Should She Shift Or Should She Soar?

I never thought I’d ask myself that question as I’m working on a story, but the creative pursuit of what might be has taken me on some amazing and unexpected writing journeys. If anyone had told me several years ago that I would create a Young Adult fantasy romance series with wolf shifters and other fantastical creatures and characters, I would’ve been mightily surprised. I began fiction writing in solid historical romance. Then ghosts appeared, and ‘The door to nowhere' opened--a portal in time--and a bearwalking Shawnee Warrior growled to life. Add some magic, a dash of fantasy, and the next thing I know, I'm on the engrossing path to Wapicoli Lodge. Given all of this, I must admit the seeds of The Secret Warrior Series were sown long before I undertook this supernatural adventure.

These writing journeys remind me of the wonderful quote from The Lord of the Rings: “It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

I never know where I may be swept off to in my imagination. Undertaking a new series in a new genre is definitely a potentially dangerous business. I've entered uncharted territory. Whether or not this series meets with approval, I have loved every step of the journey. If you enjoy the stories, please leave them a kind review, and yes, you need to read them in order.

I can't share The Panther Moon, book 3 in The Secret Warrior Series, without touching on the series itself, and the whys behind it. Passion, knowledge, and various influences lie at the heart of these stories. My love of history, mystery, fantasy, and fascination with the mountain people and Native Americans ignited a wildfire of ideas. Some episodes of Monster Quest drew my attention to how many supposed creatures inhabit the Alleghenies--including werewolves and space aliens. The TV show Grimm explores the hidden world among us...These all deepened my pondering.

On an autumn drive into the Allegheny Mountains (pictured above from that trek), it struck me how easily anything could hide in these rugged ridges. And Fort Valley, called Hidden Valley in the series, is tucked in the Massanutten Mountain Range, truly off the beaten path. Getting back there involved the most hair-raising drive over a mountain I've ever experienced--depicted in the beginning of The Hunter's Moon (Book 1). The ascent is so steep, I was certain our pickup would flip over backwards. The curves are also a nightmare. But it was an inspiring trek, one I never would have written the story without. Those of you who fear the wilderness is disappearing, it's still out there. Trust me.

Living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by mountains veiled in mist and mystery was perfect creating the characters and setting for this series. Some characters are based on lore I've learned over the years—lore some folk swear is true. Others appeared to me, as characters have a way of doing. Out of the mist. Even though the series is fantasy, a great deal of research went into it. Everything I write, whether fantasy, paranormal, time travel, or straight historical, has its roots in the well-researched past.

In The Hunter’s Moon, 17-year-old Morgan Daniel begins this journey much as I did, in ignorance. She must learn about the strange world she’s entered, and the bizarre, but vital, role she’s destined to play. The meeting between her and alpha shifter Jackson Wapicoli sets off sparks, but when the curse she’s lived her entire life unaware of is revealed, the learning curve is mind-blowing. Good thing Morgan has guts and a lot of support. And then there's the prophecy...

The Panther Moon is in pre-order now, out on the 30th. The story will be available in kindle and print at Amazon, and in eBook from all major online booksellers. 

Story Blurb:

Being the seventh Morcant has its perks: Morgan is learning to fly and wield magical blue fire.

But the coyote shifters are growing bolder. Mateo and his panthers seem impossible to defeat. And vampires aren't real – are they?

When the elusive and enigmatic Chief Okema disappears and the wards protecting the Wapicoli territory falter, Morgan and Jackson are forced into the role of leaders. Badly outnumbered and outgunned, do they have time to search for the secret of the Divining Tree, and will it help them in the final battle? 

Kindle Link: https://www.amazon.com/Panther-Moon-Secret-Warrior-ebook/dp/B01JXZG1SC

The Panther Moon (The Secret Warrior Series) is on a book blog tour with prizes. It runs through the 30th. The link for the tour is: http://www.itchingforbooks.com/2016/09/blog-tour-giveawaythe-panther-moon-by.html

Funny You Should Ask

Yes, my diabolically curious kitten/cats, Peaches and Cream, had a fabulous Christmas and drove me nearly mad trying to keep them out of presents. I failed. And the tree has only lights this year, no ornaments, as they would have been batted all over the house, Ditto for wisemen, camels, sheep, shepherds, etc, so no creche displays either. I gloried in cheery lights and the angels crammed on a high narrow mantel. The after Christmas blues are settling in, not only with me, but the cats searching in vain for those fun gifties they so enjoyed leaping in and chewing on.

