didn’t exactly part ways on good terms with Mikaela. So as they meet again, the sparks fly hotter than ever!

 

I invite you to read this new tale to find out how Gunnar and Mikaela learn to work together to survive, not only against Gunnar’s evil brother, but also against the perils that await them in Hardanger Forest where they search for the sacred chalice.

 

I’m so happy to hear that early readers are already falling in love with this story, saying that it’s their favorite yet!

 

“I have adored the previous books from the Knights of Brethren series and was excited to get my hands on the newest installment, Ensnared. Oh my goodness, it is probably my new favorite of the series. I adored Gunnar and Mikaela’s story. It was sweet and full of faith with a mixture danger and suspense . . . Ensnared will be getting five plus stars from me.”

 

“This one was the best yet! The plot was really great, kept me guessing, and I'll never grow tired of just how Norse inspired this story world is.”

 

“Just when you think you can’t love a Jody Hedlund book more than her previous release, she issues forth another outstanding novel. Her latest, Ensnared, was a story I could hardly put down.”

 

To learn more about ENSNARED head over to my website page here: http://jodyhedlund.com/books/ensnared/