Showing posts with label The French Revolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The French Revolution. Show all posts

Thursday, August 17, 2017

My English Heritage and Historical Romance Into the Lion's Heart

The connection I feel to the past and those who’ve gone before me is the ongoing inspiration behind my historical romances, including the time travels in my ‘Somewhere in Time’ series, and more lately, my Ladies in Time series. I’ve done a lot of research into family genealogy and come from well-documented English/Scots-Irish folk with a smidgen of French in the meld, a Norman knight who sailed with William the Conqueror.  One family line goes back to Geoffrey Chaucer.  And there’s a puritan line with involvement in the Salem Witch Trials—my apologies to Susannah Martin’s descendants--but that’s another story.  With Into the Lion’s Heart, I more deeply explored my British ancestry.


Set in 1789 England, the story opens with the hero, Captain Dalton Evans (fought in the American Revolution) journeying to Dover to meet the ship carrying a distant cousin, Mademoiselle Sophia Devereux, who’s fleeing the French Revolution.  *Pause here to note all the research the revolution took, not to mention Georgian England in general, Cornwall in particular, rum smuggling, stage-coach travel and sailing in the late 18th century....you get the idea. But I digress. Back to Dalton who’s irked with his mission, not only because he finds it tedious, but he resents the French, partly as a result of their aid to the Americans during the war and some of the Frenchmen he fought during that lost cause.  Plus he thinks French aristocrats are arrogant.  However, the young woman he rescues from the sinking ship is nothing like he expects and rocks his world.

During all the copious research, I discovered this is a fascinating time period on both sides of the channel.  I’m already hooked on The Scarlet Pimpernel, having read all the books in that series several times and watched every film version (have my favorites) and I'm drawn to other novels and productions set in this era, such as the rich epic series, Poldark--read the books and own the earlier Masterpiece Theater production. Loved the newest version.


As to the language ‘thing,’ my youngest daughter, Elise, who graduated summa cum laude with a double major in art and French, was a huge help with the sprinkling of French words and phrases.


Blurb: As the French Revolution rages, the English nobility offer sanctuary to many a refugee. Captain Dalton Evans arrives in Dover to meet a distant cousin, expecting to see a spoiled aristocrat. Instead, he’s conquered by the simplicity of his new charge. And his best friend Thomas Archer isn’t immune to her artless charm, either.
Cecile Beaumont didn’t choose to travel across the Channel. And she certainly didn’t expect that impersonating her own mistress would introduce her to a most mesmerizing man. Now she must play out the masquerade, or risk life, freedom – and her heart.~

Into the Lion’s Heart is available at Amazon in kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Lions-Heart-Love-Letters-ebook/dp/B005I63Y3Q

From Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers.
Awards and Reviews:
 
2012 Reader's Favorite Finalist


"This is a brilliant historical romance by Beth Trissel. You can feel her passion in the story, very well written and characters that you can feel. Into the Lion's Heart will take you through a journey of love,and enough surprises to keep you hanging on. If you love a beautiful historical romance you will enjoy this story!"
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Wanda from Romance Writers Reviews
 
"Into The Lions Heart is a historical romance novelette that is sure to delight the fancy of those who read this genre... If you have never read any of Beth Trissel's books, this will be a great start and make you want to read more. I have always liked her style of writing and hope she does not change. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lynn F. for Readers Favorite
 

I simply adored INTO THE LION'S HEART by Beth Trissel. I'm not an avid reader of historical romances or even the simply sweet romances, but this tale kissed a delicate smile on my face and I have to admit, my heart melted. Not only was the writing superb and in context with the time and place, but the plot itself was very well done.
Rating five out of five stars and a Top Pick from The Romance Reviews
Reviewed by Erinne 
 

Friday, March 29, 2013

Award-winning Historical Romance Into the Lion's Heart On Sale!



