Saturday, July 27, 2013

For Fans of Time Travel

Writing, or reading, a story set in any historical era is traversing time in a way, as would be a futuristic setting, but I'm referring to actual time travel stories. In my Somewhere in Time series the boundaries of time and space are hurdled in various manners. This concept has always fascinated me, also of discovering new lands. I've been seeking Narnia since childhood and never gave up the quest. C.S. Lewis is my favorite author and has been since I read his Chronicles of Narnia. I'm nothing if not devoted. Any fellow Narnians out there?

The idea behind my Somewhere in Time series is that the story opens in an old home, so far Virginia (I’m a Virginian with deep roots in this richly historic state), and then transports the reader back in time either in the same wonderful old house (I love old homes), or another place entirely such as the Scottish Highlands. As is the case in Somewhere My Lass and Somewhere in the HighlandsBoth stories convey the characters to and from 17th century Scotland via a portal in time. The unifying characteristic of the series is the paranormal/time travel element, but the stories themselves aren't necessarily tied together, though some are, and will be. It’s the encompassing theme that matters. Doors play a big role in this series. Behind every door lies a secret, an intriguing puzzle to be solved, so these romances are also suspenseful mysteries.

Fergus, the unlikely hero of my latest release, Somewhere in the Highlands, heads up this fast-paced Sci-Fi Fantasy Time Travel Romance. Untold hours of scheming, dreaming, writing and revising went into the story. Yes, there will be another title in this continuing saga. Don’t ask me when, but plotting is underway. Somewhere in the Highlands is book three in the seriesfollowing Somewhere My Loveand is the sequel to Somewhere My LassSomewhere the Bells Ring is a hauntingly beautiful Christmas romance.

Blurb for Somewhere in the Highlands: 

The MacDonalds are coming! When Elizabeth MacDonald (a.k.a Beezus Mac) thrusts a sealed gold box at Angus Fergus amid panicked requests for him to hide the stolen artifact, she has no idea the ancient cloth it contains bestows unearthly powers. Red MacDonald knows and he’s hell-bent on traveling 400 years into the future to claim the charmed relic, even kill for it. Protecting Beezus from his old nemesis is only one of Fergus’s problems. 

Before they can stop him, Morley MacDonald, descendant of Red MacDonald, snatches the prize and leaps through the time portal to head the MacDonald clan and kill Fergus’s MacKenzie ancestor. If he succeeds, Fergus will cease to exist. Danger grows in the feud between the MacDonalds and the MacKenzies as the pair, along with an ingenious friend and high tech inventions, returns to 1604 Scotland to face these brawny Highlanders and reunite with kin. Will Fergus overcome his mistrust of Beezus and fan the growing spark between them before they battle Morley? If he waits, it may be too late.~


Excerpt:

Fergus turned to dive after Hal’s hazy form.
No time to glance at his watch. It had been a mad scramble since they first charged through the portal, but five minutes must’ve passed by now. That truck needed to blow!
A loud boom and bright light answered his prayer.
“Fire in the hole!” Fergus shot down to the hard-packed earth and stone below.
Hal grabbed him, breaking his fall. “Always wanted to shout that, didn’t you?”
“Yep.” Fergus swept his gaze over the faces faintly illuminated by the glow from above. “You guys OK?”
“A relative term,” Hal grunted. “But tolerable.”
Beezus gave a short nod. 
“This place is just as charming as I remember. No wider,” Fergus noted.
“Real cozy,” Hal said under his breath.
“Dug by dwarves, I expect. You may need to crouch down as we go along.”
“Counting on it.” Hal again. Beezus was sucking in deep gulps of air.
Fergus fished in a pocket for the LED flashlight and flipped it to green. That hue made everyone appear garish, but would show up less in the gloom. Beezus looked scared spitless, and with good reason. Morley might as well have painted a big red X on her. She was ‘it.’ But Fergus would die before he’d let Morley take her. The problem was, he might not still be here to stop him.
No room to ponder that challenge now. The clicking that emanated from Hal told Fergus his quick-witted friend had retrieved his ultrasonic device to better navigate their way. He’d better think fast too.
“Here, Beezus.” Fergus pressed the flashlight into her trembling fingers. “We can’t risk you bringing up the rear in case we’re pursued and you’re snatched again. Shine this ahead and follow the tunnel. Hal will go next and me last. And don’t look too closely at your surroundings.” He remembered his last trek through this tunnel with rats scattering across their feet, not to mention spiders and pushing through cobwebs. Wishing he could take her into his arms, Fergus laid a hand on her shoulder. “We’re right behind you. And if all goes as planned, Niall waits ahead."
She lifted a quivering chin, resolve in her eyes. “Watch your back.” Snatching up trailing skirts with one hand, she directed the light with the other.
Angry voices sounded overhead.
Fergus snapped, “For God’s sake, don’t they ever give up?” 
“That would be a negative, Captain,” Hal said gruffly.
He tailed Beezus and Fergus brought up the rear. At least the really big men couldn't get through this narrow pass. That still left a considerable foe. Of course, Fergus had smoke bombs inside his coat to toss over his shoulder. And he did. Luckily the breeze was in his favor.
Coughs and curses carried from behind, then a man with a strong Scottish burr roared, “After them, lads!"

Amazon Link for Somewhere in the Highlands, in case you missed the ones above.

