Beth Trissel

Beth Trissel

About

I’m a historical/light paranormal romance author with the Wild RosePress. I have seven releases out with more to follow. My fascinationwith Colonial America, particularly stirring tales of the frontier andthe Shawnee Indians, is an early and abiding one. My English,Scot-Irish ancestors had interactions with this tribe, including familymembers taken captive. These accounts inspired my passion. Intriguedwith all things Celtic, much of my writing features these earlyScot-Irish forebears who settled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginiaand surrounding mountains, spreading into Tennessee and the Carolinas.

This absorption with Colonial America also extends to the high drama ofthe Revolution. My ancestors fought and loved on both sides of thatsweeping conflict. My research into the Southern face of the war waspartly inspired by my great-great-great grandfather, Sam Houston, uncleof the famous Sam, who kept a journal of the Battle of GuilfordCourthouse, North Carolina, 1781, that is used by historians today.

Moreover, I am ever intrigued by ghost stories, and Virginia has moretales than any other state. I find myself asking if the folk who’vegone before us are truly gone, or do some still have unfinishedbusiness in this realm? And what of the young lovers whose time wastragically cut short, do they somehow find a way? Love conquers all, soI answer ‘yes.’

Thus began my ‘Somewhere’ series. In book two of that series, Somewhere My Lass, I journeyed back to 1602 Scotland and more deeply explored my Scottish roots. 


In my recent release, Red Bird’s Song, I honed in on my early American roots in a story featuring the Scots-Irish and an Indian attack that happened to my ancestors in the colonial Virginia frontier.  Of all my stories, Red Bird’s Song is and ever shall be the book of my heart with Through the Fire running a close second.  A part of me is still seated around the campfire with my Native American brothers and sisters.

The First Book of the Gastar Series: "Act of Redemption"

The First Book of the Gastar Series: "Act of Redemption"

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Description

The once-great city of Gastar stands in ruins following centuries of war by undead monsters driven by an evil temple.  Victory cost the people of the knowledge to defeat another enemy, Zermon, ruler of hell, who seeks to extend his realm by annihilation of the few people left.  With the help of a sympathetic ancient dragon, volunteer fighters from the past war, and the arrival of a teen assassin named Shevata who is known to Zermon, they combine efforts for the existence of the people of Gastar.

Story Behind The Book

The Inspiration and Historic Homes Behind Somewhere My Love I’ve read that Virginia has more ghost stories than any other state in the Union, not necessarily because we have a more fertile imagination, but sadly because the Old Dominion has seen more bloody battles over the centuries than any other. Think back, Jamestown (founded 1607) was the site of the oldest successful English settlement and its history is a violent one. And on we go to the many heart-rending wars fought with the usurped Indians, a number of them waged on Virginia soil. March on to the Revolution; anyone heard of Yorktown, to name just one famous battle? And let’s not forget that horrific most uncivil of wars, much of it fought in, you guessed it, Virginia. And yet, this multitude of hauntings doesn’t only feature soldiers caught in an endless fray who haven’t gotten word the war’s over, although there are legions of tales that do and entire companies of ghosts said to battle on. Many tales feature the myriad of people, great and small, who dwelt in our richly historic state. The old Virginia homes and plantations have accumulated a wealth of such stories. Thus, it was while touring some of these English styled manor homes with my dear mother that I conceived the idea for my paranormal romance, Somewhere My Love. Added to this meld of vintage Virginia is my own heritage, a vast source of inspiration from my childhood. On my father’s side, I descend from old Southern gentry, now impoverished after the Civil War, Great Depression, and various other misfortunes, including the untimely death of my brilliant grandfather. But the gracious Georgian home his ancestor built (circa 1816) still stands outside the historic town of Staunton. I was ever determined our old family home place was haunted and wove stories through my fevered mind, along with my continual search for Narnia which entailed frequent treks into the old wardrobe. But I digress. Frequently. The magnificent ancestral portraits in my family and on display in other Virginia homes held me transfixed, wondering. And it was just such a portrait of a striking dark-haired gentleman who embedded himself in my thoughts. Who was he? Why did he die so young? That other painting of the fair young lady…did she love him? Often, the guides at these old homes are brimming with tales. But other times we are left to wonder…and ask ourselves are these folk who’ve gone before us truly gone, or do some still have unfinished business in this realm? And what of the young lovers whose time was tragically cut short, do they somehow find a way? Love conquers all, and so I answer ‘yes.’

