SECRET LADY TOUR AND GIVEAWAY

Secret Lady

by Beth Trissel

Don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!

GENRE: New Adult, Time Travel, Romance

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SECRET LADY Blurb:

At Lavender House, Evie McIntyre is haunted by the whispers from her bedroom closet. Before she can make sense of their murmurs, the house "warbles" between times and transports her to the Civil War. Past and present have blended, and Evie wishes she'd paid more attention to history. Especially since former Confederate officer, Jack Ramsey, could use a heads up.

Torn between opposing forces, Jack struggles to defend the valley and people he loves. Meet-ing Evie turns his already tumultuous world upside down. Will solving the mystery of the whispers return her home, and will the handsome scout be by her side?

Against the background of Sheridan's Burning of the Shenandoah Valley, Jack and Evie fight to save their friends and themselves – or is history carved in stone?

SECRET LADY excerpt

“They brought the draft back?” This was it. She had officially lost her mind.

“It never went away. Where have you been, miss? More to the point, who are you?” His gruff demand stirred the hair at her cheek.

She tilted her face at him. Only the barest outline of his strong features was visible, and yet… Man, was he hot. Focus Evie. “I told you. I’m Evie McIntyre. I live here with my grandmother. Didn’t you realize?”

“That so? I don’t suppose you would be a spy in a Mennonite house. Still. Never know. I best get a good look at you.”

“Who would I be spying for?”

“Rebs. Neither side wishes me well. I’m in no man’s land.”

Her heart drummed wildly. “Where does that leave me?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” He steadied Evie on her feet.

Was it? She had no idea what was going on and watched dazedly as he took something from the leather pouch hanging over his shoulder. “What’s that?”

“Lucifers.”

He’d lost her again. There must be a powerful resistance movement at work. She didn’t follow
politics. Maybe she should. Had matters come to an explosive head tonight? Why hadn’t her grandmother said something?

He drew what resembled matches from a small metal container and struck one. Sulphurous sparks added pungency to the room. He lit the stubby candle in a tin lantern on an end table. Shadows danced from the pale taper glowing through the punches in the metal. Pretty, how the light made patterns on the ceiling.

Wait. Where had that lantern come from?

The stained-glass lamp Grandma G. treasured was just there before she went to bed. Dear God in heaven. What had happened to the room?


Secret Lady is available in kindle and print at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Lady-Ladies-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B07KNL7K3Z

And in eBook format from all other online publishers.

SECRET LADY Review

Do you believe in soul mates? In SECRET LADY, Evie McIntyre learns to believe. But, a race against time ensues to save her soul mate before Sheridan’s forces begin The Burning that desolated Virginia’s Shenandoah valley in 1864.

My interest was captured by SECRET LADY’s first sentence when the story opened in a Victorian farmhouse on the Lavender and Lace Herb Farm in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Could any site be more appropriate for a romantic adventure? But, this intriguing setting holds a secret. The house whispers to Evie and the sounds are growing stronger.  Why? What is she supposed to do?

For the farm and house tours with which Evie helps her grandmother, Evie must dress in Victorian-style clothing. As the story opens at the end of the day, Evie would like to change clothes, but that would mean going to her room where mysterious whispers call. She relents but before she can change her clothing, she is transported to September 1864 in the same house, at that time owned by the Mennonite Wenger family.

Before she can get her bearings, she encounters Jack Ramsey, a Confederate officer who has defected to join the Underground Railroad of the North. He helps pacifists and injured escape conscription into the Rebel army. He’s seeking refuge with the Wengers, whose sons he helped. When the sleep of those who live there is disturbed they welcome Jack and ask who Evie is. Grasping for an answer, Jack introduces her as his wife.  

Evie learns her grandmother can travel back and forth in time in the house. She calls the portals “warbles” that open and close. Grandma G. warns that Jack does not survive the Civil War and it’s up to Evie to save him by bringing him forward with her.

Jack has trouble believing Evie genuinely is from the future and not demented. Imagine his surprise when her predictions start coming true. Then begins their adventure, warning those they can and preparing for the onslaught. Jack wants to be a guerilla fighter, striking at small bands of Union soldiers. Evie fears if he does, he’ll be killed.

