Beth Trissel's Blog, page 46

New Mystery Romance, The Heart of Constantine, With Barbara Monajem

I’m glad to have my friend, the talented Barbara Monajem, here to share more about her new release. She’s giving away an eBook or paperback, so be sure to leave a comment. I love the NA element in this story and the cover. Awesome owl.

Barbara: The Indian Mounds of eastern North America—remnants of early Native American civilizations—were part of the inspiration for my new mystery/romance, Heart of Constantine. This is the third book in my series about the funky little Louisiana town of Bayou Gavotte. I wanted a chance to put some Indian Mounds in one of my stories, because I’ve always enjoyed visiting them—there’s such a spiritual feeling, a sense of ancient civilization about the mounds. Although Constantine Dufray, the rock star hero, is half Navajo and therefore not descended from one of the eastern cultures, he enjoys the atmosphere and isolation of the mounds and the parks that surround them—although not when his enemy drugs Marguerite, the heroine, and leaves her on one of the mounds for Constantine to find.

A few weeks ago, a business trip gave me the opportunity to visit the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois for the second time. It was particularly fun, because they reminded me of parts of the book—such as this sign, forbidding people to climb on the mounds. Both Constantine and Zeb (a teenager who is the third major character) disobey this rule.

It’s quite a climb from the bottom to the top of Monks Mound, the largest at the site. Watching one guy run up and down, up and down the stairs made me think again of Zeb and Constantine, who are both runners. (It was all I could do to walk up and down once!)

Here’s what historians think the mounds and surrounding area used to look like back in the day. There’s a great interpretive center at the Cahokia Mounds, but I didn’t spend much time there, as it was full of school children on field trips.

One of the warnings on this sign (posted above) really tickled me, but I can’t say why for fear of spoilers.

I don’t think anyone can see it well enough for spoilers, Barbara.

The mounds and the huge park around them are a great site to visit—and incidentally, they’re just across the river from St. Louis. It was a hazy day, but I tried to get a photo of the skyline. Can you see it, very faintly, in the distance?

***Yes. Image posted below. What a fascinating post. Thanks so much!

Blurb for Heart of Constantine:

Native American rock star Constantine Dufray has hit rock bottom. His telepathic abilities have spun out of control, and destructive rumors about him run rampant. Some are true—he caused a violent cop’s suicide, and telepathy destroyed his marriage—but he didn’t poison his wife, and he couldn’t have caused riots at his concerts, killing his fans…or could he have? Now an unknown enemy is trying to frame him for rape and murder. Meanwhile, aura reader Marguerite McHugh finally gets a close encounter with the mysterious star, but it’s nothing like she expected. When Constantine finds her after she’s been drugged at one of his shows, Marguerite’s pulled into his quest for the truth. As danger mounts and murders pile up, Constantine and Marguerite are forced into an ever-more intimate relationship. Only by facing their fears and working together can they unmask the killer before more innocent people die.

***The Heart of Constantine at Amazon

www.BarbaraMonajem.com

@BarbaraMonajem

www.facebook.com/barbara.monajem

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Cahokia, Cahokia Mounds, Civilization, Illinois, Louisiana, Monks Mound, mystery romance novel, New release, St. Louis, United States

Ties to My Past and A Colonial Recipe for Syllabub

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” ~Benjamin Franklin

One illustrious tie to the past for me is my grandfather, seven greats back, Sir George Augustus Elliott. A British general and Governor of Gibraltar during the American Revolution, he was given the title Lord Heathfield, Baron of Gibraltar, in honor of his bravery in its defense during the attack by the Spanish and French. While Sir George was giving his all for king and country, his grandson was fighting under George Washington as a commissary officer. There must have been quite a rift in that family.

Then there are the Scotch-Irish of whom I am one of the many descendants that people this land. The politically correct term is Scots-Irish, but we have always referred to ourselves as ‘Scotch.’ A colorful description of these highly vilified folks is given in an excellent Revolutionary War history, The Road to Guilford Courthouse.

