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Blogs by Beth Trissel
More About Beth & My Books (To Date)
11/22/2009 11:47:48 AM
As Galadriel said to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, “You are a Ring-bearer, Frodo. To bear a Ring of Power is to be alone.To be passionate about history so that you feel it in your very essence and long to commune with the past is often to be alone. One profound way I’ve found to connect with those who’ve gone before me is through my writing. My work reflects the heart and soul invested in each word.
Years ago, while researching family genealogy, I gained the courage to take the leap from penning non-fiction essays about rural life to plunge into writing historical romance novels set in early America. That first story, Red Bird’s Song, written and rewritten more than any other and the book of my heart. I recently signed for Red Bird’s Song with The Wild Rose Press. The original manuscript, about the length of Gone With The Wind, had to be considerably reduced. I cut, cut, cut, and reworked without cutting out the heart of the story. The initial idea for the plot came to me in a dream on New Year’s Eve 14 years ago, a highly propitious time to embark down a new road. Many dreams have guided me on my way.
Raw, powerful, the colonial frontier drew me with stirring tales of the French and Indian War, Pontiac, and Lord Dunmore’s War. My ancestors had interactions with the most feared tribe of that day, the Shawnee, including family members taken captive. Some forebears returned with tales to tell, others didn’t; no one knows what happened to them except in my imaginings. One man captured as a child and adopted into the tribe, was later restored to his white family. He returned to the Shawnee and then journeyed back and forth between the English and Indian world, trying to keep a foot in both.
Much of my writing features my early Scot-Irish forebears who settled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and surrounding mountains, spreading into the Carolinas and Tennessee. The beauty of my valley and mountains inspires me. My extensive research has been generously aided by historians, anthropologists, archeologists, colonial reenactors and the Shawnee themselves. Not to mention a mountain of reading.
This communion with the past is my motivation for the novels I create, not the market. I’m thankful that at the Wild Rose Press a good story is judged according to its merits and not the perceived popularity of the time period.
So, welcome to the colonial frontier where the men fire muskets and wield tomahawks and the women are wildcats when threatened. Hear the primal howl of a wolf and the liquid spill of a mountain stream. Are those war whoops in the distance? Ever heard of bearwalking?
Daughter of the Wind is a light paranormal/historical fantasy romance with strong American historical roots. Set among the clannish Scots-Irish in the mist-shrouded Alleghenies, it’s a tale of the clash between peoples and young lovers caught in the middle. Ever influenced by my regard for Eastern Woodland Indians, I interwove mystical, Native American elements with ‘Daughter.’
A bearwalking Shawnee warrior, secrets from the past, a rugged frontiersman, gifted heroine, magical moonstone, love at first sight…DAUGHTER OF THE WIND.
"Ms. Trissel invites the reader into a world of fantasy and makes it so believable it is spellbinding. After reading Daughter Of The Wind, I will probably find myself listening when the wind howls around the eaves or whispers through the live oak leaves to discover whether it is voices I hear."~ Camellia, The Long and Short of It~
Through the Fire is an adventure romance with a The Last of the Mohicans flavor and a mystical weave. Some of the most unusual aspects of this story are based on individuals who really lived. A passionate love story set during the French and Indian War, Through the Fire has finaled in more contests than any I’ve written, including the prestigious 2008 Golden Heart®.
The French and Indian War, a Shawnee warrior, an English lady, blood vengeance, deadly pursuit, primal, powerful, passionate…THROUGH THE FIRE.
"Through the Fire is full of interesting characters, beautifully described scenery, and vivid action sequences. It is a must read for any fan of historical romance." ~ Poinsettia at The Long and Short Of It~ Long and Short Reviews
Not to neglect my fascination with gracious old homes and the high drama of the American Revolution. I have ancestors who fought and loved on both sides of that sweeping conflict. My research into the Southern face of the war was partly inspired by my great-great-great grandfather, Sam Houston, uncle of the famous Sam, who kept a journal of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, 1781, that is used by historians today. Stick around for a wild ride into Carolina Back County and the battle between Patriots and Tories. Our hero is the former and our heroine the latter. Both of them bear names that belonged to my ancestors.