Can Jack and Evie make a difference in the lives of those who face destruction? What will it take to convince Jack he must leave with Evie?       

I enjoy Beth Trissel’s writing. She is very knowledgeable of her subject since she lives in the Shenandoah Valley and her ancestors have since Colonial times. Her descriptions of the land paint word pictures that bring the reader into the scene.  Anyone who enjoys historical romance or time travel or just good writing will enjoy reading SECRET LADY, Ladies in Time Series. I definitely give this 5 out of 5 stars.

       

Beth Trissel, Author

Married to her high school sweetheart, Beth Trissel lives on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by her human family and furbabies. An avid gardener, her love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into her work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans, and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of her inspiration. She's especially drawn to colonial America, the drama of the American Revolution, and the Civil War. And she loves a good ghost story. She writes Young Adult, New Adult, historical, time travel, and paranormal romance, plus nonfiction. Secret Lady (Ladies in Time) was based on events that occurred to her ancestors and her husband’s Mennonite forebears during the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley.

Secret Lady is available in kindle and print at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Lady-Ladies-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B07KNL7K3Z

And in eBook format from all other online publishers.

For more on Beth visit her blog, One Writer’s Way, at: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com

Connect with Beth on Facebook: Author Beth Trissel

At Twitter: https://twitter.com/BethTrissel

Visit Beth’s Amazon Author Page where all her books reside: https://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6

GIVEAWAY  

Beth Trissel will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

RELEASE DAY FOR TEXAS LIGHTNING!

Top o' the morning to you! Your reply should be, "And the rest of the day to yourself." I'm only a little Irish mixed with Scottish, Swiss, Cherokee, Scandinavian, and bits of other countries. However, I love Ireland and St. Patrick's Day. I could be packed and ready for another trip to Ireland in a flash.

As I mentioned in my newsletter, I'm giving away a box of swag and signed paperback books to someone who comments on this post between today and midnight on Sunday.

I’m excited to use this time near St. Patrick's Day to launch the first of my Texas Time Travel Series trilogy. (Try saying that fast three times ☺) TEXAS LIGHTNING releases March 17 but has been available for preorder. Early reader reports have been very enthusiastic. The second and third of the trilogy are TEXAS RAINBOW, releasing April 18, and TEXAS STORM, releasing May 24. Each will be available for preorder a couple of weeks before release.

I'm a bit nervous about this trilogy since I usually write either historical or contemporary western romance. Time travel romance has been fun to write, though, and I hope readers enjoy the books. I must admit that the second and third books have required tons more research than usual.  

In TEXAS LIGHTNING, Penny Terry is transported from 1896 to 2017 on her ranch. She was racing from rustlers when a bolt of heat lightning struck near her horse, resulting in the horse falling. Though Penny jumped clear of the horse, she fell down a ravine and hit her head. When she woke, rain was pouring and her horse was nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, neither were the rustlers.

Imagine trudging two miles through the rain to your house and finding other people not only live in your home, but claim to have a clear title to it. Not squatters or con men, but owners live in the place Penny is certain belongs to her. In addition, there are puzzling, sometimes frightening, differences in her home. Only her room and the painting over the parlor mantel are unchanged.

Years ago I discovered the books of Kathleen Kane before the author (Maureen Child) switched names and subgenres. I fell in love with those books and with time travel featuring ordinary people. I also have enjoyed the time travels of authors such as Beth Trissel, Linda LaRoque, Peggy L. Henderson, Diana Gabaldon, and others.

I especially enjoy seeing a character from the past come forward to today. Think about it—when someone goes back in time, they know most details of what’s going to happen in that era. On the other hand, when a person comes forward, everything is new and requires huge adjustments in learning and attitudes. What a challenge for a character—and what fun for the reader! If there’s mystery and/or suspense, even better.

This is what I wrote in OUT OF THE BLUE, when Deirdre Dougherty, an Irish woman from 1845, plopped down out of the blue in contemporary North Central Texas to help Detective Brendan Hunter solve several murders and discover who was trying to frame and kill him. I love that story and hope readers do also. That book ends in happily ever after for the hero and heroine, as all books should in my opinion.