‘They were belligerent, loyal, bigoted, valiant, crude and tough. The men drank hard, fought hard, and moved often. Their young women shocked sensibilities with public displays of bosoms and legs rarely seen in eighteenth century America.’ An Anglican missionary in South Carolina back country described them as ‘Ignorant, mean, worthless, beggarly Irish Presbyterians, the scum of the earth, Refuse of Mankind, and white savages.’

That’s my blood y’all, and the Scotch-Irish made all the difference in how the revolution played out. I hasten to add that my mother insists we descend from the pious noble Scots, but I suspect these others are also somewhere in my heritage.

My absorption with Colonial America encompasses  the high drama of the Revolution. 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.

This rich heritage led to further research and a deeper appreciation for those who’ve gone before us.  Some of my books are straight historicals while others include light paranormal elements (more or less) but my fascination with the past is a constant.  Historical Romance novel Enemy of the King grew out of my preoccupation with early American and the Revolution.

Being a Virginian from the Shenandoah Valley, I’m immersed in history. Nor are we far removed from historic Williamsburg, one of my most favorite places to visit.  I’ve touched on various aspects of Williamsburg in other posts and will from time to time.

A popular food that would have been served in the homes of early America is Syllabub. To quote from Colonial food in Colonial Williamsburg: “This dessert/drink tastes like fermented lemon chess pie. It has a thick portion which rises to the top of the glass. This section is eaten with a spoon, then the diner drinks the remaining wine mixture.”

For more on colonial cookery visit:http://www.foodhistory.com/foodnotes/road/cwf1/

Recipe for Syllabub from the Charleston Receipts book.  This one is reprinted from The Carolina Housewife by a lady of Charleston, Miss Sara Rutledge, daughter of Edward Rutledge the signer of the Declaration of the Independence.

To 1 quart of cream add 1/2 pint of sweet wine and 1/2 pint of Madeira, the juice of 2 lemons, a little finely powdered spice and sugar to taste. The peel of the lemon must be steeped in the wine until the flavor is extracted. Whisk all these ingredients together, and as the froth rises, take it off with a spoon, lay it upon a fine sieve. What drains from it put in your pan and whisk again.  Pour the froth into glasses.  Serves 12.  Chill.

*Nutmeg was very popular in colonial American so may be the spice referred to in the recipe.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: American Revolution, Charleston Receipts, Colonial American recipe, colonial williamsburg, Historical romance novel, Scotch-Irish American, Scots-Irish, Shenandoah Valley, Syllabub

Sleepy Hollow and the Persecution of Witches in America

With all the TV shows featuring witches, like Sleepy Hollow, which is a fun show but its historical ‘facts’ are a hoot, (great costumes and dude, though) I want to clarify. No accused witches were every burned in America. Hanging, dunking, drowning, pressing with stones, dying while imprisoned, lashing, banishment, and shunning were inflicted, but no burning. Also, some arrested for witchcraft were later freed and the charges dropped. And none of the poor souls hung or otherwise killed during the Salem Witch trials were practicing witches, but victims of an insane mania that overtook the people of that time and place whose madness is still begin explored today.

I did a post on My Ancestor and the Salem Witch Trials 

For historical records on the punishment and execution (or release) of various individuals accused of witchcraft visit:

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/witchtrial/na.html

My fascination with the supernatural, whether real or imagined, played an important role in my historical romance novel, Kira, Daughter of the Moon. Murmurings against the unusual, young Scots-Irishwoman, Kira McClure, grow into accusations of witchcraft. Never a good thing, but especially not in the colonial Virginia frontier. Acceptance in a close-knit community could mean the difference between life and death. The highly superstitious Scots settled in the rugged Alleghenies on the heels of The French and Indian War were already wary. The dangers these dark woods held heightened their fear of the supernatural. Sick livestock, children struck down with illness, and other misfortunes might be blamed on witchcraft. Settlers were alert to anyone in their midst they could point to as the culprit. The farther people ventured from more civilized society, the deeper their superstitions ran. And taking the law, such as it was, into their own hands was often how they dealt with miscreants in the frontier .

