Beth Trissel's Blog, page 123

Which Ereader Is For You?

Being an author with The Wild Rose Press, a publisher predominantly focused on digital books, (they also offer longer novels in print), I've gathered information on the various ereaders you can download ebooks to (in addition to computers of course). I'm also making this study for myself because I'm still reading on my laptop.  How to choose an e-reader?  This is a rapidly changing industry with improved technology emerging all the time.  The digital world is exploding, making this an...

My Allergist Assures Me Spring Is Around the Corner

Yes, I said allergist.  Even though snow flurries fly as I write this, he says the early trees are out, pollen wise.  And a clump of lavender snow crocus are blooming in a sheltered spot beside my water garden.  The tips of bulbs are emerging where the snow has receded.  Ah spring…for one who dearly loves to garden and is addicted to the glories of new life, I'm terribly allergic to it.  Also to summer, fall…right up until that first killing frost.  In a battle to leave the  house and be out ...

Dandelion Salad

Socked full of nutrients, dandelions should probably be eaten more often than zapped with herbicides.   To further that end, I've searched out an old Southern recipe for a tasty hot dressing to pour over the tender greens.  It's essential to gather the leaves quite young or they will be entirely too bitter.  I'm sure you can also use this dressing for other greens, like watercress and endive.  My mother in law used to make it for dandelion salad and then forgot her recipe.  But I found it~

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Springtime and Cows

The following is taken from my non-fiction collection about rural life in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  Though written years ago, much of this account is still suited to life on our farm today.  This is for those of you who love or think you would love living in the country.  And even for those of you who don't.

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Spring can be very wintry here with snow lying on the ground sometimes until Easter and a brisk wind blowing from the North.  But the sun shines brighter, when it shines...

Hope and Beauty

"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.  The dry seasons in life do not last.  The spring rains will come again. " ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." ~ Anne Frank

"I perhaps...

Step Into the Garden With Meriwether And Jeremiah

Stone lions the size of wolfhounds sat on either side of the imposing front door as if to devour unwanted guests. Perhaps Jeremiah enjoyed their significance. He seldom entertained and seemed happier seated astride a horse than in the company of most ladies and gentlemen. He turned the marble knob and led Meriwether out onto the crescent-shaped balcony. He leaned momentarily on the iron railing. "Feel that breeze."

"Delightful." The cool wind fanned her hot cheeks. Lifting her skirts...

A Fragrant Connection to The Past Through Herbs&Heirloom Flowers

Being passionate about the past, I relish a connection to those who've gone before us.  I'm fascinated with history and love old homes, historic sites, all that ties us to the richness of bygone ages. Intrigued with herbal lore, I often use it in my writing.

Herbs influenced every facet of life in pre-modern times and have changed little over the centuries. When I hold an aromatic sprig of rosemary in my hand, I'm touching the same plant beloved by the ancients. Some heirloom roses hail from t...

For Valentines Day

'Hope is like a harebell trembling from its birth. Love is like a rose the joy of all the earth, Faith is like a lily lifted high and white, Love is like a lovely rose the world's delight. Harebells and sweet lilies show a thornless growth, But the rose with all its thorns excels them both.' ~ Christina Rossetti

"Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing." ~ Thomas Moore~

"Love is like the wild rose-briar;

Friendship like the holly-tree.

The holly is dark when the rose-briar...

Why You Shouldn't Read Gripping Books Before Bedtime

This amusing and complimentary post on my historical romance novel Through the Fire was written by an American student, Catherine Pia, on her blog while experiencing a semester abroad.  She says: "I need to stop reading intense books before bed. I finished Beth Trissel's "Through the Fire" last night before bed, a novel that circles around a romance between an English woman and a Shawnee that blooms during the French and Indian War. Truly a fantastic novel. Anyway, there's construction...

A Little Romance~

The First Kiss from light paranormal romance novel Somewhere My Love~

~Will blew the layer of dust from an ornate wooden box inlaid with ivory and lifted the lid. Inside were brass workings like the mechanism of a clock. He wound a small gold key in the back until it would wind no more, and released it. The wheels and cogs turned and wonderful music flowed forth, the beautiful strains of a Viennese waltz, The Blue Danube.

Julia clapped her hands. "A music box."

He bowed. "May I have this...