TEXAS LIGHTNING depicts Penny Terry as she stumbles forward in time and into a complicated scheme to steal the ranch that had been hers. While unraveling the mystery, she learns why her father was killed. In this case, there’s even a fabulous treasure. Of course, she also falls in love with Jake Knight, the contemporary owner of the ranch. I hope you don't think that's a spoiler. It's not as if you don't know how the story will end, but the twists of getting there that makes reading entertaining.

The setting is in Central Texas on the Medina River somewhere between Bandera and Medina. Bandera touts itself as “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. That claim might be opposed by other western towns, but you get the idea that there are a lot of cowboys there. My family once stayed at The Mayan Ranch, a dude ranch near Bandera. Our daughters and I fell in love with the ranch and the area. Mayan Ranch owners the Hicks family are excellent hosts. My Hero prefers to read about western life, riding horses, and ranching rather than experiencing them first hand. Hero was a good sport but he would much rather have been fishing.☺

Here’s a synopsis of TEXAS LIGHTNING:

How can two people from different eras own the same ranch? 

Penelope Jane Terry knows everything about ranching in spite of being a lone woman. She is determined to send to jail the rustlers who believe they can steal what is hers… until she is caught spying on their dirty works and must ride for her life. What Penny doesn’t count on is being hurtled over a 120 years into the future.

Jake Knight believes the attractive woman who stumbled into his home one rainy evening either has amnesia or is certifiably insane. Unless, that is, she is in league with whoever is trying to drive him out of business. Someone is trying to force him to sell his ranch by staging a string of damaging incidents. Jake’s been kept so busy making repairs that he can’t run his ranch properly. Even if he were stupid enough to wish to sell, the ranch is so firmly entailed that no one can break the conditions.

Jake gradually realizes Penny is who she claims, no matter that time travel is supposed to be impossible. They’re locked into a clash only one of them can win. If an outsider weren’t trying to kill Jake as well as bankrupt him, perhaps he and Penny might be able to reach an agreement. Once the murderer is revealed, they discover there is a huge treasure….

TEXAS LIGHTNING Excerpt:

Finally, the lights of home shone faintly in the distance. Nothing had ever looked so good. She couldn’t keep going much further. Damned if blisters hadn’t burned on her heels from walking so far in wet boots. She was near frozen in these wet clothes.

Wait.

How could she be so cold now when the heat earlier had nearly suffocated her? Nevermind, she just wanted to be home, safe, and in her bed. There stood the fence next to the paddock. Almost home now, keep walking.

Don’t pass out, don’t fall. One foot in front of the other. You can do this. Stumbling from fatigue, she labored up the front steps onto the long wrap-around porch and bumped into a rocker. Who’d put that there? Just like her cook to move stuff around without telling her. How she’d love to sink into it and rest. First, she had to send for the sheriff and find out if her horse Star came home.

At the door, she paused and listened for men talking—rustlers waiting to waylay her. She heard no sound. Lights shone so brightly, her cook must have waited up for her with every lamp in the house lighted. She eased opened the door, listened again, then walked in and leaned her rifle against the stair’s banister.

“Did Star come home?” She unbuckled her gun belt and hung it on the newel post—not something she’d do under ordinary circumstances.

Tugging off her gloves, she avoided a couple of cactus spines stuck in the fingers. How had they remained there without her feeling them? No matter, she sat down on the third stair tread to remove her boots.

She should have gone around to the back door, but she couldn’t walk another step. Weariness and sore muscles overwhelmed her and she wanted nothing more than to shuck out of her wet things and lie in her nice bed—if she could summon the energy to walk upstairs. Eyes closed, she leaned back against the stairs. She heard footsteps approaching and raised one foot.

“Had me a passel of trouble. Help me get these danged boots off, would you? Then I’ll tell you all about it.” A dog’s cold nose pressed against her cheek. She jumped and pushed her hair out of her eyes. A black and white dog stared at her. “Who are you?”