Late Shenandoah Valley author/historian, John Heatwole, put together a wonderful collection of accounts from valley and mountain people regarding their experiences with and feelings toward so-called witches. His book deals with beliefs lingering into the 20th century, but they’re still present among some rural Virginians today. Fear best sums up their sentiments. In his book, Shenandoah Voices, Mr. Heatwole says, “Witches have not been tried, jailed or executed in America since the early 18th century, but tales of their activities persist. During that period in our history, superstitious practices invoked for self-protection were considered prudent dabbling in the occult and virtually harmless. Powers or practices called upon for mean-spirited or evil purposes were attributed to malevolent people in the community who wielded demonic powers. Despite the perception of evil, people suspected of being witches, who were mostly women, were often tolerated in society because of their family ties or from fear of retribution—no one wanted to get on the wrong side of a witch.”

True. However, ‘often tolerated,’ doesn’t mean those perceived as witches were popular. He shares accounts, and I’ve read others, of outspoken or in some way unique females, perhaps even deformed, thought to be in league with the devil who were ostracized. Not being accepted and possibly even tormented by your neighbors was harsh, particularly for the poor and elderly. On the one hand, a woman might gain power over others, even men, in a historically male dominated society, through the fear she intentionally or unintentionally provoked, but the danger that people would shun her was always present–unless she was well-to-do. The rich were always better tolerated.

Spells and hexes were countered by witch doctors, usually men, although ‘Granny women’ were also known for battling the dark arts with magical incantations. I have friends who grew up ‘back in the holler’ and remember bringing in the Granny woman when home remedies failed. One common protection prudent mothers undertook for children was to sew little ‘acifidity’ bags filled with pungent herbs, garlic and asafetida,  to hang around their necks. “Oh my, did these kids stink,’ one friend told me. The stench was to drive away illness and evil. These stinky bags may be out of favor now, but the fear that lay behind them is still quite real among some folk.

You may ask if any of the women, and occasionally men, thought to be witches actually were? Yes. And some of them sound pretty darn scary.

For my recent post on that visit:

One of the Scariest Ghost/Witch Stories Ever

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Colonial America, historical fiction, Historical romance novel, history, Oppression and Intolerance, Shenandoah Valley, Sleepy Hollow, United States, Virginia, Witch-hunt, Witchcraft

What I Learned from A Tiny Kitten

First, for those of you who are unaware, I love kitties and am including images of cats we’ve rescued who live with us now, at about the age we took them in, and Tiny Mite at the end. Our cats are a Siamese Tabby Mix, Pavel, (1-year-old now) Percy, a Gray Tabby, middle-aged, and Minnie Mae, the oldest, rescued as a several days old kitten. The kitten tea party is Minnie Mae and Percy is singing and dancing with our rescue dog, Mia.

Back to my story. Saturday evening I discovered a newborn kitten in the garden by the rhubarb patch, its siblings dead or dying. Tiny Mite, as I called her, was squawking loudly, which is how I made the discovery. We finally located the barn cat mama, or think we did, but she wasn’t interested. I assumed an infant with such a powerful set of lungs had a fighting chance, even though she was so new and it was chilly out. Daughter Elise and I warmed the baby and prepared our homemade kitten formula, the simple recipe given to us by a country vet, and tried to feed her with a small syringe. Problem is, she didn’t have a good sucking reflex. This continued to be a struggle as we attempted to coax drops into her mouth. We were up every few hours trying to feed her and reheating the improvised water bottle and cloths for her box.