Reviews

<span style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;line-height:normal;font-size:16px;"></span><p align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;"><strong></strong></span></em></strong></p><div style="margin:0px 25px 0px 0px;padding:0px 20px;"><p align="left">As I read <a href="http://www.bethtrissel.com/SomewhereMyLove.html"><strong><em>Somewhere My Love</em></strong></a>, 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 Tressel 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.<strong><br /></strong><em>~ </em>Joysann<em>, <strong><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288/post/1250042525.html?q=Beth+Trissel">Publishers Weekly</a></strong></em></p><p align="left"><em><span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;"><strong></strong></span></em></p><div style="margin:0px 25px 0px 0px;padding:0px 20px;"><p align="left"></p><p align="left">This was a very sweet story. The concept was great and I really adored Ms. Trissel's characters.</p><p align="left">Recommeded to: Romance lovers who believe that true love can stand the test of time <br /><strong>~Reviewed by Barbara Happily Ever After</strong></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;"><strong></strong></span></strong></p><div style="margin:0px 25px 0px 0px;padding:0px 20px;"><p align="left"><span style="line-height:18px;"><br /></span></p><p align="left"><span style="line-height:18px;">Ms. Trissel has woven a wonderful story of historical love, mystery, and intrigue. Her poetic prose made for a delightful read. Her descriptions captured the essence of the home, and I felt as though I'd been transformed as a guest. I enjoyed watching Will and Julia discover their love for each other as events unfolded at the Foxleigh House. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good story, excellent writing, and a heartwarming love story.</span><br /><strong>Reviewed by Jenny Gilliam</strong>, <a href="http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com/"><strong>WRDF Reviews</strong></a></p></div></div></div><p align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;"><strong></strong></span></em></strong></p><div style="margin:0px 25px 0px 0px;padding:0px 20px;"><p align="left"></p><p align="left">I liked the premise of this story and it was very well written with very detailed characters. I figured out pretty early who the “bad guy” would be but there were enough twists to keep me wondering if I was right or not. <a href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;products_id=974" title="Buy Somewhere My Love here"><strong><em>Somewhere My Love</em></strong></a> is written in what I call English Romance. By English Romance I mean that it’s a proper speech, dress-for-dinner type of lifestyle where women retreat to their room to rest when upset and there is always at least one imperious type family member to be won over. The men are very gentlemanly even when fueled by passion.<br /><strong>Reviewed by Becky, <a href="http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1208">Bitten by Books</a></strong></p></div><h3 class="style1001" align="center"><em><span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;"><strong></strong></span></em></h3><div style="margin:0px 25px 0px 0px;padding:0px 20px;"><p align="left"></p><p align="left">Beth Trissel has written a captivating ghost story entwining a contemporary love story with the mystery of a murder from the nineteenth century. The wonderful characters and evocative historical details caught my attention from the first page.<br /><strong>~ Helen Scott Taylor, Paranormal Romance Author &amp; Golden Heart Finalist- <em>The Magic Knot</em></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;"><strong></strong></span></em></strong></p><div style="margin:0px 25px 0px 0px;padding:0px 20px;"><p align="left"><em><br /></em></p><p align="left"><em>Somewhere My Love </em>immerses the reader into the world of lovers from the past and present. An enchanting read! <br /><strong>Reviewed by Denisse Alicea, Romance Author</strong></p></div></div>