            “His name’s Rascal.” An unfamiliar baritone said, “He’s mine.”

            She looked up.

Whoa! The man who faced her was a stranger. In spite of her wariness, her mouth dropped open in awe. Instead of her arthritic middle-aged cook, this man was young and tall and definitely fit. And handsome. Unbelievably, mesmerizingly handsome.

He might be as comely as a fairy tale prince, but the regal disapproval on his face appeared anything but friendly.

Energized by fear, she jumped to her feet and grabbed her rifle. “Who the heck are you?”

He crossed his arms and ignored the Winchester pointed at his middle. His dark hair glistened in light that seemed too bright. Dark blue eyes had tiny creases at the corners, as if he laughed a lot.

He sure wasn’t laughing now.

“I might ask you the same question. And what are you doing tracking in mud and dripping water all over my foyer?”

“Your foyer? This is my house, and it’s been my house since my daddy and I built it six years ago. Don’t you think for one minute I’ll let you steal my ranch.”

 The dog growled, the fur of his ruff bristling.

The man snapped his fingers. “Quiet, Rascal.”

Who was this man? He didn’t look the type but maybe he was one of the men stealing her cattle. Could he and his dog have been waiting for her? She gripped the rifle with all her strength. Why hadn’t her cook shown up to help her?

Oh, no, had they killed him?

He glared at her. “Lady, I don’t know who you are, but this is my house, get it? I grew up here. My daddy grew up here. My granddaddy grew up here.”

Penny’s knees trembled, but she fought fear to appear strong. “Don’t try and trick me. The Double T ranch was started by my granddaddy in 1836. No con man is going to steal it from the Terry family, and you can take that to the bank.”

“The Terry family hasn’t owned this since Penelope Terry died in 1896. The Knight family has owned it since then.” He threw up his hands. “Hell, why am I arguing with a crazy woman?”

“Crazy?” She was about to light into him when the first part of his statement hit her. “Hey, what do you mean, I died? I’m as alive as you, whoever you are.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I see you’re alive. I said Penelope Terry died. Are you hard of hearing as well as nuts?”

Increasing fear spiraled inside Penny, knotting her stomach. How could this man think her dead? What kind of trick was he working? Had she been conked out long enough that her cook sent men out to look for her and they decided she’d died?

Forcing herself to appear calm when she shook inside, Penny stood erect. “I’m Penelope Jane Terry and you can see I’m very much alive…”

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6R1K44?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To make up for this tragic error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains from a small office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. The books she creates there have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.

Click on her Amazon Author Page for a complete list of her books and please follow her there.

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Subscribe to Caroline’s newsletter here to receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you knew it would, didn’t you?

She loves to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com

CELEBRATING WITH CHILDREN IS SPECIAL

Please welcome award-winning author and special friend, Beth Trissel. Beth is very generously giving away three e-copies of THE WHITE LADY, one each to three persons who comment today. Your comment also enters you in the Kindle Fire 7 giveaway on December 24.

Beth Trissel, Author

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

I have wonderful memories of celebrating Christmas at my father’s family homeplace in the Shenandoah Valley with my mom, dad, brothers, grandmother, aunt, uncle, and cousins. The house, called Chapel Hill, is a wonderful old home that is the inspiration behind the old homes in my ‘Somewhere’ time travel series.

Chapel Hill

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

I love celebrating Christmas with kids, so holidays when my children were young, and now with my grandkids are very special. We do have an enthusiastic puppy, Cooper, this year who will add to the festivity. Cooper is like a kid.

Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

That hauntingly beautiful carol Lo How The Rose Ere Blooming is a favorite, and I love the theme song from Home Alone, Somewhere in My Memory.’

Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions. 

We used to all go to a tree farm and cut Christmas trees. Now that many of us have allergies and purchased artificial trees, fewer are going and I miss doing that. We should just go anyway.

What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

I like to sit and watch Christmas movies with daughters Elise and Alison, and the small people.

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

It’s too expensive. I would like to simplify.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

A new grandbaby safe and healthy. Daughter Alison is expecting in December.

Do you have a treasured Christmas food? If so, would you care to share the recipe?