For a while, she seemed to rally, and on Monday morning we felt more hopeful. Then as the evening progressed, she grew less wriggly, feeding her was more difficult, and she was so sleepy. We thought maybe she was just worn out, but I feared the worst, which came to pass early Tuesday morning. I tried much of the night to save her, realized it was futile and held her until Elise got up, then she cupped Tiny Mite in her hand, stroking her, until she faded away. We also noticed she made a clicking sound that had grown steadily worse over night and assume she probably got pneumonia from aspirating formula, because she was too weak to suck properly. We even bought her the recommended brand on Sunday morning, but it made no difference. The mother of a friend who works for the local cat rescue organization said kittens that new are very difficult to save, and they probably couldn’t have saved her either. Although I realize some people have managed, and wish I could have been one of you..

We’ve done many kitten rescues over the years, most of them successful, but never one this newborn. The others all had at least a few vital days with their mama’s first.

We were very saddened by this loss, and touched by this tiny life. It amazed me just how much even the tiniest soul can move us in ways we never imagined. And I’ve often thought of the words to the beloved hymn: “All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Creatures great and small, All Things wise and wonderful, the Lord God Made them All.” .

Every time we try to save a helpless creature, it may or may not survive, and we risk the pain of loss, but are also enriched in ways that cannot be described, if you haven’t ever cupped a minuscule kitten in your palms, pacing and praying, realizing it was going to die and you could only be of comfort. And that maybe, you’re not such a bad person; you must have a good heart to spend hours in the night doing this, to care so much. It was an epiphany.

We buried Tiny Mite beside the rhubarb patch where we found her.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: All Creatures Great and Small, Cat, Infant, Kitten, newborn, Pet, pet loss, Rescues and Shelters

October Workshop–Herbal Lore and Medicinal Plants in the British Isles–Beth Trissel

Come one! Come all! I’m leading this workshop for Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, but it’s also open to the public. For more info and to register visit the link. The workshop runs through October and will be interesting and informative. Although the focus of the herbs are those used historically in the British Isles, if someone has a question about Native American plants, I can help out there too. Be an active participant or a lurker, just don’t nibble on the hemlock while hiding behind the trees. The material can be saved for later perusal. Lively interaction does make the class more fun, however.

Regarding homework assignments, (assuming you’re a writer) this isn’t mandatory, but I suggest at some time during the workshop you incorporate one or more of herbs into a scene you’ve written and post it for feedback in the broader group, or email it to me privately and I’ll tell you if I think the herb choice and use seems appropriate. I will post some examples from my own novels. My role is to offer information, inspiration, and kicks and giggles.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: British Isles, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, Fiction, Herb, herbal lore, medicinal plants, October, romance, workshop, Writers Resources

Historical Romance Novel Kira, Daughter of the Moon on Super Sale!

Normally $5.69, Kira, Daughter of the Moon is .99 In Kindle &Nookbook. But only for two weeks, so get your copy now!

Can a beautiful Scots-Irish healer suspected of witchcraft and a renegade white warrior find love together and avoid the hangman’s noose in the colonial frontier?

If you enjoyed Through the Fire and want to know what happens next, Kira, Daughter of the Moon is the sequel. Although Kira, Daughter of the Moon is written to stand alone, it would be better to read Through the Fire first, a 2008 Golden Heart® Finalist and In the top ten Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009.








“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, for Long and Short Reviews



“I have been a fan of Ms. Trissel’s work for years. Kira, Daughter of the Moon completely lived up to every one of my expectations. I highly recommend this wonderfully written tale to anyone who loves historical romance.” ~Poinsettia for Long and Short Reviews



“This is one page turner you might read in record speed. Except when you get near the end. If it’s read slower the story will last longer. That’s when it’s time to savor the story for a while and when the story is really good it almost seems a shame to begin another book with the memory of the current book still fresh in your mind.” ~Martha Decker for Examiner.com for Kira, Daughter of the Moon




Story Description:

With the terror of the French and Indian War fresh in her mind, can Kira love a white warrior?
 