For more on me, my blog is the happening place and has links to everything elsehttp://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

The Somewhere in Time Series; where the past meets the present.
***Royalty free images. Cover by my talented daughter Elise


Thursday, July 18, 2013

New Release! Romantic Time Travel Adventure Somewhere in the Highlands!



somewhere_in_the_highlands4.jpg 1After a lot of scheming, dreaming, writing, and revising, the long-awaited sequel to my time travel romance, Somewhere My Lass, is out. Yes, there will be another story to continue this saga. Don’t ask me when, but plotting is underway.
About Somewhere in the Highlands: Will the brilliant geek Fergus and lovely but devious Beezus thwart a power mad time traveler wielding a supernatural relic before he kills Fergus’s Highland ancestor?
Blurb:  Retro KeyholeThe MacDonalds are coming! When Elizabeth MacDonald (a.k.a Beezus Mac) thrusts a sealed gold box at Angus Fergus amid panicked requests for him to hide the stolen artifact, she has no idea the ancient cloth it contains bestows unearthly powers.
Red MacDonald knows and he’s hell-bent on traveling 400 years into the future to claim the charmed relic, even kill for it. Protecting Beezus from his old nemesis is only one of Fergus’s problems.
Before they can stop him, Morley MacDonald, descendant of Red MacDonald, snatches the prize and leaps through the time portal to head the MacDonald clan and kill Fergus’s MacKenzie ancestor. If he succeeds, Fergus will cease to exist. Danger grows in the feud between the MacDonalds and the MacKenzies as the pair, along with an ingenious friend and high tech inventions, returns to 1604 Scotland to face these brawny Highlanders and reunite with kin. Will Fergus overcome his mistrust of Beezus and fan the growing spark between them before they battle Morley? If he waits, it may be too late.~
 The Somewhere in Time Series; where the past meets the present.
***Somewhere in the Highlands is available in kindle at Amazon.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

‘Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.’ ~Regina Brett & Other Inspirational Quotes


mystical holy rays of light“If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.” ~Regina Brett, Author of God Never Blinks
My daughter Alison reminded me of this excellent quote. I contemplated what image I might use to symbolize the Divine and decided this mystical holy rays of light (royalty free image from istock) seemed best.
Ms. Bret has much wisdom.  Here are a few of her most noteworthy quotes.  With commentary from yours truly, of course.
colin and Grady-soft-coated Wheaton Terrier“Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.” ― Regina Brett
*Even a sympathetic dog will do.  Or a purry kitty, very comforting.  Although the dog will probably care more.  Cats have their own way of relating.
*My grandson Colin and his best friend Grady taken by daughter Alison.
“Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.” ― Regina Brett
*This is more true than many of us realize.  Definitely worth bearing in mind.
“When in doubt, take the next step.”
― Regina Brett
And from Folk Singer John McCutcheon, “Step by step the longest march can be won.”
To this I add, it helps to have a friend walk with you.
*Image taken by my husband Dennis of two little Old Order Mennonite brothers.
“God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.” ― Regina Brett
*Thank heavens for that!
My Fall Garden in the Shenandoah Valley--Beth Trissel“Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.”
― Regina Brett
“Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.”
― Regina Brett
*Yes, yes, very sound advice.  Tough to do.
“I once heard someone say that prayer is more than words. It’s a stance you take, a position you claim. You throw your body against the door to keep the demons from advancing and stay put until they go away.” ― Regina Brett
*Stand firm.  And may God be with you.
“Life isn’t about how you survived the storm … it’s about how you danced in the rain. Dance with me.”  ― Regina Brett
(Image of the garden and old red barn in the background)
*Perhaps a gentle shower, or mist.  It’s raining outside now and I don’t feel inclined to dance in it.  But her sentiment is lovely and I suspect not meant to be taken literally.
*Image of North River in the mist taken by my mom, Pat Churchman.
“…there were two kinds of women: those who wear nail polish and those who don’t. Which do you prefer?…” ― Regina Brett
*Actually, those who don’t.  There’s no way an avid gardener can keep their nail polish looking good, and I feel more at home with earthier sorts like gardeners.  Not that I will shun you if you wear polish.  You may have other superb attributes.
To Ms. Brett’s trove of wisdom I add my own adage, When the going gets tough, the tough get kittens.  And if it’s really tough I recommend a basket of kittens.  I also adhere to the eating of dark chocolate.  And to that Regina Bret says, “Resistance to chocolate is futile.”  I’ve already had my chocolate ration for the day.  May need to up the ration.
*Kitten image is royalty free, but perfect so I bought it.  We didn’t happen to have a basket of kittens on hand for this post. Although they are scampering among the corn, pumpkins, and potatoes in the garden.
“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.”
― Regina Brett
*Ummm, but not if you have anything contagious, please.  But I suspect that’s not what she intended.
*Image of my niece Cailin as the fairy princess.  An ardent believer in fairies whom I fully support.
“Your children get only one childhood.”
― Regina Brett
Unless you’re Peter Pan, or headed to Never Never Land.  In truth, some of us never really grew up, we just got older.
Lastly, do no underestimate the wonderfully restorative value of naps.  Even a cat nap does a body good.
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”  ~Irish Proverb
“No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.”  ~Carrie Snow
Had mine today.
Bring on the kittens.  :)