These are old-time Mennonite molasses cookies you roll out and cut into shapes. I am gluten-intolerant so substitute alternate flour.

Mennonite Molasses Cookies

1 cup shortening, 4 cups flour, 1 tsp. salt, 1 cup dark molasses, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/4 cup hot water, 1 1/4 tsp. soda

Sift flour and salt together and cut in shortening as for pastry. In another bowl, combine molasses and sugar. Add egg and beat well.  Dissolve soda in hot water and add to molasses mixture.  Combine crumb and molasses mixtures and stir until well blended.

Chill dough for several hours in refrigerator.  Turn out on a lightly floured board.  Roll to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes.  Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 until a deep rich brown. After baking these cookies will be cracked on top.  Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Do you have a Christmas book you’d like to share?

I have three novellas set at Christmas, but am featuring my newest. My November 2017 holiday romance release with The Wild Rose Press, THE WHITE LADY (Book 2 Ladies in Time) is a New Adult ghostly time travel.

I am giving away three kindles e-copies or PDF’s of THE WHITE LADY.

THE WHITE LADY Blurb.

Avery Dunham has always been ready to follow her friend, time-traveling wizard, Ignus Burke, on incredible adventures. This time, though, she has serious misgivings. It's just one week before Christmas, but she cannot get him to change his mind. The usually cool and collected magic-wielding leader is wholly obsessed by the portrait of the White Lady whom he is bent on rescuing.

Almost as soon as they begin their journey, it becomes clear their mission is a trap.

Avery was right: this adventure is not going to be like any other.

THE WHITE LADY Excerpt:

Avery had a few queries on the tip of her tongue, like, “Are you out of your freaking skull?”
If she didn’t ask, Stan probably would. They’d graduated from high school this past June and worked part-time ‘nothing’ jobs, taking a break before college while finding their way, as Avery’s mother put it. Mostly, they were drawn to Ignus like moths to a flame, especially Avery. Not that he noticed.

If only he’d look at her the way he did the white lady. More and more, the portrait seemed to dominate his thoughts. How could a petite, okay short, girl in a sparkly pink sweater and unicorn leggings compete with this tantalizing beauty?

Avery wasn’t plain, some even referred to her as cute, but exotic didn’t describe her. Quirky, sure. She wouldn’t term her brown eyes deeply affecting, and her face wouldn’t compel men through centuries to her side. The best she could do was plead with him.
“Ignus, be reasonable. Please.”

No reply. He wore his stubborn look. Crossing his arms over a lean chest, he tilted his head to better view the femme fatale on the wall above them. The tousled brown hair covering his ears and forehead needed a trim. In his red Zombie Preparedness hoodie with a white rescue logo, gray dress pants, and white high-topped sneakers, he was the quintessential nerd. Most importantly, he was a wizard and time traveler with a passion for rescuing lost souls. His fervor for this particular lady was alarming.~

Get THE WHITE LADY in kindle at: https://www.amazon.com/White-Lady-Ladies-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B075XBTY1J

****Follow my Amazon Author Page and keep up with my new releases: https://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6/

***The Ladies in Time stories do not need to be read in order.

For more on my visit my blog: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

A VISIT FROM BETH TRISSEL

What a pleasure to have one of the nicest people anywhere visit my blog. I've taken Beth Trissel's  online classes about herbs and heirloom flowers, and they've helped me in several books. She is a versatile lady and I am pleased to know her.

Thanks so much for having me on your lovely blog, Caroline. I’m excited to be back into time travels again. 

The blend of history, mystery, fantasy, romance, and the paranormal were a fun meld to write in Somewhere My Lady (Book 1, Ladies in Time). I set the story in my home state of Virginia, as I have all my time travels thus far. Although, that’s not necessarily where the characters end up. I’ve written several time travels with the characters transported to the Scottish Highlands, but I am fully embracing my deep Virginia roots in this new release, book one of my Ladies in Time series, published by The Wild Rose Press. The following stories in the series will likely also take place in Virginia. My heart belongs here, especially the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

Early spring in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

I live in the valley on a farm that’s been in my husband’s family for several generations, but Somewhere My Lady unfolds in an 18^th century manor along the James River. Harrison Hall, in the story, is fashioned after Shirley Plantation with elements of my father’s family home, a stately brick house, called Chapel Hill (circa 1816) located in the Southern end of the valley.