IntotheLionsHeartI’m best known for my Native American themed historicals and time travels, but am even more versatile than that. My often overlooked historical romance Into the Lion’s Heart is set in Georgian England (1789) at the explosion of the French Revolution.
This  novella took as much research as a full novel and I labored long and hard over it. The story kicked off the historical romance line by The Wild Rose Press called Love Letters. The idea behind the line is that a letter is responsible for bringing the hero and heroine together. Amazing how many ways this can happen. And, of course, I’m rather taken with my particular twist.
The connection I feel to the past and those who’ve gone before me, especially after doing a lot of research into family genealogy, are the ongoing inspiration behind my work. I come from a lot of well documented English, Scots, and Scots-Irish people, with a smidgen of French in the meld–a Norman knight who sailed with William the Conqueror on the Rowland side. One line of the family goes directly back to Geoffrey Chaucer, all fascinating and compelling to me. In my first English historical, I more deeply explored my British ancestry.
Captain Dalton EvansStory Blurb:
Will the English captain save a woman the French Revolution would devour when he knows the truth?
As the French Revolution rages, the English nobility offer sanctuary to many a refugee. Captain Dalton Evans arrives in Dover to meet a distant cousin, expecting to see a spoiled aristocrat. Instead, he’s conquered by the simplicity of his new charge. And his best friend Thomas Archer isn’t immune to her artless charm, either.

Cecile Beaumont didn’t choose to travel across the Channel. And she certainly didn’t expect that impersonating her own mistress would introduce her to a most mesmerizing man. Now she must play out the masquerade, or risk life, freedom – and her heart.
2012 Reader’s Favorite Finalist
“This is a brilliant historical romance by Beth Trissel. You can feel her passion in the story, very well written and characters that you can feel. Into the Lion’s Heart will take you through a journey of love, and enough surprises to keep you hanging on. If you love a beautiful historical romance you will enjoy this story!” Rating: 5 out of 5 stars  Reviewer: Wanda for Romance Writers Reviews
“Into The Lions Heart is a historical romance novelette that is sure to delight the fancy of those who read this genre… If you have never read any of Beth Trissel’s books, this will be a great start and make you want to read more. I have always liked her style of writing and hope she does not change.” Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Lynn F. for Readers Favorite

clipper ship“I simply adored INTO THE LION’S HEART by Beth Trissel. I’m not an avid reader of historical romances or even the simply sweet romances, but this tale kissed a delicate smile on my face and I have to admit, my heart melted. Not only was the writing superb and in context with the time and place, but the plot itself was very well done.”  ~Five out of five stars and a Top Pick from The Romance Reviews, Reviewed by Erinne 




rosevine-1
***For a limited time, Into the Lion’s Heart is reduced to .99 in Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nookbook, The Wild Rose Press, and other online booksellers.


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

My British Roots and Historical Romance Novella Into the Lion's Heart---Beth Trissel