Logan McCutcheon returns to colonial Virginia after seven years in the hands of Shawnee Indians. But was he really a captive, as everybody thinks? He looks and fights like a warrior, and seems eager to return to those he calls friends and family.

Kira McClure has waited for Logan all those years, passing herself off as odd to keep suitors at bay–and anyone else from getting too close. Now that he’s back, he seems to be the only person capable of protecting her from the advances of Josiah Campbell and accusations of witchcraft. And to defend the settlers against a well-organized band of murderous thieves.~



Set among the superstitious Scots in the rugged Alleghenies, Kira, Daughter of the Moon is an adventurous romance with a blend of Celtic and Native American flavors, and is Book Four in my Native American Warrior series.
 
The series loosely ties together based more on time and place and strong Native American characters than as a traditional series that follows the storyline, except for  Kira, Daughter of the Moon  and Through the Fire. In addition to Native Americans, hardy Scots-Irish frontiersmen and women, colonial Englishmen and ladies, and even a few Frenchmen also play an important role in this series. So far, it spans the gamut from the dramatic era of the French and Indian War, through Pontiac’s War, The American Revolution and shortly thereafter. But that time period may broaden as more stories are added to this line, and there will be more sequels.~


 
 ***Visit my Amazon Author Page
Kira, Daughter of the Moon is published by The Wild Rose Press, Cover by Rae Monet. Daughter Elise did the cover for Through the Fire, formerly published by The Wild Rose Press, now relaunched as an indie title.





Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: best-selling romance author, French and Indian War, Historical romance novel, Native American, Shawnee, The Colonial American frontier, The Native American Warrior series, the Scots-Irish, western romance

Pumpkin Time in the Shenandoah Valley!

We love pumpkins!  This year the pics have begun and quite splendid they are, too. Some images of our pumpkin harvest, intermingled with peppers and popcorn from our garden, by daughter Elise.

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”  ― Henry David Thoreau

Grandbaby Chloe, (age 3), did sit on a collection of our pumpkins and have them all to herself.  She held a small one in her lap and is saying ‘this is a Chloe sized pumpkin,’ or words to that effect. Children and big people love pumpkins and we are enraptured by them in this house. Large portions of the garden are given over to pumpkins, but it’s never enough and they wind and climb everywhere with very little protest from us. Now and then, we relocate a particularly vigorous vine. Mostly, we are just grateful if they thrive. Each year we swear this summer we will grow the biggest pumpkin ever, but nasty vine bores create challenges.  We must content ourselves with what we wrangle from them. And again, we research what is to be done to thwart these garden menaces–organically, of course. We are open to suggestions from other organic gardeners.

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”

― Lauren DeStefano, Wither

“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple…”

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

***Our pumpkin and mum arrangement. Many of these are Cinderella Pumpkins.

 ”For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.  For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.”  
~Edwin Way Teale

“Oh how we love pumpkin season.  You did know this gourd-ish squash has its own season, right?  Winter, Spring, Summer, Pumpkin…. We anxiously anticipate it every year.”  
~Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer, October 2010



“The days may not be so bright and balmy—yet the quiet and melancholy that linger around them is fraught with glory. Over everything connected with autumn there lingers some golden spell—some unseen influence that penetrates the soul with its mysterious power.”
~Northern Advocate

***Our faithful wheel barrow filled with goodies, including our beloved pumpkins.

Next year, we shall have the biggest and best, most sincere pumpkin patch ever!

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Cinderella pumpkin, Edwin Way Teale, Gardening, Halloween, Henry David Thoreau, J.K. Rowling, Organic, Pumpkin, September, The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

Supernatural Tales from Back in the Gap

These excerpts are taken from Supernatural Tales,The Virginia and West Virginia Mountain and Valley Folklife Series by late Shenandoah Valley author and historian John Heatwole. Mr. Heatwole interviewed many inhabitants of Brock’s Gap and wrote up a wonderful collection of stories included in his series. He said, “The Brocks Gap section of Rockingham County is rich in folklore of all kinds. It is an area in the northwest part of the county isolated by the North Mountain range.”