I’m fascinated with the past and enjoy researching different eras. Not only do I sometimes get plot ideas this way, but it helps me bring the story to life. I love old homes, have lived in several—do now—and often visited others. My father’s family homeplace is the inspiration behind many of the old homes in my stories. When I was a kid, I looked for Narnia in an ancient wardrobe there. Fortunately, I didn’t shut myself inside. C.S. Lewis cautions against that.

Research into family genealogy was the original inspiration behind my writing fiction in the first place. Before that, it was all nonfiction. I learned my ancestors arrived here in the early colonial days and left amazing accounts. One family line goes back to Jamestown, another to the Salem Witch Trials. My forebears were caught up in the French and Indian War, some taken captive and adopted into tribes, others killed, and some we don’t know what happened to them. Ancestors fought valiantly in the American Revolution, the Civil War…and left a rich legacy. Much fodder for the imagination.

Double Apricot Hollyhocks
in Beth's garden

Gardening is also a passion of mine, and one I inherited. I love to grow herbs and heirloom flowers with their fragrant connection to the past. I included a lovely garden in Somewhere My Lady, and used herbs in the story. Inhale deeply as you read.

Roses from Beth's garden

I should also mention my love of music. Edith's Theme, the hauntingly beautiful song from Crimson Peak, stirred my imagination long before I watched the movie, which was after I finished writing the book. Other songs in the soundtrack also sent my imagination soaring, but that one really did. Scenes took shape in my mind, especially the ghostly dance I wrote in chapter one.

White nicotiana in Beth's garden

REVIEW

 "Somewhere My Lady is a fun supernatural romance that will have you slipping in and out of the past and future as if you were a spirit yourself.’’ ~Colleen’s Book Reviews

Story Blurb:

Lorna Randolph is hired for the summer at Harrison Hall in Virginia, where Revolutionary-War reenactors provide guided tours of the elegant old home. She doesn't expect to receive a note and a kiss from the handsome young man who then vanishes into mist.

Harrison Hall itself has plans for Lorna – and for Hart Harrison, her momentary suitor and its 18^th century heir. Past and present are bound by pledges of love, and modern science melds with old skills and history as Harrison Hall takes Lorna and Hart through time in a race to solve a mystery and save Hart's life before the Midsummer Ball.

Excerpt:

Something about him held her spellbound…the tilt of his head, arch of his brow, glimpse of his profile… She followed his every move with the fixity of an owl.

He turned blue-gray eyes toward her and sensuous lips curved into a smile on his handsome face. Hands down. No contest. He was the hottest guy ever. Her heart beat a thrilling new rhythm.

He circled closer to where she stood rooted in the foyer, not moving a toe, scarcely drawing breath. Did he truly see her backed tremulously against the wall, or did it only feel that way?

Unlike the others in the ghostly assembly, his eyes didn’t skirt past her. He paused in the dance. Bending at the shoulders, he tipped his hand to her in a genteel flourish.

He’d freakin’ bowed. Her jaw dropped. He most definitely saw her. And she sure as heck saw him.

A sparking sizzle jumped between them, awakening her as she’d never been roused before. Even more than when the house charged through her at her arrival. It was as if she were plugged in—to him.

How that could be, she had no idea, but when he gazed into her eyes, time seemed to stop. She spiraled into moonless stars, and back again to this dizzying realm. To him. Even if she were dreaming, she’d never forget this moment.~

Somewhere My Lady is available from all major online booksellers. In Kindle at: https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Lady-Ladies-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B071VTNC7V

THE AUTHOR

Beth Trissel in the old family
home, Chapel Hill

Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my human family and furbabies. An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans, and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. I’m especially drawn to colonial America and the drama of the American Revolution. And I love a good ghost story. In addition to Young Adult and New Adult fantasy romance, I also write historical, time travel, and paranormal romance, plus nonfiction.