"I simply adored INTO THE LION'S HEART by Beth Trissel. I'm not an avid reader of historical romances or even the simply sweet romances, but this tale kissed a delicate smile on my face and I have to admit, my heart melted. Not only was the writing superb and in context with the time and place, but the plot itself was very well done."
 Book Reviewed by Erinne 
"A brilliant historical romance by Beth Trissel..If you love a beautiful historical romance you will enjoy this story!
 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Reviewer: Wanda for Romance Writer's Reviews
Regarding my historical romance novella, Into the Lion's Heart, I spent as much time researching and writing this story as I would a full novel. Partly because I'm a research nut and partly because this is the nearest I can come to time travel. I enjoy my treks into the past. In fact, the connection I feel to those who’ve gone before me is the ongoing inspiration behind all my historical romances, including the time travels in my ‘Somewhere in Time’ series.  I’ve done a great deal of research into family genealogy and come from well-documented English/Scots-Irish folk with a smidgen of French in the meld, a Norman knight who sailed with William the Conqueror.  How kewl is that?
One family line goes directly back to Geoffrey Chaucer.  And there’s a puritan line with involvement in the Salem Witch Trials—my apologies to Susannah Martin’s descendants–but that’s another story.  With Into the Lion’s Heart, I more deeply explored my British ancestry.
Set in 1789 England, the story opens with the hero, Captain Dalton Evans (fought in the American Revolution) journeying to Dover to meet the ship carrying a distant cousin, Mademoiselle Sophia Devereux, who’s fleeing theFrench Revolution.  '
*Pause here to note all the research the revolution took, not to mention Georgian England in general, Cornwall in particular, rum smuggling, stage-coach travel and sailing in the late 18th century….you get the idea. But I digress. Back to Dalton who’s irked with his mission, not only because he finds it tedious, but he resents the French, partly as a result of their aid to the Americans during the war and some of the Frenchmen he fought during that lost cause.  Plus he thinks French aristocrats are arrogant.  However, the young woman he rescues from the sinking ship is nothing like he expects and rocks his world.
During all the copious research, I discovered this is a fascinating time period on both sides of the channel.  I’m already hooked on The Scarlet Pimpernel, having read all the books in that series several times and watched every film version (ask about my favorites) and am drawn to other novels and productions set in this era, such as the rich epic series, Poldark–read the books and own the Masterpiece Theater production. If you never read or watched either series you've missed out big time.
As to the language ‘thing,’ my youngest daughter, Elise, a 2010 summa cum laude graduate with a double major in art and French, was a huge help with the sprinkling of French words and phrases.  And she can debate with anyone who begs to differ with her translation, why she chose a particular verb or whatever.  My French is weak, so I’m going with her and will just say it’s a beautiful language.  I hope you enjoy the story.
Blurb: As the French Revolution rages, the English nobility offer sanctuary to many a refugee. Captain Dalton Evans arrives in Dover to meet a distant cousin, expecting to see a spoiled aristocrat. Instead, he’s conquered by the simplicity of his new charge. And his best friend Thomas Archer isn’t immune to her artless charm, either.
Cecile Beaumont didn’t choose to travel across the Channel. And she certainly didn’t expect that impersonating her own mistress would introduce her to a most mesmerizing man. Now she must play out the masquerade, or risk life, freedom – and her heart.~
Into the Lion’s Heart is available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon Kindle,Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

More About Historical/Paranormal Romance Author Beth Trissel


Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my children, grandbabies, and assorted animals.  An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans, and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration.  In addition to American settings, I also write historical and time travel romances set in the British Isles.
My fascination with Colonial America, particularly stirring tales of the frontier and the Shawnee Indians, is an early and abiding one. My English, Scot-Irish ancestors had interactions with this tribe, including family members taken captive. In 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.  Native American themed historical romance Through the Fire is also based on research into my colonial forebears and the French and Indian War.  I signed a contract for the sequel to Through the Fire, entitled  Kira Daughter of the Moon, due out later in 2012.
“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, Long and Short Reviews
“This book touched my soul even as it provided a thrilling fictional escape into a period of history I have always found fascinating.” ~ Laurie-J Reviewer for Red Bird’s Song at Night Owl Romance
“With “Red Bird’s Song”, Beth Trissel has painted an unforgettable portrait of a daring and defiant love brought to life in the wild and vivid era of Colonial America. Highly recommended for lovers of American history and romance lovers alike!” ~Review by Virginia Campbell
Intrigued with all things Celtic, much of my writing features these early Scot-Irish ancestors who settled in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. This absorption with Colonial America also extends to the high drama of the Revolution and ancestors who fought on both sides of that sweeping conflict as depicted in Enemy of the King.
*Image of the Alleghenies by my mother, Pat Churchman
“An amazing and vibrant look into the American Revolution…this sexy historical is a must read!” ~Coffee Time Romance And More
“I love historical romances. They are one of my favorites and anymore when I think of a historical I think of Beth Trissel.”~Reviewed by Bella Wolfe, You Gotta Read Reviews
“Beth Trissel is a skilled storyteller and scene-builder. She immediately plunges the reader into  action and excitement with a vivid sense of time and place.” ~Historical Romance Author Kris Kennedy ( for Enemy of the King)
Historical/light paranormal romance Daughter of the Wind, following on the heels of the Revolution, is set in the ruggedly beautiful Alleghenies among the superstitious Scots with a young couple caught in the clash between two warring Peoples.  The story is inspired by a tragic and true tale but I conjured a happier ending for mine.
“Ms. Trissel’s alluring style of writing invites the reader into a world of fantasy and makes it so believable it is spellbinding.” ~Camellia, Long and Short Reviews
Moreover, I’m intrigued by ghost stories, and Virginia has more tales than any other state. I find myself asking if the folk who’ve gone before us are 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, so I answer ‘yes.’  The theme behind light paranormal murder mystery, ghost story romanceSomewhere My Love, the first in my ‘Somewhere’ series.
“As I read Somewhere My Love, 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 Trissel 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.” 
~ Joysann, Publishers Weekly
Time Travel, Ghosts, and Reincarnation.  Sacred relics and star-crossed lovers. Fantasy, mystery, magic, and above all romance... 
The idea behind my ‘Somewhere series’ is that the story opens in an old home, so far Virginia, and then transports the reader back in time either in the same old house or another place entirely, such as the Scottish Highlands. “Know that love is truly timeless.” ~Author  Mary M. Ricksen 

