September 17, 2010

Spotlight On... Beth Trissel


The contest winner has been announced! Congratulations, Linda Henderson.



This morning we have historical/paranormal romance author Beth Trissel at the keyboard. Welcome, Beth, can you tell us a little about yourself?


Certainly, thanks. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and live on a farm in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with children and multiple animals. The beauty of the valley is an inspiration, as are my roots which go well back into Virginia’s history. My fascination with the colonial frontier and the Shawnee Indians is an early and abiding one. My English, Scots-Irish ancestors had interactions with this tribe, including family members taken captive. Intrigued with all things Celtic, much of my writing features the Scots-Irish who settled the valley and spread into the mountains and the Carolinas. This absorption with early America also extends to the high drama of the Revolution and ancestors who fought and loved on both sides of that sweeping conflict.


Tell us about your new release, RED BIRD’S SONG, and where we can find it.

Colonial Native American romance novel Red Bird’s Song is the story of my heart. Although it’s the sixth novel I’ve had published, it’s the first one I ever wrote and rewrote multiple times and learned how to write in the process. I’d set it aside and get it back out again. Much of the book is based on events that occurred to my early American Scots-Irish ancestors in the Virginia colonial frontier and beyond. The research I did for this book was all-consuming. I hope readers will appreciate the depth to this very special historical romance. Available in print and digital download from the Wild Rose Press and other online booksellers. Local bookstores can order it in.

Read an EXCERPT



Describe your writing in three words.

 Historical/Paranormal Romance.


Why did you choose your genre?

I’m passionate about the past so everything I write is historical or has a strong historical element.


Do you have any 'must haves' with you while you're writing?

Must have the right music for each scene.


What has been your highlight of your career to this point?

Getting published that first time is hard to beat.


What do you find is the hardest part of writing a book?

 Writing it. I can happily research forever.


Have you noticed your voice has changed as you’ve gained experience? If so, how?

I’m a more polished version of myself.


Where can we find you on the web?

I am a very active blogger:  http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

I also have a website:  http://www.bethtrissel.com/


Is there anything you would like to ask our readers?

Do you like colonial American settings for historical romance?

Readers, thanks for dropping by.  Also, make sure to leave Beth a comment and automatically be entered to win a digital download of Red Bird's Song.


20 comments:

Sarah Grimm said...

Beth-

Welcome! Thanks for visiting today. Red Bird's Song sounds wonderful.

~Sarah

Beth Trissel said...

Sarah, thanks so much for having me on your lovely blog.

mjmuse said...

Hi Beth! You got me hooked. And I totally understand about this being a story you HAD to finish. Have a great day! :)

Lilly Gayle said...

Great interview, Sarah. And Beth, I love American history. My only published book is a paranormal but my heart's desire is to publish some of my historicals. Red Bird is going on my must read list. And the picture of your hero? HOT.

Beth Trissel said...

Thanks guys. Obviously I love historicals, especially American. Write your heart Lilly.

Winona Cross said...

Just have to say this--if my Kindle doesn't win "Red Bird's Song," I will have to hurry to Amazon and purchase it for myself. I, too, have a Scots-Irish history. My family settled in Tennessee. Like you, my entire life has been filled with awe of history. Research is my friend and my foe, at times. Enjoyed the interview very much.

Mary Ricksen said...

My grandfather came from Ireland. He was going to be shot on sight, my mom says we are all Finnian's from County Cork. Wanted dead or alive!
So he came through Ellis Island and was lucky to get into the country. He settled in the mountains of Vermont. Kinda like home for him. I wish I had been able to meet him.
Great blog Beth!
Hey, Sarah!

Beth Trissel said...

Very interesting Wiona, thanks, and Mary. wow. What a tale.

Maeve Greyson said...

What a wonderful excerpt! Felt like I was there. Well done, Beth. :-)

Cate Masters said...

Congrats on another wonderful release, Beth! Powerful excerpt. Wishing you many sales!
Cate

Susan Macatee said...

Congrats on your new release, Beth! Sounds like a powerful story!!

Beth Trissel said...

Thanks much. It is powerful, if I do say so myself.

Keena Kincaid said...

Hi, Beth. I love that you wrote and rewrote this book until you got it where it needed to be. One of these days I'm going to do that with my first story, although I do believe it would be easier to simply rewrite it all rather than revise.

Good luck with Red Bird's Song. I love the excerpt.

Linda Henderson said...

This sounds like a wonderful book, I'd love to read it.

seriousreader at live dot com

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Beth,
Wow what a great excerpt. Can't wait to read the rest of the story. Like you. I love doing the historical research even more than the actual writing.

Regards

Margaret

Beth Trissel said...

Thanks so much, Margaret, Linda, and Keena.

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

Best of luck with lots of sales with your new book. I love historicals. When I do have the time to read, it is always spent in the past with a great historical read.

Beth Trissel said...

Guys, this has been great! thanks so much to all of you who came and left such lovely comments. I will get back to you with a winner tomorrow to give others a chance to get in here from the West coast.

Beth Trissel said...

And the winner is Linda Henderson!
Thanks all.

Beth Trissel said...

I zapped the digital copy of Red Bird's Song off to Linda so if you don't get it, please let me know.