The following spooky stories are a great source of entertainment while snug inside next to a warm hearth, but not so much fun if you find yourself out on your own in the woods and hollows after dark.~

“Frank Caplinger lived across the road from the old Caplinger Chapel near the Criders Post Office in western Brocks Gap. In the evening Frank would sometimes hear pews scraping on the floor of the church on the other side of the road. Each time he walked over to check on things he would find the building empty with no signs that anyone had been there.

Once Frank was crossing the German River on the old suspension foot bridge; he was going to the post office on the opposite bank. As he entered the bridge he looked up and saw a strange man sitting on top of the cable frame, still and quiet. When Frank neared the other end of the bridge he looked back and the figure had vanished. It was impossible for the man to have scrambled down and run out of sight that quickly.” 

****

“Other folks remember strange lights on the mountains or in the cemeteries.  Harrison May recalled: ‘We’d see lights up in the Caplinger Cemetery every so often. When we got there to check there’d be no lights anywhere. Guess they were just spooks.’”

****

“When Nelson Whetzel was a young man he had an interesting experience while walking home from work one evening. In Brocks Gap in earlier times the only things to light ones way were the stars or the glow from a lamp in a neighbor’s window. 

As he walked Nelson heard a horse coming up the road behind him.  Nelson stopped for a moment, thinking, ‘Good! I’ll have someone to talk to.’ But the sound of the horse’s hooves stopped when he did. He called out, asking who was there in the pitch-black.

No answer came and Nelson began uneasily walking again, this time a little faster. The sound of the horse picked up pace to match Nelson’s. He stopped a second time and the sound of the horse ceased to be heard. Nelson started trotting and the sound horse’s hooves were heard at a trot behind him, close on his heels. He grew very frightened and began to run as fast as he could.  The galloping horse seemed to be so close, Nelson thought he felt the breath on the back of his neck.

Up ahead Nelson saw the lighted windows of the cabin belonging to George and Mat Smith. He was so terrified that he hit the Smith’s front door at full force. He knocked it down and went right through the structure, knocking down the back door as he exited. The Smiths blinked at each other in wonder and amazement. They saw no phantom horse follow Nelson through their home.

Immediately after his encounter with the doors Nelson noticed the sound of the pursuing horse was gone, however, he ran on home as fast as his feet would carry him.”

****

*That tale reminds me of the headless horseman from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Scary!

“The Roadcaps lived in a two-story log cabin just down the road from Gospel Hill Mennonite Church. All of the girls of the family shared a room upstairs.  One night one of the sisters, Peggy by name, went to the bedroom alone.  There she saw a woman sitting up on the iron headboard of one of the beds.

The woman didn’t say anything or move toward the frightened child, just sat there and looked at her. Peggy was rooted to the spot in fear but able to find her voice and call to her father to come to her aid.  There was something in her voice that demanded immediate attention and she heard his heavy footfall as he hurried up the stairs. As her father neared the room, the woman vanished into thin air.  Peggy never entered that room alone again.

****

The children of the Roadcap family loved to play on the banks of the little Shoemaker River near their home. Once they came running home and told their father they’d seen a woman all dressed in white walking along the opposite bank of the river from where they played. They’d never seen her before and being shy had not spoken to her but only observed her progress.

Their father listened thoughtfully and then told them they had seen the spirit of a young woman who had died years before of a broken heart. They were told they would probably see her again and that she would do them no harm. They were to behave as they had before and refrain from calling out to the spirit.

They believed their father. There were not that many people living in those parts and the children knew them all. They promised not to disturb the apparition if they encountered her again. During their childhoods they witnessed her strolling along the river on several more occasions.~

That story reminds me of the novel, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, which was a very intriguing BBC mystery/thriller starring Tara Fitzgerald. I saw the film on Netflix and highly recommend it.