"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.” ~ Romance Author Helen Scott Taylor for light paranormal romance Somewhere my Love
In Somewhere My Lass, I journeyed back to 1602 Scotland and more deeply explored my Scottish roots.  I’m at work on the sequel.
Reviewed by: Silvermage of Night Owl Reviews ~’Somewhere My Lass was a wonderful time-travel romance. I enjoyed that the time-travel went from the past to 2009 and not the other way.”
“Somewhere My Lass presents a convoluted time-twisting conundrum which becomes more intriguing as it goes along. I found the romance of it touching, the enigma baffling, and the resolution unexpected. A light, interesting blend of contemporary and historical fiction.” ~joysann, Publisher’s Weekly
Nostalgia about the late 1960’s and an earlier era, WWI, coupled with a vivid dream inspired my vintage American Christmas ghost story romance Somewhere the Bells Ring.  
‘ALTHOUGH SOMEWHERE THE BELLS RING HAS A HOLIDAY THEME, IT’S AN ANYTIME READ FOR ROMANCE LOVERS.’
*Image of the Virginia Family home place (circa 1816), the inspiration and setting for the old home in Somewhere the Bells Ring.
For Somewhere the Bells Ring:
“Ms. Trissel captivates her reader from the moment you start reading the first page. She has written a compelling love story that spans some fifty plus years and keeps you entertained every step of the way with the story within a story…I fell in love with Ms. Trissel’s characters and look forward to the next delightful story ready with Kleenex box in hand. A must read for every romance fan.”
~Reviewed by Robin for Romancing the Book
Though set in England, the tumult taking place in France during the explosion of the French Revolution is the backdrop for my new historical romance, Into the Lion’s Heart.  This story launched the new series The Wild Rose Press is debuting called Love Letters, the premise being that a letter is responsible for bringing the hero and heroine together.
“A brilliant historical romance by Beth Trissel. You can feel her passion in the story, very well written and characters that you can feel. Into the Lion’s Heart will take you through a journey of love, and enough surprises to keep you hanging on. If you love a beautiful historical romance you will enjoy this story!”
Recently I branched out beyond historical and light paranormal romance with a nonfiction book about country life entitled Shenandoah Watercolors,available as a Kindle, FREE to Amazon Prime members.
I’m a member of RWA ®, Virginia Romance Writers, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.  My work has received many awards including a 2008 Golden Heart Final with my American historical Through the Fire.
2008 Winner Preditor’s & Editor’s Readers Poll
Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009 
2010 Best Romance Novel List at Buzzle
Won Book of the Week Five Times At LASR
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.” ~ William Ward

  
For more on my work please visit my website at: www.bethtrissel.com
My Daughter of the Stars Blog is loaded with a variety of posts centered around the general theme of Historical and Light Paranormal Romance, gardening with a focus on herbs, heirloom plants, and country life, but many other topics as well. Even more articles are posted at my other blog One Writers Way at: http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/
*Image of my garden taken by daughter Elise