Is there life after Christmas? Certainly. We found evidence of a mouse nest in the corner of the roll top desk--rarely unrolled. So hope springs eternal for some micelette playmates. None have turned up yet, fortunately. Or not. And my DH received a brightly colored drone, two actually, that Peaches bravely stalks. Cream is more guarded. When worried, he snuggles beside me on the couch and kneads and sucks his favorite blanket. He also purrs in my ear and nibbles my hair. Peaches is more of a lap cat, as is our curmudgeonly older tabby, Percy. My tiny pom-poo Sadie Sue, stays by my side when not patrolling cats, and rescue dog Jilly lolls companionably nearby.

(Beth and friends zoning above)

Onward ho with writing projects. I'm at work on The Panther Moon, book 3 in my new Young Adult Fantasy Romance series, Secret Warrior. It would speed the process if I'd actually make headway, but Christmas took its toll. Book 1, The Hunter's Moon came out on Dec. 15th, not a great time for a non-holiday release, I add with a sigh. I'm open to assistance, as in please spread the word to adults and teens who might enjoy the story.  Happily, Book 2, Curse of the Moon, is in the publishing process at the Wild Rose Press (Release date TBD).

Blurb from The Hunter's Moon:

Seventeen-year-old Morgan Daniel has been in the witness protection program most of her life. But The Panteras have caught up with her and her younger brother. Her car is totaled, she's hurt, and the street gang is closing in when wolves with glowing eyes appear out of nowhere and chase away the killers. 

Then a very cute guy who handles a bow like Robin Hood emerges from the woods and takes them to safety at his fortress-like home. 

And that's just the first sign that Morgan and her brother have entered a hidden world filled with secrets...

The Hunter's Moon is available from ALL online booksellers. Kindle link: http://www.amazon.com/Hunters.../dp/B017OCROM8/ref=sr_1_1

AND I created a Face Book Page for my Secret Warrior Series that could use likes and shares.
Thanks in advance for any exertions on my/our behalf. For more on me please visit my blog: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com.

The Story Behind Old Doors

I love old doors, large, small, quaint, cozy, bold, dramatic, dark...such mystery. What secrets they may hide. I'm not alone in my fascination with doors and the people/stories behind them. Disney's Monsters, Inc is all about kid's doors and monsters in closets, but I digress. In my Dec. 14th release, YA fantasy romance, The Hunter's Moon, Morgan Daniel is struck by the door leading into Wapicoli Lodge, the massive family hub of her soon-to-be heartthrob, the handsome Native American teen, Jackson. She's also wonders at the totem standing to one side of the entrance.

      ' All along the colorful painted pole were wolf carvings, mostly faces, with gaping jaws and fangs; others were carved with their mouths shut. In some instances, the entire beast was displayed, its legs stretched out. What or who was it chasing? '
    
      Then she spies the door.

     'Above the wooden door stout enough to withstand a battering ram were yet more wolf carvings. They stared down at her as if they held the secret to an age-old mystery. Perhaps they did.
    
      Goosebumps scattered over her from head to toe. Where was she?'

Good question, and one we spend the rest of the story exploring. That door definitely stirred my curiosity, mingled with a sense of dread. 

Story Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Morgan Daniel has been in the witness protection program most of her life. But The Panteras have caught up with her and her younger brother. Her car is totaled, she's hurt, and the street gang is closing in when wolves with glowing eyes appear out of nowhere and chase away the killers.

Then a very cute guy who handles a bow like Robin Hood emerges from the woods and takes them to safety at his fortress-like home.

And that's just the first sign that Morgan and her brother have entered a hidden world filled with secrets.

The Hunter's Moon is available in pre-order at many sites now: At Amazon at Barnes & Noble 

Next in my Secret Warrior Series, Curse of the Moon, is in edits and I'm at work on the third, The Panther Moon, published by The Wild Rose Press.

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

The Inspiration of Autumn

Fall is my favorite season. I'm deliriously exuberant in the spring, and as busy as a mad hen with all my many gardening endeavors, but fall is a wonderful wind down time. Sure, there's tidying up to do in the garden and flower beds,  bulbs to plant, some acorn squash and pumpkins to get in...but the weeds don't drive me as insane as they did earlier in the year. Like the season, I'm more mellow now. I can breathe, and gaze about my lovely farm and valley, admire the spectacular color in the hazy ridges. We live in one of the most heavenly places on earth. I call our valley 'the Shire.' Fall is a sumptuous feast for the senses.

With few exceptions, I've set my stories in autumn.  My new YA fantasy romance series, Secret Warrior, takes place in the fall in our misty mountains. Traitor's Curse, my upcoming ghostly Gothic historical romance release, is set in late autumn. Unless the time period for a story needs to be spring or summer, or winter for a Christmas theme, I always choose fall. There's coziness in front of a crackling hearth, while outdoors, foggy tendrils entwine the scarlet leaves and obscure the darkening path through the woods. Fall is an intriguing combination of coziness and mystery.