***If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy the one I wrote entitled:

The Poltergeist in our Old Farm House

***John Heatwole’s books are at Amazon, but may only be available as used copies.

 

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Brock’s Gap, ghost stories, North Mountain, paranormal activity, Shenandoah Valley, Supernatural Tales, The Allegeny Mountains, The headless horseman, The legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Woman in White, Virginia

“Of Cabbages and Kings.” The Wisdom of Lewis Carroll

Do you feel like you’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole? I do most every time I check the news, which I avoid as much as possible. Lewis Carrol speaks to this present day craziness.

“I don’t think…” then you shouldn’t talk, said the Hatter.”  (Or govern, Beth adds)

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”  ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Me too.

Alice: “How long is forever?”

White Rabbit: “Sometimes, just one second.”

“Curiouser and curiouser.”  (Indeed)

“The hurrider I go, the behinder I get.” (Always)

“If you drink much from a bottle marked ‘poison’ it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later.”

Undoubtedly. And remember to follow the white rabbit. I have a particular fondness for rabbits, and if you follow one as it scampers about, it’s bound to lead to an adventure. (Unless, it’s riding on the back of a turtle.) Speaking of which, “No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time.” Alice in Wonderland (oh yes. Skip the boring stuff)

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?”

***I totally get that quote. We’re living in it now.

“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” ― Lewis Carroll  (Fitting quote for Beth in her writing cave

‘But I don’t want to go among mad people,’ Alice remarked. ‘Oh, you can’t help that,’ said the Cat: ‘We’re all mad here.’

“Have I gone mad?

I’m afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland


“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”

“I don’t much care where –”

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” (Amen to that)



“I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”  (It happens)



“Mad Hatter: “Why is a raven like a writing-desk?”

“Have you guessed the riddle yet?” the Hatter said, turning to Alice again.

“No, I give it up,” Alice replied: “What’s the answer?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea,” said the Hatter.” (I’m puzzling over this one)

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland


“The time has come,” the walrus said, “to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships – and sealing wax – of cabbages and kings.”  (Such wise words)



“I’m not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours.”

“How puzzling all these changes are! I’m never sure what I’m going to be, from one minute to another.”  (Me either, on some days)

“I’d give all the wealth that years have piled, the slow result of life’s decay,

To be once more a little child

for one bright summer day.”

― Lewis Carroll

(Image of two grandbabies)

“Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.”

― Lewis Carroll, Jabberwocky 

My dear father can recite the Jabberwocky.  When the severe windstorm swept through the Shenandoah Valley the summer before last, daughter Elise and I huddled in the dark in our ‘safe’ spot in the house and she read it aloud with a flashlight while the wind raged. Also, other Lewis Carroll quotes. Somehow, it seemed fitting. And so, with this profundity, I leave you.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Alice, alice in wonderland, Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll, Mimsy Were the Borogoves, Shenandoah Valley, the white rabbit, witty quotes, Wonderland

Nine Ways to Fall in Love Box Set Launch!

And there’s a lot of hoopla going on, so pop into Facebook–party central!

Prizes! From September 1st through September 30th, we’re giving away prizes large and small, but always swell. Day one is the Kindle!  Other prizes include a second Kindle, a Coach backpack purse filled with books, a silver good luck necklace, cubic zirconium ear studs, signed print books, a survival tin and necklace, a silver Celtic necklace and earrings, e-books, Gift Cards from $10 to $50, chocolate truffles….

To enter, leave a comment on the Facebook party page, or go to the newsletter site at www.southerncomfortromance.com and subscribe to the newsletter. If you’re eager to snag your copy of Nine Ways to Fall in Love at the low price of .99, it’s out now at Amazon. But zip on over! As of October first the price rise to 8.99! Still a great bargain for nine novels, but a lot more.