1780 South Carolina, spies and intrigue, a vindictive ghost, the battle of King’s Mountain, Patriots and Tories, pounding adventure, pulsing romance…ENEMY OF THE KING.
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Enemy of the King. Not only are the characters memorable and the setting beautifully described, but the action is riveting and the romance between Meri and Jeremiah is tender. I highly recommend Enemy of the King to anyone who loves a well crafted historical romance." ~Poinsettia at The Long and Short of It~
Enemy of the King , a historical romance with paranormal element, is my version of The Patriot. A big fan of Daphne Du Maurier since my teens, I was also influenced by her mystery/ghost story, Rebecca. Our Virginia home place, circa 1816, and other early homes left deep impressions on me. I’ve long harbored suspicions that those who’ve gone before us are not always entirely gone.
Which brings me back around to my first release, Somewhere My Love, a murder mystery/ghost story romance with flashbacks to early nineteenth century Virginia and Hamlet parallels. Somewhere My Love won the 2008 Preditors &Editors Award Readers Poll for Best Romance Novel. Most recently, it won the clash of covers contest at Embrace the Shadows blogspot.
Star-crossed lovers, flashbacks to early 18th century Virginia, ghostly, murder mystery, light paranormal romance, Gothic flavors…SOMEWHERE MY LOVE
"As I read Somewhere My Love, I recalled the feelings I experienced the first time I read Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca long ago. Using deliciously eerie elements similar to that gothic romance, Beth Trissel has captured the haunting dangers, thrilling suspense and innocent passions that evoke the same tingly anticipation and heartfelt romance I so enjoyed then, and still do now." ~ Joysann, Publishers Weekly
I’m Currently at work on the next in my ‘Somewhere’ series, a unique suspenseful Scottish time travel.
All three of my new releases won book of the week at Long and Short Reviews and received fabulous reviews. Highly gratifying, but I would write them anyway. I will always write what I love. More recently they made the top ten Publisher’s Weekly Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009 (Barbara Vey).
My most recent release, not officially out until Dec. 11th, but already available as an Early Bird Special At The Wild Rose Press and at Amazon, is An American Rose Christmas, an anthology featuring six fabulous stories by American historical romance authors. My story in this anthology is A Warrior for Christmas.
In addition to the next in my ‘Somewhere’ series, I’m writing sequels to Through the Fire and Enemy of the King. For starters…. And if you haven’t read my FREE READ: pop into the Wild Rose Press for this short free download, an Historical Romance with a strong Native American element entitled Nighthawk. Just put it in your cart and check out only you don’t have to pay for it. You will need to sign up so that you have a log-in email address and password at the Wild Rose Press as you would with any other online bookseller.
For more on my work please visit www.bethtrissel.com
My books are available in print and digital download at many online booksellers in addition to The Wild Rose Press. The most popular sites are Amazon and Barnes&Noble. Local bookstores can order them in. You can also request that your library order them.
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Blogs this month
• More About Beth & My Books (To Date) - Sunday, November 22, 2009
• Old Time Mennonite Pumpkin Pie Recipe - Saturday, November 21, 2009
• An American Rose Christmas Anthology Available At The Wild Rose Press! - Friday, November 20, 2009
• The Influence of Old Homes On My Work - Thursday, November 19, 2009
• My Review of Mennonite In A Little Black Dress - Wednesday, November 18, 2009
• Southern Spicy Gingerbread - Saturday, November 14, 2009
• I made the Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009! - Friday, November 13, 2009
• Sneak Peek at My Upcoming Holiday Release: A Warrior For Christmas - Monday, November 09, 2009
• Please Vote For Me - Saturday, November 07, 2009
• Excellent Review of Through the Fire from Historicals Reviewed - Friday, November 06, 2009
• We The People - Friday, November 06, 2009
• The Amazing Health Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon - Wednesday, November 04, 2009
• Follow Your Dreams! - Monday, November 02, 2009
• November Musings - Sunday, November 01, 2009
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2009 - Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
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