Author Links:

One Writer’s Way: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com

Facebook Beth Trissel: https://www.facebook.com/beth.trissel

Author Beth Trissel: https://www.facebook.com/bctrissel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BethTrissel

My Amazon Author Page where all my books reside:

https://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6

Photos by Beth and her daughter, Elise.

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE, ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE!

Like most people, I choose to surround myself with positive people. Sure, bad things happen to each of us. That doesn’t mean we have to dwell on them and over-share at every chance. I do sympathize with anyone who is facing tragic news. I want to offer whatever solace I can, but I don’t want to know in excruciating detail and repetition each minute part of the news.

Beth Trissel, author, plant expert, wife, mom

A good example of how best to handle misfortune is my friend, Beth Trissel. Beth is always calming in her posts at https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com Recently, a business venture in which Beth and her husband and family have been involved met disastrous circumstances. Beth quietly announced the event, but has remained positive and has only referred to the closing of the cooperative dairy project a couple of times. Though obviously her heart is aching, she is on to writing and marketing her wonderful fiction and non-fiction books, planning her spring garden, and getting on with life. I admire Beth tremendously, not only for her handling of this traumatic blow, but for her books and her gentle nature and her wonderful blogs.

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.”  – Mary Radmacher

Last weekend, Hero and I and Darling Daughter 2 went to Lubbock to join in celebrating the 90^th birthday of Hero’s favorite aunt. (Darling Daughter 1 is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and realized that, although she wanted to come with us, she would be miserable riding so far in the car and back.) But back to Hero’s aunt. Aunt Kathryn is only related to Hero and his cousins and siblings by marriage, yet she is everyone’s favorite aunt.

Our lovely sister-in-law Carol and Aunt Kathryn

Why is she everyone's favorite? For one thing, Aunt Kathryn is a real sweetheart. I have never seen her when she wasn’t smiling and her lovely blue eyes twinkling. She has few blood relatives left, but her reception was full of her late husband’s nieces, nephews, and their families. We all dote on her.

She is always supportive of others. Another thing about her is her positive attitude. Years ago she was in a horrible auto accident when a drunk driver hit the vehicle in which she and her husband were riding. Kathryn’s foot was severed from her leg except for a small piece of flesh. She cradled her foot while her husband removed her from their vehicle because he feared a fire. She was in the hospital for several weeks, and her husband ( J.C.) had a cot moved in so he could remain at her side. Doctors didn’t believe she would ever walk again even if the repair to her ankle took. They’d had to remove a portion of shattered bone. She fooled them. In spite of being an adult, part of the bone grew back. She does limp a bit and endures back pain, but nothing can keep her down. Doctors pronounced her recovery a miracle. She’s just that kind of person. No wonder everyone enjoys being around her. If you met her, you’d guess she is fifteen years younger than her actual age.

" Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~Leo Buscaglia

Compare that to a woman I used to know. When I met her, she went on and on about the little girl she’d lost. Due to her age, I thought this person must have had a child late in life. She would telephone anyone who’d listen and go on for an hour or more unless stopped by a hasty excuse (which I learned to have handy when she called). To my dismay, I later learned she had lost this child twenty years earlier and had two sons who had listened to her bemoaning her daughter’s stillborn death all their lives. She had become an emotional vampire. I realize the death of a child would be more tragic than about anything else I can imagine. But in my opinion, to ignore the loved ones remaining instead of celebrating them is a tragedy—to say nothing of needing counseling.

As a contrast, a good friend lost a baby to SIDS, yet she rarely mentions this child. Does she think of him? Of course, I'm sure she does. Has she still been a loving and exemplary mother to her other two children? You bet she has, but she’s moved forward and embraced all life has to offer rather than live in the past. She has a shirt which proclaims, "Live Your Dream." She's doing that.

“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” Helen Keller.

I want to leave you with a one of my favorite quotes by Audrey Hepburn. I’ve always admired her beauty, but for years I had no idea of her wisdom and compassion.

Audrey Hepburn as she appeared in "Breakfast At Tiffany's"

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;

one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others." Audrey Hepburn

Thanks for stopping by!