Thankful Author 2016- Beth Trissel

This author is thankful to live in the beautiful, richly historic, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, surrounded by my family and friends. I’m so deeply tied to this place, I can’t imagine what it would be like not to have such far-reaching roots. 

The valley is woven into the very fabric of my soul.

Virginia’s rich history, the Native Americas, and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. Not only have I lived in the Old Dominion for most of my life, but also previous centuries in the sense that my ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the valley in the early-mid 18^th century. A Jamestown ancestor has emerged through research into family genealogy. Other colonial forebears left legacies in Virginia and neighboring states, like North Carolina. And then there’s the northern branch of the family and the Salem Witch Trials, but that’s another tale.

My father’s family homeplace in the valley, a Georgian style brick house (circa 1816) called Chapel Hill—old homes always have names—is the inspiration behind many of the homes in my stories. I’m also influenced by other Virginia plantations I’ve visited like Shirley, Berkeley, Carter’s Grove, and several in the Carolinas. Homes from the Victorian era also draw me. I’ve lived in several, and do now. Our farm house was built in the 1870’s in the simple boxy style, not ornate Victorian. I wish.

My Scots-Irish forebears who settled in the southern end of the valley had names like Houston, Patterson, Finley, Moffett, and McLeod. These clannish Scots often intermarried, so I’m tied in with many other early American families including President James Madison. My great-great-great-grandmother referred to him as ‘dear Uncle James.’ I’m also related to the warrior hero, Wicomechee, featured in my historical romance novel, Red Bird’s Song, inspired by family genealogy.

Colonial Virginia was huge. Initially Augusta County, where my Scots ancestors settled, named for Princess Augusta, wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales, encompassed the present day county of Rockingham (where I live), the full length of Virginia’s border and the present day states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and part of western Pennsylvania. All were territories claimed by Great Britain at that time. Jamestown, the earliest successful English colony, and Williamsburg, a vital center in early America, are both in Virginia. If you haven’t visited Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, you’re in for a real treat. These sites are wonderfully restored so it’s like stepping back in time to another age, one that fascinates me.

How could I not be drawn to this wealth of history and all the stories here? They span centuries. If the earth could speak what tales it would tell, some of them horrific. Named for the ‘Virgin Queen’ Elizabeth 1^st, Virginia is also the site of more battles than any other state in the union, encompassing the French and Indian War, the Revolution, and that most uncivil of wars, the Civil War. Not to mention, Virginia has more ghost stories, possibly because of all the battles.

Whatever the reason, the Shenandoah Valley is filled with paranormal accounts, some of which I’ve experienced. All are fodder for the imagination. So, yes, this has led me to write historical, paranormal, and YA fantasy romance, plus nonfiction. I am published by The Wild Rose Press, and also have some indie titles out.

Blurb from Red Bird’s Song (published by The Wild Rose Press, purchased by Amazon Encore Publishing Division and re-released in 2015):

Taken captive by a Shawnee war party wasn't how Charity Edmondson hoped to escape an unwanted marriage. Nor did Shawnee warrior Wicomechee expect to find the treasure promised by his grandfather's vision in the unpredictable red-headed girl. George III's English Red-Coats, unprincipled colonial militia, prejudice and jealousy are not the only enemies Charity and Wicomechee will face before they can hope for a peaceful life. The greatest obstacle to happiness is in their own hearts. As they struggle through bleak mountains and cold weather, facing wild nature and wilder men, Wicomechee and Charity must learn to trust each other.~

Buy Links

Red Bird’s Song is available in print and eBook at Amazon: 
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Birds-Song-Beth-Trissel-ebook/dp/B013RJV9Q4/

Social Links

For more on me, my blog is the happening place: 
https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

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