Recently, I showed my six-year-old grandson, and eight year-old granddaughter some of my book covers. Little Owen misunderstood and thought we were looking at viewing options. He pointed to the cover of The Hunter's Moon (Book One in my YA series) and said, "I want to watch THAT movie!" His sister also liked it, and thought the cover of Traitor's Curse looked like an interesting story. So, I have two potential fans.

If you don't live where fall is glorious, and can't tap into the inspiration all around you, then share in mine.~

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."
~Stanley Horowitz

 

"Autumn’s the mellow time."
~William Allingham

(Images by my mom, Pat Churchman)

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." ~George Eliot

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."~Albert Camus

 

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

 



"Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees."
~Faith Baldwin

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree."
~Emily Bronte



(Our farm. Image by daughter Elise. She's pictured above as a child with her little friend hiding by a tree in the woods behind our farm.)

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

 

Taking the Plunge into YA!

I've pondered an evolving story/series for years, but sensed it needed to be YA. The urge to write in the young adult genre grew as I spent time in the company of my now teenage nieces. We invariably watched YA TV shows and movies together and discussed aspects we liked and those we didn't. Eventually, I shared my own story ideas. With much cheering on, I decided to write Secret Warrior, a YA fantasy romance series set in the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley (modern-day) in a remote region called Fort Valley, with a unique Native American/werewolf twist. 

The primal beauty and intriguing history of this hidden valley, combined with my knowledge of the Shawnee tribe, the lore of the mountain people, and draw to fantasy, inspired me. I'm drawing on what I already know and love, and weaving in those elements with younger characters. Although the series is targeting teens, adults will also enjoy Secret Warrior. I'm delighted The Wild Rose Press offered me a three book contract. Book one, The Hunter's Moon, is in the galley stage now. Each story is novella length. I thoroughly enjoy working on this series, and am glad I took the plunge.

I love my gorgeous cover by Debbie Taylor!

Story blurb for The Hunter's Moon:

Seventeen year old Morgan Daniel has been in the witness protection program most of her life. But The Panteras have caught up with her and her younger brother. Her car is totaled, she's hurt, and the street gang is closing in when wolves with glowing eyes appear out of nowhere and chase away the killers.

Then a very cute guy who handles a bow like Robin Hood emerges from the woods and takes them to safety at his fortress-like home.

And that's just the first sign that Morgan and her brother have entered a hidden world filled with secrets.~

Release date TBD.

For more on me and my work visit: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

For the First Time In Forever!

I felt like writing. Picture Princess Anna in the movie Frozen, when the castle finally hosts a lavish gala, and there's people and she can party. Whee! That was me last night, partying with my characters. Granted, we were fighting a dragon, but I was right there with the gang. Mostly this winter, I've been down, literally, figuratively, and physically, lying on the couch, watching Netflix, Amazon instant videos, whatever I'd dvr'd... And eating chocolate. Trust me, sometimes there just isn't enough chocolate to inspire anything except a bellyache. And I've had plenty of those. I'd scroll through the feed of my busy beaver Facebook friends, who are writing thousands of words a day and zapping out books and sigh. Then roll over and surf for another video. Writing was a fleeting endeavor. A longed for and dimming dream. Depression sucks the life from you. As does writer's block.

Not last night! By golly.

So, this morning, my somewhat annoyed hubby, who couldn't decided whether or not to leave the light on for me, asked what on earth had kept me up so late.

Writing, at long last, for the first time in forever!

And I reminded him that he often comes to bed so late I wonder if I should send out a search party. He looked a bit sheepish, upon reflection. Not being cursed with the writing bug, he has no comprehension of the fickleness of the muse or the need for a smidgen of energy to summon inspiration, and the incalculability of when it might strike. Creativity and its requirements are intangible and difficult to define for muggles. Only other authors and artists understand. Consequently, we are termed slightly mad by the rest of the world. To give my DH his due, he has borne with me tirelessly for the most part. And we have agreed he is to leave the light on.

So, for those of you who at times struggle as I do to regain the muse, take hope. The ephemeral being will wing back in its own time.

Meanwhile, if you want me to recommend movies and TV shows, I've got a list.

Before last night, I had no idea what to post today and felt more like Eeyore than Anna. As fond as I am of Eeyore, I'd rather be slightly more upbeat. My WIP is a YA fantasy romance that I am enjoying writing, when the muse obliges me. I just got stuck.

I'm back!

***For more on me, visit my blog One Writer's Way at: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/