Early review are great! And now, the authors and their books:

Caroline Clemmons, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father arranged the marriage trap for Dallas McClintock but she’d do anything to protect her family. Wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, rancher Dallas learns his wife has a silly superstition for everything. But passion-filled nights with her make up for her annoying habits and family.

Carra Copelin, CODE OF HONOR. Graeme McAlister returned home to discover why his foster-brother supposedly overdosed on morphine and crashed a company jet. When Graeme McAlister comes back to McTiernan, TX and stirs up widow Maggie Benning’s old memories and feelings, can she overcome past pain to accept the a new love in her life? Can Graeme and Maggie fight the evil threatening their family?

Geri Foster, OUT OF THE SHADOWS. Falcon Securities Agent Brody Hawke sees the world from a tilted angle. A.J., who saved Brody’s life, is captured and diplomats are getting nowhere in his rescue. Brody takes over even though he knows his impetuous actions will ruin his career. CIA agent Kate Stone’s life is torn apart when Brody kidnaps her. When she and Brody reach A.J., they learn the situation is more serious and far-reaching than they’d imagined. Brody, Kate and Falcon Securities must rescue A.J. and stop the assassination of the President of the USA. Will Brody and Kate discover love along the way?


Kathy Ivan, LOSING CASSIE. Welcome to Destiny’s Desire Lodge, where The Fates manipulate and the Fate-Keeper battles to unite predestined souls. The arrival of a mysterious letter draws Jake Stone to Destiny’s Desire. Cassie Daniels has been running for seven long years. To find happiness she must face past evil. When Fate and Destiny collide . . . can Love survive?

Paty Jager, SECRETS OF A MAYAN MOON. Doctor of Anthropology, Isabella Mumphrey, is about to lose her university job. Her mentor’s request for her assistance on a Guatemalan dig is the opportunity she’s been seeking. DEA agent Tino Kosta, is deep undercover as a tracker and jungle guide. Isabella’s appearance heats his Latin blood, taking him on a dangerous detour that could leave them both casualties of the jungle.

Anna Jeffrey, SWEET RETURN. When Dalton Parker is summoned home to handle a family crisis, the last thing he expects is a prime pasture of his family’s ranch taken over by stinking chickens. The explanation is Joanna Walsh, his mother’s best friend. He can’t keep from admiring Joanna’s caring nature and common sense, not to mention her great body. The dumbest thing he could do is try to lure her into his bed, but he’s never been smart when it comes to women.



DeLaine Roberts, TWO SIDES OF A HEARTBEAT. After a beautiful proposal, Dr. Grayson Brooks pleads with his fiancé, Alexandra Morrison, not to get on the plane. Once the plane is in the air, events turn their lives upside down. Secrets and the past once again haunt both families. Alexandra is so close to having it all: a baby, a gorgeous husband, and a family united. But is she strong enough to fight for what she wants?

Jacquie Rogers, SLEIGHT OF HEART. Starched-up Lexie Campbell, more comfortable with neat and tidy numbers than messy emotions, must find the man who ruined her little sister and make him marry her. When his lookalike brother Burke appears, she greets him with a gun and forces him to help her. Smooth-dealing Burke O’Shaughnessy, riverboat gambler and prestidigitator, must find his brother Patrick to claim the family fortune. But when Lexie shows an astounding talent for counting cards and calculating odds, he figures she might be useful after all. Can he resist the queen of hearts?

(Me!) Beth Trissel, SOMEWHERE MY LOVE. Two hundred years ago Captain Cole Wentworth was murdered in his chamber where his portrait still hangs. Presently the estate is a family owned museum run by Will Wentworth. As spirit-sensitive tour guide Julia Morrow begins to remember the events of Cole’s death, she must convince Will that history is repeating, and he has the starring role in the tragedy. The blade is about to fall.




Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Anna Jeffrey, Beth Trissel, box set, Caroline Clemmons, Carra Copelin, debut price .99, Geri Foster, Jacquie Rogers, Kathy Ivan, launch party, nine romances box set, Paty Jager